"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Haggai - Build The Temple! (1:1-2:23) INTRODUCTION 1. In our survey of "The Minor Prophets", we now jump ahead about 100 years... a. Prophets like Zephaniah, Nahum, and Habakkuk prophesied shortly before the seventy years of Babylonian captivity (i.e. before 606-536 B.C.) b. Following the return under the leadership of Zerubbabel (536 B.C.), it was not long before two more prophets were sent to the people of Israel 2. These prophets were Haggai and Zechariah, the first of which we shall consider in this lesson... a. Concerning the MAN 1) His name means "Festival" or "Festive" 2) What we know of Haggai is limited to his book and references in Ezra (see below) 3) Together with Zechariah he motivated the Jews in rebuilding the temple b. Concerning the MESSAGE 1) It is commonly dated around 520 B.C. (the second year of King Darius - Hag 1:1) a) For the foundation of the temple had been laid shortly after the arrival under the leadership of Zerubbabel (i.e., 536 B.C.) - cf. Ezra 3:8-13 b) Yet opposition to rebuilding the temple stopped it for 16 years - Ezra 4:1-24 c) God then raised up Haggai and Zechariah - Ezra 5:1-2; 6:14 2) The theme of Haggai's preaching: Build The Temple! a) His message contains four separate proclamations b) All within four months - cf. Hag 1:1; 2:1,10,20 [As we outline and briefly consider the message of Haggai, we begin by noticing...] I. A WORD OF REPROOF A. BUILDING THE TEMPLE IS LONG OVERDUE... 1. Haggai takes the Lord's message to Israel's leaders - Hag 1:1 a. Zerubbabel the governor (who lead the first group of exiles back home) b. Joshua the high priest (also known as Jeshua, Ezra 2:1-2, 36,40; 3:2-8) 2. The Lord takes issue with what the people have been saying - Hag 1:2-4 a. They have been saying the time is not right to build the temple b. The Lord challenged them as to whether they should live in paneled houses while the temple lies in ruins B. THE PEOPLE SHOULD CONSIDER THEIR WAYS... 1. The Lord challenged them to consider what was happening - Hag 1:5-6 a. Their efforts were much b. But they received little in return 2. To motivate them in building the temple, their trouble is explained - Hag 1:7-11 a. They needed to build the temple and thereby glorify God b. For their efforts to obtain much for themselves was frustrated by God 1) They looked for much, but God blew it away 2) While His house lay in ruins, they were busy building their own 3) Therefore God had called for a drought on the land and its fruit C. THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHET IS HEEDED... 1. With the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the people obeyed - Hag 1:12 2. The Lord promises to be with them - Hag 1:13 3. Stirred up by the Lord, Zerubbabel and Joshua lead the remnant to resume work on the temple - Hag 1:14-15 [From Hag 1:1,15, we can determine that it took 24 days for the people to begin rebuilding the temple. About a month later (cf. Hag 2:1), another message from the Lord comes by way of Haggai. This message is...] II. A WORD OF SUPPORT A. ARE THE PEOPLE DISCOURAGED? 1. Haggai is sent again to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the faithful remnant - Hag 2:1-2 2. Those who had seen the former temple in its glory are asked if the present temple appears as nothing in comparison - Hag 2:3 -- The new temple evidently did not compare with the temple built by Solomon B. THE LORD PROVIDES A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT... 1. The Lord encourages them to be strong, for He is with them - Hag 2:4-5 2. The Lord promises to make the glory of this temple greater - Hag 2:6-9 a. By shaking the nations and having them come to "the Desire of All Nations" 1) This can be translated "the desired of all nations will come", perhaps speaking of the nations bringing their wealth to the temple - cf. Hag 2:8; Isa 60:5 2) Many see a Messianic reference in this phrase, though no reference is so made in the New Testament (He 12:26-27 does make an allusion to verse 6) b. By giving peace "in this place" 1) Some see another Messianic reference in this phrase 2) Certainly Jesus as the Prince of Peace, came to the temple [With such a word of encouragement, the people would continue with their task of rebuilding the temple. But all was not well in the eyes of the Lord; He needed Haggai once again to prophesy to the people, so two months later (cf. 2:1,10) comes...] III. A WORD OF EXPLANATION A. THE PEOPLE ARE OFFERING A WORK THAT IS UNCLEAN... 1. Through two questions, the Lord challenges the priests to think - Hag 2:10-13 a. Can holiness be transferred through casual contact? - No b. Can defilement be transferred through casual contact? - Yes 2. Well, the people are unclean, and what they therefore offer is unclean! - Hag 2:14 a. Unclean people can't build a holy temple b. Therefore, their offering is unclean! B. ONCE AGAIN THE PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO CONSIDER... 1. First, begin considering what God has done in the past - Hag 2:15-17 a. Before the stone was laid in the temple, things were scarce b. The Lord even brought blight, mildew and hail to frustrate their labors, but they did not heed Him 2. Now, begin considering what God is promising to do - Hag 2: 18-19 a. Begin considering that very day (24th day of the ninth month) 1) Consider what has occurred from the day the temple's foundation was laid 2) Is there seed in the barn? (no) Nor has the produce yielded its fruit d. But beginning that very day (24th day of the ninth month), God was going to bless them! [With such a promise, they would likely repent and build the temple as they should. To encourage them further, Haggai has one last message...] IV. A WORD OF PROMISE A. GOD WILL OVERTHROW THE KINGDOMS OF THE NATIONS... 1. This message came at the same time as the third message - Hag 2:20 a. On the 24th day of the ninth month, of the second year of Darius b. Nearly four months after the first message - cf. Hag 1:1 2. Directed to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah - Hag 2:21-22 a. God proclaims He will shake heaven and earth b. He will overthrow the kingdoms of the Gentiles c. This He will do, "everyone by the sword of his brother" -- Note: Just as He did before, using Assyria to punish Israel, Babylon to punish Assyria, Medo-Persia to punish Babylon, etc. B. GOD'S SPECIAL PROMISE TO ZERUBBABEL... 1. In the same day that God will overthrow the nations - Hag 2: 23a 2. God will make Zerubbabel as a signet ring, for God has chosen him - Hag 2:23b a. Many see a Messianic reference in this promise 1) For God calls Zerubbabel "My servant", an expression often used in Isaiah in reference to the Messiah - cf. Isa 52:13; 53:11 2) And God says "for I have chosen you" (Messiah means anointed, chosen) b. That as governor of Judah and descendant of David, Zerubbabel represents the Messianic hope that has been renewed and would be ultimately fulfilled with the coming of Jesus! -- Note: With His exaltation to the right hand of God, Jesus began to rule the nations "with a rod of iron", as Revelation vividly depicts - Re 1:5; 2:26-27; 3:21; 17:14 CONCLUSION 1. Haggai's message was primarily designed to encourage Zerubbabel and the faithful remnant of Israel who had returned from Babylonian captivity... a. To finish rebuilding the temple b. To do so in a manner that would honor and glorify God c. To look to the future with hope and promise 2. Like other books of the Old Testament... a. Haggai was "written for our learning" - Ro 15:4 b. There are lessons that can easily be gleaned from this book, such as: 1) The importance of putting God first - Hag 1:2-4 2) The need for every one to work, not just the leaders - Hag 1: 12-15 3) The danger of letting evil contaminate our efforts to serve God - Hag 2:11-14 3. As Christians, we are blessed to be "a holy temple in the Lord" - Ep 2:19-22; cf. 1Pe 2:5 a. The foundation of this temple has been laid b. But the need for building upon the foundation continues! Living in a highly materialistic society, it may easy for us to neglect the ongoing construction of the Lord's house. Perhaps we need to remember the words of the Lord through Haggai: "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" (Hag 1:4) If we are indeed guilty of neglecting the Lord's house, then heed also these words of Haggai: "Consider your ways!"
1/30/13
Haggai - Build The Temple (1:1-2:23) by Mark Copeland
Habakkuk - From A Sob To A Song (1:1-3:19) by Mark Copeland
"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Habakkuk - From A Sob To A Song (1:1-3:19) INTRODUCTION 1. We have seen that during the O.T. period known as "Judah Alone"... a. Zephaniah was prophesying to Judah b. Nahum was pronouncing God's judgment upon Nineveh 2. Then there was Habakkuk, a prophet filled with troubling questions a. Concerning his NAME 1) It means "Embrace" 2) "His name, as Luther well puts it, speaks as one who took his nation to his heart, comforted it and held it up, as one embraces and presses to his bosom a poor weeping child, calming and consoling it with good hope." (Geikie) b. Concerning the DATE 1) Around 612-606 B.C. 2) Just as Babylon was making her westward move toward world conquest c. Concerning his MESSAGE: the book easily falls into three sections 1) A "burden" - Hab 1:1-2:1 2) A "vision" - Hab 2:2-20 3) A "prayer" - Hab 3:1-19 3. We note an immediate difference between Habakkuk and other prophets... a. Instead of taking the Lord's message directly to the people (as do most prophets) b. He takes the complaint of the people directly to the Lord, representing them in the complaint -- As he does so, it has been said that Habakkuk goes "From A Sob To A Song" [This process begins with a "burden" as found in the first section of his message...] I. HIS "BURDEN": FAITH GRAPPLING WITH A PROBLEM A. THE PROPHET RAISES A QUESTION... 1. He laments over apparent rule of wickedness and violence 2. How can the Lord justify His apparent indifference to such things? - Hab 1:1-4 B. GOD'S ANSWER... 1. He is not indifferent! 2. He is doing something that will be hard to fathom - Hab 1:5-11 a. Raising up the Chaldeans (Babylon) to execute His judgment b. Using a violent nation that arrogantly thinks it is serving its own god (and purpose) C. THE PROPHET'S SECOND QUESTION... 1. How can a holy God employ such an impure and godless agent? - Hab 1:12-17 2. This is hard for Habakkuk to understand, but he will watch to see what the Lord will say to him - Hab 2:1 [Indeed, it is a heavy "burden" for Habakkuk. God has answered his first question by saying He will use the Chaldeans to punish the wickedness and violence in Judah. But the Chaldeans are wicked also, how can God use them? Habakkuk receives his answer in the form of a "vision"...] II. HIS "VISION": FAITH GRASPING THE SOLUTION A. GOD'S ANSWER: FIRST, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH... 1. Habakkuk is to write what God reveals to him - Hab 2:2-3 2. The proud is not upright; but the just shall live by his faith - Hab 2:4 B. GOD'S ANSWER: SECOND, GOD WILL JUDGE THE PROUD... 1. Woe to the proud possessed with the lust of conquest and plunder - Hab 2:5-8 2. Woe to their efforts to build a permanent empire through cruelty and godless gain - Hab 2:9-11 3. Woe to those who build cities with bloodshed - Hab 2:12-14 4. Woe to those with cruelty in their treatment of those they conquered - Hab 2:15-17 5. Woe to those given over to idolatry - Hab 2:18-20 a. Who worship that in which there is no breath at all b. While the Lord is in His holy temple, before whom the earth should keep silence [The answer to Habakkuk's second question appears to be this: While God may use a wicked nation like Babylon to punish the wickedness of Judah, He will not let Babylon's wickedness go unpunished either! In the meantime, the just (righteous) person will live by his faith in God, which Habakkuk illustrates with his "prayer"...] III. HIS "PRAYER": FAITH GLORYING IN ASSURANCE A. PETITION FOR GOD'S ACTION AND MERCY... 1. Written in the form of a psalm - Hab 3:1,19c 2. Asking God to revive His works, and in His wrath remember mercy - Hab 3:2 B. PRAISE FOR GOD'S PAST DELIVERANCE... 1. His mighty works in the past - Hab 3:3-7 2. Bringing both judgment to the wicked and salvation to His people - Hab 3:8-15 C. PROFESSION OF FAITH... 1. He trembled at what he has heard, that he will have rest in the day of trouble - Hab 3:16 2. But he expresses his faith, that while trouble may come he will rejoice in the Lord who will be his strength - Hab 3: 17-19 -- Here we find one of the greatest expressions of faith found anywhere! CONCLUSION 1. What lessons can we glean from this short book? (as suggested by Homer Hailey) a. The universal supremacy of God's judgment upon the wicked 1) God would use Chaldea to punish wicked Judah 2) Then Chaldea would be destroyed for its own wickedness b. Evil is self-destructive 1) If the righteous can be patient, trusting in the Lord 2) The tyranny and arrogance of the wicked will eventually fall c. The fact of divine discipline 1) In Job it is shown in the suffering of the individual 2) In Habakkuk it is shown in the suffering of the nation -- In both cases, suffering is disciplinary 2. Perhaps the most important lesson concerns the value of "faith"... a. By it the righteous in Habakkuk's day would live b. Even more so today! 1) In receiving salvation - Ro 1:16-17 2) In persevering - He 10:35-39 -- Notice that both quote from Hab 2:4 But our faith must not be a shallow faith; it must be like that expressed by Habakkuk... "Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls;" "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills." Habakkuk 3:17-19 Is this our kind of faith?
Nahum - The Fall Of Nineveh (1:1-3:19) by Mark Copeland
"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Nahum - The Fall Of Nineveh (1:1-3:19) INTRODUCTION 1. At the same time Jeremiah and Zephaniah were pronouncing judgment against Judah, another prophet was directing his attention at one of her enemies 2. The prophet was Nahum, whose name means "Consolation" a. The name "is in a sense symbolical of the message of the book, which was intended to comfort the oppressed and afflicted people of Judah" (Eiselen) b. Concerning the MAN 1) His home was Elkosh, of which little is known - Nah 1:1 2) Some think that Capernaum (lit., "village of Nahum") may have been his birthplace 3) He was contemporary with Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah b. Concerning his MESSAGE 1) His message is usually dated around 630-612 B.C. a) The northern kingdom of Israel was already in Assyrian captivity b) Assyria itself was still a world power, though in a state of decline 2) The theme of his message is simple: "The Fall Of Nineveh" a) This makes his work a complement to that of Jonah b) Though by this time no mercy would be shown, judgment would be final [The book of Nahum can easily be divided into three sections which coincide with the three chapters. In the first section we find...] I. NINEVEH'S DOOM DECLARED A. THE CHARACTER AND POWER OF THE LORD... 1. God's vengeance, even though He is slow to anger - Nah 1:1-3a 2. The fierceness of His anger described - Nah 1:3b-6 3. The goodness of the Lord, as a stronghold to the faithful - Nah 1:7 4. The pursuer of His enemies - Nah 1:8 B. THE COMPLETE OVERTHROW OF NINEVEH... 1. She will not afflict again, despite her plotting against the Lord - Nah 1:9-11 2. Judah will be delivered from Nineveh's affliction - Nah 1: 12-13 3. Nineveh's destruction has been commanded by the Lord - Nah 1: 14 4. There shall be good tidings in Judah, she can keep her feasts - Nah 1:15 [Having "declared" Nineveh's doom in the first section, we now find...] II. NINEVEH'S DOOM DESCRIBED A. THE SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF THE CITY... 1. Furious preparation for the battle is described - Nah 2:1-4 2. Resistance is futile, captivity has been decreed - Nah 2:5-7 a. Note verse 6: "The gates of the rivers are opened, and the palace is dissolved" b. "The Babylonian Chronicle tells that Nineveh fell because the flooding rivers made breaches in the city's defenses." (Believers' Study Bible) B. THE UTTER SACK OF THE CITY... 1. Her inhabitants flee, the city is plundered - Nah 2:8-10 2. Her destruction will be complete, Nineveh as a dwelling of devouring lions will be no more - Nah 2:11-13 [Thus far, Nineveh's doom has been "declared" and "described" by Nahum. In the third and final section, we find him saying...] III. NINEVEH'S DOOM DESERVED A. BECAUSE OF HER SINS... 1. Her woe will be due to her sins - Nah 3:1-4 2. The Lord will uncover her shame and make her a spectacle - Nah 3:5-7 B. SHE IS NO BETTER THAN NO-AMON... 1. Nineveh is no better than No-Amon (Thebes in Egypt) - Nah 3:8 2. Who despite her strength, was carried away into captivity - Nah 3:9-10 3. So it will be with Nineveh - Nah 3:11 C. HER STRENGTH AND WEALTH WILL NOT SAVE HER... 1. Her strongholds will fail - Nah 3:12-13 2. All her efforts, her wealth, her army, will be futile - Nah 3:14-17 D. HER END HAS COME... 1. Her leaders are dead, her people scattered - Nah 3:18-19a 2. Those who hear of her fall will rejoice - Nah 3:19b CONCLUSION 1. The message of Nahum for the people of God is one of consolation... a. That those who afflict God's people will be judged - Nah 1:2-3; cf. Lk 18:7-8 b. That God is a stronghold in time of trouble - Nah 1:7; cf. Ps 27:5 -- Are you trusting in God as your Stronghold? 2. The message of Nahum for those who do evil is one of warning... a. Don't rely on what mercy was shown to your ancestors (e.g., as in the days of Jonah) b. The Lord may be merciful and slow to anger, but the day of judgment does finally come! -- Are you trusting in what your parents or ancestors may have done, to escape the judgment of God? This message of Nahum is reminiscent of the words of Paul: "Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." (Ro 11:22) Let us be sure to "continue in His goodness", lest we too experience the "severity of God"!
Nahum 1:1 (NKJV)
1 The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
Zephaniah - Through Judgment To Blessing (1:1-3:20) by Mark Copeland
"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Zephaniah - Through Judgment To Blessing (1:1-3:20) INTRODUCTION 1. In our survey of "The Minor Prophets" we now come to the first of three prophets who preached to Judah alone, following the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel 2. The prophet is Zephaniah, whose name means "Jehovah Hides" a. Concerning the MAN 1) King Hezekiah was his great-great-grandfather - Zeph 1:1 2) This has prompted some to call him "the royal prophet" 3) He was contemporary with Jeremiah, as were Nahum and Habakkuk b. Concerning his MESSAGE 1) Zephaniah prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah a) Josiah ruled from 640-609 B.C. b) He was a good king, a great reformer - 2Ch 34:1-3,29-33; 35:1-19 c) Josiah's reforms were short-lived, however, and the nation soon apostasized after his death 2) Zephaniah proclaimed the coming "day of the Lord" - cf. Zeph 1:7,14-16 a) So vivid are his descriptions that George Adam Smith wrote: "No hotter book lies in all the Old Testament." b) And yet it ends on an encouraging note concerning the future -- Therefore its overall message is: "Through Judgment To Blessing" [As we get into the book, we note that it can be divided into three sections. The first section encouraged the people to "look within"...] I. GOD'S WRATH COMING UPON JUDAH A. THE LORD IS BRINGING JUDGMENT! 1. The prophet announces a universal and all-consuming judgment - Zeph 1:1-3 2. With special mention and attention given Judah - Zeph 1:4-6 B. THE "DAY OF THE LORD" IS AT HAND! 1. This "day" as it will affect Judah and Jerusalem - Zeph 1:7-13 a. Punishment upon the princes and king's children (note, the king himself is not mentioned), and upon those who are full of violence and deceit b. There will wailing and mourning in the city of Jerusalem c. The Lord will search out and punish the complacent 2. This great "day" described - Zeph 1:14-18 a. A day that is near and hastens quickly b. A day of devastation, desolation, darkness, and distress c. A day in which silver and gold cannot deliver one from the Lord's wrath C. AND SO - A CALL FOR THE NATION TO REPENT! 1. Before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon them - Zeph 2:1-2 2. To seek the Lord, to seek righteousness, to seek humility - Zeph 2:3 [Having encouraged the people to "look within" and see the need for their own repentance, Zephaniah now prompts the people to "look around" to see...] II. GOD'S WRATH COMING UPON SURROUNDING NATIONS A. GOD'S JUDGMENT ON NATIONS EAST AND WEST... 1. Philistia - Zeph 2:4-7 a. It's cities will be made desolate, the inhabitants destroyed b. The land will be for the remnant of Judah, whose captivity God will restore 2. Moab & Ammon - Zeph 2:8-11 a. They shall be like Sodom and Gomorrah b. Because of their pride, and for their mocking reproach of God's people c. And God will one day be worshipped by people from all nations B. GOD'S JUDGMENT ON NATIONS SOUTH AND NORTH... 1. Ethiopia will by slain by the sword - Zeph 2:12 2. Assyria with its capital Nineveh will become desolate - Zeph 2:13-15 C. AND SO - WOE TO JERUSALEM... 1. She has rebelled against the Lord - Zeph 3:1-5 a. She has not obeyed His voice nor drawn near to Him b. Her civil and religious leaders are like lions and wolves, insolent and doing violence to the Law c. The unjust knows no shame; the Lord, however, is righteous and never fails in His justice 2. She has ignored God's judgment upon other nations - Zeph 3:6-7 a. Which should have prompted her to receive God's instruction b. But instead the people corrupted all their deeds [Finally, lest the faithful remnant despair, Zephaniah ends his message with a "look beyond"...] III. THROUGH JUDGMENT TO BLESSING A. WAIT UPON THE LORD... 1. The faithful are told to wait for Lord to carry out His judgment - Zeph 3:8 2. Even as Micah said he would do - cf. Mic 7:7-9 B. GOD WILL RESTORE HIS PEOPLE... 1. After His judgment, God will restore to the peoples (Gentiles?) a "pure language" to worship and serve Him in one accord - Zeph 3:9 2. His dispersed ones (Israel?) shall bring offerings from afar - Zeph 3:10 3. God will remove the proud from His "holy mountain", leaving a meek and humble people who will trust and rest in the Lord - Zeph 3:11-13 C. AND SO - THERE WILL BE JOY IN JERUSALEM... 1. For the Lord will remove their judgments and their enemies - Zeph 3:14-15 2. For the Lord will be in their midst, providing them with gladness, love and singing - Zeph 3:16-17 3. For the Lord has given them great assurance - Zeph 3:18-20 a. God will gather those who sorrow over the reproach of His people b. God will deal with those who afflicted His people c. God will gather those who have been driven out, and give them fame and praise CONCLUSION 1. The message of Zephaniah is a simple one: Judgment is coming, but blessings will follow for those who heed the warning to repent a. It was a message that would later comfort the remnant taken away into Babylonian captivity b. It was a message that perhaps had an initial fulfillment following their restoration under Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah c. But I believe the ultimate fulfillment pertains to the age of the Messiah 1) Which began with the establishment of His spiritual kingdom, the church a) Into which God is "gathering" His people - cf. 1Th 2:12 b) In which we enjoy the presence of God and His blessings - cf. He 12:22-24 2) Which will be culminated when Jesus comes again - Re 21:1-22:5 2. The message of the apostles is not really much different today... a. The "day of the Lord" (of which Zephaniah's "day" was a type) is coming - 2Pe 3:7-10 b. God's people (i.e., the church) are admonished to remain faithful - 2Pe 3:11-14 Are we heeding that message? For those willing to listen, here is what else Peter had to say... "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (Ac 3:19-21) Be converted through your obedience to the gospel of Christ (cf. Mk 16: 15-16; Ac 2:38), and you too can "look beyond" the coming judgment for the blessings to follow!
1/29/13
This reminds me of...
Recently, Thomas Kinkade died. Both my wife and I were sorry to hear the news; not only because of the loss of a human life but also because we knew what it meant- no more of his wonderful artwork. We have collected what we could of his work, but unfortunately were limited by costliness of it! When I saw this picture, it reminded me of the type of thing he would do and I couldn't help but admire the talent of the artist!!! There is a difference though... I think this picture uses a lot more blue tones than Thomas would. Life is full of things like this: how many times have you met someone, only to realize later that they bore a strong resemblance to someone you knew before. When I think of this, I naturally think of Jesus and his similarity to Moses...
Deuteronomy, Chapter 18
15 Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from your midst, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him.
17 Yahweh said to me, “They have well said that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Acts, Chapter 7
A35 “This Moses, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’ 38 This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us, 39 to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt
Two witnesses, Moses and Stephen discuss a prophet to be listened to--someone like Moses, someone that the Jews must listen to. Stephen was stoned for his statements because the Jews refused to listen to the truth. I wonder, how many people over the centuries have just plain refused to listen? Refused to accept Jesus' miracles, his teachings and his resurrection. To me, it just doesn't make sense, because thousands of people attested to his miracles and hundreds saw the resurrected Christ. But, people do the oddest things, and sometimes their actions make no sense at all. The picture bears a close resemblance to the work of Kinkade and I rejoice because it means someone out there paints like him. But, far more importantly, Jesus spoke the words of God and was the prophet like unto Moses. And his words contained a message of life. One more thing...I wonder what color Jesus preferred???
ps. If you are receiving this via e-mail, please note that there are Bible studies, sermons and other materials on the blog site; newbiblereflections.blogspot.com. Some of the other contributors are: Mark Copeland, Terry Sturtevant, Jim McGuiggan and Gary Womack. FYI
HOMOSEXUALITY by Gary Womack
HOMOSEXUALITY
"Homosexuality"
is a word that I never knew anything about when I was growing up.
Certainly it existed, but it was never a topic of conversation and it
was never mentioned on TV or radio. The word never appeared in any
books that I ever read, and if it was never mentioned in the
newspaper, I was never aware of it. Obviously, that was during an
age of much more innocence than we live in today. It makes my heart
ache for our young people of this generation that they must be
exposed to such perversion in society. When I was young, my
imagination could have never envisioned what has become openly
flaunted as an acceptable "lifestyle." What was once
hidden for its shameful and perverted behavior, eventually became
open to discussion as those engaged in such sin "came out of the
closet." Paul said that "...it is shameful to speak of
those things which are done by them in secret." (Eph. 5:12)
Well, we have gone beyond that which is in secret to that which is
not only open, but now is demanded by its participants to be
recognized as acceptable. What they demand we cannot give. Paul
said to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather expose them." (Eph. 5:11) The thought
expressed here is that we are not only to separate ourselves from
such sin, but we are not even allowed to be indifferent
to it or endorse it, but are even to "reprove" such
behavior as being sinful and expose it for what it is. Sin!
Watching
the deliberate and methodical progression of homosexual activists
over the last few years has been an appalling sight. Again, I could
not have imagined a time when those, who once secretly hid their sin
as a recognized shameful thing, could desire that society not only
accept their shameful behavior, but demand to have such behavior
legalized as an adjunct to marriage with all of the privileges
associated with it.
Again,
what they demand is not ours to give. Marriage is not a law of the
land but rather has its origin from a higher court. God established
marriage as the first divine institution for mankind. After He made
the woman and gave her to Adam, His declaration for their lifelong
relationship to each other was stated; "Therefore a man shall
leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall
become one flesh." (Gen. 3:24) Jesus quoted these words when
questioned on the subject of marriage and divorce, adding that
"...what
God has joined together,
let not man separate." (Mt. 19:6) Marriage is of God, not man.
God does the joining of a man and woman in marriage. Therefore, it
is not man's prerogative to alter what God has legislated. This
topic has been the subject of much attention in the news. On
February 24th, 2004, President Bush endorsed an amendment to the
Constitution which would limit marriage to be that between a man and
a woman, thus recognizing it as a heterosexual relationship only.
What
many of us applaud as a courageous stand for what is right, others
have condemned as "a horrific act of prejudice."
Certainly you would expect no less from those who embrace such
perversion. Their view of prejudice
is defined by Webster as "a preconceived and unreasonable
judgment or opinion, usually an unfavorable one marked by suspicion,
fear, intolerance, or hatred." What they fail to understand is
that the formula for marriage is not a "preconceived"
idea, because marriage was never "conceived"
in the mind of man, but rather is of God's "conception"
and is therefore not a matter of "opinion."
Neither is it an "unreasonable
judgment"
when we choose to demand what God states as truth and refuse to
compromise it in the face of those who disagree with it. It is not a
matter of hatred
toward the people who embrace such sin, but rather a hatred for the
sin itself. If we are labeled as being intolerant,
it is no less than God demands.
God
does not tolerate sin. This was made clear under the Old Testament
in regard to the sin of homosexuality. It plainly stated, "If a
man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their
blood shall be upon them." (Lev. 20:13) God's instructions made
it clear that society was not to tolerate this sin, but was to
recognize it as a capital offense. I wonder what kind of response we
would hear if our government did likewise?
Those
who called the President's recommendation "a horrific act of
prejudice" were pointing their finger at the wrong person. In
reality, they were accusing God
of being prejudiced. It is God
who
stated His law regarding marriage, and it is God
who calls homosexuality an "abomination."
God uses that word to convey His disgust
and abhorrence
of what He applies it to. Does this mean that God is prejudiced?
Paul said that "...there is no partiality with God." (Rom.
2:11) He also declared that "...we know that the judgment of
God is according to truth against those who practice such things."
(Rom. 2:2) The "such things" that he mentions are
enumerated in the previous chapter. Notice what he says about
homosexuality. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the
truth in unrighteousness...For this reason God gave them up to vile
passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is
against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of
the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men
with men committing what is shameful,
and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due
them. And even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things
which
are not fitting....who,
knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such
things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of
those who practice them." (Rom. 1:18, 26-28, 32)
God's
judgment is declared as being "righteous"
and their sin as being "worthy
of
death." That doesn't sound like prejudice. It sounds like
justice
when you consider the fact that God allowed man the choice of heeding
His instructions after having warned him of the consequences of sin.
Paul said, "they are without excuse, because, although they knew
God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became
futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
(Rom. 1:20-21)
As
was pointed out previously, the generation of fifty years ago in
which I grew up was a comparatively innocent age. There was a
general respect for God's word and for those who claimed to live by
it. Sin was recognized for what it is
to a much greater extent and was therefore not nearly so blatant as
we see today. A cursory look at this present society compared to
that of just two or three generations ago clearly illustrates how
quickly mankind can degenerate in his moral decline when he forgets
who God
is and refuses to acknowledge Him as God. (See Rom. 1:20-21) Truly,
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any
people." (Prov. 14:34)
In
that fifty short years, those who hid their perverted sexual
preferences came out of hiding. Then they played on society's
sympathy by claiming that they were "born that way." This
lie would succeed in absolving any responsibility to God in the minds
of many who chose to embrace such a "life style." Next,
they began to demand recognition as an accepted and legitimate part
of society. This calculated demand resulted in the labeling of any
dissenter as being a bigot and as being prejudiced. The charge of
"discrimination" became the clarion call for "equal
rights." This only strengthened their claim that their
"alternative lifestyle" was not one of choice but one of
nature's choosing. This strengthened their movement as Hollywood
began to give sway to their plea for acceptance by including
homosexuality into the film making industry. Such media recognition
instilled boldness on the part of many homosexual couples, even to
the point of militance in their deliberate displays of public
affection. With their calculated strategy confidently entrenched,
they have now taken their next logical (?) step in a bold move to
demand the same rights and privileges that are enjoyed by married
men and women; a demand for "civil liberty" to be endorsed
and made law by individual state governments and ultimately by the
federal government.
How
gullible can our society be to accept such godless reasoning? Before
you try to answer that, consider this. In a recent poll (2004), 22%
was sympathetic to the demand for same-sex marriages, believing such
to be acceptable, and 9% were undecided. That means only a slight
majority of 69% disagreed with such a proposal. However, keep in
mind, this was an opinion
poll and the majority does not necessarily reflect a biblically
motivated response. Polls vary and are not necessarily accurate
cross-sections of society, therefore they are not always reliable.
But any
poll that can reflect such numbers is a sad commentary on the
ignorance of a people that were once looked up to for moral virtue by
the rest of the world.
What
the world chooses to think, or endorse, or involve themselves in, is
foreign to the Christian's world. As part of Christ's kingdom, we
are not a part of those goings-on. We sadly have to live in the same
world, but we dare not look upon their actions with indifference.
And we must keep on guard that we not allow ourselves to be
influenced by the subtlety of sin's encroachment into our own lives.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to teach our children God's truths
on such basic tenets of His word. Our children and grandchildren
will inherit this godless society as the legacy of those who failed
to do so.
Young
people, don't be deceived by the language of tolerance. What society
calls an "alternate lifestyle," God calls an "abomination."
(Lev. 18:22) When you are taught in Social Studies classes at school
that homosexual relationships are an accepted part of social
behavior, have the courage to call it what the bible calls it: SIN!
Warn them as Paul did in 1 Cor. 6:9-10; "Do you not know that
the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither
fornicators, nor idolaters nor adulterers, nor
homosexuals, nor sodomites,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." Remind them of
what God did to Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen. 19)
There
is nothing "gay" about same-sex companions. A word which
once meant "joyous and lively; merry; happy; light-hearted."
(Webster's Dictionary, copyright 1958) has been corrupted to describe
a godless and perverted relationship called "homosexuality."
Call it what it is; SIN!
Young
people, remember, that God established His law of marriage at the
beginning in the garden of Eden. He stated there what a man is to do
in order to marry a woman. He is to "...leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife..." (Gen. 2:24) This attests
to the fact that it required a "father and a mother" to
bring them into this world, from which a young man and a young woman
will part in order to make a new family. Homosexuality destroys
God's arrangement for the continuation of society.
After
God had made Adam, He said that "...it is not good that man
should be alone." To solve that problem He said, "I will
make him a helper comparable
to him." (Gen. 2:18) Notice He didn't say that He would make
him a helper the same
as him. Notice that He did not choose to make another man.
But rather, God made a woman
for Adam. Homosexuality says that God did not know what was best for
man or "comparable"
to man.
Upon
making the woman from Adam's rib, Adam said, "This is now bone
of my bones and flesh of my flesh..." (Gen. 2:23) This cannot be
said of a man who seeks to cohabit with another man, nor can it be
said of a woman who seeks to cohabit with another woman. This
describes the difference
that God deemed necessary and most beneficial to meet the needs of
man. It is also obvious that God intended that the difference
between a man and a woman be recognized and honored even in their
dress. "A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man,
nor shall a man put on a woman's garment, for all who do so are an
abomination to the Lord your God." (Deut. 22:5) Paul even
recognized the inappropriateness of hair lengths that failed to
distinguish men and women; "Does not even nature itself teach
you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a
woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to
her for a covering." (1 Cor. 11:14-15)
Young
people, be true to God's arrangement and never be ashamed to stand on
His word. Joy awaits those in both this life and
the next who honor marriage as God designed it.
-
Gary V. Womack - February / March 2004
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