Exodus 17: 1-7. God is the Smitten Rock

                

 The contrast was extensive.  The nation of Israel was being formed from descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years but had been redeemed by Yahweh’s victory over Pharaoh and Egyptian idolatry. The new Nation was off to the Promised Land.

            As they journeyed under Moses leadership further challenges, failures, and deliverance would fashion them. Into their National consciousness would be ‘burnt’ concepts of Yahweh. Perhaps the most powerful imagery centres upon God being ‘the Smitten Rock’. With hopes high the people marched out 0f Egypt as a triumphant army. It wasn’t too long before Pharaoh sought to reclaim them. He failed. Then this huge number of people became desperate for water. Doubt surged. Could Yahweh supply water out here in the Wilderness?

            The Lord instructed Moses to do what seemed a futile act. Go and strike the Rock. Why? The immediate reason was to satisfy the people’s thirst. The hidden purpose was to become a parable fulfilled in the promised Messiah. Later, the prophet Isaiah would add to the Nation’s understanding surrounding why the rock had to be smitten. In his teachings on the ‘suffering Servant, Isaiah said this person would be smitten by God and afflicted, (Isaiah 53:4). Why? Because He, the suffering Servant took the place of a people under their Creator’s judgement. His life was freely given. It was His choice to be their Substitute. What flowed upon the people at that later event would be the grace of forgiveness. It was vital that the rock be smitten. It remains so today. Christ crucified is our glory!

It was necessary for the rock to be struck. It was required for Jesus to be speared and crucified. Only then could all that is meant by the living waters which would flow could be realised. This was the assurance given by Jesus to the woman of Samaria Jesus in John 4:14. Jesus had also invited anyone to come to Him and receive the Holy Spirit (after the resurrection John 7:37). He who identified as ‘the Rock’ would be smitten’ at the cross of Calvary. What flowed from His side was blood and water. The blood spoke of redemption. The water, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39).

            The rock was to be struck only once. This is so important in the light of what took place nearly forty years later. The second generation of the Nation were confronted by a similar water problem as the first generation. An almost similar solution was decreed. There was one major difference as recorded in Numbers 20:1-13. Moses was to speak to the rock and the water would be released. Unfortunately for Moses, his anger towards the people was so hot it got the better of him. In disobedience to the Lord’s command, Moses struck the rock twice. The mercy of God brought forth the water for the people. The wrath of Yahweh came upon Moses for not only his anger and striking the rock but for damaging the parable, the symbolism surrounding the rock. 

In the former incident the striking of the rock pointed to Christ being crucified. The cross of Christ is a once for all time event, Hebrews 9:24-26. Now, by faith in our risen Lord we approach Him to supply our needs in the light of His sacrifice. When Moses struck the rock on this second occasion, he was actually crucifying Jesus all over again. It was for this offense Moses was debarred from leading the Nation into the Promised Land.  

The World’s view of the Cross and the crucified Christ is one of folly. The reaction of the Devil and his demons is terror and opposition. For the testimony of Heaven comes the account in in Revelation 5:1-10. There His praises are sung as the one who was slain, who lives, who redeems and who makes us a Kingdom of Priests who shall reign on earth. For us today, the crucified Christ is our Lord, our Saviour, our hope and our boast!

The Promise. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14.

The Warning. Neither is there is salvation in any other, for there is none other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.

 

 

 

 

  

The Commander of Israel’s army.

When the newly redeemed Nation of Israel left Egypt, they did so under a new description. We miss this more often due to the images presented by film directors concerning the Exodus. In this second book of the Bible, chapter 12:51 this fledgling nation is likened to an army. They move out in their companies. That is a pre-arranged marching order of tribes, clans and family units. This would have been pre-arranged during the contest between Moses and Pharaoh. When they marched in the daytime, He is a Pillar of cloud and at night, a Pillar of fire at the head of the people. At the same time, He is their rear guard whilst promising to be in their midst.

Pacifists and others may not like this Scriptural reality, God redeems and at the same moment, enlist the believer into His command. This remains true under both testaments. Deuteronomy 20 presents an outline of Israel’s rule for warfare. This is why one of the titles for Jesus is the Commander of the Lord’s Hosts. In Deuteronomy 28-31 we can read an outline of God’s promise and warnings to the Nation. Obedience meant blessings and victory in conflict. Disobedience would result in a gradual but perceptual recognition of God’s disfavour. The ultimate disgrace as mentioned in Scripture was to be a casting out of the promised land.

The entrance into the land of promise was through a military venture. Joshua was guaranteed that wherever his soldiers planted their feet they would be victorious. The inference and implications being, if their ‘feet matched the obedience and faith of their heart’. We know of the victory of Jericho and the strange tactics there. However, the defeat at Ai reveals the error of presuming upon the Lord of Hosts. This attitude of heart seems to have cursed Israel for generations. The classic is in 1 Samuel 4 with the immorality of the leading priests, Hophni and Phinehas and the weak leadership of Eli. Faced with defeat by the Philistines the ark of the covenant was called upon to join the army. They must have imagined Yahweh would not permit it to be captured. They were wrong!

Throughout the Nation’s history men and women of faith called out to Yahweh to return and take command of the army. They realised defeat, enslavement and dispersion was ultimately a covenant breaking matter. Psalm 44 is the cry of a hurting, confused longing man. He remembered past history and the Lord’s deliverances’ and his present day of their despair. “But, you have cast us off, and put us to shame; You do not go with our armies … “ [verse 9]

Israel failed Yahweh in every area of their calling. As an army they we mutinous, or self opiniated, choosing to do things their way, not heeding their Commander’s orders. The result was defeat, being occupied by hostile nations, and exile from the land. That which is easily overlooked is the disciplinary action, indeed the court-martial judgements that must be faced. Such insubordination in other armies is recorded as warranting the death penalty. In the Roman Legion after one retreat one in ten soldiers were executed. Should such a sentence be carried out in Israel the result would be the end of the Nation. However, judgement must fall.

Once again, I am overcome by the implications embraced by Isaiah 53. The Commander of the Army, the Lord, took the place of His rebellious and disreputable troops. That stigma has been paid for in blood and banished. Though sidelined in this present age, Israel will face other conflicts. Ezekiel 38-39 highlight such times. Once again the Lord ‘marches’ with His people. Then the Gentile Nations will behold the glory of Yahweh.  However, it is worth noting the final conflict. The Messiah comes to claim His throne, Kingdom and creation as the Lord of Hosts. Though accompanied by angels, Jesus and He alone, does the fighting. The sword of His mouth, the brightness of His glory overwhelms the forces aligned against Him. Read Matthew 24 and Revelation19.

The more you take the time to read, study, reflect upon Isaiah 53 the more amazing Christ, the cross and Calvary become. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews said it succinctly in chapter 12:1-2. ‘Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.’

copyright Ray Hawkins 11.1.2020. 

Relic or Revelation?

When Jesus said the Bible’s purpose was about Himself how did the listener's take it? Did they think He was being rather 'bigheaded,' facetious or impertinent? We'll never know! Perhaps the context of John 5:31-47  makes it plain that Jesus was issuing a challenge about the veneration of Scripture and their hostility toward Him. Such a reverence of their scrolls unfortunately didn't translate into believing what was written. It is easy to treat the Bible as a nice religious relic rather than a vibrant revelation. The Lord confronted His opponent on this point when He said, "If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me." Jesus is no relic. Jesus is vibrant through His Spirit and Word to all who are alive to Him!

The word ‘testify’ in 5:39 presents us with a picture of the Law Court's witness stand. Here the 39 books of the Jewish faith are under oath and must declare its corporate as well as each books purpose. The readers (spectators in the courtroom) perhaps could sense the rise in tension by the implied offer. "Do you want to ask me, 'where are you mentioned' in those holy scrolls?'" Why the silence? Was it because they really didn't want to know. So many people are similar to that even now. Happy to ask questions but not interested in hearing the answer lest it unmasks their ignorance or unbelief.

After the resurrection two disciples received the greatest exposition of the Scriptures ever shared. On the Emmaus road Jesus talked with two disillusioned disciples. What was the theme? Luke 24:27: ‘Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the Scriptures.’ (emphasis added).  For a follower of Jesus Christ there could be no greater delight than to get to know the Lord with clearer, deeper understanding. When the Lord left them a very telling comment was shared between the two, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32). If such flames were roaring within more of the hearts of disciples there would be less frozen, frost-bitten and frigid believers. It is the 'burning heart' which knows the Lord and expresses His warmth in moral and ethical relationships as well as spiritual stewardship.

The Lord allowed no selection about what to accept of the Bible's testimony. It is a 'package deal!' Throughout the four Gospels Jesus verbally and textually struck down 'selective shoppers' who were merely wanting a spiritual bargain. You cannot elevate Jesus as Lord, Saviour and Emmanuel and at the same time say He had limited understanding or adapted  words to the people's culture. Such nonsense is refuted by His statement of speaking only what His Father told Him to say.

What then are some insights gained about Jesus between Genesis and Malachi? He is the promised one, born of the virgin. Genesis 3:15/Isaiah 7:14. He is the Passover Lamb Isaiah 53. (plus the other sacrificial testimonies). He is the Creator, the I Am, (Exodus 3:14. John 8:58). He is the Promised heir of David to sit upon the Davidic throne. (Psalm 110:1 Romans 1:3). He is the person before whom all will bow. (Isaiah 45:23/Philippians 2:10-11). He is the Lord who returns to rescue His people. Psalm 2. Zechariah 14:4./Acts 1:11-12. Revelation 19.

As the 39 books were written to testify, so too the Gospels. John 20:31: ‘These are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.’

The same testimony is valid for today. ‘The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus.’ Acts 8:34–35.

Ray Hawkins July 9 2017.

This is my latest Devotion. Due for release shortly. Stay tunes!

The Way We Walk

Christians are called to walk and to run. Apart from the obvious, what are the spiritual differences? To walk relates to our daily expression of Christian living and relationships. To run has the sense of ministry. It may be a short run or a marathon, even a relay. The difference is runners usually have coaches and back-up support, for them to run is something they must do alone. This will be looked at in another blog.

 Some are commissioned to run with a message. All, however, are called to walk as witnesses to the things of Christ. This is especially true in regard to what Jesus has done and is doing in their lives. One of the great things about walking is it can be done singularly, couples or in group. It can be for health and exercise. As you walk you can engage in conversation. There may or may not be a destination at the walks conclusion. Walking with others has its limitation. Youth must regulate its pace to walk beside the aged or infirm. Visually impaired need the visually clear to understand their limitations and match it with compassion.

Ephesians has a number references to our Christian walk and relationships. The Greek word paints the picture of a person walking around and around within a certain arena or atmosphere. Our original walk was one involving spiritual deadness, slaves to good and bad desires, and ignorant of or disobedient to Christ Jesus. We lived in the Devil’s playground, often unknowingly (Ephesians 2:2).

When we were saved by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8) God relocated us into a new atmosphere, where Jesus Christ rules. Part of our walk here is to do good deeds.  (Ephesians 2:10). While this is new territory for us, it has been part of God’s plan before creation. He wants us to learn our life’s new atmosphere by walking around and around in it. The Holy Spirit has been given to us as our ‘coach and companion.’ His manual is the one He put together with His prophets and apostles, we know it as ‘the Bible.’  In this new arena of faith, whose atmosphere is from Heaven, our Lord gives us supporters. Older believers are called upon to help the new Christians to ‘get their on the right track.’ Understanding that brings to mind the old saying, ‘practice what you preach.’ We may also add, ‘walk the way I’m walking and in the direction I’m taking.’

Ephesians 4:1-2 offers the undergirding principle old and young believers need as their mindset. Humility, Meekness, Longsuffering, and Forbearing one another in love. If you imagine these are easy to produce and portray read the story of Moses. He first appears as an adult in Exodus as a passionate and quick tempered man. These habits, mixed with self-righteousness and sense of mission led to him killing an Egyptian. It required years in the wilderness, marriage as retraining ground for God’s purposes to be activated in his life.  Numbers 12:3 bears testimony to him learning and applying the ‘atmosphere of Heaven’ for he is called the meekest of all. Just because that word rhymes with ‘weakness,’ don’t be fooled. Meekness requires more than physical or emotional strength. It needs the grace of Christ to sustain it over and over again.

Ephesians 5:2 Wants us to walk around and around in love, not sentimentality. True love is a sacrificial love. It is costly. For it’s a love based upon and flows out of Christ’s love for us. Such love can wear us down unless we set our affections on Christ Jesus. When this love is expressed – notice what rises up to the Lord, a sweet smelling fragrance. (2 Cor. 2:14-16)

Ephesians 5:15 tells us how we are to walk in a hostile world. Do it carefully. Be wise, not unwise. Being ‘fools for Christ’ in the eyes of the World and not ‘stupid hypocrites’ demands of us the Wisdom which comes from fearing and honouring God through obeying His word. There are many other references to how we should live our Christian calling with and in front of others. When we walk along the Lord’s walking trail it will prepare us if and when He puts us into the Christian life’s running events. Walking success, with God or in other relationships is summed up in Amos 3:3, ‘Can two walk together, except they be agreed?’ (KJV)

Ray Hawkins 12 Oct. 2015.

Why Was Jesus 'Short-sighted?'

I read an article in a Denominational magazine an article on Jesus and the limits of His knowledge of past and future events. It has been an issue wrestled with by theologians for centuries as it deals with Christ’s twofold nature. Essentially we have to come to the point where we admit it is beyond our intellect to fully grasp. So, once again, it becomes a faith issue.

A question arises in my mind, however, over the following statement in the article. ‘Any understanding of Jesus must be based on the fact that Jesus was a man of His own time’. And also the statement, ‘His knowledge was but the knowledge of His time’. 

I understand that Jesus did not know all that the Father had in mind for Him or the future. This is evident from Mark 13:32 where Jesus admitted that He, as the Son, didn’t know when the ‘fig tree’ would blossom. I understand this limitation on Jesus was part of His living the life of dependence on and faith in His Father’s will. He lived out what He calls us to do.

The question about Jesus knowledge being influenced by the era in which He lived has some serious implications. Does this mean He is fallible in some of His statements? If so what? Does it mean we in this 21^st A.D. century can know more than Jesus did whilst on earth? To accept that is to undermine His authority and the inspiration of His prophetic ministry. Also, under a ‘cloud’ would be His endorsement of and the credibility of the Scriptures He believed in. Jesus upheld and defended Genesis to Malachi including creation, Adam and Eve, marriage, Noah’s flood, Sodom and

Gomorrah, (amongst other matters) all of which today are considered either unscientific or outdated. In fact, Jesus was emphatic about the importance of what Moses compiled in the first five books of the Bible. ‘If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’

May I suggest we gain a clue to Christ’s apparent lack of knowledge on certain matters from John 5:19-20,30 and John 17:8. In John 8:28 is a good summary: ‘Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realise that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but speak these things as the Father instructs me.”’ (NRSV) He was in tune with the Father and shared what the Father revealed to Him at that time. He wasn’t doing His own bidding. Was this an expression of Jesus being the prophet also? Now this puts us into a difficult position if we dismiss aspects of what Jesus taught as simply being due to the knowledge of the time. It makes the Father also fallible. It makes 21^st century man wiser than the Father, the Son and their Scriptures. In fact, it gives a person an excuse to ignore what he doesn’t like on the grounds that Jesus didn’t know what we now know.

The mystery of Jesus as Emmanuel (God with us – Son of God) and the second Adam (Son of Man – King of Israel) at the same time remains. His testimony as to His teaching must be two fold. A diligent study of His Bible and a dependence upon listening to His Father must have undergirded what He taught and did. I believe we can build our lives, faith, and hope upon Jesus as being the infallible teacher, the one we call Lord and Saviour. The apostle Peter writing to the suffering Church wrote: If you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.’ 1 Peter 2:20-21.

As Jesus trusted His Father in everything, especially the crucifixion event, He set us an example for our daily life. His words ‘As the Father has sent me, so I send you’ (John 20:21 NRSV) gives us the foundation for our faith when we are also ‘short-sighted’ in our going. We may not like what we experience, we may not understand events, we may be haunted by unresolved issues, how are we to handle them? Jesus set the example.

 

 

©Ray Hawkins.

http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

The Avenger

“Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” This was the loud cry of believers recorded in Revelation 6:10. As we look around at the suffering Church I’m sure this cry will find an “amen!”

There is some reluctance, even by Christians, to call God ‘The Avenger!’ We are too accustomed to considering God solely in the terms of grace or love. However, whenever we fail to present the Bible’s complete revelation of God we do Him an injustice. At the same time we develop a warped view in our understanding which in turn infects our faith and Biblical perspectives. Also, we give unbelievers, especially those hostile to Christ, a sense of impunity from His wrath.

In this twenty – first century it is reported by Open Doors, 322 Christians are killed every month. Then there is the fact that 214 churches or property belonging to Christians are destroyed. Add to the above 722 acts of violence against Christ’s followers you gain an insight into the breadth and depth of the persecution.

What is God doing that He lingers long in exploding justice on such evil doers? He isn’t indifferent, nor is forgetful. As you read the Scriptures it is apparent the Lord has spelt out His plans to bring nations, religions and people to account. ‘(God) has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’ (Acts 17:31)

Centuries ago Moses wrote a song. It was to be sung as a warning and as a comfort. In it he recorded: ‘Praise, O heavens, his people, worship him, all you gods. For he will avenge the blood of his children, and take vengeance on his adversaries; he will repay those who hate him, and cleanse the land for his people.’ The history of Israel validates what Moses wrote. The final book of the Bible, Revelation, underpins and highlights this fact.

The suffering Church and the oppressed people of Israel need to find hope and comfort in God keeping His word. Islam, especially I.S. should shudder. Jesus in the parable of Luke 18:1-8 said “Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?” The implication is clear. He will act to give them justice in accordance with His purpose and plan.

Lest people imagine the eternal God has a ‘persecution of his people’ complex He is the avenger on a number of other fronts. One of course is 1 John 5:10 where people call Him a liar by not believing His testimony about Christ and the cross. However, I want to close this article on the matter of God avenging (bringing justice to bear) on those who deliberately pervert Scripture.

In Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32 is the warning about adding too or taking away from God’s word. This is repeated in Revelation 22:18-19. In our day when the Homosexual and Lesbian lobby is endeavouring to make itself respectable in the ‘eyes of the church’ it is deliberately perverting Scripture. It has produced a ‘Queen James Bible’ which aims to legitimise what God, in His word, calls an abomination. A sad aspect of this attempt at being accepted by distorting the Bible is many naïve believers will be sympathetic to their cause. God will use His word as the instrument of His avenging. He is not fooled by selective quotations or perverted texts. Proverbs says it well: ‘Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.’ (Proverbs 30:5-6)

You cannot read the Bible and not realise God avenges His people. He instructs them not to

do it but rather to pray for those persecuting or perverting. The reason, some of those doing such things might be converted. However, the other reason is that our sense of justice is flawed. His is holy and His verdict flows from perfect understanding of all people have done.

2 Thessalonians1:6-9 holds a chilling warning to God’s opponents and at the same time a wonderful incentive for His people to live true to His calling. ‘It is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who inflict you and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might.’

 

©Ray Hawkins 2.3.2015.

Space before creation

It’s hard to imagine what space would have been like prior to creation. Take away the stars, planets and other lights and we have to presume darkness. Imagine that! God wrapped in deep darkness. Does your mind recoil at this as does mine?

There is a fascinating contrast, even paradox confronting us as we meditate upon getting a glimpse of God before creation as we know it. I’d like us to preview some verses together and allow our finite minds to go on a journey. Where will it take us? Let’s find out.

In Exodus 20 Moses has taken the nation to Mt. Sinai. The appearance of God was associated with thunder, lightning, trumpet and smoke. Moses had to ascend the mount and in verse 21: ‘The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.’ Compare Deuteronomy 4:11. 5:23.

Ps.18:9: He (God) parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.

Ps 18:11: He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him.

Ps.97:2: Clouds and thick darkness surrounds him.
1 Kings 8:12: Solomon said “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud.
Whilst the Lord God had space dressed in blackness it had no part within His nature.

Now let us contrast that with:-

Deuteronomy 4:24: ‘The Lord your God is a consuming fire…’ (Hebrews 12:29).

Ps. 104:2: ‘The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment.’

Isaiah 60:19: The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.’ (Revelation 21:23)

1 John 1:5: ‘God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.’

1 Timothy 6:15-16: ‘God, the blessed and only ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.’

How can these two seemingly contradictory concepts be harmonised?

 

I wonder if the darkness in which He covers Himself was for our benefit. Because His radiant holiness is as a consuming fire, unapproachable, God shields humanity by this canopy of darkness. If we are to meet Him we must be properly dressed to stand in His company. This is only possible when we have been redeemed from ungodliness, dressed in Christ’s righteousness and indwelt by His Spirit. The Eternal Lord God has made this offer open to all. It is received by a faith commitment of your life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. He has all which is needed to be in the Father's presence and not be consumed.

When Moses went up to meet God he was enveloped in a dense cloud. When Moses went back down the mountain he didn’t realised the change in his appearance had occurred. His face was radiant. (Exodus 34:29-30). How awesome! Encompassed by a cloud, presumably dark, he had fellowship with the Lord God and it showed. Explain it how you will, there is a beautiful spiritual insight for life and worship expressed here. In our times of being shrouded in life’s dark clouds our Lord is willing to meet us there. When we come out of that darkness there will be an unselfconsciousness of the Lord’s radiance impacting others. David, the king of Israel and writer of Psalm 139: 11–12 summed it up so well: ‘If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.’

My imagination pictures space before creation as total darkness. And yet the blazing radiance of the glorious light of the Eternal and holy triune God was there. He and He alone was the focal point across the whole of space. I wonder if it will something similar when we are caught up to ‘the Father’s house’ at the end of time. Whilst we will involved in a new heaven and a new earth once again the focal point will be God and God alone.

Therefore until then Psalm 23:4 takes on added significance and in life's uncertainty I’ll cling to the psalmist’s words: Even though I walk through the darkest valley (or, the valley of the shadow of death), I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’ The Lord will walk with us and bring us into the light of His eternal day.

 

Devotional books by Ray N Hawkins

Children: God's special interest
From Eden with Love (about marriage)
Bethlehem's Warrior Baby (Christmas)

Captured by Calvary
Dynamic Ageing
Signposts to Happiness
We love because...(Love poems)

See under 'Books' for more details.

Did Jesus Believe His bible?

‘The Divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures, the only infallible rule of faith and practice in all religious matters.’ is part of many statements and constitutions of numerous Denominations. How many leaders and members believe what they have agreed too in agreeing with those words?

Many are under pressure to be spiritually ‘schizophrenic’ in regard to the bible. Such a split attitude or double mindedness arises from compromising pressures from the world of Science and Higher Criticism. Believe the bible but don’t take Genesis too seriously, especially creation up to the flood is their mantra.

Accepting that line of thinking brings us onto a collision course with Jesus. ‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord” and do not do what I tell you?’ Luke 6:46. It makes us His judge not His servant. It declares twentieth century ‘Man’ knows more than He whom we call Lord, Creator, Saviour, Emmanuel. Why is there a collision? Because over and over again Jesus affirmed the authority of Moses and the Law! That Law does not by–pass Genesis. In one of His many debates with the religious leaders Jesus is quoted: ‘Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would have believed me, for He wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’ (John 5:45–47) Are Australian Christians, and especially their preachers/teachers, in danger of worship God with their lips but with hearts far away from Him? Matt.15:7–10.

The Gospels vibrate with the prophetic energy and insight of the prophets about Jesus. This is one of the strong factors unveiling the promised One, the Messiah. Aspects of their statements are applied to Jesus with similar comment to ‘All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophets.’ (Matthew 1:22) It was these scriptures which convinced Philip about Jesus and to share it: ‘Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “we have found him about whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.”’ (John 1:45) Jesus moved in the atmosphere of the Jewish scriptures and declared ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.’ (Matthew 5:17). In our day there are those who either question or ridicule the Genesis account of Creation, Adam and Eve, life’s longevity, Noah and the worldwide flood. Such people also scoff at the account of Jonah. Jesus affirmed them all. Where does that leave those who claim greater knowledge that the risen Lord Jesus Christ?

We rejoice in the wonder of our Lord triumphing over the horror of the cross. We have filled our minds with the typology (shadows, pictures) of this event in the Passover celebration. We see it foreshadowed in Psalm 22 and remain awestruck to think Jesus read Psalm 118 at the Last Supper.(There He declared ‘this was the day the Lord had made). The fingerprint of God on the work of Moses and the prophets is readily seen in Christ’s crucifixion. ‘It is written’ was the clarion call of the early church and it hasn’t changed for us today. So it comes back down again to that simple, searching statement of Jesus about believing or disbelieving Moses’ writings. ‘He (Abraham in the passage) said to him (the rich man in Hades) “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rose from the dead.”’ (Luke 16:31)

Two disciples were given a most wonderful bible study as they walked the Emmaus road. We do not have a detailed account of its content but as we know the Teacher it would have been spellbinding. The account is in Luke 24:13–27. We have been given a summary of the contents of what the risen Lord Jesus talked about. His opening remarks are not very complimentary to the disciples. Unfortunately the words are applicable to many today. ‘”Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.’ Did you notice that three letter word ‘all.’

When Jesus said that His followers would walk the ‘Narrow way’ we may imagine it being lonely, even difficult. There’s truth in that but we imagine the ‘Narrow way’ being separated from the ‘Broadway.’ I see the ‘Narrow way’ as actually taking the believer up the ‘Broadway’ with very marked lines and against the throng who are travelling that wide path to destruction. As we journey we will be bumped and hassled, even bruised and taunted by those who see us as fools, or merely being in their way.

As we hold to the truth and authority of the scriptures as did our Lord we are not to take them lightly. Those with the skills, training and knowledge are called upon to defend the veracity of Genesis through to Revelation. Those of us less qualified are to share our testimony about the power God’s word has had in our lives. We will not have the charisma of Paul but we can have his conviction. Acts 24:14: ‘I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.’

May the Lord deliver us from spiritual and biblical schizophrenia so as to be of one heart and one mind believing that which has been written for our benefit.

Consider the Clouds #7.--- The Cloud of the Lord

The Cloud of the Lord.

view from Poatina, Tas. Western Tiers.

Israel journeyed under a cloud. In Numbers 10:34 it says ‘the cloud of the Lord being over them by day…’ as they journeyed. The cloud was a demonstration of the Lord’s presence. From other references it is easy to see that the association of God and  clouds points to an atmosphere, an environment..

In Matthew, Mark and John are their accounts of Jesus’ transfiguration. Each has their own peculiar way of retelling the event. This comes out in some minor but expressive descriptions. When slotted together they present a  majestic revelation of Christ.

Why did Jesus go to the high mountain considered to be Mt. Hermon?  Luke says it was to pray. This took place after Jesus had asked them who they thought He was. It also came after He explained to the 12 about His forthcoming death. Remember even though Jesus is the Creator the world had been enslaved by the Devil. Jesus was in a foreign and hostile environment.  In going to the top of Mt. Hermon the Lord sought a taste of home.

Luke informs us that Peter, James and John were weary, possibly after the climb and in the rarefied air.  They soon came fully awake when Jesus entered into a conversation with Moses and Elijah. More dramatically a cloud began to envelope them. Would we be far off the mark by thinking that Jesus was absorbing the atmosphere of home? I don’t think so! Why was this so important?

The cross was now uppermost in Christ Jesus mind. In fact Moses and Elijah were discussing this fact with the Lord. Luke uses the Greek word translated as Exodus. Jesus was about to go out of His journey. How? He would leave this earthly realm by fulfilling the symbolism of the Passover Lamb. As that historical event began Israel’s exodus to the Promised Land so the cross would achieve a spiritual deliverance. After the resurrection we know Jesus ascended to glory. He is the forerunner of those who will join Him there.

From out of the cloud the voice of the Father came. It must have petrified the three disciples. Flat on the ground they heard ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him.’ Once again the grace of God protected the disciples from beholding His consuming glory. However they did catch a glimpse of what it as like when Jesus was transfigured before their eyes. At home in His environment He was seen as He really is. Luke in fact uses adds a graphic word to the whiteness of Jesus appearance. He wrote it flashed with the brilliance of lightning. 

From here two more mountains awaited Jesus. Mount  of Olives and Mount Calvary. There is no account of clouds there until after the resurrection. Then we see Him ascending back into His environment. His waits until He mounts His chariot clouds to come conquer and claim His creation. Marana tha!  ‘Our Lord come.’

Ray (waiting to see Jesus in His environment) Hawkins.

Next week… The Cloud and the Mercy Seat. (This wil conclude our series.