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The Four R’s of Salvation (Part 2)

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Last week I spoke about redemption. The kinsman-redeemer of Ruth named Boaz. Redeeming the tithe or just using it for travel money. Cities of refuge against the avenger of blood, a type of redemption of blood for those accidently killing another. I also talked about recompense and how salam is related to shalom but has also the meaning of punishment when it is not peace. Today I will speak of restoration and reflection.

— Restoration

  • Joel 2:25-26: I will restore (šālam) to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you

Notice in Joel 1:4 the order of the locusts on what they eat is different:
What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten;
What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten;
And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.

let’s start with the swarming locust.

The first thing to note here is the verb for restore is the same hebrew word I spoke about last week meaning recompense but here in a positive, godly manner. When we get paid back for the evil done unto us we are being restored. So maybe what I mean in this section is the process of restoration. So much of life is a process, even salvation.

If the four kinds of locust took years to eat up your harvest should we expect restoration overnight? I’m not saying the Lord cannot work miracles like that but is that how he cleans us up? In the natural, if we have been poor and impoverished yet today we win the lottery or get some big windfall would we know how to properly manage such things? I have heard stories of people winning the state lottery only to eventually die broke and destitute. Of course, restoration is not all about money.

Isaiah 59:19 says ‘when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him’. A swarm is like a flood of pests. The idea in Isaiah 59 regarding a standard is not what we might think of as the gold standard. In fact, a better translation here is the breath or wind of the LORD drives away the flood. Similar to what the breadth of God did in parting the Red Sea. However, consider the locusts, they can be brought in by the wind.

Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind on the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts (Ex. 10:13)

The LORD turned a very strong west wind, which took the locusts away and blew them into the Red Sea. There remained not one locust in all the territory of Egypt (Ex. 10:19)

Great swarms of locust can be brought into our lives just by the wind. Remember it was both the east wind that brought in the locusts and also cleared a path for Israel through the Red Sea. God can both punish and reward.

When a swarm reproduces they eventually crawl, consume and chew.

Three types of locusts have been suggested here:
1 – cankerworm (crawling or hopping – young locust)
2 – caterpiller (consuming or stripping or destroying locust)
3 – palmerworm (chewing or cutting or gnawing devouring locust)

Whatever the exact species or stage of development it appears that these three locust types cannot fly. The nymph stage actually consists of 5 to 6 instars before the locust matures into an adult

When Satan attacks it might be rather benign at the beginning. We see the effects but he is mostly crawling or hopping and not consumming too much of our resources: our identity, our self-worth, our family, and our livelihood. We might be playing around with sin, trying to see the limits of what we can get away with and still call ourselves a child of God. After all, it is only a baby pet sin anyway…

Another tactic of Satan is to consume, or strip away your identity, self-worth, family and even your livelihood. As we dabble with sin it creeps into our lives there comes consequences. We still have abilities and talents, they are just being eaten away as the destroyer destroyes our lives. You might have an alcohol, drug, gambling or pornography issue that is consuming your time and treasure. We might think we have it under control but the reality is it really has you under it’s control, you just don’t know it yet.

Thirdly, Satan may chew up or cut away anything godly in your life. Once locusts have fully formed mandibles around the 5th instar they can cut or chew food. At this stage we might realize there is a problem. We have been stripped of identity, self-worth, family, and in some cases our livelihood. Shame has become your only reward. Godly friends might have left you as you seek like-minded individual to have revilry in sin. We might realize we need help but are unwilling or unable to get it. Your heart has now become reprobate. There is a persistent gnawing pain of knowing within that you are lost. The destroying “angel” from the bottomless pit now has full control your life and holds you in his fully formed mandibles.

Swarming locust are the ones that take flight and spread to other places and affect other communities. They reproduce so as to eventually spread mayhem. They have fully developed wings. Not only have we messed ourselves up, we also spread to infect others with the effects of sin. We are open to the wind and may be blown into a new situation to re-infect.

The good news, even in Joel, is that the LORD can restore to us the years the various locusts have eaten. We just need to fully repent and get rid of those pet sins that may have now overwhelmed our lives. Our lives need transforming and we need restoration to begin afresh.

— Reflection and Reflected Glory
Solomon’s story (wisdom and understanding and guidance and reflection) on what God has done

Proverbs 9:10 – The fear (or terror) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding (or discernment).

John 16:13:: when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth

Solomon asked for an understanding heart (hear and obey!) so as to judge God’s people (1 Kings 3:9).

2 Cor. 3:18:: we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image (eikōn) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Heb. 1:3:: (His son) being the brightness (apaugasma) of His glory and the express image (charaktēr) of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

apaugasma (ap-ow’-gas-mah) has two definitions:
1) reflected brightness
2) effulgence (shining one)

I would suggest here that the first definition is more appropriate. “Lucifer” translates to “light-bringer” or “shining one” in Latin. Lucifer brings forth light but not from the Father.

The NCV actually says ‘the Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like’. Radiance is often used in interpretations of Hebrews 1:3 but that can be light emitted or reflected.

Furthermore charaktēr means the exact image of a person or thing. In John 14:9 Yeshua said ‘he who has seen Me has seen the Father’. Yeshua does not represent another light source. He represents the Father’s light. That is why He and the Father are one. So it is essential that we know the Son these days. David said ‘kiss the son lest he be angry’ (Ps. 2:12).

When it comes to David’s son Solomon the prophet Nathan spoke this:
2 Sam. 7:13-14:: He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

I think this might be one reason Psalm 2:12 says ’embrace discipline’ in the Septuigint and Vulgate, instead of Kiss the Son. Physically Solomon was David’s son and he was the one gifted to build the temple of God. For David himself was a man of war and shed blood (1 Chr. 28:3). Solomon would have received the stripes of chastening if he committed iniquity. Spiritually, Solomon represents the eternal Son, the one to build the temple of God and who’s throne will last for ever.

Yeshua would actually receive the stripes for our iniquities. Solomon’s punishment is somewhat parallel to the account of Abraham and Isaac where Isaac was not the sacrifice for our sins which fell upon Christ himself. Solomon may or may not have received the stripes for iniquity but my point is Christ did receive it.

Apostle Paul stated in Col. 1:24 ‘I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church’. Paul himself said three times I was beaten with the rod of men (2 Cor. 11:25). This punishment of Solomon with the rod of men may have been in Paul’s mind in regards to Solomon since Yeshua received the stripes of chastening. What an honor to consider himself worthy of sharing in Christ’s afflictions!

Apostle Paul said in 2 Cor. 5:11 ‘knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men’.

Matt. 11:27:: All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Did you not hear? Nobody knows who the Son is except the Father. We say we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The bible says we really do not know him. John 5:22 says ‘the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son’. So you really don’t want to meet the Son of God without being covered by his blood, the blood of atonement for your sins. We however, can know the Father because the Son reveals Him to us. For implicit in John 4:16 is the idea that Abba, Father so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son such that whosoever believes and trusts in him shall not perish.

There is a verse in Genesis that I think represents the concept of Father and Son.
Gen. 1:16:: Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.

Yeshua said “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:4-5)

This does not mean that once Yeshua ascended to heaven that darkness covers the Earth and no works can be performed because he gave unto us the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Listen to the new covenant:

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Cor. 3:17)

Eph. 3:16-17:: that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

So Christ is still in the world through His Spirit. See the reference article for some ideas of who sends the Holy Spirit post resurrection and what He now represents unto us.

2 Cor. 3:18:: says ‘we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord’. See also Eph. 3:16-19.

So it is by the the idea of a mirror or reflected glory we are also being transformed into the same image.

Night is still coming. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way (2 Th. 2:7).

There is so much more to explore but let’s conclude for now this discussion of reflecting God’s glory.

References:
https://peskylittlecritters.com/how-to-identify-different-stages-of-desert-locusts/
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/the-identity-of-the-holy-spirit/16-why-is-the-holy-spirit-called-the-spirit-of-jesus.cfm

The Four R’s of Salvation (Part 1)

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— Redemption

— Naomi husband’s property was redeemed back by the kinsman-redeemer (Boaz) through the Moabitess Ruth.

Ruth 1:20:: Do not call me Naomi [pleasant] call me Mara [bitter] for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me

This is not unlike the bitter waters that the children of Israel found in the wilderness of Shur for which they could not drink:
Ex. 15:22-23:: they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Mara

Life can become bitter for want of water or even because of life’s circumstance. Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, about the time of Passover. Now Ruth was told to harvest in the field of Boaz, a close relative. Ruth, with the help of Naomi her mother-in-law, found favor with Boaz but there was one closer to Naomi who could redeem the land of her dead husband Elimelech. Yet the closer relative took off his shoe signifying that Boaz could redeem the land.

We have a close relative, his name is Yeshua. He actually owns cattle on a thousand hills. Yet he takes off his shoe in response to redemption and passes the responsibility to another relative, one with money. And so Boaz was able to redeem the land for both Naomi and Ruth and also acquire Ruth as his wife. Back then women were given along with property. Boaz redeemed the land and also Ruth. This was pleasant so Naomi would no longer be remembered as Mara. So Ruth, a Moabitess became the mother of Obed who was the father of Jessee, the father of King David.

The spiritual lesson here is not quite obvious. Yeshua passes the batton to another. Why would he do that? I think the answer is that we are co-laborers with Christ. He told his disciples to harvest the fields (they are white for harvest in John 4:35). In the story of the woman at the well Yeshua tells his disciples to harvest what others have labored after. We are rich in Christ so he asks us to carry on his work.

— Redeeming the tithe and travel to Jerusalem

Redeeming means buying back what was sold or given away.

Lev. 27:30-31:: all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD. If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it.

Basically the redemption was like a loan with a pretty hefty interest rate.

Numbers 18 spells out the tithe of the land as belonging to the Levites who had no inheritance in the land. A heave (lifting up) offering, a tithe of the tithe was then given to the priests (Num. 18:26). But the portion in Leveticus which was redeemed (bought back) was done at a surcharge of 20%. In other words, the tax on the produce of the land (or herds of the flock) could be lent back to the landowner with a surcharge.

Actually four tithes in the seven year sabaatical cycle does not stipulate any surcharge for the tithe:
Deut. 14:24-26: if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you,
then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses and you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires

It was meant to allow for easy travel to Jerusalem where a great feast was held in honor of the farmers. Many say the second and third tithes were in addition to the first tithe given to the Levites. Again, I am not trying to teach on tithing laws in Israel, only about redemption herein. Caution needs to be exercised in any teaching of the law since grace has superceded ceremonial aspects of the law. But notice that in these two versions of the tithe it was not a burden to Israel but a benefit to those who farmed the land and had herds of domesticated animals.

Tithing is so much more than money. We give of ourselves and of our time and our love. In reality a tithe is far too little to respond back to the Master for his goodness. As laborers in the vineyard we have to remember who’s field we labor in and what are our wages (or in what sheep fold we labor). The fact that the master allows farmers to use part of this tithing system is because of his generousity and compassion. It is only because of the hardness of men’s hearts and greed do we see tithing fostered on the church without compassion and love. It is a great sin to manipulate without love. Remember, the Levites (and priests) were not land owners in ancient Israel but in general we are spiritual laborers who received wages from others (those who own land
).

— Cities of refuge.

Number 35:12-29 speaks of the six cities of refuge. We find out in Deut. 19 the cities of refuge are really for those who unintentially kill their neighbor so as to have protection from the avenger of blood (undoubtedly a close relative or friend). While the cities of refuge are not specifically a redemption they are places of refuge such that your life might be spared, in essence redeemed. This brings new light on the verse from Apostle John:

1 John 5:16:: If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.

Cities of refuge are for 1) children of Israel, 2) the stranger, and 3) the sojourner(vs. 15) so God makes no distinction here to favor only the Jews. We all can come under God’s protection when we mess up.

There has to be something more powerful than cities of refuge for one who intentially murders a brother. Taken literally 1 John says to not even pray for one who murders with intent. Of course we should pray for their souls but that is why in many places pre-meditated murder carries the death sentence.

Hebrews 10 contains a stark warning for those who continue in willful sin:
Heb. 10:26-27:: For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Trespasses (paraptóma) can be intentional or unintentional, and they involve intruding or infringing upon something or someone else. Transgression (parabasis), which is similar to trespassing, carries the idea of willfully and intentionally disobeying or violating a known standard or law. However, many bible translations never distinguish between the two in new testament translations.

In the sermon on the mount Yeshua address only the idea of trespasses:
Matt. 6:14-15:: if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Trespasses can be intentional which brings out the concept of transgression.

Gal. 3:19:: What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions (parabasis), till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made

Rom. 5:14:: death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression (parabasis) of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come

This at least gives hope, even according to the old covenant, of atonement for intentional sins.

Adam committed willful transgression of God’s commands in the garden of Eden. In the book of Act, Ananias and Sapphira willingly, with intent and planning, lied to Peter in front of the Holy Spirit. Adam died spiritually but Ananias and Sapphira also died physically.

Heb. 2:1-3:: Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression (parabasis) and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

My point here is that Christ also redeemed us from intentional sins – after we fully repent.

Heb. 9:15;: He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions (parabasis) under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

We can also be redeemed from bondage (physical sickness, spiritual limitations, financial debt, our time). Christ himself has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse himself upon the cross (Gal. 3:13).

We read in Romans 8:2 ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death’. We get redeemed by the Spirit of life in Christ.

So whether unintentional or intentional Christ can redeem us so we no longer need to fear death by the avenger of blood. But if death is ordained for a capital crime, it might still result in physical death but our spirits can be saved by the blood of Christ.

— Recompense
It can mean repayment after loaning out money and not getting it back but in the biblical sense has little to do with money and more to do with living at peace or receiving punishment. The verb means to make amends to (someone) for loss or harm suffered; compensate. This can be justice, even divine justice.

Prov. 11:31:: If the righteous will be recompensed (šālam) on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner.

This idea of recompense here is to be complete or sound. The pual stem means to be at peace. It is actually a participle so we might say to be living in peace. In arabic and hebrew it is a close word to that of shalom and salam meaning to have peace. We in ourselves cannot have enough peace since ‘we are as an unclean thing and our righteousness is as filthy rags’ (Isaiah 64:6).

Rom. 3:21-23:: now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Does this mean that since we can never attain righteousness by works of the law we should never try? This is like the argument ‘may we continue in sin so that grace might abound’ (Rom. 6:1)

Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law (Rom. 3:31).

I just want you to see here that faith in Christ does not give us an excuse, a license to sin. It simply means we uphold the law, embrace it, and place our trust and faith in Christ. We still make it our lifestyle to live in accordance with the law yet depend upon God’s mercy and faith in Christ when we sin and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

Then there is the recompense of the ungodly and sinner. We don’t want to go there because there is no peace in sin. An example of the negative use of this word is found in 2 Kings where Jehu is sent out to seek vengeance against the son of Ahab, King of Israel. Kings Joram went out to meet Jehu at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite who you remember was the one who’s property Ahab stole.

2 Kings 9:28:: Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will repay (šālam) you in this plot,’ says the LORD. Now therefore, take and throw him on the plot of ground, according to the word of the LORD.”

Joram’s question to Jehu ‘is it peace’ would only be properly understood by a Hebrew since the word šālam and šālôm are related by the same root word. Obviously there is no peace and in this situation death comes to Joram.

Psa. 62:13:: to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render (šālam) to each one according to his work.

So recompense is proportional to our works. To those who seek godliness and righteousness, the peace of God and to those who seek wickedness and sin the opposite, the recompense or wages of sin get imputed (Rom. 6:23).

The Psalm of David says to the chief musician Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; and to You the vow shall be performed (šālam) (Psa. 65:1). Vows unto God are very serious matters. Apostle Paul made a vow and cut his hair in Cenchrea, probably to serve as a Nazarite for a period of time. We don’t know what vow King David spoke of but it is a matter of trying to make restitution.

Sources:
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tithing/
https://shunspirit.com/article/what-the-difference-between-trespasses-and-sins
https://biblehub.com/greek/3847.htm (parabasis)

Money and The Kingdom

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I think it high time I started a messages or messages on Money and The Kingdom. There has been so much said by prosperity preachers that I think the subject requires more investigation.

— Parable of the Sower

First, let’s start with a Parable that does not deal directly with money. This is the parable of the sower found in (Matt. 13:1-9 & 18-23, Mark 4:1–9; Luke 8:4–8). I have heard much about ‘seed’ faith in recent years. It is true that a seed is needed to bring in a crop. What is not true here is that the seed is always money. Six times in verse 20-23 Yeshua speaks about the word of the Kingdom. Mark 4:14 says ‘the sower sows the word’ and in Luke 8:12 ‘the seed is the word of God’. In Matthew 13:23 we bear fruit, some 30, 60, and 100 fold (see also Mark 4:8).

Can the seed be money? Can it bear more fruit? This is entirely possible but it was not the focus in this parable. So we have to start with what Yeshua focused on. The Kingdom. When your theology is based upon money it becomes the seed but when it is Kingdom based, which is relational, it is something else. Romans 14:17 says ‘the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’. Righteousness, peace, and joy or intangibles. It is not food or drink, nor money. It is not here nor there, it is within or among you.

When Yeshua was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20)

If it were money in hand or a bank account balance then we could easily point to it and show that ‘this is the kingdom!’.

Why not rather assume that the Kingdom of God is relational? This includes evangelism, discipleship, maturation, and the corportate body and with it associated gifts and fruit of the spirit. So many get decieved this day as fraudsters and imposters worm their way into homes to steal the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs (Matt. 15:26). The little dogs in this story represent gentiles but let’s assume it relates to those not yet mature enough to have been tutored by the law. Bread is the fruits of righteousness, as we shall see.

Giving money is more directly spoken about in 2 Corinthins 9.
this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:6-7)

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness (2 Cor. 9:10). So just saying, sowing seed can reference money and giving offerings but I think it is what we do with money that is the most important thing. It blesses people and helps build up the Kingdom of God. I just think saying that sowing should bring in 30, 60, or 100 fold financial blessings is really abusing the parable of the sower since Yeshua said the seed is the Word of God or Word of the Kingdom.

Yet in the parables of the talents and minas proper investment can bring in much gain.

— Parables of the talents and minas (Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:11-26)

The parables are very similar but differ in amounts given and amounts earned. The lesson is similar, however. God expects us to invest our resources to make money.

Matt. 25:14-15:: the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Notice that the rich man gave his servants the talents. They did not earn them or inherit them. It was a gift. There are different types of talents during bible times but the idea is it was a lot of money.

There is no specific instruction in this parable to invest the money but the ones with five and two talents doubled their money and so the response was ‘well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things’ and they get rewarded as ruler over many things. But let’s listen to what the master says about the wicked and lazy servant who did nothing with the one talent.

Matt. 25:25-27:: I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ‘So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

So not investing our talents, our resources, is actually sinful.

The parable of the 10 minas is similar story but differes in several ways.

Luke 19:11-13:: Yeshua was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.

One mina was worth about three months salary. A nice sum!

One servant turned his money into ten minas, and a second into five minas. The third kept his mina in a handkerchief. Notice the reward (cities given) to each servant was equivalent to how many times they increased their mina. But the third man did not have a good story but said instead:

I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow (Luke 19:21). The story breaks down here because only three came forward and the other seven are not even mentioned as doing anything with the minas. I think this is more of a lesson, an allegory, so let’s not get hung up on who came back and who did not. The point here is the one who kept his mina hidden had to give it away to the one who earned 10 minas. This seems a bit unfair but it highlights the idea we are to invest our resources or expect to eventually lose them.

— Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)

Yeshua spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. He thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.

Now Yeshua was recently asked to be arbitrator of dividing an inheritance between two brothers. He responds with ‘who made me arbitrator between you two?’ and ‘beware of covetousness’. So the parable of the rich man is really about sharing our resources and not being covetous. You see, the rich man was already rich. He did not have to hoard more with bigger barns. His life ended there and then. We need to invest in our brothers and sisters in Christ.

— Parable of building the tower (Luke 14:28-30)

This is a short parable but is sandwiched inbetween lessons on counting the costs. Bearing our own burdens which includes forsaking even our own family. In spiritual warfare we may need to count the burdens of leadership.

The parable says:
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.

Can we forsake earthly relationships? Do we have enough support to go to war? This is something I take personally. Do I have enough support and finances to do the task the Lord has called me to do? Where is family backing?

Then there is the issue of the purpose of the tower. Is it in Babel? Is it a tower build on humility and not one of arrogance? I am remined of the Twin Towers coming down on 9/11. Was that a work for the Lord or arrogance?

I remember Jonathan Kahn quoting this verse after 9/11: The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with hewn stones (Is. 9:10)

End here week #1

— Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)

Yeshua said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

We are not told exactly what the steward did wrong but the point is he wanted to safeguard his livelihood before being let go. Are we not stewards of what God has blessed us with?

We could win friends and influence people by forgiving part of their debt owed to our master. Technically it is not our right as stewards to forgive debt but the parable does not approach it that way. The master commends the unjust steward instead.

Verse 16 sum’s up the lesson here: No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Unrighteous mammon or true riches from God? We live in a very materialistic world. We cannot see clearly what is true riches.

1 Cor. 2:9:: But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”[Is. 64:4]

Is. 64:4:: For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.

The LXX translates at the end ‘your works that you do are merciful to those who endure’

What I want you to see there is the idea that God rewards the faithful. We can say, I will recieve when I get into heaven but the promise is a little more immediate than that. It is during our lifetime if we wait long enough.

John 10:10 says ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’

3 John 1:2 says ‘Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.’

I do not think this is a health, wealth, and prosperity message. But it is one of anticipatory blessings for those that act and do as the Lord requires. The unjust steward presumable got invited to live with some of his debtors.

— Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

Luke pointed this out between the parable of the unjust steward and the rich man and Lazarus:
the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him (Luke 16:14).

Maybe the Pharisees were the rich fool in mind, maybe they are the unjust stewards. They did believe in the resurrection of the just. But did they share with poor beggars like Lazarus. I have been fascinated with the resurrection of Lazarus, brother Mary and Martha. Perhaps there is no connection but it is still interesting to consider.

In this parable Lazarus is seen in Abraham’s bosom, comforted. We are not told this Lazarus was risen from the dead but you know the Pharisees believed in resurrection of the just. So the message they received is ‘you better shape up or else hell is coming after you and you shall be in eternal torment’.

Then he (the rich man) said, ‘I beg you therefore, father (Abraham), that you would send him (the beggar) to my father’s house, for he had five brothers. But Abraham replied to him ‘they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them’.

So they story gets told in front of the Pharisees for a lesson to them that they need to listen to Moses and the prophets. For Lazarus was laid at the rich man’s gate who apparently never took care of his needs. So what is the lesson for the Pharisees and other rich men? That they take care of the beggars at their own gates.

The beggar even desired to get the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. This means there was a connection between the rich man and Lazarus. They were close together and must have know each other’s situation. Yet the rich man had no compassion on Lazarus. It was a heartless situation.

We have precious promises in Christ our Messiah:
Philippians 4:19: “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

— Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)

The parable has to do with workers in the vineyard who are promised a denarius to work the fields. It says the kingdom of heaven is like…. the landowner is obviously the Lord himself. He promises us earthly wages for our service. But the problem is we each get equal no matter how many hours we work.

The owner called in the servants, starting with those who only worked the last hour. When those who worked all day came they expected more yet receieve only a denarius also. The lesson here ‘the last will be first, and the first last’.

I think there is another lesson in the story. The Lord pays us the same. We all get salvation despite our tenure as Christians working for the Master. The crowns we get for more labor is what we do with our time and talents, even our resources. It is not our longevity but our efforts and the results which count.

1 Cor. 3:12-15:: If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

So we must always be doing the Master’s business but should be building something along the way. I am not saying it has to be buildings and property or a business even. We can build friendships, and relationships and community irrespective of physical structures.

— The sower in the woman at the well

The story of the woman at the well in Sychar, Samaria is not a parable but a true story. It combines the parable of the sower with the parables of the talents and minas. You probably remember the story of a somewhat tawdry samaritan woman who came to Jacob’s well late in the morning to avoid other women because of her questionable past. We have here what some call a markan sandwich. I like the case of Nabal in 1 Samual which is inbetween chapters 24 and 26 where David spares Saul’s life twice. In this case the sandwich is between Yeshua prophesying to the woman at the well and the results of the fruit gained in all of Samaria.

Fruit, as in the parable of the sower is not dealing primarily with money. It is the word of God bearing precious seed, the harvest of souls.

John 4:36-38: “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors

In the parables of the talents and minas the servant who did nothing is called a ‘wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed (Matt. 25:26) and ‘you knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow’ (Luke 19:22)

So tell you that Yeshua also comissions us as gatherers. We sometimes reap what others have sown. In the case of the Jews much of that labor is done in synagogue’s and through traditions. On the day of Pentecost Peter and others harvested 3000 souls for which they had done no sowing little labor.

I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors (John 4:38).

It is really a partnership of those sowing and those reaping. Apostle Paul spoke to the Corinthians:
1 Cor. 3:6-8:: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

In the case of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, Yeshua is talking about reaping. Others had already sown the Word of God into her life. Despite the shame and sinfulness in her life, Yeshua was still able to harvest her life, and then many in Samaria.

Let me digress for a bit on an earthly example. In the Torah it says:
You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year (Deut. 14:22).

This is not a lesson on tithing but just pointing out here this tithe was on increase which is net, not gross.

Notice verse 26 says ‘you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires’. This tithe is a celebration of what God has done during planting season. Is it not ok to spend part of the proceeds celebrating?

Now the harvest of souls in Samaria was not a physical crop, but a spiritual one. Still, should we not celebrate what the Lord has done in bringing in the spiritual crop? This might even be a crop for which others have labored. If God can be accused of being an austere man, can not we also gather in where others have labored.

Even in the business world, we can often profit for where others have labored. We might patent an idea that has elements already present by gathering together seperate pieces and bringing a technology to market. The working computer mouse was brought to market by Xerox and Apple who did not invent it. Steve Jobs is accused of stealing the mouse from Xerox. Bill Gates cashed in on technologies to market personal PCs, despite much work going into computer development by IBM. The application of ideas for profit are endless, but this should never be to steal or take advantage of others so ethics is something the Lord takes very seriously. This is the subject of another lesson in the future.

Sources:

https://powerfuljesus.com/parables-of-jesus-dealing-with-money/

https://medium.com/bc-digest/the-xerox-thieves-steve-jobs-bill-gates-6e1b36fc1ec4
https://www.cultofmac.com/news/how-steve-jobs-invented-the-computer-mouse-by-stealing-it-from-xerox#google_vignette

Unity Amongst Believers #2

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REJECTING OTHERS NOT IN OUR GROUP

Mark 9:38 (also Luke 9:49-50)
John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us. But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us”.

There are many denominations in the world today: about 1.3 billion Catholics and about 900 million Protestants, 200 million Estern Orthodox, and almost 120 million in other major branches. One source I found suggests there are over 33k denominations in the world today. It seems that every few years new denominations are birthed and old ones remain. When do remove old groups? Probably NEVER. Some doctrinal changes might occur.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations_by_number_of_members
http://www.philvaz.com/apologetics/a106.htm

What I really want to know about this verse is how the other guys can perform a miracle in his name. What was his name? Jesus, Jesu, Christ, Jehoshua, Yeshua, or something other. They performed a miracle in the name of some holy man from Galilee who had 12 disciples. Sure enough, Apostle Paul found some disciples in Ephesus who had never heard about Holy Spirit baptism but that was decades after Christ was crucified and rose from the dead. It seems the issue in Mark 9 was not even about Holy Spirit baptism, but about groups and who they owed their allegiance to. Apostle Paul alluded to super apostles in 2 Cor. 11:5 so even though he had the blessing of the group in Jerusalem there were other groups preaching about Yeshua which had no real allegience to Paul and his traveling companions. Consider the sect of the circumcision of which James was probably a member or even a sect of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5).

Acts 15:1:: certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

So differences in doctrine and practice was evident even in the early church.

Yeshua said may they all be one, as You Father, are in me and I am in you. (John 17:21). This was to be a witness to the world that God has sent Jesus to the world. Instead we have many in the world today involved with Islam, Hinduism, Buddism, Jaanism, Secularism, and other ism’s.

It is a great travesty that we have so many denominations around today. Still, we can work together, God willing, to bring about the Kingdom of God and impact the world.

Ecumenicalism has been tagged a bad thing by many in ecclesiastical circles, despite the prayer of Yeshua. It is true that compromise of essential doctrines is bad (so essential doctrines get debated). Non-essentials should never divide the body of Christ. We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died a cruel death on the cross for our sins, and was raised again to life to provide forgiveness of sins in his name. Most Christians believe that Yeshua is coming again soon to set up his kingdom. That is about the entirety of the core christian message.

It was recently pointed out to me that most Quakers (Friends) do not believe in Water Baptism nor Communion but rather opt for spiritual transformation and direct communion with God.

Yet I have been in a godly group that places a high emphasis on water baptism, to the point of considering one unsaved if they have not yet got baptised because the Lord commanded us to baptise. Yet I could easily point out the theif on the cross to be an exception to this generally-accepted sacrement. Fully training 3000 new converts on the intricasies of Baptism on the Day of Pentecost seems a bit questionable to me also.

In terms of Communion the Lord said:
This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes (1 Cor. 11:25-26).

I don’t think Yeshua had in mind NEVER, but we can easily disagree on the how often aspect of the Lord’s supper. I have been in churches where they offer the Lord’s Supper every week or every time they come together.

I doubt I can fully define all doctrinal differences concerning sacrements here (including holy confession for the Catholics). I am just exploring some of the things that divide us.

I will point out however, when we speak of grace being a substitute (fulfillment of) the law I am thinking he fulfilled the sacrifical law. There are aspects of the law dealing with love and justice and mercy and faithfulness which are eternal laws. So you see, things are not that simple when it comes to things that divide us.

FAVORTISM AMONGST THE BRETHREN

Mark 10:35-45
James (Jacob) and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You. He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.“But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James (Jacob) and John. Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Think about these verses. Even the disciples begged to be first on Jesus’ favorite list. Jesus was quick to correct with the admonition that the cup to drink was not pleasant. You might even say it was the koolaid cup, Jim Jones style. To live for Christ and be his witness comes from the root word for martyr. There is really no glory as the world knows it when it comes to being a true witness for Christ. As it was in the beginning, the disciples of Christ were persecuted. Some are persecuted today. In the end the tribulation(s) will also result in persecution. Those that experience peace and prosperity are so blessed. We should never forget the cost many paid for our current blessings.

I think in Kenya us white folks (musungo) have to be careful how we deal with people so as to not create the perception of favortism. In many places musungo is treated very nicely here, even almost to the point of royalty. In the Kingdom there is not big I’s and little You’s.

OUR AUTHORITY (Earthly Example)

Spiritual authority is not the same as legal or civil authority which is exercised by government. Apostle Paul talks about giving heed to civil authority in Romans 13 and Titus 3:1. One noteable exception to this has been the Holy Roman Empire which has claimed both spiritual and legal authority over many lands from around the time of Charlemagne (about 800 AD) up until the Napoleanic Wars (about 1806).

Normally we start a discussion about spiritual authority from a verse like Luke 9:1 which talks about power and authority given to the 70 disciples sent out to cast out demons and heal the sick. But instead I’m going to start from a slightly different perspective.

Acts 5:1:: But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land. While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” As he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.

gr exousia is the word used here for authority or control

So whether you have a million dollars or just a small amount like a few cents it is under your control to do with it as you will. Jesus commended the poor widow women for putting a mite into the temple treasury. The point here is we don’t lie or act deceiptfully in our giving. God loves a cheerful giver as it says in 2 Cor. 9:7. We give as the Lord lays upon our hearts. Give and it shall be given unto you (Luke 6:38) is actually a measure that shows how our giving is proportional to blessings from God. If we lie and cheat in our giving then we are actually stealing from God (and lying). Mal. 3:8, often quoted, describes how people cheat God. Someone once pointed out it was the priests who where the YOU of that verse. I’m not going down that rabbit hole today. My point is who has control in the realm of giving and receiving.

I would like to point out that the messenger in Mal. 3:1 was likely speaking about Yeshua. Yeshua appears on the scene hundreds of years after the Spirit of God left the temple and clears the temple of the money changers and those who made merchandise of God’s people for religious service. According to Malachi ‘He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap’. Yeshua said unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and pharisees you shall in no way enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20). Yeshua said to the Pharisees and teachers of the law ‘You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence’ (Matt. 23:25). This empasizes Yeshua’s concern for internal moral cleanliness and not outward cleanliness through rituals.

It would be like someone making an excessive sum from book sales or charging exhorbanant fees for speaking. Apostle Paul talks about false apostles in 2 Corinthans 11 and those who worm their way into homes in 2 Tim 3:6 (was he talking about televangelists?). On the contrary, Apostle Paul tried not to be a burden to anyone but received from Macedonia in the case of those in Corinth (2 Cor. 11:9). I also try to do that in Kenya and elsewhere. Paying my way and even moreso in some cases… yet the laborer is worthy his hire (1 Tim. 5:18).

Getting back to authority …
Exousia is used in Matthew 7. Verses 28–29 say, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority [exousia], and not as their teachers of the law.” The word is also used in Matthew 9:6 when Jesus demonstrates that He has “authority” to forgive sins by healing a paralyzed man. The word is again used in Matthew 21:23–27 when the chief priests and elders question Jesus’ authority.

We all have spheres of authority. Money is one venue, another one is authority over people. The military fully knows about authority. Disobeying orders can get you into all sorts of trouble. In both Matthew and Luke we hear about the faith of the centurian which is a leader of 100. Jesus comments he has not heard of such faith in all of Israel.

I knew of a man in Africa who once moved funds from an orphanage to a church building program. This should not be so. Lines of authority ultimately come from God but many times flow through men and organizations. In the church we tend to have a measure of authority related to one’s work or mission:

2 Corinthians 10:12-16::
But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.

Apostle Paul did boast to some extent to those he had influence over. Mainly in those places he helped to pioneer as a missionary which were Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually Rome. He did not boast in another’s man’s sphere, like among the Jews who were under James and Peter’s authority. Philip went down to Samaria but was later recorded as having worked in Scythina (Black and Caspian Seas area). I recently heard from a missionary friend from India that Apostle Thomas planted churches in the area around eastern India, his tomb is traditionally held to be in Mylapore, India. Apostle Andrew was said to have gone to Scythina and neighboring countries. Bartholemew was reported to have spend time in Armenaia and Upper Phrygia. In the end apostle Paul advises us to just BOAST IN THE LORD. The apostle even spends the whole of chapter 11 boasting about his suffering. Imagine that, boasting about suffering, not about your exploits or how large your church or ministry has become, or how many souls you have saved by your own effort.

So let us strive to do good and be effective for the Kingdom.

Sources:
https://christian.net/theology-and-spirituality/what-do-quakers-believe-about-baptism/

Unity Amongst Believers #1

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This is a message orginally given in early 2021 but updated in June, 2025. Yet the themes and implications of 2021 events remain even today. I am going to skip some of the recent history today for brevity but the text still contains the historical narrative.

Prayers: Noah Yeley orphange, Exodus primary school, Simitei primary school, Pastors in churches in Kakamega County to unite.

==> DARNEL IN THE WHEAT:

Various topics of how peole can get off course.

Matt 13:24-26
Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.

zizanion: a kind of darnel, resembling wheat except the grains are black

It should be obvious that anything black is not wheat. At best it is false and at worst it is dark and sinister. This grows alongside the wheat and is hard to seperate. That is how it is in the church these days. We get ministries or beliefs that resemble the real thing but are distinctly a different color or nature. They might even taste the same and in appearance resemble the real thing but are not. This is the false church, pretenting to be the body of Christ.

Psalm 133:1
A Song of Ascents (maala), of David.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Ascents (maʿălâ) has in it the idea of going up but is the ascent or incline itself. It has also been translated as steps or degrees. Aliyah is what we normally hear regarding Jews returing to Israel. It is also the act of going up to read the Torah. Moses was called to go up to the top of the mountain and the children of Israel were called up to go up from Egypt (ălâ). One is the type of path or course of action, the other is the act of going up. One difference is maala is a noun and aliyah a verb. Let’s just say they are related but different. This is like darnel and wheat: related but different.

Another ascent of David is in Psalm 122:1. I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the LORD. Maybe that is why Aliyah seems to end in God’s abbreviated name ‘Yah’ for we are ascending into God’s presence. Is it just coincidence that the hebrew word for sin, falsehood, treachery is ma’al? Is there something we should know about slight differences between ascending to the presence of the Lord and steps or degrees that can bring us into sin, falsehoods, transgression, and tresspass?

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Prov. 14:12).

I am not trying to say that David’s Song of Ascents is wrong or harmful. Just saying the road you follow can be righteous or lead you into sin. Jim Jones seemed like a very righteous man, preaching the word of God strongly but in the end his road led to death. It only takes a small deviation to get on the wrong road!

==> POLITICS: Ay Vey!
Luke 23:12
Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

Luke 23:14 Pilot said “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him

Did Trump incite the people to violence January 6th (2021)? Maybe. What about today? Is he wrongly steering America into a middle east war? Politics quickly divides so best to not focus on it amongst believers!

1 Th. 5:22 abstain from every appearance of evil .. vs. 21 tells us to examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good

Politics is a slippery slope. Sometimes is is good, sometimes it is bad. King Herod is a nice biblical example. He wanted to keep the peace. Somehow the idea of what truth represents eluded him (John 18:38).

==> Black Lives Matter (BLM):

Do Black Lives Matter? Absolutely! Also white lives, hispanic lives, chinese lives, and actually all lives. Can we erase all of the wrongs done in history? Not likely. We can move forward, however.

BLM had its roots in 2012 when Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by a 28 year old Hispanic American. More recently we all remember the travesty relating to the death of George Floyd. BLM’s primary aim is to eliminate police brutality and racially motivated violence against all black people.

Racism in any form is not good. In some ways the Jews have it wrong. While antisemitism is racism, the Jews have and still do consider themselves superior to gentiles in the manner of not associating with unclean people. That is why the Holy Spirit had to convice Peter to go into the house of Cornelius the Centurian.

How about lives of the unborn?

We read about how God makes us in our mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13-15::
For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.

My frame (bones) was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth

Abortion can not only stop a child from birthing but also affect the plans he has for us::
Jer. 29:11:: I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope

Many moves of God can get aborted by us. His destiny for us might never get fulfilled if we abort or if we get onto the wrong path.

==> MONEY:
Something that divides us is economic status and love of money.

1 Tim 6:10::
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Having money is not evil. We must be good stewards of what the Lord provides for us. Let’s look at some new covenant verses related to money.

Luke 10:7:: The Lord sends out 70 people to prepare the way for him
Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.

Labor, even spiritual labor is something that must be rewarded in this lifetime. Apostle Paul had a good perspective on stewardship and money.

Acts 20:33-35:: (In Ephesus he speaks to the elders)
I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive

In the church we have elders who get honored. It does not say with money but that is certainly one way.

1 Tim 5:17-18:: The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.

The Lake Which Refreshes or Burns

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Following is a prophetic word from God and his Word.

Come my people, enjoy the lake which refreshes. You shall enjoy the waters thereof, for that is a good and pleasing thing. What? Either that or the lake that burns with fire. This is not a pleasing thing.

There are all sorts of lakes in the world. A lake is a body of water which gathers streams and runoff or possibly comes from underground springs. A fresh water lake is pleasing and useful. A stale or polluted lake is of no benefit. And a lake of fire is harmful. Likewise, a lake of fire gathers fire from runoff and streams of fire and fire from beneath.

You may go thru firery trials of all sorts upon this Earth. Best to go thru firery trials now than to end up in the firery trials of hell. For God tests each person’s intent and issues of the heart. The word of God … is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12). Some hearts are soft and malleable, others are hard and stoney.

For the soft and maleable hearts, God molds their hearts so as to produce more fruit. There is no bleeding from open sores and the blood that pumps thru their veins gives life and love and longevity. Give and it shall be given unto you: love, patience, perseverence, and many opportunities to further the gospel and reach more people. You see, my son, giving is key to having a heart of compassion. Still waters are best. But running waters also cleanse the heart from all evil. Rushing, turbulent waters are of no use. As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul pants for thee… (Ps. 42:1).

For the hard and stony hearts, God reserves judgement and a certain amount of indignation and strife. For you see, strife breeds strive and contention breeds contention. Give and it shall be given unto you, even the bad and evil works that way but we want to give what is positive and godly.

God says ‘there is never enough strife and contention to quell the evil within your hearts’. Only love can quell the buring desires of strive and contention. Love covers over (hide or veil) a multitude of sins (1 Pet. 4:8). But love only covers over sins, it does not get at the root of an evil heart. Peter was referring here to fervent agape love, self-sacrificing love. Sacrifice, which is born of love, is what gets to the roots of sin. And the harder and the more arduous the sacrifice, the deeper you can dig at those roots.

==> Sacrifices in the law, writings, and new covenant

The bible talks about sacrifices in the books of Leviticus and Hebrews. It is interesting to see that Lev. 4:2 says ‘If a person sins unintentionally against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which ought not to be done, and does any of them’ then the priests offers a bull for a sin offering. In Lev. 6 intentional sins (trespasses) which are actually against your neighbor require a return of the thing illicitly gotten plus a 20% surcharge. Heb. 10:26 says ‘if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins’. This is not to say we cannot receive forgiveness for past sins (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9, Heb. 8:12).
… repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out …
… if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness …
… for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more …

The last statement was borrowed from Jer. 31 which speaks of the new covenant.

Technically any sacrifice which costs you nothing is no sacrifice at all. Covering over sin by itself never gets to the root of the problem. Atonement is another word which literally means reparation for an offense or injury. Just as Nehemiah oversaw the rebuilding of the walls in Jerusalem we many times have to repair the breach in our own walls. In Judiasm there is a high day called the day of atonement which is where the high priest makes a sacrifice for the whole nation. Hebrews 7:27 says Christ made an atoment for our sins ‘for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself’. He was our substitute as a sin offering:

Heb. 10:4-7 (Ps. 40:6-8):: For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me. (My ears You have opened)

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure (did not require).

Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume (scroll) of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’” (and your Torah is within my heart – literally inner parts)

Just like the abyss of Romans 10:7 is equated with the depths of the sea in Deut. 30:13 there is also hidden meaning here when the author of Hebrews equates ‘a body prepared for me’ with ‘ears you have opened’. Our physical bodies are only a shell for the real you dwelling within. Your inner parts, or heart, is what matters. When the Lord opens our ears to understanding then we know our purpose, even our destinies. Our bodies serve our inward parts.

Apostle Paul said in 1 Cor. 9:27 ‘I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified’.

Gr hypōpiazō (hoop-o-pee-ad’-zo) literally means to beat your body into subjection.

Throughout church history groups have sought to beat their bodies into subjection with such extreme measures as self-flagellation. During the black plague participants thought this was a way of cleansing the bodies of all sin so as to receive healing for as Peter said ‘he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin’ (1 Pet. 4:1). While I would not advocate self torture as a method to cease from sin there are less severe methods to train the body such as fasting, penance, kingdom work, and time. Yeshua himself had his spiritual ears opened and realized his body was only a means to provide the sacrifice. Death of any kind is the ultimate sacrifice, much less a cruel and agonizing death. In Psalm 40 we hear David’s cry: to do your will and to follow your teachings (Torah). Psalm 119 says ‘thy word have I hidden in mine heart that I might not sin against you’.

==> We need to get at our roots of depravity to be cleansed.

The root of bitterness is one main root. If you have been offended by others and there never seems to be an apology or turning around (repentance) it can fester in open wounds and leave your with sores and even cancer. Sometimes the person who has wronged you has moved away or you have lost contact with them or they are dead so there is no simple way to seek or receive reconcilliation. Try to seek reconcilliation, even an internal release, for you own sakes, not only for their sakes. Pouring on the salve of the oil of gilead can help here. The oil is also the oil of gladness. For if they offened you or hurt you, remember Yeshua was also hurt and offended and he forgave them also. This root says I don’t love them but that is not how we are to be. To get rid of this root requires sacrifice.

The bible says that fresh and bitter water do not mix. James 3:11 says ‘Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?’ If this were true they would mix at the source. The answer to the question is a no. For if they mixed at the source the we would have semi-bitter water instead. Semi-bitter water is like lukewarm water, which is useless. Bitterness pollutes, fresh water refreshes, but semi-bitter waters make a mess. For we have no idea what to do with the water: throw it away or receive it.

The root of rejection is another main root. This root says I am not loved. Remember Yeshua was also despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Is. 53:3). He came to his own but they rejected him (John 1:11). Yeshua was the one to come, the Son of Man and the Holy One of Israel. There is no other, he was also the Prophet. There are no others. There are many prophets in the world today and throughout history. But Yeshua was the prophet to come (John 6:14) and even speaks about the consummation after resurrection from the dead. You too can feel rejection, it is easy to do, especially in ministry. Family can also reject you.

Self-rejection is a close cousin to rejection by others. This root says I don’t love myself. When we reject the notion that we are being perfected we reject the work of Christ in our lives and in our hearts. Matt. 5:48 tells us to be perfect, as our heavenly father is. This is not the notion that we never make mistakes. In 1 John 1:8 it says ‘if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us’. What we are is a work in progress so when we reject his love for us, we reject his gift, the gift of God’s One and Only Begotten Son. For you are all sons and daughters of Christ through his life and devotion and sacrifice. Also, when we reject our destiny and the things which God made us to be we are following a form of self-rejection. Seek that which is above and you shall find your purpose in life.

There are also other roots which feed our main root. Love of money is also called the root of all kinds of evil … but

==> The main root is self

When we are self-seeking, prideful, and egotistical this is fed by our three roots: bitterness, rejection, and self-rejection. For bitterness, rejection, and self-rejection all feed this main root called self. For when we focus on self we loose sight of the great comission which causes us to sacrifice for others. Remember, sacrifice is the key to digging deep and removing bad roots. Love covers over a multitude of sins but when we sacrifice and suffer for our faith we have ceased from sin (1 Pet. 4:1).

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. You say, how is God angry. Yeshua is my friend, my buddy. For he will even join me in hell and bring cool drink to quench my dry and parched throat. Will he? Or will he turn up the heat of the fires 7 times more intense? Nobody knows who the son is except the Father (Matt. 11:27). So beware of your disposition towards God for by grace are we saved (Eph. 2:8), that is unmerited favor.

Rejoice! For today is the day of salvation, the wells of grace still flow. And you can find forgiveness and grace in the hands of Yeshua as you seek his face and work with him.

==> Lakes burning with fire

The lake that burns with fire was created for Satan and his allies, but in particular for fallen angels. Yeshua said, I see Satan fall like fire (lightning) from heaven (Luke 10:18) and with him 1/3 of the angels (Rev. 12:4). The lake which burns with fire is a reference (remembrance) of the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah. For if the king (Bera of Sodom and Birsh) was friendly to Abraham, what happened in that village by the time Lot and his family lived there? The people there had gone from serving the living God to serving Satan. This is how society degerates and sometimes very quickly. Tendencies and beliefs are first established and when acted upon causes the downfall and denigration of society rather quickly.

Holiness unto the Lord is your only response. We need to remember the Torah, various laws, and the great comission. Yeshua recounted to the Pharisees of his day the two greatest commandments: To love the Lord your God with all of the heart, and soul, and life and To love your fellow man as yourself. For the great comission and also the great commandment. To go out into the world and proclaim the love of God in Christ and to tell everyone how great a sacrifice he has done and to not neglect this sacrifice.

The sources of fire for the lake of fire are all around. The center of the Earth is sometimes referred to as the fires of hell. The lower regions of God’s creation are probably more descriptive of the fires below but sheol and the pit are other descriptions. Fires bubble up from below and create streams of fire. This is the visible manifestation of fires below upon the surface of the Earth. Fire when kept below the surface at best makes the Earth warm but once it erupts it destroys. There is a literal hell and lake of fire but we are talking metaphorically in terms of the effects it brings upon people’s lives. Bitterness, rejection, self-rejection and all forms of self promotion must be conquered.

Visibly fires from below outwardly create torment, fear, and anxiety. All works of the flesh are outward manifestations of internal evil. But the root of all sorts of visible fire in people’s lives are pride, selfishness, and ego. We see outwardly what one is burying deep within the soul.

Metaphorically, the fires from within are strive and contention and rebellion in our hearts. Those fully exposed may not be physically dead but are dead unto Christ and useless. Dross settles to the bottom. Fires which erupt from below are the physical manifestations of the evil within one’s heart: wars, strife, murder and other works of the flesh showing up all around those with evil within.

Fire from above relate to those that ally with the powers of the prince of the air. They bring down fires to the Earth and manifest firery rein (vs. rain) upon the Earth. This rain is many times visable within evil and ungodly leaders and those who take charge to boss people around using ungodly methods. Hitler, and Moussilini, and Ghengas Khan, and Stalin are a few examples here.

In the natural asteroids, metorites, and things falling through the atmosphere burn and create streams when falling in sufficient quantities. The rain from these cataclysmic disturbances will make mankind seek shelter underground or cry out to the Lord to stop. Runoff is when the sky drops fire like at Sodom and Gomorrah and streams form in the plains. Evil also tends to stream and gather into rivers and lakes.

You should be like that tree planted by rivers of water (Ps. 1:3), spreading out roots in fertile soil (Jer. 17:8) and manifesting outwardly what the tree produces. If you are planted in good soil and your roots are good then you will produce good fruit (Jer. 24). Remember that in the days of Jeremiah the Lord sent away the ones producing good figs from Israel and left the ones who produce bad figs to remain in the land. Ezekial, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshiach and Abendego were the good fruit people. Remember that sometimes God wants to get you out of a bad situation so pulling you out of your comfort zone, your community, or even your country is the best thing. It may not be the popular thing to do but it is best for you even when you cannot clearly see the outcomes. You should not want to remain when judgement comes. Cleansing of the soul is a necessary first step!

  • A big thanks to Troy Henry and his teachings

Our Relationship With God # 7 (Rod and Staff, Mighty Men, Census to Sacrifice)

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This is meant to be a concluding message on our relationship with God, albeit there might be more under a slightly different title in the future. In this I will explore the theme of Rods & Staffs, David’s mighty men for today, and an Unwise Census and Deliverance thru Sacrifice.

— Rods, staffs, and implications for the future

Yet there is a time when Yeshua is on the throne that he will rule with a rod of iron.

Rev. 2:27:: He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ [Ps. 2:9]— as I also have received from My Father;

In Ps. 2:9 rod is šēḇeṭ which has been translated by bible scholars and many different ways:
rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe

Ps. 23:4:: Your rod (šēḇeṭ = rod,staff,sceptre) and Your staff (mašʿēnâ = support or staff), they comfort me.

Is this the same staff that David had in his hand when he confronted Goliath? Apparently not!

1 Sam. 17:40:: (David) took his staff (maqqēl) in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand.

Goliath called David’s staff (maqqēl) a stick for it was nothing to him. One article I found suggested the staff was no ordinary support or rod. According to this author the staff was part of a staff sling. A different kind of sling that uses a staff to throw rocks. In this case rocks could be as big as your fist.

This is not even the rod that Moses used during the time of Pharoah:
Ex. 14:16:: (to Moses) lift up your rod (maṭṭê), and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it
See also Ex. 4:2, 17:5,9

Moses’ matte was a rod of authority. It was what was used before Pharoah to consume the rod’s of the magicians. Moses also had a matte when he stood on the hill as Israel fought Amalek at Rephidim.

So David probably had a shephard’s rod. One used for herding sheep. I don’t want make too much of rods and staffs other than to point out they have different meanings and purposes. Some are for shepharding, some for defense, and some for commanding authority.

— David’s Mighty Men (2 Sam. 23:8-39)

For all of the mighty deeds that Joab did while serving under King David it is a bit strange that he is not listed amongs the mighty men of David. He was David’s commander for taking the city of Jebus.

1 Chr. 11:6:: David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief.

Abishi and Asahel, Joab’s brothers were among the mighty men. Joab was rash and at times did not listen to the king. He killed Abner (2 Sam. 3:27), Saul’s commander and also Amasa (2 Sam. 20:9-10). Both men were military leaders but regarded as competition by Joab and probably in his mind expendable. Joab also does not spare Absalom’s life, despite the king calling for him to be dealt with kindly. Absalom was the epitomy of a prodigal son, one who never came home, one who never repented.

A lesson from Joab’s life is that despite being very powerful he was not completely trusted. David at times needed his skill and support but inwardly was grieved over things like Absalom’s death which Joab initiated and then scolded David over his lamentations (2 Sam. 19:5-7). It is also apparent that top generals like Joab commanded too much power. Abner, Ishbosheth’s general was what maintained the young ruler but he abandoned Isbosheth, coming over to David’s side and that greatly weakend the house of Saul. We even hear about pagan kings like Achish who had to bow to the rule of the military princes. That is one reason in many countries top power is handled by the civilian authorities.

Joab caused so many issues for David that after his death David ordered Joab’s execution (1 Ki. 2:6). For Joab killed both Abner and Amasa during peacetime (vs. 5).

Many of David’s mighty men were known for their exploits. There might have been 37 in total but maybe not serving at the same time. Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah are spoken of highly in this chapter. In some manuscripts Abishi is said to be over another group of three. All were mighty men of valor and did great exploits.

The mighty men were very loyal to David. We need people of such loyalty to support us. Loyalty means not stabbing us in the back when they think it is their right to go outside of agreed-to actions (like what Joab did). Loyalty means doing what is right as our representative even when we are not around.

Spiritually, loyalty means taking initiative but only within the bounds of what is appropriate. If you want to do exploits and serve our master and king wisely, first seek his counsel and then acquire his heart. Since David’s heart was after that of God’s we need to stay this course and do what is right in God’s eyes. Murder has its consequences, whether physical or with our words and actions. Remember we represent the King of Glory so we must represent him properly and not go off half-cocked doing our own thing, assuming are actions are approved.

— The Unwise Census and the Deliverance Thru Sacrifice

One example of sowing into what was happening was in the case of David as an older man. He, against prudent advice of Joab and the commanders of the army, counted the fighting men of Israel. One would think this is ok since Moses had counted the fighting men over 20 in the days of taking Canaan (Num. 1 & 26). But we read in 2 Sam. 24:10 is that David’s heart condemned him. Here we hear from Gad, David’s seer (prophet).

The obvious question here is why this census was wrong and the ones that Moses commanded were ok…….

Joab did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab (1 Chr. 21:6). The tribe of Levi included the priests and levites. Counting them as part of Irael’s fighting force was not good. They were not to serve as combatants. So despite Joab’s questionable actions at times he often advised the king wisely.

Num. 1:47:: Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel. For sure the Levites were to care for the tabernacle of the Testimony.

Yet we see in the census of chapter 26 Levi was counted in the census of fighting men soon before going into Canaan. It could be that the Levites sang and played musical instruments going into battle at the time of going into Canaan. Verse 62 also indicates the Levites were counted seperately.

Num. 26:62: those who were numbered of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and above; for they were not numbered among the other children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given to them among the children of Israel.

Why Joab got upset about counting Benjamin is also debatable. When Joseph ordered his brother Benjamin to Egypt his brothers were fearful for Israel because they already thought they had lost Joseph. We also know King Saul was a Benjamite and it seems King David was wanting to protect the House of Saul, at least some of them.

We are told in 1 Chr. 21:7 ‘God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel’ but we are never told the exact reason why God was dipleased. Verse 1 here says ‘Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel’. The reason is probably something to do with a character flaw in David. He might have become proud or even fearful. Rebellion in his own house might have caused uncertainty (fear) about the future. The bottom line is we do not know for certain why David’s order to take a census of fighting men was wrong. For this he gets three choices for his punishment.

Gad the seer comes to see King David and speaks to him:
2 Sam. 24:13:: Shall seven[three in Septuigint and 1 Chr. 21:12] years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months before your enemies, while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ plague in your land?

The translation of 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days makes the most sense here. David opted for the plague because he said ‘let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man’. With this response only fleeing before your enemies would be removed since three years of famine could also be construed as ‘from the LORD’. Years of famine would ultimately be a huge cost so I can understand why David opted for the quick punishment (also maybe because of a recent famine: 2 Sam. 21:1). Still, 70k dead is a lot of people for his sin. Sometimes being a leader takes a huge toll on the people because of sins or miscalculations of leadership. This is a hard thing to bear for leaders!

It is also interesting to see that the hand of the angel of destruction never went against Jerusalem. This gave David a time of pause and reflection to see what his response should be.

I have to wonder what kind of plague would destroy 70k people in only three days.

2 Sam. 24:15-16:: the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from the morning till the appointed time. From Dan to Beersheba seventy thousand men of the people died. When the angel stretched out His hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “It is enough; now restrain your hand.

The hebrew word deḇer means pestilence or plague. It can also mean murrain, cattle disease, cattle-plague. Murrain is an infectious disease, especially babesiosis. Babesiosis is a disease you get from the bite of a tick infected with the parasite Babesia. It’s symptoms sound like that of malaria which is normally caught by an infected mosquito. So the plague could have been the result of bites by ticks or mosquitos but probably in this case a plague transmuted from cattle to people, like what seems to be the case from bird flu.

What interests me most on this plague it the hebrew word deḇer which has the same root word as dāḇar.
Dāḇar means to speak or declare. This makes me think this terrible plague affected the centers of speech, either in the throat or within the brain itself. I’m sure some will question that conclusion. The bottom line is the plague was quite virulent and deadly. 70k dead in three days! This makes me think we have seen nothing like this in recent times and it makes COVID look like the common cold!

2 Sam. 24:24-25:: David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.

Another question here is why the offering at the threshing floor of Araunah….

A threshing floor is where the grains are seperated, the wheat vs. the chaff. Matthew quotes this when it comes to Yeshua and the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is Yeshua who baptises us with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. – Matthew 3:12

This baptism referred to by Matthew removes our worthless parts. It cleanses us from chaff, that which cannot be used by the Lord. The purpose of King David was to build an altar and offer sacrifices unto the LORD. This is the same for us. We offer unto the Lord the sacrifice of our lives as he removes the fleshly chaff from our lives and consumes this with the fires of his holy presence. Fire is many times considered a cleansing agent. Those that come under persecution are cleansed by it. King David knew well what persecution was and also a family divided. His life had to be fully purged of evil, even the stain of trauma often left by rebellion, sedition, and unresolved feuds.

1 Pet. 4:12-13:: Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Sources:
https://www.gotquestions.org/Joab-in-the-Bible.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/mighty-men-David.html

Doing the right things in the wrong ways

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Did you not know that protocol many times has to be observed when doing things for God? Doing what is right by carnal means can create disaster, even death. So this lessons from the story of King David and the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:1-16 & 1 Chronicles 13 & 15) teaches us important things on how we are to worship and serve God.

— The ark was to be transported only by Levites

1 Chr. 13:7:: So (all Israel) carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

So who was Abinadab? He was probably a levite, but that is not certain. There was an Abinadab, son of Jesse (1 Sam. 17:13) and an Abinadab, son of Saul (1 Sam. 31:2). So maybe Uzza and Ahio were levites, maybe not. One point here is the ark stayed at the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months while David searched out how to transport the ark correctly. Apparently a Gittite is a person from Gath.

1 Chr. 15:2:: David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.”

The implication here at least is that Uzza and Ahio were not Levites. Levites in general are the servants to the priests. We need true servants in the church when it comes to moving or handling the holy things of God.

David said in 1 Chr. 15:13 to the Levites: you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order. (1 Chr. 15:13)

— The ark was to be carried on poles

The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD (1 Chr. 15:15). The first time it was put on a new cart. Touching holy things of God with unclean hands is not acceptable. Even the Levites dare not touch the ark except through poles. Uzza learned that touching, even with the best of intent, was a capital offense. We need to examine ourselves before taking part in the holy sacrement of the Lord’s supper.

1 Cor. 11:28-30:: let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

— Singers and musicians need to be sanctified

The first time David moved the ark of the covenant all Israel played music, not just those sanctified.

1 Chr. 13:8:: David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.

1 Chr. 15:12-13:: David said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.”

Apparently it is improper to have unsanctified leaders of worship dealing with the Ark (where God’s presence dwells}.

1 Chr. 15:16:: David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

The six groups of Levite families numbered 120, 220, 130, 200, 80, 112. There is a mathematical representation here which has not yet been revealed to me.

— We offer up sacrifices at proper intervals

1 Chr. 15:26:: God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams.

This is reminiscent of the offerings made on during the discourse between Balak and Baalam (Num. 23:1-30 seven altars for burnt offering), and after the folly of Job’s ‘friends’ (Job 42:8 burnt offering), and purification of the temple (2 Chr. 29:21 + lambs & goats for sin offering) under Hezekiah..

Additionally we know it was at six paces the bulls and rams were sacrificed and the bulls were neutered:
2 Sam. 6:13:: when those bearing the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen (neutered bull) and fatted sheep (ram is male sheep).

It seems to me that six is man’s number, one shy of perfection. But we should continually offer up a sacrifice of praise.

Heb. 13:15 says ‘by him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name’.

— How we plan things out has to be godly

Yeshua was perfect in all of his ways, that does not mean he never questioned things. It is ok to ask questions.

Luke 9:51:: it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem … for Yeshua knew the plans and purpose Holy Father had established beforehand for his path.

Perhaps Yeshua really did not desire the process of how he was to redeem mankind. For in Gathsemane all three synoptic gospels show he prayed ‘if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me’. Only in Matthew 26 does it have him saying in the second and third prayer ‘if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done’. In other words we see his prayer changing from ‘remove the burden of the cross’ to ‘your will be done in this’. It is only natural that the flesh looks for an escape and so if Yeshua did not ask he was not fully human. The important thing is that in all gospel accounts it is clear that Yeshua was seeking Father’s will. But there are steps that the LORD plans out for each of us. Reading in Proverbs:

Prov. 16:3:: Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.

Prov. 16:9:: A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

The LORD established Yeshua’s thoughts there in Gathsemene and directed his steps. His will went from seeking to find an escape to just committing his ways to the LORD. In Romans we read from Apostle Paul:

Romans 8:28:: we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose

Going to a cross does not seem like things working for good but from a heavenly standpoint that is what happened. We are not the Messiah, it was something predetermined for his destiny ‘from the foundation of the world’ (1 Pet. 1:20).

So our path has to be clear or we will stumble just as new cart did for David and resulted in Uzzah’s death.

Ps. 119:105:: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Nun is the letter here which is the hebrew number 50, a jubilee unto the Lord when our thoughts are established and steps ordered by Him. It startes with guarding His word in our hearts (Ps. 119:11) and commiting our works unto Him.
Samuel said this to Saul in 1 Sam 15:22,23):

Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king.

for Samuel had said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? (1 Sam. 15:14). David learned from his mistake and sacrificed the sheep and oxen every six paces while taking the ark into Jerusalem. Likewise, our offerings have to be done the way the Lord requires it: with obedience, meekness, sincerity, and truth.

Sources:
https://biblehub.com/topical/s/sacrifice_of_seven_bulls_and_seven_rams.htm
https://whocandowhat.com/who-was-abinadab-in-the-bible/

Creator God – The Pressing

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In Day four of creation we read that God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to divide the day from the night; let them be for signs, seasons, days, and years.

Psalm 8:3-9:: When I [see]consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have [appointed,fixed] ordained. What is man that You [remember him] take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than [Elohim]God, and You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the [animals] beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Deut 6:4:: shama` O Yisra’el Yehovah ‘elohiym Yehovah ‘echad
‘elohimy: plural of ‘el·o’·ah (also plural in Genesis 1:1, 6:1 and elsewhere)
echad: properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first

Verse quoted in Hebrews 2:6-8. Hebrews talks about angels in verses 2 & 5. It is not to angels he has subjected the world to come (‘olam haba).

The psalm is a gittit. According to the ATS Bible Dictionary The word Gittish signifies belonging to Gath. It probably denotes either a musical instrument or a kind of music derived from Gath, where David sojourned for a time during the persecution of Saul, 1 Samuel 27:1-7. The word Gath also signifies in Hebrew a winepress.

As from last week we talked about the ark of the covenant’s journey from Baal of Juda (Abinadab’s house) to Jerusalem. The oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out to the ark and was struck down by it. The ark was then moved to the house of Oved-Edom, the Gitti. Coincidently, one from Gath. The ark stayed there for 3 more months.

2 Sam. 6:14:: Then David danced and spun around with abandon before ADONAI, wearing a linen ritual vest (aka ephod)

Where did the linen ritual vest come from?

1 Sam. 21:9
And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. The servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

This is also the same chapter where King David is portrayed as eating of the 12 loaves of shewbread (he asked for 5 but ended up with 12 instead)

1 Sam. 23:9:: David told Avyator the priest (son of Achimelekh) to “Bring the ritual vest here”.

Goliath was also from Gath! Gath was a city of giants (1 Chr. 20:4-8). What giants do we have to slay today?

Matt. 26:26-44:: 26 Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Father’s kingdom.” 30 And after singing a hymn (Hallel), they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Hallel done during Pesach (Psalm 113-118). Sometimes the Jews even sing in harmony the hallel — maybe even in a maskil? gittish is either a musical instrument (like lyre) or music derived from Gath.
….

The Garden of Gethsemane – Gat Shmanim. Gat is wine press. Shmanim is oil. We could be talking about an olive or grape press.

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

I think it more than coincidental that Gat also means of Gath. I put it to you that Jesus was thinking of King David all this time. How he defeated Goliath of Gath. How he got the sword of Goliath and the ephod of the priest of Nov from Avyator, son of Achimelekh. How David fled to Ackish king Gath during the persecution from Saul. How the ark was kept 3 months at Oved-Edom from Gath. Gath was actually a city of giants. Jesus had a cup to bear and the giants were pressing him right now.

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He *came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. — Lackland AFB annex snooze room!

44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.

45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!

Peter’s famous tri-fold denial of Jesus is repeated later by a tri-fold request of Jesus “Do you love me”. (John 21) That was restoration!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace 16 and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross

Our Relationship With God #4 (Honoring the Household of Saul)

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Exegesis of what happened to King Saul of Israel, the seven years of chaos after Saul, honoring Mephibosheth, the end of the House of Saul, and another Saul persecutes David’s lineage.

–– Saul dies in battle (2 versions)

One version is that Saul fell on his sword (1 Sam. 31 & 1 Chr. 10)

1 Sam. 31:3-6:: The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. When his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day.

Another version is that an Amalekite killed Saul (2 Sam. 1)

2 Sam. 1:1-2:: Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag, on the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head.

2 Sam. 1:10:: I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.

So why two versions? Was the Amalekite lying? Did he think he would be rewarded? The idea of Saul having fallen could be that even after falling on his sword he did not die right away and so the Amalekite’s testimony was true. After Saul being finished off by the Amalekite the armorbearer also killed himself. It is also possible the Amalekite was just plain lying and thought David despised Saul because Saul tried to kill him so many times. Thinking of rewards, he hands over Saul’s armament and gives his testimony. David had him executed on the spot. He was probably lying to try to curry favor and reward from David. He was not rewarded.

The mention of another 3 days according to the probably false narrative of the Amalekite does make me wonder if on the third day when David caught up to the Amalekites was about the same day that Saul met his demise at the hands of the Philisteans. For Saul continued to attack the wrong enemy. David prevailed Saul got defeated.2 Sam. 4:10 supports the idea that the Amalekite was executed during the two days David remained in Ziklag. The Philistines continued to be a thorn in the side of Israel until the time of Hezekiah.

A lying spirit got into the jewish rulers in the time of Yeshua’s death. They had a false narrative spread abroad that the disciples of Yeshua stole away his body in the night (Matt. 28:12-15). They were given a large sum of money to spread this lie. The jews continue to be a thorn in the side of Apostle Paul for much of his ministry. This lie eventually resulted in the death of over 1 million jews according to Josephus. For we must not lie about things, for that lie will eventually catch up with us. It is only by grace did David survive.

— Seven years of the split kingdom under King David (respecting Saul’s son)

There was a long war between the leaders of Saul’s army (2 Sam. 3:1). It is a very confusing and chaotic period for Israel and Judah. The imporant thing is ‘David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker’.

In the first four chapters of 2 Samuel there was much chaos in Judah and Israel. There was fighting between the generals of David and Ishbosheth, David took back Mical as wife despite her new husbands grief, Joab (David’s general) murders Abner (Saul’s general). This is because Abner killed Joab’s brother. Eventually Ishbosheth got murdered by his own captains. David even had chaos in his own camp with the sons of Zuruaih and even with Abner. Let’s review what happened politically.

2 Sam. 2:10-11:: Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David. The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

So if this is accurate what happened to the other five years that David reined in Hebron? I believe that the text in 2 Sam. 2:8-9 gives us a clue: Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim; and he made him king. Isbosheth reined because of Abner!

2 Sam. 3:7-10:: Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman? May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the LORD has sworn to him— to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah

So in essence Abner transferred the rule of all Israel over to King David yet David was never going to disrespect the prodigy of Saul.

2 Sam. 5:4-5:: David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

David respected the children of Saul enough to not disturb Ishbosheth’s rule until he died about five years later.

Even leaders of Sauls troops seemed to disregard Ishbosheth after awhile and fled the area before formenting sedition. When sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah killed Ishbosheth and beheaded him it did not go well with them, just as it did not for the Amalekite who lied about killing Saul.

David commanded his young men, and they executed them (Rechab and Baanah), cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner in Hebron (2 Sam. 4:12)

The idea of a legacy to you children or even children’s children is not new and probably event in the life of David gave rise to subequent wisdom:

Prov. 13:22:: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Prov. 22:6:: Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

However, it remains to be seen how good Saul was. Anointings cannot be transferred because of heritage despite David’s honor to the house of Saul.

Sometimes we see in church empires leaders trying to transfer the kingdom to their sons. This can occur as did David leave a legacy to Solomon but it can often fail when it comes to Saul transferring the kingdom to Ishbosheth. One key difference here was David was a man after God’s own heart so tranfer was godly. Saul did not have that kind of kingdom. A transfer to Jonathan could have been honored and was through Mephisobeth. Yet it skipped a generation due to a son honoring an ungodly father. So Jonathan died before fulfilling his destiny.

— Mephibosheth (the last son to be honored)

Another (grand)Son of Saul gets honored even longer than Ishbosheth:

2 Sam. 4:4:: Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

2 Sam. 9:1:: David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

We hear that Mephibosheth was to eat at the king’s table all of the days of his life for David had made a covenant with Jonathan (1 Sam. 18:3) and even between their descendants.

1 Sam. 20:42:: Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever

Despite David and Jonathan have a love like no spouse only through Mephibosheth was the covenant to Jonathan fulfilled. This is a case of delayed fulfillment. Following an ungodly father can skip a blessing despite godly friendships.

— More death in the House of Saul

In 2 Sam. 21 we read about seven offspring of Saul being murdered by the Gibeonites. If you remember, the Gibeonites are ones who made a covenant with Joshua when the children of Israel came into Canaan. It was a ruse but the covenant of peace remained intact, at least until King Saul violated the agreement.

2 Sam. 21:2: the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah.

I won’t go into detail on the seven grandchildren of Saul murdered by the Gibeonites but to say two were of Saul’s concubine Aiah and five of Saul daughter Michal (or Merab). This might have ended the house of Saul save for Mephibosheth.

In verse 1 it says there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.

Even when Shimei the son of Gera of the house of Saul cursed David and threw stones at him, claiming that David murdered the house of Saul, David left him alone (2 Sam. 16:10). This protection, however, did not extend to all Benjamites like Sheba the son of Bichri (2 Sam. 20).

The Lord in many ways protected David from having to deal with Saul and his descendants. Yet, David either protected descendants like Mephiboseth or others murdered the family of Saul. David had nothing to do with the death of Saul and his sons at the battle of Gilboa because of God’s mercy and providence (the Philistine princes rejecting David).

— Another Saul persecutes the lineage of David

Many years later there was another Saul, one of Tarshish who was also a Benjamite. I want to make a posit here that in some ways the house of Saul represents greater Israel which got scattered throughout the world. Many joined King David of Judah as did Abner, just as many joined Judah after the Babylonian captivity. It would take 1000 years after David for greater Israel to reach out again after the death of Yeshua when Apostle Paul takes up the mantle for Benjamin to spread the influence of Israel into the world. Ben-jamin means ‘son of my right hand’. This is prophetic for Psalm 110 when King David stated this:

The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand (yāmîm),
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool (Ps. 110:1)

So I maintain that it was necessary for a Benjamite named Saul to be involved in the spread of the gospel to the whole world. Remember it is Saul of Yeshua’s day which pursued and persecuted Yeshua’s church. In Paul’s own words he said “we all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me'” (Acts 9:4).

In many ways Apostle Saul replays persecuting David, at least until his encounter on the road to Damascus.

Sources:
https://www.gotquestions.org/David-and-Ish-bosheth.html
https://nshorechurch.com/2020/10/21/the-life-of-david-sauls-massacre-at-nob-10-18-20/