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Contents On This Page

- 1 Samuel Part 25
- 1 Samuel Part 24
- 1 Samuel Part 23
- 1 Samuel Part 22
- 1 Samuel Part 21
- 1 Samuel Part 20
- 1 Samuel Part 19
- 1 Samuel Part 18
- 1 Samuel Part 17
- 1 Samuel Part 16
- 1 Samuel Part 15
- 1 Samuel Part 14
- 1 Samuel Part 13
- 1 Samuel Part 12
- 1 Samuel Part 11
- 1 Samuel Part 10
- 1 Samuel Part 9
- Hello World!
- 1 Samuel Part 8
- 1 Samuel Part 7
- 1 Samuel Part 6
- 1 Samuel Part 5
- 1 Samuel Part 4
- 1 Samuel Part 3
- 1 Samuel Part 2
- 1 Samuel Introduction
- Job Conclusion Part II
- Job Conclusion Part I
- Our Place
- Schisms
- Seal Number Three
- Wicked Counsel
- Hewn Down
- In Praise Of Humility
- A Matter Of Trust
- Malak Elohim (Angel Of the Lord)
- The Fearlessness Of Faith
- Lawfare And Spiritual Warfare
- A Curse

1 Samuel Part 21

As we left off last time we found that things were good under the Judgeship of Samuel. The Philistines were no longer the threat they once posed and there was peace. Peace is good, but when there is too much of it, people forget, become complacent and forget the God who brings it to them. There was peace in the realm but as we shall see, that is not going to be enough for the children of Israel. They want something else. What is that? We shall see.

In verse one, Samuel was getting old and his sons were judges. This is also what Eli did with his sons. Both seemed to be creating a hereditary 'judgeship'. This is not wrong in and of itself but a father can be blind to the faults of the sons he loves and may have great difficulty in correcting them or even removing them from an office for which they are ill suited. Physical features may be hereditary, but faith often isn't.

 Now the name of his first-born was Joel;
and the name of his second, Abijah:
they were judges in Beer-sheba. 
And his sons walked not in his ways,
but turned aside after lucre,
and took bribes, and perverted justice. 
(I Samuel 8:2-3 - ASV)

Here we have the names of his sons. We do not have the name of his wife. His sons were probably placed in this position to help Samuel in his old age. It may not have been easy for him to travel the circuit, so in Beer-sheba, they acted in his stead. Beer-sheba is located on the southern border. This arrangement may have existed because it may have been too far a journey for Samuel in his old age.

So Samuel's sons turned aside to do evil in their jobs. They took advantage of the situation and betrayed the trust that was placed in them. Bribery, perverting justice - these things were completely contrary to the purpose of being a judge and the Mosaic law. They, like Eli's sons before them, did evil in the sight of the Lord.

This is so typical of so many people. The fastest way to find out the character of a person, any person is to give them a lot of money or give them a lot of power. Very quickly the inner person shows itself and too often, what is displayed is often as ugly as can be. This is so sad. It is not clear how long his sons judged nor is it clear that Samuel was aware of these things. But being a judge and having such responsibility, he should have known and made it is business to know.

This is one of the saddest points I think in the Old Testament, no not the saddest, but one of them. Here God has given them peace on all sides and now they want a king. Now on one level their desire for change is understandable, given the behavior of Samuel's sons. But to desire a King? This was a mistake, perhaps a better request would have been that he appoint a new Judge, for this was the political-religious order that the Lord had established. But there was an underlying wicked intent here.

Israel was to be set apart and different than the neighboring nations. God wanted it that way. But clearly the people did not, for if we look at the last verse we see that Israel did not want to be that special nation to the Lord. They wanted to be like everybody else.

This I think is such a telling passage and it is one that is not often remarked upon. I will try and do that here. When we come to Christ we are set apart, we are to be different and something special to God. As a consequence of that, God often uses unusual ways for us to demonstrate our faith in God. It may be the work we do or our living arrangements. We sin greatly, I think when we try and be like the world. When we try and keep up with the Jones' and do things 'like everybody else'. This is a sin individually as it is collectively. This is the sin that Israel sinned here. The nations did not have the Lord ruling over them. They had kings. This is what Israel wanted, to be like the world, to dependent on anything except the Lord and to look to something other than the Lord for strength and salvation from their enemies. Here, they wanted a King.

This is a sin in our lives when God gives us a seemingly humble job to do and can't buy the things we think we should have and for us to look about and compare what God provides for us with what the lost man has. Perhaps one has a job as a janitor or waitress and you don't make that much money. God knows your needs, but let not the lust for being like everyone else be what drives you. Being like everyone else means that you must rely on everything other than the Lord when things go awry. You want God's protection in times of trouble? Then do what he asks you to do and be where he wants you to be, even if that place is not the greatest, from a worldly perspective.

Think on God's servant Nehemiah. He left the Kings palace to go and live in Jerusalem and had to sleep with a sword by his side in a very dangerous situation. He could have stayed in his soft job giving cups of wine to the emperor, but he didn't. This is often what service to God means. It can often mean difficulty, it can mean being a social or political outcast, it can mean meager wages, it can mean trouble on every side. But it also means God's divine protection as you do the will of God. What? You think running this site is a picnic? That I have not had a load of trouble from others just for doing this humble site? People I have known for years have belittled me and my work here. But to me this is a positive signpost. If such don't like what I am doing, I must be doing something right in God's eyes! It is kind of like making sure you are heading north... by knowing where south is and going in the opposite direction! So to those of you who have been hurt like this by others - don't be discouraged if your old buddies or certain of your family members treat you like dirt, people you have helped and served then turn on you - such as those who don't know Christ or once knew him and fell away. It may hurt a bit at first, but like a hangnail, once you get rid of it, the annoyance goes away. It's a hard lesson, yes it is. But learn your lesson, learn it well and don't be a student who needs a remedial course in the 'university of emotional bumps and bruises'. Then you can press on in Christ! This is just part of any true walk with Christ - there is a cost and often the first thing that needs to go are many of your relationships. As we move into these most dangerous end-times, this is something that I feel led to make plain to all who know the Lord and who reads this. Turn your back spiritually on this world. You and it are heading in opposite spiritual directions.

Israel wanted to be like the world.

Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
(1 John 2:15 - ASV)

Without digressing much here, this is one of the main problems I see with mainline Christianity. It tries too much to be like the world, rather than being something wholly different. Watch a modern so-called Christian and one who makes no such profession and you will be hard pressed to find any difference at all. This kind of worldly mimicry is I think, one of the key stepping stones to lukewarmness and later apostasy. Christians who really want to walk with Christ would do well to make a clean break spiritually and mentally with the morals, fads, fashions and ways of this increasingly decadent and godless world.

But today's fascination with the world can be seen in the way Christian celebrities are the focus of so many believers. This is the way the world works, famous people more and more set the social agenda. This is what is happening to modern Christianity. Like the world they are getting their direction from people who often have little to no real spiritual foundation or growth, they just have fame and a pretty face and people hang on to their every word.

These things ought not to be so, but they are and these trends see no signs of abating. But he who seeks to be like the world will eventually get exactly what he wants as well the very same fate as those who love this present world.

But the thing displeased Samuel,
when they said, Give us a king to judge us.
And Samuel prayed unto Jehovah.
(1 Samuel 8:6 - ASV)

As the verse makes clear, Samuel was most upset about this request. It is not clear why, but the following verse may give us a hint. It was that he felt like all these years of work serving Israel, they were now rejecting him. This had to have hurt Samuel deeply. So as any man of God does, he comes to the Lord in prayer.

We will get to the answer to that prayer in the next section, God willing!!!

Brother Mark


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1 Samuel Part 20

1 Samuel Part 19

After Samuel gathered the people together at Mizpah, they repented and then consecrated themselves to the Lord there. The Philistines heard of it and decided to nip the threat they perceived in the bud. We don't know the whole situation here, but I strongly suspect that the Philistines had occupied Shiloh and other parts of Israel for many years, so their gathering to Mizpah would hardly go unnoticed. Runners were probably sent to Gath, Ashdod, etc., to tell them what was going on and the Philistines armed for war, perhaps thinking that some kind of rebellion or invasion may have been at hand.

This time, when Samuel gathered Israel it was for repentance and a coming back to their God. But this may or may not have been known or even believed by the Philistines who only knew they were gathered together and under a leader (Samuel).

But the Israelite's were very afraid of them, this was because of what happened at the battle of Eben-ezar, years before. They lost the battle and the Ark then.

And the children of Israel said to Samuel,
Cease not to cry unto Jehovah our God for us,
that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.
(1 Samuel 7:8 - ASV)

It's amazing what a little trouble can bring about. Look at the change of heart, those who had just gotten rid of their idols now are crying out to God to save them from the dreaded Philistines. What is interesting about this is that Samuel was not known as a warrior, he was a prophet and Judge and they clung to him for leadership in this time of woe. Here they knew that their salvation would not come from men at arms, but from the Lord of Hosts.

And Samuel took a sucking lamb,
and offered it for a whole burnt-offering unto Jehovah:
and Samuel cried unto Jehovah for Israel;
and Jehovah answered him. And as Samuel was
offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines
drew near to battle against Israel; but Jehovah
thundered with a great thunder on that day
upon the Philistines, and discomfited them;
and they were smitten down before Israel. 

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah,
and pursued the Philistines, and smote them,
until they came under Beth-car.
(1 Samuel 7:9-11 - ASV)

Once Samuel prays and offers a sacrifice to the Lord (one that was acceptable to him), the Lord answered the prayers of the people by scattering the Philistines. This is the result of an episode of successful intercessory prayer. The thunder seemed to have been enough to scatter them in fear. This probably was not the kind of thunder that is associated with rain, but seems to be something very different as hardened warriors would hardly be frightened of a thunderstorm. Whatever it was, it allowed the Israelite's to beat them in battle and peruse them to Beth-car. The site, the Bible Atlas (.org) has a map of where that probably is on a map, if you are interested. Beth-car means house of pasture or house of the lamb.

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between
Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer,
saying, Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us.
(1 Samuel 7:12 - ASV)

Samuel, who was now the de-facto leader of Israel erects a stone of remembrance, so that people will remember what God did for them here.

How often do we forget the Lord's salvation! He saves us time and again, pulls us out of traps the enemy lays for us and protects us and often from our own stupidity and folly, yet what do we do? We often forget the Lord and his past wonders for us!! We should set reminders around us of what God has done for us because if we don't, we might very well forget.

How did the Psalmist put it?

That they might set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep his commandments,
 And might not be as their fathers,
A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that set not their heart aright,
And whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
(Psalms 78:7-8)

Bless Jehovah, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits:
(Psalms 103:2 - ASV)

It is a constant and fatal failing in us all when we forget God's past salvation! We must never ever do that. Give thanks to God for the things he did for you yesterday, a year ago, 20 years ago... never forget God's past acts of love and salvation towards us.

We will continue our look at Samuel next week, God willing!!


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1 Samuel Part 18

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1 Samuel Part 17

The Priests get the Ark from off of the cart and the gifts and move them to the great stone. What this stone was (exactly) is not clear to me. But they offered a sacrifice to the Lord here. It apparently is of some note to those who lived in those days.

The Lord, here may not have been as pleased as they thought about this. In the previous passage from last week. We saw that the Israelite's had sacrificed those animals that brought the Ark back to Israel, in spite of the animals clear natural inclinations. I don't believe the Lord was too pleased with this, not just out of pity for the animals, but these were female cows and this was forbidden in the Law (see Leviticus 1:3 and Leviticus 22:19). They also did it in a place they should not have (Deuteronomy 12:5-6). Their sacrifice, while made with good intentions (to give thanks to God) was nevertheless not within the parameters of what was acceptable to God.

Brothers, there is a right way to do things and a wrong way and this is a key lesson for then and now. Those of us who wish to be acceptable to God must learn the right way to do things and to make sure we do them.

The Philistine Lords who followed the cart saw things went well and returned to their home.

And these are the golden tumors
which the Philistines returned for a trespass-offering
unto Jehovah: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one,
for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
and the golden mice, according to the number
of all the cities of the Philistines belonging
to the five lords, both of fortified cities
 and of country villages, even unto the great stone,
whereon they set down the ark of Jehovah,
 which stone remaineth unto this day
in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite.
(1 Samuel 6:17-18 - ASV)

By the way, the name Beth-Shemesh means roughly house of the sun. It was originally a Canaanite town and may have been one of the ancient Heliopolis' that populated the region in those times. This great stone again, is a bit of a mystery to me, but the word translated stone is the word Abel and given its meaning could mean a stone of lamentation, as some commentators note; perhaps so named for what is about to come to pass in the narrative.

And he smote of the men of Beth-shemesh,
because they had looked into the ark of Jehovah,
he smote of the people seventy men,
and fifty thousand men; and the people mourned,
because Jehovah had smitten the people
with a great slaughter. And the
men of Beth-shemesh said,
Who is able to stand before Jehovah,
this holy God? and to whom shall
he go up from us?
(1 Samuel 6:19-20 - ASV)

The Lord clearly was not pleased with the kinds of curiosity that had overtaken the people of Beth-Shemesh. I think this is a clear lesson for all of us. There are things that the Lord has kept secret. He has revealed some things to us, but others he has hidden. Still others he shares with those whom he loves and trusts. Some things are just not for the masses and others are reserved for those who are anointed to carry out certain tasks. Did not Christ keep many of the meanings of his saying in parables? There was a purpose behind it (Luke 8:10ff). Some things he is going to tell us and others he is not. Some things are for our eyes to see and our minds to comprehend and others are not. There are things that are secret (Deuteronomy 29:29) and trying to find out those secret things can land us in a world of trouble, witness what happened above.

But there is a spirit about today that I call the 'peeping tom' spirit. People get into other people's private affairs and even put webcams around their homes to get a peek at what is going on. Corporations make billions spying on people and getting into their personal business. It's the same spirit - the spirit of nosiness, the busybody and the tattle tale. Here God makes it clear what he thinks about those who stick their nose into his business.

God was pretty harsh with this people. The key difference between what the Philistines did and what they did was simple. The Israelite's knew better - their law told them what they should do and should not do. With knowledge comes responsibility. Why not just poke around the Holy of Holies just for kicks? The Jews knew better. Those who take such liberties are playing with the fire of the Almighty there is no way they cannot get burned. The curiosity that these men displayed was not only unwise, it was completely irreverent.

Then they became sore afraid of the Ark and wanted it to be taken away. But how? Who can do it? And where? Their curiosity now changed to deep reverence and probably outright fear and dread.

And they sent messengers to the
inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying,
The Philistines have brought back the ark of Jehovah;
come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
(1 Samuel 6:21 - ASV)

So they sent messengers to one of the frontier cities - to the City of the Forests (the meaning of Kirath-Jearim). It used to be called the City of Baal (Kirjath-Baal - see Joshua 18:14). It is surmised by some commentators that since Beth-Shemesh was situated on a plain and Kirjath-jearim was on a hill, it was a safer place for the Ark. The phrase 'come ye down and fetch it up to you' is in keeping with this idea.

I notice one thing missing from this passage and that is any mention of the reason why they wanted them to take it and what had just happened to them.

We'll see how the men of that city respond in the next update, God willing.

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1 Samuel Part 16

We left off last time and the religious establishment inside Philistia were explaining their proposed solution on how to end the plague that literally threatened the continued existence of the nation. They laid out the procedures they should take from the exact method of transport to the type of gifts that should be given; a situation made necessary because of their making off with the Ark of the covenant.

Again, there clearly was a very healthy respect for the God of Israel now. Here the Philistine Priesthood makes it clear that this was also a test to see if this was indeed the hand of the God of Israel or no, that was heavy upon them. If there was any doubt in their minds, this would settle it.

And the men did so, and took two milch kine,
and tied them to the cart,
and shut up their calves at home; 

  and they put the ark of Jehovah upon the cart,
and the coffer with the mice of gold
and the images of their tumors.
(1 Samuel 6:10-11 - ASV)

They took the advise of their religious establishment and did as they were bid.

Look at how God works. It really is amazing how he got both the heathen to turn and respect him as well as chastise his own people. Clearly he did not want the Philistines to gloat simply because they won a battle that God was determined to see Israel lose.

God knows how to get people's attention. In this case both Israel and Philistia.

And the kine took the straight way by the way
 to Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway,
lowing as they went, and turned not aside
to the right hand or to the left;
and the lords of the Philistines went after them
unto the border of Beth-shemesh.
(1 Samuel 6:12 - ASV)

The cows went to where they were supposed to go without anyone guiding or steering them. God can and will speak to animals. We saw that in the book of Jonah. Of note in this passage is that the lord's of the Philistines also went to make sure that the cows would do what they were supposed to (and perhaps to make sure the gold treasures were not absconded with by others).

And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping
their wheat harvest in the valley;
and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark,
and rejoiced to see it.
(1 Samuel 6:13 - ASV)

This had to be a sight for sore eyes! The Philistines were returning the Ark. It was probably completely unexpected.

And the cart came into the field of
Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood there,
 where there was a great stone:
and they clave the wood of the cart,
and offered up the kine for
a burnt-offering unto Jehovah.
(1 Samuel 6:14 - ASV)

They were overjoyed and offered up a thank offering to God for this event. They sacrificed the cows that brought the Ark. Was the Lord pleased with all of this?

We will find out in the next installment, next week God willing!!


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1 Samuel Part 15

We left off last time the Ark was moving from Philistine city to city with the same disastrous results upon the people who dwelt in those cities.

Something of interest is noted in the Pulpit Commentary that I think should be mentioned. They remark that what appears to have transpired between Israel and Philistia was in essence a 'religious war'. That when Israel brought the ark to the battlefield, it in essence became a religious war and one where from the battlefield side of things, Israel was soundly defeated. It also notes that with Eli dead, the reigns of government probably fell upon Samuel. But Israel's loss here is particularly noteworthy as it remains etched on the history of the nation for years to come - see Psalms 78:60-64 and Jeremiah7:12; 26:9.

This had to be a most trying time in Israel.

Well, whatever 'victory' the Philistines thought they achieved was hardly a religious one, God was making himself plain to them. Their gods were no gods and the Lord - he alone is God. The Philistines probably had no idea why God forsook Israel and frankly as we see from the previous passages, they had other things on their mind - like surviving this plague the God of Israel had brought upon these powerful cities. The war trophy they 'won' was going to cost them the life of their very nation if it was not returned to where it belonged.

They finally saw the light, moving the ark about from city to city was not the answer, the answer was to send it back to Israel!!

And the men that died not
were smitten with the tumors;
and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
(1 Samuel 5:12 - ASV)

This was a deadly plague. It was killing people and those that were not dead were in pain. This verse shows us just how deep the suffering was. There had to be wailing, crying and all manner of lamentations because of pain as well as relatives and friends who were dying or dead.

And the ark of Jehovah was in the country
 of the Philistines seven months.
And the Philistines called for the priests
and the diviners, saying, What shall we do
with the ark of Jehovah?
show us wherewith
we shall sent it to its place.
(1 Samuel 6:1-2 - ASV)

This went on for many months. It took them a while to figure out that the situation was not going to change until they did something. It should be noted that the word 'country' in verse one could be rendered 'field' and that it is possible that because no more cities would receive the ark, it rested on an open plain.

So given the situation and the clearly religious nature of the plague that was upon them, they called for their soothsayers and religious establishment to tell the leaders what they should do. "How should we send this Ark back?", seems to be the thought here. The way it is phrased is not so much if but how should they do it. They were probably afraid that whoever they sent might wind up dead on the way or they might do it in some way that makes matter worse.

The answer they give is quite wise given the circumstances. But remember, their key god was now smashed up in their temple as a direct result of the ark, so they probably had a developed a very healthy respect for the God of Israel. Even healthier than before - remember at the battle the Philistines were most concerned when they saw the ark arrive at the battlefield. Who knows, maybe some of these priests who advised the kings had prayed a (secret) prayer to this awesome God of Israel who in turn them gave them wisdom to speak before the leaders. What was going on in Philistia had to have a profound effect on all, particularly the priesthood. I suspect this or something similar is what happened because the answer the religious leaders give is particularly wise.

And they said, If ye send away
the ark of the God of Israel,
send it not empty; but by all means
return him a trespass-offering:
then ye shall be healed,
and it shall be known to you
why his hand is not removed from you.
(1 Samuel 6:3 - ASV)

They must show they realize they sinned - this is the meaning of a trespass/sin offering (817 in Strong's Hebrew Bible Dictionary). They must make one to the Lord to be healed from this thing. Moreover, they can know by this that it really is the Ark and their theft of it that is the cause of the plagues and not some coincidence.

Then said they, What shall be the
trespass-offering which we shall return to him?
And they said, Five golden tumors,
and five golden mice, according
to the number of the lords of the Philistines;
for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.
Wherefore ye shall make images of your tumors,
 and images of your mice that mar the land;
 and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel:
peradventure he will lighten his
hand from off you, and from off your gods,
 and from off your land.
(1 Samuel 6:4-5 - ASV)

So the Priests tell the rulers what to do. It's interesting that nowhere except here is there a suggestion of the plague of mice. We don't know if this was just your regular field mouse or something more vicious, like rats. A plague of rats is no small matter!

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts,
as the Egyptians and Pharaoh
hardened their hearts?
When he had wrought
wonderfully among them,
did they not let the people go,
and they departed?
(1 Samuel 6:6 - ASV)

Now the Priests who were clearly familiar with the Jewish Exodus made it plain that if they want to be stubborn about it, they have an example of one who was also stubborn against this God.

If these priests and even the leaders had any lack of respect for this God before, they certainly did not now.

Now therefore take and prepare you a new cart,
and two milch kine, on which there
hath come no yoke; and tie the kine to the cart,
and bring their calves home from them;
(1 Samuel 6:7 - ASV)

The priests here show the leaders how to do this thing with proper reverence. First they were to make a new cart, not just borrow one used for other purposes. No, they would make a new one and also use two un-yoked kine (probably a mark of respect). But there is something else here of considerable note. The priests clearly wanted to make sure that the leaders knew that this was God directing the animals. The animals would not have a yoke and their young were to be left behind. The natural inclination of the animals would be to go back and look out for their young. But so they know that the God of Israel was behind this, when the cows left, they would go to Israel and deliver the ark instead. In short, unless God guided these animals, they would return to the fields.

This was a big test and the priests who said this were taking a big risk. In those days those who gave kings bad advice often came to bad ends themselves.

I just suspect that after Dagon fell down and all these disasters befell the people, that some of these priest may have (in secret) rent their clothes and cried out to the God of Israel to see what they should do, but that is just my own personal suspicion. When God moves in such a way and there is no remedy at hand that man can think of - many do finally come to their senses.

What about today?

1 Samuel Part 14

We left off last time with the Ark of the covenant creating havoc among the Philistine city of Ashdod and on their god, Dagon.

They sent therefore and gathered
all the lords of the Philistines unto them,
and said, What shall we do with the
ark of the God of Israel? And they answered,
Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried
about unto Gath. And they carried the
ark of the God of Israel thither.
(1 Samuel 5:8 - ASV)

So the men of Ashdod were in a quandary, they did not know what to do with what they thought was a great war prize, but now was a serious burden on and threat to their city. They had to be most concerned about what was going on, with their god smashed up and everyone ill. So now they had to decide what they were going to do with it. They decided to carry it to Gath, another one of the cities of the Philistine Pentapolis. This would be kind of like carrying it from New York to Chicago; a new city, but the same nation. The result?

And it was so, that, after they had carried it about,
the hand of Jehovah was against the city
with a very great discomfiture:
and he smote the men of the city,
both small and great;
and tumors brake out upon them.
(1 Samuel 5:9 - ASV)

Moving the ark from 'NY to Chicago' resulted in the exact same conditions, their were serious health issues (tumors/hemorrhoids) once the Ark arrived. The word translated discomfiture in the American Standard Version is the Strong's word 4103 (Strong's Hebrew Bible Dictionary) and it also means a tumult, confusion or even destruction. In short, there was a panic in the city over the ark and what it was doing to the city.

So they sent the ark of God to Ekron.
And it came to pass, as the ark of God
came to Ekron, that the Ekronites
cried out, saying, They have brought about
the ark of the God of Israel to us,
to slay us and our people.
(1 Samuel 5:10 - ASV)

I get the impression what while these were all Philistine cities, there may have been significant rivalry between them and this is why they sent the Ark from one to another, with the same disastrous results.

What may have added to their confusion was that the god they prayed to was all smashed up in their temple because of the Ark. So not even their religion/god could help them. From Ashdod to Gath and now Ekron disaster struck. The Ekronites had clearly heard what was going on and they were scared to death of the Ark coming to them.

Brothers and sisters, don't let anyone tell you that God cannot and will not curse people, places and things. He can and will. This episode was to teach the Philistines a key lesson as to the power of the God of Israel and that they should not gloat over their victory over Israel. Israel's loss was not about Philistine military power or their god Dagon, but it was about the sins of Israel and the abominations of the Priesthood symbolized by the house of Eli.

I see in this an important lesson. I believe that one day, God is going to allow many a Church to fail, fall into disrepute, get destroyed in natural disasters and many pastors to be killed. This will be for the same reasons he allowed disaster to fall upon Israel. The sins reached to heaven and was a serious stench before God's throne. God did not want his name associated with the sins of Israel or Eli and he does not want his name to be associated with many of the abominations going on in many Western churches today.

Understand, I know many pastors are doing right and really are trying hard to serve God in these most difficult times. But many more are not, they simply do not have any desire to obey the Lord in all things and thus, lead their sheep astray. Religion is entertainment or a game or a way to have social position or a way to make money with such pastors and Church leaders. God and serving him in spirit and in truth is not within the purview of their understanding.

But the heathen who just won a 'victory' over God's people have found that in reality that their 'victory' had a cost that none of them even remotely considered.

I think of the book of Revelation and the days when the saints of God are killed for not serving the beast system, not taking his mark and not worshiping his image. The devil's servants may think they have won some great victory over the Lord when they start beheading his people in mass executions (Revelation 13:15; 20:4). But look at what he brings upon them in those days, which I do not think are so very far off.

 And I heard a great voice out of the temple,
saying to the seven angels,
Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls
of the wrath of God into the earth.
And the first went, and poured out
his bowl into the earth; and it became
a noisome and grievous sore
upon the men that had the mark of the beast,
and that worshipped his image.
And the second poured out his bowl into the sea;
and it became blood as of a dead man;
and every living soul died,
 even the things that were in the sea. 
(Revelation 16:1-3 - ASV)

The Philistines were merely a tool God used to chastise his own people. The beast system is merely a tool God will use to try us, to refine us and later to glorify those of his who endure to the end. Indeed, those days will be sent to try all who dwell upon the earth (see Revelation 3:10). The Philistines however had something working in their favor, God was not finished with them. But for those who take the Mark of the Beast? God is indeed finished with them in a most eternally permanent fashion.

  And another angel, a third, followed them,
saying with a great voice, If any man worshippeth
the beast and his image, and receiveth
a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand,
he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God,
which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger;
and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone
in the presence of the holy angels,
and in the presence of the Lamb:
and the smoke of their torment goeth up
for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night,
they that worship the beast and his image,
and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.
Here is the patience of the saints,
they that keep the commandments of God,
 and the faith of Jesus. 
(Revelation 14:9-12 - ASV)

So let us focus in on the awesomeness of God and the power, wisdom and righteousness of his ways. He has a plan brothers and while the devil and his children will one day dance on the graves of Christ's followers and claim some demonic victory, be assured that God has a recompense for those who attack his people and try and do them wrong.

The Philistines had a 'victory' over Israel, but it was not one that brought them any comfort. Nay, rather it only gave them tribulation, sickness and death. Troubles that they had no idea were possible before they went into battle.

Let us pause and consider that brothers and sisters!!


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1 Samuel Part 13

The location of Eben-ezar is not clear, but some place it at or near the the modern town of Kafr Qasim. So the Ark was taken from the battlefield and to one of the five key cities of the Philistines, Ashdod. The others are (FYI) Askelon, Ekron, Gath and Gaza. So after they won the battle they brought the Ark to one of their key cities. This was a monumental event and the Psalmist talks about it.

For they provoked him to anger with their high places,
And moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
When God heard this, he was wroth,
And greatly abhorred Israel; So that he forsook
the tabernacle of Shiloh,
The tent which he placed among men;
And delivered his strength into captivity,
And his glory into the adversary's hand.
He gave his people over also unto the sword,
And was wroth with his inheritance.
(Psalms 78:58-62 - ASV)

The Psalmist (Asaph) wrote on the events above and again, it should be stressed that the Lord was sore displeased with both the house of Eli and Israel at that time.

So the Philistines brought the Ark of the Lord back to their home and set it in their temple where their god, Dagon was located. This was almost certainly some kind of idol or graven image. This idol was known to look like the head or face of a man along with arms and hands, but with the body of a fish. According to Fausset's Bible Dictionary, this god corresponds to a female version called Atargatis, which is has a woman's body but a fish's tail. It is according to them, where we get the whole idea of mermaid's from.

So they set the Ark in their temple where Dagon was and when they got up in the morning, the Dagon idol had fallen prostate before the Ark.

This had to be unnerving to the Philistines, though their immediate reaction is not recorded here. They did however set the idol back on its pedestal. Perhaps, they thought it might have been some kind of coincidence that his happened to their deity.

And when they arose early on the morrow morning,

behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face
to the ground before the ark of Jehovah;
and the head of Dagon and both the palms
of his hands lay cut off upon the threshold;
only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
(1Samuel 5:4 - ASV)

This time the same thing happened, only worse. This time the hands (power/strength) of the god were cut off. This clearly shows that their god had no power, it was broken and smashed up right in his own temple before the Ark of the Lord. The idols made by men have no power and never will. This is what is demonstrated in this passage. It's also interesting that the Philistines did not attempt any mischief to the Ark. They did not try and destroy it or deface it. As we saw in the earlier passages, they had a healthy fear and respect for it and the God it represented (1Samuel 4:8).

In fact, it may not be an overreach to say that their respect for it allowed it to be placed in the place they considered sacred, the temple of their god. So when they saw this, it had to have a big effect on them. They had triumphed over Israel on the battlefield and this may have made them conclude that their god had triumphed over the God of Israel. That is, until this happened.

Keep in mind that anyone who came into the temple could trample on the remains (rubble) of their god which was now located on the threshold.

Therefore neither the priests of Dagon,
nor any that come into Dagon's house,
tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod,
unto this day.
(1Samuel 5:5 - ASV)

So this episode had a profound effect on the religious life of the Philistines. They did not want to step over pieces of their 'god' and defile him.

But the hand of Jehovah
was heavy upon them of Ashdod,
and he destroyed them,
and smote them with tumors,
even Ashdod and the borders thereof.
(1Samuel 5:6 - ASV)

The word tumors is often rendered emerods (hemorrhoids) in other versions. So the Philistines were having a rough time of it. Nothing but trouble since the day they captured the Ark; their god smashed up, the people with hemorrhoids; others destroyed. The Lord was dealing with them. Sooner or later they would put two and two together and figure out that the Ark did not belong with them.

And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so,
 they said, The ark of the God of Israel
shall not abide with us;
for his hand is sore upon us,
 and upon Dagon our god.
(1Samuel 5:7 - ASV)

The Philistines it seems may not have known the God of Israel, but they did have a key thing working in their favor. They had common sense. They understood the power of this God and respected him enough to make sure that the Ark did not remain with them in Ashdod.

But this was an important war prize and one that clearly they wanted to keep. So they decided to take it to another one of the key cities of the Philistines, this time to Gath. We'll get to that part of the book next week, God willing!!


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1 Samuel Part 12

We left off last time just after the Ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines and Eli's wicked sons were killed. The Lord was most annoyed with their behavior and other than the warning they got from their father Eli, it is not clear the Lord even bothered to send a prophet to them to warn them. Folks, there are some categories of sin that really make the Lord angry and put people in the category of those who are not and will never be appointed to salvation, but are reserved for judgment. There is a category of fallen angels to whom this applies - see 2 Peter 2:4.

In Thessalonians we see the same theme in the last days, where a spirit of deception falls on men whom God has reserved for judgment (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Why? They, like Eli's son's had pleasure in unrighteousness. They were having good time doing that which deeply displeased the Lord and did not want to be bothered with what God had to say about it.

And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, 

and came to Shiloh the same day,

with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

And when he came, lo, Eli was sitting

upon his seat by the wayside watching;

for his heart trembled for the ark of God.

And when the man came into the city,

and told it, all the city cried out.

(1 Samuel 4:12-13 - ASV)

The news of what just happened at the battlefield was just now getting to Shiloh, where Eli had his seat. A man came running up clearly in distress. As all of us Bible students know, a person with rent clothes and dirt on his head is one that is showing distress. He was in the army that was routed. Eli was deeply concerned about the commotion, but did not quite yet know exactly what happened, but we note that his concern was a godly one. The passage does not describe worry over his wayward sons. No, he was concerned about the Ark of the Lord. I think this speaks volumes about Eli. He had some issues, but they seem mostly to stem from his indulgence of this sons and his abdication of his own responsibilities to control his sons who were also Priests serving under him. But he seemed genuinely to love and esteem the Lord. Once the calamity of the day's events were relayed to the people, they cried out. The word means like a cry of agony (2199 in Strong's Hebrew Bible Dictionary). Clearly there was no little commotion because of the report.

And when Eli heard the noise of the crying,

he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult?

And the man hasted, and came and told Eli.

Now Eli was ninety and eight years old;

and his eyes were set, so that he could not see.

(1 Samuel 4:14-15 - ASV)

Eli hears all the noise but clearly did not know what it was all about. He was blind and may have been like most older people, hard of hearing as well. So he asked what's going on.

And the man said unto Eli,
I am he that came out of the army,
and I fled to-day out of the army.
And he said, How went the matter, my son?
And he that brought the tidings answered
and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines,
and there hath been also a great slaughter
among the people, and thy two sons also,
Hophni and Phinehas, are dead,
and the ark of God is taken. And it came to pass,
when he made mention of the ark of God,
that Eli fell from off his seat backward
by the side of the gate; and his neck brake,
and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy.
 And he had judged Israel forty years.
(1 Samuel 4:16-18 - ASV)

The long and short of it is that the soldier runs down the days events to Eli, tells him of the fate of his sons and the Ark, Eli fell back in shock and died after breaking his neck. He was a Judge of Israel for 40 years. Now a judge was not just a religious figure, he also had political and 'moral authority' power as well. Remember, there was no king in those days.

Some think that he was basically a weak ruler who let things deteriorate under him. Moreover he may have been afflicted with a spirit of indecision and even moral cowardice. Eli, may not have been a wicked man, but he lacked the key quality of any leader; to bring order and discipline to those he has charge over. In this with this Priest-sons, he was an abject failure.

And his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife,
was with child, near to be delivered:
and when she heard the tidings
that the ark of God was taken,
and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead,
she bowed herself and brought forth;
for her pains came upon her.
(1 Samuel 4:19 - ASV)

The passage is self explanatory. She heard all of this awful news, her husband was dead and also her father in law, the battle lost and the ark taken, she had her baby and as the following passages tell us, she died.

And about the time of her death the women

that stood by her said unto her, Fear not;

for thou hast brought forth a son.
But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

And she named the child Ichabod, saying,

The glory is departed from Israel;

because the ark of God was taken,

and because of her father-in-law and her husband.

And she said, The glory is departed from Israel;

for the ark of God is taken.
(1 Samuel 4:20-22 - ASV)

She brings forth a son and names him Ichabod. Meaning the glory has departed. Clearly it was meant to be a sign to Israel as to the horrible day and the defeat of the army and capture of the Ark. I think the passage also shows that in her dying breath, Phineas' wife may have been a good woman who on some level genuinely feared the Lord. But when the Lord judges a house, that is what he does and clearly he was getting rid of the House of Eli. In one day, Eli, Hophni, Phineas and his wife die.

In this chapter we have seen a great deal transpire. But basically it is merely the fulfillment of what the Lord promised to do because of the sins of the house of Eli.

But this passage shows a side of God's character that we just don't hear much about in today's 'easy beleivism' Christianity. Yes, we serve the same God as Samuel did. He has not changed and yes, people can go too far. We gentiles who are often being spoon fed 'baby food' spiritually would be wise to remember the admonitions of the Apostle Paul.

for if God spared not the natural branches,

neither will he spare thee. Behold then

the goodness and severity of God:

toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee,

God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:

otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

(Romans 11:21-22 - ASV)

Yes, there are two sides to God's character. But this part of God is hardly a mystery. He lays out to us all the things that please him as well as what angers him. How God deals with us is based mostly on our own behavior.

Yes, to the modern world full of touchy-feely emotionalism and populations that more and more are wholly lacking in character, these things seem like an anachronism. But God allows man to go his own way so that he can eat the fruit of his own doings. This is what he did with Hophni and Phineas and it is what he will do to this generation as well. Those who continually mock the Lord and spurn him will pay dearly for it. Pastors and Priests who behave in the way those two men did, let them beware - God see's it all. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING. Ministers will give account to the judge and he will be most exacting and if you have any doubts about it...

... ask the house of Eli.


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1 Samuel Part 11

Verse one should be clearly linked up with the last passage of chapter three, where the Word of the Lord came to Samuel (discussed last week). Samuel is acting under the direction of the Lord and gives the command to all Israel.

Now before we move forward let us remember that there was no king in Israel. The political order was probably not very firm. It was the age of the Judges and Eli was old, feeble and could not control his sons. So this was probably seen as an opportune time for Israel's foes to gather. One of those foes was the Philistines. God also used them to chastise Israel when they went astray (see Judges Chapter 13).

We don't know the exact location of the site, though some put it near at the city of Kafir Qasim.

So Samuel gets a word from the Lord and Israel prepares for battle. Now, before we move on let us keep a key aspect of all of this in mind. The Lord's purpose. What was the Lord purpose here? Is it what we think it is or has he already stated it for us and we have forgotten it?

Let's continue.

Samuel, who was now known as a prophet now commanded some authority with the people, enough to get them to come out to fight against the Philistines.

And the Philistines put themselves
in array against Israel: and when they joined battle,
Israel was smitten before the Philistines;
and they slew of the army in the field
about four thousand men.
(1 Samuel 4:2 - ASV)

The Philistines put on their battle gear and prepared to fight Israel. Israel then marching to the command of the great prophet goes out to.... victory?

No.

Israel was defeated. They lost the battle and lost 4000 men in the process. This was a sound defeat and remember for a small nation like this the loss of so many men was very significant.

And when the people were come into the camp,
the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath
Jehovah smitten us to-day before the Philistines?
Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of
Jehovah out of Shiloh unto us,
that it may come among us,
and save us out of the
hand of our enemies.
(1 Samuel 4:3 - ASV)

The Israelite's were confused and confounded. Why did the Lord do this? What happened? Why did he forsake us? So they asked for the Ark of the Lord to be brought forth. This was a symbol of their special relationship with the Lord. The problem is that the people had begun to look upon the ark as a kind of  'charm' or a magic talisman, rather than a symbol of the covenant (which has privilege AND responsibilities) they had with God. But it was the evil living of the people and their sins as evidenced by men like Eli's son's that separated them from this God they now only call upon when they are in trouble. So they wanted the ark of God with them as their 'protection' from the Philistines.

So the people sent to Shiloh;
and they brought from thence
the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of hosts,
who sitteth above the cherubim:
and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas,
were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
(1 Samuel 4:4 - ASV)

So they sent a message to bring the Ark to them to Shiloh where the Ark was. But with the Ark were the spiritual twiddle-dee and twiddle-dum of Hophni and Phineas, two men with whom the Lord had a very special controversy. The people thought that by bringing the ark to where they were, that was going to save them. This we see from the following verse.

And when the ark of the covenant of Jehovah
came into the camp, all Israel shouted
with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
(1 Samuel 4:5 - ASV)

There was great joy when they saw this as they thought their troubles were over. Surely the Lord would protect them now that the ark was with them! The problem is that while the Ark was holy, two abominations were in charge of it. Men whom the Lord had pronounced a curse upon (1Samuel 3:13) and whose sins would never be forgiven (1 Samuel 3:14).

 

And when the Philistines heard
the noise of the shout, they said,
What meaneth the noise of this great shout
in the camp of the Hebrews?
And they understood that the
ark of Jehovah was come into the camp.
And the Philistines were afraid, for they said,
God is come into the camp.
And they said, Woe unto us!
for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us
out of the hand of these mighty gods?
these are the gods that smote the
 Egyptians with all manner of plagues
in the wilderness.
(1 Samuel 4:6-8 - ASV)

When the Philistines figured out what was going on they were very afraid. They had heard about the God of Israel and were most unnerved by this turn of events. In military purely terms, the bringing up of the ark was a massive morale booster to the Israelite's, but it was a real challenge to the morale of the Philistines. The fame of God's deed's in the past for the Israelite's were well known. Men can fight other men, but not the dreaded God of the Israelite's. They had heard of the exodus, the plagues on Pharaoh. They probably could not think of worse news to hear.

Be strong, and quit yourselves like men,
O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants
unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you:
quit yourselves like men, and fight.
And the Philistines fought,
and Israel was smitten,
and they fled every man to his tent:
and there was a very great slaughter;
for there fell of Israel thirty
thousand footmen.
(1 Samuel 4:9-10 - ASV)

But the Philistine commanders rallied their troops and gave them a good reason to fight. You want to be a sold off in an Israelite slave market with your wife and kids? Then quit ye like men and fight!! That is what they did and won a victory over Israel.

It was a slaughter and they lost 30,000 men. All that cheering was for naught. The ark was not a magic talisman or rabbit's foot to wear around Israel's collar. It was something that was a great honor to possess but also one that carried with it great responsibilities. As the book of Judges showed, Israel demonstrated a pattern of being very lax in those responsibilities and that laxness was clearly represented here in the person's of Hophni and Phineas. The Ark for Israel in those days? It's kind of like a very evil man carrying a Bible with him thinking it is going to protect him. The Bible in and of itself won't protect you from anything. The God of the Bible if one obeys him, can.

And the ark of God was taken;
and the two sons of Eli,
Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
(1 Samuel 4:11 - ASV)

The ark was taken and Eli's son's were now dead. This is just as it was foretold they would be on the same day (1 Samuel 2:34).

Now we see that the purpose of the Lord was already revealed in chapter three. He was going to deal with Eli's house and clearly he was none too pleased with how Israel was behaving in those days either. So Samuel's call to Israel was perfectly in keeping with the Lord's will. It was just not in keeping with what Israel wanted or expected.

But keep in mind something here. The last verse in chapter three said that the Lord revealed something to Samuel and how it was revealed (by the Word of the Lord). What is missing? We are not told what that word was. We can get a hint from the previous passages as they related to Eli's house, but the passage just does not say what it was. Second, the Lord did not promise anyone a victory here as no such promise is recorded. Samuel, may have known exactly what was to come to pass, yet he was faithful, even knowing that by obeying the Lord, his stature in the eyes of the people could suffer considerably because of it. He called Israel to battle and they lost. This certainly could open him up to charges of being a false prophet. Sometimes the job of a prophet is most difficult and many men of God have been castigated for being a false prophet because things did not turn out the way the receiver of the message wanted or thought it would.

We will continue our look at the book of Samuel next week, God willing!!

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1 Samuel Part 10

1 Samuel Part 9

In that day I will perform against Eli
all that I have spoken concerning his house,
from the beginning even unto the end.
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever,
for the iniquity which he knew,
because his sons did bring a curse upon themselves,
 and he restrained them not.
(1 Samuel 3:12-13 - ASV)

We left off last week in the middle of the Lord's very first direct message to Samuel. It was a hard one and one he had to deliver to what was almost certainly his 'second father'. But deliver it he did (in upcoming passages) and I think passed a very important test for any true prophet and man of God (including the office of Pastor). That being delivering a hard message to people we like or perhaps are a bit afraid of. Being a prophet is one of the most difficult and thankless jobs God gives to his servants. But Samuel even before he was born was set upon the path of a life of dedicated service the the Lord.

Something of note in the above versus is that Eli knew of these things. So Eli knew what was going on and he did not put a stop to it, which was the responsibility of his God charged office. He failed and let considerable evil go on under him. The Lord marked it.

The Lord here tells Samuel of the word he has spoken against Eli and his house and it is indeed a fearsome judgment. Why do I say that... are not all judgments by the Lord, brother Mark? Yes they are, but some more so than others. What sets this apart are two phrases the Lord uses in the above passage. 

The first that he is going to Judge his house forever. The word forever (5769  in Strong's Hebrew Bible Dictionary) should really make us sit up and take notice. This is an eternal judgment. This is not going to be forgiven. God was very angry.

I think it important to spend some time on this and the following passage. Just because God is not rebuking and chastising people on a daily basis does not mean he does not see great wickedness and sin. He see's it. God's patience with us is to give us space to repent, consider our ways and repent. What was going on in Eli's house had gone on for years, perhaps decades. God saw it all. He was neither blind nor impotent and believing so is the key mistake recalcitrant sinners make when they commit sin with impunity - knowing what they are doing is wrong and doing it anyway. Now what Eli's sons did was not only sinful, it was blasphemous and abominable. So this is no little sin in God's eyes. By their actions, they put the Lord and those who are in his service in considerable disrepute in the eyes of the people. The religion of the Lord was being connected in their minds with the very great wickedness of Eli's sons.

Then there is the fact that they were warned once before by the man of God in Chapter two. Nothing changed. So now the Lord repeated his warning. This may have been because of the eternal nature of God's judgment on the House of Eli.

My own view is that what they did was very much akin to or the same as the only unpardonable sin we have in the New Testament. It is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It too carries with it an eternal curse.

 Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy
 shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy
against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
 And whosoever shall speak a word against
the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him;
but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit,
 it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world,
nor in that which is to come.
(Matthew 12:31-32 - ASV)

Let us dispense with this notion of God being some eternal 'forgiveness machine'. He isn't. Forgiveness while freely granted to people who repent, is a divine privilege and offered to us because he loves us so. God will forgive - he wants to forgive our sins and have us walk in the light. But there are times and things that God will simply not forgive and these are two examples. A third? The mass rebellion of the angelic host against God eons ago. God has put no plan of salvation in place for them.

For if God spared not angels when they sinned,
but cast them down to hell, and committed
them to pits of darkness,
to be reserved unto judgment;
(2 Peter 2:4 - ASV)

Yes God's creatures man or Angel can go too far and put themselves on the list of the damned. Note I said they put themselves on that list by their actions, Eli's son's and these angels; their actions demanded a powerful punishment from the Lord. In each instance it is almost as though they were taunting God.

Why the harsh divine reaction? I cannot say for sure, but I strongly suspect because of examples. He wants to set an example to the future (men and angels) what some sins will mean and that if you think God will change his mind and forgive you a few years later so just go ahead and sin, you are pitifully mistaken. It's kind of like 'don't go down that road or you will be lost forever and God himself will make sure of it'.

I think such accursed people are treated so for our example so we don't make the same mistake and commit such abominations and presumptuous sins against the Most High God. If I had to put all of this in simply and bluntly I would say this - don't mess with God, his honor, his messengers or his Holy Spirit. Doing so is an act of spiritual suicide with eternal consequences.

Eli's sons messed with God's honor and probably his Holy Spirit and thus we see the kind of curse that falls on them.

And therefore
I have sworn unto the house of Eli,
that the iniquity of Eli's house
shall not be expiated with sacrifice n
or offering for ever.
(1 Samuel 3:14 - ASV)

Here the Lord reiterates the eternal nature of this judgment, lest there be any mistake or doubt about what the Lord is going to do. He is going to eternally curse Eli's house and there shall never be any forgiveness for it or them. No sacrifice, no offering shall cleanse his house of their crimes before the Lord.

Sacrilege - brothers, this is one way to get on God's eternal bad side. To profane his temple, his Spirit, his ways in a stubborn and blasphemous manner. This will buy a soul a one way ticket into hell fire.

This is what Eli's sons purchased with their actions, a one way, non-refundable, non-negotiable, non-disposable ticket into the flames of the Judgment of the living God.

I hate to talk on this negative subject, but these things in the Old Testament are put here for our examples. This example I think is meant particularly for men who are put into any kind of office or place within the Church. We would all do well to heed it be we Deacon, Priest, Bishop, Pastor or Prophet.

God is watching.

We will continue out look at this book next week, God willing!

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Hello World!

It has been a while since I have written anything here on the public page that was not straight Bible commentary.

I assure you all this site is still very busy with events of the day as they effect believers and biblical prophecy. Issues recently covered over the past few weeks?

- Various Items
- Biological Watch
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- 1 Kings Introduction
- Law News
- Persecution, the SCO and Beyond

Each of these issues are covered from a practical, biblical and prophetic perspective. I realize the frustration many of you have with not being able to access much of this material. I really do. On some level I share it. On another, I have to do as I am bid by my God who has straightly charged me about sharing too much of my material on the public site.

Please understand I am not bragging or getting puffed up because frankly, I am not real wild about this ministry God has given me, but I will humbly and consistently obey the Lord. I have had many people tell me just how darn good my analysis is and this from people who have long worked in important positions. But as you all know this landed me on a hit list of some pretty powerful people in government. I admit I was somewhat disobedient in that God had been warning me about a few things; one thing in particular - that was sharing my analysis with the wrong people, bad people and evil people. So I had to come correct and do as God commanded. Splitting the site up like it is between public and private is the result of that gentle divine rebuke.

But as you all can see takedowns, censorship, and other less legal methods of censorship are being practiced with reckless abandon here in the so-called 'free nation' of America.

Before those of you who think that freedom (and a free press) is some bad word or that you can take away one man's freedom and not destroy your own, let me ask you a question and then give you the answer to it.

Q: What do you call a person who is not free?

A: A slave

In our times, truth is being censored so that false narratives and evil policies can be pushed forward by powerful forces in our world. This is true in Communist China as it is becoming true in America today. If you speak truth to power, they have a thousand and one ways to get you and get you they will unless God himself steps in and stops them. In case you were wondering, framing, false imprisonment and death are also forms of censorship. If you don't believe me, go and do a news search on what is happening to journalists in Mexico and how many have been killed. These brave men and women are not getting killed for traffic violations, or spitting on the pavement. They said or were going to say something someone did not want said, so censorship took the form of a hail of bullets.

But God made it clear to me a few years ago that the focus of the site would change... before it did. The Church has a big, big problem and it is not just the pitiful lack of discernment in the issues of the day, but just plain old Biblical knowledge. Basic Christian doctrine is being tossed out for the fluff of politics. A great many Christians (so-called) are just utterly Biblically ignorant. And poking around the web, I see that decent Biblical studies are not that easy to find. Some pastors have some decent and at times, excellent things. A few bloggers are doing right, but Biblical Christianity is dying because in far too many places, it just isn't being taught.

Now I am no teacher of Bible studies. I am just a blogger. But I have been a Bible and Bible Prophecy student for most of my adult life (with a several year lapse in my early adulthood). I know the scriptures well and what I don't know, I can easily find out. Moreover, I know I have sharp analytical and detail oriented mind. It is one of the gifts God has given me. I have gifts and each of you have them too. Some are natural and others are spiritual, but whatever your gifts have, you should develop and use them to God's good purposes. Now my God given and blessed brain works like this - I get the facts (not propaganda or emotional/political claptrap), I ferret them out and dissect them, I dispense with emotion and analyze those facts. Then and only then do I come to any conclusion - firm, tenuous or non-committal conclusion - I don't know or I am not sure is often a perfectly honest and legitimate result of detailed analysis. Additionally (I think this important too) I am unconcerned with the opinions of malicious detractors, the ill-informed, the brainwashed or my enemies. At times, I find such opinions mildly entertaining and I certainly don't spend any time worrying about them. It is this intellectual aloofness that helps one keep one's eyes on the facts and not let social, political or employment considerations dissuade one from pure intellectual and/or spiritual honesty - in short, TRUTH, a bad word in these days of incessant propaganda and systematic censorship.

Brothers and sisters, I think this is very important in these times because I am here to tell you that propaganda is so pervasive and so effective that I think in many cases in this once great nation, the condition is irreversible in a hundred million minds. Call it brainwashed beyond repair. These kinds of people don't want the truth or anything resembling it if it does not feel good or put money in their pockets. Thus falsehoods more and more prevail in our nation today.

Our Lord warned us of a time of enormous deception; a delusion of enormous power. The first step to falling for any delusion is thinking you can't be or haven't been fooled. The second is being willing to accept a comfortable lie in place of an uncomfortable truth. Once that happens, it all goes downhill from there.

You are going to make enemies when you know and seek after truth - hard truths and uncomfortable truths. On this I would say that a man is known by his friends and his enemies. There are some folks on this earth whose enmity is something I can wear proudly. That sounds like kind of a hostile attitude to take, but think about it. I don't want the devil as a friend. I would not want to party with Hitler, Goebbels and Goering. I don't want a buddy who is selling dope to kids. There are just some folks whose love and friendship I would find contemptible. As a Christian, I know that if the world loves me, I am doing something wrong. If the world thinks I am a wonderful person, then I have missed God somewhere along the way. If you serve God and are not attacked from time to time, you had better make sure you are walking the walk and not just talking the talk.

If ye were of the world,
the world would love its own:
but because ye are not of the world,
but I chose you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you.
(John 15:19 - ASV)

We are going to be hated by all men one day for our faith in Christ (Mark 13:13). They are going to kill us quite, quite dead for our faith in Jesus. Stop trying to get around it and thinking it is only for those believers on far off lands. It is going to come here one day too.

But that is OK with me. God has something better for me in his Kingdom and I don't want to spend any more time down here with what humanity is rapidly becoming than my God has ordained and I am useful to him. I am not going to trade eternity with a God who really loves me for another year or two dealing with some of the nut jobs running this freak show called earth.

So God wanted me to shift focus for the public site. I don't want to sound insulting (truly) but from here on, it is milk and mush on the public page and meat and bread for the private as it is a very small group of older people who have walked the walk, got the scars and are never going to look back. They will pray. They can get past the fake news, false narratives and get some background on the issues of the day that many in power will take great pains to keep out of the public consciousness. This group will pray wisely rather than doing so amiss (James 4:3). This is important because these are days when popular narratives are often constructed to demonize our friends and praise our enemies and the average person (and Christian) simply has no clue because no context and no deeper background is given them... and God help anyone who tries to provide it!

I think I said this a few years ago, but it bears repeating. God was adamant that I no longer cast peals before the swine. At first I took the passage of scripture as a suggestion, then I realized it was a commandment and the threat of the swine I was trying to help turning on me was not an idle one (Matthew 7:6).

The internet is changing and frankly I had to change with it. America is changing and I had to make adjustments for her continuing spiritual descent.

Finally, some of you wonder why I have kept this site so basic looking. No cool looking menu's, no big databases, no beautiful pictures... just basic text. I will tell you and you other bloggers out there, take note.

I do this because this site has in the past been under various levels and kinds of cyberattack. I won't get into the methods only to say that now, I have kept this site as basic as I possibly can and keep it functional. Complex scripts, massive databases, easy to use content management systems? They can be very, very useful, but with some there are always those vulnerabilities that creep in or perhaps in some cases, are designed with. As this site is a one man show, I just don't have time to deal with a lot of tech issues. Having had to deal with such issues in the past and knowing how time consuming they can be (depending on the issue), I just would rather not deal with them. So this site has adhered to the KISS principle in site management. Simple - dead simple is much harder to hack and mess with. Not impossible, never impossible, just far less of an attack surface to exploit.

Look, I have been blogging over 20 years and have a lot of experience that ONLY comes from running your own site for a long, long time - on my own with no staff (none).

I will close by saying this to my brethren in Christ Jesus.

You should consider carefully how you and who you interact with online, particularly the tech services you use. Do you know one of the ways people get into trouble that you often don't hear about? I will tell you - blackmail and extortion.

Do you know who the tech company you do business with is sharing data with? If you have an important job and are trusting a major firm with your emails, texts, pictures and other personal data, I can only say this - in some instances you don't know (exactly) who many of these companies are sharing data with because they don't tell you.

Read the stories about how some countries hostile to the US are getting US citizens of their ethnic origin to go to work for them while working in the US or tell them to come back home. They often are not shy about warning them of their family members back home suffering horribly if they don't comply.

So I ask you all to be careful. A deer in the headlines is just two moving headlamps away from becoming roadkill. So please do not become roadkill and think twice before you venture across the 'digital highway'.

This is a brutal world and brutal people use the internet too. Keep that in mind while you surf, share and interact online.

God bless and keep all of you who love our Lord and serve him in Spirit and in Truth and may you each walk in love, peace and joy in Christ.


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1 Samuel Part 8

This passage is pretty self explanatory. Eli was going or was completely blind. He was getting ready for bed. The Lamp of God is something the Lord had commanded in his temple in the book of Exodus (27:20) that it should always be burning. Samuel was also in bed. This helps us to better understand the exchange that is to come. Eli is asleep in his place and cannot see anymore. Samuel is in another part of the Temple dozing off and suddenly he hears someone calling him. Since Eli was infirm this was probably a regular occurrence. When Eli needed something, it was probably usual for him to call on Samuel for assistance.

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1 Samuel Part 7

Here the behavior of Samuel is contrasted to Eli's wicked sons. This young child was already wearing the Ephod worn by Priests. This was probably a kind of girdle that covered the shoulders that was used by certain members of the Priesthood, particularly the High Priest. This was most unusual to have a child wear it, but shows that Eli was not going to go against the Lord's will who performed such a miracle for Hannah and who had dedicated this child to the Lord. This child would be brought up correctly and in such a way that clearly signified a life of dedicated service to the Lord. It is noteworthy that it was Hannah's faith and prayer that brought this all about and because of the mothers faith in God that Samuel came to be. How many powerful men of God owe their ministries and godliness much to godly mothers who trained them up in the ways of the Lord from an early age? We have to remember this as well, that Samuel could not perform these functions in the Temple were he not born into the Tribe of Levi (see 1 Chronicles 6:1-27).

Here we see the mothers continuing love and influence over Samuel. The word robe here is one that is like a long tunic, perhaps like one worn by kings or prophets. From this, we can surmise that something special was expected of Samuel and service to God. This expectation was due to much more than ordinary motherly hopes; she knew it was the Lord who provided this child and she could not have been unaware that dedicating a person as a Nazarite for life was not only unusual, it was exceptional.

As we can note from the passage, Hannah and her Husband remained faithful to the Lord and kept his sacrifice. Something here that I note is that Hannah did not go back on her promise to the Lord. She kept it. She could have, after a few years passed thought twice about her promise and begun to prevaricate and even doubt it was the Lord who did this thing for her as the enemy so often does with us, "...yeah, hath God said?" or "God didn't do that for you! That was just luck or fate or providence!" How many souls have gone astray after the Lord did many miracles for them after heeding the hissings of the serpent in their ears! How many blessings have been lost by taking the devil's advice and forgetting the things God has done for us! Too many. Hannah and her husband were not that way. Yet Hannah may have now wanted a child to rear and be in the home with her, but this she did not have as her child was ministering in the Temple.

Eli, the High Priest gave them both a blessing because of her faith in God. It was faith and obedience (keeping her word to the Lord) that got her this blessing from the Lord. Do you want a blessing from the Lord? Two things are essential, faith and obedience.

And Jehovah visited Hannah, and she conceived,
and bare three sons and two daughters.
And the child Samuel grew before Jehovah.
(1 Samuel 2:21 - ASV)

God continued to bless Hannah and if she wanted children around the house to raise, she got her request. She who was once barren and wept to the Lord about it now has a house full of children! See how the Lord does those who come before him humbly in faith and trusts fully in him!

Now Eli was very old; and he heard
all that his sons did unto all Israel,
and how that they lay with the women
that did service at the door
of the tent of meeting.
(1 Samuel 2:22 - ASV)

Eli was getting up there in age, some commentators figure he was about 90 when the events described happened. He was probably having a very hard time overseeing things in the Temple and taking care of day to day affairs because of his age. Eli was probably relying in his sons to take over things when he got old, but this simply was not possible, not with their wicked behavior. They had turned the Temple of the Lord into a brothel!! The women referenced here may have been spinners, weavers or those who did washing who worked adjacent to and in conjunction with the Temple and its affairs. But frankly, we cannot know for sure, but it does appear that Anna (from the NT - Luke 2:37) was one of these women. The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary thinks they were some kind of ascetic or holy order of women who ministered outside of it. The Book of Exodus speaks of such women (Exodus 38:8).

This is a tragic affair and it is sad that Eli's rebuke or even discovery of this did not occur earlier. These two men had done enormous damage to the reputation of the Lord and his Temple with their behavior. It is not improbable that these two men got their examples from some of the foreign gods that were en vogue in the region at the time, like Ashtoreth. The worship of these foreign gods was nothing new, it was an issue Moses had to deal with during the Exodus and the practices of the priests of these gods were probably not unknown to Eli's sons.

And he said unto them, Why do ye such things?
for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.
Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear:
 ye make Jehovah's people to transgress.
If one man sin against another, God shall judge him;
 but if a man sin against Jehovah,
who shall entreat for him?
Notwithstanding, they hearkened
not unto the voice of their father,
because Jehovah was minded
to slay them.
(1 Samuel 2:23-25 - ASV)

Eli clearly had a soft spot for his sons. But here he rebukes them for the things he has heard. What is unclear is weather or not he was just now hearing about these things when he was old, or weather he had heard such things in the past and did not mark them. I suspect that he probably heard of these things and did nothing or very little, but now they probably had grown more brazen, knowing that dad would be gone before too long. He appeals to them rather than sternly rebuking them. He says that their job was to intercede for those who sin, how can this happen when they behaved the way they did? How can God forgive and help his people when the Priests are steeped in wickedness? This is the gist of his argument. Clearly they were not going to listen to dad; that old fuddy-duddy who was clearly 'behind the times'. Nope, they were going to return to the tabernacle and get them some more 'sweet stuff' from the women in the spinners tent!

Oh the recalcitrant heart, the hard heart and mind that will not repent! They get locked into sin and abominations and will not let go of it. This was the case here. Here were men who were supposed be of God and doing his work and look at their activities!

Well, as we see in the last passage, the Lord see's it all. He is not unmindful of the wickedness of men, not of men who make no religious profession, not of those who serve him or of those who claim to. He see's it all and we make a horrible error when we think the actions of such people will not require a most severe recompense from the Lord.

This appears to be one of those divine 'hardening of the hearts' that come upon some whom the Lord has made up his mind to deal with. Remember Pharaoh and the way he behaved? Both have gotten the Lord pretty angry and as such, he had already made up his mind what he is going to do. He is going to deal with these two men in a way they will not live long enough to profit from, he is going to slay them!

This is a side of God's character that is lost on many of the west's Christians. They don't know this side of God's character. Listening to some of these preachers you get the impression that God is some eternal wish granter ... just rub your Jesus lamp and he will grant your wishes, or is merely the 'forgiveness rubber stamp' - commit any sin you want, he will forgive you. They seem to think that he has no unique personality of his own. They don't seem to realize that God has called us to know him and his ways... all of them, not just the love and forgiveness side of him, but the other side as well. How did the Apostle describe our God?

for our God is a consuming fire.
(Hebrews 12:29 - ASV)

This is a rather frightening characterization of God, but it is apt. It is this holy and fierce side of God's character that is missing in NT believers because they are usually only taught the love and grace side of his character. There is another side to God and the passage above gives us a strong hint that it is a no nonsense side to his makeup and a you had better pay attention to it, part of God. He was going to take both of the sons of Eli 'out', he was just that angry.

I am always reminded of the incident of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts. That incident alone should show us all that the God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New. Sacrilege, blasphemy, attacking God's people will win a person a one way ticket to death and hell fire. I hate to talk so hard about these things, but God is not joking about hell. He is going to send the fallen host of angels there; those angels (this is who it was created for; see Matthew 25:41) who rebelled and brought so much pain, suffering and destruction to creation as well as every man and woman there who refuses to repent and continues on in their sins and abominations to that place... guaranteed. That unrepentant habitual liar, that murderer, that rapist, that fraudster, that blasphemer... well, let me tell you, God has not forgotten about you. No sir. Such are very much on his 'to do' list. Eli's son's were about to face the God they mocked with their behavior in a most unpleasant fashion. Hophni and Phinehas did not know it yet, but they were dead priests walking.

And the child Samuel grew on,
and increased in favor both with Jehovah,
and also with men.
(1 Samuel 2:26 - ASV)

Clearly the author here wants to contrast the lives and behavior of Samuel, with Eli's sons. God clearly had his hand on Samuel's life.

In closing this section today on this book, I think it wise to point out this important fact. None of us is indispensable in God's work. When ministers begin to fail and don't do right, God can and will raise up someone who will. We see this here. The Lord knew about Eli's sons even if Eli did not, or pretended not to. God saw it and made other arrangements for the office of High Priest. He was not going let Eli's son's run his Temple - they would probably expand its use as a whore house.

So we see that Hannah's barrenness was a part of God's purpose. To get her to come to him and request a son whom God would use to get his temple back in line. God knew Hannah and her husband were godly people and could be trusted to do his will. Hannah could not have known this when she was in distress, she just knew she was being mocked for being barren. God often uses our afflictions for reasons we have no idea about and may never know this side of heaven. This is why we should mark Hannah and how she dealt with her problem which had no human solution - she came to the Lord in sincere prayer.

We will continue our look at this book again Next week, God willing!!

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1 Samuel Part 6

We continue our look at the book of 1 Samuel with Hannah continuing to glorify God and his power and righteousness in her prayer. God has the power to bring low, and lift up, make great and humble. It is in God's power and fully within his divine prerogative to put a a man on a throne or in a homeless shelter, should he choose to do so. Look at David, who would one day be anointed by Samuel, whom Hannah bore. David was a lowly shepherd and God put him as King over his people. God can protect and he can destroy; help or hinder; bless or curse. In this prayer Hannah, having received from God her humble request acknowledges this about the Lord.

Yes, God can put a man low or lift a man out of the dungheap. Look at what he did to Job. He was rich, became poor and then was made rich again. God was in it all.

 He will keep the feet of his holy ones;
 But the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness;
For by strength shall no man prevail. 
They that strive with Jehovah shall
be broken to pieces; Against them will
he thunder in heaven: Jehovah will
judge the ends of the earth;
And he will give strength unto his king,
And exalt the horn of his anointed.
(I Samuel 2:9-10 - ASV)

Yes, Hannah clearly knew her God. This is amazing in many ways because remember, there were no Bible texts for ordinary people to read in those days. The Holy books were kept by the Priests. There was no 'Bible Store' to go and buy the law nor internet to download it. Yet and still from the preaching and sermons she had heard and her own experiences, she knew the Lord, his power and his glory.

She knew that to strive against the Lord is utter folly. Paul learned this when he was asked if it was wise to kick against the goads (Acts 26:14). He was fighting God's power in those days. A man who fights against God and his purpose has lost before he even begins. The final stanza acknowledges God's power in judgment and that God will give strength to his king. This is a most interesting passage and one that is powerfully prophetic. Why? Because at the time she prayed this prayer, there was no King in Israel and no anointed one who reigned. The word Anointed is the same one we use for Messiah (4899 in Strong's Hebrew Bible Dictionary).

Yes, brothers God does keep the feet of his saints. He watches over them and guides them. How did the prophet Isiah put it?

and thine ears shall hear
a word behind thee, saying,
This is the way, walk ye in it;
when ye turn to the right hand,
and when ye turn to the left.
(Isaiah 30:21 - ASV)
 

Brothers, let those of you who seek, honor and obey the Lord know that he knows who you are and your situations. He will guide you in his way and in due time. Hannah learned this as she had to wait for a child, but what a child she had and what a blessing that child was to Israel!!

And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house.
And the child did minister unto Jehovah
before Eli the priest.
(I Samuel 2:11 - ASV)

This prayer obviously took place at Shiloh and Elkanah's wives probably went with him. The passages indicates that at some point in time, Samuel was left at least partially in the care of Eli, who let the child minister in the Temple. His tasks probably were probably commensurate with his age and abilities, he may have lit the candles or did other menial tasks in the Temple. Clearly he was to learn the ways of the Priesthood from a very early age and he had Eli, the High Priest as his teacher. We can see why Samuel was later in life, such a mighty man of God. Blessed are the parents who raise up a child in the ways of the Lord. Even if they one day depart from him in early adulthood, they often come back later in life.

Now the sons of Eli were base men;
they knew not Jehovah.
(I Samuel 2:12 - ASV)

Now the scriptures give a bit of contrast which will become clear later. Eli's sons were base men. The KJV translates it more accurately as sons of Belial. It means worthless or wicked person. Their names were Hophni and Phinehas. I think if we had to find a word that is in our common vernacular to describe them we would probably call them 'scumbags'. They did not know God and had no regard for him or his ways.

What this was was rank rebellion against the commandments of the Law which gave instructions on how this was to be done (Leviticus 7:31-35; 7:23-25). In this kind of thing one gets the impression that they not only did not regard the Lord, but openly scorned him.

But the effect on the people was very significant. People despised the offering of the Lord for this very reason. How many times have people been turned off from Christianity in our times by pastors who live like kings, while taking money from the humble and the poor? This does indeed turn many people off from religion in general and Christianity in particular. What this does is give the enemy an opportunity to disparage Christ, his followers and the gospel message. It opens up God to blasphemous remarks by reason of those who claim to represent him. How many souls would have come to God if it were not for many of the 'serpents in the pulpit' that have existed in Christianity.

Brothers, there is a powerful lesson here for those who serve God in any capacity. Weather it be from the pulpit or the pew, we must honor God in what we do and what we have and what we give. The people here were willing to give their offering to the Lord, but when they saw how those who represented him were acting, they held it in disrepute.

Men can only rebel against God for so long. He will only bear with the sins of Church leadership and laity for so long. We must not take God's forbearance for granted. Provoking God to anger is a most unwise thing to do. This is exactly what these to men were doing.

  Where your fathers tried me by proving me ,
 And saw my works forty years. 
Wherefore I was displeased with this generation,
And said, They do always err in their heart:
But they did not know my ways; 
As I sware in my wrath,
They shall not enter into my rest.
(Hebrews 3:9-11 - ASV)

These men tried God just as the ancient Israelite's did. How do you think our God feels about some of the things going on in the Church today? Brothers I think he has or is in the process of forsaking a great many of them. He does not want to be associated with many of them in any possible way. I want to digress here just for a moment because I think it important.

That God would not let the rebels in the days of Moses enter his rest is very significant. In the times of Samuel, it was at Shiloh that the Ark was kept. Shiloh also means a place of rest or tranquil. This was where Eli ministered as well as his sons committed their abominations.

Yes, brothers God set his ark there, but those who were put in charge of it and ministering to God and his people sorely displeased him. The prophet Jeremiah warns the people what happened to Shiloh and what would happen to them if they did not repent.

But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh,
where I caused my name to dwell at the first,
and see what I did to it for the wickedness
of my people Israel. And now,
because ye have done all these works,
saith Jehovah, and I spake unto you,
rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not;
and I called you, but ye answered not:
therefore will I do unto the house which
is called by my name, wherein ye trust,
and unto the place which I gave to you
and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh.
And I will cast you out of my sight,
as I have cast out all your brethren,
even the whole seed of Ephraim.
(Jeremiah 7:12-15 - ASV)

Jeremiah uses the fate of Shiloh to describe what will happen to his generation. The kinds of sins that these men committed - they are not forgotten by the Lord. He see's the things going on in the Church and with her ministers.

But he also knows that none of his ministers is perfect. Let us be wise and discern though in our times when we see men of God 'fall'. I have seen many times people who are accused of various crimes and sins and know that the enemy has targeted them for destruction sometimes by evil elements operating in government or by other enemies of the gospel. Sometimes their sins are real, other times they are set ups or clearly exaggerated. But some ministers are honorable enough to step back and rather than let the Gospel be mocked, they decide it is better not to let a demonically inspired controversy undermine God's purpose. Today, the devil and his ministers live to set up minsters for sexual sins and other things that make a negative splash in the headlines. Hell's ministers cackle with glee when this happens. This is one reason I don't like to post those 'scandal' stories that are often found on the web.

Sometimes the scandals we hear are real, others are not.

Yet what these men did was real and there was no excuse. The result? God eventually disassociated himself from Shiloh. I wonder what he is going to do with modern day Laodicea? Perhaps spew it out of his mouth/vomit it up - (Revelation 3:16)? If he did these things to Israel, the natural branch, what in the world do you think he will do with the wild olive shoot (gentiles - see Romans 11:20ff)) whom he has graciously allowed onto the tree of salvation?

What these two priests did was a deep affront to God and I don't think it requires further comment.

We will pick up this commentary next week, God willing!

Blessing to you all in Christ!!


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1 Samuel Part 5

Elkanah was not going to argue with his wife over this and seems to have deferred this matter into her keeping. Clearly Elkanah saw that the hand of the Lord was in this. For now, he had a male heir by the woman he clearly preferred. So Elkanah went up to offer sacrifice and to give thanks to the Lord. Elkanah, we can see was a man of faith in God. In times of what was certainly increasingly religious depredations (as we shall see) and apostasy, Elkanah kept faith with his God and did not wickedly depart from him. He wants God to establish this miracle that has come about, '...only Jehovah establish his word'.

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her,
with three bullocks, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine,
 and brought him unto the house of Jehovah in Shiloh: and the child was young.
And they slew the bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
(1 Samuel 1:24-25 - ASV)

This was a woman, yes even household that kept their word. Particularly to the Lord. This is something I have always striven to do. Be a man of my word. It's a rare thing these days. People, particularly Americans are so flippant about their word, so nonchalant they rarely keep it. My rule of thumb has been this - if someone in these troubled times promises to do something, expect him to do the exact opposite. This rule of thumb naturally does not always work, but it does often enough that I tend to remember it when someone makes a commitment to me. How did the Psalmist put it?

Lead me, O Jehovah,
in thy righteousness because of mine enemies;
Make thy way straight before my face.
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is very wickedness;
Their throat is an open sepulchre;
They flatter with their tongue.
(Psalms 5:8-9 - ASV)

That has been my experience. It was one of those things that foreigners I knew have noted and made very plain to me when I lived overseas when they were commenting on my countrymen. Keeping one's word says volumes about a man's character. The fact that Hannah did not lie before the Lord and was determined to fulfill the thing she promised shows a woman of character - character so lacking in our modern world. Hannah was not waiting around, procrastinating and making excuses to fulfill her word. She got right to it.

The fact that she brought three bullocks is probably significant. Some commentators think three were used because only two were required for the annual offering and the third would have been a special thank offering. Others think one was for a burnt offering, one for the vow and the other a peace offering.

The key is that she did as she had vowed and went up to Shiloh and brought with her the sacrifice and the child for dedication. They offered it up and then presented the child to the High Priest, Eli.

Blessed is the man who keeps is word to the Lord. Vows are forbidden to us Christians, but keeping one's word is not. To do otherwise is to be false.

But in so keeping her word, she not only got herself a son that she so desired, but also one of Israel's greatest men of God, Prophet and Judge who was to guide Israel through some difficult and rapidly changing times.

And she said, Oh, my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord,
 I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto Jehovah.
For this child I prayed; and Jehovah hath given me my petition
which I asked of him: therefore also I have granted him to Jehovah;
as long as he liveth he is granted to Jehovah.
And he worshipped Jehovah there.
(1 Samuel 1:26-28 - ASV)

As Hannah brings the child before Eli, she has to remind him of the incident that her presence in the tabernacle has brought about. Who the 'he' (1931 in Strong's Hebrew Bible Dictionary) is in verse 28 is not clear (who worshiped). We do not know for certain that Elkanah was with Hannah when this occurred, but he may have been. So the 'he' could refereed to either Elkanah or Eli, who thanked the Lord for hearing her and his prayer. Remember Eli also requested God do this thing for her (1:17).

Here Hannah lifts up her voice in praise and prayer to the Lord.

And Hannah prayed, and said:
My heart exulteth in Jehovah;
My horn is exalted in Jehovah;
 My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies;
Because I rejoice in thy salvation.
There is none holy as Jehovah;
For there is none besides thee,
Neither is there any rock like our God.
(1 Samuel 2:1-2 - ASV)

Hannah gives thanks to the Lord for what he has done for her. She was clearly very happy that the Lord had taken away her shame and given her this gift she so very much desired. In this she was enlarged over those who scorned her; those who were her enemies. This is one of those uncommon Psalms/prayers that are recorded that were made by women (think Miriam, Deborah and Mary).

This is as much a Psalm of thanksgiving as it is one of praise and prophecy. Clearly Hannah knew God and had put her faith fully in him. In that he has done this miracle for her, she lifts up her horn and voice in praise to his name and his ways. In times of growing religious apostasy, she acknowledges that only the Lord, he is God.
 

Talk no more so exceeding proudly;
Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth;
For Jehovah is a God of knowledge,
And by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty men are broken;
And they that stumbled are girded with strength.
(1 Samuel 2:3-4 - ASV)

Hannah knew humble circumstances and what it meant to be mocked and laughed at. She also knew that it was folly to be proud and arrogant when God sits on high. Hannah could not have forgotten the verbal stings and harsh words spoken about her to her face and behind her back because of her barrenness. They spoke in pride and arrogance against a humble daughter of the Lord who put her trust in him.

God knows how to raise up the humble and abase the proud, let the arrogant man beware!! God can break the bows (arms) of the mighty. This is a word for anyone, anywhere who puts his faith in arms of warfare of any kind or in his money bags. God can and often does break them and cause those who think they are strong to stumble and fall.

I cannot begin to tell you how the Lord looks out for me! I stand today only because of the power and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! God has protected me in this very humble ministry and kept me by his power ALONE! So I know how Hannah feels - I give thanks always for his grace, love and power to protect his saints from the power of their enemies, both temporal and spiritual!

When was the last time you thanked the Lord for the times he saved you and protected you from your enemies?

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread;
And they that were hungry have ceased to hunger:
Yea, the barren hath borne seven;
And she that hath many children languisheth.
Jehovah killeth, and maketh alive:
He bringeth down to Sheol, and bringeth up.
(1 Samuel 2:5-6 - ASV)

Hannah here acknowledges that God can raise up and humble, strengthen and even humiliate the proud. There are those who once 'had it all' and now had to work for others just for sustenance. The barren woman who had to bare shame all of her life, she can bare children - remember Sarah!

God knows how to bring the proud and arrogant low, brothers and sisters... don't you even worry about it!! He can take that loud mouthed, blowhard who has been mocking and castigating you and put his mocking behind in a homeless camp, should he so choose. How did Hannah prevail? She put her trust in the Lord. That is how you and I prevail when our enemies rise against us. God will vindicate our trust in and obedience to him, in his way and in his time and to his Glory!

We will continue Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving next week, God willing.


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1 Samuel Part 4

Eli's accusation at Hannah was incorrect. He made an assumption he should not have and impugned her character with his words. Eli, who was acting as High Priest, his words clearly troubled Hannah. So she, with great respect towards his office, explains her problem and corrects his assumption that her presence in the Temple derived from lingering at the wine cask.

She also did not want to be reckoned with the daughters of Belial. The reference to Belial (wicked woman) is that to a reckless, worthless and wicked person. It is not impossible that Eli thought she might have been a hooker who may have come into the temple or stood without from time to time. This problem will be described later (1Samuel 2:22). So Eli's original thought was probably based on previous experiences with women who wandered in drunken looking for business. No, not this time. The Law and religious life at this time was probably not being practiced by many or even most Israelite's at the time. So Eli's assumption while wrong, was probably not unfounded when based on such experiences.

Hannah had come into the temple of a broken heart and to earnestly seek the Lord about her problem.

Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace;
and the God of Israel grant thy petition
that thou hast asked of him.
(1 Samuel 1:17 - ASV)

Eli answers her kindly and accepts her gentle corrective rebuke. Again, this was probably not a common thing for such a woman to come into the temple as Hannah did, wholly to seek the Lord and place a supplication before him. So Eli blesses her and hopes that God will hear her prayer. It is not clear if his words were merely a blessing or a prophecy.

And she said, Let thy handmaid find favor in thy sight.
So the woman went her way, and did eat;
and her countenance was no more sad.
(1 Samuel 1:18 - ASV)

Having found favor with Eli, she hopes that it will continue. She was clearly encouraged by her prayer and the kind words spoken by the High Priest. Oh what a good and kind word of encouragement can bring, particularly when spoken by an anointed man of God!! Hannah was indeed encouraged.

And they rose up in the morning early,
and worshipped before Jehovah, and returned,
and came to their house to Ramah:
and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife;
and Jehovah remembered her;
(1 Samuel 1:19 - ASV)

Let's remember that the whole purpose of them being in Shiloh was to go up to worship the Lord (1Samuel 1:3). So they arose that morning, worshiped the Lord and then went back home. Today, we don't talk much about these kind of pilgrimages. The Christians in earlier ages did perform them.

So husband and wife slept together and God indeed did hear Hannah's prayer.

and it came to pass, when the time was come about,
that Hannah conceived, and bare a son;
and she called his name Samuel,
saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah.
(1 Samuel 1:20 - ASV)

Yes, the Lord hears the prayers of the humble soul who puts his faith in him. Yes, he does. I cannot tell you the times God has heard my prayers. Indeed, I got an answer to one of mine (prayed with the group of insiders) on the day I wrote this (which was back in late 2019).

Well, back to Samuel...

The name itself means 'heard of God'; Shema El (8085, 410 in Strong's Hebrew Bible Dictionary). Hannah clearly did remember from whom this blessing came and named her son accordingly. Unlike so many who get something from the Lord, Hannah did not forget her prayer nor her promise to God.

And the man Elkanah, and all his house,
went up to offer unto Jehovah the yearly sacrifice,
and his vow. But Hannah went not up;
for she said unto her husband,
I will not go up until the child be weaned;
and then I will bring him,
that he may appear before Jehovah,
and there abide for ever.
(1 Samuel 1:21-22 - ASV)

In the following year after the Lord heard Hannah's prayer, the annual pilgrimage to Shiloh was to be made. Clearly this was a pious house. But Hannah did not go by reason of the infant. The last phrase in verse 21 'and his vow' is not clear. There is no mention of any vow regarding the child in the narrative made by Elkanah. But this may refer to the law on women and vows found in the book of Numbers 30:3ff. Thus, the vow to the Lord may have been obligatory on the husband. I confess I am no expert on these nuances in the Mosaic Law and make no claim to be. But my cursory reading of the passage is that if the husband did not repudiate the vow or remains silent regarding it, he is bound by it. 

Hannah's unwillingness to go to Shiloh was not excuse making. Her intention was to take him later and dedicate him there to the Lord and there he should always serve the Lord.

We will continue our look at this wonderful book as God wills.


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1 Samuel Part 3

This is the result of Polygamy. There is always going to be enmity. John Gill (1697-1771) in his exposition of the Bible notes that this was the same thing that happened to Socrates, who also had two wives. So here, the barren wife was always being provoked by the wife who could bear children. This provocation seems to be more than just a few snide remarks, but the words used here seem to indicate that she was loud and boisterous with her complaints and taunts. The word for provoke is 3707 in Strong's Hebrew Bible Dictionary.

She may have been quite haughty and used violent words to her. The description seems to indicate that they may have had some heated quarrels. This went on for years, not days or weeks. Hannah had borne these reproaches for a long, long time. Hannah probably cried herself to sleep many times and often would not even eat.

People can be so cruel. One can see the true spirit of people when you give them a blessing or more particularly, some money. You want to know what people can be? Give them some money or some power or merely hold the promise of it out if they do some kind of evil or treachery. You'll often see the real person then. Here, Peninnah had a blessing that the Lord had withheld from Hannah and rather than just be thankful and kind; gentle and generous with Hannah, there was this cold hearted taunting and provoking. Instead of sympathy and kindness, Peninnah showed contempt for the less fortunate.

Hannah suffered, but her travails did not go unnoticed by her husband who truly loved her and did his best to comfort her as in the following passage.

And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Hannah,
why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not?
and why is thy heart grieved?
am not I better to thee than ten sons?
(1 Samuel 1:8 - ASV)

Clearly these two shared a special love for one another and Elkanah did not want her to fret. What the passage seems to indicate is that Elkanah may not have been aware of the deep animosity or perhaps, was only now becoming aware of how deeply hurt Hannah was over the taunts of the sharp tongued woman. It seems clear that what is happening here is that Hannah had the special love of the husband that Peninnah did not and this aroused her jealousy. So she threw Hannah's barrenness in her face whenever she could. The idea of the last stanza may be that to say that no matter how many sons the other bore, his special love for Hannah was not diminished.

This is a troubled, tumultuous household. But his can be expected when someone departs from God's divine order. We don't know why Elkanah decided to marry two wives. There may have been a shortage of men in those days. Or, perhaps slightly more likely is that Hannah was the first wife who bore no son, so he married Peninnah in order to get a son (not totally unlike Abraham). Then came marital/domestic chaos.

So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh,
and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting
upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Jehovah.
And she was in bitterness of soul,
and prayed unto Jehovah, and wept sore.
(1 Samuel 1:9-10 - ASV)

We don't know the circumstances of her eating. It may have been the daily meal for which she had finally partaken or it could have been some kind of feast that was ongoing. But whatever it was she did not stay long, she ate and then decided to leave. She went to the House of the Lord and Eli the Priest was there, sitting upon his seat. The word for seat has the connotation of a throne or perhaps seat of judgment.

Who was Eli? He was a direct decedent of Aaron (via his fourth son). He also appears to have acted both as Judge in Israel and probably as High Priest. So here she is in the tabernacle crying her eyes out before the Lord about the way she had been treated. God hears the prayers of those so afflicted and in trouble (see Psalms 50:15).

And she vowed a vow, and said, O Jehovah of hosts,
 if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid,
and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid,
but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man-child,
then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his life,
and there shall no razor come upon his head.
And it came to pass, as she continued praying before Jehovah,
that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; o
nly her lips moved, but her voice was not heard:
therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken?
put away thy wine from thee.
(1 Samuel 1:11-14 - ASV)

Now, in NT times, vows for us are forbidden (Matthew 5:34). But back in those days, they were not. They were a solemn pledge. Here the vow is that Hannah would keep her end of an agreement with God. She is making a promise to God that if he will hear her prayer and grant her a son, she will in essence, dedicate him to the Lord and his service.

The idea of the razor not touching his head was to set him apart as a Nazarite. These were special men who dedicated a set period of time to a specific purpose for God, usually not longer than 100 days (Eaton Bible Dictionary). The laws concerning Nazarites can be found in Numbers chapter six. They often set their own time period for this service and during it, they would not shave, thus marking them out. They were not hermits, just dedicated to a purpose. The practice carried on long after those days. Even in the Gospels (Luke 1:15) and the book of Acts (21:23ff) we see this custom still practiced. 

Hannah here dedicates this potential son (she had not received it yet and had to wait upon him by FAITH) to the Lord's service for his whole life. This is unusual in that these vows were usually not lifelong binding.

But during her prayer Eli was keeping an eye on her, thinking she had been lingering at the wine bottle too long and wandered into the temple in an unsanctified fashion. He incorrectly rebukes her, not that he should not have rebuked her if she had been drunken, but that he made an assumption that he should not have. We should not make negative assumptions about people. It's easy to do, but often we can be dead wrong, as Eli was here.

We shall continue our look at Samuel as the Lord wills!!


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1 Samuel Part 2

Here begins the genealogy of Samuel and a look at his family. Elkanah was his father and he is said here to be from the Tribe Ephraim, but his ancestry from Zuph would make him a Levite. Kiel and Delitzsch's Commentary on the Old Testament gives a good background to this genealogy for those of you interested. I will not bore you with it here. The name of place Ramathaim-zophim means two high places (Ramathim) where as Zophim means watchmen or watchers. It was probably a location of two hills where men stood watch against foreign invaders. But it could also mean that it was a place of the prophets. Of note, the fact that this book begins with the pronoun 'Now' (or 'and') has led many to believe that this book in reality is a continuation of the Book of Judges. Also of note is that some seem to think that Samuel's father represents the fifth generation of settlers that came out of Canaan.

This city is usually known as Ramah and is where Samuel was born (Samuel 1:19-20), worked (Samuel 7:17) and died (Samuel 25:1).

and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah,
and the name of the other Peninnah:
and Peninnah had children,
 but Hannah had no children.
(1 Samuel 1:2 - ASV)

Now on to Elkanah's marital situation. Polygamy was not strictly forbidden (Deuteronomy 21:15). But Abraham's experience should tell us all that the practice is fraught with all manner of trouble. Often it's the 'two against one' syndrome. Someone winds up out in the cold. The names of his wives were Hannah and Peninnah. Hanna's name means favored. Peninnah's name means pearl.

Verse two begins to describe the source of strife and trouble in this polygamous arrangement, it was the fact that one had children and the other did not. So while Polygamy is certainly frowned upon today and is illegal in most countries, back then it was practiced. We should remember that there are passages in the NT that suggest (though not necessarily proves) that some Christians may have had more than one wife, but that this marital situation precluded people from certain offices in the Church (1Timothy 3:2; 3:12; Titus 1:6). Keep in mind that Paul recommends that people remain in the situation where they were called. (1Corinthians 7:20ff). Understand here, I am not endorsing polygamy in any way shape or form. I am only saying that firm and incontrovertible scriptural commands against it in any and all instances will be difficult to find. My personal view is this - Marriage is trouble (1Corinthians 7:28); polygamy... double trouble!!!

And this man went up out of his city from year to year
 to worship and to sacrifice unto Jehovah of hosts in Shiloh.
 And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas,
priests unto Jehovah, were there.
(1 Samuel 1:3 - ASV)

So Elkanah was a pious man. We don't know if he had any office in the Priesthood, but what we do know is that he was not like many others who worshiped other gods, but he served the Lord. Shiloh was the place of worship because this was where the Ark of the covenant was. Males were to attend the major feast days of the Law (Deuteronomy 16:16), but many probably did not do that. There was probably considerable religious disorder in those days. In short, most probably did not observe this requirement, but Elkanah did, marking him out as a man who truly revered the Lord.

Of note, the name of God Lord Of Hosts appears for the first time in this passage. The term clearly is a reference to an army or military numbers but some think it also denotes his command over the hosts of heaven as well. Such a meaning would have particular significance to those who worshiped the hosts of heaven as this title demonstrates that he is Lord over them as well and should be the true object of worship and veneration. 

The last part the verse introduces two priests of the Lord and the name of their father, Eli. Eli's sons were notorious as we will see as we move through the book.

This here is about the offering to the Lord that he was making and not about any inheritance. Elkanah was making this offering in accordance with the old Law (Deuteronomy 16:10-11). He gave to the Lord offerings regarding Peninnah and her children, but with Hannah, he gave a 'worthy' one. Many modern translations translate this a 'double portion'. The double portion is clearly indicative of a very special love he had for Hannah. But Hannah was barren. This barrenness will be a key part of the next few verses of the narrative so let's leave off here and continue on with this in the next section.


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1 Samuel Introduction

I thought that I would begin a look at an old time prophet who came long before the major and minor prophets we have in the Old Testament. I am going to take my time with this book like I did with Job.

I hope you get a lot out of it and remember this all of you -  God will fulfill his words, but he usually is in no hurry to do so. We humans are the ones constantly in a big hurry and impatient. God isn't. He see's the end from the beginning. We do not. Let us always remember that and wait patiently on our God. God has his own plans that he often simply does not share with us fallen and sinful humans.

This is a very old book. It was written long before Rome was founded but may have been complied later. The book is also referred to by some as the first book of the Kings. It covers the establishment of the monarchy and the acts of her first king, Saul and David's rise to the throne. But we call it the book of First Samuel because he is one of the key people both in the book and in the events therein.

Scholars are not certain of the authorship. Because it contains the events of his life, it may have been written by Samuel. Some think so. But it may have been written by Nathan the prophet as he is known to have written some history of the Kings (see 1Chronicles 29:29). Other theories exist that it may have been written by Ezra or even Jeremiah. Though some have opined that Jeremiah may have merely been a compiler. But this is all conjecture. We don't know for sure who wrote it, but it seems to me that the first part of the book that dealt with Samuel's life, who was not a King, and the fact that the book is largely a history of Kings - this may lend some credence to his authorship, at least the first several chapters. But I think that Samuel's authorship or at least his strong influence on perhaps an unknown writer is clear in that it shows how Samuel was really a key instrument of God in the formation of the Kingdom of Israel. His ministry marks a transition from the times of the Judges to the times of the Kings. Samuel is considered the last of Israel's Judges, who was preceded by Eli of whom we will talk about in the parts of the book that deal with him.

Beyond the life of the ministry of the Judge/Prophet Samuel is the important spiritual and religious transition of Israel described in the book, from a tribal state with judges set up over them to one of a monarchy. This is a very important transition for reasons that will become apparent. Israel - God's vision of Israel, was that she was to be a nation of citizens who were close to God and served him. In short, he wanted them to be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5-6) But in their lust to be like the world around them, they wanted a King.

But the book is a fascinating read in that it's history is rich with faith, tragedy, disobedience, hope, despair, war, hero's, villains and much more, given to us in a rich prose that is not only spiritually enlightening, but also quite engrossing and dramatic. The story moves quickly but is detailed enough where the narrative is clear but it never gets bogged down in too much detail, (though my comments may at times!).

So on that note, we will start to look at this book probably next week. I will try and have an update for you on it (most) every week as we move through the rest of the year.

In loving and humble service to the Living God and his son Jesus Christ,

Brother Mark


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Job Conclusion Part II

We will finish up the study in Job today with a final look at suffering.

Some commentators have stated that one thing that Job seemed to have been lacking in his character was that until the Lord spoke to him face to face, he simply had not fully submitted to the will of the Almighty, whatever that will may be. We must not be too hard on Job as the religious thought and theology of those days was very rudimentary, as we saw in the lengthy debate in the text. They all thought that if you did right, good came your way, without exception. The whole idea that God would allow such evil to befall Job not because he was evil, but in essence because he was righteous and good was beyond their theological understanding. Nor could they comprehend a key principle that we in the New Testament era probably take somewhat for granted.

Yes, all things including sufferings; they work together for our good. But as with all promises like this, there is a condition. In order for such things, even the troubles we endure to work for our good we have to love God, and be called according to God's purpose. So this does not hold true to the lost and those who know not God. In short, God allows these things into our lives to test us, mold us, guide us, help us and teach us.

But Job was deeply beloved of God so this trial taught him some important lessons. Not least of which according to some commentators, the character trait of submission to God's will, even if we don't like the situation we are in or must suffer. If belong to him, God is in it. He was involved in Job's ordeal and allowed it. Job thought God had forsaken him and without any cause was punishing him. He could not have been more wrong.

This is the fallacy of looking at things the way they appear to the natural mind and our human eyes. As we saw in Job, there is a spiritual world which our natural mind cannot see or comprehend but deeply effects our lives. It was Satan's accusation that brought on Job's troubles and Job was utterly unaware of the controversy that took place in heaven. This is often how things go for us down here. But we must remember that we as saints, are involved in spiritual battle with the Lord's enemies and like any warrior, he is going to have to fight and take a few 'hits' from time to time. There is no way around it if you are in the thick of battle.

Paul lays this theme out again and again in his letters. Paul was no stranger to sufferings.

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
 who comforteth us in all our affliction,
that we may be able to comfort them
that are in any affliction, through the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
 For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us,
even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.
 But whether we are afflicted,
it is for your comfort and salvation;
or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which worketh in the patient enduring
of the same sufferings which we also suffer:
and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that,
as ye are partakers of the sufferings,
so also are ye of the comfort. 
For we would not have you ignorant,
brethren, concerning our affliction
which befell us in Asia, that we were
weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power,
insomuch that we despaired even of life:
yea, we ourselves have had
the sentence of death within ourselves,
that we should not trust in ourselves,
but in God who raiseth the dead: 
who delivered us out of so great a death,
and will deliver: on whom we have set
our hope that he will also still deliver us;
 ye also helping together on our behalf
by your supplication; that, for the gift
bestowed upon us by means of many,
thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.
(II Corinthians 1:3-11 - ASV)

Paul knew what it was to suffer and face death. He faced it many times. He also knew despair. But Paul knew his God and the path he had set him on and he was by no means ever going back. He pressed forward in full confidence in the God who raised Christ from the dead.

Yes, this is all New Testament. Job and his friends did not understand these things. But we do.

But suffering is hard. But as hard as it is, God wants us to as much as we can, be joyful in difficult times.

The word translated temptations can mean a trial or adversity or temptation. James is telling us to count it joy. How did the early Church look at persecution? They were doing God's work, but had to stand trial for their actions and were beaten for it.

 And to him they agreed:
and when they had called the apostles unto them,
they beat them and charged them
not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
They therefore departed from
the presence of the council, rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor
 for the Name. And every day,
in the temple and at home,
they ceased not to teach and
to preach Jesus as the Christ.
(Acts 5:40-42 - ASV)

Yes, it can be hard to rejoice in such circumstances, particularly when your back is covered in bruises and welts, but this is what the early Church did when facing persecution and hardship.

Job's story is one of faith, endurance but also one of human failings and God's ultimate mercy to those who keep faith with him. Job was not ever, ever going to forsake his God. No matter how confused and hurt he was during his trial, he was going to maintain his confidence in God.

This to me is the key message of Job. We don't understand why things are the way they are. Why am I writing on the internet like this? I don't particularly like it, but it is what I have been commanded to do. God has had my back through many trials and attacks against me and this very humble ministry. There are times when God just wants us to wait on him in very difficult circumstances. This is what Job had to do and thus we have the phrase 'patience of Job'. Waiting like this can be very difficult and in and of itself, can be a serious trial of our faith.

Some of you have lost jobs, incomes, been dissed by your families, hated, mistreated at work, mocked by your Church buddies, have to deal with health issues, family issues, financial issues. Sometimes these things last a long time, longer than we want or expected. Remember Job. Sometimes, all God really wants to do is to get us to be totally dependent on him. It's a lesson that was and is hardest for me for I love independence and freedom. Having to rely totally on anyone for anything is contrary to this part of my nature. But God has had to teach me humility in this and to depend totally on him. I can tell you this - sooner or later, he will one day teach it to you as well, if you are to be of any use to him.

So let us remember Job and how he suffered but also remember why he suffered (the devil) and that God allowed it and that God, after having taught Job a thing or two (like submission and humility), blessed him twice as much again. Why? Because he loved and respected his servant Job.

I exhort you all to aspire to be that kind of servant, one that God loves and respects. A person who can honestly be called in the corridors of Heaven, the Friend of God.

Friends will go the second mile for one another. This is what Job's faith demonstrated during a trial for which he was utterly confounded as to the reason for it. He stood by his God.

Can you do that? Will you?

Time will tell, though I think many of you will pass with flying colors and stand before God with great shouts of joy and thanksgiving on the day of our Salvation and look at the trouble we had to endure as very light compared to what God has in store for all who love him.

Here ends this commentary on the book of Job.


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Job Conclusion - Part I

Yes, that exposition took a very long time and I am sure many of you may not have gotten much out of it. I did. It had been many years since I studied that book with any depth. I discovered many nuances about the book that I had either not known or had long forgotten, while doing this study.

One thing I will never forget. When going though the most difficult trial of my life years and years ago, Job 13:15 (as read in the KJV) was the verse that kept me going. It is the passage that any saint who is facing serious trial and even death should never forget. That even if the Lord should require our lives, we must continue to put our trust in him.

In the New Testament, this thinking is laid out for us (Revelation 2:10; 12:11). But in the times of the Old Testament and before, which is when this book was almost certainly written, such a sentiment was not well known. As we moved through the book we saw the simplistic theology of Job's friends and their refusal to face facts on suffering, prosperity and poverty that stared them in the face. No, the wicked are not always punished in this life and no, the righteous are not always rewarded. Job knew he was innocent of any crime that could have caused him to deserve his fate, but could not convince his friends. He only had his confidence in God to sustain him.

There may come a time in our lives when we are faced with similar circumstances. How do you think that foreign pastor feels when he is given a heavy sentence for preaching the gospel? When these things happen, sometimes the sheep scatter and the shepherd is left all alone. How does one deal with this? Or with those who are in the Church who begin to mutter harsh things against such a pastor and begin to malign and slander him for being a 'criminal' while he sits in chains for serving the Lord? Like Job, such a pastor is being punished by the devils ministers for doing right. For Job, he too was being punished by the devil and his ministers for doing right - serving God and pleasing him. This is the way the devil operates. He will reward those who do great wickedness and punish those who do right. Look at the rewards that organized criminals have. The money, the mansions, yachts, sexy women and other toys the devil lays out for his children. Herein lies a major fallacy in much of today's western religiosity and prosperity teachings.

We tend to measure the success of a pastor by the size of his Church, the amount of money in the Church coffers and the number of attractive, wealthy people he can get into his pews on Sundays. We measure things materially - not spiritually. We can all be somewhat guilty of this. You can almost hear the thinking..."He doesn't have a big new car and runs that old ramshackle church on the wrong side of town. He must be 'off' in his doctrine". We make a horrible mistake when we look at the material goods as a measure of a man's godliness. It is the same basic mistake that Job's friends made. They saw Job's circumstances and immediately assumed he had committed some horrible sin.

Let us keep in mind that the Lord gave Satan a free hand to deal with Job to see if he would curse God. All the horrors that Satan could conjure up were thrown at Job and even in this most horrible affliction, he maintained his faith and kept his walk with God. What Job endured and the way he came through it, shows a remarkable man of God. God was correct when he praised Job so, in the court of heaven! This in many ways was a test of Jobs faithfulness. His motivation for serving God and his faithfulness. Another word for this kind of faithfulness is loyalty. God was testing Job's loyalty. Now let me ask you this - are you loyal to God and Christ Jesus? Will you withstand your trial or do like Peter did when he denied the Lord (Matthew 26:34)? Who is it that is with Christ at the end of this age? What words are used to describe them (Revelation 17:14)? Look at it like this. God is looking for people he can depend on to assist him in running things once the devil is locked up and his followers/assistants are sent packing. He wants to see who he can trust. Will you be among them, or will you be like those angels who turned and later rebelled against God? The simple question is - can he trust you?

I think another important thing we can also take away from Job is this - when we suffer, we often have to do it alone. Those around us can be hindrances. Job's wife who exhorted him to curse God and die and his friends whose accusatory tongue he had to deal with for the weeks or months of his ordeal - they were no help to him, "...Miserable comforters are ye all." (Job 16:2b)

We have all heard the saying 'grace under pressure'. That is what Job displayed and something we must all strive for as well. That when trials come we must be ready to endure sufferings as Job did, patiently, in faith and a determination to stand with God, no matter what. Can you do that? This is going to be a lesson that we may all have to ask ourselves as the system of Antichrist rises and persecution becomes more significant in our world. Many in far off nations understand this. We Americans? Most of us do not. Perhaps in a book level understanding, but not in a 'fires of trial' level of understanding. As this new system continues to rise before our eyes, however we may all obtain a healthy dose of both levels of understanding.

One thing I have learned to do when under trial is to detach myself as much as I can from my temporal circumstances. I try and move my mind into positive things, peaceful things and hopeful things. Here I find Paul's advice to be most telling.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(Philippians 4:7-8 - ASV)

This helps. Be positive, even in midst of your trials. I try hard not to dwell on my problems, no matter how hard they are. Try and keep your mind free from the worries of your particular trial. Another thing? I try my best to stay way from negative people. Folks who are always negative, critical, argumentative and hateful. When I see them coming, I try and make sure they don't see me as I head in the other direction!

Now some of these things are much harder to do if one is in prison or in serious pain. But for many of us, the other trials we must deal with, these things can be done and often help refocus the mind back on God, the source of our strength, rather than the trials we must face.

I find that we must often make our face like flint (Isaiah 50:7) and despite all the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' that we must endure (as Shakespeare put it), we must push forward toward our goal in Christ. Yes, our inheritance in God. What did God say to his friend, Abram (for his name was not yet changed)?

After these things the word of Jehovah
came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram:
 I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
(Genesis 15:1 - ASV)

It is God himself who is our reward, to be welcomed into his family as one of his sons - that should be our primary goal and what we need to focus on when we are going through the fires. What we have to endure down here in this present age is not worthy of comparison for what God has in store for us.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed to us-ward.
(Romans 8:18 - ASV)

But let none of us ever forget that our Lord showed us the path to life is not strewn with roses and flower petals, but that it is marked with sacrifice and yes, sufferings.

But we behold him who hath been made
a little lower than the angels, even Jesus,
because of the suffering of death crowned
with glory and honor, that by the grace of God
he should taste of death for every man.
For it became him, for whom are all things,
and through whom are all things, in bringing
many sons unto glory, to make the author
of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
(Hebrews 2:9-10 - ASV)

Yes, brothers, the book of Job is certainly for us today. While it is one of the oldest books known to man, it is still very relevant for us today. Particularly for us Christians who live in this age, where more and more of us must suffer for our faith.

We will look at the final part of the conclusion to Job next week, God willing!


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Our Place

Let us look at something that we all who know the Lord should be asking ourselves from time to time. What is my place in Christ? What is my job in the body and in the Kingdom?

It is easy to get down and a little depressed because we are not all 'great men of God', duly praised by the corporate Christians and Social Media storms. We can perhaps feel a little useless if we are not the big 'rock star' whose name is bantered about the media as some 'Christian light' and not getting the praise and attention they do. It is easy to wonder why we have not been chosen to be a big name pastor or evangelist; a famous musician or famous humanitarian, parading our 'good works' for all to see. It is easy to feel kind of insignificant and even, well... useless to God.

But we should never feel that if we are indeed walking with Christ. Fame and a million Social Media followers does not make a true man or woman of God. A Christian 'idol'? Yes, in many cases. But it is hardly proof of a man who has been born again, broken and is in the process of being remade into the image of Christ - who was exceptionally humble. Such true men of God know the value of true humility and don't seek fame for fame's sake. They seek Christ for Christ's sake. This brothers and sisters, is a tell tale sign of those who are in the public eye who are really Christ's or those who are just in it for themselves or for the 'others' they are secretly working for - a major problem in Christendom today.

But we must not let fame and fortune, the masses pointing and telling each other what a 'wonderful' person that person is to become our guide. Such things happening to us quite frankly, is not a very good sign.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!
for in the same manner did their fathers
to the false prophets.
(Luke 6:26 - ASV)

Let us be careful and never let ourselves become 'fame seekers'.

The better way to go is to find out what God wants us to do, find out where he needs us and then go there and do that.

Let us say that you are a talented Christian musician and singer. I mean you are really good, and famous musicians and agents have told you as much. You have been offered a major contract with a label and all the marketing and support those people can offer to launch your career. Yet God wants you out on the mission field. He tells you to forsake your dreams of fame and fortune and to go and preach the gospel in the Congo. What is that person going to do? This is the kind of test the Lord will often place before those who really want to serve him. It is really in some ways, a test of motivation. What are you placing first, your career and your future as a major 'Christian' artist or God and his kingdom?

Does the world really need yet another 'Christian' singer/pop star making records today? I would say that it needs another one like a person needs a third hand or a 6^th toe on each foot. So one has to ask oneself what is their real motivation for seeking such a career? I say this not to denigrate artists and those people who are famous that God has called to such things, but to show you the mentality and outlook that we must all take if we are to be of any use to God and his kingdom. We have to put him first and as often as not, it will entail some kind of sacrifice on our part - away from self and towards Christ. We must not love ourselves more than our place in Christ and we must not love this world, its pomp or glory or the trinkets the devil will surely put in our path that would lead us away from our mission in Christ.

One thing the Lord has been speaking to me about privately is that I need never concern myself with what others think about me. Not friends, not family - not anyone but God and to a lesser degree, what other true believers in Christ think. This is so important particularly in these times where such contempt for the gospel and Christians is growing, we just have to cease concerning ourselves about what the world thinks about us. I would go so far as to say this - if the world, lost souls, unsaved family and associates all think you are wonderful and great, you are probably on very shaky ground, spiritually. Let me ask you this, could a real Christian have been acceptable to the residents of Sodom? Were they praised when they lived in Nazi Germany? No. So as our world now is more and more taking its moral cues from the spirits of darkness, let us consider carefully whom we should please - God or man; the God of all things or the King of Sodom; Jesus Christ or a future Adolph Hitler? These are key questions because I don't see the world getting any better, spiritually or morally speaking, but worse... much worse.

So what is your place in Christ? Are you chosen to be a deacon? A pastor? A prophet? An interpreter of tongues? A missionary? An evangelist? A scribe? How is God using you? How will he use you in the future? You may be little more than the forgotten pastors assistant today, but if you are faithful, you may find yourself standing before the God of all things being given a special charge from God, as Moses was. Or be called to be a prophet like Samuel or Elijah; or be called to lead a nation not yet created for God's people in these end times. I don't know where your job is and I don't know where God will eventually lead me. But this I know, what he has given me to do today, that I will do. The rest will be revealed due course.

May God bless and keep each of you in Christ and guide each of you into the ministry that best serves his kingdom.

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Schisms

One would have hoped that during this time of conflict and war, that the Church could be a real instrument for healing, peace and some kind of reconciliation. But sad fact is, that the seeds of this current war could be seen germinating in the Church a few years back. There was a schism, many of you may remember back in 2018, involving Ukrainian Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. For those wanting a quick take on this, Wikipedia's entry is pretty good (2018 Moscow–Constantinople schism).

One could see a serious problem back then. I won't get into the politics of all of this. Rather, what I do want to say today is that what I see is a very serious problem with what calls itself Christianity today. It's a problem that has been with the Church for a very long time. In my perusals into history, I do like to look into the history of Byzantium. This is where Orthodoxy really comes from, the Eastern half of the Roman Empire. As you all know, there as a much earlier schism between east and west long ago. The Eastern Church refused to be ruled by the Pope in Rome (the West), the two excommunicated each other and the schism continues to this very day, though the mutual anathema's were reversed back in the 1960's. Nevertheless, the split remains. This is known as The Great Schism.

Even within the Church in Russia, there a serious crisis brewing within it.

One of the big problems today in my humble view is that the Church, or what calls itself the Church is too tied in with the temporal political order. This is very true in Russia, where the Orthodox Church has long been closely tied in with the Government. This was true during both the Czarist era as well as the days of the old Soviet Union. Many of the priests were really spies for the government. Just before the Bolshevik revolution, a Father G. A. Gapon (1870-1906) was a very popular working class hero, but it turned out that his movement was heavily influenced by the Russian secret police. The Church in Eastern Europe during the communist era has a long history of this kind of thing. But truth be told, such things are not completely unheard of here in the west. The Church is a power in any society and consequently those who run state security will often have their eyes on the Church and any religious group, person or entity that they cannot control, intimidate or otherwise co-opt.

Look at how China is dealing with Christians. Look at some of the things going on in Russia to Christians who worship outside of the State approved Orthodox Church. Great change can be fomented with religion. But we must not mistake temporal political change wrought by the administrative Church for God's will. The Church may claim to speak for God, but I think we all can see in our times, that this is not often the case, much of the Church having lost its spiritual way. 

I have long seen much of the modern Church and its administrative, political, and financial structures as being probably the greatest impediment to many believers being able to act in concert with God and the Holy Spirit, rather than the passing political whims of the temporal state and the temporal desires of religious leaders. I think this has been a key problem with the Church since the days of ancient Rome and Christianity's general acceptance in Roman society. As time passed, a high office in the Church could be a path to weave ones way into political power. A low born person could move up the hierarchy, get some influence and as you all know, the Church became very rich in the Dark and Middle ages as well as during the Renaissance. Religion was big business. Need I remind you of the splendid wealth some Churchmen possessed back in those days?

But you see, I think a key missing ingredient the Church has today is independence from temporal state affairs. Mind you, it cannot ignore key issues going on around it, but it should do so with an eye towards the Kingdom of Heaven and the will of God, not the desires or dictates of the State. Christ was very clear that he called us out of this world. Yet much of the Church too often appears to be not just too close to the world, but married to it. It is supposed to be the future bride of Christ and instead, spiritually speaking - parts of it are 'available' for state use.

I think this is why there are some of these schisms. The Churches in a great many places are just too close to the state, so they follow state policy - consciously and unconsciously - rather than building up the brotherhood in Christ for his kingdom, they too often build up the state, often for godless activities.

But not all schisms are bad. When a body of believers decide to leave a denomination because of key doctrinal issues based solidly on scripture, and wish to hold onto scripture, this is not a bad thing. For we Christians are duty and honor bound to serve God first, not the Church first. Churches are run by men and men are often mistaken, corrupted, compromised or just plain evil.

Now back in the Middle ages, ordinary people could be excused for following the Church when it went in the wrong direction. Why? Because there were no Bibles in the hands of people. Only the Church and its priesthood had the Bible. The people had to rely on Church interpretation of scripture. This put tremendous power in the hands of the Church to interpret or deliberately misinterpret things in order to serve the state, the king or the emperor. In return for the favor of the Church, the state rewarded the Church with wealth and power.

But today, the Bible is translated into most, but not every language. People can read the scriptures for themselves. Men and women who have been born again and have the Holy Spirit within them (probably not such a great number today) can read the Bible, get guidance and use their discernment as to what is right and what is not and if their Church is really doing God's work or not.

More importantly with this great gift of being able to read the scriptures, comes greater responsibility. We cannot claim ignorance when the Church goes off the rails and we continue to condone those actions by silence or by continuing membership in a Church that no longer follows the commands of Christ; or is more concerned about its status within the state, than its status with God.

So these days, I don't see many Church leaders as being true representatives of Christ or God, but many rather being state sponsored interlopers who have interjected themselves for the advantage of state or self-centered policy.

So where are the true apostles, the true workmen, those who are truly dedicated, not to their respective nations, racial groups, or social-cultural subsets, but rather are dedicated to God, Christ Jesus and his work? How did Jude put this most important theme? Contending, not for the state, but for the faith.

Beloved, while I was giving
all diligence to write unto you
of our common salvation,
I was constrained to write unto you
exhorting you to contend earnestly
for the faith which was once for
all delivered unto the saints.
(Jude 1:3 - ASV)

These are times when there are various ways some men within the Church are departing from the faith, the basic and fundamental faith delivered to us by the Apostles. Not just on points of doctrine, but I think also in fundamental priorities. Serving God, Christ and spreading the true gospel as delivered by the Apostles, living righteous and humble lives - these things should be priority number one. But since the days of Ancient Rome, those priorities have been slowly eclipsed by the things of this world. In short, I just think too many Churchmen are in love with this world, rather than the Kingdom of Heaven.

Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh
and the lust of the eyes
and the vainglory of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof:
 but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever.
(1 John 2:15-17 - ASV)

So where do I think the real root of many of these schisms come from? Men who have other priorities than Christ. Often, they just want more power for themselves or more of this world's pomp, wealth and glory.

So brothers, I write this piece today so that we are not shocked at many of the schisms that are taking place within the Church. In the end, there will be two groups - those that serve Christ and do his will and commandments and those that do not. The name 'Church' won't mean a thing. There will be Saint's and Ain'ts. Let you and I make sure we are Saint's because only the Saints are going into the Kingdom.

The others, ain't.

Blessed are they that wash their robes,
that they may have the right to come to the tree of life,
and may enter in by the gates into the city.
Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers,
and the fornicators, and the murderers,
and the idolaters, and every one that loveth
and maketh a lie.
(Revelation 22:14-15 - ASV)

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Seal Number Three

And when he opened the third seal,
I heard the third living creature saying,
Come. And I saw, and behold, a black horse;
and he that sat thereon had a balance
in his hand. And I heard as it were
a voice in the midst of the four
living creatures saying,
A measure of wheat for a shilling,
and three measures of barley for a shilling;
and the oil and the wine hurt thou not.
(Revelation 6:5-6 - ASV)

God's grace and peace be upon you all who are reading this and who truly serve the Lord.

I am sure you have all been following the news and consequently. I will not burden you with repeating what you already or should already know. Things have not yet gone, but seem on a very serious trajectory to spinning out of control.

But let us look at the above passage. We see what is in store for the world when the seven seals are opened. What is listed above is the opening of the 3^rd seal. Now before I begin I am not at all saying that this seal has been opened. What I am saying is that sky high food prices will be a key factor in the last days.

Let us look at a couple of things here. First the color of the horse is Black. This color is often used to signify calamity (see Lamentations 5:10; Jeremiah 14:2; Ezekiel 32:7, etc). Clearly what is going on is a major famine and it probably is the direct result of the previous seals/horses - conquest and war. Again, it is not my intention to impute this passage to events now transpiring, but I suspect we are close enough to those seals being opened up that we need to take note of what saith the scriptures for the last days.

The prophetic imagery above shows that food is being measured. This may very well indicate some kind of food rationing (a balance). People only get one quart of wheat for a days wage. What about the other necessities of life? Exactly... what about them how can people get by when all they earn just goes for food? This is a time of bare sustenance existence. Something has happened to make this come to pass and the order of the seals indicates (but does not necessarily prove) it is war.

I have been scanning articles on the web and come away with a real concern being echoed in the world's power centers for not just a serious rise in the price of key agricultural commodities (wheat, fertilizer, etc) but also that this kind of price rise could lead to unrest and perhaps even a new spate of turmoil in poorer nations by a genuinely angry populace seeking enough to eat at prices they can reasonably afford.

I have been reading about how some US farmers are scrambling for fertilizer. The fertilizer issue existed before the current crisis and now will only worsen. Do your own news searches on the topic and see what you find.

Things are not good right now on the food front... this before the current crisis. Head on over to the Food Security Cluster and read their reports on Haiti, Yemen, etc. Go over to the Famine Early Warning System and read about the situation in Ethiopia and parts of Nigeria, to name a couple.

This is nothing many of you don't already know. Food prices are going to rise unless some solution is found and I don't see one on the horizon; not even close. This will deeply effect the poorest and most vulnerable. Famine in Afghanistan? Well, perhaps not yet, but there are warnings about it. The UN Secretary General told the world recently that millions are still at risk in Afghanistan, according to news reports. Thanks to donors, a catastrophe was averted, but the deeper problems remain and will surely rear their head once again soon.

Also on the food and famine front is a warning no one should ignore. The chairman of one European chemical company warned the west what could very well happen to the German economy. Already, according to the articles I read, that company has already reduced the production of fertilizer. This is not a good thing. He warned of an economic catastrophe and compared it to the end of WW2.

Brothers and sisters, these are some difficult times and this crisis is going to cause a lot of problems all over the world. Many of those problems may be things that hit people out of the blue. They just won't realize how much their jobs and livelihoods are going to be vulnerable to the economic backlash heading their way. It could get very ugly, particularly in Europe. Think about things like Diesel. Most trucks use it. How does food get from A to B? I will tell you. Trucks. I read a story recently that talks about the possibility of rationing diesel fuel. This could be devastating on jobs, production and yes food distribution.

Well, all I can say is this. We need to keep our eyes open on this whole affair. Things have been bad in some parts of the world, but look to worsen considerably. For we who live in the US, it is not time to hit the 'panic button', but for those who live in places around the world already food insecure... well, let us pray accordingly.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I think God has been most patient over many long years as the western world continued its spiritual and moral descent and mostly for the sake of his many saints who live within those borders. I don't think he will sit still much longer without some kind of real chastisement; Covid-19 being I think a preliminary kind of attention getter for the world. This is why I think we saints who live in these times and within the US and west need to make sure that we are doing what God would have us do, so that our names are written down in that book of remembrance (see Malachi 3:16) I mentioned the other day (for insiders) - so that the Angel of the Lord, who bears the Lord's sword and shield can protect us from those who would do us harm. We do not know what the Lord has planned for the US, Russia, Ukraine; Eastern and Western Europe or the rest of the world. But the 'sin meter' and 'wickedness scales' in many places are reading into the red zone, so let us be wise and take heed.

Brothers, what this nation needs is a spiritual awakening, followed by sincere repentance. But I don't see that happening until the discomfort level rises most significantly in the US. Yes, we as a nation need to repent. I read a little piece over at the Christian Post about John Perkins, the Christian minister and Civil Rights activist - he has a message for America. You may want to check it out.

God bless and keep you all in Christ!

Brother Mark

FYI - We will probably continue our look at the Book of Job, later this month, God willing!.


Note: These are opinions and comments often based on fast moving events. Things change and so can the information as well as the basic narrative. Please make allowances for inadvertent errors, omissions and/or a basic change in the facts as presented in the major and alternative media on which these comments are based.

Additionally, this is not any kind of professional medical, investment, financial or any other kind of advice and should not be construed as or acted upon as such.
 

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Wicked Counsel

Moreover the Spirit lifted me up,
and brought me unto the east gate
of Jehovah's house, which looketh eastward:
and behold, at the door of the gate
five and twenty men; and I saw in the midst
 of them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur,
and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah,
princes of the people.

And he said unto me, Son of man,
these are the men that devise iniquity,
and that give wicked counsel in this city; that say,
The time is not near to build houses: this city is the caldron,
and we are the flesh.

(Ezekiel 11:1-3 - ASV)

The prophets were having a hard time getting the people to believe and prepare for what God had in store for them. Some of the reasons for this were false prophets and evil counselors among the people. The prophets were saying one thing and the evil advisors; those who carried what we will call 'the Devil's narrative', said another. People by and large, when they are in a reprobate spiritual state, listen to the devil. This passage is very interesting as it is part of a larger vision of Ezekiel's vision of the Glory of the Lord and the cherubim (chapter 10).

This word appears to be broadly addressed to the militarists in Israel, the super-patriots - the kind of folks who are always calling for war, if I can use a modern analogy. The idea seems to be that they believed that city was militarily impregnable and that God was with them... he would not let the city fall.

This was the opposite of what God's true prophets were warning the people. The reference to the caldron appears to be an oblique reference to what Jeremiah said in his prophecies (Jeremiah 1:13). The idea was that like food that is boiled in a pot they would not leave the city until they died. These men may have seen themselves as we kind of now look back at the Alamo. But unlike the Alamo, these were people whom God had pronounced a weighty and most unpleasant judgment upon. They were going to build houses and live securely despite what the 'doom and gloom' prophets told them... or so they thought. Only unlike the movies, there would be no calvary charging in that will bring overall victory to the cause. God had other plans and he was going to carry them out.

Therefore prophesy against them,
prophesy, O son of man. And the Spirit
of Jehovah fell upon me,
and he said unto me, Speak,
Thus saith Jehovah: Thus have ye said,
O house of Israel; for I know the things
that come into your mind. Ye have multiplied
your slain in this city, and ye have
filled the streets thereof with the slain.
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah:
Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it,
they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron;
but ye shall be brought forth out of the midst of it.
Ye have feared the sword;
and I will bring the sword upon you,
saith the Lord Jehovah.
(Ezekiel 11:4-8 - ASV)

God had other plans for this wayward and wicked people. When God has had enough, he has had enough. They had their plans, but God knew them all. God calls them out over all the innocent people they killed; God's prophets they killed... God remembered. He was not going to forget... this was an outstanding 'account' that God was getting ready to collect upon... and as is noted in Chapter 10, this particular action was particularly noteworthy for the glory of the Lord had arrived on the scene. I just don't think the Israelite's knew just how angry God was with them, though he had warned them time and time again.

Have you ever been around someone who never listens and never learns? Who is so contrary they almost seem learning disabled? People whom it seems that the only way they ever seem to learn is when serious misfortune or near unendurable pain hits them? For example - you tell them over and over again to drive more carefully. They don't listen and then one day they are laid up in the hospital all cut up and may not ever walk again after an accident in which they were fully at fault. Ever known anyone like that? I have. Watching their behavior would make a good comedy movie were not the results of their hardheadedness often so tragic. They not only won't learn, they simply and stubbornly refuse to.

This was the state Israel was in. Warning was not going to help. God had sent enough of this prophets to warn them. So, God had a different school to send his people to - we will call it the school of the unholy sepulcher... the place where the spiritually unfit and the morally recalcitrant get taught their final lesson... that does not do them a bit of good after having 'learned' it - their 'diploma' is engraved on their headstone.

Would not listen
would not learn,
so my new instructor
is named the worm.

___

where their worm dieth not,
and the fire is not quenched.
(Mark 9:48 - ASV)

They were afraid of war. Well, now God has pronounced the judgment of war upon them. Brothers, war can be a horrible judgment. I was listening a bit last night about the last days of the Civil War and General's Sherman's march to the sea. In it the author recalls Sherman's words 'war is hell'. He is right and the longer quotations (easily found on the net) are most worthy of the read.  Wikiquotes has a page that can be found by searching on Letter To the City of Atlanta Sherman 1864 wikiquotes  and find that letter to Atlanta on that page.

Many people don't understand that, except via the images we see on TV, which often are very heavily censored. Solders, particularly those in the Army, Marines and Special Forces - who served in battle - they know what war is. Those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other unnamed places in combat... they know that war is nothing to be played with. They can tell you stories... if you can drag them out of them of friends who were standing next to them one minute cracking jokes and the next minute parts of them were scatted all over the battlefield. They can tell you of rape, people shrieking and groaning in pain with wounds that would make most people's stomach turn just looking at them; of murder, children running screaming for pain and loss... I could go on and on.

Today in the western world... this new generation... I don't think really understand this... not really. Far too many think war is a new show they can watch on cable news or a new video game and often don't factor in the enormous suffering war brings on others. In short, to them war... it is something that happens to other people. But when war comes close to home, it's a different story and this is what was getting ready to happen in Israel. Those who remained there could talk proud, make patriotic noises, beat their chests in defiance and arrogance, but war was coming and their defeat was guaranteed. So to anyone anywhere who is calling for war let me say this.... be careful what you wish for, you just may get it... right on your front doorstep and not live long enough to realize what a horrible mistake you made when calling for war in the first place. War is hell.

And I will bring you forth
out of the midst thereof,
and deliver you into the hands of strangers,
and will execute judgments among you.
(Ezekiel 11:9 - ASV)

They said they were in a 'cauldron'. Well God was going to pluck them right out of it and then execute judgment upon them for their sins. God knew their plans and their thoughts.

Ye shall fall by the sword;
I will judge you in the border of Israel;
and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.
This city shall not be your caldron,
neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof;
I will judge you in the border of Israel;
and ye shall know that I am Jehovah:
for ye have not walked in my statutes,
neither have ye executed mine ordinances,
but have done after the ordinances
of the nations that are round about you.
(Ezekiel 11:10-12 - ASV)

These words are self explanatory. They had their plans, and God had his. They refused to walk in the way God commanded when he gave Israel the land, so now it was time for them to be ejected from it. They refused to listen to God and his prophets and instead followed after the ways of the heathen.

And it came to pass,
when I prophesied, that Pelatiah
the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down
upon my face, and cried with a loud voice,
and said, Ah Lord Jehovah!
wilt thou make a full end
of the remnant of Israel?
(Ezekiel 11:13 - ASV)

Pelatiah, was mentioned in verse one above. He was one of the ones this was directed at. As his personal name was mentioned, he was probably one of the more prominent leaders. While Ezekiel was prophesying, Pelatiah drops dead. Even Ezekiel is moved by this sudden death. When God want's to drive a message home this is one way he does it (see Acts 5:1ff). We can see that Ezekiel is not one of those people itching for judgment to fall on his people; just the opposite, he seems to be a rather reluctant witness of God's words. We see this in Ezekiel 3:14.

So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away;
and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit;
and the hand of Jehovah
was strong upon me.
(Ezekiel 3:14 - ASV)

Some commentators think that Ezekiel was angry as he shared the Lord's displeasure with Israel. I don't think that is the way this passage is meant to be understood at all. I think Dr. John Gill in his commentary (Dr. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible) gets it right when he says Ezekiel was angry to have been given this job and have to go and give all of these horrible prophesies to Israel. Ezekiel had to know what often happens to God's prophets. Nevertheless, God was dealing with Ezekiel powerfully and he went... he was hot with anger about having to do this job... but he went.

We will leave this passage off for now.

What is God telling us in this passage? That pride, arrogance, good military defenses and patriotism are no replacement for getting and staying right with God. Israel may have had a good military, good fortifications and high morale, but that wasn't going to help them with the battles that were coming. They were going to be fighting both the enemy and God, who was siding against Israel. Israel was spiritually defenseless and she was going down. She was like a man in the ocean who was encumbered with the weights of wickedness and cement of sin trying to wade ashore. They aren't going anywhere but to the bottom.

Anyone who wants to forget about God should beware, he may one day forget about you. just when you need him most!

You cannot fool or trick God. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Let no nation, church or person think that they can get away with long term recalcitrant sin, particularly after they have been warned and warned again about it. Such an entity is living on borrowed time...

... and those 'interest payments' on sin and evil can indeed add up substantially.

Let we who know our God remember to whom we belong and to mind the business of our God and his Kingdom. Doing this will keep us from becoming entangled with deceptions and troubles that beset the kingdoms of this world. Let us also be careful about who we take advice from be we President or a prisoner; a banker or a truck driver. Let us all be wise in whom we seek advice or counsel.

FYI: This piece was written on January 25^th of this year and posted for insiders on that day.

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Hewn Down

This theme of cutting down those tree's that did not bear good fruit to God is echoed by both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:19).

This is a hard word. It's something that we Christians in our age need to chew on because such words are not the typical 'baby milk' that is fed in many Churches today. God demands fruit from his trees. He cares for them, tends them and makes sure they have what they need to grow.

But he expects something in return. Fruit. This was the theme that Christ made clear in the Gospel of Luke in a parable.

And he said unto the vinedresser,
Behold, these three years I come
seeking fruit on this fig tree,
 and find none: cut it down;
why doth it also cumber the ground?
And he answering saith unto him,
Lord, let it alone this year also,
till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
and if it bear fruit thenceforth,
well; but if not,
thou shalt cut it down.
(Luke 13:7-9 - ASV)

The vinedresser here is acting as a kind of priest or intermediary for this unfruitful tree. He is trying to save it from becoming firewood in the masters hearth. So he asks the owner to wait just a little longer, he is going to try one more thing...

Now brothers, when I look at what is happening in many of the modern Churches in the west and some of the craziness, sinfulness; the divisions, the unscriptural doctrines being taught, the controversies and the worldliness, I cannot help but wonder how much longer God is going to put up with a tree that is not bearing much or any godly fruit. Something must be done. I read recently where a poll was taken and that said many Christians did not believe in the Holy Spirit. Now how can you be saved and not know who the Holy Spirit is? It's work is essential in the act and process of Salvation. Yet we have large numbers of Christians who are clueless about it at best or don't believe in it at worst! These people really think they are saved. Well, that is like saying one can drive a car and not know what a steering wheel is! Today, there is less and less sound, Biblically based doctrines in our Churches... and these views on the Holy Spirit are very dangerous. Why? To blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is the one unpardonable sin (Mark 3:29). You cannot blaspheme against anyone but God. These so-called Christians really need to understand some of the very basics of Christianity and clearly, many simply don't.

Many of you are not going to like what I say here, but I think one of the greatest obstacles to getting people saved, truly saved is many of the Churches - or rather much of the corporate (administrative and legal structures of the) Church. I say that because so many of them say the right words (though today that is not so true), when it comes to salvation, but they just don't live it. One of the things that kind of sent me off the rails of my walk with Christ when I was younger was the way Christians acted and behaved and the consistent mistreatment I got from other so-called Christians. I was really on fire for God and when I pulled back the 'curtain' and saw what was really going on, I became very disillusioned and were it not for God recalling me many years later, I would have certainly lost my soul.

My point is that one can be wayward for only so long and then comes the time of decision - repent or the ax will fall - individually and collectively (the Church).

I think this is a major spiritual issue right now - the state of the Church and I would not be surprised if God and his holy angels and counselors have not been discussing this issue with increasing regularity and concern. I suspect he has as it regards western Christendom.

I am reminded of an exchange the Lord had with the religious leaders of his day, the Pharisees and scribes. They had become a hindrance to people getting saved. They were in the way.

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! because ye shut
the kingdom of heaven against men:
for ye enter not in yourselves,
neither suffer ye them
that are entering in to enter.
(Matthew 23:13 - ASV)

These were the religious leaders of Christ's time. They claimed to be speaking for God. But they weren't. Christ had a long list of sins, crimes and spiritual omissions for these religious hypocrites and told them in plain simple language, that they were children of hell (Matthew 23:15). Christ was not talking to the pagans of ancient Rome or the worshipers of Baal, but to the religious leaders of his own time and nation. They were a big, big problem; thinking they had a map to heaven when in actuality, had a chart to hell. They were on that road and took those who listened to them there as well.

My deep concern is that this is pretty much where much (though certainly not all) of American, yes even western Christendom is at right now. That God is not pleased with the trends in the churches, not pleased with the lack of fruit that is coming off the tree.

My point in writing this brief piece today is to say this. I think the time of separation in the Church is already underway. Those who hold to solid biblical teachings I think are or are in the process of moving out of Churches that refuse to teach sound doctrine and continue to walk stubbornly into great spiritual error. The problem is so many of the newer believers, the ones who have no real grounding in the word of God, these are like young saplings who could be in the gravest of danger from this phenomenon.

But God is most gracious. He is not wanting to destroy the Church. But that may mean that while he won't destroy it, he may very well chastise it and such chastisement may turn out to be quite severe, depending on where the Church is at, spiritually speaking. How God deals with different Churches is laid out for us in the book of Revelation, chapters two and three. Here is how those seven letters were prefaced.

I John, your brother
and partaker with you in the tribulation
and kingdom and patience which are in Jesus,
was in the isle that is called Patmos,
for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,
and I heard behind me a great voice,
as of a trumpet saying, What thou seest,
write in a book and send it to the seven churches:
unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna,
and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira,
and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia,
and unto Laodicea.
(Revelation 1:9-11 - ASV)

Each Church had its issues, some good and some not good. The Lord lays out what they are to do and what is ahead for them. So it is not wise for us to think that God is going to deal with all Churches, denominations and congregations in the same way. He won't. Each will have to deal with their own challenges, the consequences for their own sins and the reward for their own abundance of good fruit. God see's all, no one is going to pull the wool over the Lord's eyes.

But the real questions is at what point does a person, church, or denomination get itself hewn down? When does God cut down the unfruitful tree and pluck it up by the roots? That tree that did nothing but take up precious resources?

This is what he did with Israel. He got tired of their sins and of warning them about them. Finally he had had enough.

At what instant I shall speak
concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom,
to pluck up and to break down and to destroy it;
 if that nation, concerning which I have spoken,
turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil
that I thought to do unto them.
And at what instant I shall speak
concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom,
to build and to plant it; if they do that
which is evil in my sight, that they obey not my voice,
then I will repent of the good, wherewith
I said I would benefit them. Now therefore,
 speak to the men of Judah,
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold,
I frame evil against you, and devise
a device against you: return ye now
every one from his evil way,
and amend your ways and your doings.
(Jeremiah 18:7-11 - ASV)

God showed great patience with ancient Israel. As we also see, he showed the same kind of patience with the Church. Six times in the letters to the seven Churches Christ used the word repent to get them to change course (Revelation 2:5; 2:16; 2:21; 2:22; 3:3; and 3:19). I cannot help but wonder what the Lord would have an apostle write to the Churches of the west today - to the Lutheran, the Baptist, the Catholic, the Presbyterian, the Methodist, the Adventists and the Orthodox. What kinds of words of praise and rebuke would he have for them today?

I do not know, but I cannot help but wonder - have God's holy angels begun getting in line to get their tree axes sharpened?

Let us pray that if they are, we are not part of the field that that is targeted and that those who are targeted, fully understand the danger they are in so that they may repent before the ax hews down the tree. 

Let us also pray for the pastors across the western world that are doing right and have kept faith with God in spite of all the evil pressures from inside and outside of the Church that would lead them off course. That they may continue on preaching and teaching the word in ways that please our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That the sheep learn to turn their backs on false teachers and preachers and turn their faces towards God and sound doctrine as found in the scriptures.

In Praise of Humility