Praise God, Bless the King

Saturday 2020.12.05

Reading from Luke Chapter 19.

Praise God. Bless the King.

When the Lord Iesou rode on a colt into Jerusalem, the multitude of disciples 

- spread their garments on the road for him (19:36)

- rejoiced and praised *God* with a loud voice (19:37)

- saying, "Blessed is the *King* that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." (19:38)

Note that while the disciples spread garments on the road for the Lord Iesou and his colt to ride over, while they blessed him as the King that comes in the name of the Lord, they did NOT praise nor worship him.

Instead, they praised God, the God of our Lord Iesou, the God in whose Name our Lord and King comes into Jerusalem.

Luke 19:36 - 38 ASV

36 And as he went, they spread their garments in the way.

37 And as he was now drawing nigh, even at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen;

38 saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

You shall release all debts in the Seventh Year

Saturday 2020.12.05

Reading from Deuteronomy Chapter 15 

You shall release all debts in the seventh year. In this way, there shall not be a poor person in your midst (15:4).

Then, the Lord will bless you, "then thou shalt lend to many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee." (15:5)

Lend to your brother, even if you know he can't pay you back, even if the seventh year, the year of release is around the corner.

"Thou shalt surely open hands to thy poor brother . . . " (15:11)

Deuteronomy 15:1 - 11 LXX

1. Every seven years thou shalt make a release. 

2 And this is the ordinance of the release: thou shalt remit every private debt which thy neighbour owes thee, and thou shalt not ask payment of it from thy brother; for it has been called a release to the Lord thy God. 

3 Of a stranger thou shalt ask again whatsoever he has of thine, but to thy brother thou shalt remit his debt to thee. 

4 For thus there shall not be a poor person in the midst of thee, for the Lord thy God will surely bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God gives thee by inheritance, that thou shouldest inherit it.

5 And if ye shall indeed hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, to keep and do all these commandments, as many as I charge thee this day, 

6 (for the Lord thy God has blessed thee in the way of which he spoke to thee,) then thou shalt lend to many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee.

7 And if there shall be in the midst of thee a poor man of thy brethren in one of thy cities in the land, which the Lord thy God gives thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, neither shalt thou by any means close up thine hand from thy brother who is in want. 

8 Thou shalt surely open thine hands to him, and shalt lend to him as much as he wants according to his need. 

9 Take heed to thyself that there be not a secret thing in thine heart, an iniquity, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, draws nigh; and thine eye shall be evil to thy brother that is in want, and thou shalt not give to him, and he shall cry against thee to the Lord, and there shall be great sin in thee. 

10 Thou shalt surely give to him, and thou shalt lend him as much as he wants, according as he is in need; and thou shalt not grudge in thine heart as thou givest to him, because on this account the Lord thy God will bless thee in all thy works, and in all things on which thou shalt lay thine hand. 

11 For the poor shall not fail off thy land, therefore I charge thee to do this thing, saying, Thou shalt surely open thine hands to thy poor brother, and to him that is distressed upon thy land.

Amen, Faithful, True Witness, Head of God's Creation

Monday 2020.11.23

Reading from Revelations Chapter 2 and 3

"The Amen, the Faithful, the True Witness, the Head of God's Creation."

The many Titles of the Lord Iesou the Anointed One as recorded in the letters to the Seven Churches:

• He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. (Rev 2:1, Ephesus)
• The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life. (Rev 2:8, Smyrna)
• He who has the sharp two-edged sword. (Rev 2:12, Pergamum)
• The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass. (Rev 2:18, Thyatira)
• He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars. (Rev 3:1, Sardis)
• He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and that shuts and no one opens. (Rev3:7, Philadelphia)
• The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God`s creation. (Rev 3:14, Laodicea)

Titles of God, Titles of Iesous

Monday 2020.11.16

Reading from Revelations Chapter 1

The Titles of God and of the Lord Iesou: a contrast and a comparison

In Rev 1:8, we read that:

The Lord God is 

- the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End (the start and the finish of Creation)

- who is, who was and who is to come (eternal)

- the Almighty (no one is greater than Him)

In Rev 1:17b, 18, we read

The Lord Iesou is

- the first and the last (of God's Creation) (N.B. Iesou is not the Beginning and the End)

- the Living One (he was raised by God from the dead on the third day) 

- alive forevermore (never to die again) (N.B. Iesou is not the one who is, who was, who is to come)

The Lord Iesou has

- the keys of Death and of Hades (given authority over death by God, see Matthew 28:18, "All authority") (N.B. Iesou is not the Almighty)

Revelations 1:8 WEB

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Revelations 1:13, 17b, 18 WEB

13 And in the midst of the lampstands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.

. . . 

17 . . . "Don`t be afraid. I am the first and the last,

18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

A Benediction and A Doxology

Monday 2020.11.16

Reading from Revelations Chapter 1

A Benediction and A Doxology.

(1) A benediction for the disciples

John blesses the readers with this benediction:

- Grace to you.

- And Peace:

- - From God, who is , who was, who is to come

- - From the Seven Spirits before the Throne of God

- - From Iesou the Anointed, the faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, ruler of the kings of the earth.

Revelations 1:4 - 5 WEB

4 Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;

5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. 

(2) A doxology to the Lord Iesou the Anointed One:

- Iesou the Anointed, 

- - the faithful witness

- - the firstborn of the dead

- - the ruler of the kings of the earth

- To Iesou, 

- - who loves us,

- - and washed us from our sins by his blood

- - and made us to be a kingdom,

- - priests to his God and Father,

- To Iesou be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Such a doxology is rare in the New Testament.

Revelations 1:5 - 6 WEB

5 Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;

6 and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Did tragedy befall them because they had done evil?

Sunday 2020.11.15

Reading from Luke Chapter 13 ASV

Did tragedy befall these people because they had done evil? 

No. If you don't repent, you shall ALL likewise perish . . .

Luke 13: 1-15 ASV

1 Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things?

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

The two "And then . . . "

Sunday 2020.09.13

Reading from Mark Chapter 13 ASV

The two "And then . . . "

Mark 13:5 - 13 Wars and rumours of wars, persecution and betrayal, earthquakes, famine, gospel preached to all nations.

Mark 13:14 - 23 Tribulation, begins with the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be (v 14), never has been, never will be, false Christs, false prophets, their signs and wonders lead many astray

Mark 13:24 - 27 AFTER the tribulation, sun and moon darkened, stars fall from the heavens, powers in heaven shaken, 

The two "and then":

Mark 13:26

"AND THEN shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory."

Mark 13:27

"AND THEN shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."

Conclusion

The two "and then" in todays passage tells us that the return of our Lord Iesou the Anointed One will take place only 

- after a time of wars, persecution, earthquakes and famine, gospel preached to all nations

- followed by the great tribulation when false Christs and false prophets lead many astray

- which is followed by the sun and moon darkened, the stars falling from the skies, the shaking of the powers in heavenly places.

The Rejected Stone

Thursday 2020.09.10

Reading from Acts chapters 3 and 4 (KJV)

The Rejected Stone.

After the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1 - 16), the priests, the captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees (who did not believe in resurrection), were upset about Peter and John preaching the resurrection of the Lord Iesou (Acts 4:2).

They detained Peter and John, and on the next day, the rulers, elders and scribes, and Annas the high priest along with his family, were gathered in Jerusalem to interrogate them, asking, 

"By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (Acts 4:5 - 7)

Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, answered them, that the lame man at the Beautiful Gate was healed by the name (authority) of the Lord Iesou the Anointed "whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead . . ." (Acts 4:10). He went on to quote a well known verse from Psalm 118, likening the Lord Iesou to a stone rejected by builders, which had become the corner stone.

Acts 4:11 KJV

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Psalm 118:22 KJV

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

This verse is also quoted in three of the four Gospels, as well as in two Epistles,

Matthew 21:42 KJV

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Mark 12:10 KJV

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

Luke 20:17 KJV

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Ephesians 2:19, 20 KJV

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

1 Pet 2:7 KJV

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

God of Patience, God of Hope, God of Peace

Wednesday 2020.08.26

Reading from Romans Chapter 15

God of Patience, God of Hope, God of Peace

It is interesting to note that the Apostle mentioned three attributes of God, "even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 15:6b), in three distinct verses placed roughly at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the chapter, as follows:

Romans 15:5 KJV

Now the *God of patience* and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Romans 15:13 KJV

Now the *God of hope* fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:33 KJV

Now the *God of peace* be with you all. Amen.

Firstly, our God is the God of Patience. Let us ask Him to grant us likemindedness towards one another in the fellowship of the body of His Anointed One.

Secondly, our God is the God of Hope. Let us ask Him for the power of His Holy Spirit, that we may be abound in hope.

And finally, our God is the God of Peace. May His presence be with us always, that we may have peace.

Stand before the Anointed, Kneel before God.

Monday 2020.08.24

Reading from Romans Chapter 14

Stand before the Anointed, Kneel before God.

One day we shall all stand before the judgment seat of the Anointed One, to be judged.

And on that day, every knee shall bow before God. That is, we shall all kneel before God our Father in Heaven. And every tongue (or language) shall confess to God, the God and Father of our Lord Iesou the Anointed.

This is how we shall give account of ourselves to God.

Romans 14:10 - 12 KJV

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Isaiah 45:23 KJV

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 45:23 - 25 LXX

By myself I swear, righteousness shall surely proceed out of my mouth; my words shall not be frustrated; that to me every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall swear by God, 24 saying, Righteousness and glory shall come to him: and all that remove them from their borders shall be ashamed. 25 By the Lord shall they be justified, and in God shall all the seed of the children of Israel be glorified.

Fulfilling the Law with one commandment

Monday 2020.08.24

Reading from Romans Chapter 13

Fulfilling the Law with one commandment.

In verses 8 and 9 of Romans 13, the apostle teaches that we fulfill the Law by loving one another. He points out, for instance, that the Sixth to the Tenth Commandments, given in Exodus 20:13 - 17, can be simply understood in one saying, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself".

Romans 13:8, 9 KJV
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The saying, "You shall love one another" is a command given by Moses in Leviticus 19:18, and is taught by our Lord Iesou in Matthew 22:39 as the Second Greatest Commandment in the Law (the Greatest Commandment being, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." given in Deuteronomy 6:5 and 10:12).

In Matthew 22:40, our Lord Iesou states that all the Law and the teachings of the Prophets hang on these two Greatest Commandments.

See also Matthew 5:43; Matthew 19:19; Mark 12:31; Galatians 5:14; and James 2:8.

Looking deeper into the Ten Commandments

Tue 2020.08.11

Reading from Leviticus Chapter 19 LXX  *(to be augmented from old diary notes 28Sep-01Oct2005)

Deeper insight into the Ten Commandments, and beyond.

The Lord reiterated some of the Ten Commandments to Moses in this passage, beginning with the command, "Ye shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy", a verse quoted by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:16.

In this reiteration, the Fifth commandment, to revere father and mother, is stated before the Fourth, to keep the sabbaths. This appears to show that the Ten Commandments can be affirmed by the children of Israel in no particular order. (verse 3) (The Fourth Commandment is repeated later in verse 30).

This is followed by a reminder of the Second Commandment, to avoid following idols or making them. (verse 4)

After a brief section of reminder about how peace offerrings are to be sacrificed and eaten so as not to profane "the holy things" of the Lord, in verses 5 through 8, an elaboration is given in verses 9 and 10 about leaving the remnants of any grain that drops to the ground during harvest, or any grapes that are left remaining in the vineyard for the poor and the stranger (foreigner?) who are among them.

These commands in verses 9-10 to leave remnants of harvest for the poor and the aliens, along with a longer section of commands in verses 13-18 to avoid injuring, robbing or reviling the deaf, or making the blind stumble, acting unjustly in favour of the rich against the poor, dealing deceitfully, hating one's brother or taking revenge, or even be angry with anyone, is summed up in the last part of verse 18, 

" . . . and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am the Lord".

This command to love your neighbour as yourself, though not appearing as part of the Ten Commandments, is described by the Lord Iesou as the Second Greatest Commandment in the Torah of Moses in Matthew 22:39, and also in Mark 12:31.

An interesting verse to note in today's passage is Leviticus 19:11, where the Eighth Commandment, You shall not steal, is separated from the Ninth Commandment, You shall not bear false witness, by an apparently new command, You shall not lie.

I have often asked why lying is not mentioned in the Ten Commandments. Today, I found the answer here in this passage. By putting the command not to lie, just before the Ninth Commandment, not to bear false witness "as an informer against his neighbour", it is now clear to me that the Ninth Commandment does not limit itself to merely bearing false witness (which is a severe form of lying), but also includes all other forms of telling lies.

Finally Leviticus 19:12 elaborates on the meaning of the Third Commandment, You shall not take the Name of the Lord in vain. This is another question I have asked myself over the years, i.e. what does it mean not to take the Name of the Lord in vain? How does one take the Name of the Lord in vain? Verse 12 here tells us, " And ye shall not swear unjustly by my name, and ye shall not profane the holy name of your God: I am the Lord your God."

Yes swearing unjustly by the Name of God, profaning his name thereby, is taking His Name in vain.

In fact, our Lord Iesou teaches us in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:34 - 37, that we should not swear at all, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by Jerusalem, nor even by our own heads.

Today's passage in Leviticus chapter 19 gives us a deeper insight into the Ten Commandments, and points us to the Second Greatest Command of all in the Torah, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself".

Leviticus 19:1 - 18 LXX
1 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 Speak to the congregation of the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, Ye shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy.
3 Let every one of you reverence his father and his mother; and ye shall keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.
4 Ye shall not follow idols, and ye shall not make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God.
5 And if ye will sacrifice a peace-offering to the Lord, ye shall offer it acceptable from yourselves.
6 In what day soever ye shall sacrifice it, it shall be eaten; and on the following day, and if any of it should be left till the third day, it shall be thoroughly burnt with fire.
7 And if it should be at all eaten on the third day, it is unfit for sacrifice: it shall not be accepted.
8 And he that eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the holy things of the Lord; and the souls that eat it shall be destroyed from among their people.
9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, ye shall not complete the reaping of your field with exactness, and thou shalt not gather that which falls from thy reaping.
10 And thou shalt not go over the gathering of thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the remaining grapes of thy vineyard: thou shalt leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God.
11 Ye shall not steal, ye shall not lie, neither shall one bear false witness as an informer against his neighbour.
12 And ye shall not swear unjustly by my name, and ye shall not profane the holy name of your God: I am the Lord your God.
13 Thou shalt not injure thy neighbour, neither do thou rob him, neither shall the wages of thy hireling remain with thee until the morning.
14 Thou shalt not revile the deaf, neither shalt thou put a stumbling-block in the way of the blind; and thou shalt fear the Lord thy God: I am the Lord your God.
15 Thou shalt not act unjustly in judgment: thou shalt not accept the person of the poor, nor admire the person of the mighty; with justice shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
16 Thou shalt not walk deceitfully among thy people; thou shalt not rise up against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord your God.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, so thou shalt not bear sin on his account.
18 And thy hand shall not avenge thee; and thou shalt not be angry with the children of thy people; and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am the Lord.

Matthew 5: 34 - 37 KJV
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

It is in your hands . . . again

Sun 2020.08.02

Reading from Matthew Chapter 18 ASV, see also Job 31:1

About two weeks ago, I wrote briefly on the teachings of our Lord Iesou, from Matthew Chapter 5, entitled "Eyes over evil, Hands over heart", where I observed that sin is committed by our hands and our eyes, among other parts of our body, and that in order to stop committing sin, it is necessary to turn our hands, and our eyes, away from temptation.

Today, thirteen chapters later, I see the same teaching being commanded again by our Lord.

It's in your hands . . . again

Just as our Lord commanded in His Sermon on the Mount earlier, he commands his disciples again here in chapter 18, that if their hand, or foot, or eyes cause them to sin, in this case "to stumble", or to be "that man" through whom the occasion of stumbling comes (verse 7), then they should cut those limbs off, if they have to.

Christians often attribute sin, or yielding to temptation, as a form of weakness, a lack of self-control, something that comes from our strong desires, our lusts, something in our thoughts, in our hearts and minds. In fact, the Epistle general of James does tell us that when we're tempted, we're being drawn away and enticed by our desires, our lusts.

James 1:14 ASV
but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed

This morning, however, I read both here in Matthew 18 and the earlier passage in Matthew 5, that we should turn our attention away from our lusts and desires, and instead pay attention to the parts of our body that causes us to commit sin, our hands, and our feet, and our eyes, among others.

It is our hands, feet and eyes that actually cause us to stumble. We should, as it were, cut off our hands or feet, and even pluck out eye and throw it away, if it were so necessary!

As an example of turning our eyes away from looking lustfully at that which tempts us, we can follow the example of Job,  who said in Job 31:1 ASV, "I made a covenant with mine eyes; How then should I look upon a virgin?"

Yes, dear Brothers and Sisters, let us make a covenant with our hands not to reach out to commit sin. Let us make a covenant with our feet, not to turn aside from the path of righteousness. And let us make a covenant with our eyes, not to look lustfully at that which is sinful in the sight of God.

Fighting temptation, it is all in our hands .

Matthew 18:7 - 10 ASV
7 Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!
8 And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.
9 And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.
10 See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:29 - 30 ASV
29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.

A few questions to ponder over

Fri 2020.07.24

Reading from 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 KJV

This morning, I ponder over a few Questions from verses 2, 4, and 9 of this chapter of First Corinthians:

1. How were the children baptised unto Moses "in the cloud and in the sea"?
2. How was that Rock, from which the children of Israel drank, the Anointed One, the Christos?
3. How did the children of Israel tempt the Anointed One?

1 Corinthians 10:2,4,9 KJV
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Run, not uncertainly; Fight, not beating the air

Fri 2020.07.24

Reading from 1 Corinthians Chapter 9 KJV

Run, not as uncertainly. Fight, not as one that beateth the air.

What kind of running, and what sort of fighting is the Apostle writing about in verses 24 to 27 here?

In verse 24 he likens the Christian life to an athletic race where only the fastest will receive the prize. In writing this, the Apostle is calling the believers in Corinth to do their utmost, to live a life that will make themselves worthy of the fastest in a race.

In verse 25 the Apostle gives another analogy, that of striving for mastery in the believer's life. Those who strive to be the best, to master an athletic event, to be the champion, must be "temperate", i.e. self-controlled in all things. They who strive to be masters in this world do so for corruptible rewards, but the believers in Iesou the Anointed do it for an incorruptible crown.

This call to lead a life of self-control is reiterated in verse 27 where the Apostle writes of himself, "I keep under my body, and bring it to subjection", as much as he preaches to others.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us do our utmost to run this race, to strive for mastery by a of self-control, to keep our bodies under subjection, that we may win that incorruptible crown at the end of our sojourn in this world.

Let us run, not as uncertainly, but with single-minded perseverance to obtain the only prize ahead of us. Let us fight, not as one beating the air, but with self-control, as one who recognises the enemy working through our bodies.

1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27 KJV
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

God will likewise raise us

Mon 2020.07.20

Reading from 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 KJV

Only God alone can raise us from the dead.

Just as God raised our Lord Iesou from the dead, God will likewise raise us up from death, "by His own power".

1 Corinthians 6:14 KJV
And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

Anointing, and the anointed

Mon 2020.07.20

Reading from Exodus Chapter 40 WEB

Anointing an item sets an item or a person apart as holy to the Lord. It is an act of sanctification. The Tent of Meeting and all its furniture, the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels and the basin were all sanctified by anointing them with oil. Likewise, Aaron and his sons were anointed and sanctified thereby.

Furthermore, for Aaron and his sons, Exodus 40:15 tells us that their anointing is to set them apart for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

This is why the Lord Iesou the Anointed One is also called the Holy One of God.

Exodus 40:9 - 15 WEB
9 You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tent, and all that is in it, and shall *make it holy*, and all its furniture: and it will be holy.
10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar will be *most holy*.
11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and *sanctify it*.
12 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tent of meeting, and shall wash them with water.
13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall *anoint him*, and *sanctify him*, that he may minister to me in the priest`s office.
14 You shall bring his sons, and put coats on them.
15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest`s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

Reviled, persecuted, defamed

Fri 2020.07.17

Reading from 1 Corinthians Chapter 4 KJV

Reviled, persecuted, defamed: Living as fools, for the sake of the Anointed One.

The Apostle tells the Corinthian brethren that he and his co-workers live like fools for the sake of the Lord, the Anointed One. Besides having to endure hunger, thirst and beaten, and having no place to stay in, they were also being reviled, persecuted and defamed by others without fighting back.

What did they do instead?

They blessed those who reviled them, tolerated those who persecuted them and entreated those who defamed them. The Bible in Basic English renders verses 12 and 13 in this way, "when they give us curses we give blessings, when we undergo punishment we take it quietly; When evil things are said about us we give gentle answers . . ."

Such is the reality of living as fools for the sake of our Lord in this world.

1 Corinthians 4:10 - 13 KJV

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

Compare this passage with the words of our Lord the Anointed One in His Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:11 - 12 ASV

11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

Matthew 5:38 - 41 ASV

38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.

All that had wisdom

Wednesday 2020.07.15

Exodus Chapter 36

The work of manufacturing and constructing the Tabernacle and the vestments of Aaron was not only carried out by Beseleel and Eliab, but was also assisted by "all that had wisdom, to whom God gave knowledge in their heart, and all who were freely willing to come forward to the works, to perform them." (Exodus 36:2)

Exodus 36:1,2 LXX

1 And Beseleel wrought, and Eliab and every one wise in understanding, to whom was given wisdom and knowledge, to understand to do all the works according to the holy offices, according to all things which the Lord appointed. 

2 And Moses called Beseleel and Eliab, and all that had wisdom, to whom God gave knowledge in their heart, and all who were freely willing to come forward to the works, to perform them.

Eyes over evil, hands over heart

Wednesday 2020.07.15

Reading from Matthew Chapter 5

Eyes over evil, Hands over heart: It's all in your body.

Our Lord Iesou teaches us in this passage that when a man looks at a woman to lust after her, it is not so much his lust, nor his desires, nor his attraction towards the woman, that causes him to stumble. Instead, it is his eyes. It is that part of his body that he uses to look that leads him into sin. The man who faces such a temptation must deal with this part of his body, namely his eyes.

In other words, he must stop looking at that which is tempting him.

"Pluck it out, and cast it from thee . . . " says the Lord of your right eye, if you have to.

Likewise, if there is a sin that you commit with your hands, you must deal with this part of your body. You must stop using your hands to commit sin. Just as you turn your eyes away from the temptation of looking, you must also turn your hands away from the temptation of doing.

"Cut it off, and cast it from thee . . . " says the Lord of your right hand, if you have to.

Matthew 5:27 - 30 ASV

27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if *thy right eye* causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.

30 And if *thy right hand* causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.

Who is this adversary?

Wednesday 2020.07.15

Reading from Matthew Chapter 5 ASV

What does the Lord mean by "agree with your adversary quickly"?

What was the Lord talking about when he mentioned the adversary, the judge, the office and finally imprisonment? An imprisonment from which you will not be released until you have paid your adversary "the last farthing"?

The adversary in question may probably be a creditor who has come to collect the debt that you owe him. The teaching that you should agree with "thine adversary" can mean that you should settle your debt with your creditor and not enter into a dispute with him. Otherwise he may drag you to court and the judge may sentence you to debtor's prison. Hence the words in verse 36 saying that you will by no means be released until you have paid the last farthing.

Matthew 5:25 - 26 ASV

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.

An example of the "adversary" being a creditor to whom one owes a debt, is seen in the Lord's parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew chapter 18, who grabbed a fellow servant friend by the throat, and threw him into prison for failing to pay just a small debt of a hundred shillings, ignoring his plea for more time to pay up.

Matthew 18:28 - 30 ASV

28 But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest.

29 So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, today's passages remind us to live at peace with others as far as possible, to pay up our debts, and not wait until we are hauled to court by our "adversary".

A Prayer after morning chores are done

Our Father in Heaven,
the God and Father of your Holy Servant,
the Lord Iesou the Anointed One,
Blessed be Your Name, and Blessed are You
for you have provided us all we need,
in sufficiency and in abundance.

Thank you for the enabling me to complete this morning's tasks
of washing the car and the backyard.
Thank you also for the equipment and opportunity
to practise music on stringed instruments.

Help me, I pray,
to understand your Holy Scriptures
as I read them at this morning's devotion.
And grant me wisdom,
from such understanding,
to discern between right and wrong
in all that I do today.

Protect my children,
and my grandchildren,
from harm and illness,
and provide them all that they need in the coming days,
sufficiently.

Grant them a broad space
to do their work successfully
and give them favour
in the sight of their employers and their colleagues.

In the Name of our Lord Iesou the Anointed One
we ask of Thee our Heavenly Father.

Amein and Amein.

A Prayer at Morning Devotion.

Our Father who is in Heaven,
Creator Almighty,
O God and Father of our Lord Iesou your Anointed One,

Blessed are You,
and Blessed be Your Name,
For you have granted me this computer for writing,
and this set of sound equipment for music practice,
and have given to me this family.

And You have kept us
and guarded us in safety,
in sufficiency
and in good health all these years.

We give you thanks through our Lord Iesou,
your Holy Servant.

Grant me your wisdom
in understanding these passages,
and grant me the power
to keep the lessons so learnt in mind
throughout the day.

Amen and Amen.

Face-to-face, yet not His face

Mon 2020.07.13
Reading from Exodus Chapter 33 LXX

This chapter of the book of Exodus is somewhat puzzling from a cursory reading of the expression "face to face" in verse 11, in contrast and apparent contradiction to "Thou shalt not be able to see My Face" in verse 20.

With a little pondering over the passage, however, one can gain a better understanding of how Moses met with the Lord at the door of the Tabernacle.

In verse 9, we notice that the pillar of cloud (the same pillar of cloud that accompanied the children of Israel since they departed Egypt and crossed the Red Sea) stood at the door of the Tabernacle. This means that the presence of God was in that cloud, and it was through that cloud that the Lord spoke to Moses, as it were, "face to face".

In other words, Moses did not see the Face of God literally. Instead God spoke to him, as one speaking to a friend (verse 11), through the pillar of cloud at the door of the Tabernacle.

It was because Moses did not see the face of God literally, that he asked God to reveal Himself to him in verse 13. ". . . that I may evidently see Thee", he said to God, to which God replied in verse 20, "Thou shalt not be able to see my face".

Exodus 33:9 - 11 LXX
9 And when Moses entered into the tabernacle, the pillar of the cloud descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and God talked to Moses.
10 And all the people saw the pillar of the cloud standing by the door of the tabernacle, and all the people stood and worshipped every one at the door of his tent.
11 And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as if one should speak to his friend; and he retired into the camp: but his servant Joshua the son of Naue, a young man, departed not forth from the tabernacle.

Exodus 33:13 LXX
If then I have found favour in thy sight, reveal thyself to me, that I may evidently see thee; that I may find favour in thy sight, and that I may know that this great nation is thy people.

Exodus 33:18 - 23 LXX
18 And Moses says, Manifest thyself to me.
19 And God said, I will pass by before thee with my glory, and I will call by my name, the Lord, before thee; and ✡ I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and will have pity on whom I will have pity.
20 And God said, *Thou shalt not be able to see my face*; for no man shall see my face, and live.
21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me: thou shalt stand upon the rock;
22 and when my glory shall pass by, then I will put thee into a hole of the rock; and I will cover thee over with my hand, until I shall have passed by.
23 And I will remove my hand, and *then shalt thou see my back parts*; but my face shall not appear to thee.

Keeping the Sabbath: a final reminder to Moses

Saturday 2020.07.11
Reading from Exodus Chapters 16, 20 and 31 LXX Brenton.

The Sabbath was first explained by Moses to the people of Israel at the beginning of their wandering in the wilderness of Sinai, when they were gathering manna in Exodus 16:23 - 30. It was then given to Moses as fourth of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20: 8 - 11.

Later, in Exodus chapter 31, a stern final reminder was given to Moses, before God gave him the two tables of testimony, engraved by the finger of God, that His people must keep the holy Sabbath. This reminder is accompanied by a warning that anyone who does work on the Sabbath "that soul shall be destroyed from the midst of his people" (Exodus 31:14), and a reiteration that it is a perpetual covenant between God and the children of Israel (Exodus 31:17).

Having received such a stern reminder from God, Moses went on to remind the children of Israel about taking pains to keep the Sabbath, in Exodus 35:1,2, before making announcements to them on taking offerings of raw materials for the construction of the Tabernacle and for the vestment of Aaron the High Priest.

Exodus 16:23 - 30 LXX
23 And Moses said to them, Is not this the word which the Lord spoke? To-morrow is the sabbath, a holy rest to the Lord: bake that ye will bake, and seethe that ye will seethe, and all that is over leave to be laid by for the morrow.
24 And they left of it till the morning, as Moses commanded them; and it stank not, neither was there a worm in it.
25 And Moses said, Eat that to-day, for to-day is a sabbath to the Lord: it shall not be found in the plain.
26 Six days ye shall gather it, and on the seventh day is a sabbath, for there shall be none on that day.
27 And it came to pass on the seventh day that some of the people went forth to gather, and found none.
28 And the Lord said to Moses, How long are ye unwilling to hearken to my commands and my law?
29 See, for the Lord has given you this day as the sabbath, therefore he has given you on the sixth day the bread of two days: ye shall sit each of you in your houses; let no one go forth from his place on the seventh day.
30 And the people kept sabbath on the seventh day.

Exodus 20:8 - 11 LXX
8 Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.
9 Six days thou shalt labour, and shalt perform all thy work.
10 But on the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God; on it thou shalt do no work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy servant nor thy maidservant, thine ox nor thine ass, nor any cattle of thine, nor the stranger that sojourns with thee.
11 For in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, and the sea and all things in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

Exodus 31:12 - 18 LXX
12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
13 Do thou also charge the children of Israel, saying, Take heed and keep my sabbaths; for they are a sign with me and among you throughout your generations, that ye may know that I am the Lord that sanctifies you.
14 And ye shall keep the sabbaths, because this is holy to the Lord for you; he that profanes it shall surely be put to death: every one who shall do a work on it, that soul shall be destroyed from the midst of his people.
15 Six days thou shalt do works, but the seventh day is the sabbath, a holy rest to the Lord; every one who shall do a work on the seventh day shall be put to death.
16 And the children of Israel shall keep the sabbaths, to observe them throughout their generations. 17 It is a perpetual covenant with me and the children of Israel, it is a perpetual sign with me; for in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, and on the seventh day he ceased, and rested.
18 And he gave to Moses when he left off speaking to him in mount Sina the two tables of testimony, tables of stone written upon with the finger of God.

Exodus 35:1, 2 LXX
And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said, These are the words which the Lord has spoken for you to do them.
2 Six days shalt thou perform works, but on the seventh day shall be rest—a holy sabbath—a rest for the Lord: every one that does work on it, let him die. 3 Ye shall not burn a fire in any of your dwellings on the sabbath-day; I am the Lord.

When God gives understanding

Saturday 2020.07.11
Reading from Exodus Chapters 25, 28, 31 LXX Brenton.

When God gives understanding.

In Exodus 28:3, Moses was commanded by the LORD to speak to those who have understanding, whom God has "filled with the spirit of wisdom and understanding" to make holy garments for Aaron to serve as the priest in the sanctuary.

Similarly, in Exodus 31:1 - 6, the LORD called Besalel ben Urias ben Or from the tribe of Juda, and filled him with "a divine spirit of wisdom, and understanding, and knowledge, to invent in every work" along with Eliab ben Ahisamach from the tribe of Dan, and to "every one understanding in heart I have given understanding" to make all the things that God has commanded Moses.

Subsequently, when making announcements to take offerings of raw materials from the children of Israel for the building of the Tabernacle and the manufacture of the vestments of Aaron the High Priest, Moses told them of this God-given spirit of wisdom in Besalel ben Urias ben Or, and in Eliab ben Ahisamach, in Exodus 35:30 - 35.

Whether it is understanding of how to make the holy garments for Aaron and his sons to serve the LORD as priests, comprising
- breast-plate,
- shoulder-piece,
- full-length robe,
- tunic with a fringe,
- tire,
- girdle;

. . .  out of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen (Exodus 28:3 - 5),

Or that of how to make out of gold, silver, brass, blue, purple, and spun scarlet, and stone and wood (Exodus 31:4,5),
- the tabernacle of witness,
- the ark of the covenant,
- the propitiatory that is upon it,
- the furniture of the tabernacle,
- the altars,
- the table and all its furniture,
- the pure candlestick and all its furniture,
- the laver and its base,
- and Aaron's robes of ministry, and the robes of his sons (as written in Exodus 28:4,5 above),
- and the anointing oil and the compound incense of the sanctuary;

. . . "according to all that I have commanded thee shall they make them." (Exodus 31:7 - 11),

all such understanding is given by the LORD. This kind of understanding is described as an understanding "in heart" (Exodus 31:6)

Without such God-given understanding, none of the above can be made according to all that God has commanded Moses, and according to the pattern that God has shown to Moses on the mountain (Exodus 25:9, 40)

Exodus 25:9, 40 LXX
9 And thou shalt make for me according to all things which I shew thee in the mountain; even the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all its furniture: so shalt thou make it.
40  See, thou shalt make them ✡ according to the pattern shewed thee in the mount.

Exodus 28:3 LXX
And speak thou to all those who are wise in understanding, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom and perception; and they shall make the holy apparel of Aaron for the sanctuary, in which apparel he shall minister to me as priest.

Exodus 31:1 - 6 LXX
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 Behold, I have called by name Beseleel the son of Urias the son of Or, of the tribe of Juda.
3 And I have filled him with a divine spirit of wisdom, and understanding, and knowledge, to invent in every work,
4 and to frame works, to labour in gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple, and spun scarlet,
5 and works in stone, and for artificers' work in wood, to work at all works.
6 And I have *appointed him and Eliab the son of Achisamach of the tribe of Dan, and to every one understanding in heart I have given understanding; and they shall †make all things as many as I have appointed thee

Exodus 35:30 - 35 LXX
30 And Moses said to the children of Israel, Behold, God has called by name Beseleel the son of Urias the son of Or, of the tribe of Juda,
31 and has filled him with a divine spirit of wisdom and understanding, and knowledge of all things,
32 to labour ††skilfully in all works of cunning workmanship, to form the gold and the silver and the brass,
33 and to work in stone, and to fashion the wood, and to work in every work of wisdom.
34 And God gave improvement in understanding both to him, and to Eliab the son of Achisamach of the tribe of Dan.
35 And God filled them with wisdom, understanding and perception, to understand to work all the works of the sanctuary, and to weave the woven and embroidered work with scarlet and fine linen, to do all work of curious workmanship and embroidery.

We believe, therefore we speak

Monday 2020.07.06
Reading from 2 Corinthians Chapter 4, ASV

Do you believe? And have you spoken?

The Apostle told the Corinthian brethren that he believed (in the Anointed One) and therefore he spoke, despite often being "delivered unto death for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:11). He went on to state that "we" also believe, and therefore we shall also speak out our belief.

2 Corinthians 4:13, 14 ASV
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak;
14 knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you.

What is your odour?

Saturday 2020.07.04
Reading from 2 Corinthians 2, J.N. Darby's version.

Are you an odour of life or or death?
The Apostle wrote in verses 14 to 17 that, in every place they went, God made manifest the "odour of His knowledge" through them. He went on to explain that this odour was a sweet odour of the Anointed One to God. However, this odour of the knowledge of God is an odour of death to some (who do not believe) while it is an odour of life to others who believe.

Finally in verse 18, the Apostle states that this odour of knowledge of the Anointed One, this word of God, is made manifest in sincerity, not for trade or for profit.

2 Corinthians 2:14 - 17 JND
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in the Christ, and makes manifest the *odour of his knowledge* through us in every place.
15 For we are a *sweet odour of Christ* to God, in the saved and in those that perish:
16 to the one an *odour from death* unto death, but to the others an *odour from life* unto life; and who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we do not, as the many, make a trade of the word of God; but as *of sincerity*, but as of God, before God, we speak in Christ.

Did you know that Joshua was on the mountain too?

Saturday 2020.07.04
Reading from Exodus Chapter 24

It is noteworthy that Joshua, who was Moses' attendant, was the only one who accompanied Moses up "into" the mountain of Sinai (v13, 14), although it was Moses alone who entered the midst of the cloud that descended on the mountain, and stayed therein for forty days and forty nights (v18).

It is also significant to note that although Joshua's name wasn't mentioned initially in v1 when the LORD commanded Moses to go up the mountain together with Aaron, Nadab, and Abiud, along with seventy elders of Israel, it was Joshua, and not any other person, who was eventually allowed to accompany Moses up to the cloud-covered mountain.

Likewise, subsequently in Exodus 33:11, when the Lord spoke to Moses at the Tabernacle which was set up outside the camp of the Israelites, it is written that Joshua was also there with Moses, and he did not depart from the Tabernacle.

Exodus 24:1 LXX
And to Moses he said, Go up to the Lord, thou and Aaron and Nadab and Abiud, and seventy of the elders of Israel: . . .

Exodus 24:13, 14 LXX
13 And Moses rose up and *Joshua* his attendant, and they went up into the mount of God.
14 And to the elders they said, Rest there till we return to you; and behold, Aaron and Or are with you: if any man have a cause to be tried, let them go to them. And *Moses and Joshua* went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.

Exodus 24:18 LXX
And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and went up to the mountain, and was there in the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 33:11 LXX
And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as if one should speak to his friend; and he retired into the camp: but his servant Joshua the son of Naue, a young man, departed not forth from the tabernacle.

If you will indeed hear my voice

Saturday 2020.07.04
Reading from Exodus Chapter 23

After charging them to hearken to His Angel, who bears the Name of YHWH, the LORD promised to make the children of Israel a peculiar people above all other nations on earth, and that Israel will be a royal priesthood and a holy nation to the LORD.

Exodus 23:22 LXX
If ye will indeed hear my voice, and if thou wilt do all the things I shall charge thee with, and keep my covenant, ye shall be to me a peculiar people above all nations, for the whole earth is mine; and ye shall be to me a royal priesthood, and a holy nation: these words shall ye speak to the children of Israel, If ye shall indeed hear my voice, and do all the things I shall tell thee, I will be an enemy to thine enemies, and an adversary to thine adversaries.

Note that the the words, "If ye will indeed hear my voice . . ." at the beginning of verse 22 is equivalent to "hearken to him, and disobey him not . . ." (referring to the Angel of the LORD) earlier in verse 21, another instance showing that the Angel of the LORD is an agent of the LORD himself, such that hearkening to the Angel is equivalent to listening to the voice of the LORD himself.

cf 1 Peter 2:9 JND
But *ye* are a chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye might set forth the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness to his wonderful light;

Hearken to the Angel of the LORD

Saturday 2020.07.04
Reading from Exodus Chapter 23

After giving the commandments to keep the Three Pilgrimage Festivals of Pesach (15-21/1), Shavuot (3/6) and Sukkot (15-21/7), in verses 14 to 19, the LORD commanded Israel to obey His Angel (often called the Angel of the LORD), who will bring them into the promised land, because "My Name is on him", says the LORD.

This is often described as the Agency of God by some, where the presence of the Angel of the LORD is to be regarded as the presence of the LORD himself.

Visit this link for a more detailed commentary:
https://onegodworship.com/the-principle-of-agency-in-the-old-testament/

Exodus 23:20 - 21 LXX
20 And, behold, I send my angel before thy face, that he may keep thee in the
  way, that he may bring thee into the land which I have prepared for thee.
21 Take heed to thyself and hearken to him, and disobey him not; for he will
  not give way to thee, *for my name is on him*

A peculiar people above all nations

Wednesday 2020.07.01
Reading from Exodus Chapter 19 LXX

Hear the voice of the LORD, keep His covenant, and you shall be to Him
- a special people,
- above all nations (Gentiles)
- a royal priesthood (priests belonging to a King, Messiah)
- a holy nation, set apart from the world.

Exodus 19:5,6 LXX
5 And now if ye will indeed hear my voice, and keep my covenant, ye shall be to me a peculiar people above all nations; for the whole earth is mine.
6 And ye shall be to me a royal priesthood and a holy nation: these words shalt thou speak to the children of Israel.

This verse is quoted in 1 Peter 2:9 KJV

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

What really matters is the Love of God

Wednesday 2020.07.01
Reading from Galatians Chapters 5 and 6, Weymouth New Testament.

Is Circumcision of males the cause of stumbling?
Only faith, through love, and a new man matters.

Galatians 5:6, 11 WNT
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of
 any importance; *but only faith* working through love.
11 As for me, brethren, if I am still a preacher of circumcision,
  how is it that I am still suffering persecution? In that case the
  Cross has ceased to be a stumbling-block!

Galatians 6:15 WNT
For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any importance;
 *but only a renewed nature*.

In the fulness of time, God sent forth . . .

Wednesday 2020.07.01
Reading from Galatians Chapter 4

In the fulness of time, God sent forth . . .
The expression " sent forth" strongly indicates that the Son of God, and His Spirit, were already in the presence of God before that. They pre-existed the sending forth. The birth of the Son of God, being born from a woman, under the Torah of God, was the means by which God sent forth His Son to the world.

- His Son v4
- - made of a woman, made under the Law
- - to redeem those who were under the Law
- - to grant us adoption as His sons.

- the Spirit of His Son v5
- - to enable us to cry call upon Abba, our Father

Galatians 4:4 - 7 KJV
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God *sent forth* his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath *sent forth* the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Qualities of a Captain

Tuesday 2020.06.30
Reading Exodus Chapter 18 LXX

Jothor (Jethro) father-in-law of Moses, advised Moses in verses 19 - 24 to appoint a hierarchy of captains of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens, to delegate to them the responsibility of judging smaller or lighter cases of disputes brought by the large number of people everyday. Only matters that are too burdensome for these captains to handle were to be brought to Moses.

These captains must be carefully selected from men who were
- able
- fearing God
- righteous
- hating pride

Compare with the many qualities required of a bishop, described in 1 Timothy 3:1 - 4 KJV
- blameless
- husband of one wife
- vigilant
- sober
- of good behaviour
- given to hospitality
- apt to teach
- not given to wine
- no striker
- not greedy of filthy lucre
- patient
- not a brawler
- not covetous
- ruleth well his own house

(see also similar qualities required of deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8 - 13)

Anyone who is appointed to bear responsibilities of exercising judgment or overseeing the assembly of believers must be carefully examined before being selected.

Did Christos give gifts or receive gifts?

Sunday 2020.06.28
Reading Ephesians Chapter 4

In Ephesians 4:7,8 the Apostle quoted from Psalm 68:18 and wrote,

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of
 the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
 captive, and *gave gifts* unto men.

However, neither KJV (Masoretic based) nor even LXX, that is so often
quoted in the NT, renders Psalm 68:18 in this way, that is,
"gave gifts to men". Instead, this verse is rendered "received gifts",
thus contradicting the Apostle's assertion in Ephesians 4:7 that God has
 given every one of us his grace according to the measure of the gift
of Christ.

see Psalm 68:18 LXX
Thou art gone up on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast
 *received gifts* for man, yea, for they were rebellious, that thou
 mightest dwell among them.

see Psalm 68:18 KJV (based on Masoretic text)
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast
 *received gifts* for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD
 God might dwell among them.

Instead, it is the Peshitta, the Aramaic text that renders Psalm 68:18
in the same way as Ephesians 4:7,

Psalm 68:18 Aramaic Bible in Plain English
You have ascended on high and you have captured captivity and you have
 *given gifts* to the children of men and rebels will not dwell before God.

It is evident that the Apostle was familiar with the Aramaic text of the Old
Testament when he wrote the epistle to the Ephesians.

The Apostle went on to elaborate about these gifts in Ephesians 4:11, 12

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
 some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
 edifying of the body of Christ:

Put away lying, speak every man the truth to his neighbour

Sunday 2020.06.28
Reading from the Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 4.

The Apostle's exhortation to the Ephesian brethren to put away all lying, and to speak truthfully to one another, in verse 25 is a reference to the words of  Zecharian 8:16.

Ephesians 4:25 KJV
Wherefore putting away lying, *speak every man truth with his neighbour*: for we are members one of another.

Zecharian 8:16 LXX
These are the things which ye shall do; *speak truth every one with his neighbour*;  judge truth and peaceable judgement in your gates:

Zechariah 8:16 KJV
These are the things that ye shall do; *Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour*; execute the judgement of truth and peace in your gates:

Six things God has done for us in Christos

Ephesians 1:3 - 10

A closer look at verses 3 - 6

Coming up:
A more detailed look at verses 7 - 11

The Ten Plagues in Egypt

Saturday 2020.06.27
The ten plagues in Egypt:

First     :  Blood    Exodus 7:20
Second :  Frogs    Exodus 8:6
Third    :  Lice     Exodus 8:17
Fourth  :  Flies    Exodus 8:24
Fifth     : Cattle died Exodus 9:6
Sixth    :  Sores    Exodus  9:10
Seventh  : Hail    Exodus  9:23
Eighth   :  Locusts  Exodus 10:13
Ninth     :  Darkness Exodus 10:22
Tenth     :  Death of first-born Exodus 12:29

A circumcision made without hands

Tuesday 2020.06.23
Reading Colossians Chapter 2.

In the Anointed One, we (the men) are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands. Our sins of the flesh are put off by the circumcision of the Anointed One.

(Weymouth's translation puts it as "we threw off our sinful nature in true Christian circumcision.")

Colossians 2:10 - 12 KJV
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11 WNT
In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, when you threw off your sinful nature in true Christian circumcision;

I AM the Being

Tuesday 2020.06.23
Reading from Exodus Chapter 3 LXX (Brenton)

"I am THE BEING" said the Lord to Moses in the LXX, when Moses asked for His Name.

cf "I am that I AM" in versions translated from the Masoretic texts.

Exodus 3:14 LXX
And God spoke to Moses, saying, I am THE BEING; and he said, Thus shall ye say to the children of Israel, THE BEING has sent me to you.

The heavenly origin of Iesous Christos

Monday 2020.06.22
Reading from Colossians Chapter 1.

The origin of Iesou the Son of God,

 - he is the image of God
 - he is the firstborn of every creature
 - all things in heaven and on earth were created by (through?) him
 - all things visible and invisible, thrones and dominions
   principalities and powers, were created by him and for him.
 - he is before all things,
 - all things consist (held together) by him.

Colossians 1:16 - 17 KJV
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
  are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
  dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
  by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

cf Colossians 2:9 KJV
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

For what the Thessalonian brethren were well known?

Sunday 2020.06.21
Reading from 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1.

What were the Thessalonian church well-known for, in Macedonia
and Achaia, and the surrounding regions?

 - turning from idols to serve the living and true God,
 - to wait for God's Son from Heaven,
 - - - whom God raised from the dead,
 - - - even Iesous, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 1:8 - 10 KJV
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

The Prayer for the Thessalonian brethren

Sunday 2020.06.21
The Apostle Paul's prayer for the Thessalonian brethren, recorded in the Epistle of 1 Thessalonians Chapter 3, asked God, and our Lord Iesous, for the following:

- to direct the apostles' way to them
- to make them increase and abound in love
- - - toward one another,
- - - and toward all men
- to the end that their hearts may be established without blame,
- - - in holiness before God our Father
- - - at the coming of our Lord Iesou Christou
- - - with all his saints.


1 Thessalonians 3:11 - 13 KJV
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way
  unto you.
12 And *the Lord* make you to increase and abound in love one toward another,
  and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God,
  even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

The Expectation of Nations - a prince from Judah's descendants

Saturday 2020.06.20
Reading from Genesis Chapter 49 LXX

Jacob's prophecy, uttered in his last words to each of his sons in Genesis chapter 49, that a prince shall be from Judah's descendants. This prince shall be the "expectation of nations" (Nations mean gentiles?), who will wash his garment in wine, the blood of the grape (as symbolised the Last Supper, where the wine is the Blood of the New Covenant).

Genesis 49:10 - 12 LXX
10 A ruler shall not fail from Juda, nor a prince from his loins,
until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the
expectation of nations.
11 Binding his foal to the vine, and the foal of his ass to the branch of it,
he shall wash his robe in wine, and his garment in the blood of the grape.
12 His eyes shall be more cheering than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

Remain in the things which you have learnt

Tuesday 2020.06.16
Reading from 2 Timothy Chapter 3

The apostle tells Timothy to remain in the things which he had learned.

What were those things?

They were the "sacred writings" which were able to make Timothy wise to salvation, through faith, which is in Christou Iesou.

2 Timothy 3:14 - 17 WEB
14 But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.
15 From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
16 Every scripture inspired by God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely to every good work.

The Law was made for the Lawless

Tuesday 2020.06.16

What did the Apostle mean when he wrote that the Law of God is not made for the righteous man, but instead for the lawless and the disobedient?

1 Timothy 1:8 - 10 KJV

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man,
  but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for
  sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and
  murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind,
  for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there
  be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Illustration:

During the recent pandemic lockdown, the government's constant reminder, and continual enforcement of Standard Operations Procedures, which some people view as too petty, rigid and even unnecessary, is because there are among us many who do not take precautions to maintain social distance, and to take precautions on their own. These are the people who, unless they are restrained by SOPs, would throw caution to the wind and cause infections to continue to spread without control.

Thus, one can say that the SOP is not made for the "righteous" people among us who spontaneously take social distance precautions, but instead, they are made for those "disobedient" people who are reckless and obstinate, who observe SOPs only on pain of being fined or charged in court.

In the same way, we can also say that the Law of Moses, while being "holy, just, and good" (Romans 7:12), is similarly made for those who are breakers and offenders of the Law, for those who are lawless, ungodly, and unholy, that they may be judged for their disobedience.

Romans 7:12 KJV
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

The Lord knows those who belong to Him

Tuesday 2020.06.16
Reading from 2 Timothy Chapter 2, KJV

Very often we talk about knowing God. Today, in 2 Timothy 2:19, the apostle quotes two verses from the book of Numbers that talk about God knowing us who belong to him, and reminds us to depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Numbers 16:5, 26 LXX
5 And he spoke to Core and all his assembly, saying, God has visited and *known those that are his* and who are holy, and has brought them to himself; and whom he has chosen for himself, he has brought to himself
26 And he (Moses) spoke to the congregation, saying, Separate yourselves from the tents of these stubborn men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, lest ye be consumed with them in all their sin.

(The KJV, based on the Masoretic texts, does not have "knoweth them that are his")

Numbers 16:5, 26 KJV
5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow *the LORD will show who are his*, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

The wages of Jacob

Saturday, 2020.06.13
Reading Genesis Chapter 31, from the LXX Septuagint (Brenton)

In the LXX, Laban changed the wages of Jacob for "the ten lambs", rather than ten times as is commonly translated in the Masoretic texts.

But what ten lambs was Jacob referring to?

Genesis 31:7, 41 LXX
7  But your father deceived me, and changed my wages for the ten lambs, yet God gave him not power to hurt me.
41 These twenty years have I been in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years among thy sheep, and thou didst falsely rate my wages for ten lambs.

Covenant sprinkled by blood

Thursday, 2020.06.11
Reading Hebrews Chapter 9.

Every Covenant of God is enforced by sprinkling of blood.

Hebrews 9:19 - 20 NIV
19 When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the
   blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and
   sprinkled the scroll and all the people.
20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”

cf Exodus 24:7 - 8 NIV
7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded,
  “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”
8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood
  of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

cf Exodus 24:7 - 8 LXX
   And he took the book of the covenant and read it in the ears of the people, and
   they said, All things whatsoever the Lord has spoken we will do and hearken
   therein. And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it upon the people, and said,
   Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you concerning all these words.

The silent prayer of Abraham's servant

Sunday, 2020.06.07
Reading from Genesis Chapter 24, LXX Septuagint (Brenton)

The prayer of Abraham's servant by the well in the city of Nahor, asking the Lord God to prosper his way. This is a pattern for us to follow, on how we should go about our endeavours in life.

Genesis 24:12 LXX
And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraam, prosper my way before me to day, and deal
mercifully with my master Abraam.

Note that Abraham's servant prayed silently in his heart. He was "speaking" in his mind.

Genesis 24:45 LXX
And it came to pass before I had done speaking in my mind, straightway Rebecca came forth,

The Heavenly Realm of the Son of God

Thursday, 20200604
Reading from the Epistle General to the Hebrews, Chapters 1 and 2.

Today, I made some observations about the Heavenly Realm of the Gospel, recorded in Hebrews 1:1-6, that is seldom preached:

 - God made the ages through his Son
 - God has appointed his Son the heir of all things
 - The Son is the brightness of the Glory of God
 - The Son is the "impress of the subsistence" of God
 - The Son bears up all things by the saying of his might
 - After having made a cleansing of our sins, the Son sat down at the right
   hand of God the Greatest in the Highest
 - In this way, the Son has become much better than the messengers
 - And has inherited a more excellent name than they had
 - God has declared to His Son, "Thou art my Son - today I have begotten thee"
 - God has spoken about his messengers, "Let them bow before Him - all messengers of God"
 - In these last days, God has spoken to us through His Son.

This Heavenly Realm of the Gospel of Iesou the Son of God, sets the context for the Earthly Realm of the Gospel, recorded in Hebrews 2:5 - 9, as follows,

From the Heavens:

the Son through whom the ages was created,
who is the brightness of the Glory of God,
who is the impress subsistence of God,
who bears up all thing by the saying of his might,

On Earth,

The Son was then made a little less than angels,
Then was crowned with glory and honour by God,
and was set over the works of the Hands of God,
with all things put in subjection under The Son's feet,


see Hebrews 1:1 - 6 YLT
1 In many parts, and many ways, God of old having spoken to the fathers in the prophets,
2 in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He did make the ages;
3 who being the brightness of the glory, and the impress of His subsistence, bearing up also the all things by the saying of his might -- through himself having made a cleansing of our sins, sat down at the right hand of the greatness in the highest,
4 having become so much better than the messengers, as he did inherit a more excellent name than they.
5 For to which of the messengers said He ever, `My Son thou art -- I to-day have begotten thee?` and again, `I will be to him for a father, and he shall be to Me for a son?`
6 and when again He may bring in the first-born to the world, He saith, `And let them bow before him -- all messengers of God;

And in Hebrews 2:9 we see the affirmation that this Son is Iesou the Anointed One,
"and him who was made some little less than messengers we see -- Jesus -- because of
 the suffering of the death, with glory and honour having been crowned, that by the
 grace of God for every one he might taste of death."

Hebrews 2:5 - 9 YLT
5 For not to messengers did He subject the coming world, concerning which we speak,
6 and one in a certain place did testify fully, saying, `What is man, that Thou art mindful of him, or a son of man, that Thou dost look after him?
7 Thou didst make him some little less than messengers, with glory and honour Thou didst crown him, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands,
8 all things Thou didst put in subjection under his feet,` for in the subjecting to him the all things, nothing did He leave to him unsubjected, and now not yet do we see the all things subjected to him,
9 and him who was made some little less than messengers we see -- Jesus -- because of the suffering of the death, with glory and honour having been crowned, that by the grace of God for every one he might taste of death.

Lay up treasure for thyself against the day of necessity

Thursday, 2020.06.04
Reading from the apocrypha, the Book of Tobit:

On giving alms, whether from abundance or from little, to lay up treasure for future times of need.

1 Tobit 4:7 - 11 LXX
"Give alms of thy substance; and when thou givest alms, let not thine eye be envious, neither turn thy face from any poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee. If thou hast abundance give alms accordingly: if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little: For thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the day of necessity. Because that alms do deliver from death, and suffereth not to come into darkness. For alms is a good gift unto all that give it in the sight of the most High."

This is similar to the teaching in 2 Corinthians 9:6 - 8 YLT
6 And this: He who is sowing sparingly, sparingly also shall reap; and he who is sowing in blessings, in blessings also shall reap;
7 each one, according as he doth purpose in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for a cheerful giver doth God love,
8 and God is able all grace to cause to abound to you, that in every thing always all sufficiency having, ye may abound to every good work,

Abraham spoke to The Lord in the plains of Mamre

Wednesday, 2020.06.03
Continuation of observations from Genesis Chapter 18, LXX Septuagint (Brenton)

About "The Lord":

Abraham was visited by three men Genesis 18:1
But he spoke to only one of them, whom he called Lord Genesis 18:3
That man, Lord, conversed with Abraham about Sarah. Genesis 18:9 - 15

see Genesis 18:13 LXX
"And the Lord said to Abraam, Why is it that Sarrha has laughed in herself, saying, Shall I then indeed bear? but I am grown old."

However, after two* of men had departed for Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham was still
standing before the Lord (YHWH?). Genesis 18:22
And he proceeded to plead with the Lord not to destroy the righteous along with
the wicked in Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 18:22 - 33

*this can be seen in Genesis 19:1, where it is written,
"And the two angels came to Sodom at evening. . . ."

Conclusion:

Of the three men who visited Abraham's household in Genesis 18, one of them was the Angel of Adonai, the LORD, YHWH, (His agency). He was the one whom Abraham addressed as Lord. And he was the one who stayed behind with Abraham, when the two other angels went on to visit Lot's family in Sodom.

In Abraham shall all nations be blest

Tuesday, 2020.06.02
Reading from Genesis Chapter 18, LXX Septuagint (Brenton)

The Angel of the LORD, one of the three men who visited Abraham's home in the plains of Mamre, in pronouncing that Sarah will have a son in her old age, prophesied that Abraham will command his children to keep the way of the LORD, "to do justice and judgment", and thus the LORD will bring upon Abraham what He had spoken.

Genesis 18:18,19 LXX
But Abraam shall become a great and populous nation, and in him shall all the nations of the earth be blest. For I know that he will order his sons, and his house after him, and they will keep the ways of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraam all things whatsoever he has spoken to him.

When facing temptation, beware of your desires

Monday, 2020.06.01
Reading from the Epistle of James, Young's Literal Translation.

When one faces temptation, it is his DESIRES that cause his fall. A man is led away and enticed by his own desires, rather than by the temptation. In other words, one can stand firm in face of temptations when one reigns in his desires.

James 1:13 - 15 YLT
13 Let no one say, being tempted -- `From God I am tempted,` for God is not tempted of evil, and Himself doth tempt no one,
14 and each one is tempted, by his own desires being led away and enticed,
15 afterward the desire having conceived, doth give birth to sin, and the sin having been perfected, doth bring forth death.