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Tag: israel

  • Our Lament and Weeping -2- Judgment

    Our Lament and Weeping -2- Judgment

    Previously, we asked of Jeremiah’s lament for Jerusalem, “For what hope have any who have turned against the Lord?” He has just said, “For my groans are many, and I am sick at heart. – Lamentations 1:22b And now his elegy will address a just judgment on Jerusalem by the Lord.

    Judgment on Jerusalem

    Lamentations 2

    אֵיכָה֩ יָעִ֨יב בְּאַפּ֤וֹ׀ אֲדֹנָי֙ אֶת־בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן הִשְׁלִ֤יךְ מִשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔רֶץ תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹא־זָכַ֥ר הֲדֹם־רַגְלָ֖יו בְּי֥וֹם אַפּֽוֹ׃ ס

    איכה 2 The Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

    The Lord [אֲדֹנָי ‘Adonay] has overshadowed Daughter Zion with his anger!

    How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion
    with a cloud in his anger,
    and cast down from heaven unto the earth
    the beauty of Israel,
    and remembered not his footstool
    in the day of his anger!

    Lamentations 2:3 AKJV

    His daughter is Zion, Jerusalem, ‘the parched place.’ She receives the cloud of His anger over her beauty, as if she had never dwelled in the Light of His heavenly Throne as His beloved footstool. She no longer worships Him!

    2 … In his wrath he has demolished the fortified cities of Daughter Judah…

    Judgment on all of Judah

    And now another beloved daughter. So the Lord punishes not only Jerusalem but all of Judah. He cut off ‘all the horn of Israel,’ its strength and its rays of light on the high places.

    ה He
    5 The Lord is like an enemy;
    he has swallowed up Israel.
    He swallowed up all its palaces
    and destroyed its fortified cities.
    He has multiplied mourning and lamentation
    within Daughter Judah.

    ו Waw
    6 He has wrecked his temple
    as if it were merely a shack in a field,
    destroying his place of meeting.
    The Lord has abolished
    appointed festivals and Sabbaths in Zion.
    He has despised king and priest
    in his fierce anger.

    ז Zayin
    7 The Lord has rejected his altar,
    repudiated his sanctuary;
    he has handed the walls of her palaces
    over to the enemy.

    Can you imagine this happening to our nation, our religious and political leaders and to the security of our homes and families today?

    Jeremiah describes the dismay of their leaders.

    י Yod
    10 The elders of Daughter Zion
    sit on the ground in silence.
    They have thrown dust on their heads
    and put on sackcloth….

    Then Jeremiah points back to their former sin of hearing false prophets who predict with deceptive visions and do not mention our iniquities. Yet he laments, “Who can heal you?” So this is his intercession on their behalf.

    Hope through God’s Mercy

    I am the man who has seen affliction
    under the rod of God’s wrath.
    He has driven me away and forced me to walk
    in darkness instead of light.

    Lamentations 3:1-2

    Jeremiah recalls his own suffering when leaders of Jerusalem and all of Judah and Israel refused to listen to the Lord’s warnings spoken by him. And he asks for God’s mercy.

    19 Remember my affliction and my homelessness,
    the wormwood and the poison.

    Then he prays: “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” He then encourages others to hope in the Lord, even in their distress.

    Waiting for Judgment

    ט Teth
    25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the person who seeks him.
    26 It is good to wait quietly
    for salvation from the Lord.

    Can you wait for the Lord in your suffering?

    Sin so often destroys us – the sin of others and our own sin. Do you listen to the rebukes of the Lord before your fall?

    Listen to some of Jeremiah’s encouragement, even in this lament.

    28 Let him sit alone and be silent, for God has disciplined him. 30 … let him be filled with disgrace.

    How we take an attitude against the Lord and against any who suggest that who ought to endure deserved scorn and reproach.

    We refuse to be shamed for punishment we rightfully deserve. Yet He will judge – He will judge if we protest our rebuke and He will judge even when we sit silently hoping in our Redeemer. May the Lord have mercy on us.

    Unless the Lord has ordained it

    מ Mem
    37 Who is there who speaks and it happens,
    unless the Lord has ordained it?
    38 Do not both adversity and good
    come from the mouth of the Most High?
    39 Why should any living person complain,
    any man, because of the punishment for his sins?

    Jeremiah’s question to fallen Israel could well apply to one fallen in our own sin today.

    So sit alone, be silent and consider the Lord’s discipline.

    Even we do not willingly allow our deserved shame and disgrace. Neither will we sorrowfully thank Christ for carrying our reproach to the Cross.

    I called on your name, Lord,
    from the depths of the pit.
    You heard my plea:
    Do not ignore my cry for relief.

    Lamentations 3:55-56 CSB

    59 Lord, you saw the wrong done to me; judge my case.

    Can you ask judgment (without Christ’s grace), as Jeremiah plead?

    66 You will pursue them in anger and destroy them under your heavens.

    Will the Lord also pursue you in your sins and iniquity, overshadowing all hope of deliverance from death?

    O, contemporary christian, how like those who would not listen to Jeremiah are we, when turning from the Lord.

    To be continued...
  • Hebrews – 2 – Pay Attention

    Hebrews – 2 – Pay Attention

    προσέχω – prosechō – Pay attention!

    For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.

    Hebrews 2:1 CSB

    Does this sound familiar? (Perhaps a teacher comes to mind.)

    Take heed; beware; pay close attention and remember what I taught you before.

    We began by mentioning that the writer of Hebrews was proclaiming to fellow Jews: Jesus is the predicted Messiah. First century Jews knew their scriptures more than most Jews or Christians in these last days. Scriptural messengers included prophets and angels, but the Messiah IS the very Word of the LORD, in Person.

    Warning to Pay Attention

    Why pay attention to Scripture?

    So that we do not fall into faithlessness, so that we will not turn away from the Lord and so that we receive the promises of God made to His beloved chosen souls.

    Therefore, receive what the LORD has told us, for the sake of your eternal soul.

    We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

    Hebrews 2:1 NIV

    2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

    Consider the consequences of your neglect. Here is our conviction in legal terms.

    Logical consequence of the Law

    Legally binding in this translation from the Greek λαλέω conveys a word generally translated as ‘steadfast,’ meaning stable or firm. Law must have a basis, inviolable definition from which judgement may be made. If the LORD sends a message via an angel to a man or woman, obedience to the LORD is legally binding, as if the LORD Himself spoke the command.

    We therefore must be held accountable for our own obedience or disobedience to the LORD’S command. The Greek root παρακούω parakouō suggests logically that we may not casually or carelessly dismiss it or be unwilling to hear, i. e. on hearing to neglect, to pay no heed to the messenger. In other words, we are accountable for what Lord has delivered to us though these heavenly messengers.

    Transgressions פֶּשַׁע or trespasses more familiarly refer to violating the Law given by the LORD through Moses. But these apply generally in the same manner to mean: falling away, breaking away or turning away from what is right; violating what is good to do what is evil in the eyes of the Lord.

    Some versions call for ‘just reward,’ though the Greek meaning of ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν points to the consequences of justice bringing punishment.

    Disobedience to God, of course, is a big deal, deserving just punishment.

    How will we, the guilty escape the just punishment of the Lord?

    Israel’s sons recognized this same guilt and consequence in their treatment of Joseph.

    If we neglect

    Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.”

    Genesis 42:21 NASB

    The writer of Hebrews points his brothers in the faith, fellow Jews, to the conviction of scripture.

    Hebrews 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

    God spoke to us through angels and dreams. Yet as Apostles and disciples of the Messiah, we confirm everything from those who heard God’s Word, spoken to us in the Person of Christ Jesus.

    Quite a statement! It was confirmed to us by those who heard him, men chosen by God With Us, Immanuel עִמָּנוּאֵל.

    4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.

    He then continues by presenting the testimony of evidence, facts known to various Jewish contemporaries about the miracles of Jesus of Nazareth. Confirmation by the Holy Spirit, also witnessed in the Apostles and others after Pentecost, is also known to many first century Jewish readers. Indisputable evidence.

    Jesus and Humanity

    Of course the key evidence presented here and in the rest of the letter of Hebrews is that God came to the Jews, as promised, as a man, Redeemer and Savior. If this evidence stands the test of truth, then the Son of Man, or God In Person, is NOT subject to any authorities. In fact, angels serve Him!

    5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about.

    Once again, the writer points to the evidence of scripture. Psalm 8 in the Greek Septuagint, translated from the Hebrew.

    8:1 εἰς τὸ τέλος ὑπὲρ τῶν ληνῶν ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυιδ κύριε ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν ὡς θαυμαστὸν τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ ὅτι ἐπήρθη ἡ μεγαλοπρέπειά σου ὑπεράνω τῶν οὐρανῶν

    8:1 לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַֽל־הַגִּתִּית מִזְמֹור לְדָוִֽד׃ יְהוָה אֲדֹנֵינוּ מָֽה־אַדִּיר שִׁמְךָ בְּכָל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר תְּנָה הֹודְךָ עַל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

    Psalm 8:1 Greek SEPTUAGINT & Hebrew
    Adonai! Our Lord! How glorious
     is your name throughout the earth!

    (4) what are mere mortals, that you concern yourself with them;
     humans, that you watch over them with such care?
    (5) You made him but little lower than the angels,
     you crowned him with glory and honor,
     7 (6) you had him rule what your hands made,
     you put everything under his feet —

    Jesus, King and Lord

    What is a King? What is the Authority of a Lord?

    Important questions the writer of Hebrews addresses immediately – questions to which the answers, in truth, establish the nature of the Messiah Jesus (יְהושֻׁעַ ).

    8 and subjected everything under his feet.
    For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him.

    Hebrews 2:8, ref. to Psalm 8

    The Messiah King will be in charge of all creation! This is quite clear. Yet clearly, Jesus, having been crucified, had not taken charge of everything.

    So the writer of Hebrews presents the obvious question immediately. Why not?

    9 But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.

    Why should God suffer death?

    God’s grace for everyone — even Greeks, Romans and other gentiles?

    Yes, and grace for a remnant of Jews who will believe through Him.

    It is a topic so important to the Jew and gentile alike that we must pursue it separately as we complete this chapter.

    יָשַׁע יְהֹוָה יְהוֹשׁוּעַ

    Ἰησοῦς

    Jesus = “Jehovah is salvation”

    Strong’s G2424 – Iēsous
    Hebrews 2: To be continued 

  • Disaster From Disobedience, A Savior From Before Eden – 8

    A Savior From Before Eden

    I introduced this series about a savior, Christ Jesus, who had confirmed to the religious authorities: “Before Abraham was, I AM!” Our evidence in Disaster From Disobedience, A Savior From Before Eden – 1  points back toward Jesus, our personal savior, who was here before the first adam. 

    We then examined Adam’s relationship with God both before and after original sin. Disobedience and consequence of sin follows. Brief glances at scripture will confirm man’s disobedience to the Lord God. Just from part 1 of our series scriptures about disobedience include: Exodus, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and the Gospels of Luke and John.

    Scripture – Reading, Study & Application

    We have spent nearly a month [June 2018] just scratching the surface of man’s disobedience to God. Although I have touched on topics preceding the narrative of Genesis, we have much more to consider.

    Our most recent look at Noah brings us only to Genesis 9, on page 15 of 1804 in my HCSB. I could easily envision a ‘Disaster from Disobedience – 30,’ but this is neither a novel nor exhaustive commentary. Today our brief attention spans require both an end to this series and connection to the next. 

    I trust the Lord will lead you deeper into scripture, revealing personal application of good and evil. I encourage you to study books of the New and Old Testaments in depth. To remain obedient to the Lord, we must apply the truth of scripture to our daily lives. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

    These serial scriptural posts designed to incite specific study contain frequent links to Bible verses and study. Take a look as you read.

    Before Israel, Before Abraham and After Noah

    Moses’ five books do not and cannot explain everything. Yet in addition to creation, good and evil, sin, law and some subsequent history, parts of the Pentateuch  provide God-given foundation to scripture’s purposeful truth. I would point you to a handful of concepts not to be missed in these scriptures.

    Noah demonstrates one principle on dry land related to knowing good and evil, after the Lord’s cleansing and recreation of mankind. Although related to worship by Abel and Cain, this principle of good remains more important than any historical detail of the flood.

    The rainbow becomes symbol of the Lord’s agreement. Sacrifice by Noah to the Lord is man’s continuing evidence of faithfulness, gratitude and obedience. Worship of the Lord always requires sacrifice. And right relationship with the Lord becomes a most-personal committed relationship.

    The principle of this solemn agreement is known as covenant.

    Covenant, consequential promise to inviolable truth.

    We cannot study it in any detail here, but covenant always connects a sacrifice to an action with a sealed approval. 

    There is no good without God and no disobedience without disbelief.

    Therefore, inviolable truth always relates both to the Lord and our relationship to others of mankind.

    Truth has no foundation without God and human life no purpose without relationship to both our loving Creator and our fellow man.

    Israel, Abraham, Joseph and other Jews

    One concept important to our understanding of the Lord and promise involves the who, what, where and why of God’s chosen. It is a promised land, you  are a chosen people. Again, concepts too important to slight, yet this series’ focus is on broken promises, followed by inclusion of others in the Lord’s redemptive plan.

    (You can learn much more about God’s redemptive plan by study of adoption;  an inclusive personal demonstration of God’s love we will not explore here.)

    Moses explains nations and outlines their genealogies. Israel had been redeemed by the Lord from Egypt, where Joseph became powerful in the land. Understand that Joseph’s father Jacob holds promise of the Lord’s inheritance for his twelve sons. 

    Genesis 28:

    Isaac summoned Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him: “Don’t take a wife from the Canaanite women… 

    3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you so that you become an assembly of peoples. 4 May God give you and your offspring the blessing of Abraham so that you may possess the land where you live as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.”

    Doesn’t this blessing sound somewhat familiar, like the Lord’s command to Adam and also to Noah?

    ‘Be fruitful and multiply…”

    But Jacob is a liar and a deceiver. For he has purchased the blessing of the firstborn, Esau, who had no regard for the Lord. Now Jacob fears the fate of Abel, murdered at the hands of his brother.

    Although the Lord will drive his descendants into Egypt from the promised land, Jacob will receive an inheritance. 

    10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He reached a certain place and spent the night there because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from the place, put it there at his head, and lay down in that place…

    “I am Yahweh, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land that you are now sleeping on. 14 Your offspring will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out toward the west, the east, the north, and the south. All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

    There it is: God’s promise, as Jacob flees this ‘promised land,‘ an oft-repeated scenario in Israel’s history.

    Does it seem a familiar story, a middle-east refugee fleeing danger in one land and living as an alien in another?

    Israel’s Serial Soap Opera

    So Jacob’s story gains in complexity (once again, not examined here) and the drama continues. He has four wives (not recommended) and twelve sons. (Daughters receive no inheritance and seldom receive mentions in these genealogies).

    Many years pass and a married Jacob with children hears of and fears Esau’s approach. Once again Jacob hears from the Lord. In fact, he wrestles with the Lord (a most personal encounter).

    Genesis 32:

    Here is first mention of “Israel,” because the LORD makes Israel Jacob’s new name.

    27 “What is your name?” the man asked.

    “Jacob,” he replied.

    32:28 וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא יַעֲקֹב יֵאָמֵר עֹוד שִׁמְךָ כִּי אִם־יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּֽי־שָׂרִיתָ עִם־אֱלֹהִים וְעִם־אֲנָשִׁים וַתּוּכָֽל׃

    28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” He said. “It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”

    29 Then Jacob asked Him, “Please tell me Your name.”

    But He answered, “Why do you ask My name?” And He blessed him there.

    Before Israel, God Prevails

    Jesus the Messiah proclaimed, “before Abraham was, I AM!” His reference means more than genealogy, place, Law, leadership or religion, per se. 

    Israel’s father was Isaac,  יִצְחָק Yitschaq (laughter), given by the Lord when a childless old couple doubted any possibility of fulfillment of a promise in their old age.  In fact, controversy yet remains about the first born of Abraham and Hagar, the Egyptian. 

    The continuing drama of Genesis 17 could warrant much more study; but let us concede the meaning of Israel’s name. God prevails. Yes, God prevails even when life drives us in a direction away from God’s promises.

    The Lord’s covenant though Abraham is confirmed:

    18 So Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael were acceptable to You!”

    19 But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his future offspring.

    Before Abraham, many descendants of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth chose between good and evil as they populated God’s creation. And we will see in our next series a continuing theme of disobedience to God by Israel’s descendants as well.

    Why would the Lord choose Israel as a people led by Him? Remember Jacob’s new name means, God prevails.

    Joseph and Israel’s Eleven Other Sons

    We have not yet spoken of the Law of Moses and its defining choices of good and evil. The sojourn of Israel into Egypt and back is yet another story and illustration that God prevails. 

    If you have never noticed a connection between Genesis and Exodus, you may want to focus on Joseph. We tend to see Israel (Jacob) and then Moses and later David as most important to Israel’s history. Yet we often overlook the role and connection of Israel’s preeminent son, Joseph.

    A continuing theme of man since Adam has been disobedience, a theme which we will continue. Moses will give us God’s Law and Joseph will demonstrate God’s goodness. 

    May the Lord walk with you in the wilderness of your heart.

    To be continued in our next series, God willing…