“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 4:17)
Repentance
What We Have Forgotten
The prophet Jeremiah’s heart is grieving for his people as he views their lives through the eyes of the LORD. They don’t and won’t. At least for some time to come. The generation the prophet is addressing is one who has refused to see and hear the Word of the LORD.
The LORD asked a question, “Have I been a wilderness to Israel, Or a land of darkness?” There is a contrast the LORD desires them to see. Have I been barren and left you with nothing or has My witness to you been that of darkness and not light?
Hear the Word through the prophet:
“O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel, a land of darkness? Wherefore say My people, ‘We are lords; we will come no more unto Thee’? Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.” Jeremiah 2:31-32 (KJV)
The people had become self dependent rather than depending upon the LORD God. Some people have said and believe that faith is a crutch, or that God Himself is a crutch. Some have said things like, “Only the weak need God.” I need God, and I can only have God in my life as God gives Himself to me through His Son Jesus Christ. Am I weak? You better believe it. When it comes to the things of God; when it comes to pleasing God; when it comes to getting into the very presence of God; when it comes to having a relationship with God, and fellowship with Him; yes! I am weak. None of those things can be mine on my own. They are given to me as a gift of God.
You may be your own lord, but you do not know God; nor can you as long as you have that attitude and heart. If God wants you He will have you. You will submit to Him and He will have His own way in your heart and life.
The virgins of Jeremiah’s day wore special ornaments, which was a reminder of their virginity, and their purity. Brides, as always, seem to greatly admire their wedding gown, and may even become quite prideful in that attire. There is something quite beautiful about a bride in her gown, coming down the aisle, and it causes the groom to take a deep breath, and gasp at her beauty. “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire?”, seems to indicate that these had more care for their ornaments and their gowns, than they had for the Word of the LORD. They had not forgotten their ornaments, nor their beautiful clothing, and gowns, but they had “Forgotten” the LORD; “Days without number”.
I can see this as very similar to our own day of 2013 in the United States of America. Many pride themselves as “Christian” yet live as though the filling of lustful desires are what this life is about. It is time that the Church in the U. S. of A. repented of her sins, and returned our focus to the One who bled and died for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave; and He lives forever more.
Christian, may we never forget the price that Jesus paid for our salvation. May we always be reminded of the body and the blood of Jesus; broken and shed that we might know God. The only true and righteous One who loves us, and gave Himself for us.
For those of you who have not believed, and trusted the finished work of the cross of Christ; the day is drawing near when He will return. Then you will see Him as He is. You will stand before His great white throne of judgment and be found guilty. Why allow that to happen when He has already paid your sin debt. He offers it to you as a free gift of grace. Repent and believe.
He is coming again. How will He find us?
-by Tim A. Blankenship
Through the Bible in a Year – e091513
A Time For Repentance
Isaiah 22:8-14 (KJV)
1. A CITY WARNED (vv. 1-7).
2. REMINDER OF THE BLESSINGS OF THE CITY (vv. 8-11).
3. GOD CALLS THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY TO REPENTANCE (v. 12 – 13).
4. THE PURGING OF INIQUITY IS DEATH (v. 14).
-Tim A. Blankenship
Reminder of His Love
In the last article on this chapter of Jeremiah, the final verse of our text was the last part of verse 19 which tells us, “And the fear of Me is not in you,’ says the Lord GOD of hosts.” That is usually the reason for departure from God.
As we look into the following verses we see the Lord having them recall their deliverance from bondage, then playing the harlot, turning against their deliverer.
“For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto Me? For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord GOD.” Jeremiah 2:20-22 (KJV)
One of the things that we can see throughout God’s dealings with the chosen people is that He loves them. His grace is everlasting, and His mercy endures forever. That is a theme for His people throughout all of Scripture.
God had delivered His children from the bondage of Egypt, and burst the bonds which held them. He had done this in just a matter of days while working in Egypt through the plagues upon the land and the people. They witnessed the mighty power of God. Not just Israel, but Egypt witnessed this awe-inspiring events which turned the heart of Pharoah, at least for a time, to let God’s people go.
The people had promised God they would not transgress His law. They did. That is why the declaration is made, “When on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down playing the harlot”. The pagan, Gentile altars were on the high hills, and under the trees. God is charging the people with spiritual adultery. That is, the forsaking of the true Husband for an imposter. They had turned away from holy God for unholy pleasures. They had forgotten the attitude of Moses. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way –
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” Hebrews 11:24-26 (KJV)
The prophet Isaiah in a previous time had spoken of Israel as a vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7). He speaks of the Husbandman planting the vineyard, but all He received were wild grapes. God says through Jeremiah, “Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality”, and now they have turned their backs on God and are worshipping stone, wood, flesh. They have in fact become an “alien vine”. That is not what God planted. That is the picture we see.
When they have made themselves unclean before God, they then, evidently feel guilty, try to wash themselves clean with the strongest cleanser they have available that day. They would go and worship the false gods, taking pleasures that should not have been their’s to have. After their violation of holiness with God they would then seek to make themselves clean before God, and without true repentance.
Thus God says, “Yet your iniquity is marked before Me”.
The lesson for the follower of Jesus Christ is that we have been delivered from sin. Our sins have been forgiven. The law of the Lord is written in our hearts. We are free to live righteously, holy, and undefiled lives through the power of the Spirit of Christ who lives in us. When we sin we have an advocate with the Father. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. There is need for repentance and that is a turning from sin and to the Lord Jesus.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
The Case Against God’s People
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. Known for that because of his mourning for the sins of the people of Judah, and Jerusalem. He sees the failings of the priesthood, of which he was part. The weaknesses, the hypocrisies, and often blatant lies and deceptions; not only among the priests but among those who called themselves prophets of God.
God could speak with Jeremiah. Jeremiah heard, and many times responded to what God said. Hear what God says to Jeremiah near the beginning of his ministry;
“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of His increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.'” Jeremiah 2:1-3 (KJV)
God begins in the first message by confirming them in their first belief. They had followed, at least through Abraham, had been obedient in the wilderness, and had grown in love with the LORD. There was kindness, fondness, love in their hearts for the LORD, realizing that He alone was responsible for their having a land, a promise. They had been chosen from the place of God’s amazing grace and mercy. They were undeserving. They were unworthy. They were sinners among the other sinners of the earth. There was nothing special about them, thus in there early days they loved the LORD.
Despite the fact of their departure the LORD reminds them of His promise, “All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them,’ says the LORD”. No one can expect God’s blessing who lifts their hand against the people, the nation, whom God ordained to give us the Scriptures, ordinances, and laws. Yet there is room for His judgment. Pray for Jerusalem – Israel.
As Christians we must remember our “First love”. That love we had for Jesus when we first believed. The things of the world around us have a power which can lure us away from loving Him. God commended five of the early churches of the Revelation, but would only condemn two of them because they had departed from Him.
If you truly know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then, there was a time when you walked with Him, you loved Him, cherished Him, and it did not bother you that there were times He seemed distant, but you trusted His Word when He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
Something has happened in the past few days, weeks, months, or years that have caused you to get away from Him, His Word, from praying, and cherishing His abiding presence. You have become more consumed with sports, entertainment, comforts, leisure, conveniences, and even family activities, than with your walk with Him. It is time to return to Him, before the judgment of your sin comes on you.
He puts His protecting hand on all who have trusted Him. You can believe He will keep you, protect you, and anyone who raises an evil hand against you will suffer by His hand. Be assured God loves you with an everlasting love. Enjoy it, revel in it, rejoice in it, and He will be glorified.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
Words for Christian Living – A Strong Heart
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (KJV)
There are many people walking around in this world who have been told by their physicians that they have weak or failing hearts. Some of us have had different types of surgery for their heart from stentz placed in arteries of their heart to what is called “Open heart” surgery. The “Strong heart” of which I title this does not refer to the physical heart, but to the inner individual.
“…We faint not” has much to do with having “A Strong Heart”. The man or woman of God; every Christian; must be committed to being faithful to God and His Word. That is what Paul the apostle is speaking of. From the time we become a follower of Jesus Christ we “Renounce the hidden things of dishonesty”; these are the sins of our past. We have repented, and our lives are changed.
It is a mark of the Christian, too, that we not use tricks, or deceit when it comes to the word of God. One of the things that angers me is the way I see many a Christian leader using emotion to entice “worship”; then people walk away thinking they have been in the presence of God; they go out the doors of the Church or the stadium, and their lives are left unchanged. Nothing wrong with emotion if it is not manipulated by deceit and the mishandling of God’s Word. Be careful Christian that you do not let wrong handling of the word of God lead you astray.
The truth will be all the commendation one needs. Know the truth. Keep your heart for God strong.
The Redeeming Love of God (Hosea 5:1 – 6:11)
Rebellion and False Repentance
Hosea 5:1 – 6:11
To love God is to hate evil (Psalm 97:10). “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil (Proverbs 8:13). So declares the inspired Scriptures.
The problem with Israel as much as with people today, in general, even professing Christians, is that, we claim to love God, and hang onto evil as well. That cannot be, if we love God. God says so, and it is so often ignored.
God’s desire for His people is that we learn. Learn His ways, walk His paths of beauteous splendor. But, there is such (what seems like) an unwillingness to learn, such desire for ignorance, rather than for a knowledge of God.
Many times in Scriptures the words “hear”, “give heed”, and/or “listen” are verbalized with great vehemence, that God cries out for their attention, but they do not give it. Maybe I ought to say “We do not give it” just to be fair.
The Word of God has been rejected and despised by the priests and rulers of Israel. They have captured the people for their own gain. The priests, the common people, and the king are guilty before God. They all must repent and seek God.
“Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.” Hosea 5:1-2 (KJV)
Many times God cries out through His messengers, the prophets, for His people to “Hear”. Sometimes they listen and hear and turn form their path of destruction; many times they do not.
The judgment is toward all who are in the land. As a response to hearing the Word some will turn, but will still suffer in judgment along with the nation. Like we are told in Scripture “It rains on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), and that includes blessing and judgment.
The leaders; the priests, the king, tribal leaders had ensnared and exploited the people. The nobles and leaders were not only indulging in the practiced sin of the nation, but were also profiting from the immorality. They did not want to cease from their sin. There was too much profit, and an extravagant amount of pleasure to lose in doing so. As long as there is enjoyment in sin there is no chance for repentance, and no blessing from God.
There was much bloodshed “slaughter”. Slaughter of innocence. The baby to the fire, the elderly “No longer useful to society”, those who cry out against audacious and vile decadence. This will be judged. There are many people today who worship at the fiery idol of “Choice”.
“I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from Me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled. They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them. They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find Him; He hath withdrawn Himself from them. They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.” Hosea 5:3-7
Rebellion and impenitence is the theme of these verses.
When a lost soul turns to God for salvation, that same soul has turned away from sin and the path of Hell. There has been a change of heart and of life, and of lifestyle.
This is what God was wanting for Israel. Israel’s problem is that, they wee caught in a trap. They were enslaved to their won devices of sin, and could find no way out. In fact they did not want out. That is the blindness of sins darkness. Jesus spoke of the bondage of sin and its darkness in John 3:19-20. He said, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (NKJV).
In verses three through seven God cites five reasons He would chastise Israel, and ultimately Judah. There were probably some in Hosea’s audience who would not believe Israel could or would be destroyed, thus, the five reasons.
- Ephraim had prostituted herself, and Israel stood defiled (v. 3);
- The Israelites deeds would not allow them to return to the Lord their God (v. 4);
- They in their pride had rejected God’s appeal for them to turn to Him for help (v. 5);
- They, instead, turned to the fertility gods for help (vv. 5b-6); “The real tragedy is that their sin had so blinded them that they thought they were seeking God by the sacrifices, and other rites at the fertility shrines.” Traylor page 56.
- Their treachery against the Lord God (v. 7).
On the part of Israel was betrayal, rebellion, and an intensity to sin. On God’s part, He remained faithful. The result of Israel’s continued rebellion against God was destruction. Who are we to think that it cannot happen to us when we want to hang on to our sins?
“Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin. Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be. The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out My wrath upon them like water. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness. When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early.” Hosea 5:8-15 (KJV)
Judgment would come from within and without. For those today who say, “Well, God wouldn’t do that” you better get a new thought. God does not allow His children to sin successfully.
This blowing of the “Ram’s horn” is a warning to invaders. There is a need for sounding a warning of invaders when people forsake God, and refuse to return to His way. The warnings, as with Israel, often go unheeded, and the people continue to live a life of indulgent sin. Wanting the blessings, of God, and yet clinging to godless living.
Judgment is inevitable when people hear the Word of warning, and refuse to turn. The judgment comes due to the lack of care. Complacent, and apathetic toward the warnings; the enemy then comes in tearing and ripping and killing fulfilling the rebuke of God to turn His people from their sins. Who can rescue one who is under the judgment? God says, “No one can.”
God leaves His children to face their own sin, and its fruit. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galations 6:7). He will not come to their aid until they confess their evil and repent of it. God’s judgment upon His people is always redemptive. Do not deceive yourselves; there are consequences to your sin. You will reap the harvest of those sins.
“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3
By all appearances these verses seem to be a sign of true repentance. At least what the Lord requires of His people for His promise to be fulfilled. Let us keep them in context with the verses which follow.
How long does it take us to learn that we cannot fool God? He knows our heart. He knows our thoughts. He knows when we are truly penitent, and when it is false.
Sorry they had been discovered, their sin found out, they want to avoid the judgment that was about to fall upon them. Notice, there is no mention of forsaking their evil ways, only seeking to return in order to get blessing again. They want healing, revival, and the rains, but God knows the heart.
“O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against Me. Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness. I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled. Also, O Judah, He hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of My people.” Hosea 6:4-11
God will, and does judge His people to produce godly knowledge, and loyalty to Him.
The two questions of verse four are very penetrating. They imply with force, “Why do you deceive Me?” The repentance of “Ephraim” is only fleeting. Clinging to their sin, loving their sin, they cry for forgiveness. The “Morning cloud” appears until the light and heat of the sun hits it, then, it is gone. The “Early dew” lingers on the leaves, grass, flowers, and the fields until the light of day causes it to evaporate into nothingness, and it is gone. The describes the repentance of Israel. Sadly, it also describes the feeble cries of repentance; if there are any; in the Church of the 21st century. While wanting the blessings of God we also want to cling to our sin that separates us from God. Wreaking havoc upon ourselves, our Church, our nation, and the world, sin continues while God calls us to repent. God’s people are to be a stabilizing force in society, and culture by being unmoved by passions of lust and greed.
The Word of God in written form, and from the mouths of His prophets inflicts wounds to cut out sin. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is the Law which shows the way of freedom. Sin is an evil, and cruel master destroying life, and godly relationships.
The LORD God desires permanence in our loyalties. His frustration is with words that have no commitment, no devotion, no perseverance. When judgment comes it is as a light revealing pitfalls, stumbling blocks, and dead-ends. Judgment shows that departure from God to sin has taken place.
False repentance is eager to sacrifice money, maybe time, and even attendance at worship, programs and feasts, but not personal commitment to change, to show mercy and kindness, to love as God loves – loving “God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and our neighbor as we love ourselves”- to know God, and not just ritual.
The vileness of man’s heart continually transgresses God’s Law. Acts of treason are committed against Him daily. Treachery, the act to deceive, and that which destroys trust, is committed by refusing to obey what has been agreed to by all parties. God has no other choice but to judge. Remember our God is holy.
Bloodshed, robbery, harlotry seem to be permanent encroachments upon the land. God says, that it is “A horrible thing in the house of Israel.” The house of Judah will not be exempt. None who turn from God to serve self are exempt from God’s wrath. Is there hope in that? Those who experience God’s judgment, and confess their sins, and turn from their sins [repentance] to Jesus Christ, God’s holy Son will experience His mercy and grace.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Redeeming Love of God (2)
GOD Pursues the Redemption of His Wife
GOD is on a persistent quest to redeem the lost spouse (Israel), and reclaim her to Himself. Through the gift of His Son Jesus He paid the ultimate sacrifice to redeem all who will hear His voice believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved.
“Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah. Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not My wife, neither am I her Husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts; lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst. And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms. For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.'” Hosea 2:1-5 (KJV)
God calls on Judah and Israel to refer to one another as brethren “Brother” and “Sister”. There is a contending on God’s part, with Israel. God has put away Israel: “She is not My wife” “I am not her Husband!” There is punitive judgment here – for the purpose of punishing and restoration.
If Israel would not quit hers sins then God would “Put them away” in order to show them, that it was He who was providing bountifully for them; not her “lovers” who are the Baals of pagan, godless worship.
“Wife” in the text, as is Gomer is representative of the corporate people [Nation] or land of the North. “Children” are representative of individuals within the nation or land.
There is a strong indication that there was a small group [remnant] within the nation who were not participating as individuals, but said or did nothing about it. Their toleration in essence; was approval for the actions of others while they were selling the nation to godless whoredoms and all kinds of immoralities.
In these verses God pleads with Israel (v. 2); He warns them of judgment (vv. 3-4); and the people obstinately reject God’s plea (v. 5).
“Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.’ For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.” Hosea 2:6-8 (KJV)
We are told by some Scriptures that God puts a “Hedge” about His people keeping them from harm, and from evil. Here the hedge has a different purpose. God says now how He will bring them back to Himself. He will build a hedge of thorns and “wall her in”.
By doing this God accomplishes three things;
- She would no longer be able to find the “Paths” that lead to the shrines and idols of Baal (v. 6);
- In seeking the idols they would not be able to find them (v. 7);
- They would begin to realize that they had it much better when they were worshiping God and Him only.
In God and in God alone they would realize the blessings they had received were from GOD alone (vv. 7-8).
“Therefore will I return, and take away My corn in the time thereof, and My wine in the season thereof, and will recover My wool and My flax given to cover her nakedness. And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of Mine hand. I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, ‘These are my rewards that my lovers have given me:’ and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them. And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat Me, saith the LORD.” Hosea 2:9-13 (KJV)
We can see by these things that God is on a relentless pursuit of His wayward “Wife”. He lovers her. Real and true love is harsh with a wayward loved one.
How would God pursue?
- Take away the grain at harvest;
- Take back the wool and the flax (linen);
- He would remove His hand of protection, and put on her a hand of judgment, which no one could deliver her from;
- All celebrations, feast days, would cease; along with laughter and joy;
- He would destroy her vines and fig trees, because she had given praise to the Baals for the fruitfulness of the land.
This judgment was God’s. She had gone after other gods following the paths of pagan cultures clothed in expensive jewels and dress. God says, “She forgot Me”.
This is a sad commentary about God’s people. The very fact that Israel was worshiping Baals shows they had forgotten, and departed from God. Any time any of God’s people begin to look to their wealth, blessings, or pleasures as coming because of their own goodness, or from anything , but God; she has forgotten God.
Has the United States of America depended upon idols? Is the pagan deity Baal still worshiped in the USA? Pleasure, wealth and convenience seems to be the cry of today’s society and culture. The saddest part of that is that many professing Christians have lined up with the world in these things too.
Yet our answer for freedom from sin and this world is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Hear Him, believe Him, repent and be saved.
When evil is in the world, and the world is in the Church; evil is progressing toward its maximum potential, and its end.
More on this chapter next time…
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Pleasure of the LORD
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?” Ezekiel 18:23
‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ saith the Lord GOD. ‘Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,’ saith the Lord GOD: ‘wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.'” Ezekiel 18:30-32 (KJV)
-T.A.
Rains of Repentance
The following devotional is from Dr. David Jeremiah and Turning Point.
Rains of Repentance
No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11Recommended Reading — Hebrews 12:7-11
Dr. Paul White, a missionary physician in East Africa, described a drought threatening his area. Day after day, the blazing sun beat down and the plants withered. The regular rains were months late. One day the chief visited the local clergyman, and Dr. White joined them. “Bwana, we have sinned,” said the chief. “We must ask God’s forgiveness and His help. Can we have next Sunday as a day of repentance and prayer for rain?”
The word went out and large numbers gathered. The African pastor preached a powerful sermon on repentance, and everyone united in earnest prayer. Within an hour, gentle rain was falling, and three inches followed within three days. 1
Every affliction isn’t necessarily an act of divine chastening, but we should bear this in mind — very often the Lord uses difficulty to discipline and deepen us. When facing a problem, ask, “What is the Lord trying to teach me?” Sometimes we think of discipline as being hurtful, but God’s discipline is helpful. It offers eternal benefits.The godly have some good in them; therefore the devil afflicts them; and some evil in them, therefore God afflicts them.
Thomas Watson, Puritan writer1Dr. Paul White, Doctor of Tanganyika (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1955), 177-178.
The Angry Prophet
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, ‘I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech Thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:1-3 (KJV)
This prophet who despised the people to whom the LORD had sent him, did not want to see this people forgiven, but rather his desire was to see this mass of people destroyed. The LORD was having mercy on Nineveh, when He saw their repentance. Due to their sin Nineveh was destroyed about 100 years later.
Of all things for a preacher to become angry about. People getting right with God, and changing their hearts and minds about the way they were living. That is why preachers preach. There are things worth getting angry about for the preacher. The murder of the innocent unborn. The slavery of women and children around the world. The captivity of drugs, alcohol, gambling, and pornography; and its destruction to our society. There are many other things for which the preacher to be angry. Rejoice, however, when people repent of their sins and get right with God.
To give us little bit of background on Jonah; he was a patriot of Israel. He loved his nation. He loved his God; and Nineveh was the enemy to himself, his nation and his God.
Let me just end by asking this question: Is patriotism; love for one’s country more important than following the call and will of God? I leave the answer with the reader.
-T.A.
Caught Unaware???
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; ‘These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.'” Revelation 3:1-6 (KJV)
If you would like you may click on this link and read GIVER OF THE SPIRIT.
-T.A.
Power Over Nations
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; ‘These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 2:18-29 (KJV)
For further study and reading follow this link.
-T.A.
The Compromisers
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; ‘These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; ‘To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Revelation 2:12-17 (KJV)
You might want to follow this link and go read THE CUTTING EDGES for further study.
-T.A.
The Love Left
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; ‘These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:1-7 (KJV)
For further reading and study on these verses go read The Caretaker of the Light.
-T.A.
God’s Word Today 081212
In this post today I am attempting to post daily. My post will be from Scripture, the Word of the LORD. These be come from my reading of God’s Word for the day it is posted. Hear the word of the LORD.
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; the which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened. And the LORD hath sent unto you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, ‘Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever: and go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke Me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. Yet ye have not hearkened unto Me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. Jeremiah 25:1-7 (KJV)
I will be finishing up the study of Elijah when I can get my thoughts to putting it down in print form.
-T.A.
Day 72 – The Son of Man and The Scriptures
In reading the gospels, especially Matthew, one cannot help but notice the importance the writers place on showing that the Scriptures are fulfilled. One cannot help but notice, also how much Jesus Himself refers to the Scriptures, the prophets, and in Luke 24 Jesus even mentions the Psalms. I am going to post a few of those verses concerning the Scriptures today, pray you will look them up and read the context of their writings.
This first excerpt of Scripture is from the story of the rich man and Lazarus,
“Abraham saith unto him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.’ And he said unto him, ‘If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.'” Luke 16:29-31 (KJV)
The next quite obviously is of Jesus’s coming crucifixion,
“Then He took unto Him the twelve, and said unto them, ‘Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished. For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again.” Luke 18:31-33
The next excerpt is as Jesus appears to the two on the road to Emmaus and explains the Scripture to them;
“Then He said unto them, ‘O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?’ And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:25-27
The final one in Luke is when Jesus has appeared to all the disciples together in one place, and it is here that He mentions the Psalms;
“And He said unto them, ‘These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:44-49
We need to ask ourselves, “Do I put enough relevance upon Scripture?” After all the Scriptures are they which testify of Jesus.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day 59 – GOD and the False Prophets
Someone might say, “There are no false prophets today.” My action toward that remark would be to tell that individual to remove the blindfold. In reading the prophets of God we find the example of false prophets, and they are quite plentiful today as well.
The true prophet of God seeks first, to glorify God and His message; and second to warn God’s people of their sins; and third to call them to repentance; at whatever the price – even his own life. The false prophet seeks to ease the hearts of the people through encouragement in their trials and pains that are actually for their chastisement. I agree that there are times the preacher of God needs to encourage the people; the encouragement we give needs to be according to the Word of the LORD, not fanciful, psychological, mumbo-jumbo seeking to the ease of pain and trial. The encouragement from God will be to get people to love the Word of God; and loving Him with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
In my reading this morning – Ezekiel 10 – 23 – I noticed several instances of God’s rebuke of the false prophets and teachers, and this is what I believe needs addressing.
One of the things I read in Ezekiel is the continued use of a phrase, “[they, you,] shall know that I am the LORD”. Throughout the prophecy, beginning in chapter six, that phrase is used over sixty times. The reason, Ezekiel stresses, for Israel’s captivity and judgment is so that they will know that God is the LORD.
God says to the prophet Ezekiel,
“Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off. Therefore say unto them, ‘Thus saith the Lord GOD; ‘There shall none of My words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done,’ saith the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 12:26-28 (KJV)
Also hear what the LORD says of the prophet who is deceived, and deceives the people,
“And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of My people Israel. And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him; that the house of Israel may go no more astray from Me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be My people, and I may be their God,’ saith the Lord GOD.” 14:9-11
If you will notice the people who went seeking the false prophet and his prophecy would be held to the same end as the prophet himself.
At least twice God tells the elders who come to Ezekiel to inquire of him, “I will not be inquired of by you.” (20:3, 31)
Also notice what God says to the priests and the prophets in chapter 22. I will let you get out the Scriptures and read that for yourself. Notice the “daubing… with untempered mortar”. Have you ever seen whitewash. Can you imagine laying brick, or even patching brickwork with whitewash, yet that is what the false prophets do.
The LORD will not long tolerate the wickedness of the false prophet/preacher. He will not hold him guiltless who leads people astray, making the evil believe they will live, and making the righteous feel they will die. The false preacher calls evil good, and good evil.
Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ today. Repent of your sins, believe and live.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day 58 – A Different View
From a different setting of things two people can see the same thing or event in a slightly different way. That is the way of the gospels of the New Testament. It is also the way of the prophets we will look at today. Jeremiah and Ezekiel were men in two different locations. They are contemporary with the other. One, however, Jeremiah is in Judah or Jerusalem preaching and calling the people to repentance; while Ezekiel in in Babylon as a captive of Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom; along with king Jehoichin.
Jeremiah’s message in Lamentations seems to have taken place after the city of Jerusalem is defeated, the walls broken down, the temple destroyed, and the precious articles for temple worship taken away. We can see Jeremiah’s being known as “the weeping prophet” as we read the laments that are written there. Ezekiel speaks to the people as God gives him visions, and acts for illustration. Ezekiel’s message would be mostly to the people who are captive in Babylon, or the written message to be taken back to those still in Jerusalem.
My reading, if you have not figured it out by now, was Lamentations 1 – 5 and Ezekiel 1 – 9. These prophets being contemporary with the other are coming from different perspectives, yet pretty much with the same message. Jeremiah wrote his prophecy trying to save as many lives in Judah as possible, calling people to turn from their idolatrous worship, by turning back to the LORD of hosts. Ezekiel sees the need for the people of Israel/Judah to realize that the LORD is the LORD.
Jeremiah was allowed to stay behind with a remnant of people, and the laments are written as he sees the city broken down, destroyed and forsaken;
“How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become as a widow! She that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits. The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer. Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths. Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward. Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself. The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation. All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.” Lamentations 1:1-11 (KJV)
The prophets heart is grieved because of the cities destruction, but he knows it is due to her transgressions. She has sinned against the LORD, been given many opportunities to repent and change, yet has continued in debaucherous rebellion against the loving, merciful LORD of hosts.
The prophet Ezekiel is taken by the hand of the LORD, in a vision to Jerusalem, and sees the wickedness going on there in the face of judgment,
“And He put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.” Ezekiel 8:3 (KJV)
By way of a vision the LORD took Ezekiel back to Jerusalem and showed him the evil that was taking place at that time in their previous “glorious city”. The “Ancients of the house of Israel were saying, “The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.”
We do see in these to priests and prophets that there perspective is different, their views are different, but the message of God is still the same. The people of the land have forsaken the LORD. There is a need for cleansing, healing and renewing.
A different view? One was viewing from Jerusalem [Jeremiah]. The other was viewing from Babylon [Ezekiel].
The LORD of hosts, who holds the world, the universe in His hands will not tolerate evil in His people. He will not allow His children to live successfully in sin. He will judge our sin. It has already been judged in His Son Jesus Christ. However, when a Christian sins willfully, there remains no more sacrifice for sin. As it is written, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day 12 – Remember God is Gracious
Remembering that God is gracious should not be too difficult of a matter. However, when we as human beings and as Christians get side tracked from the obvious, ie., God’s grace; it is generally due to blessings we have received. We tend, at times, to be side tracked, and caught up in the blessing rather than the Blesser.
My reading for day 12 consisted of Deuteronomy 1 – 14. The reading of Deuteronomy is of Moses reminding the children of Israel of the events of the past 40 years wandering in the wilderness. He reminds them of their deliverance from Egypt; of times when God supplied them water; when there appeared to be no water. How God supplied them bread when there was none to be had; and He, the LORD, gave them Manna – bread from heaven; and they ate it each day. He reminded them of their past failures; particularly of their sin with the golden calf. He also reminds them of God’s grace; and His promises to give them a land “flowing with milk and honey”.
“Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, ‘For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land:’ but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that He may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.” Deuteronomy 9:4-6 (KJV)
In the four hundred plus years since Jacob entering Egypt God was providing grace to the people of the land of Canaan. Someone may ask the question, “Does scripture tell us that anywhere?” I do not have a particular verse or verses in mind, but scripture always assumes and promotes the wonderful grace of God; so that is what I stand on here. While God is preparing Him a people, a nation of people He is also giving the nations in Canaan opportunity to repent; but rather than repent their sin escalates toward destruction.
God reminds Israel of His grace by reminding them that He is giving them this land, and driving out its inhabitants; not because Israel is a righteous people, but because of the “wickedness of these nations”. God does know that the children of Israel are a “stiffnecked” people – a stubborn, obstinate, rebellious people. Yet, God in His grace blesses them with His grace.
God has blessed the world with His grace. It is available to all who will believe in, trust His Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins, was buried – carrying our guilt and condemnation away, and rose bodily from the grave to ever live making intercession before the Father for all will believe.
Grace is God’s undeserved favor toward those who believe in Him.
People today are a stiffnecked, obstinate, stubborn and rebellious people. We are undeserving of God’s grace, yet He offers it freely to all who will trust in His Son and His finished work. Jesus said,
“This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” John 6:29
The presence of God, His glory, and righteousness is for us because of the cross of Jesus, His burial and bodily resurrection. Remember God’s Grace.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Marks of Iniquity
Our sins can many times be very grievous to our minds and hearts. Our iniquities are many; at least mine are. It gives me great peace, strength and courage to read in the Psalms such verses at this,
“If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.” Psalm 130:3-4 (KJV)
We are a wretched lot. We carry our sin around as a weight, even after we have sought forgiveness, received forgiveness, and we never forget it. It is baggage that burdens us down. Who do we think we are? When we have asked God’s forgiveness; and that is the One whom sin really and truly offends. He is the only one who can forgive.
If God “marked” or counted our sins and iniquities; there is not a one who could stand before Him. We would all be doomed, condemned, and done for. When we sin, and we ask for His forgiveness in repentance; the sin, the iniquity is gone for ever. There is only forgiveness because of the gift of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, His burial and resurrection. Jesus paid the price for our sin debt.
The following are the comments of Charles H. Spurgeon on verse 3,
“If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” If Jah, the all-seeing, should in strict justice call every man to account for every want of conformity to righteousness, where would any one of us be? Truly, he does record all our transgressions; but as yet he does not act upon the record, but lays it aside till another day. If men were to be judged upon no system but that of works, who among us could answer for himself at the Lord’s bar, and hope to stand clear and accepted? This verse shows that the Psalmist was under a sense of sin, and felt it imperative upon him not only to cry as a suppliant but to confess as a sinner. Here he owns that he cannot stand before the great King in his own righteousness, and he is so struck with a sense of the holiness of God, and the rectitude of the law, that he is convinced that no man of mortal race can answer for himself before a Judge so perfect, concerning a law so divine. Well does he cry, “O Lord, who shall stand?” None can do so: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Iniquities are matters which are not according to equity, what a multitude we have of these! Jehovah, who sees all, and is also our Adonai, or Lord, will assuredly bring us into judgment concerning those thoughts, and words, and works which are not in exact conformity to his law. Were it not for the Lord Jesus, could we hope to stand? Dare we meet him in the dread day of account on the footing of law and equity? What a mercy it is that we need not do so, for Psa_130:4 sets forth another way of acceptance to which we flee.
Once Jesus has forgiven our sin, the only marks of iniquity are in our own head. The only one who desires to remember, and wants to condemn us is the accuser- the enemy of Christ and Christians.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Beauty is a Fading Flower
Chapter 28 of Isaiah the prophet begins a series of “Woe” against Israel and Judah, Jerusalem; and within these woes are also promises, encouragements to lead them back to YaHWeH the Eternal, Self-Sufficient One who called them to Himself.
The Northern kingdom called Ephraim in our text was prideful and fell. The “Woe” is warning Judah of her fall should she fail to repent and turn again to the LORD. The problem with Judah was they were putting more faith in the power of politics, and the politicians of their day than in the LORD, thus were failing to heed God’s leadership. Just as Israel’s pride brought them down so too would the pride of Judah bring them down; like the beauty of the fading flower.
“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: and the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.” Isaiah 28:1-6 (KJV)
Ephraim had a problem with parties, drinking inebriating drinks, and their leaders all conspiring to do the same. Their judges, priests and others; along with their prophets in drunkenness (v. 7); making rule and law in their soberless state of mind. Is it much different in today’s USA? Not at all. Warren Wiersbe quotes a U.S. government official in his book on Isaiah “Be Comforted” as having said,
“We have three parties in this city [Washington D. C.]: the Democratic party, the Republican party, and the cocktail party.”
I don’t doubt that to be true. I wonder how many of our leaders go into their Congressional sessions, Senate sessions, and even investigations under the influence of alcohol? Is it any wonder that our nation is in the bankrupt condition it is in. The beauty of the United States and her glory is quickly fading and will continue until the Lord Jesus returns or their is revival in the land.
In verse sixteen we read,
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
When God’s people are resting upon the LORD, trusting in Him there will be no need to fear or flee from what is coming into the world, or a nation. Our hope, our only hope is in the LORD. It is not in returning to new tax structures, political ideologies, or even only to making right laws. We need to return to the fear of the LORD, and set our hearts on Him alone.
The LORD has said, “I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation…” and that is not just an Old Testament thought, but one of Paul the apostle’s writings as well (Romans 9:33). That Stone was rejected, tried, beaten, mocked, and finally hung on a brutal cross where He bled and died for the sins of the world.
In verse 21 God says He will do a “strange work”.
“For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act.”
Just what is this “Strange work”, “Strange act”? It appears to be that God will allow His people’s own sin to be their judgment. Even the prophet Jeremiah says,
“Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee…” Jeremiah 2:19a
Maybe like your mother letting you gorge yourself on that jar full of cookies, after telling you two or three times, “Only one!”, and then you end up feeling deathly ill, throwing up, and in bed the rest of the day. Moses said, “Be sure your sins will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
One thing we can be assured of, and that is that God does His work; His strange work, His strange act in the order it should be in. That is the prophet’s message in verses 23 – 29;
“Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place? For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen. This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.”
Isaiah uses the illustration of the farmer plowing and sowing seeds. It is done in an orderly manner. The ground is plowed and prepared then each type of seed is sown according to its own fashion. The fitches and cummin [seeds for condiment purposes] are scattered or broadcasted around on the ground. Wheat and barley are sown in rows. They are all threshed in different fashion as well. Some of the harvest grains are threshed by beating, some are rolled with a crushing wheel. I hope you see the picture.
God’s judgment will not always be the same for everyone. It will, however, come due, and there will be judgment according to God’s own grace and mercy. Remember that the judgment we are talking about is not on the world, but upon God’s own people. Peter the apostle wrote,
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17 (KJV)
Isaiah’s warning Israel and Judah is also a warning to those who are Christians. Get right with God, and be right with God always. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love Him.
-Tim A. Blankenship
…Ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven
“And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. 55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. 57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59 But neither so did their witness agree together. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? 64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. 65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” Mark 14:53-72 (KJV)
It was very early in the morning and the “High priest, all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes” were all assembled together and for the distinct purpose of putting Jesus on trial. It was not the time of week they preferred, but it was the time ordained by God. It was illegal to hold a trial this early, but there was nothing legal about the arrest of Jesus either. He was arrested out of pure envy, because of sin in the hearts of wicked men.
We are told by the writer that “Peter followed Him afar off…”. Peter followed all the way to the home “Palace” of the high priest. It was there that he sat with the “Servants” and warmed himself at their fire.
These religious leaders sought for testimony against Jesus, and did not find any (v. 55). There were many who bore “False witness” against Him, but it was not in agreement. They kept searching until they found two who would agree as to the destroying and rebuilding of the temple. These “Leaders” were desparate. This testimony was on Jesus’s statement where He had said, “Destroy this temple [speaking of His own body], and in three days I will raise it again.” (John 2:19). There was no accusation against Jesus which would stand in a real court of law where a judge was fair and just. But, then, all men are liars when compared to the justice of God.
Jesus is asked if He is the Messiah/Christ, and He answers, “I Am…” He goes on telling of seeing His coming glory (v. 62). That really upset the high priest to the point of hypocritically ripping his garment. This was an outward show of grief, despair, even at times repentance – which he certainly needed right now, but even more later. The sound is more and more the echo of Psalm 2,
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”
At the trial before the religious leaders they began to spit on Him and strike him with their hands. It is a grievous thing to read and think that the God of the universe placed Himself in the hands of sinners; He Himself being sinless, to give His life as the payment for sin, and giving to those who believe in Him His righteousness. My what a Savior.
Peter, the disciple, John MacArthur calls “The disciple with the foot-shaped mouth”. He has previously said that he would never be offended because of Jesus (vv. 27-30), now denies Him. In these seven verses (66-72) we have three accounts where he does just that.
At one point he even goes into a “Fit” of cursing; denying that he knows Jesus. He went out not believing the word of Jesus about “All being offended in Him”, and finds himself doing exactly what Jesus said. We need not fear that the Word of God and His Son Jesus will be performed.
Peter’s weeping was not the weeping of one who silently sheds tears, but one who “Wailed” loudly where it could have been heard by people around him. When that rooster crowed the second time Peter saw the eyes of Jesus looking at him (Luke 22:61), and it grieved his heart.
Have I denied Jesus? Have I betrayed Him? Do I need to ask? Yes! To all three questions. I must ask for His forgiveness, and He forgives, cleanses and sets me free.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Words Which Were Given
There are many words for us to hear. The Words that Jesus spoke and is still speaking are the ones He has given us in the Bible; His holy Word. They are given us for faith, practice and Christian growth; for His glory.
“For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” John 17:8 (KJV)
We see in this verse, one of those things given to Jesus by the Father; “the words”. Which words is Jesus referring to? Jesus’s teachings, His doctrine.
There are three things about the disciples which are mentioned: 1. They accepted Jesus’s teachings; 2. They knew – were certain – that Jesus was of divine origin and character; 3. They believed that He was sent by the Father.
Jesus brought the “words” and principles of the Old Testament to life. As the physical manifestation/revelation of God he was the living Word of God. They are no longer dead, lifeless vowels and consonants that only show one’s sinfulness and give no life. Rather, they are now life giving through faith in the “Sent One”.
The only way for these disciples to know these things is because they were God’s from the beginning. No one can come to God on their own. All salvation is a work of God. It is God who awakens man’s awareness of God’s existence. It is God who draws men/women to Himself. It is God who convicts of sin and all unrighteousness. It is God the Father who causes us to look to the cross of Jesus and fall on our knees in repentance, grace and faith. It is all of God, and His grace (SEE John 6:44).
NOTE – Election of God and predestination are essential doctrines of belief, but trying to understand it will drive one crazy. It is essential in believing, but not for understanding. God is sovereign and knows exactly what He is doing. Let’s leave the work of eternal salvation to Him; through the cross of His Son Jesus. He knows and understands it all.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Who Can Abide It???
Most Christians have heard of a day called, “the day of the LORD”, and know that it is a day of reckoning for those who are out of His will, rebelling against Him, and just living a life of debauchery. There was a time in the Nation of Judah, that a prophet by the name of Joel warned the people of the “day of the LORD”. He has asked them the question, “…Who can abide it?” Joel 2:11 (KJV)
There are days we hear of as followers of Jesus which we long for. One of those days is the day of the rapture of the Church. It will not be a good day for those who remain behind; it will in fact be a day of chaos. We as Christians need to be sure that our lives are right with Him, and not put on false pretenses of repentance, and sorrow over sin.
Hear the Word of the LORD:
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.” Joel 2:12-13 (KJV).
False repentance is just as bad, if not worse than no repentance. False repentance is just what is seen in the above verses. The religious Jew sometimes to show sorrow, grief, and/or a repentant attitude tore a portion of their outer garment. This they did for show in these days. As followers of Jesus, and just as then, God knows our hearts, our attitude of mind. We cannot fool God, the One who knows all things. False repentance is an act to show others how religious, and how badly we seem to feel concerning sin.
There is a word for that which Jesus used for many of the religious leaders of His day. That word is “Hypocrite”. That is ‘A pretender’, an actor. Another term for that could be, “a wolf in sheeps clothing”. Why is it that too many times Christians are sheep in wolves clothing? Let’s be true, and show forth a true repentance.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 