Joshua 21 - Our Promise-Keeping Lord

Joshua 21

Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. (Verse 45)

Message: Our Promise-Keeping Lord

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter marks a culmination of a promise made to Abraham centuries earlier - Genesis 12:1-9. In verses 6 and 7 it reads, "Now the Canaanite was then in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And now in Joshua 21:45 it states, "Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass." From the promise to the conclusion. Unfortunately, in a way, the way Israel gets the land is through domination and many people going to their deaths. God provides for his people Israel. Yet, we submit and surrender to God for his ways are not our ways. Israel would carry out God's commands. One people would receive His promise. One important lesson is that God is on the throne and we submit and surrender to His will. 

Levi did not receive the land provided to the tribes (of the 12 tribes, Joseph was separated into land for his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh). Levi instead ministered in the tabernacle and taught God's law and instead Levi was allotted cities as described in Joshua 21:1-40. Numbers 35:1-8 gives this promise of the cities to the Levites, also includes the cities of refuge spoken of in Joshua 20. 

Numbers 21:1-7 mentions how the Levites received their lands - receiving 13 cities from the tribe of Judah, Simeon, Benjamin; 10 cities from the tribe of Ephraim and Dan and half-tribe of Manasseh, 13 cities from the tribe of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and half-tribe of Manasseh, 12 cities from tribe of Reuben, Gad, Zebulun. 

Joshua 21:43-45 is really an exciting passage. It is quite the culmination of hundreds of years. "The Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give..." "And the Lord gave them rest on every side..." "Not one of the good promises...failed." God is faithful. He is our deliverer. He promises and carries those promises out. He provides rest to His people. And we celebrate the promise keeping God we have. 

Summary: God keeps his promises and comes through on all promises. He never fails and provides land for all the tribes of Israel, culminating here in cities given from each tribe to tribe of Levi. 

Promise: The Christian faith is founded on the promises of God. The Lord keeps His promises. 

Prayer: Praise God. Praise God for your faithfulness and providing land and cities to the tribes of Israel. You are a Great God and the one that never fails to deliver your promises. Only you are praised and adored and you receive all of our thanksgiving. You are faithful. You provide us rest and all that is good. You know what is best for us. The reality is not everyone yields your promises. You do indeed set aside your riches for those you choose. This is life. Forgive us Lord for writing a different way in life and not really understanding these truths. Let us be a people that is always submitting ourselves to You and You alone. And then may we be a people that carries out your tasks, protects people and looks forward to being united with You in heaven and earth for all eternity. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 1:1-5 - Joshua Commissioned to Lead Israel

Joshua 1:1-5

1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

Message: Joshua Commissioned to Lead Israel

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Moses dies and the Lord now speaks to Joshua to cross the Jordan, himself and all the sons of Israel to the land God is providing them. God will be with them and will not fail or forsake them. 

God promised Abraham many descendants (Genesis 12:1-3) and the nation of Israel began or took root following God rescuing the children of Israel from slavery. This occurred about 1447 BC. God did promise the people the land of Canaan, but the people had to follow through on that promise and walk forth, going to the land. Unfortunately, they lacked faith that God would overpower the Canaanite forces. Only Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun believed. 

Moses was halted from entering the promised land because of his sin. This is chronicled in Numbers 20:1-13. At this time, the people were camped in Kadesh, the wilderness of Zin and there at the camp they lacked water, thus unable to produce fruit or grain. Moses and Aaron go to the tabernacle and speak to God about this and God tells them to speak to a rock to produce water. Moses responds by using his staff to hit a rock. Water gushes out. But the Lord states he is displeased with Moses and prevents Moses from going any further. It is not clear here what displeased the Lord, but His words are clear that Moses will not go further. 

In Numbers 27 verse 14 the Lord recalls this event in Numbers 20. And after Moses requests God to appoint a man to lead this group, the Lord appoints Joshua, with Moses commissioning him by laying his hands on him. 

Now it is Joshua and the commission or call from God to lead Israel to Canaan has been reinstated. He and the people are camped in the plains of Moab, just northeast of the Dead Sea and east of the city of Jericho on the other side of the Jordan River. 

God gives a gift of land to Canaan. They don't do anything to earn it, but they simply must walk into it and not be afraid, trusting God. In accomplishing the land, they must believe that God will provide it, in his way. 

In looking at this text there is striking language of God's promises. He says, "the land which I am giving to them" so it is clearly a gift. And then he also says that every step we take is a gift from him, "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you." That is great language and a great promise. Every step we take is a gift from God, granted by God. He gives us a promise, but also establishes our steps to that promise. All we must do is walk in them. And in verse 4 he pinpoints or spells out in even more detail all the places where he will walk with them. God will be with them. He will be their guide. "No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life." God is with us. And his promise to be with us remains. As recorded in Matthew 28:20, "lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” And here in verse 5 the Lord says, "I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." These are indeed exciting truths. God is with us. He was with Israel and He continues to be with us - from dispensation to dispensation or time period to time period, he remains the same. 

Summary: After Moses' death, the Lord calls Joshua to lead Israel to the land of Canaan, promising to be with them every step of the way. 

Promise: God is with us, every step of the way; always. 

Prayer: O thank you God for your words of comfort, spoken to Joshua over 3,400 years ago and to Matthew 2,000 years ago and because of that I can know the promise that You will be with me as well, every step of my life, guiding me, directing me, taking me to a future glory, resurrected with You in paradise. You are near, always near to me. You are present, always present. Thank you for these stories that are real and continue to speak to people like me. You are the great one. You hold me near. You are the God of all and God of glory and I worship you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Deuteronomy 4:31 - The History of Israel

Deuteronomy 4:31

For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.

Message: The History of Israel

Time: Deuteronomy was written around 1406 BC, at the end of the forty years of wandering endured by the nation of Israel. Deuteronomy restates God’s commands originally given to the Israelites some forty years earlier in Exodus and Leviticus. Deuteronomy asserts Moses as author (1:1; 4:44; 29:1). 

What the Lord is Saying: Christianity needs its history. Its history defines its present. Tabletalk referred me to I Corinthians 10:11 -- Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come -- and I also saw the words of Matthew Henry (1662-1714) that he wrote about the first 14 verses. 

I Corinthians 10:1-14 

(Paul says:) Let me show you the harm of being in communion with idolaters. Think of the Jewish nation. Through a miracle they were led through the Red Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians were drowned. It was to them a typical baptism (burying the old life or bad ways of the Egyptians and birthing new life or freedom coming through the red sea). And then provided manna, a type of Christ, to be fed on, living forever from bread of heaven. Christ is our rock - in which we drink the water from the stream provided, we are refreshed. Yet they got caught up in simply sitting on their privilege or even their profession of truth. This is an example for you and I, don't crave what they craved. Remember their sins as an example of what not to do. God gives us the command and we are to follow it. Some were destroyed by the serpent for not fearing God. Nothing in this Scripture has been written in vain. We are to be wise in it and learn from it. Others have fallen and so may we. Our security against sin is to not trust ourselves. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have like burdens, and like temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. God is wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We have full encouragement to flee from sin, and to be faithful to God. We cannot fall by temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put into their hearts, will be the great means of safety.

What a great reminder this is of the words of Scripture and how they have been written over and over to teach us, to provide us examples, to remind us of the importance of following and trusting God. That Israel and how they lived can impact us today. That God is faithful and cleaving and clinging to him is what matters most. We are not to rest is our own accomplishment but instead rest in the Lord. 

Today's passage, Deuteronomy 4:31, I notice is translated "the Lord your God is a compassionate God" or "The Lord your God is a merciful God." Compassionate or merciful. Both ideas are focused on God toward others - one expressing concern and the other relief. God remembers His people - all of them, whether Jew or Greek. And throughout history we can see and watch His dealings with His people and learn from those interactions. He makes promises to His people. They are obedient but also not. He disciplines them for their sin, punishes them. Like them, we are His people of faith and so we can learn from their interactions and hopefully learn how to live in a more honoring way towards God. 

And in this verse today is the reminder that God is with us: the promise that (1) he will not fail me; (2) he will not destroy me; (3) he will not forget me. God made a covenant, a promise and He will not forget. 

As I learn from these stories and situations how to better live, I can always know that God will be with me and will not forget me. 

Summary: God is with us and will always be with us and I/we can learn from all of the interactions He has with His people throughout time. 

Promise: The Lord has promised always to be with His people. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for history and the reminder today that You created it all and throughout history you have been with your people, keeping them close to You and through all of those interactions, good and bad, today, now, I can learn from them still and can learn how I am to live and bear fruit in this world. You are sovereign over all. You are working. Keep me focused on You, not ever sitting on what You have provided, but being active, no matter my situation. You are in me. You are with me. And you are always capable of carrying me through all of life's situations. Thank you God. Thank you Lord. Thank you Savior. Don't let me forget. I need to remember and remember that all that I do is by your strength. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:1-5 - Vine and Branches

John 15:1-5

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Message: Vine and Branches

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Now to start chapter 15, I immediately notice that Jesus continually mentions the Father as He also mentions Himself. He speaks to a Jewish audience and he seems purposely in His statements to link Himself with the Father. 

While Jesus mentions Himself as the Vine, he states that the Father is the vinedresser or the one who prunes, tends, or cultivates grapevines. He remarks that the branch that does not bear fruit gets taken away. But the branch that bears fruit gets pruned in order to bear more fruit. Hmm. Seem harsh. No fruit, no branch. But the pruning seems reasonable. Fruit is good, but more fruit if better. 

Verse 3 states that you are clean because of the Word. Interesting verse. And so Jesus gives the command in verse 4 to "Abide in Me, and I in you." Branches can only bear fruit when they are with the vine. But not simply with the vine, but abiding with the Vine (verse 4). The conclusion comes in verse 5 - "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

I should focus on what I know in these verses and that is the command to "Abide in Jesus." And I am given that promise when I do that Jesus is in Me. In my previous lesson from the end of chapter 13 through chapter 14 I saw these ideas still of Believe, Pray, Obey, Help. And so beyond the Comfort of chapter 14 of the assurance that we have help, that God is providing us Help with the Holy Spirit is now my understanding that I follow through in staying close to Jesus, abiding in Him and as this process continues, good things will result. 

Going back now to the vine, the significance of Jesus as the vine is that He is the instrument now through which all people will be saved. Originally, it was Israel that was the vine. 

Psalms 80:8, "You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it." 

Jeremiah 2:21, "Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?" 

Hosea 10:1-2, "1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. 2 Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars."

With Jesus calling Himself the vine, He is now carrying out the work Israel was supposed to do in sharing the message of salvation with all. But, I don't think Israel failed, it is simply that Jesus has always been the complete fulfillment of all that God will accomplish for people. The goal remains to bear fruit and for God to see His people be with him. God loves people. God wants people to be with Him for all eternity. He loves us and wants us. But there are also rules and standards. There is a mission and a process and we must adhere to His plan. And not ignore Him or run off and invent our own plan. Jesus says He is it. So we must remain with Him, abiding in Him. 

Verse 2 - He took away Israel's way and Jesus is the true Israel. Jesus is it now. Jesus has always been it, but really Jesus is clearly God's means for people to bear fruit and live lives of fruit. 

Abiding in trusting and being close to Jesus. Fruit is really more salvation than obedience, but simply our need to be with Jesus -trusting in Jesus. Jesus continues to give comfort and direction to the disciples, reminding them that He is the answer now and forever more.  

Summary: Jesus confirms that He is the true vine of Israel to bear the fruit of salvation now to all. Our response is to trust in Him (abide). 

Promise: Jesus is the true vine, but this vine has branches, and we who love and serve Christ are those branches.

Prayer: Thank you God for the great gift of Your Word and sealing Yourself with me and being the answer. You love people God and want to be with people always and you will always do whatever is necessary to yield the fruit of followers and people to be with You. I trust in You God. I abide in You. Thank you for the full life I have in You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

Revelation 17:14 - Christ Our King

Revelation 17:14

They will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.

Message: Christ Our King

Time: John mentions himself 4 times as author. It was written around the year 95 on John's exile to the island of Patmos after preaching the gospel to Asia. Revelation comes from the Greek word for apocalypse and refers to an unveiling. The book is about the tribulation period with symbolic language, giving us the end of the story -- Jesus will once and for all heal the wounds of sin, reign for a thousand years on earth, then re-create the world into a place that represent's God's original design. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

This verse speaks of a war that is happening with the Son of God - the Lamb of God - Jesus - and today it definitely feels like Jesus as Lord is being put on the shelf in our present life by the world. Yet, should we be surprised? This world is of Satan and the people resemble that type of thinking and yet the people of God know that Jesus is King of kings. 

To dig a little deeper into this verse in Revelation, I am interested in the title "King of kings" and why it was used. The Expositor's Greek New Testament (1897) references this title as a reference to the well-known Parthian title. "King of kings" which was a title first given to Parthian empires of their kings around 150 BC. This verse begins with "They will wage war against the Lamb." The preceding verses speak of the last of the seven angels, which were entrusted the execution of the last things and the last angel is referred to as the Great Harlot. And in 17:2 is mentioned that the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, this angel, the Great Harlot. The idea being that the kings accepted this angels idolatry and aligned themselves with her. And now in verse 14, they will wage war is the idea that these kings of the earth, kings of nations, will wage war with Jesus and Jesus the Lamb will overcome them because He is lord of lords and King of kings. Thus, Jesus is the King among all kings. Thus, it seems that John is taking a phrase that has been used of kings and empires somewhat recently, 250 years or less and ascribing that phrase - King of kings - to Jesus. 

It is interesting because I remember singing songs with "King of kings" in the verses. And there is the idea present often that all the governments do submit to Jesus as He is king of Kings. In the Bible are 6 references to King of Kings. I don't see this as a title given to the Lord God himself in the Old Testament, but there are 3 references to it in the new, 2 in Revelation and 1 time by Paul in I Timothy 6:15. 

Yet, the idea of God as King is mentioned in the Bible, like Psalm 10:16, "The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land." So on one hand is the title "King of kings" which is not given too many times, but is a true concept and then the idea of Jesus as King is also prominent. 

One instance of this is found in John 12:12-16 as Jesus is entering Jerusalem on his way to being crucified. 

On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

This reference in John seem to go back to Zechariah 9:9 - Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The Zechariah verse paints the picture of the ideal king coming. And then Zechariah also inserts, coming with salvation. Zechariah is prediction the fall of Israel here and the fall of the neighboring nations. This is not a conquering king coming with weapons, but a king coming as a prince of peace. The colt or ass references back to Judges passages that speak of riding on donkeys in preparation for judgment. This king was spoken by all the prophets and is one coming that will reign forever. So Jesus is meek and still the ultimate rescue for His people. And he is it. No more will be needed. Yes, He will come again to usher in the final kingdom on earth and in heaven, but His rescue of people's souls and lives will never again be repeated. 

This type of king in our lives in not fathomable. We have rotating kings and presidents. We have this constant stress or adulation of who will be our next leader. And the question of what type of leader He will be. Will God be by His side or will he only lean on human wisdom? So, this lesson is so important for Jesus is King of Kings and He is the last and ideal king. No one is better and no one needs to be better for He had done it all. 

Promise: I am Christ's ambassador to point people to the Jesus the only King and only true King of our lives, but we are to bow our knee to Him today and each day. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing me this text. It takes me time, but you illuminate me and open my eyes to your truth and the right understand of you Jesus as King, as the King of Kings. Thank you for using your word and speaking through others in the past to also give me understanding. I am your ambassador of truth. Help me to keep being a blessing to others. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of May is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

- The Divine Nature of Christ, The Human Nature of Christ, Jesus the Last Adam, Jesus the True Israel, Jesus the Messiah, Obedience in Childhood, Obedience in Baptism, Obedience in Temptation, Obedience under the Law, Obedience in Suffering, Christ Our Prophet, Christ the Priest, Christ Our King

Hosea 11:1 - Jesus The True Israel

Hosea 11:1 

When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

Message: Jesus the True Israel

Time: Hosea ministered during the 8th century BC focusing his attention primarily on the northern kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim). During the early part of Hosea's ministry, Jeroboam II ruled over Israel and the northern kingdom enjoyed a great deal of prosperity. But spiritually and morally, the Israelites were bankrupt, having fallen into idolatry that would ultimately cause God to drive them out of their land in 722 BC. The book represents 40 years of prophetic ministry - 755 BC to 710 BC. 

What the Lord is Saying:

Hosea

Even as I write the words above, I immediately think of Hosea - a prophet called to speak to a people trading God for idols; and yet a people that is living with prosperity. That itself sounds familiar to today's times. American's seem to love their idols: safety, security, entertainment, like to control their own lives and not be told what to do. Hosea was called to speak to this kind of people. 

I read the first chapter of Hosea and he was told by God to take a harlot as a wife and then named children with names that signified lost people. I mean, his life was supposed to mirror the acts of the people he was called to minister towards. “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the Lord.” He did it. 

Then in the 3rd chapter Hosea is told by the Lord to marry again. “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” He did it. Go love a woman loved by her husband. 

Basically that's it with the book, in regards to Hosea. The rest of the book is writing's about the Lord's words toward this people - how they have messed up, but one day they will return to the Lord. Still, initially I'm surprised about Hosea and what he is called by God to do and be. 

Now the lesson

Now onto this lesson, which is a quote from Hosea 11:1. The name of this lesson is - Jesus the true Israel. The TableTalk reading for this text states that 

"Matthew tells us that Jesus fulfills Hosea 11 (Matthew 2:13-15). Jesus is the true Israel, the faithful Israel who succeeds where old covenant Israel failed. Jesus when tested, passed the test, while Israel did not. Jesus is worthy to be called God's Son because of who He is in His deity and because of what He accomplished in His humanity." 

In addition, Tabletalk describes 'sonship,' that God's people, chosen by Him, are sons of God by adoption -- and therefore, inherit all of the promises given to God's old covenant people. 

I'm not sure I have ever really taken the time to examine this idea or the assertion of Matthew 2:13-15 being prophecy fulfilled from Hosea 11:1. Is this prophecy? Or an illustration? 

In the Old Testament, Israel is clearly called by God and chosen to His representative and to make the truth of Him known to everyone. Yet, Israel fails. They wallow back and forth in this commitment. Their temple has a special place for Gentiles and yet they often ignore them. They fall into idolatry at times and become adherents to the Law and miss grace. Jesus is sent by God to speak to all people - Jews and Gentiles and bring the message of God to all. Jesus succeeds where Israel failed. 

Thus, reading Hosea 11:1 - When Israel was a youth I loved him - God loves Israel and after Israel was called, you could describe the 400 years of its beginning as its time of youth. God loved Israel and yet Israel did not always love God. and out of Egypt I called My son - so, out of Egypt Jesus is called. 

There are differing views on this. One of the commentaries provided on Biblehub.com is by Charles Ellicott (1819-1905), an English theologian who wrote a commentary on the New Testament in 1878 and then was editor, meaning he wrote some but mostly compiled commentaries of other writers on the Old Testament in 1897. On this passage he remarks - "In this context there cannot be a prophecy of the Christ, for obstinate conduct and rebellion would thus be involved in the prediction." Matthew 2:15 "quotes the passage in illustration of the fact that the true Son of God was also submitted in His youth to the hard schooling of a cruel exile." To me he is saying this isn't a prophecy but instead an illustration. My brother made the comment that we need to always view the words of the Old Testament as also prophetic of Jesus. 

In Exodus 4:22 is the remark that "the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son." Ellicott believes this means that this text is unique to Israel. Joseph Benson (1749-1821) comments Israel is called God’s son, and his firstborn, and therein was an eminent figure of the Messiah, in whom all God’s promises were fulfilled. Both are God's sons, but Jesus fulfilled all God's promises while Israel did not. Benson states further, "And this is observable in many other prophecies, which can but improperly be applied to those of whom they were at first spoken; and, taking them in their strict, literal sense, are only fulfilled in Christ."

I like the word illustration instead of prophecy. Matthew quotes from Hosea to show the similarity between the two, but I don't think Hosea is a prophecy of Jesus, in that I don't think Matthew believe that Hosea's words were written to only be about Jesus, but rather Hosea's words now are more clearly brought to light by who Jesus is and became. The events of Israel are analogous to Jesus. They are similar.  

Promise: Jesus did do what Israel did not: completely get the message of God to all people and was successful.  

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this passage and learning about Jesus and Israel and the similarity between the two but also seeing that Jesus fulfilled all that God intended - salvation to all. Thank you for Israel and how I am reminded of how I need to be true each and every day to your calling. Continue to give me wisdom as I study these truths. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of April is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

Mark 12:28-31 - The Greatest Commandments

Mark 12:28-31
28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ 31 The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”


Message: The Greatest Commandments

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has answered his critics questions. Most recently the question was about the resurrection and what it would like to us upon resurrection in the way of marriage. We will not be married. We will have everything that we need in Christ. For God is the God of the living not the dead. His ways are always the same. He is the God of the now, not simply then. He says, "I AM" not "I was." Jesus is in Jerusalem on his way to die and then be resurrected as he has predicted 3 times.

One of the scribes came and heard them arguing - I believe they were discussing, not necessarily arguing. This one scribe comes to Jesus with a reasonable question. This scribe recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him. So this scribe is different from the others, accepting the words of Jesus. When Jesus answers the scribes question What commandment is the foremost of all? his response is actually not real different from anything he has said previously. In fact, when He and the disciples walked back into Jerusalem and Peter saw the fig tree and that it was withered Jesus responds with a two-fold response of Have Faith in God or believe me, believe me what I say and then soon after tells them to forgive their neighbors. The message is a little different but the focus is on God, then neighbor.

This is what Jesus mentions again now in the 2 greatest commandments - Love God, Love Neighbor. That is easily the central message of our lives that really stands in contrast with any other message of this day from any religious body or group: Love God, Love Neighbor. Have Faith in God and Forgive. This is what needs to motivate my life each day. This is it.

I love that message. HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. It is interesting here. RC Sproul comments that we love God in 4 ways - with our heart, with our soul, with our mind, with our strength.

The second commandment is somehow simpler. There is a contrast in the type of love we have for God and the type of love we have for neighbor. It is a given that we love ourselves. We don't simply love our neighbor, but we do it AS YOURSELF. This is very true. We love ourselves. And this love gets greater when we realize who we are in Christ and that God loves us so much.

I was listening to a message yesterday from Tom Nelson of Denton Bible Church, an older message maybe from 10 years ago he did in Matthew and it reminded me of how rules based we are in our lives and how heart-based God is. God is most concerned about our hearts. And this message of loving God and loving neighbors begins in the heart. It can't simply be a rule will follow. But rather it is a condition of our heart. I often struggle to understand or communicate to people what living for Jesus is really about and somehow I think it is this notion that God wants to change our heart, not just change how we do a few things in our lives.

Sometimes i have difficult figuring out what sin I have broken. I get to this point at times where I don't think I've done anything bad but at its core I don't really love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And I definitely don't love my neighbor as I do myself. What I want is often what is most important.

Summary - Jesus responds to the question from one of the scribes, a scribe that believed Jesus had responded well to the the Sadducees question. He asks for the greatest commandment and Jesus gives two commandments, thus though there are 2 they are together. We cannot truly love God without loving our neighbor and we cannot truly love our neighbor without loving God.

Promise: Love for God on account of who He is in Himself is the highest form of love that creatures can show. It is love God with all of the power that we can muster; with our mind it is studying His ways and His character as revealed in His Word; with our soul it is means loving Him passionately; with our heart it means loving God from the very root of our being.

Prayer: Lord, first of all, forgive me God for the way in which I have loved you. Each day I seek out first ways to please myself or love myself rather than loving You. Yesterday was church and I find that church is only good if it pleases me, but you remind me that it is about loving You with all that is in my being. So forgive me for thinking that I know better. I want to be in that place to Love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I admit I don't know what that looks like much of the time. Help me to know how to communicate this with others. And I want to love others the way I love myself. It's easy to have this love for my wife, but sometimes not as easy with even my kids and then those that I would call neighbors. I should be sacrificing more of myself for them. You are Savior and Lord. You are king. You are Lord of All. I want to praise You.

Psalm 115:9-18 - Blessing The Lord Now and Forever

Psalm 115:9-18

9 O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.
14 May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
15 May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
18 But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!

Message: Blessing The Lord Now and Forever

Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

What the Lord is Saying: 

As I continue to look at this Psalm, I saw in the first 8 verses a contrast between all praise to God and the folly of replacing God or instead worshiping idols. To God be the glory. He is the patient one despite many questioning that He is even there. But, God does as he wishes and He is to be glorified; He doesn't need me and He is sovereign over all. How narrow it is those that people can choose instead to worship a man-made idol and in so doing they get completely off track. It amazes me in life how easily we got off track and begin living for things that just don't matter. The Lord is to be praised above all. Daily I need reminders to remember God, seek Him, thank Him, praise Him.

People appraise God as being helpless and the Psalmist responds to show the stupidity of idolatry and finding rest in man-made things.

Appeal - The Covenant People
O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. The first 8 verses sound like a prayer of praise to God, but verse 8 makes a shift to words maybe from a leader to the people, such as a choir leader to the congregation appealing to them to trust in the Lord. He is Israel's help and Israel's shield. He helps us and he protects us. Those are words I must not forget. Sunday, a man walked into a church service in Sutherland Heights, Texas and opened fire on a small church gathering killing 26 and wounding more. This tiny church now has lost half of its membership. It's hard to fathom, but it should remind us that people need the help of God daily in their lives. Without that help, we do not think properly. In all of life's situations he is our help and our shield. This doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen to us; his protection lasts for eternity.

Appeal - The Consecrated Priest
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. Verse 9 appealed to Israel and this verse appeals to the priest. The people are to trust in the Lord, but also the priests. The priests should set the example for the masses that it is God who is our help and shield.

Appeal - The Converted Pagan
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. From Israel, to the Priest, to the person, or the pagan, all are to trust in the Lord. He is our help and shield no matter where we are at in life.

Application - Assurance of Blessing
The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small together with the great. Our Lord is the business of blessing. And I need to be in the business of recognized those blessings. This doesn't mean everything will work out the way I want it. Help me, Lord, to see where you are working and thank you for it. You are mindful of me. You have given me Life, eternal life. You have given me breath. All the good that I have in my life is a gift from You. Each day that I can live is a gift from You. And my faithfulness, my measure of my fear is not contingent on the degree of blessing that I will receive. God simply blesses His people.

Application - Assessment of the Blessing
May the Lord give you increase, You and your children. May you be blessed of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord is able to bless anyone at anytime. Nothing is too difficult for Him. I need to trust in this each day. Forgive me Lord for thinking you are done with me.

Applause - The Globe
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. Heaven is the home of the Lord. It is his home right now. Any time Scripture attempts a description of Heaven it resorts to symbolic language. The earth has been given to human beings. God came to this earth to redeem it. It needs redeeming, continually.

Applause - The Grave
The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence; At this time, Jesus had not yet brought life to those in the grave. The Old Testament shares a gloomy picture of the grave. In contrast, the living are to praise the Lord.

Applause - The Godly

But as for us, we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forever. Praise the Lord! We are to bless the Lord forever. He is to be praised at any time, at all times. 

Promise: The Lord is about blessing His people and we are about blessing the Lord, praising His name forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that we are able to put our trust in You. Thank you for being our help and our shield. Help me to believe this each day and trust in You no matter what comes. As we experience difficulties and trials that we think are too big for us to deal with, remind us that we can trust in You, remain in You and you will help us and shield us from the world and its messages. Thank you for the way you have blessed me. I don't understand it, but I continually thank you for it. Help me to continue to recognize this in my life.

Psalm 149 - Our Duty to Rejoice in Our King

Psalm 149
¹ Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.
² Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.
³ Let them praise His name with dancing;
Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.
⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.

⁵ Let the godly ones exult in glory;
Let them sing for joy on their beds.
⁶ The high praises of God in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
⁷ To execute vengeance on the nations
And punishment on the peoples,
⁸ To bind their kings with chains
And their nobles with fetters of iron,
⁹ To execute on them the judgment written;
This is an honor for all His godly ones.

Praise the Lord!

Message:  Our Duty to Rejoice in Our King

Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

What the Lord is Saying:
The Song (1-3)
The Theme (1a)
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, I've read this before in various Psalms and scripture and have never thought that the new song is a new and distinct song from the other songs. And the song has a special point of emphasis that is possibly different from the other songs, perhaps. In the book of Psalms there are 6 new songs (33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1 144:9, 149:1). New songs anticipate the millennial reign of Christ. 

The Throng (1b-3)
     The Great Congregation is Assembled (v1b)
His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. Congregation could mean many different types of groups, but I think what is significant is it is a group of the godly ones. This group is separate and distinct and it should confirm the importance of assembling together. It saddens me to hear of people that suddenly find no time for church or regular community with other Christians. To me, it seems that when this occurs Satan is winning and pulling apart this formidable force. But, it also makes me think about the church as it assembles. Are we simply walking into a movie theater and watching a show or are we building community in the body to wage war against the darkness. 

     The Great Creator of Israel is Acclaimed (v.2-3)
Our Great God adopted the nation of Israel as His own
Let Israel be glad in his Maker; Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.
Here is a Levite prayer on behalf of the nation in regards to sealing the covenant in the days of Nehemiah:

Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.

Zion is the poetical name for Jerusalem and proverbial name for the city as the center of all political power in the coming millennial age. Thus, Israel's King (Maker) is to be rejoiced in as he is higher than any other king. 

Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.
When a person dances, there entire body moves and thus in praising God with our dance, every part of us is moving and focused on Him. Their voices are singing praises with music instruments. It is good to see the encouragement to praise the Lord with song.

The Saints (4-5)
Their Blessing (4a)
For the Lord takes pleasure in His people. Much of the Bible is not simply about God but how God relates to people and people's worship of God. 75% of the book of Genesis speaks of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph and God's pleasure in his people.

Their Beauty (4b)
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. He will deliver those that are afflicted. Society likes the person that returns a tough word with a tougher word. We love to watch debates where people respond from an attack with a good defense or insult even. But, we are reminded often in scripture to let God take care of the outcomes and he mentions the beauty here of those that have been afflicted. And this is the picture of Jesus and his life because he willingly went to the cross rather than fight back when he was accused. 

Their Bliss (5)
Let the godly ones exult in glory; Let them sing for joy on their beds. The Psalmist believes that people should be happy and they should be rejoicing even as they go to bed, thankful for the day and what the Lord has provided and then awaken with happiness as seeking to praise God. We have much to be praising God for. 

The Sword (6-9)
There is victory in the Lord

Trusting in that Sword (v. 6)

The high praises of God in their mouth. I am to be a person that is praising God. We are to be a people that praise Him. It seems in recent years as worship music becomes more popular, I tend to be moving away from it and yet, the Christian music I grew up on is worship music. The song we sang in church Sunday was unstoppable God. His Glory goes on and on. There is much we can praise God for. He is eternal, uncreated, self-existing, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, just, true, tender and living, gracious and kind. 

And a two-edged sword in their hand. The Word of God is a our sword in all of life. We use it to meet all attacks. In the list of Christian armor, it is the only weapon of attack, all other weapons are for defense (Ephesians 6:17). When Satan attacked Adam and Eve, what he attacked was the reliability of the Words of God. In his hour of temptation with Satan, Jesus' only defense was the word of God. The Word of God needs to be our defense. 

Trusting with that Sword (v.7-9)

To execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains
And their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written; This is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the Lord! In Revelation 19:15, when the Lord descends out of the sky to engage the enemy, it is the sword that comes out of his mouth. Could these verses be thinking of that moment? The remaining Gentiles on the earth here are the nations and peoples of verse 7. The restored Hebrew people will execute judgment in honor of all His Godly ones. Once again, the Word of God will be feared as we all Praise the Lord. 

Promise: No matter how we feel, no matter what is going on in our life, there can always be time to stop and Praise the Lord. 

Prayer: Praise the Lord, Sing to the Lord. Lord, revitalize Your church and the people of God. Help all people of God and Christians to put aside their differences and assemble together each week at church, supporting it with financial gifts and continuing to give glory to You. Lord, you are higher than any other. You are there for the afflicted ones, providing deliverance. Let the people of God continually praise you, at morning and night. I want to praise you more. May the people of this earth recognize the holiness of the Word of God. In the end, as in the beginning, the Lord will be praised. 

Luke 2:22-35 - Our Divine Vocation

Luke 2:22-35

22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Message: Our divine vocation

Time: The Gospel according to Luke was probably the last Synoptic Gospel to be written, thus penned around 60 AD. The words salvation are in Luke, though not in Matthew and Mark. Luke, a gentile physician, wrote more than any other NT writer, writing primarily of redemptive history.

What the Lord is Saying: There is a continuous theme in the Old Testament that is carried forward in the New Testament because it is a theme that occurs in the lives of Jews and Jewish Christians. That theme is cleanliness versus being unclean. Many of the sacrifices that were set up in Leviticus were for the purpose of someone becoming clean again. The most common source of uncleanness was the stain of sin in a person's life. But there are other things as well. One of those things is a woman giving birth. After the birth, they were considered unclean for 7 days and then would have to stay home 33 days more, and then for having a girl these periods were doubled. And then they were to present in the temple an offering of purification: a burnt offering of a lamb a year old, and a young pigeon or turtle-dove as a sin offering. But if someone is poor then the lamb can be replaced with a young pigion or turtle-dove. This is what Mary brought for Jesus (v. 24).

And then there was Simeon, who we know nothing about, but that he was waiting for the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit came upon him, perhaps for a moment, rather than continually; but he was clearly a holy man. At some point in Simeon's life he had been told by the Spirit that he would not die before first seeing the Lord's Christ. It would make sense then that Simeon was very old.

Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus into the temple to carry out the custom of the Law in making and Simeon takes the baby in his arms to thank or praise God (v. 28).Simeon here recognizes that in this infant something special. God had told him through His spirit to wait for this baby, and this is indeed a special moment in the temple where Simeon, an older and wiser man sees that he can now depart from this world because he has seen the salvation of God's people, namely Jesus. Jesus is a light to the Gentiles and a glory to Israel. Thus, Jesus covers all people.

Joseph and Mary hear this, amazed once again. If anything this is also for their benefit, what Simeon has voiced, for them to hear that this baby is indeed different. There have already been so many signs of Him being different but these words from Simeon are the clearest.

Simeon speaks to Mary and Joseph with a prayer or a command and blesses them. They are blessed to have the honor of being related to this child and were entrusted to bring Him up. Jesus will be a savior of death to some (unbelievers) and a savior of life to still others (believers). But these words had to be hard to hear by Mary and Joseph that this baby would be rejected by many, would receive lashings and be opposed, but all of this is ordered by Providence as Jesus will reveal the actions of men. Jesus' suffering would hurt Jesus but also hurt Mary. But his suffering is necessary, as is our suffering.

Here we have the prophecy of Jesus and his life, by a man, Simeon that is really not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture and Luke records him. Jesus is set apart. He is indeed unique.

Promise: Suffering is a necessary part of life. The reality is suffering hurts and it is hard, but we remember it is necessary.

Prayer: Lord, I have seen that suffering is real. It does indeed hurt for it to occur in our lives. We have suffered for pain that our children experience or hurt that comes upon us from their actions. It is tough to be a parent, to experience all of the sacrifice and the things that we do to help make our kids great and then along the way, we hurt for them. It is a joy but it is also a difficult part of life. God, I thank you for what you do in our lives and for bringing us along in life the way that you have. Keep our eyes focused on You. Thank you for the prophecy of Jesus and that he is salvation for all people. We need You and we need You every hour.

Romans 11:28-29 - God's Irrevocable Gifts and Calling

Romans 11:28-29 - ²⁸ From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; ²⁹ for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Message: Though some are opposed to the Gospel, God still loves Israel and His calling of them is irrevocable

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

Opposed of the Gospel - Verse 28

As a corporate body, Israel is presently opposed to the Lord. This is Paul's meaning here. This does not mean that every Jew is against the Gospel. But, as a whole there is opposition. There is animosity between the Gentile and the Jew. It is natural. Romans 11:11 - But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Jealousy results often in hurt feelings.

God still loves Israel - verse 28

However, we must not forget, from the standpoint of God, Israel is still beloved because of the covenant promise God made to their forefathers -- first in Abraham, re-affirmed to Isaac, and then to Jacob (Israel). This does not mean that every Jew will be saved, but as a whole God will never cast them off. 

God's calling is irrevocable - verse 29

God's calling on a people does not change. God chooses and He does not go back on His word. 

Malachi 3:6 - “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

Numbers 23:19 -  

“God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Promise: God will not go back on His word

 

Romans 11:11-12 - Riches for the World

Romans 11:11-12 - ¹¹ I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. ¹² Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

Message: Salvation to the Gentiles

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

Setting the Context
The Message of the Gospel does not return void. Someone will receive the message and find its truth. Many in the nation of Israel, God's original promised people, did not accept this truth. They did not accept the message of righteousness by faith, but instead wanted to walk the road of righteousness by works. And the message went out to all. And other people groups, originally dismissive of God's message began to accept it and make it theirs. 

In Romans 11:7-10 I see that Israel failed. They failed to receive this message. They instead went their own way. But, the message continued and went to others.  

Background
At the beginning of Chapter 11, Paul identifies himself as a Jew and shows that not all Jews neglected the way of salvation, that is righteousness by faith. It wasn't God that rejected His people. It was His people that rejected God. Yet, people of God are people of God by God's gracious choice. God foreknows His people. He chooses His people. And hardens others. In the Old Testament is the picture of God choosing a people and yet many of those people were not willing to accept God's choosing because they were wrapped up in themselves determining how they would get to God. To me, it seems clear, that God's chosen people will have the fruit of that choosing. They will recognize that God sustains life and God declares the justified. People will accept God. John 1:12 talks about those receiving Jesus as Lord. This is receiving the one that God established as a ransom for people or as the one that will justify people. God gives the free gift. Yet, God knows the recipient of the gift He gives. He knows who these people are, before they declare their faith. Now, they will declare there faith, but, first and foremost, it is because He chooses them. 

Difficult Passages
These are always difficult passages to study. Personally, I have always looked at these passages, thinking about them from 2 perspectives. One, is the perspective God has and then the other is the perspective man has toward God. God chooses. Man has faith. I cannot walk around life, looking at a person, pointing at them and then say to God, "Did you choose them?" God tells me to preach the Good news (Mark 16:15). His word states that I am to be a defender of the faith (I Peter 3:15). His word states that I am to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). It is clear that the God's message of Truth, the Gospel is not simply be something I internalize, but something I declare and bear witness to in my life. Yet I know Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). 

I need to understand the difference, I proclaim. But, God chooses. I am obedient to the message of truth. I pray and ask God to awaken people. I ask God to draw people, but I always stand ready to give an answer for what I believe. Must God use people? No. Does God use people? Yes.

Israel's Fall from Truth is Not Permanent
In my opinion, Paul declares that Israel is not forever lost. But, many are lost for a period. Here, he is speaking of the entire nation of Israel, of all the people that have been set apart as His chosen people. Many will die have never known Christ as Lord, but there will be a remnant of believers (11:5) among Israel, none the less. Israel will be awakened from their stupor (11:8)   

Salvation to the Gentiles 
Sin by the Israelites, resulted in salvation to the Gentiles. In 10:19 is the picture of Jealousy presented. Israel chose other gods and worshiped them in order to make God jealous. God went to a new people, the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. God chose people beyond Israel. 

Recently, I had a discussion with a Muslim and one of his defenses was taking these passages from the Old Testament that the Apostle Paul saw as passages pointing to the Gentiles and the Muslim pointed those same passage to the Islamic people and Muhammad. Their defense was they could do this because Muhammad was a prophet and the prophet is the one that can declare the words of God and Muhammad was told that they are this other people group. And so Muslims reject Paul and speak of him as an instrument of Satan. It is interesting and shows that there is power in the text of the Bible. It can branch out and have many different applications and yet there is one that holds true. And so that is the challenge.

Transgression results in Salvation
Verse 12 is one of those verses that I always go back to when something difficult is happening in my life or something unwelcome. And not just something unwelcome, but sin in my life. God can use those transgressions for His glory. Romans 8:28 and the truth that God works everything out for good is this sort of reminder. God can take something meant for evil and use it for good. By the transgression of the Israelite or the unbelief of the Israelite, the Gospel is made known to all the non-Jew world. I think this is the message of Deuteronomy 9 and 32. Israel provoked God to anger. Specifically 32:21, "I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation."

Riches
I think of that verse, "it is through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory (Romans 3:7)" My lie became His glory. Israel's transgression meant riches for the world. If something like this happens, and yet God still has a plan for Israel, how incredible great will Israel one day be.

I must take this text and realize that the Jewish people are indeed valuable and must be preserved and esteemed. Israel must be protected. 

Promise: Though the Israel according to the flesh has been resistant to believing in Christ, this will not last forever. Not all Jews will be saved -- just as not all Gentiles will be saved -- but the Lord will bring the Israel according to the flesh into His Kingdom. And He may do so through us as we share the gospel with the Jewish people. -- Table Talk, August 19, 2014

 

Romans 11:1-5 - God's Chosen Remnant

Romans 11:1-5 - 1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 "Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.

Message: There is no rejection of God's people. God foreknew His people. Many, seemingly, of the faith, will not follow God in the proper way, but God will save a remnant.

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:  

Background
Again, this is a fitting next thought by Paul. He has just basically said that the Jews have been given opportunity to be accepted by God. It is true that they created their own version of righteousness, by the Law, rather than a righteousness of faith. And they rejected God. They tried to make God jealous by serving other gods and God turned the tables on them, grafting in a previous rebellious people, the Gentiles. They were presented the gospel message and they received it. 

But, even in this explanation, Paul clarifies a message or principle from God, that he shows was consistent throughout the Old Testament: God saves whom He saves. He is sovereign and He calls His people to be His. And this calling isn't necessarily based upon certain good behavior or people being faithful. In fact, Israel served other gods and provoked God to anger, and yet He still called them His people. 

But, the message now to the Jews is each Jew cannot necessarily think that they are all accepted by God, just because they are a Jew. It is not through keeping the commandments or through being circumcised or through being a caretaker of the oracles of God or by being God's original chosen people that will then always merit God's favor. People must see that Jesus is the ransom. Jesus is the one to be followed. Jesus is the one to trust and they are to trust Him as Lord and Savior. They are to accept His dying once and for all for sin. Just as sin entered the world through one man, through One Man sin can be vanquished from a person's life by having faith. God will impute or transfer the righteousness of the perfect Lamb to the believer through the faith that person states, not in that person's goodness, but in God's greatness in providing a ransom. 

This is the Gospel that Jesus lived and died. Man is a sinner. God must deal with sin. He dealt with sin in His Son. Will we follow Him? Will we have faith in Him and trust Him with our entire life? By doing so God grafts us in so that we are now God's chosen people. This is our creed.  

No rejection
Don't think for a moment that God rejects His people (Absolutely not), rather people reject God. Paul is an Israelite. Paul is a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Paul is a "people of God."

I Samuel 12:22 - “For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself." 

But, we can't think that God rejecting some people means that God will always and forever now reject Israel. 

Hosea 9:17 says, "My God will cast them away because they have not listened to Him; And they will be wanderers among the nations." They will wander, but they will return. God still holds a special place for the Israelites and will come back. The church has not replaced them. 

God foreknew His people
Here is the crux of the message. We can be so focused on the thought that we determine our life. We simply wave the white flag and surrender. We tell God it isn't about us, but it's all about him. We aren't out there trying to do our best, trying to make ourselves worthy in order to earn salvation. Salvation is a gift. And there is a giver. We are simply to come to God with open hands; receive the gift. God doesn't reject people because God foreknew people.

Foreknew is a difficult word because its use negates the idea of personal responsibility. To use this word is not to mean that God simply knew in advance who would surrender their lives to Him, but rather he pre-planned His descendants, is a challenging thought. Yet, it is not something new in Scripture, for Moses spoke of this often in recording the words of God. God has set apart a people for himself.   

Yet, we can never stop here. I can never look at this doctrine and then close my Bible. I must look at all the truths and commands of Scripture and hold close to all of them. I must continue to speak the truth of God and continue to uphold His name and be an ambassador for truth. The one problem I see is there has been such a huge focus on getting people to the Gospel when it seems rather that what Jesus wanted was for us to bring people to be a follower or disciple. I think at times we place too much emphasis on the confession and not enough on the transformation. 

I think the focus is too much on whether God foreknew or not. Our focus should be on helping Christians live a complete life in Christ. And this means upholding all of the commands of the Bible. 

Elijah pleads against Israel, not for Israel
I Kings 19:10, He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” And this same thought is repeated in verse 14 of the same chapter.

Elijah pleads to God, for his life to be saved. He is watching the sons of Israel not being true to their faith. And in this rejection of their true north position with God, they are wanting to permanently shut up Elijah. Elijah is pleading to the Lord to save him. And the Lord lets Elijah know that their will be a remnant among the people of Israel, 7,000 to be exact (I Kings 19:18). Elijah felt like he was alone and that there was no one else. God wanted to show him that he was not alone. The world seems so dark at times and it does seem like the Christian has a target on their back. But, God is faithful and He has a remnant. We are to remain a voice, though, and not simply huddle together.

Remnants
In all people groups, Jewish and Gentile, there is "a remnant according to God's gracious choice." 

God saves us not because of our good doing or good behavior, but because of His grace. 

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - ⁷ “The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, ⁸ but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

It is by grace we have been saved. - Ephesians 2:8 

Promise: God does not reject His people, He saves them by His grace. It is not everyone He saves, but a remnant.