What Happens When We Repent? 2 Chronicles 10-16

2 Chronicles 12:9-12 (ESV)

So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. He took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house. He took away everything. He also took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made, and King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze and committed them to the hands of the officers of the guard, who kept the door of the king’s house. And as often as the king went into the house of the LORD, the guard came and carried them and brought them back to the guardroom. And when he humbled himself the wrath of the LORD turned from him, so as not to make a complete destruction. Moreover, conditions were good in Judah.

That last (bolded) verse in this section is the key to understanding this entire set of chapters in 2 Chronicles.  After Solomon’s death, his inept son, Rehoboam, was in charge, as the new king.  He was subject to peer pressure and made unethical, immoral and worldly alliances. But in the above passage we see what happens just before his death.  It took him awhile, but like the thief on the cross, he turned to God at the right time.  His repenting was the avenue for him seeing God’s favor and God’s glory.  He could not see it before, but he sees it now.  His eyes were blinded by his sin.  But in turning to God the veil was removed:

2 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

When the veil is removed we see all of God’s glory:

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

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.

Satan does not want that.  He wants to blind the world from seeing God’s glory:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

When we turn to the Lord the veil is removed and we have peace with God and blessings in our lives ... blessings despite the circumstances.  

How To Become More Solution Focused - Numbers 29-32

Numbers 32:16-19 (ESV)

Then they came near to him and said, “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones, but we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until each of the people of Israel has gained his inheritance. For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan to the east.”

The tribe of Reuben and Gad and one-half of Manasseh saw the land that the nation just conquered from the Midianites and thought it looked great for their livestock and their future homes.  Remember, they had been wandering almost 40 years by now.   God had promised the land of Canaan but these tribes saw this land, on the opposite side of the Jordan River, and thought it looked great.   Moses objected to this idea, vehemently.  He reminded them of the scene 40 years earlier where the people did not want to cross over into the promised land because the spies (their very fathers and grandfathers) had dissuaded the people from entering the land.  Moses reaction was based upon a cognitive anchor, rooted in past behavior of others.   The two and one-half tribes, in the above references, let Moses know they have full intent on fighting for the promise land as God had directed.  But they were wiling to step out in faith and leave their wives and little ones behind (In fortified and provided cities) and fight for the rest of the nation.  This will persuade Moses to let them go. But it needed to be talked about.  Moses, at first, was angry with them.  He had one vision for their plan and they had another.  It was not until the full disclosure of both mindsets were offered, that a solution was found.   The two and one-half tribes could have been better on how they presented their idea.  There is a strategy called Idea-Goal-Alignment, that might have worked here.  Had they aligned their goal (having the land on this side of the Jordon) with Moses’ goal (conquering the promise land), Moses’ might have reacted with less anger.  Once they show him that their idea did include that element, he was more than willing to accommodate.  Sometimes people only hear the other person’s idea and that does not align to their goal, and they react.   Idea-Goal-Alignment-Strategy is a way to make sure everyone knows that the idea and the goal all align.  We need to spend more time dong that work and have less time being opposed to the ideas of others.   When presenting an idea or hearing an idea, find a way to make sure all goals and the ideas are aligned.  That is being solution oriented.  

Exhort One Another - Hebrews 1-4

Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV)

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

The writer of Hebrews is engulfed in making sure that the readers of this letter are not falling into the trap of apostasy.   True believers can’t become unsaved, but temporal believers, those not fully by faith walking with God, can fall away.  They were never saved.   What the writer is saying in the above verse is that those who are talking about their relationship with Christ and not walking in a relationship with Christ ought to beware.   His illustration of this in the above verses is the nation of Israel.  They talked about their God, Yahweh.   But they didn’t fully follow Yahweh.  They only talked about it. When faced with the decision to follow Moses into the promise land they rejected faith for flesh and fear.   The writer’s solution to this is for us to meet together to exhort one another.  The word exhort is the Greek word, parakaleō.  It is the same word that John uses to describe the Holy Spirit, as our helper (John 14;16).  It is the same word as John uses in his epistle to tell us that Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2:1).   This is someone who comes along side us and helps us.   We are to come along side our brothers and sisters who are struggling with real faith vs fake faith.   We are to parakaleō them.  That is our role.   We are to make sure they don’t turn to a hardened heart and make sure they following by faith to the end.  That is the role of the Body of Christ.   Later, this same author will say it this way:

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministry - Acts 1-2

 Acts 1:5 (ESV)

for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

If the Old Testament is more central on God the Father and the Gospels and Epistles more central on the God the Son, Acts is more central on God the Spirit.   The book is entitled the “Acts of the Apostles.”  It could be named, the “Acts of the Holy Spirit.”   All Scripture is focused on the redemptive act of salvation by the Trinity.   The Father, the Son and the Spirit are seen in all scriptures.   But this book of Acts truly does record many of the movements of the Holy Spirit as He speaks about Son of God, the Savior of the world. Remember what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit’s coming ministry when He promised the Spirit’s coming to the Apostles;

John 16:13-15 (ESV)

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

So, whereas the Spirit is a key figure in Acts, He is behind the scenes bringing mankind’s attention to the Son, for the glory of the Father.   The Holy Spirit is mentioned almost ten times in these first two chapters, almost 70 times in the entire book.  If you look for the words, Jesus, Lord and Christ, you end up with almost 400 references in Acts.   But it is the power and the purpose of the Spirit who brings these references to light.   When Jesus told the Apostles they would be baptized by the Spirit, they had no idea the power that would be unleashed in them and for them.   Our ministries are based upon the fact that the Spirit of God is filling us, guiding us and working mightily in us.  We can rejoice that until Jesus’ return we have the presence of the Spirit to be our helper:

John 14:15-17 (ESV)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

God ALWAYS Has A Remnant - Obadiah

Obadiah 1:17 (ESV)

But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape,

and it shall be holy,

and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.

Obadiah is an interesting book.  It was probably written right after Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took the people of Judah captive in 586 B.C.    When the Babylonians came to war against the city and take everyone captive, the nation of Edom stepped in to help the Babylonians.  The problem was that Edom was related to Israel, by being descendants of Esau, Jacob’s (Israel) brother.  So, what we see unfolding in Obadiah’s book is that you have a relative in extreme need and instead of helping them you help those who are harming them.  This is the story of Obadiah.  Instead of giving them help and refuge, Edom helped round them all up for captivity and/or destruction.  The above verse, however, is the Lilly pad in the midst of the swamp.  In the midst of this utter destruction at the ends of evil men and this evil treatment had the hands of your supposed relative, God reaches down and promises protection and deliverance for some of those from Mt. Zion (Jerusalem).   In a time of extreme hurt and betrayal, God redeems a remnant for Himself and to make sure the nation continues so that it will produce the coming Messiah for all mankind.   In all the books of these prophets, God promises a remnant to survive.   Most of the prophets speak of wars, and judgments and discipline and destruction.  But all of them also speak of a remnant that God will continue to work with and call His children.   Like a rose among the thorns, God’s mercy and grace is on full display in these remnant people.  We can rejoice that in the midst of our suffering in this time and age, God will continue to keep us safe and continue to be our God.  Here is the promise that is written to the nation of Israel for the future that the writer of Hebrews applies to us, as well:

Hebrews 8:10-11 (ESV)

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws into their minds,

and write them on their hearts,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor

and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’

for they shall all know me,

from the least of them to the greatest.

God has made a covenant people for Himself and it is us, through this remnant.  

Beware Of Sweet Speech That Hides An Evil Heart - Proverbs 26-27

Proverbs 26:24-26 (ESV)

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips

and harbors deceit in his heart;

when he speaks graciously, believe him not,

for there are seven abominations in his heart;

though his hatred be covered with deception,

his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

The warning in the above group of proverbs is a warning to the reader.  We are being warned to beware of men and women who carry hatred in their hearts (maliciousness).   The person who has this hatred in their heart will always try to cover it. They cannot be trusted.  Solomon tells us they hide their hatred and deceit with charming speech.   He uses deception to cover his malice.   When the proverb says there are "seven abominations in  his heart," he is telling us that his heart is "completely" full of hatred.   The number seven in the Bible always speaks of “completness.”  We are to be warned about this deceit and malice.   We don't have to worry about the results of it, however.   According to Solomon the deceit will be exposed to everyone some day.   We are not told when they will be exposed.   Even though his speech is "charming" we are not to believe him.   The mouth is camouflage for the heart.   We are not to be deceived by their lips.   Be careful when you find yourself with someone with sweet speech.  They just might of a dark heart. Note these additional proverbs:

Proverbs 29:5 (ESV)

A man who flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.

Proverbs 23:1-3 (ESV)

When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

observe carefully what is before you,

and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to appetite.

Do not desire his delicacies,

for they are deceptive food.

Solomon is dispensing wisdom.  Wise people are carful not to believe everything they hear.   

Who We Worship Determines Who We Are - Psalms 114-116

Psalms 115:16-18 (ESV)

The heavens are the LORD’S heavens,

but the earth he has given to the children of man.

The dead do not praise the LORD,

nor do any who go down into silence.

But we will bless the LORD

from this time forth and forevermore.

Praise the LORD!

To better understand the above closing of Psalm 115, we should read the opening of the song:

Psalms 115:1 (ESV)

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,

for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Psalm 115 is a contrast between those who worship the living God and those who worship dead idols. 

Psalms 115:4-8 (ESV)

Their idols are silver and gold,

the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but do not speak;

eyes, but do not see.

They have ears, but do not hear;

noses, but do not smell.

They have hands, but do not feel;

feet, but do not walk;

and they do not make a sound in their throat.

Those who make them become like them;

so do all who trust in them.

The closing verses reflect what the writer is trying to say.  For those who worship the living God we exalt Him and see that He resides in the heavens.  This is why the writer states:  The heavens are the LORD’S heavens.

The writer wants us to recognize that God is not with us (He is higher) but still resides over us:  But the earth he has given to the children of man.  God gives us the earth to inhabit but to praise Him from this place.  However, those who worship dead idols, are themselves dead: The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence.  We are to recognize that what we worship reflects our own condition.  Those who worship dead idols are dead.  Those who worship a God who resides in heaven are alive.  Therefore the song concludes by saying:  But we will bless the LORD

from this time forth and forevermore.

Praise the LORD.  We who are alive by Him will bring all our praise to Him.  

What Does Collective Worship Look Like? 2 Chronicles 6-10

2 Chronicles 7:8-10 (ESV)

At that time Solomon held the feast for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt. And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they had kept the dedication of the altar seven days and the feast seven days. On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the prosperity that the LORD had granted to David and to Solomon and to Israel his people.

This is what worship should look like and should produce as results.   Imagine coming to church on a Sunday and being so enraptured by the glory of God that you stay for 8 days.  They left for home joyful and glad of heart for the property that the LORD had granted to David and to Solomon and to Israel His people.   We tend to be consumers of worship. If we like it we claim it and focus on us.  In this worship scene they rejoiced at seeing the glory of God.   Notice what happened when they saw God’s glory:

2 Chronicles 7:1-3 (ESV)

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’S house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

God wants us to worship Him in awe and wonder.  He wants to show us His grace.  He is not limited by our one hour and ten minute worship services.  In some churches if you go over a minute you are paying homage to the time-police.    People have places to go and things to do and we have to package our worship into their time frame.   We run churches like a school bell system.  If the bell rings we are packing up the books and on to the next class (or golf course, or restaurant, or etc.).     God is not limited to be worshipped in the way we package Him.  What would happen if the worship in song just didn’t stop after four songs? What would happen if the worship in teaching just kept going and went past that make believe bell in everyone’s head.   Yes, going past the time has to be very difficult for children’s ministries.  But those in the above scenario also had childcare needs.  Don’t constrain worship.   God does not constrain the way He blesses us.  

God Sees Our Sin - Numbers 25-28

Numbers 25:14-15 (ESV)

The name of the slain man of Israel, who was killed with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, chief of a father’s house belonging to the Simeonites. And the name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of Zur, who was the tribal head of a father’s house in Midian.

In chapter 25 we have the story of the nation of Israel committing the sin of idolatry.   Since the king of Moab, Balak, could not get the prophet of God, Balaam, to curse Israel, Balaam gave him a different option.  Balaam’s counsel to King Balak was to not destroy Israel with weapon from the outside, but with false doctrine on the inside.  He convinced Balak that instead of creating a way, throw a party; an idol worshipping party.  Israel fell for this deception and it becomes a moment etched in history. Even the New Testament writers mention it (2 Peter 2:15 and Revelation 2:14).   The result of this sin caused an Israelite man (named Zimri) to bring home from the idol worshipping party a “wife” named Cozbi.   This was such an abomination to God that He sent a plague on Israel. It was only when the priest, Phiehas, went to their very bedroom and killed them both, that the plague stopped:

Numbers 25:7-8 (ESV)

When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped.

God takes time in this book of Numbers, above, to name to the two.   God knows who sins against Him.  The same thing happened to a husband and wife in the New Testament in the start of the early church:

Acts 5:1-2 (ESV)

Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

These two only lied about the amount of the sale of some property. They embellished that they gave all of the money, but didn’t.  They lied to the Spirit of God in worship.  They were struck dead.   God knows those who sin against Him.   We ought not to think, when we sin, that God does not see.   Just ask David in his adultery with Bathsheba.   

Galatians 6:6-8 (ESV)

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Christianity Is Not Lived In A Vacuum! Philemon

Philemon 1:23-24 (ESV)

Final Greetings

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

Fellow workers are an important and essential part of the spread of the Gospel.  Throughout the New Testament we have lists of names, like the short one, above.   They give us insight how those known in the faith (like Paul) actually built the church and spread the Gospel.  We forget sometimes that in Acts 2, the day of Pentecost, there were about 3,000 people saved.  We don’t have the names of these original charter members of the church, but we do know the Apostles needed all of them to accomplish the task Christ gave them.  The Apostles immediately began to feed these 3,000 Biblical truth:

Acts 2:42 (ESV)

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

That is where the above names come in.  These same five names are also listed in Paul’s letter to the Colossian believers.   Although Tychicus was listed in Colossians, he is not listed here because he is delivering the letter for Paul to Philemon.   A brief note about these brothers:

1. Epaphras was probably the founding elder of the church at Colossae.  He was probably converted under Paul’s ministry.   He is known to Philemon. 

2. Mark is the John Mark, nephew of Barnabas, whom Paul did not want to take on the second missionary trip. This caused tension between Barnabas and Paul and split their ministry (Acts 15:36-39).   Paul now saw value in Mark (2 Timothy 4:11).  He is known to Philemon. 

3. Aristarchus was with Paul when Paul was attacked in Ephesus, during the riot (Acts 19:25).  He was also with Paul when the ship they were in was wrecked (Acts 27:4).   Tradition tells us he was martyred for his faith in Rome. He is known to Philemon.

4. Delmas has the worst of the reputations of these five.  Read here as being part of the group in faith, Paul later mentions his departure from the faith (2 Timothy 4:10).   But, he is known to Philemon.

5.  Luke is the Gospel writer and the writer of the Book of Acts of the Apostles.   He is the stalwart of the five.  He is mentioned last, but is not the least of them.   He is known to Philemon.

Since Paul was writing to Philemon to take back a run-a-way slave who had stolen from him, he uses the names of men Philemon would have known.  His persuasion is based upon camaraderie and fellowship in the faith.  Paul is calling upon Philemon to forgive and he uses these names of men Philemon would not only know, but respect and trust.  And they were men who would hold Philemon accountable.   They would also be there to support him.   The ministry is not lived in a vacuum.   A Body of believers are needed for us to thrive and survive in this world.   Whatever the names, all in the faith, are called upon to support others in the faith.