I Chronicles 27

Twelve divisions of Israelite armyverse 1

Now the children of Israel after their number – to wit

the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds

      and their officers that served the king in any

matter of the courses which came in and went

out month of the year – of every course

were twenty and four thousand

Leaders for twelve monthsverses 2-15

Over the first course for the first month was

Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel

                        and in his course were twenty and four thousand

                                    of the children of Perez was the chief

of all the captains of the host

for the first month

And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite

            and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler

                        in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand

The third captain of the hosts for the third month

was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada a chief priest

and in his course were twenty and four thousand

this is that Benaiah – who was mighty among the thirty

and above the thirty

and in his course was Ammizabad his son

The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel

the brother of Joab and Zebadiah his son after him

                        and in his course were twenty and four thousand

The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite

            and in his course were twenty and four thousand

The sixth captain for the sixth month

was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite

                        and in his course were twenty and four thousand

The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite

            of the children of Ephraim

                        and in his course were twenty and four thousand

The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite

            of the Zarhites – and in his course were twenty and four thousand

The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abi-ezer the Anethothite

            of the Benjamites – and in his course

were twenty and four thousand

The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite

            of the Zarhites – and in his course were twenty and four thousand

The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite

            of the children of Ephraim – and in his course were

twenty and four thousand

The twelfth captain for the twelfth captain for the twelfth month was

Heldai the Netophathite – of Othniel

and in his course were twenty and four thousand

Leaders of each tribeverses 16-22

Furthermore over the tribes of Israel – he ruler

of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri

of the Simeonites – Shephatiah the son of Maachah

of the Levites – Hashabiah the son of Kemuel

of the Aaronites – Zadok

of Judah – Elihu – one of the brethren of David

of Issachar – Omri the son of Michael

of Zebulun – Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah

of Naphtali – Jerimoth the son of Azriel

of the children of Ephraim – Hoshea the son of Azaziah

of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead

Iddo the son of Zechariah

of Benjamin – Jaasiel the son of Abner

of Dan  – Azareel the son of Jeroham

These were the princes of the tribes of Israel

Incomplete census taken of Israelverses 23-24

But David took not the number of them

from twenty years old and under

because the LORD had said HE

would increase Israel like to the

stars of the heavens

Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number – but he finished not

            because there fell wrath for it against Israel

                        neither was the number put in the account of the

chronicles of king David

Overseer of treasures of the kingverse 25

And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel

            and over the storehouses in the fields – cities – villages – castles

was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah

Overseers of properties of the kingverses 26-31

And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground

            was Ezri the son of Chelub

And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite

            over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellar was

Zabdi the Shiphmite

And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees

that were in the low plains

                        was Baal-hanan the Gederite

And over the cellars of oil was Joash

And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite

            and over the herds that were in the valleys

was Shaphat the son of Adlai

            and over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite

            and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite

            and over the flocks wsa Jaziz the Hagerite

All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s

Leaders in the king’s householdverses 32-34

 Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counselor – wise man – scribe

            and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons

            and Ahithophel was the king’s counselor

            and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion

                        and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah

                                    and Abiathar

            and the general of the king’s army was Joab

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 1        Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand. (4256 “course” [machaloqeth] means portion, division, distribution, a group of people designated for a particular task or purpose, smoothness, an order, or working group)

DEVOTION:  Organization is every important in our time while on this earth. We have to organize our thoughts each day to have a productive day. We have to organize our weeks, so that, we have a productive week. We have to organize our month, so that, we have a good month. We have to organize our year to make sure we have a productive year. And so on.

We need to know where we are headed in our life and then set a plan in motion to make sure we are headed for that outcome in our life when we are ready to retire. If we have goals to meet we understand if we meet them. Many times we should be writing down our yearly goals and then work toward those goals as leaders or members of the congregation or members of a family.

We need to let someone know where we want to be in the future, so they can help us get to those places. David had a goal of making sure that his nation was organized in the area of protection.

He assigned individuals to lead the troops each month of the year. They only served for a month but it was their responsibility to make sure the nation was safe from their enemies. There were enough troops to make sure this would happen but also gave them time off when they were not on duty.

We are on duty all of our life when we serve the LORD. We have the responsibility to make sure that we are serving the LORD properly with the gift HE has given us for use in the local church. Yes, we need time off once in a while and that should be planned into our service for the LORD.

We need to organize not only our outside responsibilities but also our responsibilities in our home as well. Each person in the home has to help in their home to see that things are done in an organized manner.

This starts with children organizing their bedrooms Next moves to also organizing their school work. Then moves on to make sure they are organizing their future work environment. Finally moves on to make sure that they are working well with their family.

CHALLENGE:  Our Christian life should be organized around the commands of the LORD.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 23      But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said, HE would increase Israel like the stars of the heavens. (3556 “stars” [kowkab] means a celestial body (distinct from the sun and moon) visible from the earth at night, light of the star, a ruer as figurative extension of a lofty heavenly body, or a class of being in heaven that serves God)

DEVOTION:  God made many promises to the children of Israel. One of the promises is that the nation would grow to the point that it would number as much as the stars of heaven that many have tried to number but it seems there are more than they can see and number.

God was going to bless the nation of Israel. HE was going to provide for them a place. HE was going to help them defeat their enemies. HE was going to bless them. All this was promised and yet they rebelled many times against HIM as a nation.

The LORD makes promises to those of us who were born after the birth of Jesus which was another promise of the LORD.
HE was going to reach all nations with the message of salvation. Everyone in our world has an opportunity to become a follower of Jesus Christ. The offer of blessing is given to those who are followers of Jesus. They are not the same blessing that were promised to Israel but they are said to be even better promises.

We need to realize that when God promises something HE keeps HIS word. HE did bless the nation of Israel and HE is blessing the church.

Our responsibility is to be faithful to HIM in our daily life and HE will bless us beyond our imagination.

Are we fulfilling our responsibility to HIM each day of our lives? Are we confessing our sins to restore our fellowship with HIM? HE wants to have a good working relationship with HIS followers.

CHALLENGE: How is our relationship with the LORD today? Obedience was the key for Israel and it is the key to all of us who are part of the church of Jesus Christ.

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: 25      And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah (214 “storehouses” [owtsar] means treasure, cellars, store, or supplies of food and drink)

DEVOTION:  Organization is very important to the smooth running of a kingdom. David had order to his kingdom. Everyone had their responsibility. Leaders were chosen to keep things going in the right direction.

The names of the leaders of David’s kingdom were given to establish his organization. Every aspect of the kingdom is covered. The soldiers served for a month and then had eleven months off. Those in charge of each tribe are listed. All of the property of the king had an individual in control. Even in the king’s household there were those who were in control of each part of the life of the king and his children.

God wants everything to be done decently and in order. HE is not a God of chaos. HE created the world with organization. The LORD had prospered the kingdom of David.

We have a list of people in this chapter who had given responsibilities in the kingdom of Israel during David’s reign. The names are listed in Scripture. Why? God considers everyone important to HIS kingdom. There were places built in different locations to keep supplies that were collected from the different locations. There were supplies available to the king and his household in the fields, cities, villages and castles.

Today we have different aspects of our lives that need to have someone responsible to see that they run smoothly. In the church this needs to happen as well. In the New Testament church there are many offices to fill and everyone is important to God. People who are a follower of the LORD have a gift given to them at the point of salvation for service in the local church.

Our names are listed in heaven and our service to HIM is rewarded. Remember that NO ONE is unimportant to God. Serve HIM with joy!!

Warning: There are people who want to take responsibility in areas in which they are not gifted. Watch out for those who want to be in places the LORD never gave them the ability to be in.

Take responsibility in an area of your local church that you are gifted in to help it run smoothly. Without everyone taking a responsibility there will be chaos in the church and it will not move forward in the community. That is not pleasing to the LORD. That doesn’t give glory to the LORD.

 CHALLENGE: No one is to sit, soak, and sour in the local church. Everyone is to be busy for the LORD!!!!

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 32      And Jonathan David’s uncle was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. (3289 “counselor” [ya‘ats] means someone who gives advice about problems, consult, minister, advisor, one who speaks and urges direction of action or thought, or implying the advice given is considered wise and valuable)

DEVOTION:   David seemed to be a very organized man when he became king over Israel. He seemed to know that he needed to gather men around him who could give him good advice and carry out the advice in a timely manner.

Here we have an uncle that we have not been introduced to before but he was someone who helped David during his reign by giving him good advice and recording important manners for his nephew.

Family members can be an important asset to us if they love the LORD and are looking out for our growth in the LORD on a regular basis. Here we have a family member who was wise in his dealings with others. We need wisdom in any adventure we get involved in while we are serving the LORD.

This can only come if we organize our life around people who want to see us grow in the LORD and can give us wise advice on how to show our love for the LORD in all that we do and say!

David gathered people around him who had leadership skills and were willing to help him with the success of his reign. This one relative was good for him to have around during this time period.

Who do we have in our family that can help us move closer to the LORD and help us be a good leader? It is important to ask others for help but we have to ask the right ones because there are some who are not interested in seeing us grow in the LORD and be good leaders.

We have to be like David and find those who are interested and willing to help us to advance in our field of service for the LORD. Once we find them appreciate them as well.

CHALLENGE: Finding good advisors is always good no matter what field of service you are in for the LORD. Ask the LORD to give you wisdom in this area.

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: 33      And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion. (3289 “counsellor” [ya’ats] means someone who give advice about problems, to consult for anyone, exhort, admonish, one who speaks and urges certain direction of actions or thought implying the advice given is considered wis and valuable, or adviser.)

DEVOTION:  David had Ahithophel as his royal adviser. This was someone he trusted to give him wise advice and someone he could trust or at least thought he could trust. He proved to be to be someone he could not trust.

When Absalom rebelled against his father, he was one of the counselors who went to be with Absalom. He was one who gave Absalom good advice that he didn’t listen to because was against his counsel and HE didn’t want David to lose the kingship of Israel.

However, sometimes we can pick men or women to be our advisors who are not genuine in their interest of making sure that we serve the LORD with honor. They are more interested in getting themselves ahead in the world rather than helping us get ahead.

The LORD has to give us wisdom as to those we trust with our deepest needs for help. We have to pray for this wisdom on a regular basis as there will be people who want to come into our camp for their own reasons and one of them is not to see our ministry for the LORD advance.

We all are in ministry whether we serve the LORD in the local church or in a mission capacity or whatever our area of service. Our occupation is a ministry. We are to reach people for the LORD by making sure we have a good testimony with those around us. This can only happen when we show ourselves to be good servants of the LORD.

CHALLENGE: Watch, who you depend on, for advice at your church or work place. Some want you to advance and others are only looking out for themselves. Make sure you are not one of those that is just looking out for yourself. Help others to advance.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Men over the possession of King Davidverses 25-31

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Benaiah – son of Jehoiada = chief priestverses 5, 6

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Chronicles of Davidverse 24

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verse 23

Promised to increase Israel as stars of heaven

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Numbering Israel = wrath of Godverse 24

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Serveverse 1

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Children of Israelverse 1

Twelve courses of service givenverses 1-15

24,000

First month – Jashobeam

Second month – Dodai an Ahohit

Mikloth

Third month – Benaiah – son of Jehoiada

Chief priest

Was mighty among the thirty

Ammizabad – his son

Fourth month – Asahel – brother of Joab

Zebadiah – his son

Fifth month – Shamhuth the Izahite

Sixth month – Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite

Seventh month – Helez the Pelonite

Of children of Ephraim

Eighth month – Sibbecai the Hushathite

Ninth month – Abiezer the Anetothite

Of tribe of Benjamite

Tenth month – Maharal the Netophathite

Of the Zarhites

Eleventh month – Benaiah the Pirathonite

Of children of Ephraim

Twelfth month – Heldai the Netophathite

Twelve tribes leaders givenverses 16-22

Reubenites – Eliezer the son of Zichri

Simonites – Shephatiah the son of Maachah

Levites – Hashabiah – son of Kemuel

Aaronites – Zadok

Judah – Elihu

Issachar – Omri the son of Michael

Zebulun – Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah

Naphtali – Jerimoth the son of Azriel

Ephraim – Hoshea the son of Azaziah

Half tribe of Manasseh – Joel the son of Pedaiah

Half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead

Iddo the son of Zechariah

Benjamin – Jaasiel the son of Abner

Dan – Azareel the son of Jeroham

These were the princes of Israel

Davidverses 23, 24

Increase Israel as the stars of heavenverse 23

Joab didn’t finish the numberingverse 24

Wrath against Israel

Other responsibilities given to othersverses 25-31

Jonathan – David’s uncleverse 32

Counselor

Wise man

Scribeverse 32

Ahithophel: Counselor to Davidverses 33, 34

Hushai – Archite: David’s companionverse 33

Jehoiada – son of Benaiahverse 34

Abiatharverse 34

Captain of David’s army was Joabverse 34

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

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QUOTES regarding passage

32–34. The royal counsellors are David’s personal advisers, though there was probably no sharp distinction between them and state officials (1 Chr. 18:14–17). Three are unknown elsewhere, including Jonathan, who is more likely to have been David’s uncle (niv, nrsv, rsv) than his ‘favourite nephew’ (reb, neb). Ahithophel and Hushai are well known from 2 Samuel. Hushai’s title, the king’s friend (cf. 2 Sam. 15:37; 16:16) was of Egyptian origin and seems to have become standard under David as well as Solomon (1 Kgs 4:5). Abiathar the priest and Joab, David’s commander-in-chief, were closely associated with David from his early days as a fugitive (1 Sam. 22:20; 26:6), remaining loyal even during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 15:24; 18:2), until they incurred David’s displeasure by supporting Adonijah (1 Kgs 1:7). (Selman, M. J. (1994). 1 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 10, p. 258). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)

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32 A concluding list of major counselors supplements the earlier outlines of David’s cabinet as presented in 18:15–17 (cf. 2 Sam 8:15–18; 20:23–26).33 Hushai’s post of “king’s friend” (cf. 2 Sam 15:37) may have begun on an informal and personal basis; but it became an official advisory position (cf. 1 Kings 4:5), for which parallels exist in ancient Egypt (examples are listed in Myers, Chronicles, 1:186). Ahithophel was the ill-fated “counselor” who deserted David for his son, the rebel Absalom (2 Sam 15:12, 31; 16:20–23), but whose advice was subverted by Hushai (15:32–37; 17:1–16).

34 After his suicide (17:23), Ahithophel “was succeeded by Jehoiada,” son of the commander Benaiah (cf. comment on 27:5), and grandson of his namesake, the militant priest (see comment on 12:27–28). (Payne, J. B. (1988). 1, 2 Chronicles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 432). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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27:32–34 A summary of those whose duties kept them in close contact with the king (cf. 18:14–17), perhaps like a cabinet. When David’s son, Absalom, rebelled against him, Ahithophel betrayed David and joined the revolution. Hushai pretended loyalty to Absalom, and his advice caused Absalom’s death (cf. 2Sa 15:31–17:23). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ch 27:32–34). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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Vers. 32–34.—David’s ministers. Compare in contents and style with its counterpart in 2 Sam. 8:15–18; 1 Chr. 18:15–17; 2 Sam. 20:23–26. “The list is chiefly supplemental, the officers mentioned being, in the main, such as have not been noticed before—e.g., king’s counsellor, king’s friend, companion of the king’s sons. The list cannot belong to a very late part of David’s reign, since it contains the name of Ahithophel, who slew himself during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 17:23)” [Speak. Com.]. Ver. 32. Uncle, David’s “nephew,” as word often used (cf. ch. 20:7 and 2 Sam. 21:21). Ver. 33. Ahith., only mention made by writer of Chronicles. Companion, “king’s friend” (1 Ki. 4:5). Ver. 34. Jehoiada, son of Ben., named probably alter his grandfather. (Wolfendale, J. (1892). I & II Chronicles (p. 123). New York; London; Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company.)

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David’s inner circle of officials (27:32–34), perhaps comparable to the cabinet of a modern political chief executive, completes the listing of David’s civil bureaucracy. The officers listed are counselor, scribe, friend (perhaps modeled after an Egyptian office with a similar name), leader over the king’s sons (over his household?), and commander of the royal army. (Bowling, A. C. (1995). 1-2 Chronicles. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 277). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)

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Ver. 25–34. And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel, &c.] The historian here proceeds to relate who were employed in the economical and civil affairs of David; and the first mentioned is the lord of his treasury, who had the care of his gold and silver brought into his exchequer, either by a levy on his own people, or by the tribute of others: Jehonathan the son of Uzziah had the care of the storehouses, in which were laid up what the fields, cities, villages, and castles that belonged to the king produced, whether by fruits gathered in, or by rents collected: Ezri the son of Chelub looked after his workmen in the fields, employed in the tillage of the ground: Shimei of Ramath, in the tribe of Benjamin, had the care of the vineyards, to see that they were dressed and pruned, and kept in good order: Zabdi of Shepham, Numb. 34:10, 11. had the charge of the wine squeezed out of the grapes, both in the presses and in the cellars: Baal-hanan of Geder, in the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15:36, 58. was over the olive and sycamore trees, to see that they were well taken care of: and Joash was intrusted with the cellars where the oil was deposited: Shitrai the Sharonite had the herds of kine fed in Sharon committed to his trust; whether in Sharon beyond Jordan, or that about Lydda and Joppa, near the Mediterranean sea, both affording fruitful pastures for herds; and this man, being of Sharon, was a fit man to be employed in such service: and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over those herds that were in the valleys, where were good pastures for them; such officers Pharaoh king of Egypt had, Gen. 47:6 and as early as the times of Ninus king of Assyria, one named Simma was master of the king’s cattle, as Faustulus was to Amulius king of the Latines^m; and so Tyrrhus in Virgil had the command of all the king’s cattle; and Cicero mentions another in the same office^o: Obil the Ishmaelite (an Arab, as the Targum) had the care of the camels; and a very proper person he was, who must know the nature of them, and how to manage them, Arabia, or the land of the Ishmaelites, abounding with them. This man was so called, either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth, and was proselyted to the Jewish religion; or he was an Israelite that had dwelt some time in the land of Ishmael, and therefore so called. Bochart thinks he had his name of Obil from his office, the word in the Arabic language signifying a keeper of camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the asses, which were employed in ploughing and carrying burdens; and Jaziz the Hagarite was over the flocks of sheep, the chief shepherd, who had the command of all the under shepherds, and a very proper person, being an Hagarite, or Arab; for such dwelt in tents for the sake of pasturage for their flocks, as Jarchi notes: these were the principal men that had the care of David’s personal substance; so, in aftertimes, the Roman Cæsars^q had such sort of servants to take care of their farms, fields, fruit, cattle, &c. the rest that follow were David’s courtiers. Jonathan, or to whom David was uncle, the son of Shimea, his brother being a wise and learned man, was his counsellor, see 2 Sam. 21:21 and Jehiel the Hachmonite was preceptor, or tutor to the king’s sons, that brought them up, and took care of their education; Ahithophel was his counsellor until the conspiracy and rebellion of Absalom; and Hushai the Archite was his companion, friend, and favourite, with whom he conversed at leisure hours. After the death of Ahithophel, Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar, were his counsellors, and Joab the general of his army. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, pp. 41–42). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING: 

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

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1 Kings 12
After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam splits the kingdom
INSIGHT

Because Solomon drifts from the Lord during the latter part of his reign, he does not leave to his successor a healthy, vibrant nation. Israel struggles for moral and political leadership. Rehoboam inherits the throne but places foolish and inordinate financial demands on the nation on the heels of what Solomon had demanded–to build the temple and his palace. The people rebel and the nation divides. The northern part of the kingdom (Israel) follows after Jeroboam while Rehoboam retains control over the southern part (Judah); neither man leads the nation in righteousness and the disintegration that began with Solomon continues. Sin is taking its toll. It always does.            (Quiet Walk)

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The little phrase “if so be” (Greek ei per) is used four times in the New Testament, each time setting forth a vital spiritual result established on the basis of a vital spiritual premise. The premise in today’s verse is that a new Christian has truly experienced the saving grace of Christ. The result will be that these “newborn babes” will truly “desire the sincere milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2). The “word” (Greek logikos) is always both pure and reasonable. 

Then, “ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you” (Romans 8:9). When a person truly receives Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells his body, and the result is that he will henceforth live in the guidance of the Spirit instead of the flesh. 

But this life in the Spirit will necessarily entail suffering for the sake of Christ, and this is the premise that assures our future inheritance and glorification. The indwelling Spirit bears witness that we are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). 

Finally, our future resurrection is assured by the certainty of the bodily resurrection of Christ. “We have testified of God,” Paul says, “that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not” (1 Corinthians 15:15). Christ’s resurrection is proved as well as any historical fact has ever been proved, so the dead surely rise also. 

These “if so be’s” of Scripture, although seemingly expressed in the form of conditions, actually speak great assurances. The true Christian life is one of thirst for the logical words of God, guidance by the indwelling Spirit of God, certainty of future resurrection, and anticipation of a glorious inheritance in Christ. HMM (The Institute for Creation Research)

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Pieces of the Pattern

BY  BARBARA RAINEY

Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
EXODUS 25:9, NIV

Back when I used to do a lot more sewing, I enjoyed looking through pattern books. It was fun to select the style I wanted and then cut out the small pieces of tissue paper that indicated what went where and how everything fit together. But that’s just it—all those little shapes that represent the sleeves and the bodice and the front and the back don’t mean anything unless they eventually come together to form an article of clothing. Until the parts are applied in the context of the whole, they never achieve the purpose that was intended for them by the dress designer.

Many times in marriage, all we can see are the pieces. We see the romance part. We see the conflict part. We see the housekeeping part. We see the bill-paying part. We see the parenting part. But because we spend so much of our time focusing on the individual parts of our marriage, we don’t always see them in the bigger picture our Designer had in mind But the pattern is there nonetheless, and it’s contained in the package of God’s Word.

I want you to be encouraged that the pattern for your marriage isn’t something you were responsible for creating. It’s not based on feelings that can be strong today and much different tomorrow. The biblical pattern and plan for your marriage was created in the mind of almighty God, whose wisdom is unrivaled and whose love for you is beyond all bounds. If you keep putting the pieces where they belong, His pattern will start to show. His design will take its beautiful shape in the form of your marriage.

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Small Wonder

We have done only that which we ought to have done. LUKE 17:10

When you think about the great humanitarian efforts achieved by the advance of Christianity over the years, you possibly think of hospitals and rescue missions and hunger relief. But perhaps the power of Christianity is proven best every day in homes and families and marriages like yours—when people who are self-centered by nature put their spouse’s needs before their own. It’s something He only accomplishes in us when we do the following:

1. Put Christ first in all things. When Barbara and I signed the “Title Deed” of our lives over to Christ as a young married couple, we officially gave Him everything that was ours—all rights to our lives, dreams and possessions.

Have we ever failed to remember the One who really owns our hopes, dreams and possessions? Sure. But whenever we’ve been tempted to live for ourselves, we’ve always been able to look each other in the eye and remember a time when we submitted everything of ours into His keeping and signed that title deed.

2. Give up all rights and entitlements. Paul said, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all” (1 Corinthians 9:19). Not a slave to some, but to all. And just as a slave relinquishes all rights to personal time and desires, we as Christ’s followers are commanded to put others above ourselves. It’s the only way to be the kind of wife or husband God intends us to be.

3. Be selfless in the little things. Sometimes I don’t want to get out of my favorite chair to help Barbara carry in the groceries, sweep the kitchen or clean a toilet bowl. But it’s in these minor, everyday moments that we teach our selfish selves who is boss. This is part of what the Bible means when it tells us to “learn to do good” (Isaiah 1:17)—to constantly choose death to self, to always choose sacrificial love until it becomes our first response. (Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)

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Demonic Discouragement
“Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?” (Job 4:18-19)
This was the strange message delivered to Eliphaz, the first of the three friends who proved such “miserable comforters” to Job in his sufferings, by “a spirit” that “stood still,… an image…before mine eyes” (vv. 15-16). This “thing was secretly [literally ‘stealthily’] brought to me,” said Eliphaz (v. 12), and there is little doubt that its original source was Satan himself, in his efforts to discredit and destroy Job. The “spirit” who instructed Eliphaz was not sent from God, as he may have thought, but was one of those angelic servants who had been “charged with folly” when they followed Lucifer in his primeval rebellion.
Still smarting with wounded pride that God would make His angels mere “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14) to Adam and his children, whose own bodies were mere “houses of clay,” built out of the dust of the earth, these demonic rebels hate human beings—especially those who love and serve God—with great passion. If Satan could not destroy Job by tempting him into moral wickedness or rebellion against an “unjust” God, perhaps he could lead him into discouragement, using his self-righteous “friends” to cause him to lose faith in God’s love and care.
But he failed! Job said: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” and “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 13:15; 19:25).
Such defeatism is one of Satan’s most effective weapons. When he strikes with it, we must, like Job, “resist stedfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9), knowing “the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11).

                   (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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On Being A PASTOR by Derek J. Prime & Alistair Begg

Dr. W. E. Sangster held the same conviction:

The man who jealously guards his morning hours for deep study, and study which centers in God’s Book; who lets it be known to his people that, while he is available at any hour of day or night for they dying (and other needs which brook no delay) he expects to be left undisturbed in his pulpit preparation until lunch time; who uses these fenced hours, first for praying, then for brooding on the Bible and for the flinty kind of thinking which will enable him to go twice a Sunday to his pulpit and really feed his people from the word of God – that man will not lack his reward (p. 103-4)

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People unaccustomed to study have little idea of how a single telephone call can hinder our whole flow of thought and study. (p. 104)

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AB – I can be my own worst enemy by making phone calls when they come to mind and thus interrupting myself. (p. 104)

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Governed by feelings or distractions, we will either become lazy or hopelessly diverted from our priority. (p. 105)

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A steward is one who is commissioned to oversee the welfare and execute the affairs of another. The closer a steward is able to represent the mind of his superior, the better he fulfills his role. Therefore, when a steward is on assignment, ideally he has no personal mind or will; he strives to have the mind and will of his superior.
Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, was an excellent example of a faithful steward. His complete mindset was to represent the will of Abraham as faithfully as possible. As Christians, we are stewards of Christ, and as such, we are to strive to have the mind and will of Christ. In addition, we are always on assignment (1 Corinthians 6:20). By studying Eliezer, we can gain insight into how to be a more faithful steward of Christ. (Quiet Walk)

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I SAIAH 46:1
The things that you carry are burdensome

A few years ago, I went on my first real diet. My doctor told me that even though I wasn’t carrying an enormous amount of weight, a guy at my age with my family history and combination of vital statistics was headed toward an encounter with Type II diabetes. He got my attention. So I did it. I backed off the desserts, watched the carbs, ramped up the exercise routine and dropped 25 pounds in about 4 months. I felt great. One day it occurred to me, “No wonder I used to be out of breath after climbing 2 measly flights of steps at the office! When you’re carrying a 25-pound sack of flour around your waist, it’s bound to wear you down throughout the day.”
But this devotion really isn’t about dieting. It’s about the other “bags” we carry around: Past sexual sin. A history of abuse. An affair. Irrational fears. Old secrets. Hidden sin. These are the bags we don’t want to unpack. Things too dark to expose and admit. The problem is that the longer we carry one of these burdens, the heavier it becomes.
One man I know had been carrying his secret for over a decade. As he confessed it to me, it was clear that he needed to be cleansed from the weight of his immoral indiscretion.
A woman was embittered toward her mother. When she finally forgave her mother, she experienced the very best kind of instant weight loss.
Are you going to keep carrying your baggage? Or are you going to drop the weight by dealing with it, talking about it and beginning to process it together? Venture out courageously to seek the Lord together—as husband and wife—for His help and healing.
It may be the best weight you ever lose. (Moments with You Couples Devotional by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)

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1 Kings 17

After Elijah prophesies drought, the Lord hides him and later uses him to heal a child.

INSIGHT

Drought is a devastating natural disaster, and when it comes to the children of Israel, it does not come by accident. It is always divine judgment. From the beginning of his reign, Ahab, who is king when Elijah begins his ministry, violates the Lord’s name. He encourages idolatry and the worship of Baal, a pagan god. He “did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him” (1 Kings 16:30). Elijah’s name means “Jehovah is my strength,” and the Lord sets about to prove the significance of Elijah’s name as He brings judgment on Israel and destroys the worshipers of Baal.

                            (Quiet Walk)

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The Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14

READ Mark 10:13–16

My mother has been committed to many things over the course of her life, but one that has remained constant is her desire to see little children introduced to Jesus. Of the few times I’ve witnessed my mother display disagreement publicly, all were when someone attempted to cut a children’s ministry budget in favor of what they felt were more “serious” expenditures. “I took off one summer when I was pregnant with your brother, but that’s it,” she told me. I did a little family math and I realized my mom had been working with children in the church for fifty-five years.

Mark 10 records one of the endearing stories in the Gospels commonly titled “The Little Children and Jesus.” People were bringing children to Jesus that He might touch and bless them. But the disciples tried to prevent this from happening. Mark records Jesus as “indignant”—and rebuking His very own disciples: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (v. 14).

Charles Dickens wrote, “I love these little people; and it’s not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.” And it’s not a slight thing when we, who are older, do all we can to make sure the little children are never hindered from the ever-fresh love of Jesus.  (By John Blasé. Our Daily Bread)

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