Numbers 7
Moses dedicated tabernacleverse 1
And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up
the tabernacle – and had anointed it – sanctified it
and all the instruments thereof
both the altar and all the vessels thereof
and had anointed them
sanctified them
Tribal leaders brought gifts to dedicationverses 2-3
That the princes of Israel – heads of the house of their fathers
who were the princes of the tribes – and who were over them
that were numbered – offered
and they brought their offering before the LORD
six covered wagons – and twelve oxen
a wagon for two of the princes – and for each one
an ox – and they brought them before the tabernacle
Levites received giftsverses 4-8
And the LORD spoke to Moses
saying
Take it of them that they may be to do the service of the
tabernacle of the congregation
And you shall give them to the Levites
to every man according to his service
And Moses took the wagons and the oxen
and gave them unto the Levites
Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon
according to their service
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari
according to their service – under the hand of Ithamar the
son of Aaron the priest
Kohathites received no wagonsverse 9
BUT to the sons of Kohath he gave NONE
BECAUSE the service of the sanctuary belonging to them
was that they should BEAR on their shoulders
Leaders presented their dedication giftsverses 10-11
And the princes offered for dedication of the altar in the day
that it was anointed even the princes offered
their offering before the altar
And the LORD said to Moses
They shall offer their offering – each prince on his day
for the dedicating of the altar
Twelve days of giftsverses 12-83
And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon
the son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah
And his offering was one silver charger
the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels
one silver bowl of seventy shekels
after the shekel of the sanctuary
both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a
meat offering – one spoon of ten shekels of gold
full of incense – one young bullock – one ram
one lamb of the first year for a
burnt offering
one kid of the goats for a sin offering
and for a sacrifice of peace offering
two oxen – five rams – five he goats
five lambs of the first year
this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab
Second day – Nethaneel the son of Zuar – prince of Issachar
did offer the same
Third day – Eliab the son of Helon – prince of the children of Zebulun
did offer the same
Fourth day – Elizur the son of Shedeur – prince of the children of Reuben
did offer the same
Fifth day – Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai – prince of the
children of Simeon – did offer – same
Sixth day – Eliasaph the son of Deuel – prince of the children of Gad
did offer – same
Seventh day – Elishama the son of Ammihud – prince of the children of
Ephraim – did offer – same
Eighth day – Gamaliel the son of Pedahsur – prince of the children of
Mannasseh – did offer – same
Ninth day – Abidan the son of Gideoni – prince of the children of Benjamin
did offer – same
Tenth day – Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai – prince of the children of
Dan – same
Eleventh day – Pagiel the son of Ocran – prince of the children of Asher
same
Twelfth day – Ahira the son of Enan – prince of the children of Naphtali
same
Total list of dedicated itemsverses 84-88
This was the dedication of the altar – in the day when it was anointed
by the princes of Israel – twelve chargers of silver – silver bowls
spoons of gold – each charger of silver weighing an hundred
and thirty shekels – each bowl seventy
all the silver vessels weighted two thousand
and four hundred shekels
after the shekel of the sanctuary
golden spoons were twelve – full of incense
weighing ten shekels apiece
after the shekel of the sanctuary
all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels
All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks – the rams twelve
the lambs of the first year twelve with their meat offering
and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve
And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offering were
twenty and four bullocks – rams sixty – he goats sixty
lambs of the first year sixty
This was the dedication of the altar after that it was anointed
Moses heard the LORD speakverse 89
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation
to speak with HIM
THEN he heard the voice of one speaking to him from off
the mercy seat that was on the ark of testimony
from between the two cherubim
and HE spoke to him
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 “Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them.” 6942 קָדַשׁ [qadash/kaw·dash/] v. A primitive root; TWOT1990; GK7727; 172 occurrences; AV translates as “sanctify” 108 times, “hallow” 25 times, “dedicate” 10 times, “holy” even times, “prepare” seven times, “consecrate” five times, (James Strong, (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995)
DEVOTION: Moses had great responsibilities as the leader of the people of Israel. Along with the leadership came the task of setting up and making the dwelling place for God acceptable to God. Every item was carefully placed in the spot where God instructed Moses to place them. Every piece of clothing and article was to be dedicated explicitly to the Lord.
The idea of consecration had been established very early in the nation of Israel. They were to be the people of God wholly consecrated in order to demonstrate to the nations around them the power, mercy and love of their God. From Abraham to here at Sinai, God has been stating that Israel would be set apart and brought into a relationship as the people of God. Now as they prepared to leave Sinai this tabernacle is consecrated so that the people would know God was dwelling in their midst.
The importance of sanctification is carried over into the New Testament and we as believers are consecrated as vessels of God. Paul states that we are a sanctified people because of God coming to dwell among his people to reconcile them to Himself by the Holy Spirit. This sanctification is based on the historical truth of the atoning death of Christ which is brought to reality by the Spirit (Gal. 3:2–5; 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 1:13–14; Tit. 3:4–7). In some ways, 1 Peter provides a summary of the New Testament view of sanctification: it has to do with God’s choice (1:2; 2:9), the work of the Spirit in applying the benefits of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection (1:2–3), and obedience to God’s call to holiness (1:14–15; 2:5). Sanctification, in sum, is essentially a relational reality, completed in Christ’s death on the cross, experienced through the indwelling Holy Spirit and brought to its final goal when we see God (Heb. 12:14; 1 Jn. 3:2–3).
Challenge: It is important for the believer to understand that we are set apart to Christ. This will assist us to live lives that are like Christ. Like the tabernacle that Moses dedicated and anointed to the Lord so are we. May we present our bodies as living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God … (Romans 12:1). (Dr. Pastor Brian Miller)
: 3 And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen: a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle. (5699 “wagons” [‘agalah] means cart, chariot, ox-cart, or a wheeled vehicle)
DEVOTION: The priests needed supplies to transport the Tabernacle. Only two groups of Levites received carts to use in their position of moving articles of the Tabernacle. The third one was only allowed to carry their parts. These parts were not to be put on a cart.
So we see the LORD’S provision for HIS workers the Levites. HE didn’t expect them to find their own supplies. HE wanted to make sure that they didn’t use any excuse for not doing their duty properly.
Too often we look for excuses why we don’t do what the LORD expects of us. These excuses will not give us any blessings. These excuses will cause others to look for more excuses not to serve the LORD.
Remember we carry at least two tracts with us after we become followers of Jesus Christ. We are still lazy and selfish. This has caused problems throughout history in the lives of those who claim to be followers of the LORD.
What would happen if everyone who had a duty before the LORD was committed to seeing his/her work done for the LORD with the right attitude and actions?
Jesus Christ gave us all assignments and HE has provided the Holy Spirit to give us the power to do our assignments. So if everyone did their assignment where do you think the influence of Jesus Christ would be in our society today?
Sometimes it has just taken one individual to start a revival in the hearts of believers and the LORD can use that revival to reach a nation. Jonah reluctantly went to Nineveh and millions believed the message and were spared.
CHALLENGE: Pray for a revival and let it start with you. Do the assignment God has given you since the time you became HIS follower.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders. (5656 “service” [abodah] means labor, work, act or serve)
DEVOTION: Each tribe was to bring the same offering. Each tribe was to have a leader. Each tribe did their part in the dedication of the altar.
However, regarding the service of the three children of Levi, there was different service given. The two sons were given carts with oxen to carry their material from one place to another.
The sons of Kohath had a unique ministry. They had to carry their work on their shoulders. They were the first weight lifters for God. The other children of Levi were to use wagons to carry their burdens. This seemed to be the harder assignment.
Each of us has a special place of service for the LORD in the local church. Each of us once be become followers of Jesus Christ are given a gift from the Holy Spirit for service in the local church. If each one uses their gift for service to the LORD, the church will run smoothly. If someone doesn’t use his gift, then there is something lacking in the local church.
We have a promise in the New Testament that we are to give our burdens to the LORD and HE will carry them. HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light. That means that service is not going to be a burden but a pleasure. We are bringing glory to God and that should put a smile on our faces. It will bring a smile on the face of the LORD as HE watching each local body of believers work together for HIS service. Our world will notice too when believers work together in love.
Isn’t that a great promise? Are we carrying our own weight while giving it to the LORD? Remember that it is not something that we have to do alone. HE is always there to give us strength for service to HIMSELF.
The rest of the chapter deals with the dedication of the altar of the LORD. Each tribe had to bring the same amount of objects and animals to the dedication ceremony. When we come before the LORD and give ourselves to HIM, we have the responsibility to bring things to HIM on a regular basis.
Are we bringing our offerings to the LORD on a regular basis? Are we serving the LORD on a regular basis? Each of us has a spiritual gift that can be used in the local church for service to the LORD, are we using it?
CHALLENGE: Are we blessing in our local church or a burden? Are we smiling as we serve the LORD or complaining? Does our community see our church as one where everyone gets along together and loves one another?
: 12 And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahson the son of Amminadah, of the tribe of Judah (7133 “offering” [qorban] means oblation, sacrifice, gift, or a gift to deity of a general kind)
DEVOTION: Judah had taken the place of prominence in the tribes of Israel. This tribe was to lead the way for the children of Israel through the wilderness. They were to the east side of the Tabernacle. When the camp moved they were first.
So we find when it was time for the tribes to offer an offering to the LORD for the Tabernacle they led the way. All of the items given to the priests were consistent from the first tribe to the twelfth tribe. No tribe was expected to give more. No tribe was to give less. The Tabernacle was to receive just what the LORD wanted the people to give.
Today we have the same system in place. Every believer is to give a tithe to the LORD from each paycheck. No more is expected or less. It is the same amount for everyone who claims Christ.
There are individuals who have given as much as ninety percent of their income to the LORD but that was not expected for all. If an individual Christian wants to give more they can.
The local church needs the support of each individual in the congregation whether they are members or not. It is good for each believer to be a member of a local church that preaches the Word of God faithfully. If you have not found a local church you can support than the LORD still expects you to support HIS work through your giving to missions or missionaries. Then when you join a local church you can give to them through the local church. Some local churches will not allow new missionaries to be supported from their missions fund and then you have to go to the LORD and ask HIM what you should do concerning missions and missionaries you think are genuinely serving the LORD. HE will give you direction.
CHALLENGE: Be part of the group that honors the LORD through your giving and HE will bless you. HIS blessings are not always “health and wealth.” HIS blessings are always good.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with HIM, then he heard the voice of one speaking to him from off the mercy seat that was on the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spoke to HIM. (3742 “cherubims” [karuwb] means cherub, a guardian of Eden, ministers, class of winged supernatural beings, which serve God in several functions, a large standing figure in the temple, or an order of angelic beings.)
DEVOTION: There are many firsts in the Word of God. Here is the first time that the LORD spoke to Moses from between the two cherubim of the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.
He heard the voice of God. He had heard it many times before this. He heard HIM speak through a burning bush at the beginning of his ministry as the leader of the children of Israel. He had heard HIM speak on the mountain when he received the Ten Commandments.
Now the Tabernacle was complete and a time was set aside to dedicate it. It was quite an occasion. Many gifts came to the LORD from each of the tribes. There was obedience in the camp.
Once the LORD saw the obedience in the giving of the offerings by the twelve tribes and by the offering of the sacrifices to HIM, HE spoke.
Obedience brings the presence of the LORD into our life with the Holy Spirit speaking to us through the Word of God and individuals who are faithfully serving the LORD. God never contradicts what HE expects of us. HE is consistent in HIS directions.
CHALLENGE: We need to hear the LORD speak to us today through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. HE still uses men and women who are totally surrendered to HIM to instruct us in our daily walk with HIM.
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)
Consistent giving of all twelve tribesverses 10-83
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)
Tabernacleverses 1, 3, 5, 89
Set up
Anointed
Sanctified
Offering before the LORDverse 3
Six covered wagons
Twelve oxen
Levitesverses 5, 6-10
Sons of Gershon
Sons of Merari (Ithamar)
Aaron the priest
Sons of Kohath
Service of sanctuary
Dedicating of the altarverses 11-88
First day: Nahshon: Judah
Second day: Nethaneel: Issachar
Third day: Eliab: Zebulun
Fourth day: Elizur: Reuben
Fifth day: Shelumiel: Simeon
Sixth day: Eliasaph: Gad
Seventh day: Elishaman: Ephraim
Eighth day: Gamaliel: Manasseh
Ninth day: Abidan: Benjamin
Tenth day: Ahiezer: Dan
Eleventh day: Pagiel: Asher
Twelfth day: Ahira: Naphtali
Total given
Moses in the Holy of Holiesverse 89
God speaking to him
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovahverses 3, 4, 11
Voiceverse 89
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)
Cherubimverse 89
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sin offeringverses 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46, 52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82, 87
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Anointedverses 1, 10, 84, 88
Sanctifiedverse 1
Serviceverses 5, 7-9
Dedicatedverses 10, 84, 88
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Mosesverses 1, 4, 6, 11
Princes of Israelverses 2, 10
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
4–9 Following the command of God, Moses took these six covered carts and their pairs of oxen and distributed them to the three Levitical families based on their need and their particular responsibilities. Two of the carts and their four oxen he gave to the families of Gershon for their work in transporting the varied curtains of the tabernacle and the courtyard (see 4:24–28); the other four carts and their pairs of oxen went to the families of Merari for their work in transporting the frames, crossbars, posts, bases, ropes, and pegs of the tabernacle and the courtyard (see 4:29–33). Moses made these divisions of carts and oxen based on the needs that each family had for transporting the material of the tabernacle. The Kohathites, therefore, were not given any carts; they were to carry the holy things on their shoulders, with staves placed through the carrying loops (see 4:4–20; esp. vv.6, 8, 11–12, 14). This prohibition of the use of carts for the holiest objects was not followed by David in the first attempt he made to transport the ark to the city of Jerusalem, following the establishment of his kingdom (see 2 Sam 6:3). This untoward act led to the death of Uzzah, who attempted to stay the ark as it seemed about to tumble from the cart (v.7). The lesson was drastic, but David learned from it. He had the priests carry it the second time (v.13). (Allen, R. B. (1990). Numbers. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 758). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House)
7:1–9. This chapter points retrospectively back to a month earlier when the tabernacle had just been completed and dedicated. In preparation for the move from Sinai to the Promised Land the tribal leaders brought to the Lord gifts of six wagons and 12 oxen. These, they said, were to be at the disposal of the Levites to help them in their work of transporting the tabernacle and its contents (vv. 4–5). Moses therefore distributed the oxen and carts as follows: two carts and 4 oxen to the Gershonites (v. 7), four carts and 8 oxen to the Merarites (v. 8), but none to the Kohathites (v. 9) because they were to bear the sacred objects on their shoulders (cf. 4:15). Failure to do this later brought great grief to David and his servants when the ark was transported from the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:3; cf. 2 Sam. 6:7–8). The Merarites needed more carts and oxen than the Gershonites because they had to carry the heavy wooden and metal framework of the tabernacle (cf. Num. 4:31–32). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). Numbers. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 223). Wheaton, IL: Victor Book.)
On the first day of the first month, in the second year after Israel was delivered from Egypt, the tabernacle was erected and dedicated to the Lord (Ex. 40). On that day the twelve tribes of Israel began to bring special offerings to the Lord to be used by the priests and Levites in the tabernacle service. The people had donated generously to the building of the tabernacle (Ex. 25:1–8; 35:4–36:7), and now they were contributing to its ministry and maintenance.
A cursory reading of this long chapter (the longest in the Pentateuch) might give the impression that it contains nothing but repetition, for on twelve successive days each of the tribal leaders brought identical gifts. But we must not miss the point that God took notice of each gift, each leader, and each tribe on each successive day. In fact, each leader is mentioned twice, at the beginning of the report and at the end. We met these leaders in Numbers 1:5–16 and 2:3–32. The order is the same as that established for Israel whenever they marched to a new location.
While it’s impossible by modern prices to calculate the value of these gifts, it’s obvious that this was a very costly and generous offering. No doubt the twelve leaders got together and decided what to give, and then they gave their respective tribes opportunity to contribute. The gifts were both expensive and useful, showing generosity and practicality. The silver plates and bowls, and the gold dish (spoon, kjv), were needed for the priests’ ministry in the tabernacle, as were their contents of flour and incense. Of course, the twenty-one animals for sacrifices that each leader brought would represent a considerable amount of money, a total of 252 beasts!
The fact that God noted and recorded each name and each gift indicates His love for and interest in the individual believer. He knows our names (John 10:3) and has recorded them individually in His heavenly register (Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3). When we stand before the Lord, He will see us individually, “and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Cor. 4:5) and “every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor” (3:8). Nobody will be overlooked and nobody will be lost in the crowd.
David kept a register of the names of his “mighty men” (2 Sam. 23:8–39), and Paul sent greetings and appreciation to his friends in Rome (Rom. 16), twenty-six of whom he named specifically and two that he simply mentioned. David was a great warrior, but where would he have been without his mighty men? Paul was a great apostle and evangelist, but he needed his helpers to get the job done.
Just as with His ancient people, God wants His people today to be clean and separated, “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Campbell Morgan said that when the church was the least like the world, the church did the most for the world. We are a people blessed of the Lord, and with these blessings comes the obligation to be a blessing to others. God wants us to be a generous people, supporting the local church and helping the work of the Lord around the world as He directs us.
Can God count on us? (Wiersbe, W. W. (1999). Be counted (pp. 29–31). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
Ver. 5. Take it of them, &c.] The present of the waggons and oxen, by which it appears that this freewill offering of the princes was according to his mind and will, and what they were influenced and guided to by his spirit, and was well-pleasing in his sight, and acceptable to him: that they may-be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; be made use of, and employed in carrying the tabernacle, and the things of it, from place to place, when the Israelites journeyed: and thou shalt give them to the Levites; to ease them, whose business it was to bear and carry the several parts of the tabernacle, and the vessels of it: to every man according to his service; whether lighter or heavier, for such difference there was in the three divisions of the Levites; and according as their work was, they had more or fewer waggons and oxen given them, as it follows. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 735). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
4–5. What a gracious God is Israel’s God, who accepteth according to that a man hath, if there be a willing mind. 2 Cor. 8:12. But Reader! never forget that the acceptance of our poor gifts, pre-supposeth the acceptance of our persons; and both in Jesus only. Ephes. 1:6. It is said of Abel that the Lord had respect to his person, and (then) to his offering. Gen. 4:4. Dearest Jesus! grant that my soul may be accepted in thee; and then am I sure that my poor breathings of praise, however poor, will not be rejected by thee. Job here is a sweet type of Jesus. Job 42:8. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Genesis–Numbers (Vol. 1, p. 590). 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!!)
FROM: Moments with YOU by Dennis and Barbara Rainey:
Well-Driven Nails (Part Three)
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. ECCLESIASTES 12:13
A. W. Tozer said, “The word of God was not given to us to make us intelligent sinners, but obedient and authentic saints.” As important as it is to remember God—to recall who God is and what He has done for us—and to fear God by practicing a reverential awe of Him and His presence in our lives, it is equally important to hammer home the final nail.
Nail Number Three: Obey God
Our lives are made up of choices—difficult forks in the road where we must decide to choose God’s way or to pursue our own. And as Moses said to the children of Israel, the choice is really not between right and wrong but between life and death (see Deuteronomy 30:15-16). The prophet Amos said it very succinctly: “Seek the LORD that you may live” (Amos 5:6). Truly, the only sure path to life is found in obedience to God and His Word.
So when you don’t feel like loving your spouse, obey God.
When you’re tempted to steal or to compromise your integrity, obey God.
When your boss asks you to do something you shouldn’t, obey God.
When your lusts and passions are telling you to give in, obey God.
When you’re suffering and feel like quitting, obey God.
When the easiest thing to do is nothing, obey God.
When you feel like being lazy, obey God.
Whatever choice you may be facing, obey God . . . and live!
Thomas Carlisle wrote, “Conviction, be it ever so excellent, is worthless until it converts itself into conduct.” It is not enough just to know what’s right. Well-driven nails only become that way when we have the courage to sink them deep by obeying God.
2 Corinthians 8
We should follow Christ’s example and be generous toward others.
INSIGHT
One of the marks of maturity is the ability to put off immediate reward for the sake of a future goal. Likewise, the willingness to put off temporal reward for the sake of eternal reward is a good mark of Christian maturity. The Scriptures teach that someday we must all appear before the bema seat of Christ. In ancient Greece, the bema was the grandstand where judges gave out honors to the winners of athletic competitions. Thus, it is before the divine “bema” that we will all appear. If we compete according to the eternal rules, we will gain the honor of reward from the eternal Judge. As Paul wrote, we must set our minds “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). (Quiet Walk)
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LIARS
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:22
The language used in this verse is very strong; John does not hesitate to refer to these antichrists as liars. Some say, “Here is the man who appears as the great apostle of love and who talks so much about love in this particular epistle. So how is it that he should thus describe these people who had gone out, and those who had seduced them, as liars?”
What we have here is in many ways very characteristic of the New Testament. John is not the exception; John did not use language like this because he was Boanerges, one of “the sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17); you find others doing the same thing. Listen to the apostle Paul using language like that to the Galatians: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). You cannot imagine anything stronger than that. Or listen to him as he writes to the Corinthians: “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema” (1 Corinthians 16:22).
Remember, too, the preaching of John the Baptist when he looked at his congregation, which consisted of Pharisees and others, and said, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:7). Think also of the words of our blessed Lord Himself as He addressed the Pharisees toward the end of His life; He referred to them as “whited sepulchres” (Matthew 23:27).
Now I emphasize all this merely because we must be careful lest we put ourselves into a position in which we claim that we are more Christian than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and His blessed apostles. The New Testament uses strong language. Here it is in its essence—liars.
A Thought to Ponder
We must be careful lest we put ourselves into a position in which we claim that we are more Christian than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
(From Walking with God, pp. 131-133, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Creator of All Things
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
The phrase “all things” is used throughout these verses to emphasize that everything has been brought into existence by the “dear Son” (Colossians 1:13, 16-20).
All things were created through Him and for Him.
All things consist (stand together) in Him.
All things will give preeminence to Him.
All things reside in His fullness.
All things will be reconciled to Him.
The list of created things in verse 16 is exhaustive: heaven, Earth, visible and invisible things, and the rulers in and of the universe—thrones, dominions, principalities, powers. Jesus Christ is “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:21).
The Creator existed before all things and now “approves” all things. Solomon understood this as he spoke of wisdom: “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was” (Proverbs 8:22-23), just as He chose us “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4).
When the Lord Jesus revealed Himself to John, He said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). These grand sweeps of eternity are anchors for our faith. But we must not lose sight that “the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word [the word of the Creator] are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:7).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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