“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, ‘Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.’ Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, ‘That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.'” ~Jesus (Matthew 5:17-20)
Earth
Glory in the Kingdom
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” ~Jesus (Matthew 5:13-16)
Evil; After the Flood
We live “After the flood”. Was that news to you? 🙂 We all know that. The flood did not eradicate evil; is what I am saying. It did however stop the progressive flow of evil that was going on and continuing in the days before. God would continue to have a people, a nation and a Deliverer and Saviour for His people and the world.
As we look at Scripture from my reading for today I read;
“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, ‘Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly.’ And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, ‘Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’ And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, ‘Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.’ So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.” Genesis 11:1-9 (KJV)
In this passage of Scripture, and several years following the flood we see the people gathered together in one place; contrary to God’s command of “Multiplying and filling the earth”. This in effect was a rebellious act against the Creator; and if the people were not going to cover the earth, then God would do it by confusing their languages.
There is only one way for the people of earth to be one in God, Peace and Unity; and that is through Jesus Christ. It is not through building monuments of human effort such as statues, churches, mosque, temples, or skyscrapers, etc. Nor, is religion equal to the task. It is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that will bring us together, keep us together for eternity.
Pray for peace. Yes! First pray for what God has given us guidance and command to pray for; and that is “the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).
-Tim A. Blankenship
When the Sons of God Marry the Daughters of Men
In the book of Genesis there is a paragraph of mysterious Scripture. I say mysterious, because, of the various interpretations that have been given of it. My interpretation is not an uncommon one, but I do not believe it is the most popular among us. I think you understand my interpretation by the following commentary on the verses.
“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, ‘My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.’ There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. And the LORD said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.’ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:1-8 (KJV)
I will be looking at the “sons of God” as being the sons of Adam who were following the commands of the LORD as much as they were empowered to do so. However they were enticed by the beauty, and affections of the “daughters of men” who were the daughters of the ungodly; possibly men who were engulfed by evil in so called magical arts, reading the stars, etc. Christians of today; for the most part; know the commands given by Paul, and from the Old Testament; “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14ff).
The lesson is also taught in the commandments dealing with farming. See Deuteronomy 22:10; because the ox and the donkey have two completely different mindsets. The same is true with a believer and an unbeliever. There will be often excruciating pains and problems related to the differences. Marriage is tough enough without entering into already fully divided.
There is warning given in the above printed verses that “My Spirit shall not always strive with man…” Which seems; at least to me; to be saying their time is short. That mankind of that day had only 120 years until judgment would come on them. The wickedness had grown so monstrous that the holy and righteous One could not put up with it any longer; yet He gives them time to change their ways.
Some may ask, “What were the “Giants in the earth in those days…?” They were possibly those wicked men who were known and popular for their demonism, witchcraft, spells, and other kinds of evil practices. The imaginations of mankind had run wild. Could we not say that also of the day in which we live? I certainly think so.
More and more professing Christians see no wrong in participating the speech, behavior and acts of the world around them. Christians are marrying the “daughters of men”, joining in the practices, and at the same time attempting to worship the Creator.
When the sons of GOD marry the daughters of men evil increases. Good is diminished. The Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ is neglected, rejected, and despised.
Christian we might be complaining of losing our rights as citizens of the United States of America; however, we need to be more concerned that we have lost our power with God. We have lost that because we have joined ourselves with “the daughters of men”, the unrighteous and the unholy.
Thank GOD for His grace. Just as Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD; so too do we all as we come to Him through His Son Jesus. I leave this for you to muse on. God loves you the way you are; however, He loves you too much to leave you the way you are.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Music, Singing and GOD
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. O LORD, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:1-2 (KJV)
There is much that could be said about music and singing and for that matter GOD. Habakkuk, at the beginning of his prophecy was asking questions. It was like he was blaming God for not watching over His people, protecting them, but letting the enemies of the earth run rough shod over them.
At the end of his prophecy he uses a term which is probably related to music somehow. It is not quite clear what the meaning of “Shigionoth” is. God, however, must enjoy music and singing; and I know that the human race enjoys it very well. Billions of dollars have been spent on buying recordings over the past 50 years in order for us to be able to drive down the road, put in a tape, a CD, plug in an iPod, or a jump drive, and listen to our hearts content.
Yesterday morning I heard on a radio program that NASA has discovered a “Plasma ring” around our planet; and within that ring are radio waves. Evidently NASA sent up listening devices, and recorded sounds within that Plasma ring. It almost sounds like a form of music. Our Creator has made the earth to sing.
The greatest song ever sung was in the death of God’s only begotten Son dying to pay the sin debt of the human race.
-T.A.
Are We Seeing Things???
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; ‘When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.’ Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:29-35 (KJV)
Jesus says in the above quotation, along with other things; “…When ye shall see all these things…” Thus I pose the question, “Are we seeing things?” Christian our hope is not in this world. It is in knowing Jesus Christ and being known by Him. Trust not in politics or politicians; nor in government.
Jesus is coming soon.
-T.A.
God’s Word Today 082212
The LORD of hosts hath sworn by Himself, saying, ‘Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.’ He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by His understanding. When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasures. Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. The portion of Jacob is not like them; for He is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: the LORD of hosts is His name.” Jeremiah 51:14-19 (KJV)
Also read Psalms 115 and 135.
-T.A.
God’s Word Today 081512
And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying, ‘Thus saith the LORD; ‘If ye can break My covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; then may also My covenant be broken with David My servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, My ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David My servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.’ Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, ‘Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the LORD hath chosen, He hath even cast them off? Thus they have despised My people, that they should be no more a nation before them.’ Thus saith the LORD; ‘If My covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.” Jeremiah 33:19-26 (KJV)
-T.A.
God’s Word Today 081412
Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying, ‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee: Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is His name, great in counsel, and mighty in work: for Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made Thee a name, as at this day; and hast brought forth Thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror; and hast given them this land, which Thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; and they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not Thy voice, neither walked in Thy law; they have done nothing of all that Thou commandedst them to do: therefore Thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them. Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what Thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, Thou seest it. And Thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, ‘Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” Jeremiah 32:16-25 (KJV)
-T.A.
Day 64 – Prepare For the Glory of the LORD
All of creation is for the glory of the LORD; even the one’s made in His image; yet we have fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23), and because of Adam’s sin have brought a curse on the created order.
My reading this morning took me through three of the Minor Prophets – Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah. These are called “Minor Prophets” because of the shortness of the prophecy, not its measure of importance in prophecy, and the Word of God.
God, in His Word, shows us quite clearly that He will be glorified; and will spare nothing to make it so. He who spared not even His own Son, to bring us back into His glory.
There are a couple of verses in Amos I want us to consider this morning. God shows us His glory in the creation;
“Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is His name…” Amos 5:8 (KJV)
“It is He that buildeth His stories in the heaven, and hath founded His troop in the earth; He that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is His name.” 9:6
In Amos the prophet shows us God even in the everyday things that we take for granted; such as the stars, and the rain which nourishes the ground and our crops. Note, the prophets awareness of where the rain comes from – how it comes from the “waters of the sea”.
Now note how the prophet Obadiah, the shortest prophetic book of the Old Testament ends his prophecy speaking of the kingdom being the LORD’S;
“And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.” Obadiah 21 (KJV)
Now as we consider the prophet Jonah we see a very reluctant prophet. We first hear of Jonah in 2 Kings 14:25 where the prophet had spoken in the days of Jeroboam. When the LORD calls Jonah to a foreign land, Nineveh, the prophet becomes disobedient, rebellious and flees. God has something else in mind. He prepares five different things to bring the prophet to where He wants Him to be; and it is not just to Nineveh;
“But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.” Jonah 1:4
“Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17
“And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, ‘It is better for me to die than to live.'” Jonah 4:6-8
Notice the five things God prepared for Jonah. 1) “a great wind into the sea”; 2) “the LORD prepared great fish…”; 3) “the LORD God prepared a gourd…”; 4) “God prepared a worm…”; 5) “God prepared a vehement east wind…”
Sad to think that he was more concerned with his own comfort than the souls of these people; most of all the glory of the LORD God. How am I with that today? I am afraid that far too often I am like Jonah.
May God help me.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day 62 – The Wisdom and Knowledge of Daniel
That is right. My reading today covered all of the prophecy of Daniel, and the first two chapters of Hosea. We will look at Hosea in the next post. God willing of course.
Daniel was one of many Jewish nobles who were taken by Nebuchadnezzar into Babylon as captives. Daniel and three of his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were chosen by the hand and appointment of God. They were four young men who were willing to risk their lives for the sake of the commandments of the LORD God.
“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” Daniel 1:17 (KJV)
These were not young people who would be given to pride with the power and authority which was given them by God. Many might say, “It was Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon who gave them their power and authority”. Not so. All power and authority comes from the God of heaven and earth.
One of the first test which came to Daniel was the king wanting the “wise men” of Babylon to tell him a dream he had dreamed and its interpretation. Of course the Chaldeans of Babylon had no clue as to the dream he dreamed. Daniel, however, called on Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to pray and seek God for the answer, and God gave it to them (2:17-23). Daniel went to Nebuchadnezzar and told him the dream and its interpretation. It was a dream showing how the end of the earthly rule of the Gentiles would come about.
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” 2:44-45
All the prophecies of Daniel were fulfilled just as Daniel foretold them; or are yet to be fulfilled. The earthly kingdoms of men yet stand, but they will one day fall to the rule of the One who died on the cross for our sins, was buried carrying our guilt and sin away, than three days later He bodily arose and came out of the grave justifying forever, those who will believe in Him.
God tells Daniel to “seal the book, even to the time of the end” (12:4), and it seems to me that we are near the end, and the wisdom and understanding of the prophecy is becoming clear to those who will hear and believe.
Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God will soon return, and set up His earthly kingdom. Know the wisdom and knowledge of Daniel. Know the LORD.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day 52 – The Sovereign Holy One of Israel
There is one phrase which keeps coming up in the prophecy of Isaiah. It is more than a phrase, it is a statement of the character of God. In Isaiah, as well as in other parts of Scripture we hear of “the Holy One of Israel”. It is a good term, a great reference to the character of the Creator of all that is; both seen and unseen. As I read chapters 35 – 48 of Isaiah this morning I noticed the presence of God in the nations around the tiny nation of Israel. You really cannot help but notice that God is God of the world when it gets right down to it.
If God reigns, and he does, in Israel; then, He also is reigning throughout the whole world. He is, though, not often recognized as being the one who is reigning.
In chapters 36 – 39 we hear about Hezekiah, and his struggle against the pride, and arrogance of Assyria, and her king Sennacherib (36:1). No army had been successful against the Assyrian army, and the king wanted Hezekiah to know it. In his arrogance he blasphemed the God of Israel, seeing Him as nothing more than the idols of the fallen nations he had conquered. However, since God is defensive of His own glory, and Hezekiah had a heart for God, then God was not going to let this arrogant king get by with it.
We also see in the reading that God is not at all well pleased with Israel, and that they are going into captivity because of their rejection of God, His Word, and His ways. Babylon was God’s source of captivity and judgment upon Israel, however Babylon showed them no mercy, and in their arrogance they brought judgment of God upon themselves to destruction;
“I was wroth with My people, I have polluted Mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. And thou saidst, ‘I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.’ Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: but these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, ‘None seeth me.’ Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, ‘I am, and none else beside me.’ Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.” Isaiah 47:6-13 (KJV)
If you will notice this announcement of judgment is due to “thou didst shew them no mercy”. Because of this Babylon would fall to a king that God names in chapers 44 and 45;
“That saith of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, ‘Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, ‘Thy foundation shall be laid.” 44:28
“Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut…” 45:1
The LORD is THE SOVEREIGN HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL; however He is Sovereign of the whole world, yea, even of the Universe. A final word in the reading for today says this,
“There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” Isaiah 48:22 (KJV)
The wicked are all those who refuse to submit to the Lordship and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ, and His finished work on Calvary’s cross.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day 48 – From Love to Love and Salvation – excuse me day 49
If there is one thing that the Bible declares to the follower of Christ and to any who will read it it is that God loves the world. However, we also will find within the pages much of the fact that God is holy and righteous and will not overlook our sin.
My reading today, this morning, took me through the Song of Solomon or Song of Songs, and chapters 1 – 6 of the prophet Isaiah. Now there is contrast. From a love story to prophetic warnings; however, after some thought on the matter I see these chapters of Isaiah as the love of God toward His wife (Judah), warning and wooing her back to Himself; and that He will do whatever it takes to bring her back to Himself.
To be perfectly honest with you I enjoy reading the Song of Solomon, but I do not see a whole lot to say about the matter except that we can see in this love story; God’s love for His people, and when she is right with Him, her love for Him.
Here is how the young Shulamite woman feels for her groom –
“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” Song of Solomon 2:4 (KJV)
She has been taken to what she call “the banqueting house” and all she senses is his love for her. If you will notice in reading the Song, all the words she has for her groom is love and admiration. She adores him; and that should be what the Bride of Christ feels for Him as well. After all He purchased us with His own blood; redeeming us from our sin and condemnation. Should we not be loving, admiring, and adoring Him; even worshipping Him always.
One can learn much from reading the Song about how a man should love, and adore their girlfriends; and their wives. There are several times it mentions too, about waiting for “love”; most likely referring to the sexual relationship. Waiting for the time when there is a lifelong commitment to one another through marriage (8:4). Marriage is about our commitment to Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32).
The prophet Isaiah was a man who loved the LORD. He was a prophet from the nobility of his day. The time was one of wealth and prosperity, but the people had forsaken the LORD of hosts. They had turned to idols from the living God. The prophet says to them –
“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, ‘I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.’ Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” Isaiah 1:3-4 (KJV)
The prophet found it difficult to see owners of oxen and donkeys able to use them for plowing, hauling things and such without any problem; the donkey and the ox being obedient to their masters commands, and guidance taps; yet the people of God did not know God in obedience; the One who had delivered them from Egypt; provided them with many judges who delivered them from tormentors and persecutors.
Yet, here too is a love story. One of a wonderful salvation. The prophet’s name means, “The LORD is salvation”. The salvation of Israel is a direct result of the love of God for them. Their salvation does not mean they are a perfect people; just a delivered people. The same is true for the Christian of today.
It is the love of God; and the fact that He is holy and righteous; that will not allow His children to be a success at sinning.
“But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.” Isaiah 5:16
The Lord loves you today. Christian do not continue in your sin. Repent and obey Him. If you are still in your sin that love has been shown to the world by the death of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, on the cross, His burial, and His bodily resurrection. The goal for the child of God is to sin no more; and one day that will be accomplished through the return of Jesus Christ in His glory.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day 37 – Thoughts from Psalms; Waiting
The word wait is use nine times in the reading for today. My reading was from Psalms 24 – 37. Waiting is not a pleasant thing to do; especially in today’s fast moving world.
We wait in traffic. We wait for that job interview and job that is going to put us in a higher income bracket, and maybe on “easy street”. We wait at the doctor’s office. We wait in the Emergency Room. We wait for news of family and friends to come. It seems when we are anxiously waiting that it takes forever coming; whatever it is we are waiting for.
We are admonished by Scripture and these Psalms,
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (KJV)
Expectantly is the idea of “Wait on the LORD”. Trusting Him in the time when things do not seem to be happening. What are we to do while we are “Waiting on the LORD”? We do what we know to do, keep on going, keep on trusting, but by His directives and plan; not our own.
“Yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.” 25:3-5
There will be no shame for those who are waiting on God; ie, trusting in Him. Too many times we jump ahead of what God wants us to do, and we end up making messes of our lifes situation. That is seen in the business world, and the spiritual lives of people.
A Christian business man may know to trust the LORD in his business situation, yet a need may arise for a certain type of qualified individual who can get the job done, and he takes the first one who comes along, and things end up in a mess.
I fear there are far too many churches, and Christians who are having worship services that are geared to fleshly activity rather than divine worship; because they want to “prime the pump” so to speak, getting ahead of what God’s word teaches, and instilling their own devices. In this we end up with a mess; outside God’s directive and plan; where He is not truly worshipped and praised. We feel good, but God does not. No shame will come to those who wait on God.
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” 37:7-9
The word “wait” and “patiently” are used together in the first part of these verses and the idea is a bit different. It seems that it is almost a painful thing, sort of like an exercise of building strength, character, or patience. I do not know if you have ever prayed for patience, but I can almost assure that if you have, or when you do, something will come along which will build up patience in you; a trial of great pain and sorrow. It was the apostle Paul who said,
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience…” Romans 5:3
“Waiting on the LORD” means also that we are living His way, not our own. Let me end this commentary today with these words,
“Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” 37:34
His way is found in Scripture, the Bible, and these words tell us of the One who would come to take away our sin and its condemnation. That one is Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God. He told us, after His death, burial and bodily resurrection that He would return. Let us who believe Him, and trust Him wait patiently for that blessed hope and glorious return.
-Tim A. Blankenship
B F & M – Stewardship
Many people, and even some Baptists flinch at the word “Stewardship”. A pastor stands behind the pulpit, and proclaims his subject as “Stewardship”, and the first thing that goes through many minds is, “Here comes a sermon on giving our money”.
Stewardship involves much more than money. It entails the care of what has been given us for use. I have lived in a rented house. I am a steward of this house. We now live in a house of our own [and the mortgage companies], along with a few acres of land. It is the place God has provided my wife and I to live. We have a 2000 and 2001 model Mercury Grand Marquis automobiles. They too, were given us by God, to care for and maintain, and to keep in as good of care as we possibly can. We are stewards of these things.
We are also all stewards of this planet called earth which we live on. We are to give of our tithes and offerings. Our Statement of Faith does not mention “Titheing” per se, but rather, “…binding stewardship in their possessions”. We should count titheing as a privilege. One hundred percent of our income is God’s, and all we are asked to return to acknowledge God’s ownership is 10% of it. Gifts and offerings come above this.
Here is our Statement of Faith on the matter of Stewardship:
“XIII. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.”
The tithe shows our recognition of God’s ownership. There are many who want to tell us that the tithe is an Old Testament principle. Jesus has taught it in the New. Jesus tells us:
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Matthew 23:23 (KJV).
If you noticed He commends the tithe, but is condemning them for not practicing other matters of the law. If Christians, and Baptists in particular would tithe to their local congregation, there is no church in the USA which would be hurting financially with the wise use of their resources, and missions and evangelism would be supported more effectively as well.
Be careful to take good care of the resources God has blessed you with. Practice judgment, mercy, and faith, and take care of what God has blessed you with materially; and recognize God’s ownership of your income.
-T.A.
The Unchanging Throne of God
The Unchanging Throne of God
Psalm 45:1-17
1. The heart of the psalmist moved to praise the King (vv. 1-2).
2. The mighty, triumphant acts of the King (vv. 3-5).
3. God’s throne, forever anointed by God (vv. 6-9).
4. The bride is instructed to listen and hear (vv. 10-15).
5. The King has princes in all the earth (vv. 16-17).
I. IT IS A REGENERATED HEART THAT IS MOVED TO PRAISE THE KING.
II. THE REGENERATED HEART WATCHES FOR, SEES AND PARTICIPATES IN THE MIGHTY WORKS OF GOD – THE KING.
III. THE KING/GOD IS CHRIST; ANOINTED BY GOD ABOVE ALL OTHERS (Hebrews 1:9).
IV. AS THE BRIDE HEARS THE VOICE OF HER GROOM; SO TO THE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST HEARS TO VOICE OF HIS LORD (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13, 22; 19:6-16).
V. THE PRINCES OF THE KING REMEMBERED IN THE EARTH
Summary –
i. The King is worthy of praise and worship; make your heart worthy of praising Him.
ii. Praise the wonderful, majestic, and mighty acts of the LORD and King.
iii. You can rest in faith and assurance knowing that the throne of God is forever and forever.
iv. Hear the words of the King and do them with your heart.
v. You are princes and princesses of the King; live like it; and be remembered in the earth and in Heaven.
-T.A.
This is sermon points from a message preached at Carr Lane Baptist Church 08/14/11
Observations From Acts – 041811
Just one short observation.
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, ‘Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?’ And He said unto them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, ‘Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.'” Acts 1:6-11 (KJV)
The remaining disciples of Jesus, following His resurrection have gone with Him to the Mount of Olives. He is about to be “taken up” from them; and in their sight. They ask Him, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” His answer was, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,which the Father hath put in His own power.”
They asked about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Jesus did not say that it would not happen, but that they would not know the time or the season it would happen. In the mean time Jesus has given them and us power to be witnesses in our homes, our communities, States, and the nations of the world to tell them of the glories of Jesus Christ.
When will Israel be restored? We don’t know. God knows. Let’s believe Him, and not the opinions and philosophies of men.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Observations From Matthew – 031111
Reading today from Matthew 23 – 25.
After doing my reading this morning, I was wondering what I should post this morning for the Scripture reading over on our church blog, and our son James called and told me about a huge earthquake which had just happened in Japan. Now, there are tsunami warnings out for all the West coast of the continental USA, Alaska, that they were vacating the Island’s of Hawaii, and Australia and other places. It just reminds me of the reminders our Lord gives that He will return.
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:36-39 (KJV)
“You Christians have been saying that for years, and it hasn’t happened yet.” You could even say, “It has been being said, for about two thousand years”, and I would even go further than that. God has been telling us that since near the beginning, because through Enoch was written the words,
“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude vv. 14-15
and Enoch lived before Noah (Genesis 5:24).
We need not ask “When is Jesus Christ Returning?” We do need to ask, “Is my life ready for His return if He were to come today?” Since we do not know the day or the time we need to be drawing near to God through His Son Jesus each and every day through His Word and prayer, committing our lives to holy living through the power of His Spirit who lives in those who have called on the name of Jesus Christ.
If you will look around you today you will see much chaos. Economic upheaval, National and international catastrophe, Political upheaval in all shapes and sizes; democratic, republics, dictatorships, anarchy. Yet I believe God still reigns. He is on His throne, and prayer changes things and people for the glory of God.
We have all these chaotic things going on, yet some people pay no mind, no attention to these matters; they just keep on partying, marrying, giving in marriage; and making no change to the way they live. It is time to direct our hearts to the LORD of hosts. He has directed His eyes toward us. He has sent us His Son Jesus to die for our sins; made a way for all who will believe to call on Him and be brought into fellowship with Him.
You may think, “I can’t change. I have tried many times and failed”. To that I say, “No you can’t change yourself.” However, God can change you. Admit to Him that you are a sinner, that you are powerless, and submit yourself to His grace, call on Him, believe and be saved.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Day of the LORD is at Hand
The title comes from Isaiah 13:6. Yes, I am doing some catch up work here. On Sunday nights at Carr Lane Baptist I have been preaching through the Prophecy of Isaiah, however, I have not been prone to publish on the blog until now. I pray you will be able to follow along and get them in order if you need to do so.
Chapter 13 begins a series of messages from the prophet to foreign nations who have not heard the LORD God; and mistreated the people of God known as Israel or Judah, and continues through chapter 23. From Babylon to Tyre, and includes God’s anger toward His people as well in chapter 22.
Chapter 13 and 14 deals with Babylon, which at this point in history was not considered a world power, yet it would become so, in about a hundred years. How did Isaiah know this? By the Word and wisdom of the LORD of hosts.
Babylon would be a proud and arrogant people; worshipping their own deities which were in signs in the stars, the stars, and idols made of human hands.
In many ways Babylon represents the world and its arrogance against God and His people. The world, its inhabitants, its governments often have no friendly hand toward God’s people; be they Christian or Hebrew. We see this quite often in many foreign lands today where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Where we are not free to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and many brothers and sisters die for their faith.
We see it often in history concerning the Hebrew people. One instance of great persecution against the Hebrew people is in the death camps of Hitler. The numbers of murdered Hebrews during that time of holocaust in Germany. It was a growing problem throughout the history of man. No one of the surrounding nations wanted the Jewish people around. They worshipped the one true God, and He is the only way to paradise or heaven.
“Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.” Isaiah 13:6 (KJV)
The warning is to Babylon and their destruction should they fail to heed God’s warning.
If you will notice the very things which they admire and worship are taken from them. “The stars of heaven and the constellations will not give their light…” (v. 10), the sun darkened. Now I don’t know how this was done; and it is most likely a prophetic word which has yet to take place and the prophecy is basically to the world itself for turning their back on the message of God, His Word and His servants and His people. With the same judgment they have wreaked out so shall they receive like judgment. Remember even Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1) and God will carry out His judgment to the fullest extent, and will let sin run its course (SEE verses 15-16). Babylon will fall by the power of the Medes (Daniel 5:30-31).
The kingdom of Babylon as it was known in that day has fallen, just as God has said. It was a glorious nation of wealth, gold, jewels, many riches. It was full of pride. God says, “…Her days shall not be prolonged” (v. 22).
The days of pride and arrogance of the world will come to an end. God’s glory will be seen by all, rejoiced in by all who love Him, His Word and His people. His kingdom will be prolonged for all eternity.
-Tim A. Blankenship
My Observations 020711
Reading Leviticus 24-25 today.
Is it so bad to blaspheme the name of God? Many seem not to think so. What is “blasphemy”, or blaspheming the name of God?
“And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.” Leviticus 24:15-16 (KJV)
It would mean to make light of the name of God; to curse His name. There are many people in the day who do just this, yet the mercy and grace of God falls all over them. Some of these same people are ones who ask the question, “Why does God allow evil in the world?”, then with the next sentence take the name of the LORD in vain, or use His name to swear falsely by leaving a hurting individual hanging by a debt, or without an employer when they have the means to help them.
The LORD values life. All of life. God gives us the form of correction for one man taking another’s life; and that is the death of the killer/murderer. Why? Because He is the LORD. One life is just as valuable as the other. To allow a murderer to lives places more value on the murderer’s life than on the murdered individual’s life. That’s our society. However, God still says,
“And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.” 24:17
The LORD also places value on land ownership and ownership of anything. Though no man actually owns anything; it belongs to the LORD; but He has placed us here to be stewards of His creation.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying, ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; but in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.” 25:1-4
When people honor God by caring for the land and others He will bless that people.
Please read Leviticus 24 – 25.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Hand Stretched Out Still
God has spoken of grace and mercy to His people, and they have refused it. The prophet ever faithful to proclaim the truth of God’s Word to those people must surely grow frustrated. The prophet has told them of a light that is coming (9:2), he has told them of a Child that will be born, and His name will be called Immanuel (7:14), and yet there is no repentance; no returning to God
God is preparing to send judgment upon the nation of Judah and Israel; it seems in small doses at first, then what ever is needed. There are some who have a problem with the thought of “God pursuing His people”, but it seems to me that that is exactly what He does.
God is angry with sin. He hates sin. Not only does sin distract from the glory of God, but it also breaks fellowship between God and His people. Those who think that God does not judge sin does not know the God of the Bible. He will accomplish His purposes and fulfill His glory.
In chapter nine of Isaiah the following words are written three times, and one time in chapter ten:
“For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.” Isaiah 9:12,17, 21 and 10:4 (NKJV).
The LORD will perform His Word. There will be nothing left undone which God has spoken. His anger will not be turned away until the people of God find their rest, peace, hope, and faith in Him (See chapter 12 of Isaiah).
God is never glorified by the sin of His people, but He will be glorified as He exposes it, judges it, and purges it from the lives of His people. The people of God should never reach a state of mind, or heart where they think they have gotten away with sin. The man Moses, inspired by God’s Spirit wrote, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
We are told in the Psalms, “God is angry with the wicked everyday” (Psalm 7:11). The wicked would be those who hear the Word of God spoken by the prophets, and the written word, refuse to hear it, refuse to obey, and refuse to follow the way of God. Does God get angry with His people? He gets angry with our sin, and He judges it.
“…But His hand is stretched out still” is a part of the verse that is somewhat mysterious. Jabez prayed, “…That Thine hand might be with me…” (1 Chronicles 4:10). The hand of God can be good or it can be bad. I would prefer His hand be good toward me. That hand of God can be used for gentle nudgings in the right direction, steering away from a wrong direction. That hand can be for a comforting, encouraging touch. The prophet mentions later in his writing “…I the shadow of His hand hath He hid me…” (49:2). That is a great place to be. That hand could be used for a good whipping for discipline, chastisement, and/or punishment.
I see in the statement, “God’s anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still”, that God will continue to be angry with their sin, and He will continue to judge it; His hand is stretched out in judgment even as Isaiah speaks and writes, even as I write today; and His hand is stretched out with an open palm, as an invitation to return to Him.
Why do God’s people continue in sin when they know God’s hand is judging, yet He has an open palm to take you back into His fellowship; and He will love you and nourish you and give you strength.
As long as you have breath to breathe, God’s hand is stretched out to you. To those who have never received God’s grace through His Son Jesus Christ that invitation is to believe in Him who died, was buried and rose again for your justification. Justification simply means that through the sacrifice of Jesus you are declared Just by God Himself.
Will you continue in your sin, or will you believe, repent, and be saved? God has given you the choice to make. Choose Jesus. The hand stretched out.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The King’s Rod
The last time in the Psalm 2 we looked at verse 8, and we see that God has promised as an inheritance, to His Son. the nations, and the uttermost parts of the earth are given Him as His possession. It is His rightful possession, because in His death, He paid the sin debt of the whole world, but for the most part has been rejected.
In the Twenty third Psalm we find the phrase, “Thy rod, and thy staff they comfort me…” (Psalm 23:4b). The use of that rod and staff sounds encouraging, and blessed, but the one we will look at here today, does not sound very pleasant at all. This “rod, and… staff” is one instrument. The shepherd’s staff, often seen with a crook on the upper end also had the rod on the other, and could be used for a walking stick over rough terrain, driving off wolves, bears, lions, and for correcting straying sheep.
“Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Psalm 2:9 (KJV).
Nations are ruled by the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) on earth. These nations have rejected Christ, hated Christ, and you can see from the beginning of the Psalm have sought to work against Him and defeat Him, but always to no avail.
This “rod of iron” is a means of judgment. Judgment is in the hands of the Son –
“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” John 5:22 (KJV).
In this Psalm, it is clearly judgment that it is speaking of. The Potter’s vessel’s are all baked brittle, and and iron rod would easily smash them to pieces. The judgment will be just and righteous. Jesus would judge no other type judgment. This will be a judgment of the nations who have plotted and worked against the God of gods, the King of kings, and Lord of lords to have their own way in the world. It is these nations which are out to destroy God’s people, and develop their own kingdom, establish their own god; setting themselves up on the throne or royalty; and acknowledging no other. They will be broken, shattered, smashed to pieces by the rod of God.
The rod which Moses carried became the “Rod of God” for the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 4:20; 17:9). It is only a foreshadowing of the deliverance Jesus Himself will do in delivering Israel from the clutches of evil nations as they seek to destroy Israel. Those who have the discernment can see the nations lining up against Israel even now. The judgment of these aligned nations will be swift, unexpected and sure.
You can experience the comforting staff of the Shepherd of the Twenty third Psalm rather than the iron rod. That is by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus over all your life. Confess you have sinned against Him, repent of your sin, believe that He died on the cross, was buried and that He rose from the grave and now is seated at the Father’s right hand.
If you enjoy singing you should like the Psalms of the Bible. The songs which several men penned, inspired by the Spirit of God, concerning their walk with the Lord, and they go so far, at times, of naming some of their sorrows, griefs, and even frustrations with God and other men.
Sing and make melody in your heart to the LORD; for He is coming soon to let the world know that He is Lord.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The King’s Inheritance
We watch television news and it can so depress us, discourage us, and drag us down. We should see it as ‘Birth pangs’ of the coming of our Lord Jesus. We have looked at the Second Psalm and the first seven verses, concerning how the rulers of the earth involve themselves; through the wiles of the devil, of course; in overthrowing the kingdom of God. The Lord laughs at their foolish attempt (v. 4).
“Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen [Nations] for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.” Psalm 2:8 (KJV).
Why would this promise be made to the Son? He left His glory in heaven to become a man. He became man, that He might die for the sins of mankind. He died to pay our sin debt to the Father. He was buried carrying our sins away, never to condemn us again. He rose from the grave in victory over sin, death, and the grave, and to assure those who believe in Him of their eternal destiny to His presence. Because, He did all this those who reject Him will be judged by Him, and the Word which He spoke. Jesus’s death on the cross was the judgment for all the sins of the world, even all nations, and when He is rejected; His love, mercy and grace the only thing left is judgment. All judgment has been given to the Son (John 5:22). The Nations, and the uttermost parts of the earth are given to Him for judgment.
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalms 24:1 (KJV)
Let me leave you with this thought; If you don’t believe in Jesus; You had better be 100 percent sure you are right. Jesus is coming soon.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The True Source of the Power
The True Source of the Power
“But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:28-30 (KJV)
The prophet Zechariah wrote, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6). It is sad that the ones who were responsible for the spiritual leadership of Israel were blind to the power of God when He was walking in their midst. When Jesus was walking with us on this earth He was the source and giver of power to cast out demons. Jesus lived in the power of the Spirit of God. He was and is the bodily manifestation of the power and presence of God.
Jesus overpowered the influence of the devil in the fourth chapter of Matthew. He bound the strong man, and spoiled his house. Jesus would not yield nor seek shortcuts around the will of the Father for his life.
There are still people who cannot see God as being benevolent, all powerful, all knowing, and all present. They equate Him as being an evil tyrant. They are the ones who are calling good evil, and evil good. God cannot be truly benevolent unless He is also all powerful, all knowing and all present. These same people are the ones who continue to reject Jesus and equate His power to evil as well. If you are not with Him you are against Him. If you gather not with Him you are scattering abroad.
Anyone who claims to believe in a god who created the world, but this god is not omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, as well as immutable does not believe in the true God who created the world from nothing. The God who created all things spoke it into existence. With the power of His Word it all came to be. With the power of His Word all evil will be put to its end.
When we see the words and life of Jesus we see the life of the Father, the Creator in Him. Jesus demonstrated that He was/is the power of God on earth, among men, by His power to bind Satan and his demons. Some want to say, but He died by the hand of the devil on the cross. It was not by the hand of the devil that He died on the cross. It was by the hand of His own Father, and He laid His own life down, humbled before His Father and God.
The religious leaders rather then drawing people to God, and the Son were pushing people away with their hard heartedness, their cold indifference and legalism; and the blindness of the heart. Let us never allow our hearts to grow hard, coldly indifferent, becoming blind and legalistic in the teaching of regeneration and justification.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
Third Woe and a Promise
EARTH FILLED WITH GLORY
“Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:12-14 (KJV).
The third woe is here presented. So far the “Woes” have had to do with unjust increase, and increase at the cost of another’s fall, by the profiteer’s own doing. Remember these woes are being pronounced against Babylon. It seems that there are lessons the Christian and the world of today should hear and heed. If these things were evil for Babylon to practice, then they are evil in any society.
This again is a continuation of the charges against them. They have been pillaging, robbing, killing, and taking all the treasures of every land. They were using means which would not meet with God’s approval. There was much injustice in their dealings with the people of God and others.
It is a wicked people who take from the weak to establish their own homes, villages, towns and cities. It is a vile thing in the eyes of our Just God to see those who gain and gain and gain never to return anything to God for His glory. The one’s who have against those who have not. Those who have money can “legally” charge those who cannot afford it 30 percent or more for the credit. That should be illegal in this country. “O, that is capitalism – that’s the way it works”. That is capitalism run amuck. It is foul, it is a stench in the nostrils of holy God. To correct this there should be a fair exchange of money. What you charge the wealthy should be the rate you charge the poor man or woman. Really it would be a delight in the eye of God to charge less to the poor, than to the rich. Laugh if you will, but you laugh at holy God.
The wealthy put people to work, and some do not pay a wage consistent enough to live on. Then, they charge an enormous amount of money for their product, what that same person needs, and take even more. God help the business people of our land to open their eyes and be a benefit to our society rather than dividing the classes even further.
Let me assure you, that all these things for which we labor and toil; these things that we find so dear and important, will one day fade to naught. What will you have left when it is all gone?
There is a prize in these verses. “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea”. The leaders and rulers of Babylon sought to build a great kingdom by the shedding of blood, and taking what belonged to others, and often at the expense of their lives. There is a Kingdom coming in which there will be no war, but only peace. The peace of God that passes all understanding. Notice the vastness of this “knowledge of the glory”; it is “as the waters cover the sea”. How much do the waters cover the sea? The sea is water, thus this filling with the knowledge of the glory covers the whole realm of the Kingdom. All the bloodshed, and such will have been done away. Jesus Christ will reign supremely. The knowledge of His glory will fill the earth.
The Fire and Hammer 