Luke 14
Jesus is a diner guest of a Pharisee verse 1- 6
And it came to pass – as HE went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees
to eat bread on the Sabbath day – that they watched HIM
And BEHOLD – there was a certain man before HIM which had the dropsy
and Jesus answering spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees – saying
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?
And they held their peace
and HE took him – and healed him – and let him go
And answered them – saying
Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit
and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath day?
And they could not answer HIM again to these things
Humility is key verse 7- 11
And HE put forth a parable to those which were bidden
when HE marked how they chose out the chief rooms
saying unto them
When you are bidden of any man to a wedding
sit not down in the highest room
Lest a more honorable man than you be bidden of him
and he that bade you and him come and say to you
Give this man place
and you begin with shame to take the lowest room
BUT when thou art bidden – go and sit down in the lowest room
that when he that bade thee comes – he may say unto you
Friend go up higher then shall you have worship
in the presence of them that sit at meat with you
FOR whosoever exalts himself shall be abased
and he that humbles himself shall be exalted
Guests to invite to dinner verse 12- 14
Then said HE also to him that bade him
When you make a dinner or a supper – call not you friends
nor your brethren – neither your kinsmen
nor your rich neighbors
Lest they also bid you again
and a recompense be made you
BUT when you make a feast – call the poor – maimed
lame –blind and you shalt be blessed
FOR they cannot recompense you
FOR you shaltl be recompensed at the resurrection of the just
Parable of feast with no invited guest present verse 15- 24
And when one of them that sat at meat with HIM heard these things
he said unto HIM
Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God
Then said HE unto him
A certain man made a great supper – and bade many
and sent his servants at supper time to say to them
that were bidden
Come – for all things are now ready
and they all with one consent began to make excuse
The first said unto him – I have bought a piece of ground
and I must needs go and see it – I pray you have me excused
Another said – I have bought five yoke of oxen
and I go to prove them – I pray you have me excused
Another said – I have married a wife – and therefore I cannot come
so the servant came – and showed his lord these things
THEN the master of the house being angry said to his servant
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city
and bring in hither the poor – maimed – halt – blind
And the servant said – Lord – it is done as you have commanded
and yet there is room
And the lord said to the servant
Go out into the highways and hedges – and compel them to come in
that my house may be filled
For I say unto you
That none of those men which were bidden shall
taste of my supper
Cost of discipleship verse 25- 33
And there went great multitudes with HIM – and HE turned
and said to them
If any man come to ME – and hate not his father – mother – wife – children
brethren – sisters – yea – and his own life also
he cannot be MY disciple
And whosoever does not bear his cross – and come after ME
cannot be MY disciple
FOR which of you intending to build a tower – sits not down first
and counts the cost – whether he have sufficient to finish it?
lest haply after he has laid the foundation
and is not able to finish it
all that behold it begin to mock him – saying
This man began to build
and was not able to finish
OR what king going to make war against another king – sits not down first
and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him
that comes against him with twenty thousand?
or else – while the other is yet a great way off
he sends an ambassage
and desires conditions of peace
SO likewise – whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has
he cannot be MY disciple
Believers are the salt of the earth verse 34- 35
Salt is good – but if the salt have lost his savor
wherewith shall it be seasoned?
It is neither fit for the land – nor you for the dunghill
BUT men cast it out
He that has ears to hear – let him hear
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And it came to pass, as HE went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath day, that they watched HIM. (740 “bread” [artos] means any food, source of nourishment, cake, loaf, or showbread.)
DEVOTION: Have you ever been invited to another person’s house for dinner? Have you ever invited anyone to your house for dinner? If the answer to these two questions is yes you should find this verse interesting.
Jesus was invited to dinner by someone who didn’t like HIM or HIS ministry. This leader of the Pharisees invited HIM to dinner to find fault with HIM. His whole purpose was to have Jesus eat with him to find fault. Jesus knew what he was looking for and gave him a reason.
It was the Sabbath when the Pharisees believed nothing should be done. Their food had to be prepared the day before because cooking was considered work. So when Jesus healed the man with swollen legs and arms they had a reason to condemn HIM.
Our dinner guests should not have to worry about us looking for their faults. If we are looking we will find some. We are supposed to be individuals who are given to hospitality. Our homes should be open to those who want to drop by for a visit. We have always enjoyed company when our children were growing up. We almost always had someone else living with us.
CHALLENGE: Be given to hospitality. The LORD will honor your home because of it. No fault finding necessary.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 11 For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. (5013 “abased” [tapeinoo] means humble, bring low, to be ranked below others who are honored or rewarded, making level, reducing to a plain, or to depress)
DEVOTION: We are people of extremes at times. There are some people who think too highly of themselves and too little of others. There are people who think too lowly of themselves and think the LORD is pleased with them.
Jesus wants us to realize that there needs to be a balance in our thinking regarding ourselves. We are the light of the world once we become followers of Jesus Christ. Because of this fact we need to share the gospel with power. The power comes from the Holy Spirit but we are the instrument HE has chosen to use to reach our world. We have to have the confidence HE gives us to do this.
The other side is that we can get the idea that God can’t do anything without us. Many in Christian leadership have too high an opinion of them and cause a problem in our world that makes them not want to listen to us.
Our balance between humbleness and exaltation can only be achieved by a constant dependence on the Holy Spirit. If we met this goal we will treat people around us equally with love and respect. We will not mistreat those who are followers of the LORD. We will not look down on those who are not followers of the LORD. We will look with love on both with the purpose of encouraging Christians to grow more Christ-like and those without salvation with the love to draw them to the gospel. It is a ministry of caring genuinely for all that the LORD is bringing into our world.
There are too many in the church that does not care for one another, even though the LORD commands us to love one another. Many don’t care to even learn basic things about those sitting in the pew next to them each Sunday.
CHALLENGE: First priority for believers is to get to know those in the pew next to them and pray for them. Each church should have a list of members given to other members to put on a prayer list. Secondly, pray for the lost that you genuinely love.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 26 If any man come to ME, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be MY disciple. (3404 “hate” [miseo] means detest, love less, disregard, be indifferent to, to abhor, disfavor, or feel antipathy or aversion towards.)
DEVOTION: Our first loyalty as believers must always be to the LORD Jesus Christ. HIS word is our guide and the Holy Spirit gives us directions. Our obedience to HIM will cause some family problems at times.
Our families must know that we love them but it will always be with the thought that Jesus comes first in our actions and attitude. We should never let our family or friends get between the teachings of the Word of God. If there is a choice we need to choose obedience. It is not always easy.
As a disciple of Jesus there is an obligation to stay consistent in our daily life around our family. Many people act one way in church and another way at home. This is not what this verse is talking about. Our actions have to be a witness to our family of our loving the LORD. This verse is just instructing us to keep our priorities straight. This is not what this verse is talking about. Our actions have to be a witness to our family of our loving the LORD.
CHALLENGE: How are your priorities in the eyes of the LORD?
_______________________________________________________
: 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (3101 “disciple” [mathetes] means learner, pupil, follower, student, apprentice, adherent or one tutored.
DEVOTION: Being a follower of Christ was a lifestyle. Jesus defined what it meant to be a learner. In this verse he states that an apprentice has to bear his own cross. In another passage we learn that he must bear his own cross daily. It is a daily choice that a follower makes regarding the daily yielding to the LORD.
This chapter also informs us that a student has to submit all relationships under the relationship he has with the LORD. It informs us that a follower has to be willing to give up all his possessions to follow the LORD. Someone who adheres to the teachings of Jesus has to spread HIS message to all those around him whether they want to hear or not.
If we are going to be a true learner of the LORD, we have to be willing to submit all personal relationships and possessions and take up our cross to follow HIM. HE is only willing to tutor those who are willing to give their all to HIM.
Does this mean that we can’t own anything? NO!! It means that people or things can’t own us. Does this mean that we can’t have any friendships or family? NO!! It means that we can’t put friends or family in front of the LORD. These are hard choices we have to make daily. Many will tell us that we don’t have to give up things to be pupils of Christ but they are lying to us.
Some of us are people pleasers instead of LORD pleasers. Some of us are possession controlled instead of LORD controlled. When we are part of the family of God, we have to submit all aspects of our life to HIM.
Jesus wants those who say they are followers of HIM to count the cost. The cost is rejection by men. This includes family members. This includes the world in general. The ultimate cost could be that a pupil would lose his life for the sake of the message of Christ.
CHALLENGE: Being a true follower of Christ takes time and effort. This can be a great cost to friendships and possessions. Count the cost!!
_________________________________________________________________
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)
Sabbath verse 1, 3, 5
________________________________________________________________
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Lawful verse 3
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Healing man of dropsy verse 2, 3
Jesus verse 3
Parable verse 7- 15
Parable verse 16- 24
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Kingdom of God verse 15
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)
No response verse 4, 6
Exalt self verse 11
Excuses verse 18, 19
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Heal verse 3, 4
Abased verse 11
Humbled verse 11
Exalted verse 11
Invite people who can’t return the favor verse 13
Blessed verse 14, 15
Just verse 14
Love LORD more than relatives (Hate) verse 26, 33
Disciple verse 26, 27, 33
Take up cross verse 27
Count the cost verse 28- 32
Forsake all verse 33
Hear verse 35
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Chief Pharisees verse 1, 3
Lawyers verse 3
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Resurrection of the just verse 14
Kingdom of God verse 15
_________________________________________________________________
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
_____________________________________________________________
QUOTES regarding passage
7–11 Jesus continued to take the initiative (v. 7). In his time the guests at a formal dinner reclined on couches, several on each one, leaning on their left elbows. The seating was according to status. The “head of the table” was the couch at one end with other couches extending from it and facing each other like the arms of a “U.” The important places, the places of “honor” (v. 8), were those nearest the head couch position. If an important guest came late, someone might have to be displaced to make room for him (v. 9). Jesus’ practical advice (cf. Prov 25:6–7) illustrates the spiritual principle he stated in v. 11. The significance of this principle—and indeed of vv. 7–11—is clarified by Luke’s use in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (18:14). The ultimate reference of the principle (v. 11) is to God’s final judgment. Luke follows the custom of using passive verbs (“will be humbled … will be exalted”) to avoid direct reference to God, the real subject of this profound sentence. The same may hold for 16:9 (cf. Ellis, Gospel of Luke, on both passages; cf. also comment on 15:7 for another way Luke reverently avoids the use of God’s name). This practice seems strange to us, but we need to realize that in the culture of that day a name both designated and represented a person. Therefore it was safe to refer to God obliquely by a descriptive title, “Lord”; a phrase, “the Holy One,” “Blessed be he”; a circumlocution, “He who sits in heaven”; or a term such as “the heavens,” whereas to say the divine Name itself without proper reverence could be blasphemy. (Leifeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, pp. 976–977). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
_______________________________________________________________
14:7–11. Looking around, Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor. The closer a person was to the host, the greater was that guest’s position of honor. As people entered the room in the Pharisee’s house where the table was spread, they must have scrambled for seats at the head of the table. The parable Jesus then told was designed to get them to think about spiritual realities in relation to the kingdom message He had been preaching.
Verse 11 records the point of Jesus’ parable: Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. This recalls Jesus’ earlier statement that those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last (13:30). The Pharisees, assuming they would have important positions in the kingdom, would be humiliated if they were pushed aside for someone else (14:9). However, if they would humble themselves, then they would perhaps be honored (v. 10). (Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 242). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
______________________________________________________________
Experts in management tell us that most people wear an invisible sign that reads, “Please make me feel important”; if we heed that sign, we can succeed in human relations. On the other hand, if we say or do things that make others feel insignificant, we will fail. Then people will respond by becoming angry and resentful, because everybody wants to be noticed and made to feel important.
In Jesus’ day, as today, there were “status symbols” that helped people enhance and protect their high standing in society. If you were invited to the “right homes” and if you were seated in the “right places,” then people would know how important you really were. The emphasis was on reputation, not character. It was more important to sit in the right places than to live the right kind of life.
In New Testament times, the closer you sat to the host, the higher you stood on the social ladder and the more attention (and invitations) you would receive from others. Naturally, many people rushed to the “head table” when the doors were opened because they wanted to be important.
This kind of attitude betrays a false view of success. “Try not to become a man of success,” said Albert Einstein, “but try to become a man of value.” While there may be some exceptions, it is usually true that valuable people are eventually recognized and appropriately honored. Success that comes only from self-promotion is temporary, and you may be embarrassed as you are asked to move down (Prov. 25:6–7).
When Jesus advised the guests to take the lowest places, He was not giving them a “gimmick” that guaranteed promotion. The false humility that takes the lowest place is just as hateful to God as the pride that takes the highest place. God is not impressed by our status in society or in the church. He is not influenced by what people say or think about us, because He sees the thoughts and motives of the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). God still humbles the proud and exalts the humble (James 4:6).
British essayist Francis Bacon compared fame to a river that easily carried “things light and swollen” but that drowned “things weighty and solid.” It is interesting to scan old editions of encyclopedias and see how many “famous people” are “forgotten people” today.
Humility is a fundamental grace in the Christian life, and yet it is elusive; if you know you have it, you have lost it! It has well been said that humility is not thinking meanly of ourselves; it is simply not thinking of ourselves at all. Jesus is the greatest example of humility, and we would do well to ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to imitate Him (Phil. 2:1–16). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 229). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
_______________________________________________________________
Ver. 7. And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, &c.] To the dinner at the Pharisee’s house, particularly the lawyers, or Scribes and Pharisees: when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; the uppermost places at the table, which these men loved, coveted, and sought after; see the note on Matt. 23:6. saying unto them; as follows.
Ver. 8. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, &c.] To a wedding-dinner, or to any other; such an one as the present entertainment was, which was not a marriage-feast, for they might not marry on the sabbath-day; see the note on John 2:1. but a common sabbath-meal: sit not down in the highest room: in the chief place at table, as soon as come in: test a more honourable man; for age, office, dignity, wisdom, learning, or riches: than thou be bidden of him the master of the feast; and who may not yet be come, and for whom the chief place may be designed, and will bester suit him.
Ver. 9. And he that bade thee and him, &c.] To the feast, and who is the master of it, and has a right to dispose of, and order his guests at his table, as he thinks fit: come and say to thee, give this man place pray rise up, and give this honourable man this scat, which is more suitable for a person of his rank and figure, and take another: and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room; or place, which must unavoidably fill a man with shame and confusion; because hereby his pride and vanity, in affecting the uppermost room, will be publicly exposed; and he who before sat in the chief place, will have the mortification, before all the guests, to be seated in the lowest.
Ver. 10. But when thou art bidden, &c.] To an entertainment, and the time is come, go and sit down in the lowest room: place thyself at the lower end of the table, or in the most inferior seat; which will shew humility and lowliness of mind, and prevent shame and mortification; since there can be no putting into a lower place, and there may be an advance to an higher: that when he that bad thee cometh: into the dining-room, and observe in what place thou art: he may say unto thee, friend, go up higher; to a more honourable seat at table, pointing to it, and saying, there’s such a seat empty, go up and take it, it best becomes thee: then shalt thou have worship; or glory, as the word signifies; honour and esteem, instead of shame and blushing; not only from the master of the feast, but in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee; and from them, who will take notice of the honour done thee, and will entertain an high opinion of thee, and commend thee for thine humility and modesty. Advice, like to this, is given by Solomon in Prov. 25:6, 7 and which is explained by the Jews in like manner as here: “Ben Azzai used to say, descend from thy place two or three degrees, and sit; it is better that it should be said to thee, עלה, go up, than that it should be said to thee, descend, as it is said in Prov. 25:7.” Which is elsewhere thus expressed: “R. Akiba taught it (or expounded, Prov. 25:7.) in the name of R. Simeon ben Azzai, remove from thy place two or three seats, and sit until it is said to thee, עלה, go up; but do not go up, (i. e. first,) for it will be said to thee descend; it is better that it should be said to thee go up, go up, than that it should be said to thee go down, go down: and Ben Hillell used to say, my humiliation is my exaltation, and my exaltation is my humiliation.”
Ver. 11. For whosoever exalteth himself, &c.] Either in the above way, or any other, shall be abased, humbled and mortified: and he that humbleth himself: behaves in an humble and modest manner, shall be exalted; see the note on Matt. 23:12. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 631). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
_________________________________________________________
14:7–9: And on noticing how they were selecting the prestigious cushions [for reclining around a low table at a formal meal], he was telling a parable to those who’d been invited, saying to them, 8 “Whenever you’re invited by someone to a wedding [which would include a banquet], you shouldn’t recline in a prestigious cushion, lest a more esteemed [man] than you had been invited by him [the host], 9 and on coming [to the table] the one who invited you and him [the more esteemed man] will say to you, ‘Give place to this [more esteemed man].’ And then with shame [= embarrassment] you’ll begin to occupy the last place [that is, the least prestigious couch].” The prestigious cushions were located close to the host. Jesus’ “parable” takes the form of two illustrations concerning what happens to invitees at banquets. “Lest a more esteemed [man] than you had been invited” sets out a possibility. Should the possibility materialize, the host “will say to you.…” Then there’s a certainty of your being demoted. Moreover, the host’s words of demotion (“Give place …”) will bring you public disgrace by not beginning with a respectful address, such as “Friend.” Added to this disgrace will be the shame of your having to occupy the least prestigious cushion at table. “You’ll begin to occupy the last place with shame” portrays the whole movement from first place to last, and then the occupation of last place throughout the whole banquet, as a loss of face. (Gundry, R. H. (2010). Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation (pp. 295–296). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.)
__________________________________________________________
FROM MY READING:
Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe
Compromise is a lie that takes longer to expose, but once exposed, it does incredible damage and it doesn’t help build our character or glorify God. Compromise is the crooked sword of the coward. (p. 179)
God didn’t put out the fire; he let it burn but not do any damage. (p. 179)
_____________________________________________________________
Treasures from the Greek New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest
When we transliterate a word, we take the spelling of that word over into another language in the respective letter equivalents, whereas when we translate a word, we take the meaning over into that language. (p. 45)
____________________________________________________________
1 Timothy 1
Beware of false teachers who may lead you or others astray.
INSIGHT
Lack of integrity is fast becoming a sign of our age. Once highly respected, many professionals are falling into disrepute: lawyers, doctors, journalists, and, most unfortunate of all, ministers. Whereas we once could invest considerable trust in these people, we now must exercise caution and discernment. With the proliferation of books, radio, television, and magazines, the opportunity for unscrupulous or inadequate ministers to foist themselves upon the public increases. Anything we hear being taught must carefully be compared with the Bible and other Bible teachers whom we know to be credible. We must take care not to be led astray by false teaching.
(Quiet Walk)
____________________________________________________
Messages from the Messiah’s Life: Warnings on Prayer
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Matthew 6:5)
Our Lord sometimes contrasted the habits of the religious leaders of His day with that which was expected of His followers. On this occasion, Jesus warned that prayer to the Father in heaven was never to be performed publicly to impress men but rather to be privately presented to the Father seeking His blessing and reward.
Nor are we to use “vain repetitions, as the heathen do,” expecting to be heard for the “much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). Many religions use prayer wheels, hypnotic chants, or formatted prayer rituals to expedite the process.
“Vain repetitions” is the translation of battologeo, which means “to stammer” or to “repeat endlessly.” Paul told Timothy that he must “shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” (2 Timothy 2:16) and to “refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).
The widow whose “continual coming” wearied the unjust judge (Luke 18:2-5) is not to be used as an example to constantly repeat prayers, as is often incorrectly suggested. But rather, “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). It may seem like we are repeating the same things in our prayers over and over again. Yet, we are instructed to pray “always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
__________________________________________________________
DAILY HOPE
Today’s Scripture
Numbers 31-32
Wars must be fought so that peace might reign. Ulysses S. Grant stated, “I have never advocated war except as a means of peace.” This is spoken by one that had experienced all the trauma and agony of leading good men to death and killing other good men to regain peace in a land fractured by hate and misunderstanding.
Israel is now commanded to go to war against the Midianites and to destroy them for the wickedness they had committed in tempting Israel to worship false idols and commit immorality. This was a religious war with Phinehas the priest leading the army instead of Joshua. They were to take the holy articles and the trumpets that the priests used and the lead the troops into battle against those who opposed the Lord (31:6).
After destroying the Midianites, the Israelite army brought the spoils of victory to Moses and the people encamped in the plains by the Jordan (31:12). As the spoils were brought from the battle, Moses met them and was angered they had brought the women of Midian to the camp. His anger was due to the Midianite women having tempted Israel at Baal Peor. Moses commanded all nonvirgin women and males to be killed (31:17).
The Israelite men who had done battle were declared unclean and cleansing was needed before they could enter the camp. They were to wash and purify their garments and themselves. After that purification process was accomplished, the division of the plunder was undertaken by Moses. Shortly thereafter, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh approached Moses for permission to claim land east of the Jordan so these tribes could raise their cattle and sheep.
God pronounced judgment on the enemies of His chosen people. Simultaneously, He took the horror of warfare and used it to strengthen and encourage the people of Israel before they entered the land which had been promised. At times, God uses extremely bad circumstances to bring good to His people.Persecution and suffering have been inflicted upon the church at different times to purge, cleanse, and declare her as a bride to Christ. Instead of looking at pain and difficulty as judgment, examine the situation and see if it might be God’s way of drawing someone closer to Himself.
In Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller
____________________________________________________________
We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.