ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENTS in all of human history was Israel's deliverance from Egypt. They were in Egypt for 430 years (Ex 12:40). When they went down to Egypt, there were seventy of them (Ex 1:5). While they were in the land, they multiplied, even under harsh oppression. The Word of God declares, "And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them" (Ex 1:7). When they came out of Egypt, they were a vast multitude. The fighting men, twenty years and older, numbered 603,550 (Ex 38:26; Num 1:19-46). The Levites were not numbered in the census. Later, by the commandment of the Lord, Moses and Aaron numbered the Levite males from one month old and upward. There were 22,000 (Num 3:39). The Levites between 30-50 were 8,500 (Num 4:46). Factoring in all of the non-Levite children, older men, and women, there probably were somewhere between 3-6 million Israelites that came out of Egypt. They came out in an orderly manner, and in one night. A mighty deliverance, indeed! How did the Spirit refer to Egypt – that once mighty nation from which the people of God were delivered?
IRON FURNACE. As they neared the promised land, Moses reminded the people, "But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day" (Deut 4:20). This was not a furnace for keeping warm, but one for smelting, or refining precious metal. The NIV reads, "the iron-smelting furnace." Not only did the people multiply in Egypt, they were refined there. Their hard bondage and difficult labor helped to remove pride them. It also toughened their spirits, so they could endure more. Years later, the prophet Jeremiah referred back to this great deliverance. He told the people God "brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace" (Jer 11:4). Some-thing happened there of which the Egyptians were totally ignorant. It was not their furnace. It was God's refining furnace. There, in Egypt, He prepared the people.
HOUSE OF BONDAGE. On the day Israel marched triumphantly out of Egypt, it is written, "And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place" (Ex 13:3,14). When the Ten Commandments were given, God began by saying, "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage" (Ex 20:2). Joshua reminded the people of "the house of bondage" (Josh 24:17). In the days of Gideon, when the people were oppressed by the Midianites, God sent a prophet to them who said, "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage" (Judges 6:8). It was a time when they were not free, but restrained. By the mercy of God, it was a house, not a pit like Joseph was thrown into. It was a house, not the belly of a fish in which Jonah was refined. You can move about in a house, but cannot leave its confines. Too, everything about Egypt was a "house of bondage." Hardship and hindrance were everywhere in that place.
IT IS GOOD TO REMEMBER where we have come from. We came from both a furnace and a house. A furnace where we were refined, and a house wherein we were held. It was God who delivered us from both through the Lord Jesus!
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, August 3, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
I WILL NOT MAKE MENTION OF HIM
"Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." (Jeremiah 20:9)
MANY OF GOD’S PEOPLE have been called to minister under grievous circumstances. Their labors were not attended by great public success, like those of Joshua and John the Baptist. Jeremiah was such a person. He certainly did not have a "career" some half-hearted person would seek! The people to whom he ministered held him in contempt. They said, "Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words" (18:18). The whole matter was deeply discouraging to Jeremiah, and he made strong intercession to the Lord against his opponents (18:19-23). The Lord then directed the prophet to stand in the court of the Lord’s house and proclaim the coming Babylonian captivity. It would be harsh and painful, and would come to them "because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear My words" (19:15).
WHEN A MAN NAMED PASHUR, son of the priest and chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard what Jeremiah was prophesying, he "had Jeremiah the prophet beaten, and put him in the stocks." The next day, in an act of political mercy, Pashur released Jeremiah from the stocks. Jeremiah was not silent. He had evidently been musing while in the stocks. He burst forth in a fiery prophecy that began with the words, "The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib" (terror on every side). The Lord, Jeremiah said, would make Pashur a terror to himself and his friends. He would see his enemies delivered to the sword before his very eyes, as God would hand over rebellious Israel "to the king of Babylon" (20:4).
IT WAS IN THE MIDST OF THIS PROPHESY that our text is found. It was an explanation of a past circumstance, when Jeremiah had become discouraged because of the hard-hearted people to whom he spoke in the name of the Lord. Every day he had shouted out the message God had given him, "proclaiming violence and destruction" (NIV). And, every day his word brought him "insult and reproach all day long" (v 8, NIV). The whole experience finally became too burdensome, and the wearied prophet said, "I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name." That certainly would relieve some of the pressure the people were putting upon him. Needed relief at last!
HOWEVER, THERE IS ANOTHER KIND OF PRESSURE that was much stronger than that of the people. The Word of God was like a "fire shut up in" his bones. He could not forget the word God had given him, and it was a word that had to be spoken. He could not quench the fire it sparked, and it wore him out to keep silence. Finally, after being beaten and put into the stocks, wicked Pashur saw and hear the fiery Word of God erupt from Jeremiah’s mouth. He "could not stay," or hold it in, any longer.
IF EVER THE WORD OF THE LORD can get into the heart of those charged with delivering it, it will exert an inner force that is unparalleled. It will burn within until the messenger can keep silence no longer. Opponents and circumstances will prove powerless to keep it from being spoken in power.
– Given O. Blakely
MANY OF GOD’S PEOPLE have been called to minister under grievous circumstances. Their labors were not attended by great public success, like those of Joshua and John the Baptist. Jeremiah was such a person. He certainly did not have a "career" some half-hearted person would seek! The people to whom he ministered held him in contempt. They said, "Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words" (18:18). The whole matter was deeply discouraging to Jeremiah, and he made strong intercession to the Lord against his opponents (18:19-23). The Lord then directed the prophet to stand in the court of the Lord’s house and proclaim the coming Babylonian captivity. It would be harsh and painful, and would come to them "because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear My words" (19:15).
WHEN A MAN NAMED PASHUR, son of the priest and chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard what Jeremiah was prophesying, he "had Jeremiah the prophet beaten, and put him in the stocks." The next day, in an act of political mercy, Pashur released Jeremiah from the stocks. Jeremiah was not silent. He had evidently been musing while in the stocks. He burst forth in a fiery prophecy that began with the words, "The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib" (terror on every side). The Lord, Jeremiah said, would make Pashur a terror to himself and his friends. He would see his enemies delivered to the sword before his very eyes, as God would hand over rebellious Israel "to the king of Babylon" (20:4).
IT WAS IN THE MIDST OF THIS PROPHESY that our text is found. It was an explanation of a past circumstance, when Jeremiah had become discouraged because of the hard-hearted people to whom he spoke in the name of the Lord. Every day he had shouted out the message God had given him, "proclaiming violence and destruction" (NIV). And, every day his word brought him "insult and reproach all day long" (v 8, NIV). The whole experience finally became too burdensome, and the wearied prophet said, "I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name." That certainly would relieve some of the pressure the people were putting upon him. Needed relief at last!
HOWEVER, THERE IS ANOTHER KIND OF PRESSURE that was much stronger than that of the people. The Word of God was like a "fire shut up in" his bones. He could not forget the word God had given him, and it was a word that had to be spoken. He could not quench the fire it sparked, and it wore him out to keep silence. Finally, after being beaten and put into the stocks, wicked Pashur saw and hear the fiery Word of God erupt from Jeremiah’s mouth. He "could not stay," or hold it in, any longer.
IF EVER THE WORD OF THE LORD can get into the heart of those charged with delivering it, it will exert an inner force that is unparalleled. It will burn within until the messenger can keep silence no longer. Opponents and circumstances will prove powerless to keep it from being spoken in power.
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
EVERY SMALL MATTER
"And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee." (Exodus 18:22)
WHEN MOSES WAS TENDING SHEEP in the wilderness, before Israel came out of Egypt, Jethro, the priest of Midian, had given him Zipporah, his daughter, as his wife (Ex 2:21). Sometime during Moses' commission to deliver Israel and their actual freedom, he had sent Zipporah and his two sons back to her father. Now, after the deliverance, word of the mighty acts of God got back to Midian. Jethro took Zipporah and her two sons through Moses (Gershom and Eliezer), and went to meet Moses in the wilderness. After he had presented himself and Moses' wife and sons, Moses declared to Jethro how God had mightily delivered them (18:6-8). As a result, Jethro "rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel," saying "Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them" (18:10-11). He then presented a burnt offering and "sacrifices for God," while all the elders of Israel ate bread with them (18:12).
THE FOLLOWING DAY, Moses "sat to judge the people," settling grievances they had with one another, and delivering the mind of God on the matters. It was a long day for the man of God, as the people "stood around him from morning until evening," presenting their cases. Here were some counseling sessions that certainly would prove too challenging to the professional counselors of our day!
MOSES' FATHER-IN-LAW, Jethro, observed the events of the day, and became quite concerned about them. He noticed there was a lot of trivia that was unworthy of the attention of a man endued with such wisdom as Moses had from God. He asked Moses, "Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?" Moses replied, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws" (vs 15-16, NIV). The answer was not satisfactory for Jethro. He told Moses what he was doing was "not good." It was not a wise employment of his wisdom and knowledge – settling trivial matters. He and the people would wear themselves out. He said, "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" NIV (v 18). He then suggested that able and wise men be chosen from the people to judge "every SMALL matter," with only the larger things being brought to him. Moses then implemented the plan, making his burden more bearable.
MANY A PERSON, laboring for the Lord, has worn themselves out dealing with "small matters." It would be like the Apostles spending time administering food rather than preaching and praying (Acts 6:2-4). The institutional church demands such menial servitude, but discerning souls must refuse to give it. There are people who can resolve "small matters," yet are confused by the large ones. There are also people capable of judging large matters, but are worn out by smaller ones. Blessed are the servants of God who can discern such things, and give themselves appropriately to the work of the Lord.
IT IS NEVER GOOD to bombard discerning servants of the Lord with "small matters" that do not require their wisdom and expertise in the Word. It is quite true that the modern church requires this of those they call "ministers." However, men of God must refuse to expend their energy on things that do not have eternal consequences, and can be resolved by others who are better suited for such things. Those who can "handle the Word of God aright" (2 Tim 2:15) must not be asked to wear themselves out serving tables, or doing servile tasks. In the words of "the twelve," "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables" (Acts 6:2). It still is not reasonable to do such a thing – whether it is required by the institution or not.
THERE IS A SUPERIOR WORK to be done by those appointed to feed the sheep. These are they who have been placed first in the church: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that . . . " (1 Cor 12:28). The apostles remain with us through their doctrine, as recorded in Scripture. The prophets are those who speak "unto edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor 14:3). The teachers are those who expound the things of God to the people. Ephesians 4:11-16 spells out the divinely established objectives for the teaching ministries of the church, and they are intended to be fulfilled.
ANY CONGREGATION that does not allow for the preeminence of these ministries, or seeks to bleed off the energies of those who are in these categories, has, by that very circumstance, ceased to be a valid and productive assembly. Further, those who encourage the maintenance of menial tasks by men of true spiritual understanding must be purged from positions of prominence. Such have violated the will of the Lord. At the very best, they are spiritual toddlers who have no right to lead the people in their tottering and uncertain ways.
– Given O. Blakely
WHEN MOSES WAS TENDING SHEEP in the wilderness, before Israel came out of Egypt, Jethro, the priest of Midian, had given him Zipporah, his daughter, as his wife (Ex 2:21). Sometime during Moses' commission to deliver Israel and their actual freedom, he had sent Zipporah and his two sons back to her father. Now, after the deliverance, word of the mighty acts of God got back to Midian. Jethro took Zipporah and her two sons through Moses (Gershom and Eliezer), and went to meet Moses in the wilderness. After he had presented himself and Moses' wife and sons, Moses declared to Jethro how God had mightily delivered them (18:6-8). As a result, Jethro "rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel," saying "Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them" (18:10-11). He then presented a burnt offering and "sacrifices for God," while all the elders of Israel ate bread with them (18:12).
THE FOLLOWING DAY, Moses "sat to judge the people," settling grievances they had with one another, and delivering the mind of God on the matters. It was a long day for the man of God, as the people "stood around him from morning until evening," presenting their cases. Here were some counseling sessions that certainly would prove too challenging to the professional counselors of our day!
MOSES' FATHER-IN-LAW, Jethro, observed the events of the day, and became quite concerned about them. He noticed there was a lot of trivia that was unworthy of the attention of a man endued with such wisdom as Moses had from God. He asked Moses, "Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?" Moses replied, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws" (vs 15-16, NIV). The answer was not satisfactory for Jethro. He told Moses what he was doing was "not good." It was not a wise employment of his wisdom and knowledge – settling trivial matters. He and the people would wear themselves out. He said, "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" NIV (v 18). He then suggested that able and wise men be chosen from the people to judge "every SMALL matter," with only the larger things being brought to him. Moses then implemented the plan, making his burden more bearable.
MANY A PERSON, laboring for the Lord, has worn themselves out dealing with "small matters." It would be like the Apostles spending time administering food rather than preaching and praying (Acts 6:2-4). The institutional church demands such menial servitude, but discerning souls must refuse to give it. There are people who can resolve "small matters," yet are confused by the large ones. There are also people capable of judging large matters, but are worn out by smaller ones. Blessed are the servants of God who can discern such things, and give themselves appropriately to the work of the Lord.
IT IS NEVER GOOD to bombard discerning servants of the Lord with "small matters" that do not require their wisdom and expertise in the Word. It is quite true that the modern church requires this of those they call "ministers." However, men of God must refuse to expend their energy on things that do not have eternal consequences, and can be resolved by others who are better suited for such things. Those who can "handle the Word of God aright" (2 Tim 2:15) must not be asked to wear themselves out serving tables, or doing servile tasks. In the words of "the twelve," "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables" (Acts 6:2). It still is not reasonable to do such a thing – whether it is required by the institution or not.
THERE IS A SUPERIOR WORK to be done by those appointed to feed the sheep. These are they who have been placed first in the church: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that . . . " (1 Cor 12:28). The apostles remain with us through their doctrine, as recorded in Scripture. The prophets are those who speak "unto edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor 14:3). The teachers are those who expound the things of God to the people. Ephesians 4:11-16 spells out the divinely established objectives for the teaching ministries of the church, and they are intended to be fulfilled.
ANY CONGREGATION that does not allow for the preeminence of these ministries, or seeks to bleed off the energies of those who are in these categories, has, by that very circumstance, ceased to be a valid and productive assembly. Further, those who encourage the maintenance of menial tasks by men of true spiritual understanding must be purged from positions of prominence. Such have violated the will of the Lord. At the very best, they are spiritual toddlers who have no right to lead the people in their tottering and uncertain ways.
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, July 27, 2009
IF IT HAD NOT BEEN THE LORD
"If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: then the proud waters had gone over our soul." (Psalm 124:2-5)
THROUGHOUT HISTORY, men have arisen against the people of God. It all began when Cain rose up against Abel (Gen 4:8). Ishmael mocked Isaac (Gen 21:9). Esau opposed Jacob (Gen 27:41). Joseph's brethren opposed him (Gen 37:4). All of those oppositions came from within the domestic family! But there were also adversaries from without. Goliath opposed David (1 Sam 17:42-43), Sennacherib came against Hezekiah (2 Kgs 19), and Jezebel against Elijah (1 Kgs 19:2). A wicked Jewish council opposed Peter and John (Acts 4:6-7), Ephesian business men opposed Paul (Acts 19:24-27), and Diotrephes, a professed leader in the church, opposed John (3 John 9-10). Let there be no question about it, those who side with God will be opposed by the world. As our Lord said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:18-19).
IN OUR TEXT, the Psalmist assessed the oppositions that arose because of identity with the Lord through faith. He knew very well that, person-to-person, their enemies are generally stronger and more numerous than believers themselves. Some who boast of self strength simply have never knowingly faced a fierce and crafty opponent. Pharaoh opposed Moses, Daniel faced Nebuchadnezzar, John the Baptist confronted Herod, and Paul encountered Nero the despot. In each case, the opponents were stronger from the human point of view. There was no way they could deal with these opponents in the energy of the flesh, or with the human nature.
DAVID KNEW THIS WAS THE CASE, and thus gave glory to God by crediting survival to God being "on our side." The New Covenant way of saying this is, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31). One might counter that Cain killed Abel, Herod killed John the Baptist and James, the Jewish council stoned Stephen, and Nero martyred both Peter and Paul. However, as with Pilate against Jesus, they could have had no power at all unless it was given them "from above" (John 19:11). All of these saints had finished their work, and were indestructible until it was accomplished.
OUR TEXT DOES NOT SAY believers will never suffer from their enemies. It DOES say if God was not on our side, they would swallow us up "quickly," or without any delay. If the Lord was not with us, every flare-up among our enemies would result in our harm. They could move against us at will, frustrating our labors and driving us into oblivion. Every flood would overwhelm us if God was not with us, and every opposing stream become a deluge in which we would drown. Every time the waters of circumstance swelled, and things became difficult, we would be overwhelmed – if the Lord was not on our side.
HERE IS A GOOD PLACE TO REASON – to view life from the standpoint of Divine affirmation. If the floods have NOT overwhelmed us – if we have NOT ceased to trust – then God is with us! If our enemies have NOT been able to get rid of us, God is with us. In such a case, our work is not finished, and the Lord will surely sustain us until it IS completed. How blessed to consider God being "with us."
– Given O. Blakely
THROUGHOUT HISTORY, men have arisen against the people of God. It all began when Cain rose up against Abel (Gen 4:8). Ishmael mocked Isaac (Gen 21:9). Esau opposed Jacob (Gen 27:41). Joseph's brethren opposed him (Gen 37:4). All of those oppositions came from within the domestic family! But there were also adversaries from without. Goliath opposed David (1 Sam 17:42-43), Sennacherib came against Hezekiah (2 Kgs 19), and Jezebel against Elijah (1 Kgs 19:2). A wicked Jewish council opposed Peter and John (Acts 4:6-7), Ephesian business men opposed Paul (Acts 19:24-27), and Diotrephes, a professed leader in the church, opposed John (3 John 9-10). Let there be no question about it, those who side with God will be opposed by the world. As our Lord said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:18-19).
IN OUR TEXT, the Psalmist assessed the oppositions that arose because of identity with the Lord through faith. He knew very well that, person-to-person, their enemies are generally stronger and more numerous than believers themselves. Some who boast of self strength simply have never knowingly faced a fierce and crafty opponent. Pharaoh opposed Moses, Daniel faced Nebuchadnezzar, John the Baptist confronted Herod, and Paul encountered Nero the despot. In each case, the opponents were stronger from the human point of view. There was no way they could deal with these opponents in the energy of the flesh, or with the human nature.
DAVID KNEW THIS WAS THE CASE, and thus gave glory to God by crediting survival to God being "on our side." The New Covenant way of saying this is, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31). One might counter that Cain killed Abel, Herod killed John the Baptist and James, the Jewish council stoned Stephen, and Nero martyred both Peter and Paul. However, as with Pilate against Jesus, they could have had no power at all unless it was given them "from above" (John 19:11). All of these saints had finished their work, and were indestructible until it was accomplished.
OUR TEXT DOES NOT SAY believers will never suffer from their enemies. It DOES say if God was not on our side, they would swallow us up "quickly," or without any delay. If the Lord was not with us, every flare-up among our enemies would result in our harm. They could move against us at will, frustrating our labors and driving us into oblivion. Every flood would overwhelm us if God was not with us, and every opposing stream become a deluge in which we would drown. Every time the waters of circumstance swelled, and things became difficult, we would be overwhelmed – if the Lord was not on our side.
HERE IS A GOOD PLACE TO REASON – to view life from the standpoint of Divine affirmation. If the floods have NOT overwhelmed us – if we have NOT ceased to trust – then God is with us! If our enemies have NOT been able to get rid of us, God is with us. In such a case, our work is not finished, and the Lord will surely sustain us until it IS completed. How blessed to consider God being "with us."
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, July 24, 2009
WHERE THE ASHES ARE POURED OUT
"Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt." (Lev 4:12)
UNDER THE LAW, provisions were made for a "anointed priest" [high priest] who sinned, "bringing guilt upon the people" (4:3). In particular, these were sins "of ignorance," or unintentional sins (4:2). Their effect, however, was that the people were led into the same sins, thus bringing "guilt upon the people." Sin does have a tendency to spread. The procedures for dealing with this kind of sin were very detailed. The priest was to (1) bring a young bullock without blemish for a sin offering. (2) The bullock was to be brought to the door of the tabernacle. (3) The hand of the priest was to be put upon the head of the bullock, and it was to be killed "before the Lord." (4) The priest took the blood of the bullock and, with his finger, and sprinkled it before the separating veil seven times. (5) Some of the blood was put on the horns of the altar of incense. (6) The remainder of the blood was to be poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt offerings. (7) All of the fat was removed from the bullock, together with both kidneys and the lobe of the liver, and burned on the altar of burnt offering. The skin of the bullock, together with the head, legs, entrails, and offal were to be carried outside of the camp to a place that was ceremonially clean. Our text specifies that place to be "where the ashes are poured out." There the remainder of the bullock was to be burned "on wood with fire" (4:3-12).
THE "ASHES" OF REFERENCE were from the sin offering, and were to be carried outside of the camp to a ceremonially clean place (Lev 6:10-11). This was also the procedure to be followed when a "red heifer" was offered to the Lord for sin (Num 19:9-10). These ashes speak of an effective sacrifice that was made once, and could not be made again. The ashes of what was offered to the Lord could not be kept within the camp. Further, what remained of following sacrifices had to be burned where the ashes of the first sacrifice were poured.
THE PROCEDURE SPEAKS TO US of our approach offering to the Lord. What is given to Him must not be kept by us, as though it was owned by us. Whether it is our bodies (Rom 12:1-2), our minds (Rom 7:25), our will (1 Cor 9:17), or our possessions (Heb 13:16), we must take what remains of those things to where the remembrance of the greater sacrifice of Christ can be found. Our sacrifice is made acceptable upon the "ashes," so to speak, of Christ's sacrifice.
EACH BELIEVER SHOULD make a place in his heart – a clean place that does not compete with worldly interests – where the spiritual "ashes" of Christ's atoning sacrifice are recalled with vividness and power. When relinquishing our hold upon what we give to the Lord, that is where we should go: where the ashes have been poured out.
IN THIS WAY, we will fulfill part of the requirements God has specified in Hebrews 13:13. "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." That text refers back to the text in Hebrews 13:15 – "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
OUR TEXT (Lev 4:12) is a depiction in type of cutting loose from the world, and identifying with ashes! Once the bullock was burned, it could only be serviceable to God. It had no more earthly use. If you are able to see it, there is something in that procedure for you.
– Given O. Blakely
UNDER THE LAW, provisions were made for a "anointed priest" [high priest] who sinned, "bringing guilt upon the people" (4:3). In particular, these were sins "of ignorance," or unintentional sins (4:2). Their effect, however, was that the people were led into the same sins, thus bringing "guilt upon the people." Sin does have a tendency to spread. The procedures for dealing with this kind of sin were very detailed. The priest was to (1) bring a young bullock without blemish for a sin offering. (2) The bullock was to be brought to the door of the tabernacle. (3) The hand of the priest was to be put upon the head of the bullock, and it was to be killed "before the Lord." (4) The priest took the blood of the bullock and, with his finger, and sprinkled it before the separating veil seven times. (5) Some of the blood was put on the horns of the altar of incense. (6) The remainder of the blood was to be poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt offerings. (7) All of the fat was removed from the bullock, together with both kidneys and the lobe of the liver, and burned on the altar of burnt offering. The skin of the bullock, together with the head, legs, entrails, and offal were to be carried outside of the camp to a place that was ceremonially clean. Our text specifies that place to be "where the ashes are poured out." There the remainder of the bullock was to be burned "on wood with fire" (4:3-12).
THE "ASHES" OF REFERENCE were from the sin offering, and were to be carried outside of the camp to a ceremonially clean place (Lev 6:10-11). This was also the procedure to be followed when a "red heifer" was offered to the Lord for sin (Num 19:9-10). These ashes speak of an effective sacrifice that was made once, and could not be made again. The ashes of what was offered to the Lord could not be kept within the camp. Further, what remained of following sacrifices had to be burned where the ashes of the first sacrifice were poured.
THE PROCEDURE SPEAKS TO US of our approach offering to the Lord. What is given to Him must not be kept by us, as though it was owned by us. Whether it is our bodies (Rom 12:1-2), our minds (Rom 7:25), our will (1 Cor 9:17), or our possessions (Heb 13:16), we must take what remains of those things to where the remembrance of the greater sacrifice of Christ can be found. Our sacrifice is made acceptable upon the "ashes," so to speak, of Christ's sacrifice.
EACH BELIEVER SHOULD make a place in his heart – a clean place that does not compete with worldly interests – where the spiritual "ashes" of Christ's atoning sacrifice are recalled with vividness and power. When relinquishing our hold upon what we give to the Lord, that is where we should go: where the ashes have been poured out.
IN THIS WAY, we will fulfill part of the requirements God has specified in Hebrews 13:13. "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." That text refers back to the text in Hebrews 13:15 – "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
OUR TEXT (Lev 4:12) is a depiction in type of cutting loose from the world, and identifying with ashes! Once the bullock was burned, it could only be serviceable to God. It had no more earthly use. If you are able to see it, there is something in that procedure for you.
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
WHEN ENEMIES ARE GRIEVED
"When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel." (Nehemiah 2:10)
SOME PEOPLE HAVE LIVED in especially difficult times. Nehemiah was such an one. He did not work in the land of Israel, but in a heathen palace (Neh 1:1). He was not privileged to serve a Israelite king, but served wine to a Persian king (Neh 2:1). What few people remained in Israel were afflicted and reproached. The walls of the holy city Jerusalem had been broken down, and its gates burned with fire (Neh 1:3). It was certainly a depressing time to live – at least from an earthly point of view.
NEHEMIAH WAS DETERMINED TO GO TO THE LORD about the circumstances of his time. He prayed fervently that the Lord would "prosper" him, and grant him favor in the eyes of king Artaxerxes, whom he served (Neh 1:7-11). On one occasion, when the king saw Nehemiah was sad, and knowing that was most unusual, the king asked the prophet the reason for his sadness. Nehemiah told him news of Jerusalem lying waste and its gates being burned with fire had caused this sadness. When asked what could be done about it, Nehemiah asked him to send him back to Judah, to rebuild the city of his father's sepulchers (2:1-5). The king then asked how long the journey was, and when he would return. Nehemiah provided the information, and a time was set for the expedition. He then asked the king for special letters to governors who could assist him in his journey, and to the keeper of the king's forest, that he might supply timbers for the restoration work (2:6-8). His petition was granted.
NEWS OF THE RECONSTRUCTION expedition got back to the land, and brought grief to certain enemies. Two are especially mentioned: Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the Ammonite. Sanballat was probably from Horonaim, and a Moabite by birth. Tobiah was a servant of the king of Persia. They had obviously exploited the feeble Jews who remained in the land. After receiving word the coming of Nehemiah, "they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites" (NIV). They seemed to sense that strong Israelites would bring jeopardy to them. As long as the people of God were weak and discouraged, these two heathen could work more openly and freely.
NOTICE HOW THE WELFARE OF THE ISRAELITES" was to be accomplished. It was by building the holy city, rebuilding the walls, and reestablishing the gates of the city.IT IS STILL DISPLEASING to the enemies of God when someone seeks the welfare of God's people – when someone comes to strengthen the church, which is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:15) – rebuild the walls and bulwarks of salvation (Isa 26:1), and reestablish the gates through which blessings come. Satan knows his kingdom is decidedly diminished when the people of God are strong, and their welfare is eagerly sought.
THERE ARE STILL SANBALLAT AND TOBIAH'S who are grieved with holy messengers and godly builders. They would rather leave the city of God in shambles, the walls of salvation in ruin, and the gates of blessing in disarray. They care nothing for a devastated city, weak and discouraged saints, and the dominance of hopelessness. But God DOES care. He will raise up men and women like Nehemiah who lament over the condition of an impoverished church, and seek grace to seek its welfare. God be praised when they come to us!
– Given O. Blakely
SOME PEOPLE HAVE LIVED in especially difficult times. Nehemiah was such an one. He did not work in the land of Israel, but in a heathen palace (Neh 1:1). He was not privileged to serve a Israelite king, but served wine to a Persian king (Neh 2:1). What few people remained in Israel were afflicted and reproached. The walls of the holy city Jerusalem had been broken down, and its gates burned with fire (Neh 1:3). It was certainly a depressing time to live – at least from an earthly point of view.
NEHEMIAH WAS DETERMINED TO GO TO THE LORD about the circumstances of his time. He prayed fervently that the Lord would "prosper" him, and grant him favor in the eyes of king Artaxerxes, whom he served (Neh 1:7-11). On one occasion, when the king saw Nehemiah was sad, and knowing that was most unusual, the king asked the prophet the reason for his sadness. Nehemiah told him news of Jerusalem lying waste and its gates being burned with fire had caused this sadness. When asked what could be done about it, Nehemiah asked him to send him back to Judah, to rebuild the city of his father's sepulchers (2:1-5). The king then asked how long the journey was, and when he would return. Nehemiah provided the information, and a time was set for the expedition. He then asked the king for special letters to governors who could assist him in his journey, and to the keeper of the king's forest, that he might supply timbers for the restoration work (2:6-8). His petition was granted.
NEWS OF THE RECONSTRUCTION expedition got back to the land, and brought grief to certain enemies. Two are especially mentioned: Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the Ammonite. Sanballat was probably from Horonaim, and a Moabite by birth. Tobiah was a servant of the king of Persia. They had obviously exploited the feeble Jews who remained in the land. After receiving word the coming of Nehemiah, "they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites" (NIV). They seemed to sense that strong Israelites would bring jeopardy to them. As long as the people of God were weak and discouraged, these two heathen could work more openly and freely.
NOTICE HOW THE WELFARE OF THE ISRAELITES" was to be accomplished. It was by building the holy city, rebuilding the walls, and reestablishing the gates of the city.IT IS STILL DISPLEASING to the enemies of God when someone seeks the welfare of God's people – when someone comes to strengthen the church, which is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:15) – rebuild the walls and bulwarks of salvation (Isa 26:1), and reestablish the gates through which blessings come. Satan knows his kingdom is decidedly diminished when the people of God are strong, and their welfare is eagerly sought.
THERE ARE STILL SANBALLAT AND TOBIAH'S who are grieved with holy messengers and godly builders. They would rather leave the city of God in shambles, the walls of salvation in ruin, and the gates of blessing in disarray. They care nothing for a devastated city, weak and discouraged saints, and the dominance of hopelessness. But God DOES care. He will raise up men and women like Nehemiah who lament over the condition of an impoverished church, and seek grace to seek its welfare. God be praised when they come to us!
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
GOD MAKES US ADEQUATE
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up" (Psalm 18:32-35)
WHEN THE NATURE AND REQUIREMENTS of spiritual life burst upon our conscience, we will find reason to be thankful for the adequacy provided in Christ Jesus. The places we are required to occupy are too lofty for natural abilities. The battles we are exhorted to fight are too demanding for the flesh. Our enemies are too formidable to be faced in the energy of flesh and blood. We require supernatural provisions – enablements that come from God alone. This Psalm announces God has provided such things, making us equal to the demands of spiritual life.
GIRDED WITH STRENGTH. To be "girded" is to be compassed with, or have something bound to you. In this case, Divine strength is wed to our persons, making us personally able to do things we could not do before. This is power to withstand evil, make advance, and obtain good.
OUR WAY MADE PERFECT. A way that is "perfect" is one marked by integrity and flawless character. It is one that is upright, spotless, and passes the test of Divine scrutiny. Such a person is not condemned by God, and will receive His blessing and approbation.
FEET LIKE HINDS' FEET. A hind was a form of mountain goat – an animal that occupied high and treacherous places. Its feet were adapted to these risky realms, so that it could walk about with safety and confidence. In fact, its enemies could not go where the hind went. His feet were, in a manner of speaking, his protection. In this respect, God has not only placed us in "heavenly places" (Eph 2:6), but made us able to navigate in those realms, obtaining the blessings that are found there, and there alone (Eph 1:3).
SET ON HIGH PLACES. High places were habitations of safety. Isaiah referred to such realms as "the munitions of rocks" (Isa 33:16) – a fortress of unshakable protection. From these "high places" we can clearly see and repel the advancement of the enemy. They are a place of safety and security, where the fear of the enemy is dissipated.
TAUGHT TO WAR. Just as in the realm of flesh and blood, spiritual warriors must be "taught to war." The tactics of earthly warfare do not apply to the good fight of faith. In Jesus we confront an unseen foe, and eternity is at stake. The Lord must teach us how to wage this war, for it is not "against flesh and blood." Rather, we are fighting against staggering spiritual forces that have dominated the world (Eph 6:12). The wisdom of men has no use in this war.
THE SHIELD OF SALVATION. The salvation of God is not only for deliverance, it is also for protection. Just as it effectively deals with the past, so it successfully addresses the present and the future. With all of his craftiness, Satan cannot get past salvation. It is a bulwark he cannot destroy.
HELD UP BY HIS RIGHT HAND. Even when the believer's battle is fierce and relentless, God is able to "make him stand" (Rom 14:4). When your strength runs out, His comes in. By saying "right hand," the loving preference of God is emphasized. He upholds you because He WANTS to!
WHAT A MARVELOUS ADEQUACY is found in Christ Jesus! You have good reason to be "strong in faith, giving glory to God."
– Given O. Blakely
WHEN THE NATURE AND REQUIREMENTS of spiritual life burst upon our conscience, we will find reason to be thankful for the adequacy provided in Christ Jesus. The places we are required to occupy are too lofty for natural abilities. The battles we are exhorted to fight are too demanding for the flesh. Our enemies are too formidable to be faced in the energy of flesh and blood. We require supernatural provisions – enablements that come from God alone. This Psalm announces God has provided such things, making us equal to the demands of spiritual life.
GIRDED WITH STRENGTH. To be "girded" is to be compassed with, or have something bound to you. In this case, Divine strength is wed to our persons, making us personally able to do things we could not do before. This is power to withstand evil, make advance, and obtain good.
OUR WAY MADE PERFECT. A way that is "perfect" is one marked by integrity and flawless character. It is one that is upright, spotless, and passes the test of Divine scrutiny. Such a person is not condemned by God, and will receive His blessing and approbation.
FEET LIKE HINDS' FEET. A hind was a form of mountain goat – an animal that occupied high and treacherous places. Its feet were adapted to these risky realms, so that it could walk about with safety and confidence. In fact, its enemies could not go where the hind went. His feet were, in a manner of speaking, his protection. In this respect, God has not only placed us in "heavenly places" (Eph 2:6), but made us able to navigate in those realms, obtaining the blessings that are found there, and there alone (Eph 1:3).
SET ON HIGH PLACES. High places were habitations of safety. Isaiah referred to such realms as "the munitions of rocks" (Isa 33:16) – a fortress of unshakable protection. From these "high places" we can clearly see and repel the advancement of the enemy. They are a place of safety and security, where the fear of the enemy is dissipated.
TAUGHT TO WAR. Just as in the realm of flesh and blood, spiritual warriors must be "taught to war." The tactics of earthly warfare do not apply to the good fight of faith. In Jesus we confront an unseen foe, and eternity is at stake. The Lord must teach us how to wage this war, for it is not "against flesh and blood." Rather, we are fighting against staggering spiritual forces that have dominated the world (Eph 6:12). The wisdom of men has no use in this war.
THE SHIELD OF SALVATION. The salvation of God is not only for deliverance, it is also for protection. Just as it effectively deals with the past, so it successfully addresses the present and the future. With all of his craftiness, Satan cannot get past salvation. It is a bulwark he cannot destroy.
HELD UP BY HIS RIGHT HAND. Even when the believer's battle is fierce and relentless, God is able to "make him stand" (Rom 14:4). When your strength runs out, His comes in. By saying "right hand," the loving preference of God is emphasized. He upholds you because He WANTS to!
WHAT A MARVELOUS ADEQUACY is found in Christ Jesus! You have good reason to be "strong in faith, giving glory to God."
– Given O. Blakely
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