Category: The Nation Israel

Saved Man, Senseless Words #4

Thursday, November 4, 2021

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all” (Exodus 5:22,23 KJV).

Yes, even a saint can be silly enough to charge the LORD God with evil!

Moses assumed Israel would be immediately liberated from Egypt. Again, this was in contrast to what the LORD Himself had already told him: “I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand” (3:19). “But I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go” (4:21). It is not clear from the Bible whether or not Moses informed Israel of this delay—but, as indicated in today’s Scripture, Moses was influenced to forget these LORD’S words to him.

Re-read today’s Scripture in context: “[19] And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task. [20] And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: [21] And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us. [22] And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? [23] For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.”

After hearing human viewpoint in verse 21 (“Moses, you ‘deliverer,’ you did nothing for us!”), Moses whined to God in today’s Scripture. To paraphrase, “Why have You ‘evil entreated’ [injured, harmed] Your people? You have sent me to help them, but this has been unsuccessful—destructive not beneficial.” We can expect nothing less from those who listen to man instead of the LORD….

Saved Man, Senseless Words #3

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all” (Exodus 5:22,23 KJV).

Yes, even a saint can be silly enough to charge the LORD God with evil!

Today’s Scripture in context: “[19] And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task. [20] And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: [21] And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us. [22] And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? [23] For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.”

Back in chapters 3 and 4, the LORD had told Moses some words that Moses had forgotten by the time of chapter 5. Read them now. “And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go” (3:19,20). “And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go” (4:21).

When Moses spoke those reckless words in today’s Scripture, it was because he had been listening to unbelievers. The LORD had already told him Pharaoh would refuse to free Israel….

Saved Man, Senseless Words #2

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all” (Exodus 5:22,23 KJV).

Yes, even a saint can be silly enough to charge the LORD God with evil!

Let us continue reading the chapter: “[10] And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. [11] Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. [12] So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. [13] And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

“[14] And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore? [15] Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? [16] There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. [17] But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. [18] Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. [19] And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.”

Once more, we fail not to realize Israel’s mistreatment has been exacerbated with Moses’ arrival. Their “deliverer” has intervened, but has only contributed to sadder and more miserable circumstances. Let us finish the chapter and finally reach today’s Scripture….

NOTE: You can see our archived study, “Should Christians observe All Souls’ Day?”

Saved Man, Senseless Words #1

Monday, November 1, 2021

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all” (Exodus 5:22,23 KJV).

Yes, even a saint can be silly enough to charge the LORD God with evil!

Let us start at the beginning of the chapter: “[1] And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. [2] And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. [3] And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

“[4] And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. [5] And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. [6] And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, [7] Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. [8] And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. [9] Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.”

Instead of freeing Israel, Pharaoh afflicts them with a more arduous workload. Moses is surprised. The Jews are in a worse condition now that God has sent him to “deliver” them! Let us keep reading the context of today’s Scripture….

NOTE: You can see our archived study, “Should Christians observe All Saints’ Day?”

Arrayed in Hypocrisy

Sunday, October 31, 2021

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27,28 KJV).

“Looks can be deceiving” is not only true during Halloweentime, but confirmed year-round within Christendom.

Today is Halloween, when children dress up and feign themselves to be creatures they are not. Likewise, many church leaders today wear “Christian” garbs, but their ministries do not bring the Lord Jesus Christ glory and honor. They promote their denomination, and seek to perpetuate it, rather than serve and exalt the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Bible manifests these who appear to be good, as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

In today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ exposed Israel’s corrupt religious leaders who misled the nation in His day. In His Parable of the Tares, Matthew 13:24-30,37-43, Christ explained how just as He had sown good seed (wheat, believing Jews) in Israel, Satan had also sown tares/weeds (unbelieving Jews). Tares resemble wheat; unbelieving Jews resemble believing Jews. The unbelieving Pharisees and scribes, for instance, looked like God’s people (believing Israel). Judas Iscariot was another example of Satan’s tares—the apostles never realized who Judas really was until it was too late!

But Satan’s counterfeit believers are not confined to Israel’s program. Today, within local assemblies of the Body of Christ, there are people feigning themselves to be Christians: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Beloved, beware of the church leaders who are arrayed in hypocrisy, “and avoid them” (Romans 16:17b). If their teaching does not agree with the rightly divided King James Bible, you have no business as a child of God to be listening to them.

*This is excerpted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

You may also see our special study, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?”

The Lowest Room #4

Friday, October 29, 2021

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee” (Luke 14:10 KJV).

What is this “lowest room?” Can we gain any counsel from today’s Scripture?

Read Christ’s words immediately following: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (verse 11). Their fundamental problem, of course, was that ugly sin of pride! Never should we forget this concerns religion, self-righteous people who considered themselves gods and therefore worthy of worship. “I give more than anyone else, pray more than anyone else, and fast more than anyone else!” The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:1-18, exposes and condemns this attitude.

Also bear in mind that expression appears in another religious context, Luke chapter 18: “[9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Finally, we dare not forget Matthew 23:12, also regarding religious pride: “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (see entire chapter for context). The arrogant will be brought low, for apostate Israel will be destroyed in God’s wrath; however, believing, humble Israel will be magnified in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 18:1-4).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Our two latest Bible Q&As: “What does ‘choler’ mean?” and “What does ‘sith’ mean in Ezekiel 35:6?”

The Lowest Room #3

Thursday, October 28, 2021

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee” (Luke 14:10 KJV).

What is this “lowest room?” Can we gain any counsel from today’s Scripture?

How embarrassing it would be to assume we warranted a seat reserved for someone of a higher rank! Yet, the guests at this Pharisee’s house were so egocentric they were carefully placing themselves into the most admired spaces. As the Lord Jesus noted, “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room” (verses 8,9).

Instead of praising themselves, they were to let someone else honor them. Far better was it for the host to bring them to a higher seat, than for them to assume they deserved the higher seat but then be forced to vacate it when the more praiseworthy person arrived. The Book of Proverbs had already educated Israel: “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (27:2). Yet, like with Proverbs 25:6-7, unbelieving Israel ignored these precious words of God.

Luke 14:10 again: “But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.” The King James translators have been faulted for rendering the Greek “doxa” as “worship” here, for, they are allegedly insinuating Jesus encouraged people to “worship” others. However, while “doxa” is often rendered “glory” in the Authorized Version New Testament (almost 150 times), Jesus’ usage of “worship” here is sarcasm or mockery. Essentially, “If you conceited people are seeking worship from your fellow man, here is how you get it! You let the host do it, not yourself!”

Now, let us make application….

The Lowest Room #2

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee” (Luke 14:10 KJV).

What is this “lowest room?” Can we gain any counsel from today’s Scripture?

Re-read the context of today’s Scripture: “[7] And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, [8] When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; [9] And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. [10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. [11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Let us describe the scene the Lord has just beheld. Guests are arriving at the feast and carefully selecting the “chief rooms”—the most prominent empty seats or reclining couches. Today, we would consider these the chairs at the head of the table, places that would naturally draw attention and evoke a sense of admiration. “Look where he sits! He must be the most important person here!” The “elite” of Judaism were so conceited or focused on themselves they had forgotten what their own Hebrew Bible had taught them through King Solomon centuries before. In order to rebuke them, Jesus cited Proverbs 25:6,7: “Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.”

To fail to heed God’s advice would result in embarrassment….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain ‘enmity?’”

The Lowest Room #1

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee” (Luke 14:10 KJV).

What is this “lowest room?” Can we gain any counsel from today’s Scripture?

On a Saturday Sabbath, Christ Jesus was invited to eat at the house of a chief Pharisee (verse 1). After the Lord performs a healing miracle (verses 2-6)—gendering great animosity from his snobbish, coldhearted, religious detractors—He continues exposing unbelief and other forms of wickedness in Israel.

Read The Parable of the Great Supper (which actually spans to verse 24): “[7] And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, [8] When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; [9] And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. [10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. [11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Remember, this was spoken in the house of a Pharisee (verse 1)—a strict, ascetic, works-religionist obsessed with rules and regulations. Many conceited Pharisees are undoubtedly present. “But all their works they do for to be seen of men:…. and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,…” (Matthew 23:5,6). “Beware of the scribes, which love… and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:…” (Mark 12:38,39). “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love… the chief rooms at feasts;…” (Luke 20:46). Jesus is witnessing this firsthand in the context of today’s Scripture….

333’s 3800th – Propaganda or Peace?

Monday, October 25, 2021

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4 KJV).

Only by God’s grace, “333 Words of Grace” marks another major milestone—devotional #3800!

A recent poll indicates Americans are worried one of these top three disasters will end human civilization: a pandemic (19%), climate change (19%), or nuclear war (17%). Frankly, for a “Christian” nation, we are quite confused, too obsessed with the cares of this world to see there are far more important matters with which to be concerned (avoiding the flames of Hell by placing our faith in Christ, learning and believing sound Bible doctrine to have daily victory over sin, teaching our children morals and ethics, et cetera).

Let lost people, and Christians who prefer to think like lost people, fuss and fret about things that may or may not come. We who understand and believe Bible prophecy are not at all alarmed. As prophesied, this world is still headed for the Tribulation, something far worse than any human can conceive, but it shall not come as long as this the Dispensation of Grace is operating—and, for that, we can be thankful!

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of filling our minds and hearts with endless propaganda (“news”) and mindlessly spewing it back out for everyone to hear and read (perpetuating the cycle of paranoia), today’s Scripture exhorts us to “set [our] affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The Greek word for “affection” was elsewhere rendered “think” (Acts 28:22; Romans 12:3) and “mind” (Romans 8:5; Romans 12:16; Philippians 2:5; Philippians 3:19). Brethren, over the course of these last 3,800 days, we here have striven to provide you with sound Bible studies—to give you peace, not propaganda. May we continue walking—and thinking—therein as we now aim for devotional #3900! 🙂

Bible Q&A #890: “How could pagan Nebuchadnezzar know about ‘the Son of God?’”