God Protects and Avenges His People - Obadiah

Obadiah 1:1 (ESV)

The vision of Obadiah.

Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom:

We have heard a report from the LORD,

and a messenger has been sent among the nations:

“Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!”

Obadiah is the shortest of the minor prophets.  It is only one chapter, twenty-one verses.  It is never mentioned in the New Testament, but a theme in it (The Day of the Lord) is referred to by many other prophets and repeated in the N.T.    It is a very old document.  It is the prophetic utterance of man named Obadiah that we know nothing about.   It is a prophecy toward a country named Edom, which are the descendants of Essau, Jacob’s (Israel’s) brother.  Jacob stole Essau’s birthright and he and his descendants have been on the war path ever since.    This is a prophecy agains their long held anger.  So, why read it?   Consider these reasons to read it:

1. It is an example to us that will teach us and encourage us:  1 Corinthians 10:6, 11

2.  All Scripture is profitable and we can learn from all Scripture:  2 Timothy 2:15

3. All Scripture is inspired by God and that should cause us to read it in awe, no matter what our understanding of it might be:  1 Timothy 3:16

4.  This is a book you would turn to when you think God doesn’t see how others treat you. God sees how the world treats us and will avenge us. 

5.  This is a book you would turn to when you are tempted to hurt or not help your brother.  God sees how we treat others, especially our own family and whether we will forgive.  God demands forgiveness. 

6.   This is a book you would turn to to be reminded that God sees every act of mankind and will deal with each act; specific acts.  

But, what are the practical themes:  What does it mean for me today?

1.  God uses obscure people to accomplish His tasks.  We know nothing about Obadiah except this book.  No fancy resume.  Just a guy with a message for the Edomites.(Introduction)

2. God wants us to be more concerned about His message than know about the messenger. (Introduction)

3.  God is concerned about those who interact with His people and God remembers how they interact with His people and will repay them or reward them accordingly - 1:1 (See Numbers 20:14-22 and Romans 12)

4. Arrogance brings everyone down, no matter their station in life or status or power - 1:3-4 (See Proverbs 16:18; 11:2; 8:13; 29:23)

5. God’s discipline may be slow to us but it is complete for Him - 1:5-6

6.  The help unbelievers think will be there will not - That includes Allies; friends; Intellect; Strength; Strongholds - 1:7-9

7.  God knows the sins we do against others - That includes sins of omission and sins of commission - 1:10-14

8.  God works His plans based upon firm principles and His character - 1:15-16

9.  God always protects those who operate by Faith - 1:17

10.  God will utterly destroy those who operate in the Flesh - 1:18

Satisfied with God - Proverbs 26-27

 Proverbs 27:7 (NASB0

A sated man loathes honey,

But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.

Proverbs 27:7 (ESV)

One who is full loathes honey,

but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.

Dissatisfaction is one of the greatest motivators in life.   That is what Solomon is saying in this proverb.   When a man is satisfied, even a great thing is not an interest to him.   When you have more than you want, or all that you want, very few things interest you anymore.   However, when you are empty and have nothing, you will go after anything - your desires will be altered to consume even the worse things (think of the prodigal son eating with the swine).  When we see the nation of Israel eating their young during the siege of the Assyrians, we have a better understanding of the truth of this proverb.  In our society, today, we don't have a lot of "famished" living.  We tend to be over stimulated.   We tend to be on the "loathing of honey" more than the "consuming the bitter."   That is, of course, in every area except the area of spiritual hunger and thirst.   In the area of spiritual development we tend to be famished and go after everything but God.   To avoid chasing the bitter, we have to make sure we never get full of the honey.   God's Word is honey to our soul.   We have to make sure we never get satisfied with what we know or understand about God and His Word.   We have to realize that the life we have with Him is to be fostered and harvested.  If we get satisfied we may reject the honey and eat and chase the bitter. Perhaps this is what Jesus was talking about in this Beatitude:

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

We can be satisfied as we hunger and thirst for righteousness.  But, the more we hunger and thirst for it, the more we want of it.   We are to famished when it comes to righteousness so that we seek it more.   But, to be famished and seek whatever things we find to give us satisfaction will only lead to bitterness of soul.   Notice how this thought impacted Esau:

Hebrews 12:15-17

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

He became bitter because he sought, first and foremost, the world to satisfy his appetite.   We are to seek Christ for satisfaction.  

God’s Faithfulness - Psalms 114-116

 Psalms 115:9-11 (ESV)

O Israel, trust in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield.

You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield.

Get the theme here?  We can trust the LORD (Yahweh) because “He is their help, and their shield.”   In that phrase we have to weapons at our disposal.  One is the “help” of the LORD and the other is the “shield” of the LORD.   The “help” is active in our lives by doing something for us.  The “shield” is more passive in our lives to protect us from what others my hurl at us.  Both are necessary.   Both are from Yahweh.   In another Psalm this is what is said that highlights God’s protection in our lives:

Psalms 91:4 (ESV)

He will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

In that verse we have a similar theme, but it goes deeper into explaining the “shield” concept.   The writer uses the metaphor of an eagles pinions and wings as a refuge for us.   But, he also describes those pinions and wings as a shield and buckler.   But, he also describe the shield and buckler as God’s faithfulness.  The truth that God is faithful to His people and faithful to His promises and faithful to His character is what allows both writers to tell us we can trust Yahweh.   We have no reason to not trust as God’s faithfulness to every generation allows us to rest under His wings and pinions and to be lifted up by His helping hands.   

Prayer - God’s Given Tool for Communication - 2 Chronicles 6-10

 2 Chronicles 6:19-21 (ESV)

Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O LORD my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you, that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

Solomon has now finished building the Temple that his father David had designed.   Solomon is now dedicating the Temple to God and before the people.   To do this he offers up a lengthy prayer to God.  His prayer is actually asking God to not only hear and honor his prayer, but to honor all prayers offered to God when mankind’s prayers toward the Temple, where God is dwelling.  Prayer is a tool God gives His servants to communicate to God and to extol and worship God.  Prayer is not just asking God for something.  Prayer is communing with God in conversation.   We ought not to treat prayer as a incidental item in our walk with God.   But, we would better understand prayer is the main conduit for our conversations with God.   

God Keeps His Promises - Numbers 25-28

 Numbers 26:51 (ESV)

This was the list of the people of Israel, 601,730.

It is probably appropriate that a book entitled, “Numbers” contains, numbers.  In chapter 26 we are drawing to an end of the book of Numbers.  The nation of Israel has now sojourned outside the Promise Land for 40 years. This was due to their rebellion about entering the promise land.  Because of that rebellion to God’s Word and doubting His faithfulness, God stated the following to the men of those days:

Numbers 14:20-23 (ESV)

Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, 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, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.

When Moses numbered the people at the beginning of this book, the men 21 years of age and older numbered, 603,550.  We can see that when numbering them at the end of the wilderness journeys, there are about 2,000 less men.   Imagine wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and losing some and giving birth to others.   What is demonstrated in this short passage about a number is the faithfulness of God.  God was faithful to His promise of judgment, but God is also faithful to His promise to bring them into the land.   God has kept His promises and will now bring a new generation into the promise land.  It does not matter the circumstance or the depth of our unbelief, God is faithful to His character and keeps His promises.   The numbers prove it.   

The Power of a Humble Leader - Philemon

 Philemon 1:13-14 (ESV)

I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

Setting aside your authority, position and/or rights is a mark of a great leader.   In the book of Philemon we see, above, Paul doing just that.   In this little letter, Paul is writing to Philemon to tell him that Philemon’s run-a-way slave has run right into Paul (in prison) and Paul has lead him to receive forgiveness of sins.  Paul states that the slave, Onesimus, is now not only Philemon’s slave, but his brother as well.  Slaver in the Greek culture was much different than what we understand in our times.  But, the point Paul is making is that although Onesimus had wronged Philemon (we have no idea what he did to land in prison), Onesimus is not restored with God and therefore should be restored with Philemon.   Paul could have told Philemon to take Onesimus back because Paul is PAUL.  In the early church there really was no one with more power or authority.   Paul had a position over Philemon.  He could have demanded that Philemon take Onesimus back.  But, Paul, instead, does not rely on authority or position but on mutual love for Christ.  That is the power of a Godly leader, no matter the situation we find ourselves in as leaders.  We are to set aside our power and, rather, present love for Christ as the reason we do one thing or another.  That might mean we are used or abused by the those around us.  But, God compels us by the love of Christ to appeal to resolve situations with the power of Christ’s love.   There is nothing more powerful in the world than Christ’s love.   

Promises Kept - God’s Faithfulness Demonstrated - John 19-21

 John 19:23-24 (ESV)

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

“They divided my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things,

John 19:33-37 (ESV)

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

In both of the above passages we read about something the soldiers did that fulfilled prophetic Scripture.   Both passages that John refers to are taken from the Psalms, from King David’s writings.   These writings are nearly 1,000 years earlier in history.   We know that Jesus’ death was prophesied by Isaiah and other prophets.   We know that Jesus’ teaching often fulfilled many of the quotes from the Old Testament.    But, what is amazing about the above passages is the smallest details of prophecy are fulfilled not by Jesus (who knew the Scripture and would have been compelled to obey it), but that these Roman soldiers completed the prophecy.    These are soldiers who earlier were mocking and scourging Jesus.   They had no knowledge of prophecy about His crucifixion.  They had no desire to make it look like they were part of fulfillment of Scripture.   Yet, here they are, doing exactly the opposite of their nature and brining to fruition the smallest portions of the crucifixion story.   For those who lack knowledge and/or belief that Jesus’ death was foretold and consummated on that day, this is just another piece of evidence for them to consider.  For the believer this is not just evidence.  For the believer this is power to continue to believe even more deeply in God’s authority, Jesus’ intercession and the Spirit’s power in our lives.   

God’s Approach To False Teachers - Amos 5-9

Amos 7:16-17 (ESV)

Now therefore hear the word of the LORD.

“You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel,

and do not preach against the house of Isaac.’

Therefore thus says the LORD:

“‘Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city,

and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword,

and your land shall be divided up with a measuring line;

you yourself shall die in an unclean land,

and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.’”

What does God think about false teachers?  What does God do with false teacher?  What does God do with those who twist the truth and/or forbid the truth to be spoken.   In the above text we can see one answer to those questions.    Amos was sent by God to deliver a hard message about Israel going into captivity for their sin of idolatry and rejecting God.   In the midst of delivering that message, a false prophet named, Amaziah, came to shut Amos’ ministry down.  He even went to the king of Israel, Jeroboam, and asked for permission to stop Amos’ teaching (7:10-15).    Amos states that three things are going to happen to Amaziah.  1). His wife will become a prostitute.  2).  His children will die from the hands of the army that takes them captive.  3).  He property will be divided up among the invaders.   Those who prevent truth from being spoken are seen by God and dealt with by God.  Note what Jesus said to His disciples about those who don’t allow truth to be spoken to children:

Matthew 18:6 (ESV)

but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Notice what Paul said about false teachers when writing to young Pastor Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:18-20 (ESV)

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

God does not tolerate false teachers, or those who forbid truth being taught!

Speak Words that Fit - Proverbs 25

 Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)

A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Proverbs 25:15 (ESV)

With patience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Proverbs 25:23 (ESV)

The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

What does your tongue look like?  In the above three proverbs we are given some guidelines on what we are supposed to do with our tongue, our speech.   In 25:11 we are told that a word “fitly” spoken carries the value and beauty of golden apples in a silver bowl.    The Hebrew word for “fitly” is actually the same word for “wheel” in this proverb:

Proverbs 25:12 (ESV)

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

So, a tongue that carries a “fit” word can reprove others and carry them to the right place.  

In verse 15 we read that a soft tongue can be powerful enough to “break a bone.”  This means that using our words carefully we can persuade and influence even the highest in the land, the ruler or king.  

In verse 23, however, we see the opposite of the the first two.  A “fitly” spoken word and a “soft tongue” can move hearts and minds.  But, a “backbiting tongue” brings anger just like a north wind can bring rain.   The use of the tongue in the wrong way also moves minds.  But, it moves them to a place of anger and destruction.   

How we use our tongue on a given day can bring sweet or bitter results.   Our tongue is a powerful tool in our arsenal for the day:

Proverbs 20:26 (ESV)

A wise king winnows the wicked

and drives the wheel over them.

That seems odd!  A word that “wheels” from the tongue is like golden apples?   Perhaps in our modern day vernacular we might say, “A word that rolls off the tongue right is a tasty thing.”   The point Solomon is making is that when we use our words in the right way we can move and carry powerful movement in the minds of others.  In fact the next verse that follows this proverb states:

 James 3:5-10 (ESV)

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! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

God Controls All Aspects of Life - Psalms 111-113

Psalms 113:9 (ESV)

He gives the barren woman a home,

making her the joyous mother of children.

Praise the LORD!

God is in control of every pregnancy.  That is both an awesome and troubling thought.   We believe that life begins at conception.  We believe that it is God who forms the child in the womb:

Psalms 139:13 (ESV)

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

We believe that God is sovereign:

Isaiah 45:7 (ESV)

I form light and create darkness;

I make well-being and create calamity;

I am the LORD, who does all these things.

In the above passage we read that it is God that makes the barren woman the “joyous” mother of children.  That is a rejoicing thought.   But, that also means that God does not give some women children.  Note what Solomon states about the barren woman:

Proverbs 30:15-16 (ESV)

The leech has two daughters:

Give and Give.

Three things are never satisfied;

four never say, “Enough”:

Sheol, the barren womb,

the land never satisfied with water,

and the fire that never says, “Enough.”

Solomon states that being a barren women is like other things that are never satisfied.   Being without child, when you want children, is a very struggling situation.   God provides children to whom He will.  We can’t always understand Him.  But, we can’t debate He is in complete control.  We may not understand it in our human mind.  But, we can, by faith, entrust ourselves to that sovereign control, even over pregnancy.  But, we must understand our God is in control and gives life to whom He will.  We can’t understand it.   But, we must, by faith, accept it.  

Desire Wisdom In the Heart First - 2 Chronicles 1-5

 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (ESV)

God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”

I just need wisdom!   That was not just Solomon’s words, God saw that was in his heart, as well.   God honors those who ask for wisdom over wealth and spiritual insights over sound investments.   This might be one of the key missing pieces of families, churches and spiritual organizations today.   We love to market, we love to put things in committee, we love to read the latest guru book.   But, we seldom hear about someone, or a group of someone’s who showed what Solomon showed in the above text.  God honors those who simply seek Him out in wisdom.    Yes, God did honor Solomon with wealth and prosperity.  Most of the rest of this book will chronicle Solomon’s fame.  But, it started with a cry in the heart from a young teenage boy that he needed wisdom to face the large tasks in front of him.   Once his heart was there, God’s power followed.   Notice what James tells us about this very thing:

James 1:5-8 (ESV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 3:16-18 (ESV)

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

God supplies wisdom to the heart that wants it.   He follows that with His great power.   But, it starts with a genuine desire for wisdom in the heart.  

All that the LORD Says, That I Must Do! - Numbers 21-24

 Numbers 23:25-30 (ESV)

And Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all.” But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the LORD says, that I must do’?” And Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.” So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the desert. And Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

The theme of the above verses and this entire section on Balaam and Balak is summarized by the statement, “All that the LORD says, that I must do.”    Balaam says that to Balak on three occasions.   KIng Balak sent for this unknown prophet Balaam and asked Balaam to curse Israel, a new people that were invading his land.   At first Balaam refused to go.  But, when he was tempted by all the “honor” (money) that Balak was going to give him, Balaam’s heart was filled with envy and desire.  God stops him in his tracks, but never-the-less he still goes and pursues these riches of King Balak.   But, each time he is given a chance to curse Israel, he instead blesses Israel.   Balak is, of course, furious.  But, Balaam’s defense to this powerful king is, “All that the LORD says, that must I do.”   Now, later we read that Balaam gave Balak some advice on how to compromise Israel by having their women marry into the Israelite nation and turn the hearts of the men to Balak’s gods.   So, we see that Balaam’s heart was NOT with God, but he had ulterior motives all along.   But, that does not diminish the vow, commitment and/or principle of life he was supposed to operate under:  “All that the LORD says, that must I do.”   That would be the best creed to follow in life.    If we had to have a tattoo, that would be the one we should get tattooed into our hearts.   

The Elder: Love and Rebuke! - Titus

Titus 1:9 (ESV)

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Of the many requirements for the position of Elder in the church, the above statement seems to be the most powerful and carries the most gravity.  The qualifications listed before this verse are more in line with a person’s character or relationships.    It has to do with how a person deports themselves in the midst of the congregation of believers.   But, the above passage is about his role in the Body of Christ.    The Elder is to be one who can not just live out the Word, but can also teach the Word.   There is not a dichotomy for the Elder.  He is to be both the living example of the Word and able to teach the Word, as well.   He has to have the ability to not just provide pro-active instruction, however.  He must also have the nature that allows him to provide corrective teaching.   This is not a person who can just love on others with good deeds.  He must also be able to rebuke those who do continuous bad deeds.  Living out their life in love to the saints is the requirement of the Elder.  But, confronting the Elder is of equal value and also a requirement of the job.   The Elder can’t just say, “I will serve tables and take care of the needs of others. You other Elders take care of correcting those walking in disobedience.”   The Elder role is to do both.  Paul said it this way:

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Speaking truth in love is the role of the Elder of the Church.  

Christ Has Overcome the World for Us! - John 16-18

John 16:33 (ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We have in the above text what might summarize Jesus’ mission for His disciples and, wonderfully, for us, as His followers.   Jesus came to the earth to give us peace (Romans 5:1) and to give us power to overcome the world.  We are, His people.   He has come to defeat Satan, defeat sin and pay the price of sin and to provide victorious living for His children.   Jesus did all this by giving His life.   Jesus did all this by hanging on the cross.   We see in Jesus teaching, living and sacrificing a avenue to provide God’s peace to us.   Man has a war going on with God (Romans 8).   Man’s heart is rebellious to God.  Man continues to ignore and openly disobey God.   But, Jesus came to make it all peaceful.  Jesus united us to God in Him on the cross and through the resurrection.  In the fall we were separated from God by Adam’s sin.  From that point on the world has been our enemy.  Note how James will say it later in his epistle:

James 4:4 (ESV)

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

We are not to be friends with the world.  Why?  Because the world is the enemy of God and hates us and God.  Note what Jesus has just told the disciples in this section of teaching:

John 15:18-19 (ESV)

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

But, we can rejoice that God has “overcome” the world.  The word for “overcome” used here doesn’t simply mean to survive the world, it means to subdue it.  Jesus has not just given us a way to navigate the world (although He has done that, as well), but He is subdued the world for us and it cannot overcome us because He has overcame it.  

Walking with God - Amos 1-4

Amos 3:3-8 (ESV)

“Do two walk together,

unless they have agreed to meet?

Does a lion roar in the forest,

when he has no prey?

Does a young lion cry out from his den,

if he has taken nothing?

Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth,

when there is no trap for it?

Does a snare spring up from the ground,

when it has taken nothing?

Is a trumpet blown in a city,

and the people are not afraid?

Does disaster come to a city,

unless the LORD has done it?

“For the Lord GOD does nothing

without revealing his secret

to his servants the prophets.

The lion has roared;

who will not fear?

The Lord GOD has spoken;

who can but prophesy?”

In the first two verses of this chapter God lays out for Judah, through Amos, God’s plan of choosing the nation over every other nation.   But, being elected by God carries a large amount of responsibility and commitment.  This is why God was able to say to them, “You shall have no other Gods before you.”  He was to be their ONLY God.  To make his point about His being LORD over them, God asks the nation several questions (above) that all have the same answer, “NO!”  He is wanting them to see that His claim on them as the LORD of LORDS is valid and they, out of love and obligation for His caring for them, ought to be responding differently.   He asks:

1. Can two people walk together if they don’t first come to agreement of where to meet? NO! You have to agree where and when to walk to walk together. 

2. Does a lion roar if he has no food? NO!  He is quiet while he hunts and roars in victory.  

3. Does a bird get caught in a snare when there is no snare? NO!  Or, does the trap spring shut if not bird is there? NO!  If you want to catch a bird you have to have a trap to trap it and the trap will not go off until the bird is in the trap. 

4. Does a warning trumpet sound in the town and people not panic? NO!  If the trumpet sounds they town knows to be prepared for something.  

5.  Is not disaster come unto a city and God not know it? NO!  God controls all.  God does all this and sends a warning.   That is what God is doing through the prophets and this prophet in particular, Amos.    Notice what Isaiah said about this same thought:

Isaiah 45:7 (ESV)

I form light and create darkness;

I make well-being and create calamity;

I am the LORD, who does all these things.

God is sending Amos to give the nation of Israel a warning about their impending doom for failing to honor Him as the LORD of their nation and lives.   God is not to be trifled with.   He is Lord over everything or He is Lord over nothing.  He does not take pieces and let us have the rest.   If we want to walk with Him we have to agree to meet Him where He is and walk where He walks.  There is not bargaining in that thought.  

Money Flies Away Like the Eagle - Proverbs 23-24

 Proverbs 23:4 (NASV)

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.

Proverbs 23:4-5 (ESV)

Do not toil to acquire wealth;

be discerning enough to desist.

When your eyes light on it, it is gone,

for suddenly it sprouts wings,

flying like an eagle toward heaven.

In our modern society we have become self absorb with finances, savings, retirement and accumulation of wealth. Even Christians have become predesposed to focus on "fiscal responsibility" and "financial freedom." We have many talking heads who tell us how to save and how to earn and how to spend and how to invest. And, if you are incline to "lay up treasures on the earth where moth and rust doth corrupt," these talking heads advice is very convincing. However, I have never heard one of them talk about Solomon's words in 23:4 (which doesn’t mean they don’t). This proverbs is so simply it confuses you with profoundness. The word translated "consideration" is actually better stated as "understanding." Solomon seems to be saying we are not to focus on gaining wealth and we are to "cease" (pretty clear word use) from trying to understand it. Yet, we do. We study it; we analyze it; we put each penny under a microscope to grasp it. If you are in that camp that holds to this philosophy please tell me how we focus so heavily on money and "cease from our consideration of it."

There are a lot of people in the media today who make a lot of money telling us what to do with our money. These money talking heads have many listeners. People invest where they tell them to invest and do what they tell them to do. However, I doubt if any “call-in money shows” would ever quote Solomon's words in 23:4,5. You can't help but read Solomon's words and sense that Solomon (perhaps the richest man who ever lived ... certainly in his day) had no use for money and saw how meaningless it was. Read his words on money in the book of Ecclesiates. He tells them to forget about the money and don't even consider it. We are to let it go. It will fly away anyhow. Like an eagle in the sky. People obese about their money. God tells us here to let it go and don't even consider it. Good advice ... we won’t hear this kind of advice in the media.

We are not to work for the purpose of gaining wealth. This cuts across most of our thoughts about work.  Working to accumulate will leave us wanting at both our bank accounts and our jobs.  Solomon tells us when we do set our purpose for work as money, that money will "suddenly" be gone.  The accumulation of wealth is NOT our aim.  The glory of God in work is to be our purpose.  That is when we find satisfaction in our work.  When we make it about money we will find our jobs bankrupt and, eventually, our accounts, as well.  Money, like an unpredictable eagle, flies where it wants, when it wants.   

God Cares for Us, Even When We are Attacked - Psalms 108-110

 Psalms 109:28 (ESV)

Let them curse, but you will bless!

They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!

When David was hunted down by Saul and when he was cast out of his kingdom by his son, Absolum, his many enemies were emboldened.  Those who envied him had a chance, in those times, to speak evil against him.   In Psalm 109:6-20 we read what David’s enemies were saying about him.   They cursed him and wished all types of evil about him.  Here is what they said to David, or wished upon him (It is important to note that although 6-20 is no in quotes, it is obviously from the flow of the text that David is telling us what was said about him, not what he said about those who attack him).   Note their words:

Psalms 109:6-20 (ESV)

Appoint a wicked man against him;

let an accuser stand at his right hand.

When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;

let his prayer be counted as sin!

May his days be few;

may another take his office!

May his children be fatherless

and his wife a widow!

May his children wander about and beg,

seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!

May the creditor seize all that he has;

may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!

Let there be none to extend kindness to him,

nor any to pity his fatherless children!

May his posterity be cut off;

may his name be blotted out in the second generation!

May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD,

and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!

Let them be before the LORD continually,

that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth!

For he did not remember to show kindness,

but pursued the poor and needy

and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.

He loved to curse; let curses come upon him!

He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!

He clothed himself with cursing as his coat;

may it soak into his body like water,

like oil into his bones!

May it be like a garment that he wraps around him,

like a belt that he puts on every day!

May this be the reward of my accusers from the LORD,

of those who speak evil against my life!

This brings us to verse 28 at the top of this entry.   Despite how they wished all types of ungodly evil upon him, David prays in verse 28 that his confidence is in how God will care for him.  He states, “They will curse, but you (God) will bless!”   That is the only thing he needs to dwell upon. It is doubtful that any of us, today have very many, if any, people in our lives who are carrying out the same viscous attack as in 6-20.  But, it is true that we have the same God that, in the midst of any attack, will bless as we reach out in faith to Him.    God is in the business of caring for us, no matter how mankind treats us.  

God Notices the Non-Stars for His Service - 1 Chronicles 25-29

 1 Chronicles 26:14 (ESV)

The lot for the east fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north.

The above passage is found in a long list of names of those King David put in place to serve in the Tabernacle and the future Temple that David’s son, Solomon, would be building.   This commentary statement about a guy named Zechariah is hidden in the midst of this long list.   I have read through the Bible every year for years.  At 68 I am just now noticing what was written about this Zechariah.  This is NOT the Zechariah who was the prophet and wrote the book.  This was just “a” Zechariah.    He was a descendent of the Korahites, who were part of Aaron’s tribe, the tribe of Levi.  There are two things here that might inspire us in our walk with God:

1.  God gives gifts to all His people.   Zechariah is said to be a “shrewd counselor.”  The word “counselor” is used two other times in this section (27:32, 33).   Vine says this about this word:

(Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) ya‘as (יָעַץ, 3289), “to advise, counsel, consult.” Used throughout the history of the Hebrew language, this verb occurs in the Hebrew Old Testament approximately 80 times. Ya‘as is found first in Exod. 18:19, where Jethro says to his son-in-law Moses: “I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee.” The word is found only one other time in the Hexateuch, and that is in Num. 24:14: “I will advise you” (NASB, RSV, “I will let you know”; JB, “let me warn you”; NEB, “I will warn you”).

While ya‘as most often describes the “giving of good advice,” the opposite is sometimes true. A tragic example was the case of King Ahaziah of Judah, whose mother “was his counselor to do wickedly” (2 Chron. 22:3). The idea of “decision” is expressed in Isa. 23:9: “The Lord of hosts hath purposed it” (RSV, NEB, NASB, “planned it”; JB, “decision”).

God provided Zechariah this ability and brings it to us via the Word.  We can rejoice that God gives gifts to mankind.  

2. God commends and promotes the gifts He gives us.  As the long list in this section goes on and on, God stopped the composer of Chronicles to add this commentary.   It is not just that Zechariah as a “shrewd counselor,” it is that God let us know that by commending him to us.   We are not to seek self-promotion.   It is God who commends and promotes.   

God has many “stars” in His Kingdom.   We know the names of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, etc.     But, it is refreshing that God also equips many who are His, but not necessarily the stars.    Paul said the same thing about someone on his team that God commended in the New Testament church age:’

Ephesians 6:21 (ESV)

Final Greetings

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.

We may not be a King David or Solomon, but we can strive, by God’s gifting us, a Zechariah and/or Tychicus.   

Come with Boldness - Numbers 18-20

 Numbers 18:1-2 (ESV)

So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood. And with you bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and minister to you while you and your sons with you are before the tent of the testimony.

The only members of the tribe of Israel that could enter the inner place of the Tabernacle was Aaron and the tribe of Levi.   They were chosen to be the tribe that represented the nation before God.    Think of that!   If someone from the tribe of Benjamin offended God they would have to go to the Tabernacle and offer a gift via the tribe of Levi.   They were not free to simply enter the Holy of Holies and approach God.   This is the awesome truth about Jesus Christ and our relationship with God THROUGH HIM!    We can approach God, freely, based upon Christ’s blood and not just come in a timid way but in boldness to God.  Note:

Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV)

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

We have the ability to come with boldness to God’s throne.   The nation of Israel was an example to us of how the system worked.  They had to come in faith realizing that they would eventually, too, have the Messiah, Jesus, make a permanent way for them to enter God’s presence.   We can have a boldness and should exercise it frequently, in that manner ... with boldness.  

Outline for Ministry - 2 Timothy 3-4

 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV)

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Timothy is a young pastor.   Paul is the old missionary.  The dynamic between them is that of father-son.   Timothy needs the guidance of his elder and Paul needs to the purpose of mentoring.   When Paul and Barnabas split their ministry (Acts 15), it was over Barnabas wanting to mentor John-Mark, while Paul wanting to war forward with his second missionary trip.   From that variation of purpose, Paul learned something.  He, too, needed to mentor and grow someone.   Timothy was his focus.   In the above passage we see his focus for Timothy formalized into a plan.   Paul has a seven step plan for Timothy:

1. Remember your ministry is in the presence of Christ, the coming King, who will judge you and others at that coming.   Timothy, like all ministers, might be tempted to fear man, but Paul warns him to fear the coming Christ, his only observer to please. 

2. Preach the Word.  Timothy is to preach the Word, “in season and out of season.”   Timothy is not to develop his own doctrine.  He has a doctrine and it is the writings of Paul and the other Apostles and OT writers.  He is to use those “words” when it is convenient and when it is not convenient.  He is to be ready at anytime.  This is not a scheduled teaching session.  It is to be prepared at all times to “herald” the Word. 

3. His teaching is to “reprove.”   Timothy was just warned (chapter 3) that the end times would bring about “itching” ears.  People would want them senses titillated.   But, Timothy was not just to teach them what they wanted, but rather what they needed.  He was to reprove them. 

4.   His teaching is to “rebuke.”  Whereas “reproving” would be to confront their sin to move them positively forward, “rebuking” their sin was to stop them in their tracks.  Perhaps the best way to see the distinction in these two words is that one is to convince them of a better way (reprove) and one is to condemn the way they are on (rebuke).  A minister of the Gospel has to do both of these.  

5. His teaching is to “exhort.”  This is the positive side of his teaching.  Yes, convince them their current path is wrong. Yes, condemn them that their current path is damaging.  But, also commend them and encourage them to move forward on a positive path of sanctification for God.    

6.  Which ever one of the three (reprove, rebuke, extort) he is doing, Timothy is also to be patient with whoever his teaching.  He is NOT to become like them, but rather set an example of patience in ministry and his walk with God, before them.  

7.   His “preaching” (heralding) is to take on the form of “instruction” (teaching).   This is the Greek “didach.”  This gives Timothy is pattern for “teaching.”  He is to follow the “teachings” of the Church. He is to have a formal approach.   This is doctrine at its best.  He is not to simply herald the Word, he is to systematically design his teaching so that his audience is moved along in doctrine to better formalize their walk in sanctification.   

Paul wanted to teach Timothy how to be a minister.  He outlines his passion for him by giving him the same thing ministers of the Gospel should have today.   We have an outline to follow for success.  Nothing else trumps these instructions for our purpose as ministers of the Gospel.  

Beliefs in Jesus’ Word and Works as Proof of His Divinity - John 13-15

 John 14:8-11 (ESV)

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

In chapter 14 of John we are reading Jesus’ final words of instruction to the disciples before His crucifixion.  He has just told them He is leaving to prepare a place for them and that He was the way to that place.  At first, Thomas objects to these truths and asks, “We don’t know where you are going, how can we know the way?”  With that question, Jesus responds with that famous line about Him being the way, the truth and the life.   That satisfied Thomas, but now Philip has an objection.   Thomas’ question seems natural when Jesus told them He was going and they would join Him.  Especially since they did not know where He meant.   But, Philip’s question seems more argumentative and/or as though he, representing the disciples, we tired of the last three years of teaching, stress and mystery.   He seems to want Jesus just to get it over with and show them all God.  Perhaps he (they) were hoping for another Mount of Transfiguration ... Matthew 17).   Perhaps they wanted a “Theophany” (appearance of God in the Old Testament through the 2nd Person of the Trinity ... Jesus).    Moses saw God!  As did Ezekiel, Jacob, Isaiah!   Jesus doesn’t necessarily rebuke Philip and the disciples (the first “you” in Jesus’ response is in the plural form in the Greek, meaning “you all”).   He does want them to take a personal journey of the past ministry He has lead them on, however.   He points them to both His words and His works as evidence that the Father is in Him and He in the Father. He wants them to see that God is the Son and the Son is God.   Jesus wants them to “believe” this.  This shows the necessity of not just believe Jesus for His substitutionary atonement for us, but also for His attributes, character and/or essence.   Our belief it that Jesus was the Son of God, that He was with God the Father in divine essence.   

The Coming Day of the Lord - Joel

 Joel 3:11-13 (ESV)

Hasten and come,

all you surrounding nations,

and gather yourselves there.

Bring down your warriors, O LORD.

Let the nations stir themselves up

and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;

for there I will sit to judge

all the surrounding nations.

Put in the sickle,

for the harvest is ripe.

Go in, tread,

for the winepress is full.

The vats overflow,

for their evil is great.

The book of Joel is written to warn the Gentile nations of the Day of the Lord.  The nation of Israel was excited about the Day of the Lord because to them this was God’s judgment on the surrounding nations.   That is what makes the above verses so potent to the reader.   Now, they failed to realize that God would, also, bring judgement to them.  They were only focused on the theme of the above verses. Joel also wrote to them, however, to repent and return to the Lord.   The Day of the Lord is for anyone who is not following God in faithful obedience.

In the above passage we read that God, indeed, will judge the nations.  He will bring the all to a place of judgment.   The Apostle John, in the Book of the Revelation, states the same thing about the final judgment he saw in his vision:

Revelation 14:15-16 (ESV)

And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.

The world knows nothing of this coming day of God’s wrath on those who disobey Him and deny Him.  The world mocks and scorns those who believe this truth.   They can deny all they want, but The Day of the Lord will come.  Even those who think they are special (Israel) will suffer if they did not faithfully obey Him in Spirit and Truth.   God will put His sickle into the harvest when it is ripe.  Right now there is time to repent and turn to Him.  But, there will come a day called The Day of the Lord and there will be no more chance to repent.  

Obstacle or Opportunity? Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:13

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside;

I will be killed in the streets!”

There are many reasons people don't do the things they should.  They often make excuses to not do them.  The above proverb gives us an example of such an excuse.   It should be noted that in Biblical days, the days this proverb was composed, lions in the street were a real threat.   If the city gates were left open lions and other animals would wonder in and out.   So, to say that there is a lion outside is a very real and good reasons to not go into the streets to do work.   The sluggard sees the lion and sees only obstacles.    However, those who have wisdom and trust in God don't see a lion as a danger, they see the lion as dinner.   The lion in the street to the industrious believer sees not an obstacle but an opportunity.   There are many excuses we can use to not follow Christ and not do what God wants us to do.  They are often encompassed by fear and failure because they are not viewed through the eyes of faith.   By faith we can see what God "can" do.   We do see the lion as something to be feared but through faith it is something to be conquered.   There may be an obstacle in front of you but with God the obstacle is a miracle ready to happen.  Moses saw a rock while God saw a water facet.   Israel saw a giant while David saw a bigger bullseye.   Gideon saw the large possibility of a great army with large weapons, while God saw a stealth fighting force of the few in the broken jars and torches.   Do you see a lion outside?   Go get your lunch!

God Uses Conflict to Accomplish His Plans - Psalms 105-107

 Psalms 105:23-25 (ESV)

Then Israel came to Egypt;

Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

And the LORD made his people very fruitful

and made them stronger than their foes.

He turned their hearts to hate his people,

to deal craftily with his servants.

In Psalm 105 we are reading a song about the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.  They were slaves in Egypt and God sent Moses to deliver them.   The above passage is very insightful as to how the relationship between Israel and Egypt unfolded.   God blessed the nation of Israel and began to multiple them.  Remember, under Joseph’s rule they were saved from the seven year world wide famine.   In that time Israel grew to be a large nation in the middle of Egypt.  Although the Egyptians enjoyed the free labor, the nation began to become quite difficult to manage.   But, not only did God make the nation of Israel fruitful, He also stirred up the Egyptians to “hate” His people (Isaiah 45:7).   This pressure became the catalyst of their deliverance.    We often, rightly so, see conflict as bad.  But, often God uses conflict in a way to accomplish His plans (Acts 15:36-41).  God brought a conflict between them to force the issue of His divine deliverance.  The interesting part about this is how God did a great work to accomplish the nation of not just leaving, but leaving with an entire bounty of goods and in great peace.  Note:

Psalms 105:37-38 (ESV)

Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.

This is what God can do in the midst of conflict.   He can cause great conflict to come to calm.  He can change the disposition one person has toward another.  Of course, we know that God also allowed the anger and fruition of the Egyptians to return and they pursued Israel in anger to the middle of the Red Sea.   Of course, God can and did deal with that, as well.   God can deal with all types of stress in relationships between people in many ways and many outcomes.  

Satan Temps Our Internal Passions - 1 Chronicles 20-24

1 Chronicles 21:7-9 (ESV)

But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” And the LORD spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying,

To understand these two verses of this chapter in 1 Chronicles, we need to see how that chapter began:

1 Chronicles 21:1-2 (ESV)

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.”

There is an interesting trifecta of dynamics interrelated here.   You have Satan coming to incite David to number the nation.  You have David confessing to God his sin of numbering the nation (his pride to see his achievements).  You have God prepared to discipline David for his pride that was stirred up by Satan’s temptation.  The temptation was real.  The enticement of Satan intense.  David yielded to it.   David DID NOT BLAME SATAN for his heart of pride.   David took responsibility for his heart.  Perhaps this is something he learned earlier in the Bathsheba debacle.   David allowed his heart to be enticed by Satan.  This is different than the story of Job as in that story, Satan does all the destruction and Job remains innocent.  In this story Satan only entices.   David is not innocent.    Later we will read about the Messiah (the descendent of David) who also will be tempted and incited by Satan.  But, Jesus does not succumb to that temptation (Luke 4).  He fights it off by quoting God’s Word.    David did not.  This is a daily occurrence in most of our lives.  We are constantly indicted by Satan and his demons to disobey God.  Satan uses our own proclivities to seduce us into sin and failure before God.   We must never forget that Satan wants this to happen to us.  But, we must also never forget that it is US that succumbs due to our own sinful, internal passions.   Satan knows them.   We would be wise to know them as well and rather submit them to God as instruments of righteousness, rather than to Satan as instruments for unrighteousness. 

Romans 6:12-14 (ESV)

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Rebellion - Numbers 13-17

 Numbers 17:12-13 (ESV)

And the people of Israel said to Moses, “Behold, we perish, we are undone, we are all undone. Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of the LORD, shall die. Are we all to perish?”

To understand the above verses we would need to read the preceding chapters (14, 16 and 17, specifically).   Moses sent spies out to survey the “promised” land.  The 12 spies all brought a great report about the blessings of the land, but 10 of them saw the obstacles and not the opportunities.   Only Caleb and Joshua believed God could bring them into the land that flowed with milk and honey but also giants and chariots.     God subsequently started to discipline the nation and that is when the rebellion of leadership started to gain momentum.   Although they thought they were pushing back on Moses and Aaron, they were really rebelling agains God.  That is when God stepped in and destroyed almost 15,000 of them.    The above two verses are the feelings and words of those who witnessed God destroy their fellow Israelites.    They feared for their lives.    Andy they should fear for their lives.   During this process of rebellion and disciplined they learned what we read about in the New Testament:

Hebrews 10:31 (ESV)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

They learned that God does not mess around with rebellion.   In the last days, one of the things we read will be more and more prominent is a rebellious spirit:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)

Godlessness in the Last Days

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

We might be seeing more and more of this behavior in our current days, but it was always in the heart of mankind, all they way back to the spies.   The spirit of rebellion is a dangerous spirit to have in one’s heart.  It only leads to certain destruction.   We ought to live in fear of the Lord, but not because He will consume our rebellious hearts, but because we honor and worship Him and see that He is awesome.  

God is Faithful - 2 Timothy 1-2

 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (ESV)

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 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;

if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.

In chapter two of this letter Paul wrote to young Pastor Timothy, Paul is outlining how Timothy can persevere through the trials that come his way.  Paul is writing this from prison, which only provides more depth to a letter about endurance in the faith.   Paul is suffering, being in chains for the gospel.  He has just given Timothy three metaphors about endurance:

1. He should be like a good soldier (2:3-4)

2. He should be like a great athlete (2:5)

3. He should be like a worthy farmer (2:6-7)

In the above passage Paul wants Timothy to know that he can endure when he considers Christ Jesus, the author of his faith.    The key line in the above passage in regard to this endurance Timothy is called upon to demonstrate is:

... if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself. (v.13b)

We are going to have days that our weakness shows more often than our walking in harmony with Christ.  We will fail.   God has taken that into His plan and has provided many measures to assure out ultimate success.  But, the most amazing part of God’s plan is that we have been redeemed solely by God’s power, founded upon Christ’s finished work.    We may falter in our walk, but we can rejoice that He remains faithful.   Even in our failings God is the One who is sustaining.   

Moving From Activity to Belief - John 10-12

 John 11:25-27 (ESV)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

In the midst of the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, we have the above exchange between Jesus and Lazarus’ brother, Martha.  Lazarus had two sisters, Mary and Maratha.  They were the two who made different choices about Jesus’ teaching on a particular day.  Martha was busy serving everyone and Mary was seated at the feat of Jesus listen.  When Martha’s complained she was serving “alone,” here was Jesus’ response:

Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

There is no record of Martha’s response to those words.   We can’t assume she stopped serving and sat and listened and we can’t assume she did.   However, in the above passage we see her offered a choice, once again.  Jesus is asking her to believe Him about His power and purpose.  She confesses that she does.   When Jesus asks, “Do you believe this?” He is refereeing not to His power only, but His purpose as well.  He is not referring to His power to simply raise Lazarus from the dead right now (something that still is not in her mind in the range of possibilities), but His entire purpose to bring resurrected power to the world.   At this point we have Martha’s confession.  She is no longer busy doing things.  She is moving from busy to belief.   She is not active in serving but willing to accept a truth of being serve by the Savior of the world.   This is a transformation all people must take.  We can be active in doing something, without belief in the One who has done it all for us.   Here, we read that Martha stopped her activity and rested solely in the truth of the resurrected power of Christ.   

Endurance - Hosea 7-14

 Hosea 13:4-6 (ESV)

But I am the LORD your God

from the land of Egypt;

you know no God but me,

and besides me there is no savior.

It was I who knew you in the wilderness,

in the land of drought;

but when they had grazed, they became full,

they were filled, and their heart was lifted up;

therefore they forgot me.

Therefore they forgot me!!!

That is the saddest line in the above verses, if not the entire Bible.   Notice how Jeremiah composes the same thought about the nation of Israel:

Jeremiah 2:19 (ESV)

Your evil will chastise you,

and your apostasy will reprove you.

Know and see that it is evil and bitter

for you to forsake the LORD your God;

the fear of me is not in you,

declares the Lord GOD of hosts.

So, the forget God and they forsake God.   They turn away from the one who redeemed them.  God took Abraham from no where (Genesis 11) and turned him and his offspring into a mighty nation.   But, instead of following their first love, they wandered away and started worshipping false gods.   We might think we are more superior to them for our constant love for God and His beloved Son, Christ.  But, read what John told the churches in his vision of the Revelation.  Here is what he wrote about the church at Ephesus:

Revelation 2:2-4 (ESV)

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

God sees our first works.  But, He also wants to see our final works.   We cannot forget Him, or forsake Him.  We must serve Him to the end. If not, we will suffer the consequences that Israel suffered in discipline.   God wants us to to love Him until the end.  

Parenting to Protect and Bless Your Children - Proverbs 20-21

 Proverbs 20:7

A righteous man who walks in integrity - How blessed are his sons after him.

If you could buy a ticket that would provide all your kids would need for the rest of your life, how much would you pay for it?  Some think a lotto ticket would be the thing that would provide the security they need for the present and the future. Solomon tells us, however, in the above proverb, that the best thing we can do as adults is to live a righteous life. By doing so, it will bring blessings to our children. What if each time we do something that saddens God, He removes a blessing from our children? Would you keep doing it? Imagine walking in the rain with an umbrella. But, you hold the umbrella over just you, not your kids. Living a righteous life, through the provision "in Christ", is like having an umbrella over our heads and our kids. How are you holding yours? Are you covering just you?   Paul repeats a similar theme in 1 Corinthians 7.  Note what he says:

1 Corinthians 7:14

For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

Paul is NOT saying that the righteousness of one person "covers" the righteous needs for another.   What he is saying is that as we walk in a life IN Christ, we put our children at a better place to live for Christ as well.  We can be that "umbrella" in their life.  They still have to live their own life for Christ, but when we walk in righteousness and integrity, we live for God and for our children.