"Do You Understand What You Are Reading?"

Why So Much Devoted to an Inheritance?

2012-03-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

As you're reading through Joshua 13-19 you're probably struggling to take in all the description of each tribe's inheritance. We see this record of the division of the land as anti-climactic; Israel's first readers saw this as the climax of the book. Think about it: God's people finally arrive in their piece of the Promised Land just as God promised. Now every person enjoys LifePlus. This was the result of redemption from Egypt. All this talk of an inheritance is designed to point us forward to the inheritance we have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18 talk about all our spiritual blessings in terms of having an inheritance. Actually, one way to understand growing in our relationship with Christ is to think of it in terms of gaining more knowledge and appreciation of "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." I believe knowledge of our inheritance is one way to fuel our hope. Remember where we're headed, especially when the journey is difficult.

The Failure of Faith

2012-03-06T08:49:00.003-05:00

In Joshua 17:12-13 we learn that the tribe, Manasseh, "could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out." That partial victory occurs a few times in these stories. It shows us that although God does His part, He does His part sometimes in a way that requires our part. In this case, His people experienced partial victory because of a failure of faith. When temptation defeats us, it is because we have not believed God. It is not because our enemy is stronger than the Holy Spirit within us; it's because we haven't allowed the Spirit to control us. It's because we've trusted in another way to live life.

Follow the Ark of the Covenant

2012-03-01T10:36:00.000-05:00

As I read through Joshua 3-6 this morning, I thought: "If I were a Hebrew, I would follow the path of the Ark of the Covenant. Did you notice the strategic place it occupied as God's people passed through the Jordan river? How about where the Ark was situated in the battle of Jericho? The Ark was a piece of furniture that symbolized the presence of God. God was with them through the Jordan and at Jericho in the person of Joshua. God is with you today in your struggles in the Person of His Son, your Savior.

Not Another Prophet Like Moses

2012-02-29T09:39:00.001-05:00

Deuteronomy ends by setting Moses apart from all of Israel's prophets. 34:10-11 reads, "And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses...none like him for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to do..." One of my goals in these blogs is to help you see how the big picture of Scripture's Story affects the understanding of isolated pieces. In this case, Moses' abilities are displayed again by our Lord Jesus Christ as He performed many signs for all to see. Then, we read of the ability of the apostles to create similar miracles. Both the startup of the nation of Israel and the Church involved such displays of God's power. Remember that this same power is at work in the lives of all God's redeemed. I hope you are enjoying the blessings of such redemption in your fight against the world, flesh, and the devil.

Paying Attention to what We Sing

2012-02-28T10:00:00.004-05:00

In Deuteronomy 31:19 Moses is instructed by God to write a song and teach it to His people. Verse 21 explains why they needed to learn the words. Did you read the song in chapter 32? It is not your typical praise song characterized by few words repeated over and over and over! I appreciate Matt's attempts to keep theologically significant songs before us. I was amazed by how many words there are and the amount of information about God's character and our character. The song balances God's justice and His grace. We need to sing songs like this so that we remember who God is and who we are--sinners saved by grace. I don't think this song was an immediate favorite; I think it had to grow on those who are maturing in their relationship with God. Deuteronomy 31:16--32:47 show how important singing is for our spiritual lives.

The Reason for Cleanliness Laws

2012-02-28T09:51:00.004-05:00

On Sunday someone correctly observed that there is so much repetition in these early books of the Bible. In the middle of all those individual laws, look for purpose statements. One of those is found in Deut. 23:14 "Because the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and to give up your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy, so that he may not see anything indecent among you and turn away from you." Holiness, which in this case in vv. 12-14 is equated with cleanliness, was necessary for God to remain with His people. God's presence resulted in victory; His absence, defeat. Because of our Savior's holiness which is credited to our account, our God is with us and we live LifePlus.

Why It's So Important that Christ Became a Curse for Us

2012-02-28T09:44:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 21:23 stated that "a hanged man is cursed by God." If you were reading the Bible for the very first time and hadn't read Galatians 3:13 yet, you probably wouldn't think much about Deut. 21:22-23. You might have been curious as to why hanging equated with being cursed. However, God tells us in Galatians that Christ became a curse for us. That means that all the curses described in Deuteronomy 27-28 fell on Jesus instead of us. That means that all the blessings of those chapters (those blessings that still apply to God's people, as opposed to those physical blessings tied directly to the land back then) fall on us through faith in Christ. This is one way to explain how Christ saves those of us who believe.

Redemption in a Broken World

2012-02-27T10:02:00.002-05:00

Deuteronomy 21:10-14 record the law concerning marrying female captives. It is one of the clearest examples of how God redeemed His people in the aftermath of the curse. The war God's people would wage against their enemies served God's purpose in the world at that time in history. Victory meant men could take beautiful women for themselves. Would you expect God to say this? The laws pertained to cleanliness or holiness and also allowed the women to grieve for a time. Plus, God required the men to treat them "fairly" or with "respect" in the event that a man no longer wanted to marry the woman. For years people have asked, "Why doesn't God stop the evil?" Someone reminded us that in order for God to stop the evil, he would have to eliminate all of us. Instead, God has chosen to work His redemptive plan in the midst of the destruction caused by the curse. He will one day make it all right, but for now, the Christian life is lived in a broken world.

Learning about Salvation from Old Testament Instructions

2012-02-24T09:35:00.001-05:00

As you read through books filled with laws like Deuteronomy, look for repetition that teaches the purpose for the laws. One such purpose statement is repeated 11 times in the book: purging the evil or guilt. These statements are important because they show us what salvation in Christ does and what the maturing of saving faith does (what is often referred to as sanctification). A large part of our salvation is God-in-Christ-by the power of the Spirit cleansing us from evil. A large part of our Christian walk of faith involves cleansing from evil through Christ's blood. Lord willing on Sunday we'll study Paul's instructions to the Roman Christians, "Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good" (12:9).

Meeting The Lord's Requirement Of A Circumcised Heart

2012-02-23T16:05:00.001-05:00

The Priority of Loving God

2012-02-21T16:30:00.003-05:00

Deuteronomy 5-8 is loaded with essential theology. You're probably more familiar with Paul's teaching in the New Testament letters, but it's impossible to understand Paul well without understanding Moses. One example is Deuteronomy 6:5-6 and its stress on loving God. I get the sense that we think more about obeying God more than loving God. I know Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." But notice where He starts: "If you love me..." Deut. 6:5-6 says, "You shall love the Lord....And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart..." It's no wonder the famous early American pastor/theologian said that love is the main thing in saving faith. So, if you are on the quest for more Christlikeness, work on (by faith, of course) your affections for God. One great way to do that is to preach the Gospel to yourself every day. Then, affection will naturally, supernaturally lead to transformation.

Mercy for a Messy World

2012-02-20T15:40:00.003-05:00

Near the end of Numbers we are introduced to the strange concept of cities of refuge. In chapter 35 we learn just how messy life would be in the Promised Land. There must have been lots of occasions for people to accidentally kill people! Our merciful God extends His mercy to make sure that innocent people are not unjustly punished. Our Savior is also pictured in 35:28 where we read that the death of the reigning high priest released the person from the city of refuge and allows him to return to his home and family. I hear people ask, "Why doesn't God stop _______________?!" Just imagine all that God would have to stop in order to clean up His fallen world. Just imagine the time when He will do just that!

Understanding God's Holy War

2012-02-18T10:35:00.003-05:00

Numbers 33:55-56 record God's instruction for His people to drive out the inhabitants of the promised land, the land God had given to them. In order to understand why God would be so harsh, we must remember that His plan of redeeming His fallen world could not take place if His people become idolators. God knew they could not be loyal to Him in that situation. God's holiness meant that He would send His curses on anyone who worshipped their gods. God's mercy meant that He would allow a remnant of His people worship Him through the leadership of Moses, Joshua, Samuel, many kings, and ultimately the King of Kings, our Lord Jesus Christ. All who followed God's godly leaders experienced LifePlus, whether in the Old Testament or the New. Believers continue to fight against idolatry because of the new life they have received through faith in Christ. Cf. 1 John 5:21 "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." Through faith in Christ we experience blessing instead of cursing. If I'm not experiencing the blessing, it's because I've lost sight of my God.

Way Too Many Sacrifices!

2012-02-17T08:58:00.001-05:00

Numbers 28-29 record a long list of sacrifices which God required His people to give Him. I should've counted the number because it is huge. It seems like God wanted His people to continually know the debt they owed Him. On a regular basis God's people were reminded what it cost for them to have God's favor. In the New Testament we discover that Jesus' one sacrifice of Himself replaced all those sacrifices. And from God's mercy and grace-in-Christ comes this response: "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." Hebrews 13:15 Let God's mercy move you today.

Disobedience, a Matter of Trust

2012-02-15T10:01:00.000-05:00

Numbers 20 records Moses' act of unbelief (v. 12 "Because you did not believe in me...") that kept him out of the Promised Land. God had commanded Moses to "take the staff...and tell the rock...to yield its water" (v. 8). Moses, however, got carried away, saying, "shall we bring water for you out of this rock? And...struck the rock with his staff twice..." (vv. 10-11). May God help us who serve Him always believe in Him enough to give Him the credit so that His people see Him "as holy" (vv. 12-13). That's what God desires. He wants His fame to grow. We have the privilege of upholding His reputation by the way we trust and obey Him.

Seeing Our Savior's Intervention

2012-02-14T09:53:00.002-05:00

Numbers 16, the record of Korah's rebellion, contains a frightening scene in the history of God's people. It also contains one of the clearest scenes of grace in all Scripture as Moses, while being attacked, rescues his attackers from the wrath of God (vv. 41-50). See our Savior in Aaron's action: "And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped" (v. 48). Thank you, Lord. We certainly do not deserve your patience.

We're In It Together!

2012-02-14T09:36:00.004-05:00

Numbers 15 contains laws concerning how God's people were supposed to deal with unintentional and intentional sins. What struck me was how "the whole population was involved in the mistake" (v. 26). The same was true for the person who intentionally broke the sabbath law by gathering sticks. The entire congregation of God's people took part in his punishment (v. 35-36). This is hard to imagine in our individualistic society. We are spiritually healthier as we grow in our appreciation of our responsibility to each other. One of our elders commented last evening that with so many of us attempting to read the Bible this year, we have many accountability partners. God help more and more of us to feel connected to each other in our quest to bring God glory in our lives.

Some Candid Looks At Our Rebellious Spirit

2012-02-13T10:18:00.002-05:00

Numbers 11-14 are filled with descriptions about the human condition: our tendency to complain (11:1), to crave (11:4), to be selfish (11:10-15), to criticize (12:1-16), to doubt (13:31-32), and to rebel (14:39-45). Yet, in the midst of our rebellious condition, we read of one of the most important descriptions of God: "The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love..." (14:18). See our Savior in Moses' prayers. Were it not for our Savior's love and loyalty to us, we could not stand in the presence of our Holy God. Even though God judges sinfulness, He continues to extend grace to a believing remnant (14:35, 38).

Double-Edged Sword of God's Holy Presence

2012-02-11T11:01:00.001-05:00

Numbers 8: ¹⁹And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.” Through this section you're reading all God required to dedicate His sanctuary so He can dwell among His people. Because of His holiness, God is both our greatest threat and our greatest asset in life. Just as God gave the Levites to His people as a gift, He has given us His Son to ensure that no plague comes upon His people. Atonement has been made once-for-all. What you'll see in the upcoming Story that God is their greatest threat if His people do not trust Him. By faith in Christ, we avoid His plague and enjoy His protection. Praise God that He provided for us all that His people back then needed to secure through tons of sacrifices and shekels!

Dangers Of The Spiritual Life - Part 2

2012-02-09T16:35:00.001-05:00

Dangers Of The Spiritual Life - Part 1

2012-02-09T16:34:00.001-05:00

The Logic of Blessing

2012-02-08T08:38:00.002-05:00

The next to the last chapter of Leviticus is an important summary to the book and also to the Christian life. Chapter 26 presents the blessings enjoyed by those who obey God's laws and the punishment endured by those who reject God's laws. Obedience leads to what I refer to as LifePlus; disobedience leads to the worst possible living conditions. However, verse 40-42 reads, "But if they confess their iniquity...if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled...then I will remember." Here's the logic of blessing: "if they....then I will..." says our Lord. Colossians 2:11-15 explains that, by faith, we have become circumcised and able to respond to God. This is the result of trusting in Christ for salvation. Faith in Christ creates a person who enjoys LifePlus-living (the first part of Leviticus 26). Faith in Christ, which includes humble confession of sin, keeps us from enduring the second part of Leviticus 26.

Lots of Rest and Celebration

2012-02-07T10:22:00.004-05:00

In Leviticus 21-24 I was amazed at how much celebrating was required by God. Imagine a God who requires us to celebrate?! The other thing that kept being repeated was the fact that many of these celebrations also required resting from work. Bummer. One thing for sure: God's people back then were constantly reminded of the salvation they enjoy. This calendar of feasts and celebrations has helped me rethink our reason for gathered worship. It is a time to celebrate and rest in what God-in-Christ has done for us who believe.

The Strong Pull of Sexual Sins

2012-02-06T09:43:00.000-05:00

While reading Leviticus 18, I was uncomfortable with all the references to immorality with close relatives. Virtually every family relationship was listed in the chapter. This shows us how strong sexual temptations can be. Families back then spent a lot of time together so there were numerous opportunities for temptations to rear their ugly heads. Leviticus 18:24-25 teach us that sexual sins produced the unclean status of the surrounding nations and caused God to punish them by ejecting the inhabitants of the land. God warns that the same thing could happen to His people if they do not keep His laws (cf. 18:28). 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 contains a list of sins which unrighteous people commit and then highlights our transformation: "And such were some of you. But you were washed...in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ..." Thank Him for this cleansing and present your bodies to Him today.

God's Reason for Cleanliness Laws

2012-02-04T09:48:00.003-05:00

When I'm reading through tedious sections such as Leviticus 15, I'm looking for a verse or verses that explains the reason for it all. We find one of those in Leviticus 15:31: "Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst." Notice that the laws are merciful, designed to spare lives. Our sinfulness is such that we are guilty and in need of atonement even for those things that are not "our fault" (cf. Lev. 15:30 "...And the priest shall make atonement for her before the Lord for her unclean discharge."). God's mercy is extended to His people by providing a way--tedious though it may be--for atonement to be made. He did so by not separating His Son from uncleanness on the cross, so that we might never die in our uncleanness by defiling His presence.

A Bit Neurotic About Cleanliness!?!

2012-02-04T09:35:00.001-05:00

As I'm reading through Leviticus laws concerning handling leprosy, I couldn't help but think that the whole process of cleansing seemed a bit overkill. Surely there were easier ways to be declared "clean" than that! Yet, as you can imagine, all this ritual-for-cleansing was designed to help God's people realize how important it was and how difficult it was to remain clean before a holy God. As you're reading through chapters 13-14 note the number of times a priest pronounces someone clean. No one could declare themselves clean; everyone had to gain clearance from the priest. It's an excellent picture of our need for Christ's blood to cleanse us from our unrighteousness. Only when He declares us clean to God are we clean before God. Thankfully, He has!

What The Old Testament Laws Say About The Nature Of Saving Faith

2012-02-02T17:27:00.001-05:00

How We Are Clean Before God

2012-02-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

When we arrive at chapters like Leviticus 11, we get a sense of how far removed the Old Testament people of God are from us. We skim over the list of clean and unclean animals very quickly; until they memorized the list, they would have to read slowly before making their grocery list and heading out to market. Leviticus 11:44-45 read, For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. Here's God's reason for the restricted diet. That reason drives our lifestyle even though the details have dramatically changed. Peter struggled leaving those laws behind (cf. Acts 10:9-23). Christ's coming did away with many OT laws while also making it possible for Believers to obey the command of Lev. 11:44. By faith His perfect holiness is credited to our account and His Spirit empowers our progressive holiness.

The Relational Aspect of Christianity

2012-01-30T09:45:00.003-05:00

Leviticus 5-6 contain an important term for our sin, "breach of faith." The ESV translation reflects the Hebrew verb which refers to an act of disloyalty. Most of the English translations do a good job by choosing "unfaithful" or something similar. One major distinguishing feature of the Christian faith is that we are in a relationship with God through faith in Christ by the power of the Spirit. This relationship is much like a marriage covenant where faithfulness is a huge part of the agreement. Take away faithfulness and how much is all the rest worth? This is an important view of sin. When I sin against my neighbor, let's say, I am committing a breach of faith against the Lord (cf. Leviticus 6:2). My sins are acts of unfaithfulness toward God. Jonathan Edwards once said that love is the main thing in saving faith. The more I see Christ on the cross for me, the more I love Him and the less I want to be unfaithful. That's a different path than simply trying harder not to sin.

Regaining An Awareness Of Our Sin

2012-01-28T11:04:00.006-05:00

When you read the first four chapters of Leviticus, you'll immediately realize that (1) we are all sinners, priests, leaders, and people alike; (2) our sins are an offense against God; (3) the offense against God is so bad that another life must be taken on our behalf. One reason why going to church and confessing our sin is important is because that activity recreates for us what God's OT people experienced regularly. In our US church culture, sin is mentioned less and less because nobody wants to hear about it. Evidently, God determined it would be good for His people to never forget it. Of course, the good news is that every remembrance of sin was matched with a reminder of God's provision of a Sacrifice. Thank you, Lord, for extending such mercy to us!

The Spirit Will Move You

2012-01-26T10:43:00.003-05:00

Well, when you get to Exodus 35-37 prepare for some tough reading. The Israelites would have to read this very slowly in order to follow every single instruction for building the tabernacle. It's not quite the same impact for us. However, while you're moving through the section listen for the repetition of the concept of the people being moved by their spirit or heart. God was at work and the evidence of that was the desire of the people to make sure the tabernacle was built to specs. I love the record of 36:2-7 that says the people brought too much stuff and Moses told them to stop. One way to gauge your sensitivity to God's Spirit is to measure how much your spirit is willing to contribute to the work of God.

We "are set on evil"

2012-01-25T10:09:00.002-05:00

Reading through Exodus 30-33 is very sobering. While Moses is receiving God's laws, God's people are violating them (the end of chapter 31 and the start of chapter 32). In 32:22 Aaron says to Moses, "You know the people, that they are set on evil." That's the default setting of our hearts. Later, we read in 33:5 "You are a stiff-necked people." This is the reason why every one of us should be quick to hear God's Word and respond accordingly. You may have noticed in this section that the only thing that spared the lives of God's people was Moses' prayer on their behalf. Sin was dealt with; people did die (cf. 32:28, 35). Sin was also forgiven. Moses' actions point to our Savior's efforts to save us from our sin and sinfulness. Are you sensing that your stiff-necked tendencies are loosening up as you yield to His Spirit with respect to His Word?

One Reason Why God Never Forgets You

2012-01-24T09:42:00.000-05:00

As you're reading through Exodus 25-30 you get a sense of how difficult it is for us to enjoy the presence of a holy God. I still can't get over the detailed blueprint God's people had to follow in order to build the tabernacle and install priests. We tend to skim through this section quickly; they would have to slow down as they built this edifice piece by piece. One encouraging section is found in 28:29-30 where we learn that Aaron, the priest, would "bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly." Aaron goes into the presence of the Lord and brings God's people with him. God would be reminded regularly of the needs of His people. Our Savior continues to bring us into God's presence. It's one reason why an all-knowing God never forgets you.

The Exodus Laws

2012-01-23T15:31:00.001-05:00

Understanding the Bent of Our Hearts

2012-01-20T12:38:00.000-05:00

I don't enjoy reading how God's people respond immediately after singing His praises (Exodus 15 and the song of Moses and Miriam). After two songs, the chapter ends with complaining. Chapter 16 records more grumbling and complaining. Note how many times God tells us that He hears our grumbling. What's the matter with us?!? As you're reading Exodus 15-17, watch how unbelief manifests itself. Thankfully, God will not leave us in this terrible condition. He tests our faith so it will grow. Thankfully, God has given us reports like this, plus His Spirit, to make us a people who thank Him and trust Him.

"and I will get glory"

2012-01-19T09:03:00.001-05:00

In Exodus 14:4, just before God's people cross over the Red Sea, God explains His plan. The situation God places His people in ("by the sea" with no place to run) is designed to give God glory over His enemies. The difficult situation is not about His people, but about God first. I confess that I often view difficulties only from my perspective. I learned today, though, that God's reputation is first and my trials and rescues are a means to enhancing His reputation.

"by a strong hand"

2012-01-19T08:56:00.003-05:00

Exodus 13 repeats the phrase, "by a strong hand," in verses 3, 9, 14, and 16. There is no other way to explain a tiny people being able to release themselves from superpower, Egypt. Exodus 13 emphasizes the explanation of redemption to future generations. Before we begin to think about passing such information down, we need to be sure that we are trusting in God's strong hand ourselves. Allow His strong hands to support you whenever you feel the stranglehold of the enemy's attack.

"when I see the blood"

2012-01-19T08:43:00.002-05:00

In Exodus 12:13 protection is offered the Lord's people only if they place blood on their doorposts. Up to this point in the story, God's people were protected from many of the plagues automatically. God made a distinction between the Egyptians and His own people. Now, the final plague is averted only through obedience. The obedience involved allowing a sacrifice to protect them. 1 John 5:18 reads, "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him." We are spiritually protected only if we are allowing Christ to protect us through His cleansing, protecting sacrifice for our sin. That means we confess today and repent today, availing ourselves of His sacrifice. Then "no plague...will destroy you."

"You have not delivered your people at all"

2012-01-17T10:26:00.002-05:00

Exodus chapter 5 ends with Moses telling God: "You have not delivered your people at all." Moses, God's leader, had done everything God told him to do. Yet, everything was going wrong. Because of Moses, God's people were actually being treated worse than before their "deliverer" arrived. Now, Moses feels the pressure, too, and questions God's plan. How many times have things gotten worse before they got better? It is extremely difficult, but necessary, to patiently wait for God to deliver. It is important for church leadership to realize that following God's will means making things worse for a time. Apparently, God is used to such an approach to saving and maturing His people.

One Miraculous Deliverer After Another

2012-01-17T09:30:00.002-05:00

Immediately after the Joseph narrative ends, the Moses narrative begins. In Exodus chapters 1-2 we read of the miraculous birth of Moses. Nothing ordinary is happening in these chapters; everything is supernatural because of the odds against Moses living. Surely you smiled, for instance, as God allows Moses' mother to be paid by Pharaoh's daughter to raise "their" son. In the hostile world in which we live, God's power is able to deliver us. We know He will do that, not only because of the story of Moses, but also the story of Jesus who, unlike Moses was not spared so we can be.

The Trouble Involved in Saving God's People

2012-01-13T15:28:00.002-05:00

I'm still reading through the Genesis narrative of selected scenes from the life of Joseph. I should've counted all the trouble or instances of injustice that landed Joseph as second-in-command in Egypt. From a human, historical perspective, Joseph never gets in a position to save his people without facing terrible situations along the way. It was that way with Joseph, with Jesus, and with all Jesus' followers. 1 Peter 4:12-13 tells us that we shouldn't think of difficulties as some phenomenon. Instead we should rejoice because we're sharing in Christ's sufferings. May God give us grace to gain and maintain that perspective.

Blessing in the Midst of a Mess

2012-01-10T09:08:00.001-05:00

This morning I read through Genesis 29-32. Jacob's life read more like a soap opera than Scripture. I was surprised again how messy life is and how God blesses us in the middle of such messy lives. Jacob is being manipulated by Laban and by Rachel and Leah. It seems he is powerless to get control of his life back. Yet, through all the mess, God continues to bless. Genesis 31:42 reads, "If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction..." I don't know how messy your life is right now, but I do know that our God has always seen fit to bless despite the mess.

Was Esau that bad? Was Jacob that good?

2012-01-09T10:38:00.002-05:00

One thing is for sure: God chose not to sanitize His story! He decided that theology would be conveyed through the lives of terribly flawed people. Of course, what else would He have to work with. First, we know from the prophecy in Genesis 25:23 that Jacob would be the ruler of Esau ("the older shall serve the younger"). Second, when Esau despises his birthright for some stew (25:34), he proves that he is not worthy to carry on the blessing of Abraham. Yes, Esau was that bad. And Jacob? He was not that good, but he did value the birthright and blessing of God. All the lies and deception were definitely wrong, but in the end, God's electing purposes prevail. Jacob is in the line of blessing (28:12-15). Most of us relate well with Jacob because we see our own mixture of sincere desire to be blessed by God and sincere sinful tendencies. God is so gracious to us through Christ!

A Detailed Report of God's Steadfast Love

2012-01-09T09:54:00.000-05:00

Genesis 24 is a very long chapter which reports in detail how Isaac received a wife. One of the keys to understanding the chapter is the repetition of the concept of "steadfast love" (cf. vv. 12, 14, 27, 49). This story makes it clear that God is fulfilling His outrageous promises made to Abraham and Isaac. I'm fascinated that God would slow down the narrative and provide so much detail of this event. Yet, there is no hope of God's promises to Abraham coming true without a godly wife for Isaac. God will be just as faithful to you, too. You can probably look back and see similar miracles that signal His faithfulness.

Patience, Patience

2012-01-05T20:02:00.000-05:00

In Genesis 16:3 Abram has waited 10 years in Canaan, but still has no son. That's a long wait. It's no wonder Sarah creates another plan to "help" God's plan come true. There's a lot of bizarre aspects to this story, but one thing is certain: God is not in any hurry to fulfill some aspects of His promises in our lives. Better to wait than "help" Him along, right?

The Beginning Of So Many Prominent People and Places

2012-01-04T09:30:00.002-05:00

Genesis 10:6ff records many prominent people and places in the Old Testament story (i.e., Babel, Ninevah, Sodom and Gomorrah). God's Story will be played out among these peoples. Some will oppose His plan (like the Shinarians); others will adopt His plan, but continue to struggle with fears and doubts (Abram and Sarai). As you're reading, apply your life to the biblical story; see yourself in the likes of Abram, Sarai, and the others who were given faith and LifePlus as a gift. These primary characters are designed to point to Christ. Faith in Him creates the desire and capacity to either "go and do likewise" (when they believe and obey) or "go and do otherwise" (when they disbelieve and disobey).

Walking Around With Our God

2012-01-03T09:08:00.001-05:00

Through repetition, the Author helps us see that Noah was just like one of his relatives, Enoch. Genesis 5:24 says that "Enoch walked with God..." Genesis 6:9 tells us that "Noah walked with God." Both escaped death. Both men enjoyed God's company. Both men shared God's sense of right. Genesis 7:1 tells us that God spared Noah because He saw that Noah was "righteous...in this generation." What the flood narrative doesn't tell us is how Noah achieved this righteousness or why "Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (cf. 6:8). The rest of Scripture does. Our faith in Christ creates the desire and capacity for us to walk around with God as His Spirit leads us along.

Believing What God Says To Us

2012-01-02T10:06:00.001-05:00

It's the first post of the new year. Here we go again and this year many of us are on the journey together to read through the Bible this year. Reading three or four chapters a day, six days a week, equals too many details for me to discuss. So, I'll try to comment on some big-picture issues in the chapters. For instance, in Genesis the phrase, "God said," occurs 30 times, about half of them in Genesis 1-3 (10 of them in chapter 1). Then, after seeing the King's speech create all of life, including ours, it is God's speech that is questioned and ultimately rejected in favor of another speech--that of the Serpent. That's basically the drama being played out in our lives every single day. Whose speech will you honor as reality this year?

The End of the Story

2011-12-28T09:52:00.002-05:00

Today in my Bible reading I reached the "Table of Weights and Measures and Monetary Units." I thank our Lord for another opportunity to read through the Bible in 2011. Lord willing, with so many at Calvary Bible Church reading through the Bible in 2012, I will try to make periodic posts concerning the meaning of our readings. I welcome your comments and questions. May our Lord richly bless you in the new year.

The Beginning and Ending of Books

2011-11-08T08:42:00.002-05:00

One key to understanding books of the Bible is paying attention to how books begin and end. For instance in the stretch we've been reading--the Gospels, Acts, and Romans--these books all end with the same topic with which they began. The Gospels begin and end with Jesus' identity, Acts with the gospel of the kingdom being announced, and Romans with the "obedience of faith" (cf. Romans 1:5; 16:26). These beginnings and endings tell us how to understand the middle, what these books are designed to do for and to the readers.

Nobody Has Ever Liked Christianity

2011-11-03T08:47:00.001-04:00

Acts 28:²²But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” Near the close of Acts, Paul has reached Rome as a result of persecution against the Way. It is good for us in America to remember that it's always been them against us. Satan and Co. continue to fight against the seed of Eve and it will be this way until Jesus' Kingdom arrives. It has never been God's plan for any nation to totally embrace Christianity, but we know that one day all the nations will be represented in His Kingdom.

An Emotional Attachment to the Faith-Family

2011-11-01T10:36:00.001-04:00

In Acts 20-21 we read about the kinds of relationships Paul built along his ministry journey. I was encouraged again as I read about all the tears that were shed when Paul left a particular region. In the process of making disciples of Jesus Christ, Paul developed intimate relationships. It has been my experience, too, that disciple-making occurs best when solid relationships are established and nurtured along the Way.

Staying Strong in the Faith

2011-10-31T18:01:00.001-04:00

Acts 16:⁵So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. Acts provides a unique look at early church life. One thing it shows is that we Christians need our faith strengthened regularly. As you're reading Acts, look to see what someone like Paul or Barnabas says to other Christians. It helps us know what's being accomplished in church each Sunday.

Abiding is Believing

2011-10-24T10:51:00.002-04:00

In John 15 Jesus teaches us how the Christian life displays itself in our attitudes and actions. Jesus says that abiding in Him inevitably leads to bearing "much fruit" (v. 5). According to v. 8, bearing much fruit is proof that we are followers of Christ. Many ask, "What does it mean to abide in Jesus?" The answer is, "Abiding is believing." Faith in Christ leads to all kinds of obedience and Christlikeness. Any time I stop bearing fruit (or stop looking like Christ and acting like Christ), I've stopped believing in Him.

The Importance of being Teachable

2011-10-19T09:30:00.001-04:00

As I've been reading through the Gospels, I am struck again by the importance of being teachable. If only the religious leaders of Jesus' day were teachable, they could have embraced Him and His righteousness. Instead, over and over again they refused to allow Jesus to teach them. Jesus can't heal us if He can't teach us. Where are we refusing to listen to Him? What area of our lives, then, are not being healed?

No More First and Last

2011-10-05T09:49:00.001-04:00

In Matthew 20:16 Jesus uses one of His favorite phrases: the last will be first, and the first will be last. I used to think it meant a trading of positions, i.e., the first goes to the end of the line and the last goes to the front of the line. But when I read this carefully this morning, I saw that the parable describes equal treatment: both first and last got the same pay. God's mercy created an opportunity for some to arrive late and receive the same grace/gifts. We need to allow God to do what He wants with His own, even when it doesn't look or seem fair.

Understanding the Minor Prophets

2011-09-29T09:20:00.001-04:00

As you've been reading through the prophets that close out the Old Testament, did you notice what kind of shape God's people were in? The prophets are calling God's people back to holiness to prepare them for their complete salvation. The message fits our current scene because we, too, are instructed by God to be ready for His Day. May your love for Him grow so that your priorities automatically realign to accomplish His will until He comes.

Reading Haggai

2011-09-23T09:10:00.001-04:00

In light of the giving habits of church goers, Haggai's message is very appropriate for the American church. The majority of professing Christians contribute more to their own happiness and comfort than they do to making sure God's work flourishes in their local church and out from their local church. Haggai helps explain some of our frustration of having so much, but not seeing the benefits of it.

God will have His way with the nations of the world

2011-09-20T08:59:00.001-04:00

Those of us who are reading through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a year are nearing the end of the Old Testament. Both major and minor prophets repeatedly tell us that God is in control of all the nations and will judge all rebellion at the end of history as we know it. As you read, look for the mixture of a call for us to repent and also encouragement for us to trust in God's grace and mercy that forgives and heals. The prophets contain a strong call for us churchgoers to show evidence of our faith. May we follow God's promptings each day.

What it means when Joel's prophecy is partially fulfilled

2011-09-14T08:43:00.001-04:00

As you're reading through Joel, notice that Joel 2:28 is quoted by Peter in Acts 2. Peter says that what was happening on the Day of Pentecost was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. Actually, it appears that when the Spirit came in Acts, Joel's prophecy was partly fulfilled. Joel mentions other things that didn't occur in Acts. I take it that means we are enjoying part of God's total redemption now and that the Day of the Lord is still future. That Day will mean the total fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. Now is the time for God's people to enjoy the Spirit's work and display it to others.

What a change of clothing signifies

2011-09-06T08:44:00.001-04:00

Ezekiel 44: ¹⁹And when they go out into the outer court to the people, they shall put off the garments in which they have been ministering and lay them in the holy chambers. And they shall put on other garments, lest they transmit holiness to the people with their garments. Wouldn't you think that God would want holiness to be transmitted to the people? He does, but not without sacrifice. The priests put on different clothing so that they would not be able to transmit holiness with their clothes. Holiness must be received as a gift from God through the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Understanding "the law of the temple"

2011-09-06T08:29:00.001-04:00

If you manage to get to the end of Ezekiel (it is difficult reading!), you will notice that the book begins and ends with a vision of God's glory. Ezekiel 43: 12 reads, This is the law of the temple: the whole territory on the top of the mountain all around shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple. Holiness is God's concern because of who He is and also because of what He wants His world to look like. His Holy Spirit develops holiness in all God's children so that God looks good in His world. Imagine what a holy world would look like!

What God wants us to know about Him

2011-08-27T21:13:00.001-04:00

Ezekiel 11: ¹²and you shall know that I am the Lord. For you have not walked in my statutes, nor obeyed my rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you.” As you read Ezekiel you will notice the repetition of the phrase, "you shall know that I am the Lord." It is God's reason for judgment. It's good for us to remember who our Savior is so that we will obey Him consistently and repent when we lapse into disbelief/disobedience. Our Lord will not tolerate it when we mimic the laws of the ungodly. Thankfully, God's Spirit changes us into the kind of people who obey all that He has commanded us.

"A Hard Forehead and a Stubborn Heart"

2011-08-25T09:37:00.001-04:00

Ezekiel 2 and 3 describe God's people in most unflattering terms. I found it interesting that God matched Ezekiel's forehead (and face) with Israel's (cf. 3:8-9). This was the only way in which God's message could be spoken to His people. Preachers can't be afraid of God's people or else they'll not give the whole message. Thankfully, in Christ, both pastors and parishioners have hearts softened by God's Spirit. However, every struggle to believe/obey is evidence of some hardness that remains until our salvation is complete.

What God Might Look Like

2011-08-25T09:20:00.001-04:00

Ah, the book of Ezekiel! No book of the Bible begins with such intrigue. 1:1 says Ezekiel saw visions of God. It's sad that most of us read chapter one's description of what Ezekiel saw and immediately try to figure it out. Instead, we probably ought to get caught up in the incomprehensibility of the vision and do what Ezekiel did at the end of the vision--bow down in worship and awe. Instead of trying to figure out what God might look like, embrace the fact that He is beyond figuring out. That kind of God is worthy of our worship. A God we can figure out is a god of our own making and one that can't save us.

"The Lord is our righteousness"

2011-08-18T09:14:00.001-04:00

Jeremiah 33:¹⁶In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ ¹⁷“For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, While this prophecy is directed at Israel, the explanation in v. 17 tells us that we Christians are able to enjoy the beginnings of the fulfillment. Our Lord is the relative of David that is eternally on the throne ruling for God and for the benefit of His subjects. Remember, all we need in our world and in our lives is the righteousness of God which comes through faith in Christ. If you have that righteousness, everything else falls into place. Work at believing more than anything else you dwell on.

Wisdom from Proverbs

2011-07-13T08:33:00.001-04:00

As you're reading through Proverbs, categorize them according to whether they (1) describe the way life is (like 18:23, the one that says a rich person answers roughly) or (2) prescribe the way life should be (like 19:20 and listening to instruction). Two things are a must in order to benefit from the Proverbs as a Christian. First, proverbs that describe the way life is are designed to implicitly prescribe the way life should be. The description contains a prescription. The Holy Spirit dwelling in a Christian will cause that person to live life the way God designed it, not the way humans have distorted it. In other words, the rich Christian will not answer roughly because of her relationship with Christ and love for others. Second, all the prescriptions in Proverbs must be accomplished on the foundation of the fear of the Lord (1:7). Only by fearing God can a Christian put into practice the wisdom of Proverbs. Without the fear of the Lord as the driving force of obedience, the Proverbs become moral teaching devoid of Christ.

Experiencing the Faith of the Psalmists

2011-07-11T17:33:00.002-04:00

I have just finished reading through the Psalms. They are designed to encouraged the faith-filled to experience the same kind of faith described by the Psalmists. Ask yourself as you read the Psalms: what kind of heart is necessary to experience the relationship described by the Psalmists? Notice, too, as you read how many times the Psalmists move from despair to hope. How does that happen? Why don't they simply remain discouraged? Finally, ask what it is about Jesus Christ that allows God to save like He does in the Psalms. These kinds of questions will help you appropriate the message of the Psalms you're reading.

"Blameless" (part 2)

2011-06-29T09:09:00.001-04:00

When you arrive at the enormous Psalm 119, you'll once again encounter the blessed blameless person. Again, faith in Christ creates such a law-abiding citizen of God's kingdom.

The Blameless Child of God

2011-06-29T09:07:00.001-04:00

When you're reading through Job and Psalms, notice that both books begin with a man who is described by God as "blameless." Cf. Job 1:1 and Psalm 1:1. The poetry-section of Scripture wants to highlight this kind of person. This is the kind of person God tests; this is the kind of person God blesses. This kind of person is the result of having Jesus' perfection credited to our account by faith. This saving faith results in the Spirit creating righteous attitudes and actions.

A Firm Faith That Holds

2011-05-10T14:14:00.001-04:00

Job 1: ²¹ And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” ²² In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. Job is represented as a man who is trusting in the Lord even though he is confused by what God is doing to Him and why. Job doesn’t sin, meaning he doesn’t rebel against God by not trusting Him. Job doesn’t start hating God because of his trauma. Job doesn’t accuse God of doing wrong either. He doesn’t know why it’s happening to him, but he is confident that God is still right. Job displays what saving faith does under duress.

Heavy-handed Disciple-making!

2011-05-09T09:30:00.001-04:00

Nehemiah 13: ²¹ But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath....²³ In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. ²⁴ And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. ²⁵ And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.” This is pretty serious stuff, isn’t it?! I mean, look at how rough Nehemiah got during his efforts to reform God’s people. This story isn’t designed for you to follow Nehemiah’s heavy-handed ways necessarily. However, it is interesting that when you begin reading the Gospels later on this year, you will see our Lord Jesus Christ acting in similar ways when He reforms the temple. I am glad I have a God who is strong when needed and who loves enough to get angry at whatever threatens to destroy those He loves.

Faith Spilling Over Into Prayer

2011-05-09T09:25:00.003-04:00

When you’re reading through Nehemiah, try to note how often prayer is a part of this story. Throughout the story, Nehemiah says a prayer to God. He is relying on God throughout the endeavor to rebuild the walls/city. His prayers also show his hope in God, especially that God will remember the good that he has done for Him. Nehemiah’s prayers were the result of his deep, faith-relationship in His God. Remember that you’ve got a tremendously resourceful God waiting to help.

Being Remembered for Good Deeds

2011-05-05T10:31:00.001-04:00

Nehemiah 5: ¹⁸ Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. ¹⁹ Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people. Nehemiah prays this prayer more than once in the book. This is great incentive for doing good deeds! Our God will remember us for the good that we do for Him, provided this good is done in the right spirit and according to His power.

The Cost of Repentance

2011-05-05T10:22:00.003-04:00

Nehemiah 5: ¹⁰ Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. ¹¹ Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” ¹² Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. Righteous living in this case cost those residents dearly! In order to repent these people needed to drastically change their ways. It had to hurt their wallets. This shows that God was actively transforming their hearts and this transformation was just as important, if not more so, than rebuilding Jerusalem.

Too Good To Serve?

2011-05-05T10:19:00.003-04:00

Nehemiah 3:⁵ And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord. You have to wonder why the nobles refused to help with the rebuilding project that meant so much to God’s people. God help us never to get too big for our own britches and refuse to stoop to serve. God help us realize how important it is to contribute to His work and to do so with great gusto and joy.

The Effectiveness of Brisk Prayer

2011-05-02T10:12:00.001-04:00

Nehemiah 2:⁴ Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵ And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” This is a fascinating look at how prayer functions for a Believer. Notice that before Nehemiah answers the king, he prays quickly to God. Then, he asks the king. How long does it take to pray to God for wisdom and courage?

God Takes Holiness Seriously

2011-05-02T10:07:00.003-04:00

Ezra 10 records one of the saddest scenes in all Scripture: God’s men were commanded to divorce the pagan wives they had married. It doesn’t take much imagination to feel the intense grief that must have engulfed the camps. This shows how important holiness is to God and how important it is that His people do not mingle-to-the-point-of-sinning with non-Christians.

God's Control of Rebellion

2011-05-02T10:05:00.001-04:00

2 Chronicles 25: ²⁰ But Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God, in order that he might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought the gods of Edom. One of the most difficult things to accept is the part God plays in people’s disobedience to Him. In this case God is responsible because this hardening contributed to His judgment and chastisement for sin.

Listening for the Sound of God as He Fights For You

2011-04-25T10:36:00.001-04:00

1 Chronicles 14: ¹³ And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. ¹⁴ And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. ¹⁵ And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” ¹⁶ And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. I love these stories that show God fighting miraculously for us. Remember that, while you fight the good fight of faith today, God has gone out before you to strike down the army that’s trying to derail your faith. Our Savior fights for us while we (notice the phrase, “they struck down the Philistine army...”) fight in the power of the Spirit.

Analyzing Our Anger And Fears

2011-04-25T10:31:00.001-04:00

1 Chronicles 13: ⁹ And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. ¹⁰ And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. ¹¹ And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. ¹² And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” David’s reaction to God’s violent action provides an accurate picture of our human nature. David is angry at God rather than being angry that Uzzah acted in unbelief/disobedience. David is afraid of God and doesn’t realize that there is a prescribed way to bring the ark of God home. Our hearts really do create an unreal world that traps us. The Spirit of God creates God’s real world that frees us. Which world are we living today?

Believers Are Battle-Ready

2011-04-13T08:51:00.003-04:00

Throughout 1 Chronicles 11-12 we encounter the repetition of men who were “ready for battle” or “equipped for battle.” David enjoyed a huge, powerful army and quite the impressive show of force during his reign. We read in 12: ²² For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God. God and His people are never powerless, despite what circumstances may suggest. All of us who know Christ personally by faith are equipped for battle, for successful battle (cf. the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10ff.). Be sure you’re well acquainted with your Christ-given resources.

We've Taken Off Our Prison Garments

2011-04-13T08:47:00.001-04:00

2 Kings 25: ²⁷ And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. ²⁸ And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. ²⁹ So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, ³⁰ and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived. This scene ends one of the key divisions of the Hebrew Bible. It gives God’s people hope in the midst of their captivity. In our hardship we must remember that it will not always be this way for us. What happened to Jehoiachin points to our preferred future in the new heavens and new earth. In Christ now, though, we have begun to live out this eternal life because He died, rose again, and gave us His Spirit to make us free men and women. Our prison garments have come off and we are enjoying consistent fellowship with the King of Kings, even though we’re still living in a captive state where the ruler of this world has his way so often.

Striving For Purer Worship

2011-04-09T12:06:00.001-04:00

2 Kings 17: ⁴¹ So these nations feared the Lord and also served their carved images. Their children did likewise, and their children’s children—as their fathers did, so they do to this day. Our efforts to live for Christ inevitably means attempting to dilute this concoction so there is less and less serving other gods and more and more fearing the Lord. I read this description of God’s people and think: “How could they do both at the same time?” Then I take an accurate assessment of my own life and realize it’s always that way. That’s why God urges us on in faith and obedience in the power of the Spirit.

Jesus' Perfect Obedience Solves Our Dilemma

2011-04-09T12:03:00.001-04:00

2 Kings 15: ⁴ Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away. Over and over again throughout the lengthy section on the kings, we read of partial effectiveness. There were kings that did “right in the eyes of the Lord,” but not totally. All these reports of partial obedience on the part of the kings reminds us of our need of a perfect Savior/King. In our condition we can praise God that He provides Jesus for us so His perfection is credited to our account.

Our God Is Mighty To Save

2011-04-07T10:27:00.001-04:00

In 2 Kings chapter 4 we read a series of miracles performed by Elisha. These are a sign that God is with him. Elisha’s miracles point to our Lord Jesus Christ who, like Elisha, performed an impressive string of miracles that authenticated His ministry as the Messiah. When you doubt God’s presence and power to save you in certain circumstances, allow the record of Elisha’s miracles to encourage you. God is there; He is able!

A Double Portion of God's Spirit

2011-04-06T11:15:00.003-04:00

2 Kings 2: ⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” ¹⁰ And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” There was another time in redemptive history when some watched as a Greater than Elijah was taken from them. Jesus’ disciples would later receive the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2. As a Believer in Christ, you, too, have received a “double portion” of God’s Spirit. You are never powerless in your circumstances because God’s Spirit resides and is active as you rely on Him. Think and act by the Spirit today and experience life as God designed it to be lived.

Following Our Perfectly Righteous Savior/Leader

2011-04-02T12:47:00.001-04:00

From 1 Kings 14 to 2 Kings 23 there are twenty-two occurrences of kings making “Israel to sin.” First, Jesus our Savior, was perfect in His allegiance to His Father, so He never leads His followers into sin. Second, the reoccurrence of this phrase reinforces the importance of our church having mature Christian men in leadership.

The Wages of Sin is Death

2011-04-02T12:43:00.003-04:00

1 Kings 22: ³⁷ So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. ³⁸ And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken. This is one of the grossest verses in all the Bible. It is a vivid reminder of how much sin has ruined God’s creation. Let it urge us all to love God more than anything or anyone else. 1 and 2 Kings shows us how rebellion against God destroys life.

Our Gracious God Who Forgives

2011-04-02T12:40:00.003-04:00

1 Kings 8:22ff. records Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the house of the Lord he had just had built. In that prayer Solomon asks the Lord to forgive His people when they sin against the covenant (cf. v. 30). Solomon presents several hypothetical situations where God’s people sin and asks for forgiveness every time. Thankfully, a Greater than Solomon, Jesus Christ, came to rule through His death and resurrection so God could answer Solomon’s prayer on behalf of God’s people who believe. See especially verses 46-53. Because of Christ, God is very gracious to us when we sin and turn back to Him in faith.

Jesus Meets The Condition We Could Not Meet

2011-03-29T11:10:00.001-04:00

1 Kings 6 records Solomon building the house of God. The entire chapter is devoted to details such as building supplies and dimensions. All that work suggests how important it is that God dwells with His people. Without God’s active presence, God’s people could not survive in their ungodly world. In verses 11-13, however, we read of a condition attached: absolute obedience to God’s laws. Israel never fulfilled the condition, but Jesus, the Ultimate Israelite, did. By faith, His obedience gives us the privilege of enjoying the presence of God where there is unlimited spiritual provision and protection.

What A Life!

2011-03-29T11:07:00.001-04:00

1 Kings 4: ²⁰ Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. In verse 24 we read that they had peace and in verse 25 they experienced safety and in verse 27 they enjoyed unlimited provision. All throughout the section we read of Solomon’s God-given wisdom. What must it have been like to live in a kingdom with a king like that?! This is the experience of all who allow Jesus to rule their lives.

Only One True King That Delivers

2011-03-28T10:50:00.001-04:00

2 Samuel 11 records some of the most disturbing scenes in all the Bible. David, the man after God’s own heart, commits multiple, gross sins because of his lust for Bathsheba. David’s kingship was never designed to function on its own; David was not the Savior of the world. His story helps us realize that God’s people needed the God/Man, Jesus Christ, in order to experience redemption. David failed so we would believe in the One who never fails.

We're Beneficiaries of Great Grace and Kindness

2011-03-28T10:15:00.001-04:00

2 Samuel 9: ¹³ So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet. This is an example of David’s kind heart at work. It’s an effective picture of God’s grace towards all of us. The first meaning of this story is not, “be kind like David.” Rather, David’s character gives us a picture of Jesus’ grace towards all of us sinners. We love, worship, and serve and gracious Savior!

The Gentleness of our King

2011-03-23T08:50:00.003-04:00

2 Samuel 3: ³⁹ And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!” The way David reacted to Abner’s death says a lot about David’s character. God must have healed David’s heart tremendously in order for him to lead all the people to mourn Abner’s death. The narrative lets us know that “all the people took notice of it” (v. 36). Our Lord showed that same gentleness and invites us who believe to be transformed into the same kind of person. Though King, David is not playing God: “The Lord repay the evildoer...”

Faith in Christ Equals Faith like David

2011-03-21T09:15:00.001-04:00

1 Samuel 17: ⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. Such primitive weapons, even for back then! The hymn-writer was correct in saying that “faith is the victory.” Under-gunned David was victorious over the giant because God was with him. David was the only one in Israel who believed that God would win this battle. Now, be careful with this story. Goliath does not represent any obstacle to your happiness and comfort. Goliath represents all those obstacles that threaten to keep you from growing in grace. Satan cannot stop God’s plan to save/sanctify you. This is true because the Greater David, our Lord Jesus Christ, defeated an even greater foe than Goliath when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. God’s plan, however, as you’ve experienced, involves all kinds of “giants” that He chooses not to remove. May this story bolster your faith in God’s ability to deliver His people through difficult times.

Making Sure Our Beliefs And Actions Agree

2011-03-16T11:15:00.001-04:00

1 Samuel 15: ²² And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. Why is obedience better? In Saul’s case, he was attempting to worship the Lord after having disobeyed. Saul had already shown how much he thought of God by disobeying. The act of sacrificing to God couldn’t override that breach of faith. Obedience to God’s commandments is better than sacrifice because obedience is the truer measure of saving faith. God receives obedience as an act of worship because there is then no conflict between what we say we believe and what we do.

Under the Influence of the Spirit

2011-03-16T11:00:00.001-04:00

1 Samuel 10: ⁹ When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. ¹⁰ When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. ¹¹ And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” As you read the Saul narratives, watch for the transformation Saul undergoes when he is overtaken by the Holy Spirit, contrasted with when he is overtaken by an evil spirit. Notice how God fulfills His will through Saul with both these spirits. It is a strong reminder to me to be Spirit-controlled and to avoid the alternative and its tragic consequences. These narratives also show that there is no middle ground: if we are not Spirit-controlled, we are under the influence of demonic forces (to what extent, you’ll have to sort out).

Deciding What Is Right

2011-03-16T10:51:00.003-04:00

Judges 14:3, 7 contains the repetition of “right in my eyes.” Cf. also 17:6 with the addition that “there was no king in Israel...” Watch for the repetition of Israel having no king in 18:1 and 19:1. Cf. also 21:25 (the last verse in Judges). These stories are crying out for another kind of morality. Instead of doing what is right in our own eyes, we must do what is right in God’s eyes. In order for that to happen back then, God’s people needed the right kind of king. We have the opportunity to do what is right in God’s eyes because He sent us Christ, the King. Re-reading through Judges this time has given me a renewed sense of the devastation caused by rebellion against God.

A God Who Is Moved To Compassion

2011-03-08T09:44:00.003-05:00

Judges 2:¹⁶ Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. ¹⁷ Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. ¹⁸ Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. This is a tremendous example of God’s gracious dealings with His own! This commentary also explains why we do not listen to God’s Word as we read it or hear it taught: we’re too engaged with some idol. Thank the Lord He was gracious enough to send numerous judges; thank Him for sending His only Son! I am so grateful our Lord can be “moved to pity” by our spiritual groanings.