Category: The Nation Israel

A Better Biography #3

Sunday, November 14, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

According to the Bible, the Law of Moses was not God’s original agreement with Israel. Galatians chapter 3: “[16] Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. [17] And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. [18] For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. [19] Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

The Law was “added because of transgressions” (verse 19). In the Abrahamic Covenant, given over four centuries earlier, God had promised to do some things with Abram (Abraham). Genesis 12:1-3: “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and [I will] make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and [I will] curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” The LORD is working to make a people for Himself—Abraham is not working to form this nation! So Israel would learn she could not be God’s people based on her performance, but solely on the LORD’S performance, He introduced the Law Covenant. By failing under the Law, she would come to better appreciate the grace of the Abrahamic Covenant….

A Better Biography #2

Saturday, November 13, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). There is nothing wrong with the Law of Moses; it is God’s Word, His standard of righteousness. However, there is a problem with us—sin. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19,20).

As the Lord Jesus remarked, all 613 rules and regulations of the Law of Moses can be recapitulated with two simple statements. One is Deuteronomy chapter 6, verses 4 and 5: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” The other is Leviticus chapter 19, verse 18: “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Each commandment of the Law involves either a Jew’s relationship with God, or a Jew’s relationship with another human.

Let us concentrate on these two “great commandments.” Firstly, do we love God with “all our heart, all our soul, and all our might?” Do we love Him with every ounce of being within us, constantly? No. That is what sin is. Secondly, do we love our neighbor “as we love ourselves?” Do we love others to the degree we love self? Do we always put their welfare ahead of our own? No. That is what sin is. God’s standards are high—yea, impossible for sinners to reach. The Law condemns us….

A Better Biography #1

Friday, November 12, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

Once, a preacher described himself using this brief statement on his social-media profile: “I am trying to love God and love my neighbor as myself.” This is wonderful and commendable—except for one problem. How successful has he been in this regard?

The Lord Jesus Christ summarized the Law of Moses with two commandments: “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

“And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question” (Mark 12:28-34; cf. Matthew 22:35-40; Luke 10:25-28). As stated in Matthew, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Under the assumption Jesus’ above words are successful Christian living, people have taken His earthly ministry and forced it into our dispensation. Let us see if this has helped them or harmed them….

Hangers-On

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

“And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him” (Luke 19:48 KJV).

The Lord Jesus has less than one week to live. He is in the Jerusalem Temple, ministering to the Jewish crowds who have come for Passover. These multitudes have travelled from every nation under heaven to assemble in the city of the great King. Behold, the hangers-on!

We read today’s Scripture in context: “[45] And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; [46] Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. [47] And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, [48] And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.” Jesus is a threat to organized religion—and Israel’s apostate spiritual leaders are desperate to eliminate Him from the picture through whatever means necessary.

They just cannot seem to overcome one problem. While the Lord’s disparagers would like to forever rid themselves of Him, the multitudes are paying attention to Him as He teaches His Father’s words. “And the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37b). As long as the people listen to Him, any arrest will be noticed and cause a riot—and they cannot afford to look evil in front of the people they have hithertofore fooled with their pretend religiosity. We want to concentrate on the Greek word rendered “very attentive” in today’s Scripture: “And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.” This is “ekkremamai,” literally meaning, “hanging from” (as in, suspended from the speaker’s lips): the people are hangers-on, followers, of the Lord!

Dear friends, we can learn a simple lesson from this one verse. As long as we “hang on” to the Lord’s lips—those which speak His words rightly divided—absolutely no amount of false teaching and no measure of surreptitiousness can take Him away from us. Let us be “very attentive” to hear Him!

Saved Man, Senseless Words #5

Friday, November 5, 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!

It is ever so critical we listen to what Almighty God actually says in His Word, the Holy Bible, not others’ opinions of what He “says.” Of course, when Moses was sent to Pharaoh the first time and Pharaoh declined to obey the LORD, God was powerful enough to override Pharaoh’s refusal. The Creator is always stronger than the creature. It was not that Moses failed, or God was being mean toward Israel. Rather, the LORD permitted Israel’s deliverance to be delayed as He had a mighty work to perform amongst the Egyptians first.

Chapter 9: “[13] And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. [14] For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. [15] For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. [16] And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. [17] As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?”

After the LORD meted out 10 horrific plagues on Egypt (chapters 7–12), proving Himself superior to Pharaoh and all his pagan idols, the King of Egypt had no choice but ultimately let Israel go. Instead of railing against God, we can adopt a mature outlook: He deliberately postpones one event, that another run its course to achieve one goal, before allowing the first event to resume and reach a second goal!

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?”