It Is Always God’s Choice - 1 Chronicles 1-4

1 Chronicles 1:43 (ESV)

These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the people of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, the name of his city being Dinhabah.

1 Chronicles 1-4 is like reading an old phone book or computer data based for residents in a certain area.    It is almost entirely names and linages.   There are times the Chronicler’s pen, however, gives way to some nugget of interest concerning a certain person(s) listed.  For instance read here:

1 Chronicles 1:10 (ESV)

Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first on earth to be a mighty man.

In the above verse we have a significant change in the Chronicler’s approach.  Although the entire four chapter are about the linage of Judah, from all the way back to Abraham’s day, the Chronicler inserts the above mention of Esau (Edom), Jacob’s twin, but older brother.   Remember how this was laid out in Scripture:

Romans 9:13 (ESV)

As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

God, in HIs divine sovereignty, chose Jacob (the younger) over Esau (the older).   In the traditions of that day, the older son would get all the inheritance.    So as the Chronicler is laying out the ancestry of Judah (for the purpose of identifying the kingly line of David ... the theme for the rest of the book). In doing this work he takes time to mention who is not in the line of kingship.   He is pointing out that the kings of Esau were replaced by this long list of kings of Judah, the descendents of Jacob.  

It is importnat to realize that even though this might be just a list of names to us, to God is shows His sovereign will over generations. It shows He has established Judah as His people.   It shows He is not only honoring the covenant He made with Abraham, but how He was honoring it.  God is sovereign and puts up on and takes down another.  It is His choice. 

Psalms 75:7 (ESV)

but it is God who executes judgment,

putting down one and lifting up another.

Keep Your Vow - Leviticus 24-27

Leviticus 27:1-3 (ESV)

Laws About Vows

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, If anyone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the valuation of persons, then the valuation of a male from twenty years old up to sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

We probably would read right past chapter 27 if we had our preferences.   But 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us all Scripture is profitable.  The thought behind this chapter is when a person makes a vow to give something to God, they need to keep it. They can adjust it and can keep a portion back, but it can’t be done in deception. It needs to be done based upon the rules and laws of this chapter.   The Priest are to be the administrators of this practice.   The item vowed was in the control of the person making the vow.   They could offer it out of the will, but had to follow these rules.   A key phrase in the chapter is if the donor wishes to redeem.   The point made this is a willing heart and they can give all or some of the offering.   But it had to be based upon a willing heart and not have deception.  

This is a good background for what happens in Acts 5 with Ananias and his wife Sapphira.  Note:

Acts 5:1-4 (ESV) 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. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

They were both killed because of their deception in worship.  They didn’t have to vow their land to the Church.   They did, but lied about it.   And like the rules and laws of Leviticus 27, they died for it.  

When we vow to God it is to be in good conscience and to be done to fulfill what we said we would do.   

Numbers 30:2 (ESV)

If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Feel free to make a vow or not.  But if you make one, complete the vow the way you vowed it.  

Give God Glory for the Growth in Others - 1 Thessalonians 3-5

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 (ESV)

For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

The context of this portion of 1 Thessalonians will help us understand the above words of Paul to this church.  Paul wanted to travel to this church to encourage them.   However, Satan hindered him from going to them:

1 Thessalonians 2:18 (ESV)

because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

(If Satan can hinder Paul’s ministry imagine what he can do against ours!)

So since he was hindered, he sent Timothy to encourage them.   In this section, Timothy has now returned to Paul and informed him of their great faith and unwavering love for Jesus and for Paul.   This is where the above long sentence comes in to shape our thinking.  Paul is asking a rhetorical question.  He wants to put into their minds how much thanks he would have to pour out to God for this amazing news and joy he is receiving as he continues to pray that he would be able, himself, further supply their growth, coming to them.   Being absent from them does not stop him from praising God for their growth.  It gives him much joy.   Note how another New Testament writer said the same thing when he heard about those of the faith living strong in faith:

  3 John 1:4 (ESV)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Paul, like John, saw the growth in those they served and that gave him much joy.   We can get excited about many things in this world.   But watching others grow in Christ ought to be at the top of our list.   And Paul knew that the power for their growth came from God.  That is why he is breaking out in thanksgiving.  He did praise Timothy.   He learned that others can do this work, as well.  But the glory went to God.   We cannot steal God’s glory when the saints grow because of the works of our ministry.   Only God can do the growth.  We are simply the voice.  Don’t steal God’s glory. If we do, it will also steal our joy.   We rejoice when we see God do a work in the lives of others.  

We Are Not the Light - John 1-2

John 1:8 (ESV)

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

It would be a great study to find out how many teachers, preachers and/or ministers of the Christian faith actually believe what John the Baptist said in the above verse.  If anyone had a right to claim fame and fortune it would be John the Baptist.   Note what Jesus said about him:

Matthew 11:11 (ESV)

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

He even declared him the coming of Elijah:

Matthew 17:12-13 (ESV)

But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Too many people in church leadership act like they are the light.   Notice what John the Baptist would further say to keep himself in this right state of mind about himself and his ministry:

John 1:15 (ESV)

(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)

John 1:20 (ESV)

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

He knew he was just a voice:

John 1:23 (ESV)

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

He knew he was not even worthy to untie Jesus sandals:

John 1:26-27 (ESV)

John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

He knew that it was Jesus who came to take away the sin of the world, not him:

John 1:29 (ESV)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

The next time a Bible teacher, Church pastor, or anyone who leads the church and ministers in the gospel puffs out their chest in pride, point them to John the Baptist.   Tell them to see that John is the perfect picture about how to characterize their ministry and how to think of themselves.   They are NOT THE CHRIST.  

The Glory of God is Revealed by the Spirit of God - Ezekiel 43-48

Ezekiel 43:4-5 (ESV)

As the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

If there is movement in our lives to see the glory of God is ONLY because the Spriit of God moves us.   In these last chapters of Ezekiel we read a lot about the Temple and the sacrificial system within the Temple.   The purpose of the Temple and the sacrificial system is so that mankind can approach God and see His glory.   The system might look complicated to the non-Isabel, western mind.  But the point of it is access to God.   When we have access to God we see His glory.  God gives all mankind a glimpse of this glory in creation:

Psalms 19:1-6 (ESV)

The Law of the LORD Is Perfect

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words,

whose voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

and its circuit to the end of them,

and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

This Temple described the prophet was the “systematic” way God laid out for the nation of Israel to see more and more of His glory.  God’s glory would fill the Temple.   But in these later days we see the Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God:

Hebrews 1:2-3 (ESV)

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

John 1:14 (ESV)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)

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.

We can now see the glory of God through our relationship with the Son.   But the Spirit of God is the one who moves us to see 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.

In order to see the glory of God we have to be moved by the Spirit of God through our relationship with the Son of God.  

Milk or Manure - Proverbs 14-15

Proverbs 14:4 (ESV)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

A proverb is a way to teach wisdom in a simple way with a word picture, or with contrasting or complimentary statements. In this proverb Solomon gives us a vivid picture about what can be best described as Barn Moments in life. He simply observes that if you have no ox you have a very clean barn. But if you have an ox you will have a great harvest (by the ox’s strength in the field pulling the plow). But where you have an ox you also have manure. We might say it this way, “If you want milk from a cow you may have to walk around, past and possibly through the manure to get it.” So, we have a choice in life to deal with the bad in order to get to the good. Having a church focused on children means we will have children running around the church. It might be quiet without the children, but we will have great strength from them as they grow and serve. Children make messes. Children make noise. Children … eventually produce milk. We might have struggles with our children in our family, but can grow those children who serve His Kingdom and you follow His plans.   We might have a struggle right now and it feels like “manure.”    But, God takes those times and gives us His strength to endure them.  We believe, by faith, that God will use those times to work the “manure” in life for His divine purpose.   

Romans 8:28 (ESV Strong's)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

So, we can complain about the manure in life, or we can work hard to get to the milk. Milk or Manure is our faith choice.

God Vindicates Us and Blesses Us - Psalms 91-93

Psalms 92:10-11 (ESV)

But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;

you have poured over me fresh oil.

My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;

my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

Psalm 92 goes back and forth regarding who is speaking.  It is tough to understand if the song/prayer is from an individual or representing a group.  It seems to be liturgical song intended to be song as a worship song by the masses.  But it certainly has personal applications.   Note how the organizers of he psalms entitled the song:

Psalm 93:1

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.

Whoever wrote it intended it to be read, sung or prayed on the Sabbath.   The above lines of the song follow the admittance of the plight of the evil and unjust person.   The contrasting “But” that begins verse 10 shows us that this is antithetical to the lines that came before it.  The song is saying the wicked are like this but the righteous are like this.  

The writer acknowledges that his success if a gift from God.   The phrase you have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox is emblematic Hebrew poetry.  It means God has given me strength.   The second line is equally emblematic as it reads you have poured over me fresh oil.  The word oil in the Bible is almost always a symbol for the Holy Spirit or riches and prosperity.   What the writer is saying to us is that the wicked do not last but the righteous flourish in many ways.  We are not to forget that is God who blesses us and rescues us from those who would befall us.   He not only raises us up but he allows the righteous to see the triumph over their enemies.  We might point to the story of Job to see this more practical.   Eventually Job was both vindicated and his foes (once showing up on his door step as friends) were made to submit to him.   It took some time, but God was faithful to His promises.  We are both exalted and vindicated by our God.