Tag: discering

20.l. “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Romans 10:17  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

 Luke 16:29-31   But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’  He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

 1 Corinthians 1:18-24   For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”  Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,  but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

If salvation is so simple, available to all who trust in the person and work of Jesus, then why do so many reject, deny, or neglect it? Saving faith comes through hearing by the word of God. Though people hear or read about the Gospel of Jesus Christ they do not exercise saving faith in Christ – making them (and us) all the more responsible. How much more responsible is a person for their rejection of the Gospel once they have heard it?  This is a bit of a dilemma for me.  On one hand they hear it, but unless their heart is open to receiving understanding and wisdom from God about it it will be just words on paper or sounds in the air.  On the other hand when their heart is open to the gospel God exposes their hearts, minds, and souls to the Gospel (hearing or reading) something utterly changes – they understand sin, their sin and separation from God, and God’s plan and purpose of salvation, redemption, and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  This point in a persons life is where they will either humbly surrender all self-reliance and self-worth and believe in/on Jesus Christ.  In their hearts, minds, and souls they are changed.  They have gone from being condemned to redeemed, unforgiven to forgiven, guilty to innocent, hell bound to heaven.  This is what the Gospel will do to a person when they act on the wisdom and understanding given by God to them.  It is true to many good people never see the need for Jesus Christ.  They have determined in their heart that they are good enough and worthy of heaven.  The destiny of all people, both good and bad, is eternal hell.  

2.d. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them

2 Chronicles 17:1  Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

In the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah.

Psalms 18:21-22   For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.  For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me.

Hosea 14:9    Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them

Psalms 119:1   Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!

Asa’s son Jehoshaphat reigned after him. He sought God and walked in His commandments. He was courageous in the ways of the Lord.  One of the greatest verses in this chapter, to me, is “he sent his officials to teach in the cities, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them”  “They went through all the cities and taught among the people.”

Jehoshaphat, it seems, knew the need to know God’s word and to have it as your purpose and guide for your life.  Can you imagine what it would be like to live in cities away from the temple, away from the presence of God, and away from leaders in worship and sacrifice?  There would be no daily reminder of His word other than what you put to memory.  Can you imagine what it would be like to not have God word at your fingertips?

Jehoshaphat sent his officials, Levites, and Priests to teach in the cities.  He did not want the people to fall away from following after God.  He took the word of God to them.  He set an example of the importance of God’s word to his officials and to the people in all the cities he governed.

Setting an example of the importance of God’s word is more than going to church on Sunday.  It is more than reading a daily devotional.  It is more than having a head knowledge of His word.  God’s word must permeate the heart and mind to take root in our purpose for life.  God’s word is able to divide thoughts and intents in the heart of man.  It can soften or harden a heart depending on the heart of the person receiving it.

To intentionally choose, desire, and seek after God’s word must be for the reasons of wanting to humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow, trust, and obey God with all your heart, mind, and soul.  If we look at God’s word like it is a medicine cabinet and only there for when we have a need, we will soon see His as nothing more than a bandaid for trouble.  God’s word is so much more.  It gives peace and rest to the weary soul in confusion.  It gives courage to the mind of the alone and afraid.  It gives hope and faith to the lost.  It refreshes the hear, mind, and soul to those who hunger and thirst for it.

Jehoshaphat knew the heart and mind were easily attracted toward what can be seen and took steps to remove the high places and Asherim out of Judah. He took out these false places of hope and replaced them with the word of God.  We would do well to take inventory of what is in our heart and mind and where we place our hope and trust.