Archives for May 2014

So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith. 1 Chronicles 9:1 (ESV)

It was not by chance or misfortune that the people of Judah were taken in to exile in Babylon, the scriptures tell us there was a reason for it, namely they broke or violated their faith and relationship with God.

God is sovereign even over judgement, suffering and our discipline as his children. The devil has no real power of his own to do anything to Gods people because we belong to God and Satan is not God’s equal, God alone is sovereign, which means he has complete freedom and ability to perform all his holy will and maintains control over all his creation.

One of the things we can learn from this is that God’s creation, our lives and circumstances are all under Gods loving control and even exile like experiences are ordained by him for our good. In this sense the Devil and men in general become tools in God’s hands to accomplish his purposes, even if it is to discipline his people in love. See Ephesians 1:11, Romans 8:28 and 1 Timothy 1:20

besides their kinsmen, heads of their fathers’ houses, 1,760, mighty men for the work of the service of the house of God. 1 Chronicles 9:13 (ESV)

In the last two chapters we heard about men who were mighty warriors now we see those who are mighty in the service of the Lord in the house of God. As we work together in the body of Christ we must not have weak feeble hands, feet or minds (Hebrews 12:12-14).

We should be strong and bold in our work for the Lord. Acts 20:35 reminds us that we must work hard to help the weak. Colossians 1:10 reminds us that our work should bear good fruit. Galatians 6:9 reminds us to not grow weary in doing well.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the chief officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him. 1 Chronicles 9:20 (ESV)

We are reminded of Phinehas who was alive in the days of Moses, he had great zeal for God, he took a spear and ran through a man of Israel and a woman from the Baal cult who were in open rebellion against the Lord, his actions turned away God’s anger and for it God blessed him because he so zealously defended the Lord’s glory and name (Numbers 25:11).

This would again encourage the people to remember their heritage and would spur them on to be zealous for Gods Glory. We should be like Phinehas in our passion for Gods glory. See Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 3:13 and Philippians 3:12-13

all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days. 1 Chronicles 10:12 (ESV)

The Valiant men of Jabesh Gilead rose against the odds to retrieve the bodies of Saul and his sons, this is another example of today’s themes of loyalty to the Lord and zeal for the Lord leading us to work hard in faith. We can learn from their spirit and example.

So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13–14 (ESV)

The lesson we learn from Saul’s life is that we must remain faithful to God, we must remain loyal and we should seek the Lord for guidance. Saul’s unfaithfulness literally led him into witchcraft because as the bible says rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft as Samuel declared to Saul in 1 Samuel 15:23

Again we see evidence of Gods sovereignty, God killed Saul, God took the kingdom from him and God gave it to David. It makes no sense to rebel against God, he is the king of the universe, we should willingly submit to his guidance and passionately live for his glory. See 1 Corinthians 10:31

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 1 Timothy 5:20 (ESV)

Those who are called Christians but persist in open rebellion should be rebuked by the Elders / Pastors openly, for their own sake and the sake of the rest of the community.

All believers can learn from this principle that we should in the spirit of Phinehas, boldly confront and kill sin. Sin is a bold affront to God and his kingdom we should be bold in opposing it in our own lives and the wider church community.

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22 (ESV)

“Keep yourself pure” This is a very simple command but we should pause and mediaite on it today, we are called to purity. It is our responsibility to keep ourselves pure (consider the things we listen to, read, watch or think about)

The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. 1 Timothy 5:24–25 (ESV)

Things are not all ways as they appear, some sins are not apparent so someone may seem like they are walking right with God but they have sins which they think are hidden but they have gone on before them in the sense that although no one else knows, the consequence and rot of the sin will eventually manifest in the person’s life further down the line.

In the same regard some peoples good works are not obvious to all, they are done in secret and without announcement. All of this is why Paul warned Timothy not to ordain Elders quickly based on outward appearances.

Because of the nature of Sin and true good works we need the Holy Spirit to guide us in terms of appointing Elders or even working with someone in some type of ministry.

Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 1 Timothy 6:1 (ESV)

Those of us who work under a boss should do so in honour to the Lord. As Christians we should not be rebellious or disrespectful to those in authority over us.

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! Psalm 79:9 (ESV)

When we pray we should appeal to Gods own zeal and passion for his own glory and name

and Beriah and Shema (they were heads of fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who caused the inhabitants of Gath to flee); 1 Chronicles 8:13 (ESV)

The writer of these chronicles has an underlying purpose to encourage the readers by reminding them of their past with God.

Judah and Benjamin receive special attention as the royal tribes and Saul’s family later receive even more focused attention, reminding the people that they once had a king and kingdom and they should look to the restoration of the kingdom (Acts 1:16).

One of the ways this is done is by retelling the difficulties some key families in Benjamin overcame to bolster morale and trust in God. These difficulties include the deportation of Ehud (8:6) Shaharaim’s divorce (8:8), Saul’s failed kingship (8:33) and the memory of the brave warriors who were cut off (8:40).

Despite all these difficulties we see anecdotes like this verse reminding us that God will help his people overcome adversity and if he did it in the past we can have hope for the future. Romans 8:17 Reminds us we are called to adversity and to joy in God.

These were the heads of fathers’ houses, according to their generations, chief men. These lived in Jerusalem.1 Chronicles 8:28 (ESV)

The short note regarding the Benjamites having lived in Jerusalem is another way of reminding the Jews who have come out of exile that Jerusalem was once theirs before Judah became a province of the Persian Empire.

This small note again points to the hope of the writer and the people for full restoration as prophesied in Jeremiah 33:15 and Amos 9:11.

The chroniclers efforts to remind and bolster morale for the rebuilding of Jerusalem is used by God to encourage the people as we read in Ezra 1:5 and Nehemiah 11:4.

Jesus fulfilled both of these prophecies as mentioned in Matthew 2:2, Luke 1:32, Luke 19:38 and John 1:49. We will see their final completion at his second coming.

So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 1 Timothy 5:14 (ESV)

The Oxford dictionary tells us that egalitarianism is “the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities”

There is truth in this but our culture has taken this belief to such and extreme that it has resulted in absurdity (feminism, same sex marriage etc) and threatens the very fabric of society.

Paul’s command for younger widows reflects the biblical normal expectation for all young women, that they marry, have children and keep their homes well.

Despite the western worlds disregard for gender roles and biblical models for the family we must not give in to the spirit of the age but stand as a bulwark against it.

We must embrace biblical complementarianism (men and women have distinct but complementary roles, equivalent rater than equal).

We are called to show the world what true womanhood looks like, we should encourage and support our young women in this as the culture tells them to sacrifice these things for careers and personal goals.

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV)

We should honour and respect our Elders in particular our Pastors who labour in teaching and preaching the word to us. Give God thanks for Pastor Dennis and Rev Taylor today.

With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. Psalm 78:72 (ESV)

God is the great shepherd of Israel, this psalm shows how he delivered them and led them to the holy land he chose (54) and despite their rebellion he redeemed them and chose David his servant (70). The Lord is our Shepherd too and now we have King Jesus in place of King David.

The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, namely of Tola, mighty warriors of their generations, their number in the days of David being 22,600. 1 Chronicles 7:2 (ESV)

These genealogies are not just lists of names, these were recorded when the children of Israel returned from exile and serve as a call to a unified kingdom.

The tribes mentioned here are from the north of Israel, however the chronicler was from the Southern kingdom which is another indication that unity and oneness is being appealed to.

Another important note for this section is the numerous mentions of the amount of “mighty warriors” each tribe had.

As God’s people, from various cultures, times, locations and denomination we too are called to be one and to serve as mighty warriors in the army of our king Jesus Christ. See John 17:20-23 and 2 Timothy 2:3-4

His daughter was Sheerah, who built both Lower and Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah. 1 Chronicles 7:24 (ESV)

There is a biblical sort of inclusiveness in this passage, this is seen in the additional details and side notes. For example in verse 14 an Aramean (another nation) is mentioned and here the exploits of a woman (some cultures treat women as 2nd class) named Sheerah is noted.

This points to God’s heart for the purpose of Israel from the beginning, not that they would be an exclusive closed group but that they would be the light of the world and a blessing to all nations.

The calling on God’s covenant people Israel is also on God’s “new covenant” people the church (Jews and Gentiles). We are called to be a light in the world and a blessing to all people.

Jesus did not just die for one type of people but for all types from every nation, tribe and tongue and he died for both men and woman. We are called to finish the mission by proclaiming the good news to all people. See all nations around the throne in Revelation 5:9–10 and 7:9–10

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 1 Timothy 5:1–2 (ESV)

Paul’s instructions to the young Pastor Timothy is connected to the biblical inclusiveness we observed in our OT reading.

The church is a family and we should treat each other with the love and respect that family deserves. We should respect and honour older men and women as if they were our own mum or dad and we should encourage, work with and walk alongside the younger men and women as if were actually our brothers and sisters.

Jesus said in Mark 3:31–35 that his true family was not limited to his physical mum and siblings but spiritually to all believers who obey him.

Paul gives a note of warning, knowing the tricks of the enemy to take these loving family like relationships in the church and turning them into a cause of temptation and stumbling. In Timothy’s case this was in regards to the young women.

We should love and treat each other like family, with pure motives and intentions.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV)

The fact that the church is a spiritual family does not take away from the fact that we have actual families with real spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings and children.

We have a biblical calling to provide for our own families. Our families should not suffer so we can “minister in the church” as we read earlier in this letter, things should be in order at home before we turn to work in the church.

The church should be a reflection of the healthy and loving “real life” family relationships in Christ. The Gnostics who taught that the spiritual was all that mattered would have favoured the spiritual family at the neglect of the real family.

God wants us (particularly men) to provide for our families through loving hard work. Our faith is so rooted in real life and God’s wonderful physical creation that Paul boldly declares that a man who does not provide for his family is worst than an unbeliever. Our self centred western culture needs to hear / see this today.

But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. Psalm 78:36–37 (ESV)

We must keep guard over our hearts that we are not just paying God lip service. We had a wonderful service yesterday morning where Pastor Dennis preached from this psalm and led us in true repentance before God.

This is what God wants from us, hearts that are faithful to him and his covenant, if we do not make our hearts steadfast towards the Lord then our repentance will become mere lip service.

Thank God for his Holy Spirit who helps to make our hearts strong for God and thank him for the covenant of his word which we can focus on as we walk in true repentance.

He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels. Psalm 78:49 (ESV)

It is good to remember that God has given some of his Angels special ministries. As we pray we can ask God to even send a company of destroying angels to defeat the enemy

These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. 1 Chronicles 6:31–32 (ESV)

Ministry in song through Praise and worship was a large part of life in Israel for God’s covenant people and even the biblical accounts of Heaven we see the large role singing and praise plays.

Singing praises and worship should be a large part of our lives too. We should give thanks for those who like these priests lead us in praise and worship when we come together. See Colossians 3:16

and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, 1 Chronicles 6:39 (ESV)

Asaph was the great writer of many Psalms like David

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

Although much of this passage is really aimed at those in leadership, there is a theme tat we can all benefit from.

We should exercise our spirits by practising goodliness, we should have our hope in God our saviour and so we should work hard. Above all ensure we are not distracted by silly myths, instead we should keep a close eye on the teaching we receive, ensuring it is sound and that we apply it to our lives.

Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. Psalm 78:25 (ESV)

The people always called this Manna (what is it), but God had told them it was bread and reminds us here that it was the bread of the angels.

Jesus said of himself in John 6:58 “This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”