Month: April 2007

The Accepted Sacrifice

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

Genesis 4:1-26 continuing…

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell” Genesis 4:3-5.

The question could be asked here, “Where did they get the idea for making an offering?”, and my answer to that would be assuming that Adam and Eve must have taught the same, and done the same, because they had seen God make the offering for them.

In this chapter there is much focus on Cain. It might be called, by some, a very negative chapter. There is truth here, however, that God wants to make definitely clear. There is only one way to approach God, and worship Him. That One way is His way.

Cain and Abel seem to have gone to the one place where their mother and father had gone. The one place showing us that there was one place of worship. It seems that the two of them also went to that place at the same time, thus, giving a prescribed day. In that, one offering was offered and received by God, and the other rejected implying to us a prescribed means of worship which is acceptable to God. Thus we have 1) One place; 2) One time; and 3) One acceptable offering; equalling one acceptable means of worship. It is the place where God is. It is the time of worship – NOW. The offering God accepts is the offering of His Son. When all these conditions are met it is the acceptable means of worship. Cain failed to meat these requirements in full. Abel met them.

This place of worship for the Adamic family could very well have been at the entrance to the garden of Eden. Eden itself being the dwelling place of God – that is where He walked with Adam and Eve – and the Cherubim and flaming sword forming a “Mercy seat” on which to get a “Foretaste of glory divine”, by the worshippers of the thrice holy God. The true place of worship for those who would approach God and have a personal relationship is at the mercy seat of the cross of Jesus Christ where His blood was shed.

The time they worshipped was most likely the “Seventh day” – that was the day God rested from creating. In that Cain and Abel were there together shows that God approves of corporate worship. That is what Christians do on each Sunday we gather together. There is to be individual worship the other days of one’s life as well. Of Cain and Abel which one would you pick as the one who was a full time worshipper of God? Why? The answer is two-fold: 1) The attitude of the giver/worshipper, and 2) The form of the gift.

Cain came with the wrong attitude; without a submissive heart and full of pride in his own labors. His offering/sacrifice was without blood (Heb. 9:22). It was an attempt to cover with ‘Fig leaves” all over again. Surely Adam and Eve had taught the boys the proper offering.

Needless to say God rejected Cain’s sacrifice. Because God accepted Abel’s and rejected his; Cain became angry. The way God accepted the offering of Abel was, most likely by fire from Heaven (Lev. 9:24). Cain showed no faith in God’s Word or dependence on the sacrifice of a substitute.

They Shall See God

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The Be-Attitudes continuing…

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” Matthew 5:8 (KJV).

Purity is such a sweet word. When we think of purity we might think of fresh fallen snow; without any yellow spots, of course. We might even think of a new born baby boy or girl. When it comes to Christianity we should think especially of Jesus Christ, for He is the essence of purity. The word “Pure” according to the MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY ‘Unmixed with any other matter: free from taint’ also, ‘Free from moral fault: innocent’. There was/is nothing about Jesus that is tainted. He is fully God and fully man, and free of any mix, and free of any taint; His life is free of any moral fault; He is innocent. He was innocent as He was condemned by men to die. As an innocent man He died for guilty men, that we might be made pure through His own blood.

The only way any other person can be pure of heart, ie., ‘holy’ is by the very holiness of Christ Himself. No one can see God without a pure heart [holiness], “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14 KJV). None can appear before God without a pure [holy] heart – “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” Psalm 24:3-4 (KJV).

There is a pure heart only by looking to Jesus. As you look to Jesus you see God.

…A Man from the LORD

/ Tim A. / 5 Comments

Genesis 4:1-26 continuing…

“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground” Genesis 4:1-2.

As we begin looking at the life of the man and the woman outside paradise, and outside the best of God, we find Adam and Eve filled with promise and hope. Remember they had had a perfect environment, only to reject God, and to be cast from it for the entire remainder of their natural lives.

We have in these first two verses the first evidence of their copulating and bringing children into their world. We do know that they produced more children. For one thing we will see later is that Cain marries a wife. She had to come from somewhere. That is going to turn some people away to think that a man married his sister, but that was at that time the only way to propagate the race of man. At that time their would have been no problem with marrying so close of kin as there is now. The Word of God later forbids a man marrying his sister, but until that law was given, it was allowed.

We do not need to be alarmed by this chapter and learning of the brother sister marriages and such. After all it was the LORD God who commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and fill the earth. That is what they were doing. There are some who believe that sexual intercourse was the “Original sin” which caused the fall of the man and woman. That is not so, because God had already given them commandment to multiply, and fill the earth. Sex is a God honored act of marriage between a husband and his wife, a wife and her husband. In the book of Hebrews we read, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4 NKJV).

The phrase, “Adam knew Eve his wife” is refering to the intimate, pleasurable act of marriage. It is a means of pleasure between a man and his woman in marriage, and for the purpose of procreation.

In these two verses God fulfills a promise. In chapter three and verse 16 we read, “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children…”. Though it seems a bit shadowed by the curse there is within it the promise of “children”. The promise of children was not only a promise of continuation of the human race, but also the promise of a Savior. What good, or what count would this life be without the hope of a Savior who would come and be our substitute for sin? Expecting pain in the childbearing, she still looked longingly for that time those children would be born.

The birthing of that first son, Cain, gives her encouragement, meaning, and purpose for living. While Adam tills the ground “From whence he was taken” by God’s hand, “So Eve the woman with divine help produced the man, Cain. She sees in creating Cain the realization of her divinely assigned role.” KENNETH A. MATTHEWS, N.A.C. Commentary Vol. 1a, page 265. The woman is God’s instrument of continuation. She is the one who endures nine months of pain, excess weight, and the agony of the birth. Yet, she is joyful all through this time, full of expectation and hope. God’s promise fulfilled in the woman’s bearing children (1 Timothy 2:15).

Eve brought forth another son. The first, Cain, and Eve could have expected him to be the deliverer, but she soon learns otherwise. The second son is Abel.

Cain is a tiller of the ground walking in his father’s footsteps. Abel is a shepherd. Remember, God has cursed the ground (3:17). To labor in the field is the efforts and works of the man. The sheep on the other hand, another form of farming or ranching, grow as they are blessed by God. This is in no way to denegrate farmers or agriculture. This way of living is one of the most honorable and rewarding of all forms of vocations or occupations. There is no other, whether it is the raising of cattle, or the sowing of seed, that requires more work, faith, patience, and endurance. Anyone who has ever planted a garden seed could tell you the truth of the curse of the ground. Weeds spring up and choke off, and/or hinder the growth of the seeds planted, unless there is a tending to that garden, and weeds are pulled, cut back and/or destroyed.

Cast Out of the Garden

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

Genesis 3:1-24 conclusion

“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” Genesis 3:22-24

“The man is become as one of us…”. The MacArthur Study Bible on this note reads, “This was spoken out of compassion for the man and woman, who only in limited ways were like the Trinity, knowing good and evil — not by holy omniscience, but by personal experience (cf. Is. 6:3; Hab. 1:13; Rev. 4:8).” From pg. 21. When God made man in His image, it was with the ability to reason, will, and think, also to create [from what was already made]; which in God’s Creating was from nothing.

Look at the LORD God’s concern now for the man and woman. Can you imagine living in sin unable to die? Would you want to live in such miserable conditions? Think about these conditions. A body being consumed by a cancer, stricken with pain. Growing older and older, and older, with the joints of the body growing more and more painful each day. Some of these things are hard for us to imagine, but without death, these would be possible. God drives (v. 24) the man and woman from the garden. He tells us why, “…Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever…” (v. 22).

The garden of Eden is shut off to the man and woman after they are driven out. It is kept secure by Cherubims [angelic beings], and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep them from the tree of life. Adam was now to till the soil, plant the seed, then keep it weeded, and the soil nurtured through some growth processes to help the seeds grow. There were the insects now that afflicted them and their crops.

The garden was a place of LORD God’s constant presence. The two made in the image and after the likeness of God were cast out of His presence the labor, toil, and judgment their disobedience had brought them. Death is separation – not cessation. In the expulsion they experienced a death worse than anything – separation from God.

Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden in judgment. They awaited a day when the LORD God would send a Savior, the Substitute, in order that the way to the Tree of Life might be open once again. All who trust the Substitute for sin, Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection will have access to the Tree of Life, in that final garden the “Heavenly Paradise” (Rev. 22:1-4).

Beginning Monday April 23, 2007; the Lord Willing, we will begin in chapter four, and Genesis will be a Monday publication, and the Gospel of Matthew a Friday publication.

Hope With Covering

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living” Genesis 3:20.

We find here the name of the woman whom God had given to Adam. It does seem that her name is not given until after the sin which cursed all things created. She has just been called ‘Woman’ and ‘Wife’, but without a name. That leads me to assume that the time following her creation and the time of the fall were a short period of time just following her presentation to Adam. This naming of Eve following the curse is an expression of faith by Adam; believing that God in His grace would provide a way for them and their descendants.

“Mother of all living”, and, “…In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children…” are expressions of hope. God in His grace gives mercy to Adam and Eve and provides a way of salvation through the bearing of children (1 Timothy 2:15), eventually to lead to the coming of the Savior of the world – Jesus Christ.

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” Genesis 3:21

God had warned Adam that in the day they ate from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would surely die. There may be some who would say, “Well, they didn’t die that day”. What most do not understand is that there is more than one way to die. Most times when we think of death we think of the physical body, the body going back to the dust of the ground; but there is a death far worse than that, and that is separation from God. Death is separation. Speaking of physical death it is the separation of the body from the soul and spirit. Speaking of spiritual death we speak of separation from God. Speaking of eternal death we speak of an eternal separation from God.

The death of Adam and Eve on that day was a spiritual death which also led to physical death a few hundred years later. They were meant to live forever physically, but now they would not. At least not in this physical state.

Because of sin the father and mother of all people was required to see death upclose and personal. At least, that is my belief. The LORD God would, most likely, have killed an animal or two [probably sheep] to clothe Adam and Eve in the garments that were pleasing to Him. Remember figleaves were not sufficient to please Him. The figleaves represented their rebellion and pride in their own abilities, and was no where near the standard which God required.   Death was the requirement for sin.  For the justice, holiness, and righteousness of God something must die.

Adam and Eve would have seen the blood flow from the “lamb” as the LORD God took their lives in the stead of Adam and Eve. God’s clothing [Righteousness, holiness, justness] required death’s blood. The man and woman had sinned. In His grace He claims a substitute.

Can we not see them standing before the LORD of all the earth, as the blood of the lamb was shed on the altar of the earth, for their sins. Compelled to watch. Compelled to look as the blood flowed, and the skins were prepared to cover their nakedness.

What a glorious picture we can see in this of the day when the God of all creation became a man, and went to the cross as a dying Lamb for the sins of mankind, and there, too, God offered His holy and sinless Son a sacrifice for our sin. “…Striken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4). The guilt of the sinner; the unrighteous; placed on the account of the Righteous [Jesus], and the Righteousness of the Righteous One placed in the account of the sinner (2 Cor. 5:21). Clothed no longer in the ‘fig leaves’, but in the Righteousness of the Lamb of God.

The Curse of Sin

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” Genesis 3:14-19.

We have already looked at the ‘Edenic Covenant’ in chapter one verses 29 – 31. In these verses of chapter three we have what has been called the ‘Adamic Covenant’. Things have drastically changed. Adam and Eve are no longer innocent; they are in fact vile sinners, and the Adamic Covenant is basically nothing but the results of sin’s curse. The curse has been put on all of creation. We see this when the apostle Paul writes, “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” Romans 8:20-22.

Let’s take a look now at the results of the curse of sin: 1) The serpent would move on his belly; 2) There is enmity between the serpent and the seed of the woman (although this enmity is found in every child and sensible men, this speaks more clearly of the enmity between Christ and satan); 3) The woman would experience sorrow in child bearing: NOTE: the mysterious promise of the continuation of humanity (“in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children”); 4) The man’s judgment was a curse on the ground – where the ground had once been fertile and fruitful, it would now be hard, toilsome and less fruitful; 5) Death, man would return to the dust from which he was made – this does not mean the man ceases to exist; it does mean his body will return to the dust. Since God “Breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul”, thus making him an eternal being; 6) The animal kingdom would rise up against one another and mankind, and some would become carnivores – the lion and the lamb would not be eating together anymore; the calf and the wolf would not eat from the same place any longer; and 7) The whole universe would be in turmoil, especially seen on the earth with storms, earthquakes, etc. though these would probably not come for several years yet.

Even though there is sin in the world there is still an answer. We must turn to our Creator. The One who made all things and holds them together. He is the same one who went to the cross, paid our sin debt, and rose from the grave. “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” John 1:3. See also John 1:1, 14 and Colossians 1:16-17.

Naked and Afraid

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat” Genesis 3:9-13

The question God asks as He calls out to Adam is not because He needs information. He already knows where Adam is. He wants Adam to know where Adam is. Now there may be some reading that statement who will not realize what that means. Adam knew he was hiding from God among the trees of the garden. What had probably not ‘hit home’ with Adam yet, was where he was in his relationship with the LORD God. If God was asking him where he was, things were not good between them.

It is now confession time. “I heard Thy voice…, and I was afraid…, I was naked; and I hid myself”. This best part about Adam’s confession is that he heard God’s voice. It goes downhill from there. Sin is what makes us afraid of God. It was sin that made Adam and Eve naked and ashamed; hiding themselves. Whether we realize it or not we are all physically covered with figleaves, made from manmade materials, and materials grown from the ground; such as polyester, and cotton.

God questions Adam and Eve concerning the knowledge of their nakedness. Again, this is not for His information. God already knows these things. There is nothing new He can learn. Adam begins to accuse God for the giving him the woman Eve, “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me…” Adam is not just blaming Eve; he is outrightly blaming God for giving him the woman. Blaming others for our mistakes is more than a human thing, it is a sin thing. They had never done this before. Eve, then, blames the serpent. Someone has said, “The poor serpent didn’t have a leg to stand on”. :>)

When we are in sin we will always try to blame others for our mistakes and errors. No one wants to take responsibility for their own. When Jesus comes into one’s life there is a driving desire to be right with God, and to be right with others. When we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and we are living right with Him we will take responsibility for our actions and sins. We will take them to the Lord in repentance, and we will receive the forgiveness only the Father can give.

They Shall Obtain Mercy

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

The Be-Attitudes continuing…

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” Matthew 5:7 (KJV).

When you are in the right position with “Mercy” it is most likely because you have obtained mercy. (See Matthew 6:14-15; and Luke 7:41-42). We live in a very competitive world. Many believe it is okay to exact revenge on someone who has bettered you. You could call that “Get-Even-Ism”.

That is not the way of mercy. That is not the way of God. In the Luke reference given it tells us, “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?” (Luke 7:41-42). The answer given to this question was, “The one who was forgiven the most”. Mercy is what all of us have received, but very few practice it toward others.

To define Mercy, it has been defined this way. It is not receiving what we justly deserve – that is judgment. We have all received mercy from God, because He withholds the judgment in order that many might, at least have opportunity, to be saved.

The next time you are about to release a verbage of criticism on someone over something that has offended you; take a look at yourself. Someone has been merciful to you in the past, and probably over this same thing that has set you off. The prophet Habakkuk prayed to the LORD, “…In wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2 KJV). It is the merciful who will obtain mercy. His kingdom way is mercy. What is the position of your attitude concerning mercy?

They Shall Be Filled

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The Be-Attitudes continuing…

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” Matthew 5:6 (KJV).

Remember the definition of “Attitude” is ‘the position of something in relation to something else’. In this case the subject is righteousness. Righteousness most easily defined is; ‘being right with God’. That would involve many things including worship, our deportment, both with God and with others.

The kingdom child is hungry for God and His ways. Righteousness is the way of God, and it is the way of the child of God to hunger for it. His/Her desire is for Jesus Christ and nothing else.

The individual who is righteous, because of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, will have a specific hunger and thirst. That hunger will be to devour the truth of God through His Word, and His Word affecting the direction our lives take for serving the Lord. It seems that it would be accurate to say that when Jesus was being tempted by the devil in the wilderness He had righteousness on His mind. He was physically hungry and thirsty, but when He was tested to turn stones to bread; he was more attuned to being right with His Father rather than disobedience.

The “Blessed” ones who hunger and thirst for/after righteousness, are those who labor in diligent, earnest hearing of the Word of God and prayer. They feed daily at the table of the BREAD OF LIFE. They drink deeply of the One who is the Water of Life.

O, that we as the people of God grew in that hunger; never completely filled; but satisfied with Jesus, wanting more of Him, and His righteousness. The thirst never completely quenched; with longing to drink from the well of the Water from Heaven. Drink from the ‘river of water’ that flows from out of the throne of God Himself (Revelation 22:1).

This hunger and thirst comes only into the hearts of those who have joyously received the free gift of God’s grace. Ones who have seen Jesus as the divine Son of God. The Ones who have seen Jesus dying for the sins of mankind upon the cruel cross so many years ago. The ones who have witnessed the resurrection power of Jesus per a changed life. You have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. You will never be filled without that hunger and thirst, and finding satisfaction through Him alone.

The Voice Walking

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden” Genesis 3:8.

Adam and Eve had just eaten what God had commanded them not to eat. They now have had their first experience with sin, and it will not be their last. They have met their sin master. Previous to this they have had sweet communion with the LORD God. Walks in the garden. Peace in the garden. Comfort in the garden. Now, there is fear, especially when they hear, ‘…The voice of the LORD God walking in the garden…’. Rather than going to Him as they most likely did previously, they now hide.

Who is this “Voice… walking in the garden”? It must be none other than the preincarnate Son of God; ie. Jesus the Christ. They know they have sinned. They also know the LORD God will not be pleased. They also know that they have shattered His glory in their lives. They even know the fig leaf coverings they have made are insufficient to approach holy God. So, they hide.

The initial response of a child who has disobeyed a parent and knows Mom and Dad will be angry with them is to hide. How tragic that is. Most parents would be understanding, forgiving, and the discipline would probably be less severe if the child would come running to the parent or parents saying I have disobeyed, please forgive me.

Oh, how tragic the events in the garden were on that eventful day. To hide from the ‘…Presence of the LORD God…’ is one of the saddest statements in the Bible. Can we not see that sin drives us from God and godliness. Sin causes us shame, guilt, despair, and ruin. Oh, that the sinning man, woman, boy or girl would not flee and hide from God, but, rather flee toward Him, because the Father has made a way through the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than fleeing from God and hiding from Him; Make a bee line and FLEE TO THE CROSS.

Adam, Say Something

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” Genesis 3:6-7.

So many times and far too much of the time we are a fickle lot of people. We see, hear, and believe only what we want to. The lie of the devil was very enticing, but it was a desire and longing in Eve’s heart that overcame what she knew to be right. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15). Turning, and walking away from what tempts us is so difficult, because, what is tempting us to sin, is what we are desiring, even if we know it is wrong, and evil.

There are three phases of temptation – Adam’s and Eve’s and our’s; 1) “The lust of the flesh…’; 2) ‘the lust of the eyes’; and 3) ‘the pride of life” (1 John 2:15-17). Notice how this appealed to Eve: 1) It was appealing for the satisfaction of the physical; 2) it was attractive to look upon; and 3) it offered to make her powerful. These things are very hard to resist. They have appeal to all of us. It seems especially so in the world today. We want immediate gratification NOW, so what ever appeals to our pride, longing for beauty, or satisfaction of physical appetites we do. If you look at the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) you will see that the devil used these same three temptations to try and tempt Jesus away from and around the cross.

Remember Eve was innocent. Innocent does not mean incapable of sin. She was unfamiliar with temptation. Eve was like a very young child who is told not to touch a hot stove. It is, most times, experience that teaches them why they should not touch it. Eve’s temptation had far greater consequences than a child touching a hot stove, but by becoming disobedient to God mankind has felt the heat.

Where was Adam while this was going on? Apparently, he was there “with her” according to the text (v. 6b). We have no clue as to Adam’s silence, but this is certainly one point where silence was not “golden”. Reading this text makes me want to scream, “ADAM, SAY SOMETHING. SAY NO! JUST SAY NO!” He could have taken Eve by the arm and said, “Let’s go”, but he did not do it. It could be in their innocence that neither had a place of ‘rulership’ over the other, but stood equal, and because of this Adam remained silent. We really do not know.

We can certainly learn that as men, as husbands and fathers there are times as the prophets, priests and kings in our families we must speak up. Our wives and children need clear direction fromt he Lord, and often times the way they receive that is through us. We must speak or let our families go to ruin.

The saddest state of all is their pride. They realize that they had sinned and were disobedient to the commandment of God. They know they are not alone – God is there. They make themselves a covering of “Fig leaves”. Maybe good enough for man’s and religion’s approval, but not God’s (Isaiah 64:6). It was a fig tree which Jesus cursed. A curse upon the works of righteousness which man can do. A curse of empty religion. Cursed because of fruitlessness (Matthew 21:18-20), offering nothing pleasing to God, or for the real hunger of mankind.

Fig leaves will not cover sufficiently, nor effectively; only the shed blood of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ can cover our multitude of sins.

The Absence of God’s Presence

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” Genesis 3:4-5.

The devil is a liar, and of that I am sure. Jesus said he is a liar, and that he is the ‘father of lies’ (John 8:44).

In the first verse we are confronted with the devil’s deception by beauty, cunning and guile. In our present verse we have a bald-faced lie. The devil knew the consequences of Adam and Eve eating the fruit. Who knows; he may have ever heard the LORD give them the commandment. His lie, “Ye shall not surely die…” is the old serpents attempt at making God out to be the liar.

He even goes so far as to say to Eve, that God is withholding His best from you. “Your eyes will be opened, and ye shall be as gods [or could be ‘like God’], knowing good and evil.”

The devil knows when to hit. At the moment Eve was admiring the tree; at the moment of her weakness; at the moment we drop our guard; LOOKOUT!!! The devil will attack. That is why Paul the apostle tells us to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Part of the man’s responsibility in the garden was to “Keep it” (Gen. 2:15); guard and protect it from the onslaughts of the enemy. The garden represents the presence of God the LORD. We ought to guard our lives, the place where we are in the presence of the LORD God.

They Shall Inherit the Earth

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 The Be-Attitudes continuing…

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5 (KJV).

Someone has defined ‘Meekness’ as “Strength/Power under control”. If there was ever a picture of meekness in men it came from Jesus Christ Himself. It is also said of Moses. ” (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Numbers 12:3 (KJV). Meekness can also be called ‘gentleness’. Meekness comes when we realize the greatness of God.

The meek are those who know and realize who they are in Christ, but do not seek to exploit their position, power or person above others. The meek are not quick to defend themselves, but will be quick in defending others, and standing for the righteousness, holiness, and justice of God.

The meek are those who will not complain about the rough spots in their lives, but are grateful, thankful, and trusting that they are in the care of God, and that all things are under His control. This attitude would be the position of the meek in relation to their world. The meek would see the positon of themselves as apposed to the thinking of the world.

The inheritance of the ‘Meek’ is the earth. This is mentioned in the Psalms; “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” Psalm 37:9-11 (KJV). Those who are always out for themselves; never defend the holy; never defend the helpless, but are always stepping on others to get their way – they will be “Cut off”; but the “Meek shall inherit the earth”. Notice that it says that of “…Those that wait upon the LORD..” as well.

They Shall Be Comforted

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

The Beatitudes continuing…

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (KJV).

Remembering that the MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY definition for ‘attitude’ is ‘the position of something in relation to something else’ we can see this Beatitude as the attitude of sorrow for something that is not correct. Seeing ourselves in ‘the position of sin and against God’ should bring us to tears and sorrow. Seeing others in sin should cause us to mourn for them.

Because we sin, and when we realize our sinfulness, that should bring us to our knees. People of our day love laughter. They will pay really good money to go hear a comedian make them laugh. They will sit for hours watching situation comedies on television for the laughing. People will set around telling funny, though sometimes vulgar stories just for a laugh. Am I against laughter? Not at all. Are we supposed to spend all the time of our lives in mourning? I do not believe so. There is a time for everything, for everything a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). As a matter of fact the Bible even mentions laughter. Isaac; the son of Abraham and Sarah was named laughter – that is the meaning of the name Isaac. The writer of Proverbs said, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” Proverbs 17:22 (KJV).

For the most part; considering the condition of the hearts of people, and even professing Christians, we should be mourning the situation of our hearts and lives before God. Our lives and the lives of friends and loved ones. Laughter helps us feel better now, but still people are perishing, our lives grow colder, and more distant from God, and we laugh. While we mourn we pray for the perishing; we pray for our growth in grace; we pray for our friends and family. There is comfort for those who mourn.

There will be comfort when we see that lost loved one come to faith. There will be comfort when we can see our lives growing in grace. There will be comfort as we see family and friends blessed. There is an ultimate comfort for those who mourn. It will be when we are forever in the Kingdom of our King. O, such laughter and joy there will be. We can have it now as we see the lost redeemed; as we see brothers and sisters growing in Christ.

Which Tree Is It?

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” Genesis 3:2-3

The serpent had implied in verse one that God had said they could not eat from every tree of the garden, not just the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve being innocent caught the “error”, and proceeded to correct the snake. Surely, she found it fascinating that a serpent was able to speak in the first place. It was, most likely, not an event that was supposed to happen, except in this rare event. There must have been questions racing through Eve’s mind – ‘Where did this serpent with the ability to speak come from?’; ‘Is this the only one, or are there others?’; ‘Is this the only beast that can speak or can all the others?’ All these racing through her mind and distracted from the deception that was taking place.

Eve does answer the serpent correctly in this first phase of her answer. “We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden…” God had not forbidden Adam and Eve from eating any of the fruits of the garden, except the one tree. We must remember there were two trees in the “midst of the garden” (Genesis 2:9). In this part of the answer Eve’s answer becomes a little unclear. She says, “…Of the fruit of the tree which is in the MIDST OF THE GARDEN, God hath said,,,”. Now, which tree was she speaking of? Her answer there is unclear. She did not specify which tree. The serpent had her in his grasp. She was not clear on what God had said, or at least had not quoted God correctly, then, she goes on and adds more it seems. Since these last words she uses, “…Neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” are not mentioned previously it seems that she has added to God’s Word; on that the serpent has her again. It would have probably been a good thing to not touch the fruit lest the temptation be stronger, but to add it as a commandment of the LORD God was a mistake.

Let’s have a refresher on what God had said, ” And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” Genesis 2:16-17. Eve was in error of not saying which tree in the midst of the garden, and she was in error for confronting the devil with what she may have assumed to be God’s Word. The MacArthur Study Bible note for this phrase, “Nor shall you touch it” states, “An addition to the original prohibition as recorded (cf. Gen. 2:17). Adam may have so instructed her for her protection“. I do believe that Eve had her own fellowship with the LORD God not based on Adam’s. If Adam did tell her this without instructing her that it was his own words and not the LORD God’s then, Adam was in error in doing so.

We can learn much from these two verses. One is that when we are tempted we better know the Word of the Lord. We cannot stand in this fallen world without God’s Word hidden in our hearts and lives. It is given us for our protection and keeping. “How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto, according to Thy Word” Psalm 119:9. “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Thy truth; Thy Word is truth” John 17:17. None of us can face the devil/serpent alone. We, as Christians, have the Spirit of Christ Jesus within us and the Word of God directing and cleansing us.

Liar of All Liars

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

If you are somewhat like me you sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have lived in the Garden of Eden in a state of innocence. The temperature was perfect. The atmosphere was perfect. There was a human strength that would probably been unbelievable compared to our strengths and abilities. The air was clean. There were no battles, no wars, not even between Adam and Eve. The lion and the lamb came and drank from the same pool of water, and at the same time and there was no fear in the lamb, and no aggression in the lion. The wolf and the kid [goat] ate together, slept near one another, and none was aggressive, and none was fearful. In the whole of the garden, there was no fear. What a world. Then something dreadful, terrible, sad, and deadly happened.

In verse one we read, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” The first thing we read about in the third chapter is a serpent; a snake; and that this serpent is “more subtle than any beast of the field…” Did God create this snake to be subtle, that is cunning, crafty, and could even add prudent? It appears so. Subtle does not always mean a bad thing, but when it comes to the meaning of the serpent in this case it does. This serpent was used by a more intelligent being. One thing I do want to point out here is that there is no mention that this ‘serpent’ is Satan or the devil as we often call him. We can rightly assume this is a serpent who has been possessed by the devil or Satan. In the book of Ezekiel we find a description of the devil in chapter 28. It is also a reference to the king of Tyre. The king of Tyre was being influenced; if not empowered; by the devil. Notice in Ezekiel verse 13, “You were in Eden, the garden of God…”, also in verse 14, “You were the anointed cherub who covers…”, and then in the Revelation he is referred to as “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years…” (20:2). That is part of the places we are justified in calling this serpent in the garden an associate of the devil.

The snake is stealthy, sneaky, and can kill. This snake of our text begins with a question intended to deceive. Not only was this beast subtle, but also had a cunning beauty about him. If you can look closely at some snakes today, there is some of that beauty still with them. Even the deadly rattlesnake, or the not as venomous copperhead, have a beauty in the patterns of their skins. That is why we are warned in the New Testament that “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” 2 Corinthians 11:14.

The devil has no love for any of God’s creation, because he has no love for God. He is seeking to destroy God’s creation, especially the creation which God made in His own image. It fits very well that one of the most beautiful of angels, having lost his position would choose a beautiful creature to deceive and destroy.

The lie of the serpent is one of casting doubt. Questions when dealt with rightly, and in faith can strengthen the faith. Satan, the old serpent, loves casting doubt on the Word of God. He loves it even more when doubt breeds unbelief. He appears often as that “angel of light” mentioned above for the purpose of deception. It is easy to identify many of the devil’s works in the world – murder, heresy (though this one is becoming very controversial due to pluralism, pragmatism, and political correctness), hatred, homosexuality (kind of in the same category with heresy), adultery, premarital sex, envy, greed, injustice, mercilessness, no fear of God, etc., but it is more difficult to identify his work when he appears as an ‘angel of light’. That is why Jesus commanded us to “Watch”.

To get Eve’s attention he implied that none of the trees could be eaten from. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Twisting the Word of God is a tool of the devil, and he will use that to destroy you. Jesus used the Word of God against the attacks of the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). We must learn how to do so also.

The First Wedding

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Genesis 2:1-25 concluded..

These verses begin by showing Adam performing his God ordained task, as a matter of fact, he is showing a God-like quality. Just as God named the earth, the heavens, and man; Adam is given the ressonsibility to name the animals. This shows man in his ability to reason and to rule.

“And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.” (v. 20). As these animals pass before Adam he is shown that there is none like himself. This shows us that man is himself unique, and needs a unique help meet.

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (vv. 21-22). In these verses we find the first surgery performed, and the FIRST MARRIAGE. This was a very unique surgery. A rib is removed from Adam. The rib taken from Adam is then, ‘Built’ into the likeness of Adam in female form. The way she is designed is even unique. Instead of being formed from the dust of the ground she is built from the side of the man “For Adam was first formed, then Eve” 1 Timothy 2:13. It has been said, “Woman was not taken from man’s feet to be trampled by him, or from his head to rule over him; but from his side, to be near his heart, and loved by him”. UNKNOWN. In name and nature man and woman were made for one another.

In type [portrait] we see Christ giving His life for His Bride. Here is how it can be seen; 1) Deep sleep – death; 2) the side opened – the spear thrust into His side, and the blood and water flowed. Jesus died on the cross. His side was opened by a soldier’s spear (John 19:34). Even as Adam awoke; Jesus arose from death and the grave. When Adam awoke he discovered the most beautiful of all of creation. When Jesus arose from death He had prepared the way for the building of His bride. Just as God brought Eve to Adam, God brings us to Christ, also ultimately into the garden (Rev. 22:1-2).

The first husband and wife are truly one – Eve was taken out of Adam. Just for noting: Adam does not name give the woman the name “Eve” until the twentieth verse of chapter three, and that is after the fall. They were one in purpose, one in flesh, one in God and in worship.

In their innocence they were unashamed. They were open. Everything was revealed. They expressed genuine love for one another without shame or fear of reprisal. Their communication with one another, and with God was straight forward. There was no need for politics, political correctness, diplomacy or tact. It must have been wonderful. There is no way at all we can begin to understand the joy they shared together.

Here in this portion of Scripture is given direction for all marriages to come. The man begins his own family and is to, himself, become the head of his wife; not his mother, father of her mother and father.

God performed the first wedding ceremony. If God were allowed to be central of every wedding/marriag, and the couples; there would be no spousal abuse, divorce, adultery, etc., except because of sin.

It seems that in this year of 2007 Domestic abuse or Spousal abuse is up over much of our country. O, that those who are married would love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25ff). Too many times the husbands are always expecting to receive from the wife, when it is our privilege to give to the wife the very best that we can give, even to our lives.

Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

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The Be-Attitudes continuing…“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (v. 3)

These are characteristics and attitudes we should possess as disciples or followers of Jesus Christ the King. The first one is being “Poor in spirit”. This is opposite of being haughty, arrogant, and proud. Especially when we are considering the things of God. There is no room for pride before the throne of God. The one who is “Poor in spirit” realizes they are bankrupt before the God of all creation. We could not stand in His presence, except that He provides us a way.

Arrogance and pride before men is one thing, but to be arrogant and prideful before God is an eternal matter which will cause you to be cast into everlasting fire. When one is humble before God that will show in our dealings before men as well.

The definition of “Attitude” – ‘the position of something in relation to something else’ MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY. In the case of these Beatitudes it seems this is the best of the definitions given. The position of your thinking in relation to God is of extreme importance. The way you think of yourself in position to God. If you do not see yourself as God does there will be no way you can walk along side of Him. When you do; you will inherit ‘the kingdom of heaven’.