I Chronicles 6
Descendants of Kohath of Leviverses 1-15
The sons of Levi = Gershon – Kohath – Merari
And the sons of Kohath = Amram – Izhar – Hebron – Uzziel
and the children of Amram = Aaron – Moses – Miriam
and the son of also of Aaron = Nadab – Abihu – Eleazar – Ithamar
Eleazar begat Phinehas – Phinehas begat Abishua
Abishua begat Bukki – Bukki begat Uzzi
Uzzi begat Zerahiah – Zerahiah begat Meraioth
Meraioth begat Amariah – Amariah begat Ahitub
Ahitub begat Zadok – Zadok begat Ahimaaz
Ahimaaz begat Azariah – Azariah begat Johanan
Johanan begat Azariah (he it is that executed the priest’s
office in the temple that Solomon
built in Jerusalem)
Azariah begat Amariah – Amariah begat Ahitub
Ahitub begat Zadok – Zadok begat Shallum
Shallum begat Hilkiah – Hikliah begat Azariah
Azariah begat Seraiah – Seraiah begat Jehozadak
Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD
carried away Judah and Jerusalem
by the hand of Nebuchadnezzaar
Clans of children of Leviverses 16-30
The sons of Levi = Gershom – Kohath – Merari
and these be the names of the sons of Gershom = Libni – Shimei
And the sons of Kohath were = Amram – Izhar – Hebron – Uzziel
And the sons of Merari = Mahli – Mushi
and these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers
Of Gershom – Libni his son – Jahath his son – Zimmah his son – Joah his son
Iddo his son – Zerah his son – Jeaterai his son
The sons of Kohath – Amminadab his son – Korah his son – Assir his son
Elkanah his son – Ebiasaph his son – Assir his son – Tahath his son
Uriel his son – Uzziah his son – Shaul his son
and the sons of Elkanah = Amasai – Ahimoth
As for Elkanah – the sons of Elkanah – Zophai his son – Nahath his son
Eliab his son – Jeroham his son – Elkanah his son
and the sons of Samuel – the firstborn Vashni – Abiah
The sons of Merari = Mahli – Libni his son – Shimei his son
Uzza his son – Shimea his son – Haggiah his son – Asaiah his son
Musicians of Temple assigned by Davidverses 31-48
And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the
house of the LORD – after that the ark had rest
And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the
congregation with singing – until Solomon had built the
house of the LORD in Jerusalem – and then they waited
on their office according to their order
And these are they that waited with their children
Of the sons of Kohathites – Heman a singer – the son of Joel
son of Shemuel – son of Elkanah – son of Jeroham – son of Eliel
son of Toah – son of Zuph – son of Elkanah – son of Mahath
son of Amasai – son of Elkanah – son of Joel – son of Azariah
son of Zephaniah – son of Tahath –son of Assir – son of Ebiasaph
son of Korah – son of Izhar – son of Kohath – son of Levi
son of Israel
And his brother Asaph – who stood on his right hand
even Asaph the son of Berachiah – son of Shimea – son of Michael
son of Baaseiah – son of Malchiah
son of Ethni – son of Zerah – son of Shimei – son of Jahath
son of Gershom – son of Levi
And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand
Ethan the son of Kishi – son of Abdi – son of Malluch
son of Hashabiah – son of Amaziah – son of Hilkiah
son of Amzi – son of Bani
son of Shamer – son of Mahli – son of Mushi
son of Merari – son of Levi
Their brethren also the Levities were appointed
to all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God
Assignment of Aaron’s descendantsverse 49
But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of the burnt offering
and on the altar of incense – and were appointed for all the
work of the place most holy
and to make an atonement for Israel
according to all that Moses the servant of God
had commanded
List of Aaron’s descendantsverses 50-53
And these are the sons of Aaron = Eleazar his son – Phinehas his son
Abishua his son – Bukki his son – Uzzi his son
Zerahiah his son – Meraioth his son – Amariah his son
Ahitub his son – Zadok his son – Ahimaaz his son
Clan of Kohath’s propertyverses 54-61
Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles
in their coasts of the sons of Aaron
of the families of the Kohathites
for theirs was the lot
And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah
and the suburbs thereof round about it
but the fields of the city and the villages thereof
they gave to Caleb – the son of Jephunneh
And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah – namely
Hebron the city of refuge – Libnah with her suburbs – Jattir
and Eshtemoa with her suburbs – Hilen with her suburbs
Debir with her suburbs – Ashan with her suburbs
Beth-shemesh with her suburbs
and out of the tribe of Benjamin
Geba with her suburbs – Alemeth with her suburbs
Anathoth with her suburbs
All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities
And unto the sons of Kohath – which were left of the family of that tribe
were cities given out of the half tribe namely
out of the half tribe of Manasseh – by lot – ten cities
Clan of Gershon’s propertyverse 62
And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families
out of the tribe of Issachar – and out of the tribe of Asher
and out of the tribe of Naphtali
and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan
thirteen cities
Clan of Merari’s propertyverse 63
To the sons of Merari were given by lot – throughout their families
out of the tribe of Reuben – out of the tribe of Gad
out of the tribe of Zebulun – twelve cities
Sacred lot decided who received what landverses 64-65
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites
these cities with their suburbs
and they gave by lot out of the tribe of
the children of Judah – Simeon – Benjamin
these cities – which are called
by their names
Kohath’s townsverses 66-70
And the residue of the families of the son of Kohath
had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim
and they gave them of the cities of refuge
Shechem in mount Ephraim
with her suburbs
They gave also Gezer with her suburbs – and Jokmeam
with her suburbs
and Beth-horon with her suburbs – and Ajalon
with her suburbs
and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs
And out of the half tribe of Manasseh
Aner with her suburbs – Bileam with her suburbs
for the family of the remnant of the
son of Kohath
Gershon’s townsverses 71-76
Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family
of the half tribe of Manasseh – Golan in Bashan
with her suburbs – Ashtaroth with her suburbs
And out of the tribe of Issachar – Kedesh with her suburbs
Daberath with her suburbs
Ramoth with her suburbs – Anem with her suburbs
And out of the tribe of Asher – Mashal with her suburbs
Abdon with her suburbs
Jukok with her suburbs – Rehob with her suburbs
And out of the tribe of Naphtali – Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs
Hammon with her suburbs – Kirjathaim with her suburbs
Merari’s townsverses 78-81
Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given
out of the tribe of Zebulun
Rimmon with her suburbs – Tabor with her suburbs
and on the other side of Jordan by Jericho
on the east side of Jordan were given them
Out of the tribe of Reuben – Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs
Jahzah with her suburbs – Kedemoth also with her suburbs
Mephaath with her suburbs
Out of the tribe of Gad – Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs
Mahanaim with her suburbs – Heshbon with her suburbs
Jazer with her suburbs
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 10 And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest’s office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem) (3547 “executed the priest’s office” [kahan] means act as a priest, minister as a priest, serve as a priest, perform the duties of a priest, adorn like a priest, or officiate as a priest)
DEVOTION: Noted for faithful service to the LORD was this priest who was the grandson of another priest with the same name. This family served the LORD faithfully during good times and bad.
No matter the circumstances we need to be faithful in our service to the LORD whether we are in a large church or a small church faithfulness is what is necessary for the work of the LORD to continue.
Too often people can get discouraged and quit before the LORD really sends a blessing to a church or a nation. God wants to bless those who are obedient to HIM on a regular basis. This takes time for the LORD to watch us as we serve HIM in our communities.
Those who are called to be pastors need to faithfully serve the LORD whether the church is large or small. It should never make a difference in the eyes of the pastor if there is ten or a thousand in front of him each Sunday. There should be just as much preparation for the work of presenting the Word of God.
Some pastors take forty hours to prepare their messages, which means, they never leave their study during the week. This is not what a pastor is called to do alone. It is his responsibility to visit those in his congregation. It is his responsibility to counsel those in his congregation. It is his responsibility to be available to meet needs that only he can meet. It is his responsibility to set the example for the rest of the congregation regarding visitation and inviting neighbors to the service of the church.
So forty hours in the study is not what the LORD has called pastors who tend the flock to do. One famous pastor who has written many books and served as president of one of the best seminaries in America was fired from his first church for not leaving his office to minister to the people.
CHALLENGE: Make sure if you are called to the office of pastor you fulfill all your duties to the people you are serving.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 15 And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. (1540 “carried away” [galah] means to uncover, go into exile, to expel form a particular place and cause to go to another, remove, or take into exile)
DEVOTION: The priests were carried away into exile from Judah because of the nation not serving the LORD properly. They were included in those who didn’t stay in the land to help the ones left behind to know how to worship the LORD properly.
So we find that Levites who were set apart for service to the LORD went into captivity with the rest of the nation. They were taking because the LORD allowed it to happen. They were to instruct those who were in captivity in the things of the LORD.
There are many nations in our world today who are in captivity where they are not supposed to worship the LORD. They have to do it in secret. They have to hide sometimes in the forests to make sure that they are not discovered.
Those who are instructing them are facing even harder danger because if they are caught they would be put in prison for the rest of their lives or executed for their teachings. It is hard to serve the LORD in exile.
Today we have many nations where it is still OK to preach the gospel as it is found in the Word of God. However, we find even in these nations there are people who would like to stop the preaching of the Word of God or at least take the Word of God and change the meaning of some of the passages of Scripture to make it OK to sin.
We have to make sure that if something happens in our nation that we don’t change the teaching of the Word of God to suit the people who are in charge of our freedom. If we lose our message we are already in captivity to the enemy.
Our teaching should not change if we are facing persecution or not. It should always present the Bible as the true of God and the standard of behavior of all those who believe.
CHALLENGE: Are we changing our message to please people? This should never happen even in captivity.
: 31 And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest. (3027 “service” [yad] means a hand that is open that indicates power, means or direction, draw with strength, or care)
DEVOTION: The LORD had a plan for the children of Israel. Once they were in the Promised Land there was land given to all the tribes except the tribe of Israel. The other tribes divided the land into portions that they were to control. Each tribe was to conquer the people of the land and take over their cities. Once this was done, the land would be only owned by Israel.
However, the tribe of Levi was to get only cities and their suburbs to live in. They were not given a portion because the LORD was their portion. Of the cities given to the Levites there were to be cities of refuse for those who had accidently killed someone to run to for protection.
The children of Israel had worship services on a regular basis. They had singing in their services. The people came together to sacrifice and celebrate.
David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem on the second try. On the first try he didn’t obey the commands of the LORD and a person died. Once the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem, David wanted to make sure the worship of the LORD was done with a celebration.
Here we have a part of the tribe of Levi assigned to sing during the services to the LORD. David created the order of the singers. Solomon followed up his father’s set up in the Temple.
In our worship of the LORD there needs to be a time of singing. We need to praise the LORD with our voices. Singing brings strength to the service of the LORD. Most pastors are encouraged when the people praise the LORD with enthusiasm. He can then preach with enthusiasm. Is there any of us who have not been encouraged by the singing of the saints?
Some of us don’t have a good singing voice. Even with voices that are not allowed in the choir we are to use our voices to praise the LORD. Too often I see individuals who do not sing in worship services. The Bible tells us to make a joyful noise unto the LORD. I am personally looking forward to heaven where I will have a voice that stays in tune with the music. I love to sing, however, I have children who will not stand near me when I sing.
CHALLENGE: Remember we are singing to the LORD and not to those around us. Make your joyful noise each Sunday. It will encourage the pastor.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 39 And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea (5975 “stood” [amad] means to go up before, to stand in position, to stand respectfully before, to be upright, to stand firm, to remain, or stop moving)
DEVOTION: When we look at the book of Psalms, we find that this man was an author of some of the songs that were sung in the Temple. He came from a musical family and continued to help with the worship of the LORD.
Music is very important in the worship of the LORD. The people coming to the festivals sang as they walked to Jerusalem. They sang in the Temple grounds. The worshiped the LORD with joyous songs of praise for all the LORD had done for them as a nation.
We need to do the same thing each time we come to church. We should be singing praises to the LORD on the way to church, in church and on the way home from church each Sunday.
We should be singing praises throughout the week. I have a voice that makes a joyful noise unto the LORD. I like to sing but the people around me who have good singing voices try to move away. Some who seem to have a deaf ear seem to think that my voice is good which I really like to hear someone say.
Our responsibility is to teach our children to sing praises to the LORD and this will only happen if they see joy on our face when we are worshiping the LORD in song. It will not happen if they see us in a worship service not singing at all. This is a sad testimony even if your voice is like mine. We can still sing and the LORD looks at our heart and hears a joyful noise that give HIM pleasure because we are at least trying to sing praises to HIS name.
CHALLENGE: Make sure your whole family is involved in the singing of praises to the LORD.
: 48 Their brethren also the Levites were appointed to all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of the LORD. (5414 “appointed” [nathan] means to hand down, to set, place, to surrender, to be assigned a duty, responsibility, or obligation)
DEVOTION: When we read the words “every kind of service” we realize that everyone needs to be involved each Sunday to make the service of the LORD truly worshipful. The children of Levi had responsibilities that needed to be fulfilled if the service was to be done right in the eyes of the LORD.
This involved making sure all the priests had what they needed to offer sacrifices to the LORD. Some of the Levites had to take the leftover parts of the sacrifices outside the Temple to be burned. Some had to make sure that the priests were dressed right. Some had to make sure everything was done decently and in order for the services to be pleasing to the LORD.
We have the same responsibility in the local church to make sure the property looks good for those who are driving bye during the week. We have to make sure that the outside and the inside of the church is ready for worship. There are many laymen and their wives and family that have to be involved in making sure that those who attend the services know where everything is for those who are visitors. Children need to be taught where to go and how to act when they enter the building. They can also help by making sure they help their Sunday School teacher when it is time to pick up what they were playing with or making during their time there.
Everyone has the responsibility to look for things that need to be done and do it. It isn’t our responsibility to go to the pastor and complain that something isn’t done if we can help do it.
Many hands make light work is a true statement. Every hand working for the LORD helps to make everything go smooth each Sunday.
CHALLENGE: Don’t look for others to do it all. Be ready to do every kind of work for the LORD!!!!
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)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Temple in Jerusalemverse 10
House of the LORDverse 31
Service of songverses 31-33
Tabernacle of the congregationverse 32
Tabernacle of the house of Godverse 48
Burnt offeringsverse 49
Offered up incenseverse 49
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 15, 31, 32
House of the LORDverses 31, 32
God – Elohim (Creator)verses 48, 49
House of Godverse 48
Servant of God (Moses)verse 49
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)
Nebuchadnezzarverse 15
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Executed the priest’s officeverse 10
Songverses 31-33
Ministeredverse 32
Wait on the LORD verse 33
Appointedverse 49
Atonementverse 49
Servantverse 49
Man of Godverse 49
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Sons of Leviverses 1-81
Aaronverses 3, 49
Mosesverses 3, 49
Miriamverse 3
Solomonverses 10, 32
Davidverses 30, 31
Heman a singerverse 33
Asaphverse 39
Cities given to Levitesverses 54-81
Cities of Refugeverse 57
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
Ver. 32. And they ministered before the dwelling-place of the tabernacles of the congregation with singing, &c.] Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; this service they performed before the ark, which was in a tent or tabernacle David pitched for it; and which the Targum here calls the tabernacle of time, or a temporary tabernacle: until Solomon had built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem; the temple there: and then they waited on their office according to their order; performed it in the manner prescribed by David, see ch. 25. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 14). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
6:28–32 Samuel: Samuel’s ancestors were described elsewhere as Ephraimites (1 Sam. 1:1). Although Samuel was an Ephraimite by virtue of his residence in Ramathaim Zophim, a city in the tribal territory of Ephraim, this genealogy makes it clear that he was in fact a Levite. This explains why he could be trained in the tabernacle under Eli the priest (1 Sam. 2:11) and later officiate at public services that included sacrifices (1 Sam. 9:13; 10:8). (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 501). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)
32 And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.
The dwelling-place of the tabernacle, or, the tabernacle of the tent, as the same Hebrew words are translated, Exod. 39:32; 40:2, 6. According to their order; which David had appointed by the Spirit, as it follows in this book. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 1, p. 784). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)
31–48. These verses give us the relation of the order respecting the psalmody in the house of the Lord. David himself is stiled, the sweet Psalmist of Israel: and it appears, from what is here said, that he presided in the choir of singers, and gave them their several stations. Some of the characters here mentioned, are noticed in the book of Psalms. Heman’s name stands at the head of the 88th Psalm. Ethan at the 89th Psalm. Asaph at several, Psalms 73 to 83. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 327). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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!!)
Two notable parallels occur in the lines of Aaron and David (cf. 2:10–17; 3:1–16). Only these two families out of all the tribal lists are traced from the patriarchs to the exile (2:10–17; 3:1–24; 6:1–15), indicating that they form the basis of Israel’s future survival. Also, both lines follow immediately upon examples of Israelite ‘unfaithfulness’ which resulted in national disaster (2:7; 5:25; cf. 6:15; 9:1). Judah and Levi therefore seem to be the means through which even covenant-breaking sins could be atoned for (6:49; cf. 2 Chr. 36:22–23). Chapter 6 underlines the point by repeated reminders of Solomon’s temple (vv. 10, 32, 53), which was a visible sign of God’s desire to forgive sins (2 Chr. 7:14–16). (Selman, M. J. (1994). 1 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 10, p. 113). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
Affirmation is a powerful force for good in the Christian life. We all long to be affirmed for who we are and what we are doing. We all like to hear: “Good job.” In essence, that is what John writes in his third epistle. He affirms Gaius in several areas: for his knowledge of truth, for his application of that knowledge, for offering hospitality to fellow Christians and to strangers, and for helping to support traveling missionaries. Good job, Gaius. (Quiet Walk)
God instructs Samuel to anoint Saul as the first king over Israel.
INSIGHT
The sovereignty of God is a difficult concept to keep in balance. Often we find ourselves making too much or too little of it.
It is true, however, that many of the events in our lives, which seem to come at random with no significance, are actually events that the Lord is using to orchestrate His purpose in our lives.
For example, Saul goes looking for donkeys and ends up discovering that he will be king of Israel. We should always bathe our daily activities in prayer, for we never know what the Lord might be preparing for us.(Quiet Walk)
His Name Is Wonderful
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9:6
Certain verses of Scripture leap to our minds as we draw close to Christmas. In the majestic titles of Jesus found in the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, we find Him to be everything we need. We find Him not only the “reason for the season” but the name that should be on our lips every day as God puts us in touch with others over the Christmas holidays.
Who doesn’t need to know the Wonderful Counselor? Who doesn’t need to know this One who can offer advice when they are facing a difficult situation? This One who has the answers for their marriage and family dilemmas?
Who doesn’t need to know the Mighty God? You certainly know people who are dealing with a rebellious teenager or an aging parent or a sick child or an impossible job situation. When was the last time you told them how strong the arms of your God are? Perhaps you need to be reminded of how mighty God is by reading Isaiah 40.
Who doesn’t need to know the Eternal Father? Who doesn’t need the sense of hope that comes from knowing that—although we may suffer for a while—we have a God who dwells in eternity, which means that there is more to life than what we see around us?
Who doesn’t need to know the Prince of Peace? In a culture of road rage and long lines and short fuses, with strained relationships and simmering discontentment, who isn’t starving for deeper, more-lasting peace? Who doesn’t need to know why even the most desirable possessions and experiences leave them feeling unsatisfied? Who doesn’t need a peace that passes understanding?
Who doesn’t need more of the Prince of Peace and His peace in their home?
This Christmas, be watching for people who need to know Jesus for who He is. (Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
THE PLACE OF THE MIND
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29
I am not suggesting that the gospel is irrational, nor am I simply proclaiming that because it is miraculous and supernatural it is therefore unreasonable. Not at all! What I am saying is that we are here entering a realm that we cannot enter by reason alone. It is not unreasonable, but it transcends reason. It is not unreasonable for me to believe that when God acts, I cannot understand Him; and that is precisely what we are confronted with when we come to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let no one imagine, therefore, that the teaching is that we just leave our intellects outside when we come into the house of God and abandon ourselves in a passive state to any feeling that may come or to any kind of emotion. Far from it! But we do say that when God does something, we must accept it as being supernatural and miraculous, and we must not, therefore, be surprised when we find that it is so.
We must believe and accept what God has done and then proceed to understand. To me the argument comes in this way: As a human being in this world I have been conscious of the need of rest. I have used my mind and my reason, I have listened to the world and its teaching and all its philosophies, but I find that they cannot give me rest and I am at the end of my tether. Then I am here confronted with a new offer that says, “Listen to this.” I say it is reasonable to listen, and the moment I do so, I begin to find that what Christ has to say is indeed essentially different.
A Thought to Ponder
We are here entering a realm that we cannot enter by reason alone. It is not unreasonable, but it transcends reason. (From The Heart of the Gospel, p. 183, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
How Can Things Invisible Be Seen?
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
This powerful verse introduces Paul’s burning description of the descent of ancient human societies that once “knew God” (Romans 1:21) into evolutionary paganism, idolatry, and wickedness. This deterioration was willful and inexcusable, for they had abundant evidence of God’s nature and power in the very creation that they had chosen to worship instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25).
Even though God Himself was invisible (being omnipresent), they could easily see the evidence of His existence and His grace in creating and sustaining all things, “for God hath shewed it unto them” (Romans 1:19). “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).
Since these things were “clearly seen” and “understood” by men “from the creation of the world” (that is, from the time the world was created), it is obvious that there have been men and women there to see and understand these things ever since the world was created. This assures us that the creation did not take place billions of years before men appeared on Earth, as theistic evolutionists and progressive creationists would like to believe. Men and women have been on Earth ever since its very beginning (see also Mark 10:6; Acts 3:21), and all should have recognized and worshiped the true Creator God.
That being true, how much more inexcusable are our modern evolutionists—whether atheistic, pantheistic, or polytheistic—who not only reject the testimony of God in creation but also His far more complete testimony in Scripture and in the person and work of Jesus Christ. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Sight Unseen
If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. Luke 16:31
After Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, he parachuted into the Russian countryside. A farm woman spotted the orange-clad cosmonaut, still wearing his helmet and dragging two parachutes. “Can it be that you have come from outer space?” she asked in surprise. “As a matter of fact, I have,” he said.
Soviet leaders sadly turned the historic flight into antireligious propaganda. “Gagarin went into space, but he didn’t see any god there,” their premier declared. (Gagarin himself never said such a thing.) As C. S. Lewis observed, “Those who do not find [God] on earth are unlikely to find Him in space.”
Jesus warned us about ignoring God in this life. He told a story of two men who died—a rich man who had no time for God, and Lazarus, a destitute man rich in faith (Luke 16:19–31). In torment, the rich man pleaded with Abraham for his brothers still on earth. “Send Lazarus,” he begged Abraham. “If someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent” (vv. 27, 30). Abraham got to the heart of the problem: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (v. 31).
“Seeing is never believing,” wrote Oswald Chambers. “We interpret what we see in the light of what we believe.” (By Tim Gustafson, Our Daily Bread)
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