Since the reign of Jeroboam, the Northern Kingdom of Israel has been on a steady decline until becoming in complete rebellion and rejection of God. Each king becomes a little more wicked than the previous one until Ahab arrives, and Ahab made Baal worship the central feature of Israel! 1 Kings 16:33 says, “Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.”
It was time for a prophet! That is, the Lord had a word for Ahab, and he would send his man to deliver it! Ahab would hate Elijah, but always fear him as well. Elijah’s presence and pronouncements meant that Baal was nonexistent and the Lord God was the one true, all-powerful God. That truth did not fit with Ahab’s plans!
It was time for a prophet! That is, the Lord would clear the cloudy religious fog that unbelieving leaders had created. Not only would Elijah confront Ahab, he would also confront 450 prophets of Baal. It was the classic showdown. The prophets of Baal danced, screamed, and cut themselves for Baal to show himself; he didn’t. Elijah calls upon the Lord, and the Lord sends fire from heaven! The results are the slaying of the false prophets and the people crying, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God! (18:39)”
It was time for a prophet! That is, although the nation as a whole had turned from the Lord, the Lord had kept a remnant of believers, 7,000 to be exact, and they needed godly leadership.
When it looks from all outward appearances that all is lost, remember God is still at work. In his time, he will bring about his purposes!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
God's Covenant Faithfulness - 1 Kings 14-16
1 Kings 15:4-5 says, “Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord...”
What makes those words so astounding and profoundly wonderful is the context in which they are found. Abijam the son of Rehoboam, who was the son of Solomon, was now ruler of Judah. He was nothing like David. He walked in the evil ways of his father, Rehoboam. However, the Lord had entered into covenant with David. God had promised David that his lamp would not go out in Jerusalem. David honored the Lord and walked in his ways, except in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah. David was not perfect, but he was repentant and that is far more than one can say for the sons who came after him!
God’s faithfulness is dependent upon his word, his promise, his character, not upon our performance or perfection. This is not to say God overlooked the wickedness of David’s sons! Their idolatry was not excused! They would stand before the Lord guilty for pursuing evil and leading the people astray. They would be condemned for unbelief. However, God would remain true to his word. A son would come from David, and he would rule forever!
That coming son was Jesus Christ, son of Abraham, son of David, Son of God! As with the Davidic covenant, the New Covenant is God’s promise to save his people from their sins. We, the believers in Jesus Christ, are the recipients of New Covenant grace. God will remain faithful to his covenant, and that is good news for us who are in Christ, but don’t deserve to be!
What makes those words so astounding and profoundly wonderful is the context in which they are found. Abijam the son of Rehoboam, who was the son of Solomon, was now ruler of Judah. He was nothing like David. He walked in the evil ways of his father, Rehoboam. However, the Lord had entered into covenant with David. God had promised David that his lamp would not go out in Jerusalem. David honored the Lord and walked in his ways, except in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah. David was not perfect, but he was repentant and that is far more than one can say for the sons who came after him!
God’s faithfulness is dependent upon his word, his promise, his character, not upon our performance or perfection. This is not to say God overlooked the wickedness of David’s sons! Their idolatry was not excused! They would stand before the Lord guilty for pursuing evil and leading the people astray. They would be condemned for unbelief. However, God would remain true to his word. A son would come from David, and he would rule forever!
That coming son was Jesus Christ, son of Abraham, son of David, Son of God! As with the Davidic covenant, the New Covenant is God’s promise to save his people from their sins. We, the believers in Jesus Christ, are the recipients of New Covenant grace. God will remain faithful to his covenant, and that is good news for us who are in Christ, but don’t deserve to be!
Worship His Own Way - 1 Kings 11-13
Jerusalem was the appointed place of worship. The Temple in Jerusalem was where the presence of the Lord descended. However, the kingdom has divided between Judah and the rest of Israel. Jeroboam, king of Israel, does not want his subjects heading to Jerusalem for worship lest they decide to relocate and join Judah. So to preserve his power base and satisfy his people, Jeroboam devises his own way to worship.
He made two calves of gold and led the people to worship idols! He built his own temples in their own special high places. He appointed their own priests from their own people instead of God’s appointed priests, the Levites! He set his own feast. He sacrificed his own way. The Bible says concerning the establishment of a special month in 12:33, “he had devised [it] from his own heart.” Jeroboam truly did it his way!
The problems with devising our own manners of worship is more than just not worshipping according to God’s prescription. To worship in our own way is to NOT worship God. To worship in our own way is to become idolators. To worship in our own way is to announce to God that something else is to be prized above him. To worship in our own way is to announce to God that he is NOT to be worshipped. To worship in our own way is to place ourselves above God and dictate worship to him instead of him providing the means for us to worship the true God. To worship in our own way is essentially to worship ourselves!
God will not tolerate idolatry! The sin of worshipping in his own way cost Jeroboam the right to the throne. His house would come down! Take care, dear friend, if we worship our own way, our house will come down too!
He made two calves of gold and led the people to worship idols! He built his own temples in their own special high places. He appointed their own priests from their own people instead of God’s appointed priests, the Levites! He set his own feast. He sacrificed his own way. The Bible says concerning the establishment of a special month in 12:33, “he had devised [it] from his own heart.” Jeroboam truly did it his way!
The problems with devising our own manners of worship is more than just not worshipping according to God’s prescription. To worship in our own way is to NOT worship God. To worship in our own way is to become idolators. To worship in our own way is to announce to God that something else is to be prized above him. To worship in our own way is to announce to God that he is NOT to be worshipped. To worship in our own way is to place ourselves above God and dictate worship to him instead of him providing the means for us to worship the true God. To worship in our own way is essentially to worship ourselves!
God will not tolerate idolatry! The sin of worshipping in his own way cost Jeroboam the right to the throne. His house would come down! Take care, dear friend, if we worship our own way, our house will come down too!
Where to Direct Your Prayers - 1 Kings 8-10
The dedication of the Temple was quite a celebration. It was also confirmation that the Lord was pleased with Israel and had made the Temple his new home! The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord, meaning that the presence of the Lord was among his people located at the Temple. An elaborate service unfolded. Solomon leads the service in a prayer to the Lord and continues the service through offering 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep, which resulted in a seven-day feast! The people went home on the eighth day “joyful and glad of heart.”
During Solomon’s prayer, he asked that the Lord might be gracious and forgiving towards his people if they should sin, repent, and pray toward the Temple! The specific judgments he mentioned were defeat, drought, famine or plague, or being taken captive. Solomon requested that if the people fall under any judgment because of their sin, should they turn and pray toward the Temple, may the Lord be gracious to them. Why pray toward the Temple? That’s where the presence of the Lord dwelt.
Where do we direct our prayers today? To the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? He is our Mediator, our sympathetic High Priest, the object of our faith, and our salvation! The focus-point of prayer is no longer a place but rather a person. No longer a man-made Temple, but rather the incarnate Son of God. The presence of the Lord at the Temple was only a foreshadow of the glory of the Lord that abides in the Son, for in him the fullness of God is pleased to dwell! Solomon’s temple couldn’t contain the Lord of the Universe (cf 1 Kings 8:27), but he is entirely present in the Lord Jesus Christ! As New Covenant believers, we pray to Christ, in Christ’s name, and for Christ’s glory, and when we do so by faith, he hears and he answers!
During Solomon’s prayer, he asked that the Lord might be gracious and forgiving towards his people if they should sin, repent, and pray toward the Temple! The specific judgments he mentioned were defeat, drought, famine or plague, or being taken captive. Solomon requested that if the people fall under any judgment because of their sin, should they turn and pray toward the Temple, may the Lord be gracious to them. Why pray toward the Temple? That’s where the presence of the Lord dwelt.
Where do we direct our prayers today? To the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? He is our Mediator, our sympathetic High Priest, the object of our faith, and our salvation! The focus-point of prayer is no longer a place but rather a person. No longer a man-made Temple, but rather the incarnate Son of God. The presence of the Lord at the Temple was only a foreshadow of the glory of the Lord that abides in the Son, for in him the fullness of God is pleased to dwell! Solomon’s temple couldn’t contain the Lord of the Universe (cf 1 Kings 8:27), but he is entirely present in the Lord Jesus Christ! As New Covenant believers, we pray to Christ, in Christ’s name, and for Christ’s glory, and when we do so by faith, he hears and he answers!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The House that Solomon Built - 1 Kings 4-7
“Which house?” would probably be the first question. Solomon built the house of Israel. David’s reign as conquerer provided a time of prosperity, growth, and peace. 4:20 says, “Judah and Israel were as many as the sand of the sea. They ate and drank and were happy.”
Solomon also built his own house, which took 13 years to accomplish. He spared no expense. The architecture and design were unsurpassed for his day. His was a big, big house!
However, the most noted house that Solomon built was the House of the Lord. It was David’s desire to provide a house for the Lord instead of a tent, but it would be his son who made that dream a reality. It took 7 years to build the Temple, and it was the grandest Temple to ever exist in Israel’s history. Solomon took great care in decor, materials, and overlaid most everything in pure gold. He also used gifted craftsmen and rich materials to supply the Temple’s furnishings. The Temple was a glorious sight to behold! In fact, in years to come when the second temple is built, weeping is heard among the rejoicing because the second temple was no comparison with the one that Solomon built!
These are the glory days of Israel. The people are prospering and not constantly fighting. Solomon has established the throne, Israel as a world power, and his reputation as the wisest ruler in the world. Israel’s temple is the grandest sight to see. Picture perfect . . . well, almost. It would not be long until Solomon turns from the Lord, and everything turns downhill from there. The truth of the matter is God is not after the finest house, he is after the lowliest heart!
Solomon also built his own house, which took 13 years to accomplish. He spared no expense. The architecture and design were unsurpassed for his day. His was a big, big house!
However, the most noted house that Solomon built was the House of the Lord. It was David’s desire to provide a house for the Lord instead of a tent, but it would be his son who made that dream a reality. It took 7 years to build the Temple, and it was the grandest Temple to ever exist in Israel’s history. Solomon took great care in decor, materials, and overlaid most everything in pure gold. He also used gifted craftsmen and rich materials to supply the Temple’s furnishings. The Temple was a glorious sight to behold! In fact, in years to come when the second temple is built, weeping is heard among the rejoicing because the second temple was no comparison with the one that Solomon built!
These are the glory days of Israel. The people are prospering and not constantly fighting. Solomon has established the throne, Israel as a world power, and his reputation as the wisest ruler in the world. Israel’s temple is the grandest sight to see. Picture perfect . . . well, almost. It would not be long until Solomon turns from the Lord, and everything turns downhill from there. The truth of the matter is God is not after the finest house, he is after the lowliest heart!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A Wise Prayer - 1 Kings 1-3
As David grew older, it became evident that there would soon be a new king to sit on the throne of Israel. Adonijah, one of David’s sons, decided he should be the next king! However, he wasn’t David’s choice, and with a few strategic steps Solomon was established as king.
It is hard to imagine the weight, burden, and overwhelming sensation of realizing that you are the head of an entire nation. Solomon must have taken his responsibility serious and felt some of the weight of it, for his request to God reveals his thoughts! God came to Solomon in a dream and promised to grant any request he may have. Solomon made the wisest request he could have made; he asked for wisdom! Solomon knew he needed divine insight and discernment if he were going to govern God’s people! He knew his calling was above him. He knew that wisdom was the key to successful leadership, not power or riches. A wise man can undo and outdo the powerful or the wealthy.
God’s reply to Solomon demonstrates that Solomon’s prayer pleased the Lord and was according to his will. The Lord says in 3:12-13 that he will grant this request and as an added blessing he will also grant riches and honor! So God gave Solomon what most kings would have requested precisely because Solomon didn’t ask for these things! (Let us learn to pray for the essentials and trust God’s will for the nonessentials!)
To be honest, godly wisdom and discernment is a blessing that we all need. You don’t have to be a king to need wisdom! Housewives, factory workers, professionals, any believer in any capacity needs wisdom. We must learn to pray for wisdom from God for that would be wise praying!
It is hard to imagine the weight, burden, and overwhelming sensation of realizing that you are the head of an entire nation. Solomon must have taken his responsibility serious and felt some of the weight of it, for his request to God reveals his thoughts! God came to Solomon in a dream and promised to grant any request he may have. Solomon made the wisest request he could have made; he asked for wisdom! Solomon knew he needed divine insight and discernment if he were going to govern God’s people! He knew his calling was above him. He knew that wisdom was the key to successful leadership, not power or riches. A wise man can undo and outdo the powerful or the wealthy.
God’s reply to Solomon demonstrates that Solomon’s prayer pleased the Lord and was according to his will. The Lord says in 3:12-13 that he will grant this request and as an added blessing he will also grant riches and honor! So God gave Solomon what most kings would have requested precisely because Solomon didn’t ask for these things! (Let us learn to pray for the essentials and trust God’s will for the nonessentials!)
To be honest, godly wisdom and discernment is a blessing that we all need. You don’t have to be a king to need wisdom! Housewives, factory workers, professionals, any believer in any capacity needs wisdom. We must learn to pray for wisdom from God for that would be wise praying!
Monday, April 26, 2010
When Sovereignty Seems Sticky - 2 Samuel 21-24
2 Samuel 24 may be one of the most difficult chapters to resolve the glaring tensions in all the Bible. One is hard pressed to deny that a major theme of 2 Samuel is the sovereignty of God. God is ordering, orchestrating, and ordaining the affairs of creation, history, and men for his glorious purposes.
Sovereignty is a troubling hurdle for most people because we are so inclined and taught that our wills and choices are the primary determiners of our lives. Once the comforting doctrine of sovereignty is embraced, the next hurdle is reconciling sovereignty with man, and, surprisingly, sovereignty with God! In 2 Samuel 24:1 the Lord incites David to number Israel and Judah. In verse 10, David is convicted of this sin and the Lord is going to send judgment! What? How can the Lord judge what he initiated? Some tensions we will never reconcile, but we can better live with the tension when we understand more of God’s purposes behind it.
First, Israel had provoked God and needed to be chastised. Judgment from God was going to come, and God has the right to decide how and why it comes. Second, God intends to build faith. Israel will learn that their trust must be in the power of God not their army. God can take it out the army with a simple pestilence! Third, David has now functioned as Prophet, Priest, and King, which makes him a type of Christ! Type means a sort of glimpse into what the Messiah will be like. The Messiah will come from the Davidic line, and he will be the ultimate, final Prophet, Priest, and King!
We may not reconcile the tension in this chapter, but we can surely see some of the ends for which God was working to achieve! Just remember, even when you cannot understand why God is doing what he is doing, you can rest assured he has good and glorious purposes in mind!
Sovereignty is a troubling hurdle for most people because we are so inclined and taught that our wills and choices are the primary determiners of our lives. Once the comforting doctrine of sovereignty is embraced, the next hurdle is reconciling sovereignty with man, and, surprisingly, sovereignty with God! In 2 Samuel 24:1 the Lord incites David to number Israel and Judah. In verse 10, David is convicted of this sin and the Lord is going to send judgment! What? How can the Lord judge what he initiated? Some tensions we will never reconcile, but we can better live with the tension when we understand more of God’s purposes behind it.
First, Israel had provoked God and needed to be chastised. Judgment from God was going to come, and God has the right to decide how and why it comes. Second, God intends to build faith. Israel will learn that their trust must be in the power of God not their army. God can take it out the army with a simple pestilence! Third, David has now functioned as Prophet, Priest, and King, which makes him a type of Christ! Type means a sort of glimpse into what the Messiah will be like. The Messiah will come from the Davidic line, and he will be the ultimate, final Prophet, Priest, and King!
We may not reconcile the tension in this chapter, but we can surely see some of the ends for which God was working to achieve! Just remember, even when you cannot understand why God is doing what he is doing, you can rest assured he has good and glorious purposes in mind!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sovereignty and Forgiveness - 2 Samuel 17-20
As David grows older in years, he has grown more mature in his faith. (Sad to say, this is not always the case for believers!) In reading through 2 Samuel, one learns that David has acquired one wise insight and one godly grace. These two virtuous marks surface clearly in his interaction with a man by the name of Shimei.
In chapter 16, David is fleeing from Jerusalem, fleeing from his son, Absalom. It was an embarrassing, humiliating day for David. Evidently, Shimei thought is was not hurtful enough, so he added insult to injury by following David and heaping insults and curses upon him along the way. (Shimei was related to Saul, which might explain things further.) David’s men wanted to kill Shimei on the spot. David replied in 16:11-12, “Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord...will repay me with good.” David had learned that the sovereign hand of God is behind all the actions of men, and that gave him confidence and peace!
In chapter 19, Absalom has been killed, the rebellion has been squashed, and David is on his way back to Jerusalem to take the throne. In short, Shimei’s days are numbered, and he knows it. He meets up with David and confesses his sin. David’s men still want to kill him, but David declares that there will be no bloodshed that day because it was a day of celebration. Then in words that Shimei would never forget, David said in 19:23, “You shall not die.” He pardoned him; he forgave him. He didn’t deserve it. David had learned forgiveness because God had forgiven him!
Trust in the sovereign God and the practice of forgiveness are marks of a maturing faith!
In chapter 16, David is fleeing from Jerusalem, fleeing from his son, Absalom. It was an embarrassing, humiliating day for David. Evidently, Shimei thought is was not hurtful enough, so he added insult to injury by following David and heaping insults and curses upon him along the way. (Shimei was related to Saul, which might explain things further.) David’s men wanted to kill Shimei on the spot. David replied in 16:11-12, “Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord...will repay me with good.” David had learned that the sovereign hand of God is behind all the actions of men, and that gave him confidence and peace!
In chapter 19, Absalom has been killed, the rebellion has been squashed, and David is on his way back to Jerusalem to take the throne. In short, Shimei’s days are numbered, and he knows it. He meets up with David and confesses his sin. David’s men still want to kill him, but David declares that there will be no bloodshed that day because it was a day of celebration. Then in words that Shimei would never forget, David said in 19:23, “You shall not die.” He pardoned him; he forgave him. He didn’t deserve it. David had learned forgiveness because God had forgiven him!
Trust in the sovereign God and the practice of forgiveness are marks of a maturing faith!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
It's Just Not Worth It - 2 Samuel 13-16
The consequences of David’s sin are now coming to fruition. His first child with Bathsheba fell sick and died, but more anguish and shame were to come. Absalom, his own son, becomes his number one enemy and betrayer. David, who betrayed his loyal subject Uriah, is betrayed by one closer than a subject! Absalom conspires against David and slowly over time wins the hearts of the people, just as David secretly conspired against Uriah. In order then not to face his own son in battle, David, the King, is forced to leave Jerusalem in shame and dishonor! David, the great warrior, is running for cover. Absalom enters Jerusalem and then in a show of arrogant pride to prove his power, he sleeps with all of David’s concubines in open sight! (Mind you this would have lasted several days. David had a lot of concubines!) Just as David had wronged his fellowman Uriah by sleeping with his wife, so now it comes back to him but by his own flesh and blood!
As David flees and finds temporary shelter, I wonder if he thought, “It’s just not worth it!” The promise of sin to satisfy, to bring pleasure, to make one happy, is just not worth it. Don’t be confused. Sin is temporarily fulfilling while it is practiced. It’s when it is over and concludes that the tables are turned. Once sin is accomplished, then its consequences must be awarded to it. It’s the consequences of sin that prove sin as valueless, deceiving, ruthless, and destructive! It may seem the consequences outweigh the sin, but that is not the case. Sin’s consequences are extremely grave because sin is extremely offensive to God! Remember dear friend when that enticing, alluring, sparkling temptation comes along, the temporary pleasure of that sin will not be worth the lasting torment of its consequences! It’s just not worth it.
As David flees and finds temporary shelter, I wonder if he thought, “It’s just not worth it!” The promise of sin to satisfy, to bring pleasure, to make one happy, is just not worth it. Don’t be confused. Sin is temporarily fulfilling while it is practiced. It’s when it is over and concludes that the tables are turned. Once sin is accomplished, then its consequences must be awarded to it. It’s the consequences of sin that prove sin as valueless, deceiving, ruthless, and destructive! It may seem the consequences outweigh the sin, but that is not the case. Sin’s consequences are extremely grave because sin is extremely offensive to God! Remember dear friend when that enticing, alluring, sparkling temptation comes along, the temporary pleasure of that sin will not be worth the lasting torment of its consequences! It’s just not worth it.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Forgiveness and Consequences - 2 Samuel 9-12
No one is expecting 2 Samuel 11! David, after all, is hand-picked by God to be king because he is a man after God’s own heart. However, David sins horribly! 2 Samuel 11 details David’s fall. He takes another’s man wife and commits adultery. Bathsheba was Uriah’s wife, and Uriah was one of David’s most loyal men, which makes the betrayal even worse. He attempted to deceive Uriah twice so that Bathsheba’s pregnancy would appear to be Uriah’s child, but the plan failed. It is then he hatches his most devious actions yet. He creates a situation whereby Uriah will certainly be killed in battle. Even though this cost more lives than Uriah’s, David takes comfort that his sin is now covered. Then Nathan, the prophet, shows up!
Nathan confronts David head-on and wakes him out of his sinful stupor. David realizes how evil and wicked he has been and conviction, confession, and repentance flow from his heart. David acknowledges that his dark sins are foremost against the Lord. Nathan announces, “The Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die” (12:13). Through confession, repentance, and the coming work of Christ on his behalf, David is forgiven.
However, forgiveness does not remove consequence! We often fail to recognize this truth in our own day. Forgiveness from God does remove the guilt of sin and the punishment for that sin because that sin has been punished in Christ’s body and removed by the shedding of Christ’s blood. However, forgiveness does not remove the consequence of sin. David’s child dies, and David’s son Absalom will bring him years of grief and anguish! God graciously removes the guilt of sin, but he also graciously allows us to live with the consequence to remind us of how dangerous sin is and how good he is!
Nathan confronts David head-on and wakes him out of his sinful stupor. David realizes how evil and wicked he has been and conviction, confession, and repentance flow from his heart. David acknowledges that his dark sins are foremost against the Lord. Nathan announces, “The Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die” (12:13). Through confession, repentance, and the coming work of Christ on his behalf, David is forgiven.
However, forgiveness does not remove consequence! We often fail to recognize this truth in our own day. Forgiveness from God does remove the guilt of sin and the punishment for that sin because that sin has been punished in Christ’s body and removed by the shedding of Christ’s blood. However, forgiveness does not remove the consequence of sin. David’s child dies, and David’s son Absalom will bring him years of grief and anguish! God graciously removes the guilt of sin, but he also graciously allows us to live with the consequence to remind us of how dangerous sin is and how good he is!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The David Covenant - 2 Samuel 5-7
God is covenantal. That is, God establishes the relations with his people by means of covenants. The Davidic Covenant is the fifth covenantal expression of God as he progressively reveals his plans and purposes. First, there was the covenant with Adam (cf. Hosea 6:7). This covenant was a forerunner, an early expression of the covenant of works. Adam was given one law. If he kept it, he would live forever in fellowship with God. Second, there was the covenant with Noah (Gen 8:20-22). The Noahic covenant revealed that God will be gracious even though man is sinful. Third, there was the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 15). This covenant was the precursor to the New Covenant. This covenant revealed that God’s grace toward his people will be received through faith and that based on that faith, God will declare us to be right (righteous) with him. Fourth, there was the Mosaic covenant which was based on the Ten Commandments. The commandments revealed the way to please God. If the people would live righteously before the Lord, they would live under his blessings. The Mosaic covenant, while gracious, reveals that no one can live perfectly before God. The Law cannot save because sinners can’t keep it.
The fifth covenant then is the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel 7. This covenant reveals that God is still going to be gracious towards his people in spite of their failure to live rightly. God has a plan for complete redemption whereby his people will one day live rightly before him forever! Just as the Messiah to come would fulfill the roles of Prophet and Priest, he will come from the Davidic line and fulfill the role of King as well. All of these covenants have set the stage for the final covenant, the New Covenant, where each covenant will find its full expression in the Coming One who will inaugurate and establish it.
The fifth covenant then is the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel 7. This covenant reveals that God is still going to be gracious towards his people in spite of their failure to live rightly. God has a plan for complete redemption whereby his people will one day live rightly before him forever! Just as the Messiah to come would fulfill the roles of Prophet and Priest, he will come from the Davidic line and fulfill the role of King as well. All of these covenants have set the stage for the final covenant, the New Covenant, where each covenant will find its full expression in the Coming One who will inaugurate and establish it.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Bloody Transition - 2 Samuel 1-4
Just because something is the will of God does not mean or guarantee that it will come to pass with ease. Certainly after Saul’s death, the transfer of power to David was not a peaceful transition, in fact, it was a bloody one.
The opening chapters of 2 Samuel convey the unfolding events of David’s ascension to the throne of Israel. It is a sad tale of bloody violence as each player in this twisted narrative thought to make things right. However, their actions only made things even more unsettled.
The Amalekite thought he was doing Saul a favor by “finishing the job” of Saul’s suicide. David, though, did not see his actions in the same light! Judah makes David king, but Abner leads the rest of Israel to anoint Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, as king. Abner’s men and Joab’s men fight and kill one another as a result. Abner kills Joab’s brother in the conflict. Ish-bosheth insults Abner, so he joins with David. Joab, however, kills Abner on behalf of his brother. Then, two men betrayed Ish-bosheth and murdered him. They thought the news would cheer David, but it actually sealed their fate!
David’s ascent to kingship is an absolute chaotic time of confusion, bloody violence, and misdirected morality! From all outward observation, surely no one would conclude that these events have anything to do whatsoever with the Lord’s will! When in truth, all of these confusing, violent events will soon unfold with David as king of Israel.
Lesson. Don’t decide the Lord’s will based on present circumstances. Place your faith in God’s written revelation as the source of his will. Through prayer, the Spirit, and the Word, God will direct your steps no matter how confusing the path toward his purposes may be!
The opening chapters of 2 Samuel convey the unfolding events of David’s ascension to the throne of Israel. It is a sad tale of bloody violence as each player in this twisted narrative thought to make things right. However, their actions only made things even more unsettled.
The Amalekite thought he was doing Saul a favor by “finishing the job” of Saul’s suicide. David, though, did not see his actions in the same light! Judah makes David king, but Abner leads the rest of Israel to anoint Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, as king. Abner’s men and Joab’s men fight and kill one another as a result. Abner kills Joab’s brother in the conflict. Ish-bosheth insults Abner, so he joins with David. Joab, however, kills Abner on behalf of his brother. Then, two men betrayed Ish-bosheth and murdered him. They thought the news would cheer David, but it actually sealed their fate!
David’s ascent to kingship is an absolute chaotic time of confusion, bloody violence, and misdirected morality! From all outward observation, surely no one would conclude that these events have anything to do whatsoever with the Lord’s will! When in truth, all of these confusing, violent events will soon unfold with David as king of Israel.
Lesson. Don’t decide the Lord’s will based on present circumstances. Place your faith in God’s written revelation as the source of his will. Through prayer, the Spirit, and the Word, God will direct your steps no matter how confusing the path toward his purposes may be!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Now Is The Time - 1 Sam 29-31
The Philistines reject David. David overtakes and conquers the Amalekites retrieving their families and goods. Saul and his sons die in battle against the Philistines. It’s time. It’s time for God’s prophetic word to become reality. The events unfolded just as the Lord had orchestrated. The events culminated in just the right way. David would now be king just as the Lord said he would! Take a closer look at how these final events set the stage for David’s rise to the throne. The Philistines reject David, forcing him back to his people. The Philistines also kill Saul and his sons and move into Israel’s city. Now Israel needs a leader. Who would be able to lead an army against such a powerful foe? David. He has just led another successful campaign against the warring Amalekites, and who would better know the Philistines?
The lesson for us is that God’s timing came long after his promise! Many times when we hear the voice of God we attempt to make it a reality before the work of God has been accomplished in our lives. God usually calls us to his purpose and then sends us through a season of preparation before his purposes come to fruition. We must learn to wait on the Lord while he teaches us and sets the stage for his will. This error of mistaking the calling for the timing is so sadly often observed among ministers of the Gospel. A young man discerns God’s calling upon him, and before there is any preparation time or waiting for God to unfold events to achieve the calling, the young man sets off in earnest zeal to “preach the Gospel!” Unfortunately, he rather burns out as quickly as he fired up, settles into a lifetime of preaching a misinformed gospel, or, even worse, becomes “successful” in ministry due to personality and not the advance of the Word!
Wait when the promise is given. In God’s time, it will come to pass!
The lesson for us is that God’s timing came long after his promise! Many times when we hear the voice of God we attempt to make it a reality before the work of God has been accomplished in our lives. God usually calls us to his purpose and then sends us through a season of preparation before his purposes come to fruition. We must learn to wait on the Lord while he teaches us and sets the stage for his will. This error of mistaking the calling for the timing is so sadly often observed among ministers of the Gospel. A young man discerns God’s calling upon him, and before there is any preparation time or waiting for God to unfold events to achieve the calling, the young man sets off in earnest zeal to “preach the Gospel!” Unfortunately, he rather burns out as quickly as he fired up, settles into a lifetime of preaching a misinformed gospel, or, even worse, becomes “successful” in ministry due to personality and not the advance of the Word!
Wait when the promise is given. In God’s time, it will come to pass!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Christian Liberty - Romans 14-16
One of the most freeing doctrines is Christian liberty. Simply put, in Christ there is no room for legalistic religion! Romans 14 provides great instruction for applying this freedom without erring into three dangers. Christian liberty teaches that we are not bound to man-made additions to God’s moral law. Paul uses the examples of what day of the week one may revere or whether or not one chooses to eat meat. These were areas of dispute in Paul’s day among believers. His point was that these differences of opinion should not divide us. There are areas of liberty in Christ!
One error in applying liberty is legalism. One cannot require of a brother what God’s Word does not demand. Some matters are left to the individual’s conscience before God. It is clear that God condemns adultery; so should we. It is not a certain conclusion that women should wear hats in church. Therefore we should not demand it!
A second error is antinomianism. In other words, one reasons, “If I am free in Christ, then I can do what I want to no matter what others think!” Wrong! Paul says the correct application of liberty is living according to the weaker brother not according to one’s fleshly appetite.
A third error is separatism. It reasons, “If you do not agree with me, I’ll just shun you and condemn you.” Paul would question, “How can you treat your brother like that when Christ died for him?” (14:15)
So while Christian liberty is joyfully freeing, it can be dreadfully dangerous. Apply it well. Live free in Christ, but never without due regard for your brother, the holiness of God, and your conscience before God!
One error in applying liberty is legalism. One cannot require of a brother what God’s Word does not demand. Some matters are left to the individual’s conscience before God. It is clear that God condemns adultery; so should we. It is not a certain conclusion that women should wear hats in church. Therefore we should not demand it!
A second error is antinomianism. In other words, one reasons, “If I am free in Christ, then I can do what I want to no matter what others think!” Wrong! Paul says the correct application of liberty is living according to the weaker brother not according to one’s fleshly appetite.
A third error is separatism. It reasons, “If you do not agree with me, I’ll just shun you and condemn you.” Paul would question, “How can you treat your brother like that when Christ died for him?” (14:15)
So while Christian liberty is joyfully freeing, it can be dreadfully dangerous. Apply it well. Live free in Christ, but never without due regard for your brother, the holiness of God, and your conscience before God!
The Mercies of God - Romans 11-13
Romans 12:1 is a much beloved text used to encourage Christian living. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” The work God has done is our lives is ample motivation for us to spend our lives in worship unto him! The question is to what mercies is Paul referring? A look to the context will provide an answer.
What immediately precedes 12:1 are three of the most debated chapters in all the Bible, 9-11. It is in these chapters that Paul unpacks the doctrine of election, that is, that our choice in this life to embrace Jesus is rooted in God’s choice of us before the ages began. Your faith is not based on anything within you but upon the loving choice of God to bestow his grace upon you! Some suggest that chapters 9-11 only apply to Jews. Such argumentation is hardly convincing when one reads those chapters and finds that Paul is using God’s election of Jewish individuals to illustrate God’s election of Gentile individuals! Paul then concludes in 11:30-32, “Just as you [Gentile believers] were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their [Jews] disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.” These are the “mercies” referred to then in 12:1.
God’s gracious election of individuals for salvation before time was so ordered that both Jew and Gentile would receive his mercy! Therefore, since this “mercy” has been poured out upon you, out of humble gratitude, pour out your life to him!
What immediately precedes 12:1 are three of the most debated chapters in all the Bible, 9-11. It is in these chapters that Paul unpacks the doctrine of election, that is, that our choice in this life to embrace Jesus is rooted in God’s choice of us before the ages began. Your faith is not based on anything within you but upon the loving choice of God to bestow his grace upon you! Some suggest that chapters 9-11 only apply to Jews. Such argumentation is hardly convincing when one reads those chapters and finds that Paul is using God’s election of Jewish individuals to illustrate God’s election of Gentile individuals! Paul then concludes in 11:30-32, “Just as you [Gentile believers] were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their [Jews] disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.” These are the “mercies” referred to then in 12:1.
God’s gracious election of individuals for salvation before time was so ordered that both Jew and Gentile would receive his mercy! Therefore, since this “mercy” has been poured out upon you, out of humble gratitude, pour out your life to him!
Rightly Applying "No Condemnation" - Romans 8-10
One of the most treasured and comforting verses of Scripture is Romans 8:1, and as well it should be for us who believe in Christ! “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This verse has freed many a believer from living miserably under the accusations of the evil Accuser! However, clinging to this verse apart from the context in which it is found could lead to serious error in the Gospel message!
Remember that Romans 7 precedes Romans 8. In Romans 7 Paul is describing his present state as a believer because he speaks in the present tense. He concludes that even as a believer, he continues to sin and this grieves him so. He longs for the day when he will be freed from his fallen flesh! However, even as a continuing sinner, through faith he is now in Christ. The result of union with Christ is that Paul’s sins no longer condemn him because Christ has done away with his sins.
At the same time, remember what follows Romans 8:1! The rest of Romans 8 is a defense against the belief that if there is no condemnation in Christ, then we can live as we please! Paul screams a resounding “NO!” Living a life of indulged sin is NOT the purpose of Christ’s work! Living a life that glorifies God is why Christ died for you! Actually, when one lives according to the flesh, he proves that he is not a believer because he does not have the Spirit, no matter what he professes! Romans 8:13 – “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” 8:1 frees us from unnecessary guilt but is not an excuse for us to dwell in a lifestyle of fleshly sins! It is actually the very reason why we will continue to fight and hate sin! If we are “in Christ,” the Spirit is “in us!”
Remember that Romans 7 precedes Romans 8. In Romans 7 Paul is describing his present state as a believer because he speaks in the present tense. He concludes that even as a believer, he continues to sin and this grieves him so. He longs for the day when he will be freed from his fallen flesh! However, even as a continuing sinner, through faith he is now in Christ. The result of union with Christ is that Paul’s sins no longer condemn him because Christ has done away with his sins.
At the same time, remember what follows Romans 8:1! The rest of Romans 8 is a defense against the belief that if there is no condemnation in Christ, then we can live as we please! Paul screams a resounding “NO!” Living a life of indulged sin is NOT the purpose of Christ’s work! Living a life that glorifies God is why Christ died for you! Actually, when one lives according to the flesh, he proves that he is not a believer because he does not have the Spirit, no matter what he professes! Romans 8:13 – “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” 8:1 frees us from unnecessary guilt but is not an excuse for us to dwell in a lifestyle of fleshly sins! It is actually the very reason why we will continue to fight and hate sin! If we are “in Christ,” the Spirit is “in us!”
The Second Adam - Romans 5-7
Praise the Lord that the book of Romans is not just a declaration that all men are guilty before a holy God and stand under his just, wrathful, condemnation. Paul begins Romans in that manner so that when he unfolds the Gospel as Good News it will ring in our ears as Beautiful, Wonderful, Good News!
In Romans 5 Paul explains two doctrines of the Gospel; original sin and alien righteousness or imputed righteousness. Original sin is the teaching that since everyone comes from Adam, we are all born alienated from God. We are born with sinful hearts, and we will soon express the deadness of our hearts through committing actual, willful sins. When Adam fell in Genesis 3, he essentially brought us down with him because he passed down a fallen nature. Therefore, since we are all in Adam, we are all sinners. We are all guilty before God.
However, God has made a way to save a sinful race. He has sent a Second Adam, who is Christ. Christ accomplished perfectly what Adam so miserably failed to achieve. That is, Christ perfectly and completely fulfilled the Law of God in action, word, and intention. As a result, just as being in Adam results in sin and death, being in Christ results in righteousness and life. Christ’s perfect life has earned perfect righteousness before God. When we embrace Christ as Savior, we are found “in him,” he grants us his perfect righteousness. Therefore, in Christ we are right before God.
Romans 5:19 – “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
In Romans 5 Paul explains two doctrines of the Gospel; original sin and alien righteousness or imputed righteousness. Original sin is the teaching that since everyone comes from Adam, we are all born alienated from God. We are born with sinful hearts, and we will soon express the deadness of our hearts through committing actual, willful sins. When Adam fell in Genesis 3, he essentially brought us down with him because he passed down a fallen nature. Therefore, since we are all in Adam, we are all sinners. We are all guilty before God.
However, God has made a way to save a sinful race. He has sent a Second Adam, who is Christ. Christ accomplished perfectly what Adam so miserably failed to achieve. That is, Christ perfectly and completely fulfilled the Law of God in action, word, and intention. As a result, just as being in Adam results in sin and death, being in Christ results in righteousness and life. Christ’s perfect life has earned perfect righteousness before God. When we embrace Christ as Savior, we are found “in him,” he grants us his perfect righteousness. Therefore, in Christ we are right before God.
Romans 5:19 – “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
Friday, April 16, 2010
We are All Guilty! Romans 1-4
We will never understand the glories of the Gospel until we understand the depths of our depravity! The opening chapters of Romans clearly reveal three universal truth statements.
God has revealed Himself to everyone. This is what is called “General Revelation.” Romans 1:19-20 says, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” This means that a simple observation of creation will prove that God exists and also prove something about that God.
Everyone has rejected God. Romans 1:21 says, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” The rejection of God resulted in two consequences. We have all offended God, and our hearts became a reservoir of sin.
This depraved nature applies to both Jew and Gentile. Man has universally turned from God, and therefore every man stands condemned and possesses a spiritually dead heart. The Law gives no advantage to the Jew nor does estrangement excuse the Gentile. Romans 3:10, “None is righteous, no, not one.”
God is there. He has revealed Himself to us all in creation. We have all rejected him and embraced the lusts of our flesh, which is an infinite offense! The Good News will only be good news when we realize how horrible we are and what a dreadful state we are in before a holy God! We are all guilty!
God has revealed Himself to everyone. This is what is called “General Revelation.” Romans 1:19-20 says, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” This means that a simple observation of creation will prove that God exists and also prove something about that God.
Everyone has rejected God. Romans 1:21 says, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” The rejection of God resulted in two consequences. We have all offended God, and our hearts became a reservoir of sin.
This depraved nature applies to both Jew and Gentile. Man has universally turned from God, and therefore every man stands condemned and possesses a spiritually dead heart. The Law gives no advantage to the Jew nor does estrangement excuse the Gentile. Romans 3:10, “None is righteous, no, not one.”
God is there. He has revealed Himself to us all in creation. We have all rejected him and embraced the lusts of our flesh, which is an infinite offense! The Good News will only be good news when we realize how horrible we are and what a dreadful state we are in before a holy God! We are all guilty!
The Incredible Resurrection - Acts 25-28
Due to accusations from the Jews resulting in imprisonment, Paul was afforded the opportunity to present the Gospel to many people who otherwise may not have listened. One of those individuals was King Agrippa. Agrippa was familiar with Jewish customs and debates and therefore Paul was able to relate the Gospel to him in a unique way.
It becomes clear that the resurrection of Christ is the point of contention when Paul exclaims in 26:8, “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” Christianity hangs on the historical reality of the resurrection of Christ. The Jews disputed among themselves whether there was any real resurrection at all. They all disputed that Jesus had risen from the dead. People like Agrippa, wrestled with Christian faith evidently because resurrection seemed too impossible an idea to fathom.
Paul’s question gets to the heart of the problem. Humanly speaking, Resurrection IS impossible! However, when speaking of Christ, the Incarnate God, resurrection becomes not only a possibility but a reality. God is All-powerful, even over the presence of death. The resurrection of the Messiah was an Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Christ. The resurrection was an undeniable historical event; the tomb was empty and no body was ever produced! Eyewitnesses were dying daily because they had seen the risen Lord! However, these facts are not Paul’s confirmation of Jesus’ resurrection. Paul’s confirmation was that God, who is over all creation, can do what he chooses! Resurrection of the dead is not too difficult or too impossible for the Lord of Life and the Lord of Creation! It is not impossible if it is GOD who accomplishes it!
It becomes clear that the resurrection of Christ is the point of contention when Paul exclaims in 26:8, “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” Christianity hangs on the historical reality of the resurrection of Christ. The Jews disputed among themselves whether there was any real resurrection at all. They all disputed that Jesus had risen from the dead. People like Agrippa, wrestled with Christian faith evidently because resurrection seemed too impossible an idea to fathom.
Paul’s question gets to the heart of the problem. Humanly speaking, Resurrection IS impossible! However, when speaking of Christ, the Incarnate God, resurrection becomes not only a possibility but a reality. God is All-powerful, even over the presence of death. The resurrection of the Messiah was an Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Christ. The resurrection was an undeniable historical event; the tomb was empty and no body was ever produced! Eyewitnesses were dying daily because they had seen the risen Lord! However, these facts are not Paul’s confirmation of Jesus’ resurrection. Paul’s confirmation was that God, who is over all creation, can do what he chooses! Resurrection of the dead is not too difficult or too impossible for the Lord of Life and the Lord of Creation! It is not impossible if it is GOD who accomplishes it!
Christ and His Church - Acts 21-24
In Acts 22 Paul is giving his testimony of faith in Christ to his Jewish community. He reasserts that at one time he vehemently fought against the faith that he now embraces. In verse 4 he says, “I persecuted this Way [Christianity] to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women.” Paul was the foremost persecutor of the Jerusalem saints. He literally persecuted them “to the death” as seen in the stoning of Stephen, and for sure, countless others. Then scores of others Paul marched to prison. He was certain he was doing the will of God and was on his way to Damascus to further persecute the Church when all of sudden Jesus shows up!
It is highly engaging the words that Jesus first spoke to Paul. In verse 7 he recounts them, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Those words stopped Saul [Paul] in his tracks! They should give us great pause as well. Paul was not persecuting Jesus, the Nazarene individual. Paul was persecuting the followers of Jesus, His Church, His Bride....HIS BODY! Therefore, from Jesus’ perspective to persecute the Church of Christ, the Body of Christ, was to persecute Christ. This profoundly means that ANY action or word taken against or spoken against The Church is taken personally by Christ! Paul came to understand this and spent the rest of his life bringing people to Christ and building up the body of Christ. Have you given up on the Church? Have you negative attitudes toward the Church? Are you, as a professing believer, unwilling to join the local church? If any of these are true, remember dear one that the way you treat and think of The Church is the way you are thinking of and treating Christ. At least, that’s the way Jesus, your Savior, thinks about it! Loving the Church is loving Christ!
It is highly engaging the words that Jesus first spoke to Paul. In verse 7 he recounts them, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Those words stopped Saul [Paul] in his tracks! They should give us great pause as well. Paul was not persecuting Jesus, the Nazarene individual. Paul was persecuting the followers of Jesus, His Church, His Bride....HIS BODY! Therefore, from Jesus’ perspective to persecute the Church of Christ, the Body of Christ, was to persecute Christ. This profoundly means that ANY action or word taken against or spoken against The Church is taken personally by Christ! Paul came to understand this and spent the rest of his life bringing people to Christ and building up the body of Christ. Have you given up on the Church? Have you negative attitudes toward the Church? Are you, as a professing believer, unwilling to join the local church? If any of these are true, remember dear one that the way you treat and think of The Church is the way you are thinking of and treating Christ. At least, that’s the way Jesus, your Savior, thinks about it! Loving the Church is loving Christ!
Divine Anesthesia - 1 Samuel 25-28
One is hard pressed to read through 1 Samuel without it becoming glaringly obvious that God is sovereignly in control of all things! His hand is evident in this book as he is directing events and people to culminate in His intention of David becoming king of Israel. He has revealed his plan through the prophet Samuel, and he is accomplishing his plan throughout this book.
One way God reveals that Saul’s kingship is over and David is ascending is that their character traits are exactly opposite. Saul is trying to kill David. David is given two opportunities to kill Saul, but refuses to do so. His reasoning? 1 Samuel 26:9 – “Do not destroy him [Saul], for who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?”
The second occasion comes about because Saul has entered into the cave where David is hiding and has fallen fast asleep. To prove that God is maneuvering these events and not David, David slips up to Saul and takes his spear and water jar. After Saul wakes and leaves, David reveals from a distance his opportunity to kill Saul, and, in light of his respect for the king, his refusal.
God’s hand becomes evident in this transaction as 1 Samuel 26:12 reads, “No man saw or knew it [that David took the spear and water jar], nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.” This is not the first case of divine anesthesia in the Bible nor is it the first instance of demonstrating that God is sovereignly controlling events to accomplish his purposes! (BTW - the next time you sleep so soundly, you should probably thank the Lord!)
One way God reveals that Saul’s kingship is over and David is ascending is that their character traits are exactly opposite. Saul is trying to kill David. David is given two opportunities to kill Saul, but refuses to do so. His reasoning? 1 Samuel 26:9 – “Do not destroy him [Saul], for who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?”
The second occasion comes about because Saul has entered into the cave where David is hiding and has fallen fast asleep. To prove that God is maneuvering these events and not David, David slips up to Saul and takes his spear and water jar. After Saul wakes and leaves, David reveals from a distance his opportunity to kill Saul, and, in light of his respect for the king, his refusal.
God’s hand becomes evident in this transaction as 1 Samuel 26:12 reads, “No man saw or knew it [that David took the spear and water jar], nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.” This is not the first case of divine anesthesia in the Bible nor is it the first instance of demonstrating that God is sovereignly controlling events to accomplish his purposes! (BTW - the next time you sleep so soundly, you should probably thank the Lord!)
Middle Knowledge - 1 Samuel 21-24
Middle Knowledge is the belief that God’s knowledge includes all possibilities. He knows what will happen if we choose Path A, and he knows what will happen if we choose Path B. He just does not know which path we will choose. This is an attempt to preserve God’s foreknowledge of the future while maintaining some sense of man’s free will.
One can agree with the first component of Middle Knowledge because there are certain texts that support it. For example, in 1 Samuel 23:11-12 David asks the Lord will Saul come to Keilah and will the men of Keilah surrender him into the hands of Saul. The Lord replies “yes” to both questions. Therefore, David and his men flee from Keilah to escape the hands of Saul. So God knew what would happen should David decide to stay in Keilah. However, David decided to flee based on what God revealed to him. Middle Knowledge would affirm that God would know the outcome of David fleeing as well, he just would not know which one David will choose until David chooses.
Exhaustive Knowledge says that God not only knows all possible outcomes, He also knows which outcome will unfold. God knew what decision David would make. In fact, verse 14 says, “Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.” God is in control of these events precisely because He DOES know all things, even the decisions of man. God’s answer to David’s question is what determined David’s action. God was directing David away from Saul in order to protect David. God is in control here. He is not “hoping” David flees; He knows David will flee because He has just told David that Keilah is a trap! There is no point in our wills in which God is unaware. He knows all!
One can agree with the first component of Middle Knowledge because there are certain texts that support it. For example, in 1 Samuel 23:11-12 David asks the Lord will Saul come to Keilah and will the men of Keilah surrender him into the hands of Saul. The Lord replies “yes” to both questions. Therefore, David and his men flee from Keilah to escape the hands of Saul. So God knew what would happen should David decide to stay in Keilah. However, David decided to flee based on what God revealed to him. Middle Knowledge would affirm that God would know the outcome of David fleeing as well, he just would not know which one David will choose until David chooses.
Exhaustive Knowledge says that God not only knows all possible outcomes, He also knows which outcome will unfold. God knew what decision David would make. In fact, verse 14 says, “Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.” God is in control of these events precisely because He DOES know all things, even the decisions of man. God’s answer to David’s question is what determined David’s action. God was directing David away from Saul in order to protect David. God is in control here. He is not “hoping” David flees; He knows David will flee because He has just told David that Keilah is a trap! There is no point in our wills in which God is unaware. He knows all!
Monday, April 12, 2010
From God? 1 Samuel 17-20
Thus far in 1 Samuel it is clear that David, not Saul, is God’s chosen man to lead Israel. In the passage for today’s reading, one discovers how the Lord begins to bring about Saul demise and David’s appointment. The first indicator that David will assume the throne is that he becomes a recognized war hero. The second indicator is that Saul becomes insanely jealous of David’s popularity. He knows his time is getting short. The third indicator is that Saul begins plotting to kill David. This is how far Saul has drifted away from the Lord; he actually thinks he can control events and thwart God’s plan!
The Bible gives us an inside look at what is taking place. 1 Samuel 18:10 reads, “The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul.” At first glance, this can be quite disturbing. A harmful spirit was sent not from Satan, but from God! How can this be? Is God the author of evil? Is evil attributed to God here? If so, how can he be a holy God? As you can tell, this “little insight” raises issues far beyond the story of Saul and David.
The answer to these questions is found in the sovereignty of God. God is sovereign over all creation, including harmful spirits. Evil is not assigned to God, but evil is under God’s command. As the Sovereign Lord, God can use evil, he can command evil, he can control evil, in order to achieve his ultimate purposes. Therefore, in the present story, God sends the harmful spirit upon Saul in order to further clarify that Saul was no longer the appointed king. It is useless to fight against the will of God. The more Saul fought against it, the more he revealed God’s will for a new king to be true. God is Sovereign. His purposes will be achieved. Our joy and fulfillment is living according to His will not fighting it.
The Bible gives us an inside look at what is taking place. 1 Samuel 18:10 reads, “The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul.” At first glance, this can be quite disturbing. A harmful spirit was sent not from Satan, but from God! How can this be? Is God the author of evil? Is evil attributed to God here? If so, how can he be a holy God? As you can tell, this “little insight” raises issues far beyond the story of Saul and David.
The answer to these questions is found in the sovereignty of God. God is sovereign over all creation, including harmful spirits. Evil is not assigned to God, but evil is under God’s command. As the Sovereign Lord, God can use evil, he can command evil, he can control evil, in order to achieve his ultimate purposes. Therefore, in the present story, God sends the harmful spirit upon Saul in order to further clarify that Saul was no longer the appointed king. It is useless to fight against the will of God. The more Saul fought against it, the more he revealed God’s will for a new king to be true. God is Sovereign. His purposes will be achieved. Our joy and fulfillment is living according to His will not fighting it.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
God's Prince - 1 Samuel 13-16
Not long after he took command of Israel, Saul made a huge error, and by doing so, proved himself an unfit leader. Saul took upon himself to act not only as their king but as their priest as well. He offered sacrifices, which was unlawful for him to do, and then tried to make justification for his actions before Samuel. Saul was chosen by Israel, but God had chosen another.
Israel had departed from their unique position as God’s people in desiring to have a king. Instead of being led by God through the prophets, they wanted to have a king like every other nation around them. Their dissatisfaction with God’s leadership through the prophets was sin (1 Sam 12:19). So they chose a king. He stood taller than other men. He fit the bill of being kingly. However, he was the people’s man, not God’s man and his actions proved it to be true.
God had chosen a man to lead the nation. Samuel tells Saul in 1 Samuel 13:14, “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people...” God’s man was kingly on the inside where it counts the most! By saying that David would be prince of his people, God was reminding Saul that there is only one true King! No matter what the people may wrongly desire, God will be King even when he leads his people through a king.
The lesson for us in this narrative is to learn that God is enough. We do not have to maintain a status quo or keep us with the times. We only need God! He will rule over us as his people, and he will prove to us that our ways will never suffice to replace or improve upon his will for us!
Israel had departed from their unique position as God’s people in desiring to have a king. Instead of being led by God through the prophets, they wanted to have a king like every other nation around them. Their dissatisfaction with God’s leadership through the prophets was sin (1 Sam 12:19). So they chose a king. He stood taller than other men. He fit the bill of being kingly. However, he was the people’s man, not God’s man and his actions proved it to be true.
God had chosen a man to lead the nation. Samuel tells Saul in 1 Samuel 13:14, “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people...” God’s man was kingly on the inside where it counts the most! By saying that David would be prince of his people, God was reminding Saul that there is only one true King! No matter what the people may wrongly desire, God will be King even when he leads his people through a king.
The lesson for us in this narrative is to learn that God is enough. We do not have to maintain a status quo or keep us with the times. We only need God! He will rule over us as his people, and he will prove to us that our ways will never suffice to replace or improve upon his will for us!
Empty Things - 1 Samuel 9-12
Samuel knew that his time on Earth was coming to an end. Saul had just been established as Israel’s first king. He offers a last word to Israel in 1 Samuel 12. One bit of wisdom he delivered is in verse 21. “And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.”
Empty things. What are empty things? Empty things are alluring distractions. Empty things are dressed-up holes. Empty things are flesh-appeasing options to living for the Lord. Empty things are people, habits, actions, or achievements that promise to deliver happiness and fulfillment but always turn out...empty.
Empty things are anything and anyone that we give our hearts to, our lives to, other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything else will prove in the end to be empty. Nothing was meant to satisfy the deep longing of the soul other than the Creator of the soul, the Lord Jesus. Nothing else is able to satisfy. To embrace another or another thing is to chase the wind, to seek refreshment at a dry well, to grope for warmth and light in the darkness, to cling to that which is not meant to satisfy but rather to destroy.
The bottom line is that to cherish or pursue or give your self to anything other than Christ is to waste your life on what is empty, and as a result, will leave you empty as well.
However, as Samuel warned the Israelites, there is another way! Verse 20 – “Serve the Lord with all your heart.” A heart given to the Lord will never turn up empty! Jesus is an infinite well of life, joy, peace, and satisfaction! Embrace Him and He will never leave you empty!
Empty things. What are empty things? Empty things are alluring distractions. Empty things are dressed-up holes. Empty things are flesh-appeasing options to living for the Lord. Empty things are people, habits, actions, or achievements that promise to deliver happiness and fulfillment but always turn out...empty.
Empty things are anything and anyone that we give our hearts to, our lives to, other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything else will prove in the end to be empty. Nothing was meant to satisfy the deep longing of the soul other than the Creator of the soul, the Lord Jesus. Nothing else is able to satisfy. To embrace another or another thing is to chase the wind, to seek refreshment at a dry well, to grope for warmth and light in the darkness, to cling to that which is not meant to satisfy but rather to destroy.
The bottom line is that to cherish or pursue or give your self to anything other than Christ is to waste your life on what is empty, and as a result, will leave you empty as well.
However, as Samuel warned the Israelites, there is another way! Verse 20 – “Serve the Lord with all your heart.” A heart given to the Lord will never turn up empty! Jesus is an infinite well of life, joy, peace, and satisfaction! Embrace Him and He will never leave you empty!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Collecting gods - 1 Sam 5-8
At the time when the ark was returned to Israel, Samuel was also judge. God had wreaked havoc on the Philistines and their idol-god for taking the ark. It was a disaster and a day of gloom when the ark was stolen. But now, the Lord’s presence was back. It was time to repent.
Samuel issued this demand to Israel in 1 Sam 7:3, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only...” The striking realization about Samuel’s demand is how similar it is to Joshua’s demand issued just a few generations earlier. Joshua says in Joshua 24:23, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
Two truths of fallen nature are apparent from this continued call for Israel to put away foreign gods. First, collecting gods is simply insanity! Jehovah has proven himself above other gods through the Exodus. He has proven himself sufficient through the wilderness. He has proven himself as provider through the conquest. Why give any thought to other gods? But Israel did, and so do we! Second, collecting gods reveals the darkness of our hearts. Turning to other gods reveals a lack of faith toward God and a lack of love toward God. Collecting gods reveals that we do desire other loves. Israel did, and we do too! This is why each time Joshua and Samuel called for Israel to put away foreign gods, they also called them to turn their hearts toward God. Just throwing out our collection will not solve the problem. We must repent, we must do away with our god collection, but most of all, we must seek God’s grace to change us so that we love Him above all!
Samuel issued this demand to Israel in 1 Sam 7:3, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only...” The striking realization about Samuel’s demand is how similar it is to Joshua’s demand issued just a few generations earlier. Joshua says in Joshua 24:23, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
Two truths of fallen nature are apparent from this continued call for Israel to put away foreign gods. First, collecting gods is simply insanity! Jehovah has proven himself above other gods through the Exodus. He has proven himself sufficient through the wilderness. He has proven himself as provider through the conquest. Why give any thought to other gods? But Israel did, and so do we! Second, collecting gods reveals the darkness of our hearts. Turning to other gods reveals a lack of faith toward God and a lack of love toward God. Collecting gods reveals that we do desire other loves. Israel did, and we do too! This is why each time Joshua and Samuel called for Israel to put away foreign gods, they also called them to turn their hearts toward God. Just throwing out our collection will not solve the problem. We must repent, we must do away with our god collection, but most of all, we must seek God’s grace to change us so that we love Him above all!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Prophet and Priest - 1 Samuel 1-4
In reading Deuteronomy one discovers that part of the Messianic prophecy is that the coming Messiah would function in the office of prophet. Deut. 18:15 says, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you.” In Acts 3:22 it is revealed that the apostles understood Jesus to have fulfilled this prophecy. Jesus was the prophet like Moses who was to come. Peter says, “Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.” Jesus was THE coming prophet. He was the FINAL coming prophet. He spoke the words of God to us.
Now in 1 Samuel one discovers another component of Messianic prophecy. The coming Messiah would also function in the office of priest. In 1 Samuel 2:35 the Lord says, “And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.” Hebrews 4:14 reveals Jesus is our final, eternal High Priest. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
What is the function of a priest? A priest intercedes before the Lord on behalf of the people of God. A priest mediates between a holy God and a sinning people. A priest offers the sacrifice that atones for sin and ushers in forgiveness and reconciliation. This is exactly what Jesus has done and is doing for us! He intercedes for us (Heb 4:15-16). He is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). He offered himself as the final sacrifice for sin (Heb 10:1-18). Jesus is Prophet and Priest!
Now in 1 Samuel one discovers another component of Messianic prophecy. The coming Messiah would also function in the office of priest. In 1 Samuel 2:35 the Lord says, “And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.” Hebrews 4:14 reveals Jesus is our final, eternal High Priest. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
What is the function of a priest? A priest intercedes before the Lord on behalf of the people of God. A priest mediates between a holy God and a sinning people. A priest offers the sacrifice that atones for sin and ushers in forgiveness and reconciliation. This is exactly what Jesus has done and is doing for us! He intercedes for us (Heb 4:15-16). He is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). He offered himself as the final sacrifice for sin (Heb 10:1-18). Jesus is Prophet and Priest!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
God is Still in Control! Ruth 1-4
What if the OT ended with the book of Judges? That would be a pretty miserable, depressing ending. Remember the last words of Judges in 21:25? “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
The book of Judges is an example of what happens when people forget God. Society loses all moral clarity. This is the best that man can do, fend for himself and make up his own self-absorbed rules. When Judges ends, Israel’s future and hope looks fairly dim.
Then there’s the little book of Ruth. This little book has a big message: God is still in control! In the middle of the chaos of Judges, God is still sovereignly working out his redemptive plan. While Israel is rebelling, God is actively putting the pieces together to provide salvation for His people!
Judges ends with Israel desperately needing a king. The last word of the book of Ruth is “David.” David is a descendent of Ruth and Boaz. David will be king. Not just any king though. This is the king God will provide. This is a king after God’s own heart. This will be Israel’s greatest king. David’s rule will foreshadow the rule of the final king, King Jesus!
And all of this is happening, unseen and unknown, right in the middle of Israel’s moral down-spin and idolatry! For sure, there are many more lessons to “glean” from Ruth. This is a wonderful, beautiful story. The essence of it though is that God is orchestrating events in such a way as to provide a “kinsman redeemer” at just the right time! When Ruth ends, Israel DOES have hope because God is in control!
The book of Judges is an example of what happens when people forget God. Society loses all moral clarity. This is the best that man can do, fend for himself and make up his own self-absorbed rules. When Judges ends, Israel’s future and hope looks fairly dim.
Then there’s the little book of Ruth. This little book has a big message: God is still in control! In the middle of the chaos of Judges, God is still sovereignly working out his redemptive plan. While Israel is rebelling, God is actively putting the pieces together to provide salvation for His people!
Judges ends with Israel desperately needing a king. The last word of the book of Ruth is “David.” David is a descendent of Ruth and Boaz. David will be king. Not just any king though. This is the king God will provide. This is a king after God’s own heart. This will be Israel’s greatest king. David’s rule will foreshadow the rule of the final king, King Jesus!
And all of this is happening, unseen and unknown, right in the middle of Israel’s moral down-spin and idolatry! For sure, there are many more lessons to “glean” from Ruth. This is a wonderful, beautiful story. The essence of it though is that God is orchestrating events in such a way as to provide a “kinsman redeemer” at just the right time! When Ruth ends, Israel DOES have hope because God is in control!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Where Relativism Ends - Judges 19-21
Judges 17:6 and the very last verse of Judges, 21:25, say the same thing. “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This construct would indicate that the material found in between these verses are the story; the beginning verse and ending verse are something like a title.
The first sentence is a hint of what is to come. Israel will soon conclude that their problems are the result of not having a king. The second sentence provides a summation of the nature of Israel’s problem. They have forgotten the will of the Lord. Because the Law of the Lord is not the law of the land, morality is up for grabs. People have to come up with their own standards of right and wrong and justice. Therefore, what we find in between 17:6 and 21:25 is a collection of examples that prove there is no moral standard. Micah’s self-made religion, the Danites’ might-makes-right mentality, Gibeah’s treatment of the concubine, and the sordid way Israel decided to provide wives for Benjamin. To say the least, society is a mess!
That’s the point. When transcendent truth is denied, there is no alternative save individual opinion. Everyone argues for some sense of morality. Everyone has a moral line that he feels no one should cross. The chaos enters when it becomes apparent that everyone has different moral lines. So who is to choose? In a relativistic society, no one can select a morality over another, for that would be intolerant! Therefore, society eventually loses all unity and connectivity. Society becomes unwound! This is the end of relativism, and the only answer is to restore a universal moral code. Thus, Israel needs a king! Their real need, however, was to return to the Lord!
The first sentence is a hint of what is to come. Israel will soon conclude that their problems are the result of not having a king. The second sentence provides a summation of the nature of Israel’s problem. They have forgotten the will of the Lord. Because the Law of the Lord is not the law of the land, morality is up for grabs. People have to come up with their own standards of right and wrong and justice. Therefore, what we find in between 17:6 and 21:25 is a collection of examples that prove there is no moral standard. Micah’s self-made religion, the Danites’ might-makes-right mentality, Gibeah’s treatment of the concubine, and the sordid way Israel decided to provide wives for Benjamin. To say the least, society is a mess!
That’s the point. When transcendent truth is denied, there is no alternative save individual opinion. Everyone argues for some sense of morality. Everyone has a moral line that he feels no one should cross. The chaos enters when it becomes apparent that everyone has different moral lines. So who is to choose? In a relativistic society, no one can select a morality over another, for that would be intolerant! Therefore, society eventually loses all unity and connectivity. Society becomes unwound! This is the end of relativism, and the only answer is to restore a universal moral code. Thus, Israel needs a king! Their real need, however, was to return to the Lord!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Relativism is Not New - Judges 15-18
Relativism is the philosophy that each individual decides for himself what is right for him. Relativism extols tolerance and condemns any unwanted religious demands. Relativism says “I will decide what I want to believe and that will be truth for me.” Relativism has exploded in our generation, but it is now a new philosophy. Relativism has been around ever since God’s law has been around. Sinners will always choose to do things their way instead of God’s way until by grace he writes his law on their hearts!
Judges 17:6 – “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Relativism. The man Micah was a good example of what this verse means. Micah did things his way. He made himself a shrine, ephod, and household gods. Then he secured a Levite to be his own personal priest. Everything was in place now right in his own home. The only problem being that none of this is acceptable to God. In fact, all of it is against God’s will! Here he sits at home with gods on the mantle, and look how ridiculous his relativistic reasoning becomes! He says, “Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, because I have a Levite as priest.” He actually thought that if something about his self-made religion resembled God’s pattern for worship (there was a Levite in the mix), then God would prosper him. So he does want God’s favor, but he also wants to bow down to some idols once in a while! Relativism.
Notice the Bible prefaces this widespread relativism by saying that Israel had no king. That is, no one was in charge who would keep reminding them and requiring them to follow the Lord. Our King is Jesus! When Jesus is Lord of our lives, there is no room for relativism, only room for worship unto the Lord! We must bow the knee to him, not our own household gods!
Judges 17:6 – “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Relativism. The man Micah was a good example of what this verse means. Micah did things his way. He made himself a shrine, ephod, and household gods. Then he secured a Levite to be his own personal priest. Everything was in place now right in his own home. The only problem being that none of this is acceptable to God. In fact, all of it is against God’s will! Here he sits at home with gods on the mantle, and look how ridiculous his relativistic reasoning becomes! He says, “Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, because I have a Levite as priest.” He actually thought that if something about his self-made religion resembled God’s pattern for worship (there was a Levite in the mix), then God would prosper him. So he does want God’s favor, but he also wants to bow down to some idols once in a while! Relativism.
Notice the Bible prefaces this widespread relativism by saying that Israel had no king. That is, no one was in charge who would keep reminding them and requiring them to follow the Lord. Our King is Jesus! When Jesus is Lord of our lives, there is no room for relativism, only room for worship unto the Lord! We must bow the knee to him, not our own household gods!
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