Standing on the Promises - Genesis 17-21

Abraham met God in a real way. God grants Abraham land and descendants, but does not place any stipulations.

• ·         To make of Abraham a great nation and to bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him and all peoples on earth would be blessed through Abraham.
• ·         To give Abraham's descendants all the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. Later, this land came to be referred to as the Promised Land or the Land of Israel, however the land specified by the Abrahamic covenant also includes the modern nations of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE, and several other nations in the Middle East.
• ·         To make Abraham the father of many nations and of many descendants and give "the whole land of Canaan" to his descendants.

Circumcision is to be the permanent sign of this everlasting covenant with Abraham and his male descendants.[Gen 17:9–14]  Covenants in biblical times were often sealed by severing an animal, with the implication that the party who breaks the covenant will suffer a similar fate. In Hebrew, the verb meaning to seal a covenant translates literally as "to cut". It is presumed by Jewish scholars that the removal of the foreskin symbolically represents such a sealing of the covenant.

17:1-2 “the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”

What a promise!  It sounds so simple- “walk before me and be blameless.”  As Abraham received the promise, God already knew the events that would lie ahead for Abraham and his descendants.  Just as we do not have to do anything but “walk before” Christ, and freely receive the great gift of salvation, His promise does not require anything from Abraham in order to receive this blessing.    

What Does the Lord Require?

Micah 6:6-8

⁶ “With what shall I come before the Lord,
    and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
⁸ He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Are we known by our promise from God?  Yes, that is what I meant to say.  Are WE known to others by our promise FROM God.  We have been taught that we need to be different- set apart.  But why are we different? It is because of the promise made to us that our sins have been forgiven by the gift of His son.  Abimelech, the Phillistine King that took Sarah into his house because of Abraham’s dishonesty, realized that Abraham had something special.  After he and Abraham settled the matter, they meet later where he testifies in chapter 21, verse 22 “…Abimelech said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.”

“I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,…” “… O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Making things right - Genesis 32-35

Jacob, the son of Isaac and brother of Esau, lived a life of high drama.  He and his mother orchestrated an elaborate plan to steal his brother Esau’s blessing.  Upon his success, he was charged to flee to a nearby land by his father, to escape his brother’s fury.  He chose a wife, but was deceived into marrying another.  After finally securing the hand of his true love, they entered into a life of love triangles, difficulties bearing children, adding handmaids into the marriage bed to bring forth more children, and finally the death of his beloved Rachel in childbirth of Jacob’s final son. 

Jacob was never naïve to the fact that he had done a grave wrong to his brother, and many years later, had a deep desire to make things right.  There was much planning that went into the encounter that Jacob would have with Esau.  Could Jacob appease Esau with generous gifts?  Would there be any forgiveness?  COULD there be any forgiveness?  God “met” with Jacob twice to reassure him of his blessing.  Once in a wrestling match, and again later when God confirmed his blessing by changing Jacob’s name to Israel.

Genesis 35:9-12     ⁹ God appeared^[c] to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. ¹⁰ And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. ¹¹ And God said to him, “I am God Almighty:^[d] be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body.^{[e] 12} The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.”

In the entire brood of boys that were the sons of Jacob, was his only daughter, Dinah.  Dinah’s name means justified, or vindicated.  “After Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, went out to visit the women of Shechem, where her people had made camp and where her father Jacob had purchased the land where he had pitched his tent. Shechem the son of Hamor, the prince of the land, ‘seized her and lay with her and humbled her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah ... he loved the maiden and spoke tenderly to her,’ and Shechem asked his father to obtain Dinah for him, to be his wife.

Hamor came to Jacob and asked for Dinah for his son: ‘Make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves. You shall dwell with us; and the land shall be open to you,’ and Shechem offered Jacob and his sons any bride-price they named. But ‘the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully, because he had defiled their sister Dinah,’ saying they would accept the offer if the men of the city agreed to be circumcised.

So the men of Shechem were deceived, and were circumcised; and ‘on the third day, when they were sore, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and came upon the city unawares, and killed all the males. They slew Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went away.’  And the sons of Jacob plundered whatever was in the city and in the field, ‘all their wealth, all their little ones and their wives, all that was in the houses.’

‘Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, 'You have brought trouble on me by making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites; my numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household.' But they said, 'Should he treat our sister as a harlot?'"

In researching this portion of the passage, I learned that this act of revenge by Simeon and Levi (who were only about age 13 at the time) is the scriptural basis for holding a Bar Mitzvah for a boy at age 13. 

A Jewish boy celebrates his bar mitzvah, his Jewish “coming of age,” when he turns thirteen.
What is the biblical source for the age of bar mitzvah?
And it came to pass on the third day, when [the people of Shechem] were in pain [following their circumcision], that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each man took his sword, and they came upon the city confidently, and killed every male.¹
Simeon and Levi are called “men.” Our sages calculate² that the two were thirteen at the time. Thus it’s clear that at thirteen years old, boys are already considered men.³
While the Torah’s use of the word “man” is necessary in order to inform us the age at which Jewish boys become responsible for mitzvot, the choice of placement is seemingly disturbing.
In what context do we learn of our children’s moral and religious maturation, accountability and responsibility? From an episode in which two thirteen-year-olds apparently behaved with none.  
-From A Time to Kill by Mendel Kalmenson

There is never a time when we should not desire to make things right- whether between ourselves and God, or between one another.  How we go about it should be bathed in much prayer, seeking God for direction.  At times, we are able to make things right immediately.  Other instances, it takes time and patience and a healing that only God can do.  He promises “Behold I make all things new…”

A purpose and a plan - I Corinthians 1-2

I Corinthians 2:9  But, as it is written,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"

God has plans for your life, wonderful, surprising plans...but He won't force those plans upon you.  To the contrary, He has given you free will, the ability to make decisions on your own.  With that freedom to choose comes the responsiblity of living with the consequences of the choices you make.

"God in Christ is the author and finisher of my faith.  He knows exactly what need to happen in my life for my faith to grow.  He designs the perfect program for me." - Mary Morrison Suggs

If you seek to live in accordance with God's will for your life, then you will live in accordance with His commandments.  You will study God's Word, and you will be watchful for His signs.  You will intentionally spend time with fellow Christians who will encourage your spiritual growth, and you will listen to that inner voice that speaks to you in the quiet moments you spend alone in communion with God.

God desires to use you in wonderful, unexpected ways if you let Him.  The decision to seek God's plan and to follow it is yours and yours alone.  The consequences of that decision have implications that are both profound and eternal.

"Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God's dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, so we can rejoice always."- J.L. Packer

All you need is love-Matthew 20-22

What a privilege to open God’s Word and find a page filled with words in red!  My copy of the scripture has the words of Christ in red and the entire first page of this passage comes alive with those beautiful words!  The eloquence and yet simplicity of the words tell a clear story full of hope and inspiration. 

I often wish that we had a more detailed account of the life of Christ.  There is so much more about His life that we will not know until eternity, but the truth we need for life is spelled out in His teachings through parables and preaching.    What about all of the times in between?   In just these three chapters, we read of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard; the parable of the two sons, the parable of the tenants and the parable of the wedding feast.  We see His triumphal entry in Jerusalem, His cleansing of the temple, the challenge of His authority by the Sadducees, His admonition to us to live peaceably with our government and setting us all straight on who will be the greatest! 

All of these principles for living are buttoned up at the end of chapter 22 with the greatest commandments- that we love the Lord with all of our hearts, and that we love one another.  Although we do not have all of the minute details that our curiosity longs to know, we have the one truth that guides all that we do.  If we were to know nothing else, it would be enough. 

“Not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done; not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are!”

Holy, Holy, Holy-Isaiah 40-44

The Book of Isaiah reveals God’s judgment and salvation. God is "holy, holy, holy" and therefore He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. Isaiah portrays God’s oncoming judgment as a “consuming fire”.

At the same time, Isaiah understands that God is a God of mercy, grace, and compassion. The nation of Israel (both Judah and Israel) is blind and deaf to God’s commands. Judah is compared to a vineyard that should be, and will be, trampled on. Only because of His mercy and His promises to Israel, will God not allow Israel or Judah to be completely destroyed. He will bring restoration, forgiveness, and healing (43:2; 43:16-19).

More than any other book in the Old Testament, Isaiah focuses on the salvation that will come through the Messiah. The Messiah will one day rule in justice and righteousness. The reign of the Messiah will bring peace and safety to Israel. Through the Messiah, Israel will be a light to all the nations (42:6). The Messiah’s kingdom on earth is the goal towards which all of the Book of Isaiah points. It is during the reign of the Messiah that God’s righteousness will be fully revealed to the world.

REVELATION SONG
Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!
Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will- adore You!

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You! 
Songwriters: ALLEN, MARC EDWIN / BARCALOW, NATHAN / DOHERTY, DEREK / LINARES, ALEJANDRO M. / STROHMEYER, RANDY

Job 15-16

In the midst of Job's suffering, he is visited by his friends.  It is a practice that even thousands of years later, we practice in today's society.  I wonder if Eliphaz' wife made a pie and sent it along to cheer Job up. 

But what a friend!  Who could gain encouragement by a friend who unjustly charges Job with casting off the fear of God, and all regard to Him, and restraining prayer. Eliphaz accuses Job of self-conceit. He even claims that Job is taken with contempt with the counsel and comfort given him by his friends.  He maintains that the wicked are most certainly miserable, but in doing so, implies that the miserable a most certainly wicked. 

So it is with many religious people today.  We cast judgement on those who are suffering- assuming that there must be some sin that is bringing turmoil and suffering to their house.  Suffering is never joyful, but in the end it yields the most beautiful fruit.  Fruit that bears testimony to the grace of a loving God.  No trouble can rob us of our favor with God. 
.
Romans 8:38-39  " For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Psalm 21-23

In the previous Psalm, we see a plea to God to be with them as they face their enemy in a time of war.  Psalm 21 opens (v1-6) with the return of the King and his praise and thanksgiving to God for the victory over his foes.

1 O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! 2 You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

The psalmist teaches us in vs. 7-13, that we can have confidence of further success through the blessings of God.

13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power.

Psalm 22 is the foretelling of the crucifixion of Christ on the cross, from His cry out to His Father “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me” to the description of His hands and feet being pierced and nailed to the cross, to His words of triumph over the grave after His resurrection.  David rejoices in the coming Savior and that His deeds will be well known to all people for all time.

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well known passage of scripture to Christians and non-Christians alike.  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” is quoted at weddings, funerals and memorized by little children.  The truths in Psalm 23 are simple to understand and yet so powerful.  They are an encouragement in time of struggle, an promise in time of uncertainty, and a promise of the hope we have for all of eternity.

God’s promise was as clear to David when he penned this book, as it is to us today.  “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Judges 12-16

Manoah was from the tribe of Dan. He lived in Zorah, and his wife had not been able to give birth, so they had no children. Suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife and told her that she would in fact give birth to a son. But this was to be no ordinary son. He was to be a Nazirite from birth.

Now the Nazirite vow was introduced to us back in chapter six of the book of Numbers. The Nazirite vow was made by a man or woman to dedicate themselves to the Lord. It was a time of separating oneself unto the Lord. The Nazirite abstained from the fruit of the vine: not only alcohol, but also vinegar, grape juice, grapes, and raisins. The Nazirite did not cut his hair during the time of his vow, and he was not to be defiled by touching a corpse.

The vow of the Nazirite continued through the era of the early church. In Acts 18, we read of Paul the apostle, Acts 18:18 ...In Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow.
Then in chapter 21 of Acts, we read about four more men who had taken the Nazirite vow. But Samson was to be a Nazirite from conception. His mother was to abstain from alcohol, lest he break the vow before birth. God had set this person apart from the womb for a special mission. It reminds me of the words spoken to the prophet Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Like Jeremiah, Samson's mission was already planned before he was even born. He was going to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines.

As Samson grows up, the Lord blesses him. But with God's blessings comes the neccessity of deeper commitment to God. Think about it: very often when God blesses us, we allow it to become a stumbling block. We allow the nice weather He brings to keep us out of church. We allow the strength and abilities He gives us to become vanity. Agur wrote in Proverbs 30 of the danger of financial blessings. Prov. 30:8-9 ...Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, Lest I be full and deny {Thee} and say, "Who is the LORD?"...
With God's blessings comes a reminder to draw close to Him, not pull away from Him. Based on what we will read, I believe that Samson turned the Lord's blessings into occassions for stumbling.

Samson's life seems to be an occasion for pondering the mystery of God's plan. Samson is in sin: lust, coveting, and desiring to be unequally yoked. Yet the Scripture says, Judg. 14:4 "...it was of the LORD, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines..." God is going to use Samson's sins - his lust and rage - to begin the deliverance of the Israelites from the Philistines. Most of his attacks against the Philistines stem from a woman being in the center of the situation, and Samson getting angry. It never ceases to amaze me that God uses everything. Everything. The most terrible tragedy, the most hateful and vindictive leader, the most sinful person. Col. 1:16 For by Him all things were created, {both} in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities ‹all things have been created by Him and for Him. The awful affliction that Joseph endured - sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused of sexual attack by his owner's wife, abandoned in prison for years - these things were all working together for good - not only for Joseph's good, but for his entire country. Later in life, when Joseph confronted his brothers, he said, Gen. 50:20 "And as for you, you meant evil against me, {but} God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. God takes evil and turns it into good. "God's will is fulfilled in many ways, and by alternatives. When sin refues to be put under then it can be utilised; and the end more completely served, albeit not to the immediate happiness or advantage of the guilty agent." (A.F. Muir) That is why we can confidently say, Rom. 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose. Samson will spend much of his life following his sensual desire, yet God is going to use it for Israel's deliverance from the Philistines.

Samson had finally compromised too much. The final symbol of his sanctification unto God was gone - the Philistines had shaved his head. I think that verse 20 is among the most sorrowful passages of Scripture: Judg. 16:20 ...And he awoke from his sleep and said, "I will go out as at other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.
The Lord had left him. The Spirit of God was not there to supernaturally strengthen him. And worst of all, he didn't even know it. Saints, we can harden our hearts with sin so much that we can't feel anymore. We can choke out the conviction and voice of God so often that we can't hear Him anymore. Hebr. 3:12-15 Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is {still} called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; while it is said, TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME." May this never happen to us! May we repent even at this very moment and cry out to the Lord to forgive our sins and soften our hearts. May we plead with Him to restore us to right relationship with Him before we find ourselves in a similar situation.

Just as Samson's hair began to grow back during his days of affliction, his heart was drawn back to the Lord. Without the lust of his eyes for women, without the availability of wine and grapes, without the freedom to defile himself with the dead, Samson again sanctified himself unto the Lord.
There is a point where we can get to, that the Lord will cause grievous affliction to bring us to repentance. As Paul wrote, 1Cor. 5:5 ...deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Jesus taught how much more important our eternal soul was than our flesh. Matt. 18:8-9 "And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into the fiery hell. When Samson refused to pluck out his own eyes in regard to his lust, God allowed the Philistines to do it for him. And Samson's eyes were lost that his soul might be saved.

Once again, Samson was strengthened to destroy the Philistines - about 3,000 of them died with him that day. Samson had judged Israel not in righteousness, but in the beginning of deliverance. His life is a testimony to the fact that God's plans are established, regardless of evil, and that willful sin will destroy us. Samson was buried between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father - in the same place that so many years ago, the Spirit of God had moved in him. - Ron Daniel

Genesis 28-31

Jacob has received the ultimate blessing from his father Isaac.  However, this came at a great cost.  As a result of his deception, he was forced to leave his family and start a new life in a new land.  Jacob’s blessing promised him:

 

“May God give you of the dew of heaven

and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine.

Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you.

Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!" –Gen 27:28-29

 You would think that this blessing would guarantee a life of luxury and ease for Jacob, and he did enjoy much wealth and success in his life, but not without much struggle. 

When Jacob left his family, Isaac sent Jacob to find his kinsman Laban.  His first encounter with Laban’s flock made that fateful introduction to Laban’s daughter Rachel.  It should have been an easy marriage arrangement, but Laban had an older daughter Leah who needed a husband.  Laban tricked Jacob into marrying Leah after he had toiled 7 years for Rachel’s hand.  Jacob was a man of determination who would not be undone by Laban’s trickery.  He knew he was a blessed man, but was not afraid to work for what he wanted.  After working for another 7 years for Rachel, Jacob was rewarded with the love of his life.

This life was one of complication.  Two women, many children and a couple of handmaids add up to enough jealousy and problems for an entire tribe to manage.  Jacob was a master planner, and in the end, through much effort and suffering, he managed to create a family (although later we see the dysfunction,) from the lot. 

 We can attribute Jacob’s wealth and success to the blessing that Isaac bestowed upon him and that was confirmed by God in his dream.  We can also see that Jacob was a hard worker- a savvy herdsman, and excellent planner.  Even in the success that he gained, and provided for Laban’s daughters, he encountered a struggle with jealousy with Laban and Laban’s sons.   In the end they were able to settle the disagreement and depart peaceably. 

Prosperity does not come without true effort.  It is not always a life of ease and luxury.  Jacob accepted his blessing (although some may consider it ill-gotten gain) and used it as a compliment to his hard work and faithfulness. 

Romans 15-16

Paul concludes the book of Romans rejoicing in the inheritance that the Gentiles have received through the spreading of the gospel throughout the region.

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.  15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, 21 but as it is written,

 

"Those who have never been told of him will see,

and those who have never heard will understand."

This was definitely a team effort.  Paul takes the time to acknowledge his fellow laborers who have served alongside him, as well as those who continued a ministry after his departure.  He is not naïve to believe that these ministries would continue without the commitment of the faithful.  As he closes the book, he gives them some last words of instruction and encouragement to carry on the good work for the glory of Christ- who is altogether worthy!

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Matthew 17-19

Matthew 17-19         

The conversations between Jesus and the disciples that are outlined in the previous chapters give us a small glimpse into what was most likely becoming a recurring theme with them.  Christ was trying to prepare them, not only for the events that were coming, but that He was fully aware of those events and accepted them. 

The beginning of chapter 17 tells the brief account of the Transfiguration.  The change in Christ’s physical appearance was remarkable!  It brings to mind the song “I can only imagine.”  The ironic part is that we cannot even imagine what it will be like to be in the glorious presence of our Savior. 

I can only imagine

What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
 
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the sun
 
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

-          I Can Only Imagine (Mercy Me)

The rest of chapter 17 and throughout chapters 18 and 19, Jesus dispenses a great deal of truth and guidance in small but powerful chunks.  Each parable is loaded with wisdom for daily living intermingled with clearly defined guidelines for some of life’s most difficult situations.  

Did the disciples need to see Christ in all of His heavenly glory in order to better grasp the importance of the things He would share with them in the last few days of His earthly ministry?  Was it a gift to them- a little sampling of the glory that awaited them in eternity? 

Believers who have gone before us are enjoying every moment of heaven in the glorious presence of the King of Kings.  I can only imagine!

Isaiah 34-39

Judgment Against the Nations

 

The first half of the book of Isaiah (chapters 1-39) is sometimes referred to as the Book of Judgment.  Isaiah wrote during the stormy period marking the expansion of the Assyrian empire and the decline of Israel. Under King Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 b.c.) the Assyrians swept westward into Aram (Syria) and Canaan. About 733 the kings of Aram and Israel tried to pressure Ahaz king of Judah into joining a coalition against Assyria. Ahaz chose instead to ask Tiglath-Pileser for help, a decision condemned by Isaiah. Assyria did assist Judah and conquered the northern kingdom in 722-721. This made Judah even more vulnerable, and in 701 King Sennacherib of Assyria threatened Jerusalem itself (see 36:1 and note). The godly King Hezekiah prayed earnestly, and Isaiah predicted that God would force the Assyrians to withdraw from the city (37:6-7).  Nevertheless Isaiah warned Judah that her sin would bring captivity at the hands of Babylon. The visit of the Babylonian king's envoys to Hezekiah set the stage for this prediction.   Although the fall of Jerusalem would not take place until 586 b.c., Isaiah assumes the destruction of Judah and proceeds to predict the restoration of the people from captivity. – Coffman’s Commentary on the Bible

 

Chapters 34-39 tie up the portion of the book of Isaiah prophesying of the judgment of Israel.  The beauty of this book is that it is not the end of the story.  There is a promise of redemption for God’s people.  A theme woven throughout the scripture- choosing a path contrary to God will bring judgment, but there is always a path of redemption- a rescue work, completed by Christ on the cross.

 

Isaiah 34-39

Ch 34-35 More prophesy of judgment and promise

Ch 36-37 Jerusalem preserved from Assyrian threat

Ch 38 God’s work in Hezekiah’s life detailed

Ch 39 Babylonian Exile predicted                                

Job 13-14

Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. Job 13:15-16

Job does not just profess his innocence before his friends. He is willing to put his life behind the belief he has not sinned before God. It is a complete confidence that there is nothing between him and God. He has a clear conscience, and wants to actually enter God's presence to ask Him what sin he committed to bring God's judgment. This statement was made in a time when God's law was not written, and Job's knowledge of God came through interacting with Him. It is no wonder why Job complained so bitterly that God would not answer him. He had a lifetime of seeking God, and Job was being judged without access to God. 

We have our faith that we would die for. We marvel at the faith of the fathers and prophets. Christ has given us more than a clear conscience, He has provided a way to enter God's presence for us. Job's faith is an example of how we should view ourselves before God. It is not to say that we will not endure trials to showcase our faith. Job's friends had a limited outlook of God's character, but Job's viewpoint reflects how we as Christians stand before God. When we face the trials of this life those who do not have our faith should marvel at our confidence before God. The confidence we have through Christ's sacrifice trumps all earthly woes. It is not to say that we do not sorrow, but it does not overwhelm our faith. We can marvel at Job's faith as an example, but we should never overlook the confidence and access to God the believer has today.

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:13-14