Tag: Don’t Destroy Without Regard for Values of the Past - 2 Kings 21-25

2 Kings 23:16-20

And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the mount. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it, according to the word of the Lord that the man of God proclaimed, who had predicted these things. Then he said, “What is that monument that I see?” And the men of the city told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted these things that you have done against the altar at Bethel.” And he said, “Let him be; let no man move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria. And Josiah removed all the shrines also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which kings of Israel had made, provoking the Lord to anger. He did to them according to all that he had done at Bethel. And he sacrificed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

Tag:  Don’t Destroy without Regard for Values of the Past

The above passage is taken right out of the middle of the record of King Josiah’s reforms in Jerusalem.   Josiah had discovered a copy of the Law and saw that his father and the kings before him had corrupted the kingdom.  Josiah was bent on reforming the kingdom according to God’s Word.  Chapter 23, in particular, records the destruction of all things wicked that were established in the Kingdom.   In archetype language this is called the Destroyer Archetype: The ability to move away from things that is not profitable.  However, as the above passage shows, in his destruction, the king comes across something that causes him to pause.  He sees the memorial of a tomb in front of him and rather than simply destroy it, he asks about it.   When he learns the meaning behind it, he leaves it and destroyers the corrupt things around it.  Josiah saw that this memorial has “value” according to God’s Word and does not destroy it.   In the aspect of “purging” the old, this is a great lesson.  Holding onto what we “value” is just as important as discarding what is not profitable, when we are in a “out with the old and in with the new” mindset.   Josiah used God’s Word to determine what should go “out” and what should stay “in.”   The Destroyer has to recoginze what is still valuable.  Holding on to what we value is called the Lover Archetype.   So, when Destroyer is in action it must still remember Lover.   We remove what God’s Word says to remove (Destroyer) and we hold onto and honor what God’s Word tells us to honor (Lover).   That is how real sanctification works.   

Tag: God is a God of Patterns - Leviticus 22-24

Leviticus 23:15-16

The Feast of Weeks

“You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord.

Tag:  God Is a God of Patterns

Sometimes when reading the Old Testament, especially a book like Leviticus, we can wonder, “Why?”    Why are we supposed to read this book?   It is so “yester-year” in regard to how God works. It is a book intended solely for the nation of Israel and, this section in particular, the priest.   What profit is it for me?   It is important to remember, that reading any book of the Bible is intended for our profit:

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

But, it should be noted, in the passage from Leviticus, above, that this passage speaks about the pattern God established in the Old Testament.  It is a pattern He follows in the New Testament.  The “seven full weeks” before they offered the “sheaf of the wave offering” would be 50 days.   This is commonly called “Pentecost” for the early church.  It was the day that the Holy Spirit came upon the church and over 3,000 souls were saved.   The significance of this in correlation with the passage in Leviticus is that the marriage of the Old and the New is one of patterns.   God established patterns in the Old Testament that He followed and showed more clearly in the New.   The writer of Hebrews calls these patterns in the Old, “shadows,” as in shadows of what would be more visible in the New.   God did not just through stuff together.  We can learn, from reading the Old Testament, the character of God and what matters to God.  The way we approach God NOW is through the one time sacrifice of His Son.  But, the pattern is still the same.  There must be a sacrifice. The sacrifice must be pure.  The sacrifice must be accepted by God (and it was).  These patterns are a way for us to see God has a plan and He is completing His plan in every age.  God is not a God of chance.  He is a God of design.  We rejoice in His design.   

Tag: The Gospel Changes Our Focus - 1 Thessalonians 1-3

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Tag:  The Gospel Changes Our Focus

In this letter to the church of the Thessalonians, Paul is commending them for their steadfast walk.  Paul had visited them after he was run out of Philippi.  The church began in affliction and Paul left sooner than he wanted to leave.  He sent Timothy back to see how they were dong and the church did not disappoint.   They were living large for Christ.   Why?  How? Because when the Spirit of God comes into your life with the torch of the Gospel you are ignited to shine your life differently.   Notice in the above verses the change in their focus.  They quit focusing on “idols” and put their hope in Christ and His return.  They no longer looked at the things of this world to give them hope and contentment.   Instead, their focus was changed to see the risen Christ.   There was a turning of their focus.  The Gospel does not come into the life and leave us the same. If we say we have the Gospel and remain the same something is very much wrong ... and, it is not the Gospel.  The Gospel changes our focus.  It must!!   Once we believe in Christ we have hope in His saving grace and return.  We no longer hope in “idols” - worthless objects that catch our eyes.   Those things never satisfy.  God does.   

Tag: The World Does Not Get It!!! Luke 23-24

Luke 23:34-38

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Tag:  The World Doesn’t Get It!!

In the above passage we see the account of the crucifixion of Jesus, the Son of God, for our sins.  As he was placed on the cross the soldiers began to mock Him.  Their reasoning was that “if” He was the Son of God, as He claimed, He certainly would have delivered Himself.  “If,” as He saved others, He would certainly save Himself ... that is what a “real” God would do ... at least that was their reasoning.   This thought pattern would be the natural way to think if you were a natural man.   To think that the God of this world would be human and die is an absurd thought for mankind.   Yet, this is what Jesus did. It was God’s plan, in order to save His elect, to allow Himself, through the act of obedience of His Son, to die for us.   The World does NOT get it!!!   God has and did die for us. He allowed death to defeat Him - but rose from the dead to defeat death. He beat death by dying and rising again.   God is the giver of life and He did something the natural man can not fathom.   This is a rejoicing thing.   We can stand back in amazement, but we cannot be in disbelief.  God saved us by ding for us.   

Tag: God’s Word via God’s Spirit Brings New Life - Ezekiel 37-42

Ezekiel 37:3-7

And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.

Tag:  The Power of the Word and Spirit Bring Life

The above passage is probably the most famous of Ezekiel’s book.   Ezekiel is brought to a valley full of dry bones.  He is told to prophesy over the bones.  As he does, they come to life.  This passage is one of the most powerful in regard to the picture of the Gospel of Christ.   When we have the Word preached and the Spirit of God mixes it with our faith, we are brought to new life.  These bones did NOTHING to come to life.  This is a great picture of how we are regenerated.  We have no life in us.  Even our faith is a gift to believe in Him.   He brings us to life.   

Psalms 119:25

Daleth My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word!

Proverbs 4:20-22

My son, be attentive to my words;

incline your ear to my sayings.

Let them not escape from your sight;

keep them within your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,

and healing to all their flesh.

James 1:18

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Titus 3:4-5

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

We are brought to life by His Word through the power of His Spirit.  We need to only submit and allow Him to give us the faith we need to live victoriously for Him.   There is no effort on our part.  It is all God breathing life into these dead bones.  

Tag: Poverty is Not Always a Choice - It Can be a Crime - Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:23 (NASBStr)

Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor,

But it is swept away by injustice.

Proverbs 13:23

The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,

but it is swept away through injustice.

Tag: Poverty is Not Always a Choice - It can be a Crime

There are many causes for “poor” in society.   Solomon addresses some of them in Proverbs.

1). For instance, God is the maker of the rich and poor:

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and the poor meet together;

the Lord is the maker of them all.

2). God also punished wickedness by removing wealth and needs:

Proverbs 13:25

The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,

but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

Proverbs 10:2-3

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,

but righteousness delivers from death.

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

3).  Being lazy and unfocused can cause someone to be poor:

Proverbs 28:19

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

4). But, as we see above, in Proverbs 13:23 someone can be poor because of a lack of justice.   In this proverb we see that the poor has, before them fruit.  But, an unjust act makes it impossible for them to experience the harvest they would otherwise have.   We live in a world where oppression of the poor is ignored.   It is easy for us to simply think a person is poor because of their own lack of diligence, foolish choices and/or laziness.   However, there are many poor due to a lack of justice in our land.  We can’t make someone be diligent or wise in their choices.  But, we can make sure the system is just and gives opportunity for all to achieve.   But, in giving opportunity does not guarantee someone will plow the land in front of them.  That still comes down to their choices and commitment.  God made sure that the fields were open to the poor to harvest along the edges of the crops.   Those who owned the land were supposed to leave the edges for the poor.  But, the poor still had to go forth and glean on their own.   In God’s system justice is married to diligence.  It is not just to give someone something they did not work for.  But, it is not just to deny them the opportunity either.   

Is There a God Like God? Psalm 87-89

Psalms 89:5-9

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,

your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!

For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?

Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,

a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,

and awesome above all who are around him?

O Lord God of hosts,

who is mighty as you are, O Lord,

with your faithfulness all around you?

You rule the raging of the sea;

when its waves rise, you still them.

Tag:  Is There a God like God?

In the beginning of these three Psalms, note one of the opening verses:

Psalms 87:3

Glorious things of you are spoken,

O city of God. Selah

“Glorious” things will be spoken.    The writer is referring to Jerusalem in that verse, but what made Jerusalem glorious?  The presence of God in the midst of His people.   Notice what is stated in an earlier Psalm:

Psalms 86:9

All the nations you have made shall come

and worship before you, O Lord,

and shall glorify your name.

In the above verses we see why glorious things are said about God and why ALL nations will, in time, worship before Him:  God is deserving of the glory we give Him.   Is there anything to hard for our God?    Note this line in the above passage:

“Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,

a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, ...”.

Who?   We have much to fear in this life.  We have many failures to overcome, disappointments to conquer and steep mountains to climb.  But, the ONE thing we can rest assured of is that, in the midst of whatever battle we are in, believers have the God of Gods on their side.  He is worthy to be praised.  Glorious things are spoken of Him!!! Who is like our God?   

Tag: Leadership is in the Hand of God - 2 Kings 16-20

2 Kings 19:5-7

When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’”

Tag:  Leadership is in the Hand of God

When we watch our favorite news channels and listen to all the talking heads pontificate about the latest political scandals, strategies and/or speculations, it is not unusual that we might fall into a sense of fear.   The political landscape is scattered with failure and falsehoods.   It is amazing that the non-believer can even coup with such bewilderment.   For the believer we ought to have extreme confidence, however.   Why?  Because we know that the leaders of this world are in the hand of God and God turns them as He will:

Proverbs 21:1

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

he turns it wherever he will.

In the above passage we see what happened with the King of Assyria came to destroy Jerusalem and take King Hezekiah captive.  Hezekiah turned to God and and asked God, through the prophet Isaiah, for help and deliverance.   God answered, not with a lighting bolt to destroy the King of Assyria, but with a “spirit ... a rumor.”   What a powerful God we have.  He can turn back the greatest army of the day with a rumor.   A false narrative heard by the King of Assyria would rescue God’s people.  God does not need much.  The world is so easily swayed by a false narrative.  If you watch the “talking news heads” you can hear their narratives.  God sends a confusing spirit among them and they are off for the day chasing the rumor.   As believers we can, like Hezekiah, rejoice in the power of the God of the universe.  He truly has the kings of this world in His powerful, divine hands.   

Tag: It is God Who Sanctifies Us - Leviticus 19-21

Leviticus 20:8

Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

Tag:  It is God Who Sanctifies Us.

Throughout this section of Leviticus God is given the nation of Israel rules, guidelines and precepts to obey.   These are not options.   Many do not fit our current societal mores. Most of our liberal thinkers would reject most of what Moses is telling the nation.   It should be noted that in these three chapters, alone, God uses the phrase, “I am the Lord your God,” as the reason for these commands.   We tend want to reject them as “Old Testament” teaching.  However, we need to really investigate how each of these commands might fit in the “grace” (not “law”) world of the church today.   The reason God gives for each of these commands is that it is HE who “sanctifies” them and it is because HE IS THE LORD YOUR GOD!   We need no other reason.   Today we live in a world of personal self choice.  We are told we get to choose what we want to do and don’t want to do.  We are told we have ultimate freedom.   We don’t want to do what the side government tells us.  We don’t have to do what a god tells us.  We are gods!  Or, so we would like to believe.   The truth is that God is in the process of “sanctifying” His people for Himself.  Since He is holy we are to be Holy.  God demands holiness from His people.  But, God makes it happen as well.  As the above verse states, He has made us holy.  It is God who sanctity’s us for Himself.  He does this (NT) by sending us His Spirit to use His Word, to sanctify us:

John 17:17

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

The “them” in the verse is believers.   Jesus prayed to God that we would be “sanctified” by truth and God’s Word is Truth.  This is why we have to spend time in God’s Word and allow it to chisel us.  It is God who sanctifies and He can because He is God.

Tag: There is NO Retirement for Believers - Colossians 3-4

Colossians 4:17

And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Tag:  Retirement Only Comes After Fulfillment

The above verse is found in the closing of Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae.  Paul is sending some remarks to the entire church about individuals in that church.  Imagine how Archippus must have felt when he hears his name read out load to the entire church.  We are not told much about him or what his specific ministry is all about.  We don’t know if he is young and was tempted to give up on the faith, or if he was old and and the hardships and difficulties of the faith were taking a toll on him to given in and give up.   We only know that Paul tells him.  

There is not a word in this verse that should be ignored or assumed. The tense of each word carries incredible meaning for us.  But, the length of this blog does not allow a complete breakdown of each word.  

There are three principles, however, that must be mentioned, that flow from this small, but impactful, verse:

1).  “Fulfill” the Ministry God Gives Us!   We are not to do something half way.  We are to plēroō it.  We are to make sure we complete the ministry gives us.  We are to “carry it to the full.”   Notices that Paul told the same thing to young Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:5

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Christ completed His ministry for us and it resulted in our salvation:

John 17:4

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

We too are to complete the work God gave us to do.  The thought, for the believer, in regard to the work God have us would be this: “No retirement without fulfillment.  No completion until the day of glorification.”  

2).  We have be given a “Ministry” - We will be accountable for “that” Ministry.   God has prepared good works, before we were saved, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).  Note what one commentator says about this concept of “ministry:” 

“Ministry (diakonia) - Paul reminded Archippus that his ministry was a gift from God, and that he was a steward of God who would one day have to give an account of his work. Since the Lord gave him his ministry, the Lord could also help him carry it out in the right way. Ministry is not something we do for God; it is something God does in and through us. The NT introduces a radically new attitude toward ministry. Diakonia is not the activity of a lesser to a greater, but is the lifestyle of a follower of the Lord Jesus.”

3).  Our Ministry is Received from the Lord.   Our service to God is a gift we get from God, as being “in” the Lord.  This is a key concept.  We are “in” Christ - any ministry we have, therefore, is “in Christ.”  Note:

1 Corinthians 3:9

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Is it not great to read that we labor “with” God.  We don’t simply work for a Master, but, in reality, God gives us a ministry to work along some with Him.  We received it in the same way we receive oxygen.  It comes through the faith in our lungs and enables us to breath the labor we do for Him.   This ministry is not something we make up. It is not something we develop skills for, it is a ministry given to us that uses our skills.  The world (and much of the Church) has this all backwards.   Our ministry, as believers, comes to us as we walk in and with Christ.   

We must fulfill the ministry given to us as believers in Christ.  It is charge to the end of our lives.  There is no retirement from this ministry.  There is no self made ministry.  We are to take the gift of ministry God gives us and through Him and for Him we are to fulfill that ministry.  

Tag: Believers Will Reign with Christ - Luke 21-22

Luke 22:28-30

“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Tag: Christians Will Reign

To better understand the above passage we have to take into consideration both the context and the grammar Luke is using.  

In regard to context, the disciples have been arguing about who would be the greatest among them when Christ rules.   Jesus tells them to first, be servants of all.  However, that is not their mindset.   We have to always remember that the Jews, during Jesus time, were being oppressed by the Romans.  They were waiting for a Savior, but one more in the fashion of Moses to deliver them from Rome (like Moses delivered them from Egypt).   They were not always thinking of a spiritual realm.  To the disciples defense, however, they were also just introduced, by Jesus, the concept of the Temple being destroyed and the end of the world idea.  

We also have to remember that right after Luke records these words of Jesus, Peter denies Jesus three times.  So, when Jesus states in the above verse that “since they had stayed by Him in His trials,” this is not an all inclusive thought.   He will forgive Peter and the others for their leaving Him on the cross.  But, they had made their commitment and, as a result, they would benefit by being exalted in the Kingdom. 

The above verses are very much about the final exaltation of all those who believe and follow Jesus. In this life we are to be servants.   We are to seek the kingdom of God, yes, but not as rulers.  We are to serve here in order to be exalted there.  

Luke 12:31-32

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Note what one commentator states:

“Despite the various attempts that have been made to find here a ruling role for the Twelve in the life of the early church, the eschatological orientation, in this context, of the rule of Jesus requires the same for the rule of the Twelve. 12:32, while not unrelated, is more general and sees the promised βασιλεία, "kingdom/kingship/royal rule," as possession rather than as activity.

The key in that statement is that our ruling with Christ should be seen as more of as a “possession rather than as activity.”   We are in the Kingdom “in Christ” and therefore reign “with Christ” as the “Body of Christ.”  

Compare:

Romans 8:17

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

2 Timothy 2:11-12

The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

We can rejoice that as we bear the trials of Christ we will reign with Christ.  The world may think they are in control now.  But, the truth of the matter is that believers have basileia (see below).

NOTE Vines Comments: 

basileia (βασιλεία, 932) is primarily an abstract noun, denoting “sovereignty, royal power, dominion,” e.g., Rev. 17:18, translated “(which) reigneth,” lit., “hath a kingdom” (rv marg.); then, by metonymy, a concrete noun, denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules, e.g., Matt. 4:8; Mark 3:24. It is used especially of the “kingdom” of God and of Christ.

“The Kingdom of God is (a) the sphere of God’s rule, Ps. 22:28; 145:13; Dan. 4:25; Luke 1:52; Rom. 13:1, 2. Since, however, this earth is the scene of universal rebellion against God, e.g., Luke 4:5, 6; 1 John 5:19; Rev. 11:15-18, the “kingdom” of God is (b) the sphere in which, at any given time, His rule is acknowledged. God has not relinquished His sovereignty in the face of rebellion, demoniac and human, but has declared His purpose to establish it, Dan. 2:44; 7:14; 1 Cor. 15:24, 25. Meantime, seeking willing obedience, He gave His law to a nation and appointed kings to administer His “kingdom” over it, 1 Chron. 28:5. Israel, however, though declaring still a nominal allegiance shared in the common rebellion, Isa. 1:2-4, and, after they had rejected the Son of God, John 1:11 (cf. Matt. 21:33-43), were “cast away,” Rom. 11:15, 20, 25. Henceforth God calls upon men everywhere, without distinction of race or nationality, to submit voluntarily to His rule. Thus the “kingdom” is said to be “in mystery” now, Mark 4:11, that is, it does not come within the range of the natural powers of observation, Luke 17:20, but is spiritually discerned, John 3:3 (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14). When, hereafter, God asserts His rule universally, then the “kingdom” will be in glory, that is, it will be manifest to all; cf. Matt. 25:31-34; Phil. 2:9-11; 2 Tim. 4:1, 18.

“The fundamental principle of the Kingdom is declared in the words of the Lord spoken in the midst of a company of Pharisees, “the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” Luke 17:21, marg., that is, where the King is, there is the Kingdom. Thus at the present time and so far as this earth is concerned, where the King is and where His rule is acknowledged, is, first, in the heart of the individual believer, Acts 4:19; Eph. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:15; and then in the churches of God, 1 Cor. 12:3, 5, 11; 14:37; cf. Col. 1:27, where for “in” read “among.”

Tag: Leadership is Held Accountable - Ezekiel 31-36

Ezekiel 32:31-32

“When Pharaoh sees them, he will be comforted for all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, declares the Lord God. For I spread terror in the land of the living; and he shall be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword, Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord God.”

Ezekiel 31:14

All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to towering height or set their tops among the clouds, and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For they are all given over to death, to the world below, among the children of man, with those who go down to the pit.

Tag:  Leadership is Held Accountable 

In this section of Ezekiel the prophet is asked to prophecy against the leaders of the world.  In the case of the above passage, it is Egypt in the prophets crosshairs.   The Pharaoh of Egypt, like the other leaders of other nations, had lifted up his head and thought himself to be invincible.    God refers to him as a “tall tree” in this section and the “tall tress” of the nations are being exposed for their wickedness.  God calls them out for being put in a place of authority and they refused to honor God for His Sovereign power.   The above prophecy states that Pharaoh will be brought low and the only “comfort” he will receive is that when he is brought low, there, too, will be the other nations that foolishly exalted themselves.  

The key part of the above verses is this portion:

“For I spread terror in the land of the living ...”.

There is some dispute as to who the “I” is.  It is scary to believe the “I” refers to God.  We don’t want to believe that God “spreads terror” around the world.  Yet, that is the entire point of the passage.  The leaders of the world (in this section) are being called out for their failure to follow God’s Word and God’s Plan.  God uses the leaders of this world to accomplish this task.   God brings disaster on the land when it is in His interest to accomplish His plan:

Isaiah 45:7

I form light and create darkness,

I make well-being and create calamity,

I am the Lord, who does all these things.

God states through the prophet that “all this” is so that the “trees” (leaders) will not grow to a height that they think they can change the course of God’s plan.  When we look at our leaders today they think of themselves as quite powerful.  Yet, God is the one who sets them in their place and God will hold them accountable to what they do while in that place.   God is in the process of accomplishing His plan and leaders are simply a cog in that plan.   We can be fearful of wicked leaders and what they do to our country, or we can rejoice in the fact that God will control the “tall tress” and bring them all into account.   

Tag: Know When to Talk - Proverbs 11-12

Proverbs 11:13 (NASV)

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

Proverbs 11:13 (NIV)

A gossip betrays a confidence,

but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Tag:  Know When to Talk

We live in a world where gossip is traded like money.   The Facebook was actually created to trade in the currency of gossip.   Tweeter accounts pass more gossip than creative and industrious thought.   The entire internet is base upon the premise that "information" sells.   In the above proverb we see the truth of what God values and what the world sells.  Trustworthy people are people who have a character of God.   They hold the matters they know in concealment.   They don't reveal what they have been entrusted with, despite the avenues available to share it.   The "talebearer" on the other hand reveals every secret they are entrusted with.   The remarkable thing is that the gossip continues to be entrusted with information.   They betray the confidence others put in them.   We know the value of someone by whether they can keep a secret ... if they can keep confidences.   Solomon wants us to know the truth of that true God-like character.  God's character is not found in gossip.  It is found in keeping truth and being trustworthy.  Note what Solomon will say in the next chapter:

Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man conceals knowledge,

but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Just because we have knowledge does not mean we should share the knowledge we have.  There is a time to keep quiet about a thing.   Those who go about telling all they know are not “prudent,” says Solomon.   Solomon would be an authority on this.  He knew more than most ... more than anyone of his time, according to God’s Word:

1 Kings 4:29-30

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

If the person God gave more wisdom to than anyone else tells us that, at times, it is prudent to not share all you know, than it is best to listen.   The person of no character can not be trusted to hold onto information.  The person who can be trusted is someone who knows when to share and when to be quiet. 

Tag: God’s Goodness IS HIs Sign to Us - Psalm 84-86

Psalms 86:15-17

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Turn to me and be gracious to me;

give your strength to your servant,

and save the son of your maidservant.

Show me a sign of your favor,

that those who hate me may see and be put to shame

because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Tag:  God’s Goodness Is His Sign to Us

Psalms 86 is a song of David.  He starts out by saying he is a servant of God and then pours out the need he has.  He is being pursued by a band of men (Saul?).   He knows that God is the God of comfort and strength in the times of need, like this time.  Note what David says about these men and their mission:

Psalms 86:14

O God, insolent men have risen up against me;

a band of ruthless men seeks my life,

and they do not set you before them.

Evilness is attempting to over take David.   What is he to do?   In the final verses of the Psalm, David confesses and prays the following:

1). He acknowledges the character of God:

Psalms 86:15

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

In the midst of suffering God’s people must first focus on the character of God, NOT the description of their circumstances.  David’s acknowledges his circumstances (v. 14), but he doesn’t mediate on them. He instead, mediates upon the character of God. He praises God for his faithfulness, mercy, grace, steadfast love..   We can either focus on the evilness of the circumstances we face or the goodness and glory of God.   

2).  He turns to God and asks God to turn to Him to strengthen him:

Psalms 86:16

Turn to me and be gracious to me;

give your strength to your servant,

and save the son of your maidservant.

He does not simply ask for the circumstances to change.  He asks that he might have strength in the midst of the situation he is facing.  God’s people can request a change in venue, but they, first, should ask for a change in vitality.   Asking God for strength to deal with the situation is far more character building than asking God to remove the situation.  

3).  He asks God that God show him a sign:

Psalms 86:17

Show me a sign of your favor,

that those who hate me may see and be put to shame

because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

The sign, in this case, would be that God answers the previous verses request (to grant him strength).   There is nothing more confusing to the world around us than the strength God in the midst of a believer in the midst of a struggle.   We don’t give God a witness to the world when the struggle is simply removed.  We are a better witness to the world when God gives us strength to deal with the struggle.  That is the sign David wants.  He wants to be a sign to the world that God is “good.”  He wants those who “hate” him to be put to shame.  The only way that happens is if he does something extraordinary in the midst of the suffering.   When Saul was hunting him, David had two opportunities to kill Saul.  God gave him strength to NOT kill Saul, even though all his men wanted him to.   That “sign” of God’s strength put Saul to shame.  Psalm 86 is a perfect picture of our behavior in the midst of struggles when we trust God for our strength.   

Tag: Sin is Costly in Old Age - 2 Kings 11-15

2 Kings 12:19-21

The Death of Joash

Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? His servants arose and made a conspiracy and struck down Joash in the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla. It was Jozacar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, who struck him down, so that he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

Tag:  Sin is Costly in Old Age

Joash started out as a good king in Judah.   He was rescued when he was young and, as a young king, he brought in reforms for God.   During his reign God was honored.  However, in his later years, something happened.  We are not given the details as to what he did, but we know that in his later life he failed to follow through in the same way he did in his younger life.   The key was probably the death of the priest, Jehoiada.  Without an immediate supervisor, Joash, was not able to carry thorough with his commitment to God and God’s laws.  Leadership without spiritual influence will eventually go wrong.   Without having someone to speak into the life of the leader in regard to spiritual minded things, all leaders will be end up like Joash.  As a result of his failure to follow God, his own servants conspired to take his life.   His disobedience removed God’s protection from his life.   God will watch over the leaders who give honor to him. In Joash’s early life that is what happened.   But, in the later part of his life, he failed to heed God’s Word and sought other ways to lead.  In the story just before these verses we read that, instead of honoring God and trusting God in the midst of a threat from the King of Syria, he, rather, paid the King off.   Instead of coming to God for help he used his riches to protect himself and God’s people.  Note what Solomon says about that approach:

Proverbs 11:28

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,

but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

In our later life we need to be as enthusiastic for God as in our younger life.   Leadership can’t afford to cease following God.  

Tag: God’s Character Determines Sexual Relations - Leviticus 16-18

Leviticus 18:6

“None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the Lord.

Tag:  God’s Character Determines Sexual Relations

In this section of Leviticus God lays out the guidelines for sexual relationships for the nation of Israel.   There are many different rules and boundaries that God outlines for them to follow.   But, the guiding principle is found in the above verse when God states: “I am the Lord.”  God’s reason for having boundaries for sexual relations is His character.   That is reason enough.   The world rejects this reasoning, but that doesn’t change the truth of it.  In today’s society the mantra is, “This is my body and it is not anyone’s business what I do with my body.”  The problem with that thought process is that our bodies are NOT ours.  God created us (all of us) and He has claim to us.  He designed life to be based upon His moral character.  Even if you reject God’s existence it does not change the fact that He does exist and He does have claim over those He gave life to.   God designed our bodies and our sexual desires.  He designed them to make sure we had the best.  The best is by His guidelines.   In the nation of Israel God wanted them separate from the world around them.  He also wanted them pure, as a people and to not corrupt the priesthood and the royal line of Christ.   God’s moral character was in place to make sure that the nation of Israel would represent God’s moral character to the world.   The world around them was involved in numerous moral sexual sins.  God wants His people to be different.   If the world can’t see the difference in us they can justify their own actions and their own sins.  

Tag: Legalism and Ascetisim Cannot Stop Sin - Colossians 1-2

Colossians 2:20-23

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Tag: Legalism Cannot Stop Sin

In the Church at Colosse, there were a number of false doctrines being spoken. Paul wrote this little letter to correct those bad doctrines.   Note one commentators brief picture of this passage:

“In 2:8-23, Paul mounts a frontal attack on the Colossian heresy. He has already dealt with philosophy (2:8-10) and presented Christ’s sufficiency (2:11-15). He continues his refutation of the Colossian heresy by dealing with legalism (2:16-17), mysticism (2:18-19), and asceticism (2:20-23).”

Excerpt From: John F. MacArthur. “Colossians and Philemon MacArthur New Testament Commentary.” Moody Publishers, 1992. iBooks. 

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In the above passage Paul is attacking “asceticism” - a demanding form of legalism.   The false teachers were trying to convince the Colossian church that if they refrained from certain things and beat their body into submission, they would be holy.   Paul refutes this thinking and teaching.  Paul flat out tells them that this type of teaching will have NO power to prevent the “indulgence” of the flesh.   The flesh wants what the flesh wants.   Working “in the flesh” to beat the flesh will not conquer the desires of the flesh.  To beat the flesh we have to live in the Spirit.   Paul’s entire point of the book is to get the members of this church to stop submitting to the wickedness of this teaching (which is a teaching of works based living) and to get them to live in the Spirit and by the Spirit.   We can’t beat the desires of the flesh by “beating” the flesh - denying it things.  We can only beat the flesh by the Power of the Spirit - which will change our desire.  

Tag: An Hostile World Can’t Stop Us from Using God’s Gifts - Luke 19-20

Luke 19:14

But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’

Tag: The World is Hostile Toward the Giver of Gifts

The above verse is taken from a parable told by Jesus.  Because the disciples and people around Him thought He was going to usher in the Kingdom of God, immediately, Jesus told a parable.  He told the story of a nobleman who would live his servants to go receive another country and then return.  Before he left, the nobleman distributed gifts to the servants.  The object of the parable was to impress upon the disciples, that while Jesus went away (via death, burial and resurrection) to receive the Kingdom of God (paid for by His death), the disciples were to be busy investing in the gifts God gave them.  In the middle of the story, the above verse appears.  

Is this verse here simply to give us the “context” for the servants conditions?  It states that the world around these servants are very hostile to the nobleman.   We, like them, are in a place where they reject God, but are still responsible for the gifts God gave us to use to His glory.  Notice that after Jesus finishes telling the story of rewarding those who invested in the gifts the nobleman gave them, He returns to this hostile group:

Luke 19:27

But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

We live in a hostile world.  Paul states the world is at war with God:

Romans 8:7-8

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Even though we live in a hostile world, we are still responsible to use and invest in the gifts God gave us.   Yes, the world is hostile.  But, as the parable teaches, we are still responsible to invest and use the gifts God gave us until He returns.