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Scripture reading for May 22nd: Job 11-14

“Know this, God has even forgotten some of your sin.” Job 11:6b

“Their sins and lawless acts I will Remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1st John 1:8-9

Job’s friend Zophar was frank in his accusation that Job needed to repent.  He was certain that Job had sinned and that God was being merciful even in this harsh trial.  He stated that God had probably forgotten some of Job’s sins or it might be worse!  (Job 11:6)  If Job would put away his sin, God would be merciful to him. (Job 11:14-15)  Zophar could not get away from the common understanding of God’s justice and that trouble and suffering were a result of sin in a person’s life.

Job, however, knew of no sin and did not want to fake a repentance or manufacture some sin just to try and manipulate God or appease these friends.  Job did know his need for God’s covering of his sins.  He knew that God alone could cover these sins.  He wrestled with how he could meet with God or if the grave would hold him at death.  Finally, Job made a statement of faith concerning his own life and sins.  It is in the form of a prayer discourse with God.  (Job 14:13-17)  Job asks God to hide him in the grave until his anger has passed and then “to set a time and remember me”.  He asks that if a man dies, will he live again?  He expects to hear a call from God and to respond from the grave because God will long to have fellowship with the “creature He has made”.  At this time, God will not keep track of sin.  Job expected all his sins to be sealed in a bag, covered over and not remembered!

In this passage, we have the beginnings of the doctrine of atonement for sins.  Job longs for an audience with God and a mediator who can speak for him.  He doesn’t know what his sin is, but knows that he has sin.  He asks for eternal life with God forgiving and forgetting his sins.  He expects God to call and he will answer him at a time in the future when God’s wrath has passed!  What a Savior we have!  We have a mediator who is like us, but without sin!  Jesus Christ came and gave His life for our lives, promising to come again and remember us!  He forgives our sins and remembers them no more!  We will live with Him forever!  This is available now to all who will repent and confess their sins to the Lord!  (1st John 1:7-9)

Scripture reading for May 7th: Ezra 9-10

“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” Ezra 7:10

Ezra was a devoted man with a calling on his life.  He understood from the study of God’s Word, that obedience brought blessing and disobedience brought a curse. (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 14-15)  He had devoted himself to obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those in Israel to do the same.  God’s gracious hand was upon him as he set out for Jerusalem.  (Ezra 8:22)  His task was primarily spiritual restoration.  The broken down state of the Temple was a symptom of the deterioration of the spiritual life of God’s people and the result of forsaking obedience to the Law of God.

As Ezra arrived in Jerusalem and set things in order, it came to his attention that the priests and Levites had not kept themselves separate from the pagan peoples and practices of the Canaanites.  They had inter-married and this had led to idolatry and unfaithfulness to the Lord.  (Ezra 9:1-2)  Ezra responded by an immediate humbling of himself before the Lord.  He tore his clothes, pulled hair from his head and beard, and sat down appalled until evening.  Others who “trembled at the words of the God of Israel” sat with him.  (Ezra 9:3-4)  Ezra then prayed a prayer of confession and repentance that pours out the grief and anguish that they were feeling for the sins  among God’s people.  (Ezra 9:6-15)

Repentance isn’t complete with just “trembling at the Word of God”.  Conviction of sin is only the first part and if genuine, it leads to action.  In this case, a convocation was called in three days to deal with this situation and an investigation brought out those who had disobeyed the Lord.  One hundred eleven men are listed as guilty of mixed marriages and they agreed to send their wives away.  What a serious turn-around and costly action was taken to bring God’s blessing on His people again!  Would that we all would “tremble at the Word of the Lord!”  May our trembling lead to action that brings true repentance that leaves no regrets.  (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)

Scripture reading for May 5th: Ezra 4-6

In today’s political climate, Christians often feel that elected officials are against them and hinder the work that they are called to do.  For example, Christians have been working to reverse the law concerning abortion and have made much progress.  The current administration seems to want to reverse the progress and make abortion on demand available to anyone and everyone.  It is easy to get an attitude and loose heart!

Ezra records the spiritual battle for the rebuilding of the temple.  When the Jews came to Jerusalem armed with the orders from Cyrus, they were immediately opposed by local political enemies.  These enemies offered to help with the work, intending instead to hinder it, and were refused.  They then changed tactics and wrote letters to the next king, Artazerxes.  These letter brought accusations against the builders and caused the work to cease.  (Ezra 4:18-23)  The builders stopped work and left it unfinished for a time.  Discouragement set in because of political and spiritual opposition!

God’s word cannot be hindered, however. God had spoken through Cyrus that His temple would be rebuilt!   God raised up the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people.  (Ezra 5:1-2)  The eye of their God was upon them and another letter was sent to the next king, Darius.  Darius made a search, found the decree of Cyrus, and enforced it!  (Ezra 6:6-12)   God truly knows how to change attitudes in political power!   Where He guides He also provides;  Darius even ordered the bills paid by the royal treasury!  (Ezra 6:8)

We must be careful to not become discouraged or let our attitude droop.  God is in charge and can change the hearts of those in authority.  God’s people must heed the prophetic word to continue the work on His house!  Our focus must not change and our attitude must be positive!  God watches over His word to bring it to pass!

“For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” Ezra 6:22

Scripture reading for March 16: Ruth 1-4

The story of Ruth is set in the time of Judges between 40-100 years before the time of David (1000 BC).  This simple story unfolds as a famine forces  an Israelite family to leave Israel for Moab.  Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, stay in Moab.   Nothing good appears to happen to them there.  The husband dies. Both sons marry Moabite girls and then they die as well.  Naomi is left bitter and ready to return to her land and people. The daughters-in-law are left with a choice to make.

Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to go on back to their own people.  She is too old to have more sons for them to marry.  Orpah goes on back.  Ruth, the other daughter-in-law, clings to her mother-in-law and makes a beautiful confession of devotion and faith.  (Ruth 1:16-17)  Ruth is ready to follow Naomi and Naomi’s God until death!  What conviction and faith are exhibited by this descendant of Lot!

Choices have consequences.  In choosing to go to the land of Israel, Ruth would have been an alien and would not have had an inheritance or a people to take her in.  She would have had to rely on God’s grace and try to help her older mother-in-law to live.  There was no welfare or jobless benefits.  Those that did not work, did not eat.  Ruth began to glean fields.  The law in Israel left the corners of the fields and the grain that was dropped for the orphan and widow. (Deuteronomy 24:19)  She would work as she could and get food for her family.  God’s divine providence placed Ruth in the field of Boaz, a close relative of Naomi’s.  Boaz was also a descendant of Rahab, the harlot that hid the spies! 

Because of her hard work and humble spirit and her choice to stay with Naomi, Ruth’s good reputation was spread around.  Boaz heard about her and showered her with favor. (Ruth 2:11-12)   In Israel, the closest relative to a widow had the right to buy the widow’s property and also to take the widow and continue the family line.  Boaz was in that line.  He was a possible “kinsman redeemer”.  Boaz responded to Ruth’s humble appeal, purchased the field, and took her as his wife!  Both Boaz and Ruth are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ! (Matthew 1:5-6)

Jesus Christ is our “kinsman-redeemer”.  He is a “close relative” who has bought us back from slavery to sin.  When we humbly appeal to Him in faith, He will surely make the transaction for us as well!  Ruth is a type of Gentile bride for Jesus Christ.  When we closely read this beautiful story, we get a glimpse into the heart of God and Jesus Christ!  Thank the Lord for being our “Kinsman-Redeemer”!

“Who are you?” he asked.  “I am your servant Ruth,” she said.  “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” (Ruth 3:9)

In this podcast Pastor John concludes his summary of the book of Exodus. Pastor John’s primary focus is on chapters 20-40.

Scripture Reading for February 21st: Deuteronomy 1-4

The name “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law”.  Deuteronomy is quoted directly in 17 of the twenty seven New Testament books and alluded to nearly 80 more times.  This book is a record of four sermons given by Moses to the congregation of Israel in the last months of his leadership.  It records lessons he learned and wanted to pass on to the next generation who would possess the promised land.

Moses has led the nation for forty long years around the wilderness.  A journey that should have taken less than two weeks stretched out because of grumbling and complaining and doubt and unbelief.  (Deuteronomy 1:26-27) Moses, himself, will not get to enter the promised land due to his own dishonoring of God at Kadesh. (Numbers 20:8-12)  Moses seems to blame the Israelites for his own sin. (Deuteronomy 1:37)  God does hold leaders to a higher standard because of the revelation and intimacy they share with Him.  Moses is trying to impress upon this next generation why their parents suffered consequences of the wandering and death.

Moses also preaches to this next generation to inspire faith in God.  His questions to them are typical of the Jewish style of teaching.  In chapter 4 he asks them about God.  “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?”  “And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) The obvious answer is “none!”  They are a special people marked by God traveling with them.  They are marked by the holiness and love of God’s law which sets them apart from all other nations!  They must be careful to teach these truths to their children and grandchildren!

From these first chapters of Deuteronomy, I see several key lessons for us today.  First, a record of the past history of God’s dealings helps the next generation learn faith.  Moses wanted to pass on the lessons he learned so his children and grandchildren would enter in and possess all God intended for them.  We must honor our elders and learn from them.  Secondly, the Law, represented by Moses cannot take us into the promised land on our own effort. We need grace and faith in the sacrifice for sins and cleansing.  Moses, himself, disobeyed God’s holy Word and was forbidden to enter Canaan.  Third, God promises victory to His followers.  He disciplines and warns them of potential trouble so that they might succeed.  God is truly for his people!

“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below.  There is no other.  Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40

Scripture reading for February 14: Numbers 13-16

Walking by faith is not always easy to learn.  We are prone to be strongly influenced by what we see and what our past experiences have conditioned us to believe and understand.  In my younger days, I wanted to learn to fly an airplane.  Several of my friends and I got together and bought a Cessna 172 with instrument rating.  I wanted to be able to learn to fly by instruments.  The flight instructor would put a hood over my head so I could only see the instrument panel, and off we would go.  When we would turn, or go up or down, I would watch the instruments to learn where the wings were.  My mind, however, would play tricks on me.  I felt like we were flying sideways or going up or down, when the instruments said we were flying level.  Senses can lead us astray.  When flying airplanes in clouds or fog, we must learn to trust the instruments.

The twelve Israelite spies were sent into the promised land.  They were told to determine what the land was like and what the inhabitants of that land were like.  It was a military assessment.  God had already told them that the land was flowing with milk and honey.  He had already told them that He would take care of the inhabitants.  God was to them like the instruments in the plane.  If they had kept their focus on what God had said, they would not have veered off course!  Two spies actually did keep on course, Joshua and Caleb!  They pleaded with the others to get ready to go on in and possess the land that God had promised them.  (Numbers 13:30)  Ten spies got their eyes on the difficulties and began to spread fear, doubt and unbelief!  (Numbers 13:31-33)

The whole community got into the act and began to complain and grumble against Moses and the Lord, saying that God and Moses had brought them this far to let them die in the desert.  They even talked of stoning Moses and then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting.  God was ticked off.  He viewed their grumbling and rebellion against Moses as against Him!  (Numbers 14:11, 27)  God’s judgment on them was to give them what they had feared–the whole generation 20 years and older died in the desert because of their grumbling and unbelief! They all would wander in the wilderness for 40 years as punishment for their rebellion!  (Numbers 14:29-35)  Sin is costly!  Be careful what you speak!  Keep your focus on the instruments (God’s Word) and avoid a crash!

Wow!  Leviticus really makes you appreciate what we have today because of Jesus Christ!  I know I would have had a hard time bringing all those animals to offer for my sins.  It’s hard to admit sin privately before the Lord.  I can’t imagine having to confess my sins to the priest and then offer an animal that would die right in front of my own eyes!  Sin might become detestable after a few times!  Maybe that was God’s intent!

Being a priest would have been difficult and very messy!  Killing animals daily and sprinkling blood and washing and lifting dead carcasses up before the Lord would have been gruesome work.  Going into the Tent of Meeting knowing that you might die yourself would also not be exciting.  I am sure that Aaron had his moments too.  He lost two sons who went into that Tent, probably under the influence of alcohol.  Can you imagine his thoughts each year as he had to go in with the blood of a bull for himself and his family and then the blood of a goat for the whole nation?  He had to go in alone and by faith make the acceptable sacrifice.  It was probably not something he took lightly!

We have it easy today!  Jesus has done it all!  He is our high priest and intercedes for us.  He sacrificed his own body and blood for our “atonement” covering of our sins.  Our sins are taken away and our consciences are cleansed!  It is finished!  He did not have to sacrifice for Himself, like Aaron, because He was without sin.  He ever lives to make intercession for us!  Take time and reflect on this past week’s reading and thank Jesus for fulfilling all the law!  Ask Him to make you holy, as He is holy.  By faith, claim His righteousness.  True Christianity brings rest and true joy!  God bless you and have a great sabbath rest!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  . . .”God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2nd Corinthians 5: 17, 21.

Our atheist friends, Michael Newdow and company, are now suing to have “So help me God” taken out of the inaugural oath that President-elect Obama will use when sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts.  They want all references to God stricken from everything done that day and at any time by our government.  This was added to the oath of office by George Washington, our first President, when he was sworn in.  It is interesting how worldviews are clashing at every turn in our land today.   Everything that we as Christians hold dear is being assaulted by vocal voices that are willing to sue and fight to see their agenda moved forward. 

Jesus warned us that in the world we would have trouble.  They persecuted Him, and the disciples are not above their master!  We must prepare each day for opposition!  The “Lord’s Prayer”, or more accurately, the “Disciple’s Prayer” asks to “deliver us from the evil one”.  (Matthew 6:9-13)  We will and do face evil in this world.  God has promised to keep us safe but has told us to resist the Devil and shun evil.  Christians must take a stand and not blend into the culture. Please pray for our nation and for those who are so blinded by the lies of Satan that they can’t see the God who made them and has blessed us with this great nation and faith in God. 

I received one of those “pass it on” emails the other day.  The gist of it was that the United States Government had made an official “Atheist’s Day” as a national holiday:  April 1st!  The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”.  Psalms 14:1

January 6th Scripture Reading: Genesis 12-14

About 2000 years before Christ or about 400 years after the tower of Babel, God spoke to a man in Ur of the Caldeans  in the land that is now called Iraq.  This man’s name was Abram; he was about 75 years old and married to a lady named Sarai.  They were childless and already beyond the years of childbearing.