God Has Had It! Unbelief Leads to Apostasy - Numbers 13-17

 Numbers 14:20-23 (ESV Strong's)

20 Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. 21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, 22 none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, 23 shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.

God Has Had It!

In Numbers 13 & 14 we read about spies being sent out to take inventory of the Promise Land.  The entire point of Moses leading them out of Egypt was to take them into the Promise Land.  Because the spies brought back a report of fear the people rebelled.  Their exact comment was a complete apostasy to God.  Note:

Numbers 14:4 (ESV Strong's)

4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

They made a decision to return to the land of captivity and sin.   This is the very definition of apostasy.   It did not start out with this decision.  As the comment above states, God mentions “ten times” that they disobeyed God’s Word and failed to believe.  Here are the ten times (see David Talley, Talbot School of Theology)

1.         Exodus 14:10-12

At the Red Sea where it seemed that Pharaoh’s army would destroy them

2.         Exodus 15:22-24

At Marah where they found bitter water

3.         Exodus 16:1-3

In the Desert of Sin as they hungered

4.         Exodus 16:19-20

In the Desert of Sin as they paid no attention to Moses concerning the storing of the manna until the morning

5.         Exodus 16:27-30

In the Desert of Sin as they disregarded Moses concerning the gathering of the manna on the seventh day

6.         Exodus 17:1-4

At Rephidim as they complained for water

7.         Exodus 32:1-35

At Mount Sinai as Aaron led the people in making the golden calf

8.         Numbers 11:1-3

At Taberah where the people raged against the Lord

9.         Numbers 11:4-34

At Kibroth Hattaavah in the grumbling provoked by the rabble for quail

10.       Numbers 14:1-3

At Kadesh in the Desert of Paran when the people refused to receive the good report of Joshua and Caleb but rather wished themselves dead

This does not count the number of times AFTER Numbers 14 that they will also rebel.   Apostasy is turning away from God to something else, to replace God.   They turned back to their former life over a period of incidents the first nine, led to the final tenth.  Failure to believe in God was the root sin.  Unbelief is the sin that leads to apostasy.   

Handle God’s Word Correctly - 2 Timothy 1-2

 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV Strong's)

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Handle God’s Word Correctly!

Paul is outline for Timothy how to make sure he does not shipwreck his faith and ministry.   In the above passage he tells Timothy to make sure he handles God’s Word, correctly.    Someone in the past gave me the following steps to make sure we handle the Word of God correctly.  I can’t remember where I found them.  I added the finally three to make the following ten areas we should focus to handle the Word of God correctly:

How to rightly handle the Word correctly:

1.  Understand the nature of the Book (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)

2. Have the right goal in mine (What does the Bible say? vs What does it mean to me?)

3. Identify the genres of the text (what type of literature is it?). This means you apply different forms of interpretations for what you are study. 

     a. Historical particularity

 

4. Consider the context - word used.  Context determines meaning.  Like the word "ball". What does it mean?  You don't know unless you have context: a thing for a game vs an event I went to. 

5.  Follow the argument.  Look at the big picture. 

6. Do your homework.  

7.  Put the Word into practice. 

Over the years, I have added these three:

8.  Let the Word Study you!  Examine you!! (James 1:22-25; Hebrews 4:12-13)

9.  Allow Holy Spirit to Guide you (John 16:12-14)

10.  See Christ in every passage (John 16:13-14)

The one sure way to protect your faith and guard your ministry is to handle God’s Word correctly.  

Jesus has Authority over Death and Life - John 10-12

 John 10:17-18 (ESV Strong's)

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Jesus has Authority over Death & Life

These two verses should be required memorization and meditation for all Christians.  Imagine the power in these two verses.    Jesus was given authority by the Father to lay His life down (in death) and to take it up again (in resurrection).  There are more than these truths in this passage but here are some things to meditate upon:

1. The Father loves mankind so much, that He was willing to sacrifice His Son to rescue us from certain peril.   (John 3:16-17)

2. The Son was willfully obedient to the Father to accomplish the task that God sent Him to do (Philippians 2:8).

3. The Son has power over death. (Acts 2:24)

4. Because the Son has power over death, He has power to forgive sins.  (Matthew 9:1-8)

5. The Son’s obedience to the Father shows us an example of he power and model to obey our Father.   (John 14)

6.  Since the Son came from death to life, He gives us power over sin, since we too, in Him, have come from death to life (Romans 6:12-14). 

It is this last one that might be the most powerful for us.  My Jesus having power over death, we IN HIM, have been given power over sin in our lives.  That is resurrection power over sin.   As the passage in Romans teaches, we no longer have to be slaves to sin, since we are under grace, and therefore have this power the the Father gave the Son to have “authority” over death.  We have been brought “from death to life” and now have power in our lives.   Resurrection power because the Son has authority.  We need to claim it by walking in faithful obedience to Him.  

Rain Down Righteousness - Hosea 8-14

 Hosea 10:12 (ESV Strong's)

12 Sow for yourselves righteousness;

reap steadfast love;

break up your fallow ground,

for it is the time to seek the LORD,

that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Rain Down Righteousness

Imagine the thought!!   God in heaven, righteous and holy, wants to “rain down” righteousness upon Israel.  But, their constant sin is like an umbrella.  This time, rather than “protecting or sheltering” them from the rain, it is “preventing and hindering” God’s righteousness in their lives.   However, in order for God to rain down righteousness we have to make sure are walking in faithful obedience to the beginning parts of this verse.  We have to sow righteous behavior that is based upon the mortification of sin in our lives as we faithful obey His Word.  The nation of Israel has rejected God’s Word and Hosea is prophesying to motivate and encourage them to walk in obedience.   God is telling them that obedience in faith procures raining of righteousness.   That is a most pleasant thought to rejoice over in regard to God’s mercy and grace in our lives.  

When We Can’t Appease, We Should Seek to be Apart - Proverbs 20-21

 Proverbs 21:9

It is better to live in a corner of a roof

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

When We Can’t Appease, We Should Seek to be Apart

God is blunt and to the point about His truths.   He doesn't hold back words when He relays His principles to us.  In this proverb he lays it out plain and simple for us to grasp what happens when we are in the home with a women (or, man) who is contentious in nature.   When a women (or, man) creates "strife" in her home, Solomon is telling us not to try to "fix" it.  We are to go to the farthest place in the home and allow the contention to cease.   He is not telling us to leave.  He is telling us to separate from the strife.   Strife in the heart needs work by the God of the Heart.   We can't fix what is hurting in the heart.  We don't "leave" it; we simply avoid it in a place we won't stir it.   In case we don't think God is sincere about this proverb He had Solomon pen the same words in Proverbs 25:24.   

Proverbs 25:24 (ESV Strong's)

24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

God is telling us that there are times to avoid conflict and not try to fix it.   We separate ourselves and allow God to do a work.   When God does His work we can continue the relationship.  By going to the roof we won't say something we shouldn't.  By going to the roof we won't be hurt by something said.    By going to the roof we acknowledge our inability to solve the situation and we can wait for God to do His Work.    Faith pleases God and releases Him to do His thing.   Sometimes getting away gives the other person the space they need to work out what's causing their conflict.  Solomon says the same things in Proverbs 21:19:

(ESV Strong's) 19 It is better to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

In this proverbs it is going to a “desert” land. If the roof is not far enough away, the separation to a place of the “desert” is appropriate.  What Solomon is telling us is that when a soft answer does not turn away wrath, than being separate is another step.  We may never be able to appease but we should always be ready to be apart.  

God Made the Sea for Play!! Psalms 102-104

 Psalms 104:24-26 (ESV Strong's)

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!

In wisdom have you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

25 Here is the sea, great and wide,

which teems with creatures innumerable,

living things both small and great.

26 There go the ships,

and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

God Made the Sea for Play!!

Any boater would love to make the above passage their theme verses for life.  We see in the above passage that the waters created under the heavens are all full of God’s creatures.  The seas are for His enjoyment and for His glory.   All the creatures of the sea, manifold different, are but His creation to bring Him glory.   The contrast of this portion of the psalm is in verse twenty-six.   Here we have two contrasting aspects as compared to the previous lines.  In the lines leading up to twenty-six we read about all the creatures God created.   This verse then pivots to “ships.”   One could make the case that God made the ships through the toil and mind of man, but the point might be that in the midst of God’s creation man find a place enjoy that creation.   God provides man with the wisdom of ship-building to enjoy, not just the land creatures, but the sea creatures.    Perhaps the greatest challenge is to read what the author writes about the Leviathan.  We have no idea what the Leviathan was.   It is used, however, throughout Scripture and is described as a sea monster.   It is used four other times in the O.T.

Job 3:8 (ESV Strong's)

8 Let those curse it who curse the day,

who are ready to rouse up Leviathan.

Job 41:1 (ESV Strong's)

1 “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook

or press down his tongue with a cord?

Psalms 74:14 (ESV Strong's)

14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan;

you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.

Isaiah 27:1 (ESV Strong's)

1 In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.

In this psalm, however, the writer departs for the scary sea monster theme and rather makes it sound like Leviathan is just another fish jumping and frolicking in the sea.  This song moves Leviathan from dragon to dolphin.    The point the author is making is that God designed the sea, controls the sea, provides for the sea creatures and provides to us a place of enjoyment in the sea.   God has designed His creation for His glory and the enjoyment of the creation.    

God Wants His Word Obeyed, Exactly!! - 1 Chronicles 15-19

 1 Chronicles 15:11-13 (ESV Strong's)

11 Then David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.”

God Wants His Word Obeyed, Exactly!!

In the above verses we are reading about King David attempting to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem a second time.   The first time, here is what happened:

2 Samuel 6:5-7 (ESV Strong's)

5 And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.

This time, David is going to do what God’s Word says, exactly.  He is going to have the priest attend to the Ark and he is going to have the “carry” the Ark.   that is what God’s Word says to do, whenever the Ark is to be moved.    God wants His Word followed exactly.   Think of Moses and the rock.  The first time Moses was supposed to strike the rock and God would have water come out of the Ark.  The second time God told Moses to simply “speak” to the rock. Instead Moses struck it (Numbers 20:10-13).  Because he didn’t do what God told him to do, this is one of the reasons Moses did not enter the promise land.  

Think also about Samuel telling Saul to wait to worship.   Instead, Saul, being impatient, worshipped without Samuel, in the wrong way.  What did God say to him, through Samuel:

1 Samuel 13:13-14 (ESV Strong's)

13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

God is NOT messing around with His Word.   Note what the author of Hebrews says about God’s Word:

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV Strong's)

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

We are to obey the Word of God - Exactly!!!

Scripted Prayer - Numbers 9-12

 Numbers 10:35-36 (ESV Strong's)

35 And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” 36 And when it rested, he said, “Return, O LORD, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”

Scripted Prayer

Moses had a scripted prayer.   I have never been someone who has written out my prayers.   I always thought that the Spirit of God is in me and will give me the words I need to say in prayer to the Father.   But, this passage brings out a different thought.  Moses had a prayer he stated each time before the nation marched out of camp and when they returned.   The primary point of this chapter is the people moving and being guided by God.   That is the point of Moses’ prayer.   He is not just obeying the “structure” of how they are to move (which tribe goes first, second, etc).   He is going beyond the structure and asking God to go before them and to live with them.   Our prayers can be scripted or spontaneous, but they should be prayers that invite God to direct our lives.  We need God to go before us.  We need to God to dwell with us.   That is what Moses prayed.   As we start our day are we asking God to go before us and to consume our enemies.   As we return each day from our labor are we asking God to reside over us and protect us.   Scripted or unscripted, prayer is the avenue by which we employ God’s grace in our lives.   

Some Will Depart!! - 1 Timothy 4-6

 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV Strong's)

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

Some Will Depart!

In a recent survey note the findings about what some Christians no believe (or, don’t believe):

1. 2/3s of people confess that having “some type” of faith is more important than what the faith is aligned to. 

2. 1/2 of “Christians” stated they believe that they can attain salvation by “being or doing good.” 

3. 58% of “Christians” stated they believe that no absolute moral authority exists. 

4. 77% of “Christians” believe right and wrong is determined by factors other than God’s Word

5. 59% of Christians said that the Bible is NOT God’s authoritative and true Word. 

6. 69% of Christians said people are basically morally good. 

Each of the above data points tell us that some are departing from the faith.   They are being lead astray by deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.   This is a strong statement for Paul to tell young, preacher Timothy.  But, Paul wanted Timothy to be strong.  Note how he ends this letter to Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:3-5 (ESV Strong's)

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

And, he closes with this:

1 Timothy 6:11-14 (ESV Strong's)

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

In these last times some will depart from the faith.  Let it not be me!!!

Our Deeds are Before His Face - Hosea 1-7

 Hosea 7:2 (ESV Strong's)

2 But they do not consider

that I remember all their evil.

Now their deeds surround them;

they are before my face.

Our Deeds are Before His Face

The book of Hosea is a prophecy against Israel.  This is the last prophet who spoke God’s word to them before they were exiled to Assyria.   They thought they were exempt from God’s wrath because of their “national” heritage.  They thought, “Since we are God’s chosen people we are blessed and not cursed.”  They thought wrong.   They had God on their national hearts but not on their internal heart.   They did not follow Him inwardly, but only professed outwardly.    God delivers, through Hosea, a stern warning and a stern pronouncement about His judgment for their sins.   He tells them that they “do not consider” that He “remembers all their evil.”   Their deeds are “before my face.”  Notice what the writer of Hebrews would write 800 years later:

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV Strong's)

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

We must ALL give an account of our deeds to Him.   That is not even a question.   Outside of the atheist camp, most people believe that they must give an account.  They believe, if they live a “good” life, they can balance the scales.  However, the Bible does not teach that, at all.  We will give an account for every evil deed we have done.  God watches and knows.  Only forgiveness in Christ and His living a perfect life in our stead can release us from that final judgement.   We will be judged.   It is only a matter if we have someone who stands in our place for that judgment, or we stand their on our own, weak, sinful, not sufficient merits.  

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV Strong's)

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Holy Is He - He Reigns - Psalms 99-101

 Psalms 99:1-3 (ESV Strong's)

1 The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!

He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2 The LORD is great in Zion;

he is exalted over all the peoples.

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!

Holy is he!

Holy Is He - He Reigns!

At the beginning of another election season, the above verses are great to meditate upon.   As the country argues back and fourth and fight it out at the ballot box (and, for some, in the streets), it is great to know that the One who Reigns, does so, over all the earth and in holiness.   It is God who is “exalted” over all the people, not politicians or the rulers of this world.   God “sits enthroned upon the cherubim ...”.    That phrase, according to one commentator is:

(UBC OT) The phrase, he sits enthroned between the cherubim, is actually a continuation of the full name that was invoked over the cherubim-ark: “the LORD of hosts who is enthroned between the cherubim” (lit., 2 Sam. 6:2; cf. 1 Sam. 4:4). Thus, this title and perhaps the symbol of the cherubim-ark itself face the congregation with the enthroned King Yahweh.

God is in the midst of the nation of Israel in this psalm and is to be praised for being awesome, exalted, great, enthroned, and reigning.  But, the verses also say He is Holy.   It is not that God is just all powerful and reigning all the earth, it is that He does so in perfect holiness.  God does not reign like politicians who are power hungry, agenda driven monologues.   God is all powerful and yet does so in perfect holiness.  This is why we tremble at Him.  This is why we are in awe of Him.   He is the one to fear and to realize He controls the entire power system of the universe.   

Humility Starts at the Top - 1 Chronicles 10-14

 1 Chronicles 11:17-19 (ESV Strong's)

17 And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” 18 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the LORD 19 and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

Humility Starts at the Top

If you want humility in an organization, a family, a team and/or a church, it must start at the top with leadership.   Imagine just how opposite the world is today compared to David’s attitude of humility, above.  Leaders today demand that their team comes through for them.  The loyalty of these men in David’s life is amazing.  They were willing to go through a wall for him.   Yet, he knew better than to take advantage fo that loyalty for his own personal gain.   David was willing to give up his own desires and refused to put his men at such a risk for his own wants and needs. That is the greatest expression of humility: Having the sacrificial loyalty of those around you but refusing to take advantage of it for person gain.  David could have demanded it and the men would have gone and fought for it.  David could have rewarded them for knowing his deepest needs and wants and finding them for him.  But, instead, David humbled himself and knew that he was unworthy of such sacrifice and service.   This is not today’s leaders in any field of life.   

The Seven Lamps - Numbers 5-8

 Numbers 8:1-4 (ESV Strong's)

The Seven Lamps

1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.” 3 And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the LORD commanded Moses. 4 And this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was hammered work; according to the pattern that the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.

The Seven Lamps

For most of us, a lamp or a candle is a luxury, lit for ambiance, not need.   With modern electricity we see candles as fragrance more than lighting and mood more than necessity.  But, in the Tabernacle the Seven Lamps, mentioned above, were not only for symbolism but also, they were necessary to for lighting in the inner portions of the Tabernacle.   The seven lamps had practical use and symbolic shadowing of the coming of Jesus.  

1.  The light was there so the Levites could do the things they needed to do in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Place.

2. The light was made of gold signifying the holiness and greatness of God in the Holy Place.

3. The light was at the entrance of the Holy Place.  It was the first thing you would see.  This is a shadowing of Jesus being the Light of the World. 

4. The light was filled with olive oil which is a symbol of the Spirit of God and His presences.  

5. There were seven candles.  Seven is the number of perfection in the Bible.  This signifies the perfection of God. 

The light was more than just seven candles in a menorah.  This Seven Lights were there to provide the needs of the Levites, both practically and spiritually.   This should be true of our walk with Jesus today.  He is there to provide us with power and strength and light both spiritually and practically in our lives.  

Faithful Obedience Translate to Faithful Confidence

 1 Timothy 3:13 (ESV Strong's)

13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Faithful Obedience Translate to Faithful Confidence

In chapter three of 1 Timothy, Paul is outlining the qualifications to serve as an elder and as a deacon in the church.   Each qualification tells us something different about the person who would serve in these positions.   God has qualifications for severing.    Once should not be chosen or seek to serve in these positions until they meet these qualifications.   In the above verse we come to the end of the section for the position of deacon and Paul outlines two promises that are given to the deacon who serves faithfully in that position.  

1.  He will have a “good standing” in the community of faith.   The word for “standing” in the text literally means that he will have a “step up.”   It means the deacon who serves well will have a godly, positive reputation among the believers and be seen with some level of prestige and/or influence.  This should not be taken as a “better-than” others thought, since the deacon literally is called to “serve” others.  This is not a position of power, but service.   That is what gives the deacon a “step-up” in the community - their reputation for serving others. 

2.  They will have increased confidence in their faith.   This is an amazing thought for someone serving the Lord.  The more we faithfully obey the Lord, the more the Lord works in our life to gives us stronger faith.  That stronger faith gives us the ability to more and more faithful to His Word.    When we obey the Word in faith, we can grow stronger in faith and have more confidence in our faith to serve Him more and more.  That gives us confidence.  The confidence is not like the confidence the world gets when the “perform” and “produce.”  That “productivity” confidence is always at jeopardy because others are determining if you are productive or not.  This confidence is based upon the obedience of faith to His Word.   God promises the gift of confidence when we obey His Word in faith and that gives us more confidence in our faith to obey Him.   

Serving God is the avenue of confidence.  Serving Him faithfully in obedience to His Word breeds more and more confidence in our faith.   

Walking Alongside the Devil - John 5-6

 John 6:64 (ESV Strong's)

64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)

Walking Alongside the Devil

Early in Jesus ministry he called twelve men to be His disciples.   They came from a variety of backgrounds and a various diverse educational history.   They were not the top scholars of the world and they were not the sharpest at getting His deeper teaching.  Nor were they all loyal to Him.  In fact one of them was choose by Him for the sole purpose to betray Him.  Note:

John 6:67-71 (ESV Strong's)

67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

Imagine you walking next to someone, sharing bread with them each day, walking miles upon miles with them, laughing and crying with them, knowing full well that this person is going to betray you.   Christ knew the entire time that this man would give him up for month’s salary, thirty pieces of silver.  On piece of silver was probably equivalent to $20.00 today.   Jesus was the Son of God.   Judas would give Jesus over to the religious leaders of the day for $600.00.   Imagine that.  The Creator of the Universe vs $600.00.   Jesus, however, during all those years walking with Judas shows no contempt, no anger, no frustration, and/or mistreatment.   When we think about Jesus showing love to mankind through His death, we ought to remember this example of Jesus showing love and care in His life, as well.  

Resurrection Hope!! - Daniel 7-12

 Daniel 12:13 (ESV Strong's)

13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

Resurrection Hope!

Philosophers have struggled since the beginning of time with two questions:

1.  Where did we come from?

2. Where are we going?

In the above passage the second question is answered for Daniel (and for all believers).   The last half of Daniel (chapters 7-12) are about events that will take place in the end times.   When we read them we are as confused as Daniel was when he saw the vision and recorded them for us:

Daniel 10:8-9 (ESV Strong's)

8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

After each vision, Daniel was often left exhausted, confused and humbled.   There is so much in these chapters that libraries contain all the books written about the message and the vision.  But, in the end, God ends the book of Daniel is both an unusual manner and a glorious manner.  After all the visions and all the complex interpretations of the visions God simply tells Daniel to go “your way till the end.”  What God is saying to Daniel, in light of all these messages, finish your life in faith and then in the end you “shall stand in your allotted place ...”.   His “allotted” place is a resurrected place.  God is giving him the hope he needs to live his life in light of these, often, dark prophesies.   We should not be fearful of the events mentioned in Daniel.  We should be at peace that God is going to bring it all to an end in a glorious manner to exalt Himself.   Daniel, like us, will simply have an “allotted place at the end.”   

Paul said it this way:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV Strong's)

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

John said it this way:

Revelation 5:9-10 (ESV Strong's)

9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation,

10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

and they shall reign on the earth.”

Our “allotted” place is a place of victory and a place of reigning with the Lord, with Christ.   That is comforting to know as we watch the plans of God unfold in the powers of the earth.   In the end, we stand with Him!!

Communication of the Tongue can Bring Satification of the Heart - Proverbs 17-18

Proverbs 18:20

With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;

 He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

This proverb is a theme that Solomon has touched on many times in Proverbs.  In Proverbs 12:14 he says basically the same thing:

Proverbs 12:14

From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,

and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

In verse seven of this same chapter he speaks to the opposite side of this proverb by telling us a fool's mouth yields nothing for him:

Proverbs 18:7

A fool's mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

So, what can we learn here in 18:20?   Solomon is telling us what can happen when we use our language and our tongue productively.   But, before we speak to that thought let's also recall the connection Solomon makes between the tongue and the heart.   We have to remember that a proper tongue flows from a pure heart.   So, Solomon's thought here is that a pure heart, channeled through a proper tongue will produce food for the stomach.   Lips aren't only for consuming, according to Solomon.   They are also for communication.   Good communication allows us to get jobs, to earn a living in sales, to produce fruit by teamwork, and to convince others of our thoughts that makes us leaders.   Fruit from the mouth comes from faith in the heart.   We can be thankful that God produces fruit when we believe from the heart.  Communication carries consequences.   We can't speak words that hurt and not expect hurt in return.   Perhaps James was reading these proverbs when he wrote the following.   He shows us the power of the tongue:

James 3:3-5

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

The Lord Reigns, Let the Earth Rejoice! - Psalms 96-98

Psalms 97:1-5 (ESV Strong's)

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;

let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him

and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world;

the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

before the Lord of all the earth.

The Lord Reigns!

The nations of this earth strive for power over each other.  It has always been and will always be that way.   We fight and war to have power and control.   We fail to realize the truth of the above passage.   It is God who reigns.  He is in control.   However, the above passage does not paint God in the picture our world would like to only see Him.  Some see God as a great grandfather in the sky blowing kisses and giving hugs on a moment by moment basis.  Some don’t see God at all, their heads buried in the sand of ignorance and blinding by the god of this world.    They do not see the glory of God because the veil has not been removed (2 Corinthians 3:18-4:5).   Still others see God as a limp, impotent benefactor who speaks but can’t deliver.   They believe He exists but has not the interest or power to intervene in their lives.  However, the above passage portrays God in the power of His might.   When we read about His sovereignty (v. 1), His justice and righteousness (v. 2), His fire (v. 3), His lightings and earthquakes (v. 4) and the mountains melting at His very words (v. 5), we see the powerful God that He is.   He is not shameful reacting to the affairs of man like some shameless juggler who has too many balls in the air.  God is orchestrating and directing the universe to accomplish His ultimate goal and plans: To bring salvation to man and glory to Himself through His Son!   God reigns!!! Let the earth rejoice!!!

God’s Work Requires God’s People - 1 Chronicles 5-9

1 Chronicles 9:10-13 (ESV Strong's)

10 Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, 11 and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the chief officer of the house of God; 12 and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer; 13 besides their kinsmen, heads of their fathers' houses, 1,760, mighty men for the work of the service of the house of God.

God’s Work Requires God’s People

In these chapters of Chronicles, the author is outlining the genealogy of of the returning exiles.   It was important for the purpose of tracing the future Messiah.   It was important because God loves people.   Throughout the first nine chapters there are 886 male names, 25 female names and 25 nation names.   God has a thing about knowing people’s names.   In the above passage we have a lists of priest from the tribe of Levi that were listed for the work of the “service of the house of God.”   God knows each of them.   He knows each of them by name.   We ought not marvel at this since God cares for every sparrow and knows the number of hair on our head.  

Luke 12:7 (ESV Strong's)

7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

We can rejoice in the fact that God knows us, knows our names and knows the service we have for Him.   He incorporates us into His services.   He does not need us, but chooses to use us.   We are His sovereign choice for caring out His saving grace!!! 

See God Each Morning - Numbers 1-4

Numbers 2:1-2 (ESV Strong's)
1 The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.

See God Each Morning

In Numbers chapter two we have the instructions by Moses about how each of the twelve tribes of Israel are to pitch their camps.   God is a God of order and laid out to Moses exactly how He wanted the camp arranged.  This was for structure and protection, no doubt.   But, there is also one important aspect of how they arranged the tribes in the above passage.   No matter where they were in God’s arrangement they were to pitch their tents “facing the tent of the meeting on every side.”  The “tent of the meeting” was the Tabernacle.   The Levites would pitch the Tabernacle and then each of the tribes would set their tents up facing the Tabernacle.   This way, every morning when they woke up they would see the Glory of God above the Tabernacle.  Every night before they went to bed, the last thing they would see was the Glory of God above the Tabernacle.   This is were God dwelt among them.  God did not want them to lose sight that He was in their midst.   Notice what the writer of this Psalm said about this same thought:

Psalms 16:8-11 (ESV Strong's)
8 I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

When we “set the LORD always before” us, we can be assured we know His paths, His fullness of joy and His pleasures forevermore.   But, we have to make sure we have Him before us each day.  Notice what happened when King David failed to do this very thing (who, by the way, wrote those words in the psalm):

2 Samuel 11:1-2 (ESV Strong's)
David and Bathsheba
1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.

David “saw” Bathsheba bathing and committed adultery with her.   IF he would have had God’s glory in front of him he would have had the experience of God’s pleasures forevermore rather than sin’s pleasures for a season.  It matters which way you pitch your tent!!

He “Directs” Our Hearts - 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 (ESV Strong's)
3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

He “Directs” Our Hearts

The church at Thessalonica was a faithful church and one that was doing good in their Christian walk.  However, someone had come to the church to falsely teach that Christ had already returned the second time.   Paul is writing to them to correct this false doctrine, while at the same time encouraging them to be engaged in their walk with the Lord.  The above passage tells them how to this engaging walk works.  Note what he tells them:

1. Their walk is based upon God’s faithfulness, not their own efforts.  In verse three we read that God is faithful and that he will “establish” them.  

2. Their is opposition to their walk that only God can fight for them.   In verse three it states that Satan is about to get them and God will fight that battle for them.  

3. Their present walk is one of faith and Paul recognizes that faithfulness.  Paul is not condemning them for not doing enough, he is commending them for their current walk.  In verse four we see him applaud them for their steadfast faith in Christ.   That is a motivating tool for any believer.  He also implies that they will continue this walk of faith in Christ.  

4.  Their faith will be “directed” by Christ to the Love of God and to further steadfastness.   The Greek word for “direct” in verse five is more than our English word “direct.”  Some places it is translated “guide.” But that too is weak and does not capture the true meaning of the Greek word.  The word carries the meaning of not just guiding the path, but making the path passable.  This would be a guide on an excursion into the jungle who also clears the path for us, as we follow him.   This thought might be captured well when the writer of Hebrews, talking about Jesus being the first one to suffer because the author, founder of our faith:

Hebrews 2:10 (ESV Strong's)
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Jesus made the way for us to know the Love of God. He made the way for us to see the Love of God.  He continues to make the way for us to experience the Love of God through the ministry of the Spirt as we have faith in Him.   We can rejoice that Jesus did not only show us the Love of God, He poured it into our hearts:

Romans 5:5 (ESV Strong's)
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Joy Complete!! John 3-4

John 3:29-30 (ESV Strong's)
29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Joy Complete!

What completes your joy?  If we asked the common man on the street there would be a variety of answers as there were the number asked.  Man has all types of vices, objects, destinations and/or power positions that give him joy.   In the above passage we are taking some sentences out of John the Baptist’s speech for his disciples.  John the Baptist was being asked about the ministry of Jesus and about his followers leaving him to follow Jesus. His most devoted followers were envious of this and wanted him to speak into their lives about it.  The above sentences capture John’s heart and character.   He compares himself to the best man at the wedding.  He job was to make sure the groom (Jesus) and the bride (those who will believe in Jesus) are brought together.   This and ONLY this fulfills his joy.   Note what one commentator writes:

(Underst Bible NT 18V) :The real answer to the implied question of John’s disciples comes in verse 30. What they see happening in Judea is historically inevitable: Jesus’ stature will grow, while John’s will diminish. But at the same time, it is what John wants, for his parting words are those of any disciple willing to become small like a child in order to gain the kingdom (cf. Matt. 18:3–4; 23:12; John 3:5). They are intended as words to repeat and to make one’s own.”

We are to make this our life mission.  He is to be the Groom.  We are to get our greatest joy when we see believers come to Him; run to Him!!   That should complete our joy.  All else is temporary.    We will only have true joy when believers are united with Christ.   Notice what before the angels when this happens:

Luke 15:10 (ESV Strong's)
10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

This is what should make our joy complete!!!

Finally Humility!! Daniel 1-6

Daniel 4:37 (ESV Strong's)
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Finally, humility!!!

Nebuchadnezzar has run the gamut.   Between chapter one and chapter four of this book, we have seen a complete roller-coaster ride of emotions and spiritual exercise.   He was warned a two powerful occasions, by Daniel, about his pride and his abuse of power.    In both incidents, Daniel was rewarded, but over time, God was ignored.  Finally God would stop sending him dreams to warn him and rather gave him a spirt of an animal (an ox) to humble him.  Sometimes God’s word is heard but not obeyed.  When that happens God has to go to great lengths to get someone to respond. In this case, Nebuchadnezzar was humiliated by God as God caused mental illness in his life to humble him.    Note at the height of his pride what God had to do:

Daniel 4:32-33 (ESV Strong's)
32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

This and only this brought about his humility.  Sometimes God has to intervene with dynamic force to argument the power of His Word.  God had told Nebuchadnezzar to humble himself.  God had told him that God put him in power, not the strength of his own might.  But, that was not Nebuchadnezzar’s mindset:

Daniel 4:30 (ESV Strong's)
30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”

God will humble the man He wants humbled.    For Nebuchadnezzar this took the pathway of an ox eating grass.   Yet, in his humility, God restored him:

Daniel 4:36 (ESV Strong's)
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.

God can take us down and build us back up.  In the process he produces humility.  

Self Control - Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:32 (NASBStr)
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

This proverb gives us insight about the power of patience and keeping control over our emotions. The comparisons that are made in the proverb are very vivid. Think about a warrior, or many warriors that have the ability to take control of an entire city. Take Chicago as an example. Imagine the power of an army taking control of the entire city of Chicago. That is a lot of power. There would be little that can compare to that kind of power. Yet, Solomon tells us in this Proverb that a lone man, who has control over his temper or emotions, has more power than one of the soldiers, or even more than the entire army. Controlling your emotions gives you great power over others and great wisdom in extreme circumstances.  Notice what Paul says about this concept of “self-control” -

1. Self-control is required at a great athlete/Christian:

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV Strong's)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

2. Self-control is a quality of Godly older men:

Titus 2:2 (ESV Strong's)
2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

3.  Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV Strong's)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Notice what we are having self-control over: Our anger.   Anger is NOT a fruit of the spirit.  Anger is not a characteristic of a Godly man.  Anger is not something great Christians demonstrate.   The second line is the opposite of the anger expressed in the first the line.  We are to “rule” our spirit.  The only what that happens is if we allow the Spirit of God to rule us.

Some People are Dull!!! - Psalms 93-95

Psalms 94:8-11 (ESV Strong's)
8 Understand, O dullest of the people!
Fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear?
He who formed the eye, does he not see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?
He who teaches man knowledge—
11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man,
that they are but a breath.

Some People are Dull!!

The word dull in the above passage is to be brutish.  Other words for being a brute are insensitive, mindless, carnal and/or unthinking.   The second line of verse eight calls them “fools.”   The writer of this song is calling out to those who mindlessly walk though the world and are insensitive to the spiritual things of God and only feed their own carnal thoughts.    Since they don’t believe in God and do not honor His word they don’t believe He hears their very thoughts.  Since they don’t believe God exists they don’t believe He sees each step they take.  Yet, God does know their thoughts and the words they speak.  He does know the steps they take.   Notice how the writer of Hebrews states it:

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV Strong's)
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

God exposes our nakedness through His Word.   He truth is not only a light for our path (Psalms 119:105) it is also a light into our souls.  God uses His Word to expose us.  This is what this psalm does.   God is telling us that no one is hidden from His sight.  Why be dull.  Can’t you see that God is truth?   That is the point of the song.    Dull people put their head in the sand and hope they are right that there is no God.  God simply laughs.  He sees their very thoughts, yet, gives them move breath to continue to go on their way without Him ... in dullness.

Genealogy Matters!! 1 Chronicles 1-4

1 Chronicles 1:1-4 (NASBStr)
 Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Genealogy Matters!

Why does God include all the genealogies in the Bible?  What is the purpose of this book starting out with four chapters of names of people, we probably don't care to know?   There are probably countless reasons, but let’s look at two:

1. It is important to understand the purpose of 1 and 2 Chronicles prior to reading all these names.   Even though God's Word says that ALL of it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16,17), we don't always see it.   When the book was written the nation of Israel was being allowed to return to the promise land after years of captivity under three different leaders/countries.   As they made their trek back to Israel in general and Jerusalem specifically, they found themselves without the structure and leadership of the past.   They had NO king.   They were under the rule of the King of Persia and had no political or distinctive Jewish structure.  The temple was destroyed, the city in ruin and the leadership gone.  Were they still significant as a nation?   Did they still matter to God?   Were the covenants with God still in effect and viable to trust?   These are all questions those returning were asking.   The chronicler wanted to remind them of where they came from and how special they were to God. He wanted to show them how they got where they were (including the disobedience).  He wanted to trace their steps back to the past so they could fully grasps the future.   Most people don't like family reunions.   Especially the younger generation.   This book is a paper trail family reunion.   It is written to show them they are connected with the past and still significant for the future.  For the church today and the believer it is important to remember the connection God's plan has with the past.  Nothing will derail what God has planned. His interaction in history has a purpose and it is all connected.  Each name we read is important to God and a small piece of His plan.  Just as our day-to-day walk with Him matters to us it matters to Him.  Our each step is ordained by God to accomplish His complete plan.  We are tied to the past; the past is significant for the future.   Don't simply forget it.   It matters to God.  It should matter to us.   These names matter to God.  But, more important to the reason the book was written, God wanted the people know He knew them and that He was in this with them.   When putting a culture back together you have to give them a sense of their past (the Lover archetype) and a place in history.   To start something (in this case a new Israel ... in their own land),  you have to know you belong to something greater than yourself.

2.  On top of knowing these connections and this history and this significance, these genealogies also trace the names from Adam to Abraham to Jacob to King David; what would be the line of Jesus, our Savior.   If you read the genealogies in Matthew you see that Jesus is traced back to David.  If you read the genealogies in Luke you see that Jesus is traced by to Adam.  These genealogies give us the evidence we need to see that Jesus was able to represent us and was the chosen Messiah, becoming the Son of God and son of man.  

These records show the integrity and veracity of God’s plan, God’s Word and God’s sovereign direction over the affairs of man.  

Every Transgression and Disobedience - Leviticus 22-24

Leviticus 24:23 (ESV Strong's)
So Moses spoke to the people of Israel, and they brought out of the camp the one who had cursed and stoned him with stones. Thus the people of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Every Transgression and Disobedience

In the above text we have the final verse recording an incident about a man in the nation of Israel that was caught fighting with another man.  During the fight the young man cursed God and blasphemed the Name of God.  Here is the story:

Leviticus 24:10-14 (ESV Strong's)
10 Now an Israelite woman's son, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the people of Israel. And the Israelite woman's son and a man of Israel fought in the camp, 11 and the Israelite woman's son blasphemed the Name, and cursed. Then they brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. 12 And they put him in custody, till the will of the LORD should be clear to them.
13 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 14 “Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

The punishment for blasphemy was death.   Moses obeyed the Word of God and had the young man stoned.   That is how serious the Law was and how God expected it to be kept.   Imagine that today.  Most people today believe God is a “loving” God and would never allow or command that type of behavior today.   That is not true if you read the book of Hebrews:

Hebrews 2:2-3 (ESV Strong's)
For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,

How shall we escape if we “neglect such a great salvation?”   These words are still true today as they were then.  The fear of the Lord is about being in awe of Him.  The fear of the Lord is also about knowing it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God when we are disobedient.

Love More and More - 1 Thessalonians 4-5

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (ESV Strong's)
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

Love More and More

To better grasp the above passage it would be good to read the first verse of this chapter:


1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV Strong's)
1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

In this verse Paul wants his readers to walk “more and more” to please God.    In verses 9 and 10 we are being told to “love” our brothers more and more.   Paul’s points are that our faith is not stagnant.  We are to be moving on in our faith.  We are to be growing and increasing in our faith.  He said it to the Corinthian’s church this way:

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV Strong's)
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

When Christians come to grip with the fact that we are to become more and more like Christ, each day, our lives will change.  These are not options.  These are truths to believe and obey.   We are to be increasing in love for our brothers.   Since love is a gift of the Holy Spirit, Spirit filled love is something we need when people are unlovable.  Even a nominal mortal person can love someone.  But it takes supernatural love, produced and maintained by the Spirit of God to love unlovable people ... and, brothers and sisters in Christ can be often very unlovable.   Yielding to the Spirit of God produces more and more love.  

Jesus Did Not Trust Man - John 1-2

John 2:23-25 (ESV Strong's)
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus Knows What Is in Man

Man is a complex individual.   Having worked with executive leadership coaching for almost 30 years, I have found that every person is not only uniquely different, they are uncommonly perplexing.   Psychologist, sociologist, and to some extent theologians have tried to make mankind simple to diagnose and easily treatable.   They could not be farther from the truth.   However, in the above passage we can see that Jesus “knew what was in man.”   Jesus knows the deep that is in man’s heart.  How?  The writer of Hebrews tells us:

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV Strong's)
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

God knows the hidden parts of the heart. He knows the impact natural sin has in our lives.  He knows we are corrupt at our core.   Most individuals would believe they are whole and only slightly misguided at times.   That is NOT the reason Jesus came: To correct “misguided” and “only slightly off course” human beings.  Note what John has already told us in these first two chapters of his book.  His cousin, John the Baptist said it this way:

John 1:29 (ESV Strong's)
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus knows the heart of man.  It is totally corrupt and needs salvation.    This is why the writer of Hebrews told us why Jesus came:

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV Strong's)
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

He made “purification for sins.”   Jesus did not trust mankind and it was because of the corruption of sin in their lives.  But, it was for this purpose that He came.  To solve that problem.