We are sojourners, aliens, pilgrims, foreigners and settlers here on earth, irrespective of our race or religious affiliation. Seeing yourself as one of the above will simplify your life. Acquiring material wealth will not be by all means – crooked or right ways. Position will not matter to you more than a tool to serve God and fulfill his counsel.
We all have a very short time here. How do you see life? Unending? What is your attitude towards life? The brothers of Joseph said, “We have come to sojourn in the land,” (Gen. 47:4). i.e. to make a living in this land, and afterward we will return to our land. Do you have a special place to return to after the expiration of your sojourning in this place? One thing is certain, you will surely exit this world one day, and you will definitely go somewhere. Where? Heaven or hell, of course. The choice is yours.
FEATURES OF PILGRIMS
Hebrews 11:9, 10, 13-16 (NKJV)
9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as [in] a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;
10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced [them] and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15 And truly if they had called to mind that [country] from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly [country]. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Heb 13:14 (KJV) For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
They live by faith, holding on to God’s promises.
They see afar off
They are hopeful
They look for a new city
They are not bothered by where they live but are concerned with where they are going.
They fear God. “And remember that the heavenly father to whom you pray has no favourites when He judges. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time as a foreigner here on earth” 1Pet.1:17 (NLT).
They never compromise high standard of holiness. Joseph in Egypt refused to sleep with his master’s wife. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to the golden statue.
They live a simple life (not do die affair)
And Abimelech asked Isaac to leave the country, ‘Go somewhere else,’ he said, “For you have become too rich and powerful for us.” So Isaac moved to the Gerar Valley and lived there instead. He reopened the wells his father had dug,… His shepherds also dug in the Gerar Valley and found a gushing spring. But the local shepherds came and claimed the spring. “This is our water,” they said, Isaac’s men then dug another well, but again there was a fight over it. Abandoning that one, he dug another well, and the local people finally left him alone…, Gen. 26:16-22 (NLT)
How old are you? How far have you spent the days of your pilgrimage? What account can you give of yourself? Do you actually seek a continuing city? The time is far spent. The night is approaching fast. Prepare to go home. As the Prophet says, “People are like grass that dies away; their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of wildflowers. The grass withers, and the flowers fall away”
BE WISE
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
LIFE AS A PILGRIMAGE (PART 2)
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DAYS
They are few
Though he had now lived one hundred and thirty years, they seemed to him as a few days, in comparison of the days of eternity, in which a thousand years are but as one day, Psalm 89:47, 2Peter 3:8.
They were evil
This is true concerning man in general. Joh 16:33 (BBE) I have said all these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble: but take heart! I have overcome the world.
Job 14:1 (NKJV) "Man [who is] born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.
Job 5:7 (BBE) But trouble is man's fate from birth, as the flames go up from the fire.
Ec 2:23 (BBE) All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.
Jacob's life particularly had been made up of evil days. Along the journey of life, he encountered many life's difficulties but he overcome them. In the present age, we are not immuned to these challenges we face them daily.
But what is our attitude to them? How we handle them determines by and large whether we will be victor or victim. Life is indeed a warfare and not a funfare. In Jesus only we can have victory and peace.
Jas 1:2 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
Jas 1:12 (RSV) Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.
1Cor 10:13 (TCNT) No temptation has come upon you that is not common to all mankind. God will not fail you, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength; but, when he sends the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may have strength to endure.
They were short of the days of his fathers
Jacob at that time was one hundred and thirty years old, Isaac his father lived for one hundred and eighty years (Gen.35:28); and Abraham his grandfather, one hundred and seventy five years (Gen 25:7). Jacob's life, not so many, not so pleasant as their days. Old age came sooner upon him than some of his ancestors.
How old are you?
The days of the years of my pilgrimage... A pilgrimage is a journey to a place with special significance. Jacob had always lived a migratory or wandering life, in different parts of Canaan, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, scarcely ever at rest; and in the places where he lived longest, he was always exposed to the fatiques of the field and desert. He calls his life a pilgrimage, looking upon himself as a stranger, a sojourner in this world, and a traveller towards another. He reckoned himself not only a pilgrim now he was in Egypt, a strange country in which he never was before but a journey through this world to another. As character is the chief thing, our great concern should be that it may be such as shall reder us most useful and fit us for heaven.
1Ch 29:15 (WEB) For we are strangers before you, and foreigners, as all our fathers were: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.
1Ch 29:15 (YLT) for sojourners we [are] before Thee, and settlers, like all our fathers; as a shadow [are] our days on the land, and there is none abiding.
1Ch 29:15 (NKJV) For we [are] aliens and pilgrims before You, As [were] all our fathers; Our days on earth [are] as a shadow, And without hope.
Ps 39:12 (KJV) Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were].
Ps 119:19 (KJV) I [am] a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
Ps 119:54 (KJV) Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
Ex 6:4 (KJV) And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
They are few
Though he had now lived one hundred and thirty years, they seemed to him as a few days, in comparison of the days of eternity, in which a thousand years are but as one day, Psalm 89:47, 2Peter 3:8.
They were evil
This is true concerning man in general. Joh 16:33 (BBE) I have said all these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble: but take heart! I have overcome the world.
Job 14:1 (NKJV) "Man [who is] born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.
Job 5:7 (BBE) But trouble is man's fate from birth, as the flames go up from the fire.
Ec 2:23 (BBE) All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.
Jacob's life particularly had been made up of evil days. Along the journey of life, he encountered many life's difficulties but he overcome them. In the present age, we are not immuned to these challenges we face them daily.
But what is our attitude to them? How we handle them determines by and large whether we will be victor or victim. Life is indeed a warfare and not a funfare. In Jesus only we can have victory and peace.
Jas 1:2 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
Jas 1:12 (RSV) Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.
1Cor 10:13 (TCNT) No temptation has come upon you that is not common to all mankind. God will not fail you, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength; but, when he sends the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may have strength to endure.
They were short of the days of his fathers
Jacob at that time was one hundred and thirty years old, Isaac his father lived for one hundred and eighty years (Gen.35:28); and Abraham his grandfather, one hundred and seventy five years (Gen 25:7). Jacob's life, not so many, not so pleasant as their days. Old age came sooner upon him than some of his ancestors.
How old are you?
The days of the years of my pilgrimage... A pilgrimage is a journey to a place with special significance. Jacob had always lived a migratory or wandering life, in different parts of Canaan, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, scarcely ever at rest; and in the places where he lived longest, he was always exposed to the fatiques of the field and desert. He calls his life a pilgrimage, looking upon himself as a stranger, a sojourner in this world, and a traveller towards another. He reckoned himself not only a pilgrim now he was in Egypt, a strange country in which he never was before but a journey through this world to another. As character is the chief thing, our great concern should be that it may be such as shall reder us most useful and fit us for heaven.
1Ch 29:15 (WEB) For we are strangers before you, and foreigners, as all our fathers were: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.
1Ch 29:15 (YLT) for sojourners we [are] before Thee, and settlers, like all our fathers; as a shadow [are] our days on the land, and there is none abiding.
1Ch 29:15 (NKJV) For we [are] aliens and pilgrims before You, As [were] all our fathers; Our days on earth [are] as a shadow, And without hope.
Ps 39:12 (KJV) Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were].
Ps 119:19 (KJV) I [am] a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
Ps 119:54 (KJV) Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
Ex 6:4 (KJV) And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
LIFE AS A PILGRIMAGE (PART 1)
Then Joseph made his father come before Pharaoh, and Jacob gave his blessing. And Pharaoh said to him, "How old are you"? Genesis 47:7-8(BBE).
When the family of Jacob arrived in Egpt, the Prime Minister then in the person of Joseph, who incidentally was the eleventh son of Jacob presented his brothers to Pharaoh the king of the Land. Afterward he brought his father before the king. Jacob blessed Pharaoh-the less is blessed by the greater; Jacob has more spiritual authority than the king. After exchanging pleasantries and blesings, Pharaoh asked Jacob, how old are you? In other words, how many are the days of the years of your life? What could have prompted this thought-provoking question? Probably his age; his look arising from the stress of the journey to Egypt; the problems he was passing through; the shock of discovering that Joseph is alive and he was living true to his dreams. Jacob's countenance no doubt shewed him to be old, for he had been a man of labour and sorrow. In Egypt people were not so long-lived as in Canaan, and therefore Pharaoh looked upon Jacob with wonder. He looked so aged that Pharaoh was wondering how, how old could this be? Is this the father of this wonder man called Joseph?
What dictate your mood or countenance? You should not allow what you are passing through to dictate your mood. Cheer up! Learn to cast your burden upon Jesus, remember, He cares for you. Though He slays me yet I will praise Him. Stop celebrating problems. See them as challenges. Celebrate Jesus. The joy that is set before us weighs more than whatever challenges we may facing as at the moment.
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage, Genesis 47:9 (ASV).
Jacob made this profound statement regarding his life on this part of the planet Earth.
The days of the years...
He reckons his life by days; for even so it soon reckoned, and we are not sure of the continuance of it for a day to an end, but may be turned out of this tabernacle at less than an hour warning.
Ps 39:5 (NKJV) Indeed, You have made my days [as] handbreadths, And my age [is] as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state [is] but vapour.
Jas 4:14 (WEB) Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
Job 14:1 (ASV) Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.
When the family of Jacob arrived in Egpt, the Prime Minister then in the person of Joseph, who incidentally was the eleventh son of Jacob presented his brothers to Pharaoh the king of the Land. Afterward he brought his father before the king. Jacob blessed Pharaoh-the less is blessed by the greater; Jacob has more spiritual authority than the king. After exchanging pleasantries and blesings, Pharaoh asked Jacob, how old are you? In other words, how many are the days of the years of your life? What could have prompted this thought-provoking question? Probably his age; his look arising from the stress of the journey to Egypt; the problems he was passing through; the shock of discovering that Joseph is alive and he was living true to his dreams. Jacob's countenance no doubt shewed him to be old, for he had been a man of labour and sorrow. In Egypt people were not so long-lived as in Canaan, and therefore Pharaoh looked upon Jacob with wonder. He looked so aged that Pharaoh was wondering how, how old could this be? Is this the father of this wonder man called Joseph?
What dictate your mood or countenance? You should not allow what you are passing through to dictate your mood. Cheer up! Learn to cast your burden upon Jesus, remember, He cares for you. Though He slays me yet I will praise Him. Stop celebrating problems. See them as challenges. Celebrate Jesus. The joy that is set before us weighs more than whatever challenges we may facing as at the moment.
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage, Genesis 47:9 (ASV).
Jacob made this profound statement regarding his life on this part of the planet Earth.
The days of the years...
He reckons his life by days; for even so it soon reckoned, and we are not sure of the continuance of it for a day to an end, but may be turned out of this tabernacle at less than an hour warning.
Ps 39:5 (NKJV) Indeed, You have made my days [as] handbreadths, And my age [is] as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state [is] but vapour.
Jas 4:14 (WEB) Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
Job 14:1 (ASV) Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU TO DO
John 2:1-10
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, ‘They have no wine’. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them; Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
When this couple gave their invitation to Jesus and his mother to be one of their guests on their wedding day, little did they know that they were inviting miracle into their wedding ceremony. Things were going on perfectly until at a certain stage when the wine got finished. What a mess! They frantically looked for a way out. When Jesus’ mother got to know about the embarrassing situation, Jesus’ mother quickly ran to inform Him about the situation. Jesus told her that His time had not yet come (the time of working out this miracle). “What He tells you, do”. Shortly afterward, Jesus asked the servants to fill the water pots with water, which they quickly did. The emerging new wine was a mystery to everybody. What is the source of this good wine? The master of the feast wondered. Only those servants knew. The servants obeyed Jesus; as such they became a channel for the miraculous. When did the water turn to wine? At the time of:
- Filling the pots;
- Taking the water out;
- Carrying the water to the master of the feast.
Faith walk is a complete obedience. You don’t need to worry about how or when the result will come. Just obey. It is the responsibility of God to fulfill His word.
Luke 5:2-10
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
They had tried hard, labouring all night but caught nothing. They were washing their nets in readiness to go home when Jesus appeared on the scene. One good turn, they say, deserves another. Jesus having made use of their boat instructed them to launch into the deep. Ridiculous! To play or to catch fish? Contrary to fishing methodology, they complied and they reaped the fruit of obedience. They may have chosen to rationalize the situation based on fishing ethics and this would have denied them of that great catch. They took the step. The fishermen did not know that that step taken would lead to a great catch of fish.
1Samuel 30:3-9
So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shall surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
David in obedience to the world of the Lord chased the Amalekites. He attacked them and gets back their families. You need to take that step to recover all. He asked God for what to do in the time of crisis. God spoke and he obeyed. God still speaks today, only if you ask Him.
Luke 17:12-15
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
These lepers simply did what He asked them to do and they were cleansed, just like that. “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land”, Isaiah 1:19 (MKJV).
The Darby Translation put it as………willing and hearken...” Hearken means hear and do. When you hear and you are willing, the next stage is doing which will bring forth result. That means, you have to go beyond the level of willingness to the level of obedience i.e. actual doing. It is not only the hearer that will be justified but the doer. Jesus bids Simon Peter to come to Him when He was walking on water. Peter in obedience took steps and he walked on water, a feat which no man had ever done before or after him. (Matthew 14:28, 29. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou; bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.)
Naaman, the highly esteemed general of Ben-hadad, was afflicted with leprosy, but was miraculously cured, on washing seven times in the direction of Elisha. He had found all his honour and power valueless, and all physicians of no avail for his cure. He was led to renounce his pride, and avail himself of the simple remedy prescribed by Prophet Elisha. Naaman was reluctant to go and both in River Jordan. If not for the timely persuasion of his maid-servant, he would have missed his healing. (2Kings 5:1-27).
The word of God can come to you in various dimensions, as you read the Bible, listen to Biblical messages, read inspired Christian books etc; you may be inspired by what He is saying to you. Also, His ministers as in the case of Naaman may deliver his message. When you pray, God can also speak to you. You need to be sensitive. God can use anybody or anything to speak to you. Be spiritually alert. Set your spiritual antenna to the right direction and frequency. You should know that you don’t have anything to lose by obeying His voice (word). It is God’s word that is at stake and also God’s integrity. He will do everything to fulfill His word. Why can’t you do what He bids you? Your miracle is on the way; only do what He tells you.
“IF YOU TAKE GOD’S WORD AS ORDINARY, YOU AUTOMATICALLY STRIP IT OF ITS POWER AND DIVINE PURPOSE” Pastor E. A. Adeboye.
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, ‘They have no wine’. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them; Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
When this couple gave their invitation to Jesus and his mother to be one of their guests on their wedding day, little did they know that they were inviting miracle into their wedding ceremony. Things were going on perfectly until at a certain stage when the wine got finished. What a mess! They frantically looked for a way out. When Jesus’ mother got to know about the embarrassing situation, Jesus’ mother quickly ran to inform Him about the situation. Jesus told her that His time had not yet come (the time of working out this miracle). “What He tells you, do”. Shortly afterward, Jesus asked the servants to fill the water pots with water, which they quickly did. The emerging new wine was a mystery to everybody. What is the source of this good wine? The master of the feast wondered. Only those servants knew. The servants obeyed Jesus; as such they became a channel for the miraculous. When did the water turn to wine? At the time of:
- Filling the pots;
- Taking the water out;
- Carrying the water to the master of the feast.
Faith walk is a complete obedience. You don’t need to worry about how or when the result will come. Just obey. It is the responsibility of God to fulfill His word.
Luke 5:2-10
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
They had tried hard, labouring all night but caught nothing. They were washing their nets in readiness to go home when Jesus appeared on the scene. One good turn, they say, deserves another. Jesus having made use of their boat instructed them to launch into the deep. Ridiculous! To play or to catch fish? Contrary to fishing methodology, they complied and they reaped the fruit of obedience. They may have chosen to rationalize the situation based on fishing ethics and this would have denied them of that great catch. They took the step. The fishermen did not know that that step taken would lead to a great catch of fish.
1Samuel 30:3-9
So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shall surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
David in obedience to the world of the Lord chased the Amalekites. He attacked them and gets back their families. You need to take that step to recover all. He asked God for what to do in the time of crisis. God spoke and he obeyed. God still speaks today, only if you ask Him.
Luke 17:12-15
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
These lepers simply did what He asked them to do and they were cleansed, just like that. “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land”, Isaiah 1:19 (MKJV).
The Darby Translation put it as………willing and hearken...” Hearken means hear and do. When you hear and you are willing, the next stage is doing which will bring forth result. That means, you have to go beyond the level of willingness to the level of obedience i.e. actual doing. It is not only the hearer that will be justified but the doer. Jesus bids Simon Peter to come to Him when He was walking on water. Peter in obedience took steps and he walked on water, a feat which no man had ever done before or after him. (Matthew 14:28, 29. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou; bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.)
Naaman, the highly esteemed general of Ben-hadad, was afflicted with leprosy, but was miraculously cured, on washing seven times in the direction of Elisha. He had found all his honour and power valueless, and all physicians of no avail for his cure. He was led to renounce his pride, and avail himself of the simple remedy prescribed by Prophet Elisha. Naaman was reluctant to go and both in River Jordan. If not for the timely persuasion of his maid-servant, he would have missed his healing. (2Kings 5:1-27).
The word of God can come to you in various dimensions, as you read the Bible, listen to Biblical messages, read inspired Christian books etc; you may be inspired by what He is saying to you. Also, His ministers as in the case of Naaman may deliver his message. When you pray, God can also speak to you. You need to be sensitive. God can use anybody or anything to speak to you. Be spiritually alert. Set your spiritual antenna to the right direction and frequency. You should know that you don’t have anything to lose by obeying His voice (word). It is God’s word that is at stake and also God’s integrity. He will do everything to fulfill His word. Why can’t you do what He bids you? Your miracle is on the way; only do what He tells you.
“IF YOU TAKE GOD’S WORD AS ORDINARY, YOU AUTOMATICALLY STRIP IT OF ITS POWER AND DIVINE PURPOSE” Pastor E. A. Adeboye.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
THE GIFT OF A MAN
Proverbs 18:16 (RSV) A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. No one is born without a gift to bless humanity. Alot of gifts are locked up in us that require being discovered and stirred up. Many are using their own wrongly- to achieve self goals, to kill and destroy, to cheat others, to oppress, to enhance satanic works and so on. It is very pathetic that few are using theirs rightly. Whether spiritual or natural gift, no one is devoid of either. Have you any gift or special ability or talent? How have you been using it?
JOSEPH, the dreamer, God gave him special ability to interpret dreams. He interpreted the dreams of the Chief Baker and the Chief Butler (Pharaoh officers) in the prison. Little did he know that, that singular act would speak volumes for him in the palace one day. After two good years, King Pharaoh dreamt and no one was able to interpret the dream. At the end Joseph was remembered and so he was sent for. He made use of his God-given gift to interpret the dream. He became the Prime Minister of the land and several lives were saved from the famine that ravaged the land shortly after. Before then; he had opportunity to compromise his faith, but he refused to short cut his destiny and mortgage his life. He refused to bow to the desire of the flesh in the house of potiphar. Though he suffered for it, at the end holiness triumphed.
ESTHER; it was beauty that God gave her. She did not allow the death of her parents to stop her from being what God had called her to be. Through Mordecai's help and godly counsel,shewas brought up in the fear of the Lord. How did she use her beauty? She neither hawked her beauty nor give her body for material gain. though very beautiful, she was cultured. Hers was beauty with the fear of God. By the King's commandment, she took part in the selection of the new queen. One year of beauty enhancement therapy was given to all the selected queens-to-be. She surpassed them in beauty and godly character. She followed the instructions of Mordecai and Hegai to the letter. She was preferred.
Many of us today are rejected because we refuse to obey our parents, teachers, elders, Pastors, the word of God and the Holy Spirit. We refer to them as 'old school.' We snub the Holy Spirit, and reject His instructions. We don't care about what we wear-anything goes. We dressed to seduce and kill. We exposed those parts that should be covered. We resemble Jezebel in outlook though professed to be Christians.
BEZALEEL and AHOLIAB
Ex 31:2-6 (KJV) See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:3. And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4.To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5.And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.6. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
They were given wisdom to assist Moses in the work of the tabernacle in the wilderness. God has given you also something unique to assist others and fulfilling a particular purpose. Have you discovered yours?
NEHEMIAH also had a unique gift that put him in a vantage position as the king's cup bearer. He knew how to mix wine to satisfy the king's taste. As the king's cup bearer, he had direct access to the king which at the end helped him concerning the rebuilding of the broken wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:1-8.
AHITHOPHEL, David counselor, was one of the king's right hand men and a close confidant. The Bible reffered to the counsel given by him as coming from the oracle of God. And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom, 2 Samuel 16:23 (KJV). He joined himself to a rebel. His counsel was turned into foolishness and he later died of frustration. 2Sa 17:23 (KJV) And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. Who are you using your gift to aid? Whoever you pitch your tent with, with respect to the use of your gift will either make or mar you. 1Co 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
MOSES and AARON Exodus 4:10,14-16.
The ability given to Moses was different from that of Aaron. The gifts were meant to complement each other.
You have something from the Lord which you need to discover. Gold is not found on the surface; the miner digs deep for it. Afterward, he polishes the gold with fire. You need to 'search' or ask for your gift, dig deep for it and polish it and put it to use.
YOUR GIFT IS GIVEN YOU TO BLESS YOUR GENERATION. USE IT WISELY!
JOSEPH, the dreamer, God gave him special ability to interpret dreams. He interpreted the dreams of the Chief Baker and the Chief Butler (Pharaoh officers) in the prison. Little did he know that, that singular act would speak volumes for him in the palace one day. After two good years, King Pharaoh dreamt and no one was able to interpret the dream. At the end Joseph was remembered and so he was sent for. He made use of his God-given gift to interpret the dream. He became the Prime Minister of the land and several lives were saved from the famine that ravaged the land shortly after. Before then; he had opportunity to compromise his faith, but he refused to short cut his destiny and mortgage his life. He refused to bow to the desire of the flesh in the house of potiphar. Though he suffered for it, at the end holiness triumphed.
ESTHER; it was beauty that God gave her. She did not allow the death of her parents to stop her from being what God had called her to be. Through Mordecai's help and godly counsel,shewas brought up in the fear of the Lord. How did she use her beauty? She neither hawked her beauty nor give her body for material gain. though very beautiful, she was cultured. Hers was beauty with the fear of God. By the King's commandment, she took part in the selection of the new queen. One year of beauty enhancement therapy was given to all the selected queens-to-be. She surpassed them in beauty and godly character. She followed the instructions of Mordecai and Hegai to the letter. She was preferred.
Many of us today are rejected because we refuse to obey our parents, teachers, elders, Pastors, the word of God and the Holy Spirit. We refer to them as 'old school.' We snub the Holy Spirit, and reject His instructions. We don't care about what we wear-anything goes. We dressed to seduce and kill. We exposed those parts that should be covered. We resemble Jezebel in outlook though professed to be Christians.
BEZALEEL and AHOLIAB
Ex 31:2-6 (KJV) See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:3. And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4.To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5.And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.6. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
They were given wisdom to assist Moses in the work of the tabernacle in the wilderness. God has given you also something unique to assist others and fulfilling a particular purpose. Have you discovered yours?
NEHEMIAH also had a unique gift that put him in a vantage position as the king's cup bearer. He knew how to mix wine to satisfy the king's taste. As the king's cup bearer, he had direct access to the king which at the end helped him concerning the rebuilding of the broken wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:1-8.
AHITHOPHEL, David counselor, was one of the king's right hand men and a close confidant. The Bible reffered to the counsel given by him as coming from the oracle of God. And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom, 2 Samuel 16:23 (KJV). He joined himself to a rebel. His counsel was turned into foolishness and he later died of frustration. 2Sa 17:23 (KJV) And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. Who are you using your gift to aid? Whoever you pitch your tent with, with respect to the use of your gift will either make or mar you. 1Co 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
MOSES and AARON Exodus 4:10,14-16.
The ability given to Moses was different from that of Aaron. The gifts were meant to complement each other.
You have something from the Lord which you need to discover. Gold is not found on the surface; the miner digs deep for it. Afterward, he polishes the gold with fire. You need to 'search' or ask for your gift, dig deep for it and polish it and put it to use.
YOUR GIFT IS GIVEN YOU TO BLESS YOUR GENERATION. USE IT WISELY!
Monday, March 7, 2011
LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT (PART 3)
Half Obedience is Gross Disobedience
"It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night." 1Samuel 15:11(kjv)
1Sa 15:11 (BBE) It is no longer my pleasure for Saul to be king; for he is turned back from going in my ways, and has not done my orders. And Samuel was very sad, crying to the Lord in prayer all night.
1Sa 15:18 (KJV) And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
The instruction given to Saul was to utterly destroy the Amalekites. He kept Agag, the king, and the best among the cattle, sheep and goats. His aim was to sacrifice them to the Lord. 1Sa 15:21 (KJV) But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Thus, he endeavoured to excuse the people. They did not take the spoil in order to enrich themselves by iy, but to sacrifice unto the Lord; and did not this justify their conduct? This action grieved God and caused anguish of heart to samuel. "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel...... and the Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning......" 1Samuel 15:10,12 (jkv). God could not wait for the following morning before baring His mind unto Samuel. Repentance in God is not a change of mind, as it is in us; but a change of method. The Lord's messengers must point out and condemn the sins of rulers as well as of people; and let nothing hinder them from declaring with plainness and fidelity the whole revealed will of God.
Saul rolled out a barrage of excuses when he was confronted with his sins. He honoured God with his mouth, but his heart was far from Him.
THE VERDICT
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 1Samuel 15:22-24(kjv)
Who do you fear? Whose voice will you obey? "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20(kjv). The Apostles were not intimidated by the threat from the church leaders but further they preached Jesus. David was encouraged by his men to kill Saul on two different occasions but he declined. 1Samuel 24:4-7; 26:8-11. Don't be encouraged to do evil. The people Saul was leading encouraged him to do evil. His action grieved God and Samuel. What have you been doing or have done that is causing grief, heartache, pain,etc? What has made God to regret creating you as a human being? or giving you a child, wealth or placing you in a position of authority? Many had caused the whole world great pain- Hitler, suicide bombers, etc Is God not saying, it repenteth me that I put you in that position or gave you such thing as you have now? How have you been using them? To glorify God or self. To please God or man. After all they were the ones who put you there. Your kingdom is at stake!
Then he said, "I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God." 1Sam. 15:30(kjv). Where there is sin, where is honour? Righteousness exalts a nation, sin ai a reproach to many people. This was not a true repentance, but deceit out of fear for the loss of his kingdom. I will not return with thee, Samuel said in verse twenty six. In essence Samuel was saying that he would not acknoledge Saul as king, since the Lord had rejected him. In sin, Saul was still seeking for personal honour. He insisted that Samuel must honour him even in the presence of the elders. He acknowledged his sin but refused to repent of them. He lacked courage, the boldness to confess and repent.
"Yes, I have sinned, what else? What is the big deal about it? Other people are also doing the same thing. Why am I special? Why are you making a mountain out of a mole hill? Anyway, I deserve to be honoured in the presence of the elders." No contrite heart, and no broken spirit. 'He that is often rebuked and hardens his heart, shall perish suddenly without remedy' You will be held accountable for whatever you do. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. MyNotes
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:11-12 (kjv).The punishment king Saul got wasn't for everyboy, even not for his follower/advisers, but for Him alone. What he did to gain popularity with man led to his being unpopular with God. How do I react to sin and unrightheousness?
".......tun again with mme, so that I may worsip the Lord thy God" 1Sam. 15:30.(kjv). Not my God but your God. From here nit was evidence that Saul did not have a personal relationship mwith God. Do you know God? Does God know you as one of His own? Check your self and your walk with God. Samuel turned again after Saul-not to worship along with him; but first, that people might have no ground, on pretense of Saul's rejection, to withdraw their allegiance from him; and secondly, to compensate for Saul's error by executing God' judgement upon Aga
As you follow God in your daily walk with Him, your total obedience to His revealed will is of paramount importance to your success in the Christian journey.
Remember that half obedience is gross disobedience.
"It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night." 1Samuel 15:11(kjv)
1Sa 15:11 (BBE) It is no longer my pleasure for Saul to be king; for he is turned back from going in my ways, and has not done my orders. And Samuel was very sad, crying to the Lord in prayer all night.
1Sa 15:18 (KJV) And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
The instruction given to Saul was to utterly destroy the Amalekites. He kept Agag, the king, and the best among the cattle, sheep and goats. His aim was to sacrifice them to the Lord. 1Sa 15:21 (KJV) But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Thus, he endeavoured to excuse the people. They did not take the spoil in order to enrich themselves by iy, but to sacrifice unto the Lord; and did not this justify their conduct? This action grieved God and caused anguish of heart to samuel. "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel...... and the Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning......" 1Samuel 15:10,12 (jkv). God could not wait for the following morning before baring His mind unto Samuel. Repentance in God is not a change of mind, as it is in us; but a change of method. The Lord's messengers must point out and condemn the sins of rulers as well as of people; and let nothing hinder them from declaring with plainness and fidelity the whole revealed will of God.
Saul rolled out a barrage of excuses when he was confronted with his sins. He honoured God with his mouth, but his heart was far from Him.
THE VERDICT
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 1Samuel 15:22-24(kjv)
Who do you fear? Whose voice will you obey? "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20(kjv). The Apostles were not intimidated by the threat from the church leaders but further they preached Jesus. David was encouraged by his men to kill Saul on two different occasions but he declined. 1Samuel 24:4-7; 26:8-11. Don't be encouraged to do evil. The people Saul was leading encouraged him to do evil. His action grieved God and Samuel. What have you been doing or have done that is causing grief, heartache, pain,etc? What has made God to regret creating you as a human being? or giving you a child, wealth or placing you in a position of authority? Many had caused the whole world great pain- Hitler, suicide bombers, etc Is God not saying, it repenteth me that I put you in that position or gave you such thing as you have now? How have you been using them? To glorify God or self. To please God or man. After all they were the ones who put you there. Your kingdom is at stake!
Then he said, "I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God." 1Sam. 15:30(kjv). Where there is sin, where is honour? Righteousness exalts a nation, sin ai a reproach to many people. This was not a true repentance, but deceit out of fear for the loss of his kingdom. I will not return with thee, Samuel said in verse twenty six. In essence Samuel was saying that he would not acknoledge Saul as king, since the Lord had rejected him. In sin, Saul was still seeking for personal honour. He insisted that Samuel must honour him even in the presence of the elders. He acknowledged his sin but refused to repent of them. He lacked courage, the boldness to confess and repent.
"Yes, I have sinned, what else? What is the big deal about it? Other people are also doing the same thing. Why am I special? Why are you making a mountain out of a mole hill? Anyway, I deserve to be honoured in the presence of the elders." No contrite heart, and no broken spirit. 'He that is often rebuked and hardens his heart, shall perish suddenly without remedy' You will be held accountable for whatever you do. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. MyNotes
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:11-12 (kjv).The punishment king Saul got wasn't for everyboy, even not for his follower/advisers, but for Him alone. What he did to gain popularity with man led to his being unpopular with God. How do I react to sin and unrightheousness?
".......tun again with mme, so that I may worsip the Lord thy God" 1Sam. 15:30.(kjv). Not my God but your God. From here nit was evidence that Saul did not have a personal relationship mwith God. Do you know God? Does God know you as one of His own? Check your self and your walk with God. Samuel turned again after Saul-not to worship along with him; but first, that people might have no ground, on pretense of Saul's rejection, to withdraw their allegiance from him; and secondly, to compensate for Saul's error by executing God' judgement upon Aga
As you follow God in your daily walk with Him, your total obedience to His revealed will is of paramount importance to your success in the Christian journey.
Remember that half obedience is gross disobedience.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT (PART 2)
Moreover, Saul said, "The Phillistines gathered themselves together......" The situation is becoming more tense.People have started passing comments. the condition is no longer bearable. The Phillistines that gathered will dsperse at the appearance of God, the Man of war. Don't cut short your destiny; wait for God. "All things work together for good....." Romans 8:28 (KJV).
Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering, 1Sam. 13 vs 12. He was a hypocrite, and tried to cover his rebellious act by pretending great zeal for outward religion. And Samuel said, "Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." 1Samuel 15 vs 22 (KJV) What I fear came on me. The fear of man shall kill him. FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real! The so call Philistines had not come upon him by the time Samuel arrived. So, why the stress. He shifted his attention from God to the problem. When Peter was walking on water to meet Jesus, he shifted his focus from Jesus to the boisterous wind blowing. Therefore, he became afraid and began to sink, until Jesus rescued him. Whoever focuses on the problem instead of God is bound to sink.
"I forced myself " Why? You need not hurt yourself to do what is not right in order to please man. You need to stay on course. Stay in your office. Maintain your position and fulfil the purpose of God for your life. If you are not given to prophecy don't prophesy. Maintain your role. Do not usurp authority. Follow God's protocol. Don't get engage in another person's ministry: you may die like Uzzah (2Samuel 6:7).
Consequences
1Samuel 13: 13-14.
"And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
At first sight Saul's offence appears little, but no sin is little, because there is no little God to sin against. He had virtually cast off Jehovah's sovereignty, and therefore the Lord would not establish his kingdom. It should be a shock for Saul to hear that his kingdom will not continue as a result of this singular act. But this wasn't so because, he took it calmly. No sign of remorse or appeal over such pronoucement. If he had repented, perhaps God would have forgiven him in mercy. But he was obsinate, so to say. Therefore, he went on his normal business as if nothing of grave consequences had happened, to him .
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. 1Samuel 13 : 15.
WHEN IT SEEMS GOD IS SLOW CONCERNING YOUR CASE, WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering, 1Sam. 13 vs 12. He was a hypocrite, and tried to cover his rebellious act by pretending great zeal for outward religion. And Samuel said, "Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." 1Samuel 15 vs 22 (KJV) What I fear came on me. The fear of man shall kill him. FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real! The so call Philistines had not come upon him by the time Samuel arrived. So, why the stress. He shifted his attention from God to the problem. When Peter was walking on water to meet Jesus, he shifted his focus from Jesus to the boisterous wind blowing. Therefore, he became afraid and began to sink, until Jesus rescued him. Whoever focuses on the problem instead of God is bound to sink.
"I forced myself " Why? You need not hurt yourself to do what is not right in order to please man. You need to stay on course. Stay in your office. Maintain your position and fulfil the purpose of God for your life. If you are not given to prophecy don't prophesy. Maintain your role. Do not usurp authority. Follow God's protocol. Don't get engage in another person's ministry: you may die like Uzzah (2Samuel 6:7).
Consequences
1Samuel 13: 13-14.
"And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
At first sight Saul's offence appears little, but no sin is little, because there is no little God to sin against. He had virtually cast off Jehovah's sovereignty, and therefore the Lord would not establish his kingdom. It should be a shock for Saul to hear that his kingdom will not continue as a result of this singular act. But this wasn't so because, he took it calmly. No sign of remorse or appeal over such pronoucement. If he had repented, perhaps God would have forgiven him in mercy. But he was obsinate, so to say. Therefore, he went on his normal business as if nothing of grave consequences had happened, to him .
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. 1Samuel 13 : 15.
WHEN IT SEEMS GOD IS SLOW CONCERNING YOUR CASE, WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Monday, February 28, 2011
LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT (PART 1)
1Samuel 13 vs 8-9 (KJV)
And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
God can never be too early or too late concerning any case. What has God promised you that is still pending? Is it job, money admission, healing, deliverance, help, promotion, child, husband or wife? God hasn't forgotten. He will never forget. The delay you may be experiencing now is not a denial. He will come at the appropriate time. He makes everything beautiful at His own time.Trying to help God as Saul did here will compound the case. Are you in a position of authority? Don't allow pressure from your boss or surbodinate to push you to do something contrary to His injuctions. Stand your ground and be yourself. Saul could have waited a little longer. Looking at the situation at hand, he lost hope of Samuel's coming. ....... and he offered the burnt offering. This he had no right to do, for it was an assumption of the priestly office, and virtual disowning of his position as the viceroy of the Lord. He ought to have waited for directions from the Lord through Samuel; but in his self-will he proceeded to act as if he were quite independent of God's guidance.. His impatience cost him his kingdom.
Wait for God, though He may tarry long, wait. The of waiting is not a waste. Don't give up trying. And Samuel said "What you has thou done?" And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash", 1Samuel 13 vs 11 (KJV). Saul became unpopular as he was waiting for Samuel. The people started leaving him, so became worried. You may also become unpopular because of your trust in God. You need not worry, hold on to God. God's way is never man's way. Your friends' spouse or parents may even not be on your side; don't worry. " I saw ......", what do you see? Negative! Negative!! Negative!!! Rachel saw the same thing, and she cried out to her husband, "Give me children or else I die", Genesis 30 vs 1 (KJV). Cry to God, not man.
(To be continued)
And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
God can never be too early or too late concerning any case. What has God promised you that is still pending? Is it job, money admission, healing, deliverance, help, promotion, child, husband or wife? God hasn't forgotten. He will never forget. The delay you may be experiencing now is not a denial. He will come at the appropriate time. He makes everything beautiful at His own time.Trying to help God as Saul did here will compound the case. Are you in a position of authority? Don't allow pressure from your boss or surbodinate to push you to do something contrary to His injuctions. Stand your ground and be yourself. Saul could have waited a little longer. Looking at the situation at hand, he lost hope of Samuel's coming. ....... and he offered the burnt offering. This he had no right to do, for it was an assumption of the priestly office, and virtual disowning of his position as the viceroy of the Lord. He ought to have waited for directions from the Lord through Samuel; but in his self-will he proceeded to act as if he were quite independent of God's guidance.. His impatience cost him his kingdom.
Wait for God, though He may tarry long, wait. The of waiting is not a waste. Don't give up trying. And Samuel said "What you has thou done?" And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash", 1Samuel 13 vs 11 (KJV). Saul became unpopular as he was waiting for Samuel. The people started leaving him, so became worried. You may also become unpopular because of your trust in God. You need not worry, hold on to God. God's way is never man's way. Your friends' spouse or parents may even not be on your side; don't worry. " I saw ......", what do you see? Negative! Negative!! Negative!!! Rachel saw the same thing, and she cried out to her husband, "Give me children or else I die", Genesis 30 vs 1 (KJV). Cry to God, not man.
(To be continued)
Monday, February 14, 2011
THE ADVENTURE OF DINAH (PART 4)
BURSTING OF BOTTLED ANGER
GENESIS 34
25 Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males.
26 And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went out.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled.
28 They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what [was] in the city and what [was] in the field,
29 and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that [was] in the houses (NKJV).
Jacob’s children were circumcised, were well taught and prayed for, and had very good examples set them; yet some of them proved very untoward. Levi and Simeon allowed the bottled anger became uncontrollable.
Proverbs 6:34 (KJV) For jealousy [is] the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 14
17(NKJV) A quick-tempered [man] acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.
29 (WEB) He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
Proverbs 27:4 (WEB) Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Proverbs 29:22 (WEB) An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
Dinah’s brothers committed two criminal offences-they killed every man in the town (murder); they looted/stole everything in the town (armed robbery). Why? Because, someone defiled their sister. Tame your anger before it tames you. Because of anger, Moses could not enter the Promised Land. What have you done in anger? Ninety nine percent of things done in anger were never done right. Take heed.
Proverbs 19:11 (RSV) Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
UNFORGIVENESS
GENESIS 34
30 (BBE) And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have made trouble for me and given me a bad name among the people of this country, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and because we are small in number they will come together against me and make war on me; and it will be the end of me and all my people.
31 (ASV) And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?
There is no justifiable reason for us to commit sin. Simeon and Levi said, “Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?” Were they justified? No!
Proverbs 20:22 (RSV) Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will help you.
Two wrongs can never make right. If you were offended by somebody, go and meet the person and resolve the matter as soon as possible. Don’t allow it to ‘ferment.’ Don’t wait for an opportunity to revenge. Forgive and forget.
Proverbs 6
16 These six [things] the LORD hates, Yes, seven [are] an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness [who] speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. (NKJV)
Jacob failed to forgive Simeon and Levi for the role they played in the destruction of the people of Shalem. He only expressed his fears, no other disciplinary measures taken against them. They were proscribed from the blessings of the covenant, so that they barely retained a name among the tribes of Israel, being in general small, and ever disreputable, except merely in the service of the sanctuary, in which Levi was employed.
Genesis 49
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; deceit and force are their secret designs.
6 Take no part in their secrets, O my soul; keep far away, O my heart, from their meetings; for in their wrath they put men to death, and for their pleasure even oxen were wounded.
7 A curse on their passion for it was bitter; and on their wrath for it was cruel. I will let their heritage in Jacob be broken up, driving them from their places in Israel. (BBE)
As parents, we should not hold anything against our children for whatever wrongs they committed against us. Let us discipline them and forget about it rather than keep quiet and later curse them and their descendants. Noah cursed Ham and his descendant as a result of beholding his father’s nakedness.(Genesis 9:18-25). A simple reprimand would have settled the issue rather than cursing him. Perhaps he was inexperienced because he was the youngest of his sons. Let us give no room to anger to destroy the lives of generation unborn.
Dear reader, do you know that Dinah lost her place in destiny. She was not reckoned with in the genealogy of the Israelites though she was numbered with them at the beginning. She failed to be keepers at home and hence lost her place (Titus 2:5).
Shechem had his kingdom destroyed for lack of self control and failure to respect the dignity of other people. The elders perished with him for their greed and lack of discernment.
Hamor is a disgrace to fatherhood. Sin should be exposed and judged. Hamor spared the rod and spoiled the Shechem.
Simeon and Levi were cursed because of their inability to control their anger which arose from unforgiveness.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man, Ecclesiastes 2:13 (MKJV).
A CHILD THAT IS LEFT TO HIMSELF / HERSELF SHALL BRING HIS/HER PARENTS SHAME.
GENESIS 34
25 Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males.
26 And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went out.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled.
28 They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what [was] in the city and what [was] in the field,
29 and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that [was] in the houses (NKJV).
Jacob’s children were circumcised, were well taught and prayed for, and had very good examples set them; yet some of them proved very untoward. Levi and Simeon allowed the bottled anger became uncontrollable.
Proverbs 6:34 (KJV) For jealousy [is] the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 14
17(NKJV) A quick-tempered [man] acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.
29 (WEB) He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
Proverbs 27:4 (WEB) Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Proverbs 29:22 (WEB) An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
Dinah’s brothers committed two criminal offences-they killed every man in the town (murder); they looted/stole everything in the town (armed robbery). Why? Because, someone defiled their sister. Tame your anger before it tames you. Because of anger, Moses could not enter the Promised Land. What have you done in anger? Ninety nine percent of things done in anger were never done right. Take heed.
Proverbs 19:11 (RSV) Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
UNFORGIVENESS
GENESIS 34
30 (BBE) And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have made trouble for me and given me a bad name among the people of this country, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and because we are small in number they will come together against me and make war on me; and it will be the end of me and all my people.
31 (ASV) And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?
There is no justifiable reason for us to commit sin. Simeon and Levi said, “Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?” Were they justified? No!
Proverbs 20:22 (RSV) Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will help you.
Two wrongs can never make right. If you were offended by somebody, go and meet the person and resolve the matter as soon as possible. Don’t allow it to ‘ferment.’ Don’t wait for an opportunity to revenge. Forgive and forget.
Proverbs 6
16 These six [things] the LORD hates, Yes, seven [are] an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness [who] speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. (NKJV)
Jacob failed to forgive Simeon and Levi for the role they played in the destruction of the people of Shalem. He only expressed his fears, no other disciplinary measures taken against them. They were proscribed from the blessings of the covenant, so that they barely retained a name among the tribes of Israel, being in general small, and ever disreputable, except merely in the service of the sanctuary, in which Levi was employed.
Genesis 49
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; deceit and force are their secret designs.
6 Take no part in their secrets, O my soul; keep far away, O my heart, from their meetings; for in their wrath they put men to death, and for their pleasure even oxen were wounded.
7 A curse on their passion for it was bitter; and on their wrath for it was cruel. I will let their heritage in Jacob be broken up, driving them from their places in Israel. (BBE)
As parents, we should not hold anything against our children for whatever wrongs they committed against us. Let us discipline them and forget about it rather than keep quiet and later curse them and their descendants. Noah cursed Ham and his descendant as a result of beholding his father’s nakedness.(Genesis 9:18-25). A simple reprimand would have settled the issue rather than cursing him. Perhaps he was inexperienced because he was the youngest of his sons. Let us give no room to anger to destroy the lives of generation unborn.
Dear reader, do you know that Dinah lost her place in destiny. She was not reckoned with in the genealogy of the Israelites though she was numbered with them at the beginning. She failed to be keepers at home and hence lost her place (Titus 2:5).
Shechem had his kingdom destroyed for lack of self control and failure to respect the dignity of other people. The elders perished with him for their greed and lack of discernment.
Hamor is a disgrace to fatherhood. Sin should be exposed and judged. Hamor spared the rod and spoiled the Shechem.
Simeon and Levi were cursed because of their inability to control their anger which arose from unforgiveness.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man, Ecclesiastes 2:13 (MKJV).
A CHILD THAT IS LEFT TO HIMSELF / HERSELF SHALL BRING HIS/HER PARENTS SHAME.
Friday, February 11, 2011
LOVE PERSONIFIED
Joh 3:16 (WEB) For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:17 (WEB) For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
Joh 3:18 (TCNT) He who believes in him escapes condemnation, while he who does not believe in him is already condemned, because he has not believed in the only Son of God.
Ro 10:9 (WEB) that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Ro 10:10 (WNT) For with the heart men believe and obtain righteousness, and with the mouth they make confession and obtain salvation.
Joh 3:17 (WEB) For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
Joh 3:18 (TCNT) He who believes in him escapes condemnation, while he who does not believe in him is already condemned, because he has not believed in the only Son of God.
Ro 10:9 (WEB) that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Ro 10:10 (WNT) For with the heart men believe and obtain righteousness, and with the mouth they make confession and obtain salvation.
THE ADVENTURE OF DINAH (PART 3)
(CONTINUE FROM PART 2)
Genesis 34:8, 11-12 (WEB)
Hamor talked with them, saying, "The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you will tell me I will give.
Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife."
Neither Shechem nor his father addresses the sin issue (the rape he committed); instead they were clamouring for the hand of Dinah in marriage. Proverbs 19:18 (KJV) Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Proverbs 28:13 (RSV) He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:16 (BBE) The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for him will have long life.
When sin is not confessed, forgiveness will not be received. There is no point in time when Hamor condemned the action of his son, Shechem. As fathers, we should not condone sin in our homes. The Bible says, “He who makes signs with his eyes is a cause of trouble, but he who makes a man see his errors is a cause of peace, Proverbs 10:10 (BBE).” Don’t pat your child on the back for doing wrong; reprove him immediately. Show your disapproval of his dismal behaviour.
Hamor was playing prank on Dinah’s family by offering them juicy offer without dealing with the sin issue in the life of his son. In order to win you to his side, the devil can offer you anything, name it.. What can you give in exchange for your life?
CONSEQUENCES OF UNCOFESSED SIN
Genesis 34:13-24 (KJV): 13. And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: 14. And they said unto them, we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us: 15. But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised; 16. Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.17. But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone. 18. And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.19. And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he [was] more honourable than all the house of his father. 20. And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying, 21 These men [are] peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.22. Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they [are] circumcised. 23. [Shall] not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs [be] ours? Only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us. 24. And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
Because the brothers of Dinah were still angry with Shechem, therefore they deceived him in order to revenge. Shechem and Hamor accepted the condition put forward –circumcision of all men in the land. It took them some time to convince their country men. They said one thing to Jacob’s family and different thing to their country men just to get their consent. Sin has no respect for anybody be they old or young, man or woman, boy or girl, poor or wealthy, the ruler or the subject.
Circumcision was the external rite by which persons were admitted members of the ancient church (Exodus 12:48). But that outward rite could not make the Shechemites true Israelites. Nothing is said of their teaching the people to worship the true God, but only of their insisting on their being circumcised; and it is evident that they did not seek to convert Shechem, but only made a show of religion- a cloak to cover their diabolical design which is yet to be revealed. Because the issue of rape was still pending, unresolved and the offender was yet to admit being guilty, seek forgiveness and probably restitute, therefore the grief was still there and the anger was hot and bottled. As a result they answered Shechem deceitfully. They were aiming at revenge.
PROVERBS 6:32-35(KJV)
32. [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:34 (WEB) For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 6:35 (RSV) He will accept no compensation, nor be appeased though you multiply gifts.
GREED
Shechem, his father and the leaders of the town fell for the bait.
Proverbs 13:16 (RSV) In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
Proverbs 14:12 (RSV) There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:15 (WEB) A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
Shechem fell because of his inordinate affection for Dinah; his father fell because he wanted Dinah to marry his son at all cost thereby satisfy his son’s desire; the leaders fell because of their greed (quest for material gain), Genesis 34:23. They were after Jacob’s livestock and his other possessions to be gained from this bilateral relationship. They did not think twice before they ‘signed memorandum of understanding’ and agreed to be circumcised.
Proverbs 28:22 (DBY) He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Proverbs 28:25 (RSV) A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
Proverbs 27:12 (RSV) A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.
(TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 4)
Genesis 34:8, 11-12 (WEB)
Hamor talked with them, saying, "The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you will tell me I will give.
Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife."
Neither Shechem nor his father addresses the sin issue (the rape he committed); instead they were clamouring for the hand of Dinah in marriage. Proverbs 19:18 (KJV) Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Proverbs 28:13 (RSV) He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:16 (BBE) The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for him will have long life.
When sin is not confessed, forgiveness will not be received. There is no point in time when Hamor condemned the action of his son, Shechem. As fathers, we should not condone sin in our homes. The Bible says, “He who makes signs with his eyes is a cause of trouble, but he who makes a man see his errors is a cause of peace, Proverbs 10:10 (BBE).” Don’t pat your child on the back for doing wrong; reprove him immediately. Show your disapproval of his dismal behaviour.
Hamor was playing prank on Dinah’s family by offering them juicy offer without dealing with the sin issue in the life of his son. In order to win you to his side, the devil can offer you anything, name it.. What can you give in exchange for your life?
CONSEQUENCES OF UNCOFESSED SIN
Genesis 34:13-24 (KJV): 13. And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: 14. And they said unto them, we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us: 15. But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised; 16. Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.17. But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone. 18. And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.19. And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he [was] more honourable than all the house of his father. 20. And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying, 21 These men [are] peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.22. Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they [are] circumcised. 23. [Shall] not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs [be] ours? Only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us. 24. And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
Because the brothers of Dinah were still angry with Shechem, therefore they deceived him in order to revenge. Shechem and Hamor accepted the condition put forward –circumcision of all men in the land. It took them some time to convince their country men. They said one thing to Jacob’s family and different thing to their country men just to get their consent. Sin has no respect for anybody be they old or young, man or woman, boy or girl, poor or wealthy, the ruler or the subject.
Circumcision was the external rite by which persons were admitted members of the ancient church (Exodus 12:48). But that outward rite could not make the Shechemites true Israelites. Nothing is said of their teaching the people to worship the true God, but only of their insisting on their being circumcised; and it is evident that they did not seek to convert Shechem, but only made a show of religion- a cloak to cover their diabolical design which is yet to be revealed. Because the issue of rape was still pending, unresolved and the offender was yet to admit being guilty, seek forgiveness and probably restitute, therefore the grief was still there and the anger was hot and bottled. As a result they answered Shechem deceitfully. They were aiming at revenge.
PROVERBS 6:32-35(KJV)
32. [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:34 (WEB) For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 6:35 (RSV) He will accept no compensation, nor be appeased though you multiply gifts.
GREED
Shechem, his father and the leaders of the town fell for the bait.
Proverbs 13:16 (RSV) In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
Proverbs 14:12 (RSV) There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:15 (WEB) A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
Shechem fell because of his inordinate affection for Dinah; his father fell because he wanted Dinah to marry his son at all cost thereby satisfy his son’s desire; the leaders fell because of their greed (quest for material gain), Genesis 34:23. They were after Jacob’s livestock and his other possessions to be gained from this bilateral relationship. They did not think twice before they ‘signed memorandum of understanding’ and agreed to be circumcised.
Proverbs 28:22 (DBY) He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Proverbs 28:25 (RSV) A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
Proverbs 27:12 (RSV) A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.
(TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 4)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
THE ADVENTURE OF DINAH (PART 2)
WATCH WHAT YOU SEE
Genesis 6:2(KJV).That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Genesis 39:7 (KJV).And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, lie with me.
Joshua 7:21 (KJV) When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Judges14:1 (KJV) And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
Judges 14:2 (KJV).And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
WATCH OUT
Job 31:1 (WEB) "I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?”
Job 31:4 (MKJV) “Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?”
Matthew 5:28 (TCNT) I, however, say to you that any one who looks at a woman with an impure intention has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Blue film, pornography books, naked pictures of opposite sex, wild parties etc. are not good for you. They are caterpillars that destroy ones holiness. Watch what you see, her, and touch or handle. They may set you on fire. Shechem might have spoken softly to her, telling her what she is and what she is not in order to arouse her feeling. He later touched her; and with little or no resistance from her, he proceeded to the next stage and they entered the place of no return.
We should avoid all occasions of sin and approaches to it. Those who wander out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
Genesis 34:3-4(BBE) Genesis 34:3 (BBE) Then his heart went out in love to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he said comforting words to her. And Shechem said to Hamor, his father, Get me this girl for my wife.
There must have been time and opportunities of acquaintance to produce the strong attachment that Shechem had for her sister Dinah. It appears evidently from this verse that there had been no consent on the part of Dinah, that the whole episode might have been an act of violence.
Young persons, especially females are never so safe and well off as under the care of pious parents. Their own ignorance, and the flattery and artifices of designing, wicked people, who ever laying snares for them, expose them to great danger. They are their own enemies if they desire to go abroad, especially alone, among strangers to true religion. It was excessively wicked in Shechem to take this undue advantage of the daughter of a respectable stranger, who had sought his friendship and came to sojourn among his people, and whose righteous dealing they must have witnessed for at least seven to eight years. Proverbs 25:28 (RSV) “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
You should not steal or take by force what you can ask the owner for the permission to use. There is no ground for you to test run your marriage before you are legally married. As far as God is concern, no reason is tenable. Hebrews 13:4 (MKJV) Marriage [is] honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Genesis 34:5 (KJV) And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come. The good man held his peace, as one astonished that knows not what to say: or he said nothing, for fear of saying amiss.
Proverbs 11:12 (RSV) He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 17:27-28 (RSV) He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
Ecclesiastes3:1, 7 (RSV) for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
It should seem he had left the management of his affair very much to his sons, and he would do nothing without them. Things never go well when the authority of a parent runs low in a family. Let every man bear rule in his own house, and have his children in subjection with all gravity. Too much liberty is not to be given to youths.
I t is wrong of Jacob to leave his daughter unprotected, to visit the daughters of the land. Those parents are very wrong who do not hinder their children from needlessly exposing themselves to danger. Next to the fear and love of God, the guardianship of parents is the great safeguard of children. The environment we keep our children in as parents will either make or mar them. Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom and Gomorrah after he separated from Abraham. After a long time of sojourning in the land, they were asked to leave the place I hurry, with specific instruction not to look back. His wife remembered her jewelry, trinkets and their wealth in Sodom being on fire, she looked back and became a pillar of salt. His two daughters were later put in the family way by him through manipulation. (Read Genesis 13:10-13; 19:1-9, 14-17, 30-38). What a shame!
Genesis 34:6-7(BBE) Then Hamor, the father of Shechem, came out to have a talk with Jacob. Now the sons of Jacob came in from the fields when they had news of it, and they were wounded and very angry because of the shame he had done in Israel by having connection with Jacob's daughter; and they said, such a thing is not to be done.
Jacob only daughter, Dinah we suppose her, the mother’s fondling and the darling of the family, and yet she proved neither a joy nor a credit to them; for those children seldom prove either the best or happiest that are most indulged. The brothers were grieved and greatly wroth to hear that the pride of the family. Sister Dinah had lost her honour and glory. She had been deflowered, ravished, and disgraced. She was debauched. Proverbs 10:1 (BBE) A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. She brought reproach to the name of the Lord. You must watch where you go and who you associate with because it may cause grief to your family one day. Indulged children like Dinah, often become a grief and shame to their families.
(To be continued).
Genesis 6:2(KJV).That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Genesis 39:7 (KJV).And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, lie with me.
Joshua 7:21 (KJV) When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Judges14:1 (KJV) And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
Judges 14:2 (KJV).And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
WATCH OUT
Job 31:1 (WEB) "I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?”
Job 31:4 (MKJV) “Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?”
Matthew 5:28 (TCNT) I, however, say to you that any one who looks at a woman with an impure intention has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Blue film, pornography books, naked pictures of opposite sex, wild parties etc. are not good for you. They are caterpillars that destroy ones holiness. Watch what you see, her, and touch or handle. They may set you on fire. Shechem might have spoken softly to her, telling her what she is and what she is not in order to arouse her feeling. He later touched her; and with little or no resistance from her, he proceeded to the next stage and they entered the place of no return.
We should avoid all occasions of sin and approaches to it. Those who wander out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
Genesis 34:3-4(BBE) Genesis 34:3 (BBE) Then his heart went out in love to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he said comforting words to her. And Shechem said to Hamor, his father, Get me this girl for my wife.
There must have been time and opportunities of acquaintance to produce the strong attachment that Shechem had for her sister Dinah. It appears evidently from this verse that there had been no consent on the part of Dinah, that the whole episode might have been an act of violence.
Young persons, especially females are never so safe and well off as under the care of pious parents. Their own ignorance, and the flattery and artifices of designing, wicked people, who ever laying snares for them, expose them to great danger. They are their own enemies if they desire to go abroad, especially alone, among strangers to true religion. It was excessively wicked in Shechem to take this undue advantage of the daughter of a respectable stranger, who had sought his friendship and came to sojourn among his people, and whose righteous dealing they must have witnessed for at least seven to eight years. Proverbs 25:28 (RSV) “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
You should not steal or take by force what you can ask the owner for the permission to use. There is no ground for you to test run your marriage before you are legally married. As far as God is concern, no reason is tenable. Hebrews 13:4 (MKJV) Marriage [is] honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Genesis 34:5 (KJV) And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come. The good man held his peace, as one astonished that knows not what to say: or he said nothing, for fear of saying amiss.
Proverbs 11:12 (RSV) He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 17:27-28 (RSV) He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
Ecclesiastes3:1, 7 (RSV) for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
It should seem he had left the management of his affair very much to his sons, and he would do nothing without them. Things never go well when the authority of a parent runs low in a family. Let every man bear rule in his own house, and have his children in subjection with all gravity. Too much liberty is not to be given to youths.
I t is wrong of Jacob to leave his daughter unprotected, to visit the daughters of the land. Those parents are very wrong who do not hinder their children from needlessly exposing themselves to danger. Next to the fear and love of God, the guardianship of parents is the great safeguard of children. The environment we keep our children in as parents will either make or mar them. Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom and Gomorrah after he separated from Abraham. After a long time of sojourning in the land, they were asked to leave the place I hurry, with specific instruction not to look back. His wife remembered her jewelry, trinkets and their wealth in Sodom being on fire, she looked back and became a pillar of salt. His two daughters were later put in the family way by him through manipulation. (Read Genesis 13:10-13; 19:1-9, 14-17, 30-38). What a shame!
Genesis 34:6-7(BBE) Then Hamor, the father of Shechem, came out to have a talk with Jacob. Now the sons of Jacob came in from the fields when they had news of it, and they were wounded and very angry because of the shame he had done in Israel by having connection with Jacob's daughter; and they said, such a thing is not to be done.
Jacob only daughter, Dinah we suppose her, the mother’s fondling and the darling of the family, and yet she proved neither a joy nor a credit to them; for those children seldom prove either the best or happiest that are most indulged. The brothers were grieved and greatly wroth to hear that the pride of the family. Sister Dinah had lost her honour and glory. She had been deflowered, ravished, and disgraced. She was debauched. Proverbs 10:1 (BBE) A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. She brought reproach to the name of the Lord. You must watch where you go and who you associate with because it may cause grief to your family one day. Indulged children like Dinah, often become a grief and shame to their families.
(To be continued).
THE ADVENTURE OF DINAH (PART ONE)
Once upon a time there was a family of God in the land of Canaan. This family was blessed with many children-eleven sons and a daughter. They were travelers and strangers in Canaan for they were going to a promise land. At this point in time they settled in Shalem, a city of Shechem. They lived in tent, so they pitch their tent outside the city on a parcel of land bought by their father. They have relationship with God; they knew God and worship Him. They were covenant carriers, and as such made a special place where they worshipped Him-El-Elohel-Israel (God, the God of Israel).
Dinah, the only daughter of the family, usually stayed at home when her brothers were away in the field with their animals-cattle, sheep and goats. She sometimes helped with the house chores and when there was nothing to do at home, she played around. They had been in this land for about seven to eight years. They were quite acquainted with the people of the land. One day, after attending to the normal house chores, sister Dinah decided to visit her friends in the city as usual, but this time not in the company of her brothers. She went alone and something happened
Genesis 33:18-20 (NKJV)
Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city.
And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money.
Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.
They were sojourning in Shechem. They did not have a continue city there as a result they built temporary place of abode (camp) and lived in tent. They had their own lifestyles which they strictly adhered to. They did not abandon their God for the gods of the land.
Genesis 34:1 (KJV)
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
ONE DAY
She went out to see, and to be seen. Sister Dinah went out for a purpose,-to see her friends (the young women living in the land), but it may be with same thought of seeing the sons of the land too. Her pretence was to see the daughters of the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was fashionable among them. She went out to get acquaintance with those Canaanites, and to learn their ways. Her vain curiosity exposed her to danger. The pride and vanity of young people push them into many snares. She went out perhaps unknown to her father but by the connivance of her mother ot see the daughters of the land. You must be wary of where you go, or the occasion/function you attend-carnivals, parties, etc. Don’t allow sentiment to push you there: “It is my friend, relative, boss etc that is organizing the party, therefore I must attend.” Foul! Have you asked God? There may be danger ahead.
Judges19
19. Then they said, Behold, [there is] a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly [in a place] which [is] on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
20. Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;
21. And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
22. And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, [that] ye should be guilty.
23. And the children of Benjamin did so, and took [them] wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.
You need to enquire from God, should I go? Should I stay back at home? They were women in Shiloh-house of God. They were people of God so to say. They went to that annual carnival and became wives overnight. Prematurely!
And Shechem saw her……
Genesis 34:2 (KJV).And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
It is highly probable that sister Dinah had been often and freely mixing in the society of the palace and she, being simple an inexperienced, and vain young woman, had been flattered by the attention of the ruler’s son. Shechem the prince of the country, but a slave to his own lusts, took her and raped.
(To be continued)
Dinah, the only daughter of the family, usually stayed at home when her brothers were away in the field with their animals-cattle, sheep and goats. She sometimes helped with the house chores and when there was nothing to do at home, she played around. They had been in this land for about seven to eight years. They were quite acquainted with the people of the land. One day, after attending to the normal house chores, sister Dinah decided to visit her friends in the city as usual, but this time not in the company of her brothers. She went alone and something happened
Genesis 33:18-20 (NKJV)
Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city.
And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money.
Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.
They were sojourning in Shechem. They did not have a continue city there as a result they built temporary place of abode (camp) and lived in tent. They had their own lifestyles which they strictly adhered to. They did not abandon their God for the gods of the land.
Genesis 34:1 (KJV)
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
ONE DAY
She went out to see, and to be seen. Sister Dinah went out for a purpose,-to see her friends (the young women living in the land), but it may be with same thought of seeing the sons of the land too. Her pretence was to see the daughters of the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was fashionable among them. She went out to get acquaintance with those Canaanites, and to learn their ways. Her vain curiosity exposed her to danger. The pride and vanity of young people push them into many snares. She went out perhaps unknown to her father but by the connivance of her mother ot see the daughters of the land. You must be wary of where you go, or the occasion/function you attend-carnivals, parties, etc. Don’t allow sentiment to push you there: “It is my friend, relative, boss etc that is organizing the party, therefore I must attend.” Foul! Have you asked God? There may be danger ahead.
Judges19
19. Then they said, Behold, [there is] a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly [in a place] which [is] on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
20. Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;
21. And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
22. And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, [that] ye should be guilty.
23. And the children of Benjamin did so, and took [them] wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.
You need to enquire from God, should I go? Should I stay back at home? They were women in Shiloh-house of God. They were people of God so to say. They went to that annual carnival and became wives overnight. Prematurely!
And Shechem saw her……
Genesis 34:2 (KJV).And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
It is highly probable that sister Dinah had been often and freely mixing in the society of the palace and she, being simple an inexperienced, and vain young woman, had been flattered by the attention of the ruler’s son. Shechem the prince of the country, but a slave to his own lusts, took her and raped.
(To be continued)
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