Israel as the wife and Isaiah 53.

Hosea and Gomer form the love story in the Bible entitled Hosea. It has all the elements of a great novel, love, betrayal. Heartbreak, forgiveness and reconciliation. The added dimension of this book is that Yahweh takes it and uses it to explain His love for Israel. He also uses this analogy to express various truths for His followers today. In a world where marriage is being shredded by people with a Hollywood type of easy come easier go mentality. Among the truths are: loves mercy and forgiveness, God makes Himself an example of being a husband and father. He also gives a purpose for going Himself the title husband [Your Maker is your Husband’ Isaiah 54:5] and Israel the title ‘wife’.

According to Malachi 2:16 it was so that there would be godly offspring. Another reason for the Lord’s insistence through scripture, on not being unequally yoked (c/- 1Corinthians 7:14). There are very severe consequences for unfaithfulness in marriage. Adultery was a death sentence. How is it then that the nation termed Yahweh’s wife wasn’t stricken by stoning? For the people had gone after the gods of the surrounding nations. At the very least He could have divorce her. However, He hates divorce [Malachi 2:16, although He did condone separation, with the purpose of reconciliation. This is why we read in Hosea the effort Yahweh went to rekindle the nation’s love for Him. Love may forgive and restore, but God’s holiness and justice demanded their judicial rights, death!

Throughout the book of Hosea, the reader can sense the anguish of God. Speaking to one of the tribes, Ephraim, he says, “How can I give you up” [Hosea 11:8]. To another, Zeboim, “My heart churns within me”. He promises to heal their backsliding and turn away His anger, but how? Hosea 13:14, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.” Redemption was understood through the Nation’s animal blood sacrifice which foreshadowed Isaiah 53 fulfilment. Only then could iniquity be removed and the people be restored to their previous relationship. Here will be expressed the reality of Calvary. Paul writes it up so well in Ephesians 5:25, ‘Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for Her.’  The husband took his wife’s condemnation. He died in her place! Has that made her a widow? Fortunately, no! The husband of Israel, the sinless Messiah embraced her guilt and took the sentence. Judgement consumed the sin but the righteousness and purity of the Husband prevailed unscathed. His victory clothed Him in a new, glorified, resurrected body. One day, known only to the Heavenly Father, the wife will also wear her glorified body.

Those insisting Yahweh has removed the nation from His promised program fail to understand this love. If it was true, what an indictment on His power, foreknowledge and grace. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, wrote the following. ‘Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah …and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’ [Jeremiah 31:31, 33].

Surely, that would have put a smile on Jeremiah’s heart and face.

Next. The land of Israel and Isaiah 53.

 

 

 

Israel – The Servant…Isaiah 41:8-10.

Job is the earliest book of the Scriptures. There, in the first eight verses, we read that he was a very prominent, well respected man. Yahweh crowns him in a confrontation with Satan as “my servant”. That title expresses a relationship with the Lord as well as an honoured role. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wear this title (Exodus 32:13}, Moses is also honoured in this way. When Israel was created it too was endowed by being so called [Leviticus 25:42,55]

To be Yahweh’s servant held a great privilege wrapped up in a heavy responsibility. Let us briefly consider areas into which Israel was to live out this relationship. Isaiah 43:21 ‘This people I have formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise.’ Is God on some type of celestial ego trip? Of course not! It’s in praising Him we are expressing His person, His mission and His grace. The Psalmists show us the way. It does the heart good to personally write out your praises for the eternal Lord God’s influence and intervention in your life .

The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had been formed and chosen to be Yahweh’s witness. In the midst of nations their covenanted relation with Yahweh, the distinctive sacrificial system combined with the Law and promised Messiah made them unique. To be a faithful witness required instruction, then implementation. Here began their descent into compromise and dishonour. They knew what to believe and how to live. But they didn’t believe what they knew, so, were unable to live out what was required. Their call to be a ‘light unto the Gentiles’ failed to shine. Reading the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel we cringe at their betrayal. Trouble is, a similar betrayal takes place in the Church.  

Isaiah 43:7 informs the reader of God’s special purpose for Israel, His Servant. They were for His glory. Their condemnation included tarnishing His Name by mixing Him and His covenant with the idols of the world’s religions and their depraved morality. Being scattered amongst the Gentile nations was to be their ‘eye-opener.’ However, the Servant must be chastised for gross neglect and betrayal. The fullness of the law’s justice would destroy them. So it is, we read that the Person of Isaiah 53 stood in their place.  He was stricken, smitten, afflicted and pierced through for their transgressions. What was the witness being given? No one treats the call of the Lord carelessly. He calls all to give an account, even to the chosen ones.

Therefore, it is the realisation of the need for a Redeemer to step in between judgement and the promises of God. The Messiah had not yet come, the Kingdom of God was still a dream and the Servant stood condemned. How could they keep their calling? Only because of Heaven’s ability to see the future. The Anointed saviour had already been crucified in the mind of God. Only for that fact Isaiah 9:6-7, the promised Kingdom and ruler, would have never seen the light of day. The suffering servant of Isaiah 53 is the most critical Person for Israel’s redemption and continuance and also our salvation.

Jesus lays claim to fulfilling the criteria for the beloved Servant. From the moment He began His ministry in Luke 4:18 by quoting Isaiah 61 Jesus testified in word and deed to being ‘the Servant.’ When we consider His crucifixion from the brutality of the soldiers to His final breath each aspect related to fulfilling justice. They weren’t aware of this, but the Judge was. Jesus was wounded [pierced through], bruised [crushed], stripes given [blows that cut into His body] to deal with the peoples’ grief, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, peace [restored relationship] and the offering for sin.

It is only by the sinless life of the suffering Servant that the prophetic record concerning Israel will happen. Praise the Lord for the bodily resurrection of the Christ. Our prayers, in accordance with Christ’s, will be fulfilled when God’s kingdom is operational on earth.  

copyright August 25 Ray Hawkins. 

Next...Israel as 'wife' and Isaiah 53.

 

Israel – God’s Son and Isaiah 53.

 Reading Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Fathers in the ancient world held a number of functions, depending on the various cultures. In Israel he was the Head of the family, also a priestly role and also the Judge. It is important to understand this when doing a study of ancient nations. Within Israel the father’s position is stressed with a subtle command. ‘You shall honour your father and mother that your days may be long on the earth.’ This is quoted in the New Testament to the Disciples of Christ, (Ephesians 6:1-3).

In Exodus 4:22-23 the tribes of Israel are described as Yahweh’s son. Pharaoh was dismissive of that the title and its implication. As he hardened his heart against Israel severe judgement awaited which brought much regret upon his family and nation.  God always calls to account those who violate His Name and people. Even His chosen Nation discovered this.

At Mount Sinai, Israel agreed to the Covenant relationship between God and themselves. Part of the Ten Commandments stressed the importance of obeying each household’s parents.  In Deuteronomy 21:18-22 outlines a scenario in which a father has life and death power of his son. The son is labelled as, stubborn, rebellion, ‘will not obey,’ and one who was a ‘glutton and drunkard.’ Before the father can execute judicial authority, he must present his reasons to the city Elders. Condemnation meant stoning to death.

Reading through the history of Israel it’s failure as a son emerges time after time. They get disciplined constantly, but apparently to no avail. How is it then that the Nation still exists, especially in the light of Malachi 1:6, ‘A son honours his father … if then I be a Father where is my honour …’ This was a constant source of irritation to the Lord God which caused the verdict of death on it. They took the Father’s Name in vain. they profaned His holy Name among the Nations. To profane meant that the holy Lord God of creation and redemption was placed in the same league as the pagan gods. Reading the prophet Ezekiel this charge is levelled against all classes of society many times.

The Biblical principle is that the wages of sin is death. Israel the son was doomed to die. But this posed a dilemma for God. He had stated that Israel would one day be ‘Head of the Nations’. That it would be the dwelling place of the great King. That it would be the Nation through which the Messiah would come. But it must die, unless another with the credentials of Son appeared on the scene and took the Nation’s place.

 At His baptism, as an adult, and on the occasion of His transfiguration [Matthew 3 and 17] Jesus was declared to be the Son of God. No one else could have the credentials to be the Lamb for Israel’s deliverance and forgiveness. The ruling Elites of Israel rejected His claim and deeds and condemned Him to die. Jesus placed His call, authority, credibility on John 5:39 and that Genesis to Malachi spoke of Him. Anyone reading the Gospels must be confronted by the insistence of Jesus in calling God “Abba-Father”. The trouble was the people’s unbelief! Anger so overwhelmed that they took up stone to kill Him. They didn’t believe their scriptures. They didn’t bother to investigate. That’s the Devil’s strategy. Therefore, blindness of soul kept them from recognising Jesus as the Promised One. They had no idea that, in their ignorance and hatred they were in fact making possible the Nation’s forgiveness and existence. Such is the Sovereign grace and over-ruling power of God. Yes, it is delayed but their National salvation and restoration is guaranteed.  As the son in disobedience to his father must die, so Jesus as The Son of God must die to pay that penalty. He must fulfil the Passover Lamb’s role. At the same time, He will be their sin offering, their burnt offering, their fellowship offering. All of this would be of no avail without the testimony of Isaiah 53:1Lamb1, “He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied” The resurrection foreshadowed.

Israel lives because Jesus is the Son of God and took their penalty as the disobedient son. He was also the Lamb of God in its many expressions.

Copyright August 2019

Next: Israel, The faithless servant

 

the number 8...a new realm

God is a numbers person. He has arranged for us in His word some very specific numbers to stress eternal principles or doctrinal messages. You will be aware of such numbers as one, two, three, seven, ten and twelve and don’t forget forty. There is one number I find biblically significant from a personal point of view. It is most apparent in the King James translation more so than some others. That number is, eight.

how many people were on Noah's ark? Noah, wife, 3 sons and their wives =8. God was about to drown the old world in an act of holy judgement. The people had 120 to accept Noah's invitation to 'come on board'. They refused due too arrogant,  unbelief and by imagining God would not be so tough in judgement. They were wrong. now, the eight on the ark began a new era - the one we are in now.

Leviticus 17:12 spells out the day on which a male baby was to be circumcised. It was the eighth day. That marked the entrance into the covenant of God with the Nation. Jesus was eight days old when He was circumcised. Luke 2:21).

When the Aaronic Priesthood was established, they had to remain within the tent of meeting seven days after their ordination. In Leviticus 9:1 they emerge to serve the Nation on the eighth day.

When a man or woman with a skin disease was cured seven days were required for confirmation. On the eight day he or she was welcomed back into the community via a prescribed sacrifice.

Remember the Apostle Thomas’ eighth day experience. He wasn’t in the upper room that first Sunday of the Resurrection morning.  It was the following Sunday, eight days later that the Lord met Thomas, with the other disciples, in the upper room (John 20.). How thankful we should be to Thomas for being absent that first Sunday. His testimony about Jesus is succinct and awesome, “My Lord and My God”!

There are other references but that should suffice.

How then does the number apply to us? You will have picked up the concept. The eighth day points to a new beginning! Sunday is the first day of the week, Saturday the seventh which completes the cycle, the eighth day speaks of a new start.

I like to think that we live continually in the eighth day. 2 Corinthians 5:17: ‘If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation, everything old has passed away, see, everything has become new’. (NSRV). When you and I gave our lives to Christ Jesus we entered a new realm with a new relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We have a new song and a new destiny. Our worship is in spirit and truth and we live not by the letter but by the Spirit and when we fail, we have the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ ever fresh in our eighth day ‘world’.

A new year by the World’s reckoning is about to begin. Unfortunately, it will be filled with the moral and spiritual junk of past years, and probably worse. However, we who are in the ‘eighth day’ experience are to enter the coming year with a sense of mission. That is to live out the wonder of our ‘day’ and pray, share through word, writing and witnessing to encourage others to have their own personal eighth day encounter with Jesus.  

Ray (enjoying the day) Hawkins.  

Come and See

John 1:’They said to him “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.”

The four Gospels are required to give us an understanding of the formation of a disciple. We appreciate this as we follow the lives of the first men to check out Jesus and then throw their lives into His service. Similar principles apply today.

What caused Andrew and the other disciple to get to investigate Jesus more closely? The words of John the Baptist aroused their interest by the statement ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’’ The term ‘Lamb of God’ so permeated their upbringing and National psych it drove them to know more about this Jesus. Can you reflect upon some incident, or person, that motivated you to give a more detailed consideration of the Man from Galilee?

Why did they ask Jesus about his lodgings? Presumably, they had the intension of dropping by one day. Jesus took their inquiry and turned it into an invitation, “Come and see.” He didn’t bombard them with irrefutable proofs about Himself and His ministry. Rather, Jesus gave them ‘breathing space’ to simply get to know Him even though Jesus knew them. This also applies to His dealings with us.

I wonder what they saw! What did they hear? What did they ask? Whatever took place they wanted more, and they needed to share what they had found. Andrew’s conviction about Jesus is revealed in his comment to Peter, “We have found the Messiah.” That is intriguing. Building on John the Baptist’s words, whatever Andrew asked, or answers Jesus gave, a conviction was born. Over the next three years Andrew and the others would have that statement of faith severely tested. This will be true for you and any others who come to the same conclusion on the evidence presented.

From a prophetic statement of John a monumental movement began because Jesus simply said “Come and see.” A look down the time tunnel of history sees similar incidents occurring when individuals have an encounter with the Messiah. Such names as Augustine, Francis of Assis1, Martin Luther, John Wesley, C.T. Studd and a myriad of others spring to mind. You will, undoubtedly, have your own list.

As you read the account of the first disciples in John chapter one there is a going intensity in understanding this Jesus. Simon has a major make-over with his name. He will be called Cephas which means a piece of stone. It would be some time before the unstable components of his character were forged into the significance his new name. That is something similar to our experiences. When we meet the Master and yield to Him we are given a new name. However, it will take the daily pressures of life interacting with our faith in Christ for our new name to ring true.

On what was probably the third day Jesus begins to move back to Galilee. Why did Philip respond to Jesus invitation “Follow me?” How did he come to the conviction that Jesus was the fulfilment of what Moses and the Law pointed to?  In sharing it with Nathaniel this conviction aroused what today would be a politically incorrect comment “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Once again the personal encounter with Jesus and Nathanael illustrated the grace of the Lord. In combining the six individual encounters with Jesus there is a movement of conviction summed up by man under the fig tree. “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Easy words! Words Jesus accepted but He knew they would be tested later. For us, when we come and see this Jesus and place our trust in Him, our words will be tested. We can go further than the original six statements whilst agreeing with them. For we believe Jesus is the crucified and risen Saviour of the World, the promised Messiah, Son of God, Lord of Glory. We have bowed by faith before Him and in the words of Thomas called Him “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28).

All that began for us, as it did for the disciples because Jesus through His servants says similar words to us, as to the original six “Come and see!”

 copyright Ray Hawkins 21 July 2019

 

the Serpent, the Tree,and Eve

Critics of the Bible enjoy ridiculing the book of Genesis. Zeroing in on the explanation of why there is suffering, sickness and social unrest, they try and dismiss the Bible’s message, history and prophesy. The ‘Serpent’ of Genesis three is a case in point. The image invoked is either of a talking dinosaur or slimy snake. The word used is ‘nahash’ and means shinning, upright creature. Why early translators called this as yet unrevealed creature ‘the serpent’ must have been determined by the curse imposed. That is, crawling on its stomach, therefore a snake.

Language has many ways of using words. From the literal to allegorical, from fact to fiction, parable to synonyms and so many other ways. This is compounded when translating from one language into another, especially ancient texts. In understanding the Bible, the same difficulties arise. Whilst I understand the Bible from an historical and literal framework it doesn’t mean I’m unaware of the poetical, symbolic or other descriptive terms. ‘A figure of speech is never used, except for the purpose of calling attention to, emphasising and intensifying, the reality of the literal sense, and the truth of the historical facts.’ (Bullinger in ‘The Common Bible’)

Therefore, in grasping the full meaning of the ‘Serpent, the tree and Eve’ we need to read it with the whole of the Scriptures open. Like any good mystery story, the true identity of the evil genius is often not known until much later. In fact, you meet him many times within the Bible’s pages under different names. It is in the final book, Revelation, the Serpent is unmasked, he is the dragon, the old serpent, the devil and Satan, (Revelation 12). Another term is Leviathan (Isaiah 27:1) (I have a blogspot about him and the Worm- 9/16/2018). The apostle Paul refers to him and his angels as having the power to make themselves appear as ‘angels of light, (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Genesis 3 paves the foundation for appreciating the mystery of evil and the spiritual force using mankind to oppose the Creator. He is called ‘the god of this world’ I John 5:19. His ambition is to usurp that which the Lord reserved for Himself, i.e. Mount Zion (Psalm 48.) and destroy the nation of the Messiah. The Serpent has endeavoured to do this through various nations such as Ancient Egypt, Babylon Nazi Germany and the current Arab countries of the Middle East. All have or will fail. You gain an insight into his unseen presence in the account of Ezekiel 28.

The Serpent in any of his disguises is unmasked as a deceiver, hater, destroyer, murderer, one who twists the Word of God. The Bible tells us that his hold over us has been broken at the cross. Colossians 2:11-15 says Jesus paid the price and cancelled the charges against us. We cannot be blackmailed over sins confessed, removed and buried. Revelation 20 outlines the ultimate destruction of the serpent and his kingdoms.

Take Genesis seriously, literal and relevant and you will find your faith is stronger, your understanding of the cross and salvation exciting, your love of Jesus deeper, your gratitude to The Father growing and the commitment to being the temple of the Holy Spirit more willing.

coming...the tree!

©Ray Hawkins July 13 2019A

 

How to Insult the Creator.

We can do it intentionally. We can do it unintentionally. Do what? Insult God! How is it done? From indifference to His existence to an open defiance to His word and corrupting His worship among other things. From the Bible’s perspective those who deny God’ existence, or the integrity of the Bible and therefore the creation account are insulting the Creator.

            Christians who claim evolution as the way the Lord created the Heavens, the animals and Humanity have serious implications. Why? Consider Genesis1:26-28 from which I’ve highlighted certain pertinent words.

God said “let us make man in our image, according to our likeness” Genesis 1:26

So God created him … male and female created them. Genesis 1”27.

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply” Genesis 1:28.

What picture does evolution present about how God ‘looks?’. At best, a stumbling, mumbling and bumbling cave man. Included in this caricatured picture must be Jesus. Can anyone seriously consider The Lord Jesus having the DNA of monkeys? Within these verses there’s also a hint of the unique nature of God. This is expressly highlighted by the use of ‘let us make…’ [this can be read in the blog of June 23, 2019]

Then there is the question of God’s sense of value judgements. Five times (5) He looks at what is created and declares it ‘good.’ Now, if the creation was a work in progress through evolution God’s value judgement must be questioned. Evolution involve death, conflict, pain and much more harsh and harmful experiences impossible to be declared ‘Good. The Bible’s us of the word ‘good five times is also meaningful. Throughout the pages of scripture five implies God’s grace, therefore, within this account of creation the Lord has blanketed it with ‘Grace. As you read Genesis 1 you can almost sense the pleasure, He had in bringing it into being. In chapter 1:31 His verdict on it is, “Very Good!”

If we challenge this declaration on the grounds that there were vast areas needing improvement, we discredit God’s standards in this and other areas. At the same time, we are mocking what the psalmist sees in creation. Psalm 19:1 says ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.’ What does he tell us he sees? The glory of the Creator! We live in fortunate times when space exploration penetrates the outer regions of the universe. The pictures beamed back unfold to us so much more than the psalmist and previous generations could ever imagine. Therefore, if the universe displays glory even now after the tumultuous repercussion of Adam’s rebellion, what must it have been like before?

Another aspect of the use of ‘good’ is that the word is used to describe the Lord.  In fact, ultimate goodness is only found in God and He alone (Luke 18:19). He invested in the original creation something of Himself.  Sin has spoilt the original handiwork of the Lord but the good news is a promise in Scripture, He has plans for new heavens and new earth. Now that is ‘good-news!’

May we be spared the embarrassment of standing in the Lord’s presence and be asked to explain our insults, unintentional as they were. It is our privilege to uphold the honour of the Lord by believing and defending His Word.

            copyright July 5 2019 Ray Hawkins