Tag: Life

The Chastening of the Lord – Part 2

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Hebrews 12:5-7 And you have forgotten the exhortation which spoke unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou are rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?

One thing is certain, God is not to blame for sicknesses upon His obedient children and to claim such is to cooperate with satan and not God (John 10:10; Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38). If people use Job as an excuse for unbelief, let them realize that Job did not know the gospel. He had no written revelation, covenant, or promise, and yet he was healed by God. Let people likewise fight as Job did until they get an answer and healing (Job 42:10; Jas. 5:10-11).

Would any earthly father chasten or train a child through cancers, tumours, or innumerable sicknesses and diseases? Would this demonstrate true fatherhood, as Jesus taught of God in Matthew 7:7-11 and Luke 11:9-13? What earthly parent would allow a child to suffer physically if he could help it? Shall we say that God is the only Father who loves to see His children sick? How could He love them much more than earthly parents if He were this kind of being? Are sicknesses the only method God has for training His children?

We have to carry our consequences so that we can learn from them and also to enable us to be done with sin and its destruction – by our own free will (Isa. 26:9-10).

The wise man sees clearly and weighs carefully the consequences of all he does; whereas the fool has no guide to his reason and no check on his passions as he blindly walks, groping in unbridled lusts (Eccl. 2:14). Our moral nature affirms in many ways that there is a future life and that we must prepare to get the good out of it or we will suffer the consequences of sin forever (Ps. 9:17; Rev. 14:9-14; 20:11-15).

Two ways of repentance are described in God’s Word: The Greek word metamellomai means to regret the consequences of sin, not the cause (Matt. 27:3; 2Cor. 7:8) and stands in contrast with the Greek word metanoia which means a real change of mind and attitude toward sin and its cause, not merely the consequences of it (Matt. 3:8, 11; 9:13; Luke 24:47). We all choose one or the other, and this decision will determine our eternal destination.

To be continued…

The Chastening of the Lord – Part 1

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Hebrews 12:5-7 And you have forgotten the exhortation which spoke unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou are rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? 

‘My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou are rebuked of him. Quoted from Proverbs 3:11-12. We are not to shrink away from chastening.

Some Christians do not think of chastening any other way except by sickness and disease. They believe they are being chastened when sick and yet they know nothing in particular that they have done. The facts below prove that when God actually allows plagues there is a reason which will be known to the individual or nation (satan still delivers them because of access given through sin – John 8:44; 10:10; Isa. 59:1-3; Job 2:7). God never uses drastic means except as a last resort, when all other methods of getting men to obey have been exhausted. Leviticus 26:1-46 and Deuteronomy 28:1-68 are clear chapters on this point. In Job 3:25; 33:14-29 we have the cause of sickness in many cases.

If a child of God wants to claim he is being chastened by God, then let him acknowledge also that he has repeatedly refused to listen to God or obey Him (Job 33:1-33). Let him acknowledge his sins, for God does not send plagues upon obedient children. They are given promises of healing and protection from plagues if they will but appropriate them (Ex. 15:26; Ps. 91:1-16; 103:3; Matt. 7:9-11; 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 1Pet. 2:24; 2Jn. 1:2; Jas. 5:14-16). Only those who sow will reap and only those who rebel will be cursed (Gal. 6:7-8; Job 33:14-29; Lev. 26:1-46; Deut. 28:1-68).

To be continued…

Striving Against Sin

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Hebrews 12:3-4 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 

‘You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.’ You have not resisted against sin as to sweat blood. We have to resist the temptation to sin (Jas. 1:14-15). There are seven steps in temptation: Tempted: the thought of evil (Jas. 1:14). Drawn away: strong imagination. Lust: delight in viewing it. Enticed: weakening of the will. Lust conceived: yielding (Jas. 1:15). Sin: a sinful act committed. Death: the result of actual sin.

We have to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ – we take every thought prisoner and lead it into captivity to obey Christ (2Cor. 10:5). Lascivious, vain and evil thoughts of all kinds are brought down and made obedient to His laws. That includes any thinking which is contrary to virtue, purity and righteousness (Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21-23; 1Cor. 13:5; Php. 4:8; Gen. 6:5; Pro. 15:26; Isa. 55:7; 59:7; Jer. 4:14).

In James 1:27 we are warned to keep ourselves unspotted from the world and in Ephesians 5:27 not to have spot or wrinkle, but to be holy and without blemish so that we can be presented to God the Father by Jesus Christ at the time of the rapture (Php. 3:21; 1Cor. 15:51-55).

Cloud of Witnesses

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Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

‘Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight …’ Five things to do: Lay aside every weight (12:1). [Greek: ongkos] meaning bulk; mass; heap; weight. In a bad sense, it means arrogance and conceit. Paul’s purpose here is to get the believer to lay aside whatever weight is hindering Christian progress. Lay aside the sin which so easily beset us (12:1). [Greek: hamartia] missing the mark in a moral sense. The sin that easily besets is the one each person has been addicted to, whatever his weakness. Run with patience the race set before us (12:1). [Greek: agon] meaning fight or conflict. Translated as “race” (12:1); “fight” (1Tim. 6:12; 2Tim. 4:7); “contention” (1Thess. 2:2); and “conflict” (Php. 1:30; Col. 2:1). Look unto Jesus (12:2). He is the head of all the long train of faith heroes. He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Consider Him (12:3). Observe and analyze every part of His life and conduct, His courage in suffering.

Christ is better than Old Testament saints: He is the Creator of all (1:2; 11:3). He is the author and perfecter of their faith (12:1-2). He was their Saviour (12:2; 10:1-18). The one they all looked for and had faith in (11:4-40).

‘Joy that was set before him.’ The joy set before Him was the redemption of creation through doing the Father’s will (Ps. 40:6).

‘Set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ This is His rightful place because of His achievements and exaltation to original glory (Matt. 26:64; Mark 16:19; Acts 2:34; 7:56-57; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22). After Christ made His supreme sacrifice His work for sins was finished. He could then sit down and wait to see His work completed in the lives of believers who would be freed from sin and delivered from their enemies (10:12-14; 1:3; 12:2; Ps. 110:4).

Through Faith – Part 2

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Hebrews 11:33-40 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 

‘Received not the promise.’ The promise referred to here is that of the coming Messiah, the sum and substance of all the Old Testament promises (10:36-37; Luke 1:67-79; Rom. 1:2-5). Old Testament saints relied upon the promise of the Messiah but did not live to see Him come in the flesh, fulfil His work of redemption, make the new covenant, and establish His body.

‘Better thing for us.’ The better thing for us is no doubt the new covenant and its realities of which the old covenant sacrifices and rituals – even the sacrifices of Abel, Noah, and Abraham – were shadows. The verse could read, “God foresaw something better for us; He would not have them perfected without us.”

‘Perfect’ [Greek: teleioo] to make a full end; consummate (Php. 3:12). Translated perfect (Php. 3:12; Luke 13:32; John 17:23; 2Cor. 12:9; Heb. 2:10; 5:9; 7:19; 9:9; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23; Jas. 2:22; 1Jn. 2:5; 4:12, 17-18); fulfil (Luke 2:43; John 19:28); and finish (John 4:34; 5:36; 17:4; Acts 20:24). This kind of perfection refers to the complete and glorified state.

Through Faith – Part 1

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Hebrews 11:33-40 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 

‘Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions …’ Seventeen works of faith (11:33-38): It subdued kingdoms (Jos. 12:1-24; 2Sam. 8:1-18). It worked righteousness (Gen. 15:6). It obtained promises (Num. 14:30). It stopped the mouths of lions (Dan. 6:1-28). It quenched fire (Dan. 3:1-30). It escaped swords (1Sam. 17:1-58; Exo. 18:4). They were made strong (11:11; Rom. 4:19). They became valiant in battle (2Sam. 23:8-23; 1Sam. 14:13-15; Jdg. 7:1-25). They put armies to flight (1Sam. 17:51). Women had children resurrected (1Kin. 17:17-24; 2Kin. 4:18-37). They endured torture (Gen. 39:20; Jdg. 16:21-31). They endured mockings, scourgings, bonds, and imprisonments (11:36; Gen. 39:20; Jer. 37:16; 38:6; 1Kin. 22:27). They suffered stonings (2Chr. 24:21). They endured death by sawing (11:37). They suffered temptations (Gen. 39:1-17). They suffered martyrdom by the sword (1Sam. 22:18; 1Kin. 19:10). They suffered wanderings and afflictions (11:37-38; 2Kin. 2:8, 13).

To be continued…

Judges and Prophets – Part 7

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Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets

Prophets – The predominant Hebrew verb meaning “to prophesy” is naba’ which has to do with foretelling events and praying and supplicating. The prophet was not by office a declarer of future events, but primarily a preacher of righteousness for his day (Neh. 6:7; Hos. 12:10; Acts 3:21; 1Pet. 1:10-12). He foresaw future events in the light of the righteousness or wickedness of the people to whom God made everlasting covenants. His main work was to urge men to live righteously and godly according to the law of Moses. His other work was to warn of events to come because of the people’s attitude concerning God’s will and to pray and make supplications for the people and for God to be merciful. The prophet’s predictions of things to come were chiefly conditional, and many of their prophecies were stated in conditional terms. The unconditional prophecies were the fixed plans of God concerning necessary events to bring the earth into complete submission to Himself again and do away with sin, rebellion, and enemies so His eternal program could finally be realized (1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 21:22). Other events were flexible and based on obedience or disobedience to God in the ordinary fulfilment of the general plan.

In ancient times prophets were called seers (1Sam. 9:9-11). The Hebrew: ra’ah means a seeing person; one who perceives mentally the purpose of God. He was also sometimes called chozeh, a beholder; one who has visions or supernatural revelations (2Sam. 24:11; 2Kin. 17:13; 1Chr. 21:9; 25:5; 29:29; 2Chr. 9:29; 12:15; 19:2; 29:25, 30; 33:18-19; 35:15; Isa. 29:10; 30:10; Amo. 7:12; Mic. 3:7).

A prophet was sometimes called the man of God. It was understood that such men always had an extraordinary commission, receiving their messages by direct inspiration and being moved upon and carried along by the Holy Spirit as a leaf is carried along with a strong wind (Acts 3:21; 2Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:1-2; 1Pet. 1:10-12; 2Pet. 3:1-18). Many limit the writing of prophets to those from Isaiah to Malachi, but this is erroneous because Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and others were also writing prophets. Moses and David were among the greatest.

Judges and Prophets – Part 6

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Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets

‘Samuel’ – faith’s integrity (1Sam. 3:18; 7:1-17; 8:1-3; 12:16-24).

 Samuel, God heard, or His name is El. His parents were Hannah and Elkanah (1Sam. 1:2). He grew up in the temple with the high priest Eli since he was a small boy.

Twelve facts on Samuel: He was weaned (1Sam. 1:23-24). Lent to the Lord as a Nazarite (1Sam. 1:11, 24-28). Ministered to the Lord (1Sam. 2:11, 18; 3:1). Grew in body and spirit (1Sam. 2:26; 3:19). Had favour with God and men (1Sam. 2:26; 3:19). Became God’s prophet (1Sam. 3:1-21). Was acknowledged as a true prophet of God by all Israel (1Sam. 3:19-21; 4:1). Became the sixteenth judge of Israel (1Sam. 7:15-17). Delivered Israel from the Philistines by miracles (1Sam. 7:1-14). Initiated kingdom of Israel (1Sam. 8:1-12). Rejected Saul and anointed David as king (1Sam. 15:1-16:13). Spent last days as a judge (1Sam. 7:15; 19:18-24; 25:1).

Samuel spoke only as God inspired him, so every prediction was literally fulfilled. He gave only sound advice to Israel, so all his counsels were received as coming from God (1Sam. 7:3-17; 8:7-22; 9:15-10:27; 12:1-25; 13:11-15; 15:13-35; 16:1-13). Samuel was a true and just judge and a godly leader, one without a recorded sin – an ideal character of right living, like Joseph in Genesis. The Bible has been faithful to tell of the goodness as well as the failures of men. This proves it has been divinely inspired, for no man would record his own deeds of failure and evil without being inspired by God to do so.

Samuel continued to be highly esteemed as a prophet and judge in Israel until his death about thirty-eight years after Saul became king (1Sam. 25:1).

To be continued…

Judges and Prophets – Part 5

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Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets

‘David’ – faith’s utter reliance (1Sam. 17:32-51; 23:2, 11; etc.). The Lord saw in David a man after His own heart (1Sam. 13:14; 16:7). David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons. He became a mighty man of valour (1Sam. 16:18). He is referred to many times as a mighty warrior and able to do more than many others in combat. He killed a lion and a bear even as a youth (1Sam. 17:34-36). His own mighty men acknowledged that he was worth 10,000 of them in war (2Sam. 18:3).

Summary of the chronological events in David’s life: David was anointed as king of Israel (1Sam. 16:1-13). War between Israel and Philistia, and challenge of Goliath (1Sam. 17:1-11). David’s mission to the army (1Sam. 17:12-21). Saluting his brethren and hearing the challenge of Goliath (1Sam. 17:22-27). Accused of pride by his brothers (1Sam. 17:28-29). Offer to go out and fight Goliath; brought to Saul who disdains him (1Sam. 17:30-33). Offering proof that he can fight Goliath. Accepted by Saul (1Sam. 17:34-37). Rejecting armour and weapons provided, in favour of his simple and trusted weapons (1Sam. 17:38-40). Challenging and conquering Goliath (1Sam. 17:41-51). Victory over Philistia (1Sam. 17:52-54). David brought to Saul (1Sam. 17:55-58). Becoming a friend of Jonathan (1Sam. 18:1-5). Incurring Saul’s jealousy who attempts to slay David (1Sam. 18:6-11). David was removed from Saul’s court but the king continued his efforts to slay him (1Sam. 18:12-30). Reconciliation with Saul (1Sam. 19:1-10): 1Samuel 16:14-23 should be placed chronologically between 1Samuel 19:9 and 19:10; but the writer put the passage where it could show the contrast between the two spirits with Saul and David. Continued attempts to kill David and the defeat and death of Saul (1Sam. 19:11-31:13). Saul made twenty-one attempts on David’s life to kill him. God protected David in all these attempts.

We have the Davidic covenant in 2Samuel 7:1-17. This agreement was made with David and his house through Nathan the prophet and was conditioned upon obedience as all other covenants. It was to be an everlasting covenant, containing seven blessings: A Davidic house forever (2Sam. 7:13-16; Ps. 89:20-37; Luke 1:32-35). A Davidic throne forever (2Sam. 7:12-16; Isa. 9:6, 7; Luke 1:32-35). A Davidic kingdom forever (2Sam. 7:12-16; Isa. 9:6, 7; Luke 1:32-35). A sure land for Israel forever (Gen. 17:1-27; 2Sam. 7:10). No more affliction from the nations forever (Deut. 28:1-30:10; 2Sam. 7:10). The Fatherly care of God forever (2Sam. 7:14; 2Cor. 6:15-18). An eternal covenant (2Sam. 7:10-16; Isa. 9:6, 7; Luke 1:32, 33).

Judges and Prophets – Part 4

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Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets

‘Jephthae’ Jephthah – faith’s boldness (Judges 11:1-12:7). Facts concerning Jephthah: He was born in Gilead by his father, Gilead, and a harlot. He was a mighty man of valour. His father’s sons cast him out and refused to give him an inheritance because he was illegitimate. He fled from his brethren and dwelled in the land of Tob. He became the leader of a band of worthless men who followed him on various adventures, during which he learned and perfected the art of war. When war with Ammon was imminent the elders of Israel in Gilead sent for him to be captain of the army. He reproved them for casting him out and then seeking his help when they were in distress. He refused to return home to head the army in war if he could not be the head in time of peace. He was promised headship of all Gilead if he would come and be captain of the army in the war with Ammon. He was made head over all Gilead by the people in Mizpeh. He sent messengers to the king of Ammon to avoid war if possible. His people, Israel, were accused by the Ammonites’ king of taking their land when coming up out of Egypt about 350 years before; Jephthah was told the land should be restored. Jephthah denied the charge, stating the historical facts – that Israel did not take the land of Ammon or Moab, and they even went around Edom and Moab to avoid war. He explained that Israel did not even intend to take the land of the Amorites, but were forced to fight them because they would not let the nation pass through to Canaan. He informed the king of Ammon that the land Israel possessed did not belong to his people and they would not give it to them. He told the king that Ammon should be satisfied with their possession as Moab had been with theirs, stating that Israel had not tried to enlarge their borders at the expense of Edom, Moab, or Ammon, and declaring that the Lord should judge between them if he was determined to make war. His appeal had no effect. The Spirit of God came upon Jephthah and he swiftly moved to fight Ammon. He made a rash vow that God would only give him victory. He defeated Ammon. He fulfilled his vow. He defeated Ephraim in a civil war and killed 42,000 men. He judged Israel for six years, then died and was buried in Gilead.

To be continued…