Friday, August 26, 2011

1 Timothy 2:8-15


8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

Introductory note
In looking at these passages we must be careful not to annul the glorious liberty and equality that all believers share. Whether male or female, rich or poor, there is an essential oneness and interdependence that is the Body of Christ. Therefore though the male is given headship responsibilities in the family and the church. Any notions that lesson the woman’s equality, dignity and importance to the family and church and her positive and necessary impact there, as well as in the world, cannot be Biblically substantiated.


Commentary
Vs. 8 The Apostle Paul’s desire is that men pray everywhere in faith. This does not mean that women do not pray and prophesy (1 Cor. 11:5) but it is the male’s responsibility to take leadership for this in the church and home (1 Peter 3:7).

Vs. 9 Women are asked to be modest in dress. This does not mean suppressing ones natural beauty, it means exemplifying beauty that is primarily inward. For if the heart is right then a woman’s beauty will flow naturally from both personality and adornment. Like a flower that enriches the landscape without over powering it, so a godly women’s adornment is likewise non intrusive. Similarly the Apostle Peter exhorts woman of faith to “rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:4 NKJ

Vs. 10 Hence a woman professing godliness with good works should primarily be concerned about being adorned with the inner beauty of a meek and quite spirit. Since it is her outstanding character and good works that make her noteworthy in the congregation.
As Proverbs says:
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates. Prov. 31:30-31

Vs. 11 In the church, women are to learn in silence with all submission. This commandment is seen in principal in 1 Cor. 14:34-37.

Vs. 12 Women then are not to teach or hold authority over the man but to be in silence. The word-translated authority appears only here in the N.T. The word means to have or exercise dominion over a man, which would be contrary to Scripture since man is the head of woman (1 Cor. 11:3). Yet church leadership must always be defined and enacted by how Christ led others. Men then must not lord authority over woman (or each other) for we are first commended by the Lord Jesus as equal brethren (Matt. 23:8-10), then we are commanded in Christ to be mutually submissive to each other in the fear of the Lord (Eph. 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5). Since even Jesus Christ was subject to the Father though He is equal in Nature with Him and He is the Head of the church (Matthew 8:5-13).
Therefore believing women should develop and exercise their Spirit gifts for the church’s edification within the framework of the Lord Jesus Christ’s commandments respecting the headship of Christ for her through the male (1 Cor. 11:3, 7-10, 14:34). For woman by God’s design are man’s helper (Gen. 2:18); having authority delegated to her (Prov. 31:10-31). Therefore Holy Spirit gifted women who are mature in their faith should instruct woman and children whether individually or collectively for the building up of the church body in love (Titus 2:3-5) not men. That is the Lord Jesus commandments given for the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 11:5; 14:34-35, 37). Yet the execution of all such authority must as the new creation demonstrates take on the new relationship dynamic that does not enact or sustain relationship barriers but as Jesus uniquely demonstrated treats all women as unique person's, yet equal with their male counterparts (Rom. 16:3-16). Hence not lordship as Jesus cautions us all against, rather mutual love, respect, submission and service (Luke 22:24-27; John 13:1-17; 34-35; Gal. 5:13-14; Eph. 5:21) to which all believing men and woman are called. Thus differing roles in life, and in the church, yet equality of person is how one must understand these kinds of passages (Gal. 3:26-29).

Vs. 13 The first reason given is the order of creation. Though both man and woman are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), God created the male first to rule over His creation, then He created woman from man's rib as a helpmate for him and placed her in subjection to him. The man (or the husband) then has the Divine calling and responsibility to love and care for her with understanding as the weaker vessel (Eph. 5:25-33; 1 Tim. 5:8; 1 Peter 3:7). While the women has the Divine calling and responsibility to build her home and encourage and support her husband in his endeavors for their mutual well being (Prov. 31:10-31; Eph. 5:33; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-6). Their marriage then is an outworking of both loving each other while not neglecting their God given responsibilities towards Him and each other. Both then are charged throughout the Scriptures to love their children and to raise them in the faith (Deut. 4:9, 6:7; 11:19; Isaiah 30:18; ps. 78:3-4; Prov. 22:6; Matt. 5:19; Eph. 6:4 etc.).

Vs. 14 The second reason given is that the woman was deceived by Satan and fell into transgression. Because of this woman is disqualified from teaching or holding authority over man; since she first yielded to Satan then became his agent to tempt Adam. Yet for whatever reason’s Adam willfully disobeyed God’s command and ate the fruit Eve gave him. Thus not until Adam, Eve’s head, rebels against God’s command and they both have eaten of the fruit do they both spiritually die (Gen. 3:6-7). Yet just as sin entered the world through one man’s sin (Adam, Eve’s head) so life comes through One Man Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:12-21), Adam’s head, (1 Cor. 11:3) to restore what Adam forfeited when he willingly obeyed his wife rather then God. That is why Adam is charged with humanities fall not Eve and Christ became flesh as a man not as a woman. For to restore fallen humanity Christ would have to be incarnated as a man and take the place of Adam as head of the human race and die for all humanity who since Adam are born into his sin.

Vs. 15 This verse is not advocating childbirth or any other works as a means to salvation but by maintaining God’s created designs for her a woman shall be saved in child bearing if she continues in faith; love; holiness and self-control (Consider 1 Tim. 5:5-15).











[i]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Romans 13:1-7

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Devotional
In following Jesus Christ the counter culture aspects of the gospel can be taken to extremes they were never intended. Yes Jesus was a revolutionary but He never rejected the very institutions God ordained to rule mankind in the interim. When Jesus commanded His disciples “whoever compels you to go with him one mile go two” Matt. 5:41 He was referring to a despised Roman law which could compel people to carry a Roman soldiers armor for a full mile. Yet Jesus did not say refuse them but rather go the extra mile and in that we see the revolutionary style Jesus taught and exemplified. For anyone can be obstinate towards those they dislike but it takes real courage to take up ones cross and follow Christ (Matt. 5:44-47). Similarly when questioned about paying the Temple Tax, (Matt. 17:24-27) or commanding obedience to the Pharisees who sat in Moses seat (Matt. 23:1-3) or even Pontius Pilate to whom Jesus said, “you could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given from above” (John 19:10-11). Jesus did not take up arms or promote the same amongst His followers (Matthew 26:52). Rebellion is not a theme or a practice taught in the gospels or in the Biblical Apostles Epistles (Titus 3:1; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14).
Now if there is a cause for “militancy” in following Jesus Christ it is to love God above all else, love others as oneself, and keep Christ’s commandments. For in that the reality of ones faith is made known (1 John 5:2-3). Therefore as God’s children we are called to a revolutionary life of faith so that others may believe. For Christ’s disciples have always suffered martyrdom (even at the hands of the state) but we must not suffer for inciting sedition and strife since the church collectively and disciple individually is called to live in peace (Heb. 12:14). Nonetheless if the state though a God derived entity takes on the role of a “god” (Rev. 13) compelling its citizens to submit to them as such then my first and finial duty is to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Any notion that I can somehow partake in the states agenda when it conflicts with Christ’s is non-starter because I am first and foremost bound to obey God not man (Acts 5:29). Thus in obeying God I find that Jesus Christ is honored; the church is edified and society (even a hostile society) stands the better for it. Therefore if you want to be a true revolutionary invite Jesus Christ into your heart and then let Him guide your new life. If you let Him, He just might make a revolution out of you.


Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Friday, August 19, 2011

2 Samuel 21:1-14

Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” 2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah. 3 Therefore David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?” 4 And the Gibeonites said to him, “We will have no silver or gold from Saul or from his house, nor shall you kill any man in Israel for us.” So he said, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” 5 Then they answered the king, “As for the man who consumed us and plotted against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the territories of Israel, 6 let seven men of his descendants be delivered to us, and we will hang them before the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, whom the Lord chose.” And the king said, “I will give them.7 But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 8 So the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; 9 and he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the Lord. So they fell, all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest. 10 Now Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until the late rains poured on them from heaven. And she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night. 11 And David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.12 Then David went and took the bones of Saul, and the bones of Jonathan his son, from the men of Jabesh Gilead who had stolen them from the street of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them up, after the Philistines had struck down Saul in Gilboa. 13 So he brought up the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from there; and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged. 14 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the tomb of Kish his father. So they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land.

Devotional

In this section of Scripture we see that God does not forsake justice, though it seems delayed for a season. Now the backdrop to this was when Saul was king he not only made war against the enemies of the Lord, in his misguided zeal he (and more to the point, "his bloodthirsty house" meaning those in his own family, vs, 1) thought to purge Israel itself of the foreigners within the boarders of Israel, specially the Gibeonites, who were not just resident aliens, but these were people, Israel in the days of Joshua had made a solemn covenant with (see Joshua 9). And so after Saul's death, along with his own sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchisua (1 Samuel 31:2), there still remained the sons of one his concubines who in all likelihood were apart of this genocide. And so long after his death and well into King David's reign, with David again firmly established on the throne God remembers Saul's killing the Gibeonites. And so it is now the Lord (the Covenanter with Israel) who remembers that Israel has broken their covenant through their genocidal act against them. For though God sometimes is "silent" for a season, He will not allow His people too perpetuate crimes and injustices against others, and thus violate His Holy Name, and then continue on as if no wrong has occurred, simply because of their covenant status with Him. For being in a covenant relationship with God means not only receiving blessing and privileges from God, but also it means fulfilling ones responsibilities to Him, as His Name bearer. And thus it means to be just in ones dealings with all people. And so it is now, that the Lord in the days of King David, brings a famine that lasts for three years on the land of Israel as a ongoing judgment against His people (who were not ignorant of Saul's murderous deeds) indeed some of whom must have also participated in Saul's crime, or were placid observers to it.
And so this famine is given directly by God to bring about justice for the Gibeonites, for the crimes that Saul and his household committed. Thus it is during David's reign, when he is well established, and the house of Saul can no longer pose a threat to the throne, that God brings that famine, knowing that His servant David would be a man who would seek His face, and would seek to do His will to make it right again.
It is then a wake up call to Israel which King David heeds when He understands that it is the Lord's hand who has brought this famine against His people to bring about justice. For the Lord is a God of justice (Deut. 32:4) who always does justice and so He moves His people (by one means or another) to do justice as His representatives in the earth (Gen. 18:19). And so it is when King David understands that it is the Lord who has brought about this famine that he as king and responds in humility and repentance on behalf of the people. And so he personally seeks out the offended Gibeonites, leaving them to prescribe what the atonement should be for the crimes Saul and his household committed again them. Now in this they request neither silver nor gold from Saul's house; nor do they ask for the death of anyone in Israel; though again who knows how many actually participated in Saul's genocide. Rather they ask that seven of his descendants should given to them, so that they might execute judgment on them, for the lives taken from them at his hand. (Something the Law also required, was the death of the offender who took another's life unjustly, and thus no financial remuneration could be taken for blood guilt upon the land, for blood can only be atoned for by blood, Num. 35:33). Now King David in giving up the seven decedents of Saul spares Mephibosheth Jonathan's son, who is different than Saul's own son Mephibosheth, (vs. 7-8). Now David does this for reason of the covenant between himself and Jonathan. Though it is also highly unlikely because of the lameness of Mephibosheth's feet that he had anything to do with Saul's murderous campaigns against the Gibeonites.
And so King David delivers up Saul's concubine Rizpah's sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth, as well as the five sons Michal the daughter of Saul that she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; when Saul gave her to him, rather than too David, as he swore he would (See 1 Sam. 18:17-30; vs. 19; 2 Sam. 3:14; 6:23).Therefore only the surviving heir's of Saul will be put to death. And so it is when they are delivered to the Gibeonites that they are hung before the Lord in the days of the harvest (vs. 6, 9). Now it is during this time that Rizpah the concubine of Saul will day and night stand watch over the bodies, from the beginning of the harvest until the late rains pour down from heaven, allowing neither birds of the air or beast of the field to defile the corpses (vs. 10). Now when David was told what Rizpah, Saul's concubine had done, David went to the valiant men of Jabesh Gilead and took the bones of Saul and Jonathan, Saul's son, whom they had retrieved from the Philistines wall in Beth Shan, when they hung them there after their defeat on Mount Gilboa at their hands, and thus David took their bones and he gathered them together with the bones of Saul's sons whom the Gibeonites had hung, and David gave them all a proper burial place, in their own country, in the land of Benjamin, in Zelah where their father Kish, Saul's father was buried (vs. 10-13). And so only then after justice had been served towards the Gibenonites, as well as the house of Saul, did God then heed the prayer for the land (Vs. 14).

Closing Thought:
When we sin against God and we hurt others, it is incumbent upon us to seek to make things right. To do justice and to make amends where and when it is appropriate to do so. Otherwise we too risk entering into a spiritual famine if you will, where God will not heed our prayers, nor grant us peace and prosperity until we do. Therefore it is far better as children of God to acknowledge our sins and transgressions to each other and trust in the Lord's mercies, rather than try to bury them. If you've wronged someone, than do as Jesus commands go and seek to make it right with them, otherwise you may have to bear your sin's punishment alone (Matt. 5:21-26).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Jonah 4:1-11

4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” 4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” 10 But the Lord said,“You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?


Vs. 1 Opens with a startling declaration given the amazing events that just unfolded. Therefore Jonah though a prophet of God, and himself a righteous man, did not delight in the repentance of the people of Nineveh. Instead the Scripture says “…it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry”. Now the words used to describe Jonah’s being displeased and angry carry very strong connotations; Jonah’s displeasure was such that he thought it evil that the Ninevites were shown mercy by God! Rooted in his anger maybe the fact that the Assyrians were a brutal people in war; who if not inventing, certainly delighted in the ripping open women with children of those they vanquished in battle. As well Israel as a nation was nearing its own judgment from God, which was to come at the hands of the Assyrians. Jonah then did not want Israel’s enemies to receive mercy; Jonah wanted God to judge them. However the Ninevites deep repentance clearly stands juxtaposed to Israel’s own lack of repentance at this time. Just as Jonah’s pagan shipmates actions stood in stark contrast to his own profession of fearing Yahweh. For they by their actions clearly demonstrated a fear of the Lord that Jonah as God’s prophet should have at that time.

Vs. 2-4 Jonah’s prayer here then reveals for the first time why Jonah fled from the Lord. It was simply rooted in his true understanding of Yahweh.  "…for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm." vs. 2
Therefore Jonah did not want to preach to the Ninevites, for if they repented, Jonah knew that God would pardon them. Jonah's wrath then in verse three, which follows his right declaration of God's Nature and dealings with all people everywhere in verse two, is exceedingly selfish given his right understanding of the graciousness of God. Who is always willing to forgive His enemies if in repentance and faith they turn to Him. Instead Jonah's response to this amazing outpouring of the grace of God is simply to say: "Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!" vs. 3 God showing the Ninevites mercy then was such an intolerable evil in the eyes of Jonah that he would rather die than actually see it! Jonah’s words and attitude are extreme to say the least, given Jonah’s own recent restoration that God mercifully had shown him, when he cried out to Him. Yet how much of Jonah’s attitude towards the Ninevites is reflected in our own attitudes when we are faced with the prospect of seeing God’s grace shown those whom we harbour hatred or a deep dislike for? Maybe because they have wronged or hurt us, or someone we love or care about? Especially if we believe that God’s offer to pardon their sins just maybe received by them. Jonah then is hardly unique in his anger. Just as he was not unique in seeking to avoid all contact with the Ninevites, so that he would not be a vessel of God’s reconciliation towards them if they repented. And clearly that’s what the Ninevites did. Though they were exceedingly wicked in their ways. When they heard Jonah’s preaching they heeded the warning and went into a deep repentance; both humbling themselves and putting their sins away. Why then shouldn’t they receive God’s mercy? Therefore that Jonah would rather die, than see Israel’s enemies receive mercy from God, reveals a longstanding error in God’s covenant people. For God does not delight in the death of anyone, rather that all should turn from their wicked ways to Him and live, as He says: "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord God, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?" Ezekiel 18:23
Just as the prophet Isaiah boldly cries out to all:
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found,
      Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
  And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
  Let him return to the Lord,
  And He will have mercy on him;
  And to our God,
  For He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

And even more to the point for us as recipients’ of the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Let us then remember Jesus’ own willingness to bear the wrath of God against all of our sins on the cross so that God could pardon all of our sins the moment we believed in Him (Eph. 1:13-14). It then seems incredibly unChrist like that we who are the recipients of this amazing grace and gift from God (John 3:16), would willfully devise ways to withhold it, punish, or shut others out from it. Yet sadly that is often the case when it comes to obeying Christ’s commandments for us to forgive and or seek reconciliation with those who have sinned against us (Matt. 5:21-26; 44, 6:4; 18:15-35; Luke 17:3-4; 2 Cor. 2:5-11). For though much grace is being preached, when the hurts touch home, how much of it is actually being practiced? Verse four then is God’s response to Jonah's unjust anger at the prospect of the people of Nineveh being shown mercy. 4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”Now the prayer and conversation between God and Jonah is very intimate and reveals God’s tenderness in dealing with His hurt children. That is the tone expressed in God’s question. Yet Jonah’s response to it is simply not to respond. Instead he again seeks to leave the presence of the Lord, though this time not as drastically as he did the first time. Now on a theological note the Lord’s question touches on the heart of His Sovereignty. For the Word of the Lord is this: … “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” Rom. 9:15

Vs. 5-8 So Jonah leaves the city goes and sits on its east side; and there he builds a shelter and sits under it “...till he might see what would become of the city.” vs. 5  Jonah then is still hoping for the Ninevites destruction. Nonetheless God’s lovingkindness is again highlighted as He prepares a plant to shade Jonah in his misery (vs. 6). And though Jonah in his heart is thankful for the plant; he is still keeping his heart from God. Now the Scripture says that “… as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. "And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live." Vs. 7-8
Now God’s lovingkindness for Jonah did not end when these events, which He created, began. For God is dealing with Jonah is just as a loving Father deals with his children when after he gives them time to work out their hurt and anger, but they continue to harbor it. Therefore God’s actions are a response to Jonah’s unwillingness to let his go. They are not designed to punish Jonah in his misery, but rather to get him to reopen the door of communication, and for him to ultimately see his own selfishness. Jonah’s response to these events though is the same as before; ...Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” vs. 8

Vs. 9-11 With Jonah’s unreasonableness God once again initiates dialogue by asking him a question; 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” 10 But the Lord said,“You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock? vs. 9-11
With God’s question to Jonah and Jonah’s angry self justifying response, God’s mercy and patience stands in stark contrast with Jonah’s self centeredness. Now several points are being made by God. The first is that God is the sole proprietor of creation. He creates, nourishes, and sustains all. And He makes this point to Jonah through the analogy of the plant, which He caused to grow and then wither; which Jonah had pity on because it brought him much comfort. Yet Jonah did not have any empathy towards the Ninevites who are far more valuable than a mere plant; which arose in a day and was soon gone. Another is that unlike Jonah who had a true knowledge of God. The Ninevites did not, for they could not even discern between their right hand and their left, and thus that in itself was cause enough for God to be concerned about their welfare. For they had not yet rejected God; they simply didn’t know Him. Now the fact the God mentions even much livestock (vs. 11) indicates that God as Creator of all has an undeniable concern for all His creation; both of man and beast (Rev. 11:18). Those then who would deny God's loving concern for any of His creation no nothing of God, nor His love for all people, as they should know and worship Him.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982,



Monday, August 1, 2011

Jonah 3:1-10

1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey[a]in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? 10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.


With Jonah’s repentance the Word of the Lord again came to Him. For God will not use a preacher or anyone else who is not repentant of their own sins. Notice too that God’s original purpose for Jonah did not change, nor did the message change. God’s judgment was still looming over Nineveh and God's given purpose for Jonah was to warn them all of it so that God could avert taking punitive action against them if they repented. Now that notion of warning people that there is a judgment to come, (both of eternal rewards for those who turn from their sins and believe and obey the gospel and punishments for those who do not); all which will be handed out at the Lord Jesus Christ's Judgment seat. Is just as much a part of the Gospel's Message as God's love and salvation is. For it was God seeking to avert our coming under His eternal wrath and judgment which caused Him to first judge all our sins on His Son Jesus Christ. Who in obedience to the Father's Will was willingly crucified in our Place so that we might all have God's salvation when we repent and believe in Him. For it is Jesus Christ's Person and His obedience alone, and God's grace exclusively given to us because of Jesus Christ's obedience, that makes salvation possible, and ultimately happen in the lives of everyone who believes (Rom. 3:19-28). Thus God again commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, that great city, and to “…preach to it the message that I will tell you” (vs. 2). Not a message that Jonah had preached in times past, but a message that God would give him specifically for Nineveh. For God does indeed speak into all the circumstances of life through the mouth’s of His servants who obey Him. Sometimes consoling, sometimes exhorting, sometimes encouraging, sometimes even rebuking, but always instructing people everywhere to turn to Jesus Christ while they can for it is Christ alone who is the answer for every human need (John 6:35; 6:51). And so with Jonah's repentance, and having been commanded by God, Jonah now willingly yields to the will of the Lord and takes up the original journey that God intended for him, and goes straight to Nineveh “…according to the Word of the of the Lord.” Thus Jonah's preaching to Ninevah is his obeying the Divine mandate given him. Now the rest of verse three says that Nineveh “…was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.” That is a three day journey on foot to circumnavigate or walk through. Thus Nineveh was no small city. Indeed Nineveh was an ancient city, one of the four cities that Nimrod the mighty hunter founded in Assyria (See Genesis 10:11). The fact that Jonah spent three days and nights in great fish and that it would take him three days to cover the entire span of Nineveh seems no coincidence. For the Lord Jesus Christ called Jonah a sign to the Ninevites while equating His own being three days and nights in the heart of the earth a sign to a “wicked and adulteress generation” (Matt. 12:28-45; 16:4; Luke 11:29-30) who instead of repenting at His preaching and believing in Him only sought signs from Him. That is they sought an experience of God through Christ, but did not seek Him as God Himself! Yet those who souls are truly hungering and thirsting for God when they like Jonah come to their senses and seek God, or cry out to God in their distresses, as Jonah did, will do so with open hearts and minds. Not wanting to keep their old lifestyles or even their agenda's. But instead they want to cast their sins and rebellion away. They've had enough of the consequences of serving sin, self and Satan and instead having come to the end of themselves they want Jesus Christ to be their Savior, Lord and Master.

Maybe that's you today? Maybe you've lived your life in independence of God and apart from Jesus Christ and reaped a life of only emptiness, sorrow and regret and thus isolation from all that is God and is Good. If so please come home now to God through Christ, simply open your heart to Jesus who lovingly awaits your calling out to Him so that He might save you, and begin a new life within you (Rev. 3:20). All it takes is child like faith and humility before God, acknowledging ones sin and need for Christ, and Jesus will come into you and He will both save you, forgive you, and change you and begin His life by His Spirit, within you (John 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:17).

Now the results of Jonah’s preaching repentance according to the will of the Lord are stunning. The people though thoroughly pagan “…believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them” (vs. 5). Even the king of Nineveh repented, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes (vs. 6). In fact the king went on to command a national time for fasting and repentance, from both man and beast; nothing in his domain was to be excluded (vs. 7). Neither man, nor beast, herd, nor flock was to eat or drink water. Instead every living domesticated thing; both man and beast was to be covered with sackcloth and everyone was to turn from their evil ways and from the violence of their hands (vs. 8-9). A national day of fasting and repentance outside of Israel is unheard of in the O.T. Scriptures. Yet these people; both individually and collectively all repented mightily at the warning of God’s judgment that Jonah according to the Word of the Lord preached to them. And with their repentance; when God saw their works that everyone turned from the evil of his hands; the Scripture says that God relented of the disaster that He said He would bring upon them (vs. 10).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982