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We all have idol factories. Though Israel's "golden calf" was clearly an idol, the idols many of us have today aren't so clear cut. In this message from 1 Corinthians 10, Pastor Lutzer helps us identify our idols and how to get rid of them. What does it take to smash the idols of our hearts? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29
We all have idol factories. Though Israel's "golden calf" was clearly an idol, the idols many of us have today aren't so clear cut. In this message from 1 Corinthians 10, Pastor Lutzer helps us identify our idols and how to get rid of them. What does it take to smash the idols of our hearts? This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337.
God's Enduring Love: A Lesson from the Prophet Hosea During This Lenten Season The Book of Hosea, one of the Minor Prophets, . . . . . . delivers a profound message about the relationship between God and Israel, depicted as a husband and wife. Though Israel turned away from God to worship idols, God remained faithful and sought reconciliation. This message is relevant to all believers, especially during Lent, prompting self-reflection on modern-day “idols” such as wealth, status, and personal image. Jesus affirms that God alone should be worshipped, and once He is placed at the center of life, everything else—including relationships—falls into place. True love for God leads to genuine love for others, making faith the foundation of strong relationships and spiritual fulfillment. Listen more to this Meditation Media. Listen to: God's Enduring Love: A Lesson from the Prophet Hosea During This Lenten Season -------------------------------------------- Image: The Prophet Hosea: Italian Painter: Duccio di Buoninsegna: 1309–1311 -------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading Mark 12: 28-34 First Reading Hosea 14: 2-10
On this episode of Unsupervised Learning Razib talks with Washington Post columnist Shadi Hamid. A native Pennsylvanian of Egyptian ethnic background, and Islamic faith, Hamid completed his Ph.D. in politics at Oxford University. He is an assistant professor at Fuller Seminary, co-host of the Wisdom of Crowds podcast and website, and now the author of his own Substack and a recent book, The Problem of Democracy: America, the Middle East, and the Rise and Fall of an Idea. Hamid is also the author of Temptations of Power: Islamists & Illiberal Democracy in a New Middle East and Rethinking Political Islam. Hamid and Razib discuss the tail end of the war in Gaza, from the explosion of 10/7 and the wave of atrocities against Israelis surrounding the Palestinian enclave, to the brutal counter-attack that has resulted in tens of thousands of Gazan civilian deaths. While Hamid points to the deep structural issues that divide the two parties, and make final resolution of the conflict difficult, Razib highlights the many pitfalls of third parties becoming involved in such a highly polarized and fraught topic. They also discuss the growing identification of the global Left, including American progressives, with the Palestinian cause, the difficulties of grappling with and containing anti-Semitism within the movement. Though Israel's counter-offensive is finally reaching a denouement, Hamid strikes a fundamentally pessimistic note about long-term possibilities. Then they pivot to domestic politics, and recent cultural trends that culminated in a Trump victory in the 2024 USelection, and the alienation of many nonwhites in the Democratic coalition from the hegemony of woke cultural elites. Hamid reiterates his long-standing critiques of racial identitarianism on the Left, and the irony that the progressive awareness of racial minorities only tends to extend to them when these minorities cosign woke nostrums. In contrast to the seemingly interminable nature of the conflict in the Middle East, Razib and Hamid both see hope for a path forward with reduced racial polarization and a reorientation of politics around substantive material interests rather than symbolic racial or ethnic categories.
//The Wire//2300Z December 11, 2024////PRIORITY////BLUF: CONCERNS GROW REGARDING NEW JERSEY AIRCRAFT SIGHTINGS. MAJOR CHINESE ACTIVITY REPORTED IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT. SYRIAN REBELS NOW CONTROL SIGNIFICANT STOCKPILES OF MANPADS.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Syria: Concerns are growing regarding the staggering amount of military arms that are now in the hands of HTS rebels throughout the country. Though Israel, Turkey, and the United States have bombed most military arms caches throughout the country, the al-Qaeda-linked “rebels” now control hundreds (if not thousands) of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADs), tens of thousands of rockets, the entire Syrian Air Force, and the like. Far East: Concerns are also mounting regarding China's recent activities in the Taiwan Strait. Currently, China has declared extremely large scale naval exercises throughout the region, which have drawn concerns that this may actually be the prelude to a military invasion of Taiwan. As of this morning over 90 surface vessels have taken part in maneuvers in the waters surrounding Taiwan, with hundreds of aircraft also participating in exercises to some degree.AC: So far, the Chinese doctrine of camouflaging drills with legitimate invasion plans is working, and thus it's too soon to tell if China will indeed invade Taiwan. Considering the events in the Middle East, and the outgoing American administration, it is possible that China means to strike while the iron is hot. However, as previously noted following the rapid-pace of deteriorating events around the world, it would also be in China's best interest to flex their power in the region, without actually committing to a full-blown war. Also, the typical list of indications that would lead up to invasion plans hasn't materialized in many ways that one might expect if China were planning to militarily invade Taiwan.-HomeFront-New Jersey: Speculation surrounding the recent drone sightings throughout the state has increased following more people becoming aware of the situation. So far, not much information has been made public regarding what is going on. However, due to the attention being placed on these events, various official statements have been made. Governor Phil Murphy has acknowledged the drones (and the dozens of sightings), but hasn't commented on the aircraft much, except to say that the drones are not a threat to public safety. Yesterday, locals reported that one of the aircraft crashed in Montville, though almost zero details have come to light to confirm this incident, and all reporting on this alleged crash is single-source at the moment and therefore could be a false report. Companies and military contractors have weighed in on the aircraft as well. Picatinny Arsenal, a major military contractor for R&D of various technologies has stated that the devices aren't related to their research, but they have confirmed sighting 11 drones themselves since November.This afternoon, various politicians have stated that the drones being observed in New Jersey are suspected to be of Iranian origin, and that they are being launched from a “mothership” that is operating off the coast. More specifically, most of the information being repeated by authorities indicates that no one knows who is operating the craft, or where they come from, but many have been observed arriving and departing from the coast. Additionally, the craft allegedly do not have any signals being transmitted to them, and the lighting onboard the aircraft turns off when the aircraft is approached.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: The unidentified “drone” situation in New Jersey has become more concerning as more sightings have occurred. However, these reports are probably related to more people actually being on the lookout now that the story has gone viral. As such, an increase in reports does not always equa
Israel and the Church Israel and the church are distinct. Israel is a special nation that was created by God Himself. The Lord said of Israel, “I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King” (Isa 43:15). This makes Israel unique among all the nations of the world. He even calls Israel, “My glory” (Isa 46:13). God loves Israel, declaring, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness” (Jer 31:3). God is eternal and His love is eternal, which means it never fades for His people, Israel. To possess the love of God is to love that which He loves. One cannot claim to have God's love, and simultaneously hate Israel, His chosen people.[1] Today, we observe demonically inspired hatred and attacks against Israelites. But there is no place for anti-Semitism in the heart of anyone, especially the Christian! According to Lewis S. Chafer, “When the Christian loves with a divine compassion he will acknowledge what God loves. Therefore, he too must love Israel.”[2] Satan hates God and His chosen people, Israel. Satan and his demonic forces are behind all forms of antisemitism, and if he had his way, all Jews would be destroyed. God, who loves Israel with an everlasting love, continues to keep His Word to them. Israel has a future hope because of the promises and covenants God made through the patriarchs and prophets (Gen 12:1-3; 15:18; 17:8; Deut 30:1-10; 2 Sam 7:16; Psa 89:33-37; Jer 31:31-33). Though unbelieving Israel is currently under divine discipline (Matt 23:37-39), God's covenants and promises are still in effect (Rom 9:1-5), and will remain in force until Jesus returns and is accepted as their Messiah. Furthermore, it is wrong to think the church has replaced Israel, for “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew” (Rom 11:2), even though there is a “partial hardening” among them until Messiah returns (Rom 11:25). Until then, unbelieving Israel is under spiritual darkness and divine judgment. The apostle Paul—a biological Jew himself—revealed that God's promises and covenants are still valid for Israel, and wished all would come to faith in Christ. Paul spoke of Israel as “my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen” (Rom 9:3-5). Though Israel is currently under divine discipline (Matt 23:37-38), God has a future for His people and national Israel will be restored. Paul tells us, “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so, all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:25b-26a). Our duty is to view Israel as God does: as His chosen people (Gen 12:1–3; Deut 10:15) and as “beloved for the sake of the fathers” (Rom 11:28b). This does not mean we endorse all of Israel's actions, but we recognize them as a special people chosen by God, with a divinely ordained future, and we “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psa 122:6a). The Christian church is distinct from Israel and Gentiles, and was a mystery not revealed in the OT (Eph 3:4-6; 5:32; Col 1:24-27). The church, which is the body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23), is a company of believers, from Jews and Gentiles (1 Cor 10:32), who have been spiritually united with Christ by means of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:26-28). The church began on the day of Pentecost, in Acts 2. The primary purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph 1:12; 3:21; cf. Rom 11:36; 16:27). Other purposes of the church include evangelizing the lost (Matt 28:18-20), edifying believers through biblical teaching so they might advance to spiritual maturity (Eph 4:11-16; 1 Pet 2:2), praying for one another (Jam 5:16), and showing love (John 13:34). Once the church is caught up to heaven at the rapture (John 14:1-3; 1 Th 4:13-18), God will resume His plan with national Israel and fulfill all the promises made to them through the covenants (Rom 9:1-5; 11:1-2; 25-27).[3] Divine Institutions for Humanity The concept of divine institutions refers to foundational structures established by God to ensure order and stability within human society. Biblically, these institutions include: 1) individual responsibility, 2) marriage, 3) family, 4) human government, and 5) nationalism. Each of these divine institutions serve a unique purpose in promoting a stable and flourishing society. Robert B. Thieme Jr. states, “These institutions apply to believers and unbelievers—regardless of race, gender, or any other factor—and are ordained by God to restrain the sin nature and protect human freedom.”[4] Understanding and promoting these institutions allow us to align with God's plan for the human race and to stand against Satan's destructive strategies. Individual responsibility is foundational, as God created humans in His image with the ability to make choices and the obligation to bear the consequences of their actions (Gen 1:26-28). Scripture reveals that “each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12; cf. 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Pet 4:5). This personal accountability underpins moral behavior and the pursuit of righteousness. Marriage was established as a lifelong union between one man and one woman. In marriage, a man and a woman are regarded as “one flesh” in the sight of God (Gen 2:24), and Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matt 19:6). Marriage provides companionship, love, and the proper context for raising children, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church (Eph 5:22-33). Family, which is closely tied to marriage, serves as the primary institution for nurturing and teaching subsequent generations. Parents are called to instill moral values and the knowledge of God in their children (Deut 6:6-7; Prov 22:6; Eph 6:4), while children are commanded to honor their parents (Ex 20:12; Eph 6:1-3), which fosters respect and stability across generations. Human government as a divine institution was instituted after the flood (Gen 9:5-6), and plays a critical role in maintaining order, upholding justice, and restraining evil. Governments are tasked with protecting the innocent and punishing criminals (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-14), ensuring societal peace and security. Scripture reveals that healthy governments are “a minister of God to you for good” (Rom 13:4), and believers are called to submit to governing authorities (Rom 13:1-7; Tit 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13). However, this does not mean blind submission, as we may engage in acts of civil disobedience when necessary (Ex 1:15-17; Dan 3:1-18; 6:1-23; Acts 5:27-29). Nationalism emerged at the Tower of Babel, where God scattered humanity into distinct nations with their own languages and borders to prevent global unity in rebellion against Him (Gen 11:1-9). Scripture reveals that God “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation” (Acts 17:26). This division hinders the potential for widespread tyranny. Together, these divine institutions—individual responsibility, marriage, family, government, and nationalism—form the framework for a stable society. When upheld, they create a context for justice, order, and human flourishing. Neglect or distortion of these principles often leads to instability and moral decline, underscoring the importance of honoring God's design in every area of life. Dr. Steven R. Cook [1] To love the people of Israel is not a blanket endorsement of all their beliefs and behaviors. God, who loves Israel and chose them to be His people (Deut 7:6-8), also called them to be holy (Ex 19:5-6; Lev 11:45), and to live righteously (Deut 6:24-25). Under the Mosaic Law, God's blessings and curses for them were conditioned on their obedience or disobedience (Deut 11:26-28; 28:1-68). For much of Israel's history, we know they failed to walk with God, sometimes rejecting His love for them and walking in the ways of the world (see 2 Ch 36:15-16; Jer 7:25-26; 25:4-7). The national rejection and crucifixion of Jesus (Matt 27:22-23; Acts 2:22-23; 4:27-28), Israel's promised Messiah (Deut 18:15; Isa 7:14; 9:6-7; 53; 61:1; Matt 1:1, 17; Luke 1:31-33), is their greatest historical failure. Jesus loved them even though they rejected Him (Matt 23:37). Did Israel act alone in crucifying Jesus, their Messiah? No! God foretold Israel's Messiah would suffer and die (Psa 22:11-18; Isa 53); and, according to His sovereignty, He used wicked men, both Jews and Gentiles, to accomplish His will (Acts 22:22-23; 4:27-28). [2] Lewis S. Chafer, “Israel” in Systematic Theology, Vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, MI., Kregel Publications, 1993), 206. [3] For more detailed information, see my article: What is the Church? https://thinkingonscripture.com/2018/05/18/what-is-the-church/ [4] Robert B. Thieme, Jr. “Divine Institutions”, Thieme's Bible Doctrine Dictionary, 72.
In the first two chapters of Matthew, the gospel-writer covered the advent of Jesus and the many ways in which he fulfilled the Scriptures simply by being born. Today, as we cover chapters 3-4, Matthew jumps ahead to Christ's adulthood and the beginning of his ministry. We meet John the Baptist who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah of “one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.'” When John baptizes Jesus, a sign from heaven appears and resounds, testifying to Christ's divine origin. Before beginning his public ministry of teaching, Jesus spends 40 days fasting in the wilderness at which point he is tempted by the devil. Though Israel failed to resist temptation during the 40 years in the wilderness, Christ shows that he is the true son of God by rejecting sin perfectly. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
A second wave explosion went off in Lebanon on Wednesday, just one day after Hezbollah pagers exploded across the country and injured thousands. Though Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, the Israeli defense minister said a ‘new phase' of war has begun as Israeli troops move to the north. Then, with far-right parties in control of seven different European governments, can the European Union survive another far right resurgence? Plus, what to expect in Ukraine's peace plan. Stefanie Bolzen, Stefan Kornelius and Andrew Roth join World Review with Ivo Daalder to dive into these issues.
As Isaiah continues to prophesy about future events, remember that Babylon has not yet come to power and has not yet brought Israel into captivity. You'll hear statements like, “I will announce new things to you, hidden things that you have not yet known.” Our reading opens with a call to remember that no god or idol can compare with the living God. This is followed by a prediction of assurance that Babylon will one day fall, which would have been a great comfort to God's people as they waited in captivity to be released. Though Israel is a rebellious and stubborn people prone to follow other gods, the Lord will not forget his people in Babylon, but will release them back into the land God had given them.Isaiah 46 - 1:02 . Isaiah 47 - 3:33 . Isaiah 48 - 7:33 . Isaiah 49 - 12:55 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
1- Only God can provide real security and assurance-2- Though Israel rejected God, God remained faithful--Why did God reject Saul as king over Israel-- Listen to this message to find out why Saul failed as Israel's first king. See that Saul thought his ways were as good as what God required of a king and so he disobeyed Him. Learn that all of us have the same tendency to seek what pleases us and makes us comfortable rather than following what we learn we are to do in God's Word. Find out what sanctification is and how to grow spiritually.
1- Only God can provide real security and assurance-2- Though Israel rejected God, God remained faithful--Why did God reject Saul as king over Israel-- Listen to this message to find out why Saul failed as Israel's first king. See that Saul thought his ways were as good as what God required of a king and so he disobeyed Him. Learn that all of us have the same tendency to seek what pleases us and makes us comfortable rather than following what we learn we are to do in God's Word. Find out what sanctification is and how to grow spiritually.
1) Only God can provide real security and assurance 2) Though Israel rejected God, God remained faithful Why did God reject Saul as king over Israel? Listen to this message to find out why Saul failed as Israel's first king. See that Saul thought his ways were as good as what God required of a king and so he disobeyed Him. Learn that all of us have the same tendency to seek what pleases us and makes us comfortable rather than following what we learn we are to do in God's Word. Find out what sanctification is and how to grow spiritually.
1) Only God can provide real security and assurance2) Though Israel rejected God, God remained faithfulWhy did God reject Saul as king over Israel? Listen to this message to find out why Saul failed as Israel's first king. See that Saul thought his ways were as good as what God required of a king and so he disobeyed Him. Learn that all of us have the same tendency to seek what pleases us and makes us comfortable rather than following what we learn we are to do in God's Word. Find out what sanctification is and how to grow spiritually.
Earlier this week Hamas Leader Ismael Haniyeh was killed while in Iran for the new president's inauguration, this after Israel launched an air strike last week that killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Though Israel has not taken responsibility for the Hamas killing, the region is bracing for any retaliatory attacks that may come as a result. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured the world Israel is at a high level of preparedness for any scenario — but how badly could this worsen the conflict in the region and move the possibility of a ceasefire further out of reach? FOX News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin weighs in. Vice President Kamala Harris's VP shortlist has gotten shorter in the days leading up to the announcement of her pick for running mate. As it stands, the Vice President is vetting candidates from red states, blue states, and swing states alike. However, do running mates matter when it comes to winning presidential elections? And if so, how much? Political Science Professor at the University of Dayton and co-author of Do Running Mates Matter Christopher Devine examines the factors that influence voters' decisions and explains how they could shape the 2024 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Earlier this week Hamas Leader Ismael Haniyeh was killed while in Iran for the new president's inauguration, this after Israel launched an air strike last week that killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Though Israel has not taken responsibility for the Hamas killing, the region is bracing for any retaliatory attacks that may come as a result. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured the world Israel is at a high level of preparedness for any scenario — but how badly could this worsen the conflict in the region and move the possibility of a ceasefire further out of reach? FOX News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin weighs in. Vice President Kamala Harris's VP shortlist has gotten shorter in the days leading up to the announcement of her pick for running mate. As it stands, the Vice President is vetting candidates from red states, blue states, and swing states alike. However, do running mates matter when it comes to winning presidential elections? And if so, how much? Political Science Professor at the University of Dayton and co-author of Do Running Mates Matter Christopher Devine examines the factors that influence voters' decisions and explains how they could shape the 2024 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Earlier this week Hamas Leader Ismael Haniyeh was killed while in Iran for the new president's inauguration, this after Israel launched an air strike last week that killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Though Israel has not taken responsibility for the Hamas killing, the region is bracing for any retaliatory attacks that may come as a result. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured the world Israel is at a high level of preparedness for any scenario — but how badly could this worsen the conflict in the region and move the possibility of a ceasefire further out of reach? FOX News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin weighs in. Vice President Kamala Harris's VP shortlist has gotten shorter in the days leading up to the announcement of her pick for running mate. As it stands, the Vice President is vetting candidates from red states, blue states, and swing states alike. However, do running mates matter when it comes to winning presidential elections? And if so, how much? Political Science Professor at the University of Dayton and co-author of Do Running Mates Matter Christopher Devine examines the factors that influence voters' decisions and explains how they could shape the 2024 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
God has preserved Israel from its inception in Genesis to the present-day. Though Israel continues to rebel against God, His promises will be fulfilled. God's grace is shown in His preservation of Israel.
The nations have not heeded the LORD's call to repentance over idolatry, and so He turns to strengthen His people Israel as His servant. They need not fear, because the LORD is their God who defeats the enemies who strive against them. Though Israel has been a helpless worm, the LORD promises His help and deliverance. He will answer His people's prayers and will not forsake them, so that they will see that He has done this for them. As Isaiah records these words, he gives to us a picture of Jesus as the Servant of the LORD who fulfills all of God's promises. Rev. Ian Kinney, pastor at First Lutheran Church in Sabetha, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 41:8-20. "The Fifth Evangelist” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through Isaiah 40-66. Though Isaiah lived one hundred years beforehand, he writes to the people of God in exile in Babylon to assure them that their God reigns and will rescue them through the work of His servant. These promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose work Isaiah proclaims vividly seven hundred years beforehand.
After Paul established God's sovereignty and choice to offer salvation freely by grace, in this chapter Paul focuses on man's responsibility to respond to the Gospel by faith in Jesus to receive salvation. Though Israel had rejected Jesus God had not cast them off, but as Paul proved by being born again God has reserved for Himself a remnant who will remain faithful to Him. Our coming to Jesus in faith reveals His unfolding plan to save others by His grace. Verses in order of appearance: Romans 10:1-4 Romans 3:20 Romans 10:5-7 Deuteronomy 30:11-13 Romans 10:8-13 Deuteronomy 30:14 Luke 17:20-21 Joel 2:32 2 Corinthians 8:9 Romans 10:14-15 Acts 26:17-18 Matthew 9:38 Isaiah 52:7 Romans 10:16-18 Isaiah 52:13-15 Isaiah 53:1 Romans 10:19-21 Deuteronomy 32:21 Romans 11:1-4 Romans 11:5-6 Ephesians 2:8-9 Philippians 2:9-11
Summary The content discusses the significance of inheriting the promised land as outlined in the Bible, particularly focusing on Abraham's covenant with God. It explores the theme of inheritance, God's promise of land to Abraham and his descendants, the boundaries of the promised land, its future restoration, and the laws governing land ownership and inheritance, including the Year of Jubilee.
Audio Bible Old Testament Ecclesiastes to Malachi, King James Version
église AB Lausanne ; KJV Isaiah 49 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. ...
Dr. Chuck Herring | Ezekiel 39:1-29The battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is one of the most debated events in biblical prophecy…§ Some approach these chapters as non-literal, having only an idealist or figurative meaning, without any historical reality. § Others approach these chapters as having a literal fulfillment, being an invasion of some kind, but differ on its participants, location, and timing. Last week we moved to the deep end of the prophetic pool as we considered the war of Gog and Magog. The Bible predicts an end-time alliance between Russia, Iran and Turkey (along with other countries) that will come against Israel in the last days leading up to the return of Jesus. As they cover the land like a storm it will look like a slam dunk for the invading forces, that is until God steps in! We saw in last week's study that God will not allow this invading force to prevail but will supernaturally wipe them out on the mountains of Israel. This turn of events will literally leave an unbelieving world gasping for answers! It will, the Bible says, be an event that will be used by God to make His name known again to both Israel and the nations of the world.In Hebrew literature, it was common to give an account and then to repeat it to give emphasis and to add a few additional details. Ezekiel 39:1-8 is a summary of what was described in Ezekiel 38. ÞChapter 38 concentrates on the danger this evil coalition presents to Israel.ÞChapter 38 concentrates on the defeat of Gog.ÞChapter 39 concentrates on the disposal of Gog.ÞChapter 39 concentrates on the deliverance of God's people.Ezekiel 39:1–6… “And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal; 2 and I will turn you around, drive you on, take you up from the remotest parts of the north and bring you against the mountains of Israel. 3 “I will strike your bow from your left hand and dash down your arrows from your right hand. 4 “You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field. 5 “You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken,” declares the Lord God. 6 “And I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety; and they will know that I am the Lord. Verse 4 reveals some new information not found in Ezekiel 38. It states that the armies associated with this evil coalition will fall on the Mountains of Israel and their bodies will be given to the birds and to the beasts to eat. This is similar to the events of Armageddon as described in Revelation 19:17-18. Some have suggested that the Gog and Magog invasion is actually describing the war of Armageddon. While there are similarities there are also some major differences. The most notable is that this war of Gog and Magog will come at a time when Israel is living in peace and security, in unwalled villages. This certainly WILL NOT be the case at the end of the tribulation as the inhabitants of Israel has to flee for their lives at the mid-point of the tribulation. (Matt 24:15-22, Rev 12:6,13-17)For another new piece of information look at verse 6. This verse speaks of a fire in Magog (Russia) itself. Let's piece together the scenario we've already been presented…§ This massive army covers the mountains of Israel and bears down on the people of God.§ God sends an earthquake that wipes out a large segment of the troops.§ Chaos breaks out within the ranks of the remaining army, and they begin to kill each other. § Next, fire and hail are poured out on what remains of the invading army. This is a picture of the total devastation of a vastly superior army that attacked a noticeably inferior nation. Surely anyone in their right mind would assume that these events have the supernatural fingerprints of God all over them. Well, if that weren't enough, God unleashes His judgment on Magog (Russia) itself. Fire falls from heaven. All doubt as to the source of this judgment is removed. This is the hand of Almighty God!“Not only is the Russian and allied army destroyed in Israel, but the land of Russia itself is devastated by the raining of brimstone, causing much destruction to the nation itself. It will cause Russia to cease being a political force in world affairs.” Arnold Fructenbaum, Footsteps of the Messiah, page 115.I want you to see how verse 6 ends—“…And they will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.” Even hard-hearted unbelievers will finally recognize that there is a sovereign, holy, and righteous God to whom everyone must answer to. Ezekiel 39:7–8… “My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. 8 “Behold, it is coming and it shall be done,” declares the Lord God. “That is the day of which I have spoken.”The prophet Ezekiel records the heartbeat of God. First, that the nations of the world will know that HE IS THE LORD. Second, in verse 7, the prophet reveals God's desire for the nation of Israel—"MY HOLY NAME I WILL MAKE KNOWN IN THE MIDST OF MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.” This is the first time that it specifically says that God will make His holy name known to the nation of Israel and it will not be profaned anymore. When the reality of this invasion and God's supernatural deliverance is witnessed, it will jolt Israel out of its current spiritual slumber. Though Israel was gathered to the land and lived in relative safety and prosperity, a true relationship with Yahweh had not yet been restored. It will be after this battle. They will know, once and for all, that they are the Lord's people and they need to repent, uphold His name, and believe in their Lord God once again. In verse 8, the living God solemnly affirmed this powerful prophecy that Ezekiel recorded. Revival will one day come to Israel!Ezekiel 39:9–10… “Then those who inhabit the cities of Israel will go out and make fires with the weapons and burn them, both shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, war clubs and spears, and for seven years they will make fires of them. 10 “They will not take wood from the field or gather firewood from the forests, for they will make fires with the weapons; and they will take the spoil of those who despoiled them and seize the plunder of those who plundered them,” declares the Lord God. The new information revealed here concerns the use of the army's equipment. Israel will “take the spoil of those who despoiled them and seize the plunder of those who plundered them.” They will also burn the invading army's weapons as fuel for seven years! We should also note the weapons mentioned such as shields, bucklers, bows and arrows, spears, etc. Previously in chapter 38:4 it also spoke about horses. Should this be taken literally? Or are they symbolic of more modern-day weaponry and methods? Wiersbe suggested that Ezekiel used language the people could understand. Ezekiel 39:11–16… “On that day I will give Gog a burial ground there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea, and it will block off those who would pass by. So they will bury Gog there with all his horde, and they will call it the valley of Hamon-gog. 12 “For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. 13 “Even all the people of the land will bury them; and it will be to their renown on the day that I glorify Myself,” declares the Lord God. 14 “They will set apart men who will constantly pass through the land, burying those who were passing through, even those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. 15 “As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man's bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog. 16 “And even the name of the city will be Hamonah. So they will cleanse the land.” ' The effort to find and bury the remains of Gog's army would be organized and thorough. Along with the 7 years of burning weapons for fuel, there will also be a thorough 7-month period where the dead are searched for and buried. H.A Ironside observed…So suddenly will death claim the myriads who formed these armies that there will be no opportunity to bury their own dead. The blow will come as it were in a moment: the dead bodies will be strewn everywhere in the valley of Hamon-gog... These decayed corpses will poison the very air, and would be a source of grievous pestilence to the whole land if steps were not taken almost immediately to properly inter them: therefore, a great squad of grave-diggers will be formed whose business it will be to go throughout the entire section where Gog's army has been destroyed, and bury the bodies in order to cleanse the land. For seven months this work will continue before the last bodies will have been covered from human sight. Anyone passing through this region beholding bones or corpses will be required to set up a sign in order that the buriers may see it and so inter the body as soon as possible. In this way the land will be cleansed from its defilement and the air purified. In the meantime, birds and beasts that feed upon carrion will assist in the work of clearing away the rotting corpses. With the land needing to be totally cleansed from this event, a special burial place will be established for this purpose. The name of this cemetery will be Hamon-gog which means “the multitude or hordes of Gog.”This will not just be the task of the government or military. The number of dead bodies and the corresponding devastation demands that all the people of the land must play a role in this ritual cleansing (vs. 13). There will be certain men set apart whose job it is to continually search for any remaining body or bone so that the whole land can be cleansed. The city that is adjacent to the burial valley will be renamed as Hamonah meaning “his multitude.” It's likely that this city will be established as a headquarters for this massive operation designed to cleanse the land. It will stand as a continual reminder of the fate of those that oppose the living God.Look at verses 17-20…Ezekiel 39:17–20… “As for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God, ‘Speak to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field, “Assemble and come, gather from every side to My sacrifice which I am going to sacrifice for you, as a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood. 18 “You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, as though they were rams, lambs, goats and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan. 19 “So you will eat fat until you are glutted, and drink blood until you are drunk, from My sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. 20 “You will be glutted at My table with horses and charioteers, with mighty men and all the men of war,” declares the Lord God.” The section dealing directly with Gog and his allies ends with this strange picture of scavenger birds and scavenger beasts gorging themselves with the corpses of the defeated enemy. Vawter and Hoppe viewed this as somewhat of a reverse sacrifice…“Their corpses will be a sacrificial meal that birds and animals will consume. It is a stunning reversal. Instead of human beings consuming the animals of sacrifice, it is the animals who consume the human beings sacrificed for Yahweh's honor.” The amazing restoration described in Ezekiel 36-39 was focused on Israel, but never limited to them. It was God's intention all along to set His glory among the nations. He would do this through the execution of His sovereign judgment.Ezekiel 39:21–24… “And I will set My glory among the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment which I have executed and My hand which I have laid on them. 22 “And the house of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God from that day onward. 23 “The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword. 24 “According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I dealt with them, and I hid My face from them.” ' ” The house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day forward: This restoration would bring Israel permanently into a new relationship with God. This looks to the ultimate restoration described by the prophet Zechariah and the apostles Paul and John...Zechariah 12:10… “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” Zechariah 13:1… “In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity.” Romans 11:25–32… For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” 27 “This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” 28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. Revelation 1:7… Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. Look back at Ezekiel 39:23-24… The nations will know that Israel's suffering was because of their sin and unfaithfulness, not because God was weak or unconcerned about them. Ezekiel 39:25–29… Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name. 26 “They will forget their disgrace and all their treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they live securely on their own land with no one to make them afraid. 27 “When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations. 28 “Then they will know that I am the Lord their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer. 29 “I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord God. F.B. Meyer observed…“We must never overlook the literal significance of this promise. All Israel, insists the apostle of the Gentiles, who never lost his love for his own people, shall be saved. The blindness which has happened to them is only till the fullness of the Gentile contingent to the one Church has been brought in.”If you need proof that God is faithful, I don't think you need to search any longer. Just feast your eyes on the nation of Israel and you will see the single most important example of God's faithfulness in the entire history of the world. Keep this in mind. God's faithfulness is set against the backdrop of Israel's lack of faithfulness to Him. Obviously, the height of their unfaithfulness reached its apex when they called for the crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. One day in the future the nation of Israel will see their Messiah and turn to Him in saving faith!G. Campbell Morgan wrote…In that day of restoration, dwelling securely in their land, they would still bear their shame, that is to say, repentance for past failure would be profound, even in the day of restoration. By that attitude of mind Jehovah would be sanctified among them in the sight of the nations, but they would have the infinite healing of His unveiled face, and the abiding energy of His outpoured Spirit. With God's Spirit poured out upon Israel, they would have a relationship with God based on the work and merits of the Messiah, not their own work and merits. It will be a day of “Amazing Grace!”
Though Israel's goal in Gaza is to eliminate Hamas as a military threat, there appears to be rising popularity for Hamas among Palestinians in the West Bank. We travel there and hear that many Palestinians don't believe Hamas committed atrocities in the October 7th attack. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.
In this sermon, Pastor Chad Kettler traces the biblical narrative of God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham and his offspring. Though Israel failed in its mission to represent God and bring blessing, Jesus Christ fulfilled this role as the ultimate Son of Abraham. Jesus accomplished what Israel could not by perfectly keeping the law and willingly dying on the cross to bear the curse for sin, so that through faith in him all people can receive the promised blessing of righteousness and eternal life. Kettler emphasizes that law-keeping and good works cannot make anyone righteous - the only way is through faith in Christ, who endured the curse of sin so that the blessing promised to Abraham would come even to the Gentiles. The sermon calls for renewed joy and celebration in what Christ has accomplished for sinners through his death on the cross.
This Sunday evening we come up the very edge of the end of this terrifying and glorious prophecy which the Lord pronounced against Jerusalem and the nations through His man, Zephaniah. What we come to is a woe or word of condemnation against Jerusalem, that once glorious city of God, who had become a place filled not with worshippers but idolaters and apostates. Whether high or low born the people, as a corporate body no longer feared or honored the Lord, nor did they seek to keep covenant in the manner God had commanded. Those whom God had sent to provoked the fear of the Lord, did not fear the Lord, themselves. Though Israel was unfaithful, God would not leave them, but from a place of intimacy judge, and inevitably redeem and restore the meek of the land. This picture of restoration is seen not only in the return under Ezra and Nehemiah, but is emblematic of the great restoration that would take place when all the nations come to Christ upon the occasion of the destruction of the Temple in 70AD and the flooding in of the nations beginning at Pentecost to Christ's second coming. A new land and a new people, all made possible by Christ's redeeming work.
This Sunday evening we come up the very edge of the end of this terrifying and glorious prophecy which the Lord pronounced against Jerusalem and the nations through His man, Zephaniah. What we come to is a woe or word of condemnation against Jerusalem, that once glorious city of God, who had become a place filled not with worshippers but idolaters and apostates. Whether high or low born the people, as a corporate body no longer feared or honored the Lord, nor did they seek to keep covenant in the manner God had commanded. Those whom God had sent to provoked the fear of the Lord, did not fear the Lord, themselves. Though Israel was unfaithful, God would not leave them, but from a place of intimacy judge, and inevitably redeem and restore the meek of the land. This picture of restoration is seen not only in the return under Ezra and Nehemiah, but is emblematic of the great restoration that would take place when all the nations come to Christ upon the occasion of the destruction of the Temple in 70AD and the flooding in of the nations beginning at Pentecost to Christ's second coming. A new land and a new people, all made possible by Christ's redeeming work.
In the first two chapters of Matthew, the gospel-writer covered the advent of Jesus and the many ways in which he fulfilled the Scriptures simply by being born. Today, as we cover chapters 3-4, Matthew jumps ahead to Christ's adulthood and the beginning of his ministry. We meet John the Baptist who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah of “one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.'” When John baptizes Jesus, a sign from heaven appears and resounds, testifying to Christ's divine origin. Before beginning his public ministry of teaching, Jesus spends 40 days fasting in the wilderness at which point he is tempted by the devil. Though Israel failed to resist temptation during the 40 years in the wilderness, Christ shows that he is the true son of God by rejecting sin perfectly.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
What we promise to do, we should carry out, as far as it rests with us. Though Israel was deceived by the Gibeonites, Israel kept their vow not to destroy them. In this message, Pastor Lutzer applies the biblical perspective on vows to marriage, adultery, and divorce. Vows should never be made lightly, especially marriage vows. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001.
Isaiah 46 - 1:02 . Isaiah 47 - 3:33 . Isaiah 48 - 7:33 . Isaiah 49 - 12:55 . As Isaiah continues to prophesy about future events, remember that Babylon has not yet come to power and has not yet brought Israel into captivity. You'll hear statements like, “I will announce new things to you, hidden things that you have not yet known.” Our reading opens with a call to remember that no god or idol can compare with the living God. This is followed by a prediction of assurance that Babylon will one day fall, which would have been a great comfort to God's people as they waited in captivity to be released. Though Israel is a rebellious and stubborn people prone to follow other gods, the Lord will not forget his people in Babylon, but will release them back into the land God had given them.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Eyal Hareuveni of the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem discusses how and why Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank face a chronic shortage of water. He is the author of a new study by B'Tselem called "Parched: Israel's Policy of Water Deprivation in the West Bank," which examines Israel's discriminatory use of water to control the Palestinian population under military occupation. Though Israel is a water super-power, producing twice as much water as it receives from natural sources, it limits Palestinians' consumption of water and prevents them drilling new wells or supplying water to needy communities. Nancy Murray of the Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine speaks to the toll the shortage of water takes on Palestinians' lives, health and economy and addresses the effects of this not only in the West Bank but also in the Gaza Strip,where 98 percent of the ground water is now contaminated.
Golda Meir served as prime minister of Israel from 1969 until 1974. Taking control of her country during a period of euphoria after the 1967 Six Day War, Meir was a member of Israel's founding generation. However, Israel's sense of infallibility was shattered after a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria, in what became the Yom Kippur War. Though Israel defeated its Arab neighbours for the third time in 25 years, Meir was quickly accused of complacency and unpreparedness, and resigned in near disgrace just 8 months after the conflict in 1974. But is this fair? Did Yom Kippur, as well as Meir's political style, which quickly became outdated after she left office, invalidate her earlier achievements? Today's episode seeks to shed light on this and more.My guest today is Blake Flayton. Blake is a columnist with the Jewish Journal, an independent newspaper serving the Jewish community of Los Angeles. As well as Golda Meir's career, we discuss the fraught founding of Israel in 1948, and the prospects for the Israeli left, which in recent years has lost ground to an even greater extent than the left in European countries
This brief psalm has engendered must discussion and debate. Therefore, we seek to cover it in two podcast. This is part 1. 82:1 God stands in the congregation of God and He judges in the midst of the gods.The Hebrew term Elohim is the first word and the next to last word in the verse. Much of the debate centers are who are intended by this second use of Elohim.We mention three possibilities as to the identity of the second Elohim in 82:1.1. They are human rulers. Human rulers seem to be indicated by the use of the term Elohim in Exodus 21:6; 22:8-9. The judges were to judge based on God's righteousness and holiness and therefore judgment is said to be for God in Deut. 1:17 and II Chron. 19:6-7.Psalm 45:6-7 Though Israel did not view their king as Divine (God) as some nations, he is addressed as Elohim in Psalm 45:6-7. Solomon is said to sit on the LORD's throne in I Chron. 29:23. 2. They are angels or spiritsJob 1:6; 2:1; 38:7 The phrase "sons of God' seem to refer to angels. Deut. 32:8-9 especially the LXX translationDeut. 32:17 compare I Corinthians 10:19-21Daniel 10:13, 20-21; 12:1 shows angels and spirits active in the world though our knowledge of what they do is limited.Ephesians 6:12 Angels and spirits are active in the ongoing struggle between right and wrong, good and evil. Revelation 12:7-9 3. They are other gods- Ps. 95:3; 96:4It may be a polemic against false gods to show them being rebuked by the true God. Even if that is not done here, it is done in passages like Psalm 29. This is an understandable view. Was Israel monotheistic? Did they (and should we) believe in one God?Just look at these verses Deut. 4:35, 39Deut. 32:12, 39II Kings 19:18-19; Isaiah 37:19-20Isaiah 41:21-24Isaiah 42:8Isaiah 43:11-13Isaiah 44:6, 24Isaiah 45:5-7, 20-23Isaiah 46:9Mark 12:29-30, 32Romans 3:29-30Galatians 3:20I Timothy 1:17
Introduction For thirty three chapters, Moses has been speaking to his people, Israel, and informing them about their special God who is unique (Deut 4:35, 39; Isa 45:5-6), His love for them (Deut 7:7-9; 10:15-19), their liberation from slavery (Deut 5:6; 15:15), God's calling them into a special relationship with Him (Lev 11:45), and His directives that would set them above the nations of the world and bring His blessing if they obey (Deut 11:26-28; 30:15-20). Those who love Him will follow His directives (Deut 6:4-9). In this chapter, the voice of Moses falls silent, as God calls His servant home. According to Daniel Block: "By this point in the drama, Moses has done all he could do to set his house in order. He has commissioned a successor (Deut 31:1-8, 23), provided a written transcript of his farewell pastoral sermons and arranged for the regular reading of this Torah in the future (Deut 31:9-13, 24-29), taught the people a national anthem (Deut 31:14-22, 30; 32:47), and pronounced his benediction on the tribes (Deut 33:1-29). All that remains is the report of his death and the people's response to his passing."[1] Text In this closing section, we observe Moses ascending Mount Nebo, where he will see the land of Canaan from a distance. We read, “Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, 2 and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar” (Deut 34:1-3). Having walked the earth for 120 years, Moses was about to take his final journey, a walk from which he would not return, for he would soon die. And, as Moses ascended the mountain, he would have been able to look over his shoulder and see the Israelites' camp below. Moses' destination was “the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho” (Deut 34:1b). And once on top of the mountain, “the LORD showed him all the land” of Canaan (Deut 34:1c). The words showed him translates the Hebrew verb רָאָה raah, which, in the hiphil form, means “to let someone see something, to show someone.”[2] Here we observe God's permissive will, as He allowed Moses to see the land of Canaan, which He had promised to His people, Israel. Moses visually surveyed the land in a counter clockwise manner from north to south. Having observed all the land, “Then the LORD said to him, ‘This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there'” (Deut 34:4). The land Moses saw was the very land God promised to Abraham (Gen 13:15; 17:8), Isaac (Gen 26:3), Jacob (Gen 28:13), and to their descendants as an everlasting possession (Gen 15:18; 24:7; Deut 1:8). Here we observe God's active will, in which He, by His sovereign choice and omnipotent power, gives to His people. Though Israel would get to enter the land, God reminded Moses that he was not going to let him enter it, saying, “you shall not go over there” (Deut 34:4b; cf., Deut 3:27; 32:52). Though Moses would not set foot on the land, he would leave the world stage knowing he'd been employed by the Lord to get His people there. Moses' Epitaph What follows in the closing verses of the book of Deuteronomy was written by someone other than Moses, perhaps Joshua, to inform us about the details of Moses' death. We are told, “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD” (Deut 34:5). Moses was faithful to the end of his life. Even though Moses was under divine discipline and would not enter the land, he is still described as the “servant of the LORD” ( עֶֽבֶד־יְהוָ֛ה- ebed Yahweh), an honorable title held by others who submitted themselves to God and walked with Him (Josh 24:29; 2 Sam 3:18; Job 1:8; Isa 20:3). This title was formalized in the name Obadiah, which means servant of Yahweh. God had been with Moses throughout his ministry, and others saw the Lord was with him. Though Moses would die alone, away from others, he was not alone, for God was with Him to the end, to accompany His servant as he left this earth and entered heaven. After Moses died, the Lord took his limp, lifeless body, “And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day” (Deut 34:6). That God personally attended to the burial of Moses speaks of an intimacy and tenderness the Lord had for His prophet. God took Moses' body from the mountain top and brought it down into “the valley in the land of Moab.” There are some things God does not want us to know (Deut 29:29), that He keeps hidden from us for His own reasons, and the burial place of Moses is one of them. This is one of the mysteries of the Bible. But why hide Moses' body? The text does not say. It's possible that God knew the idolatrous hearts of the Israelites and that they would venerate Moses' grave as a holy place in itself. According to Charles Swindoll, “Moses is the only person in the Bible whom God personally buried. Did you know that? And then the Lord hid the tomb. Why did He do that? Because that grave would have become a second Mecca. They would still be beating a path up Nebo to this day, building shrines, selling popcorn and peanuts, offering all sorts of rides, maybe running a tram up there, with big banners announcing, ‘Moses' burial place!'”[3] To add to the mystery around Moses' death, Jude wrote about “Michael the archangel” who “disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses” (Jude 1:9a). Apparently Michael, the archangel, was somehow involved in Moses' burial, and had a dispute with Satan over the body. Why Satan would want the body of Moses is not known, as Jude does not elaborate on the details. It's possible Satan wanted to use Moses' body for idolatrous purposes. Whatever the reason, God would not permit Satan to have his way. Here we observe God's overruling will. We know that Moses' spirit, at his death, went into the presence of the Lord, and later appeared with Elijah at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt 17:1-3). Matthew wrote about the event, saying, “Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves” (Matt 17:1). And while they were on the mountain, Jesus “was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light” (Matt 17:2). And during the time of Jesus' glorification, Matthew tells us, “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him” (Matt 17:3). Though Moses' body was still in a grave, his spirit was alive and well, and here, along with the spirit of Elijah, was interacting with Jesus. Warren Wiersbe informs us, “Moses did arrive in the Holy Land centuries later when he and Elijah joined Jesus in glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt 17:1–3; Luke 9:28–31).”[4] The writer informs us that Moses did not die because of old age or infirmity, as he states, “Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated” (Deut 34:7). Moses died because God put him to death. Within God's divine plan, it was simply Moses' time to die, so the Lord ended his life and brought his servant home. This occurred, in part, because it was God's time to bring Israel into the land of Canaan, which the Lord had told Moses he would not see because of his disobedience in the wilderness (Num 20:1-12). Though Moses had died, God and His Word remained, and the people had all they needed for a life of success if they would follow Yahweh. Sadly, the book of Judges shows they did not stay true to the Lord, and even Moses' grandson, “Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses” (Judg 18:30; cf., Ex 2:21-22), would later turn away from the Lord and lead the people into idolatry (Judg 18:30-31). In this way, Jonathan was acting more like Aaron, his great uncle, than his grandfather, Moses, for Aaron had led the people into idolatry and the worship of the golden calf (Ex 32:1-6). And after Moses' death and burial, we're told, “So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end” (Deut 34:8). The people of Israel—at least the second generation since the exodus—loved Moses and mourned his passing. They also mourned Aaron for thirty days as well (Num 20:29), which was longer than the customary seven days (cf., Gen 50:10). Switching focus to Joshua, the writer states, “Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Deut 34:9). To have “the spirit of wisdom” meant Joshua had been divinely enabled to take up the leadership role and move forward, as God intended. Fortunately, the Israelites listened to Joshua and followed his directives. In this way, they “did as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Deut 34:9b). In closing out this book, we're told, “Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 for all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel” (Deut 34:10-12). As a prophet, Moses was in a class by himself because: 1) the Lord knew Moses face to face, 2) Moses had performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, 3) the mighty power God worked through Moses in the sight of all Israel. According to Peter Craigie, “Moses was a prophet, but in his epitaph it is not his knowledge of God that is stressed, but rather the Lord's knowledge of him. God had sought him out and appointed him to a particular task; over the years, the relationship had become intimate, so that to those Israelites who knew Moses, it was evident that his highest communion was with God.”[5]Warren Wiersbe adds, “Moses was faithful to walk with God, and he spoke to God as a man speaks to his friend (Ex 33:11; Num 12:7–8). The secret of his life wasn't his own abilities—he claimed he had none—or even his education in Egypt (Acts 7:22), but his humble walk with the Lord. He spent time with God, he listened to God's Word, and he followed God's orders.”[6] And Daniel Block notes: "The account of the death and burial of Moses on the mountain forces the reader to ask, “Now what?” The answer lies in the recognition that in the end, Israel's fate is not in the hands of Moses. He is not the one who actually brought them out of Egypt and sustained them through the desert wanderings, and he will not complete the mission by delivering the Promised Land into their hands. The rest of the Scriptures are commentary not only on how Israel responded, but also on the fidelity of Yahweh, who will complete the present mission without Moses and who will patiently work with his people. Moses has merely been his mouthpiece, the interpreter of his great and gracious revelatory acts, whose aim was always to point his people to Yahweh their Redeemer."[7] Summary In this closing section, we observe a brief account of Moses' death and burial. Unlike other rulers throughout history, who have erected great memorials to themselves that others might remember them, Moses' death is simple and without a monument. Moses was not concerned that people remember him, but that they remember the Lord, learn His Word, and follow His directives. Moses is remembered as God's servant who was faithful to carry out his mission (Heb 3:5). Present Application From Genesis to Revelation, God governs the lives of people and nations. People exist because God gives them life. David wrote, “Know that the LORD Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves” (Ps. 100:3). And God determines the duration of each person's life, having final control over the day and cause of their death. The Lord states, “It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand” (Deut 32:39). And Job said, “Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain” (Job 14:2). And Hannah, in her stately prayer says, “The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up” (1 Sam 2:6). People live and die as God decides, “for in Him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28). Furthermore, God controls the exact days of our life. David wrote, “in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them” (Ps. 139:16). The writer of Hebrews states, “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Heb 9:27). The word appointed translates the Greek verb ἀπόκειμαι apokeimai, which means “it is certain, is destined.”[8] Apart from Enoch (Gen 5:24), Elijah (2 Ki 2:11), and the rapture generation (1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Th 4:13-18), all humanity will face death. God brings His children to heaven by numerous means, and sometimes uses sickness, as He'd done with Elisha, who “became sick with the sickness of which he was to die” (2 Ki 13:14a). And we know that “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones” (Psa 116:15). For believers who die, we are instantly transported into the presence of the Lord, for “to be absent from the body” means we are instantly “at home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8; cf., Phil 1:21-23). Our last breath here is followed by our first breath in heaven. And though the departing of a loved one leaves us with the sorrow of loss, we realize this is temporary, as we will see them again. David, who lost his son, said “I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sa 12:23). This is our hope as well, for we, as Christians, know our loved ones are in heaven, and that at a future time we will be reunited with them forever (1 Th 4:13-17). At the time of the rapture of the church, “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Th 4:16-17). For this reason, Paul said, “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Th 4:18). There is wisdom in thinking about death and the afterlife. David wrote, “For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer” (Psa 103:14-16). And in another place he said, “LORD, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; let me know how transient I am” (Psa 39:4). And Moses said to the Lord, “Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Psa 90:12). Wisdom is found in the one who contemplates the Lord, the brevity of life, and the eternal resting place of heaven. Solomon wrote, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart” (Eccl 7:2). But in all this, we must not forget to live, nor to realize that what we do in time touches things eternal, for one life will soon be past, and only what's done for Christ will last. So live, and live well, and above all, live for the Lord. There's no better life than the one lived in daily fellowship with God, learning and living His Word, and this we will do until the end of our days. Charles Swindoll notes: "When you're planning on retirement, don't plan on checking out with people or with God's Word. If you do, you'll be moving away from that which is eternal, and that's the wrong direction, my friend. So stay in touch. Give until you don't have anything else to give, and then tap into God's reservoirs and give some more. This is what lengthens the meaning and purpose—and sometimes the years—of life."[9] [1] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, ed. Terry Muck (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 806. [2] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 1161. [3] Charles R. Swindoll, Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication (Nashville, Tenn., Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009), 346. [4] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Equipped, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1999), 197. [5] Peter C. Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), 406. [6] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Equipped, “Be” Commentary Series, 198. [7] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, 815. [8] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 113. [9] Charles R. Swindoll, Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication, 348.
Pastor Nick continues to preach on the universal scope of sin's impact. Though Israel has been entrusted with the law of God, they cannot keep it - Christ alone can fulfill its righteous requirements.
Introduction In the previous lesson, Peter had healed a lame man, and this afforded him the opportunity to preach Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection to his fellow Israelites. This message had two responses, one negative and one positive. The first response came from those marked by negative volition. This came from the priests and Sadducees who were “greatly disturbed” because Peter and the other apostles “were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). And their negative attitude was followed by destructive action as “they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day” (Acts 4:3). Though the text does not say, it's possible the man who had been healed was also arrested, for he appears before the Sanhedrin the next day along with the Peter and the apostles (see Acts 4:10). But the second group who heard Peter's preaching responded positively, and “many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand” (Acts 4:4). These two reactions, to varying degrees, are the norm throughout human history, and should be expected by those preach God's Word. Text Luke tells us, “On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem” (Acts 4:5). Here we observe events that took place in time and space, as they occurred “the next day” and “in Jerusalem.” This is real history. The rulers consisted of 24 Sadducees who were the chief priests, and the elders and scribes consisted of the Pharisees. The place where the Sanhedrin convened, according to Josephus, was known as the Hall of the Hewn stones, or Chamber of Hewn stones (Josephus, Antiquities, 4:2). According to Alfred Edersheim, “The highest tribunal was that of seventy-one, or the Great Sanhedrin, which met in one of the Temple-Chambers, the so-called Lishkath haGazith—or Chamber of Hewn Stones.”[1] The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish court in Jerusalem, and Luke provides some of their names, which included “Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent” (Acts 4:6). We know from the gospel of John that Annas and Caiaphas were two of the Jewish rulers responsible for the illegal trial and crucifixion of Jesus (John 18:24). Though we know about Annas and Caiaphas, we're not able to accurately identify “John and Alexander.” It's possible they were relatives of the high priest, and that's why their names are mentioned. Annas had served as high priest from A.D. 6 to 15, and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, was made high priest after A.D. 18. However, though Annas was no longer the high priest, apparently he retained great influence (Luke 3:2; John 18:13–24), so much so that Luke continued to refer to him as the high priest. According to Warren Wiersbe, “The court was essentially composed of the high priest's family. The Jewish religious system had become so corrupt that the offices were passed from one relative to another without regard for the Word of God. When Annas was deposed from the priesthood, Caiaphas his son-in-law was appointed. In fact, five of Annas' sons held the office at one time or another.”[2] Here we see where the leaders of Israel, including Caiaphas and Annas, were nothing more than religious thugs who wielded their authority as tyrants. Spiritual leaders are to teach others about God, serve as examples of godliness and lead others into God's will, not control others for selfish interests or act as lords to be served (cf., 1 Pet 5:2-3). After Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin, Luke informs us, “When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, ‘By what power, or in what name, have you done this?'” (Acts 4:7). Ideally, the convening of such a meeting would be necessary if someone performed a miracle and then started teaching others, as such teachers were subject to doctrinal examination out of concern the miracle had been performed by a spiritual source other than God and the doctrine would lead people into idolatry (Deut 13:1-5). However, the Sanhedrin had already demonstrated they were not concerned with doctrinal purity or justice, but with maintaining their legal authority. Luke informs us, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers and elders of the people” (Acts 4:8). This is the third reference to the filling of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts (Acts 2:4; 3:10). And, as usual, the filling of the Holy Spirit is followed by speech that communicates divine viewpoint. Though the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a one-time event that occurs at the moment of salvation, the filling of the Holy Spirit is repeated over and over. While filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter addressed the Sanhedrin, saying, “if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health” (Acts 4:9-10). Peter began his address with a first class conditional clause (εἰ ei + indicative), which, for the sake of argument, assumed they were on trial “for a benefit done to a sick man.” And the benefit done to the sick man was that he had been made well. The words made well translates the Greek verb σῴζω sozo, which in many passages of Scripture refers to the act of physical deliverance (Matt 8:25; 14:30; Mark 13:20; Luke 6:9; John 11:12; Acts 27:20, 31), and in other passages refers to spiritual deliverance (John 12:47; 1 Cor 1:21; Tit 3:5). Context always determines the meaning of a word, and here it refers to the man being made well physically. And the form of the verb σῴζω sozo is perfect/passive/indicative. The perfect tense looks at the past action but places emphasis on the abiding results. That is, the lame man had been made well, and continued to be well at the time Peter and the apostles were on trial. The passive voice means the lame man had received the healing, and the indicative mood is declarative for a statement of fact. And Peter's public declaration was to be known to the Sanhedrin (i.e., to all of you), and to the nation as a whole (i.e., to all the people of Israel). And what were they to know? Peter declares, “that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health.” The name of Jesus—mentioned several times in this this chapter (Acts 4:10, 18, 30)—was the last name the Sanhedrin wanted to hear. And that Jesus was called a Nazarene was a sticking point for the leadership of Israel, for Nazareth had an unsavory reputation (see John 1:45-46). This was the Jesus whom they had crucified, but God countermanded their rejection and killing of Messiah by raising Him from the dead. To mention the resurrection upset the Sadducees, for they did not hold to that teaching, though the Pharisees did (See Acts 23:8). But this was more than a declaration concerning the lame man's physical wellbeing, for Peter was putting the Sanhedrin on trial for the death of Messiah. According to Arnold Fruchtenbaum, “The apostle charged the leadership of Israel with out and out murder. While the Sadducees in leadership did not perform the actual crucifixion, they did turn Yeshua over to the Romans, who put Him to death. God's response to their act of crucifixion was to raise Yeshua from the dead. This answers the question of the leaders: ‘by what power?'”[3] Peter's confidence reflected Jesus' statement that He would guide them concerning what they would say when they were called to stand before rulers (Luke 21:12-15). Peter's point was that the risen Jesus, working through His apostles, was the reason the lame man had been made well and “stands here before you in good health.” One can imagine Peter pointing to the lame man who was present during the trial. Next, Peter cited Psalm 118:22, saying, “He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone” (Acts 4:11). This passage from Psalm 118:22 is later used by Peter in his first epistle (1 Pet 2:7). And it was also used by the Lord Jesus during His time of ministry (Matt 21:42). Though Israel's leadership had rejected Jesus as Messiah, God's decision was that He be the chief cornerstone. The chief cornerstone refers to the stone that joined two walls together; thus, it was the starting point and guiding stone for the whole building. According to Arnold Fruchtenbaum: "It needs to be noted that Peter did not directly quote Psalm 118:22, but paraphrased the verse with an application to the Jewish leaders before whom he stood...The builders in Acts 4:11 where the Jewish leaders who were guilty of rejecting the Messiahship of Yeshua. They were also guilty of leading the nation and doing the same. But this very One whom they rejected has now been made “the head of the corner.”[4] Peter, having moved from the lame man's physical healing and accusation against the Sanhedrin, now transitions to the need for spiritual salvation, saying, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Here, Peter dogmatically states that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. The Jesus that the Sanhedrin had rejected and crucified (Acts 4:10-11), but Who was raised and made the cornerstone by God, is the Jesus that has been given to mankind for salvation. The word must translates the Greek verb δεῖ dei, which connotes divine necessity. It is necessary to come to Jesus, and Jesus alone, for our salvation, “for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” They need only Christ to be saved. And to be saved (σῴζω sozo) calls for one action only, and that is to trust in Christ as their Savior, believing He died for their sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4). And if they trust in Jesus as their Savior, they will have forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7), and eternal life (John 10:28). Here is grace, as Peter offers salvation to those who had previously rejected and crucified Jesus as the Messiah, which was the greatest miscarriage of justice in the history of humanity. And yet, because of God's grace and mercy, they could be forgiven and made right with God. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus died for everyone (1 John 2:2), which means everyone is savable. That's unlimited atonement. But though Christ died for everyone, the benefit of salvation is given only to those who believe in Jesus as their Savior. These are the elect. The gospel message is simple, and even a child can understand it and be saved. If you've not trusted in Jesus as Savior, then, like Paul, I “beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20). Turn to Christ as your Savior, believing He died for your sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4). And no matter what your past sins may be, no matter how many or egregious, God will forgive you (Eph 1:7), give you eternal life (John 10:28), and bless you with a portfolio of spiritual assets that will open for you the most wonderful life you can have in this world; a life in relationship with God. And this all starts when you simply believe in Christ as your Savior. [1] Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, vol. 2 (New York: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1896), 554. [2] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 416. [3] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Book of Acts (San Antonio, TX, Published by Ariel Ministries, 2022), 107. [4] Ibid., 107.
Introduction As God's chosen leader for Israel, Moses had provided everything the people needed for a life of success and prosperity (Deut 11:26-28; 30:15-18). However, in this pericope, the Lord informs Moses and Joshua that after Moses dies and Joshua leads the nation into Canaan, the people will abandon the Lord and pursue idols to their own harm. And this will happen after the Lord demonstrates His goodness to them and blesses them greatly. This shows that godly leadership does not guarantee others will follow. Nevertheless, God's leadership must maintain faithfulness to their appointed task, even when they know those they lead will fail to live by the virtues they are taught. This requires commitment and integrity before the Lord. Text This new section opens with Moses' death being mentioned and the appointment of Joshua as his successor. The text reads, “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, the time for you to die is near; call Joshua, and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, that I may commission him.' So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the tent of meeting. 15 The LORD appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood at the doorway of the tent” (Deut 31:14-15). The “tent of meeting” was a special place located outside the camp where Moses would meet with God for instruction and direction (Ex 33:7-11; Num 11:16, 12:4). The “pillar of cloud” was the visible presence of God for Israel during this time (Ex 13:21-22). Whereas Moses had previously commissioned Joshua publicly as his successor (Deut 31:7-8), here the meeting was private, with only Moses and Joshua presenting themselves to the Lord. In what follows, the Lord speaks first to Moses (Deut 31:16-21), and then to Joshua (Deut 31:23). The text reads, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers; and this people will arise and play the harlot with the strange gods of the land, into the midst of which they are going, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them'” (Deut 31:16). The Lord revealed to Moses that after his death, the people of Israel would begin the journey of apostasy in which they would turn away from the Lord and worship idols. In this way, they would break their covenant promise to the Lord and turn away from Him (cf., Judg 2:17). This must have been sad news to Moses, who had spent his years as a faithful and godly leader who instructed and encouraged his people to know the Lord and walk with Him (Deut 11:26-28; 28:1; 30:15-16). The Lord continued to inform Moses, saying: "Then My anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them, and they will be consumed, and many evils and troubles will come upon them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Is it not because our God is not among us that these evils have come upon us?' 18 But I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they will do, for they will turn to other gods." (Deut 31:17-18) Because Israel would act wickedly by turning from the Lord and worshipping idols, He would execute the curses of the covenant (Deut 28:15-68). His people would incorrectly think their problems came upon them because God had abandoned them, saying, “Is it not because our God is not among us that these evils have come upon us?” (Deut 31:17b). It's true the nation would experience great suffering, but not because God had failed, but because they had. The Lord declared, “I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they will do, for they will turn to other gods” (Deut 31:18). Earl Radmacher correctly notes, “The principal reason for God's judgment on His people was their continual idolatry. They abandoned His grace and willingly embraced the evil religious practices of the Canaanites.”[1]When God hides His face, it is the opposite of blessing, in which He causes His face to shine upon them for their good (Num 6:24-26). In order for Israel to correctly assess their circumstances from the divine perspective, the Lord instructed Moses and Joshua to write a song and to teach it to Israel. The Lord said, “Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel” (Deut 31:19). Here, the directive was for Moses and Joshua to write the song together. The song itself is recorded in Deuteronomy 32:1-43. The phrase, “put it on their lips” means, “have them recite it” (CSB), which denotes memorizing it in order to be able to recall it from memory. The Lord gives the reason, saying, “For when I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and are satisfied and become prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn Me and break My covenant” (Deut 31:20). Earl Kalland notes: “Teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it” (Deut 31:19) implies sufficient repetition to fix it in the minds of the people. Only then would they be able to sing it, and only then would it be a witness to the Lord's admonition, not only to those of that generation, but to their descendants who will not have forgotten it (Deut 31:21). The song was to be taught nationally from generation to generation.[2] Unfortunately, the people who welcomed the Lord's prosperity, would develop a sense of independence, and because the human heart is corrupt, they would turn away from the Lord and pursue idols to their own harm. There is wisdom in the prayer of Agur, who asked the Lord, “Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the LORD?' Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Prov 30:7-9). The Lord continued to inform Moses and Joshua, saying, “Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore” (Deut 31:21). God knew the hearts of His people were corrupt and that they would turn away from Him after they'd enter the land of Canaan and experienced His blessings. Peter Craigie states: "The words that the Lord addresses to Moses on the eve of his death must have caused great sadness in the aging leader. The substance of his long address to the Israelites had been faithfulness to God and a warning against the dangers of resorting to foreign gods and their cults. But now, about to die, Moses is told that this people will rise up and consort with gods foreign to the land. The words of God are not primarily prophetic; they portray rather divine insight into the basic character of the people and their constant tendency to unfaithfulness."[3] As God's faithful leader, “Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the sons of Israel” (Deut 31:22). God's call for His leaders to be faithful must be obeyed, even when they know those they lead tend toward corruption and will fall away and pursue evil the first chance they get. Godly leaders are responsible to the Lord, to be faithful to Him, to maintain godly output, even when those under their care are defiant. This is true for national leaders, pastors, business leaders, teachers, parents, etc. After giving Moses specific instructions, the Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, saying, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you” (Deut 31:23). Even knowing the future failure of His people, the Lord commissioned Joshua to be Moses' successor and to lead the people into righteousness. Failure among the people was not for want of direction and provision by the Lord. No doubt, after Moses' death, Joshua would feel the burden of leadership. His only consolation was that God was with him, to strengthen and guide him along the way, and that his duty was to be faithful to the Lord. According to Peter Craigie, “Of the forms of loneliness that a man can experience, there are few so bleak as the loneliness of leadership. But Joshua assumed his lonely role with an assurance of companionship and strength. God's presence with him would be sufficient to enable him to meet boldly every obstacle that the future could bring.”[4] Next, we learn, “It came about, when Moses finished writing the words of this law in a book until they were complete, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, 26 ‘Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you'” (Deut 31:24-26). Here, again, we have a clear statement concerning Mosaic authorship of the book of Deuteronomy (cf., Deut 31:9). Moses gave the book of the Law to the Levites who were to carry it along with the ark of the covenant. Having this written record served a purpose, “that it may remain there as a witness against you” (Deut 31:26b). Truth is objective, and God's judgments are based on fixed standards of righteousness. Moses then spoke to the people, saying: "For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; behold, while I am still alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the LORD; how much more, then, after my death? 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will act corruptly and turn from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days, for you will do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands." (Deut 31:27-29) Later, near the end of Joshua's life, he encouraged the people to adhere to the Law of Moses so that they might know success and blessing (Josh 23:6-11), with a warning of judgment if they disobeyed (Josh 23:12-16; 24:20-24). Though Israel's journey of apostasy would begin with the death of Moses, it would gain full steam after the death of Joshua. Historically, we know Israel failed to drive out the Canaanites as God directed (Judg 1:21; 28-33). And because of their disobedience to drive them out, Israel was negatively influenced by the Canaanites who corrupted their values, and they repeatedly did evil in the sight of the Lord by worshipping idols (Judg 2:11; 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6; 13:1). Sadly, each successive generation got worse and worse (Judg 2:19). And each time Israel fell into idolatry, God gave them into the hands of their enemies to punish them (Judg 3:8, 12; 4:2; 6:1; 10:6-7; 13:1). But when they cried out to the Lord, He graciously delivered them (Judg 3:9, 15; 4:3; 6:6; 10:12), and for a while they experienced peace. The cycle of sin, suffering, prayer, salvation, and a period of peace was repeated six times in the book of Judges over a period of approximately 350 years. In anticipation of the next chapter, we read, “Then Moses spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were complete” (Deut 31:30). As God's faithful servant, Moses wrote the song as he'd been directed by the Lord. Present Application In this chapter we have a glimpse into some of the issues related to godly leadership. When called to lead others according to God's values, it's important to know there will be times when those under our care will not follow us into God's will, but will turn away from the Lord, and this to their own harm and the harm of others. Furthermore, ministry to the Lord can be marked by great hardship; however, integrity demands that we stay the course, no matter the difficulty of our situations. Below are a few examples of godly leaders whose leadership was rejected by others. In Scripture, we learn Noah was faithful to the Lord and preached His Word for one hundred and twenty years with very minimal results (2 Pet 2:5), and God's judgment fell upon the world in a global deluge, with the result that only “eight persons were brought safely through the water” (1 Pet 3:20). The prophet Samuel was faithful to the Lord and tried to dissuade his generation from rejecting the Lord as their King, as they'd requested a human king in order that they might be like the other nations (1 Sam 8:4-17). But they rejected Samuel's leadership, and “the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, ‘No, but there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations'” (1Sa 8:19-20a). God gave them Saul, a king after their own hearts, and the nation suffered. Perhaps one of the most frustrating ministries found in Scripture is that of the prophet Isaiah. The prophet had heard the Lord's calling to ministry and accepted it wholeheartedly (Isa 6:8). Isaiah knew his generation needed to hear the Lord's Word, and perhaps hoped they'd respond in humility as he'd just responded to the Lord's vision in the temple (Isa 6:1-7). God informed Isaiah that his ministry would be met with negative volition. When God's people turned away from Him, choosing a path of darkness and closing their ears to His Word, He added to their blindness and deafness as a form of judgment (Isa 6:9-10). Isaiah's ministry to his people would result in a further hardening of their hearts. Hearing this difficult news, Isaiah asked, “Lord, how long?” (Isa 6:11a). The answer came from the Lord, “Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, houses are without people and the land is utterly desolate, the LORD has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land” (Isa 6:11b-12). But God, in His sovereignty and grace, would preserve a remnant of His people alive (Isa 6:13). According to Earl Radmacher, “The more the prophet would proclaim the word of God, the less response he would get from the people. This was a call to a discouraging ministry. In truth, the call of God is for faithfulness to Him, to His Word, and to the call itself.”[5] Warren Wiersbe offers a similar statement, saying, “God does not deliberately make sinners blind, deaf, and hard-hearted; but the more that people resist God's truth, the less able they are to receive God's truth. But the servant is to proclaim the Word no matter how people respond, for the test of ministry is not outward success but faithfulness to the Lord.”[6] Jeremiah is another example of a godly servant who faithfully preached God's Word for twenty-three years, but his generation would not listen. Jeremiah said, “these twenty-three years the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened” (Jer 25:3). The result was that Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians and went into captivity in 586 B.C. Biblically, we know God is gracious, compassionate, and slow to anger (Neh 9:17; Psa 86:15; 103:8); however, His gentle qualities do not last forever, and when people persist in their sin and there is no hope of them turning to Him, His judgment falls (Psa 9:7-8; 96:13; Acts 17:31). Of course, there's no greater display of leadership than our Lord Jesus, Who spoke perfect truth all the time and called others to trust in Him and to follow Him. Jesus repeatedly offered His kingdom to the nation (Matt 4:19; 10:7); yet, the majority of those who heard His message rejected Him (Matt 12:24; John 3:19; 12:37), and He pronounced judgment upon that generation (Matt 23:37-39). The result was that Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70 when the Romans attacked the city and destroyed the temple. As God's people, we control the output of our message, but never the outcome. What the recipients do with God's Word is between them and the Lord. As God's children, we are to be faithful to learn His Word (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2), communicate it in love to others (Eph 4:15), and then let it do its work in the hearts of those who hear (Isa 55:10-11). However, we realize this will result in mixed outcomes, depending on the hearts of others. Charles Spurgeon said, “The same sun that softens wax also hardens clay.” By this he meant that God's Word, which gives light like the sun, has different effects depending on the material exposed to it. The reality is that some hearts are positive to God (wax) and these grow soft when exposed to the light of His Word, but other hearts are negative to God (clay) and exposure to His Word only makes them harder. As God's people, we are only responsible for our output of lifestyle and message, not the outcome of results. God measures our success by our willingness to submit to Him and our faithfulness to walk with Him moment by moment, learning His Word and doing His will. We want to be among those whom Jesus says, “Well done, good and faithful slave” (Matt 25:21a). [1] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 266. [2] Earl S. Kalland, “Deuteronomy,” in The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 195. [3] Peter C. Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), 372. [4] Ibid., 373. [5] Earl D. Radmacher, et al., Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary, 814. [6] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Comforted, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 30.
In Hosea's day, the nation of Israel had turned its back on God, and turned to the wicked practice of worshiping the false gods of the surrounding nations. Though Israel would soon face judgment -by way of defeat by, and deportation through, the neighboring people of Assyria-, God was - and still is - faithful to the original covenant promises He made to Israel, through Abraham. Israel, who had been called -No Mercy,- would again be shown mercy, and Israel, who had been called -Not My People,- had not lost its status as God's people. This section of Hosea contains important truths not only for the Israel of Hosea's day, but for the people of Israel both today and in the future. In this sermon, -A Turning Point,- Pastor Jesse Randolph addresses these and other matters in his verse-by-verse exposition of Hosea 1-10-2-1.
In Hosea's day, the nation of Israel had turned its back on God, and turned to the wicked practice of worshiping the false gods of the surrounding nations. Though Israel would soon face judgment -by way of defeat by, and deportation through, the neighboring people of Assyria-, God was - and still is - faithful to the original covenant promises He made to Israel, through Abraham. Israel, who had been called -No Mercy,- would again be shown mercy, and Israel, who had been called -Not My People,- had not lost its status as God's people. This section of Hosea contains important truths not only for the Israel of Hosea's day, but for the people of Israel both today and in the future. In this sermon, -A Turning Point,- Pastor Jesse Randolph addresses these and other matters in his verse-by-verse exposition of Hosea 1-10-2-1.
Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 31:30-32:18. Moses begins to give Israel the song that the LORD commanded in the previous chapter. He calls upon the heavens and the earth to listen as witnesses and prays that his teaching of God's Word will bring growth as he proclaims the name of the LORD. Moses calls the LORD “the Rock,” for He is upright, just, and faithful. Though Israel should have been like Him, they have been corrupt and crooked toward their Creator. Moses recounts all of the LORD's faithfulness to Israel in bringing them safely through the wilderness into the Promised Land. He calls Israel “Jeshurun” as a reminder that they should have been upright, like the LORD, but their idolatry made them crooked as they forgot the LORD. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses' lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened Israel on the plains of Moab before the people entered the Promised Land, so the book of Deuteronomy still strengthens the Church as we prepare to enter the Resurrection with Christ, the Prophet greater than Moses.
In the first two chapters of Matthew, the gospel-writer covered the advent of Jesus and the many ways in which he fulfilled the Scriptures simply by being born. Today, as we cover chapters 3-4, Matthew jumps ahead to Christ's adulthood and the beginning of his ministry. We meet John the Baptist who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah of “one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.'” When John baptizes Jesus, a sign from heaven appears and resounds, testifying to Christ's divine origin. Before beginning his public ministry of teaching, Jesus spends 40 days fasting in the wilderness at which point he is tempted by the devil. Though Israel failed to resist temptation during the 40 years in the wilderness, Christ shows that he is the true son of God by rejecting sin perfectly.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Romans: Romans 9:31-Even Though Israel Pursued A Legal Righteousness, They Never Attained Perfect Obedience To The Law-Lesson # 324
Romans: Romans 9:31-Even Though Israel Pursued A Legal Righteousness, They Never Attained Perfect Obedience To The Law-Lesson # 324
Israel has carried out new missile attacks in Syria at the warehouse in the airport compound used by an Iran-backed militia. Though Israel has been bombing hundreds of different targets across Syria in the last few years, it rarely acknowledges such operations. So what is behind the continuing Israeli air raids in Syria and what does it mean for the rest of the region? In this episode: Hassan Barari (@barari_hassan), Professor of International Relations at Qatar University Episode credits: This episode was produced by Salim Alyafei. Our host is Sami Zeidan. Our research was done by intern Nada Shakir. George Alwer is the sound designer. Aya Elmileik is the lead engagement producer and Munera AlDosari is the assistant engagement producer. Omar al-Saleh is the executive producer. Connect with us at:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
Isaiah 46 - 1:07 . Isaiah 47 - 4:22 . Isaiah 48 - 9:55 . Isaiah 49 - 12:46 . As Isaiah continues to prophesy about future events, remember that Babylon has not yet come to power and has not yet brought Israel into captivity. You'll hear statements like, “I will announce new things to you, hidden things that you have not yet known.” Our reading opens with a call to remember that no god or idol can compare with the living God. This is followed by a prediction of assurance that Babylon will one day fall, which would have been a great comfort to God's people as they waited in captivity to be released. Though Israel is a rebellious and stubborn people prone to follow other gods, the Lord will not forget his people in Babylon, but will release them back into the land God had given them.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
The final part of the book of Judges reveals a society that has completely lost its way. Though Israel was supposed to be ruled by God, they ended up with no rules, every individual and tribe out for themselves, indulging in whatever they felt like. Such anarchy only sounds like fun if you're not living in it. In reality, such unregulated "freedom" ends up enslaving and destroying people, especially the weakest in society. Join Graham as he walks through the lessons we can learn from the horrors of Judges 19-21.
The final part of the book of Judges reveals a society that has completely lost its way. Though Israel was supposed to be ruled by God, they ended up with no rules, every individual and tribe out for themselves, indulging in whatever they felt like. Such anarchy only sounds like fun if you're not living in it. In reality, such unregulated "freedom" ends up enslaving and destroying people, especially the weakest in society. Join Graham as he walks through the lessons we can learn from the horrors of Judges 19-21.
The Temple had been destroyed many years before, so there was no altar for burning sacrifices. The peoples means of reconciliation with God had been discontinued; their spiritual life had been cut off. But before they could proceed with rebuilding, they needed to get their relationship with God straightened out. The Israelites reestablished the sacrifices as a means of reconciliation. We too need to reconcile ourselves to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in order to progress spiritually. Ad the people rebuilt, they stopped all along the way to praise God at every completed part. Though Israel would never regain its previous status in the world, God promised that the new Jerusalem would be the center of God's eternal Kingdom. Like the Israelites we ought to look forward to what God is doing. Do you need restoration? There are some things one needs to remember to be fully restored. - Give toward what God is doing through First Fairhope: https://firstfairhope.org/give/ - Join us in person or online every Sunday. Join us at https://firstfairhope.org/watch - Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all messages and gatherings from First Fairhope: https://www.youtube.com/c/firstfairhope/ - Follow First Fairhope: https://www.instagram.com/fbcfairhope/ - Like us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/firstfairhope/
The Temple had been destroyed many years before, so there was no altar for burning sacrifices. The peoples means of reconciliation with God had been discontinued; their spiritual life had been cut off. But before they could proceed with rebuilding, they needed to get their relationship with God straightened out. The Israelites reestablished the sacrifices as a means of reconciliation. We too need to reconcile ourselves to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in order to progress spiritually. Ad the people rebuilt, they stopped all along the way to praise God at every completed part. Though Israel would never regain its previous status in the world, God promised that the new Jerusalem would be the center of God's eternal Kingdom. Like the Israelites we ought to look forward to what God is doing. Do you need restoration? There are some things one needs to remember to be fully restored.-Give toward what God is doing through First Fairhope: https://firstfairhope.org/give/-Join us in person or online every Sunday. Join us at https://firstfairhope.org/watch-Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all messages and gatherings from First Fairhope: https://www.youtube.com/c/firstfairhope/-Follow First Fairhope: https://www.instagram.com/fbcfairhope/-Like us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/firstfairhope/
In Deuteronomy 23:1-8, Moses addresses immigration laws in ancient Israel, limiting who could worship in the assembly of the Lord. Moses opens, saying, “No one who is emasculated or has his male organ cut off shall enter the assembly of the LORD” (Deut 23:1). The phrase, “one who is emasculated or has his male organ cut off” is rendered more literally as “a man whose testicles have been crushed or whose penis has been cut off” (CSB). The practice of emasculation was done on servants who guarded a man's harem, and was practiced by men who were radical devotees of pagan worship. Daniel Block states, “this prohibition seems have been influenced by pagan religious rites of self-castration, perhaps as an ascetic act of self-torment or in pious imitation of the gods.”[1] The phrase, the assembly of the LORD (קָהָל יהוה qahal Yahweh), occurs six times in this section (vss. 1-8), showing God had concern for the sanctity of the congregation that met Him for instruction or worship. Previously, Moses had emphasized the positives of gathering for worship (Deut 12:7, 12; 16:11, 14), but here emphasized the negatives that excluded one from fellowship. Being excluded from worship among the Israelites did not mean one was excluded from the covenant community as a whole. Earl Kalland states, “Most likely this law did not exclude one from residence in areas where Israel was to live but rather from the benefits of full-fledged citizenship and most particularly (and maybe only) from participation in religious rites in the homes and at the tabernacle and later at the temple.”[2] Such exclusions based on physical defects were not limited to non-Israelites, as Levites with physical defects could not serve as priests at the tabernacle/temple (Lev 21:16-23). Even animals with physical defects were not eligible for sacrifice (Lev 1:10; 4:32). Another person excluded from gathering at the assembly of the LORD was one born of illegitimate birth. Moses said, “No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD” (Deut 23:2). The phrase, one of illegitimate birth, translates the Hebrew noun מַמְזֵר mamzer, which refers to a “bastard, [or] child of incest.”[3] This could refer either to one who was the offspring of a pagan prostitute (cf., Deut 23:17-18), or perhaps from an incestuous relationship, which was practiced among the Canaanites (Lev 18-20). Such an exclusion might have sought to deter Israelites from pursuing immoral relationships. Moses continued, saying, “No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall ever enter the assembly of the LORD, 4 because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you” (Deut 23:3-4). It should be remembered that the Ammonites and Moabites were the offspring of an incestuous relationship between Lot and his two daughters (Gen 19:30-38). Whatever their parentage, God prohibited the Ammonites and Moabites from participating in the worship of the Lord because they sought to curse His people (Num 22:1-6, 22-24, 31-33). Thomas Constable writes: "The main reason for the exclusion of the Ammonites and Moabites was the extreme hostility that these nations demonstrated toward Israel when Israel was approaching the Promised Land. Evidently Ammon participated with Moab in resisting Israel's passage, in seeking to curse the Israelites with Balaam's assistance, and or in corrupting the Israelites through sacred prostitution (Num 22–25)."[4] As Israel traveled toward Canaan, they were met with hostility and opposition as Balak, the king of Moab (Num 22:4), hired Balaam to curse the Lord's people (Num 22:5-6). The word curse translates the Hebrew verb קָלַל qalal, which means to treat as small, little, or insignificant. This same word was used by God when He set forth the promises pertaining to the Abrahamic covenant, saying He would bless or curse others depending on how they treated Abraham and his descendants. God told Abraham, the progenitor of Israel, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses [קָלַל qalal] you I will curse [אָרָר arar]” (Gen 12:3). Allen Ross sates, “Those who blessed Abram would receive blessing from God; that is, those who supported and endorsed him in his faith would actually find enrichment. Conversely, if anyone treated Abram lightly, he must be cursed.”[5] God's promise to bless or curse was based on an unconditional covenant that started with Abraham and extended to his descendants forever (Gen 17:7; Num 24:9). Concerning the curse in Genesis 12:3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum states: "The first word for curse is kalal, which means “to treat lightly,” “to hold in contempt,” or “to curse.” To merely treat Abram and the Jews lightly is to incur the curse of God. The second word for curse used in this phrase (him that curses you will I curse) is aor, from the Hebrew root arah, which means “to impose a barrier,” “to ban.” This is a much stronger word for curse than the first one in the phrase…Therefore, even a light curse against Abram or against the Jews will bring a heavier curse from God."[6] This cursing from God is seen in His opposition the Ammonites and Moabites when they sought to curse His people. Moses tells us, “Nevertheless, the LORD your God was not willing to listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you” (Deut 23:5). God's people were under His divine protection, and no satanically inspired curse would penetrate the wall of fire around them. Solomon wrote, “Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere” (Prov 26:2 CSB). In fact, not only did God prohibit Balaam from cursing the Israelites, He directed him to bless them instead (Num. 23:7-10, 18-24; 24:3-9). Balaam's actions angered Balak, who said, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!” (Num 24:10). God's protection from opposing military and spiritual forces was because He loved His people and desired their best. For Israel, knowing God's blessing was tied to their obedience to His directives (Deut 11:26-28). When they stepped outside God's will, they opened themselves up to all forms of evil as well as divine discipline. Because the Ammonites and Moabites sought Israel's harm at the time of their journey from Kadesh Barnea into the land of Canaan, God said, “You shall never seek their peace or their prosperity all your days” (Deut 23:6). Here was the boomerang effect, in which those who sought to curse God's people wound up bringing a curse upon themselves. This verse should be understood as referring to those who continued in hatred and hostility toward God's people and were excluded from treaty relationships. Daniel Block writes: "Previously Moses had noted Yahweh's love as the motivating force behind his election and rescue of Israel from Egypt (Deut 4:37; 7:8) and his lavish blessing (Deut 7:12), but here it underlies Yahweh's protection from hostile military and spiritual forces. Because the Moabites and Ammonites had opposed Yahweh and his agenda regarding the Israelites, the Israelites are never to seek their peace or their welfare. Since “a treaty of friendship” functions as a general expression for well-being in covenantal contexts, this may be a ban on treaties with Ammonites and Moabites."[7] But God's dealing with Ammonites and Moabites did not exclude displays of grace. Remember, God had previously given the Ammonites and Moabites land south of Israel, and His people were to leave them alone (Deut 2:9, 19). Though the Ammonites and Moabites were collectively under divine judgment, and this because of their negative volition and hostility toward Him, He knew there would be descendants who would trust in Him and become part of the blessed community. This was the case with Ruth the Moabitess, who loved God and His people (Ruth 1:16-17), and was even included in the line of Christ (Ruth 4:13; Matt 1:5). Eugene Merrill writes: "Disbarment from the assembly was not synonymous with exclusion from the covenant community itself as the one example of Ruth the Moabite makes clear. Having determined to return with her Israelite mother-in-law to Bethlehem, she vowed: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). This was more than mere wishful thinking or personal resolve, for Ruth went on to marry a leading citizen of Bethlehem (4:13), and she eventually became a great-grandmother of King David (4:21). There can be no doubt that Ruth was welcomed among the people of the Lord as one of their own though presumably never with access to the assembly."[8] In contrast to the hostility of Ammonites and Moabites, Moses said, “You shall not detest an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not detest an Egyptian, because you were an alien in his land” (Deut 23:7). The Edomites were the descendants of Esau (Gen 36:1, 8), who was born to Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 25:21-25), and therefore in the Abrahamic line and biologically related to Israel as a “brother.” Furthermore, Israel was not to detest the Egyptians. Though Israel had lived in Egyptian captivity for four centuries, their basic needs of safety, shelter, and food were met. Though Pharaoh and his administration were hostile to Israel, it does not appear this was the case with the Egyptian people themselves. As a result, Israelites were not to treat the Egyptians in a negative way. God Himself opened the door for the Egyptians, saying, “The sons of the third generation who are born to them may enter the assembly of the LORD” (Deut 23:8). This meant that after a time of exclusion, Egyptians could be allowed to worship in Israel alongside Israelites, assuming they had trusted in Yahweh and were willing to abide by His directives in the covenant community. Present Application All Christians are called to walk with the Lord and to submit ourselves to Him for service. This means, in part, devoting ourselves to the study of Scripture (2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 2:2), offering our bodies for service to the Lord (Rom 12:1-2), living holy lives (1 Pet 1:15-16), regularly confessing our sins to God (1 John 1:6-9), sharing the gospel with others (Mark 16:15; Rom 15:15-16), assembling for worship (Heb 10:25), offering praise to God (Heb 13:15), doing good works (Gal 6:10; Heb 10:24), sharing our resources with others (Heb 13:16; cf. Phil 4:18), living selflessly for the benefit of others (Phil 2:17; cf. Phil 1:21-26; 2:3-4), praying constantly (1 Th 5:17), giving thanks (1 Th 5:18), and walking in love (Eph 5:1-2; cf. 1 Pet 1:22). These are just a few of the Christian duties that are to be obeyed by all believers. However, apart from the general duties of all Christians, there are specific qualifications for some who would serve in a special way. For example, serving as a church elder or deacon means meeting certain qualifications; specifically, church elders are appointed by God (Acts 20:28; cf. Eph 4:11), consist of men only (1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:6; cf. 1 Tim 2:12-14), and must be doctrinally, morally, and spiritually mature (1 Tim 3:1-7).[9] Failure to meet these qualifications disqualifies one to serve as a church elder or deacon within the local church. Furthermore, there are some Christians who should be excluded from Christian fellowship, and these include believers who are continually teaching false doctrines or pursuing sin (this is not the occasional sin, but ongoing sin that harms the spiritual walk of others). The reason we should avoid such persons is partly because “bad associations corrupt good morals” (1 Cor 15:33). When writing to Christians in Corinth, Paul said, “I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one” (1 Cor 5:11). Disassociation was for the purpose of maintaining personal holiness with the Lord. We always hope the sinning Christian will come to his/her senses and come back into fellowship; however, we must maintain distance until they do. In another place Paul wrote, “I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them” (Rom 16:17). And, “We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us” (2 Th 3:6). Such actions are never easy, for we love fellow believers and desire friendship with them. However, our walk with God must always take priority, for He is our greatest Friend, and allegiance to Him secures for us all that is strong and good and meaningful in life. And if/when the erring believer turns back to the Lord and resumes their walk-in-the-Word, then all will be as it should, and fellowship within the Christian community can be restored. [1] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, ed. Terry Muck (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 534–535. [2] Earl S. Kalland, “Deuteronomy,” in The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 140. [3] Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 561. [4] Tom Constable, Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Dt 23:1. [5] Allen P. Ross, Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998), 263. [6] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Ariel's Bible Commentary: The Book of Genesis, 1st ed. (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2008), 242. [7] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, 536. [8] Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, vol. 4, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 309. [9] The function pastors is to solve doctrinal problems in the church through biblical discussion and research (Acts 15:4-11, cf. Acts 16:4), work with “the whole church” on ministry matters (Acts 15:22), shepherd the church through general oversight (Acts 20:17; 28), guard against false teachers and their false doctrines (Acts 20:28-32), guide believers to spiritual maturity (Eph 4:11-14), be servant-leaders (1 Th 5:12; 1 Tim 5:17; Heb 13:7, 17), work hard at “preaching and teaching” (1 Tim 5:17; cf. Gal 6:6; Eph 4:11-14; 1 Th 5:12), receive financial support from those who benefit from their ministry (Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18), and offer support and prayer for those who suffer (Jam 5:14).
Pastor Daniel preaches from Luke 21:5-19. Not A Hair of Your Head Will Perish Luke 21:5-19 Main Point of the Sermon: We must endure by standing on the promises of Christ. Introduction Pray Human beings avoid risk. But not just physical risk. We tend to avoid almost any confrontation, even an awkward conversation. But Christians throughout history are kind of an anomaly in this area. Christ's followers have been known to get on ships and planes that take them to remote and unreached areas at great risk to themselves in an effort to preach the saving name of Jesus. In nearly every corner of the earth, Christians have faced danger preaching the Gospel. Even some of our members have moved their families overseas or are preparing now to go. Though it is not usually at risk of our lives, our Missional Community Groups have gone into the Mall of America, into the parks of Minneapolis, into the Somali Mall and onto the streets at risk of being maligned. What gives Christians the peace and boldness to put themselves in risky situations? I hope to answer that question today. This is the first sermon of two where we will unpack Jesus's teaching on the end of the world and the time leading up to it. Today's text focuses on the time from Jesus's ascension to the destruction of the temple in 70AD. Next week, we will focus on Jesus's teaching about the current age we are in and his second coming. Let's dive in. Verse 5: And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Context: This passage starts with the conjunction “and”, which should cue you in that Luke has a flow of thought in the stories he is stringing together. Sometimes chapters, headers, and verse divisions can make you miss that. But if you look back you'll find that Luke's narrative has slowed down significantly since Jesus entered Jerusalem and that Luke repeats several themes. One of those themes is the removal of the current religious system, which had been perverted by greed, hypocrisy, and a neglect of the outcast and gentiles. Most of all, Jesus says that it would be removed by God because of the people's rejection of him. So, Jesus was teaching these things daily in the temple. One day, while he was there, the people in the temple were marveling at the great stones and all the “offerings”, that is the beautiful curtains and instruments of worship around the temple. This temple was constructed by Herod the Great. The temple mount was larger than most of the seven wonders of the world, with a perimeter of about 1 mile. The stones that still remain today are approximately 45 feet wide x 12 feet tall and 12 feet thick, weighing around 570 tons. You could probably fill about half of this space with one of them. The temple was a place of grandeur and beauty. Though Israel was ruled by a foreign pagan nation, the temple provided a sense of security and strength. But Jesus took that moment to teach. He told them, verse 6, there are days coming when it will all be torn down. This is, frankly, a startling claim for those who saw the temple as the epicenter of all Jewish life – their festivals, their hope. So, naturally, the people asked Jesus, verse 7, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” The Jews, who were versed in the Old Testament knew something about the end of time and the signs pointing to it because of Old Testament prophesies, like those found in the book of Daniel. They knew about the desolation of the temple from Daniel 9:27, but they believed that it would coincide with the end of time. If the temple was going to fall, it was going to fall just before God came and victoriously rescued them. But Jesus corrects their thinking with his answer. Verse 8. And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!' and, ‘The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” First, Jesus warns them. Jesus is concerned for their hearts. Make sure you aren't led astray. Many will come in that time claiming to be the Messiah and saying that the end has come. But “do not go after them.” Next, he says, you're going to hear of wars and great uproars. When this happens, “do not be terrified”, thinking that the end is here. All these things will happen but “the end will not be at once.” This phrase is key. This would be an extremely unsettling time, making many think that the end has come, but Jesus says, it's not coming all at once in the way you think. Jesus continues in verse 10. Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. Chaos will increase. Wars, natural disasters, famine and disease. But not just in the physical world. He says “there will be terrors and great signs from heaven,” which I think points to turmoil in the spiritual world. All of reality seems to be shaking. But then he says these important words in verse 12: But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. In verse 12, Jesus zones in with these words “but before all this”. As if he hasn't already said enough to get us shaking, he goes on to describe the persecution coming on the followers of Jesus. This seems to be what Jesus is most concerned about communicating here. The people want to know about their beloved temple and the end times, but Jesus focuses on something more important: the faithful witness of God's people in the face of a coming persecution. Repeat. The world is going to feel like it's about to end. But not yet. Things are about to get life threatening for you because you bear my name. You are about to suffer. Why? “For my name's sake.” Because you bear my name you will be put on trial before kings. But get this. Jesus says, “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” Man, we who were live in the land of opportunity need a reorientation to this word opportunity. When we think of opportunity, we think job opportunity or promotion, or adventure. But Jesus speaks of this moment, when our very lives and reputations hang on the line, the very thing we are inclined to run from, as an opportunity, an opportunity to speak of the precious, saving, delivering, healing, resurrecting name of Jesus. This is what Jesus is concerned about for his followers. Times of great terror and chaos are coming, persecution is coming. But this is your moment to tell the world about me. Jesus is saying to them, “You are about to follow in the footsteps of the prophets. You are about to follow in my footsteps as you bear witness about me. What they have done to me, they will do to you. Verse 16 says, You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. Jesus was betrayed by one of his closest friends. Hear this, church. He said, some of you will be betrayed by your parents or siblings, maybe by friends. Imagine, even perhaps some of your friends sitting close to you! Following Jesus may cost you your family or closest friends. Further, Jesus was about to be beaten and executed on a cross, and he says, it will happen to some of you too. Jesus was hated by all, condemned by the crowds to death, and he says, you too will be hated by all for my name's sake. This is the second time Jesus says that they would suffer “for my name's sake”. If you are a Christian, you bear the name of Jesus. You are united to him and represent him on earth. You carry the exclusive saving message! What a joy that is! But what a cost that comes with that treasure. Jesus says that his followers must take up their cross in order to follow him. Now, I recognize that many of you hearing this today surrounded by many like-minded friends in this beautiful space probably feel a sense of peace and security, like I think many of Jesus's hearers were. But Jesus wanted them and us to understand something important: suffering is part of our identity as Christians in this age before his second coming. All who bear the name of Jesus will be persecuted. The Apostle Paul echoes this same truth: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) Jesus wants them to be prepared for what the end of the world will really be like. It will not come at once like they expected. It will not feel like a time of triumph. They are about to enter an age where the kingdom spreads through their witness, and that time will require great endurance. But he doesn't stop with doom and gloom. He encourages them with two powerful promises: 1) I will be with you and help you in these trials 2) not a hair of your head will perish. Let's unpack these. 1) I will be with you and help you in these trials Verse 14: Jesus said, 14 Settle it therefore in your minds [that is, when you are put on trial because of me] not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 FOR I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. No matter who you face, you don't need to worry about what to say because – here is the promise – “I will give you a mouth and wisdom.” In other words, I will be with you to help you and speak through you such that your enemies cannot withstand you. Jesus provides a far greater foundation than a physical temple. This is a promise of God's personal presence going with us to help us bear witness to his name. Is this not what God has given to us in the Holy Spirit? We read over and over in the book of Acts stories of God's people testifying boldly before tumultuous crowds and rulers. How? By the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has fulfilled this promise in sending his Church the Holy Spirit. This is so encouraging to me. How many times do we shake in our boots just thinking about talking with a neighbor or co-worker about Jesus? Friends, it's not just when you stand before kings that he is present to help you know what to say. Don't you think God cares about your witness to your neighbor too? He will give you a mouth and wisdom. Let's look at the second promise. 2) Not a hair of your head will perish Jesus says, though some will be put to death, and though you will be hated by all for my name's sake. Verse 18: Not a hair of your head will perish. What?! Jesus, you just said that some of us would be killed! How can you say that? Jesus is not contradicting himself, but is highlighting an important Gospel tension. Enemies of God may kill you, but they cannot ultimately harm you, not even a hair of your head. Jesus knew better than all. He was about to have a crown of thorns thrust into his head and have his hair and flesh torn from nearly every inch of his body. But he KNEW that he would also rise from death and be given a resurrected body, completely restored, down to the last hair. In the same way, all who are united to Jesus, though you may be mocked, imprisoned, and perhaps killed, it can cause you no lasting spiritual harm. You may have all the kingdoms of the world standing against you, but if God is with you and for you, you cannot lose. Jesus said elsewhere, “Do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt 10:28). And in another place, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die (John 11:25). With this promise Jesus offers his followers a much more lasting and solid foundation than a physical temple. Just as the temple would fall, you too will die, and may die for Christ. But if you believe in him, if you are in relationship with Jesus, you cannot truly die. Not a hair of your head will perish. Many have been killed and will be killed because of the name of Jesus, but it is by clinging to that Name that they live. This is the main point of Jesus's teaching. Verse 19 captures it: By your endurance you will gain your lives. You will live if you endure. The Christian life can in part be summed up with this word, endurance. An older friend of mine wrote to me for my 34th birthday. He reminded me how long and hard the Christian race and challenged me to be steadfast. There is no question if the race will be hard for Christians? It will often feel like the final few reps in a workout or the final lap in a race. And I need you to know Church, reaching the end of the race is just as important to Jesus as the beginning. Salvation is not as simple as saying a prayer once or being baptized. The Bible teaches that we know we are truly Christians if we hold fast to the end. Hebrews 3:14: “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.” It's hard enough to try to withstand our flesh on a daily basis. But we face another great temptation to run or hide or be silent when the world breathes intimidating threats. We think, run and hide and you will live. But Jesus says it's just the opposite. Jesus says, stand before them all. Stand before the devil's threats. Endure and you will gain your lives. How do we endure? By clinging to Jesus and his precious promises. YOU This word is so important for us today because here we are two thousand years later preaching Jesus and trying to make sense of these words and events. It's easy to lose faith when things just seem to keep going on as usual. I need you to know that all that Jesus promised came to pass. You can read for yourself, even in secular historical documents. The temple was, in fact, destroyed by Rome in 70 AD in a gruesome way. Further, in the years leading up to that, there were famines and wars and false prophets who led the people astray. Further, all of the Apostles but John were killed preaching the Gospel around the world as the Gospel spread. Countless thousands of Christians were burned at the stake or fed to lions in the Roman colosseum and in similar places under various Roman rulers. The book of Acts records Paul being led before kings and Peter before Jewish leaders. And what we see in each moment is men and women emboldened by God's promised presence and power to preserve their lives in a future resurrection. In the same way, church, we need to be prepared for persecution and strive to walk in the same boldness. Jesus's words to his disciples in the first century are not just about what would happen in the days leading up to 70 AD, but about what always happens for Christians until Jesus comes. We are living in the overlap of the ages. The kingdom has come in Jesus, but it has not fully come. This is what theologians call the already/not yet kingdom. I was shocked as I researched “persecution of Christians” on google and found nation after nation listed with stories and examples of atrocities committed against Christians. Even to this day, Christians are persecuted: In 1999, Australian missionary, Graham Staines, and his two sons were burnt alive in their station wagon by a group of hindu anti-Christian activists. I read about Somali man named “Billy” who was converted to Christ as he studied the Bible alongside the Koran. He started a small church with the first Christian he met in Somalia, but as it grew persecution began. Twelve of their members were executed and Billy narrowly escaped death. Do you know what's crazy. He still returns to Somalia regularly at risk to himself to help strengthen the slowly growing underground church. I could tell you a dozen more similar stories. I'm convinced that we too are on the precipice of more intense persecution even here in the United States. Not only because neighboring countries are making laws forbidding Christians from teaching particular truths, but because there is a growing hostility and hatred towards Bible-believing Christians in this nation. We who are labeled intolerant are now the intolerable. The world's war against absolute truth has ironically claimed as absolute truth that the Gospel of Jesus is intolerable. So how should we live in light of this reality? What else? This is our opportunity to bear witness. We ought to boldly live and proclaim the saving name of Jesus to the world. We are tempted daily to shy away from speaking about Jesus. Sadly, we often fear man more than God. We often want our comfort, our reputation, our lives more than we want Jesus's name to be known. But we must endure, believing that life is more than these 80 years. More than peace and safety. My hope this morning is that we would be emboldened to bear witness to the name of Jesus. Why? Because Jesus says, 1) I will be with you and help you as you go 2) not a hair of your head will perish. I want us to stand on these powerful promises that Jesus has spoken and have our great great grandchildren along with the disciples we made tell stories of our faithful witness in the face of danger. Church, we have a solid foundation. Our security is not a place like the temple. It's not a religious system. It's not a denomination. It's not a church building. It's not a particular leader. All of those things could fall. But foundation is Christ, whose death gave us life, and whose rejection purchased our acceptance with God. I don't know when or how persecution will come to you. But it will come for all faithful Christians. And if you aren't now in the thick of it, hear this challenge from Hebrews: “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:3). Many of our brothers and sisters around the world ARE suffering. Remember them in prayer. So Church, in the confidence that Jesus has provided us, let's go this week and boldly proclaim the Good News that there is eternal life in Jesus. Go proclaim that there is hope for this war-torn world in the risen Jesus. He lives to strengthen us and help us through every fiery trial, and to remind us like he has today that not one hair of your head will perish. Let's pray Benediction: Great Commission: “Behold, I am with you always even to the end of the age.” [1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 19:44). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 19:46). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 20:15–16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 21:5–19). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
This week's episode of Start2Finish focuses on the display of the Kingdom of God throughout the Old Testament. While the Kingdom has eternally existed due to God's transcendent and eternal nature, it had a visible entrance in the earth as the book of Genesis chronicles the creation of all things. From Creation to the Fall to the Redemptive Covenants, God continually expresses His reign and authority through individuals, families and eventually a nation (Israel). As the Old Testament shows, while humans will inevitably fail in being true to the covenant promises that God made with them, God will never fail and His purposes to establish His Kingdom through covenant partners will continue. Special interest will be given in this episode to: Adam's royal and priestly role in Eden. The fall as a "dual loss" of both relationship and rulership for Adam. The establishment of the Kingdom of Darkness in the earth (foreign kingdom rooted in the "will of man.") God's strategy to perpetuate His reign through the institution of covenants. The dramatic scene of the Exodus & its role in visualizing the conflicting kingdoms (Kingdom of God & the Kingdom of Darkness). In Israel, as in Adam (and eventually Jesus) the "Kingdom was at hand." Though Israel would fail to be faithful, and end up in exile, God would establish a remnant that would maintain their hope that through the eventual coming of the Messiah, God's Kingdom would come once again to the earth. Scriptures: Psalm 115:16; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:5-6; Gen. 2:15; Gen. 3:15; Col. 1:13-14; Gen. 12:1-3; Exodus 1; Ex. 19:5-6; Psalm 24:7-10. Music: "On My Way," by Justin Jollie.
In the first two chapters of Matthew, the gospel-writer covered the advent of Jesus and the many ways in which he fulfilled the Scriptures simply by being born. Today, as we cover chapters 3-4, Matthew jumps ahead to Christ's adulthood and the beginning of his ministry. We meet John the Baptist who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah of “one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.'” When John baptizes Jesus, a sign from heaven appears and resounds, testifying to Christ's divine origin. Before beginning his public ministry of teaching, Jesus spends 40 days fasting in the wilderness at which point he is tempted by the devil. Though Israel failed to resist temptation during the 40 years in the wilderness, Christ shows that he is the true son of God by rejecting sin perfectly.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Aaron Colyer and the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Hosea 14 As one reads through the Prophets, whether Major or Minor, Pre-exilic or Post, one is met with a single voice that is unanimous in its cry, certain in its proclamation, and absolute in its conclusion. Though Israel lies presently in a state of unbelief, far away from their God on account of their iniquities; a cry sounds forth from the pages of this precious book that what is at present, shall not always be!! We look in this sermon at God's promise of spiritual restoration for the Jewish people at the end of time when Messiah shall come the second time.
As Isaiah continues to prophesy about future events, remember that Babylon has not yet come to power and has not yet brought Israel into captivity. You'll hear statements like, “I will announce new things to you, hidden things that you have not yet known.” Our reading opens with a call to remember that no god or idol can compare with the living God. This is followed by a prediction of assurance that Babylon will one day fall, which would have been a great comfort to God's people as they waited in captivity to be released. Though Israel is a rebellious and stubborn people prone to follow other gods, the Lord will not forget his people in Babylon, but will release them back into the land God had given them.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 50:1-20. Jeremiah's oracles against the nations have been building to the climax of these words from God to Babylon. The message of the defeat of Babylon and its idols must be proclaimed far and wide. The LORD's destruction of these enemies means gathering and restoration for His people. He will not let their enemies go unpunished; all stand accountable before Him. His people must flee from Babylon because the LORD is bringing about its destruction. Their pride has led to their fall as the LORD brings His vengeance upon them. Though Israel had been hunted like a sheep, the LORD will bring His people back to His sheepfold in complete forgiveness. The historical reality of what the LORD did to the nation of Babylon through their defeat by the Persians points to the greater reality of what the LORD has done for His Church in defeating sin, death, and the devil through His Son Jesus Christ. “A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy 20:1-20 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Deuteronomy 20 provides instruction for God's people concerning war. You see, the Israelites were about to cross over into the promised land and face formidable enemies - armies larger than theirs and military weaponry that included chariots and horses. But, they weren't supposed to be faint hearted or afraid because the Lord their God was going with them. He would fight on their behalf and secure their ultimate victory. Friends, if God is for us, who can be against us? Though Israel reached their promised land, we haven't arrived at ours yet. We trudge forward and fight valiantly against spiritual enemies while we wait to enter the promised rest (Heb. 4:1-11). May the Lord teach us from Deuteronomy 20 about dangerous warfare, enemy threats, and ultimate victory for the people of God.
Though Israel has ceased missile attacks on Gaza, military occupation, siege and apartheid policies continue. Palestinians say they can't go back to business as usual. Israel's recent attacks have sparked a new mass movement of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle. Interviews with Rasha Anayah and Lina Shahid of Palestinian Youth Movement and Professor Gerald Horne. Voices from the massive DC Nakba 73 march in Washington, DC May 15, 2021. Headlines on Gaza, new cases of Black men murdered by the police, including the apparent cover-up of Ronald Greene's death in Louisiana. Lydia Curtis reports on Black Mamas Bailout DMV and the injustice of the cash money bail system. Plus culture and media. Bonus content from Gerald Horne on Israel, South Africa, apartheid and the F-Word on fascism. The show is made possible only by our volunteer energy, our resolve to keep the people's voices on the air, and by support from our listeners. In this new era of fake corporate news, we have to be and support our own media! Please click here or click on the Support-Donate tab on this website to subscribe for as little as $3 a month. We are so grateful for this small but growing amount of monthly crowdsource funding on Patreon. You can also give a one-time or recurring donation on PayPal. Thank you!
The first comprehensive yet accessible history of the state of Israel from its inception to present day, from Daniel Gordis, "one of the most respected Israel analysts" (The Forward) living and writing in Jerusalem. Israel is a tiny state, and yet it has captured the world's attention, aroused its imagination, and lately, been the object of its opprobrium. Why does such a small country speak to so many global concerns? More pressingly: Why does Israel make the decisions it does? And what lies in its future? We cannot answer these questions until we understand Israel's people and the questions and conflicts, the hopes and desires, that have animated their conversations and actions. Though Israel's history is rife with conflict, these conflicts do not fully communicate the spirit of Israel and its people: they give short shrift to the dream that gave birth to the state, and to the vision for the Jewish people that was at its core. Guiding us through the milestones of Israeli history, Gordis relays the drama of the Jewish people's story and the creation of the state. Clear-eyed and erudite, he illustrates how Israel became a cultural, economic and military powerhouse - but also explains where Israel made grave mistakes and traces the long history of Israel's deepening isolation. With Israel, public intellectual Daniel Gordis offers us a brief but thorough account of the cultural, economic, and political history of this complex nation, from its beginnings to the present. Accessible, levelheaded, and rigorous, Israel sheds light on Israel's past so we can understand its future. The result is a vivid portrait of a people, and a nation, reborn.
The main idea of this pericope is that Israel faced a real danger in the prosperity that lay ahead of them. The acquisition and accumulation of wealth might lead to pride in which God’s people think they don’t need the Lord, forget to obey and praise Him, and turn to idolatry and bring about their own ruin. If Israel would keep the Lord’s commands and walk in His ways and fear Him, then all would be well (Deut 8:6). Blessing or cursing was their choice (cf. Deut 11:26-28). Though Israel faced the threat of Canaan before them, there was a greater danger that God’s people would forget the Lord who liberated and prospered them. Moses issued a warning, saying, “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today” (Deut 8:11, cf., 14, 19). To forget the Lord meant Israel would not obey Him, nor recognize Him in fear and worship. Israel was to know that disobedience and ingratitude would start them on the journey that would lead to idolatry and their eventual ruin. The danger is expressed in a series of actions that might lead to Israel being lifted in pride, as Moses wrote, “otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Deut 8:12-14). Prosperity can, over time, have an amnesic effect that leads to pride and an attitude of self-sufficiency. But Moses reminds them about God’s deliverance, saying, “He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint. In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know” (Deut 8:15-16a). Moses provides a series of verbs—each in the hiphil stem—revealing God as the causal agent who led them through the wilderness, who brought water from the rock, and who fed them manna. God was the provider who met their basic needs. From the Israelite perspective, this was a difficult time in which they did not enjoy an abundance of resources and when their vulnerability was apparent every day. However, the Lord was training them to trust Him, to rely on His moment-by-moment provisions, in order that they might humbly rely on Him and not themselves or others. Moses explains God’s intention behind the testing, saying, “that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end” (Deut 8:16b). God desired to do good for Israel, but humility in the heart was more important than the blessing in their hands. Moses then states, “Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth’” (Deut 8:17). This would be a form of thievery, in which they would take credit for the blessing God provided, falsely believing they had been their own savior and had met all their own needs. To mitigate against this danger, Moses instructs them, saying, “But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Deut 8:18). As repeated before, Moses calls on God’s people to regulate their thoughts and consciously and consistently recognize God in their lives as the One who empowers them to make wealth. The blessing they would enjoy was part of the covenant God has established with their fathers, and He would be faithful to keep His word to them. For the third time in this pericope Moses issues a warning about forgetting God, saying, “It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God” (Deut 8:19-20). If Israel chose to act like the pagan nations, God would cause them to perish like them. Whether facing tests of adversity or prosperity, the believer is always to respond in faith and gratitude to the Lord. Paul states, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Th 5:18), and, “give thanks for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Eph 5:20). And the writer to the Hebrews tells us, “let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb 13:15). God is ultimately in control of life, whether in hardship or blessing (Eccl 7:14; cf. Job 2:9-10; Isa 45:5-7), and He wants us to keep our focus on Him in everything. Though it is our proclivity to run from trials—which may not be wrong in itself—in doing so, we might miss what God is working to accomplish in our hearts; namely, humility. But we must let God have His work in our lives so that humility is present, not only in adversity, but also in times of blessing. Whatever the situation, we are called to live by faith, which means we look to God and rely on Him to guide and sustain us in each moment. Part of that expression of faith is seeing life from the divine perspective and not letting circumstances, or the attitudes and actions of others dictate our response. Though Joseph had been mistreated by his brothers and sold into slavery, yet he operated from divine viewpoint and said to them, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Gen 50:20). Joseph realized God used the sinful attitudes and actions of his brothers to accomplish His greater good. When Job lost his family and business, he said, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). Though Job suffered and grieved, it did not destroy his divine viewpoint perspective or his faith response of praise to God. When Peter and the apostles were flogged for preaching about Jesus, Luke tells us, “they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). Though they suffered physical pain from the beating, it did not diminish their faith or praise response. When Paul and Silas had been beaten with rods and thrown into prison, Luke informs us they “were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25). Again, we see where God’s people lived by faith and worshipped Him in spite of their difficult situations. As Christians, we cannot always control adversity, but neither should we be controlled by it. God wants us to be humble and to seek Him in everything, whether trials or blessings. How we respond is up to us. If we fail to live by faith, then our spiritual development stalls, and we face the danger of regressing into crippling fear. However, if we respond in faith, this will enable us to handle the situation and also strengthen us for future circumstances.
The main point of this pericope is that Israel was to listen to God’s statutes and judgments, obey them, and teach them to their children and grandchildren so the covenant people could take possession of the land and live prosperous lives. This section marks a literary turning point from historical review to giving instruction for living, drawing from Israel’s historical failings up to this point. Moses now focuses of the statutes and judgments so that they would “live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you” (Deut 4:1b). Statutes likely refers to written laws, and judgments to case laws. Israel was not to modify these statues and judgments in any way (Deut 4:2). Moses recalled to their memory a recent event in which some of the second-generation Israelites had already been disobedient at Baal-peor and worshipped idols (Deut 4:3; cf. Num 25:1-9), and God judged them for their rebellion (Deut 4:4). In contrast, Israel was to learn and keep God’s statutes and judgements which God transmitted through Moses so the people would possess the land of Canaan and not forfeit it as their parents had done (Deut 4:5). Israel will show their wisdom and understanding when they keep and follow God’s laws, which others will see and acknowledge (Deut 4:6). Speaking rhetorically, Moses asks if any nation has a god who is as near to its people as Yahweh was to Israel, who answers when they call (Deut 4:7). Or if there was a nation with statutes and judgments as wise as those transmitted from Yahweh through Moses (Deut 4:8)? The implied answer is no! Moses then warns them, saying, “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life” (Deut 4:9a). Israel had an obligation in the relationship which was not to forget what they had seen and learned. The word forget translates the Hebrew verb שָׁכַח shakach, and is used by Moses to refer to the danger that one invites to oneself when God’s commands are ignored (Deut 8:11); a danger that is most likely to occur when His people become prosperous (Deut 8:12-14), and turn to idolatry (Deut 8:19). Not only was Israel to preserve and obey God’s commands, but they were to model and teach them to their children (Deut 4:9b). Though Israel’s priests had a special responsibility to teach God’s Word, the parents were called to teach it to their children (cf. Deut 6:6-7; 20-25; 11:19). Passing on God’s Word was very important, for Israel was always only one generation away from forfeiting God’s blessings if they failed to obey and transmit God’s Word to the next generation. Moses reminds his audience that they had personally witnessed God’s presence and heard His voice at Mount Sinai (Deut 4:10-11), and it was at that place where “He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone” (Deut 4:13). The Ten Commandments refer to the objective laws that reflect God’s moral character, and what He expected from His people if they were to walk with Him and know His blessings. Moses informed them, “The LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might perform them in the land where you are going over to possess it” (Deut 4:14). Success and blessing for Israel meant learning and living God’s Word. Of course, this assumes positive volition on the part of His people and the transmission of His laws from one generation to the next through the institution of the family.
From 2010 to 2012, during the Obama administration, four nuclear scientists were killed in Iran. Though Israel never took credit for the executions, reports were conclusive that Israel, working with the MEK, was behind the killings.
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 17:14-20 “Be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses.” Deuteronomy 17:15 The idea of having a king or ruler is common throughout human history and culture. But what does an ideal king look like? By what standard should a king be measured? In today’s passage, the Lord, through Moses, anticipates that the time will come when Israel will want a king like all the other nations have. So here God gives his law for appointing a human king; he lays out the basic job requirements and gives a standard by which kings will be measured. Note too that God shows that having a human king is optional. It is neither required nor forbidden. If the people want a king, the king must be someone from among them, both divinely chosen and appointed by the people. The description of this king may seem surprising. He is not to have too much in the way of weapons, wives, or wealth. Though Israel may get the idea of the king from surrounding nations, the ideal for kingship will actually be countercultural. The kings of other nations used weapons, wives, and wealth to proclaim and advance their reign. But that was not to be the way in Israel. For those of us who proclaim Christ as King, we note how different he is from worldly kings. His kingship is humble and peaceful because he reigns with God’s love and goodness, maintaining righteousness and true justice everywhere. We praise you, O God, for in Jesus you have given us the King who rules over all the kings of the earth. By your Spirit, help us to learn his ways and follow his kingdom of peace. Amen.
In the midst of doom and gloom, Isaiah changes tone and shares a vision of hope. Though Israel had sought after idols and have tried to become objects of worship themselves, their sins will be washed away. Jerusalem will be clean, inside and out, pure and holy as God is pure and holy. However, it cannot be made clean by itself. God's people need to be purified by God, through Jesus, the glorious branch, who alone is worthy of worship. In a world where everyone worships something, we must choose to worship Jesus, the beautiful branch that makes us righteous, whose blood alone can wash our sins away and make us clean and holy. The imagery of the glorious branch reminds us of the beauty of God; the clean city reminds us of the holiness of God; and the mountain reminds us of the nearness of God. Let us fix our eyes on eternity, in the comfort of a bigger vision: Christ will return to completely purify and clean his holy city, and we will dwell with him forever.
In the midst of doom and gloom, Isaiah changes tone and shares a vision of hope. Though Israel had sought after idols and have tried to become objects of worship themselves, their sins will be washed away. Jerusalem will be clean, inside and out, pure and holy as God is pure and holy. However, it cannot be made clean by itself. God's people need to be purified by God, through Jesus, the glorious branch, who alone is worthy of worship. In a world where everyone worships something, we must choose to worship Jesus, the beautiful branch that makes us righteous, whose blood alone can wash our sins away and make us clean and holy. The imagery of the glorious branch reminds us of the beauty of God; the clean city reminds us of the holiness of God; and the mountain reminds us of the nearness of God. Let us fix our eyes on eternity, in the comfort of a bigger vision: Christ will return to completely purify and clean his holy city, and we will dwell with him forever.
In the midst of doom and gloom, Isaiah changes tone and shares a vision of hope. Though Israel had sought after idols and have tried to become objects of worship themselves, their sins will be washed away. Jerusalem will be clean, inside and out, pure and holy as God is pure and holy. However, it cannot be made clean by itself. God's people need to be purified by God, through Jesus, the glorious branch, who alone is worthy of worship. In a world where everyone worships something, we must choose to worship Jesus, the beautiful branch that makes us righteous, whose blood alone can wash our sins away and make us clean and holy. The imagery of the glorious branch reminds us of the beauty of God; the clean city reminds us of the holiness of God; and the mountain reminds us of the nearness of God. Let us fix our eyes on eternity, in the comfort of a bigger vision: Christ will return to completely purify and clean his holy city, and we will dwell with him forever.
In the midst of doom and gloom, Isaiah changes tone and shares a vision of hope. Though Israel had sought after idols and have tried to become objects of worship themselves, their sins will be washed away. Jerusalem will be clean, inside and out, pure and holy as God is pure and holy. However, it cannot be made clean by itself. God's people need to be purified by God, through Jesus, the glorious branch, who alone is worthy of worship. In a world where everyone worships something, we must choose to worship Jesus, the beautiful branch that makes us righteous, whose blood alone can wash our sins away and make us clean and holy. The imagery of the glorious branch reminds us of the beauty of God; the clean city reminds us of the holiness of God; and the mountain reminds us of the nearness of God. Let us fix our eyes on eternity, in the comfort of a bigger vision: Christ will return to completely purify and clean his holy city, and we will dwell with him forever.
In the midst of doom and gloom, Isaiah changes tone and shares a vision of hope. Though Israel had sought after idols and have tried to become objects of worship themselves, their sins will be washed away. Jerusalem will be clean, inside and out, pure and holy as God is pure and holy. However, it cannot be made clean by itself. God's people need to be purified by God, through Jesus, the glorious branch, who alone is worthy of worship. In a world where everyone worships something, we must choose to worship Jesus, the beautiful branch that makes us righteous, whose blood alone can wash our sins away and make us clean and holy. The imagery of the glorious branch reminds us of the beauty of God; the clean city reminds us of the holiness of God; and the mountain reminds us of the nearness of God. Let us fix our eyes on eternity, in the comfort of a bigger vision: Christ will return to completely purify and clean his holy city, and we will dwell with him forever.
In the midst of doom and gloom, Isaiah changes tone and shares a vision of hope. Though Israel had sought after idols and have tried to become objects of worship themselves, their sins will be washed away. Jerusalem will be clean, inside and out, pure and holy as God is pure and holy. However, it cannot be made clean by itself. God's people need to be purified by God, through Jesus, the glorious branch, who alone is worthy of worship. In a world where everyone worships something, we must choose to worship Jesus, the beautiful branch that makes us righteous, whose blood alone can wash our sins away and make us clean and holy. The imagery of the glorious branch reminds us of the beauty of God; the clean city reminds us of the holiness of God; and the mountain reminds us of the nearness of God. Let us fix our eyes on eternity, in the comfort of a bigger vision: Christ will return to completely purify and clean his holy city, and we will dwell with him forever.
Though Israel would dwell in desolation for a long time, they would eventually be fully restored. The restoration finds its fulfillment in the coming of Christ and the New Covenant Church.
Study Notes Ed Underwood FROM MALACHI TO MATTHEW Galatians 4:4 But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights (Galatians 4:4). Malachi closed the Old Testament with the last words the Jews would hear from God for four hundred years. A contemporary of Nehemiah, Malachi preached sermons about the problems Nehemiah faced (Nehemiah 13). Time had run out for that generation of Israelites. Refusing to follow the Law of Moses, their only hope to fulfill their mission of blessing the world by saving it from God’s curse (Genesis 12:1-3) was divine intervention. God will send Elijah before the great Day of the Lord. He will restore Israel to the covenant and save the world! Then, the Lord simply stopped speaking to Israel. Over 400 years later, John the Baptist, the Elijah-like prophet Malachi promised would prepare the way for Messiah (Malachi 3:2), broke the silence. After preaching repentance to the rebellious nation, John’s message suddenly changed when He introduced Jesus of Nazareth to God’s people, Israel: Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). A lot had changed since the time of Malachi. Rome was the dominant world power and ruled over most of the ancient Old Testament lands. Yet, in a small town of Palestine, Bethlehem of Judea, the one who would save the world was born—Jesus Christ. And though God had been quiet for 400 years, He had not been idle! Concerning the birth of the Savior, the apostle wrote, “But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son” (Galatians 4:4). God prepared the way for the Savior of the world! In several extraordinary and wonderful ways, God prepared the world for the coming of Messiah. Both Paul and Mark called attention to the historical era that preceded the coming of Christ to earth. I. The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14) with perfect timing (Mark 1:15; Galatians 4:4). Summary: As a human father chooses the time for the birth of his child, so the Heavenly Father chose the time for the coming of Christ to save the world from bondage to works systems of righteousness (Galatians 4:4). 1. Context: Israel, was enslaved by the law (and the rest of the world through various systems of works righteousness) until Christ emancipated them. 2. The Father planned Christ’s coming with precise timing—when the world was ripe (fullness, appropriate, in the context of time, means the complete end of a period of time) for His message of deliverance. Three ways God had been working so that the time would be “full” or ripe for Christ’s coming: 1. Jewish Hope for their Messiah! a. The entire Old Testament looks forward to the coming of Christ. God had chosen Israel from all the nations of the world (Exodus 1:5-6). Beginning with the promises to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 9:4), they were the guardians of God’s Word (Romans 3:2) and the people from whom the Redeemer would come (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8; Romans 9:5). The Old Testament anticipated Christ’s coming as a suffering and glorified Savior in precise prophecies giving details of Messiah’s lineage, place of birth, world conditions at the time of His birth, life, death, and even His resurrection. b. Though Israel was disobedient and was under judgment from the days of Malachi, they were in the land as God had promised before the coming of Messiah. Though 400 years had passed and the religious climate had only become worse through Pharisaic hypocrisy and the Sadducees’ secularism, there was a spirit of Messianic anticipation in the air and a righteous remnant was looking for the Messiah (Simeon, Luke 2:25). The Jews offered to the world the hope of a coming Messiah who would bring righteousness to the earth. This tiny captive nation, situated on the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe provided the spiritual heredity of Christianity and, for a time, even gave the infant church its leaders and shelter. Israel provided the spiritual environment to propel the Gospel around the world. Roman peace and roads! Free movement about the Mediterranean would have been most difficult for the messengers of the Gospel before the reign of Augustus Caesar (27 BC-AD 14). The ancient world had been divided into warring tribes or city-states prior to the extension of Roman imperial power. Roman sailors kept the peace on the seas and Roman soldiers secured the roads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Roman conquests that resulted in 100 years of relative peace as the church was born had also led to a loss of belief by many peoples in their pagan gods that had failed to protect them against Caesar’s legions. The Romans developed the world’s first system of roads radiating out from the Roman forum to the corners of the empire. The main roads were built of concrete and some exist today. The Gospel of Christ moved quickly across these Roman roads to strategic cities located throughout the Empire. The Roman Empire provided a political environment unique in history that was favorable to the spread of Christianity in the days of its infancy. Greek language and philosophy! More than 300 years before Christ, Alexander the Great had swept across the ancient world conquering one nation after another. Though the kingdom he established did not survive his death, the language of his armies, Koine or common Greek, did. By the time of Christ, Koine Greek had become the language of the common man throughout the Mediterranean world. The universal Gospel needed a universal language, and God provided it through the genius and ambition of Alexander—Koine Greek, one of the clearest and most precise languages of all time. Greek philosophy, though godless, was undermining pagan polytheistic religions around the world because they were rationally unintelligible. The bankruptcy of paganism and consequent pursuits of Greek philosophy left the conquered peoples of Rome thirsty for spiritual reality. Greece provided the intellectual environment that aided the propagation of the Gospel. II. God always prepares the way for people to meet Christ (Galatians 1:15-16). A. How did He prepare you for your introduction to His Son? Praise Him for His sovereign grace in the circumstances of your life this Easter Season! B. Who needs to meet Christ in your world? Ask the Father to prepare the way this Easter Season and tell Him you are willing to share the Good News! “After Malachi had ceased his prophesying and the canon of the Old Testament closed—that is, the number of the books in the Old Testament was fulfilled and the inspired prophets ceased to speak—God allowed a period of time for the teachings of the Old Testament to penetrate throughout the world. During this time, he rearranged the scenes of history, much as a stage crew will rearrange the stage sets after the curtain has fallen, and when the curtain rises again there is an entirely new setting.” –Ray Stedman
Though Israel would be cast off for her sins, God would still keep his promises to Abraham.
Where God directs mankind, it is always for good and not evil. Satan is a disrupter and destroyer, and his world-system is set up to attack God’s people, the gospel message, biblical truths and divine institutions that make for stable and productive individuals and societies. Because Christians are a minority, living in a fallen world that is under Satan’s control, it is normal that we will experience conflicts and temptations that seek to disrupt our walk with the Lord and derail our spiritual life. As Christians, we must realize there will be touchpoints where we are at odds with the culture around us, and there we must stand, with absolute clarity on biblical teaching. The purpose of this lesson is to set forth those areas where Satan is currently attacking, so that we can stand on the truth of God’s Word and know how we should respond when questioned or pressured to abandon them. In this way we will be a good influence on those whom God places in our path. The touchpoints are as follows: The Bible as Divinely Authoritative. The Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God, and is the basis for faith and conduct (1 Thess 2:13; cf. 2 Tim 3:16-17). It teaches us how to be saved, and how to live righteously through spiritual growth and obedience to His commands. Satan’s world is systemically hateful toward the Bible and seeks to suppress it, or pervert its meaning, to keep people enslaved in darkness. Christian Identity. As those who have believed in Jesus as Savior (1 Cor 15:3-4), we are no longer “in Adam”, but are “in Christ” (1 Cor 15:22; cf. 2 Cor 5:17), and our new “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). This means our Christianity identity supersedes all other forms of identity; especially those that artificially manufactured on humanistic philosophies and values that are antithetical to biblical teaching. Devotion to Learning God’s Word. God calls us to know His Word so that we will have the knowledge necessary to live His will (Deut 8:3; Ezra 7:10; 2 Tim 2:15). The world will throw up every pleasure or pressure to keep us ignorant of God’s Word, in order to keep us spiritually malnourished and ineffective in our spiritual influence. The Pursuit of Spiritual Growth. God desires that we mature as Christians by living His Word in all aspects of our lives (Eph 4:11-15; 1 Pet 2:2). Spiritual growth takes time, as we make consistent choices to gather together as Christians, study the Bible, and encourage each other to godly living. Sharing the Gospel. We are to share the gospel that others might believe in Christ as Savior (1 Cor 15:3-4). Satan seeks to blind the minds of the unbelieving (2 Cor 4:3-4), who regard the good news as foolishness (1 Cor 1:18). However, “the gospel…is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). Living Responsibly. As Christians, we are to live responsibility to the Lord (Gen 1:26-28; 2:15; 19-20; 1 Cor 4:7; Jam 1:17; 1 Pet 4:10). We observe in our culture a victim mentality that tells us we are the products of evolution, history, culture, nature and/or nurture, and that we are not responsible for our desires, values, or behaviors. Christian maturity begins when we accept full responsibility for our lives and begin to make good choices to learn and live God’s Word on consistent basis. Marriage as a Divine Institution. Marriage is clearly defined in Scripture as being between one man and one woman (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:6). However, marriage is being redefined and modified as though it were merely a social construct to be tinkered with. This is why we see a rise in divorce, as well as the introduction of same-sex marriage and polyamorous relationships. Family as a Divine Institution. The family is the smallest social unit intended to train succeeding generations for godliness and authority orientation (Deut 6:6-7; Eph 6:4). However, many states are undermining parental authority and responsibility for the training of children, by which values are transmitted. Human Government as a Divine Institution. Human government is a divine institution with delegated authority to promote freedom, order, and to protect citizens from evil (Gen 9:5-6; Rom 13:1-5; Tit 3:1-2; 1 Pet 2:13-17). Human government is moving beyond its delegated authority to promote freedom, order, and to protect citizens from evil. The Christian Church as a Divine Institution. The Christian Church is a divine institution consisting of born-again believers (Eph 1:22-23; 1 Pet 2:5), who assemble locally (Heb 10:25), have laws (1 Cor 9:21; Gal 6:2), and leaders (1 Tim 5:17). The primary purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph 1:12), evangelize the lost (Matt 28:18-20), edify believers through biblical teaching (Eph 4:11-16), and do good to others (Luke 6:35; Gal 6:10; 1 Tim 6:17-19). However, the Christian Church is increasingly coming under attack by individuals, organizations, and states who desire to render it uninfluential or inoperative. God’s Creation of the Universe, Earth, and People in Six Literal Days. The Bible, plainly read and understood, teaches that God created the universe, earth, plants, animals, and people in six literal days (Gen 1:1—2:4; Ex 20: 9-11; Isa 45:12). Everything was created in a state of maturity. God’s Testing. God prefers we mature as believers and sends trials to help expedite our spiritual and moral advancement as we live by faith (Deut 8:2-3; Jam 1:2-4). But the world would have us believe pleasure is to be pursued above character. However, God is more concerned with our Christian character than our creaturely comforts, and He uses trials to burn away the dross of weak character and purify those golden qualities that reflect His character. People as Made in the Image of God. The Bible reveals we are special, made in the image of God (Gen 1:27; 9:6), with the ability to think, act, and feel in ways that place us above the rest of creation. Evolutionary teaching predominates in our culture, which promotes the idea that people are the product of matter, motion, time and chance. One Human Race. Biblically, there is only one human race (Gen 1:27; 9:18-19; Acts 17:26). The idea of multiple races confuses and divides people in harmful ways, allowing for racism. However, we should see all people are part of one human race, and help them to understand that God loves them and Christ died for them. God Created Two Genders. Biblically, there are only two genders, male and female (Gen 1:27). However, today there are teachings that gender is a matter of personal choice, and not a matter of divine design. Life Begins in the Womb at Conception. The Bible teaches that human life begins at conception (Psa 139:13; Isa 44:24; Jer 1:5), not at a later time outside the womb. This means babies in the womb are full persons, and to abort a baby is a choice to end its human life prematurely. Israel as the Covenant People of God. God created Israel when He called Abraham and entered into a unilateral covenant with him, promising him and his descendants the land of Canaan (Gen 12:1-3; Isa 43:1; cf. Gen 15:18; 17:8; Josh 1:2-4). Though Israel is currently under divine discipline (Matt 23:37-38), God has a future for His people and national Israel will be restored (Rom 9:1-5). Freedom. God desires that we be free, both physically and spiritually, as this provides us the opportunity to exercise our volitions in godly ways (Gal 5:1, 13; 1 Pet 2:16). However, some people prefer servitude to freedom because they fear personal responsibility and like the idea of someone else making choices for them, watching over and caring for them. Nationalism. God has separated the nations of the world in order to hinder the advancement of evil and human tyranny. He divided the nations by multiplying languages and confusing the efforts of defiant persons, as these tried to build the Tower of Babel by using His language and resources independently of His wishes (Gen 11:1-9). Today, many would like to see a one world government, but Christians should oppose it, realizing it’s God’s will that national boundaries exist (Acts 17:24).
Praise the Lord! He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. Praise the Lord (Psalm 147:1, 19, 20). Yesterday, Pastor Anthony reflected on this psalm with the devotion called, Hollow Praise. He reflected on Christian traditions, especially musically traditions, that do not take life in this world seriously. Life is often difficult and our worship of God ought to reflect this. Much of today's Christian music ignores the reality of long-term suffering. A friend of mine once worshipped with a black congregation in Detroit. The congregants were mostly women and children. The men were either in gangs or in prison. Most of the service was spent in prayer: loud lamentation with weeping. Mothers and grandmothers and wives and sisters demanding that God change things so that their young boys would have spiritually healthy male role models. That is the kind of worship Jesus was talking about when he said God's worshippers' worship in spirit and truth. There are other things worthy of reflecting on in this Psalm. Today, just verse 19, He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. There is a back story to this. The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Think about that for a bit. Forty years in the wilderness. We've spent five months in the wilderness called COVID and we have had enough. But what is that to 40 years? What kind of songs were composed on that journey? Psalm 90 appears to have been. Think about that trip: how many people were there? Hundreds of thousands. And animals. What's difficult to find in the wilderness? Food! The desert doesn't offer much for food. I've walked that wilderness. There is no food. No crops were planted or harvested. How could all these Israelites survive for 40 years? God fed them. Each day he provided bread! And they lived! Israel's experience in the wilderness was all about God's provision. Though Israel often forgot this season which fashioned them into a nation, the memory kept resurfacing. God reminded them. Their composers kept referring to it as they sang new songs. God builds His people by providing for them. Psalm 147 is part of the long tradition embedding this truth in the souls of God's people, then and now. What truth you ask? Moses explains, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna…to teach you that people do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:2,3). And so physical provision became combined with the spiritual provision of God's Word. Isaiah 55:10,11 offers this: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” So, God's provision is two-fold: physical and spiritual. We learn about one from the other. But notice this: while in the desert, the Israelites had to gather the food and prepare it before they could eat it. Once in the promised land, they became farmers. Even though they tilled their fields and cared for their flocks, they were to recognize that God provided for them. Likewise, our spiritual food does not simple fall into our hearts. There is work to be done to receive it. The public gathering of God's people for worship has always been an essential means for receiving that food. Ah, but the buildings have been closed. Have you gotten hungry? Have you been wrestling with God like those black women in Detroit, asking that he would nourish their community in new ways? Have you found new ways to feed on God's word? How has God provided for you during the past months? Our text says, Praise the Lord! He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel (Psalm 147:1, 19). We are not Jacob or Israel. But we are God's church. He offers us His Word. Have we gone out to gather and prepare it, so we can eat? Have you gotten lazy? What has this time revealed about what's in your heart? Another question this text asks us: how often do we praise God for his spiritual provisions? Do we eagerly reach for it? God provides, so let's eat. And then praise him for the nourishment he has provided.
Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Judges 20:1-28. The fallout from the crime committed in Gibeah is swift. All the tribes of Israel except Benjamin gather together at Mizpah to hear the Levite present the case. He conveniently leaves out his own role in the matter, but the injustice committed is still clear. The tribes gathered speak as one man and go to Benjamin in an attempt to hold the sinners in Gibeah accountable. Rather than side with the LORD and His Word, the tribe of Benjamin sides with their own family members in their sin. Battle lines are drawn, and Benjamin is heavily outnumbered. Yet their skilled left-handed warriors make a big difference. They inflict heavy casualties on the rest of Israel the first two days of battle. Though Israel has finally begun to call upon the LORD, which they had neglected to do in their time of judgment, they have viewed His help more as a vending machine. Only when they approach the LORD according to His Word in repentance are they given the assurance of victory. Throughout the text, the reality that the people of Israel have rejected the LORD as king leads to tragedy and death. “Rebellion and Rescue” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Judges. This book is characterized by a familiar. As the generations after Joshua forget the LORD and what He has done for Israel, they fall into idolatry. The LORD gives them over into the hands of their enemies in order to bring them to their senses. When they cry out to Him in repentance, He sends a judge to rescue them and give them rest for a time, until they relapse into idolatry once more. In this cycle, we see a picture of our own Christian life. Daily, the old Adam in us is drowned in contrition and repentance, and the new man emerges in Baptismal forgiveness to live in righteousness and purity before God forever.
Though Israel was unfaithful to God, his promises to Abraham remained in effect. Through Christ, God circumcises the hearts of those who trust him, fulfilling his promise of giving Abraham a great nation who would bring blessing to the world.
Though Israel, God’s very own peopler, were brought out from Egypt, the bondage that they were once living in. They were ultimately put in a even more dangerous place, the wilderness, a place were they were saved, but motionless. God had previously promised the children of Israel, the land of Canaan, but because they became comfortable with dwelling in the wilderness, they were withheld from their inheritance for 40 years. Don’t let your inheritance pass you by! Don’t continue to stay in that wilderness, because of disobedience! Possess your inheritance.
Though Israel rejected the Messiah, God vindicated His Son and set Him as King over all things, for the blessing of all those in His Church.
Though Israel rejected the Messiah, God vindicated His Son and set Him as King over all things, for the blessing of all those in His Church.
God’s plan goes far beyond the priesthood of Joshua and the Nation of Israel. Zechariah introduces, “The Branch,” of whom Joshua is just a symbol. Though Israel must start small, it is “the faith of a mustard seed” that produces a large tree. The Kingdom of God encompasses the whole earth and features as its […] The post Starting Small, Cleansing All (Zechariah 3:1-4:14) appeared first on RiverWind Church | Newburgh, Indiana.
Foundational Truths: The Bible is God’s self-revelation. God is the Eternal, Sovereign Creator; all that He creates is good. Man is a responsible agent, held to a moral standard. Sin originates within a person, separating us from God. God declares one righteous by faith alone, apart from works. The glory of God is the centerpiece and goal of all existence. God’s glory is maximally realized in the promised, coming Kingdom. We would often like to think that if we simply had more revelation of God, or if He would just appear to us in a tangible way then we would sin less, love more, forsake the flesh, and live godly lives until our dying day. YHWH has gone out of His way to reveal Himself to Israel in astounding ways, and yet their stubborn hearts were constantly keeping them from following Him fully. Sadly, many have determined that His Word is not enough. Israel had succumbed to the pinnacle thought of fleshly devices: the conviction that a human being will be able to provide the prosperity, security, and freedom that only God alone promises. With this request, Samuel the prophet warned the people of the ramifications of such a government, causing the enslavement of the people to the wishes of their king, surrendering a portion of their properties (both land and livestock), the taxing of their livelihood to support an earthly regime, and even the distortion of the family structure as their sons and daughters would be removed from the family business and placed into the king’s service (1 Sam 8:10-17). Having previously been freed from such a system, one would figure that Israel’s perspective of a monarchy would have been colored by cruelty, wishing instead to live as truly free people with YHWH as King. In sin, Israel cried out for a king “like all the nations.” In the Law, YHWH included a proviso regarding the desire for a king. Deuteronomy 17:14-20. To assume the throne of Israel is to lead in humility. At least this is how the office was designed by YHWH. Though Israel had set YHWH aside, He did not do likewise to them. In His omniscience, YHWH understood the whims of the human heart, even that of Israel’s, and what would happen after their settlement in the Land of Canaan. Clough notes that the “Israelite kingship was to submit to the authority of the Law (Deut. 17:14-20). God’s Law, not a human king, was the ultimate authority. The Creator-creature two-level view of reality had to be respected. Kingship was not supposed to be some midpoint between man and God on a continuous scale of being.” Instead, the king would be subservient to YHWH’s Law, instilling in him a knowledge of the truth by which he would both govern and be held accountable. The Law called for specifications to be met that would ensure this. First, the king would be chosen by YHWH and not through a political process (v.15a). This would root out any issues of favoritism or any corruption that usually accompanies an electoral process. Second, the king would be one who was an Israelite national and not a foreigner (v.15b). This would safeguard against reckless decisions that did not consider the history and personal care of the Jewish people. Third, the king was not to collect a great amount of horses, nor was he to send a delegation to Egypt for the purpose of securing a great amount of horses (v.16). The accumulation of horses would be the basis for a military presence to fight battles, which is what Samuel warns the people of in 1 Samuel 8:11. For Israel, victory is not something secured by having more soldiers than the nations that opposed them but in YHWH who solely provides. Even the presence of “many horses” would give a pseudo-security to the people of Israel. Israel’s king was to have none of this. Fourth, the king was not to have a multiplicity of wives and the reason for such a command is quickly given in 17:17a- “his heart will turn away.” The more women that were in the mix, the more directions that the king’s heart would be taken. The clearest example is in the reign of King Solomon who was the wisest man in the world, and yet was so easily led astray by his multiple wives to serve, worship, and sacrifice to other gods (1 Kings 11:1-8). Fifth, the king was not to be wealthy (17:17b). This speaks against everything that history has ever seen in the rulers of the world. However, riches provide nothing but false assurance. Proverbs 11:28 is clear, “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.” Money has never brought peace, and unless it is managed wisely by one who gives liberally it becomes a snare (Matt 6:24; 1 Tim 6:10; Heb 13:5). Finally, the king was to copy by hand the first five books of the Old Testament (17:18). This was to be done before the Levitical Priests so that they could “check his work,” making sure that accuracy was maintained and all questions were clarified and answered. The text is clear that the king was not to make the laws but was to know those given by YHWH and was to enforce them because they are truth. Legislation was not the king’s business. This was not simply a rote exercise, but the textbook by which the king was to conduct his reign. He was to keep it with him (17:19a), he was to read it continually for the rest of his life (17:19b), with such efforts giving way to a healthy fear of YHWH (17:19c), and a careful consideration of all matter being conducted according to the Law’s contents (17:19d). This constant meditation would cultivate humility within the king (17:20a) so that he would not view himself as superior, placing all reverence and authority before YHWH and not himself. Maintaining this course would ensure a long legacy for that line of kings (17:20b). The first chosen human king of Israel was Saul, a man said to be taller and more handsome than any other man in Israel (1 Sam 9:2). Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin and the Lord called upon Samuel the prophet to anoint him (1 Sam 9:16-17). The language that YHWH uses is intentional: Saul was the “prince” that was to be anointed and he would “rule” over YHWH’s people (1 Sam 9:16-17). YHWH does not relinquish His position as the King of Israel but does delegate responsibility to one that He has personally chosen for the task at hand. Samuel anoints Saul making him the ruler over YHWH’s possession Israel (1 Sam 10:1). This is solidified by the prediction of YHWH’s Spirit coming upon Saul and changing him into “another man” (10:6) and the fulfillment of that prophecy in 10:10. However, Saul shied away from the spotlight, hiding behind a pile of bags when the time came to publicly recognize him as God’s chosen ruler of Israel (10:20-24). While the beginning of Saul’s reign was full of triumphant victories and careful decisions, such an approach began to wane in chapter 14. The details of Saul’s foolish choices are worth examining but the events of 1 Samuel 15 is really the turning point in Saul’s reign. 1 Samuel 15:1-29. Samuel’s conversation with Saul is pointed to say the least. Samuel begins by stating that Samuel had anointed Saul as the king over Israel by the Lord’s Word. That exact same Word was going to be communicated to Saul, calling for his obedience to whatever is commanded. Saul was anointed because Samuel obeyed God’s Word. In the same way, Saul was to obey the Word of the Lord. Samuel draws attention to the opposition of the Amalekites against Israel from Exodus 17:8-16. This incident is famous for the need to uphold Moses’ arms to secure the victory for Israel. With verse 3, the call is for harem, for Israel to utterly “destroy” the Amalekites, leaving nothing alive. As mentioned before, the Lord is certainly gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast (loyal) love (Psa 145:8), but He is also a just God who knows the most intimate thoughts of the heart. His pronouncement against the Amalekites is not without cause, nor should we conclude that they are an “innocent” people. Every single person who has ever lived deserves death. That is the only thing that we have earned in our time on Earth. The freely-offered gospel of salvation is the grace of God toward the destitute and undeserving. If YHWH has called for Israel to exterminate the Amalekites, we must trust His Word in the matter, as well as His reasons for such a pronouncement. He alone is the Judge of all. Saul assembles 210,000 men to handle the command, moving forward in obedience to YHWH’s word (v.4-5). The Kenites were descendants of Midian who resided just south of Judah. Saul notes their kindness (in contrast to that of the Amalekites) shown to Israel as they were traveling to the Land of Canaan. Saul shows them mercy, allowing for them to evacuate the area because of the ensuing calamity. Everything in the text so far directs us to believe that Saul has every intention of carrying out YHWH’s word without reservation. In their conquest, the entire territory of Ishmael was covered (v.7; see Gen 25:18). All was destroyed… except Agag, the king of the Amalekites. In fact, not only was he spared, but Israel took the best of their livestock for themselves (v.9) in direct opposition to what YHWH had commanded in 15:3. The text notes that attention was given to the valuable and the worthless, with the first being kept and the other being destroyed. This was a critical mistake. Saul was not called to observations and assessments of value, he was called to obedience. Not only this, but v.9 gives us an indication that it was a group effort, seeing that “the people” were right in the thick of these decisions. In verses 10-11 we find YHWH’s heart-response to what Saul had done telling Samuel that He “regrets” that He has made Saul the king. A comment like this really creates problems for people who think that the Lord is not personal, or that He has so planned out history in such a way where individuals do not have the ability to exercise personal freedom. YHWH is intensely personal and He has emotions, especially in relation to our obedience or disobedience. The regret being expressed is not in the fact that God chose Saul, but in the way that Saul has handled his position as king. We must remember that election is not a doctrine that determines who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. The Scriptures never use this term in that way. However, election by God is unto a task, mission, or vocation that is to be fulfilled. With 1 Samuel 15 and YHWH’s remarks in v.11 we have an example where the election of God did not work out, just as we see in Romans 9:32. In both instances, it was not YHWH’s election of the person or people that was wrong, but the unbelief of those elected in fulfilling what God had provided for and commanded of them. Saul’s personal responsibility is still intact, and he failed miserably. For this, Samuel is grieved. To make matters worse, Saul has erected a monument to himself in Carmel (v.12). The man who once hid behind the baggage has now promoted himself through idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:13-21 holds the confrontation between Samuel and Saul. When asked about the campaign against the Amalekites, Saul is oblivious to his error, stating that he has carried out God’s command (v.13). As the words leave his lips, you can hear the sheep and cattle in the background. In verses 15 and 21 Saul refers back to the actions of “the people” as the responsible party for bringing back the spoils. Saul even tries to rationalize these actions by stating that the motive was for the purpose of sacrificing the best that the Amalekites had to YHWH (v.15 and 21). The king had rationalized that worshiping YHWH through sacrifices was somehow separate from obeying Him. Samuel then reveals his conversation with YHWH to Saul (v.16-19). The Lord had taken Saul from being no one to being the ruler of Israel. The command before him was to lead a campaign of harem (used in v.18 and 20 by both men) against the Amalekites as YHWH’s disciplinary tool of judgment. Instead, remnants of the Amalekites remained, including Agag the king (v.20). Verse 19 drives the point home: partial obedience is evil because it is ultimately total disobedience. 1 Samuel 15:22-23. Samuel’s response to Saul’s rationale for his actions should be memorized for our own benefit. YHWH desires obedience over sacrifice. Good intentions and rationalizing sin are evil. Rebellion against His commands is the equivalent to witchcraft in YHWH’s eyes. In v. 23, the word “insubordination” is used. This means “self-will.” It is the pride that comes with living the “self-life,” which is a life lived in one’s desires and not for God. It is corrupt satisfaction. It is sin. Because Saul had rejected God’s Word, YHWH was removing him as king. 1 Samuel 15:24-26. The reason for Saul’s disobedience is revealed. First, he feared the people instead of fearing YHWH. This is why the observation of the Law of God was to put the fear of YHWH into people, so that they would not fear anyone else (Deut 17:19c). Saul’s installation was by divine election, not by human politics. He, like we, serve an audience of One. Second, Saul heeded the voice of the people. Peer pressure had taken precedence over the Word of God. Reasoning through the benefits of keeping the best of the spoil seemed good and right, except that the Lord had commanded otherwise. Only His Word matters. The remainder of Saul’s time as Israel’s king is a slippery slope downward, finding him tormented by spirits (1 Sam 16:14), paranoid of losing control (1 Sam 18:10-12), commanding the slaughter of the priests of YHWH (1 Sam 22:18), misinterpreting God’s will (1 Sam 23:7), and even consulting a medium for guidance (1 Sam 28:7-14). Ultimately, Saul ended his life by dying upon his own sword (1 Samuel 31:4).
Though Israel and Judah had generations of wayward kings and leaders, God will establish a new type of shepherd over them. These shepherds will preside over a time of peace and blessing for God's people.
Though Israel and Judah had generations of wayward kings and leaders, God will establish a new type of shepherd over them. These shepherds will preside over a time of peace and blessing for God's people.
These events are saturated with meaning. This is the fulfillment of hundreds of OT prophecies, foreshadowing, and prototypes. We’ll look at three of those this morning. They celebrated the Passover together – which was a foreshadowing: The Passover celebrated an event for 1450 years when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God sent plagues on Egypt for their treatment of the Israelites. The last plague was the death of every first born in the country. But the Lord spared the life of the firstborn whose doorways were covered with the blood of a slaughtered a lamb. The angel of death came and “passed over” those homes. The Passover had been celebrated for 1450 years, foreshadowing what Christ would do as the Lamb of God, sparing their lives by the death of the Lamb. Matthew 26:26-30 - Jesus with the disciples at the last supper v. 26 He taught them about how they must accept the sacrifice of his body for forgiveness. v. 27 His blood was poured out for them. v. 28 You must accept the sacrifice of his body and blood. If you do, you will receive forgiveness of your sin. He was about to go to Gethsemane where he would be betrayed, trialed, and finally executed. v. 30 Before they left, they sang a hymn, as was custom for the Passover meal. Did you ever wonder what they sang? At the beginning of the Passover meal, they sang Psalms 113-114. At the end of the Passover meal, they sang Psalms 115-118. Listen to some of the words they sang that evening together: Psalm 117:1-2 v. 1 – “Praise” is Hallel. These are known as the “Hallel Psalms” Why would all nations praise the Lord? Why all peoples? God’s plan from the beginning was that God’s redemptive work in and for Israel had in view the redemption of the Gentiles. Genesis 12:3 - God’s promise to Abraham 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” The Gentiles would see God’s mighty and gracious acts for his people and hear their praises as they celebrated what God had done for them. Romans 15:8-12 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.” (2 Samuel 22:50) 10 Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” (Det 32:43) 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.” (Psalm 111:1) 12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” (Isaiah 11:10) God’s greatest and climactic act for Israel’s salvation was the sending of the Messiah to fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs. God planned and used the sending of His son to gather in the great harvest of the Gentiles. The fact that Gentiles came to know and hope in Christ is fulfillment of these prophecies, as is the continuing evangelization of the nations. The idea is that when we (Gentiles) saw the love and faithfulness of the God toward the Israelites in the OT, and especially in the giving of Jesus Christ, that you and I would join Israel in worship of the true God. God would demonstrate for all the nations to see that his love (checed) and faithfulness do endure forever, and that the Lord God is worthy of praise. What Jesus and the disciples sang, Jesus carried out. v. 2 – The Lord has love for his people. Jesus sang about it, and would demonstrate it perfectly, finally at the cross. (checed – loving devotion – a love that is merciful, kindness, and not dependent on the object of the love. It is a love that is stubborn, unshakable) "loving-kindness," "mercy," "steadfast love," and sometimes "loyalty," The word carries with it not only the notion of a deep love, but a steadfast, faithful, loyal, persistent, devoted love. It is a love that is not dependent on the actions of the recipient. He did not love the Israelites because they were lovable. Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. It is that sure love which will not let Israel go. All of Israel's persistent straying from God could ever destroy it. Though Israel would be faithless, yet God remains faithful still. This steady, persistent refusal of God to wash his hands of wayward Israel is the essential meaning of the Hebrew word. This is the love he has for Israel – and the love he has for us who love His son. Not only is the Lord loving, but His faithfulness endures forever. What Jesus and the disciples sang, Jesus carried out. He demonstrated His loving devotion, his loving loyalty to us by giving his life on the cross so that you and I could have forgiveness of our sins. Psalm 117:1-2
There is a Hebrew word that is especially difficult to translate into English. The word is chesed. It is used in the Old Testament to describe the attitude that two parties to a covenant should have toward each other. It is not used to describe general kindness towards people. It is the loyal, persevering love that a man should have toward his wife and a wife toward her husband. It is also used to describe God’s love toward His people. It describes not just the love of God for His people, but the loyal, steadfast, persevering love of God. Chesed is translated in the NIV most commonly as “love,” “kindness,” and “unfailing love.” Chesed – “loving loyalty” Exodus 33:18-20 V 18 – show me your glory V 19 – all my goodness and proclaim my name V 20 – you cannot see my face Exodus 34:5-7 V 5 – proclaimed his name, the Lord. V 6 – abounding in “chesed” V 7 – maintaining “chesed” God's loving-kindness is that sure love which will not let Israel go. All Israel's persistent waywardness could never destroy it. Though Israel be faithless, yet God remains faithful still. This steady, persistent refusal of God to wash his hands of wayward Israel is the essential meaning of the word. V 7 – yet He does not leave guilty unpunished – God is Holy, cannot overlook sin. God’s passion for righteousness is so strong that he could not be more insistent in his demand for it. But God's persistent love for his people is more insistent still. The story of God's people throughout the centuries is that her waywardness has been so persistent that, if even a remnant is to be preserved, God has had to show mercy more than anything else. On one hand, God loyally loves His people, but on the other, His people would never be faithful. There would be a solution. The solution would come from God. God would bring to resolution the problem of our sin contrasted to His holiness and His loving loyalty toward us. This is the great glory of God. Love and holiness. Country Music, steel guitars and Brenda. I love Brenda. Brenda loves Country Music, so I love Country Music. Do you love God? God loves people. So you love people.
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