Isaiah 48
14 All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
Here, "him" is Cyrus. God seems to have a special love for Cyrus, a type of Christ. Other Old Testament gentiles who God loves: Ruth, Melchezedek, and, maybe, Darius (from Ezra, not Daniel).
Here is an Old Testament question. From that point when Cyrus liberates the Hebrew exiles from Babylon to resettle and rebuild Jerusalem, where did they go wrong?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
God's Sovereign Grace
Isaiah 48
11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
On the surface, the expression God's Sovereign Grace is wonderful; the final, pure meaning of God. But, somehow, over the centuries, it has developed maybe too many layers of meaning, and, may not be useful, except for one's own personal understanding of Christian experience and God.
11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
On the surface, the expression God's Sovereign Grace is wonderful; the final, pure meaning of God. But, somehow, over the centuries, it has developed maybe too many layers of meaning, and, may not be useful, except for one's own personal understanding of Christian experience and God.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Captivities
Isaiah 45
1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
A wonderful passage showing us God's blessing on Cyrus, a leader glorified but maybe not chosen for salvation. This is a passage that our leaders might want to take to heart. Here is my three line outline af the captivities:
1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
A wonderful passage showing us God's blessing on Cyrus, a leader glorified but maybe not chosen for salvation. This is a passage that our leaders might want to take to heart. Here is my three line outline af the captivities:
Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel
Cyrus - Isaiah
Darius - Ezra
Friday, July 23, 2010
God Speaks
Isaiah 45
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
In verse 7, God says, I create evil. That is just bone chilling. And, indeed, every morning, we pray:
Matthew 6
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil....
But, there is hope:
More From Isaiah 45
8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
In the end, how can we not but fear God? I think the shed blood of Jesus is not, should not be, cannot be, the complete, final, total end, of this fear. Because, in the end, we are, indeed, human, with all our weaknesses, shortcomings and frailties. We are sinners....
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
In verse 7, God says, I create evil. That is just bone chilling. And, indeed, every morning, we pray:
Matthew 6
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil....
But, there is hope:
More From Isaiah 45
8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
In the end, how can we not but fear God? I think the shed blood of Jesus is not, should not be, cannot be, the complete, final, total end, of this fear. Because, in the end, we are, indeed, human, with all our weaknesses, shortcomings and frailties. We are sinners....
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Remembering Hezakiah
Isaiah 37
12 But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?
Here, we have negotiations before the Assyrian seige of Hezikiah's Jerusalem. Why such vivid language? Such a striking image? It grabs our attention and then provides God's message to nations, Jewish and Christian nations. The message. Remember good King Hezakiah. He is your ensample. Let him be your guide.
Isaiah 38
36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses....
And here we finally have God's retribution on Hezakiah's enemy. And again, an unforgetable image.
From now on, whenever I hear a reference to Isaiah, I will think of Hezakiah....
12 But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?
Here, we have negotiations before the Assyrian seige of Hezikiah's Jerusalem. Why such vivid language? Such a striking image? It grabs our attention and then provides God's message to nations, Jewish and Christian nations. The message. Remember good King Hezakiah. He is your ensample. Let him be your guide.
Isaiah 38
36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses....
And here we finally have God's retribution on Hezakiah's enemy. And again, an unforgetable image.
From now on, whenever I hear a reference to Isaiah, I will think of Hezakiah....
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Importance of Hezekiah
Isaiah 22
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
Here is prophesy concering Jerusalem and Hezikiah the good king and his court. Reading through Isaiah this time, I sense an almost continuous look forward to the kingdom of the righteous Hezikiah.
The book of Isaiah is such an amazing mix hope, dispair, fear, peace, dread. I wonder if George Bush, or Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton ever thought about Isaiah and King Hezikiah? And what it meant to be a righteous leader.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
Here is prophesy concering Jerusalem and Hezikiah the good king and his court. Reading through Isaiah this time, I sense an almost continuous look forward to the kingdom of the righteous Hezikiah.
The book of Isaiah is such an amazing mix hope, dispair, fear, peace, dread. I wonder if George Bush, or Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton ever thought about Isaiah and King Hezikiah? And what it meant to be a righteous leader.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Are You Talking To Me?
Isaiah 44
21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Who is God talking to in this passage? Me? Just Israel? Israel and God's gentile elect? All mankind? A good question, for the purpose of thoughtful meditation, is far better than a quick, pat, slick "Biblical" answer.
21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Who is God talking to in this passage? Me? Just Israel? Israel and God's gentile elect? All mankind? A good question, for the purpose of thoughtful meditation, is far better than a quick, pat, slick "Biblical" answer.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Safe In The Arms....
Acts 10
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Here is an odd question that comes up once in a while. Is your close, loved, recently deceased family member saved? I have given this question some thought.
And, I've never heard of a pastor say to a greaving son or daughter, "I knew your father quite well, and I'm really sorry to have to tell you this. But, I really don't believe he is safe, in the arms of Jesus."
More From Acts 10
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Here is an odd question that comes up once in a while. Is your close, loved, recently deceased family member saved? I have given this question some thought.
And, I've never heard of a pastor say to a greaving son or daughter, "I knew your father quite well, and I'm really sorry to have to tell you this. But, I really don't believe he is safe, in the arms of Jesus."
More From Acts 10
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Sin From Romans 7
Romans 7
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
I'm having trouble keeping Paul's sin message in mind. So, here it is again.
The metaphor. When a woman's husband dies, she is no longer married to him, the marriage no longer in effect, the marriage is dead to the law.
More From Romans 7
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ....
So, when we die spiritually and are born again, in Jesus, by the body of Christ, we are, then, dead to the law, and we are under grace. But....
More From Romans 7
4 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
And
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
And so, here we are, born again, under grace, dead to the law. But, our sin nature is still with us. And the question is. What are we to do? Here is Paul's simple message.
Finally, From Romans 7
6 ....we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
I'm having trouble keeping Paul's sin message in mind. So, here it is again.
The metaphor. When a woman's husband dies, she is no longer married to him, the marriage no longer in effect, the marriage is dead to the law.
More From Romans 7
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ....
So, when we die spiritually and are born again, in Jesus, by the body of Christ, we are, then, dead to the law, and we are under grace. But....
More From Romans 7
4 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
And
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
And so, here we are, born again, under grace, dead to the law. But, our sin nature is still with us. And the question is. What are we to do? Here is Paul's simple message.
Finally, From Romans 7
6 ....we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Allegory
Isaiah 59
4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
Here the evil of false doctrine is dealt with. It is straight forward.
Next Verse From Isaiah 59
5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
Here is the message symbolized. This is what gets your attention. This is what gives you nightmares. This is what puts the fear of God in you....
4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
Here the evil of false doctrine is dealt with. It is straight forward.
Next Verse From Isaiah 59
5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
Here is the message symbolized. This is what gets your attention. This is what gives you nightmares. This is what puts the fear of God in you....
Friday, July 9, 2010
Forsaken
Mark 15
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, E'lo-i, E'lo-i, lama sabach'thani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Three questions. Has God ever forsaken the Hebrews? Has God ever forsaken the church? Has God ever forsaken you?
Psalms 22
1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
This certainly is a topic for consideration, for meditation....
Webster 1828 Forsake
1. To quit or leave entirely; to desert; to abandon; to depart from. 2. To abandon; to renounce; to reject.
3. To leave; to withdraw from; to fail.
4. In scripture, God forsakes his people, when he withdraws his aid, or the light of his countenance.
Isaiah 54
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, E'lo-i, E'lo-i, lama sabach'thani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Three questions. Has God ever forsaken the Hebrews? Has God ever forsaken the church? Has God ever forsaken you?
Psalms 22
1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
This certainly is a topic for consideration, for meditation....
Webster 1828 Forsake
1. To quit or leave entirely; to desert; to abandon; to depart from. 2. To abandon; to renounce; to reject.
3. To leave; to withdraw from; to fail.
4. In scripture, God forsakes his people, when he withdraws his aid, or the light of his countenance.
Isaiah 54
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Jesus Is Coming
Isaiah 60
8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
Read through this chapter about the light and the glory of the Messiah and his reign. And you come to the verse above. And then the Holy Ghost puts his hand on your shoulder, and gives you a little shake....
Luke 21
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
And so, at least for today, all is well....
8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
Read through this chapter about the light and the glory of the Messiah and his reign. And you come to the verse above. And then the Holy Ghost puts his hand on your shoulder, and gives you a little shake....
Luke 21
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
And so, at least for today, all is well....
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The King James Bible
2 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
I came accross the following statement the other day on the King James Version contained in a Primitive Baptist confession:
Paradise Primitive Baptist Church Confession, Article 2
We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and the only rule of faith and practice and we prefer the King James translation.
Heartfelt, no doubt, and so wonderfully devoid of doctrinal argument. The word "prefer" is especially meaningful to me.
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
I came accross the following statement the other day on the King James Version contained in a Primitive Baptist confession:
Paradise Primitive Baptist Church Confession, Article 2
We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and the only rule of faith and practice and we prefer the King James translation.
Heartfelt, no doubt, and so wonderfully devoid of doctrinal argument. The word "prefer" is especially meaningful to me.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Scofield And The Rapture
1 Corinthians 15
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
I believe Jesus is coming. I believe He is coming in the Clouds, with power and great glory. And I believe He is coming with His saints.
But I don't have cut and dry, well thought-out opinions on two terms: the rapture and pre-millennialism.
A discussion of these terms seems not to be, for me anyway, edifying. To study these terms intelligently you probably need to study five or six, maybe ten or twenty, Bible passages and, somehow, draw some conclusions. I'm not sure I have a mind for such a task.
On the other hand, and maybe for future consideration, following is Scofield's comments on these issues.
Scofield Notes 1917 - Resurrection, Summary:
....Two resurrections are yet future, which are inclusive of "all that are in the graves" (John 5:28). These are distinguished as "of life" (1 Corinthians 15:22 1 Corinthians 15:23 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 ; Revelation 20:4) and "of judgment"; (John 5:28 John 5:29 ; Revelation 20:11-13). They are separated by a period of one thousand years (Revelation 20:5). The "first resurrection," that "unto life," will occur at the second coming of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:23), the saints of the O.T. and church ages meeting Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16 1 Thessalonians 4:17) while the martyrs of the tribulation, who also have part in the resurrection (Revelation 20:4) are raised at the end of the great tribulation....
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
I believe Jesus is coming. I believe He is coming in the Clouds, with power and great glory. And I believe He is coming with His saints.
But I don't have cut and dry, well thought-out opinions on two terms: the rapture and pre-millennialism.
A discussion of these terms seems not to be, for me anyway, edifying. To study these terms intelligently you probably need to study five or six, maybe ten or twenty, Bible passages and, somehow, draw some conclusions. I'm not sure I have a mind for such a task.
On the other hand, and maybe for future consideration, following is Scofield's comments on these issues.
Scofield Notes 1917 - Resurrection, Summary:
....Two resurrections are yet future, which are inclusive of "all that are in the graves" (John 5:28). These are distinguished as "of life" (1 Corinthians 15:22 1 Corinthians 15:23 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 ; Revelation 20:4) and "of judgment"; (John 5:28 John 5:29 ; Revelation 20:11-13). They are separated by a period of one thousand years (Revelation 20:5). The "first resurrection," that "unto life," will occur at the second coming of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:23), the saints of the O.T. and church ages meeting Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16 1 Thessalonians 4:17) while the martyrs of the tribulation, who also have part in the resurrection (Revelation 20:4) are raised at the end of the great tribulation....
Friday, July 2, 2010
Worship
Isaiah 43
24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
It pleases God to be worshipped. Here, He complains that the Hebrews are not taking their worship of God seriously.
In Old Testament times, He was pleased with morning and evening sacrifices, when these sacrifices were sincere. In New Testament times, He is pleased with morning and evening Bible study and prayer, when Bible study is sincere and applied to our daily lives.
It pleases God to be worshipped. This, has never changed....
2 Corinthians 8
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
It pleases God to be worshipped. Here, He complains that the Hebrews are not taking their worship of God seriously.
In Old Testament times, He was pleased with morning and evening sacrifices, when these sacrifices were sincere. In New Testament times, He is pleased with morning and evening Bible study and prayer, when Bible study is sincere and applied to our daily lives.
It pleases God to be worshipped. This, has never changed....
2 Corinthians 8
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
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