" For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV)
THE WORD IS LIFE-GIVING AND DISCERNING. This is the appointed means through which spiritual life is maintained and the real intentions of the heart are unveiled. The right and ability to impart life belongs to God alone. As it is written, "See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with me . . . I make alive . . . " (Deut 32:39). The generation of life is the peculiar prerogative of God. He alone can create it, and through Him life--any life--is sustained! "Life" involves the ability to respond to your environment. That is called "reciprocity." When a fish responds to the environment of water, it is "alive." When a worm responds to the environment of soil, it is "alive." Of particular interest is our response to God--the "living God." When the individual can respond to God, he is spiritually alive. Only God can cause that to happen! That is why Jesus declared, "I am the Way, the Truth, and THE LIFE." No man cometh to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
THE WORD OF GOD IS "LIVING AND POWERFUL." (Heb 4:12). It is not subject to human laws, whether they be philosophical or procedural. It cannot be systematized, a snare into which men have traditionally fallen. The more you systematize the Word of God, the less powerful it becomes. This is confirmed by the obvious lack of moral and spiritual power that characterizes those seeking to stabilize human conduct by laws and regulations. Throughout church history, there have been major thrusts of activity that have sought to protect God's Word by classifying and organizing its teachings. Thus Calvin gave us his Institutes, and Campbell his Christian System. Both volumes contain excellent statements, and sound thought. However, they have caused as much difficulty as they have good. Those who have adopted their regimented approach are traditionally divided among themselves, unable to work productively together. The reason for this situation is their stilted approach to the living and vibrant Word of God.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL ATTEMPT to systematize a young child as Scripture. Your efforts will run aground, because living things cannot be limited to humanly conceived boundaries. A system can rise no higher than the one who contrived it. It is limited by the perception of its creator. God's Word does not fall into that category. Those who feed upon it find their thoughts becoming more voluminous and focused. They become less confused and more confident. Within them, the vistas of truth are in a state of expansion. They begin seeing more and understanding more. The horizon of their awareness is becoming larger. New things are seen in the most common texts of Scripture. This is because the Word is "living and powerful."
BECAUSE OF THIS CONDITION, the Holy Spirit often says things in Scripture that conflict with human perceptions of the Word. It will mention people who COULD NOT believe because God blinded their eyes (John 12:39-40), or refer to being saved because of God's foreknowledge (2 Pet 1:2). It will speak of participating in the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), and being "one spirit" with the Lord Himself (1 Cor 6:17). The Holy Spirit may even say people are called AFTER they have been predestinated (Rom 8:29), or that we have been "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4). It may trace an immoral situation to Divine cause (Judges 14:3-4; 2 Sam 21:1). Such sayings do not fit into preconceived notions of Scripture. There is no acceptable hermeneutic, or principle of interpretation, that will allow such texts to be received as they are. The Word of God is living, and thus not subject to human restrictions. The same condition results from embracing a sectarian creed, denominational emphasis, or a strictly personal view of Scripture.
DIRECTLY RELATED TO SPIRITUAL LIFE. The Word of God is directly related to life--spiritual life. "For the word of God is living and active." God's Word has Divine qualities because it comes from Him. Note carefully, the Word does not lose those attributes after it has come to us. It is not, for example, living and powerful in the original, but lifeless in the English. Is there any one who would care to affirm Scripture has lost its power?--in any age, or to any people? When Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63), He powerfully conveyed the consistent impact of His Word--even after it was written. That, of course, is why His words are recorded. They are not merely there for information, or intellectual data. The Holy Spirit is still associated with the Word of God and His Christ! It is His sword, through which he cuts and divides within us.
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
GOD’S WORD IS PIVOTAL
" . . . for You have magnified Your word above all Your name." (Psalm 138:2, NKJV)
THE WORD "PIVOTAL" means central, or primary. The Word of God is not a novelty. It is a primary necessity. Without it, there can be no association with God, no experience of His great salvation, and no clarity of spiritual thought. This Word – God's Word – reaches higher than any other word. It has broader implications, and deeper meanings than any other utterance. This Word is more than a mere body of information; it has creative and transforming power. In the beginning, God created the "worlds" with His word. As it is written, "By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible" (Heb 11:3, NASB). If God can call a multiplicity of universes into existence by His word, what can be done with that Word among the sons of men? What other word is like His Word?
EXALTED ABOVE ALL HIS NAME. Of all of God's qualities, He has, among men, exalted His Word above all. He has hung His own integrity upon His Word. Our reliance upon Him is directly related to His Word. If His Word can be trusted, everything about Him can be also. If His Word cannot be trusted, He Himself is untrustworthy. Thus our text reads, " . . . for you have exalted above all things Your name and Your word" (NIV). " . . . thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name" (ASV, KJV, NKJV). The intention of this expression is to show the supremacy of God's Word to men. This text emphasizes that this has been done in accordance with God's own nature. It underscores that God's Word and nature are in harmony, thereby requiring that His Word be honored, and regarded with reverence. It also confirms that of all Divine qualities, His Word is to be held in highest regard. This does not allow men to despise any of God's characteristics, and that is certainly not the intent of the verse. Rather, it accentuates that the only way we obtain an intelligent view of God is through His Word. That is where we learn of His love, mercy, longsuffering, and purpose. If we cannot depend upon what God says, there is no hope of trusting Him in any sense!
THEREFORE, HE HAS PLACED the priority upon His Word, because that is the appointed means of becoming acquainted with Him. To put it another way, the Lord has made no provision for acquaintance with Himself, spiritual advance, true understanding, or the attainment of glory, apart from His Word. Candidly, that is a staggering consideration.
EVERYTHING IS MEASURED BY THE WORD. In God's Kingdom, everything is measured by His Word. Individual identity with God is evaluated by this means. Moral progress is assessed through the Word. How graphically this is portrayed in Christ's parable of the sower. " . . . When anyone hears THE WORD of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart . . . he who hears THE WORD and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of THE WORD, immediately he stumbles . . . he who hears THE WORD, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke THE WORD, and he becomes unfruitful . . . he who hears THE WORD and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matt 13:3-8, 18-23, NKJV). A few observations will suffice to illustrate the absolute importance of the Word of the Lord.
SATAN'S ACTIVITY. The devil is objective; i.e., he has a goal. Stated in summary, it is to drive a wedge between man and God. He knows the best way to accomplish this diabolical aim. It is to take away the Word of God – to make it impossible for the individual to think about it, ponder it, and meditate upon it. Jesus pictured some individuals as those who did not understand the Word. These are vulnerable to Satan, and he never misses an opportunity to fulfill his will in them. His activity is directly related to the subjection of men to the Word. Hear Christ's words again. "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart."
NOTICE, THIS APPLIES to "anyone" that "does not understand" the Word. Their deficiency is not their mind, but their heart. This is not a child, or someone deprived of mental capacities. It is the person with a hard heart. Such have steeled themselves against the Word of the Lord. It "flies," so to speak, over their heads. God's Word is central! It cannot lie dormant in an alienated mind, and foolish is the person who thinks it can! Jesus makes it plain. He pictures Satan as a bird hovering over the hearts of those that hear the Word of the King. If that Word is not understood, the devil "comes and snatches away what was sown in" the heart of the hearer.
DO NOT SUPPOSE FOR ONE MOMENT that this will not happen! The person who "does not understand" is the one who sees no relevancy in the Word of God. It does not appear important to him. He does not think it has anything for him, and consequently pushes it to the back of his mind. It does not impact upon his conduct, and certainly will not be allowed to mold his thoughts. Seeing this, the devil ensures he will not think upon it later. He "snatches away what was sown!" No other word can summon the devil into such instant activity. God's Word is central!
– Given O. Blakely
THE WORD "PIVOTAL" means central, or primary. The Word of God is not a novelty. It is a primary necessity. Without it, there can be no association with God, no experience of His great salvation, and no clarity of spiritual thought. This Word – God's Word – reaches higher than any other word. It has broader implications, and deeper meanings than any other utterance. This Word is more than a mere body of information; it has creative and transforming power. In the beginning, God created the "worlds" with His word. As it is written, "By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible" (Heb 11:3, NASB). If God can call a multiplicity of universes into existence by His word, what can be done with that Word among the sons of men? What other word is like His Word?
EXALTED ABOVE ALL HIS NAME. Of all of God's qualities, He has, among men, exalted His Word above all. He has hung His own integrity upon His Word. Our reliance upon Him is directly related to His Word. If His Word can be trusted, everything about Him can be also. If His Word cannot be trusted, He Himself is untrustworthy. Thus our text reads, " . . . for you have exalted above all things Your name and Your word" (NIV). " . . . thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name" (ASV, KJV, NKJV). The intention of this expression is to show the supremacy of God's Word to men. This text emphasizes that this has been done in accordance with God's own nature. It underscores that God's Word and nature are in harmony, thereby requiring that His Word be honored, and regarded with reverence. It also confirms that of all Divine qualities, His Word is to be held in highest regard. This does not allow men to despise any of God's characteristics, and that is certainly not the intent of the verse. Rather, it accentuates that the only way we obtain an intelligent view of God is through His Word. That is where we learn of His love, mercy, longsuffering, and purpose. If we cannot depend upon what God says, there is no hope of trusting Him in any sense!
THEREFORE, HE HAS PLACED the priority upon His Word, because that is the appointed means of becoming acquainted with Him. To put it another way, the Lord has made no provision for acquaintance with Himself, spiritual advance, true understanding, or the attainment of glory, apart from His Word. Candidly, that is a staggering consideration.
EVERYTHING IS MEASURED BY THE WORD. In God's Kingdom, everything is measured by His Word. Individual identity with God is evaluated by this means. Moral progress is assessed through the Word. How graphically this is portrayed in Christ's parable of the sower. " . . . When anyone hears THE WORD of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart . . . he who hears THE WORD and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of THE WORD, immediately he stumbles . . . he who hears THE WORD, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke THE WORD, and he becomes unfruitful . . . he who hears THE WORD and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matt 13:3-8, 18-23, NKJV). A few observations will suffice to illustrate the absolute importance of the Word of the Lord.
SATAN'S ACTIVITY. The devil is objective; i.e., he has a goal. Stated in summary, it is to drive a wedge between man and God. He knows the best way to accomplish this diabolical aim. It is to take away the Word of God – to make it impossible for the individual to think about it, ponder it, and meditate upon it. Jesus pictured some individuals as those who did not understand the Word. These are vulnerable to Satan, and he never misses an opportunity to fulfill his will in them. His activity is directly related to the subjection of men to the Word. Hear Christ's words again. "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart."
NOTICE, THIS APPLIES to "anyone" that "does not understand" the Word. Their deficiency is not their mind, but their heart. This is not a child, or someone deprived of mental capacities. It is the person with a hard heart. Such have steeled themselves against the Word of the Lord. It "flies," so to speak, over their heads. God's Word is central! It cannot lie dormant in an alienated mind, and foolish is the person who thinks it can! Jesus makes it plain. He pictures Satan as a bird hovering over the hearts of those that hear the Word of the King. If that Word is not understood, the devil "comes and snatches away what was sown in" the heart of the hearer.
DO NOT SUPPOSE FOR ONE MOMENT that this will not happen! The person who "does not understand" is the one who sees no relevancy in the Word of God. It does not appear important to him. He does not think it has anything for him, and consequently pushes it to the back of his mind. It does not impact upon his conduct, and certainly will not be allowed to mold his thoughts. Seeing this, the devil ensures he will not think upon it later. He "snatches away what was sown!" No other word can summon the devil into such instant activity. God's Word is central!
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, June 11, 2010
THE GRAND OBJECTIVE
" . . . that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7, NKJV)
IN CHRIST JESUS, we have been relocated. From one perspective, God "has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Col 1:13, NKJV). From an even more precise point of view, the great God "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6). The "heavenly places" are the realm in which spiritual life is nurtured and maintained. They are the domain of safety and growth. They are the only realms where fellowship with Christ can be realized (1 Cor 1:9). Being in "the heavenly places" is what brings the privileges of having access to God (Eph 2:18; 3:12), being strengthened with "all might" (Col 1:11), and gaining and experiencing spiritual stability (Col 2:7).
WHILE THESE ARE INDISPENSABLE to living under the approval and blessing of God, they are not the ultimate objective realized in our salvation. God's purpose is "eternal" (Eph 3:11), reaching beyond "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4) and the restrictions of time. "The present time" is the period in which God's purpose is introduced, not fulfilled. There are things to be revealed beyond the border of time – a glory that excels all sufferings induced by faith (Rom 8:18).
A RELIGION THAT IS ANCHORED to and emphasizes "the present time" is flawed to the core. It has no place for hope, for it presents this life, this time, and this world as preeminent. It is not possible to grow in Christ as long as these views are maintained. In fact, they actually cause one to become "the enemy of God," because they nurture friendship with the world (James 4:4).
THERE IS A GRAND OBJECTIVE to our placement in these "heavenly places." There is a Divine purpose that extends beyond this time, into "the ages to come." These are "ages" that reach beyond human perception and present experience. They fade from earthly view and blend with eternity. No human faculty can penetrate into "the ages to come." Only faith can perceive their border now, and prepare for entrance into them.
THE GREATEST OF ALL EXPERIENCES, and the most prolific of all instruction, will take place in those "ages." Then the real work will begin, and the fulness of salvation will be perceived. Everything we have now is but introductory to what is to come. Considering the greatness of the "unspeakable gift" we have already received, how our anticipation is whetted for things even grander. They will not be of a different order, but an enlargement of what we have now begun to receive in Christ.
THE GREATNESS OF GRACE. Although "the grace of God" is not frequently mentioned in certain circles, it will be the subject of Divine exposition in the world to come. What has, and will be, accomplished by the grace of God transcends everything else that God Himself has wrought. The magnificent creation of "the worlds" recedes into the background when the grace of God is seen "in truth" (Col 1:6). Mount Sinai is overshadowed by the greater glory of the Divine benevolence brought to men in Christ Jesus. His dealings with Israel are but faint glimpses of the things grace has brought to the sons of men.
THE GRACE OF GOD has reached deeper, and extends higher, than any of the previous dealings of God with mankind. It is wider in scope, covering greater periods of time and a larger populous. It has a more profound depth, exposing our hearts and minds to more of God's nature and a greater familiarity with his "eternal purpose." The "grace of God" carries a greater measure of Divine kindness, and is more replete with provisions.
GOD HAS "made us sit together with Him [Christ] in the heavenly places" in order to prepare us for an even greater working. He has put us upon the heavenly "potters wheel" to shape and mold us in such a way as will unveil to heavenly intelligences how exceedingly wise and gracious He is.
WHAT GOD'S GRACE has produced will be the subject of earnest inquiry throughout the "ages to come." Already it has solicited the attention of angels, who long to look into the message of the Gospel, which proclaims what grace has already done (1 Pet 1:12). What glories will be unfolded throughout the coming ages? What marvelous associations will be made between the sons of God and the grace of God? How our hearts will burn within us as the great God of heaven unfolds the abundant riches that are resident in His matchless grace! Here, in the grace of God, is a Divine repository that is unexcelled. There are "riches" here that cannot be found anywhere else. Therein are provisions that our minds can scarcely perceive in this world. Let us become familiar with that grace now! You can "find" grace now "to help in the time of need" (Heb 4:16). That will prepare you for "ages to come."
– Given O. Blakely
IN CHRIST JESUS, we have been relocated. From one perspective, God "has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Col 1:13, NKJV). From an even more precise point of view, the great God "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6). The "heavenly places" are the realm in which spiritual life is nurtured and maintained. They are the domain of safety and growth. They are the only realms where fellowship with Christ can be realized (1 Cor 1:9). Being in "the heavenly places" is what brings the privileges of having access to God (Eph 2:18; 3:12), being strengthened with "all might" (Col 1:11), and gaining and experiencing spiritual stability (Col 2:7).
WHILE THESE ARE INDISPENSABLE to living under the approval and blessing of God, they are not the ultimate objective realized in our salvation. God's purpose is "eternal" (Eph 3:11), reaching beyond "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4) and the restrictions of time. "The present time" is the period in which God's purpose is introduced, not fulfilled. There are things to be revealed beyond the border of time – a glory that excels all sufferings induced by faith (Rom 8:18).
A RELIGION THAT IS ANCHORED to and emphasizes "the present time" is flawed to the core. It has no place for hope, for it presents this life, this time, and this world as preeminent. It is not possible to grow in Christ as long as these views are maintained. In fact, they actually cause one to become "the enemy of God," because they nurture friendship with the world (James 4:4).
THERE IS A GRAND OBJECTIVE to our placement in these "heavenly places." There is a Divine purpose that extends beyond this time, into "the ages to come." These are "ages" that reach beyond human perception and present experience. They fade from earthly view and blend with eternity. No human faculty can penetrate into "the ages to come." Only faith can perceive their border now, and prepare for entrance into them.
THE GREATEST OF ALL EXPERIENCES, and the most prolific of all instruction, will take place in those "ages." Then the real work will begin, and the fulness of salvation will be perceived. Everything we have now is but introductory to what is to come. Considering the greatness of the "unspeakable gift" we have already received, how our anticipation is whetted for things even grander. They will not be of a different order, but an enlargement of what we have now begun to receive in Christ.
THE GREATNESS OF GRACE. Although "the grace of God" is not frequently mentioned in certain circles, it will be the subject of Divine exposition in the world to come. What has, and will be, accomplished by the grace of God transcends everything else that God Himself has wrought. The magnificent creation of "the worlds" recedes into the background when the grace of God is seen "in truth" (Col 1:6). Mount Sinai is overshadowed by the greater glory of the Divine benevolence brought to men in Christ Jesus. His dealings with Israel are but faint glimpses of the things grace has brought to the sons of men.
THE GRACE OF GOD has reached deeper, and extends higher, than any of the previous dealings of God with mankind. It is wider in scope, covering greater periods of time and a larger populous. It has a more profound depth, exposing our hearts and minds to more of God's nature and a greater familiarity with his "eternal purpose." The "grace of God" carries a greater measure of Divine kindness, and is more replete with provisions.
GOD HAS "made us sit together with Him [Christ] in the heavenly places" in order to prepare us for an even greater working. He has put us upon the heavenly "potters wheel" to shape and mold us in such a way as will unveil to heavenly intelligences how exceedingly wise and gracious He is.
WHAT GOD'S GRACE has produced will be the subject of earnest inquiry throughout the "ages to come." Already it has solicited the attention of angels, who long to look into the message of the Gospel, which proclaims what grace has already done (1 Pet 1:12). What glories will be unfolded throughout the coming ages? What marvelous associations will be made between the sons of God and the grace of God? How our hearts will burn within us as the great God of heaven unfolds the abundant riches that are resident in His matchless grace! Here, in the grace of God, is a Divine repository that is unexcelled. There are "riches" here that cannot be found anywhere else. Therein are provisions that our minds can scarcely perceive in this world. Let us become familiar with that grace now! You can "find" grace now "to help in the time of need" (Heb 4:16). That will prepare you for "ages to come."
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
WE ARE MADE ALIVE!
"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1, NKJV)
A PROPER ASSESSMENT of salvation requires a correct evaluation of where we were when the Lord found us. And, make no mistake about it, we were "found." Our blessed Lord said, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Lk 19:10). Of old time, God affirmed seeking the lost is a Divine attribute. "I will seek that which was lost" (Ezek 34:16). In what condition did He find us? It is essential to know this if we are to appreciate where we have been brought in Christ Jesus.
OUR TEXT WILL AFFIRM we were all in the same category. While men are prone to classify flesh, assigning various grades to it, from the standpoint of our text, it all falls into the same class. Salvation is common because it addresses a people in a common condition: "for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:22b-23).
WE WERE MADE ALIVE. "And you HE made alive . . . " Before a change of location could be realized, we had to be "made alive." This involved making us sensitive to the Lord, aware of His provisions, and desirous of His blessing. This is life deep within men, in their heart and spirit. It brings with it a discontent with life in this world and a deep sense of sin. We are awakened, as it were, by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, who works through the Gospel of Christ, and in strict concert with the purpose of God.
LIFE BEGAN TO EVIDENCE ITSELF with the conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11). This is the kind of life that must eventually be "born" – delivered from one realm into another realm. When I speak of being "made alive," I am referring to a process that begins with conviction, has its official beginning in the new birth, and is maintained in, what the Spirit calls, "heavenly places" or realms. True life requires all of these.
WE WERE NOT "QUICKENED" OR "MADE ALIVE" INDEPENDENTLY OF JESUS. Rather, by Divine purpose, as well as in our experience, we were "made alive together with Him," the resurrected Christ (Col 2:13). In fact, our text strongly affirms this to be the case. After proclaiming the power that is "toward" us was primarily authenticated in the resurrection of Christ (Eph 1:20-23), the Spirit begins the next phrase with "And YOU . . . " That is, God raised Christ AND those accepted in Him.
THE LIFE OF WHICH WE SPEAK, therefore, is resurrection life – the life of the resurrected Jesus. It is not institutional life or fleshly excitement. It is not mere religious animation, so common in our day. This is the kind of life found in the risen and enthroned Son of God.
WE WERE DEAD. " . . . who were dead in trespasses and sins . . . " Our condition before being made alive was a dreadful one. We were "dead," destitute of life and separated from God. We were the opposite of Jesus, Who is "the Life," and is "alive forevermore" (John 14:6; Rev 1:18).
THE REALM, OR DOMAIN, of our death was "trespasses and sins." This involved alienation from God, and placed us under the wrath of Almighty God. "Trespasses and sins" are a realm that is both personal and collective. Individually we had sinned and were thus dead toward God. We also occupied a realm that was characterized by death and cursed by God. It was an utterly hopeless situation requiring Divine intervention. Although men debate about the extent of this death, nothing could have been done about it if God did not do it. Far better to acknowledge that "salvation is of the Lord" than to wrangle over the degree to which we were dead.
WHEN JESUS RAISED Lazarus from the dead, he had been dead for four days, and was especially repulsive with a noxious odor. When He raised the son of the widow of Nain, he has been dead for a while, but was not as repugnant in appearance as Lazarus. When He raised Jairus' daughter, she had just died, and no doubt retained some of her youthful attractiveness. Yet, all three had this in common: they were dead! It is also so with sinners.
THERE CAME A POINT IN TIME when we, as those who were dead, heard the voice of the Son of God. With shattering power, it penetrated the dark domain in which we found ourselves. Jesus referred to this awakening when He said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live" (John 5:25, NKJV). Jesus was speaking of a spiritual resurrection, for He later refers to another resurrection which would also be accomplished by His voice – the resurrection of the body from the grave (John 5:28). The first prepares for the second.
PRIOR TO BEING "MADE ALIVE," our state was most dreadful. It is described in words that put the accent on the grace of God. WE WERE UNDER SATAN'S DOMINION. " . . . you once walked . . . according to the prince of the power of the air . . . " Satan controlled us, and worked at will within us.
WE WERE CHARACTERIZED BY DISOBEDIENCE. " . . .the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves . . . " Disobeying God was our nature. "Disobedience" was the epitaph over the entirety of our lives. We Were Children of Wrath. ". . . and were by nature children of wrath, just like others." . . . " Our destiny was to be immersed into the wrath of Almighty God. Apart from Divine intervention, there was no possible way for this to be avoided.
BEING":MADE ALIVE" involves deliverance from all of those dreadful conditions. There is a change in our nature and our destiny when we are "made alive." Praise the Lord!
– Given O. Blakely
A PROPER ASSESSMENT of salvation requires a correct evaluation of where we were when the Lord found us. And, make no mistake about it, we were "found." Our blessed Lord said, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Lk 19:10). Of old time, God affirmed seeking the lost is a Divine attribute. "I will seek that which was lost" (Ezek 34:16). In what condition did He find us? It is essential to know this if we are to appreciate where we have been brought in Christ Jesus.
OUR TEXT WILL AFFIRM we were all in the same category. While men are prone to classify flesh, assigning various grades to it, from the standpoint of our text, it all falls into the same class. Salvation is common because it addresses a people in a common condition: "for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:22b-23).
WE WERE MADE ALIVE. "And you HE made alive . . . " Before a change of location could be realized, we had to be "made alive." This involved making us sensitive to the Lord, aware of His provisions, and desirous of His blessing. This is life deep within men, in their heart and spirit. It brings with it a discontent with life in this world and a deep sense of sin. We are awakened, as it were, by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, who works through the Gospel of Christ, and in strict concert with the purpose of God.
LIFE BEGAN TO EVIDENCE ITSELF with the conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11). This is the kind of life that must eventually be "born" – delivered from one realm into another realm. When I speak of being "made alive," I am referring to a process that begins with conviction, has its official beginning in the new birth, and is maintained in, what the Spirit calls, "heavenly places" or realms. True life requires all of these.
WE WERE NOT "QUICKENED" OR "MADE ALIVE" INDEPENDENTLY OF JESUS. Rather, by Divine purpose, as well as in our experience, we were "made alive together with Him," the resurrected Christ (Col 2:13). In fact, our text strongly affirms this to be the case. After proclaiming the power that is "toward" us was primarily authenticated in the resurrection of Christ (Eph 1:20-23), the Spirit begins the next phrase with "And YOU . . . " That is, God raised Christ AND those accepted in Him.
THE LIFE OF WHICH WE SPEAK, therefore, is resurrection life – the life of the resurrected Jesus. It is not institutional life or fleshly excitement. It is not mere religious animation, so common in our day. This is the kind of life found in the risen and enthroned Son of God.
WE WERE DEAD. " . . . who were dead in trespasses and sins . . . " Our condition before being made alive was a dreadful one. We were "dead," destitute of life and separated from God. We were the opposite of Jesus, Who is "the Life," and is "alive forevermore" (John 14:6; Rev 1:18).
THE REALM, OR DOMAIN, of our death was "trespasses and sins." This involved alienation from God, and placed us under the wrath of Almighty God. "Trespasses and sins" are a realm that is both personal and collective. Individually we had sinned and were thus dead toward God. We also occupied a realm that was characterized by death and cursed by God. It was an utterly hopeless situation requiring Divine intervention. Although men debate about the extent of this death, nothing could have been done about it if God did not do it. Far better to acknowledge that "salvation is of the Lord" than to wrangle over the degree to which we were dead.
WHEN JESUS RAISED Lazarus from the dead, he had been dead for four days, and was especially repulsive with a noxious odor. When He raised the son of the widow of Nain, he has been dead for a while, but was not as repugnant in appearance as Lazarus. When He raised Jairus' daughter, she had just died, and no doubt retained some of her youthful attractiveness. Yet, all three had this in common: they were dead! It is also so with sinners.
THERE CAME A POINT IN TIME when we, as those who were dead, heard the voice of the Son of God. With shattering power, it penetrated the dark domain in which we found ourselves. Jesus referred to this awakening when He said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live" (John 5:25, NKJV). Jesus was speaking of a spiritual resurrection, for He later refers to another resurrection which would also be accomplished by His voice – the resurrection of the body from the grave (John 5:28). The first prepares for the second.
PRIOR TO BEING "MADE ALIVE," our state was most dreadful. It is described in words that put the accent on the grace of God. WE WERE UNDER SATAN'S DOMINION. " . . . you once walked . . . according to the prince of the power of the air . . . " Satan controlled us, and worked at will within us.
WE WERE CHARACTERIZED BY DISOBEDIENCE. " . . .the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves . . . " Disobeying God was our nature. "Disobedience" was the epitaph over the entirety of our lives. We Were Children of Wrath. ". . . and were by nature children of wrath, just like others." . . . " Our destiny was to be immersed into the wrath of Almighty God. Apart from Divine intervention, there was no possible way for this to be avoided.
BEING":MADE ALIVE" involves deliverance from all of those dreadful conditions. There is a change in our nature and our destiny when we are "made alive." Praise the Lord!
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, June 7, 2010
YOU ARE ABRAHAM’S SEED
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal 3:29)
THE JUSTIFIED ONES BELONG TO JESUS! God has given them to His Son, and they belong to Him. Jesus spoke of this transaction. He said the Father's will was that He lose no one that was given to Him (John 6:39). Jesus prayed for the ones who had been given to Him (John 17:9,24). The Son refers to the saved as "the children God has given Me" (Heb 2:13).
THE FATHER HAS GIVEN US to Christ that He might "bring us to God," and ultimately to glory (1 Pet 3:18; Heb 2:10). In this sense, He is the "Good Shepherd" (John 10:11,14). He not only blazed the trail to glory for us, He accompanies us on our journey. We belong to Christ. His leadership is not limited to stimulating proper conduct. Rather, it is the divinely appointed means of getting us to glory. God put us into Christ (1 Cor 1:30), and Christ is bringing us to God!
KNOWING "IF YOU BELONG TO CHRIST," then, is everything! It is a New Covenant way of thinking ("they shall all know Me")! Moral advance depends upon our awareness of this truth – upon our confidence in Christ and assurance of salvation. No person will work well until this is grasped! In the last analysis, everything depends on whether or not we belong to Christ. Do not guess at this! Throw yourself into the appropriation of this knowledge, and it will impact upon everything you do. A fruitful discovery, indeed!
HERE IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING challenging expressions of Scripture. Previously, the Spirit has identified the Lord Jesus Himself as Abraham's Seed. "Now to Abraham and HIS SEED were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, WHICH IS CHRIST" (v 16). The text certainly seems clear enough. When it comes to the promises, multiple seeds are strictly forbidden. The covenantal commitment centers in Christ, and Christ alone.
HOWEVER, OUR TEXT PLAINLY STATES, if we belong to Christ, WE are Abraham's seed! That means an effective unity has been accomplished in salvation. We have been joined to the Lord, thereby becoming "one spirit" with Him (1 Cor 6:17). There is a sense in which we cannot be distinguished from Christ! We are, so to speak, "members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones" (Eph 5:30, KJV). To put it another way, the redeemed are Christ's "body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way" (Eph 1:23). The union is so precise that even our bodies "are the members of Christ" (1 Cor 6:15). Just as the head and body are a single unit, so Christ and His people form a single entity (Col 2:19).
BELIEVERS ARE SAID TO HAVE "died with Christ" (Rom 6:8). They were "buried with Him" (Rom 6:4), and "raised with Him" (Eph 2:6). How glorious the fusion of Jesus with His people! Paul used more than oratory when he said, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20). The child of God can say truthfully, "For to me, living is Christ" (Phil 1:21, NRSV).
THIS TRUTH – that we are Abraham's seed – is so startling that men have created theological walls to block it out of their minds. Some choose to deny the indwelling of the Christ and the Spirit (Eph 3:16-17). Others resist the affirmation that "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16).
THE PERSON ADDICTED TO LAW simply cannot abide the thought of oneness with Christ. They cannot conceive of the promises belonging to people upon the basis of Christ. This does not mesh with their view of works. They have contrived a salvation that depends solely upon men – which is no salvation at all! Salvation assumes helplessness! It requires a new identity – a new creation. The law-principle is one of reformation, not transformation. It does not require Jesus Christ. However, God has nothing for those who are not THE seed of Abraham!
WHEN THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROMISE bursts upon the heart, the glory of being heirs registers upon us. Those who prefer the Law do not speak of heirship – it is not even in their vocabulary. Theirs is an economy of works, not of promise. They have no confidence, because Law cannot produce it. They glory in the commandments, but their conscience condemns them because they have not perfectly kept them. Their objectives are all earth-centered because they have no assurance of participation in the world to come.
THE VERY CONCEPT of "heirs" assumes we are given something by God – a gift. The heirs have not earned their inheritance. It belongs to Another, who now gives it to them. It is based upon their new birth, not their achievement. Their identity with the Owner precludes their involvement in the inheritance. How glorious the situation!
THE ABRAHAMIC PROMISE involved blessing – blessing that far transcended what Abraham saw. It remained to be stated in later times that it involved being "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17), a staggering consideration! Aspire to inherit God, be a joint heir with Christ, and inherit the kingdom of God itself. It is there for you to possess. If you are in Christ, it is attainable because you are in Him.
– Given O. Blakely
THE JUSTIFIED ONES BELONG TO JESUS! God has given them to His Son, and they belong to Him. Jesus spoke of this transaction. He said the Father's will was that He lose no one that was given to Him (John 6:39). Jesus prayed for the ones who had been given to Him (John 17:9,24). The Son refers to the saved as "the children God has given Me" (Heb 2:13).
THE FATHER HAS GIVEN US to Christ that He might "bring us to God," and ultimately to glory (1 Pet 3:18; Heb 2:10). In this sense, He is the "Good Shepherd" (John 10:11,14). He not only blazed the trail to glory for us, He accompanies us on our journey. We belong to Christ. His leadership is not limited to stimulating proper conduct. Rather, it is the divinely appointed means of getting us to glory. God put us into Christ (1 Cor 1:30), and Christ is bringing us to God!
KNOWING "IF YOU BELONG TO CHRIST," then, is everything! It is a New Covenant way of thinking ("they shall all know Me")! Moral advance depends upon our awareness of this truth – upon our confidence in Christ and assurance of salvation. No person will work well until this is grasped! In the last analysis, everything depends on whether or not we belong to Christ. Do not guess at this! Throw yourself into the appropriation of this knowledge, and it will impact upon everything you do. A fruitful discovery, indeed!
HERE IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING challenging expressions of Scripture. Previously, the Spirit has identified the Lord Jesus Himself as Abraham's Seed. "Now to Abraham and HIS SEED were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, WHICH IS CHRIST" (v 16). The text certainly seems clear enough. When it comes to the promises, multiple seeds are strictly forbidden. The covenantal commitment centers in Christ, and Christ alone.
HOWEVER, OUR TEXT PLAINLY STATES, if we belong to Christ, WE are Abraham's seed! That means an effective unity has been accomplished in salvation. We have been joined to the Lord, thereby becoming "one spirit" with Him (1 Cor 6:17). There is a sense in which we cannot be distinguished from Christ! We are, so to speak, "members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones" (Eph 5:30, KJV). To put it another way, the redeemed are Christ's "body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way" (Eph 1:23). The union is so precise that even our bodies "are the members of Christ" (1 Cor 6:15). Just as the head and body are a single unit, so Christ and His people form a single entity (Col 2:19).
BELIEVERS ARE SAID TO HAVE "died with Christ" (Rom 6:8). They were "buried with Him" (Rom 6:4), and "raised with Him" (Eph 2:6). How glorious the fusion of Jesus with His people! Paul used more than oratory when he said, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20). The child of God can say truthfully, "For to me, living is Christ" (Phil 1:21, NRSV).
THIS TRUTH – that we are Abraham's seed – is so startling that men have created theological walls to block it out of their minds. Some choose to deny the indwelling of the Christ and the Spirit (Eph 3:16-17). Others resist the affirmation that "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16).
THE PERSON ADDICTED TO LAW simply cannot abide the thought of oneness with Christ. They cannot conceive of the promises belonging to people upon the basis of Christ. This does not mesh with their view of works. They have contrived a salvation that depends solely upon men – which is no salvation at all! Salvation assumes helplessness! It requires a new identity – a new creation. The law-principle is one of reformation, not transformation. It does not require Jesus Christ. However, God has nothing for those who are not THE seed of Abraham!
WHEN THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROMISE bursts upon the heart, the glory of being heirs registers upon us. Those who prefer the Law do not speak of heirship – it is not even in their vocabulary. Theirs is an economy of works, not of promise. They have no confidence, because Law cannot produce it. They glory in the commandments, but their conscience condemns them because they have not perfectly kept them. Their objectives are all earth-centered because they have no assurance of participation in the world to come.
THE VERY CONCEPT of "heirs" assumes we are given something by God – a gift. The heirs have not earned their inheritance. It belongs to Another, who now gives it to them. It is based upon their new birth, not their achievement. Their identity with the Owner precludes their involvement in the inheritance. How glorious the situation!
THE ABRAHAMIC PROMISE involved blessing – blessing that far transcended what Abraham saw. It remained to be stated in later times that it involved being "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17), a staggering consideration! Aspire to inherit God, be a joint heir with Christ, and inherit the kingdom of God itself. It is there for you to possess. If you are in Christ, it is attainable because you are in Him.
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, June 4, 2010
ARMY FROM A BONE YARD
" So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army." (Ezekiel 37:10)
ONE OF THE GREAT PROPHECIES of the restoration of Israel is found in the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. There, the hand of the Lord was strong upon Ezekiel, and carried him out in the Spirit of the Lord, setting him down in the middle of a "valley that was full of bones." The Lord then "caused" the prophet to pass "among" the bones, and "all around" them. There were "very many" bones, and they were "very dry," bleached out because they had been there for a long time. The bones were disassembled, scattered over the valley floor. They were not skeletons, but every joint had been separated, and there was no semblance of unity among the bones. It appeared to be an utterly hopeless situation.
AS HE WAS PERUSING THE BONES, the Lord asked Ezekiel a penetrating question. "Son of man, can these bones live?" (v 3). To the flesh, the question was absurd, but Ezekiel was "in the Spirit," not in the flesh. He replied, "O Lord GOD, thou knowest." He knew with God, all things are possible. Quickly Ezekiel was told, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!" He was even told What to say to the bones. "Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD’" (vs 5-6).
NOTICE, THE PROPHET WAS NOT TOLD to rebuke the bones, or to challenge them with an exhortation. All he told them was what the Lord was going to do. (1) He would cause breath to enter them, and they would live. (2) He would put sinews, or tendons, upon them, cause flesh to come upon them. (3) He would put skin upon them and breath within them, and they would live. (4) They would know He is the Lord.
AS EZEKIEL SPOKE THESE WORDS a disruption suddenly occurred in the open valley. There was a noise and the rattling of bones as they began to assemble into complete skeletons, "bone to his bone." At the sound of his words sinews and flesh came upon the bones, and skin covered them, making them complete bodies. However, they were not alive.
THE LORD THEN TOLD EZEKIEL, "Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live" (v 9). Notice, they had been "slain," the victims of an aggressive enemy. As he prophesied, breath came into the bodies , and they "stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army" (v 10).
THE LORD DID NOT LEAVE THIS MATTER for the prophet to interpret. He told Ezekiel what this meant. The bones were "the whole house of Israel." They were in a hopeless state, considering that all of their hope was cut off, and they could no longer be gathered together. Yet, the Lord declared He would fetch them from oblivion and "bring" them "into the land of Israel." They would know He was the Lord when He did this. He then promised, "I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it, says the LORD" (vs 13-14). The Lord then confirmed to Ezekiel that He was going to unite Judah and Israel again, making them one nation under one king, and that it would happen in their own land. "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again" (v 22). The prophets identity that king as the Lord Jesus Himself, prophetically called "David" (Jer 30:9; Ezek 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Hos 3:5).
TO THIS DAY, JUDAH AND ISRAEL have not been united. As a whole body, they have never returned to the land of Israel, and are not "one nation in the land." Furthermore, they have not had a king since the Babylonian captivity. God’s Spirit has not yet been put into them, and, in the sense of the text, they do not "know" that He is the Lord.
HOWEVER, THE WORD OF THE LORD will not return to Him void. It will accomplish what He has determined and declared (Isa 55:11). It is still true, "There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins" (Rom 11:26). When this occurs, Israel will come forth as a mighty army, mighty to do the work of the Lord. They will themselves be evidence of the mighty power of God. God has spoken, and cannot lie.
THIS WORD CONCERNING THE ISRAELITES is not affirmed among many professed believers. Some even deny that it is true, even though it has been spoken by the mouth of the Lord. It should not surprise us that spiritual impotence characterizes those who deny this prophecy. They do not worship a God that can raise up a great army from a dry and hopeless bone yard.
– Given O. Blakely
ONE OF THE GREAT PROPHECIES of the restoration of Israel is found in the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. There, the hand of the Lord was strong upon Ezekiel, and carried him out in the Spirit of the Lord, setting him down in the middle of a "valley that was full of bones." The Lord then "caused" the prophet to pass "among" the bones, and "all around" them. There were "very many" bones, and they were "very dry," bleached out because they had been there for a long time. The bones were disassembled, scattered over the valley floor. They were not skeletons, but every joint had been separated, and there was no semblance of unity among the bones. It appeared to be an utterly hopeless situation.
AS HE WAS PERUSING THE BONES, the Lord asked Ezekiel a penetrating question. "Son of man, can these bones live?" (v 3). To the flesh, the question was absurd, but Ezekiel was "in the Spirit," not in the flesh. He replied, "O Lord GOD, thou knowest." He knew with God, all things are possible. Quickly Ezekiel was told, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!" He was even told What to say to the bones. "Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD’" (vs 5-6).
NOTICE, THE PROPHET WAS NOT TOLD to rebuke the bones, or to challenge them with an exhortation. All he told them was what the Lord was going to do. (1) He would cause breath to enter them, and they would live. (2) He would put sinews, or tendons, upon them, cause flesh to come upon them. (3) He would put skin upon them and breath within them, and they would live. (4) They would know He is the Lord.
AS EZEKIEL SPOKE THESE WORDS a disruption suddenly occurred in the open valley. There was a noise and the rattling of bones as they began to assemble into complete skeletons, "bone to his bone." At the sound of his words sinews and flesh came upon the bones, and skin covered them, making them complete bodies. However, they were not alive.
THE LORD THEN TOLD EZEKIEL, "Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live" (v 9). Notice, they had been "slain," the victims of an aggressive enemy. As he prophesied, breath came into the bodies , and they "stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army" (v 10).
THE LORD DID NOT LEAVE THIS MATTER for the prophet to interpret. He told Ezekiel what this meant. The bones were "the whole house of Israel." They were in a hopeless state, considering that all of their hope was cut off, and they could no longer be gathered together. Yet, the Lord declared He would fetch them from oblivion and "bring" them "into the land of Israel." They would know He was the Lord when He did this. He then promised, "I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it, says the LORD" (vs 13-14). The Lord then confirmed to Ezekiel that He was going to unite Judah and Israel again, making them one nation under one king, and that it would happen in their own land. "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again" (v 22). The prophets identity that king as the Lord Jesus Himself, prophetically called "David" (Jer 30:9; Ezek 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Hos 3:5).
TO THIS DAY, JUDAH AND ISRAEL have not been united. As a whole body, they have never returned to the land of Israel, and are not "one nation in the land." Furthermore, they have not had a king since the Babylonian captivity. God’s Spirit has not yet been put into them, and, in the sense of the text, they do not "know" that He is the Lord.
HOWEVER, THE WORD OF THE LORD will not return to Him void. It will accomplish what He has determined and declared (Isa 55:11). It is still true, "There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins" (Rom 11:26). When this occurs, Israel will come forth as a mighty army, mighty to do the work of the Lord. They will themselves be evidence of the mighty power of God. God has spoken, and cannot lie.
THIS WORD CONCERNING THE ISRAELITES is not affirmed among many professed believers. Some even deny that it is true, even though it has been spoken by the mouth of the Lord. It should not surprise us that spiritual impotence characterizes those who deny this prophecy. They do not worship a God that can raise up a great army from a dry and hopeless bone yard.
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
CLEAN OVER JORDAN
"And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." (Joshua 3:17)
FORTY YEARS AFTER their departure from Egypt, after the unbelievers had all fallen in the treacherous wilderness, Israel finally reached the promised land. Joshua was appointed by God to lead the people into the land of promise – a land promised to Abraham over 450 years earlier (Gen 15:18-21; 17:8). Spies were sent into the land, and this time they were not ruled by unbelief (Josh 2). Three days later, the people prepared to cross over into the land God had given to them.
BEFORE GOING OVER, officers went among the people, instructing them precisely how they were to enter Canaan. It would not be an "every-man-for-yourself" matter, with every man doing that which was right in his own eyes. The first thing to occur was the Levitical priests carrying the ark of the covenant across Jordan. The Israelites were to remain where they were until they saw the priests carrying the ark over. As soon as they saw the ark being carried over, they were to "set out" from their place and "go after it" (Josh 3:3). However, they were not to get too close to this piece of sacred furniture. Rather, they had to keep "a space" between themselves and the ark. That space was "about two thousand cubits by measure," or about a thousand yards. Solemnly they were told, "Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before" (3:4). With this warning, Joshua turned to the priests and said, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people" (3:6).
AS THE PRIESTS WENT before the people, the Lord told Joshua He was going to exalt him before the people, so they would know God was with him just as He was with Moses. He then told Joshua to tell the priests, "When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan" (3:7-8). Joshua then summoned the people to pay attention to what was happening. He said God was going to so work they would know He was among them, and would surely drive out the inhabitants of the land. In faith he declared, "Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan" (3:10). The people were then commanded to choose one man from each of the twelve tribes, who would later select twelve stones from Jordan, and pile them up for a memorial of their crossing. At this time, Jordan was overflowing its banks, and it was the time of harvest (3:15).
THE LORD PROMISED a display of unparalleled Divine power, "as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap." Just that surely, when "feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water, the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho" (3:15-16).
THE SCRIPTURES INFORM US that the priests stood firmly in the middle of Jordan, holding up the ark of the covenant, "until all the people were passed clean [or completely] over Jordan."The twelve men selected from the tribes then gathered their stones, and set them up in the middle of Jordan for a memorial. The priests remained standing in the midst of the river bed on dry ground "until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded" (4:10). After the safe passage of all of the people, then the priests carried the across Jordan and joined the rest of the people (4:11). It came to pass that as soon as "the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before" (4:18) – but not until ALL of the people had safely crossed over into the promised land.
THERE WILL COME A DAY for every child of God when a crossing will be made into the eternal promised land. Like the ark of the covenant, the presence of the Lord remains in the middle of the river of death, guaranteeing safe passage to the other side, where we are "absent from the body and present with the Lord." That presence will not move until all of the children have safely passed to the other side. Then, and only then, will the river of separation once again overflow its banks. Then no one will be able to leave the cursed land for the blessed land. But as long as the waters remain open by the grace of God, multitudes can cross on dry land, with no fear of the waters of separation overflowing them.WHAT A MARVELOUS PICTURE of safe passage from this world to the next! It is refreshing to ponder that we are not the first to enter the waters of death. Jesus Christ goes before us.
– Given O. Blakely
FORTY YEARS AFTER their departure from Egypt, after the unbelievers had all fallen in the treacherous wilderness, Israel finally reached the promised land. Joshua was appointed by God to lead the people into the land of promise – a land promised to Abraham over 450 years earlier (Gen 15:18-21; 17:8). Spies were sent into the land, and this time they were not ruled by unbelief (Josh 2). Three days later, the people prepared to cross over into the land God had given to them.
BEFORE GOING OVER, officers went among the people, instructing them precisely how they were to enter Canaan. It would not be an "every-man-for-yourself" matter, with every man doing that which was right in his own eyes. The first thing to occur was the Levitical priests carrying the ark of the covenant across Jordan. The Israelites were to remain where they were until they saw the priests carrying the ark over. As soon as they saw the ark being carried over, they were to "set out" from their place and "go after it" (Josh 3:3). However, they were not to get too close to this piece of sacred furniture. Rather, they had to keep "a space" between themselves and the ark. That space was "about two thousand cubits by measure," or about a thousand yards. Solemnly they were told, "Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before" (3:4). With this warning, Joshua turned to the priests and said, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people" (3:6).
AS THE PRIESTS WENT before the people, the Lord told Joshua He was going to exalt him before the people, so they would know God was with him just as He was with Moses. He then told Joshua to tell the priests, "When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan" (3:7-8). Joshua then summoned the people to pay attention to what was happening. He said God was going to so work they would know He was among them, and would surely drive out the inhabitants of the land. In faith he declared, "Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan" (3:10). The people were then commanded to choose one man from each of the twelve tribes, who would later select twelve stones from Jordan, and pile them up for a memorial of their crossing. At this time, Jordan was overflowing its banks, and it was the time of harvest (3:15).
THE LORD PROMISED a display of unparalleled Divine power, "as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap." Just that surely, when "feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water, the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho" (3:15-16).
THE SCRIPTURES INFORM US that the priests stood firmly in the middle of Jordan, holding up the ark of the covenant, "until all the people were passed clean [or completely] over Jordan."The twelve men selected from the tribes then gathered their stones, and set them up in the middle of Jordan for a memorial. The priests remained standing in the midst of the river bed on dry ground "until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded" (4:10). After the safe passage of all of the people, then the priests carried the across Jordan and joined the rest of the people (4:11). It came to pass that as soon as "the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before" (4:18) – but not until ALL of the people had safely crossed over into the promised land.
THERE WILL COME A DAY for every child of God when a crossing will be made into the eternal promised land. Like the ark of the covenant, the presence of the Lord remains in the middle of the river of death, guaranteeing safe passage to the other side, where we are "absent from the body and present with the Lord." That presence will not move until all of the children have safely passed to the other side. Then, and only then, will the river of separation once again overflow its banks. Then no one will be able to leave the cursed land for the blessed land. But as long as the waters remain open by the grace of God, multitudes can cross on dry land, with no fear of the waters of separation overflowing them.WHAT A MARVELOUS PICTURE of safe passage from this world to the next! It is refreshing to ponder that we are not the first to enter the waters of death. Jesus Christ goes before us.
– Given O. Blakely
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