Some time ago, I wrote a post about an Old Testament character named Rahab, that you can find here but there is more to learn from this story in the Old Testament.
In I Cor. 10:11 we read "Now all these things happened to them as examples and they were written for our admonition on whom the ends of the ages have come."
The Old Testament scriptures for us are not simply an historical account of times long past but are still relevant and useful for us today to understand the teaching written in the books of our New Testament.
In I Tim. 3:16 we read .. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, "
"All Scripture " (in context) refers to the Old Testament, because at the time Paul wrote his letters, the only scripture the early church had was the Old Testament.
In Acts 17:11 we learn of the Bereans who are commended for not taking Paul at his word, but rather searching the Old Testament to see if what he was teaching was true! When we listen to a preacher or teacher expound on a New Testament scripture do search the Old Testament to test if what he is teaching is true?
How do we prove New Testament doctrine by Old Testament scriptures?
The New Testament will always give us the 'code' or 'clues' we need to find the corresponding scriptures ... we don't have to make anything up.
Let me use the example of Rahab to show how New Testament teaching is confirmed in the Old Testament.
Rahab is a woman who is commended by Paul and also by James.
In Hebrews 31:31 Rahab is held up as someone who 'did not perish' because of her faith.
In James 2:25 we are told Rahab was justified by her works.
The debates, and the books that have been written on the tension between works and faith - between God's part in our salvation and man's part can hardly be numbered. And yet all arguments can be laid to rest if we just look at the 'doctrine' taught in the story of Rahab.
We all know the story found in the second chapter of Joshua .
Rahab heard about the God of the Israelites and she 'believed'. She knew God had given her city to the Israelites. She knew the city would be destroyed and all the people would 'perish'.
She had heard about the miracles the God of Israel had done on behalf of His people and she believed that He was "God in heaven above and on earth beneath."
Not only did she believe but her actions proved her faith. She boldly declared her faith to the spies and asked that she and her family 'be saved'. The spies agreed to save her - on two conditions.
One condition was that she hang out of her window a scarlet cord.
The second condition was that she understood that anyone who she invited into the house would also be saved but only if they stayed in the house. If they left the house, for whatever reason, then their blood would be on their own head and they would be destroyed with the rest of the city.
Rahab and those with her 'in the house' were saved and Rahab was named in the 'family' of Jesus! (see lineage in Matt. 1 and Luke 3)
What truth or doctrine does this story teach?
The 'key' pieces that reveal the spiritual truth embedded in this story are -- 'saved by faith', 'justified by works' -- and the 'scarlet cord'. Scarlet is the colour of blood and so scarlet is always symbolic of Jesus' sacrifice - symbolic of our salvation.
So the key pieces unmistakably tell us this story lays out the doctrine of faith and works as they play out in our salvation.
Rahab heard and believed -- God's invitation has gone out "whosoever will , may come !" (Rev. 22:17 , and John 3:16 ) Rahab was a heathen, a sinner, outside of God's chosen people - yet, when she heard of the true God, she believed and was saved.
She showed her faith by her works. Our actions will reveal what we believe.
If I believe it is safe to put my money in the bank, I will put my money in the bank. If I do not believe my money will be safe in the bank, I will put it under my mattress.
Rahab's works revealed her heart-belief. Not only did she hide the spies but also did according to what they told her to do. She obeyed 'the word'.
In hanging out the 'scarlet cord' she declared her faith in God. The one true God - by 'no other name' can we be saved, but by Jesus.
If we put our faith in Jesus for our salvation, our walk will match our faith. We will 'do' what we say we 'believe'.
Rahab was not one to keep her faith secret -- she did not hide her 'light' under a bushel . She went out to win others - her family, those she loved. She convinced them to also put their faith in the God of Israel so they too could be saved.
'In the house' symbolizes the 'Kingdom of God' that we are born into when we accept Jesus as our Saviour. As Rahab was totally safe and secure in her house - no need to fear that anyone would break in or snatch her out of it - so we also are totally safe and secure in Jesus. No one can harm us spiritually nor can anyone snatch us from His hand. We belong to the 'family' of Jesus - part of His bod
But - the same warning that the spies gave Rahab is also true for us.
Rahab and her family were absolutely safe in the house, but they were not locked in. Their free will was not taken away. The doors and windows were not bolted or barred from the outside.
The spies were careful to warn that if anyone CHOSE to leave the house their 'blood was on their own heads'. In choosing to leave they brought destruction upon themselves.
So we too do not lose our free will when we are saved. We have the freedom to return to the world from which we were saved. No one and nothing can take us from the hand of the Lord, except our own will to walk away.
In John 10 the verse is oft quoted that says .. "And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." But that promise is prefaced by by two conditions ... "My sheep hear My voice" and "they follow Me". The ones who hear His voice and follow Him are the ones who never perish and have eternal life.
When someone questions whether or not they are still 'in the house', my question to them is ... "Do you WANT to be in the house? Do you want to know and follow the Lord?" The answer is usually 'yes' ... and then my reply is ... "Then you are in the house."
We will all stumble and fall - we are all in process of being perfected - but the Lord will hold us up, protect us and help us as long as in our heart we want to be His.
We readily acknowledge how foolish it would have been for someone who responded to Rahab's invitation to come and 'be saved' and then decide to leave the house! It takes a determined and willful denying of Christ and and rebelling against His commandments to make the decision that results in choosing to walk away from the security that is IN Christ.
Showing posts with label Shadows and the Real Thing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shadows and the Real Thing. Show all posts
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
The Dark Shadow
In a pleasant clearing, cushioned with a carpet of soft grass and bathed in sunshine, sat a group of friends around a table. Leaning toward one another, they were focused intently on the conversation that completely absorbed their attention.
They were unaware of the Dark Shadow that lurked at the edge of the wastelands just beyond the grassy knoll on which they sat. He seemed very interested in the group and was straining to hear what they were talking about.
One person, who seemed to be the leader, said, "Last month when we were together we spoke about how we needed to simplify our lives for the purpose of not giving the enemy room to distract us or take us away from our whole-hearted commitment to our Lord. So, what have you done?"
One person said, "We sold our large home and downsized. Now the financial pressures are so much less and my wife and I are more relaxed and free to help others."
Another said," I sold my motorcycle." A gasp went up from one or two of the others around the table and one exclaimed,"Your motorcycle? You love your motorcycle, I thought nothing would ever separate you from it !"
But with a smile he replied,"Yes, you are right. I did love my motorcycle, I loved it too much. It was too tempting to go on road trips with my motorcycle friends, and I neglected my family. Now, I enjoy doing things we can all do together and I have noticed how much my boys' behavior has changed! And my wife is happier, I'm home to do those honey-do things and she no longer worries when I am out racing my motorcycle."
Another said, "I cut up my credit card .. life is so much easier living by the rule, 'If I don't have the cash, I can't afford it'. "
Another said, "I cancelled my club membership ... now I have time to go to the neighborhood bible study with my wife."
The leader smiled, "Very good !"
The Dark Shadow had crept closer to the group around the table, but when he, in anger, reached out to strike one of the people, he scowled and pulled back his arm as though he had hit a solid wall. One person, glanced up and asked the others, "Did you feel something?" They looked around, but saw nothing to alarm them. They returned to their conversation.
The leader continued ... "You have done well, in 'stopping the waters' so the enemy will not find ammunition to use against you. But we must do more."
Eagerly, the group pressed forward ..."And what is that?"
The leader explained,"We must be diligent in our bible study, in prayer, in times of devotional quiet listening for what the Lord would say to us. Also, we must not neglect our meeting together, to strengthen, encourage one another and point one another to that 'tower' to which we can flee and find refuge. If we stand together we need not fear the darkness nor the enemy that rules it. We stand in the Power of our Lord, and in His Strength we put our trust! He has given us armor to wear so that we are at all times protected! We need to keep that armor polished and in good repair!"
Thoughtful heads nodded around the table, as they considered the wise words spoken.
The Dark Shadow was pacing, obviously angered, his fists clenched yet he had given up trying to strike them. Another way - there must be another way !
If the group had been aware of the Dark Shadow, they would have been relieved to see him glide back into the wastelands surrounding them. But the Dark Shadow was not giving up.
Not long after, an attractive young man approached the table and without greeting them said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. Do you realize how foolish it is to put your trust in something/someone who can't help you, someone you can't even see? Do you not know how powerful the Dark Shadow is and have you not heard how many have been destroyed by his hand? "
The young man suddenly changed before them, and with his disguise stripped from him, they recognized him as the Dark Shadow himself. While their hearts began to pound, and their eyes grew large, they did not waver. "Ignore him!" they said to one another.
Furious, the Dark Shadow called in his demons to bring influence to bear in high places, and letters were drafted - letters of intent: threats of a job loss, a difficult medical diagnosis, a called in loan, a false accusation, a relational crisis.
But all these did not cause anyone around the table to waver.
The rage of the Dark Shadow was escalating and he called in his armies to cause the table-group bodily harm.
The group rose from the table, their meeting ended, and they began to walk along the path that led to their individual homes.
The escalating roar of a motor alerted them, and even as they looked left and right to see where the vehicle was coming from, they were suddenly frozen by fear as they saw a large military -type vehicle coming straight for them!
The leader called out for divine help!
And Divine Intervention was immediately sent .. The hand of an angel turned the vehicle just before it would have struck the group, and it lost control, crashing into a tree and tumbling over the edge of a cliff. All was silent.
A cheer went up from the group, with words of thanksgiving to the Lord, in whom they trusted - to whom they belonged.
They went forth to be a witness wherever they went in their daily lives, causing the name of their Lord to be exalted and praised.
**
Hopefully, the above story sounded familiar to you, dear reader, because it is my paraphrase of II Chronicles. 32:1-23 in a more modern setting. While I took literary license, I believe that the Old Testament story is a picture for us today. Satan cannot harm a believer ... we have a wall around us. All he can do is deceive us,
cause us to fear,
or be confused.
He is only a Dark Shadow. If we have strengthened ourselves spiritually, we will recognize him and not be moved by 'his devices'. We will stand strong and unmovable in the Light of our Lord!
Just to show you how applicable this Old Testament story is to the life of a believer, look at the meaning of the names in the story.
King Hezekiah - means Yahweh Strengthens -- Jesus is our King and He strengthens His followers to be strong IN Him !
Lachish - where Hezekiah and his people were gathered. Lachish means, impregnable or obstinate - What a safe place we have in the kingdom of God. It is 'impregnable' by the enemy, and we can stand obstinate in not giving in to his shouts or threats.
The Milo - was a tower or fortress in the city of David. This reminds me of the verse in Prov. 18:10 that says, "The name of the Lord is a high tower, the righteous run to it and are safe!" How safe we are when we abide in His Presence!
Sennacherib - means Sin , or Sin-god, or Sin sends many brothers -- all descriptive of Satan, the god of this world, the god of sin, and the one who pulls others into his darkness.
Hezekiah and his people were of the tribe of Judah. Judah means 'praise' and are we not all called to live in praise and thanksgiving to the One to whom belongs all praise?
Be encouraged, my fellow-believers ! We need not fear the dark forces, nor the prince of darkness .. he is but a Shadow ... Our Lord had/has victory over him !
"....The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil !" I John 3:8
And because Jesus had victory, we also have victory IN Him !
"..... I have written unto you young men, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one." I John 3:8
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
In the Details
We are once again about to celebrate the anniversary of Jesus' Death and Resurrection, an event that even after 2000 years has not been forgotten.
There were so many significant details fulfilled on this week-end so long ago. Details spoken about or portrayed prophetically in the Old Testament that were fulfilled literally by Jesus.
I'd like to note a few that you may or may not be familiar with.
1. Jesus Robe --- We read in Joh 19:24 "They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: "THEY DIVIDED MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS." Therefore the soldiers did these things."
Why was it important that Jesus' robe not be torn ?
God commanded the following regarding the High Priests robes... Exo 28:32 There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it does not tear.
Note that it was reinforced around the opening so that even tearing it by accident would be prevented.
But why?
In Lev. 10:6 , Moses gives Aaron the stern warning of the Lord. If a High Priest 'tears his garment' he will die and the wrath of God come upon him. A High Priest who tore his garment disqualified himself from being High Priest.
At the time of Jesus we know that Caiaphas was the High Priest, even though he was not a descendent of Aaron. Nevertheless, when he in Matt. 26:65, in a rage, tore his garments he not only disqualified himself but condemned himself to God's wrath.
Never again would there be a High Priest in the physical temple.
Jesus was the forever High Priest - His garment was NOT rent !
2. Who killed Jesus ?
Over the millennia there has been the back and forth accusing debates about who killed Jesus.
There is really only one answer.
In the very first Passover, God did not kill the lamb, the Eyptians did not kill the lamb. It was each Israelite, a sinner in need of a Savior, that had to kill his own lamb -- the lamb whose blood on the doorframe would save him!
So also at the cross, it was the sinners who killed Jesus ... you and I killed Him. It was our sin that put Him on the cross.
I John 3:16 says that Jesus lay down His own life. When Pilate asked Jesus if he did not know that he had power to crucify Him or set Him free , Jesus answered him that he had no power at all! Joh 19:11 Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. "
Except for your sin and mine, Jesus would not have had to give His life to save us.
3. What made Jesus finally answer Pilate when Pilate questioned him?
We know from John's epistle that Pilate was getting frustrated with Jesus because He remained silent and did not respond to his comments John 19:10 "Are you not speaking to me?...."
We have an added detail in Luke's account in Luke 23:3 when Pilate asked him point blank .. "Are you the King of the Jews?" and Jesus answers him ... "It is as you say."
What made Jesus answer the question when it was worded that way? If Jesus had not answer Pilate, Jesus would have been guilty under the law and no longer 'sinless'. If He had not answered it would have disqualified Him as the sinless Lamb of God !
See the law stated in Lev 5:1 'If a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of the matter—if he does not tell it, he bears guilt."
The way Pilate worded his question, it was in the form of an oath and because Jesus had 'first hand' knowledge of what the answer was, He was obligated under the law to answer.
4. Why did the Jewish leaders want Pilate to change the wording on the 'title' Pilate wrote to hang on the cross?
When the Jews saw that Pilate had written "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews" they were offended and requested that he change it to "he said I am King of the Jews" ... but Pilate refused! - John 19:19
Why did they want it changed ? There was a very significant reason why they wanted it changed. When an educated Jew looked at the sign written in Hebrew, he would be struck with the acrostic of the first letters of each word - King of the Jews) .. Put together, the letters were YHWH ... Yahweh, the name by which the Jews knew their God. So to them the sign was blasphemous ... "Jesus of Nazareth, God"
We do not know if Pilate understood what he had written , but we know God did !
He spoke to His people even from the cross --- "You have crucified Me, your God" .
5. What does it mean that Jesus "made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death' ?
In Isaiah 53:9 we have this very specific prophecy about the Messiah.
In hindsight it is easy to understand. Jesus died, hanging on a cross between two wicked men.
But then a rich man, Joseph of Arimathaea, obviously a man of influence, asked for and received permission from Pilate to take the body of Jesus. He buried Jesus in his own, new unused sepulchre.
The prophecy, so seemingly contradictory, perfectly fulfilled! Jesus died as a criminal, yet was buried in a rich man's tomb!
I wish you, my dear reader,
a reflective Good Friday and a glorious Resurrection Sunday !
"He is risen !! He is risen indeed !"
and we are saved !!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Abraham Preaches the Gospel -- part 2
In Col 2:17 we read, "which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."
This verse is talking about the Old Testament things that are a 'shadow' but the 'substance' or real thing that is shadowed is of Jesus Christ.
We understand that if we see a shadow of a tree -- the substance (or reality) of the tree casting the shadow is nearby. The tree is the 'real' thing and the 'shadow' something that points to or indicates that there is a tree.
Therefore to understand how the gospel is preached to or through Abraham we have to see the Old Testament story pieces as the 'shadow' of the 'good thing' it shadows.
There are two important keys to keep in mind that unlock the mysteries of understanding how the things of the Old Testament point to the things of Jesus and the New Covenant.
ONE - The 'shadow' that we see in the Old Testament is 'physical' or real in earthly terms, but the 'substance' is real in the eternal spiritual sense. Because the 'shadow' is physical in earthly terms, the shadow is oft more real to us than the real thing which being spiritual, is invisible to us.
TWO - A physical aspect of a shadow picture must point to a spiritual reality.
An earthly physical shadow piece will never point to another physical piece. It must always correspond to the spiritual reality it is pointing to.
This is also called 'types and antitypes'. The type being the shadow or the thing that points and the antitype is the spiritual reality being pointed to. (see Rom. 5:14 and I Peter 3:21 for use of these terms - though some translations have used other words such as symbolize instead of type or anti-type)
So lets see if we can follow the pointing fingers of our Abraham/Melchezidek story and uncover a portrayal of the gospel story that would not yet be seen for thousands of years in the future.
The shadow pieces we are given are....
1. Melchizedek -- we are given strong hints in the NT about him -- Melchizedek was King of Salem and the High Priest of God - an usual duel role -- no one else except Jesus was both King and High Priest. Another unique detail is that Melchizedek was not a priest from the tribe of Levi, from which all all the priests of the covenant of Moses were taken. Neither was Jesus a High Priest from the tribe of Levi - hence we are told Jesus was a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek. So... we have strong indication that Melchizedek is pointing to Jesus.
2. Bread and Wine -- Here we are given more evidence to see Melchizedek as a shadow of Jesus. Melchizedek brought bread and wine to his meeting with Abraham. We know the bread and wine of the Old Testament Passover was revealed by Jesus Himself to be symbolic of His death - the sacrifice of his flesh - broken for us and His blood, poured out as the offering to cover our sin bringing salvation to all who would believe on Him.
3. Abraham -- we know Abraham is the father of all who live by faith -- so Abraham points to all those who have put their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus .. and then receiving His blessing of salvation.
4. Sodom and Gomorrah -- Sodom and Gomorrah have always, even until today, been synonymous with sin and worldliness so it is not a stretch to see that these cities point to the world lying in sin and wickedness. (II Peter 2:6)
5. The four Kings -- The four kings point to the enemy who seeks to overcome - to take captive at his will.
We see here our spiritual enemy pointed to, the prince of this world who takes souls captive at his will to keep them for himself under his control.
(I Tim 2:26)
6. Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah -- These kings represent the mirage of all this world can offer - power, riches, fame, self-gratification. Yet, at the first sign of trouble the "arm of flesh" or the security of this world will desert us, disappointing our trust in it. The world cannot save us, it will leave us defenceless and vulnerable to the enemy.
7. The Tenth of the plunder that Abraham offered to Melchizadek -- I have heard some suggest that is was the first example of paying the tithe and we are to follow Abraham's example , but that violates our rules of interpretation.
First - something physical in the Old Testament shadow cannot point to something physical in the New Covenant corresponding piece.. The pointing piece is physical , the piece pointed to must be spiritual. Therefore the physical tithe in the Old Testament shadow cannot be the tithe in the spiritual real thing.
Secondly - An important detail to note is that Abraham did not give a tenth of his own wealth or of his own possessions. He offered something that did not belong to him.
So what then could this 'tithe' point to as its spiritual corresponding piece ?
What can we 'give' to the Lord that comes out of the world, yet does not belong to us ?
Is it not the souls we win for Jesus ? God says all the souls belong to Him (Ez 18:4) so when we 'rescue' someone from out of the world and bring them to the Lord .. we bring to Jesus what never belonged to us. (I Cor. 9:22)
In looking at these story pieces we can see that the shadow story pieces point to Jesus and the gospel message.
God established His eternal covenant with Abraham promising that through Him all the world would be blessed. . (Gen. 12:3)
How is all the world blessed through Abraham ?
Abraham as the father of faith is pointing to his SEED , Jesus , who would bring in the covenant of faith -- the spiritual kingdom, with its doors open to every person - gathering believers (faith children of Abraham) from every nation under heaven.
God gave Abraham a 'sign' that would show who was under the blessing of this covenant and who was not. (Gen 17:7-14) The sign was circumcision -- remember this is still before God gave the law through Moses so circumcision has to do with Abraham, not the 'law', making it a piece of our gospel picture.
The shadow is physical circumcision -- anyone not circumcised was outside the blessing of the covenant and would be cut off ! The spiritual reality that this is pointing to , is the circumcision of our heart -- the 'circumcision' of our heart is the confirming sign that we are indeed children of Abraham - that we are under the blessings of the spiritual covenant of faith. (Col. 2:11)
Do you now see how the gospel was preached to and through Abraham? (and we could also have looked at the picture of Abraham offering his son, pointing to God offering His Son as the Lamb)
Do you realize the significance of this ?
Imagine that someone gives you the seed of a maple tree and tells you to plant it and then mark out on the ground the exact shape and size of the shadow the future full grown tree would cast. Could you do it ?? Impossible , isn't it ?
And yet that is what God has done , over and over again ... Marked out the shadow pointing in detail to the substance not yet a reality ... in fact being yet thousands of years in the future.
What amazing proof God has provided for us and with what confidence can we know that our God is indeed all-mighty and all-knowing to the nth detail. We can trust that His every word is true !
Our God is an awesome God !
This verse is talking about the Old Testament things that are a 'shadow' but the 'substance' or real thing that is shadowed is of Jesus Christ.
We understand that if we see a shadow of a tree -- the substance (or reality) of the tree casting the shadow is nearby. The tree is the 'real' thing and the 'shadow' something that points to or indicates that there is a tree.
Therefore to understand how the gospel is preached to or through Abraham we have to see the Old Testament story pieces as the 'shadow' of the 'good thing' it shadows.
There are two important keys to keep in mind that unlock the mysteries of understanding how the things of the Old Testament point to the things of Jesus and the New Covenant.
ONE - The 'shadow' that we see in the Old Testament is 'physical' or real in earthly terms, but the 'substance' is real in the eternal spiritual sense. Because the 'shadow' is physical in earthly terms, the shadow is oft more real to us than the real thing which being spiritual, is invisible to us.
TWO - A physical aspect of a shadow picture must point to a spiritual reality.
An earthly physical shadow piece will never point to another physical piece. It must always correspond to the spiritual reality it is pointing to.
This is also called 'types and antitypes'. The type being the shadow or the thing that points and the antitype is the spiritual reality being pointed to. (see Rom. 5:14 and I Peter 3:21 for use of these terms - though some translations have used other words such as symbolize instead of type or anti-type)
So lets see if we can follow the pointing fingers of our Abraham/Melchezidek story and uncover a portrayal of the gospel story that would not yet be seen for thousands of years in the future.
The shadow pieces we are given are....
1. Melchizedek -- we are given strong hints in the NT about him -- Melchizedek was King of Salem and the High Priest of God - an usual duel role -- no one else except Jesus was both King and High Priest. Another unique detail is that Melchizedek was not a priest from the tribe of Levi, from which all all the priests of the covenant of Moses were taken. Neither was Jesus a High Priest from the tribe of Levi - hence we are told Jesus was a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek. So... we have strong indication that Melchizedek is pointing to Jesus.
2. Bread and Wine -- Here we are given more evidence to see Melchizedek as a shadow of Jesus. Melchizedek brought bread and wine to his meeting with Abraham. We know the bread and wine of the Old Testament Passover was revealed by Jesus Himself to be symbolic of His death - the sacrifice of his flesh - broken for us and His blood, poured out as the offering to cover our sin bringing salvation to all who would believe on Him.
3. Abraham -- we know Abraham is the father of all who live by faith -- so Abraham points to all those who have put their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus .. and then receiving His blessing of salvation.
4. Sodom and Gomorrah -- Sodom and Gomorrah have always, even until today, been synonymous with sin and worldliness so it is not a stretch to see that these cities point to the world lying in sin and wickedness. (II Peter 2:6)
5. The four Kings -- The four kings point to the enemy who seeks to overcome - to take captive at his will.
We see here our spiritual enemy pointed to, the prince of this world who takes souls captive at his will to keep them for himself under his control.
(I Tim 2:26)
6. Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah -- These kings represent the mirage of all this world can offer - power, riches, fame, self-gratification. Yet, at the first sign of trouble the "arm of flesh" or the security of this world will desert us, disappointing our trust in it. The world cannot save us, it will leave us defenceless and vulnerable to the enemy.
7. The Tenth of the plunder that Abraham offered to Melchizadek -- I have heard some suggest that is was the first example of paying the tithe and we are to follow Abraham's example , but that violates our rules of interpretation.
First - something physical in the Old Testament shadow cannot point to something physical in the New Covenant corresponding piece.. The pointing piece is physical , the piece pointed to must be spiritual. Therefore the physical tithe in the Old Testament shadow cannot be the tithe in the spiritual real thing.
Secondly - An important detail to note is that Abraham did not give a tenth of his own wealth or of his own possessions. He offered something that did not belong to him.
So what then could this 'tithe' point to as its spiritual corresponding piece ?
What can we 'give' to the Lord that comes out of the world, yet does not belong to us ?
Is it not the souls we win for Jesus ? God says all the souls belong to Him (Ez 18:4) so when we 'rescue' someone from out of the world and bring them to the Lord .. we bring to Jesus what never belonged to us. (I Cor. 9:22)
In looking at these story pieces we can see that the shadow story pieces point to Jesus and the gospel message.
God established His eternal covenant with Abraham promising that through Him all the world would be blessed. . (Gen. 12:3)
How is all the world blessed through Abraham ?
Abraham as the father of faith is pointing to his SEED , Jesus , who would bring in the covenant of faith -- the spiritual kingdom, with its doors open to every person - gathering believers (faith children of Abraham) from every nation under heaven.
God gave Abraham a 'sign' that would show who was under the blessing of this covenant and who was not. (Gen 17:7-14) The sign was circumcision -- remember this is still before God gave the law through Moses so circumcision has to do with Abraham, not the 'law', making it a piece of our gospel picture.
The shadow is physical circumcision -- anyone not circumcised was outside the blessing of the covenant and would be cut off ! The spiritual reality that this is pointing to , is the circumcision of our heart -- the 'circumcision' of our heart is the confirming sign that we are indeed children of Abraham - that we are under the blessings of the spiritual covenant of faith. (Col. 2:11)
Do you now see how the gospel was preached to and through Abraham? (and we could also have looked at the picture of Abraham offering his son, pointing to God offering His Son as the Lamb)
Do you realize the significance of this ?
Imagine that someone gives you the seed of a maple tree and tells you to plant it and then mark out on the ground the exact shape and size of the shadow the future full grown tree would cast. Could you do it ?? Impossible , isn't it ?
And yet that is what God has done , over and over again ... Marked out the shadow pointing in detail to the substance not yet a reality ... in fact being yet thousands of years in the future.
What amazing proof God has provided for us and with what confidence can we know that our God is indeed all-mighty and all-knowing to the nth detail. We can trust that His every word is true !
Our God is an awesome God !
Friday, July 26, 2013
Abraham Preaches the Gospel
When Jesus walked this earth, He was a man but He was also God. I sometimes try to wrap my head around what it would have been like to literally sit at the 'human feet' of God and hear the words of Truth flow from His mouth.
But we do have some of His words recorded for us and I think today maybe they are so familiar to us we take them for granted.
I'd like to draw your attention to something Jesus said and then 'unzip the file' and reveal the depth and fullness of what He was teaching.
Several times, as in John 5:39, Jesus makes reference to the fact that the Old Testament testifies and points to Himself - the gospel itself is hidden in the story accounts and in the prophetic words of the prophets.
One very direct reference is in Gal. 3:8 that states the gospel was preached to Abraham and also therefore reveals the gospel through Abraham to us. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness -- faith being the foundation of the New Covenant-- and because He is called the father of all who live by faith, all those who live by faith are blessed with him. (Rom 4:16)
But.. you may be puzzled, wondering ..... HOW does the gospel in/through Abraham testify of Jesus and the New Covenant or the church ?
Let me show you .....
Turning back to Genesis 14 we have the story of Abraham and Melchizedek.
The background setting is that in those days there were four kings who joined together to make war against the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The four kings prevailed in battle against the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. Seeing that they were beaten, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled for their lives leaving their cities vulnerable.
The four kings invaded the cities, took captive the inhabitants along with all their possessions and departed, with prisoners and plunder, back to their own countries.
At that time one of the residents of Sodom was Lot, Abraham's nephew, and he too with all he possessed was carried off into captivity.
One who managed to escape undetected, had connections with Abraham and came running to tell him what had befallen his nephew.
Abraham immediately armed his servants and intent on a full rescue mission pursued the captors.
Abraham won the battle. He freed Lot along with all the other people taken in the raid and also retrieved all the stolen goods.
On his way back to Sodom , he encountered Melchizedek, the King of Salem. Melchizedek came with bread and wine and a blessing for Abraham.
Abraham gave to Melchizedek a tenth of the spoil that he had retrieved from the enemy.
The grateful king of Sodom, perhaps ashamed of his cowardly flight in the face of defeat, then also came to Abraham and as a reward offered him all the spoil, if he would but allow the people to return to their homes.
Abraham refused any gifts saying that he would keep nothing for himself, it was not his. Therefore the people and their goods were returned to the cities from where they had been so violently taken.
Hmmm... doesn't sound like the gospel story ? Come back tomorrow for part two of my post.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
In Unexpected Places
God hides things in unexpected places ...
a baby duck in an egg,
or a moth or butterfly in a cocoon.....
Often He hides the new in the old... like blossoms in an old dead twig....
I was delighted to find the first priest that responded to Hezeliah’s call was a priest named Mahath, who was the son of Amasai.
Amasai means ‘burdensome’ and Mahath means “a place where something has been erased”
Do you see the beauty here?
Is our own way not ‘burdensome’ ?
And then , finally, we turn to the Lord … and what is His response?
Does He not take all our sin away ? paid for by His own blood … and He leaves our heart “a place where something has been erased” ? the very sin that so burdened us ??
1Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
Hezekiah, when the temple was cleansed and ready for ‘service’ , sent a call out to all of Israel ! He called for them to “yield themselves to the Lord, and serve Him” promising that “the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn His face from you , if you will return to Him! “
Is this not the Father God that we know ? The father standing waiting for the prodigal son to return, watching with a yearning heart so ready to forgive?
But how sad to see the reaction of Israel…. “but they laughed at them and mocked them” .
Have you noticed that once people are offended by ‘Christians’…it is so hard to convince them to turn back to God? How careful we need to be that we do not allow the Ahaz’es to rule among us - not in our own hearts nor can we be silent when we encounter them around us !
And yet God’s compassionate heart calls out .. again and again .. “Return to the Lord God !”
Although the people mocked, there was a remnant that responded… and then there is a verse that so shows us the Father heart ….”Also the hand of God was on ….. them… to give them singleness of heart to obey ….”
Does God not help us to live godly before Him ? He has given us a new heart and He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us, to comfort us, to strengthen us , to teach us !
1Pe 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. “
I found too a beautiful picture of the New Covenant in God’s mercy !
A great multitude of people responded to Hezekiah’s call to return to the Lord God with all their heart!
They were so eager to celebrate the Passover ( which they had not done for a long time) that they did not take the time to sanctify themselves as was the law ! It was a serious omission – yet here what do we read ? Hezekiah prayed “May the Lord provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers thought he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary!”
What are we told happened in the kingdom ?
***There was great joy among the people… such that when the celebration of the Passover feast was over .. the cry went up “Let’s do it again !” and so they did !!
A prophetic picture of how we celebrate it today , isn’t it ? over and over again ?
*** Their prayers were heard ! “and their voice was heard and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place to heaven” !
That reminds me of the verse, “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. “ (Rev. 8:3)
***There was an abundance of provision … the more the people gave the more there was ! Everyone prospered and God’s blessings were upon them!
Provisions were made for everyone who whose name was ‘written’ in the geneology. It is mentioned several times !
How that made me think of us as believers .. our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, (Rev.21:27) in the memory book of God, (Malachi 3:16) registered in heaven (Heb.12:23)!
And for every one of us God provides - all that we need for life and godliness ! “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2Pe 1:3)
*** there was a pulling down of things that hindered - idols, places of false worship.
Are we not to live in such a way that everything we do is centered on glorifying God? Do we SAY that we worship God but then speak and do that which indicates otherwise ?
Rom 15:6 "that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1Jn 5:21 "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."
*** There was a 'heart focus' “to serve, give thanks, and to praise” the Lord!!
Is this not our duty as New Covenant believers ?
“To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear” Luk 1:74
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“ 1Th 5:18
“And again: "PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YOU GENTILES! LAUD HIM, ALL YOU PEOPLES!" Rom 15:11
*****
God's character, His heart and His purposes never change. Our God is a God we can steadfastly trust in . We know that His word is sure.... it will never fail !!!***
a baby duck in an egg,
or a moth or butterfly in a cocoon.....
Often He hides the new in the old... like blossoms in an old dead twig....but I love best how God hides pictures of the New Covenant in the stories of the Old Testament ... treasures hidden in His Word to confirm that truly God planned the end from the beginning.
I happened upon one of these New Covenant pictures the other night in my bible reading. (I was reading II Chron. 28-31)
Let me share with you what I found .....
**
Ahaz’s unenviable epitaph reads thus…. “This is THAT Ahaz!”
Which Ahaz ? The one that “in the time of his distress became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord!”
Ahaz was a king who trusted in man rather than in God and it was his undoing.
When the Philistines and the Edomites came against Judah and carried away captives, instead of crying out to God , he went to the King of Assyria to ask for help - even taking treasures from the house of the Lord as a bribe!
Ahaz was a king who trusted in man rather than in God and it was his undoing.
When the Philistines and the Edomites came against Judah and carried away captives, instead of crying out to God , he went to the King of Assyria to ask for help - even taking treasures from the house of the Lord as a bribe!
When the King of Assyria was not impressed enough to offer his help, Ahaz appealed to the gods of Damascus, of course to no avail.
Not only did his unfaithfulness to God lead to his own ruin but he took all of Israel with him!
When Ahaz died in his ungodly state, he was not buried in the tombs of the Kings because of his evil deeds.
Ahaz so feared man that he could see, that he lost sight of the God he could not see!
How often are we tempted to trust in man's strength or wisdom instead of immediately turning to God ?
And grieve God's heart that we would trust in the frail when we have His powerful arm extended to us !!!
Do we really believe God's promise in Hebrews 13:5,6 that He will help us and keep us from harm ?
“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you ! So we may boldly say: "THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?"
Ahaz’s epitaph is a sorry one! How sad when men refuse to turn from their own futile, prideful ways , digging their own graves. And sadder still when we consider that no one sins alone … our sin, our unfaithfulness, always affects those around us .. often the ones we love best!!
Ahaz was dead – 'the old man' - and in his place the ‘new man’ reigned!
Always, God’s heart is toward the one who repents… who turns away from unrighteousness and toward Him!
God is the God who forgives, who has compassion, who allows us to start over.
The 'new man', Hezekiah took the throne. He turned away from the unfaithfulness of his father and turned his heart toward God !
He opened the doors of the house of the Lord … and called the priests to repent and return to serve the Lord! He declared that “it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel”
When Ahaz died in his ungodly state, he was not buried in the tombs of the Kings because of his evil deeds.
Ahaz so feared man that he could see, that he lost sight of the God he could not see!
How often are we tempted to trust in man's strength or wisdom instead of immediately turning to God ?
And grieve God's heart that we would trust in the frail when we have His powerful arm extended to us !!!
Do we really believe God's promise in Hebrews 13:5,6 that He will help us and keep us from harm ?
“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you ! So we may boldly say: "THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?"
Ahaz’s epitaph is a sorry one! How sad when men refuse to turn from their own futile, prideful ways , digging their own graves. And sadder still when we consider that no one sins alone … our sin, our unfaithfulness, always affects those around us .. often the ones we love best!!
Ahaz was dead – 'the old man' - and in his place the ‘new man’ reigned!
Always, God’s heart is toward the one who repents… who turns away from unrighteousness and toward Him!
God is the God who forgives, who has compassion, who allows us to start over.
The 'new man', Hezekiah took the throne. He turned away from the unfaithfulness of his father and turned his heart toward God !
He opened the doors of the house of the Lord … and called the priests to repent and return to serve the Lord! He declared that “it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel”
I was delighted to find the first priest that responded to Hezeliah’s call was a priest named Mahath, who was the son of Amasai.
Amasai means ‘burdensome’ and Mahath means “a place where something has been erased”
Do you see the beauty here?
Is our own way not ‘burdensome’ ?
And then , finally, we turn to the Lord … and what is His response?
Does He not take all our sin away ? paid for by His own blood … and He leaves our heart “a place where something has been erased” ? the very sin that so burdened us ??
1Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
Hezekiah, when the temple was cleansed and ready for ‘service’ , sent a call out to all of Israel ! He called for them to “yield themselves to the Lord, and serve Him” promising that “the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn His face from you , if you will return to Him! “
Is this not the Father God that we know ? The father standing waiting for the prodigal son to return, watching with a yearning heart so ready to forgive?
But how sad to see the reaction of Israel…. “but they laughed at them and mocked them” .
Have you noticed that once people are offended by ‘Christians’…it is so hard to convince them to turn back to God? How careful we need to be that we do not allow the Ahaz’es to rule among us - not in our own hearts nor can we be silent when we encounter them around us !
And yet God’s compassionate heart calls out .. again and again .. “Return to the Lord God !”
Although the people mocked, there was a remnant that responded… and then there is a verse that so shows us the Father heart ….”Also the hand of God was on ….. them… to give them singleness of heart to obey ….”
Does God not help us to live godly before Him ? He has given us a new heart and He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us, to comfort us, to strengthen us , to teach us !
1Pe 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. “
I found too a beautiful picture of the New Covenant in God’s mercy !
A great multitude of people responded to Hezekiah’s call to return to the Lord God with all their heart!
They were so eager to celebrate the Passover ( which they had not done for a long time) that they did not take the time to sanctify themselves as was the law ! It was a serious omission – yet here what do we read ? Hezekiah prayed “May the Lord provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers thought he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary!”
We are told that the Lord heard Hezekiah's prayer "and the Lord healed them!"
Do you see it ?
Here we see God’s heart laid bare! He was not interested in the rituals of the law… even though they were necessary in the Old Covenant. He was ever looking forward to the New Covenant when the law and requirements of the Passover would be taken care of by the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
The New Covenant saints can take part of the Passover --- not by first cleansing themselves, purifying and sancitifying their homes, and ritualistically performing all the tedious lawful requirements… NO – we can come with only our heart prepared and right before the LORD !
There was an immediate change in the kingdom when the people set their hearts to seek God. We read “there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem” ever before , not since the time of Solomon!
Do you see it ?
Here we see God’s heart laid bare! He was not interested in the rituals of the law… even though they were necessary in the Old Covenant. He was ever looking forward to the New Covenant when the law and requirements of the Passover would be taken care of by the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
The New Covenant saints can take part of the Passover --- not by first cleansing themselves, purifying and sancitifying their homes, and ritualistically performing all the tedious lawful requirements… NO – we can come with only our heart prepared and right before the LORD !
There was an immediate change in the kingdom when the people set their hearts to seek God. We read “there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem” ever before , not since the time of Solomon!
What are we told happened in the kingdom ?
***There was great joy among the people… such that when the celebration of the Passover feast was over .. the cry went up “Let’s do it again !” and so they did !!
A prophetic picture of how we celebrate it today , isn’t it ? over and over again ?
*** Their prayers were heard ! “and their voice was heard and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place to heaven” !
That reminds me of the verse, “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. “ (Rev. 8:3)
***There was an abundance of provision … the more the people gave the more there was ! Everyone prospered and God’s blessings were upon them!
Provisions were made for everyone who whose name was ‘written’ in the geneology. It is mentioned several times !
How that made me think of us as believers .. our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, (Rev.21:27) in the memory book of God, (Malachi 3:16) registered in heaven (Heb.12:23)!
And for every one of us God provides - all that we need for life and godliness ! “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2Pe 1:3)
*** there was a pulling down of things that hindered - idols, places of false worship.
Are we not to live in such a way that everything we do is centered on glorifying God? Do we SAY that we worship God but then speak and do that which indicates otherwise ?
Rom 15:6 "that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1Jn 5:21 "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."
*** There was a 'heart focus' “to serve, give thanks, and to praise” the Lord!!
Is this not our duty as New Covenant believers ?
“To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear” Luk 1:74
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“ 1Th 5:18
“And again: "PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YOU GENTILES! LAUD HIM, ALL YOU PEOPLES!" Rom 15:11
*****
God's character, His heart and His purposes never change. Our God is a God we can steadfastly trust in . We know that His word is sure.... it will never fail !!!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Out of Silence
Joseph and the good times in Egypt were distant memories.
A story told to children at bedtime.
Life had been reduced to repetitive, back breaking slave labour.
Making endless bricks from morning until night, day after day under the burning hot sun.
Life had lost its joy and its meaning.
Even their God had turned His face away from them.
Their cries were met with silence.
Futility had settled into their souls.
Generation after generation nothing changed.
400 years has passed since their God has last spoken
400 years of silence.
Then suddenly, the heavens opened! God responded to their cries and raised up Moses, their deliverer !!
God’s voice was once again heard ! He took them out of Egypt, out of bondage, drowned their enemy in the sea !!
He set them free !! Free ! They had forgotten what it felt like.
Oh the rejoicing, the celebrating that now filled their days.
Then wonder adding to wonder Moses told them that they were going to build a tabernacle – a dwelling place for God.
The God who had been silent for 400 years was now going to dwell among them ??
How eagerly they gathered together what they would need to build the tabernacle. Everything Moses called for the people brought, joyfully and willingly until they had to be told to stop – there was more than enough to build God’s house.
But time went on and people forgot ! How short is man’s memory.
Once again , man chose bondage over freedom , sin over righteousness and their own gods over the One who dwelt among them.
And once again God turned His face away and stopped speaking to them.
For another 400 years.
Then God raised up John the Baptist who called the people back to repentance….and He raised up His own Son to set His people free.
To take them out of bondage, out of the grasp of the Enemy and into His sweet Presence.
Again God said, “I will dwell among you !”
John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory and the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.”
And again, God wanted a tabernacle built for Him to live in. This time , not of physical materials but out of flesh – His believers, His own children – the called-out ones out of Egypt.
“In whom you also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:22)
Though we are builded together, as many members, into the ‘body’ of Christ we are also individually a temple of God’s Spirit. (Rom.12:5, I Cor. 6:15)
You and I are clay vessels into whom God has poured His Spirit.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.” (II Cor. 4:7)
Are you aware of the treasure you carry within you ?
Do you share it with those around you?
Do you honour God in how you keep His taberncle? Is it a place worthy to be the dwelling place of the Most High?
Are you still celebrating with joy the fact that God broke His silence to speak through His Son?
Do you hear His voice? Are you eagerly listening for it ? With a heart soft toward obedience?
A story told to children at bedtime.
Life had been reduced to repetitive, back breaking slave labour.
Making endless bricks from morning until night, day after day under the burning hot sun.
Life had lost its joy and its meaning.
Even their God had turned His face away from them.
Their cries were met with silence.
Futility had settled into their souls.
Generation after generation nothing changed.
400 years has passed since their God has last spoken
400 years of silence.
Then suddenly, the heavens opened! God responded to their cries and raised up Moses, their deliverer !!
God’s voice was once again heard ! He took them out of Egypt, out of bondage, drowned their enemy in the sea !!
He set them free !! Free ! They had forgotten what it felt like.
Oh the rejoicing, the celebrating that now filled their days.
Then wonder adding to wonder Moses told them that they were going to build a tabernacle – a dwelling place for God.
The God who had been silent for 400 years was now going to dwell among them ??
How eagerly they gathered together what they would need to build the tabernacle. Everything Moses called for the people brought, joyfully and willingly until they had to be told to stop – there was more than enough to build God’s house.
But time went on and people forgot ! How short is man’s memory.
Once again , man chose bondage over freedom , sin over righteousness and their own gods over the One who dwelt among them.
And once again God turned His face away and stopped speaking to them.
For another 400 years.
Then God raised up John the Baptist who called the people back to repentance….and He raised up His own Son to set His people free.
To take them out of bondage, out of the grasp of the Enemy and into His sweet Presence.
Again God said, “I will dwell among you !”
John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory and the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.”
And again, God wanted a tabernacle built for Him to live in. This time , not of physical materials but out of flesh – His believers, His own children – the called-out ones out of Egypt.
“In whom you also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:22)
Though we are builded together, as many members, into the ‘body’ of Christ we are also individually a temple of God’s Spirit. (Rom.12:5, I Cor. 6:15)
You and I are clay vessels into whom God has poured His Spirit.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.” (II Cor. 4:7)
Are you aware of the treasure you carry within you ?
Do you share it with those around you?
Do you honour God in how you keep His taberncle? Is it a place worthy to be the dwelling place of the Most High?
Are you still celebrating with joy the fact that God broke His silence to speak through His Son?
Do you hear His voice? Are you eagerly listening for it ? With a heart soft toward obedience?
Monday, July 23, 2007
A City of Refuge
Beniah was walking home from visiting his father - a two day journey from his own home. A week had passed since he had seen his wife and young sons and his step was light with eager anticipation to soon be home again.
He still had several hours of walking before him. To distract his mind and quicken the journey, he amused himself by picking up stones and throwing them at targets as they presented themselves - perhaps a branch on a tree or a mark on a boulder beside the road a few yards ahead.
Then the unimaginable happened.
Just as his muscular arm propelled a stone aimed at the branch of a tree hanging over the path, someone - out of no where- dashed into the road crossing the direct path of Beniah's stone.
Beniah opened his mouth to shout a warning but it was too late. The rock hit the runner in his forehead and he dropped to the ground. Beniah ran to help him but saw instantly that he had killed him. Fear gripped his heart – he knew his own life was in danger if anyone had seen him. And yes, there were two people running toward him and the body of the young man who lay sprawled across the well trodden path.
Beniah groaned with regret and remorse for his carelessness. But his racing mind screamed at him that his own life was now in danger, a mental picture of his family flashed before his eyes.
He had but one chance. Flee to a city of refuge. He must think quickly… which way to the nearest one. Yes, yes, he remembered , that way.
Quickly, adrenalin lending him extra speed, he ran without stopping until he collapsed panting inside the city walls.
Someone quickly came to his aid, bringing him a cup of water.
He was safe in the city of refuge!
The above fictional scenario is based on Numbers 35:23.
Numbers 35 lays out the God-given criminal law for governing the nation of Israel. It left no room for legal loopholes. It was eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, life for a life – punishment to fit the crime.
The murderer paid with his own life, the law was that he be killed by his victim’s family.
Though the law was harsh, God did not allow for anarchy. A murderer had to be given a fair trial and he could only be found guilty on the testimony of two witnesses.
When a man had killed another man, by intent or accident, before the congregation could be called to judge his guilt or innocence there was a good chance his victim’s family would search him out, ambush him and kill him.
To prevent unjustified bloodshed, God commanded Moses to designate cities of refuge. These cities were placed strategically on either side of the Jordon so that any one living in the land of Canaan could have easy access to one of these cities if he needed protection.
A man fearing for his life, would flee to the nearest city of refuge and there could not be harmed by anyone. He was safe until he could be brought to justice before the congregation.
If he was found guilty of killing someone with intent, he would be condemned to die.
If he was found to have killed by accident , he would be returned to the city of refuge where he could safely live without fear.
He had to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the ruling high priest. If he ventured out of the city limits before that time, he took his life in his own hands – he could be killed if found by his victim’s family. But if he remained in the city until after the death of the high priest , he was free to go back to his homeland - no one could harm him.
It is interesting , is it not ? The stipulation of remaining until the death of the high priest?
It is a picture , a shadow of the good thing to come!
The law was a temporary covering for the sin of the people… they had to stay under that covering until the death of the High Priest - Jesus…. Then the people were set free under the new covenant - the law could no longer keep them in bondage!!
The world is a wicked place, there is no way we can avoid the pain and suffering that comes to us all.
No where in scripture are we given a promise that God will keep us from the tribulations and hardships of this life, but He does promise us a refuge – a place to hide.
Is that not all we need?
There are many verses in the bible that use this ‘picture’ of God being a refuge. Here are a few …..
"In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence and His children will have a place of refuge." Prov. 14:26
"For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress -- a refuge from the storm !" Is. 25:4
"And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge and for a shelter from storm and rain." Is. 4: 6
"I cried out to You, O Lord, I said, You are my refuge." Ps.142:5
"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Ps. 91:2
The next time fear clutches at your heart because the enemy or the terrors of this world threaten to harm you, remember the cities of refuge, flee to the arms of God and hide there until the terror is past!
He still had several hours of walking before him. To distract his mind and quicken the journey, he amused himself by picking up stones and throwing them at targets as they presented themselves - perhaps a branch on a tree or a mark on a boulder beside the road a few yards ahead.
Then the unimaginable happened.
Just as his muscular arm propelled a stone aimed at the branch of a tree hanging over the path, someone - out of no where- dashed into the road crossing the direct path of Beniah's stone.
Beniah opened his mouth to shout a warning but it was too late. The rock hit the runner in his forehead and he dropped to the ground. Beniah ran to help him but saw instantly that he had killed him. Fear gripped his heart – he knew his own life was in danger if anyone had seen him. And yes, there were two people running toward him and the body of the young man who lay sprawled across the well trodden path.
Beniah groaned with regret and remorse for his carelessness. But his racing mind screamed at him that his own life was now in danger, a mental picture of his family flashed before his eyes.
He had but one chance. Flee to a city of refuge. He must think quickly… which way to the nearest one. Yes, yes, he remembered , that way.
Quickly, adrenalin lending him extra speed, he ran without stopping until he collapsed panting inside the city walls.
Someone quickly came to his aid, bringing him a cup of water.
He was safe in the city of refuge!
The above fictional scenario is based on Numbers 35:23.
Numbers 35 lays out the God-given criminal law for governing the nation of Israel. It left no room for legal loopholes. It was eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, life for a life – punishment to fit the crime.
The murderer paid with his own life, the law was that he be killed by his victim’s family.
Though the law was harsh, God did not allow for anarchy. A murderer had to be given a fair trial and he could only be found guilty on the testimony of two witnesses.
When a man had killed another man, by intent or accident, before the congregation could be called to judge his guilt or innocence there was a good chance his victim’s family would search him out, ambush him and kill him.
To prevent unjustified bloodshed, God commanded Moses to designate cities of refuge. These cities were placed strategically on either side of the Jordon so that any one living in the land of Canaan could have easy access to one of these cities if he needed protection.
A man fearing for his life, would flee to the nearest city of refuge and there could not be harmed by anyone. He was safe until he could be brought to justice before the congregation.
If he was found guilty of killing someone with intent, he would be condemned to die.
If he was found to have killed by accident , he would be returned to the city of refuge where he could safely live without fear.
He had to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the ruling high priest. If he ventured out of the city limits before that time, he took his life in his own hands – he could be killed if found by his victim’s family. But if he remained in the city until after the death of the high priest , he was free to go back to his homeland - no one could harm him.
It is interesting , is it not ? The stipulation of remaining until the death of the high priest?
It is a picture , a shadow of the good thing to come!
The law was a temporary covering for the sin of the people… they had to stay under that covering until the death of the High Priest - Jesus…. Then the people were set free under the new covenant - the law could no longer keep them in bondage!!
The world is a wicked place, there is no way we can avoid the pain and suffering that comes to us all.
No where in scripture are we given a promise that God will keep us from the tribulations and hardships of this life, but He does promise us a refuge – a place to hide.
Is that not all we need?
There are many verses in the bible that use this ‘picture’ of God being a refuge. Here are a few …..
"In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence and His children will have a place of refuge." Prov. 14:26
"For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress -- a refuge from the storm !" Is. 25:4
"And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge and for a shelter from storm and rain." Is. 4: 6
"I cried out to You, O Lord, I said, You are my refuge." Ps.142:5
"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Ps. 91:2
The next time fear clutches at your heart because the enemy or the terrors of this world threaten to harm you, remember the cities of refuge, flee to the arms of God and hide there until the terror is past!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Can you imagine life without mirrors?
For us women, a mirror is crucial to our self-confidence – we would not think of going through our morning rituals without a mirror. And though men deny it- they too love to study themselves in front of the mirror, flexing their muscles or examining their hair line.
Mirrors have been in vogue since Adam and Eve first saw their reflection in the crystal clear water in the Garden of Eden.
But did you ever stop to think about the significance of mirrors in the Bible?
When God designed the furniture of the Tabernacle, the piece of furniture that stood inside the court between the altar and the tabernacle itself was the laver.
We read about the making of the laver in Ex. 38:8.
It was made by Bezaleel, who was a craftsman in whose heart God had put wisdom to know how to be a master in his trade. He built the laver out of the mirrors of the Israelite women who responded to Moses' request, "Let everyone who is of a willing heart, let him bring his offering to the Lord."
The gifts the people brought for the building of the Tabernacle - including the mirrors - were things they had brought with them out of Egypt.
We know very little about the laver’s size or design except that it was round and stood on a base and held water .
The priests, before they offered any sacrifice on the alter or before they entered the tabernacle building, were instructed to wash their hands and their feet; to neglect this ritual was at the risk of losing their life. (Ex. 30:18-21, 40:30-32)
What significance did this laver have? What was it a ‘shadow’ of?
We have a new testament verse in Eph. 5:26 where it says,in reference to the church, “that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”
To the Jews this would have immediately brought to mind the picture of the laver and the ritualistic washings of the priests before they preformed any of their priestly duties.
When the priests bend down to wash in the laver they would have seen their reflection.
When we look into the word of God it is like a ‘mirror’ that reveals to us our sin, our shortcomings, where we fail in our pursuit of holiness.
We see ourselves the way we really are, not the way we would like to think we are.
God’s Word is a “discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. (Heb.4:12)
Jesus said to his disciples in John 15:3 , “Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.”
God in His mercy, though He reveals to us our sin, does so not to condemn us but that we might be ‘washed’ clean. His forgiveness is always extended to us.
That is why the laver has no dimensions given – and it is the only piece of furniture that does not have details given as to size and design.
God’s forgiveness has no limits and cannot be defined by man’s understanding.
When the priests were consecrated to their office of priesthood , they were ‘baptized’, washed all over – but then when they came to the tabernacle to do their service to God they only had to wash their hands and feet.
Do you remember when Jesus came to wash Peter’s feet, he protested and then proclaimed impulsively, “Well, if you are going to wash my feet , then wash me all over!”
And Jesus replied, “Those who are clean only need to wash their feet.”
Peter would have understood the reference to the priest’s ritual of washing in the laver.
The washing all over of the priest’s initiation into the priesthood parallels our new birth, when we are ‘immersed’ or baptized into the family of God.But even after we are saved we still need to be forgiven daily.
It is fascinating to note that God declares the washing in the laver would be an everlasting statute for the priests and down through the generations --- all the way to you and me.
Is that not a beautiful picture?
That when we come to God to pray or to bring our sacrifices of praise we need first to allow the Word of God to wash us, that we may come with unspotted garments before the throne.The laver of God’s forgiveness is big enough to wash away every sin of every human being ever created….. how sad that so many refuse to come and wash!
"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word....Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You!"
(Psalm 119:9,11)
For us women, a mirror is crucial to our self-confidence – we would not think of going through our morning rituals without a mirror. And though men deny it- they too love to study themselves in front of the mirror, flexing their muscles or examining their hair line.
Mirrors have been in vogue since Adam and Eve first saw their reflection in the crystal clear water in the Garden of Eden.
But did you ever stop to think about the significance of mirrors in the Bible?
When God designed the furniture of the Tabernacle, the piece of furniture that stood inside the court between the altar and the tabernacle itself was the laver.
We read about the making of the laver in Ex. 38:8.
It was made by Bezaleel, who was a craftsman in whose heart God had put wisdom to know how to be a master in his trade. He built the laver out of the mirrors of the Israelite women who responded to Moses' request, "Let everyone who is of a willing heart, let him bring his offering to the Lord."
The gifts the people brought for the building of the Tabernacle - including the mirrors - were things they had brought with them out of Egypt.
We know very little about the laver’s size or design except that it was round and stood on a base and held water .
The priests, before they offered any sacrifice on the alter or before they entered the tabernacle building, were instructed to wash their hands and their feet; to neglect this ritual was at the risk of losing their life. (Ex. 30:18-21, 40:30-32)
What significance did this laver have? What was it a ‘shadow’ of?
We have a new testament verse in Eph. 5:26 where it says,in reference to the church, “that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”
To the Jews this would have immediately brought to mind the picture of the laver and the ritualistic washings of the priests before they preformed any of their priestly duties.
When the priests bend down to wash in the laver they would have seen their reflection.
When we look into the word of God it is like a ‘mirror’ that reveals to us our sin, our shortcomings, where we fail in our pursuit of holiness.
We see ourselves the way we really are, not the way we would like to think we are.
God’s Word is a “discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. (Heb.4:12)
Jesus said to his disciples in John 15:3 , “Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.”
God in His mercy, though He reveals to us our sin, does so not to condemn us but that we might be ‘washed’ clean. His forgiveness is always extended to us.
That is why the laver has no dimensions given – and it is the only piece of furniture that does not have details given as to size and design.
God’s forgiveness has no limits and cannot be defined by man’s understanding.
When the priests were consecrated to their office of priesthood , they were ‘baptized’, washed all over – but then when they came to the tabernacle to do their service to God they only had to wash their hands and feet.
Do you remember when Jesus came to wash Peter’s feet, he protested and then proclaimed impulsively, “Well, if you are going to wash my feet , then wash me all over!”
And Jesus replied, “Those who are clean only need to wash their feet.”
Peter would have understood the reference to the priest’s ritual of washing in the laver.
The washing all over of the priest’s initiation into the priesthood parallels our new birth, when we are ‘immersed’ or baptized into the family of God.But even after we are saved we still need to be forgiven daily.
It is fascinating to note that God declares the washing in the laver would be an everlasting statute for the priests and down through the generations --- all the way to you and me.
Is that not a beautiful picture?
That when we come to God to pray or to bring our sacrifices of praise we need first to allow the Word of God to wash us, that we may come with unspotted garments before the throne.The laver of God’s forgiveness is big enough to wash away every sin of every human being ever created….. how sad that so many refuse to come and wash!
"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word....Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You!"
(Psalm 119:9,11)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Ark of the Covenant
If you were looking for something that you had lost and God wrote you a letter and said, “Don’t look for it anymore, you will never find it”, would you keep on looking for it?
I think you would agree to do so would be somewhat foolish!!
And yet there is an active search going on today for something God has said will not be found.
The object of the search? The Ark of the Covenant.
Just Google the words ‘search for the Ark of the Covenant’ and you will see hundreds of sites dedicated to the zealous ongoing search for it.
Jeremiah 3, talks about the time to come when all nations will flow into God’s city Jerusalem and His people shall call Him ‘Father’. This prophecy is referring to the New Covenant or the church age.
In verse 16, God says that when this is taking place, “they will say no more, ‘the ark of the covenant of the Lord’. It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it nor shall it be made anymore.”
To me that is pretty conclusive – the Ark of the Covenant has disappeared, and it will stay disappeared!
What was the Ark of the Covenant?
The Ark of the Covenant was a beautifully crafted piece of furniture in the tabernacle that God designed and commanded Moses to build.
The chest was made of acacia wood and completely overlaid with gold. Its lid, made of pure gold, called the mercy seat, was securely held in place by a gold crown or border. At each end of the mercy seat were two cherubim also fashioned of gold with their wings stretched out over the mercy seat and their faces toward the mercy seat and facing each other.
In the ark were placed the stone tablets on which were written the commandments of the Law, Aaron’s rod that budded and the golden pot of Manna.
The Ark was hidden behind the veil in the Holy of Holies, which only the High Priest could enter once a year.
When it was moved with the tabernacle, it was first covered with the veil, then badgers’ skins and over the badgers’ skins was draped a blue cloth. It could not be touched – God commanded it be carried by poles that were slipped through rings on the sides. The reason it could not be touched is because we cannot 'touch' the salvation work that Jesus did! It is a gift of God that we can add nothing to.
To the people of Israel the Ark of the Covenant was the evidence of God’s presence with them. It was God dwelling in their midst. As long as the Ark of the Covenant was with them, they knew they were safe under the watchful care of their God.
In Psalm 80:11 it says “You, who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!”
It must have been an breath-taking sight when the burning sun shone through the veil onto the gold of the Ark of the Covenant, reflecting back onto the curtain, allowing the awe-struck people to see the ‘shadow’ of the Presence of God.
What did the Ark of the Covenant mean?
The Ark of the Covenant was the shadow of the Christ that was to come – Jesus. The gold that covered the acacia wood speaks only of Christ – the God-man. The wood (His flesh) covered over with His divine nature (gold).
Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law of God (Heb.10:7) but the Law could only condemn, therefore the Ark of the Covenant (Jesus) hid the law, and held up the mercy seat!
Jesus came to free us from the Law – mercy covers the condemnation of the Law. Mercy triumphs over judgement.
The crown that keeps the mercy seat in place is the perfect righteousness of Christ that secured for us God’s merciful forgiveness toward us who were condemned by the Law. (Gal.3:13)
Jesus was the Manna – the true Bread of Life (John 6:32,33), and Aaron’s rod ( a dead Branch) that budded symbolized the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The mercy seat (which in Hebrew means ‘covering’), was pure gold symbolizing Jesus divinity –Jesus revealed to us a God who showed mercy, “the propitiation (mercy seat) for our sins, but not for ours alone but also for the whole world!” (I John 2:2)
Romans 3:24,25, “Whom God has set forth to be a ‘mercy seat’ by His blood.”
On the Day of Atonement (Lev.16) the blood of the sin offering was sprinkled on the mercy seat to declare that God had accepted the death of the substitute lamb and was satisfied.
The two cherubim, with wings outstretched ready to execute judgment did not act – they gazed on the blood and saw that God’s justice had been satisfied. “Mercy and truth have met together. .Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”(Psalm 85:10)
The two cherubim guarded the mercy seat where God dwelt between them. (Ex. 25:22) In Luke 4:10 when Satan is tempting Jesus he says, “for it is written, He shall give His angels charge over you…to keep you!”
When traveling - first the veil of the temple (Christ’s flesh) was put over the ark, then the covering of badgers’ skins which were strong and protective – no evil could touch him. Then finally the blue cloth covered the badger’s skins signifying that Jesus came down from heaven, to visibly dwell among men. The priests and the people never saw the ark nor the mercy seat – just as the people who saw Jesus when He physically walked this earth could only see the ‘man’ Christ Jesus. His human body hid His divinity.
On the Day of Atonement the high priest was commanded by God to fill a censor with incense and burn it in the Holy of Holies so that the cloud would cover the mercy seat.
In Ephesians 5:2 it talks about Christ who “loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.”
So we see that the Ark of the Covenant was a shadow God showed the Israelites to point to Jesus, the God-Man who was to come as the perfect lamb of God – to bring God’s Presence , His Holy Spirit, to dwell within the ‘temple’ of our bodies.
This is why the Ark of the Covenant will never be found.
Since the ‘good thing’ has come, the shadow is no longer needed. When Jesus cried, “It is finished!” the veil in the temple rent in two- the veil that had effectively hidden the Ark of the Covenant from view and symbolically was a visual reminder of the separation between God and man. When the veil was torn, from top to bottom, the Holy of Holies was revealed – man could now freely enter God’s Presence.
The veil has never been replaced.
So also the Ark of the Covenant is gone…it shall not come to mind, - nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made any more.
The Ark has served the purpose of God, God’s Presence no longer dwells there – God by His Holy Spirit indwells His people, - and we have Jesus - who is our Redeemer, our Manna, our Mercy seat , our resurrected King .
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord for He is good!! For His mercy endures forever,
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods, For His mercy endures forever!
Oh, give thank to the Lord of Lords, for His mercy endures forever!!
To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever!!
Psalm 136……..”For His mercy endures forever!!!” FOREVER!!!
Friday, April 6, 2007
The Perfect Lamb
Sometimes we have no idea how momentous a day in our life is going to be – it begins no different than the day before but ends with our world changed forever.
One such day happened thousands of years ago. That day was a day that has been remembered and talked about probably more than any other.
In fact it was so important that it is once again remembered today, as it has been every year since the Jewish exodus out of Egypt 1200-1500 B.C.
It is the Passover Feast that we call Good Friday.
It is the only holiday we observe that is celebrated because of a direct command and under specific instructions from God Himself.
On the tenth day of Nissan, the first month of the year, every Jewish family was instructed to chose a lamb or a kid from their flocks. It must be a male and it must be without blemish. To make absolutely sure that it was a perfect lamb, from the time it was chosen on the 10th it was to be kept separate and watched until the 14th.
Then on the 14th of Nissan, in the evening, the lamb was killed outside the gates, and roasted by fire to be eaten for the family meal.
If a family was too small to be able to eat a whole lamb then they could join with a neighbouring family . Every one was to provide for his family according to their need. It was imperative that all the meat was eaten before morning, and if any scraps were left they were to be burned.
They were to eat their bread unleavened, and the blood of the lamb was to be applied on the sides and over the top of the doorway to each home, to ensure the angel of death would pass by.
And God decreed that this day was to be commemorated for ever! (Deut.16:3-8 Ex. 12:15-20)
This feast was a shadow of Jesus who would not come for another approximately 1400 years. Therefore, the Passover feast was celebrated over 1,000 times by the Jews forshadowing the death of their Messiah, Jesus, but they did not recognize Him when He came.
When Jesus ministry had lasted about 3 ½ years, the calendar came around to the month of Nissan.
On the tenth of the month Jesus sent his disciples to go into the village and bring back a donkey that they would find there. If any one questioned them they were to say that the Lord had need of him. The disciples found the donkey , brought it back, and set Jesus upon it. He rode on the donkey through the streets leading to the city. There was a multitude of people before and behind Him, who threw their garments in front of Jesus. They cut down branches from the trees and strew them in his path.
The crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
When they came into Jerusalem, the city was astonished asking “Who is this?” And the multitude shouted , “This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazereth of Galilee.”
Jesus was chosen by the people on the 10th of Nissan, and he was examined for four days until he appeared before Pilate who declared him to be a perfect lamb…. he said , “I find no fault in him.” (John 14:4)
On the 14th of Nissan Jesus told his disciples to prepare for the Passover meal as they had always done every year of their life, as had Jesus. ( I wonder what it was like for Him, when every year He knew it was one year closer to the year that HE would be the Passover lamb killed for the sins of the people.)
The disciples would have never guessed how much this Passover would change their lives forever, yes, even the whole world.
They went out and prepared the meal. When the evening hour came , the disciples and Jesus sat down in the upper room where the meal had been prepared.
Jesus took the bread, broke it and said, ”This is my body which is given for you .” The bread was ‘unleavened’ because Jesus was without sin.
And also when He took the cup he said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you .”
And instead of the feast continuing to be a remembrance of Israel's escape out of Egypt, Jesus told them that hence forth when they celebrate the feast they were to do it in remembrance of HIM. And they were to do this until He returned. ( I Cor. 11:6)
I wonder if the disciples understood what Jesus was saying, that he was telling them that the shadow was about to be fulfilled in the ‘good thing’.
After the Passover meal, Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane where he was betrayed by Judas, taken before Pilate and condemned to die.
The Jewish day was counted from sundown to sundown, so Jesus ate the Passover meal on the 14th after sundown and before the day ended he was crucified – without the gate (Heb.13:12). His blood was shed to be “a propitiation through faith in his blood …for the remission of sins..”(Rom.3:25)- every person who applies His blood – through faith - is protected from spiritual death.
‘Nothing was left’ of the Lamb of God by morning. Nothing was wasted, nothing was in vain, the purpose for which he came was finished!!
“and a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. “ (Luke 23:38)
And even as He was dying the promise was already true ! To the repentant thief on the cross Jesus said, “Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)
"For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with
the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." ( I Cor. 5:7-8)
One such day happened thousands of years ago. That day was a day that has been remembered and talked about probably more than any other.
In fact it was so important that it is once again remembered today, as it has been every year since the Jewish exodus out of Egypt 1200-1500 B.C.
It is the Passover Feast that we call Good Friday.
It is the only holiday we observe that is celebrated because of a direct command and under specific instructions from God Himself.
On the tenth day of Nissan, the first month of the year, every Jewish family was instructed to chose a lamb or a kid from their flocks. It must be a male and it must be without blemish. To make absolutely sure that it was a perfect lamb, from the time it was chosen on the 10th it was to be kept separate and watched until the 14th.
Then on the 14th of Nissan, in the evening, the lamb was killed outside the gates, and roasted by fire to be eaten for the family meal.
If a family was too small to be able to eat a whole lamb then they could join with a neighbouring family . Every one was to provide for his family according to their need. It was imperative that all the meat was eaten before morning, and if any scraps were left they were to be burned.
They were to eat their bread unleavened, and the blood of the lamb was to be applied on the sides and over the top of the doorway to each home, to ensure the angel of death would pass by.
And God decreed that this day was to be commemorated for ever! (Deut.16:3-8 Ex. 12:15-20)
This feast was a shadow of Jesus who would not come for another approximately 1400 years. Therefore, the Passover feast was celebrated over 1,000 times by the Jews forshadowing the death of their Messiah, Jesus, but they did not recognize Him when He came.
When Jesus ministry had lasted about 3 ½ years, the calendar came around to the month of Nissan.
On the tenth of the month Jesus sent his disciples to go into the village and bring back a donkey that they would find there. If any one questioned them they were to say that the Lord had need of him. The disciples found the donkey , brought it back, and set Jesus upon it. He rode on the donkey through the streets leading to the city. There was a multitude of people before and behind Him, who threw their garments in front of Jesus. They cut down branches from the trees and strew them in his path.
The crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
When they came into Jerusalem, the city was astonished asking “Who is this?” And the multitude shouted , “This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazereth of Galilee.”
Jesus was chosen by the people on the 10th of Nissan, and he was examined for four days until he appeared before Pilate who declared him to be a perfect lamb…. he said , “I find no fault in him.” (John 14:4)
On the 14th of Nissan Jesus told his disciples to prepare for the Passover meal as they had always done every year of their life, as had Jesus. ( I wonder what it was like for Him, when every year He knew it was one year closer to the year that HE would be the Passover lamb killed for the sins of the people.)
The disciples would have never guessed how much this Passover would change their lives forever, yes, even the whole world.
They went out and prepared the meal. When the evening hour came , the disciples and Jesus sat down in the upper room where the meal had been prepared.
Jesus took the bread, broke it and said, ”This is my body which is given for you .” The bread was ‘unleavened’ because Jesus was without sin.
And also when He took the cup he said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you .”
And instead of the feast continuing to be a remembrance of Israel's escape out of Egypt, Jesus told them that hence forth when they celebrate the feast they were to do it in remembrance of HIM. And they were to do this until He returned. ( I Cor. 11:6)
I wonder if the disciples understood what Jesus was saying, that he was telling them that the shadow was about to be fulfilled in the ‘good thing’.
After the Passover meal, Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane where he was betrayed by Judas, taken before Pilate and condemned to die.
The Jewish day was counted from sundown to sundown, so Jesus ate the Passover meal on the 14th after sundown and before the day ended he was crucified – without the gate (Heb.13:12). His blood was shed to be “a propitiation through faith in his blood …for the remission of sins..”(Rom.3:25)- every person who applies His blood – through faith - is protected from spiritual death.
‘Nothing was left’ of the Lamb of God by morning. Nothing was wasted, nothing was in vain, the purpose for which he came was finished!!
“and a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. “ (Luke 23:38)
And even as He was dying the promise was already true ! To the repentant thief on the cross Jesus said, “Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)
"For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with
the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." ( I Cor. 5:7-8)
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
It's all about Goats
Jesus in Matt. 25:33 talks about the final judgment when God will separate the sheep from the goats. I often wondered why God called the ones He sent to His left – the ones who would be cast out of His presence- goats.
Then I had a goat for a pet and I wondered no more!!
My angora goat, named Tasha, showed me what undesirable behavior looks like .
Though she was a lot of fun, displaying very strong characteristics and I loved her, she made me determine that I would never be a ‘goat’ in God’s eyes.
Tasha loved to have her freedom, but when she was afraid she knew where to come for protection, and would come running to press her body close against my legs. But then as soon as the danger was past , she was off again, not really caring if I was there or not.
Are people not often like that? We are so quick to pray for God’s help when things are difficult but then when the crisis is passed we are quite happy once again to do our life independent from God.
Tasha had a very curious habit . When she was out grazing and getting her nose into whatever struck her fancy she would sometimes get her nose dirty with slug slime or clay or something else she shouldn’t have been into. When that happened she would look for me and come to rub her nose roughly against my clothes to get it clean again.
A rather easily recognized human tendency, isn’t it? We love to experience the things the world has to offer , or satisfy the demands of the flesh, and then when it no longer feels good or we get into trouble, we run to God and demand that He ‘fix’ it for us and make us feel good again.
Tasha had her own little barn and fenced in enclosure, but she didn’t like to be there. She wanted to run free, and could never understand why I insisted on putting her back into her fenced area. She did not understand that I did it because I could not trust her to stay where she was safe. I knew she would wander off and get into trouble and very possibly hurt or even killed.
Just as she balked at being kept ‘safe’ , do we not also rebel against the restrictions God sometimes puts around us? We want to be free to do and go where we want but God closes us in, through circumstances of life , – for our own protection but we don’t understand and rebel against it.
I used to feed Tasha her grain at a regular time every day and let her run free. She had an inner clock that told her when it was time and if I was late getting home she would be furious and would let me know in no uncertain terms that she was not amused. She would bleat her displeasure and lower her head , butting against me. It was rather funny, but when I thought about how often people get angry at God because He doesn’t do things when and how they think He should , it was embarrassing to see how it looked played out by a goat!!
Tasha had an insatiable appetite for things she shouldn’t eat. Even though we had six acres of wild vegetation and forest growth and there was so much natural food for her to munch on, she always preferred the things she wasn’t supposed to eat. I would buy new plants and plant them – being careful not to let her see me do it. But when I let her out of her fence she would take a quick look around and make a bee line for whatever I had planted and try to get there to eat it before I could stop her. If I yelled at her , “NO, Tasha !” she would turn around and give me an angry butt with her head and then determinedly eat whatever I had planted. I never did figure out how she could so easily pick out the things I did not want her to eat!
Isn’t that like us too? God has given us so much to enjoy but what do we like? The things that are forbidden to us… the things that glitter and taste worldly, and when God warns us we just become angry at Him and find a way to do it anyway !
Tasha was a goat – stubborn, and willful, and determined to have her own way. She wanted me to be there for her in case she needed me and to supply her with the things she wanted , but she didn’t want to obey me. The older she got she did not get better , rather she became even more ornery and contankerous. Rather an accurate but sad caricature of human nature in relationship with God, isn’t it?
It is the Easter week when we are thinking about the reason Jesus came to earth , to die for all the ‘goats’ so they could become His sheep.
In Leviticus 16 there is an account of the rituals that God commanded the priest to perform to make atonement for the people’s sin. The ceremonies involves two goats. One was called the sin offering and the other was the scapegoat. These two goats shadowed the atoning work of Jesus.
One goat was killed as the sin offering and its blood was brought behind the veil into the holy of holies to make atonement for the people’s sin and transgression. When the blood was taken into the holy place by the high priest, no other man was allowed to witness it. The atoning work finished, the high priest then came back out to the live goat. He put his hands on the head of this scapegoat and confessed over it all the iniquities of the people and send it away into the wilderness. The high priest then washed his body and put on clean garments.
Do you see the picture? Jesus was killed as the sin offering for the sins of all mankind. He, the High Priest, died alone, and the atoning work that was done in heaven no man could witness. But when the work was done the veil in the temple was rent signifying that now the sin debt was paid in full and man was free to enter into a relationship with God. Jesus went to His Father and changed his human sinful garment for the holy garment of Righteousness.
The scapegoat that was sent away represented the resurrection of Jesus. The two goats together shadowed that Jesus would die but then rise again. He bore our sin and took it away so that we could be forgiven never to have our sin remembered again.
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come…… not with the blood of goats … but with His own blood He entered the Most High place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Heb. 9:11,12
Then I had a goat for a pet and I wondered no more!!
My angora goat, named Tasha, showed me what undesirable behavior looks like .
Though she was a lot of fun, displaying very strong characteristics and I loved her, she made me determine that I would never be a ‘goat’ in God’s eyes.
Tasha loved to have her freedom, but when she was afraid she knew where to come for protection, and would come running to press her body close against my legs. But then as soon as the danger was past , she was off again, not really caring if I was there or not.
Are people not often like that? We are so quick to pray for God’s help when things are difficult but then when the crisis is passed we are quite happy once again to do our life independent from God.
Tasha had a very curious habit . When she was out grazing and getting her nose into whatever struck her fancy she would sometimes get her nose dirty with slug slime or clay or something else she shouldn’t have been into. When that happened she would look for me and come to rub her nose roughly against my clothes to get it clean again.
A rather easily recognized human tendency, isn’t it? We love to experience the things the world has to offer , or satisfy the demands of the flesh, and then when it no longer feels good or we get into trouble, we run to God and demand that He ‘fix’ it for us and make us feel good again.
Tasha had her own little barn and fenced in enclosure, but she didn’t like to be there. She wanted to run free, and could never understand why I insisted on putting her back into her fenced area. She did not understand that I did it because I could not trust her to stay where she was safe. I knew she would wander off and get into trouble and very possibly hurt or even killed.
Just as she balked at being kept ‘safe’ , do we not also rebel against the restrictions God sometimes puts around us? We want to be free to do and go where we want but God closes us in, through circumstances of life , – for our own protection but we don’t understand and rebel against it.
I used to feed Tasha her grain at a regular time every day and let her run free. She had an inner clock that told her when it was time and if I was late getting home she would be furious and would let me know in no uncertain terms that she was not amused. She would bleat her displeasure and lower her head , butting against me. It was rather funny, but when I thought about how often people get angry at God because He doesn’t do things when and how they think He should , it was embarrassing to see how it looked played out by a goat!!
Tasha had an insatiable appetite for things she shouldn’t eat. Even though we had six acres of wild vegetation and forest growth and there was so much natural food for her to munch on, she always preferred the things she wasn’t supposed to eat. I would buy new plants and plant them – being careful not to let her see me do it. But when I let her out of her fence she would take a quick look around and make a bee line for whatever I had planted and try to get there to eat it before I could stop her. If I yelled at her , “NO, Tasha !” she would turn around and give me an angry butt with her head and then determinedly eat whatever I had planted. I never did figure out how she could so easily pick out the things I did not want her to eat!
Isn’t that like us too? God has given us so much to enjoy but what do we like? The things that are forbidden to us… the things that glitter and taste worldly, and when God warns us we just become angry at Him and find a way to do it anyway !
Tasha was a goat – stubborn, and willful, and determined to have her own way. She wanted me to be there for her in case she needed me and to supply her with the things she wanted , but she didn’t want to obey me. The older she got she did not get better , rather she became even more ornery and contankerous. Rather an accurate but sad caricature of human nature in relationship with God, isn’t it?
It is the Easter week when we are thinking about the reason Jesus came to earth , to die for all the ‘goats’ so they could become His sheep.
In Leviticus 16 there is an account of the rituals that God commanded the priest to perform to make atonement for the people’s sin. The ceremonies involves two goats. One was called the sin offering and the other was the scapegoat. These two goats shadowed the atoning work of Jesus.
One goat was killed as the sin offering and its blood was brought behind the veil into the holy of holies to make atonement for the people’s sin and transgression. When the blood was taken into the holy place by the high priest, no other man was allowed to witness it. The atoning work finished, the high priest then came back out to the live goat. He put his hands on the head of this scapegoat and confessed over it all the iniquities of the people and send it away into the wilderness. The high priest then washed his body and put on clean garments.
Do you see the picture? Jesus was killed as the sin offering for the sins of all mankind. He, the High Priest, died alone, and the atoning work that was done in heaven no man could witness. But when the work was done the veil in the temple was rent signifying that now the sin debt was paid in full and man was free to enter into a relationship with God. Jesus went to His Father and changed his human sinful garment for the holy garment of Righteousness.
The scapegoat that was sent away represented the resurrection of Jesus. The two goats together shadowed that Jesus would die but then rise again. He bore our sin and took it away so that we could be forgiven never to have our sin remembered again.
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come…… not with the blood of goats … but with His own blood He entered the Most High place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Heb. 9:11,12
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