Joshua 8
LORD encourages Joshua to take Aiverses 1-2
And the LORD
said to Joshua
FEAR not – neither be you dismayed
take all the people of war with you
and arise – go up to Ai see
I have given into your hand the king of Ai
and his people – and his city – and his land
AND you shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho
and her king- ONLY the spoil thereof – and the cattle thereof
shall you take for a prey unto yourselves
lay you an ambush for the city behind it
Joshua presents the battle plan to his armyverses 3-8
So Joshua arose – and all the people of war – to go up against Ai
and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor
and sent them away by night
And he commanded them
saying
BEHOLD – you shall lie in wait against the city
even behind the city – go not very far from the city
but be you all ready
And I – and all the people that are with me
will approach unto the city – and it shall come to pass
when they come out against us – as at the first
that we will flee before them
(FOR they will come out after us)
till we have drawn them from the city
FOR they will say
They flee before us – as at the first
THEREFORE we will flee before them
THEN you shall rise up from the ambush – and seize upon the city
FOR the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand
And it shall be – when you have taken the city
that you shall set the city on fire
according to the commandment of the LORD
shall you do
See – I have commanded you
Joshua takes army to Aiverses 9-13
Joshua therefore sent them forth – and they went to lie in ambush
and abode between Beth-el and Ai – on the west side of Ai
BUT Joshua lodged that night among the people
Joshua rose up early in the morning – and numbered the people
and went up he and the elders of Israel
before the people of Ai
And all the people – even the people of war that were with him
went up and drew nigh – and came before the city
and pitched on the north side of Ai
now there was a valley between them and Ai
And he took about five thousand men
and set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai
on the west side of the city
And when they had set the people
even all the host that was on the north of the city
and their liers in wait on the west of the city
Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley
People Ai and Bethel come against Joshuaverses 14-17
And it came to pass – when the king of Ai saw it
that they hasted and rose up early
And the men of the city went out against Israel to battle
he and all his people – at the time APPOINTED
before the plain
BUT he was not that there were liers in ambush against him
behind the city
Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them
and fled by the way of the wilderness
And all the people that were in Ai were called together
to pursue after them and they pursued after Joshua
and were drawn away from the city
And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el
that went not out after Israel
and they left the city open
and pursued after Israel
LORD instructs Joshua to hold out his spearverses 18-19
And the LORD said to Joshua
Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai
FOR I will give it into your hand
And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city
and the ambush arose quickly out of their place
and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand
and they entered into the city – and took it
and hasted and set the city on fire
Joshua defeats army of Aiverses 20-23
And when the men of Ai looked behind them – they saw – and – behold
the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven
and they had NO POWER to flee this way or that way
and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back
on the pursuers
And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city
and that the smoke of the city ascended
THEN they turned again – and slew the men of Ai
And the other issued out of the city against them
so they were in the midst of Israel
some on this side – some on that side
and they smote them
so that they let none of them remain or escape
And the king of Ai they took alive – and brought him to Joshua
Joshua held out his spearverses 24-28
And it came to pass
when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai
in the field – in the wilderness wherein they chased them
and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword
until they were consumed
that all the Israelites returned unto Ai
and smote it with the edge of the sword
And so it was – that all that fell that day both of men and women
were twelve thousand – even all the men of Ai
For Joshua drew not his hand back
wherewith he stretched out the spear
until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai
ONLY the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel
took for a prey upon themselves
according to the word of the LORD
which HE commanded Joshua
And Joshua burnt Ai – and made it a heap for ever
even a desolation unto this day
Joshua kills the king of Aiverse 29
And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide
and as soon as the sun was down
Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree
and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city
and raise thereon a great heap of stones
that remains unto this day
Joshua builds an altar on Mount Ebalverses 30-32
THEN Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel
in mount Ebal – as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded
the children of Israel – as it is written in the
book of the law of Moses
an altar of whole stones over which no man hath lifted up any
iron and they offered thereon burnt offerings to the
LORD and sacrificed peace offerings
And he WROTE there on the stones a COPY of the law of Moses
which he WROTE in the presence of the children of Israel
Israelites divided between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizimverse 33
And all Israel – and their elders – and officers – and their judges
stood on this side the ark and on that side
before the priests the Levites
which bare the ark of the
covenant of the LORD
as well the stranger – as he that was born among them
half of them over against mount Gerizim
half of them over against mount Ebal
As Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before that they
should BLESS the people of Israel
Joshua read the blessings and cursingsverses 34-35
And afterward he read all the words of the law
the BLESSINGS and CURSINGS
according to all that is written in the book of the law
There was not a word of all that Moses commanded
which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel
with the women – and the little ones
and the strangers that were conversant among them
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take for a prey unto yourselves lay you an ambush for the city behind it. (693 “ambush” [‘arab] means lay in wait, lurk, launch a surprise attack, or wait for harming others)
DEVOTION: We have to remember that from the perspective of the LORD the iniquity of the Amorites was full. There was no redeeming factor in the lives of the people in the Promised Land. God had commanded that they be totally destroyed and the children of Israel were to take their place.
God gave Joshua a plan after the camp was cleaned up from those who stole part of what should have gone into the Tabernacle treasury. Now the LORD told them that they could keep the spoils of war on this occasion. So there is a time when the LORD rewards obedience.
If the LORD gives us an assignment HE will provide a plan for us to complete it. Every plan needs the assistance of the LORD. If we leave HIM out of the plan we end up like the children of Israel losing thirty-six men. God’s plan would have prevented the death of these soldiers.
Each believer needs to find out the plan of God for their life. This can only be done through prayer and fasting. Listening to the LORD is very important.
Here the LORD is conquering a city. We have cities that need conquering by the people of God. The church as to remember that we are on a mission to “Occupy” until the LORD returns. We are not to go in to a corner and hide we are to be up front in the battle against those who don’t know the LORD.
The Bible states that there are rewards for those who are faithful servants of the LORD. One of the rewards is for those who win souls. Each believer should want this reward. It is stated that only five percent of believers lead someone into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Knowing our Bible means we know the plan of God for our life. Ask HIM to let you know how you can conquer your world for Christ.
CHALLENGE: Following the plan of God requires obedience to HIS work in our life.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 8 And it shall be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall you do. See, I have commanded you. (1697 “the commandment of |” [dabar] means a communication that is most often spoken, word, something: word of God, speech, discourse, statement, matter, chronicles, saying, or utterance)
DEVOTION: The soldiers that were behind the city were given instructions. They were to wait for the men of the city to run out to battle because the children of Israel gave the impression that they were running away again as in the first battle.
What orders have you received from the LORD? HE has given us many in general for all Christians to follow. Then HE has gifted each one of us for a specific assignment in HIS kingdom.
The children of Israel were given the city. They had to follow the plan that the LORD gave to Joshua. Once they followed the plan they had a victory over a small army.
In our lives we want to have more victories than defeats. This can only happen as we listen to the LORD through HIS Word the Bible. The Holy Spirit leads us to victory through our obedience.
Christians who are victorious in their daily life need to be mentors to those who are still struggling with the growth in Christ. Moses helped Joshua. Who are you helping grow in their knowledge and service to the LORD?
CHALLENGE: Once you know the commandment of the LORD – do it!! There should be no hesitation regarding obedience to the known will of God.
: 20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. (3027 “power” [yad] means a hand, means, direction, draw with strength, or strength)
DEVOTION: Israel was defeated the first time they encountered the people of Ai. The reason for the defeat was that there was sin in the camp. They have dealt with the sin and now they were going to move on in their conquest of the Promised Land.
The LORD gave Joshua a plan of attack. Joshua told the people what to do. He sent out the army. Some were waiting in ambush while the main body set up camp in front of the city of Ai.
The plan was for the main body to run away from the armies of Ai and Bethel. They did that and their enemy ran after them. While they were running toward the Israelite army the group who were waiting in ambush attacked the city and set it on fire.
The men of Ai saw their city burning behind them and the army of Joshua in front of them and all they could do is flee into the wilderness. They lost their strength to fight against the children of Israel. The children of Israel were defeated the first time they went against this city because of sin in the camp. This time the LORD gave Joshua directions on how to win the battle with this city. Joshua was to hold up his spear until the battle was over, just like, Moses did at one of the battles with his rod.
After the victory Joshua took the children of Israel to the mountains for the building of an altar and the reading of the book of the Law of Moses. The people had to be reminded who they were glorifying in battle. They had to realize that the LORD was doing the fighting for them. This was commanded by Moses before they entered the Promised Land.
When the LORD fights for us, the enemy has no means to win. Our strength comes from the LORD and HIS Word. When we have no strength, we also seem to have no direction. Our directions in life come from the LORD. That is why Joshua could defeat Ai. It was not Joshua’s strength it was the LORD. We have to depend on the LORD for all our decisions and directions in our lives. There are blessings and cursing in our world too.
CHALLENGE: Obey the LORD, even when it seems that defeat can happen. Trust is important.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 32 And he wrote there on the stones a copy of the Law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. (4932 “a copy of” [mishneh] means second in command, a reproduction of a written work, double, the second rank, the second place, or repetition)
DEVOTION: One of the things that is happening with these devotionals is that I am copying the Word of God into this computer. I am using the King James Version because it is not one that I need to ask permission to use.
With that being said I have changes some of the words because there are people who don’t like the “thee’s and thou’s when they read the devotional. It is so old fashion. They just can’t get used to them.
Joshua wrote a copy of the first five books of the Bible in his language to keep the people aware that it was the source of their beliefs. He copied it to make sure he knew the commands of the LORD.
We need to do something to make sure that we are genuinely studying the Word of God and applying it to our lives. Too often we might read a verse and then forget it. Once you put it to paper it sticks better. You see things you didn’t see when you were just reading it.
There is a need to understand the Word of God better in our day. We shouldn’t just “get our devotions over” because that is not a way to concentrate well on something. With us writing down what we have learned in a separate place we have thought about it much more than just a little reading.
Today many people are not doing a “daily devotion” before they start their day or even at the end of their day. We need to be in the Bible as often as we can to understand our daily commitment to the LORD. Many try to memorize a verse or more of the Bible each day. All of us have a few verses memorized but it would be good to add to that number.
One of the things that is happening as I get older is that I forget more things including the memory verses I learned years ago. So I have to go over them again and try to do it again. This gets harder as I keep putting chemo in my body.
CHALLENGE: Set a goal of at least memorizing or writing down a verse a day and take it with you for the day. God honors our seeing the importance of HIS Word!
: 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them. (1980 “conversant” [halak] means to dwell somewhere, to walk with, flow with, adhere to, or manner of life)
DEVOTION: Who was supposed to listen to the Word of the LORD? It was to include everyone. This meant that not only the men but also the women and children. Throughout the Word of God no one was excluded from obedience to the Word of God. All were held accountable to what they understood of the Word of God.
Children might have a hard time understanding some of the teachings of the Word of God but they have teachers at home and at church that should help them understand the basics of the faith.
Joshua read the writings of Moses to all the people. They had to listen and then apply the truths of the teachings of Moses to their lives. They were now in the Promised Land. There were blessings and cursings read to warn the people exactly what the LORD expected of them.
Today we find the Word of God is sometimes not even opened in some places that call themselves churches. They are not giving instructions from the Word of God but from somewhere else. We have many believers who think it good to be politically correct rather than Biblically correct.
Those who are politically correct will face a God who will just them for all eternity in the lake of fire reserved for the devil and his angels. Those who are Biblically correct will spend eternity in heaven.
CHALLENGE: No one will have an excuse when they stand before the LORD. Obedience to HIS commands is essential to our growth and witness
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)
Joshua wrote on stonesverse 32
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)
Altar in Mount Ebalverses 30, 31
Offered burnt sacrificeverse 31
Offered peace offeringsverse 31
Ark of the covenantverse 33
Priests the Levitesverse 33
Joshua read the book of the law to peopleverse 34
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Commandment of the LORDverse 8
Book of the Law of Mosesverse 31
Law of Mosesverse 32
Moses the servant of the LORDverse 33
Words of the Lawverse 34
Blessings and cursings
Book of the Lawverse 34
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 7, 8, 18, 27, 30, 31, 33
God (Elohim)verses 7, 30
LORD your God verse 7
Commandment of the LORDverse 8
Word of the LORDverse 27
LORD God of Israelverse 30
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)
Aiverses 1-3, 9, 11
King of Aiverses 1, 14, 23, 29
hanged
Bethelverse 17
Strangerverses 33, 35
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Fearverse 1
Dismayedverse 1
Cursingverse 34
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Fear notverse 1
Neither be dismayedverse 1
Readyverse 4
Deliveranceverse 7
Powerverse 20
Servantverse 33
Blessedverses 33, 34
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Joshuaverses 1-35
Take prey from Ai
Instructions regarding defeat of Ai
Ambush
Thirty thousand men taken to battle
Part of army to lay in wait behind city
Take city after army leaves city
Set city on fire
Fake retreat from army of Ai
None remained from Ai
Burnt Ai
Read book of Law to people
Elder of Israelverses 10, 33
Joshua built altarverse 30
Moses: servant of the LORDverses 31, 33
Children of Israelverses 31, 32
Officersverse 33
Judgesverse 33
Mount Gerizimverse 33
Mount Ebalverse 33
Congregation of Israelverse 35
Little ones
Women
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
Ai emptied (Josh. 8:14–17). When morning dawned, the king of Ai saw the army of Israel positioned before the city, ready to attack. Confident of victory, he led his men out of the city and against the Jews. “They are the most in danger,” said Matthew Henry, “who are least aware of it.” Joshua and his men began to flee, and this gave the men of Ai even more assurance of victory. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Strong (pp. 99–100). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
14–17 To the king of Ai, Joshua’s manoeuvre looked like a replay. Early the next morning he quickly and rashly marched forth to the assigned place for battle, hoping for a rerun of the previous rout. Joshua feigned a retreat, using the past one to good advantage, and lured the king to throw away all caution. To annihilate the fleeing decoy, the king summoned all his troops out of the city, even out of the temple (called here Bethel; cf. Jdg. 20:18, niv mg.), a city’s last point of defence on its acropolis. Here Bethel (lit. ‘house of God’) is not a place-name but a description of Ai’s temple (so R.G. Boling and G. E. Wright, Anchor Bible, Joshua, p. 240). (Waltke, B. K. (1994). Joshua. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 245). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
The method by which Ai was to be taken was quite different from the one used against the first stronghold of the Canaanites, which shows us, among other things, that God does not work uniformly. Thomas Scott pointed out that “Jericho had been taken by a miracle … in order to teach the people to depend on God, and give Him the glory of all their successes. But they seemed to have inferred that they might despise their enemies and indulge themselves. They were therefore, in the next instance, instructed that diligence, self-denial and the exercise of all their powers, both of body and mind, were required in order to secure success.” While fully agreeing with those remarks, yet they do not, we think, fully explain the case. Though God be absolute sovereign, so that He ever acts freely, yet His ways with men are not capricious, but generally accord with their own behavior. Because of their rash conduct in the first attack on Ai, Israel had missed God’s best, and must now be content with His second best, is how we prefer to express it. The root cause of their failure was the flagrant offense of Achan, but more immediately it was due to the conceit of the spies and the folly of Joshua in acceding to their carnal suggestion. (Pink, A. W. (1964). Gleanings in Joshua (p. 211). Chicago: Moody Press.)
The spiritual application to us of the above is obvious. The Lord’s people are called upon to act together in their spiritual warfare. Not all are assigned positions of equal honor, nor are they given the same tasks to perform, yet they must supplement one another and act in conjunction if the interests of their Master’s cause are to be furthered, and if they are not to be humiliated before the common enemy. Unless the pastor has the full cooperation of his church officers, he is placed at a most serious disadvantage, and unless the rank and file of the members cooperate with both, little success will crown their efforts. Nor is it sufficient for one local church to fulfill its spiritual functions: there must be mutual accord and concerted action on the part of the several battalions of Christ’s soldiers if the enemy is to be defeated. Is it not the deplorable absence of such united effort on the part of God’s people that explains the comparative impotency of modern Christianity? While a spirit of jealousy and discord prevails, and factions and schisms so largely obtain, corporate fellowship is impossible, and where there is no fellowship there can be no united front presented before the powers of darkness, and therefore no Ais captured to the glory of God.
Let us now observe and admire the blessed balance of Truth as exemplified in the passage which is now before us. In the last three or four verses which have engaged our attention, it is the human-responsibility side of things which is manifestly in view, the several duties which the different parts of Israel’s army were called upon to perform, and perform them they must if success was to attend their efforts. Nevertheless, Joshua was most particular in guarding the Lord’s glory, and in letting his men know that it was the Divine blessing upon their efforts which would make them prosperous. This is clear from his words: “Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city, for the Lord God will deliver it into your hands.” There was the Divine-grace side of things! The two things are not contradictory but complementary, as in “the hand of the diligent maketh rich” and “the blessing of the Lord it maketh rich” (Prov. 10:4, 22). Both are consistent: the one reveals the primary cause, the other the subordinate and instrumental one. Neither will be effectual without the other. The sluggard looks for prosperity without diligence; the self-sufficient or practical atheist, from diligence alone: but the balanced Christian, from the blessing of God in the exercise of diligence. That wise combination keeps him both active and humble, energetic, yet dependent on God. “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it” (Ps. 127:1), yet if they build not there will be no “house”! (Pink, A. W. (1964). Gleanings in Joshua (p. 217). Chicago: Moody Press.)
“And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went our against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city” (verse 14). From the opening words of this verse it seems dear that whatever Joshua had done that night in the valley it was now visible to those in Ai as soon as day broke, and that it at once attracted their attention: something which appears to have constituted a challenge to them—reminding us again of our Lord, who so far from hiding from His enemies boldly “went forth” to meet those who had come to apprehend Him (John 18:4). Their “rising up early” indicates their bloodthirstiness and eagerness for the fray, doubting not that an easy conquest would be theirs; possibly they thought to spring a surprise upon Israel by a dawn attack. Alas, how often are we surprised and overcome through failure to be constantly upon our guard. It is while Christ’s servants “sleep” that the enemy sows his tares (Matthew 13:25). There is some difficulty in determining the meaning of “went out against Israel to battle at a time appointed”: possibly it signifies the same hour as when they were successful against Israel on a former occasion (Josh. 7:5), deeming it a “lucky” one. (Pink, A. W. (1964). Gleanings in Joshua (p. 220). Chicago: Moody Press.)
Ver. 14. And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, &c.] Not the ambush on the west side, but the host or army on the north side, or, however, some of his people gave him notice, of it: that they hasted and rose up early; or made haste to rise out of their beds, on the alarm given of Israel’s near approach: and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle; being raised out of their beds and accoutred with armour, and put into a military order, they marched out with their king at the head of them, to give Israel battle: he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; which was before the city, the same with the valley mentioned, ver. 11, 13. the city was built on an eminence, and this plain or valley lay at the bottom of it; and on an eminence on the other side of the valley the army of Israel was pitched; wherefore the king of Ai and all his men of war went out hither to attack Israel, and this is said to be at an appointed time; it is difficult to say what is meant by it, when they seem to have hurried out as fast as they could, as soon as they perceived the Israelites were near them: Ben Gersom and Abarbinel think it was the same time of the day they went out at first, which the king might choose as lucky, being before successful, and to encourage the men, that as they conquered then they should now; which seems not amiss, though perhaps it rather designs an appoined place, as their rendezvous, and where to attack Israel, and where they had been before victorious: but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city; that he knew nothing of, and therefore took no precaution against them to prevent their design. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 208). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
14. The king of Ai saw Joshua’s audacious display of inadequate force, and they hasted—an instance of the loose use of the pronoun as in ver. 3; the plural subject apparently supplied in the next clause designates the eager horde that rushed out of the city later when they saw the enemy on the run (ver. 16). The battle was joined at a time appointed, or rather, at the place appointed, or fixed upon by Joshua (cf. 1 Sam. 20:35; see on ver. 13). This place was on the eastern side before the plain, or Arabah, that is, the Jordan valley. The Amorite king did not know of the ambush at his rear, but thought this another case of chasing a foolhardy foe back to his lair (cf. 7:4, 5). (Genung, G. F. (1931). Joshua (p. 44). The American Baptist Publication Society)
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!!)
FACING DEATH
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.
2 Timothy 4:8
The kingdom of God gives us power even to look into the face of death and to smile at it. We go out of this world in triumph and in joy. Consider what Paul says; this is power, this is not just a talker, nor just a man who has been writing all his life. Here is a man who has known the power; so he says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
So what about it? Have you known all this? This is Christianity; this is the kingdom of God, the power of God! Here, then, are the questions that we must ask ourselves. Do I know anything about this power of God? Is it obvious to those who live with me that the power of God is in me? Does my life show it? Are other people influenced by what they see? Can I say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16)?
Has God made you anew? Do you know there is a new nature in you? If not, you are not a Christian; you are outside the kingdom of God, whatever your knowledge, whatever your interest may be. A Christian is a new creation born of the Spirit, born from above, born again–“not in word, but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). Have you known this? If you have, I need not exhort you to praise God! If you have not, then go to Him; tell Him you are dead and lifeless. Cry, “God have mercy upon me, a sinner.”
A Thought to Ponder: A Christian is a new creation born of the Spirit, born from above, born again. (From The Kingdom of God, p. 119. By Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Revelation 4
John describes an astounding vision of the throne of God in heaven.
INSIGHT
At Christmas our thoughts are on Jesus’ birth, focusing on His humanity. By radical contrast, this Christmas Day we see the throne room of heaven and the surroundings which magnify His deity. In the center is a throne – behind which an emerald-colored rainbow arises. Dignitaries dressed in white robes and gold crowns are seated around the throne. The floor of the massive room is like crystal. Unusual looking creatures constantly give verbal praise to God and the dignitaries form a celestial choir, worshiping and praising God. This is the normal abode of God’s Son. Yet we usually think of Jesus as a child in Bethlehem, a teacher on a hillside, or the One who bore our sins alone on a cross. Revelation balances that picture with a glimpse of Jesus’ majesty and grandeur.
(Quiet Walk)
WHAT IS WRONG?
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:2
Psalm 51 is a classic statement on the whole matter and doctrine of repentance. Because so many people do not realize the biblical teaching concerning sin, they fail to realize so many other things that are contained in the Christian gospel. So many people today say that they do not see the need of the incarnation, that they do not understand all this talk about the Son of God having come down to earth, that they do not understand this talk about the miracles and the supernatural, that they cannot follow this idea of the atonement and terms such as justification and sanctification and rebirth. They say that they do not understand why all this seems to be necessary.
They would argue like this: “Isn’t it the church that has evolved all these theoretical, purely abstract ideas? Aren’t they things that have been conjured up in the minds of theologians? What have they to do with us, and where is their practical relevance?” I would like to point out that people who talk like this do so because they have not realized the full meaning of the biblical teaching about sin. They have not realized that they themselves are sinful. But the Bible, in sharp contrast, constantly insists upon this from the beginning to the end.
Here we are in this modern and perplexing world; we are conscious that something is wrong, and the question is, “What is wrong?” Politicians do not seem to be able to solve our problems. Philosophers are asking questions, but they do not seem to be able to answer them. All our efforts do not seem to put the world right. The Bible says, “You are ignoring the one thing that is the key to the situation! It is sin. Here is the cause of the trouble in individuals, in intimate human relationships, in international relationships everywhere. This is the difficulty.”
A Thought to Ponder: People who talk like this do so because they have not realized the full meaning of the biblical teaching about sin.
(From Out of the Depths, pp. 18-20, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
God Gave Himself
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
It is singularly appropriate that we look at this greatest of all verses on Christmas Day, for it records the greatest of all gifts. The theme of giving is very prominent in the Bible, with such words as “give,” “gift,” “gave,” etc., occurring more than 2,100 times. The first is Genesis 1:16-17 when God created the sun, moon, and stars “to give light upon the earth,” and the last is Revelation 22:12 when Christ will return with His rewards to “give every man according as his work shall be.” “He…gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons,” as well as “life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 14:17; 17:25).
But the greatest gift, clearly, was when God gave Himself for a lost and undeserving world. It was the greatest gift because it met the greatest need, revealed the greatest love, and had the greatest scope and purpose of any gift that could ever be conceived in the heart of an omniscient Creator.
That was not the end of His giving, of course. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “Trust…in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
This great gift of God is abundantly sufficient to provide salvation and everlasting life for the whole world. But a gift only becomes a gift when it is accepted, and the greatest of all tragedies is that this greatest of all gifts has been spurned and even ridiculed, or—worst of all—simply ignored by multitudes who need it so much. When they brazenly refuse God’s free gift of everlasting life, they can only perish in everlasting death. God did all He could do when He gave His Son; for when He gave His Son, He gave Himself. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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