I Chronicles 4
Descendants of JUDAHverses 1-2
The sons of Judah – Pharez – Hezron – Carmi – Hur – Shobal
and Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath
and Jahath begate Ahumai and Lahad
These are the families of the Zorathites
Descendants of Etamverses 3-4
And these were of the father of Etam = Jezreel – Ishma – Idbash
and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi
and Penuel the father of Gedor
and Ezer the father of Hushah
These are the sons of Hur – the firstborn of Ephratah
the father of Bethlehem
Descendants of Ashurverses 5-8
And Ashur the father of Tekoa had
two wives = Helah and Naarah
and Naarah bare him = Ahuzam
Hepher – Temeni – Haahashtari
these are the sons of Naarah
And the sons of Helah were = Zereth – Jezoar – Ethnan
and Coz begat Anub – Zobebah
and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum
Jabezverses 9-10
And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren
and his mother called his name Jabez saying
Because I bare him with sorrow
And Jabez called on the God of Israel
saying
Oh that YOU would bless me indeed – and enlarge my coast
and that YOUR hand might be with me
and that YOU would keep me from evil
that it may not grieve me
And God granted him that which he requested
Tribe of Judah craftsmenverses 11-14
And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir
which was the father of Eshton
And Eshton begat Beth-rapha – Paseah
Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash
these are the men of Rechah
And the sons of Kenaz = Othniel – Seraiah
and the sons of Othniel = Hathath
And Meonothai begat Ophrah – and Seraiah begat Joab
the father of the valley of Charashim
for they were craftsmen
Descendants of Calebverses 15-20
And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh
= Iru – Elah – Naam
and the sons of Elah – even Kenaz
And the sons of Jehaleleel = Ziph – Ziphah – Tiria – Asareel
And the sons of Ezra were = Jether – Mered – Epher – Jalon
and she bare Miriam – Shammai
Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa
and his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor
Heber the father of Socho
Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah
And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh
which Mered took – and the sons of his wife Hodiah
the sister of Naham
the father of Keilah the Garmite
Eshtemoa the Maachathite
And the sons of Shimon were = Amnon – Rinnah
Ben-hanan – Tilon
and the sons of Ishi
were Zoheth – Ben-zoheth
Descendants of Shelah of Judahverses 21-23
The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were
Er the father of Lecah – Laadah the father of Mareshah
and the families of the house of them
that wrought fine linen
of the house of Ashbea – and Jokim
and the men of Chozeba – and Joash – and Saraph
who had the dominion of Moab
and Jashu-bi-lehem
and these are ancient things
These were the potters – and those that dwelt
among plants and hedges
there they dwelt with the king for his work
Descendants of TRIBE OF SIMEONverses 24-38
The sons of Simeon were = Nemuel – Jamin – Jarib
Zerah – Shaul – Shallum his son – Mibsam his son
Mishma his son
and the sons of Mishma
Hamuel his son
Zacchur his son
Shimei his son
And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters
BUT his brethren had not many children
neither did all their family multiply
like the children of Judah
And they dwelt at Beer-sheba – Moladah – Hazar-shual
Bilhah – Ezem – Tolad – Bethuel – Hormah – Ziklag
Beth-marcaboth – Hazar-susim -Beth- birei – Shaaraim
these were their cities unto the reign of David
And their villages were – Etam – Ain – Rimmon
Tochen – Ashan – five cities
and all their villages that were round about
the same cities to Baal
These were their habitations and their genealogy
and Meshobab – Jamlech – Joshah the son of Amaziah
Joel – Jehu the son of Josibiah – the son of Seraiah
the son of Asiel
Elioenai – Jaakobah – Jeshohaiah – Asaiah – Adiel
Jesimiel – Benaiah – Ziza the son of Jedaiah
the son of Shimri – the son of Shemaiah
These mentioned by their names were princes in their families
and the house of their fathers increased greatly
Territory of tribe of Simeonverses 39-43
And they went to the entrance of Gedor
even to the east side of the valley
to seek pasture for their flocks
and they found fat pasture and good
and the land was wide – quiet – peaceable
for they of Ham had dwelt there of old
And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah
and smote their tents – and the habitations that were found there
and destroyed them utterly unto this day
and dwelt in their rooms
BECAUSE there was pasture there for their flocks
And some of them – even of the sons of Simeon – five hundred men
went to mount Seir – having for their captains
Pelatiah – Neariah – Rephaiah – Uzziel – the sons of Ishi
and they smote the rest of the Amalikites
that were escaped
and dwelt there unto this day
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying Because I bare him with sorrow. (3513 “honorable” [kabad] means be made abundant, gain glory, enjoy honor, distinguished man, enjoy respect, or behave with dignity)
DEVOTION: Here is a man who was born to his mother in a time of sorrow. She named him “sorrow” because of her current state. This however did not hinder him from becoming a man who behaved with dignity in his life.
We find that the author of Chronicles showed respect for this man who had a sad beginning but took his circumstances to the LORD in prayer and asked the LORD to bless him in spite of his name and beginning.
This is how we need to all face difficult circumstances in the family that we were raised in. Many of us have not had a good beginning but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring glory to the LORD and HE give us blessings beyond what we feel we deserve in life.
Too often we limit God’s work in our life because we think that we don’t deserve HIS blessings. This is another arrow of the enemy who wants to discourage from trying to serve the LORD with great enthusiasm. We limit ourselves more than God limits us.
Jabez didn’t give up on life or his service for the LORD because of his beginning but prayed a prayer that the LORD answered. We can pray the same type of prayer for our life of service to the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Don’t give in the negative thoughts the enemy puts into our minds about our worth in the eyes of the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. (7592 “requested” [sha’el] means ask, beg, lay to charge, consult, desire, enquire, pray, or wish)
DEVOTION: Here in the midst of lists of the descendants of Judah we find this man listed. He was one who caused his mother pain with his birth.
We know that all children cause their mothers pain at birth but this one seemed to be more painful. Maybe the mother’s situation was painful. When it came time to name her baby, she named him “pain or suffering.”
However, he did not want to be someone who caused pain or grief or have it in his life. He knew where to go to find answers. He went to the LORD in prayer and asked the LORD to bless him by enlarging his coasts and keep him from evil.
The LORD granted his prayer. This prayer is only one verse long but it was full of requests. The important part is that the LORD granted his requests. Our God is one who answers prayer.
Our life situation might have some painful times. What do we do during these painful times? Do we turn to the LORD in prayer? Here is an individual who asked the LORD that he causes no one pain.
That would be a good request for each of our lives. Let us ask the LORD that we not be a pain to those around us. What would happen in the local church if all the people prayed that prayer? Can we imagine a church that is enlarged and blessed by the LORD?
Also part of the request was to be kept from evil. Evil is around us all the time. The temptations are great but the LORD is greater. Our request each day should be that we would be kept from evil. Our LORD granted this request from Jabez, HE can grant it for us too.
Remember that the LORD has three answers to our prayer requests: Yes, No or Wait. We need to make sure that we are asking for the right things in our life.
CHALLENGE: If we ask the LORD for the right things, expect HIS positive answer in HIS time.
: 14 And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim, for they were craftsmen. (2796 “craftsmen” [charash] means carpenter, workman, engraver, artificers, graver, a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft)
DEVOTION: Families raised their children to follow in the footsteps of their fathers. If the father had a trade that he was good at, he would train his sons in that trade. Once a family continued to grow the community became known for the trade of their ancestors.
This community was known for their craft. People would come to the community if they needed a certain job done. This sometimes happened in large cities where there were many types of craftsmen with different crafts. Their street would be known for their trade.
In many communities in ancient times there were neighborhoods that had only carpenters in them. There were neighborhoods in other countries that had silversmiths in one part of the city. Families were known for their trade and people would come to get the work done that they specialized in.
Today we have families that have children that follow in their father’s footsteps as well. Some fathers raise their children with the ability to do mechanical work and they go into a profession that helps others who need this type of work done.
The Bible informs us that we need to raise our children to be workers and to find what they are good at and help them to learn how to work well in that profession. This might mean a college or a trade school.
The LORD wants us to use our gift that HE has given us for HIS glory in our community. What is your family known for in your community? Are you training your children and grandchildren in a special area of service to the community?
We are to be an industrious people who give glory to the LORD in whatever gifted area HE wants us to serve HIM in.
Our special area of expertise should be grounded in the Word of God no manner what profession we enter. The Word of God needs to be the base training to help us witness for the LORD in our craft or occupation.
CHALLENGE: Our daily time in the Word of God helps us in whatever occupation we chose.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea. (948 “fine lineh” [buwts] means byssus, a costly fine white linen cloth made in Egypt, or costly cloth)
DEVOTION: Here is a second craft that is mentioned in this genealogy. These individuals were known for their special ability to work with linens. It is thought that the families learned their trades while in Egypt. Then they carried them into the Promised Land to help with the making of the Tabernacle and the Temple.
So there were some in the tribe of Judah that worked in the linen industry to help the community in that area of need. All trades were needed to complete the work needed to make a community look good.
Never be ashamed of your family if they have a trade or gift in a certain area that helps the community have good workmanship for their homes or businesses. Every craft is needed in our world to make it a better place. God gives us the ability to do certain things that can help make our world a better place if we use our gift for HIS honor and glory.
Each of the tribes had their special gifts to make the Temple beautiful for the glory of God. Each family in a church has a gift that they can share with the church that makes it look good to the community when they enter the church building. If some are not using their gifted area for HIS glory there will be something lacking in the local church that shouldn’t be lacking.
We need to make sure that we are not sitting in a pew not using our gift for the glory of God. We have one church where I minister at times that have an individual who is good at making decoration for Daily Vacation Bible School each year. The theme is established and he goes to work to decorate the church with that theme to make everyone coming into the church know what the theme is and the children understand where the lessons are headed.
This is an art that many people don’t have but they are gifted in other areas. There is a need each year for people who are willing to go into the neighborhood and invite the children to attend DVBS. Not everyone feels comfortable in this area but all have the responsibility to at least try to invite others. Some are real good at inviting others.
Giftedness in these areas are important to the church and its witness in the neighborhood. Each church has a reputation for what they are good at in the area of talent.
CHALLENGE: What is your church noted for in your neighborhood?
: 40 And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable: for they of Ham had dwelt there of old. (7961 “peaceable” [shalev] means quiet, at ease, calming down, purifying, free from danger or risk)
DEVOTION: Here we find that the LORD provided a place for the family of Ham. It was a good land. The LORD is able to provide for those who are trying to serve HIM.
We need to realize that the LORD provides for all of us in HIS way which is the best way for us at any given time.
We need to trust the LORD when we are looking for direction in our lives. HE will open the right doors and close the wrong ones. HE always knows what is best for us. We just need to ask HIM for direction.
The children of Israel knew that the LORD provided in HIS time but so often we forget that HE always does it in HIS time and not ours. Trust is very important.
CHALLENGE: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and HE will provide for your every need.
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)
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)
Prayer of Jabezverse 10
Answered prayersverse 10
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God – Elohim (Creator)verse 10
God of Israelverse 10
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)
Evilverse 10
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Blessverse 10
Enlarge coastverse 10
Hand on individualverse 10
Answered prayerverse 10
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Judahverses 1-23
Jabezverses 9-10
Prayer of Jabez
Simeonverses 24-43
Davidverse 31
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
Jabez called on the God of Israel to turn any possible disaster into blessing. God granted his request and responded to an earnest prayer. The power of God can overcome the liabilities of the past and the present. The Chronicler believed in the efficacy of prayer and spoke of this often in later chapters. (Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles (Vol. 9, p. 73). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
The most fascinating note concerns the otherwise unknown Jabez and his effective prayer (vv. 9–10; there is no obvious connection with the place name in 2:55). Two of his four requests are about his physical circumstances (for enlarged territory and freedom from pain—his name sounds like the Heb. for ‘pain’) and two about his relationship with God (blessing and God’s protective hand). The point is not simply that he prayed, but that God granted his request. Chronicles’ inclusion of other answered prayers of a similar nature (e.g. for increased land, cf. 1 Chr. 5:20–22; 2 Chr. 20:6–12; for physical healing, cf. 2 Chr. 32:24) is a reminder that God still hears and answers specific prayers. (Selman, M. J. (1994). 1 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 10, p. 106). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
9, 10. Jabez—was, as many think, the son of Coz, or Kenaz, and is here eulogized for his sincere and fervent piety, as well, perhaps, as for some public and patriotic works which he performed. The Jewish writers affirm that he was an eminent doctor in the law, whose reputation drew so many scribes around him that a town was called by his name (1 Ch 2:55); and to the piety of his character this passage bears ample testimony. The memory of the critical circumstances which marked his birth was perpetuated in his name (compare Ge 35:15); and yet, in the development of his high talents or distinguished worth in later life, his mother must have found a satisfaction and delight that amply compensated for all her early trials. His prayer which is here recorded, and which, like Jacob’s, is in the form of a vow (Ge 28:20), seems to have been uttered when he was entering on an important or critical service, for the successful execution of which he placed confidence neither on his own nor his people’s prowess, but looked anxiously for the aid and blessing of God. The enterprise was in all probability the expulsion of the Canaanites from the territory he occupied; and as this was a war of extermination, which God Himself had commanded, His blessing could be the more reasonably asked and expected in preserving them from all the evils to which the undertaking might expose him. In these words, “that it may not grieve me,” and which might be more literally rendered, “that I may have no more sorrow,” there is an allusion to the meaning of his name, Jabez, signifying “grief”; and the import of this petition is, Let me not experience the grief which my name implies, and which my sins may well produce. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1 Ch 4:9–10). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
4:8–15. Jabez (vv. 8–10; cf. 2:55), whose ancestral roots are not delineated, prayed for God’s blessing and received it. The village named after him was celebrated as the home of scribes. The Recahites (men of Recah, 4:11–12) are not otherwise identified. The Kenazites (vv. 13–15), however, were the prominent clan from which came both Caleb, Joshua’s colleague, and his son-in-law, Othniel, Israel’s first judge. Caleb was called a Kenizzite in the Conquest story (Josh. 14:6) and Othniel was called the “son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother” (Jud. 1:13), obviously a different Kenaz from the founder of the clan and to be distinguished also from Caleb’s grandson of that name (1 Chron. 4:15). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 595–596). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
14. Joab, the father of the valley—literally, “the father of the inhabitants of the valley”—“the valley of craftsmen,” as the word denotes. They dwelt together, according to a custom which, independently of any law, extensively prevails in Eastern countries for persons of the same trade to inhabit the same street or the same quarter, and to follow the same occupation from father to son, through many generations. Their occupation was probably that of carpenters, and the valley where they lived seems to have been in the neighborhood of Jerusalem (Ne 11:35). (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1 Ch 4:14). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
4:8–15. Jabez (vv. 8–10; cf. 2:55), whose ancestral roots are not delineated, prayed for God’s blessing and received it. The village named after him was celebrated as the home of scribes. The Recahites (men of Recah, 4:11–12) are not otherwise identified. The Kenazites (vv. 13–15), however, were the prominent clan from which came both Caleb, Joshua’s colleague, and his son-in-law, Othniel, Israel’s first judge. Caleb was called a Kenizzite in the Conquest story (Josh. 14:6) and Othniel was called the “son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother” (Jud. 1:13), obviously a different Kenaz from the founder of the clan and to be distinguished also from Caleb’s grandson of that name (1 Chron. 4:15). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 595–596). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)
Ver. 9. And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren, &c.] The Targum adds, “and wiser in the law than his brethren;” or he might be a man of great wealth and riches, or of great strength and courage, all which make a man honourable; or he may be so called, because a praying man, as follows, a man of devotion and religion, a man of God, see 1 Sam. 9:6. but who he was is not easy to say, probably a son or brother of Harum, or however that belonged to one of the families of Aharhel, mentioned in the preceding verse; for that he was Othniel, as say the Targumist and other Jewish writers, is not probable, and besides is after spoken of distinct from him, ver. 13. and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow; either with sorrow for her husband, being dead, or by reason of very sharp pains she endured at the birth of him; he was another Benoni. ( Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, pp. 7–8). London: Mathews and Leigh)
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!!)
Who doesn’t love a birthday party? It’s fun to celebrate another year of a friend’s or family member’s life, especially when there’s cake and ice cream involved. Make mine chocolate cake with white icing and vanilla ice cream please. This is all good fun, but understanding and participating in the birthday of the Church is infinitely more important.
Sadly, many evangelical Christians miss the significance of Pentecost and the annual celebration this week that’s familiar to Anglicans and Roman Catholics. Perhaps worse, many who do think of Pentecost do so only to argue about speaking in tongues and other spiritual gifts. This post aims to change that by explaining Acts 2 in light of its Old Testament background and its place in Luke’s two-volume narrative of God’s mission to reach all humanity with the good news of Jesus.
We need to to understand Pentecost, celebrate it, and get in step with the Spirit whose coming inaugurated the church’s participation in the mission of God. We need the Spirit like a turbine needs the wind.
I hope my new post helps you understand Pentecost and participate in the mission of God as the Spirit enables.
All the best,
David (drdavidlturner.com)
The Lord speaks directly to Samuel, and all Israel recognizes Samuel as a prophet.
INSIGHT
For all the glory of speaking directly with the Lord, Samuel is given a very difficult task: He must deliver to Eli a troubling message from the Lord. With a pure heart and nothing to gain or lose by the encounter, Samuel tells Eli the truth.
We too must sometimes confront people with truth, knowing that the truth will hurt. Ephesians 4:15 instructs us to speak the truth in love. Speaking the truth without love is destructive.
Samuel’s example is a difficult one but a good one. Like Samuel, we can only fulfill such a task if our hearts are pure and we do not manipulate the situation for our own benefit.
(Quiet Walk)
TRUE REST
Come to me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
The gospel announces that rest is only to be found in a knowledge of God, because God has made us, and He has made us in such a way that we never can know rest apart from Him. Augustine put that perfectly when he said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”
You can scale the heights or plumb the depths, you can travel around the world, as many people have done, trying to find rest and peace, but you will never find it. God has so made us—and this is the glory and the dignity of man—that nothing can finally be made at rest until our souls are satisfied in God. And the world, I suggest to you, is an eloquent sermon on that particular theme. With all that we have in the modern world of wealth and culture and education and everything else, look at the picture of unutterable restlessness all around us. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:21). There is no rest apart from a knowledge of God.
The Lord alone can give us this knowledge. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me” (Matthew 11:28-29). Notice the personal reference; all along He is pointing to Himself. Yes, but He is doing more than that—He is contrasting Himself with everybody else. His claim is that “Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him” (Matthew 11:27). He says that not only can He give us this knowledge of God, but that no one and nothing else can give us and create this knowledge in us.
A Thought to Ponder: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”
(From The Heart of the Gospel, p. 162, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
The Spiritual Rock
“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4)
One of the most amazing miracles recorded in the Bible occurred when Moses smote the rock on Mount Horeb and water came forth sufficient to satisfy all the multitude there in the wilderness (Exodus 17:6). In describing this great event, the psalmist later sang: “He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers” (Psalm 78:15-16).
In our text above, Paul indicates that the miracle had great symbolic significance as well. “That Rock was Christ.” The Greek word used here for “rock” is petra, the same word used by Christ when He said that “upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Christ is the one foundation upon which the church is built (1 Corinthians 3:11). He is also symbolized by the “living water,” the “well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:10, 14).
The actual rock from which the waters burst forth in the wilderness did not literally “follow them,” of course, but “that spiritual Rock” did follow them, for Christ was there with them through all their years of wandering.
The literal water followed them too, keeping them alive for 40 years. When Moses struck the rock, God opened a mighty spring “out of the great depths” (Psalm 78:15), evidently tapping a deep pressurized aquifer from which waters emerged to form “streams also out of the rock” (v. 16). These streams flowed continually in the desert for 40 years, so the children of Israel could march and camp beside them as long as they were in the wilderness. Christ still today is our spiritual Rock, continually yielding the spiritual waters of everlasting life. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
THE UNUSUAL AND THE SPECTACULAR
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13
There is a tendency in mankind to pay great attention to and to concentrate upon the unusual and the spectacular. We seem to do that instinctively; I suppose it is one of the results of the Fall. Anything unusual or exceptional always attracts attention much more than the usual and the ordinary; that is why some sort of calamity or extraordinary thing in nature always attracts and interests us much more than the perpetual and wonderful things of nature from day to day. Wordsworth said about himself at the end of his great ode Intimations of Immortality:
To me the meanest flower that blows can give
Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.
That is right, and we ought all to put it like that. But the trouble with most of us is that because it is always there we do not marvel at it; that little flower in the hedgerow does not give rise in us thoughts that “lie too deep for tears.” But if we see a tree struck by lightning we are interested because it is unusual, because it is exceptional.
Now, we tend to do that self-same thing in the whole matter of Christian experience. I attribute this to the Fall, and, of course, one must point out in passing that this is something that tends to be organized and often becomes a business. Those who produce books know that the spectacular always appeals to the mind; so they pick out exceptional cases and give them great publicity. But this contradicts essential New Testament teaching. The New Testament never lays stress upon the way in which certainty comes to us; what it is interested in is the fact that it has come.
A Thought to Ponder: There is a tendency in mankind to pay great attention to the spectacular. I suppose it is one of the results of the Fall. (From Life in God, pp. 104-105 by Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
ON BEING A PASTOR by Derek J. Prime & Alistair Begg
God’s ultimate purpose, as the consequence of our reconciliation to Him and our union with Christ, is to present us before Himself in holiness, so that we may be with Him forever. But this work of sanctification is already in progress, and God employs His Son’s undershepherds to forward it. Hence Paul’s ambition for the Corinthians, to present them as a pure virgin to Christ, their heavenly Bridegroom (2 Corinthians 11: 2), was entirely right. (p. 52)
When our eyes are upon God’s mercy, we can’t help but feel tremendous gratitude, the gratitude that leads to obedience and growth. Rather than forever rebuking believers about their failures, we must joyfully set before them the objectives of Christlikeness and spiritual maturity, as much a privilege as a duty. The enthusiasm with which we present them, plus the reality of our own pursuit of them – a most important factor – will encourage them to do the same. (p. 53)
The only weapons adequate for this struggle with Satan and his influences are prayer and the Word of God. (p. 55)
Every Christian has a function in the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12) and unique service to perform for the good of other members of God’s family. (p. 56)
Only good can come from bringing every member on the church membership roll before God in prayer in daily rotation, and asking for His help in identifying each member’s gift, and for wisdom to encourage its use if its employment is not already obvious. (p.57-58)
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