Category: The Mosaic Law

Israel: The Miracle Nation #8

Thursday, February 10, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [the Jews] 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). The Law of Moses was given, not to save anyone from sin, but to clearly define sin. If the “best” nation, Israel, is condemned, what hope do the world’s nations have in ever attaining God’s standard of righteousness? None! Hence, grace, not law, was the LORD’S original covenant with Israel. The Law was to teach stubborn Israel they needed a Saviour, for they could not save themselves.

Galatians chapter 3: “[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. [20] Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. [21] Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law…. [24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Likewise, having used the Law to realize our need for the Saviour, we now receive by faith God’s blessings via His grace (what He can do for us through Christ’s finished crosswork). “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:30,31). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:…” (Ephesians 1:3).

Israel will finally learn that yet future….

Israel: The Miracle Nation #7

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

Israel’s patriarchs could not perform to obtain blessings from the LORD. Knowing the frailty (sinfulness) of their flesh, God had already promised to make them His people through the Abrahamic Covenant—through what He would do for them, on their behalf. Yet, at Mount Sinai, the Israelites wanted to make themselves God’s people. In their pride and self-righteousness, they actually thought their feeble religious works would adequately substitute God’s grace: “We can become the LORD’S people without His efforts” (totally ignoring they had been helpless to save themselves from sin thus far)! Here on Sinai, at Israel’s insistence, the LORD instituted the Law of Moses. They had not learned the lesson father Abraham did, father Isaac did, and father Jacob did. Now, they would literally spend centuries “learning the hard way,” failing to perform sinlessly and thereby receiving the Law’s curses and judgments.

Even into the Acts period—over 1,500 years after Moses at Sinai—Israel was still struggling in religion and still failing to overcome their sin problem. The Apostle Paul, once entangled in the same system of bondage (Philippians chapter 3), confessed in Romans 10:1-4: “[1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

Equally confused were the Galatian saints (Christians!), mixing law and grace, ignoring grace and preferring law. Galatians chapters 3 and 4 reteach what Abraham learned, the exact lesson billions of souls worldwide refuse to realize today. They too have disregarded what God can do for us: they wrongly assume what they can do for Him in religion will make up for their sins. “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?” (Galatians 4:21). Let us “hear the law….”

Israel: The Miracle Nation #6

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

Escaping Egypt, the Israelites knew they were free only because the LORD God had broken Pharaoh’s power, overridden Satan’s authority, overcome sin’s influence, and vanquished the world’s dominance. They voiced their gratitude by singing the Song of Moses (Exodus chapter 15). Repeatedly, from chapter 14 to the end of chapter 18, JEHOVAH God worked and Israel received the blessings. Over and over and over again, grace was shown to be infinitesimally superior, whereas the flesh was proven totally helpless and utterly useless. Whatever Israel needed to become God’s people in the Earth, God had supplied, God was furnishing, and God would provide.

After witnessing the all-sufficiency of God’s grace and the all-futility of their efforts, the Israelites must make a solemn decision at Mount Sinai. Exodus chapter 19 again: “[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. [7] And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. [8] And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.”

Oh, dear friends, what a terrible, foolish answer Israel gave in verse 8! “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do [works-religion!!!!].” Having thrown aside grace, they desire law. They prefer to become God’s nation in their own strength—and that arrangement was doomed before they ever uttered such nonsense. Not only had they not been able to do “all” God’s will prior, they had already outright disobeyed Him in chapter 16 (see verses 4,19-28)! Now, sin has deceived them. They actually believe they can work to get God’s blessings—the very blessings God already promised them through Abraham (apart from their works!!!), their very works that could never be perfect!!!! Moreover, billions are equally confused today….

Israel: The Miracle Nation #5

Monday, February 7, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all learned the nation descending from them would originate and become God’s people only because of His grace. Man’s efforts could never accomplish the Abrahamic Covenant. Their performance was irrelevant—for they could all do nothing to accomplish God’s will.

Leaving Genesis and coming into Exodus, we find Israel in Egypt, suffering slavery and genocide under a malicious Pharaoh. It takes the LORD God’s power to free Israel, for she is unable to save herself. “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he [grace!] cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea” (Exodus 15:3,4). “And because he [grace!] loved thy fathers, therefore he [grace!] chose their seed after them, and [He] [grace!] brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt…” (Deuteronomy 4:37).

Having delivered them through the Red Sea (Exodus chapter 14), God also provides the Jews with potable water in the desert (chapter 15), feeds them with manna/bread (chapter 16), supplies them with more water and even military victory over the Amalekites (chapter 17), and finally imparts wisdom to the Jewish leaders (chapter 18). Here are six instances of God’s grace furnishing Israel with everything she needs—but could not provide for herself.

In chapter 19, at Mount Sinai, God makes an offer: “[3] And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; [4] Ye have seen what I did [grace!] unto the Egyptians, and how I bare [grace!] you on eagles’ wings, and [I] [grace!] brought you unto myself. [5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed [law!], and keep my covenant [law!], then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

Let us see Israel’s choice….

Idols in the Heart #3

Thursday, January 27, 2022

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?” (Ezekiel 14:2,3 KJV).

Look at their heart problem!

Reread the main thought of today’s Scripture and its context: “…these men have set up their idols in their heart, Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart,… every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart…” (verses 3,4,7).

Before sin becomes a physical action, it is a heart attitude. Jeremiah 17:9 explains: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Our soul is naturally wicked, spiritually darkened and inclined to believe and do everything contrary to our Creator’s will. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19). After a pattern of poor thinking, poor conduct follows.

The conversion of a soul dead in trespasses and sins, to new life in Christ, is far more than forcing people to give up physical trinkets and other religious paraphernalia. It involves a humble heart willing to finally give up on self and admit all that “performance” in religion is not worth bragging about. In light of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins, all else is “but dung” (Philippians 3:8). Once we in our heart come to trust in that Gospel message—and that alone—our idols in our heart will be removed and now we remove our idols from our shelf! 🙂

Idols in the Heart #2

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?” (Ezekiel 14:2,3 KJV).

Look at their heart problem!

Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and Jerusalem on three occasions during a 20-year period. The Prophet Ezekiel began his ministry between the second and third attacks, circa 593 B.C. Judah, the Southern Kingdom, had engaged in heathen religion for centuries. Now, the Fifth Course of Chastisement was underway, the curses of the Law of Moses falling upon these two southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin. (It had already resulted in the Northern Kingdom, Israel’s other 10 idolatrous tribes, being taken captive to Assyria more than 100 years prior.) If necessary, see Leviticus 26:27-39.

In the context of today’s Scripture, the “elders” or aged men leading Israel approach Ezekiel, but, as we can see, the LORD is greatly displeased with them. The nation is apostate, turned from the truth, because those in power have caused it to be thus. God is not interested in listening to what they have to say (for they “have set up their idols in their heart”), but He does want them to pay attention to His message to them!

Keep reading: “[6] Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. [7] For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: [8] And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”

The Israelites must “repent,” change their mind by remembering the Hebrew Bible—particularly the Law of Moses. Only then will they abandon their idols in their hearts….

A Life That Will Please

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

Today’s Scripture tells us who alone can live a life pleasing in God’s sight!

Everyone does “good” deeds. Yet, doing “good” is not necessarily good. For instance, people often do “good” just to receive praise/reward, make up for their wrongs, feel good, et cetera. Furthermore, despite our “good” deeds, we have plenty more bad ones! Pride, lying, evil thoughts, being a false witness, and being contentious are some of the things the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Mankind cannot even keep 10 simple rules from God. However, religion continues to urge us to keep seven sacraments, utter various prayers, give assorted offerings and “tithes,” attend numerous feasts and festivals, and perform sundry other tasks to “hopefully” please God and avoid hellfire. Whether we attempt to keep a church’s laws, our laws, or God’s laws, our flesh is far too weak to ever measure up. Just look at what God’s religion did to Israel—how much worse some man-made religion does to us!

As Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul was a Pharisee, a religious leader of Israel. He was a nitpicker concerning Law-keeping, and yet, after his soul salvation, he admitted that all of his religion was “but dung” compared to Jesus Christ’s righteousness (Philippians 3:3-11). Even for the Christian, to live a perfect life is impossible (read of Paul’s miserable existence in Romans chapter 7). Paul had to forsake his vain religion and learn today’s Scripture: the Christian life is NOT the performance of the Christian, but the Lord Jesus Christ living and working in the Christian, as the Christian walks in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word to him or her!

If we trust a Saviour who will save—the Lord Jesus Christ—and trust a Book that will teach—the King James Bible—we can redeem the year for the great God and our Saviour, “who loved [us], and gave himself for [us]!” 🙂

A Better Biography #8

Friday, November 19, 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?

Brethren, our Christian life will not operate on the basis of ignorance. Unless we have a renewed mind, thinking like God Himself reasons concerning the Christian life, we will have no Christian life: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).

“If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:21-24). “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:9-11).

God’s unconditional love for us, Christ Jesus’ unconditional love for us, was exhibited at Calvary’s cross (Romans 5:8), and it is offered us through the Gospel of Grace (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). When we walk by faith in this Good News on a daily basis, we are living in light of our identity in Christ. As we allow God’s power demonstrated at Calvary to work in us, the Holy Spirit will produce in us the love the Law commanded Israel (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-16). God’s love will cause us to love others, leading us to better biographies! 🙂

A Better Biography #7

Thursday, November 18, 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?

When the Apostle Paul writes, “For the love of Christ constraineth us,” he is describing the process by which the Christian life operates. It is not we struggling to keep a series of rules and regulations, performing to get blessings from God (and receiving curses when we fail). Yea, rather, it is an intense working of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Him laboring to bring into the reality of our lives the Words of Grace: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The idea of “constraineth” is a compelling or urging toward a particular course of action. We are tightly bound together, driven to a specific end, the goal in today’s Scripture: “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.” To “judge” here means to exercise the mind, to evaluate or examine evidence in order to reach a verdict.

Christ died for all (1 Timothy 2:5,6), since all were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1); but He is “specially [the Saviour] of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10); and, if He is the Saviour of Christians, Christians should live in light of that reality, conducting themselves not in accordance with their own selfish desires but for the glory of the God-Man who died for them and resurrected! After all, as He died, so they died to sin; as He rose again, so they arose to walk in newness of life (Romans chapter 6).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Our two latest Bible Q&As: “What does ‘gainsaying’ mean?” and “Can you explain ‘penury?’”

A Better Biography #6

Wednesday, November 17, 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?

The Book of Titus, the Apostle Paul’s “good works” epistle, has two noteworthy verses in chapter 3: “[8] This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men…. [14] And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” The heart of this doctrinal treatise, however, is in chapter 2.

We re-read the Holy Spirit’s words: “[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork is plainly referenced in verse 14. The Saviour shed His blood to pay our redemption price, our buying back from sin. We use today’s Scripture to amplify: “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.” Friends, we dare not miss this important point! It is not our love for God, but rather Christ’s love for us. Our love for God is imperfect, weak, fickle, changing. If our Christian life depended on this faulty foundation, we would have no Christian life at all. Thankfully, God has not placed us under a performance-based acceptance system (Law). We are rather under a Christ-based acceptance system (Grace)….