A Party Invitation to Ignore

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

“And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20 KJV).

Discard this invitation to Naomi’s self-pity party!

The Jewess Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion leave Bethlehemjudah due to famine, and they travel to Moab (on the opposite [or eastern] side of the Dead Sea). There, Elimelech dies, and Mahlon and Chilion intermarry with the Moabites. About ten years later, Mahlon and Chilion pass away, leaving widowed Naomi with two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, also widowed.

When Naomi hears the news that God has provided food for His people in Bethlehemjudah, she decides to leave Moab and return home. Naomi instructs her two daughters-in-law to return to their (pagan) families, for she is returning to Bethlehem. However, Ruth 1:16 says, “And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:”

Ruth accompanies Naomi back to Bethlehemjudah, and when the townspeople recognize Naomi, they ask in Ruth 1:19, “Is this Naomi?” Naomi replies, “Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me” (today’s Scripture). She has lost her husband and both sons, and is thus poverty-stricken, so she feels sorry for herself. Naomi (“pleasant”) prefers to be called “Mara,” Hebrew for “bitter.” Like many today, she is hurt and resentful, angry with God and blaming Him for her troubles. She cannot see with the eyes of faith—JEHOVAH has used her to rescue a former pagan (Ruth) from idolatry! God, for His own purposes, has used “poor” Naomi to reach out to lost Gentile Ruth.

Centuries after Naomi’s passing, we see her pity party was unjustified. Ruth 4:13-22 verifies Ruth became the mother of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David, and King David was… the ancestor of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:32). Who is Naomi? Someone God used to establish the bloodline of Jesus Christ via Ruth!

Surrounded by Sinners

Monday, July 22, 2013

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25 KJV).

Today’s Scripture seems insignificant, but it conveys a marvelous Bible truth….

You should have noticed that there are three Marys listed in today’s Scripture. Although not explicitly named here, we find in other Scriptures that Jesus’ mother’s name is “Mary” (Matthew 1:16; Luke 2:6-21; et cetera). So, in today’s Scripture, we have: (1) Jesus’ mother named Mary, (2) the wife of Cleophas named Mary, and (3) Mary Magdalene. There were thousands of people who stood by Jesus’ cross, so why did the Holy Spirit select these three people to list, all of whom are named Mary?

“Mariam” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Miriam,” from which we get “Mary.” The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, so these Jewesses’ Hebrew names were rendered in Greek, and then that Greek name “Mariam” was translated into “Mary” in our English Bible. Now, think about it: Who was Miriam in Scripture?

The Bible says that Miriam was the sister of Aaron and Moses (Numbers 26:59; 1 Chronicles 6:3). Miriam rebelled against Moses’ leadership in Numbers 12:1-16, and God judged her with leprosy (a skin disease) because of it. Interestingly, the Hebrew name “Miriam” means “rebelliously.” Now, we can begin to think of today’s Scripture in light of this information.

Of the thousands of people standing near Mount Calvary during Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, God the Holy Spirit selected three women who stood by, and He names them in His Word. It is no coincidence that the three women who are named are named Mary (today’s Scripture; cf. Matthew 27:55,56; Mark 15:40,41; Luke 23:49). What could God be teaching us through that?

Jesus Christ is hanging on Calvary’s cruel cross, dying for the sins of the people who hated Him. He was surrounded by Marys… He was surrounded by rebels… He was surrounded by sinners! In His own words, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). Amazing!

With the Saints Versus With the Ain’ts

Sunday, July 21, 2013

“And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26 KJV).

Dear Christian, lift up thy chin, for thou shalt see the saints again….

Bible conferences are wonderful occasions for which members of the Church the Body of Christ fellowship with another around God’s Word, the Holy Bible. These extended periods of time are (or should be) marked by edification, encouragement, and enlightenment. Meeting with like-minded Christian brethren is very enjoyable—unity that cannot be found elsewhere.

In today’s Scripture and its context, the Apostle Paul likens Christian believers of this the Dispensation of Grace to one unit, one body. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (verse 27). Just like our physical body has many “members” (body parts), so the Church the Body of Christ has many individual members (with Jesus Christ as its Head; Colossians 1:18). Consequently, whether in health or sickness, all of the body is affected. One Christian’s time of sadness should be a time of grief for other Christians. When one Christian is filled with joy, every other Christian should rejoice with him or her.

As people who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, we are a family in Christ, united forever. It is only natural to miss Christians who are absent, and it is expected that we feel excitement when we see other Christians. After all, that is what family members do! Again, we cannot have that unity with lost people, for they are not family. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26).

While we join all our Christian brethren in lamenting the conclusion of Bible conferences, we also join them in rejoicing in that the day is coming when we shall all assemble at the “grand Bible conference.” And that “family reunion” will never end! 🙂

Israel, Stand Still! #12

Saturday, July 20, 2013

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!

Quoting Psalm 40:7,8, Hebrews 10:9-12 says: “Then said he [Jesus Christ], Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first [covenant], that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

God will use Jesus Christ’s shed blood offered 2,000 years ago to ratify the New Covenant at Christ’s Second Coming (just as the Old Covenant was instituted with animals’ blood in Exodus chapter 24). Quoting Isaiah 59:20,21, the Apostle Paul penned: “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Romans 11:26,27; cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34; Acts 3:19; Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 10:14-25).

Recall what Moses told Israel at the Red Sea: “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day:…. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:13,14).

As in Egypt, Israel cannot save herself: she is enslaved to sin and Satan, as she was captive in Egypt. As in Egypt, God sends a Deliverer for Israel: Moses led them from physical captivity and Jesus Christ will lead them from spiritual captivity. This time, they will enter the Promised Land, fully forgiven and free forever (the context of today’s Scripture)—not because of their works, but because of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork at Calvary.

The whole world will see redeemed Israel glorified in her earthly kingdom, and JEHOVAH will be exalted forever!

~FINIS!~ 🙂

Israel, Stand Still! #11

Friday, July 19, 2013

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!

God’s nation in the earth, Israel, was ruined. For over 15 centuries, she repeatedly broke His covenant with her by ignoring His laws, especially by worshipping pagan idols (Judges 2:10-20; 1 Kings 11:1-43; 2 Chronicles 36:14-21; Nehemiah 9:6-38; Isaiah 40:18-20; Jeremiah 44:1-30; Ezekiel 5:5-17; Daniel 9:3-19; Hosea 2:2-9; Malachi 2:1-17; et al.). Legally, she could not be God’s people, for she was now under Satan’s control.

And so, God’s plan, devised in eternity past, was implemented. The Scriptures unfolded that plan over a period of centuries. The seed of the woman promised in Genesis 3:15, man’s Redeemer, became the seed of Abraham, the seed of Isaac, the seed of Jacob, and the seed of David. That seed is Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16), God manifest in human flesh (John 1:1,14), the fulfiller of the Abrahamic Covenant, and the means whereby salvation would flow through Israel to the Gentiles.

That Messiah-Redeemer Jesus would save Israel from her sins first (Matthew 1:21). Then, and only then, those redeemed Jews would bring salvation to the Gentiles (Exodus 19:3-6; Isaiah 61:6; Zechariah 8:20-23; et cetera). When Jesus Christ offered Himself to Israel as their King, they demanded His crucifixion: “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:14,15; Acts 3:13). (Without Israel’s cooperation, how would salvation go to the Gentiles now? God’s solution to that dilemma was to raise up Saul of Tarsus and make him Paul the Apostle sent to us Gentiles without Israel [Romans 11:11-13]).

JEHOVAH God the Son let them nail Him to that awful cross of Calvary, and His blood poured out. Without that shed blood of Jesus Christ, Israel (and actually, all people) would be hopelessly lost forever. Little did Israel know, that by killing their Messiah, He could then save them with that shed blood—that was God’s wise plan all along! Israel could now be saved by that marvelous work He did for them (and us) at Calvary….

Israel, Stand Still! #10

Thursday, July 18, 2013

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!

The Old Covenant (the Mosaic Law) only condemns us as sinners—it never saves anyone, it only makes “all the world guilty before God” (Romans 3:19). In order for God to save and use Israel, He will have to make a New Covenant with them. Read Hebrews 8:7-13 (quoting Jeremiah 31:31-34):

“[7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. [8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: [9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: [11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. [12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. [13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”

This is Israel’s glorious prospect—a covenant that involves JEHOVAH working to save her from sin and Satan, just as He saved her from the Egyptian bondage. It will be an extremely intense battle, and JEHOVAH Himself will die….

NOTE: If you’re interested in “attending” a grace Bible conference via internet, the Grace School of the Bible Family Summer Bible Conference is underway through today. You can find all the details (times, topics, and preachers) at www.graceimpact.org.

Israel, Stand Still! #9

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!

The Jews spent centuries in Egypt as slaves, so Egypt is known as “the house of bondage” in Scripture (Exodus 13:3,14; Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:6; Deuteronomy 6:12; Deuteronomy 8:14; Deuteronomy 13:5,10; Joshua 24:17; Judges 6:8). Nevertheless, God redeemed Israel through the Red Sea experience: He rescued her from great misery, He defeated her enemies, He gave her unspeakable joy, and He offered her the Promised Land to dwell in forever.

Now that the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea, they were dead to that old life of slavery. They now had a new life—a life of freedom! They now had a new identity—the nation of JEHOVAH! They now had a new land—the land of Palestine! In that land, they now could serve JEHOVAH, the God who had been so faithful in rescuing them. Unfortunately, Israel never made it to the point of fully enjoying JEHOVAH or His blessings and salvation for them. As with Adam, their sin spoiled the paradise God offered them. They fell into sin, and Satan captured God’s nation, Israel, thereby again thwarting God’s program for the earth.

As with the Red Sea experience, Israel is helpless (spiritually dead in her trespasses and sins). She needs the power of God Himself to be rescued from her sin. JEHOVAH must give her new (eternal) life in order for her to be equipped to serve Him forever in her earthly kingdom (the context of today’s Scripture). Israel’s sins must be dealt with, and JEHOVAH will do just that.

In type, Israel’s redemption at the Red Sea is a beautiful illustration of how God will deliver Israel from the dominion of sin and satanic captivity. Just as Israel was unable to deliver herself from Egyptian bondage, but had to rely on the LORD, so again she will have to depend on JEHOVAH to rescue her from her sin and satanic bondage….

NOTE: If you’re interested in “attending” a grace Bible conference via internet, the Grace School of the Bible Family Summer Bible Conference is underway through Thursday, July 18. You can find all the details (times, topics, and preachers) at www.graceimpact.org.

Israel, Stand Still! #8

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!

Shortly after Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the LORD delivered the Law to Moses at Mount Sinai, to the intent that Moses would give the Law to Israel (Exodus chapters 19-23). This Old Covenant, the Mosaic Law, was ratified in chapter 24. JEHOVAH made it very clear to Israel that this contract had conditions. Israel had to obey every commandment He gave them in order to receive His blessings. If they disobeyed Him in any way, they would suffer curses (judgments, wrath, and chastisement).

Deuteronomy chapter 28 outlines this very strict system of legalism, which Israel failed miserably! The LORD says in Jeremiah 31:32: “…the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD.” Using the Law, God thus proved to all the world that no son of Adam could ever measure up to His standard of righteousness—“for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20b).

Isaiah 49:24,25 explain Israel’s spiritual captivity: “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered:  for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Legally, Israel is in trouble. She is under the curse of the Law. She has fallen into sin and broken her contract with JEHOVAH. Now, she belongs to Satan (hence the devil possessions during Christ’s earthly ministry).

Satan has Israel captive, just as Pharaoh did in Egypt, but JEHOVAH promises He will fight with Satan and deliver Israel from sin’s dominion, just as He fought with Pharaoh and delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage….

NOTE: If you’re interested in “attending” a grace Bible conference via internet, the Grace School of the Bible Family Summer Bible Conference is underway through Thursday, July 18. You can find all the details (times, topics, and preachers) at www.graceimpact.org.

Israel, Stand Still! #7

Monday, July 15, 2013

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!

JEHOVAH God had promised Abram (later Abraham) that He would make of him a nation of people through whom He would bless the whole world: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2,3).

About 500 years after that Abrahamic Covenant was given, that nation, Israel, was enslaved in Egypt, but JEHOVAH delivered them through Moses’ leadership. God then gave through Moses the Old Covenant, a system of worship for Israel to use. Alas, Israel forsook that Old Covenant! Throughout the next 1,500 years, she ignored JEHOVAH and followed the heathens in their pagan idolatry. Now, think of Israel’s dilemma. She was to be God’s people through whom we Gentiles would be blessed and saved by God, but now she has broken His covenant and fallen into Satan’s dominion. She is in a captivity far worse than her physical bondage in Egypt—she needs help with her sin problem!

Hebrews 8:8,9 explain Israel’s sin problem and, thankfully, JEHOVAH’S solution to it: “For finding fault with them [Israel], he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: not according to the [old] covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.”

Quoting chapter Jeremiah chapter 31, the writer of the book of Hebrews knows that JEHOVAH has fought and will fight for Israel’s spiritual salvation, just like He fought to save them physically in the Red Sea deliverance….

NOTE: If you’re interested in “attending” a grace Bible conference via internet, the Grace School of the Bible Family Summer Bible Conference is underway through Thursday, July 18. You can find all the details (times, topics, and preachers) at www.graceimpact.org.

Israel, Stand Still! #6

Sunday, July 14, 2013

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!

Read Psalm 46, the context of today’s Scripture: “To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. [1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. [4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. [6] The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. [7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. [8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. [9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. [10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. [11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

Verses 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11 are obvious prophetic references to Jesus Christ dwelling with Israel in her earthly kingdom. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (verse 1) was undoubtedly true regarding the Red Sea experience when JEHOVAH fought for his nation Israel and overthrew her enemies, but it also speaks of another trouble Israel’s must face, and only by JEHOVAH’S strength will she overcome that trouble….

NOTE: If you’re interested in “attending” a grace Bible conference via internet, the Grace School of the Bible Family Summer Bible Conference is underway through Thursday, July 18. You can find all the details (times, topics, and preachers) at www.graceimpact.org.