- A Proverb as found in I Samuel 10:12; 24:13;
2 Chronicles 7:20; Mark 7:17; and Luke 4:23.
- A Prophetic utterance as in Numbers 23:7 and
Ezekiel 20:49.
- An Enigma, perplexing or baffling,
as recorded in Psalms 78:2 and Proverbs 1:6; Hebrews 9:9; and 11:19.
- An Allegory that is descriptive of one thing
under the image of another; these are used in teaching or explaining
a Biblical truth.
- A Simile or Metaphor; using the likeness of
a person or thing resembling another as in Matthew 15:15; 24:32 and
Luke 5:36; 14:7.
Many times we use earthly illustrations
to teach heavenly truths. It is interesting that with earthly illustrations,
we cannot really express heavenly realities, because of what is written
in 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him. We cannot comprehend
the glories of heaven, nor the extent of the beauty and holiness found
there.
Our Lord used parables extensively to
teach the Jews as we shall see this month and next. Matthew 13:14-15
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By
hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall
see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross,
and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed;
lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their
ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted,
and I should heal them.The above verses will later be used,
but for now, they explain why the Lord taught with parables. There are
times when we preachers-teachers think the same is true in the church
today. Have we heard so often and repeated so much that its old hat
with us, and it goes into one ear and out the other.
One closing illustration, A college education is a process
whereby the professor's notes are transferred from the teacher's notebook
to the students' notebooks without passing through the mind of either
the professor or the students. Is that also happening in our churches?
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February 2nd
Ears to Hear
Matthew 13:10-15
In 1 Corinthians 2:14we read the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they
are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned. Those without faith and salvation cannot
understand, much less, appreciate spiritual truth. Therefore, they see,
but they do not see, and they hear but they do not hear. The way that
we respond to spiritual truth is very important. We can either open
our hearts and let God's grace work in us, or we can harden our hearts
to our own confusion and damnation. Regardless of our response, the
truth will come, and as surely as the truth comes, we will respond in
one of these two ways.
God is absolute goodness and perfection.
He does not take any pleasure in the death of the wicked. We read in
Ezekiel 33:11 I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but
that the wicked turn from his way and live. For this reason,
God does not impart deeper spiritual truth to those who have already
hardened and rejected truth. It serves no good purpose, and only adds
to their condemnation. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 7:6, Give
not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before
swine... It is of God's mercy that He allows the enemy to blind
minds to the truth and it is of God's mercy that Jesus spoke to the
people in parables.
Sadly, many believers today do not seem
to understand this principle. The things that we see and human reason
are things of the flesh. These do not profit spiritually. In1 Corinthians
1:21, we read in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew
not God ... If people do not open their hearts to simple spiritual
truths, there is no reason to go any further with them. The truth is
both infinite and complex. It is difficult to communicate it in language.
Therefore, we must often balance precepts. In this case, we need to
balance the command to preach the gospel to every creature with the
instruction not to cast our pearls before swine. We need to open our
hearts to the Spirit of God in order to find important Biblical and
spiritual balance in our lives. I wonder, do you hear? Is your heart
open?
Matt.13
[10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto
them in parables?
[11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to
know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
[12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even
that he hath.
[13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see
not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
[14] And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By
hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall
see, and shall not perceive:
[15] For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull
of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should
see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand
with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
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February 3rd
Concerning the Moabites and Israelites
Numbers 23 - 24
This is a prophetic set of parables,
given from God through Balaam to Balak. It is very interesting to note
that Balaam had set out to bring curses on the Nation of Israel for
the selfish and sole purpose of his own financial gain. But God had
other plans, and as we shall see in our devotional today, God's plan
and purpose will always be accomplished.
If you know the whole story of Balaam,
you would know that he practiced magic and divination, which ultimately
led the children of Israel into apostasy. Later on, the scriptures also
clearly identify him as a false prophet. God used some interesting
details to accomplish His purpose, even though this false prophet
was bent on selfish interests.
First, we see that God told Balaam, Not
to go up to Balak and the Moabites, but he went anyway. God had to speak
to Balaam through his donkey, graciously sparing his life, because he
was going down the wrong path, and an Angel of the Lord would have killed
Balaam if he continued. God's mercy was evident here! There are many
times in our lives that we know we should not do something and
yet we go ahead and do it anyway. God did allow Balaam finally to go,
but used his voice, in spite of his original intent, to instead Bless
the nation of Israel. This is really quite funny as Balaam goes to curse,
and instead out of his mouth came blessings. Not just one, not just
two, but three, and then a prophecy too, against the other nations for
what they had done to the Israelites. God put the word in Balaams mouth!
In other words, God will accomplish His purpose and His plan regardless
of the good or bad intent of the person. Sadly, Balaam missed many blessings.
Say, where do you stand today? Are you a professing Christian, but do
not have any spiritual fruit that is showing? Are you living for yourself,
or are you seeking the Lord with all your heart? We reap what we sow.
God wants to use us and bless us if we are willing to obey Him! God
always desires a willing heart. That should be our prayer today!
"Dear God, forgive me of my sin.
Gracious Father, I want to have a willing heart so that I can be used
of You to proclaim Your great salvation to those who will listen. Guide
me and use me as Your will be done and help me to obey Your sovereign
plan in my life. Amen."
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February 4th
The Parable of the Trees
In Judges we see Israel
as a nation doing their own thing again and again. There were
no leaders with spiritual responsibility or leadership. Joshua was dead.
The nation was moving from one apostasy to another. Nine times they
were so far away from God that He sent seven heathen servitudes to enslave
and persecute them. God used sixteen different judges to retrieve them
to Himself. These sixteen judges were themselves not always faithful
or steadfast to the Lord. There were five civil wars and untold destruction
and agony for God's people. We could sum it up by saying there were
sins, prophecies, slavery, wars and 305 years of failure. It's no wonder
they refused Samuel and demanded a king. They were living under a theocratic
government, but that was not good enough for them. God was their King
and He too was rejected.
In (Judges 9:7-15) we see Jotham, the
brother of Abimelech (verse 21), standing on top of Mt. Gerizim and
taking advantage of the acoustics in a long, deep canyon to the North
of Shechem. Jotham is calling Israel to repentance. Jotham prophesied
by using the Parable of the Trees to alert Israel of his brother's
despotic nature and murderous rule over Israel, for the next three years.
This parable expresses several deep spiritual truths. The trees were
searching for a king. The olive, fig and the vine refused to leave their
God given responsibilities to become the king of the trees. (The setting
for our story is north of Jerusalem near the present city of Nablus
a stronghold of the PLO in today's terrorist action between the Jews
and Palestine Liberation Organization). In desperation they chose the
bramble, a small, thorny bush used for starting fires, to become their
king.
The lesson to be learned is that when
we choose leaders at the ballot box, we should not choose them on the
basis of political rhetoric, but on personal character and spiritual
leadership. Christians have divorced themselves from politics and in
so doing, we have lost our ballet strength in governmental leadership.
We too, have chosen brambles or people who seek office for personal
gain and power, rather than for integrity and justice for the nation.
America is on moral skids, leading to internal destruction and producing
another godless generation unable to discern good from evil. Shame on
us!
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February 5th
The Gospel Mystery
Judges 14:10-18
Samson is an unusual man. As we see in
our text, he was a gambler. We find that he was very lax regarding his
Nazarite vow and he was a fornicator. In spite of these troubling flaws,
he is listed as a hero of the faith in Hebrews 11. God's ways are different
from our ways. The fact that he is an Old Testament figure does not
eliminate the problems.
At Samson's wedding feast in Timnath,
he gives the friends of his new bride a riddle. We read in Judges
14:14: he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out
of the strong came forth sweetness. There is a great paradox
here. The lion was strongest of beasts in Palestine. Even today, the
lion is called the king of beasts and the honey is the sweetest food.
It is unusual to get food from a predator. It is also unusual to get
something sweet out of something strong or bitter (out of "the
bitter", so the Syriac and Arabic read it, "came sweetness").
Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody,
MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997. At these wedding feasts there was
much drinking and the men, as we see here, often posed questions to
each other to prove their wisdom and worth.
This riddle was a part of Samson's experience.
It is recorded for our instruction. After three days, these guests could
not solve the riddle. It is not until they get the truth from his bride
that these Philistines find the answer on the seventh day. This riddle
pictures for us the mystery of the gospel and Jesus Christ. Our Lord
was the lion out of the tribe of Judah, yet his body is meat indeed,
and his blood is drink indeed. The picture of the cross is one of the
bitterest things that we can imagine, and yet, out of this bitter experience
came something very sweet. This same paradox is a part of the experience
of all who believe. In this life with faith, we can see good triumph
over evil. In Psalm 76:10 we read, Surely the wrath of
man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. There
is much by way of evil in this world and in our experience, but God
restrains evil that cannot be used for good. In Romans 8:28 we
read all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.Wherever
sin abounds, God makes grace to abound even more.
Judges 14:10-18
[10] So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there
a feast; for so used the young men to do.
[11] And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty
companions to be with him.
[12] And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you:
if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast,
and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change
of garments:
[13] But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets
and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy
riddle, that we may hear it.
[14] And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out
of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days
expound the riddle.
[15] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's
wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest
we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to
take that we have? is it not so?
[16] And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate
me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children
of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold,
I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?
[17] And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted:
and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she
lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
[18] And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before
the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger
than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer,
ye had not found out my riddle.
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February 6th
Poor Man's Ewe Lamb
2 Samuel 12:1 - 23
Read and listen to the
story and make the Connection by Association! Nathan, the prophet gave
this parable to King David for his sinful behavior with Bathsheba. There
is much for us to learn here. Biblically, we know that having more than
one wife is not according to God's plan, especially for the king. We
also know that it is not God's plan to covet another mans wife. Too,
we know that God said, Thou shalt not commit murder! King
David, who later is spoken of as a man after God's own heart, commits
terrible sin before the Lord, and after hearing the parable from Nathan,
is ready to self righteously put someone else to death, until he is
confronted with the fact that this sin was his own sin.
The main reason that King David is called
a man after God's own heart, is that when he was confronted with his
great sin, he realized that he was the guilty one. He
recognized it and he immediately confessed his sin before the
Lord. He sinned, he was confronted, and he repented. This is
a very important lesson for us today! We all sin, but when we are confronted,
do we repent? Oh, that we would humble ourselves before the Lord, and
fall on our faces in heartfelt repentance and shame for the ungodly
reproach and the exceeding sinfulness of our own sin before our righteous
God. How it must cut our precious Savior to the heart when we will not
submit and when we will not turn from our wicked ways.
We see that King David did repent, but
he paid a high price for his sin. His son died shortly after birth.
Can we realize another lesson here? Sin always costs! The wages
of sin is death! Yes, David lost his first son, but in God's
great mercy, the next son Solomon, was born and the scriptures record
a precious statement, God loved Solomon. Is not our God
gracious and merciful?! Yes, He is! King David asked God to spare his
first son, but when the son died, the King got up, and immediately got
back to where God wanted him to be spiritually. May one more questions
be asked? Are you where God wants you to be spiritually?
Dear Lord, how we are humbled when we
think of our terrible sin and how it cost Your only Son. May we be obedient
children who, when faced with our sin, will repent and turn back to
You. Guide us, O Great Jehovah, we pray, in the precious name of Jesus,
our Lord, Amen.
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February 7th
David's Reconciliation with Absalom
II Samuel 14:1:33
Please read this 14th
chapter and you will better understand this summary of the events and
the outcome. However, we must go back into David's history of taking
Bathsheba into his house for immoral purposes when she was the wife
of another man. Nathan the Prophet told David he would be forgiven,
but eight troubling things would plague David's family because of his
sins: 2 Sam. 12:10-14
(1) The Sword shall never depart from your house.
(2) I will bring evil against you out of your own house.
(3) I will take your wives and give them to your neighbor.
(4) He shall lie with your wives in the sight of the sun.
(5) What you did secretly will be done before all Israel.
(6) The Lord has put away your sin and David would not die.
(7) Your enemies will use this to blaspheme the Lord.
(8) The child from your illicit relationship with Bathsheba shall die.
Each and every one of these prophecies was fulfilled.
There are four people involved in this
parable: King David, Absalom, Joab and the woman from Tekoah. Tekoah
is the birthplace of Amos one of the Minor Prophets. Joab was the instigator
for a family restoration between David and Absalom. David was a man
of strong emotions and when he made a decision to love or hate someone,
it was final. The unnamed woman came to the King with a parable of her
two sons having had a fight and one killing the other. She was asking
for a pardon for the guilty one. She pleads for the surviving son's
life on the basis that his death would cut off the family inheritance
and name as recorded in the Law of Moses. The deeper she got into the
story the more David began to suspect Joab was the instigator of her
story.
In our modern judicial system the judge
on the bench often reduces the penalty or pardons the guilty one because
of extenuating circumstances. This is what King David did. The King
allowed Absalom to return to Jerusalem, but refused to see him for two
years. There was still enmity in David's heart toward Absalom. David
had to learn another lesson, he had to forgive and forget. For a proud
person, this is difficult and often rejected until it's too late. We
forget that God forgave us all our sins and they are as far removed
as the east is from the west. Finally, David did forgive Absalom and
kissed him, 2 Sam. 14:33.
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February 8th
The Golden Rule
1 Kings 20:35-40
We would be wise to see
God at work in events that are taking place around us. In this story,
God was working through Israel and Ahab, her king, to punish a pagan
king. God delivered Ben-Hadad into the hands of the king of Israel,
however, rather than bringing this man to justice, Ahab lets him go.
God sends His prophet with a message
of judgment to Ahab. Since Ahab refused to kill Ben-Hadad, God would
require Ahab's life. Ahab went home frustrated and angry. His heart
was far from God. It does not matter whether or not our heart is right
with God, He will still deal with us according to the same principle.
He will deal with us according to the principles we deal with others.
In Galatians 6:7 we are admonished, Be not deceived; God
is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
We find the same principle in many places in the Bible. In the
Sermon on the Mount, we find Jesus said, Matthew 7:1, 2 Judge
not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall
be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you
again.
Very few of us go long in life before
we make judgments of others that relate to moral and spiritual things.
Either someone treats us in a way that hurts us or we see conduct that
is harmful to the political, economic and social order. The thinking
of our heart comes out in the things we speak. We may take such words
lightly, but God does not. When he brings the works of man into judgment,
He will do no more than we see in our text. He will use our own words
to judge us. In Matthew 12:37we read: by thy words thou
shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Sadly,
we are prone to judge our own hearts by our intentions and the hearts
of others by their actions. Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is
right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.Since
we have the best of intentions, we are never wrong. We would be wise
to look well into our own dealings. It is not enough to have good intentions.
Our lives must be consistent with the principles of God's word. If not,
we can be sure that we have a double standard.
1 Kings 20:35-40 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said
unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And
the man refused to smite him.
[36] Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of
the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall
slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him,
and slew him.
[37] Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And
the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.
[38] So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and
disguised himself with ashes upon his face.
[39] And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said,
Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man
turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if
by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or
else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.
[40] And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the
king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast
decided it.
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February 9th
The Thistle and the Cedar
2 Kings 14
King Amaziah was reigning in Judah during
this time but we see something very interesting. He did not follow the
Lord in Everything like King David had done. Amaziah did not
take down the high places just like his father, even though King David
had set a high standard of unswerving devotion to the Lord for the descending
kings to follow. This is an excellent example for us today. Our parents
may or may not have given us godly examples, but that does not excuse
us from making our own poor choices. We must always choose to do things
God's way!
Proud Amaziah began to feel his kingly
oats, so to speak, and challenged Jehoash, the king of Israel to battle.
In Vs. 9, we see the parable given by King Jehoash back to king Amaziah.
(Look at Judges 9:8-15) The thistle, of course, is King Amaziah who
was likened to an irritating and worthless plant, who wanted to be like
the majestic cedar, who was Jehoash, but a wild animal crushed the thistle.
Jehoash counseled Amaziah that he was overestimating his power and prominence
and should not go to war with Israel, as he would be crushed. He, of
course, did not listen and was defeated. The people lost their respect
for him as king and ultimately killed him. What a sad ending for this
apostate king.
Say, let us take some lessons here and
learn what God would have for us today! We often have much pride in
our own hearts, don't we! The pride of life infects many unrepentant
hearts. Things get to going good in our lives, or so it seems, and then
suddenly, we are brought low from our own sin. Would to God, we could
learn that pride goeth before a fall. Pride in any way,
shape, or form, is something to completely avoid at all cost. We need
to fall on our knees before God in humble repentance and confess our
ungodly sin and ungodly attitudes that come from ungodly pride. The
path of pride will ultimately take us to the bottom and will totally
consume us. Instead, God desires repentance and confession!
Dear Lord God, we fall on our faces today
and repent and confess our sin of pride. We ask You to forgive us, gracious
and merciful Lord and Savior. We desire to do what is right in Your
eyes, as those faithful ones do that we may know, who are going before
us. We love You, Dear Savior! Cause us to teach others of Your Faithfulness!
Amen.
2Kgs.14
[1] In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned
Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
[2] He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned
twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan
of Jerusalem.
[3] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not
like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father
did.
[4] Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did
sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
[5] And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his
hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
[6] But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that
which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded,
saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor
the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be
put to death for his own sin.
[7] He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah
by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.
[8] Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son
of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the
face.
[9] And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying,
The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon,
saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild
beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
[10] Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee
up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle
to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
[11] But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went
up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face
at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
[12] And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every
man to their tents.
[13] And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son
of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem,
and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the
corner gate, four hundred cubits.
[14] And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were
found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house,
and hostages, and returned to Samaria.
[15] Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might,
and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in
the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
[16] And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with
the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.
[17] And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death
of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
[18] And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the
book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
[19] Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled
to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.
[20] And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem
with his fathers in the city of David.
[21] And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years
old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
[22] He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept
with his fathers.
[23] In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah
Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria,
and reigned forty and one years.
[24] And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed
not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel
to sin.
[25] He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto
the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel,
which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai,
the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher.
[26] For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter:
for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
[27] And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel
from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son
of Joash.
[28] Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and
his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath,
which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book
of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
[29] And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel;
and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
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February 10th
Israel the Vine
Psalm 80: 8-19
There are three figures
of speech used in the Old Testament referring to Israel: the vine, fig
tree and the olive tree. It is interesting that in our study of Feb.
4th, we spoke of the trees seeking a king and these three national emblems
rejected being king and a bramble volunteered much to Israel's disastrous
results. Beginning in verse 8, the Psalmist refers back to the history
of bringing the Hebrews out of Egypt and giving them the Promised Land.
Compare Isaiah 5:1-7. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very
fruitful hill: And He fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof,
and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst
of it, and also made a wine press therein: and he looked that it should
bring forth me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my
vineyard, that I have not done grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel
And in Luke 20:9-19, our Lord speaks again regarding the vineyard.
A farmer planted a vineyard and leased it to the Jews. He sent three
messengers to collect his share of the proceeds, but they mistreated
them. Then the Owner sent His Son and they killed Him. Therefore, the
Owner lent the vineyard out to others, the Church. Again in (John
15:1-8), we see Jesus as the Vine and we are the branches.
Israel was chosen of God through Abraham
and his posterity. Israel was to be a witness to the nations around
her, but instead she became like them and worshipped strange gods. She
was to be a repository of the Truth, i.e., the Bible. Instead, she disobeyed
and made additional laws to satisfy her whims in particular times and
places. She was to be the channel through which Christ was to come and
set up His Kingly Rule, but again she rejected her Messiah and to this
day rejects Him. The vine has become woody and worthless. It brings
forth leaves, but no grapes. We, as a church should learn an important
lesson. If we are fruitless, we will be cut off and the word Ichabod,
because the glory of the Lord has departed (I Sam. 4:21) from
the tabernacle in the Old Testament and Anathema. (1 Corinthians
16:22) If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema
in the New Testament. The worst thing that can happen to any church
is for the Lord to write Ichabod over the church door.
Don't let this happen to our church!
Pss.80: 8-19
[8] Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen,
and planted it.
[9] Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep
root, and it filled the land.
[10] The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof
were like the goodly cedars.
[11] She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the
river.
[12] Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which
pass by the way do pluck her?
[13] The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the
field doth devour it.
[14] Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven,
and behold, and visit this vine;
[15] And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch
that thou madest strong for thyself.
[16] It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke
of thy countenance.
[17] Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of
man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
[18] So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call
upon thy name.
[19] Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and
we shall be saved.
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February 11th
God's People
Isaiah 5:1-7
God calls on His people to judge the
spiritual state of things in Israel. Was it possible for God to do anything
more to help His people prosper spiritually than He did? God poses this
question to the people through the prophet. The answer was very obviously,
no. It is impossible for us to understand to perfection, the ways of
God. We know that without God, we can do nothing and yet we bear important
responsibility when it comes to spiritual things. God deserves all the
credit and all the glory for any good in our lives and we bear all the
guilt for all failure. Israel was continually unfaithful to God and
failed spiritually.
Things were not as they should have been.
In verse 2 of our text regarding the nation Israel we read: God
looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild
grapes. Not only did they fail to do right, they
delighted in doing evil. It would seem that they were blaming God for
their failure. It is no different today. As we consider evil in this
world, we see so many with such good intentions that people often conclude
God is to blame for evil
What is God to do? We see in our text,
that He withdraws His grace from us. We read in verse 6, I will
also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. God
often uses sin as its own punishment. Sin is destructive. If we only
use God's grace to enable us to do evil, he will withdraw that grace
from us. He withdraws that grace so that we will seek Him. Sadly, people
in sin seldom, if ever, get the message and return to the place of fellowship
and blessing.
Yet, regardless of the choices that we
make the principles of truth and justice are upheld. There is not a
more just precept than the golden rule, however, from the perspective
of God's justice we will reap as we have sown in this life. We read
in Galations 6:7, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap. It is a law that God
has built into the natural and created order. People in our world today,
recognize this truth as they say, "what goes around comes around."
If we are wise, we will not only do right, but recognize how this brings
forth good fruit.
Isa.5: 1-7
[1] Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching
his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
[2] And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted
it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and
also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth
grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
[3] And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I
pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
[4] What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done
in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought
it forth wild grapes?
[5] And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I
will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break
down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
[6] And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but
there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds
that they rain no rain upon it.
[7] For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and
the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but
behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
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February 12th
The Vine Tree
Ezekiel 17:1 - 24
This is another messianic prophecy that
is quite interesting, 2 Kings 24. God is speaking to Ezekiel
and starts out with a Great Eagle in vs. 3. This represents
the king of Babylon, who took royal and other captives. The cedar
represents Judah. In vs. 4, the topmost young twig is
Jehoiachin, the king, who was exiled in 597 B.C. Vrs. 5, 6 refers to
the Seed, those who were left in Judah. Vs. 6 is a
spreading vine,; or Zedekiah, the youngest son of Josiah, whom
Nebuchadnezzar appointed king of Judah. He was not faithful to his pledge
(2 Chr. 36:13) and began to seek help from Egypt, which Jeremiah
protested. (Jer.37:5-7) In vr. 7, another great eagle
is Egypt, Pharaoh Apries. (Hophra) In vrs. 9, 10 we see Zedekiah's treachery
would not prosper. He was captured, Jer 52:8 and Judah withered
as the east wind (Babylon) blasted her. In verses 11-21, the parable
then is explained.
The messianic prophecy begins in vs.
22 as it speaks of the Messiah as one of the highest branches coming
from the high cedar which is the line of David. Messiah will
be established in His kingdom, like a mountain(Dan.
2:35) and will be ;a high branch, a tender one
vs. 22 growing into a majestic cedar vs. 23 with nations
under His kingdom rule being blessed and Israel restored.
How can we apply these precious truths
to our lives today? God had to deal with a rebellious nation and He
did so with a humbling judgment. Messiah grew out of the dry tree
meaning that very few people really believed and obeyed God. Many of
the kings did not follow God nor did most of the people. This is a sad
story of utter disobedience and yet it is also a chapter that leads
those few who have obeyed the only True and Living God to rejoice in
Jesus Christ their Savior. That He did come through that small, obedient
remnant of believers to fulfill this prophecy along with many, many
others. Praise the Lord, He provided the way!
Dear Lord, how we are humbled to realize
that there were so many people who did not love You nor obey You and
how there are many people today that are the same way. Heavenly Father,
forgive us where we have failed and help us to obey You fully, that
we may tell others of Your saving grace and mercy, wonderfully bestowed.
Amen.
Ezekiel17
[1] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[2] Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house
of Israel;
[3] And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings,
longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon,
and took the highest branch of the cedar:
[4] He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a
land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
[5] He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful
field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.
[6] And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches
turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became
a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
[7] There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers:
and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth
her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her
plantation.
[8] It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring
forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly
vine.
[9] Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not
pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither?
it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great
power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
[10] Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly
wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows
where it grew.
[11] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[12] Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things
mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and
hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with
him to Babylon;
[13] And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him,
and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the
land:
[14] That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up,
but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.
[15] But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt,
that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall
he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and
be delivered?
[16] As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king
dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant
he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
[17] Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make
for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut
off many persons:
[18] Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo,
he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not
escape.
[19] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath
that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it
will I recompense upon his own head.
[20] And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my
snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there
for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.
[21] And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword,
and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall
know that I the LORD have spoken it.
[22] Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch
of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of
his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain
and eminent:
[23] In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it
shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and
under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches
thereof shall they dwell.
[24] And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have
brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up
the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have
brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up
the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have
spoken and have done it.
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February 13th
Parable of the Great Eagle and the Vine
Or Discontent leads to Disastrous Results
Ezekiel l7: 3-10
We need to learn the historical
setting before we get to the parable itself. The Northern Kingdom of
Israel had already been taken into captivity. In our text, we see an
interim between the first and the final carrying away of the Southern
Kingdom, Judah. The two Eagles here represent Nebuchadnezzar, king of
Babylon and Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar named Zedekiah as
a subordinate king over Israel. Zedekiah was to be subject to Babylon,
but he was not satisfied, he wanted more power and sought Egypt to obtain
that power.
Now we find the application! Zedekiah
was in a hurry; some progress had been made. Israel had become a spreading
vine of low stature, vs. 6. Zedekiah had given his oath to be subject
to Nebuchadnezzar, but in his discontent and being urged on by his princes
he sought an alliance with Egypt. He had violated a sacred oath and
that was followed by rebellion against the powers that be. Instead of
this being a success, it became ruinous failure.
The result of Zedekiah's rebellion was
the final and complete carrying away of the nation of Israel and the
seventy years of captivity. For 490 years, Israel had not kept the Sabbatical
years, or fallow years, as ordered by the Lord in Leviticus 25:4
But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land,
a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune
thy vineyard. So the Lord used the captivity to give the land
its rest, or Sabbatical years. When God makes a law, it is to be kept
or His people will suffer the consequences.
Should discontent with our station in
life ever prompt us to use ways that are not honorable and Christian
for the benefiting of our finances or material possessions, we, too,
will suffer the consequences. When discontent becomes strong and active
and we grow impatient with God's purposes for us, we are tempted to
break away from our submission to the Holy Spirit's guidance and control
of God's divine providence. God will not compel us to yield to His guidance.
Rather, God will permit us to go our own way and we will be the losers.
God's way is the best way! There is a narrow way that leads to everlasting
life.
Ezekiel17: 3-10
[3] And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings,
longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon,
and took the highest branch of the cedar:
[4] He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a
land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
[5] He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful
field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.
[6] And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches
turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became
a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
[7] There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers:
and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth
her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her
plantation.
[8] It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring
forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly
vine.
[9] Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not
pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither?
it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great
power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
[10] Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly
wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows
where it grew.
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February 14th
Israel and Her Kings
Ezekiel 19:1-9
(1.) This text describes
the nation of Israel in terms of a lion and her kings as cubs. the
lioness/mother in this chapter is the nation Israel. She was the one
who set up her kings but saw them destroyed, and she was the one who
would go into captivity.
(2.) In the text, the surrounding nations trap Israel
and her king. Ezekiel writes just 5 years before the captivity in 592BC.
At this time, the nation has many enemies that help the king of Babylon,
and go on to rejoice in her destruction. Pits were dug to trap large
animals. They were covered over with brushwood, and often approaches
were built so that animals could be driven toward the pit. Ezekiel…
uses it as a picture of what will happen to the princes of Israel...
(3.) The lion is a predator that takes no thought for
its victims, but rather its own needs. In sin humanity made in the image
of God, becomes like a wild beast. Like a wild beast, God will use the
men of Babylon to deal with this threat. When God's people give way
to evil, they often become more corrupt than the world. The Biblical
record reveals that Nebuchadnezzar was more in line with the truth than
Israel's kings. None sink so far into hell as those that come nearest
heaven, because they fall from the greatest height. WILLIAM GURNALL
(4.) In this text, God has a particular king in mind. This lion (strong
lion) was Jehoahaz who came to the throne after Josiah's death;
After a reign of only three months he was deposed by Pharaoh Neco II,
who led him with hooks(probably literal hooks in his nose attached
to a rope-leash; cf. v. 9) to the land of Egypt. In Egypt, Jehoahaz
died in captivity....
(5.) How few of all the boastful men that reign descend
in peace to Pluto’s dark domain! Juvenal
(1) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible
Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications,
Inc.) 1983, 1985.
(2) Gowers, Ralph, The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times, (Chicago:
The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago) 1987.
(3) I.D.E. Thomas, The Golden Treasury of Puritan Quotations, (Simpsonville,
SC: Christian Classics Foundation) 1997.
(4) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
(Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
(5) Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.
Ezek.19: 1-9
[1] Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,
[2] And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions,
she nourished her whelps among young lions.
[3] And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and
it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
[4] The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they
brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt.
[5] Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then
she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.
[6] And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion,
and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.
[7] And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities;
and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of
his roaring.
[8] Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces,
and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.
[9] And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king
of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more
be heard upon the mountains of Israel.
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February 15th
The Wasted Vine
Ezekiel 19:10 - 14
Here again, we see another
example of Judah, who had prospered as a luxuriant vine, v. 10, with
strong power and eminence, v. 11. However God had to pluck up the vine
in judgment, bringing desolation to her in v. 12, exiling her in v.
13 and ultimately leaving no strong king in v.14. The blame for this
terrible catastrophe was laid on one ruler, King Zedekiah, who was responsible
for the burning of Jerusalem because of his treachery in Jer. 38:20-23.
The house of David ended in shame and, for nearly 2,600 years since,
Israel has had no king of David's line. When Messiah came, they rejected
Him and preferred Caesar. Jesus still became their Savior and He will
return as Israel's King.
As we consider these words, and take
a look at our own individual lives and country, it causes us to realize
that we, too, could very easily fall into the same ways as Israel did.
Fathers are admonished to train their children in the ways of the Lord!
Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Wives are
to submit to their husbands. Children are to obey their parents. Christians
are to obey the laws of the land. We have the privilege in this country
to vote for the people whom we feel will lead us in the right ways.
All these areas are being satanically attacked and individuals, husbands,
wives, children, families, and our country are falling for the lies
of the wicked one and being destroyed. We must decide today to STAND
UP for the TRUTHS of GOD'S WORD and OBEY God and do what is right! Complacency
needs to be replaced with the Urgency of the warnings of pending judgment
and destruction. We, as Christians, need to evaluate where we are spiritually
and see if there needs to be any changes made, confess sin, and then
get in there and FOLLOW God with every fiber of our existence. God says,
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will
I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
O Gracious Father, in weeping humbleness,
we confess our sin to You. Heavenly Father, we pray that You will guide
us in Your truth and in Your Word. Help us to seek Your face and turn
from our wicked ways. We desire Your forgiveness and healing hand in
our land. Amen.
Ezekiel 19:10 - 14 Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted
by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many
waters.
[11] And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule,
and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared
in her height with the multitude of her branches.
[12] But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground,
and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and
withered; the fire consumed them.
[13] And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty
ground.
[14] And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured
her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This
is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.
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February 16th
The Parable of the Boiling Pot
Ezekiel 24: 1-14
The very day Ezekiel spoke this parable
Nebuchadnezzar and his army set up a siege around Jerusalem. Ezekiel
24:1-2 Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth
day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of
man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king
of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day. The
sins of the people were in three categories:
(1) Lying, by which we must understand corruption, deceits,
frauds and political insincerity.
(2) Lewdness, immorality, sensual sins, and carnal luxury.
(3) Blood-guiltiness, murder, violence and no respect for self or others.
Sounds like America today!
It is not unusual for
the Jerusalemites to burn bones. There had been so many wars in the
Holy Land, that there were very few trees. One of the age-old practices
of an invading army was to burn the trees, because trees offer a hiding
place for their enemies to use in flanking attacks. When the trees are
removed fertile countryside becomes a desert.
The pot or caldron used by Ezekiel was
made of bronze. Brass is made of copper and zinc and was not
in use until the thirteenth century. The King James Bible uses the word
brass, but a better word is bronze. It is a symbol
of insensibility and obstinacy in sin (Isa. 48:4; Jer. 6:28;
Ezek. 22:18), and of strength (Ps. 107:16; Micah 4:13).
The Macedonian /Greek empire is described
as a kingdom of brass (Dan. 2:39). The serpent of brass Brazen
serpent was made by Moses at the command of God (Num. 21:4-9).
The Brazen serpent was lifted up on a pole, so that it might be seen
by all people when bitten by the fiery serpents that were sent to them
as a punishment for their murmuring against God and Moses. It was, afterwards,
carried by the Jews into The Promised Land and preserved by them till
the time of Hezekiah, who caused it to be destroyed because it began
to be viewed by the people with superstitious reverence (2 Kings
18:4) (NEHUSHTAN). The brazen serpent is used as a type by
our Lord in John 3:14, 15. The serpent on the pole was a symbol
of what Christ did on the cross for all mankind. We must accept His
sacrifice or, we too, will die the second death in the lake of fire.
Ezek.24
[1] Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of
the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[2] Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day:
the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
[3] And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them,
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water
into it:
[4] Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh,
and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones.
[5] Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it,
and make it boil well, and let them seethe the bones of it therein.
[6] Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the
pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring
it out piece by piece; let no lot fall up on it.
[7] For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of
a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;
[8] That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set
her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.
[9] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will
even make the pile for fire great.
[10] Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it
well, and let the bones be burned.
[11] Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it
may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten
in it, that the scum of it may be consumed.
[12] She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not
forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.
[13] In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and
thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any
more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.
[14] I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do
it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent;
according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge
thee, saith the Lord GOD.
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February 17th
The Difference between Good and Evil
Haggai 2:11-14
It is common for people to see evil as
something external. Most of us have good intentions and so it is difficult
to see the evil that is present in our own hearts. In this text, God
challenges the prophet to ask the priests concerning the ceremonial
law. According to the law, holy things touching other things did not
make them holy, however, unclean things that touched holy things rendered
the holy things unclean. In this text, God applies this spiritual principle
to the nation Israel. Therefore, since the nation of Israel was spiritually
unclean, all their works were also unclean. They knew about God, but
their hearts were not purified by faith.
We read in Proverbs 21:4 the plowing
of the wicked is sin. At first, we might think, how can this
be? Yet, if we understand the spiritual principle revealed in the law,
we realize that the wicked are spiritually unclean. Being unclean, everything
that they put their hands to or touch is also unclean. You see, sin
is not just a matter of the things that we do. Most importantly, it
is a matter of what we are. We choose to do what we do because of what
we are. Without the purification of our hearts through faith in God,
nothing we do is right regardless of how good it is in appearance.
This principle applies not only to the
works of our hands, but also our worship. In Proverbs 21:27 we
read, the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much
more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? Not all is well
as far as humanity is concerned. We have all been touched by Adam's
fall. The spiritual principle illustrated here ought to make that clear.
Without a heart purified by faith in Christ, we cannot please God. Salvation
is a matter of faith and the heart, not externals. It is common for
people to think that the things they do in life are most important spiritually.
They are not. These things are secondary and they flow from the heart.
We cannot buy our way out of a corrupt heart and gain heaven with money
or deeds. We can be sure of heaven through faith in Jesus Christ. Through
Jesus Christ, God can purify our hearts and a purified heart will make
different choices when it comes to the things we do in this life. Say,
do you trust in Jesus Christ? If not, why not turn to Him now in faith?
Haggai 2:11-14 Thus saith the LORD of hosts;
Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
[12] If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his
skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall
it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.
[13] Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any
of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It
shall be unclean.
[14] Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this
nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands;
and that which they offer there is unclean
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February 18th
Candle Under a Bushel
Matt. 5:15, Mark 4:21, Luke 8:16, 11:33-36
He who has an (spiritual) ear to hear,
let Him hear. Jesus uses this phrase many times in the Bible
and it is His call to all people for salvation and then for obedience.
We look at all four of these references and find it interesting that
there were a lot of so-called secret service Christians even in Jesus
time of ministry. We see even more of these today. There are many people
who profess to be Christians, yet their lamps are hidden under a
bushel. Folks are ashamed of the gospel message. This statement
probably makes many heads shake in disbelief.
This is the very reason that Jesus spoke
this parable. There were many folks who claimed to be Christian and
yet there was no evidence of any such change taking place because there
was no obedience to Jesus Christ and His commands. Read John 15.
Another clear verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, Therefore,
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed
away, behold, all things are become new. If you are truly saved,
you will have clear evidence that God the Holy Spirit lives within you.
Jesus will be shining forth in your life. Others will see it. You will
be proclaiming His Word unashamedly. You will bear much fruit and in
so doing, the Heavenly Father is glorified.
The last text in Luke 11:33-36speaks
not only of the lamp shining forth, but also talks of the lamp of the
body. This is crucial to understand. In v. 33, the lamp speaks of the
Word of God. In v. 34 we see the lamp of the body, which is the eye,
speaking of people. Jesus clearly says, if your (spiritual) eye is good,
then your whole body is FULL of (spiritual) light. But when your eye
is bad, (spiritually dead) your body is also full of darkness. The problem
lies with perception. People don't lack enough light, because God's
Word is faithfully and regularly preached, as is His Word readily available
to those who will seek it. No, the problem is that people need genuine
hearts that will believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Jesus
said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the
Father but by me. The question is, "Does your heart believe
it?"
Heavenly Father, may we pray today for
hearts that will believe what Your Holy Word has said. Forgive us of
unbelief and disobedience. Guide us and help us in the light of Your
Truth. Amen.
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February 19th
Is Your House built on the Rock or on
Sand?
Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49
The American Southwest is much like Israel.
Israel stretches from Elat on the south at 29.5 degrees latitude to
33.2 degrees north on the Lebanese border. Southern California, Arizona
and New Mexico are 31.4 to 37 degrees latitude. Both are semi-desert
and prone to flash floods and sedimentary filled streams that are dry
most of the year. Our Lord used such a piece of land as an illustration
of the foolishness of building on the sand. Here, in Grand Junction,
the soil is much like that referred to in our parable. Most of the Grand
Valley is an old riverbed and is unstable land.
Our Lord was using this parable to teach
the people that to build their faith on fables and superstitions was
to be destroyed when the flood-waters of judgment came upon them. The
Apostle Paul brings this to mind again in 1 Corinthians 3:9-10 For
we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's
building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a
wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. The
Foundation here is Christ and the emphasis is for the Christians
to build on the same faith (i.e. Christ) that Paul was building on.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews reinforces this for us, Hebrews
3:5-6, And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant,
for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ
as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the
confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. And
again in 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a
spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
The application of the parable is how
we build our spiritual life. We cannot sow our wild oats on Saturday
night and go to church on Sunday morning and pray for a crop failure.
The carnal man builds his house on the sand, (i.e. the one who lives
after the flesh). The spiritual person builds on the ROCK ,that
is Christ. He or she walks and talks the same words and deeds. Let's
examine our hearts and see if there be any wicked ways that need to
be put under the blood of Christ.
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February 20th
The New Covenant
Matthew 9:14-17
There is a great difference between the
Old and the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, the people's relationship
with God was indirect through the law. Under the New Covenant, we have
a direct relationship with God. Jesus did many things that were very
troubling to the popular understanding of godliness. He healed on the
Sabbath days. This, above all else, seems to be responsible for His
crucifixion. He ate food with unwashed hands, and here, the disciples
of John the Baptist noted that Jesus’ disciples did not fast.
This did not seem right to them.
Jesus uses something they could relate
to through life experience. They understood that it was necessary to
place new wine in new wineskins. They understood that you could not
mend old garments with new cloth. New things have a flexibility that
old things have lost. With the New Covenant, we have a direct relationship
with God through His Spirit. It should come as no surprise to us that
the direct presence of the Holy Spirit has a deeper and more lasting
Spiritual impact on the life, than any fasting. If the Spirit leads
us to fast, it is one thing, but to turn to fasting rather than the
Spirit, is a mistake.
Sadly, many people under the New Covenant
seem to identify more with standards and externals like fasting, than
with the Holy Spirit. This is a mistake. If we are seeking God, we can
raise no higher than opening our heart to the Spirit of God. If we go
elsewhere, our spiritual state will be made worse and not better. There
is nothing better under the New Covenant than being in Christ and the
Spirit of God directing and empowering our lives. To turn to anything
else, however good it is, can only result in our spiritual ruin. This
is Christian liberty. Romans 8:14 as many as are led by
the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. The law was a bondage
that the Jews found they could not keep. As the leaders of the church
discussed circumcision they asked, Acts 15:10 why tempt ye God,
to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers
nor we were able to bear? When the relationship with
God was indirect, the law was an impossible burden. Under the New Covenant,
we should look directly to God for important spiritual help and direction.
Matthew 9:14-17 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why
do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
[15] And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber
mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come,
when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
[16] No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that
which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent
is made worse.
[17] Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles
break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put
new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
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February 21st
New Wine in Old Bottles
Matt. 9:14-17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37
Traditions; these are situational things
and ways of doing them, which have been passed down from one generation
to the next, and not necessarily good nor bad. Unfortunately, traditions
many times become gospel and are held higher than the Scriptures themselves.
The saying, "It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks" really
fits here. Many folks will say, "we've never done it that way before,"
as if the tradition is more important than the truths and principles
of God’s Word. This was the case as Jesus spoke to the traditions
of the Pharisees and their arguments for fasting. The Pharisees were
steeped in their traditions, and hypocritically placed tradition way
above the Holy Truths of God's Word, especially as they spoke of what
others ought to do. Many times the things the Pharisees spoke of that
others should do, they themselves were not even willing to do. Tradition
and ceremony should never take the place of God's Holy Word!
Jesus got right to the point. He compared
the analogy of using new cloth for the patching of old cloth that needed
mending. This was likened to the New Covenant Truth with the old Mosaic
ceremonial forms. This can be likened also to the person who claims
to be a Christian, but does things according to the old nature. This
simply should not be. If a person truly has Christ, their lives are
clearly changed and different.
Then Jesus spoke of not putting new wine
into the old wineskins. Jesus used this illustration to teach that the
forms of old rituals, such as ceremonial fasting practiced by the Pharisees
and John’s disciples, were not fit for the new wine of the New
Covenant. In other words, what the Pharisees were doing in fasting or
any other ritual had no part with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead,
we should prove what is acceptable unto God. The law condemned
man, but Jesus sets us free! Christ did not come to abolish the law,
but to fulfill it. Jesus came that we might have life and that
we might have it more abundantly!
Gracious and Merciful God and Father
of our Savior, Jesus Christ, how we thank You for Your unending love
toward sinners. Guide us, O Great Jehovah, according to Your loving
kindness and Your Truth. Grant us wisdom so that we might live fully
for Thee; in Jesus Name, Amen
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February 22nd
The Sign of Jonah
Matthew 12:38-40
Matthew 12:38-40, Then certain
of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would
see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign
be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was
three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of
man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Signs were given in the Old Testament to identify the Messiah.
There are many Messianic signs in the
Old Testament, but space will only allow us to turn to one of the greatest.
Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because
the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath
sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the
acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all that mourn. Our Saviour stopped short as recorded
in Luke 4:19. He quit reading before He would have read and
the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.
These words apply to Christ's Second Advent, when He returns to set
up His kingdom on the earth.
Moses sought a sign and God gave him
the rod-serpent and the leprous hand. (Ex. 4:1-7). Gideon sought
two signs (Judges 6:36-40). The wet fleece on dry ground and
the dry fleece on wet ground. The Jews were always looking for a sign.
Unfortunately, they were given many signs and failed to see the truth
when it was revealed to them.
The sign of Jonah was to show the Jews
how Jesus would die and be raised again. This is the greatest sign even
yet today insomuch that all four gospels record Jesus' words on the
subject. Matthew's is above.
Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them that the
Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and
the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days
rise again.
Luke 9:22 saying, The Son of Man must suffer many
things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed and be raised up on the third day.
John 2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this
temple, and in three days I will raise it up..
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February 23rd
The Heart
Matthew 3:4-9
This is really a parable more about the
soil or the heart, than the seed. Only one of the four cases mentioned
brings forth fruit. God's Word does not have the same impact on all
people. The seed that fell by the wayside did not even begin to show
evidence of life. In this situation, the person does not even understand
and the truth does not even enter the heart. The Spirit of God and the
Word of God must soften the heart before the seed can even enter the
heart. People who have not had the opportunity to hear the truth of
God’s Word and open their hearts to it, will be blind to the Gospel
message.
The other three hearts are able to receive
the word, but only one of the three brings forth fruit. A hard heart
is one that turns from truth and embraces sin. We read in John 3:19
where Jesus said, this is the condemnation, that light is come into
the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds
were evil. It is destructive spiritually to turn from truth and
embrace evil for personal pleasure. This is what hardens the ground
and keeps the seed of God's Word from bearing fruit in our lives.
Not all people harden themselves through
sin. Some open their hearts to the Word, but don’t close their
hearts to evil. They are just hearers of the Word. This too, is destructive.
God's Word can and will do a work in our hearts if we do not resist.
God is not willing that any should perish. We can resist either actively
by turning to evil or passively, not resisting evil. In the end, the
result is still destructive. It is only as we allow the Word to do its
work in our hearts that we will find a thorough transformation of heart
and life to fruitfulness. All healthy living things bear fruit. It is
only as our lives reproduce spiritually and bring forth fruit that we
are mature in the faith.
Whenever we encounter a heart or a life
that is lacking in either bringing others to faith in Christ or the
fruits of the Spirit, we can be sure something is wrong. They are either
actively turning to evil or passively not resisting it in their lives.
Faithful believers are to put off the old man and put on the new man.
We need to be faithful and fruitful in our faith.
Matthew 3:4-9 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and
a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild
honey.
[5] Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region
round about Jordan,
[6] And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
[7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his
baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned
you to flee from the wrath to come?
[8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
[9] And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father:
for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children
unto Abraham.
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February 24th
The Wheat and the Tares
Matt. 13:24 - 43
This parable speaks so loudly today as
to deafen the hearers. This picture is given to true believers to help
us understand that as Christ is building His church, Satan is also seeking
to destroy it. Everywhere that Christ plants (grain) true believers,
Satan also plants (weeds) unbelievers. Many times these unbelievers
are so realistic and convincing that it is very difficult for true believers
to tell the difference.
We ought not to be surprised though.
Jesus told us that this would be the case. The scriptures say that Satan
is a liar, the father of liars, and the truth is not in him. He will
be dealt with in due time, but right now he is a formidable enemy. True
believers need to really come to grips with this truth. Satan is a liar
and he is out to deceive whomever he can. He is like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour. This is a picture of a lion on a hill, roaring
away and making a lot of noise, getting the attention of the prey down
in the valley, while, unbeknown to them, the enemy is sneaking up from
behind. Be on guard, O Christian! Jesus has already won the Victory!
Jesus Christ is the Captain of our Salvation! Guard your hearts Believers,
from the sway of the evil one. Protect your minds Children of God, from
the world and its sinful ways. Realize that the enemy doesn't come from
without, but from within. We need to know God's truth if we are to stand,
but stand we can, when we use the tools of the Faith! In the end, God
will sort out the wheat and the tares, the true believers who lived
lives of obedience, from those who only professed to know Him. God will
cast the unbelievers into the Lake of Fire with weeping and gnashing
of teeth, but His own children, He will gather unto Himself in Glory.
This is a precious truth that True Believers can take heart in. John
3:16. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Matt. 13: 43.
O Dear Lord, we are admonished to watch
and pray. Help us to guard the Truths of Your Holy Word in our hearts
that we might not sin against Thee. Protect us from the tares and from
the evil one. May we be true and obedient children of light as we stand
as Soldiers of the Cross. Guard our hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus our Lord! Amen.
Matthew 13: 24-43 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his
field:
[25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat,
and went his way.
[26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then
appeared the tares also.
[27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir,
didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it
tares?
[28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto
him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
[29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up
also the wheat with them.
[30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest
I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind
them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
[31] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of
heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed
in his field:
[32] Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it
is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds
of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
[33] Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like
unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened.
[34] All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and
without a parable spake he not unto them:
[35] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been
kept secret from the foundation of the world.
[36] Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and
his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of
the tares of the field.
[37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is
the Son of man;
[38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom;
but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
[39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end
of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
[40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so
shall it be in the end of this world.
[41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather
out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
[42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing
and gnashing of teeth.
[43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom
of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
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February 25th
The Parable of the Mustard Tree
Matthew 13:31-32 and Luke 13:18-19
Matthew 13:31-32. Another
parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like
to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is
the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of
the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Most commentators
equate this with the church. Why? Because Jesus knew that the Jews would
reject Him and His doctrine. The answer is simple, John 1:11 He
came unto his own, and his own received him not. He knew before
He left heaven that His mission here on earth was to establish the church,
because the Jews would reject Him as they did the Prophets. Stop and
think what a handful of followers did after Pentecost. Acts 17:6b.
These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.
What a testimony! Twelve men went forth to preach in an age of polytheism,
heathenism and persecution from the government. It was an impossible
task, and in the flesh they would have failed, but when the Spirit of
God is in dedicated men, nothing is impossible. That small mustard seed
about 1/16 of an inch in diameter would become a tree so large that
it has stood the ravages of time and the opposition of Satan and all
that he could throw at it. Christ is King and sovereign Head over His
Church and over all things to His Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18;
2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in His Church and over
His Church and over all things in behalf of His Church.
"Christ's mediatorial kingdom may
be regarded as comprehending, (1) His kingdom of power. (2) His kingdom
of grace, which is wholly spiritual in its subjects and administration;
and (3) His kingdom of glory, which is the consummation of all His providential
and gracious administration."
"Christ as Prophet and Priest, from
the time of the fall of man, when He entered into His mediatorial work.
It may be said that He was publicly and formally enthroned when He ascended
up on high and sat down at the Father's right hand (Ps. 2:6; Jer.
23:5; Isa. 9:6) after His work of humiliation and suffering on earth
was finished." Easton's Bible Dictionary
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February 26th
The Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 13:33-35
This parable has prophetic significance.
The kingdom of heaven represents God's spiritual kingdom on this earth
between the first and Second Coming of Jesus Christ to this earth. In
the Bible, leaven is a picture of evil. During the feast of unleavened
bread, God's people were to remove all leaven from their houses. The
Bible teaches that the kingdom of heaven will become increasingly corrupt.
In the book of Revelation, we find at
the end of this church age, Jesus Christ is outside the door of the
church. We read in Revelation 3:20 where Jesus says to His people,
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and
he with me. Of this same church, we read in Revelation 3:17
where they said, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,
and poor, and blind, and naked.The same is true of leaven, it
is impossible to stop its work. The enemy cannot stop the truth or the
church of God. He can only take the outward appearance of truth and
distort it for his own personal agenda. The self-deception here is the
same we find in the heart of Eve at the Garden of Eden.
Thus, we have a picture of this present
church age. The truth is unstoppable. People cannot get away from it.
However, they can embrace it outwardly and use it as a vehicle to further
their own selfish and sinful agenda. We have seen this in varying degrees
throughout church history, but it will be pervasive at the end of the
age. The church at the end of the age will be an outwardly prosperous,
but inwardly bankrupt church.
Before this can happen in the church,
it must first happen in the hearts and lives of individuals. It is not
enough to have the outward forms of faith and godliness. We need the
power of God in our hearts and lives. The power of God will transform
lives. The power of God will impact communities and the power of God
is not present where there is a life out of tune with the principles
of God's Word. We need to be sure that the power of God is at work in
our hearts.
Matthew 13:33-35 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of
heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures
of meal, till the whole was leavened.
[34] All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and
without a parable spake he not unto them:
[35] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been
kept secret from the foundation of the world.
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February 27th
The Hidden Treasure
Matt. 13:44
Where your heart is, that is where your
treasure is also. Today's parable, given here to the disciples, is crucial
for us to understand. Jesus gives us the precious words of life from
this one verse. The gospel is the treasure that Jesus is speaking of.
The kingdom of Heaven is most precious. We see here that this treasure
comes through Jesus Christ and it is the most valuable treasure that
a person can possess.
When a person finds this most valuable
treasure, he does at least 5 different things.
First, he hides and protects this treasure in his heart
and life. He lays hold of the gospel and does not let it go. He resolves
to possess the treasure. Deut. 4:29.
Secondly, he approaches Christ and makes a decision.
Christ gives man invitation after invitation to seek His mercy. Matt.
11:28.
Thirdly, this decision involves selling all a person
has. In other words, he repents of his sin, he turns away from his former
life and turns toward God. The person is willing to sell all that he
has and turn to God to gain the priceless treasure. He is not only willing,
but he gives up and denies all. He lives a life of self-discipline.
This involves the sacrifice of personal desires and ambitions, cravings
and wants, lusts and possessions. It involves the person's entire life.
2 Chron. 7:14.
Fourthly, he buys; that is, he commits all and gives all to possess
the treasure of salvation. He realizes that it is worth anything, to
lay hold of Jesus Christ. He presents his body as a living sacrifice,
Holy, acceptable unto God. He is not conformed to this world, but is
transformed by the renewing of his mind that he may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will of God in his life. Rom. 12:1,2.
Fifthly, he joys; he experiences the completeness and
satisfaction of the treasure of Jesus Christ. He experiences abundant
life, John 10:10, he experiences completeness, Col. 2:10,
and he experiences the fruit of the Holy Spirit, Gal. 5:22, 23.
May you and I be this kind of person, a treasure hunter who loves and
lives for Jesus Christ, the greatest treasure of eternal life.
Dear Lord, Thank You for these precious
reminders of the treasures that You have in store for those that love
You and serve You faithfully. Help us not to be distracted by, nor desire
the temporary worldly things. Instead guide us in Your Eternally Saving
Treasure of Truth! Amen.
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid
in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
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February 28th
Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
Matthew 13:45-46
Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that
he had, and bought it. Some of our songs seem to teach that
there is great reward when we get to heaven. That's true, but Christianity
is not a pie in the sky reward. It's something for today. It’s
as real in our hearts and lives today as when we arrive in Heaven. The
merchant in our parable is willing to give up all he owns to possess
this one exceedingly beautiful pearl. Are we willing to give up material
blessings to obtain a Spirit filled life here on earth? This reminds
us of the contrast between the rich young ruler who was not willing
to go all the way in following Jesus and the merchant who sells all
to gain this pearl.
It is the conviction of this writer that
this parable has a much larger application than a pearl. We believe
this refers to the Spirit Controlled Life which should be the
desire of every born again believer. It is unfortunate that most Christians
are satisfied just to be saved and sometimes express themselves by saying,
"All I want is a back seat in heaven." How sad! We should
all desire to be as close to our Lord as possible not only in heaven,
but right here and now. It should be our desire and testimony to our
loved ones and friends that, by our words and deeds, they may see Christ.
This parable reminds us of another scripture,
Malachi 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of
hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them,
as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. In other words,
the Lord is in the process of polishing and smoothing all the rough
spots off each Christian so that not only in heaven, but here and now,
we will shine for Him. This can only be successful if we are willing
to submit our lives to the Holy Spirit and let Him lead in every word
and action before our fellow men, as well as, what we do and say in
secret. Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is
excess; but be filled with the Spirit. The word filled
in the Greek is in the present imperative and is best translated "be
ye filled and overflowing moment by moment," or 24/7.
Matthew 13: 45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a
merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that
he had, and bought it.
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