Exodus 20:17 says, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."(NKJV)
What constitutes a sin? Explaining just what it is we can do that offends God to the point of condemnation is perhaps one of the hardest questions posed to a minister of the gospel. What is it that is SOOOO Bad that if we do not confess it, asking forgiveness for it, and repenting of it, can cost us our eternal life? For some they see it simply as doing what God has said not to do, aka. sins of comission. In other words it is an act performed which is in opposition to God's clear instructions. Some examples drawn directly from the commandments we have been looking at. To actively worship another diety violates commandment #1. To set up an image representing any god violates #2. To mis-use or mis-represent God's name violates #3. And the list goes on. There are those sins that involve refusing to do what God has said to do. These are sins of omission. Some of the ten are of this type. Failure to rest and worship on the Sabbath violates #4. Disrespect of our parents violates #5.
The tenth commandment doesn't seem to fit either catagory. It doesn't seem to involve an action; good, bad, or indifferent. It simply address our thinking. Can a sin still be a sin if no action is forthcoming. Either action taken to commit a sin, or an action taken to refuse God's instructions. The tenth commandment deals with coveting. It is a desire for what belongs to someone else. The Bible is full of examples of coveting, and what it can lead to. David coveted Bathsheba, he desired her even though she was another man's wife. Because of his coveteousness, he committed adultery, he lied, he conspired, and finallt committed murder. Consequently the child born in the relationship died, and the desire he had to honor God with a Temple would be fulfilled by his son.
Consider the story of Achan from Joshua 6 and 7. The Hebrews had crossed the Jordon and faced the mighty city of Jerrico. They were given instructions to take the city which included NOT taking any plunder. Achan saw some gold, some silver, and some fancy clothes. His coveting led him to take them for himeslf. Because he coveted them, he stole them, and sinned against God. Israel faced the consequence of losing 3000 men when they faced the small hamlet of Ai which led to the discovery of Achan';s sins. Achan lost his life along with those of every member of his house, including all his livestock. All because he saw some gold, some silver, and a suit of clothes, and he wanted them.
These examples were of coveting leading to futher sins, but coveting alone can be a sin. Consider christ's own words, ""You have heard that it was said to those of old, `You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell."(Matthew 5:27-30 NKJV).
Where is such desire born? In the heart. Consider Matthew 15:17 to 20, "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."(NKJV). All these sins of commission started in the same place, the heart of man.
We need to remember that righteousness also begins in the heart. Consider Psalm 119: 9 to 16, "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word."(NKJV). Add to this Proverbs 3:5 and 6, " Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."(NKJV). Leaning on our own understanding leads to sin and condemnation. Trusting in the Lord and His understanding leads to righteousness and glory.
Dr. O
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
WORDS WORDS WORDS
Exodus 20:16 says, ""You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (NKJV)
Throughout the ages the use of words has greatly effected man's life and destiny. They have changed man's hearts. Softening some and hardening others. They have changed man's minds. Offering alternative points of view. They have changed man's eternity, winning some to life in Christ.
A few examples of their power would have to include Abraham Lincoln. His Gettysburg Address is recognized as perhaps one of the greatest speeches ever made. The Declarations of Independence contains only 300 words, but set the world's greatest, most powerful nation free. Their are negative examples as well. Adolf Hitler's words lead to the Holocaust and the murder of more than six million people. he also convinced a nation it was the right thing to do. Think of the moving orators in our life-time. Names like John Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Graham, Ronald Reagan, and of course Barak Obama would make the list.
Matthew 5:33 to 37 talks of the use of oaths and pledges. They say, "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your `Yes' be `Yes,' and your `No,' `No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."(NKJV). Jesus is confronting a popular misinterpretation of the Law. The people wanted a way to impress one another. they chose to do so by swearing by increasingly greater stuff. The greater, more valuable or significant the item, the greater authority their words would supposedly have. Vows and oaths were allowed. a True oath had God's backing, and to swear by anything else meant the oath did not have to be completely truthful. Jesus was calling for the people to quit lying by uttering false oaths. his alternative was plain and simple, let your Yes mean Yes, and your No mean No. Nothing impressive or flowery.
James 3 addresses words in another fashion. James 3:3 to 12 reads, " Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring can yield both salt water and fresh."(NKJV)
James 3: 3 to 5 give three practical examples of the power of the tongue. The horse is powerful and deadly if left uncontrolled. the ship would drift aimlessly if it weren't for the rudder. A spark can easily turn into a roaring inferno. The tongue is equally powerful and dangerous, man alone cannot contain it. The most dangerous problem with the tongue is that it can't be trusted, it's is two-faced. What do you think of people who may shower you with praise and flattery, and then spews all sorts of gossip and slander against other people. How do you think they talk about you to other people?? Matthew 7 is pretty straight forward when it says blessing and cursing cannot co-exist. Verse 15 to 20 read, ""Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."(NKJV)
WHAT KIND OF FRUIT ARE YOU PRODUCING??
Dr. O
Throughout the ages the use of words has greatly effected man's life and destiny. They have changed man's hearts. Softening some and hardening others. They have changed man's minds. Offering alternative points of view. They have changed man's eternity, winning some to life in Christ.
A few examples of their power would have to include Abraham Lincoln. His Gettysburg Address is recognized as perhaps one of the greatest speeches ever made. The Declarations of Independence contains only 300 words, but set the world's greatest, most powerful nation free. Their are negative examples as well. Adolf Hitler's words lead to the Holocaust and the murder of more than six million people. he also convinced a nation it was the right thing to do. Think of the moving orators in our life-time. Names like John Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Graham, Ronald Reagan, and of course Barak Obama would make the list.
Matthew 5:33 to 37 talks of the use of oaths and pledges. They say, "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your `Yes' be `Yes,' and your `No,' `No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."(NKJV). Jesus is confronting a popular misinterpretation of the Law. The people wanted a way to impress one another. they chose to do so by swearing by increasingly greater stuff. The greater, more valuable or significant the item, the greater authority their words would supposedly have. Vows and oaths were allowed. a True oath had God's backing, and to swear by anything else meant the oath did not have to be completely truthful. Jesus was calling for the people to quit lying by uttering false oaths. his alternative was plain and simple, let your Yes mean Yes, and your No mean No. Nothing impressive or flowery.
James 3 addresses words in another fashion. James 3:3 to 12 reads, " Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring can yield both salt water and fresh."(NKJV)
James 3: 3 to 5 give three practical examples of the power of the tongue. The horse is powerful and deadly if left uncontrolled. the ship would drift aimlessly if it weren't for the rudder. A spark can easily turn into a roaring inferno. The tongue is equally powerful and dangerous, man alone cannot contain it. The most dangerous problem with the tongue is that it can't be trusted, it's is two-faced. What do you think of people who may shower you with praise and flattery, and then spews all sorts of gossip and slander against other people. How do you think they talk about you to other people?? Matthew 7 is pretty straight forward when it says blessing and cursing cannot co-exist. Verse 15 to 20 read, ""Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."(NKJV)
WHAT KIND OF FRUIT ARE YOU PRODUCING??
Dr. O
Sunday, May 31, 2009
YOU SHALL NOT STEAL
Exodus 20:15 states simply, "You shall not steal" (NKJV).
This is perhaps the most universally accepted of the ten, and this with Christians and Heathens alike. Christians should look at this command follow it, as well as the others, absolutely and completely.
The heathen adheres to the commandments, but often as a situational thing. "My parents weren't good, why should I honor them?". "It's just a fetus, its my body after all!". "Well, my souce just wasn't meeting my needs.". "If I tell the truth someone might be hurt.". "Well, if I really dream about owning a Caddy, then I'll be motivated to earn one.".
Stealing, especially from the victim's point of view, is almost universally seen as wrong, even a crime. Why is that? Well look what is attacked, its our billfold, our pocketbook, our checking account, our credit card, and in recent years,our very identity. Frankly, for some, it gets us where our heart is, where our money is.
Lets consider first the idea of stealing from humans. Webster's defines stealing as to take an other's property dishonestly or slyly. its not necessarily walking up and sticking someone up with a knife or gun. It could be done quietly, secretly, a siphoning off of someone Elise's wealth. Or, stealing occurs by extortion through blackmail, usury, price fixing, etc. Biblical examples abound. Consider the Tax Collectors (aka. Publicans) like Zaccheus or Matthew / Levi. They would collect the lawful taxes the Romans were due, but tack on an amount for themselves. The Roman Soldiers, through there powers of intimidation, extorted money and services. The Money Changers, Animal Merchants, and the Heads of the Temple Hierarchy, they would require only certain currency or animals be used in the Temple. They naturally sold them or exchanged them at greatly inflated prices.
The punishment for stealing was restitution. Exodus 22:1-4 and 7-9 read, "If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double...If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges to see whether he has put his hand into his neighbor's goods. For any kind of trespass, whether it concerns an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, or for any kind of lost thing which another claims to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor." (NKJV). In other words, restitution in the amount of 200% to 500% was required. If the poor thief was just that, poor, he was imprisoned at hard labor until restitution could be made. I Corinthians 6: 9&10 tells us, " Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." (NKJV). His punishment is easy to take, you go to hell!
Only a few thieves attend church on a regular basis, and not a lot of victims can be found there. However, someone is in attendance every Sunday who has been victimized over and over. His name is Jehovah. Malachi chapters 1 and 3 have lengthy passages outlining the idea of robbing God. The Israelites got it in their heads that they could actually get something over on God. They thought they could cheat God by offering an animal that was not perfect and unblemished as God had required. The animal could be crippled or diseased in someway. they also got more bold and withheld part of the commanded offerings that were to be brought into the storehouse. The New Testament story that is a counterpart to this is Ananias and Sapphira from Acts chapter 5. This man and wife conspired to withhold an amount of money from God and the Apostles. If the Holy Spirit had not bee omniscient, they might have pulled it off. They didn't and they paid the ultimate price. They for got Malachi 3:10 to 12, " Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,'' says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,'' says the Lord of hosts; And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,'' says the Lord of hosts." (NKJV).
In our modern world there are some counterparts to the two Biblical examples. in some churches they use numbered offering envelopes. Some might be tempted to tear off the number and slip an empty offering envelope into the plate. The person can look like their giving, but keep the money for themselves.
Think about it.
Dr. O
This is perhaps the most universally accepted of the ten, and this with Christians and Heathens alike. Christians should look at this command follow it, as well as the others, absolutely and completely.
The heathen adheres to the commandments, but often as a situational thing. "My parents weren't good, why should I honor them?". "It's just a fetus, its my body after all!". "Well, my souce just wasn't meeting my needs.". "If I tell the truth someone might be hurt.". "Well, if I really dream about owning a Caddy, then I'll be motivated to earn one.".
Stealing, especially from the victim's point of view, is almost universally seen as wrong, even a crime. Why is that? Well look what is attacked, its our billfold, our pocketbook, our checking account, our credit card, and in recent years,our very identity. Frankly, for some, it gets us where our heart is, where our money is.
Lets consider first the idea of stealing from humans. Webster's defines stealing as to take an other's property dishonestly or slyly. its not necessarily walking up and sticking someone up with a knife or gun. It could be done quietly, secretly, a siphoning off of someone Elise's wealth. Or, stealing occurs by extortion through blackmail, usury, price fixing, etc. Biblical examples abound. Consider the Tax Collectors (aka. Publicans) like Zaccheus or Matthew / Levi. They would collect the lawful taxes the Romans were due, but tack on an amount for themselves. The Roman Soldiers, through there powers of intimidation, extorted money and services. The Money Changers, Animal Merchants, and the Heads of the Temple Hierarchy, they would require only certain currency or animals be used in the Temple. They naturally sold them or exchanged them at greatly inflated prices.
The punishment for stealing was restitution. Exodus 22:1-4 and 7-9 read, "If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double...If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges to see whether he has put his hand into his neighbor's goods. For any kind of trespass, whether it concerns an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, or for any kind of lost thing which another claims to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor." (NKJV). In other words, restitution in the amount of 200% to 500% was required. If the poor thief was just that, poor, he was imprisoned at hard labor until restitution could be made. I Corinthians 6: 9&10 tells us, " Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." (NKJV). His punishment is easy to take, you go to hell!
Only a few thieves attend church on a regular basis, and not a lot of victims can be found there. However, someone is in attendance every Sunday who has been victimized over and over. His name is Jehovah. Malachi chapters 1 and 3 have lengthy passages outlining the idea of robbing God. The Israelites got it in their heads that they could actually get something over on God. They thought they could cheat God by offering an animal that was not perfect and unblemished as God had required. The animal could be crippled or diseased in someway. they also got more bold and withheld part of the commanded offerings that were to be brought into the storehouse. The New Testament story that is a counterpart to this is Ananias and Sapphira from Acts chapter 5. This man and wife conspired to withhold an amount of money from God and the Apostles. If the Holy Spirit had not bee omniscient, they might have pulled it off. They didn't and they paid the ultimate price. They for got Malachi 3:10 to 12, " Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,'' says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,'' says the Lord of hosts; And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,'' says the Lord of hosts." (NKJV).
In our modern world there are some counterparts to the two Biblical examples. in some churches they use numbered offering envelopes. Some might be tempted to tear off the number and slip an empty offering envelope into the plate. The person can look like their giving, but keep the money for themselves.
Think about it.
Dr. O
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
ADULTERY IS MORE THAN YOU THINK
Exodus 20:14 reads, "You shall not commit adultery." (NKJV).
He was probably the most powerful man in the nation when she caught his eye. His position was enough for her to open her mind to perhaps any idea he may have had. As a result of their acts together she became pregnant. Fear of public disgrace fueled many attempts to cover their affair up at the highest levels. The woman's husband was ignorant of what was happening; he had been away at the war front. They tried to manipulate things so it would look as if he was the proud father of the child she was carrying, but his blind loyalty to his commander and chief and his fellow shouldiers still on the battle lines kept him from falling into their plot. That left only one alternative, the husband's life would need to be sacrificed to cover their tracks. After the husband's tragic and heroic death, the powerful man took the woman to be his bride. Howver, their secret did not remain as such. The fallout from their affair farther reaching consequences than anyone imagined. No - this isn't the plot of the latest romance novel, or the front page story of a supermarket tabloid. You won't find the story on General Hospital or Days of Our Lives. It is a brief synopsis of II Samuel 11, the story of King David, Bathsheba, and Uriah the Hittite.
Adultery in the Bible is a sin (of course). It is a sin against the spouce. Malachi calls it, "Breaking Faith", the breaking of the pledge of absolute faithfullness that is made by both parties in the marriage ceremony. It is a sin against God. Afterwards David would confess, "I have sinned against the Lord". Matthew 19:4 to 6 read, " And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning `made them male and female,' and said, `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.'(NKJV). It is a sin against all mankind. This may be hard to see,but consider Jeremiah 23:10, "For the land is full of adulterers; for because of a curse the land mourns. The pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up. Their course of life is evil, and their might is not right." (NKJV). He also says in verse 14, " Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah." (NKJV). Adultery plays into the hands of the adversary and makes holes in the foundation of society.
Adultery has also served as an illustration of God's relationship to His people. The book of Hosea begins with these words in versses 1 and 2, "The word of the Lord that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the Lord." (NKJV). God is portrayed as the loving and forgiving husband to the the harlot Israel. Hosea 3:1 reads, " Then the Lord said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans." (NKJV). Irsrael was unfaithful, just as many of us are, but God will forgive and will then restore the relationship. However, left unrepented of, God has no choice but to punsih it. Revelation 22:12 to 15 read, ""And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.'' Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." (NKJV).
How prevalent is this sin? Secular polling reports 2/3 of men, and 1/2 of women have committed thisact. Howver, another poll results in %70 of men, and %72 of women involved. Christians are not immune; Christianity Today polled its readers and found %23 reported extra-marital affairs. It has seemingly become so commom place it is no longer seen as a deviant behavior. This desensitization has led to falacies like the idea it will bring back the "spark" into a dull marriage. In truth %65 of marriages where it is reported end. Adultery has been glamorized. Movies such as "The English Patient", "Bridges of Madison County", and"ThePrince of Tides" all feature it and were all award winners.
How to prevent it. I Corinthians 7:3 to 5 read, "Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." (NKJV). The bottom line is that the husband and wife have to respond, in many different ways, to oneanother. They need toset a priority of meeting one another's needs,andno one elses.
Dr. O.
He was probably the most powerful man in the nation when she caught his eye. His position was enough for her to open her mind to perhaps any idea he may have had. As a result of their acts together she became pregnant. Fear of public disgrace fueled many attempts to cover their affair up at the highest levels. The woman's husband was ignorant of what was happening; he had been away at the war front. They tried to manipulate things so it would look as if he was the proud father of the child she was carrying, but his blind loyalty to his commander and chief and his fellow shouldiers still on the battle lines kept him from falling into their plot. That left only one alternative, the husband's life would need to be sacrificed to cover their tracks. After the husband's tragic and heroic death, the powerful man took the woman to be his bride. Howver, their secret did not remain as such. The fallout from their affair farther reaching consequences than anyone imagined. No - this isn't the plot of the latest romance novel, or the front page story of a supermarket tabloid. You won't find the story on General Hospital or Days of Our Lives. It is a brief synopsis of II Samuel 11, the story of King David, Bathsheba, and Uriah the Hittite.
Adultery in the Bible is a sin (of course). It is a sin against the spouce. Malachi calls it, "Breaking Faith", the breaking of the pledge of absolute faithfullness that is made by both parties in the marriage ceremony. It is a sin against God. Afterwards David would confess, "I have sinned against the Lord". Matthew 19:4 to 6 read, " And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning `made them male and female,' and said, `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.'(NKJV). It is a sin against all mankind. This may be hard to see,but consider Jeremiah 23:10, "For the land is full of adulterers; for because of a curse the land mourns. The pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up. Their course of life is evil, and their might is not right." (NKJV). He also says in verse 14, " Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah." (NKJV). Adultery plays into the hands of the adversary and makes holes in the foundation of society.
Adultery has also served as an illustration of God's relationship to His people. The book of Hosea begins with these words in versses 1 and 2, "The word of the Lord that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the Lord." (NKJV). God is portrayed as the loving and forgiving husband to the the harlot Israel. Hosea 3:1 reads, " Then the Lord said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans." (NKJV). Irsrael was unfaithful, just as many of us are, but God will forgive and will then restore the relationship. However, left unrepented of, God has no choice but to punsih it. Revelation 22:12 to 15 read, ""And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.'' Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." (NKJV).
How prevalent is this sin? Secular polling reports 2/3 of men, and 1/2 of women have committed thisact. Howver, another poll results in %70 of men, and %72 of women involved. Christians are not immune; Christianity Today polled its readers and found %23 reported extra-marital affairs. It has seemingly become so commom place it is no longer seen as a deviant behavior. This desensitization has led to falacies like the idea it will bring back the "spark" into a dull marriage. In truth %65 of marriages where it is reported end. Adultery has been glamorized. Movies such as "The English Patient", "Bridges of Madison County", and"ThePrince of Tides" all feature it and were all award winners.
How to prevent it. I Corinthians 7:3 to 5 read, "Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." (NKJV). The bottom line is that the husband and wife have to respond, in many different ways, to oneanother. They need toset a priority of meeting one another's needs,andno one elses.
Dr. O.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
YOU SHALL NOT KILL or MURDER?
Exodus 20:13 says, "Thou shalt not kill." (KJV). Or does it say, "You shall not murder." (NKJV).
This particular commandment has fueled many long and heated debates. Does the sixth commandment condemn all killing or only a particular type of killing? At the heart of the debate is the proper translation of this verse. Is it KILL or is it MURDER. Kill, in our thinking is a general term covering the taking of a life in general. Murder on the other hand is a premeditated, intentional act. The Hebrew word generally means to dash to pieces, kill murder, destroy, or crush. Specifically in Exodus 20:13 it means the unlawful killing of a human being with deliberate malice, either expressed or implied. there are three major areas where this debate is seen and heard. These are warfare - can a godly person go to war and fight for his cause? Abortion is included - can a godly person be pro-choice or pro abortion? The other is capital punishment - should a human government have the power to take some one's life?
Let's consider the question of war - Can a godly person go to war? To answer NO! makes God out to be a liar. Exodus 17:8 to 16 reads, "Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.'' So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.'' And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; for he said, "Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.''(NKJV). Goid blesses Moses and Israelites and promises future victories. The keys to this are that first the cause had to be righteous, the cause had to be God sanctioned. Generally this was the defense of His chosen people. The people involved had to be righteous (IIKings 17:16 to 20; 20:10 to 15). Some would ask about the New Testament because God's "cosen" changes. In the OT His chosen are a single nation , a given country. In the NT His chosen make up a kingdom not of this world, it is spiritual rather than physical.
Ephesians 6:10 to 13 read, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (NKJV). Our battle is not against an enemy of flesh and blood, but it is a spiritual conflict against a spiritual enemy. Our weapons are a helmet of salvation, a sword of the word of God, body armor called truth and righteousness, combat boots of the gospel, and a shield called faith. Does this mean that Christians should be pacifists or conscientious objectors? Perhaps, but when called to serve we need to consider Romans13:1 to 5. These verses read, " Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake." (NKJV).
Lets consider abortion - can a godly person be pro-choice? In this case to answer YES! makes God out to a liar. Two questions need to be answered to prove this. When does life begin? Jeremiah 1:5 says, " Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;..." (NKJV). Psalm 139:13 to 16 adds, "For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them." (NKJV). Life does not begin after nine months of gestation. Life does not begin in the second or third trimester. Life does not begin in the first trimester. Life begins when a sperm cell meets an egg cell and fertilization takes place. The second question is what constitutes murder? Numbers35:16 to 31 reads, "But if he strikes him with an iron implement, so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he strikes him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies, or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he dies, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, for he is a murderer; the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him." (NLKV). With this description, can abortion be anything but murder! What is a Christian to do? Do we become the avenger of blood and hand out justice as we see fit. Do we bomb abortion clinics or kill abortion providers? No - that is God's job to meet out their justice. Remember - according to Romans 3:23 we are no better or worse than they are. However, we can become loud vocal advocates for the unborn. We MUST offer abortion alternatives. We should campaign for Christian pro-life political candidates
Finally let's consider capital punishment. Can a godly person be pro capital punishment. God's law prescribes capital punishment for a variety of offences and crimes. These include: murder,attacking one's parents, cursing one's parents, owning a bull that kills out of habit, adultery, incest, homosexuality, bigamy, bestiality, blasphemy, promiscuity, and rape. The purpose is seen in Leviticus 20 where we read, "...so that no wickedness will be among you." It was for a cleansing and a deterrent to other crime. The ones executed had, "...their blood on their own heads" as God gave out justice. in the New Testament there seems to be two prevalent opinions. The pro position is based on Romans 13:4 which reads, "For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." (NKJV). The sword is seen as just punishment. The anti position is based on John 8:7, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." (NKJV). Where do I stand? I trust in God's justice and mercy. If we miss punishment here, God will certainly punish us in eternity. Likewise, if we are unjustly punished, even to death, God will certainly be merciful.
Where then does a murderer stand with God? It is simple, the same place we all do. Romans 3:23 and 6:23 tell us of God's just judgment. But Ephesians 2:8 remind us of his grace and mercy. Some may feel guilty for taking the lives of enemy combatants on a field of battle - God forgives. Some may be weighed down by the guilt for being a party to an abortion - God forgives. Some may feel uneasy about capital punishment - God understands.
Dr. O.
This particular commandment has fueled many long and heated debates. Does the sixth commandment condemn all killing or only a particular type of killing? At the heart of the debate is the proper translation of this verse. Is it KILL or is it MURDER. Kill, in our thinking is a general term covering the taking of a life in general. Murder on the other hand is a premeditated, intentional act. The Hebrew word generally means to dash to pieces, kill murder, destroy, or crush. Specifically in Exodus 20:13 it means the unlawful killing of a human being with deliberate malice, either expressed or implied. there are three major areas where this debate is seen and heard. These are warfare - can a godly person go to war and fight for his cause? Abortion is included - can a godly person be pro-choice or pro abortion? The other is capital punishment - should a human government have the power to take some one's life?
Let's consider the question of war - Can a godly person go to war? To answer NO! makes God out to be a liar. Exodus 17:8 to 16 reads, "Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.'' So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.'' And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; for he said, "Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.''(NKJV). Goid blesses Moses and Israelites and promises future victories. The keys to this are that first the cause had to be righteous, the cause had to be God sanctioned. Generally this was the defense of His chosen people. The people involved had to be righteous (IIKings 17:16 to 20; 20:10 to 15). Some would ask about the New Testament because God's "cosen" changes. In the OT His chosen are a single nation , a given country. In the NT His chosen make up a kingdom not of this world, it is spiritual rather than physical.
Ephesians 6:10 to 13 read, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (NKJV). Our battle is not against an enemy of flesh and blood, but it is a spiritual conflict against a spiritual enemy. Our weapons are a helmet of salvation, a sword of the word of God, body armor called truth and righteousness, combat boots of the gospel, and a shield called faith. Does this mean that Christians should be pacifists or conscientious objectors? Perhaps, but when called to serve we need to consider Romans13:1 to 5. These verses read, " Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake." (NKJV).
Lets consider abortion - can a godly person be pro-choice? In this case to answer YES! makes God out to a liar. Two questions need to be answered to prove this. When does life begin? Jeremiah 1:5 says, " Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;..." (NKJV). Psalm 139:13 to 16 adds, "For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them." (NKJV). Life does not begin after nine months of gestation. Life does not begin in the second or third trimester. Life does not begin in the first trimester. Life begins when a sperm cell meets an egg cell and fertilization takes place. The second question is what constitutes murder? Numbers35:16 to 31 reads, "But if he strikes him with an iron implement, so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he strikes him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies, or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he dies, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, for he is a murderer; the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him." (NLKV). With this description, can abortion be anything but murder! What is a Christian to do? Do we become the avenger of blood and hand out justice as we see fit. Do we bomb abortion clinics or kill abortion providers? No - that is God's job to meet out their justice. Remember - according to Romans 3:23 we are no better or worse than they are. However, we can become loud vocal advocates for the unborn. We MUST offer abortion alternatives. We should campaign for Christian pro-life political candidates
Finally let's consider capital punishment. Can a godly person be pro capital punishment. God's law prescribes capital punishment for a variety of offences and crimes. These include: murder,attacking one's parents, cursing one's parents, owning a bull that kills out of habit, adultery, incest, homosexuality, bigamy, bestiality, blasphemy, promiscuity, and rape. The purpose is seen in Leviticus 20 where we read, "...so that no wickedness will be among you." It was for a cleansing and a deterrent to other crime. The ones executed had, "...their blood on their own heads" as God gave out justice. in the New Testament there seems to be two prevalent opinions. The pro position is based on Romans 13:4 which reads, "For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." (NKJV). The sword is seen as just punishment. The anti position is based on John 8:7, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." (NKJV). Where do I stand? I trust in God's justice and mercy. If we miss punishment here, God will certainly punish us in eternity. Likewise, if we are unjustly punished, even to death, God will certainly be merciful.
Where then does a murderer stand with God? It is simple, the same place we all do. Romans 3:23 and 6:23 tell us of God's just judgment. But Ephesians 2:8 remind us of his grace and mercy. Some may feel guilty for taking the lives of enemy combatants on a field of battle - God forgives. Some may be weighed down by the guilt for being a party to an abortion - God forgives. Some may feel uneasy about capital punishment - God understands.
Dr. O.
Monday, March 2, 2009
HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
Exodus 20:12 says, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." (NKJV)
I have heard the following story in various versions. A little boy, probably about 10 or 11 years of age, comes to his mom with the following note. It was an itemized list, a bill, for his services around the house each week. For cleaning his room each week he charged $.50, for setting the table $3.50, for taking out the trash $1.75, for feeding rover and fluffy $2.00, and for mowing the grass $5.00. the grand total was $12.75. After looking at the note the mom quietly remembers the last 11 years. She turns the piece of paper over and writes a list of her own. For 11 birthday cakes NO CHARGE, for 7000 loads of laundry NO CHARGE, for 20000 meals NO CHARGE, for countless sleepless nights at your bedside when you were sick NO CHARGE, for many hours praying, counseling, comforting, etc. NO CHARGE. You know the rest of the story - the boy hires a lawyer, sues the mom for child labor, sells the story to the tabloids, and makes a mint.
In this posting we are going to look at the family in general. not just what the children owe the parents, but the child's point of view,and the parent's point of view.
Children are described many ways in the Bible. Psalms 127:3 to 5 describes them like this, " Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate." (NKJV). Proverbs 17:6 adds, "Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father." (NKJV).
A child does have certain duties to his parents. The fifth commandment says to honor them. Honor means to respect greatly, to show high regard for. Ephesians 6:1 adds another element when it reads, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." (NKJV). Paul includes a specific element "In the Lord". His assumption is that the Ephesians he was writing to were Christians and not pagans. With that unquestioned obedience was to the rightly shown from a child to his or her parents. However, what if the parents are pagans and the child a young Christian trying to do the right thing. Such a child needs to obey as well with the exception when the parental instructions compromise the child's obedience and honoring of God. There are several examples where believers, followers of the one true God, stood faithful in light of great pressure to compromise. Take for instance the case of Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedego. They could choose obeying the king and worship him, or remaining faithful to Jehovah. The penalty for disobeying the King was death. They chose death instead of compromise. Of course God honored their faithfulness with physical salvation.
I Timothy 5:3, 4,and 8 read, "Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God...But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (NKJV). Its pretty straight forward isn't it. The care for elderly parents falls to the children and grandparents. They should have no need for public assistance, but can take advantage of them if they wish.
Now let's switch views and look at what parents owe their children. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind with some people is a quote from Proverbs, "Spare the rod and spoil the child.". Hebrews 12 verse 7 to 11 expands on this idea of parental discipline. theses verse read, "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live. For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (NKJV). However, this discipline is not to exasperate the children in the process. Ephesians 6: 4 reads, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (NKJV). I have witnessed this exasperation in practice. Early in my ministry I encountered a family where Ephesians 6:1 was quoted, really yelled, every time one of the children stepped the least out of line. Discipline is defined as training that develops self-control, efficiency, etc.
Parents owe their children training and education. Spiritual training is of course understood. Deuteronomy 6:6 and 7 read, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." (NKJV). Vocational training was understood as well. Consider these examples. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all fishermen working in the family business. Joseph, a carpenter, trained his step-son, Jesus, his trade. Mothers were to train their daughters how to manage their homes like the Proverbs 31 woman.
I leave you with these questions. Child - have you done your duty?? And, parents have you done yours??
Dr. O
I have heard the following story in various versions. A little boy, probably about 10 or 11 years of age, comes to his mom with the following note. It was an itemized list, a bill, for his services around the house each week. For cleaning his room each week he charged $.50, for setting the table $3.50, for taking out the trash $1.75, for feeding rover and fluffy $2.00, and for mowing the grass $5.00. the grand total was $12.75. After looking at the note the mom quietly remembers the last 11 years. She turns the piece of paper over and writes a list of her own. For 11 birthday cakes NO CHARGE, for 7000 loads of laundry NO CHARGE, for 20000 meals NO CHARGE, for countless sleepless nights at your bedside when you were sick NO CHARGE, for many hours praying, counseling, comforting, etc. NO CHARGE. You know the rest of the story - the boy hires a lawyer, sues the mom for child labor, sells the story to the tabloids, and makes a mint.
In this posting we are going to look at the family in general. not just what the children owe the parents, but the child's point of view,and the parent's point of view.
Children are described many ways in the Bible. Psalms 127:3 to 5 describes them like this, " Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate." (NKJV). Proverbs 17:6 adds, "Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father." (NKJV).
A child does have certain duties to his parents. The fifth commandment says to honor them. Honor means to respect greatly, to show high regard for. Ephesians 6:1 adds another element when it reads, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." (NKJV). Paul includes a specific element "In the Lord". His assumption is that the Ephesians he was writing to were Christians and not pagans. With that unquestioned obedience was to the rightly shown from a child to his or her parents. However, what if the parents are pagans and the child a young Christian trying to do the right thing. Such a child needs to obey as well with the exception when the parental instructions compromise the child's obedience and honoring of God. There are several examples where believers, followers of the one true God, stood faithful in light of great pressure to compromise. Take for instance the case of Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedego. They could choose obeying the king and worship him, or remaining faithful to Jehovah. The penalty for disobeying the King was death. They chose death instead of compromise. Of course God honored their faithfulness with physical salvation.
I Timothy 5:3, 4,and 8 read, "Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God...But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (NKJV). Its pretty straight forward isn't it. The care for elderly parents falls to the children and grandparents. They should have no need for public assistance, but can take advantage of them if they wish.
Now let's switch views and look at what parents owe their children. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind with some people is a quote from Proverbs, "Spare the rod and spoil the child.". Hebrews 12 verse 7 to 11 expands on this idea of parental discipline. theses verse read, "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live. For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (NKJV). However, this discipline is not to exasperate the children in the process. Ephesians 6: 4 reads, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (NKJV). I have witnessed this exasperation in practice. Early in my ministry I encountered a family where Ephesians 6:1 was quoted, really yelled, every time one of the children stepped the least out of line. Discipline is defined as training that develops self-control, efficiency, etc.
Parents owe their children training and education. Spiritual training is of course understood. Deuteronomy 6:6 and 7 read, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." (NKJV). Vocational training was understood as well. Consider these examples. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all fishermen working in the family business. Joseph, a carpenter, trained his step-son, Jesus, his trade. Mothers were to train their daughters how to manage their homes like the Proverbs 31 woman.
I leave you with these questions. Child - have you done your duty?? And, parents have you done yours??
Dr. O
Sunday, February 8, 2009
SABBATH KEEPING
Exodus 20:8 to 11 reads, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." (NKJV)
Should we be keeping a weekly Sabbath? The debate has raged for years and has a variety of interpretations. One camp is the Sabbatarians or Sabbath Keepers. These include groups in many denominations who strictly observe a time of little or no work and their time of corporate worship from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Another camp believes that for Christians Sunday should be treated as the Sabbath. This idea has no particular adherents, but there are some areas where this is even officially mandated. Some communities restrict local businesses from operating on Sunday. This included service stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and other retailers. However, in some of these communities special allowances have been made for major national chains such as Wal-Mart, McDonalds, etc. A third group says the Sabbath died with the Old Testament or Levitical Law. Saturday or Sunday are treated as no different from the other 5 days. What then should be our attitude toward the Sabbath.
Sabbath is defined as, "to rest from labor, a day of rest'. It is a time where no work should be planned. Its a time to rest and recharge. We see the first reference to Sabbath in Genesis 2:3 and 3. These verse read, " And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." (NKJV). God set apart the seventh day as something significant and special. There are other command passages in the Old testament concerning the seventh day. Exodus 16:21 to 23 says, "So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. Then he said to them, "This is what the Lord has said: `Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.' '' The seventh day was to be a day of rest, and God made provision for Israel by giving them a double portion of manna on the sixth day. Later in the same chapter it is revealed that God is trying to teach His children to discipline themselves. The fourth commandment list in Exodus 20 calls for a cessation of work on the seventh day. It is sanctified, set apart by God. Other OT reference build on these commands.
In the New Testament most references were confrontations over Sabbath Keeping. Matthew 12:9 to 14 is one such confrontation. These verses read, "Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?'' that they might accuse Him. Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.'' Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand.'' And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and took counsel against Him, how they might destroy Him." (NKJV) Jesus is responding to how far afield the Jews had gotten in observing the law. They had interpreted and manipulated the law. For instance, they had a Sabbath Days Journey which was approximately 2000 paces. It was unlawful to travel any further than that on the Sabbath. To accommodate longer trips shelters were set up where the traveler could stop briefly and then go another 2000 paces. The Jews also said it was unlawful to wear sandals that had been tacked together with nails, but you could wear ones that had been sewn together. Carrying the weight of the tacks constituted work. Jesus was urging a return to the Spirit of the Sabbath Law; a day of planned rest, a day of planned holiness, but not so strict as to prevent meeting needs and showing kindness.
What then is the purpose of a Sabbath? It has a practical purpose; God knows His creation (Man) has limitations. On the maiden voyage of the Titanic, one of its designers was on board. When the accident occurred, he knew how much his ship could withstand, and recognized that the damages exceeded the design limits. With this fourth commandment God is making provision for the limitations His creation has - Man needs rest. there is a Spiritual purpose for the Sabbath. God desires a close intimate relationship with His creation (man). In the Garden God came to spend time with Adam and Eve in a sweet communion. With the Sabbath God is making provision for man to have a time of unobstructed communion with him once again.
How does this apply to us? Should we return to observing a Saturday Sabbath? Should we recognize Sunday as our sabbath and honor it as the law describes? Let's consider the3e New Testament evidence.
Is the Lord's Day, Sunday, the First Day, the NT equivalent to the OT Sabbath? Remember, the Sabbath had been perverted by the legalism of the Jewish leaders' interpretations. Galatians 4: 9 and 01 read, "But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years." (NKJV). Paul is condemning the legalism with which the Sabbath had been subjected. Colossi ans 2:16 and 17 read, "Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." (NKJV). Here Paul is telling us Sabbath Keeping, as well as other legalistic acts, was not to be used as a basis for judging any individuals righteousness. No where in Scripture is the Lord's day (Sunday) referred to as the Sabbath and for good reason. When it comes to significance and impact, the Lord's day blows the sabbath out of the water.
The Lord's Day is significant due to the fact that Christ arose on the first day. His resurrection is the key to our own resurrection. I Corinthians 15:20 to 23 read, "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming." (NKJV). But even with its significance, there is no command to observe the Lord's Day as the Sabbath. However, there is evidence that it was set aside as a special day, but it was so as a matter of willingness rather than obedience. Acts 20:6 and 7 say, "But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight." (NKJV). This simply an account of the believers meeting on the first day, but it is in no way a command to do so. I Corinthians 16: 2 says, " On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." (NKJV). Paul is recognizing and using a day that the people were already using for their meetings. Again, in no way is it a command. Hebrews 10:24 and 25 say, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV). Here there is no specific day mentioned at all.
How does this effect us? There is no law, of God or man, that says we have to meet on Sunday. But we are encouraged to fellowship with one another, and for most the day we choose that is Sunday. we also need to take into account the practical nature of the Sabbath. We need a time of rest, as our creator made provision for.
Dr. O
Should we be keeping a weekly Sabbath? The debate has raged for years and has a variety of interpretations. One camp is the Sabbatarians or Sabbath Keepers. These include groups in many denominations who strictly observe a time of little or no work and their time of corporate worship from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Another camp believes that for Christians Sunday should be treated as the Sabbath. This idea has no particular adherents, but there are some areas where this is even officially mandated. Some communities restrict local businesses from operating on Sunday. This included service stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and other retailers. However, in some of these communities special allowances have been made for major national chains such as Wal-Mart, McDonalds, etc. A third group says the Sabbath died with the Old Testament or Levitical Law. Saturday or Sunday are treated as no different from the other 5 days. What then should be our attitude toward the Sabbath.
Sabbath is defined as, "to rest from labor, a day of rest'. It is a time where no work should be planned. Its a time to rest and recharge. We see the first reference to Sabbath in Genesis 2:3 and 3. These verse read, " And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." (NKJV). God set apart the seventh day as something significant and special. There are other command passages in the Old testament concerning the seventh day. Exodus 16:21 to 23 says, "So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. Then he said to them, "This is what the Lord has said: `Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.' '' The seventh day was to be a day of rest, and God made provision for Israel by giving them a double portion of manna on the sixth day. Later in the same chapter it is revealed that God is trying to teach His children to discipline themselves. The fourth commandment list in Exodus 20 calls for a cessation of work on the seventh day. It is sanctified, set apart by God. Other OT reference build on these commands.
In the New Testament most references were confrontations over Sabbath Keeping. Matthew 12:9 to 14 is one such confrontation. These verses read, "Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?'' that they might accuse Him. Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.'' Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand.'' And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and took counsel against Him, how they might destroy Him." (NKJV) Jesus is responding to how far afield the Jews had gotten in observing the law. They had interpreted and manipulated the law. For instance, they had a Sabbath Days Journey which was approximately 2000 paces. It was unlawful to travel any further than that on the Sabbath. To accommodate longer trips shelters were set up where the traveler could stop briefly and then go another 2000 paces. The Jews also said it was unlawful to wear sandals that had been tacked together with nails, but you could wear ones that had been sewn together. Carrying the weight of the tacks constituted work. Jesus was urging a return to the Spirit of the Sabbath Law; a day of planned rest, a day of planned holiness, but not so strict as to prevent meeting needs and showing kindness.
What then is the purpose of a Sabbath? It has a practical purpose; God knows His creation (Man) has limitations. On the maiden voyage of the Titanic, one of its designers was on board. When the accident occurred, he knew how much his ship could withstand, and recognized that the damages exceeded the design limits. With this fourth commandment God is making provision for the limitations His creation has - Man needs rest. there is a Spiritual purpose for the Sabbath. God desires a close intimate relationship with His creation (man). In the Garden God came to spend time with Adam and Eve in a sweet communion. With the Sabbath God is making provision for man to have a time of unobstructed communion with him once again.
How does this apply to us? Should we return to observing a Saturday Sabbath? Should we recognize Sunday as our sabbath and honor it as the law describes? Let's consider the3e New Testament evidence.
Is the Lord's Day, Sunday, the First Day, the NT equivalent to the OT Sabbath? Remember, the Sabbath had been perverted by the legalism of the Jewish leaders' interpretations. Galatians 4: 9 and 01 read, "But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years." (NKJV). Paul is condemning the legalism with which the Sabbath had been subjected. Colossi ans 2:16 and 17 read, "Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." (NKJV). Here Paul is telling us Sabbath Keeping, as well as other legalistic acts, was not to be used as a basis for judging any individuals righteousness. No where in Scripture is the Lord's day (Sunday) referred to as the Sabbath and for good reason. When it comes to significance and impact, the Lord's day blows the sabbath out of the water.
The Lord's Day is significant due to the fact that Christ arose on the first day. His resurrection is the key to our own resurrection. I Corinthians 15:20 to 23 read, "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming." (NKJV). But even with its significance, there is no command to observe the Lord's Day as the Sabbath. However, there is evidence that it was set aside as a special day, but it was so as a matter of willingness rather than obedience. Acts 20:6 and 7 say, "But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight." (NKJV). This simply an account of the believers meeting on the first day, but it is in no way a command to do so. I Corinthians 16: 2 says, " On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." (NKJV). Paul is recognizing and using a day that the people were already using for their meetings. Again, in no way is it a command. Hebrews 10:24 and 25 say, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV). Here there is no specific day mentioned at all.
How does this effect us? There is no law, of God or man, that says we have to meet on Sunday. But we are encouraged to fellowship with one another, and for most the day we choose that is Sunday. we also need to take into account the practical nature of the Sabbath. We need a time of rest, as our creator made provision for.
Dr. O
Sunday, February 1, 2009
TAKING THE NAME IN VAIN
Exodus 20:7 reads, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." (NKJV).
At a minister's meeting a very shocking incident occurred. One of the ministers was making a very impassioned speech concerning the subjects of abortion rights and the death penalty. The community we were in had experienced a series of teen suicides and he blamed the suicides on the lack of respect for life the young people had been taught. In his speech he became excited and said, "We try and tell them how precious life is, but show how it can be thrown away so easily and that's nothing but BULL_ _ _ _!!". The reaction was immediate. It was not what he said, but it was his use of profanity to make his point. One minister left immediately, and others cornered the president of the organization demanding an apology for what their sweet little innocent ears had endured. A Man of God, a clergy member, a minister had actually cussed in public - OH MY!
Most of us realize that the command in third commandment is not to throw the name of God the Father, or Jesus Christ around haphazardly, pointlessly. Instead it is a command to hold the name of Jehovah in reverence and the highest regard. We aren't to use them as "magic words" in a laughable manner, or, of course, as curse words and expletives. However, as with most of the commandments, it covers so much more.
Our name represents who we are. When you use my name some might think - That's the Dr. who writes a blog each week, or that is Ruth Oberg's husband, or that's Katie Oberg's father, or that's Leroy Oberg's son. Others might think of me as - the deadbeat who left town owing 100's of dollars, or he's that drunk we saw stumbling around the town, or that's the gambling addict who was always at the casino. (PLEASE NOTE: This second set is for illustration, they are not factual). Our names are equated with who we are.
Most of us took on a new name or new title. The name "CHRISTIAN" says who we represent, whose name we claim as our own. My contention is that the worst violation of the third commandment is to proudly profess to be a born again Christian, and then live like a hypocrite, a heathen.
Matthew 6:1 TO 18 gives us three examples of hypocrisy. Verse one reads, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven."(NKJV). The idea of doing our charitable deeds to impress the humans around us is the same idea as being an actor on a stage. In fact the Greek word we derive hypocrisy from means to be an actor on a stage. in Greek theatre the actors did not wear make-up or use facial expression to act. they instead used masks. We may try and hide behind a mask of righteousness regardless of the truth underneath. Jesus called such hypocrites "white washed tombs". They are clean and bright on the outside, but inside filled with decaying, rotting, dead flesh.
Verses 2 to 4 give the first example of hypocrisy. These verses read, "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."(NKJV). When people in Jesus culture wanted to distribute something to the poor they often literally blew small trumpets to draw attention to themselves. With the attention accorded them by the people, they received their desired award. To honor God, to represent God truly, the giving should have been done secretly. Only three people should know - the giver, the receiver, and God.
Verses 5 to 8 gives the second example. we read, "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."(NKJV). A mother sat proudly on the bedside of her young son as he said his bedtime prayers. He finished his prayers by saying, "...bless mom and dad and rover and grandma, and Lord I SURE COULD USE A NEW BICYCLE!!!". He literally shouted that last phrase leaving his mother shocked and appalled. When she gathered her thoughts she inquired why he felt the need to shout to God, when God even hears whispered, even silent prayers. The boys response was to explain that he knew God heard those kind of prayers, but Grandma in the next room is almost deaf. Its obvious, his prayer was intended for Grandma perhaps even more than God. To honor God we are to pray secretly in our closet or room. The room talked bout in the passage is the treasure room where our most valued possessions are kept. We go there to pray not loud, wordy public prayers for every one's attention, but to pray secretly to one person - GOD.
The third example is in verses 16 to 18. These verses read, "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."(NKJV). It was well known in Jesus day that the Pharisees fasted twice a week, and that they made it known they were making this great sacrifice by their appearance. They would make it look as if they were half dead from hunger. In actuality the didn't eat from sun up to sun down. In other words, they skipped lunch for God. The point they did it to impress the humans around them, and not to honor God.
In our modern world think of those people you may know who are publicly professing Christians. They are proud of their church affiliations, Christian clubs, etc. their cars may have several Christian stickers and insignias on them. But these same people are the ones gathered in the lounge at work laughing at, or telling, the latest dirty jokes. Or their the ones cruising the highway in fits of road rage at several miles over the posted speed limit. The examples are endless.
Matthew 23 gives us the fate of the hypocrites. Verses 13 to 15 read, "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."(NKJV). They will be condemned pure and simple.
Do you claim Christ for the honor you bring to Him? Or do you claim His name for what it can bring to you?
Dr. O
At a minister's meeting a very shocking incident occurred. One of the ministers was making a very impassioned speech concerning the subjects of abortion rights and the death penalty. The community we were in had experienced a series of teen suicides and he blamed the suicides on the lack of respect for life the young people had been taught. In his speech he became excited and said, "We try and tell them how precious life is, but show how it can be thrown away so easily and that's nothing but BULL_ _ _ _!!". The reaction was immediate. It was not what he said, but it was his use of profanity to make his point. One minister left immediately, and others cornered the president of the organization demanding an apology for what their sweet little innocent ears had endured. A Man of God, a clergy member, a minister had actually cussed in public - OH MY!
Most of us realize that the command in third commandment is not to throw the name of God the Father, or Jesus Christ around haphazardly, pointlessly. Instead it is a command to hold the name of Jehovah in reverence and the highest regard. We aren't to use them as "magic words" in a laughable manner, or, of course, as curse words and expletives. However, as with most of the commandments, it covers so much more.
Our name represents who we are. When you use my name some might think - That's the Dr. who writes a blog each week, or that is Ruth Oberg's husband, or that's Katie Oberg's father, or that's Leroy Oberg's son. Others might think of me as - the deadbeat who left town owing 100's of dollars, or he's that drunk we saw stumbling around the town, or that's the gambling addict who was always at the casino. (PLEASE NOTE: This second set is for illustration, they are not factual). Our names are equated with who we are.
Most of us took on a new name or new title. The name "CHRISTIAN" says who we represent, whose name we claim as our own. My contention is that the worst violation of the third commandment is to proudly profess to be a born again Christian, and then live like a hypocrite, a heathen.
Matthew 6:1 TO 18 gives us three examples of hypocrisy. Verse one reads, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven."(NKJV). The idea of doing our charitable deeds to impress the humans around us is the same idea as being an actor on a stage. In fact the Greek word we derive hypocrisy from means to be an actor on a stage. in Greek theatre the actors did not wear make-up or use facial expression to act. they instead used masks. We may try and hide behind a mask of righteousness regardless of the truth underneath. Jesus called such hypocrites "white washed tombs". They are clean and bright on the outside, but inside filled with decaying, rotting, dead flesh.
Verses 2 to 4 give the first example of hypocrisy. These verses read, "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."(NKJV). When people in Jesus culture wanted to distribute something to the poor they often literally blew small trumpets to draw attention to themselves. With the attention accorded them by the people, they received their desired award. To honor God, to represent God truly, the giving should have been done secretly. Only three people should know - the giver, the receiver, and God.
Verses 5 to 8 gives the second example. we read, "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."(NKJV). A mother sat proudly on the bedside of her young son as he said his bedtime prayers. He finished his prayers by saying, "...bless mom and dad and rover and grandma, and Lord I SURE COULD USE A NEW BICYCLE!!!". He literally shouted that last phrase leaving his mother shocked and appalled. When she gathered her thoughts she inquired why he felt the need to shout to God, when God even hears whispered, even silent prayers. The boys response was to explain that he knew God heard those kind of prayers, but Grandma in the next room is almost deaf. Its obvious, his prayer was intended for Grandma perhaps even more than God. To honor God we are to pray secretly in our closet or room. The room talked bout in the passage is the treasure room where our most valued possessions are kept. We go there to pray not loud, wordy public prayers for every one's attention, but to pray secretly to one person - GOD.
The third example is in verses 16 to 18. These verses read, "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."(NKJV). It was well known in Jesus day that the Pharisees fasted twice a week, and that they made it known they were making this great sacrifice by their appearance. They would make it look as if they were half dead from hunger. In actuality the didn't eat from sun up to sun down. In other words, they skipped lunch for God. The point they did it to impress the humans around them, and not to honor God.
In our modern world think of those people you may know who are publicly professing Christians. They are proud of their church affiliations, Christian clubs, etc. their cars may have several Christian stickers and insignias on them. But these same people are the ones gathered in the lounge at work laughing at, or telling, the latest dirty jokes. Or their the ones cruising the highway in fits of road rage at several miles over the posted speed limit. The examples are endless.
Matthew 23 gives us the fate of the hypocrites. Verses 13 to 15 read, "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."(NKJV). They will be condemned pure and simple.
Do you claim Christ for the honor you bring to Him? Or do you claim His name for what it can bring to you?
Dr. O
Sunday, January 25, 2009
NO GRAVEN IMAGES
Exodus 20:4 to 6 reads, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." (NKJV).
This is a command that all of us keep without question. We don't have any stone or wooden idols adorning our homes, cars, or persons, and that's a good thing. However, our understanding of this passage may or may not jive with what it truly says. The prohibition is not directed at other so called gods; that seems to be covered well by the previous commandment of having no other gods period. The prohibition is against making any physical representation of any god, Jehovah included.
I have had the opportunity to deal with several "Idolatrous" churches in my time in the ministry. The idols or graven images they set up were not pictures, statues, or altars. Their idols were representations of Jehovah to the community. their idols were treated as sacred and holy. Their idols were the buildings where they met for corporate worship and Christian education (among many other less religious events). I can remember that as a child we lived in a neighborhood where there was a small, cinder block Church of God. As children in the neighborhood we naturally thought as children in the neighborhood. to us that was "God's House". It represented God to us and everyone else. Consequently, when you entered the church yard you couldn't cuss let alone get into any kind of fight. Now you could go into the vacant lot behind the church and beat the snot out of one another, and call each other anything under the sun. (PLEASE NOTE: I NEVER PARTICIPATED IN ANY ACTIVITY EVEN REMOTELY RELATED TO THE ABOVE BEHAVIORS)
In the ministry I have dealt with churches where the building literally superseded the ministry to the community. One church was built in the 1930's and had approximately 15 steps leading up to the entrance. Even the members of the church were having difficulty entering the building. The building also boasted a beautiful facade with very ornate stained glass windows. A ramp would have been easy to install, and very cost effective. It would have greatly aided in reaching out to a community that was steadily growing older. However, it would have marred the appearance of the building and its surroundings. To this day there is no ramp, and the church continues to dwindle away. Another congregation had a need for Sunday School space. A plan was devised to remove the pews from the sanctuary and turn the area into a multi-purpose room. this would ave increased the amount and quality of education space, and would have added a large amount of seating to the auditorium. One person, who had been instrumental in selecting the pews and constructing the building some 25 years earlier, rejected the notion and let her objection be noted very loudly. Consequently, the church continues to struggle in its stagnate situation some 20 years later. These churches were worshipping a dead graven image of brick and mortar rather that the living Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The first commandment dealt with worshipping other gods. Jehovah knew he would have competition for the peoples' attention, love, and devotion. Satan provided a variety of alternative temptations, and man took the bait. This command dealt with worshipping a physical representation of even Jehovah Himself. God knew it was man's tendency to do so. It was a common practice of many of the neighboring cultures. II Kings 17:32 to 41 says, " So they feared the Lord, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the Lord, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the Lord commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; With whom the Lord had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: But the Lord, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods. And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods. But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. So these nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day." (KJV). In the New Testament, even with the example of God's wrath on Israel, man would not listen. Romans 1:18 to 23 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." (KJV). Romans 1:32 adds, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (KJV).
How then should God be worshiped? Perhaps a better place to start is with a definition of worship itself. Worship is not some ritual or ceremony conducted often out of habit and routine. Worship is an attitude to be carried within; an attitude of giving worth-ship to our God.
Worship is to be felt, not just seen or heard. Deuteronomy 6: 4 to 6 reads, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart;" (NKJV).
Worship is to be personal, not purchased. Micah 6:6 to 8 says, " With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NKJV).
Worship is being in God's presence regardless of our physical location. john 4:20 to 24 says, " "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.'' Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NKJV).
How then should God be represented to the people of this world and this age? It's by the worship and honor accorded Him, not by a piles of bricks and mortar. If we do what is described above, people will see God around us, on us, and in us.
Dr. O
This is a command that all of us keep without question. We don't have any stone or wooden idols adorning our homes, cars, or persons, and that's a good thing. However, our understanding of this passage may or may not jive with what it truly says. The prohibition is not directed at other so called gods; that seems to be covered well by the previous commandment of having no other gods period. The prohibition is against making any physical representation of any god, Jehovah included.
I have had the opportunity to deal with several "Idolatrous" churches in my time in the ministry. The idols or graven images they set up were not pictures, statues, or altars. Their idols were representations of Jehovah to the community. their idols were treated as sacred and holy. Their idols were the buildings where they met for corporate worship and Christian education (among many other less religious events). I can remember that as a child we lived in a neighborhood where there was a small, cinder block Church of God. As children in the neighborhood we naturally thought as children in the neighborhood. to us that was "God's House". It represented God to us and everyone else. Consequently, when you entered the church yard you couldn't cuss let alone get into any kind of fight. Now you could go into the vacant lot behind the church and beat the snot out of one another, and call each other anything under the sun. (PLEASE NOTE: I NEVER PARTICIPATED IN ANY ACTIVITY EVEN REMOTELY RELATED TO THE ABOVE BEHAVIORS)
In the ministry I have dealt with churches where the building literally superseded the ministry to the community. One church was built in the 1930's and had approximately 15 steps leading up to the entrance. Even the members of the church were having difficulty entering the building. The building also boasted a beautiful facade with very ornate stained glass windows. A ramp would have been easy to install, and very cost effective. It would have greatly aided in reaching out to a community that was steadily growing older. However, it would have marred the appearance of the building and its surroundings. To this day there is no ramp, and the church continues to dwindle away. Another congregation had a need for Sunday School space. A plan was devised to remove the pews from the sanctuary and turn the area into a multi-purpose room. this would ave increased the amount and quality of education space, and would have added a large amount of seating to the auditorium. One person, who had been instrumental in selecting the pews and constructing the building some 25 years earlier, rejected the notion and let her objection be noted very loudly. Consequently, the church continues to struggle in its stagnate situation some 20 years later. These churches were worshipping a dead graven image of brick and mortar rather that the living Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The first commandment dealt with worshipping other gods. Jehovah knew he would have competition for the peoples' attention, love, and devotion. Satan provided a variety of alternative temptations, and man took the bait. This command dealt with worshipping a physical representation of even Jehovah Himself. God knew it was man's tendency to do so. It was a common practice of many of the neighboring cultures. II Kings 17:32 to 41 says, " So they feared the Lord, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the Lord, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the Lord commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; With whom the Lord had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: But the Lord, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods. And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods. But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. So these nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day." (KJV). In the New Testament, even with the example of God's wrath on Israel, man would not listen. Romans 1:18 to 23 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." (KJV). Romans 1:32 adds, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (KJV).
How then should God be worshiped? Perhaps a better place to start is with a definition of worship itself. Worship is not some ritual or ceremony conducted often out of habit and routine. Worship is an attitude to be carried within; an attitude of giving worth-ship to our God.
Worship is to be felt, not just seen or heard. Deuteronomy 6: 4 to 6 reads, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart;" (NKJV).
Worship is to be personal, not purchased. Micah 6:6 to 8 says, " With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NKJV).
Worship is being in God's presence regardless of our physical location. john 4:20 to 24 says, " "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.'' Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NKJV).
How then should God be represented to the people of this world and this age? It's by the worship and honor accorded Him, not by a piles of bricks and mortar. If we do what is described above, people will see God around us, on us, and in us.
Dr. O
Sunday, January 18, 2009
GOD'S COMPETITION
Exodus 20:1 to 3 reads, " And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (NKJV)
Is God fearful of a little competition? Of course not! After all, He is all powerful. Jeremiah 32:17 says, " Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:" (KJV). He is also all knowing. Psalm 139:1 to 4 reads, "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether." (KJV). God is finally ever-present. Also in Psalm 139 we read, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,'' Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You." (NKJV).
God is in no way worried about any other so called gods. At most they are demonic spirits, fallen angels, which He created in the first place. We are told that even WE can defeat the highest of them all, Satan himself. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (NKJV). At the very least they are stone idols with no life in them at all. Psalm 115:2 to 8 says, "Why should the Gentiles say, " "Where now is their God?'' But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them." (NKJV). God is not concerned with these other gods; His concern lies with how His creation, mankind, will react to these other gods.
Both testaments warn us concerning these other gods. Exodus 34:12 to 17 says, "Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods. You shall make no molded gods for yourselves." (NKJV). In the New testament we read, "Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?" (I Corinthians 10:18 to 22 NKJV).
What makes idolatry so appealing? Satan has been employing the same tactics to tempt and trap mankind since he first accomplished it in the garden. The Apostle John wrote these words, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (I John 2:15 to 17 NKJV). The cravings of sinful flesh generally refers to the physical cravings man has. Much of idol worship involves drunkenness, gluttony, and general debauchery. Much of it involves sexual activity, both Homo and Hetero. the lust of the eyes also has a sexual element. Finally, boasting of what a person has or has done is the ego trip that often accompanies idolatry.
The outcome of this is God's people are drawn away from God and His instructions and commands. They are instead drawn into the "freedom" idolatry represents. This so called freedom leads to a slavery worse than that experienced by the Hebrews in Egypt. It is slavery to sin, slavery to Satan, and an addiction to the things these idols provide. the people forget God gave His commands to maintain peace and order, and to express His personal interest in His people and their well-being.
In general, idolatry lead the people to be alienated from God. They turned away from Him. The book of Judges is filled with example after example of the people's idolatry and its outcome. the people began a vicious cycle of idolatry leading to servitude to other nations. The servitude lead to crying out to God for salvation, and then the receipt of that salvation by the hand of God. The hand of God in this case was a judge, a leader who rose up from within the people. However, the judge, being mortal, would die and the people would return to their idolatrous lifestyle and the cycle would begin again. As the people fell into idolatry and all that went with it, the Lord's anger grew against Israel. He chose to discipline His children by letting their sin run its course. When that did not serve to stop the cycle, the Lord would take an active role raising up opposition to be victorious over Israel. Israel would repent and return to the Father. God, being a loving Father, would welcome their return.
The question is, can this happen today? YES!! Granted no one we may know will probably have an altar to Baal or an Asherah Pole in their home, but we are still tempted by other idols and temptations. The Apostle John tells us in I John 2:15 to 17 that we face physical and emotional temptations which can turn our attention from God.These are just as powerful and quick as any biblical idol. Our false gods aren't made of stone or wood, and they aren't named Baal, Molech, Diana, or Dagon. Money is one of our false gods. With many its the more we get, the more we want. Idle leisure is a god to many. People spend more of their time and money on their play than that which they gave or used for prayer, study, or fellowship. Other gods are alcohol, drugs, food, sex, etc. Our god is anything we turn to for peace, pleasure, and satisfaction.
All the time, God offers us peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (aka. the fruit of the Spirit). If God disciplined Israel when they followed after false gods, how much will he discipline us as well???
Dr. O.
Is God fearful of a little competition? Of course not! After all, He is all powerful. Jeremiah 32:17 says, " Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:" (KJV). He is also all knowing. Psalm 139:1 to 4 reads, "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether." (KJV). God is finally ever-present. Also in Psalm 139 we read, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,'' Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You." (NKJV).
God is in no way worried about any other so called gods. At most they are demonic spirits, fallen angels, which He created in the first place. We are told that even WE can defeat the highest of them all, Satan himself. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (NKJV). At the very least they are stone idols with no life in them at all. Psalm 115:2 to 8 says, "Why should the Gentiles say, " "Where now is their God?'' But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them." (NKJV). God is not concerned with these other gods; His concern lies with how His creation, mankind, will react to these other gods.
Both testaments warn us concerning these other gods. Exodus 34:12 to 17 says, "Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods. You shall make no molded gods for yourselves." (NKJV). In the New testament we read, "Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?" (I Corinthians 10:18 to 22 NKJV).
What makes idolatry so appealing? Satan has been employing the same tactics to tempt and trap mankind since he first accomplished it in the garden. The Apostle John wrote these words, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (I John 2:15 to 17 NKJV). The cravings of sinful flesh generally refers to the physical cravings man has. Much of idol worship involves drunkenness, gluttony, and general debauchery. Much of it involves sexual activity, both Homo and Hetero. the lust of the eyes also has a sexual element. Finally, boasting of what a person has or has done is the ego trip that often accompanies idolatry.
The outcome of this is God's people are drawn away from God and His instructions and commands. They are instead drawn into the "freedom" idolatry represents. This so called freedom leads to a slavery worse than that experienced by the Hebrews in Egypt. It is slavery to sin, slavery to Satan, and an addiction to the things these idols provide. the people forget God gave His commands to maintain peace and order, and to express His personal interest in His people and their well-being.
In general, idolatry lead the people to be alienated from God. They turned away from Him. The book of Judges is filled with example after example of the people's idolatry and its outcome. the people began a vicious cycle of idolatry leading to servitude to other nations. The servitude lead to crying out to God for salvation, and then the receipt of that salvation by the hand of God. The hand of God in this case was a judge, a leader who rose up from within the people. However, the judge, being mortal, would die and the people would return to their idolatrous lifestyle and the cycle would begin again. As the people fell into idolatry and all that went with it, the Lord's anger grew against Israel. He chose to discipline His children by letting their sin run its course. When that did not serve to stop the cycle, the Lord would take an active role raising up opposition to be victorious over Israel. Israel would repent and return to the Father. God, being a loving Father, would welcome their return.
The question is, can this happen today? YES!! Granted no one we may know will probably have an altar to Baal or an Asherah Pole in their home, but we are still tempted by other idols and temptations. The Apostle John tells us in I John 2:15 to 17 that we face physical and emotional temptations which can turn our attention from God.These are just as powerful and quick as any biblical idol. Our false gods aren't made of stone or wood, and they aren't named Baal, Molech, Diana, or Dagon. Money is one of our false gods. With many its the more we get, the more we want. Idle leisure is a god to many. People spend more of their time and money on their play than that which they gave or used for prayer, study, or fellowship. Other gods are alcohol, drugs, food, sex, etc. Our god is anything we turn to for peace, pleasure, and satisfaction.
All the time, God offers us peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (aka. the fruit of the Spirit). If God disciplined Israel when they followed after false gods, how much will he discipline us as well???
Dr. O.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS
For many years the state of Montana supposedly did not have a daytime speed limit. This was a fallacy in that the stated speed limit was "Whatever is reasonable and prudent". Reasonable and prudent is what allowed my wife's cousin to drive 115 miles per hour and only receive a warning from the highway patrol officers who stopped him. He was a properly equipped vehicle, he knew the road he was driving on, and was able to keep the car under control. The problem found by law enforcement in Montana was that "outsiders" came to visit the state and were unable to judge the limits of what was "reasonable and prudent". Consequently, the state now has a more familiar speed limit. All because a few people did not exercise good discernment in the operation of the vehicles.
God's law is a lot like that. Some un-educated, un-discerning, imprudent, and unreasonable people see what the New testament says about the Old Testament and assume there is no more law. Galatians 3:23 to 25 says, "But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." (NKJV). This leaves us with three positions to choose from. Some un-educated, un-discerning, and unreasonable people we are still bound by the full law of the Old Testament. Others, equally un-educated, etc. see passages such as the Galatians quote as a license for lasciviousness. Finally, those who are reasonable and discerning, applying both thought and prayer, and educated, applying a proper study of God's word. It is this last group that I hope we will be a part of, the reasonable and prudent group.
First let's define what we mean by God's law. Law could refer to only the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch. Galatians 3:10 says, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."(NKJV). Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 27:26. The law could be referring to the entire Old Testament. John 15:23 to 25 reads, "He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, `They hated Me without a cause."(NKJV). Verse 25 quotes both Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4, niether of these is part of the Pentateuch. The law can also refer to the Law of Moses, the specific things dictated to Moses in his 40 days on Mt. Sinai. This led to the controversy that led to the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Acts 15:5 says, " But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.''(NKJV).
The law is said to be enduring. Psalm 119:91 reads, " They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants."(NKJV). Verse 160 adds, "The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever."(NKJV). It falls to us to reconcile this with the Law having an end in Christ.
A confrontation was coming to a head in Jesus' earthly ministry. Some believed that Jesus was here to overthrow the law. Some looked forward to it; they were burdened by the righteousness the law required, and they were feeling convicted in their inability to keep the law. Others feared the law's overthrow; with it gone they would lose their power, prestige, and authority. Jesus stated His relationship to the law this way, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." Matthew 5:17 and 18 NKJV). He came not to overthrow the law or destroy it. To destroy it meant destroying much of the proof of His Deity, of His being the Messiah. Jesus depended on the law so he could fulfill the law.
T fulfill the law meant He fulfilled it as a standard of righteousness. He did so by being completely righteous, completely sinless, and completely perfect. He also had to fulfill the law as the revelation of the exceeding sinfulness of mankind. Romans 7:7 to 13 reads, " What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet.'' But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful."(NKJV).
After Jesus, the law continues to reveal sin as sin, and consequently reveal our need for a savior. Romans 5:20 to 6:4 reads, "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."(NKJV).
Matthew 5:19 and 20 reads, "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."(NKJV). This is how the law relates to the Christian. Breaking the law did not have to be a obvious and open defiant act against the law. it instead could be taking advantage of a "loophole" in the law. we jump through the loophole by pleading ignorance, using "proof-texts", manipulating the interpretation of the law, rationalizing away the need to follow the law, and justifying our breakage of the law.
To properly practice righteousness is to follow the most righteous path. Matthew 22: 34 to 40 says, "But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?'' Jesus said to him, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."(NKJV).
The remainder of this study will be spent looking at these commandments and the moral law of the ten commandments. This not a search for loopholes, but more so we can find how to be the most righteous people we can be.
Dr. O
God's law is a lot like that. Some un-educated, un-discerning, imprudent, and unreasonable people see what the New testament says about the Old Testament and assume there is no more law. Galatians 3:23 to 25 says, "But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." (NKJV). This leaves us with three positions to choose from. Some un-educated, un-discerning, and unreasonable people we are still bound by the full law of the Old Testament. Others, equally un-educated, etc. see passages such as the Galatians quote as a license for lasciviousness. Finally, those who are reasonable and discerning, applying both thought and prayer, and educated, applying a proper study of God's word. It is this last group that I hope we will be a part of, the reasonable and prudent group.
First let's define what we mean by God's law. Law could refer to only the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch. Galatians 3:10 says, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."(NKJV). Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 27:26. The law could be referring to the entire Old Testament. John 15:23 to 25 reads, "He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, `They hated Me without a cause."(NKJV). Verse 25 quotes both Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4, niether of these is part of the Pentateuch. The law can also refer to the Law of Moses, the specific things dictated to Moses in his 40 days on Mt. Sinai. This led to the controversy that led to the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Acts 15:5 says, " But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.''(NKJV).
The law is said to be enduring. Psalm 119:91 reads, " They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants."(NKJV). Verse 160 adds, "The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever."(NKJV). It falls to us to reconcile this with the Law having an end in Christ.
A confrontation was coming to a head in Jesus' earthly ministry. Some believed that Jesus was here to overthrow the law. Some looked forward to it; they were burdened by the righteousness the law required, and they were feeling convicted in their inability to keep the law. Others feared the law's overthrow; with it gone they would lose their power, prestige, and authority. Jesus stated His relationship to the law this way, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." Matthew 5:17 and 18 NKJV). He came not to overthrow the law or destroy it. To destroy it meant destroying much of the proof of His Deity, of His being the Messiah. Jesus depended on the law so he could fulfill the law.
T fulfill the law meant He fulfilled it as a standard of righteousness. He did so by being completely righteous, completely sinless, and completely perfect. He also had to fulfill the law as the revelation of the exceeding sinfulness of mankind. Romans 7:7 to 13 reads, " What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet.'' But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful."(NKJV).
After Jesus, the law continues to reveal sin as sin, and consequently reveal our need for a savior. Romans 5:20 to 6:4 reads, "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."(NKJV).
Matthew 5:19 and 20 reads, "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."(NKJV). This is how the law relates to the Christian. Breaking the law did not have to be a obvious and open defiant act against the law. it instead could be taking advantage of a "loophole" in the law. we jump through the loophole by pleading ignorance, using "proof-texts", manipulating the interpretation of the law, rationalizing away the need to follow the law, and justifying our breakage of the law.
To properly practice righteousness is to follow the most righteous path. Matthew 22: 34 to 40 says, "But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?'' Jesus said to him, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."(NKJV).
The remainder of this study will be spent looking at these commandments and the moral law of the ten commandments. This not a search for loopholes, but more so we can find how to be the most righteous people we can be.
Dr. O
Sunday, January 4, 2009
INTRODUCING GOD
"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." Exodus 20:2 (NKJV)
In the Old testament there are three primary names used for God. The first of these is ELOHIM, translated "God". This name is used 2000 times in the Old Testament and is the plural form of EL. Its means to be strong, be preeminent. It is related to the fact that God transcends everything, including all other so-called gods or dieties. This plural form appears prominently in the creation accounts with the presentation of the triune God. Genesis 1:26 reads, " And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(NKJV). Note the use of pronouns US and OUR.
The second name for God is ADONAI which is translated "Lord". This name is used 449 times designating God as "Lord" or "Master". it emphasises God's absolute rule and authority. God is Lord of all.
The third, and most commonly used, name for God is YAHWEH translated "Jehovah" or "LORD". This mane is used some 6828 times and puts stress on God's personal relationship with Israel. Interestingly YAHWEH is unique to Israel. EL (ELOHIM)and ADONAI are used in other cultures for other powers. Israel is the only one to use YAHWEH.
YAHWEH is the name used in Exodu 20:2. in other words God is introducing himself as YAHWEH, the God who is taking a personal interest in Israel. that interest is demonstrated in the salvation given Israel from Epyptiam bondage.
YAHWEH or JEHOVAH is often used in combination with other words to further reveal God's heart for Israel. JEHOVAH-JIREH means "the lord will provide". in Genesis chapter 22 we see a father put to the ultimate test of faith. The father, Abraham, is called on by God to offer Isaac, the son God had promised and provided, as a sacrificial burnt offering. Abraham, Issac, and two servants set on what would be a three day journey. Neither Isaac nor the servants are aware of what the true nature of their trip would be. They knew only they were going to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. imagine the pain that shot through the father's heart as Isaac asked, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:7 NKJV). Abraham's simple response was, " God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering," (Genesis 22:8 NKJV). They arrive at the designated place, and the altar is prepared. Isaac is bound by his father and placed on the altar. Abraham raises the knife ready to take the life of his promised son. At that moment God does provide and stops Abraham's sacrifice. Genesis 22:14 says, " And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day," (NKJV).
JEHOVAH-NISSI or "the Lord our banner" is used in Exodus 17. the Amalekites attach Israel and Joshua and the army of Israel were dispatched to battle them. During the fight Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, go to a hillside overlooking the battlefield. as the battle progresses Moses raise his hands. as As long as his hands were raised Israel had the advantage in the fight; likewise, if his arms dropped the opposition had it. With the assistance of Aaron and Hur, Moses continued to hold his hands raised as a standard or flag over the war zone. The eventual victory came because of Israel's faith in the one Moses' standard represented. After the victory Moses named the place "The Lord is my banner".
JEHOVAH-SHALOM means "the Lord is peace". In Judges 6:24 Gideon builds and altar and gives it the name "the Lord is peace". Gideon is about to assert his role as a Judge over Israel. he was the one chosen to call and lead Israel back to a life of righteousness and freedom. With this peace from God he leads a reduced army of only 300 warriors against an opposition numbered in the thousands. God, Gideon, and the 300 troops free Israel from Mideonite bondage.
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU (sid,ka,new) means "the Lord our righteousness". Jeremiah 23:5 and 6 read, "Behold, the days are coming,'' says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (NKJV). Even though the now divided Israel is far from righteous, God makes the promise that one day He would make them righteous.
How does all this name calling apply to the Church? Simply by the one who was called all these names and many more, Jesus Christ. Jesus is JEHOVAH-JIREH, He is our provider. Some of His miracles were miracles of provision. He fed the thousands (twice), He turned water into wine, He provided sight for the blind, He provided the deaf with their hearing, He made the paralyzed able to move, he returned sanity to those out of their minds, He provides freedom from both physical and spiritual bondage. For us, He is living water, the bread of life, and the passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-NISSI, He is our standard, our banner. Luke 24 says that in His name the gospel will be preached. Acts shows the beginning of that, and it still continues today. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-SHALOM; He is our peace. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(NKJV). This peace is not the absence of conflict, but instead a confident assurance of victory. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our righteousness. Consider these words, "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."(Romans 5:15-19 NKJV)
God introduced Himself to Israel. he declared to them that He wanted a loving, personal relationship with His people. And He demonstrated for them how He had done His part. Jesus has introduced Himself to us. he declares to us that He wants a loving, personal relationship with us, His people. he to demonstrates that He did His part. The question to us is, Have we done our part.
Dr. O
In the Old testament there are three primary names used for God. The first of these is ELOHIM, translated "God". This name is used 2000 times in the Old Testament and is the plural form of EL. Its means to be strong, be preeminent. It is related to the fact that God transcends everything, including all other so-called gods or dieties. This plural form appears prominently in the creation accounts with the presentation of the triune God. Genesis 1:26 reads, " And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(NKJV). Note the use of pronouns US and OUR.
The second name for God is ADONAI which is translated "Lord". This name is used 449 times designating God as "Lord" or "Master". it emphasises God's absolute rule and authority. God is Lord of all.
The third, and most commonly used, name for God is YAHWEH translated "Jehovah" or "LORD". This mane is used some 6828 times and puts stress on God's personal relationship with Israel. Interestingly YAHWEH is unique to Israel. EL (ELOHIM)and ADONAI are used in other cultures for other powers. Israel is the only one to use YAHWEH.
YAHWEH is the name used in Exodu 20:2. in other words God is introducing himself as YAHWEH, the God who is taking a personal interest in Israel. that interest is demonstrated in the salvation given Israel from Epyptiam bondage.
YAHWEH or JEHOVAH is often used in combination with other words to further reveal God's heart for Israel. JEHOVAH-JIREH means "the lord will provide". in Genesis chapter 22 we see a father put to the ultimate test of faith. The father, Abraham, is called on by God to offer Isaac, the son God had promised and provided, as a sacrificial burnt offering. Abraham, Issac, and two servants set on what would be a three day journey. Neither Isaac nor the servants are aware of what the true nature of their trip would be. They knew only they were going to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. imagine the pain that shot through the father's heart as Isaac asked, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:7 NKJV). Abraham's simple response was, " God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering," (Genesis 22:8 NKJV). They arrive at the designated place, and the altar is prepared. Isaac is bound by his father and placed on the altar. Abraham raises the knife ready to take the life of his promised son. At that moment God does provide and stops Abraham's sacrifice. Genesis 22:14 says, " And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day," (NKJV).
JEHOVAH-NISSI or "the Lord our banner" is used in Exodus 17. the Amalekites attach Israel and Joshua and the army of Israel were dispatched to battle them. During the fight Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, go to a hillside overlooking the battlefield. as the battle progresses Moses raise his hands. as As long as his hands were raised Israel had the advantage in the fight; likewise, if his arms dropped the opposition had it. With the assistance of Aaron and Hur, Moses continued to hold his hands raised as a standard or flag over the war zone. The eventual victory came because of Israel's faith in the one Moses' standard represented. After the victory Moses named the place "The Lord is my banner".
JEHOVAH-SHALOM means "the Lord is peace". In Judges 6:24 Gideon builds and altar and gives it the name "the Lord is peace". Gideon is about to assert his role as a Judge over Israel. he was the one chosen to call and lead Israel back to a life of righteousness and freedom. With this peace from God he leads a reduced army of only 300 warriors against an opposition numbered in the thousands. God, Gideon, and the 300 troops free Israel from Mideonite bondage.
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU (sid,ka,new) means "the Lord our righteousness". Jeremiah 23:5 and 6 read, "Behold, the days are coming,'' says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (NKJV). Even though the now divided Israel is far from righteous, God makes the promise that one day He would make them righteous.
How does all this name calling apply to the Church? Simply by the one who was called all these names and many more, Jesus Christ. Jesus is JEHOVAH-JIREH, He is our provider. Some of His miracles were miracles of provision. He fed the thousands (twice), He turned water into wine, He provided sight for the blind, He provided the deaf with their hearing, He made the paralyzed able to move, he returned sanity to those out of their minds, He provides freedom from both physical and spiritual bondage. For us, He is living water, the bread of life, and the passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-NISSI, He is our standard, our banner. Luke 24 says that in His name the gospel will be preached. Acts shows the beginning of that, and it still continues today. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-SHALOM; He is our peace. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(NKJV). This peace is not the absence of conflict, but instead a confident assurance of victory. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our righteousness. Consider these words, "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."(Romans 5:15-19 NKJV)
God introduced Himself to Israel. he declared to them that He wanted a loving, personal relationship with His people. And He demonstrated for them how He had done His part. Jesus has introduced Himself to us. he declares to us that He wants a loving, personal relationship with us, His people. he to demonstrates that He did His part. The question to us is, Have we done our part.
Dr. O
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