"When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men . . . And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph 4:8,11-12)
OUR TEXT DECLARES what the Lord Jesus did after He ascended up on high, "leading captivity captive" (4:8). High above this present evil world, and out of the reach of the devil, He now "fills all things." There is no arena where His dominating influence is not found – no area where He does not rule. Everything is under His authority, and all power in heaven and earth has been given to Him (Matt 28;18). He has "power over all flesh" (John 17:2). Jesus is "on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him" (1 Pet 3:22). What will He do with this power? Where will His concentration be found? Our text affirms He "gave gifts unto men" (4:8). Those gifts are listed in order of priority, and with the ultimate purpose of God in mind. The gifts were people – redeemed personalities that would carry out Divine intent. They included apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers. All of them are instructing gifts. The Apostles received the initial insight and message. Prophets speak with insight into God's purpose. Evangelists proclaim the Gospel with insight and power. Pastor/teachers lead and feed, bringing stability to those in Christ. Why did Jesus do this? What is His purpose in doing so?
THE FIRST AND FOREMOST ACTIVITY in this world is the building up of the body of Christ. Every spiritual gift was given for this purpose (Eph 4:11-16; 1 Cor 12:7), as our text affirms. The Scriptures themselves are given for this intent: "that THE MAN OF GOD might be perfect" (2 Tim 3:16-17). This is the thrust of the Holy Spirit's intercession for "US" (Rom 8:26). It is also the exclusive focus of Christ's intercession: "FOR US," and "THEM THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM" (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). The most precise expression of Christ's love relates to the church: He "loved THE CHURCH and gave Himself FOR IT" (Eph 5:25). Only the church has unreserved access to God, to obtain mercy and find grace in the time of need (Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18; 3:12; Heb 4:15-16). Jesus is the High Priest for the church (Heb 3:1; 6:20). Only the church is "the body of Christ" (1 Cor 12:23), the "people of God" (Heb 4:9), "heirs of God," and "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). They alone are being saved "by His life" (Rom 5:10). They alone will "meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess 4:17). They are the only ones for whom God working all things together for good (Rom 8:28).
THIS BY NO MEANS deprecates preaching the Gospel "to every creature" (Mk 16:16) or making"disciples of all nations" (Matt 28:19). But when it comes to the emphasis – the thrust – of heavenly activity, it is toward the church! Every spiritual gift is "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph 4:11-12). Holy angels minister to the "heirs of salvation" (Heb 1:13-14). The "inheritance" is "reserved" for them in heaven, and they alone are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet 1:5). These are "the people of God" (1 Pet 2:10), "the children of God" (Gal 3:26), "the sons of God" (1 John 3:1-2), and "the beloved of God" (Rom 1:7). It is in our best interest to have the same focus as our God – to engage in the same primary activity as the Son of God. Proper emphasis is everything!
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
UNITY CAN BE A SIN!
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psa 133:1)
IT IS A BLESSING FOR "brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psa 133). In that very environment God "commands the blessing, even life for evermore" (v 3). That is the ultimate blessing in this world – one that is "commanded." It is not commanded TO us, but UPON us. No wonder dwelling together in unity is both "good and pleasant."
HOWEVER, IT IS NOT A BLESSING when unity is in the flesh, with the Person of Christ and the purpose of God, pushed into the background. A case in point is the attempt to build a tower in "a plain in the land of Shinar." What a construction project that was! It dwarfed building projects of our time. It was also undertaken by a united people. The people had "one language and one speech," and therefore could communicate effectively. They were deliberate in their plans, determining to make brick, bake them thoroughly, and use asphalt for mortar. Their project would have been a marvel to modern motivators and organizational experts. They would surely have been held up as the ultimate model of success.
THE EFFORT EVEN DREW THE ATTENTION of God Almighty. After all, it is not often that you find a united people determined to actually DO something. Considering the harmony and resoluteness among them, surely, the Lord will find something of value in this endeavor.
BUT THE LORD WAS NOT WELL PLEASED with what He saw. True, the people were "one," and had embarked upon an impressive and well-planned project. But their purpose was sinful. It was, they themselves acknowledged, to "make us a name" for themselves. The great God was not in their thoughts. In fact, they imagined they would derive protection and invincibility as a result of their work. Their's was a godless frame of mind.
THE LORD DETERMINED THEIR WORK would be aborted. His words are arresting, and conducive to sober thought. "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." It is written that as soon as the people could not understand each other, "the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city." The name of that place is called Babel, for it was there that the language of the people became confused (Gen 11:1-10).
TODAY, THE CHURCH IS EXPERIENCING a similar confusion and scattering. Those wearing the name of Christ cannot understand each other, for their speech has been confused. From one perspective, it appears as though Kingdom-building has ground to a halt in preference for earthly, and more visible, goals. Could it be that the Lord is not pleased with the direction Christendom, for want of a better term, has taken? Is it possible that He has confused the language of the people as He did in the Plain of Shinar? Remember, God Himself affirmed nothing the people purposed would be withheld from them because they were "one." What do you suppose would happen if the people of God set their affection on things above, and united in their determination to "obtain the prize?" What if "Christians" decided to work together for the Lord? That is certainly something to think about!
– Given O. Blakely
IT IS A BLESSING FOR "brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psa 133). In that very environment God "commands the blessing, even life for evermore" (v 3). That is the ultimate blessing in this world – one that is "commanded." It is not commanded TO us, but UPON us. No wonder dwelling together in unity is both "good and pleasant."
HOWEVER, IT IS NOT A BLESSING when unity is in the flesh, with the Person of Christ and the purpose of God, pushed into the background. A case in point is the attempt to build a tower in "a plain in the land of Shinar." What a construction project that was! It dwarfed building projects of our time. It was also undertaken by a united people. The people had "one language and one speech," and therefore could communicate effectively. They were deliberate in their plans, determining to make brick, bake them thoroughly, and use asphalt for mortar. Their project would have been a marvel to modern motivators and organizational experts. They would surely have been held up as the ultimate model of success.
THE EFFORT EVEN DREW THE ATTENTION of God Almighty. After all, it is not often that you find a united people determined to actually DO something. Considering the harmony and resoluteness among them, surely, the Lord will find something of value in this endeavor.
BUT THE LORD WAS NOT WELL PLEASED with what He saw. True, the people were "one," and had embarked upon an impressive and well-planned project. But their purpose was sinful. It was, they themselves acknowledged, to "make us a name" for themselves. The great God was not in their thoughts. In fact, they imagined they would derive protection and invincibility as a result of their work. Their's was a godless frame of mind.
THE LORD DETERMINED THEIR WORK would be aborted. His words are arresting, and conducive to sober thought. "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." It is written that as soon as the people could not understand each other, "the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city." The name of that place is called Babel, for it was there that the language of the people became confused (Gen 11:1-10).
TODAY, THE CHURCH IS EXPERIENCING a similar confusion and scattering. Those wearing the name of Christ cannot understand each other, for their speech has been confused. From one perspective, it appears as though Kingdom-building has ground to a halt in preference for earthly, and more visible, goals. Could it be that the Lord is not pleased with the direction Christendom, for want of a better term, has taken? Is it possible that He has confused the language of the people as He did in the Plain of Shinar? Remember, God Himself affirmed nothing the people purposed would be withheld from them because they were "one." What do you suppose would happen if the people of God set their affection on things above, and united in their determination to "obtain the prize?" What if "Christians" decided to work together for the Lord? That is certainly something to think about!
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
NOT OF THE HOUSE
"But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim 3:15)
THE "HOUSE OF GOD" is His household, or family. It is the body of the redeemed, among whom He dwells, and in whom He works (Phil 2:13). There is a sense in which this is a house within a house – that is, according to outward appearance, the house does not look to be as it really is.
IT IS POSSIBLE to be in the house, but really not be part of it – to be in an environment in which one does not really belong. In this case, the important thing is not belonging to the group, but having the character that is appropriate for that group. Some examples will suffice.
CAIN IS DESCRIBED AS ONE "who was of the wicked one" (1 John 3:12). He was the devil's man, and yet was the brother of Abel, living in the same household. His character was so diverse from that of his brother, that he killed him (Gen 4:8; 1 John 3:12). He was the elder brother of righteous Abel, had the same parents, yet was different. He was in the house, but was not of it.
ISHMAEL WAS A SON OF ABRAHAM, and for a while lived in the same house with Isaac, who was the "child of promise" (Gal 4:28). He grew up in the same house, yet had a variant spirit. He was "circumcised" like Abraham (Gen 17:25-26). He even joined Isaac in burying their father Abraham (Gen 25:9). Yet, after Isaac was "weaned," Ishmael mocked him, proving himself unworthy of living in Abraham's house. He was "cast out," because he could not be "heir with the child of the freewoman" (Gal 4:30). He was in the house, but was not of it.
ESAU WAS THE TWIN BROTHER OF JACOB, with whom God was identified. He lived in the womb with his brother, had the same father and mother as Jacob, and was raised in the same house. He was even the older of the twins, thereby being given the birthright. Yet Esau was a "profane person, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright" (Heb 12:16). God said of him, "Esau have I hated" (Rom 9:13). He was in the house, but was not of it.
NADAB AND ABIHU were the sons of "Aaron, the saint of the Lord" (Psa 106:16). They were raised in his house. Early, they were given the privilege of joining Aaron and seventy of the elders of Israel in worshiping the Lord (Ex 24:1). Together with Moses, "they saw the God of Israel" (Ex 24:9). Yet, they were slain by God for defiling His altar with "strange fire" (Num 26:61). They were in the house, but were not of it.
JUDAS WAS CHOSEN BY JESUS to be an Apostle (Matt 10:1-4). He was even the treasurer of the small elite group (John 13:29). He is called "Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve" (Mk 14:10,43). He was among "the twelve" to whom Jesus revealed His death and resurrection (Matt 20:17). He sat with Jesus and the others at the last supper (Matt 26:20-21). He was among "the twelve" to whom Jesus explained parables (Mk 4:10-11). He heard Jesus preach (Lk 8:1), and was even sent with the other disciples to preach, heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons (Matt 10:5-8). Yet Judas was "a devil" (diabolos). He was even a thief (John 12:5), and finally betrayed the Lord (Matt 10:4). He was in the house, but was not of it.
SADLY, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE who are presently identified with "the church," who are not really a part of it. In a way, they are intruders. It is our business to see to it we are not in their number. It is essential that we not only be IN the house, but that we be OF the house.
THIS BRINGS TO LIGHT the significance of the statement, "but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end" (Heb 3:6). That criteria is rarely declared in our time, but it needs to be. It is a revealed truth. How about you? Are you in the house? And do you really belong there? This is a house with present and eternal benefits. Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5).
– Given O. Blakely
THE "HOUSE OF GOD" is His household, or family. It is the body of the redeemed, among whom He dwells, and in whom He works (Phil 2:13). There is a sense in which this is a house within a house – that is, according to outward appearance, the house does not look to be as it really is.
IT IS POSSIBLE to be in the house, but really not be part of it – to be in an environment in which one does not really belong. In this case, the important thing is not belonging to the group, but having the character that is appropriate for that group. Some examples will suffice.
CAIN IS DESCRIBED AS ONE "who was of the wicked one" (1 John 3:12). He was the devil's man, and yet was the brother of Abel, living in the same household. His character was so diverse from that of his brother, that he killed him (Gen 4:8; 1 John 3:12). He was the elder brother of righteous Abel, had the same parents, yet was different. He was in the house, but was not of it.
ISHMAEL WAS A SON OF ABRAHAM, and for a while lived in the same house with Isaac, who was the "child of promise" (Gal 4:28). He grew up in the same house, yet had a variant spirit. He was "circumcised" like Abraham (Gen 17:25-26). He even joined Isaac in burying their father Abraham (Gen 25:9). Yet, after Isaac was "weaned," Ishmael mocked him, proving himself unworthy of living in Abraham's house. He was "cast out," because he could not be "heir with the child of the freewoman" (Gal 4:30). He was in the house, but was not of it.
ESAU WAS THE TWIN BROTHER OF JACOB, with whom God was identified. He lived in the womb with his brother, had the same father and mother as Jacob, and was raised in the same house. He was even the older of the twins, thereby being given the birthright. Yet Esau was a "profane person, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright" (Heb 12:16). God said of him, "Esau have I hated" (Rom 9:13). He was in the house, but was not of it.
NADAB AND ABIHU were the sons of "Aaron, the saint of the Lord" (Psa 106:16). They were raised in his house. Early, they were given the privilege of joining Aaron and seventy of the elders of Israel in worshiping the Lord (Ex 24:1). Together with Moses, "they saw the God of Israel" (Ex 24:9). Yet, they were slain by God for defiling His altar with "strange fire" (Num 26:61). They were in the house, but were not of it.
JUDAS WAS CHOSEN BY JESUS to be an Apostle (Matt 10:1-4). He was even the treasurer of the small elite group (John 13:29). He is called "Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve" (Mk 14:10,43). He was among "the twelve" to whom Jesus revealed His death and resurrection (Matt 20:17). He sat with Jesus and the others at the last supper (Matt 26:20-21). He was among "the twelve" to whom Jesus explained parables (Mk 4:10-11). He heard Jesus preach (Lk 8:1), and was even sent with the other disciples to preach, heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons (Matt 10:5-8). Yet Judas was "a devil" (diabolos). He was even a thief (John 12:5), and finally betrayed the Lord (Matt 10:4). He was in the house, but was not of it.
SADLY, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE who are presently identified with "the church," who are not really a part of it. In a way, they are intruders. It is our business to see to it we are not in their number. It is essential that we not only be IN the house, but that we be OF the house.
THIS BRINGS TO LIGHT the significance of the statement, "but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end" (Heb 3:6). That criteria is rarely declared in our time, but it needs to be. It is a revealed truth. How about you? Are you in the house? And do you really belong there? This is a house with present and eternal benefits. Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5).
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, August 3, 2009
REFERENCES TO EGYPT
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
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
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
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