Expect To Suffer For Him - John 19-21

John 21:24 (ESV)

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

It is only at the end of this long gospel account that John reveals his name, as the author of the book.  He has not announced himself for the first 21 chapters.   There would be nothing wrong with that, as we can see from Paul’s many letters, or Luke’s account of both his gospel and the book of Acts.  

John, at the end, does want us to know he wrote it and that he can be trusted with the facts of the book.   The world disregards the Bible accounts, as though there are make-believe stories, conjured up in the minds of religious fanatics.   However, John boast that his testimony is true.   The Greek word of testimony is martyria.  This is where we get our English word martyr.   As prophesied by Jesus, John was one of the few apostles who were not put to death for their testimony of Jesus.   But that does not mean he was not a martyr.   Note what he said at the beginning of his book, Revelation:

Revelation 1:9 (ESV)

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

He was banished to a small island and held captive until his death, by natural causes.  But he was there because he spoke of Jesus.   As we bear witness of Jesus, we should expect some mis-treatment by the world.   

Peter said it this way:

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)

Suffering as a Christian

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Paul said it this way:

2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Don’t be surprised if you suffer for beating witness of the Light.   The Dark (world) hates the Light (Christ).  

Opposition From The Same Side - Amos 5-9

Amos 7:10-13 (ESV)

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said,

“‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,

and Israel must go into exile

away from his land.’”

And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

The title in this section in the ESV is “Amos Accused.”  The priest, Amaziah, accuses Amos of king of Israel.  Remember, at this time the kingdom was divided.  Israel and Judah were separate.  Amos is prophesying to the wicked kingdom of Israel to the north.  The priest (Amaziah) was from Bethel, the capital city of Israel, in the north.  The northern kings were all wicked.  None of them worshipped God.  So, when Amos is attacked and accused it is because he is standing up for righteousness in a wicked environment.  He was not afraid to stand tall in this slouching world around him.  

A key thought in this passage is that when one stands tall in a slouching world, one will be accused and attacked.  And the attack might come from those who call themselves believers.   The sad part of this is that Amaziah was supposed to point others to God, just as Amos was.  They were supposed to have the same mission.  But Amaziah slipped into the political and expedient world of the flesh and pleasing God.   Don’t be surprised if those type of people will falsely accuse you if you stand up for righteousness.  Even the most good intentions could camouflaged to look like it is helping leadership (in this send the king ... Jereoboam). 

Wickedness might look like a priest protecting a king, but it is still wickedness.  

Don’t Be A Battering Ram With God’s Word - Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:12 (ESV)

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

People have a hard time listening to correction.   In Proverbs a constant theme of Solomon's admonition is this arena of listening to God's Wisdom when it is presented by a "wise reprover" and coupled with a "listening ear."   This combination is such a great thing Solomon compares it to seeing a fine earring or fine gold jewelry.   Gold sells.   Put gold on something and you get someone's attention.  We see it from Madison Avenue all the time.   Look at a bill board or a TV commercial or a magazine ad and you will see many with sparkling jewelry and shinny ornaments.  It attracts our attention.   It shows something refined and it shows us something of value.   In this proverb Solomon uses the same thought to demonstrate not some material and temporal possession but an eternal and remarkable event ... someone listening and applying God's truth from someone who has skill to deliver it.   It is a matter of importance that Solomon draws attention to the fact that someone is not simply listening to God's Word but also that God's Word is being delivered in a wise way by the "reprover."   Sometimes it is in the delivery that we see fruit.   God's Word needs to be delivered to the ear in a manner worthy of God's Word.   We can't simply fling the Word around and use it as a battering ram on those who need to hear it.   A wise reprover invites a listening ear.   Yes, there are some who won't hear us because they reject the truth of God's Word no matter how it is delivered.  But there are far too many who are beat over the head with God's Word and they find the method offensive more than the truth.   Make sure you take as much care in the delivery of God's truth as you do the importance of the delivery.   Maybe there would be more listeners and others would see the beauty of them hearing and responding.

God Keeps His Covenant - Psalms 111-113

Psalms 111:9 (ESV)

He sent redemption to his people;

he has commanded his covenant forever.

Holy and awesome is his name!

Five times in this psalm the writer uses the word, work, in relationship to what God has done for us.  Note:

Psalms 111:2-7 (ESV)

2 Great are the works of the LORD,

studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,

and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,

in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

In verse 9, above, we read the mot spectacular of all His works:  He redeems men from their captivity.  God made a covenant with Abraham and is still fulfilling that covenant today.   God told Abraham that through His seed all the nations of the world would be blessed and that this was an everlasting covenant.  So, in verse 9 above, we read that this keeping of His covenant to redeem mankind is one of those great works.  We can rejoice in the great works of God and remember they are fulfilled because of His great covenant.  

Using the World in Christian Endeavors- 2 Chronicles 1-5

2 Chronicles 2:17-18 (ESV)

Then Solomon counted all the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, after the census of them that David his father had taken, and there were found 153,600. Seventy thousand of them he assigned to bear burdens, 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 as overseers to make the people work.

To build the Temple for God, Solomon not only called on the King of Tyre (a non-believer) to provide experts in the art of craftsmanship (a man named Huramabi).   But he also used 153,600 resident aliens.   These were non-Hebrews who lived within the boarders of Israel.   They lived there but did not have the Jewish ancestry.    This was the Temple.  It was the most Holy of Holies.   Yet, Solomon used their skills and labor to construct this place God would dwell.    This might be a great example of the relationship between believers and the world today; between the Church and the world today.   Using non-believers to build churches is not an unholy thing.   Mixing non-believing truth with church truth is an unholy thing.  Since my main job is to speak about leadership principles to the unsaved world, this becomes an important balance.   I know what I write about and teach is great for the unsaved world, but I am not sure the Christian world would be so accepting.   This is certainly not because I speak false doctrine to either.  But because my writings are not providing a chapter and verse, the Christian world is, understandably, leery of me.   Solomon was allowing them to be the labor, but not those who would work in the Temple.   They could work on it to build it but not in it to use it.   We need to understand that God can supply our help through the unsaved world (think of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro).  But that does not mean we are to cross over into their doctrine.  This is the line we have to walk each day as we employ others to help us from automobile repairs to heart surgery.   The truth is, God can use anyone.   But we must always be aware of false teaching that might be woven into that combination.   

God Keeps His Promises - Even for Worldly Things -

2 Chronicles 9:18-20 (ESV)

The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom. All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.

This section starts with Solomon finishing the glory of the Temple where God would be worshiped and ends with the glory of his own palace where he would be worshipped.  In fact that is what began to happen.  With God’s blessing, notice how Solomon was treated among men.  This statement is from the Queen of Sheba who came to meet Solomon:

2 Chronicles 9:7-9 (ESV)

Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

When we go back and now read about the palace steps and the lions on each side of the steps, we can see the splendor God bestowed upon Solomon.   People sang his praises. God has so blessed him with wisdom and material blessings, he has something created that no kingdom had ever seen.  Since then every kingdom would create this scene.   But God established it with Solomon first.  God is not wanting us to live in squalor, but we might if He so deems.  In this case, the promise from God to Solomon was that since he chose wisdom over riches, he would have both.  The twelve lions on six steps is just God keeping His word.  

Beware of False Teachers - Numbers 21-24

Numbers 22:4-7 (ESV)

And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message.

Balaam was a non-Israelite sooth-sayer who was called upon the king of Moab, Balak, to curse Israel.    Apparently he was a pagan prophet that actually did have some powers to curse and bless people.  The pagan world was very much filled with this type of prophet for pay individual.  Balak thought to use this pagan ritual to destroy Israel.  

Balaam is the example of the word’s approach to their struggle to live along God’s people.   Balaam is forbidden from actaully cursing Israel.  Instead, he will bless the three times.  Put like most prophets for pay, he would not be undone.   He eventually earns his money and creates a compromise trap for Israel.   His thought was, “If God won’t let me curse them, I can at least use their debased nature to compromise them.”   That is what he does.   Peter calls Balaam the perfect example of a false teacher (as does Jude and John in The Revelation).  Note:

2 Peter 2:14-16 (ESV)

They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

False teachers have many tools.  They don’t have to curse you and make your life miserable.   They can simply entice you and make your life a compromise.   Beware of the Balaams in life.