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Dan 4:19-37  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall

[Study Aired March 14, 2024]

In this fourth chapter of Daniel we learn about this second dream that parallels the first dream in chapter 2. Both dream images represent Nebuchadnezzar, the statue in the first dream and then the tree of great height in the second dream. The all gold statue that Nebuchadnezzar made in chapter 3 is based on the dream of the statue in the second chapter. The dream is one (Gen 41:25), and both of these dreams are demonstrating what is within every human being. There are progressive steps that need to be taken in order to bring us to see the beast on the throne (Ecc 3:18-19, Deu 7:22) of our own hearts, and the Lord uses these dreams, and the resultant effect of them in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, to teach us something about ourselves (1Pe 1:12, 1Co 10:11). 

Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 
Ecc 3:19  For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts [Dan 2:31-34, Dan 7:3-8]; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity [Gen 2:17].

Deu 7:22  And the LORD thy God will put out those nations [“they themselves are beasts“] before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee [progressive judgment of the land which our bodies represent].

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue being hit on the feet with a stone inwardly represents the beginning of judgment in the life of God’s elect (1Pe 4:17, Paul struck down Act 9:3-4, process of judgment expressed by three days of blindness Act 9:8-9) where all those empires are judged as a result of Christ and His Christ coming into our lives to hit this statue on its feet that stands on a faulty carnal foundation as opposed to the only true foundation Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18). After this happens, the kingdom of God flourishes in our heavens and fills all the earth within us (Dan 2:35). We also make an idol of gold to ourselves, which represents the statue of chapter two, or the beast being healed of its deadly wound of Revelation 13:12.

At the first, when we come into an awareness of our own sinfulness as a result of our feet being hit by the stone on our feet, the beasts of the field do increase upon us. Like Israel fleeing from Egypt, our sinful nature is in hot pursuit of us like the armies of Pharaoh’s day wanting to put us back into bondage. The dispensational view of these statues tell the same story when applied to the unconverted world that the elect will begin to judge when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ (Rev 11:15, Dan 2:34).

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Dan 2:35  Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. [We fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ today (Col 1:24). That is what fills our whole earth today within us, as all the nations within us are judged so that the elect in turn will be prepared to judge all the nations of the world in the future (Rev 11:15)]

The interpretation of this second dream in chapter 4 reveals to us what must happen to Nebuchadnezzar and to each of us, to have the statue of all gold destroyed in our heavens (Dan 3:1). We are told this of the judgment that comes upon Nebuchadnezzar: “Seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” The “seven times passing over thee” represents the seven last plagues that must be poured out, or passed over us, in order to enter into the fullness of the kingdom of God in the first resurrection. God causes those seven times passing over us to destroy our old man and bring us to be convinced that we are His future rulers who now know (“till thou know“) “that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (1Co 1:26, Eph 1:1-6, 2Pe 1:10, Eph 1:18). God has promised we will inherit His kingdom as a result of going through the afflictions, persecutions, tribulation and suffering of this life (Mat 19:29), conditions that are symbolized by those “seven times shall pass over thee” [“seven last plagues”], and it is His good pleasure to give us that kingdom, so God won’t fail in administering to us the judgments we must go through (Rev 15:8, Luk 12:32, Act 14:22, 1Pe 4:17).

For you see your calling, brethren:

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

Eph 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 1:2  Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 
Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

2Pe 1:10  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Dan 4:19   Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. 

Nebuchadnezzar represents the carnal first-man Adam, and when [we] Daniel begins to interpret the dream he has, we are troubled and astonished [astoniedH8075] because we know that there is judgment involved in this interpretation, which happens when we fall into the hands of the Lord (Heb 10:31-33). Nebuchadnezzar, our old man, says, “Don’t let the dream bother you, (let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.)” Nebuchadnezzar is not troubled because he does not realize what is going to come upon him at this stage, and even with the dream interpreted, it does not change him, but rather witnesses against him at first (Luk 12:19). The dream should bother us greatly and move us to have a Godly fear. However, Nebuchadnezzar has no such Godly fear, which is the problem, just a dream that needs interpreting from God at this stage, and the intent of the dream will not be understood until he goes through God’s wrath, which will come in the form of his having “his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him.“

H8075 shemam shem-am’

(Chaldee); corresponding to H8074: – be astonied.

Total KJV occurrences: 1

H8074 shâmêm shaw-mame’

A primitive root; to stun (or intransitively grow numb), that is, devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense): – make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish (-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate (-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder.

Total KJV occurrences: 89

Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 
Heb 10:32  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 
Heb 10:33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 

Luk 12:19  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?“

Being ‘astonied’ for one hour is a symbol of the day of the Lord, “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him“, which is what this event in Nebuchadnezzar’s life typifies for us. Daniel is troubled because he has been shown that there will be enemies come up against the king. “Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.” Those enemies of Nebuchadnezzar represent his own iniquities that are going to chasten and scourge him (Jer 2:19), symbolized by both the cutting down of the tree of great height that represents Nebuchadnezzar, and then having “his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him.“

Jer 2:19  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. 

Dan 4:20  The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 
Dan 4:21  Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 
Dan 4:22  It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 
Dan 4:23  And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 

Before we are judged by the Lord, He witnesses against us and shows us who we are (Rev 3:17) and then sends an angel of God (that represents the body of Christ) who has the power to hew down the tree [second dream] and the empires within us, typified by the statue [first dream] (Jer 51:20).

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Jer 51:20  Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; 

Nebuchadnezzar is being counseled by Daniel, and all of these words, “Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth” are summed up by saying, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.“

The solution to overcoming this high-minded spirit of Nebuchadnezzar is to bring judgment upon him, which is what is going to happen as described with these verses, “And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; (Jer 51:20) yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him.“

The “watcher” in the king’s life is Daniel, who by God’s grace has been faithful to stand on the word of God and interpret the dream to king Nebuchadnezzar, revealing in type and shadow these verses which must also occur in order for us to be brought to repentance, and in this parable for his/our high-mindedness, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev 3:18-19, Heb 12:6).

The progression of judgment is also shown in the king’s life as the wood, hay and stubble are gotten out of the way in type and shadow with the hewing down of the tree (wood, hay, stubble 1Co 3:12), but there is more judgment to come for Nebuchadnezzar. The roots and the stump that has the iron band and copper band must also be destroyed in order for Nebuchadnezzar to ‘go on to perfection on the third day’ in type and shadow (gold, silver, costly stones 1Co 3:12), which only occurs after the king has “his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him.“

To put this story in other terms, let’s consider all the wealthy and powerful people of the world throughout history whose lives have had “dominion to the end of the earth” just like the rulers of all the empires that make up the statue of Daniel in the first dream. The way Daniel interacts with Nebuchadnezzar demonstrates the humility that must be formed within the body of Christ and the firmness to not shun to declare the whole counsel of God’s will to all the world during the reign of the saints and in the lake of fire, great white throne judgment (Act 20:26-28). God is preparing His people today to do just that (1Co 6:1-3).

Act 20:26  Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Act 20:27  For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
Act 20:28  Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. 

1Co 6:1  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 
1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Dan 4:24  This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 
Dan 4:25  That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 

These verses in Galatians (Gal 4:1-6) best describe what is happening  to Nebuchadnezzar with “the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king“. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we go into Babylon by being driven away from the world, “they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven.” We think we have come out of the world when in reality we are still abiding “with the beasts of the field.” It is the decree of God that is dragging us (Joh 6:44) so that our dwelling place will be with the churches of Babylon where “they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven“. This eating of grass and being wet with the dew of heaven represents the word of God but it is not the strong meat of God’s word. Nevertheless, this stage is critical, and we must go through it and Lord willing, get beyond it if He permits (Heb 6:3). The only thing that can free us from being a bondservant to the schoolmaster is the “seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Nebuchadnezzar going through this chastening process is a type of the kingdoms of the world, all the empires on the statue, that will one day be purified in the lake of fire, called the great white throne judgment (Dan 4:37). 

Gal 4:1  But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; 
Gal 4:2  but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. 
Gal 4:3  So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: 
Gal 4:4  but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 
Gal 4:5  that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 
Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Heb 6:3  And this will we do, if God permit.

Dan 4:26  And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 
Dan 4:27  Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. 

Daniel further confirms that this eating of grass and being wet with the dew of heaven represents the word of God. However, it is not the strong meat of God’s word, and that is because the churches of Babylon have not been given to go beyond (Heb 6:3), symbolized by the band of iron and brass and the stump of the tree roots being left. The whole stay of bread and water is not being received with a beastly heart that wraps God’s word around the idol of our carnal hearts, and therefore it is taken away (Isa 3:1). Unless we are crushed under the stone (Mat 21:44), which is symbolized by the process of “till seven times pass over him“, we would remain a nēpiosG3516 (Gal 4:1) and not a mature son of God, a uihos G5207(Eph 4:13), who has been blessed to go unto maturity in this life, not hiding our talent in the earth (Heb 6:3, Mat 25:25). The stone falling on us of Matthew 21:44 is what destroys “the stump of the tree roots“, leaving us with the mind of Christ that does not boast against the spiritual root and vine, Jesus Christ, who is doing the work within the body of Christ (Rom 11:18-21, Joh 15:5).

Another way to look at this is that during the reign of the saints we will always be provoking people to love and good works regardless of the fact that we know there will be no conversion, which is another reason Daniel says these words, “let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.“

Rom 11:18  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The churches of this world are “commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots“, and it is by God’s decree that it must be that way for now. Daniel, all in type and shadow language, goes on to point to how the king can become a mature son of God with these words, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” The command to “leave the stump of the tree roots” is needful and necessary in order that “thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.“

It always comes back to the sin of iniquity, which is self-righteousness, that when it is burned out of us, will produce the works within us which will give us Christ’s peace (“a lengthening of thy tranquillity“) in knowing that these are His works within us that we have worked out in fear and trembling by His power (Php 2:12-13). Daniel’s type and shadow counsel will be acceptable to those who are accepted in Christ, of which counsel Nebuchadnezzar is only hearing at this point, demonstrating that he is not a ‘disciple indeed’ in type (Joh 8:31-32). The fruit of our life, as a result of Christ abiding in us, is captured with the statement, “shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” The fruit of pure religion will have us visiting the fatherless and widow in their affliction, the fatherless and widow representing the body of Christ whose assembling we don’t forsake, being careful to maintain good works, “may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity” (Jas 1:27, Heb 10:25, Tit 3:8).

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Tit 3:8  Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men:

Dan 4:28  All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 
Dan 4:29  At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 
Dan 4:30  The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 
Dan 4:31  While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 
Dan 4:32  And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 

All this came upon king Nebuchadnezzar and set the stage for the destruction of his old foundation which is why it was “at the end of twelve months [number for foundations positive or negative] he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.”  While walking in his own palace, with the beast on the throne of his heart, the king spoke these words, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” This is the iniquity that has manifested, the pride of life in full bloom, which is now going to be judged by God. Nebuchadnezzar cannot acknowledge God’s sovereignty, and so, instead of saying “Except the LORD build the house, (Php 2:12-13) they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psa 127:1), he says, “I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty.

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 

God does a quick work in the lives of those in whom He is working, and so it is worded this way to remind us of this truth, “While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee” (Pro 16:18-19, Luk 19:22, Pro 16:4-5).

Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 
Pro 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 

Luk 19:22  And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 
Pro 16:5  Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 

God has hardened the king’s heart and caused him to err, no one else did it (Isa 63:17). This is the decree of the Lord through the watchers who represent the elect (Dan 4:17), “And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Eph 1:11). So, not only has this decree gone forth for the elect in this age in our own hearts and minds, but it will also go out to all men, in time, who will, each in their own order, come to the knowledge of the truth of God’s plan of salvation, which requires that we humble ourselves under His mighty hand, which is only possible through Christ (“seven times shall pass over thee).“

Dan 4:33  The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
Dan 4:34  And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 

The events we are reading now regarding the king’s life being “driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws“, parallel with the prodigal son who is brought to his senses only after he has been brought very low (Luk 15:17-20). This eagle is the negative one that is bound to the earth, and not soaring in the heavens as John represents in his gospels, and Nebuchadnezzar’s nails are like birds’, again connecting him to an unkempt beast that eats and forages things in the earth with his over-emphasized beastly condition.

Luk 15:17  But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
Luk 15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
Luk 15:19  I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luk 15:20  And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Nebuchadnezzar’s experience is typical of what every man will experience. The details will be different for each person whose stripes will be as many or as few as God has predestined (Luk 12:47-48). However the end result will be the same as they were for Nebuchadnezzar who declared the end result of his chastening from God with these words that acknowledge His might and power as he blessed and honored Him that lives forever, “at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation“. This acknowledgement of God’s greatness is a far cry from the earlier verses where Nebuchadnezzar has not yet even rightly identified God working in Daniel’s life but rather refers to Daniel’s God as one of “the holy gods” (Dan 4:8-9). The statement “from generation to generation” reminds us that we are all the beast being spoken of here in this story and that it is those who are judged first (1Pe 4:17) who will come to their senses, after they identify with all the beasts of the field as the generation who is guilty of all the blood of the prophets from Abel to Zacharias (Luk 11:50).

Luk 11:50  that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

Dan 4:35  And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 
Dan 4:36  At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 

If God is working with us in this age, what we will learn after we have been humbled in our flesh is that “all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Eph 1:11, Isa 46:10, Rev 3:7).

Eph 1:11  in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will; 

Isa 46:10  declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; 

Rev 3:7  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:

It is at this same time that we are humbled and brought to our senses by God’s chastening that we are told,  “At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.” In other words, God will restore that which He takes away if we are granted to endure His chastening (Heb 12:7). When we are converted through that experience we will be able to save ourselves and those who hear us, both in this life and in that which is to come (1Ti 4:16), “and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.“

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 
Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

1Ti 4:16  Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

Dan 4:37  Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Nebuchadnezzar clearly identifies “the King of heaven” whom he is now praising, extolling and giving honor to, acknowledging Him with these words, “all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” These words typify for us the end result of the elects’ own sojourn in this life where we’ve been given to lose our life by having the pride of life burned out of us, as was the case with Nebuchadnezzar, in a type and shadow manner, who states of God, “those that walk in pride he is able to abase” (Rev 4:9-11). 

Rev 4:9  And when the living creatures shall give glory and honor and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, to him that liveth for ever and ever, 
Rev 4:10  the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 
Rev 4:11  Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.

It’s also interesting to note that there are a couple of other mentions of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 5, but that’s it. The new king has come on the scene, whose name is Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, who, unlike his father, did not learn from his idolatrous ways and ends up being slain (Dan 5:30). Lord willing, we will look at that next week.

]]> Musical Instruments in the bible, Part 11 – String Instruments https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/musical-instruments-in-the-bible-part-11-string-instruments/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=musical-instruments-in-the-bible-part-11-string-instruments Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:20:06 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=28760 Audio Download

Musical Instruments in the bible, Part 11

String Instruments – [Kathros-Harp, Kinnor-Harp]

[Study Aired November 30, 2023]

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The two stringed instruments we will look at in this study are both harps, and the verses that are used for the Kathros harp are centered around the negative use of hearing something in the world as typified with the events found in these verses: (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15). 

The second harp is the Kinnor harp which points to scriptures which primarily discuss the positive effect of hearing the word of the Lord in this life: (Gen 4:21, Gen 31:27, 1Sa 10:5, 1Sa 16:16, 1Sa 16:23, 2Sa 6:5, 1Ki 10:12, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 15:16, 1Ch 15:21, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 16:5).

Hear the word of the LORD

Our Father in heaven has a lot to say about how we hear the word of the LORD, and every one of these verses which has the statement “hear the word of the LORD” (2Ki 20:16, 2Ch 18:18, Isa 1:10, Isa 28:14, Isa 39:5, Isa 66:5, Jer 22:2, Jer 22:29, Jer 31:10, Jer 44:24, Eze 6:3), was written for our sakes so that a fire can be kindled in the elect that can only begin on ground that has been promised from the foundation of the world to be prepared (Eph 1:4-6, 1Pe 1:20, Eph 2:8-10, 1Jn 4:17, Joh 15:16, Mat 25:34) to receive or read, hear and keep (Rev 1:3) His word which is as fire. “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer 23:29, Mat 24:2).

(The fiery judgments of God in this age upon His children breaks us, not leaving one stone upon another (Mat 24:2), causing us to have a humble and contrite heart (Isa 66:2) in order to be prepared in this age and made ready to be kings and priests who will in time become comfortable in that fire (Isa 33:13-16) and skilled in our ability to apply it outwardly when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ [1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 4:17, 1Jn 4:17, Jer 5:14, Rev 11:15]).

Isa 33:13  Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.
Isa 33:14  The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isa 33:15  He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Isa 33:16  He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

[These munitions of rocks represent the stronghold that God’s word is for His people who are being judged today, and blessed to receive the true bread and water that was taken away from us in the churches of Babylon [Isa 3:1].]

“I am come to send fire on the earth; (process of hearing his word that is as fire Jer 22:29) and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” (Luk 12:49-53) These verses remind us that the foundation God is building through Christ comes at the expense of our very families who are sacrificed for us in this age (Rom 11:30-33).

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you [Rom 5:10, Col 1:27, Rom 8:9],

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast [Rom 11:20-22].
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 
1Jn 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us [Rom 9:13].

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

These verses below remind us that in order to hear the word of the LORD we must die daily through an ongoing process that has been given unto the elect in this age to endure through Christ (Php 2:12-13) making it possible for God’s words to sink down deeply into our hearts and minds (Mat 13:16, Luk 9:44, Joh 17:17, Luk 13:32, Luk 7:22, 1Jn 4:17, Jer 7:2, Jer 9:20, Jer 34:4, Jer 42:15, Eze 16:35, Eze 20:47, Eze 25:3, Eze 34:7, Hos 4:1).

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Luk 9:44  Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men [1Jn 4:17]. [Christ telling us that we must be armed with His mind (1Pe 4:1) and know that our life in him is one of afflictions, persecutions, tribulation, and suffering, of being hated by all men for his name sake (1Co 10:16, Mat 10:22)]

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth [“Let these sayings sink down into your ears“].

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

Luk 7:22  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment [1Pe 4:17]: because as he is, so are we in this world [able to hear and to see spiritually].

If we are being dragged out of Babylon to the LORD in this age (Joh 6:44), we will be acknowledging that we were in there in the first place having been part of the harlot system (Eze 16:35). This is what we must hear when we come out of Babylon and be careful to not look down on that which we have been called out of by the grace of God and through the faith of Christ (Rom 11:18-22).

Mar 4:24  And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Isa 30:21  And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left [Rom 8:14, Joh 14:6].

Joh 8:47  He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world [symbolized by these musicians we read of in Daniel ” (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15)].
1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Definitive scripture that describes the negative and positive use of the word hearing

1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them [symbolized by these musicians we read of in Daniel and those who hear and respond to their message (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15)].
1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; [symbolized by these musicians we read of using the harp in these verses [Gen 4:21, Gen 31:27, 1Sa 10:5, 1Sa 16:16, 1Sa 16:23, 2Sa 6:5, 1Ki 10:12, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 15:16, 1Ch 15:21, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 16:5] he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God [1Jn 5:2-3]; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live throughG1223 him [Php 2:12-13]. 
1Jn 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us [Joh 3:16, 1Jn 3:16], we ought also to love one another [to be a propitiation along with Christ for each other’s sins and the sins of the world (Lev 16:15, Lev 16:20-21, 1Jn 4:17)]. 
1Jn 4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us [Col 1:27].
1Jn 4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit [Rom 8:16, Rom 8:9].

With all these things in mind now, let’s look at the verses and the surrounding context in order to see the contrast with these two harp-like instruments and what they tell us about ourselves, both of the instruments that were made and set in the circumstances we see them for our sakes (1Co 10:11).

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Here are the verses where the Kathros harp is found: (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15). 

Dan 3:5  That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harpH7030, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

Dan 3:7  Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harpH7030, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Dan 3:10  Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harpH7030, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: 

Dan 3:15  Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harpH7030, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

We have discussed these verses before in a previous study on the instrument known as the Kehren, which was a study done on October 5th. Here is an extract from that study to remind us why the Kathros harp can also be seen as an instrument that has a negative connotation for us in God’s word. 

Here is the Strong’s definition of the word Kathros/harpH7030.

If we look at the root meanings of this word Kathros it is very revealing and shows the negative example of kindling a fire.

This fire that is kindled is one that incites the flesh and is earthly and devilish in its intent (Jas 3:15, Jud 1:19) (as opposed to the Kinnor harpH3658, as we will see later in the study). The one verse that the root word of Kathros/harpH7030 is found in Jeremiah 17:6 and reveals this:

Jer 17:5  Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jer 17:6  For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places [H2788  root H2787] in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Jer 17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

The context surrounding the word parchedH2788 shows us how we become cursed when we trust in men and not in God, that is how we become spiritually lacking because we either lean unto our own understanding or the counsel of carnal men and stop believing in God, as opposed to believing in God in order to work the works of God in this age (2Pe 2:17-18, Jud 1:12, Joh 6:28-29).

Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Jud 1:19  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 

2Pe 2:17  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 
2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

Jud 1:12  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

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The second harp we are looking at tonight is the KinnorH3658 (harp) which points to scriptures that primarily discuss the positive effect of hearing the word of the Lord in this life (Gen 4:21, Gen 31:27, 1Sa 10:5, 1Sa 16:16, 1Sa 16:23, 2Sa 6:5, 1Ki 10:12, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 15:16, 1Ch 15:21, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 16:5).

I’ll go through a few of these verses to show the positive use of this word Kinnor harpH3658 starting with these two verses in Genesis (Gen 4:21, Gen 31:27). The context of the first use of the word Kinnor is seemingly a negative one, and it is for the flesh, but this story speaks of the redemption that will come through the line of Seth who is a type of the Christ and His Christ.

Gen 4:21  And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harpH3658 and organ.
Gen 4:22  And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
Gen 4:23  And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. 
Gen 4:24  If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold [how we deal with the sin of Cain and Lamech within us is through Christ and His Christ represented by Seth, forgiving our brothers 70×7 (Mat 18:22)].
Gen 4:25  And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name SethH8352: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 

Again in the next verse where we read of the word Kinnor (Gen 31:27), it may seem negative, but the whole story being brought out is in regard to our deliverance from sin. The first entry of the word Kinnor is symbolic of how we will be delivered from sin through Christ and His Christ, who is typified by Seth and Jacob.

Gen 31:26  And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 
Gen 31:27  Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harpH3658? 
Gen 31:28  And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 
Gen 31:29  It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

In these next three verses, (1Sa 10:5, 1Sa 16:16, 1Sa 16:23), there is a very distinct reference to prophecy, and the word is definitely being used in a positive context reminding us of the need to continue to encourage, enlighten, edify, comfort, and strengthen each other in the LORD (1Co 14:3).

1Sa 10:5  After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harpH3658, before them; and they shall prophesy:

1Sa 16:16  Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harpH3658: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

1Sa 16:23  And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harpH3658, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

In conclusion when we hear the word of God as Noah[H5146= ‘The same as H5118; resting place]  did “to the saving of his house” we find ourselves being made perfect, stablished and strengthened in Christ (1Pe 5:10). The ark that Noah built represents the church, the body of Christ that finally rested on mount Ararat [AraratH780 = “the curse reversed: precipitation of curse”], telling us that when we are blessed to have the faith of Christ and move with fear as Noah did, we will be resting in the Lord who is our strength (Heb 4:9-11). 

Gen 8:4  And the ark restedH5117  in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of AraratH780.

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Christ alone enables us (Php 2:13) to go from glory to glory as we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (2Co 3:18, Php 2:12). The curse of being in this sinful flesh is then reversed by being slaves to righteousness (Gal 3:13, Gal 2:20) and spending our remaining days on the earth fulfilling the will of God that was symbolized by the building of the Ark (1Pe 4:2). Noah’s name has its root meaning in the word “rest” and reminds us that the body of Christ is laboring to enter into His rest, a labor of love that can only be accomplished by grace through faith (Heb 12:6, Tit 2:12, Eph 2:8).

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

By not refusing him that speaks to us (Christ who speaks the law of Christ, a law fulfilled by bearing each other’s burdens  [Gal 6:2]), the curse of the law which is for the lawless is reversed (1Ti 1:9). God calls us out of Babylon and blesses His children to be able to hear the word of the LORD and rest in Christ in this age. Noah typifies for us how that rest is obtained (Heb 11:6-7, Heb 5:7, Heb 12:25, 1Jn 4:17), and mount Ararat symbolizes the end result of our moving with fear to the saving of our house.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: [Luk 22:32] for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7  By faith NoahG3575, being warned of God of things not seen as yet [Joh 20:29], moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith [Mat 24:37-39, 1Pe 1:12].

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Gen 8:4  And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of AraratH780.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at the last three stringed instruments in this section of musical instruments in the bible [Nebel – Viol, Psanterin – Psaltery, Sabbka – Sackbut]

The psaltery, a type of harp, may have had as many as ten strings (Psalm 33:2, 144:9). It was used when the Ark of the Covenant was moved (1Chronicles 15:28) as well as in worshiping God (25:6).

This instrument was used in the court of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar. It may have resembled a dulcimer that had its strings struck with small hammers.

]]> “Musical Instruments in the bible” Part I – Introduction and “the Voice” https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/musical-instruments-in-the-bible-part-i-introduction-and-the-voice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=musical-instruments-in-the-bible-part-i-introduction-and-the-voice Thu, 14 Sep 2023 17:38:24 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=28320 Audio Download

“Musical Instruments in the bible” Part I – Introduction and “the Voice”

[Study Aired September 14, 2-23]

This is a study on the musical instruments that are mentioned in the bible. There is spiritual significance connected to these physical items, just as there is to the temple of God and the vessels within the temple which we are (1Co 3:16). I’ll be using one main website that I found as a resource for the origins and names of those instruments and where they are mentioned in the bible: 

https://www.biblestudy.org/bible-study-by-topic/musical-instruments.html

I can’t confirm that this is an exhaustive list of all the physical instruments below, and I did want to also add the “voice” as an instrument, which is possibly the most significant and often mentioned one in the bible. In musical parlance, every instrument has its own voice that is generated by various means, whether percussion instruments, stringed or wind instruments, and oftentimes we will hear of their use in a singular manner or together as you would expect in a more orchestral environment, depending on the occasion.

I’m not sure at this point how long this series is going to go but I would like to launch it off by talking solely about the voice as the one instrument that we all have the potential to use. I’ve included a list below of the other instruments that I hope to look at in the coming weeks, Lord willing, and they are categorized in four main groups, voice, percussion, string, wind, and one unknown category that includes one ‘string-like’ instrument.

Excerpt from: https://www.biblestudy.org/bible-study-by-topic/musical-instruments.html:

  • Percussion

Hebrew: Menana
KJV Name: Cornets (Sistrum)
Strong’s: #H4517 
References: 2Samuel 6:5

The Hebrew menana is erroneously translated as “cornets” in the King James Version of 2Samuel 6:5. The word means “to rattle” and likely designates an instrument known as a sistrum.

Sistrums had rings or disks loosely attached to one or more bars fixed across a frame. The frame was constructed out of carved bronze or copper. The Sistrum was played by holding it upright and shaking it, allowing its rings to move back and forth on its bars. The menana was played when King David attempted to escort the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

Hebrew: Meziltayim
KJV Name: Cymbals
Strong’s: #H4700
References: 1Chronicles 13:8, 15:16, 19, 28, 16:5, 42, 25:1, 6, 2Chronicles 5:12 – 13, 29:25, Ezra 3:10, Nehemiah 12:27

The Hebrew word meziltayim means “double tinklers.” This instrument, made of brass, was utilized by the leaders of the Levitical singers and played a prominent role in religious ceremonies.

Hebrew: Paamon
KJV Name: Bell
Strong’s: #H6472
References: Exodus 28:33, 34, 39:25 and 36

Tiny bells and pomegranates were attached to the lower hem of the High Priest’s ephod. Although not loud, the bells signaled his location in the temple’s sanctuary.

Hebrew: Toph
KJV Name: Timbrel / Tabret
Strong’s: #H8596
References: Genesis 31:27, Exodus 15:20, Judges 11:34, 1Samuel 10:5, 18:6, 2Samuel 6:5, 1Chronicles 13:8, Job 21:12, etc.

The Hebrew word toph is translated 10 times as “timbrel” and 8 times as “tabret.” The toph, the oldest and most popular means of percussion, was a musical instrument of the drum kind. The 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, in its section on the timbrel and tabret, states the following:

“It is very simple, consisting of a broad or narrow hoop of wood or metal over which the skin of an animal is stretched. Sometimes small, thin pieces of metal are hung upon the rim, which jingle when the timbrel is shaken, as in the modern tambourine.

The instrument is held high in one hand, while the performer beats on the drumhead with the fingers and the back of the other hand.”

Hebrew: Tselatsal (possibly Zelzelim)
KJV Name: Cymbals
Strong’s: #H6767
References: 2Samuel 6:5, Psalm 150:5

Tselatsals produced a loud clanging sound. This musical instrument was played when King David attempted to escort the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

  • String

Hebrew: Asor
KJV Name: Instrument of Ten Strings
Strong’s: #H6218
References: Psalm 33:2, 92:3, 144:9

The only thing known about the Asor was that it was a ten-stringed instrument. It was likely a type of harp such as a zither or lute.

Hebrew: Gittith
KJV Name: Gittith
Strong’s: #H1665
References: Psalm 8:1, 81:1 and 84:1

The name gittith suggests this musical instrument was retrieved by King David in the Philistine city of Gath.

Hebrew: Kathros
KJV Name: Harp
Strong’s: #H7030
References: Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15

Found only in the book of Daniel, the kathros (an Aramaic word) was a stringed instrument played at Nebuchadnezzar’s court. It was possibly a type of lyre.

Hebrew: Kinnor
KJV Name: Harp
Strong’s: #H3658
References: Genesis 4:21, 31:27, 1Samuel 10:5, 16:16, 23, 2Samuel 6:5, 1Kings 10:12, 1Chronicles 13:8, 15:16, 21, 28, 16:5, etc.

The kinnor has the distinction of being the first musical instrument recorded in Scripture. Its creation is credited to a man named Jubal who was of Cain’s lineage (Genesis 4:16 – 21). The kinnor is sometimes referred to as David’s harp.

This instrument is small enough to be played while walking (1Samuel 10:5) and made of wood. Its strings were crafted from sheep tripe. David, when an evil spirit bothered King Saul, would play his kinnor and chase the demon away (1Samuel 16:23)! The kinnor was used to worship and praise God (2Samuel 6:5, Psalm 43:4), utter prophecies (1Chronicles 25:3), and bid farewell to loved ones (Genesis 31:27).

Hebrew: Nebel
KJV Name: Psaltery, Viol
Strong’s: #H5035
References: 1Samuel 10:5, 2Samuel 6:5, 1Kings 10:12, 1Chronicles 13:8, 15:16, 20, 28, 16:5, 25:1, 6, 2Chronicles 5:12, 9:11, etc.

Nebel, in 23 Old Testament places, is translated “psaltery.” It is translated, in Isaiah 5:12, 14:11, Amos 5:23 and 6:5 as “viol.” Jewish tradition states that the Nebel stood upright as opposed to the handheld kinnor.

The psaltery, a type of harp, may have had as many as ten strings (Psalm 33:2, 144:9). It was used when the Ark of the Covenant was moved (1Chronicles 15:28) as well as in worshiping God (25:6).

Hebrew: Psanterin
KJV Name: Psaltery
Strong’s: #H6460
References: Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15

This instrument was used in the court of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar. It may have resembled a dulcimer that had its strings struck with small hammers.

Hebrew: Sabbka
KJV Name: Sackbut
Strong’s: #H5443
References: Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15

This instrument was used in the court of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar. It may have been a type of lyre or harp with four strings.

  • Wind

Hebrew: Halil
KJV Name: Pipe
Strong’s: #H2485
References: 1Samuel 10:5, 1Kings 1:40, Isaiah 5:12, 30:29, Jeremiah 48:36

The halil was one or two pieces of wood that were hollowed out with two or more holes. Its first Scriptural mention involved it being played by a group of prophets. This pipe was commonly played at festive occasions and during pilgrimages to Jerusalem. It could also be used during mourning (Jeremiah 48:36) and at funerals.

Hebrew: Hatsotserah
KJV Name: Trumpet
Strong’s: #H2689
References: Numbers 10:2 – 10, 31:6, 2Kings 11:14, 12:13, 1Chronicles 13:8, 15:24, 28, 16:6, 42, 2Chronicles 5:12 – 13, 13:12, etc.

The hatsotserah, a different musical instrument than the shofar, is mentioned 29 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. Hatsotserahs were trumpets that were straight, narrow and quite long (possibly .9 meters or 2.9 feet). They were constructed out of silver (Numbers 10:1 – 2) or gold, had a flared end and produced a high shrill tone.

This type of trumpet was used to signal the Israelites, when they wandered the wilderness for forty years, to assemble and break camp (Numbers 10:5). It was an important part of temple worship (1Chronicles 15:28, 2Chronicles 15:14) and considered one of the sacred utensils (2Kings 12:13, Numbers 31:6). The hatsotserah was blown on New Moons and other festive occasions as well as at the temple’s daily offerings (2Kings 11:14, Hosea 5:8, Psalm 98:6).

Hebrew: Kehren
KJV Name: Cornet
Strong’s: #H7162
References: Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15

This musical instrument, found only in the book of Daniel, was commonly used in the court of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar. According to Clarke’s Commentary, it was a horn that could make a deep and hollow sound as well as one that was piercing.

The cornet, along with other instruments, was used by Nebuchadnezzar at the dedication of a huge golden statue in his likeness. The statue was 60 cubits (at least 87.5 feet or 26.7 meters) tall by six cubits (8.75 feet or 2.67 meters) wide.

Babylon’s officials, as well as the people, were commanded to bow down and worship the image when they heard the instruments play (Daniel 3:3 – 5). All those refusing to do so would be put to death in a fiery furnace. Daniel’s three friends, who rejected this idolatry, were thrown into this fiery trial of their faith but were miraculously saved by God (Daniel 3).

Hebrew: Mashroqiy
KJV Name: Flute
Strong’s: #H4953
References: Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15

This instrument is found only in Daniel in the KJV. It, along with others, was used by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar to signal when those he ruled over were to worship a huge golden statue made in his likeness. The mashroqiy may have been the Chaldean name for a flute with two reeds. Tyndale’s Dictionary and the ISBE believe it was similar to Pan’s pipe.

Hebrew: Shofar
KJV Name: Cornet / Trumpet
Strong’s: #H7782
References: Exodus 19:16, 19, 20:18, Leviticus 25:9, Joshua 6:4 – 20, Judges 3:27, etc.

The Hebrew word shofar is recorded 72 times in the Hebrew Old Testament, all of which are mistranslated in the KJV. It is erroneously called a trumpet 68 times and a cornet 4 times (Psalm 98:6, 1Chronicles 15:28, 2Chronicles 15:14, Hosea 5:8). The shofar and trumpet, according to the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, are two distinct instruments as delineated in Psalm 98:6 and 1Chronicles 15:28.

The shofar is mentioned more than any other musical instrument in the Bible. It is the only instrument that survives in its original form that is still used in modern Jewish liturgy. It was usually made from the curved horn of a ram or goat. Shofars announced the New Moons and Sabbaths (Psalm 81:3), warned of approaching danger, and signaled the death of nobility.

Hebrew: Ugab
KJV Name: Organ
Strong’s: #H5748
References: Genesis 4:21, Job 21:12, 30:31, Psalm 150:4

The ugab is the second musical instrument mentioned in Scripture. It was created by Jubal who also made the first harp (Genesis 4:16 – 21). The KJV translation of ugab is a bit misleading as it was not some kind of keyboard-based instrument. It was a flute-like wind instrument, possibly a double or manifold pipe, made of wood or ivory. It could be used to praise and rejoice before God (Psalm 150:4) or while mourning (Job 30:31).

  • Unknown Type

Hebrew: Sumponia
KJV Name: Dulcimer
Strong’s: #H5481
References: Daniel 3:5, 10, 15

The KJV word “dulcimer,” found only in Daniel, is a mistranslation. Modern dulcimers are percussion based musical instruments that possess metal strings that are hit with lightweight hammers. Smith’s Bible Dictionary, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Wilmington’s Guide, however, all state the sumponia was possibly a type of bagpipe.

Tyndale’s Dictionary, however, argues the sumponia couldn’t have been a bagpipe, as musicologists believe no such instrument existed at the time of King Nebuchadnezzar. The uncertainty of the Hebrew makes it difficult to know what is being referenced.

———————– end of excerpt  ————————

These instruments listed above can have a negative and positive application in their use, which is brought out in scripture. Each instrument symbolizes a means by which we can glorify God, or in the negative application bring glory to ourselves that Christ warned His disciples about in Matthew 6:1-4. I’ll get to that point more extensively as we get into our study, but for now I just want to make clear like everything God has created, there is potential to use it for good or to abuse these liberties that God gives us in this life for an occasion to our flesh (Gal 5:13). God knows our hearts (Jer 17:9), and those hearts need to be overcome little and by little so that our actions which our Father “seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Christ, our hope of glory within, is that means to a glorious end as we present our bodies a living sacrifice, being made into instruments of righteousness to His glory and honor (Col 1:27, Ecc 7:8, Ecc 3:11, Rom 12:1-2).

Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Mat 6:1  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:3  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:  

Ecc 7:8  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 

Ecc 3:11  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

There are also modern versions or spin offs of all these instruments that we will be looking at, and countless others that exist in our society that are never mentioned in the bible. This is what makes this subject so interesting to us, because we know that it’s not the instrument itself that carries the most important message, but what we do with what God has given us. This is always the point whether we’re talking about music, or the preparation of food and drink and how we use them, as well as our jobs, or whatever skill that God has given us on the earth. We are living instruments in His hands, and it is the Lord who is orchestrating all our actions, both to will and to do of His good pleasure (1Co 10:31-33, 1Co 3:22-23, Php 2:11-13).

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 
1Co 10:32  Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: [Rom 14:21-23, Rom 14:3] 
1Co 10:33  Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. 

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

With all this in mind, let us begin by looking at our first, and what I believe is the most significant, instrument – our “voice“, remembering what we just read that with the voice “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. What a blessing it is when we can do that with a voice of praise and thanksgiving to our Father. The voice itself is not what is in question, otherwise a mute person could never praise God with their voice, but in truth we can all praise God in our spirit. That is the central point being made with all these instruments, including the voice. It is not what gift we have. It is what we do with what we have in our spirit that ought to be rejoicing always and again I say rejoice (Php 4:4), as we grow in learning to glorify God in our spirits, which oftentimes is reflected by our outward actions in life.

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

The first time the word ‘sing’ is mentioned in the (KJV) bible is in Exodus 15:1. That is significant as it shows us the main reason we should praise God with our voices, that reason being because of the victory He gives us over our flesh, symbolized by “the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea” (Exo 15:1). That victory is something God’s elect are blessed to experience first in this life through Christ, and the reason the Psalmist was inspired to write these verses, (Psa 107:8, Psa 107:15, Psa 107:21, Psa 107:31), reminding us to offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to God (Heb 13:15).

Exo 15:1  Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 

Psa 107:8  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 
Psa 107:15  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 
Psa 107:21  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 

Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 
Heb 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

The word Sing is mentioned 102 times [not always the same Strong’s number], Sung is mentioned 5 times and Singeth is mentioned once. For our consideration I want to start by looking at this entry of the word “singH6031” which is only used in these verses, (Exo 32:18, Isa 27:2-3). The use of the word ‘sing’ in this context shows us that singing can be an expression of sorrow, of affliction, of joy, and many other emotions that are associated when we are lifting up our voice to the Lord.

Exo 32:18  And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that singH6031 do I hear. 

Isa 27:2  In that day singH6031 ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. 
Isa 27:3  I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

Another word we want to consider in God’s word is the word “voices”G5456 which is used 128 times. I want to focus on its use in Revelation in these verses, (Rev 4:5; Rev 8:5; Rev 8:13; Rev 10:3; Rev 10:4; Rev 11:15; Rev 11:19; Rev 16:18), that are talking about a language that only the elect can speak and interpret. This word “voices”G5456 represents the new voice or language that comes out of those who are part of New Jerusalem (Rev 3:12, Rev 21:2). When Christ took His disciples aside to sing a hymn with them, it was a symbolic moment of this truth that we would one day be of one voice, in harmony of spirit and truth, praising our Father in heaven together (Joh 4:23-24). All the world will join in that harmony of praise after their heavens have been purified and God is all and all, when “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time” (Mat 26:30, 1Co 15:28).

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Mat 26:30  And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 

Rev 4:5  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voicesG5456: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God

Rev 8:5  And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voicesG5456, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 

Rev 8:13  And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voiceG5456, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voicesG5456 of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! 

Rev 10:3  And cried with a loud voiceG5456, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voicesG5456.

Rev 10:4  And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voicesG5456 in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

Rev 11:19  And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voicesG5456, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Rev 16:18  And there were voicesG5456, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

The first time the word “praisingH1984” is used in the bible is in 2 Chronicles 5:13 where we learn that there is a oneness that is involved with praising God. The common denominator that brings us to praise God is this reason, “For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” This idea of worshiping God ‘for his mercy endures forever’ is a very repeated reality that is found throughout God’s word. Here are forty-eight verses that have some combination of the words “mercy” or “endure” or “endureth” to make the point clear that God’s mercy endures forever, and we should be filled with thanks and praise for that reality.

2Ch 5:13  It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; 

1Ch 16:34  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1Ch 16:41  And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;

2Ch 7:3  And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

2Ch 7:6  And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 

2Ch 20:21  And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Ezr 3:11  And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 

Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psa 52:8  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 

Psa 61:7  He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. 

Psa 77:8  Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?

Psa 89:2  For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. 

Psa 106:1  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa 107:1  O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa 118:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:2  Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:3  Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:4  Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa 118:29  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa 136:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:2  O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:3  O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:4  To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:5  To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:6  To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:7  To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:8  The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:9  The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:10  To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:11  And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:12  With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:13  To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:14  And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 
Psa 136:15  But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:16  To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:17  To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:18  And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:19  Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:20  And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:21  And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:22  Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:23  Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:24  And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:25  Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:26  O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa 138:8  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. [Luk 13:32]

Jer 33:11  The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. 

Mic 7:18  Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

Hopefully with this first entry of musical instruments in the bible, it is clear to us that the voice is one of, if not the most powerful instrument, used to praise God, not just with a beautiful harmonious sound as all instruments can do, but also with a language of praise toward God (Psa 92:1) that is elevated through the accompanying expression that the voice can produce.

Psa 92:1  A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 

Briefly, what about the negative use of our voices? The verse that comes to mind is that we can have all truth, and if that truth is not spoken in love, it is as a clanging gong (1Co 13:1-8). 

1Co 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 
1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 
1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 
1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 
1Co 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 
1Co 13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:8  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

Similarly, the voice can be as pitch perfect as possible and full of deep expression, and even expressing truth in that endeavor, and yet if it is not being done prayerfully and to the glory of God it is as a clanging gong to Him, and just another occasion to glorify our flesh (Eph 4:15, 1Jn 5:2). Only God and Christ, who is our life and our reason we exist, is worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving, and we can’t praise and worship God in heaven in spirit and in truth unless we are given His spirit within (Rom 8:9, Joh 4:23-24). God’s Spirit helps us grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2Pe 3:18) as we’re lead into all truth (Joh 16:13), and it reveals to us just how great and worthy of all praise our Father is for His sovereign hand in our lives that is making us into a new vessel of honour as His workmanship (Jer 18:4, Eph 2:8-10). To walk worthy with God is to acknowledge that He alone is worthy of all praise, and of all glory and all honour, for all the things that He is doing as His will unfolds before us (Rev 4:8-11, Eph 1:10-12).

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

1Jn 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Rev 4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 
Rev 4:9  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Rev 4:10  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipG4352 him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 
Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

This concludes our installment with the first instrument, “the voice“, and in the following weeks I will most likely pair some of the other instruments to make the study long enough. We will also see how instruments work together in harmony at some point, providing for us a spiritual lesson of how the body is fit together by God (1Co 12:18) who is Christ’s head and the one who is fulfilling God’s will within His body the church (Php 2:12-13, Col 1:24, Eph 5:30). We could say that we are a spiritual orchestra in that sense and that God is using each joint, each instrument of God, “according to the effectual working in the measure of every part [every instrument], maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

]]> Act 17:1-17 These Have Turned the World Upside Down https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/act-171-17-these-have-turned-the-world-upside-down/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=act-171-17-these-have-turned-the-world-upside-down Sun, 11 Jun 2023 03:35:40 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=27750

Act 17:1-17 These Have Turned the World Upside Down

[Study Aired June 11, 2023]

Act 17:1  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
Act 17:2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Act 17:3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
Act 17:4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Act 17:5  But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Act 17:6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Act 17:7  Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Act 17:8  And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
Act 17:9  And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Act 17:12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Act 17:13  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Act 17:14  And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
Act 17:15  And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Act 17:16  Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Act 17:17  Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

In our last study, Paul and Silas had insisted that the hypocritical magistrates of Philippi, who had commanded that Paul and Silas be beaten without a trial, not knowing they were both Roman citizens with the right to a trial, must come themselves to the prison and lead them out of their city. Those magistrates, upon learning that they had broken Roman law, were humbled enough to come to the prison and “beg” Paul and Silas to leave the city:

In this study we will first review our last study to demonstrate the pattern of being rejected which developed in Paul’s life.

Act 16:37  But Paul said to them, Having beaten us publicly, being Romans and uncondemned men, they threw us into prison. And now do they throw us out secretly? No, indeed! But coming themselves, let them bring us out.
Act 16:38  And the floggers reported these words to the magistrates. And hearing that they were Romans, they were afraid.
Act 16:39  And coming, they begged them. And bringing them out, they asked them to go out of the city.
Act 16:40  And going out from the prison, they went into the house of Lydia. And seeing the brothers, they exhorted them, and went out. (LITV)

Paul and Silas accommodated their persecutors because that is what the Lord had instructed them:

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

This is a pattern which was established on Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas. He was cast out of Pisidian Antioch and fled to Iconium. In Iconium he became aware of a plot to stone him, and he and Barnabas fled to Lystra where Paul was stoned and left for dead. The Lord raised him up, and he and Barnabas fled to Derbe.

On this second missionary journey, Paul travels from Syrian Antioch through his hometown of Tarsus in the province of Cilicia, where he had spent well over a decade after fleeing Jerusalem for his life. He then visits all the churches he and Barnabas had established in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch. Then being forbidden by the spirit to preach the gospel in Asia at this time, and being forbidden to preach the gospel in Bithynia, Paul is directed by the Lord in “a vision… in the night” to go into Macedonia and preach the gospel:

Act 16:6  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Act 16:7  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Act 16:8  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
Act 16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Act 16:10  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

It was at the Lord’s direction that Paul and Silas ended up in “Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia.”

Act 16:11  Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Act 16:12  And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

Philippi is a Roman colony, and there is no mention of a synagogue in Philippi. Instead, we are told that Paul and Silas met on the sabbath day with the women of the city who prayed by a river. This is where Paul and Silas met with and converted a woman named Lydia, who insisted they stay at her home.

Act 16:13  And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Act 16:14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Act 16:15  And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

It is here in Philippi that “a certain damsel” follows Paul and Barnabas “many days” proclaiming them as men of God who “show us the way of salvation.”

While the young lady’s message was true, she was doing exactly what the scriptures tell us will place us under a curse:

Pro 27:14  He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

Constantly singing the praises of any man, as opposed to constantly affirming the praises of Christ, places us in the unenviable position of placing a man above our Lord, and that is exactly what this young lady was doing.

Paul was given to discern an evil spirit which was directing this young lady, and he ordered it to come out of her, and it did:

Act 16:16  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Act 16:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Act 16:18  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

That spirit of divination came out of the young lady, and she was no longer able to “bring her masters much gain.” So, her masters caught [Paul and Silas], and dragged them to the magistrates of Philippi and accused Paul and Silas of “teaching customs which are not lawful for us to receive… being Romans.” The multitudes and the magistrates “rose up together against them” [Paul and Silas], beat them mercilessly with “many stripes”, and then cast them into prison.

Act 16:19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Act 16:20  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Act 16:21  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
Act 16:22  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
Act 16:23  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

While in the stocks in this Philippian jail, at midnight Paul and Silas were praying out loud and singing praises to the Lord when ‘suddenly there was an earthquake’ so [powerful] that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and all the prisoners were set free of their bonds:

Act 16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Act 16:26  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

The jailer wakes to see the doors of the prison open and immediately assumes that all the prisoners had already fled, but miraculously none of them had fled. Not knowing this, the jailer proceeds to commit suicide because he is well aware of the Roman law that if a prisoner escapes, the person who was in charge of that prisoner must die for being negligent.

Act 16:28  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

This entire miraculous series of events, along with the witness of Paul and Silas, led to the conversion of the Roman jailer and all his house:

Act 16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Act 16:32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
Act 16:33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Act 16:34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

The next morning the magistrates sent word to secretly let Paul and Silas go free, but Paul insisted that since they had beaten and imprisoned them publicly, Paul and Silas, both being Roman citizens with all the rights to a trial of a Roman citizen, insisted that these hypocritical magistrates must come publicly to the jail and lead them out of the city themselves. Upon learning what they had illegally done to two Roman citizens, they were more than happy to comply with Paul’s demands, and they came and begged them to leave their city, which they did:

Act 16:39  And coming, they begged them. And bringing them out, they asked them to go out of the city.
Act 16:40  And going out from the prison, they went into the house of Lydia. And seeing the brothers, they exhorted them, and went out. (LITV)

This all brings us to the verses of our study today where the same scenario of being rejected by the Jews is about to be repeated in a Greek city named Thessalonica, which had a Jewish synagogue and was south of Philippi some 100 miles, or 161 kilometers.

Act 17:1  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
Act 17:2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Act 17:3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

As was always the case, the spirit had prepared the hearts of many to receive Paul’s words and given them eyes to see and ears to hear the words of the witness of Paul:

Act 17:4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to appeal to those who are not part of nor accepted by the established religions and their leaders in every generation. In Thessalonica Paul’s preaching at first appealed to “a great multitude…  of the devout Greeks… and of the chief women not few”, but once again the established church became envious of the appeal the gospel was having.

Act 17:5  But the Jews which believed not [the established church of that day], moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them [Paul and Silas] out to the people.

As we just read “the Jews that believed not” were not only envious of the multitudes to whom the gospel appealed, but they also “believed not” the doctrines of the gospel of Christ, and once again they stirred up the people and would have assaulted Paul and Silas if they had found them:

Act 17:6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

The leaders of the established church, and the people of Paul’s day, signifying the religious leaders and people of our day, had lived their lives in a world that was upside down. Being upside down is the human condition in which we all just naturally worship and serve the creature, meaning ourselves, rather than the Creator. This rebellious, “marred…upside down” condition of mankind is referred to in Romans 1 as “the unrighteousness of men” (Rom1:18):

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

It is mankind’s marred composition which makes him “to err from [the Lord’s] ways and hardens [our] hearts against [His] ways.” That is how we are all first “made”:

Isa 63:17  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

‘The creature’ (mankind) is at first ‘marred’ and unrighteous by God’s design. Our naturally marred and unrighteous condition places all mankind under the Lord’s wrath:

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature [our own fleshly desires] more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

We all as carnal-minded mankind just naturally tend to please our own flesh instead of striving to put Christ and His Father first in our lives. That is why the doctrine of Christ, which teaches us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek and resist not evil, appears as an upside-down world to our natural man. A doctrine which teaches that we should seek first the spiritual kingdom of God and His righteousness, and afterward all the necessities of this physical realm, seems very much upside down and backwards to our natural man.

Act 17:7  Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

Christ’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom which is no threat to civil governments of this age. The truth is that the gospel and doctrines of Christ produce the very best citizens in this present time because true Christians are obedient to these words which are inspired by the holy spirit:

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation [G2917: ‘krima’ judgment].
Rom 13:3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4  For he [civil government, “the powers that be”] is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute [God’s] wrath upon him that doeth evil [against others, including God’s elect].
Rom 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for [the execution of] wrath, but also for conscience sake. [For the sake of being obedient to the Lord]

These words make for the most honest and peaceful and productive citizens of any country. These words are not the sum of the Lord’s instructions to us, but they are only part of the Lord’s words on this subject. There is a time when we are forced to resist the powers that be, as Peter demonstrated when responding to “the powers that be” when they ordered him and all the apostles to refrain from preaching the gospel to the people:

Act 5:27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Act 5:28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

This is a Biblically qualified exception to being obedient to the powers that be. Therefore, any time the powers that be command us to disobey our Lord, we must refuse to do so.

Act 17:8  And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

This other king other than Caesar, is the same ingenuous, hypocritical canard which the chief priest and the Pharisees had placed upon Christ, acting as if they themselves were loyal to Caesar:

Luk 23:2  And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

Joh 19:12  And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

They were lying, and they knew they were lying. Christ never once forbade anyone to give tribute to Caesar. This is His doctrine concerning paying taxes:

Luk 20:22  Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

Luk 20:24  Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s.
Luk 20:25  And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.

Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

The gospel of the kingdom of God in this age is a spiritual kingdom within us. That gospel proclaims a time when “the kingdoms of this world [will] become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ.” However, when that day would arrive, it will not arrive because those who proclaim the gospel have inspired a physical insurrection against the civil governments of this age. When the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, it will be a supernatural work of God which will be beyond the ability of mere flesh and blood to resist:

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Act 17:9  And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

It was on the first journey that Paul and Barnabas declared that since the Jews always rejected the gospel and ‘counted themselves unworthy of salvation, we turn to the Gentiles.’

Here is what Paul declared to the rebellious Jews in Pisidian Antioch during his first missionary journey:

Act 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Act 13:47  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Where does the Lord command Paul and Barnabas to go to the Gentiles? These are the verses Paul references as a commandment for him to take the gospel to the Gentiles:

Isa 49:1  Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
Isa 49:2  And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
Isa 49:3  And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Isa 49:4  Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
Isa 49:5  And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
Isa 49:6  And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Even after proclaiming that his ministry was ‘turning to the Gentiles, Paul continued to also go into the local synagogues:

Act 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Act 13:47  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Act 17:12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

The pronouns, ‘these were more noble’ and ‘many of them believed’ are referring to the Jews of Berea mentioned in the previous verse:

Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Act 17:13  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Act 17:14  And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

The apostles typify the Lord’s elect, who are indeed “hated of all men” as the Lord told us we would be:

Mat 10:21  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

When we are persecuted, we are instructed to flee to another city, and that is the pattern of all of Paul’s efforts to share the gospel with both the Jews and the Gentiles to whom the Lord has sent him. We do not attempt to make people see the truth who are not given eyes to see the truth.

Act 17:15  And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

We are not told who ‘they’ are, but we know ‘they’ were not Silas and Timothy because we are told that they remained in Berea for a time before being instructed to later join Paul in Athens.

Act 17:16  Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Act 17:17  Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

Once again, we see Paul first going into the synagogue in Athens. He always does so, because the gospel was intended to be preached to those who already had a relationship with God before being preached to others:

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

That is what the holy spirit had originally told Saul of Tarsus by the agency of Ananias of Damascus:

Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Act 9:17  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Act 9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Immediately, Saul of Tarsus, the man who three days earlier had been seeking to kill all who followed Christ, was now in Christ’s employ and is proclaiming Him in the synagogues of Damascus:

Act 9:19  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
Act 9:20  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

As we will see in our next study, Paul had little impact upon this great Gentile city of Athens even though he was invited to speak in the Areopagus by “certain philosophers of the Epicureans” (Act 17:18).

Athens is the one city which did not persecute Paul before he left. He was not threatened there in Athens as he had been in every other city in which he had spent time preaching the gospel. Judging from ‘that which is written’ he spent more time speaking to the Gentiles at the Areopagus than the Jews in the synagogue. He did however speak to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Christ Himself came to His own first, and other than healing the Roman centurion’s servant (Mat 8:8), granting the Syrophoenician woman her request (after calling her a ‘dog’ to her face [Mar 7:24-30]), Christ never once went to a Gentile. They always came to Him because, as He told that woman:

Mar 7:27  But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

This is the principle which rules the thoughts of all the apostles throughout the book of Acts.

In our next study we will see that the Gentiles also rejected the gospel of the resurrection of the dead. As always there was and there is a remnant who are given to receive our Lord and His Word.

]]> “Love is a Consuming Fire” – Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/love-is-a-consuming-fire-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=love-is-a-consuming-fire-part-2 Sat, 17 Jul 2021 20:59:06 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=23951 “Love is a Consuming Fire” – Part 2

by Steven Crook

In part 1 of this series, I ended the study by saying:

I wanted to start this study where we ended last time to continue this thought and also to learn if we can glean from scripture how it is we live this out practically in our lives today.

How do we sing praises to the Lord, with understanding and to declare his works with rejoicing? Why is thanksgiving referred to as a sacrifice?

Let’s be honest. How many times do you catch yourself saying, or at least remember thinking, “Lord, I just don’t understand?!…”?

That is a phrase that is common to the human condition because we oftentimes have NO CLUE what is happening to us, our family, friends, enemies, people who are our neighbors or people across the  globe, nor do we have a CLUE what to expect is coming next, but we put on “happy faces” and pretend that everything is going to be okay because yesterday was.

Well, today is the day of the Lord!

What comes today is all of the Lord, just as the Truth has been from the beginning of time. We just seem to think our thoughts, emotions, remedies, revenges, hugs, defeats, wins, etc., etc, etc., are going  to somehow change the outcome of things.

The Truth is that God is in control of it all, and once we understand that to our core, until that shakes and rattles you like an undeniable earthquake in your heavens, then you will never be able to declare His works with rejoicing and to praise Him with lips of thanksgiving and understanding, for our God is a consuming Fire.

I am often touched, so to speak, by the words I read. I can be affected quite easily, when the moment is right, by the words that pour forth as springs of living water from the scripture.

We read Psalms 47 and 48 in the last study. I am going to continue to read the next few chapters in Psalms in this study, because these Psalms, or SONGS to the Lord, are very precious to Him ESPECIALLY in times of DURESS and great CHANGE.

The Lord only accepts praises WITH UNDERSTANDING, so what is it we are to understand, especially in the context of this study?

Psa 49:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
Psa 49:2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
Psa 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Notice that we are told, right here just a few verses later, what we should be doing to gain understanding. One of the key ingredients in the recipe of success is to meditate with your heart.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

We do not need to fear, because the Lord places upon our hearts what steps we will take, therefore we are protected from Him by His own hand.

When trying to understand why things happen or are happening to us and others around us, we need to learn to dance to the music being played! That hard-to-be-understood dark saying is being played on the harp of the Lord!

Psa 49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Psa 49:5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her  seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Gen 25:26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

Psa 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the  earth trembled and shook.
Psa 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

So our walk is important to understanding that “the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about” tells us that the Lord is working it all. Don’t believe me? Let Him speak on the matter then.

Psa 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
Psa 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Psa 49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
Psa 49:9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
Psa 49:10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

We all go to the grave the same as the next person.

Psa 49:11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling  places to all generations; >they call their lands after their own names.
Psa 49:12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
Psa 49:13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

At the end of the day, the Lord just wants us to take some time to ponder why it is we are here, what we are doing, and where we are going. We need to do that. What we will discover very quickly is that we are the basest of beasts. I mean the BASEST when it gets down to the core of it.

Even in the garden of Eden, we were given dominion to NAME all the beasts, tend to the GARDEN OF GOD, that He HIMSELF had planted, watered and nourished to PRESENT TO US to tend; just for us to go about the work and then one day WANT MORE… in the form of “a helper”. Turns out,  men need a helper at night most times.

Naming the beasts in the garden of God is akin to naming the lands after our own names. We take pride in the things we OWN or have DOMINION over, but it is always short-lived and always at the discretion of the LORD. How painful is that to “Selah” over! Your flesh will weep for its loss and “hard work”. Why?

Psa 49:14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
Psa 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the POWER of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

Even so Lord come quickly. When we accept whatever is to come in the day of the Lord, which happens to be every day, then we have arrived at peace in the Lord. That does not mean NO FIRE. It means DWELLING CONTENTEDLY in the FIRE; whatever the Lord decides to do WITH THAT FIRE!

Some days you wake up with plans and find out that “house” in your “land of plans” caught fire last night while you slept, and the Lord willed something else to happen.

Some days you wake up and find that King Neb is making an edict that if anyone so much as coughs at your Lord’s name the wrong way, they would be cut asunder and spread around the kingdom, as we saw at the end of the last study.

Psa 49:16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
Psa 49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Psa 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
Psa 49:19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
Psa 49:20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

‘Man in honour, without understanding, ends up like all perishing beasts.’ These men will NEVER SEE LIGHT.

Why? Light comes FORTH out of darkness, but it is NOT darkness. Likewise, DEAD things cannot be ALIVE to SEE the LIGHT that can only be seen during the DAY.

Remember the day that it is and who it is that we are versus the rest of humanity. It doesn’t matter what time period, age, aion or whatever length of time you want to label time as, is. Right now, it is the ‘today’.

Today = a very particular moment in time.

“Man in honour, without understanding, ends up like all perishing beasts.” These men will NEVER SEE LIGHT.

If you want to perish WITH understanding, then let us CONSIDER what the Lord has to say on the matter, because it matters to ALL MATTERS under the SUN! The mighty God the Lord has spoken.

Love is a consuming Fire, and love as defined in scripture as keeping His commandments. The Truth is, we cannot keep His commandments without Him DOING IT IN US. Flesh cannot glory in front of God.

The difference between “us” and “them” in the bible, is that we were once the “them” and we now KNOW, via KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING, that the Lord calls the shots. Get with that PROGRAM and plan and you will be able to understand who you are and WHY things happen the way they do.

When someone asks you, “How’s it going?”, “You know, life has a way of kicking you when you’re down” is a phrase that comes to mind; KNOW that LIFE does have a way of DOING to you what HE WILLS according to fulfilling the WILL of GOD the Father. That is His purpose, and you are His bride, but you get NO SAY in the affairs of HIS HOUSE!

It’s like when people make a big deal out of the “policies” or things the first lady or wife of the U.S. president says. What she says or thinks DOESN’T matter in the context of running the country. She hasn’t been elected.

This is as true if it were a husband or a husband who had previously been president like Bill Clinton and Hillary. If Bill stepped in one day and tried to take over a join chiefs national security briefing, I think there would be some fireworks. I’d like to see as a fly on that wall!

You get my point then. We, as the bride of Christ, have no BUSINESS telling our Husband Jesus, what’s up from down and down from up. We don’t get to criticize the things happening to us for the sake of it. We must also be careful to FEIGN worship. After all, a “warship” is always in WAR. Let your worship reflect your dedication to the mission.

Psa 50:1 A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth  from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
Psa 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Psa 50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.

Contrary to popular thought, judgment beginning at the house of God is the only place it is happening NOW, currently. The “END” of that judgment has not yet began.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first  begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Continuing in Psa 50:

Psa 50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

Oh, oh, oh! We made a covenant with GOD via SACRIFICE? Uh, oh. We had better keep this deal! Seriously, the Lord is very serious about this, and you will know it in your heart if you fulfill these verses.

Psa 50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
Psa 50:7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am  God, even thy God.
Psa 50:8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
Psa 50:9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
Psa 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
Psa 50:11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
Psa 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
Psa 50:13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

We aren’t going to be reproved right now so that we can go kill some poor animal and sacrifice their blood to the Lord. No, we are going to SACRIFICE another kind of sacrifice. A true sacrifice. A sacrifice that is felt in the innermost heart of who we are.

There are stony hearts, and there are fleshly hearts, but that is not what it sounds like. There are DEAD hearts, and there are LIVELY hearts; full of life. God wants you to sacrifice to Him of UNDERSTANDING LIPS.

We could be like the disciples (and we are at our appointed time), and tell Jesus to His face, “Yeah, we can drink of that cup you speak of” while not having a clue we are going to always deny Him over and over when push comes to shove.

Here is the real sacrifice God wants from you and me:

Psa 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
Psa 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Can you not admit when the Lord says you will pay your VOWS to Him with SACRIFICING LIPS, because your thanksgiving comes the STRONGEST when you know it was, is and will always be Him  controlling whatever happens, and it is He who will always be able to bring you into THAT remembrance.

Yet, we are His, and His judgment is simply to continuously right the direction of His ship with us on the ride in it. We could be without UNDERSTANDING like we used to be. See verses to follow:

Psa 50:16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that  thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
Psa 50:17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
Psa 50:18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Psa 50:19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
Psa 50:20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
Psa 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was  altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine  eyes.
Psa 50:22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be  none to deliver.
Psa 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

So, it is important that we forget not God and in so doing become the wicked all over again. We need to always remember the glass/mirror and what manner of man we are ourselves; yet, the Lord rescued us from that.

Whatever it is we are going through is the fire of the Lord. We often grumble when we know the fire is getting hot in our lives, and yet another thing seems to be getting “burned away” or taken from us, our thoughts or our plans, etc., but we are really grumbling about the things the Lord had already known were happening.

Love is a consuming fire because God is Love. If we are one with Him and He is one with us, then we are ONE in MIND that whatever is happening, HIS HOUSEHOLD IS BEING LOOKED AFTER.

Can we say a general in a far-off land is NOT taking care of His household because He is in WAR somewhere else? Generals still get paid, and he could die any moment. The obvious answer is, yes, he is taking care of his household, and also he is a GENERAL.

The Lord may not tell us all the details of the war we are in. He may not engage with His wife (you and I as the bride of Christ) with everything He is planning to do, but He is always a Faithful husband who will do what needs to be done to execute His purpose given to Him by God the Father.

We may not know if the fire consumes us fully or lets us walk out of it without the smell of smoke on us, but we do know we have been told it will ALL BE OKAY!

That is a sacrifice of thanksgiving that is hard to lip when the fire continues to get hotter and hotter. It is, however, the only way sacrifice is to be given – with understanding.

]]> Study of the Book of Judges – Jdg 5:1-31 Praise Ye the Lord for the Avenging of Israel https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/study-of-the-book-of-judges-jdg-51-31-praise-ye-the-lord-for-the-avenging-of-israel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=study-of-the-book-of-judges-jdg-51-31-praise-ye-the-lord-for-the-avenging-of-israel Mon, 22 Mar 2021 23:48:15 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=23289 https://www.dropbox.com/s/3be2kcjtdxyqhop/20210323-Study_Ato-Barnes.m4a?raw=1

Jdg 5:1-31 Praise Ye the Lord for the Avenging of Israel

[Study Aired March 22, 2021]

Jdg 5:1  Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, 
Jdg 5:2  Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. 
Jdg 5:3  Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. 
Jdg 5:4  LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. 
Jdg 5:5  The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel. 
Jdg 5:6  In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways. 
Jdg 5:7  The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. 
Jdg 5:8  They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? 
Jdg 5:9  My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD. 
Jdg 5:10  Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way. 
Jdg 5:11  They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates. 
Jdg 5:12  Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. 
Jdg 5:13  Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty. 
Jdg 5:14  Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. 
Jdg 5:15  And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. 
Jdg 5:16  Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 
Jdg 5:17  Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches. 
Jdg 5:18  Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. 
Jdg 5:19  The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. 
Jdg 5:20  They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. 
Jdg 5:21  The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. 
Jdg 5:19  The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. 
Jdg 5:20  They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. 
Jdg 5:21  The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. 
Jdg 5:22  Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones. 
Jdg 5:23  Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty. 
Jdg 5:24  Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. 
Jdg 5:25  He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. 
Jdg 5:26  She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. 
Jdg 5:27  At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead. 
Jdg 5:28  The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots? 
Jdg 5:29  Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself, 
Jdg 5:30  Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil? 
Jdg 5:31  So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years. 

This chapter shows us that we need to show appreciation to the Lord for what He has done for us as He continues to give us victories over the flesh. The song sang by Deborah and Barak is similar to the song Moses and the children of the Israelites sang when the Lord delivered them from the Egyptians after the Lord made a way through the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass.

Exo 15:1  Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Exo 15:2  The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Exo 15:3  The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Exo 15:4  Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

What is most insightful about these songs sang by the Israelites in the case of Moses and Deborah is that victory against the enemy within is the work of the Lord. Our Lord is the man of war, and He wins the battle for us. This should encourage us to fight the good fight of faith because we know that once He has started defeating the enemy on our behalf, He is able to bring it to completion. Let’s look at the details of the song sang by Deborah and Barak as they show us how our Lord trains our hands for war.

Psa 18:34  He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Jdg 5:1  Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, 
Jdg 5:2  Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. 

Since the scriptures were written for our admonition, we need to learn to show appreciation by giving praise to the Lord for the victories He wins on our behalf on daily basis. As we die daily, we are winning the war. In verse 2 here, it is said that the people willingly offered themselves. However, we know from the sum of God’s words that it is God who works in us to make us willing to offer ourselves as instruments to be used to win this war.

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Here in this verse we are given the reason for praising the Lord.  That is, the Israelites were praising God for setting them free from their enemies. We all must learn to praise the Lord for the victories He wins for us on daily basis. As the elect, we must continually offer praise to our Lord.  Apart from the fact that we are commanded to praise God, praising our Lord grants us access to God as we can only enter His presence (gates) with thanksgiving in our heart and enter His courts with praise. Praising God also chases away despair as we exchange our spirit of heaviness with a garment of praise.

Psa 150:6  Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psa 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

We must remember that the Israelites praised God with songs and since Babylon (the church system we are coming out of) is under the law, it also praise and worship the Lord only through singing. For those who are being delivered from Babylonian captivity, we not only praise and worship the Lord through singing as we offer the fruits of the lips, but more importantly, we offer spiritual praise and worship which means offering our bodies as living sacrifice. Offering our bodies as living sacrifice is not being conformed to the standards of the world but being transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is like a sweet smelling offering that pleases the Lord.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Jdg 5:3  Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. 

The scriptures were written for the Kings and the princes. The question is, “who are the kings and the princes who are required to pay attention to this song sang by Deborah and Barak”? We, the elect are the royal priesthood as explained by Peter.  If that is so, then we are the kings and princes that are supposed to pay heed to the words of God.

1Pe 2:9  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:

Jdg 5:4  LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. 
Jdg 5:5  The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel. 

These verses are to show us what the Lord does for us in delivering us from the world (Seir) to serve Him. Seir represents the land the Lord gave to Esau and his descendants the Edomites. Esau represents the world and so does Seir. After Israel met the Lord at Mount Sinai, they could have taken an eleven-day journey through Mount Seir to reach the promised land, but the Lord took them through a different route because the Lord did not want them to invade the Seir territory. For the Lord has given the Edomites in Mount Seir to Esau for period of time until the kingdom is firmly established in the promise land. It was during the reign of King David that the Edomites became his servants. This means that it takes a mature elect (King David) to defeat the Edomites, representing a type of the flesh.

Gen 32:3  And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

Gen 36:9  And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:

Deu 1:2  (There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)

Deu 2:4  And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:
Deu 2:5  Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.

2Sa 8:14  And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

What God does for the elect to defeat the Edomites is what is given in verse 4 and 5. They are as follows:

  1. The earth trembles – That is earthquake which signifies God’s judgement. 
  2. Both the heavens and the clouds drop water. The hearts and mind (our heavens) of the elect (clouds) distil water gradually. That is, our heavens are cleansed with the word of God.
  3. Mountains melt from before the Lord. Our mountains are the obstacles that prevent us from knowing the Lord. These obstacles are dealt with as our eyes are being opened and our ears are hearing (getting to know the Lord).

Jdg 5:6  In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways. 
Jdg 5:7  The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. 

The days of Shamgar reflect the time period when the Israelites were being oppressed by the Philistines, and the days of Jael were times when Jabin, the king of Canaan, also oppressed Israel. So the days of Shamgar and Jael reflect our time in Babylon when we are under the sway of the enemies within.  During this time period, we desert the highways that lead to God because we break our covenant with God, despise the church (the assembly of God’s people) and have no regard for the elect. In this way, we rather opt for our own righteousness (byways) which brings us to more darkness.

Isa 33:8  The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.

In the biblical times, most villages had no walls and therefore they became an easy prey for enemies. Villages therefore represent the gathering of God’s people who are yet carnal and are yet to know the doctrines of Christ which serve as a wall against any infiltration of false doctrines. In verse 7, the villages are deserted and are counted as the fields of the country (Lev 25:31). We know that the field is the world so what verse 7 means is that when we are under the control of the beast within, we end up being worldly. This continues until God drags us to the New Jerusalem (the assembly of God’s people) represented by the rising of Deborah in verse 7. That is when we are redeemed as we go out in our jubilee.

Lev 25:31  But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubilee.

Jdg 5:8  They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? 

In our depravity in Babylon, we choose another Jesus (new gods). However, if God has destined for us to become overcomers, then there will be war at our gates, that is, God will judge us. The question, “Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand?” is a rhetorical question which means the answer is obviously no. So the question is another way of saying that there is no righteous person in the churches of this world (Babylon). A shield symbolizes faith, and spear or sword represents the word of God. The number forty-thousand is 4x10x10x10. So the number forty thousand signifies the whole of the God’s people in the churches who have no faith and do not know the word of God and are carnal or fleshy. Without having faith therefore, it is impossible to please God.

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Jdg 5:9  My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD. 
Jdg 5:10  Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way. 

As indicated earlier, the sum of God’s word is that it is He who works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. Therefore the governors cannot offer themselves willingly except the Lord works in them to do that. According to Strongs, the governors of Israel here are the scribes. The governors offering themselves willingly means they offered to encourage the people to engage the enemy and assured them of the victory from the Lord. As God’s elect (governors), we are to offer ourselves willingly for the flock by speaking the fiery words which is able to save us. This is emphasized in verse 10 where those who ride on white asses and sit in judgment and walk the way are all part of the description of the elect who are admonished to speak the word.

Jdg 5:11  They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates. 

Verse 11 continues the description of the elect as those who have been delivered from the noise of archers in places of drawing water. The noise of archers here are the propagators of false doctrines. Being delivered from the noise of archers is being given eyes to see and ears to hear such that one is able to test the spirit to see if it is from God.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Our assembling together are the places of drawing water.  It is here that we rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord. The rehearsing of the righteous act of the Lord is the speaking of the fiery words of the Lord which is able to bring us out of Babylon (inhabitants of the villages in Israel) such that we are prepared to go to the gates to wage war with the beast within.

Isaiah 51:16: I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’

Deut 5:27: Go near and hear all that the Lord our God says; then speak to us all that the Lord our God speaks to you, and we will hear and do it.’

Jdg 5:12  Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. 
Jdg 5:13  Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.

We are being admonished to wake up from our slumber as our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. It is only when we are awake that we can lead captives out of bondage just as Christ took many captives and gave gifts to his people.

As Paul explained, being awake from our sleep is casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armour of light. Putting on the armour of light is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ and making no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. Verse 13 in a simplified version of the Bible is as follows:

Jdg 5:13  Then down marched the remnant of the noble; the people of the LORD marched down for me against the mighty. (ESV)

So waking up from our slumber is putting on the armour of light, and in this way, we, as the remnant of the nobles (the elect) or the people of God can wage war against the mighty enemy within.

Eph 4:8. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (NIV)

Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Rom 13:13  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Jdg 5:14  Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. 
Jdg 5:15  And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. 
Jdg 5:16  Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 
Jdg 5:17  Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches. 
Jdg 5:18  Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. 

These verses talk about two categories of the tribes of Israel.  Those who were willing to wage war with Jabin King of Canaan and those who refused wage war with the enemy. Those willing to wage war against the enemy symbolize those of us who are ready to leave Babylon to wage war against the flesh.  There are also those that remain in Babylon who preferred to hear the bleatings of the flock. The tribes that supported Barak and Deborah in this fight were Ephraim, Benjamin, Zebulun, Issachar and Naphtali. In verse 18, its say that these tribes risked their lives unto death to ensure victory. That is the same as saying that they lost their lives to gain them. On the other hand, if we gain our lives, we will end up losing them.  From the word of God, we have come to understand that those that lose their lives to gain them is because it has been written in their books to do so. In other words, it is not of him that wills nor of him that runs but of God that shows mercy.

Mat 10:39  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Now, let’s look at those who did not participate in the war with Jabin and Sisera and the reasons given. The tribes that did not take part in the war were Reuben, Dan, Asher and Gad (Gilead). The reasons given were as follows:

Reuben – Remained in the sheepfold to listen to the shepherds whistling for the flocks. In addition, they deliberated on the call to join their fellow Israelites to war against Jabin and came to the conclusion that it was better they stayed where they were. Remaining in the sheepfold and listening to the shepherds whistling for the flock is another way of saying that in Babylon, the shepherds speak of the world and we hear them because at that time we were of the world. We therefore subject everything to reasoning like the Reubenites.

1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Dan – They remained in ships. These represents us at a certain stage of our walk where we have the peddling mentality just like the ministers of Babylon who sell their false doctrines to the masses that make up the sea of mankind.

Asher – They remained on the sea shore. As we are aware, sand is unstable and cannot be relied upon as a foundation for anything as demonstrated by Jesus. So remaining on the sea shore signifies hearing Christ’s words but simply not see the need to tremble at His words.

Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Gad (Gilead) – Gad received all the towns of Gilead as inheritance and so in some passages of the scriptures, the terms Gilead and Gad are used interchangeably (see Judges 5:17). The land of Gilead was known for its balm, a liquid rosin that flowed or dripped from certain trees such as pine, cedar, cypress, or terebinth. Because of easy access to medicinal ingredients, many physicians made their homes in Gilead. This helps us understand Jeremiah 8:22, which says, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” Thus, because of the medical resources God had given to Gad, they did not want to wage any war. Spiritually, the blessings that God has bestowed on us can serve as a stumbling block for us to come out of Babylon to wage war against the flesh.

When the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh received territory to the east of Jordan. So we can also say that Reuben and Gad, being examples of us, could not wage war against the flesh because they had not been spiritually baptized (going through death) as they had not crossed the Jordan into the promised land.

Jdg 5:19  The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. 

The kings here are the elect who are called to wage war against the flesh. What is important here is that they took no gain of money. We need to pay heed to the admonition by Paul about being content with whatever situation we find ourselves and not think that gain is godliness. Our God will somehow supply our needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus.

1Ti 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Jdg 5:20  They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. 

The stars here represent the elect. This verse therefore imply that as the Lord directs us in the path (courses) that He has preordained for us, we  will wage a war against the beast within to remove him from our heaven (hearts and mind). This war is what is being described in Rev 12:7-9 where Michael and his angels fought against the dragon in this war for the heavens of our minds and heart.

Rev 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Jdg 5:21  The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. 
Jdg 5:22  Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones. 

Verse 21 symbolizes the word of God (river Kishon) which sweeps away all our false doctrines and burns all chaff within us. This battle against King Jabin of Canaan and his army chief, Sisera, is symbolized by our war against worldly wisdom which offers a higher level of opposition.  However, the word of God is the most powerful instrument of war, and once we have it (that is our eyes seeing and our ears hearing) no matter the level of opposition, we will be victorious as we see Sisera’s horses retreating in battle in verse 22. This verse in simple English means:

Jdg 5:22  Sisera’s horses galloped off, their hoofs thundering in retreat. (CEV)

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Jdg 5:23  Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.

This verse may seem to suggest that the Lord needs our help against the mighty. However, from the sum of God’s words, we know that the Lord does not need anybody or anything to accomplish His purpose. What we need to know is that as long as we are dominated by the flesh, we cannot be of any use to the Lord. Under this condition, we are cursed just like Meroz and its inhabitants.

Jdg 5:24  Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. 
Jdg 5:25  He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. 
Jdg 5:26  She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. 
Jdg 5:27  At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead. 

Jael here represents the glorious church or heavenly Jerusalem which is the mother of us all. We all as Jael start our journey in Christ consuming milk and butter (product of milk) of the word. However, by the mercies of the Lord, as we mature, we are able to put to death all the false doctrines in our heaven (signified by the nail in Sisera’s temple).

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Jdg 5:28  The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots? 
Jdg 5:29  Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself, 
Jdg 5:30  Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil? 

This is to let us know what the enemy within is trying to achieve. Sisera’s (the enemy within) victories over us is accompanied by sharing of the booty in verse 30. What this means is that when we are under the influence of the enemy within, we end up loving the world as we pursue the things of the world (Verse 30) which constitute the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Jdg 5:31  So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years. 

This verse sums up the goal of our walk. That is, we must overcome or put to death the enemy within (all our enemies must perish) so we can be like Christ who is the sun when he goes forth in his might. With man, this is impossible to achieve, but with God all things are possible. We will surely find rest where we cease from our own strivings after “forty years” of temptations and trials in this life.

Mat 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

]]> The Book of Hebrews – Heb 11:4 “Through Faith we Understand that the Worlds were Framed by the Word of God” – Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-book-of-hebrews-heb-114-through-faith-we-understand-that-the-worlds-were-framed-by-the-word-of-god-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-book-of-hebrews-heb-114-through-faith-we-understand-that-the-worlds-were-framed-by-the-word-of-god-part-2 Fri, 19 Feb 2021 03:39:11 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=22091 Heb 11:4 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” – Part 2
[Study Aired February 18, 2021]

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

The answer to how all these examples of faith are going to benefit the body of Christ is explained in the opening verses of Hebrews chapter twelve (Heb 12:1-6) where we read that when we look to all these examples we are in fact looking toward Jesus who is typified in this “great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12:1-2) where God is making “known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles“, which explains what Christ could do and has done and will do through those who are being saved by the life of Christ within them today (Rom 8:9). All those events, those rich stories of faith summarized in Hebrews eleven, are only types and shadows of “Christ in you, the hope of glory:” (Col 1:27). We are now able to look back at all these examples and see how they were used to show us how we must be dead to sin and alive in Christ, as we live by the faith of the son of God who died for us and is saving us right now (Rom 6:11, Gal 2:20, Rom 5:10).

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh [Eph 5:30, 1Co 10:16] I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me [Joh 15:13].

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. [‘Through the manifest knowledge that we continue in through Christ in the church filling up what is behind of His afflictions for His body’s sake which is the church’ (Eph 3:10, Joh 8:31-32, Col 1:24)]

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

This whole chapter of Hebrews 11 is showing us example after example of the contrast between “the righteousness which is of the law” and “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” stated in (Rom 10:5-6).

Rom 10:1  Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Rom 10:5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Rom 10:6  But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Rom 10:7  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach [Col 1:27];

[Christ is ascending and descending in those “that believeth” typified by Jacob’s ladder (Gen 28:12-16)]

Gen 28:12  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Gen 28:13  And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Gen 28:14  And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 28:15  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
Gen 28:16  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. [he knew it not and none of us do until our hope of glory is within (Col 1:27)]

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [‘believe he is ascending and descending within us – nothing is hidden from our Lord who is recreating us’]
Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [The process of being saved leads us “unto righteousness” and “unto salvation” until we go unto perfection on the third day (Luk 13:32)]
Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (1Jn 4:6).

[The “by faith” actions of old of Hebrew 11 we are studying does not produce the righteousness of Christ but is a type and shadow of the faith of Christ that comes “by hearing”]

Rom 10:18  But I say, Have they not heard? [Rom 1:20] Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Rom 10:19  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Rom 10:20  But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
Rom 10:21  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses (1Co 10:1-6, Jud 1:3-7, Heb 3:17), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him [Heb 11:1-40] that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

1Co 10:1  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
1Co 10:5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Jud 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jud 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jud 1:5  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
Jud 1:6  And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Jud 1:7  Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. [all being talked about in the context of earnestly contending “for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints“]

With this contrast in mind we can now cry out to God and ask Him to help us in our unbelief and increase our faith so that we can take heed and be encouraged by the faith that was made available to the elders or the kings and priests of old who typify for us the patience and faith of the saints (Jas 5:10, Luk 10:24) that we need as we fight a good fight of faith so we can rightly divide the word of God and no longer be giving ourselves over to spiritual “fornication, and going after strange flesh”[‘false doctrines‘] so we won’t have to suffer “the vengeance of eternal fire” which is speaking of the lake fire.

Jas 5:10  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

Luk 10:24  For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. [Heb 11:39-40]

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 

We’ve established that this righteousness of Abel is only type and shadow righteousness and was recorded for our learning and for our instruction in understanding what the righteousness of Christ within us is accomplishing (1Co 10:11-12, 2Co 4:15, 2Ti 3:16-17).

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

To further establish that point of Christ’s righteousness as opposed to the typical righteousness we read of throughout the old covenant, we are reminded of what Christ told us of John the Baptist of whom Christ said this, “Among those that are born of women [churches Col 1:24] there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom [1Co 1:26] of God is greater than he.” (Mat 11:10-11, Luk 7:27-28).

The kingdom of God is in us now if Christ’s spirit is in us (Luk 17:21, Joh 17:21, Col 1:27, Rom 8:9), and when we read that John pointed to Christ in this verse (Joh 1:29), it also points to all those who would believe on God’s word “that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (Joh 17:20, Luk 17:21) because we are as He is (1Jn 4:17, Joh 20:21).

Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Joh 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Joh 17:20  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 17:21  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

So just as John the Baptist and his life pointed to Christ, so should all these stories (in Hebrews 11) of those who lived by faith be telling us the same message. The ‘dream is one principle’ found in Genesis 41:25 is always in effect when we know that the bible was written for God’s elect and that these stories were all prophetic events that were written to do what all prophecy should do, and that is to edify, exhort and comfort (1Co 14:3-4, 2Pe 1:19).

Gen 41:25  And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Co 14:4  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

We can look at this first example of something that happened “by faith” and see what those actions mean for us today who have God’s spirit dwelling within them. It was “by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” because that faith typified a man living by the faith of the son of God (Gal 2:20) which is the only way our sacrifices can be acceptable to God (Eph 1:6). Abel’s sacrifice of the “firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof” (Gen 4:4) represents the altar, which is the cross we bear through Christ (Php 4:13) for each other (Gal 6:2-3).

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Gen 4:4  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3  For if a man think himself to be something (Php 3:9), when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself (Luk 17:10).

[“Cain thinking that his righteousness represented by “the fruit of the ground”(Gen 4:3) would be acceptable to God (Gen 4:5)]

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Gen 4:3  And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Gen 4:4  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Gen 4:5  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

It was by Abel’s actions “by which he obtained witness that he was righteous“, again a typical righteousness that we obtain today through “the righteousness which is of God by faith”, who gives us the power to lay down our lives so we can be a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1) and witness to the world around us of the reality of Christ’s righteousness (Rev 11:3). In many of the upcoming examples we will be reading in the coming weeks, we will see that it took faith-filled action to accomplish these acts which testified of a very important work God was manifesting in the lives of these ancients for our sakes (Jas 2:17-18, Tit 3:8).

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy [1Co 14:3-4, Joh 13:35] a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

“God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” is also typical language that reminds us that our testimony today is being blessed in this age to lay down our life at the altar as a gift that we offer through Christ alone (Rom 12:1) for whom we live and die (Rom 14:8), and therefore Abel “he being dead yet speaketh” tells us that the grave or the gates of hell cannot hold back the testimony of Christ within us whether we live or die (Rom 6:11). Abel’s testimony was only a shadow of the reality of Christ within us whose purpose for God’s elect will prevail (Rom 8:28, Mat 16:18). One day both Cain and Abel will come to understand what their lives represented for our sakes.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 14:8  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s [Rom 9:27, Rom 11:5, Mat 22:14].

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at more examples of how God used all these lives of old so that we can come to understand in this age through Christ’s faith how “the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Php 3:9).

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

]]> The Book of Hebrews – Heb 1:1-2 “Kingship and Priesthood” Part 1 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-book-of-hebrews-heb-11-2-kingship-and-priesthood-part-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-book-of-hebrews-heb-11-2-kingship-and-priesthood-part-1 Fri, 08 May 2020 16:08:57 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=20801 The Book of Hebrews – Heb 1:1-2 “Kingship and Priesthood” Part 1
[Study Aired May 7, 2020]

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 

The book of Hebrews, as with all the books of the bible, was written for the elect’s sake to help prepare us to be partakers of the kingship and priesthood to which God has called us.

That preparedness happens as a result of being sanctified by God’s word (Joh 17:17, Col 1:24, Rev 19:7-8, Joh 6:44), something that Christ has already experienced and accomplished for our sakes who are called to be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb (Joh 1:29-30, 1Jn 4:17-18) “when he had by himself purged our sins” of Hebrews 1:3. (Rev 1:6-7, Heb 12:1-4, Rev 5:10).

When we are cleansed by the word of God, it becomes more and more spiritually evident how all things are ours (1Co 3:21) and how as He is so are we of (1Jn 4:17) really applies to us. The book of Hebrews is all about helping us understand the liberty we have in Christ and the ongoing continual obligation we have to be bound to the altar as kings and priests who are growing in our ability to minister to one another as we are being prepared to one day cover a “multitude of sin” without which are first being covered within us as we boldly come before the throne of grace (Jas 5:20) to obtain that mercy that we need today (Heb 4:16, 1Pe 4:8, 1Jn 3:20, Rev 7:9-15).

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: [1Pe 4:17] because as he is, so are we in this world.

Jas 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1Jn 3:19  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
1Jn 3:20  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1Jn 3:21  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God [Heb 4:16].

God the Father is actually the one cleansing us from our sins, through Christ, as we are dragged to Him (Joh 6:44), and Christ is now in the process of cleansing us from our sin as He upholds “all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Because Christ has conquered the world within “when he had by himself purged our sins” (Joh 5:30),  we can have great peace in knowing that through Him we can do the same thing.

Joh 16:32  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joh 14:28  Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

Being sanctified by His word:

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church [Col 1:24 shows us that the suffering and sanctifying are connected “Sanctify them through thy truth”]:

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice [Php 4:4], and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white [“Sanctify them through thy truth”]: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment [1Pe 4:17]: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Fear is overcome through the judgment of putting off our flesh and perfecting love within us as we are healed by His judgments in our earth (Psa 107:20). Those judgments sanctify us in this age as the bride of Christ so we can learn of His righteousness, typified by the fine linen He has granted us (Rev 19:8). The abundance God gives to his elect of His righteousness is typified for us in the story of Joseph, both with the messes of food which was “five times so much as any of theirs” and the “three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment” (Gen 43:34). “To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment” of Genesis 45:22 reminds us that all men will be saved, and that these brothers, who in this instance represent the unconverted masses, are beloved for the gospel’s sake (1Co 15:22, Rom 11:28). That fine linen will be needed (Rev 3:18) so that we can be sent to heal the nations without one day (Isa 26:9, Joh 20:21).

Psa 107:20  He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Joh 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [1Jn 4:17]
Joh 1:30  This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

The natural precedes the spiritual (1Co 15:46), and we are like Christ in this world (1Jn 4:17) and John the baptist represents the natural that precedes the spiritual man Christ. Notice however John says “for he was before me” which tells us that our lives were predestined before the foundation of the world to be those saviours who would come up on mount Zion (Oba 1:21)]

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Our “kingship and priesthood” are connected with our understanding and confident conviction of heart [Php 1:6, Heb 10:35] that God is sending that great cloud of witnesses through the church into our hearts and minds today (Eph 3:10) so that we can begin to see him for who He, Christ is, and by extension who we are with our hope of glory within (Col 1:27) which is being revealed by the brightness of His coming that is destroying our old man of sin who is typified by “all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen” that are within us. Our hearts, like Mary the mother of Jesus, must be pierced in order to be that great cloud of witnesses tomorrow that will be used to judge the mount of Esau. Those saviours that come up on mount Zion are the kingship and priesthood (Rev 5:10) which will be used to reveal many hearts or save many alive (Oba 1:21, Luk 2:35, Gen 50:20).

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with Glory, Praise, Raised, Kings, Priests,so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us [how this is done! Heb 10:22-25, so we can all do this 1Ti 3:9], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [Luk 21:19]
Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds [Rev 12:9-11, Rom 8:1].

Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Resisting unto blood

Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood [how this is done! Heb 13:13, Col 1:24, Luk 13:33, Eph 2:6, 1Co 15:31, Heb 10:22], striving against sin.

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach [Gal 6:2].

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Luk 13:33  Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

1Co 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Rev 5:10  And hast madesupG4160 [G5656] us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the  earth.

The book of Hebrews will reveal to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear (1Co 2:9-10, Mat 13:16-17) that the things revealed to those prophets of old “at many times and in many ways” of vs 1 [ESV] throughout the old covenant, and more specifically the book of Leviticus, are clearly connected with the book of Hebrews. God’s elect today help us to be sober in these last days, which have been the last days for all those since that post-resurrection Pentecost of Christ who have been given the gift of grace and faith through God’s holy spirit so that we can understand how all these ancient rituals of the Jewish priesthood are connected to the inward Jew that we are today (1Pe 1:12-13, Rom 2:28-29).

1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see [“at many times and in many ways” ESV], and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. [“at many times and in many ways” (ESV)]

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

The prophets of old typify the elect and were a type and shadow of the first fruits who are the first to hear Christ’s voice in this age (Jas 1:18). We are now able to see and hear as we are saved – “by grace are ye saved through faith” (Eph 2:8) – and learn from those patient prophets of old (Jas 5:10 Luk 21:19-20, 2Th 2:8) who were not prophesying unto themselves but to us. All these events of old were types and shadows of God’s elect, His kings and priests, read in Hebrews 11:1-40 and recorded for our benefit. The very few who would be called and chosen in this age and given to understand that the sanctification process we’re going through comes as a result of much tribulation which, in this instance, is very clearly detailed in Hebrews 11:1-40. (Mat 22:14, Act 14:22).

Jas 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Jas 5:10  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luk 21:20  And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

The manifold knowledge of God is made known through the church in these “last days” (Eph 3:10) through the many or manifold parts of that body, each joint supplying in love (Eph 4:16), typified by how “In the past God spoke to our people through the prophets. He spoke to them many times and in many different ways” (ERV).

The new heaven and the new earth (Rev 21:1), or the new world, are being fashioned within the body of Christ today, so when we read “by whom also he made the worldsG165″ it is speaking of an age of becoming a new creation for God’s people as all the sins of world within us are overcome through Christ (1Jn 2:16) and is typified through those worlds of old that were already created by Christ “by whom also he made the worlds“.

G165 aiōn ahee-ohn’
From the same as G104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future): – age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end). Compare G5550.

Christ is the One whom our Father “hath appointed heir of all things” to the end that through the church of which Christ is the head (Col 1:18) we can all go on to perfection on the third day or first resurrection (Luk 13:32, Rev 20:6), and then be used of God as kings and priests who will be instrumental in bringing about the “all in all” spoken of in 1Corinthians 15:28.

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

We are also joint heirs with Christ if we suffer with Him (Rom 8:17), and that heritage of the saints was typified in the promises passed down through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen 22:17, Gal 4:28, Gen 32:28, Gal 6:16, Pro 22:1).

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Gen 22:17  That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed [Gal 3:16] shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Gen 32:28  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Gal 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Pro 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at the next four verses of this chapter which are primarily concerned with giving us some perspective as to how great Christ is and what He can and has and will accomplish through those who have been called in this age to be part of this holy “kingship and priesthood”.

1Pe 2:9  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:
1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Heb 1:5  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 1:6  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

]]> Studies in Psalms – Psa 150:1-6 “Let Every Thing that Hath Breath, Praise the LORD” https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/studies-in-psalms-psa-1501-6-let-every-thing-that-hath-breath-praise-the-lord/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=studies-in-psalms-psa-1501-6-let-every-thing-that-hath-breath-praise-the-lord Sat, 02 May 2020 21:45:36 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=20772 Psa 150:1-6 “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD”
[Study Aired April 30, 2020]

Psa 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 
Psa 150:2  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 
Psa 150:3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 
Psa 150:4  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 
Psa 150:5  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 
Psa 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. 

I want to start this last Psalm off by looking closely at who Christ is and how His life is represented by all these verses that talk about the “praise” that we offer up to God through Him “in his sanctuary” or temple that we are (1Co 3:16).

In Philippians 2:5-8 ‘the mind of Christ’ is described for us, the very mind in which we are growing via the holy spirit leading us into all truth.

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. [We whom “he will guide you into all truth“]

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

So what is that mind God has given us, and what is it that truly makes it possible for us to “praise“H1984 God in a manner pleasing to Him? The answer to those questions is found in these verses that describe both the mind of Christ and those who are blessed to be accepted in Him today (Eph 1:6) as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour and are saved by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God (2Pe 3:18, Eph 2:8, 1Jn 5:4).

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:8  And being recognized as truly human, He humbled Himself and even stooped to die; yes, to die on a cross. (WNT)[Heb 4:15, Gal 2:20]

The mind of Christ, as we can clearly see, is focused on the power of God through faith which is working within us and giving us the ability to overcome all the sins of the world within us (1Jn 2:16). It is through Christ that we can be accepted and “equal with God” (1Jn 4:17, Joh 14:28, Joh 15:20).

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1Pe 4:17)

Joh 14:28  Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice [Php 4:4], because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

Joh 15:20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. [Joh 16:13]
Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you [Mat 22:14 chosen to be friends in this age, not just servants], and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Being “equal with God” of Philippians 2:6 means having the same mind, the same desire to lay down our life (Rom 12:1) and make ourselves of “no reputation” taking on the form of a servant (Luk 17:10), humbling ourselves and becoming obedient unto death, even the death of a cross (Gal 2:20). It is because of those actions Christ is working in us both to will and to do (Php 2:13) that we wrestle through the night with fear and trembling as if those works did depend on us, as they witness (Rom 8:16-18) “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (Tit 3:8).

Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, (Act 14:22) that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Act 14:22  Confirming [“affirm constantly“] the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God [maintaining good works along the way].

The afflictions and persecutions and suffering which we overcome through Christ are the “mighty acts” spoken of in vs 2 of this Psalm God is doing within His people that glorify God as we “praise him” for His faithfulness and mercy which holds us fast and keeps us mindful of our heritage that is understood in Jesus Christ through faith.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world [1Jn 2:16]: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Psalm 150 then goes on to describe after vs 2 what that praise looks like using physical imagery to describe a spiritual lesson to help us understand the workmanship we are in the Master Potter’s hand (Eph 2:10).

In this last study with the book of Psalms, we will look at the symbolic meaning of all that imagery presented as we praise God for opening our eyes and giving us to see the truth of this verse: “Let every thing that hath breath [within us] praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD”.

Eventually, and in God’s perfect order, all the world without, “everything that hath breath”, will acknowledge His sovereignty and all the works, good and evil, that the Master Potter worked throughout all time and every age to His glory and honour (Isa 45:7, Gen 50:20).

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Gen 50:20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Psa 150:1 PraiseH1984 [H8761] ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praising the Lord or boasting in the Lord in a fleshly manner is excluded by the law of faith (Rom 3:27). When we “praise”H1984 the Lord, we are in fact boasting in Christ and in His power and what God has promised He can and will do through Christ in those few (1Co 1:26, Mat 22:14) He has predetermined to have the faith which will enable them to be faithful until the end of their particular age (Eph 1:3-5).

H1984  [H8761 = Piel] Praise
– Original: הu1500 לpar – Transliteration: Halal
– Phonetic: haw-lal’
– Definition:

1. to shine [Mat 5:15-16]
a. (Qal) to shine (fig. of God’s favour)
b. (Hiphil) to flash forth light

2. to praise, boast, be boastful
a. (Qal)
b. to be boastful

2. boastful ones, boasters (participle)

b. (Piel) 
1. to praise 
2. to boast, make a boast 

c. (Pual)
1. to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
d. (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one’s boast
e. (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
f. (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman

Even when we are praising God and saying ‘Lord, Lord’, it is to no avail if He is not actually the one building the spiritual house and doing those works within us as Luke points out in Luke 6:46-49 (See also Psalm 127:1). In other words, unless Christ is “in his sanctuary” through God’s holy spirit (Col 1:27, Rom 8:9, Rom 9:8), there will be no praising him “in the firmament of his power.” However, when we have God’s spirit within us, we have a mind of power and love and soundness (2Ti 1:7) that understands our “praise”H1984 is connected to our obedience to His commands which can only be kept through the power God gives through Christ (Psa 34:2, Psa 44:8, 2Co 10:13, Eph 2:8-10) by whom we can endure all things (Php 4:13).

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Luk 6:47  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them [Rev 1:3], I will shew you to whom he is like:
Luk 6:48  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep [Tit 3:8], and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
Luk 6:49  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [“He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock” of Luke 6:48]

Psa 150:2  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

The type and shadow of these “mighty acts” that God is performing within the temple that we are is demonstrated by the outward creation story, specifically the creation week in Genesis which is type and shadow of the inward creation (Rom 1:20) that God is going to bring all the world to experience one day when He is all and all.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

“His excellentH7230 [multitude, abundance] greatnessH1433 [magnificence]” is summed up in these verses:

Deu 3:24  O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatnessH1433 [magnificence]“, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?

Isa 40:25  To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
Isa 40:26  Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatnessH7230 [excellence, multitude, abundance] of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Pro 24:5  A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitudeH7230 [excellence, multitude, abundance] of counsellors there is safety.

In other words, everything “that has breath” of vs 6, or rather has had breath, will no longer labor in their fleshly or carnal minds (Gen 6:3).

The ‘rest’ we are blessed to labour to enter is represented by the seventh day of creation when we will be complete in Christ after God labors through us for those other six symbolic days [“He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock” of Luke 6:48] both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:13) which is to bring us to a loving and expected end through Christ (Heb 4:11, Jer 29:11, 1Co 15:28).

Gen 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Psa 150:3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpetH7782: praise him with the psalteryH5035 and harp.H3658
Psa 150:4  Praise him with the timbrelH8596 and danceH4234: praise him with stringed instrumentsH4482 and organs.H5748
Psa 150:5  Praise him upon the loud cymbalsH6767: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.H6767

Traditionally and by definition, the sound of the trumpet would be coming from a ram’s horn (trumpetH7782 = shofar) which we know symbolizes the power God gives the mere beasts which we are, just as the horn is the strength or power of the beast (Ecc 3:18).

Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

To be able to praise the Lord or glorify God at the “horns of the altar” [the cross], which is where we are given power to lay down our life and present it a living sacrifice unto God acceptable through Christ which is our spiritual service to God, that horn has to be cut off from the beast, an event symbolizing our fleshly power being subdued by God.

It takes no small amount of heat to come to confess wholeheartedly that every good and perfect gift comes from God, and then after that (ongoing) humbling, acknowledging and living the rest of your life knowing that you are an unprofitable servant only doing that which is given to you to do from God (Luk 17:10) as you learn to bring every thought into subjection unto him, glorifying Him in the process as we learn to stop glorying in the things of our flesh or the things God has us do in our flesh (1Co 4:7, 1Co 3:4). This is the mind of Christ we discussed in the introduction with Philippians 2:5-8.

Psa 118:27  God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Psa 118:28  Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

Psa 118:29  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Rom 2:4, Psa 100:5, Psa 136:1)

(Notice how the binding of the sacrifice spoken of in Psalm 118:27 shares the context of praise to God in verse 28 and then how mercy is mentioned in verse 29, because it is God’s mercy that leads us to that altar through repentance as our earthly power, our life or horn, is taken away and now the life or ruach of Christ is blowing through that horn via the priest glorifying God, said this way “Praise him with the sound of the trumpet“ Psa 118:27-29, Rom 12:1, Num 10:2, Num 10:9).

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Num 10:2  Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. [the congregation would move when two silver trumpets were blown, the silver representing repentance that brings about a zealousness (2Co 7:11)]

2Co 7:7  And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
2Co 7:8  For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
2Co 7:9  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
2Co 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. [Rom 2:4]
2Co 7:11  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
2Co 7:12  Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

Num 10:9  And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets [2Co 7:12]; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

The same principle for the horn being ‘subdued’ and used to the glory of God is true of all those other features of praise being mentioned here in vs 4 and 5 of this Psalm. Note though, that horn can be used to glorify either God or self depending on where the Lord has us in our spiritual growth. We are those instruments or vessels in God’s hands He is making fit for the Master’s use (Isa 45:7, 2Ti 2:20).

Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

To “praise him with the psalteryH5035 and harp”H3658 or with “the timbrelH8596 and dance”H4234 or “with stringed instrumentsH4482 and organs”H5748 as well as “the loud cymbals”H6767 and “upon the high sounding cymbals”H6767 are all different expressions of our love to God that should manifest from each of our lives if we have passed from death to life (1Jn 3:14).

1Jn 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Conversely, we can make all sorts of sounds in this life and not be doing any of it to the glory of God (Mat 6:1-8, 1Co 4:7). We are all in that process of learning not to lean to our own understanding using carnal reasoning which thinks it knows what God wants us to do as we try to please God in our flesh (Pro 14:12, 1Sa 15:14).

Mat 6:1  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:3  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:5  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

It takes the trials of this life which God brings our way (1Pe 4:12) to show us our hypocritical flesh for what it really is and how it can only be put off through suffering so that we stop measuring the court [the unconverted world] when we are expressly told not to do that (Rev 11:1-2). Praise God that we have an advocate in Christ whose blood sprinkles our conscience so it is cleared, and we can forget what is behind us and know we have a liberty in Him right now as His sons and daughters (1Jn 2:1, Heb 10:22, Php 3:13).

Of course we must not use that liberty as an occasion to serve our flesh (Gal 5:13), sinning so that grace may abound (Rom 6:1). If we are judging people incorrectly outside the body of Christ, trying to measure their life by correcting it in some fashion, it is likely we are doing the same thing to ourselves inwardly – beating up our own manservant within and not allowing God’s mercy and goodness to truly take full effect in our lives (Mat 24:48, Luk 21:19). This is another way in which we can despise His goodness and longsuffering spirit which is leading us to repentance (Rom 2:4). Yet knowing all these merciful Truths, it is still an unpleasant event to be chastened and scourged by the Lord. God willing, we will always remember that this correction is the proof we are being received as His sons and daughters in this age as His grace abounds to that end so we can boast in the Lord or praise the Lord for His wonderful works to the children of men (Heb 12:6, Rom 5:20, Psa 107:31).

When we do lean to our own understanding (Pro 3:3-6) to solve the cares of this life and the conflict and sparks we are all promised to experience in this life, which is a passing vapour (Job 5:7), it is akin to blowing our own trumpet, or being those clanging gongs spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. The Gentile way is to forsake the assembling of ourselves and to start to reason in our hearts, “I can figure this life out independently from the body of Christ and don’t need any longer to show my flesh to the body of Christ.” God has called us to cast all our cares upon our merciful Father who is working in each of our lives through Jesus Christ so we can be more than conquerors through Him (Heb 10:25, Isa 58:5-7, 1Pe 5:7). David prophesied of that wrong spirit of turning to the world or leaning to our own understanding and repented and concluded that ‘a day in your courts is better than a thousand without’, because that day is the day of the Lord which is upon us now, and something we must never despise as we remain in this house of mourning, dying daily and being renewed day by day by the tender mercies of our Father (Psa 84:10, Psa 27:4).

Psa 84:10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psa 27:4  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Rather than lean to our own understanding to solve the conflicts and trials God sends our way in this life, we must do what is commanded of us (Php 4:6, Pro 16:3, Psa 37:5). We can so easily take our earthly knowledge, our thoughts, and go out into the world with it and let our rod [our judgments] rest on the lot of the wicked, and in so doing lose our peace because of our lack of trust and confidence in what God promises He can and will do to resolve all the issues that come up against us in this life (Psa 125:3-5, Mat 10:19). That is the reason we must have fiery trials and learn obedience by the things we suffer because the alternative is something we don’t want to consider. If the Lord will mature us in this age, we will have learned to “take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak”, and that will lead to a glorious conclusion which will glorify God every time! (Rev 3:18, Rev 20:6, 1Co 15:28).

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Pro 16:3  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Psa 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Psa 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Finally the whole book of Psalms is encapsulated in one sentence, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.“

This inspired sentence was uttered in many different ways but reveals the same intent and purpose for which the words were intended.

For example, with Joseph who said “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Gen 50:20)

The same sentiment is expressed to Mary the mother of Jesus who is a type of the church the body of Christ who must have our hearts pierced “to save much people alive”.  Only this time it is worded this way: “(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luk 2:35)

In this last verse of our study we learn of a prophesy that says “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD“. We continue to grow in our understanding of how incredibly blessed we are in this age to come to acknowledge that it is, was and will be at the hand of God, His sovereign hand, that all things consist and are unfolding according to the counsel of His own will that is “excellent” and “great” of verse 2 as discussed above – Deu 3:24, Isa 40:25-26, Pro 24:5-6] creating/growing/making it possible for “every thing that hath breathH5397 to “praise the LORD” (Eph 1:11).

breathH5397

– Original: נu1513 ׁu1502 הpar – Transliteration: N@shamah
– Phonetic: nesh-aw-maw’
– Definition:

1. breath, spirit
a. breath (of God)
b. breath (of man)
c. every breathing thing
d. spirit (of man)

– Strong’s: From H5395; a puff that is wind angry or vital breath divine inspiration intellect or (concretely) an animal: – blast (that) breath (-eth) inspiration soul spirit.

H5395
1. to pant
a. (Qal) to pant
1. of a woman in travail or labour (Isa 42:14)

Isa 42:13  The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
Isa 42:14  I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroyH5395 and devour at once [Luk 2:35].

Job 4:9  By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

Gen 7:22  All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.

Job 33:4  The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

I want to end this last Psalm by looking closely at who Christ is and how His life is represented by all these verses which talk about the “praise” we offer up to God through Him “in his sanctuary” or temple we are (1Co 3:16) which concludes in us hearing “a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Praise ye the Lord!

]]> Studies in Psalms – Psa 148:6-14 “Praise ye the Lord” – Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/studies-in-psalms-psa-1486-14-praise-ye-the-lord-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=studies-in-psalms-psa-1486-14-praise-ye-the-lord-part-2 Sun, 12 Apr 2020 02:44:18 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=20618 Psa 148:6-14 “Praise ye the Lord” – Part 2
[Study Aired April 10, 2020]

Psa 148:6  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Psa 148:7  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Psa 148:8  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Psa 148:9  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Psa 148:10  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Psa 148:11  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
Psa 148:12  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Psa 148:13  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Psa 148:14  He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” of Mark 10:9 is something God has promised He will accomplish with the bride of Christ (Rev 19:7), and this is something to greatly rejoice and praise God as we consider that “he hath made a decree which shall not pass” regarding the relationship He has given us with Christ, who is the head over the church which is His body and His bride (Col 1:18, Eph 5:26-29).

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready [How she has “made herself ready” (Eph 5:26-29)].

Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

That decreeH2706 which shall not pass is being fulfilled because of God’s sovereign hand over the light and darkness in our heavens (Isa 45:7, Eph 1:11) as he brings everything into subjection within us unto Christ according to the counsel of his own will (1Co 15:27).

1Co 15:27  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

As we discussed last week, without the “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word” that typify the judgment which must occur within Christ’s bride, we would not be made ready or be able to “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps“, and it is through that judgment God will accomplish bringing “all things under his [Christ’s] feet”, a judgment that begins at the house of God and ends in the great white throne judgment for the rest of humanity (1Pe 4:17, Rev 20:11-15).

The deepsH8415 being spoken of in the 7th verse are the depths of darkness within us that would never naturally praise God from the grave, or abyss within us, unless the Lord would judge us and convert our hearts (1Pe 4:17, Eze 36:26). Through our being buried into Christ’s death (Rom 6:4) we can be that positive version of the serpent or seraphim which is dying daily by mortifying the deeds of the flesh as we consider ourselves dead to sin and alive through Christ who gives us the power to carry our cross (Rom 6:11, Mat 16:24). God’s elect are able to spiritually heal others (Joh 14:12) as we look to Christ’s example in each other typified by the time when the Israelites of old were healed from the physical bite of serpents in the wilderness by looking to the serpent of brass (Gal 2:20, 1Ti 4:16, Num 21:9, Joh 3:14).

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1Ti 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them  [The washing of water by the word that the bride is experiencing (Joh 15:4)]: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Num 21:9  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. [1Co 11:1, Psa 121:1-2]

Joh 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [He must be lifted up in our heavens,by the miracle of being raised in heavenly places together, in order for us to be healed and to be able to heal others spiritually Eph 2:6].

If there were no judgment upon the body of Christ today, the “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word“, then none of these things could happen. None of the “Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars. None of the “Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl“. None of the “Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth. None of the “young men, and maidens; old men, and children” would be able to “praise the name of the LORD“. But because the Lord “exalteth the horn of his people“, we know what it means and we believe when it says that “his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven“.

We praise God for this privilege to be “a people near unto him” being held by His great power which is far above (Eph 1:21) all those afore mentioned things within us.  Christ is able to bring it all into subjection to our Father who created all these powers and principalities so we could be matured through the process of bringing them all into subjection through having our senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb 5:14).

Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Psa 148:6  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

God has established the physical heavens and all that is in them (verses 1-5) as a type of what He’s going to establish in the hearts and minds of all His creation “for ever and ever” from aion to aion, each man in his order. He “hath made a decree which shall not pass” tells us God’s purposes shall stand (Isa 46:9-11, Pro 19:21, Eph 1:11). The physical realm will pass, and its purpose is to point to the everlasting relationship God is forming in the spirit realm (Rom 1:20, Mat 24:35, Rev 21:1, 2Pe 3:10-15).

Isa 46:9  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Isa 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (Eph 1:11, Rom 4:17)
Isa 46:11  Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Pro 19:21  There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Pro 16:2  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent [Pro 12:24] that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. [Eph 5:26, Rev 19:8, 1Co 9:27]
2Pe 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation (Rom 2:4); even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

Psa 148:7  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

We “praise“H1984 [H8761 = Piel] God from these various locations each one representing a stage in our going toward the time when He will be “all in all” (1Co 15:28) when “all deeps“H8415 will worship Him, meaning the sea or all of humanity. As we read, one day there will be no sea, meaning there will be no more carnal-mindedness left, but all of God’s creation washed by the word of God and praising God for the new creation we have become (Rev 21:1, 2Co 5:17).

H1984 Praise – BDB Definition:
1) to shine
1a) (Qal) to shine (figuratively of God’s favour)
1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light

2) to praise, boast, be boastful
2a) (Qal)
2a1) to be boastful
2a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
2b) (Piel)
2b1) to praise
2b2) to boast, make a boast
2c) (Pual)
2c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
2d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one’s boast
2e) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
2f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman

Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root

H8415 Deep – BDB Definition:
1) deep, depths, deep places, abyss, the deep, sea
1a) deep (of subterranean waters)
1b) deep, sea, abysses (of sea)
1c) primeval ocean, deep
1d) deep, depth (of river)
1e) abyss, the grave

Part of Speech: noun feminine or masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H1949

Everything within God’s elect should be praising God now (Psa 103:1), but the outward and dispensational view of this verse will be when all of humanity has come under His authority. God does not need our praise for all eternity, but we will, with the mind of Christ and the fullness of our relationship with our Father and Lord, always be wanting to be about our Father’s business and praising Him with our actions, demonstrating a stedfast love toward each other and toward our heavenly Father and Christ!

Psa 103:1  A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

We praise Him in Babylon not even knowing that we are one of His elect, a stage represented by the time when we “Praise the LORD from the earth“. As we grow in the grace and in knowledge of our Lord, God willing we become mature sons in this age as our actions continue to glorify God or praise him more and more as a result of being given the power to abide in Christ and bring forth much fruit (Psa 34:2, Joh 8:31, Joh 15:4-6).

Psa 34:2  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Then we are told “ye dragons“H8577 are praising God, and this dragon or serpent as it is defined represents our origin of being of our father the devil, having become a Son of God who can now worship God in spirit and in truth (Job 30:29, Isa 43:20, Joh 4:24), praising Him for the many wonderful works that He has done in our life to transform our minds into the mind of Christ (Psa 107:30-31, Rom 12:2).

H8577 Dragon – BDB Definition:
1) dragon, serpent, sea monster
1a) dragon or dinosaur
1b) sea or river monster
1c) serpent, venomous snake

Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: intensive from the same as H8565

Psa 148:8  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

The wonderful works to the children of men of (Psa 107:31) are described with these words in this verse: “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind” and these are the treasures of God that are “fulfilling his word” in the day of the Lord, “against the day of battle and war” within (Job 38:22-24)

Job 38:22  Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
Job 38:23  Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
Job 38:24  By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

Excerpt from Revelation 7:1-3, Part 3

God uses all aspects of His creation to bring about fruit in the life of those who are His own, and when we bring forth fruit He prunes us (gives us fiery trials Isa 28:17, 1Pe 4:12) so that we bring forth even more fruit (Joh 15:2-4).

Isa 28:17  Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

Joh 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Psa 148:9  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 
Psa 148:10  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Psa 148:11  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 

All the things mentioned in these verses are also connected with the opening statement in verse 7 that says “Praise the LORD” and all these things are in the earth, so it is speaking about what God is able to do in us as His workmanship (Eph 2:10) how he can bring us to hear him through a process of judgment that is ongoing in our earth (Jer 22:29).

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

When we do hear the voice of the true Shepherd, our mountains and hills that represent the pride of life (Isa 40:4) are abased as we look to one who is far higher than all our cares (1Pe 5:7) and anything that we can think of that may try to separate us from His love (Psa 121:1, Eph 1:21, Rom 8:35). We praise Him therefore because we can see how God can make the fruitful tree and keep it producing more and more fruit. He can also take the cedar and cut down these trees that represent unfruitful events of our life and turn them into something that will serve the temple of God which we are, just as Solomon did in the temple of God using the cedar tree (1Ki 5:5-6).

1Ki 5:5  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
1Ki 5:6  Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.

It’s with this same train of thought we can see how God can and does use all things for our sakes (2Co 4:15), the “Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl” along with “Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth“. Whether these things be within or without, they are all part of God’s creation to do with as He pleases.

Psa 135:6  Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

The “beasts” that we are is humbled by God, chastened and scourged so that we can grow and mature in Him (Ecc 3:18, Heb 12:6, Rev 15:8 ).

The “cattle” are sacrifice for us and provide spiritual lessons for us as we learn with all the levitical sacrifices made back in ancient Israel (Lev 9:4, 2Ch 7:5, 1Co 3:16).

The “creeping things” represent the sin that is in our members that God knows how to manifest in our lives (Psa 104:25, Eze 8:10, Hab 1:14), so that it can be used to correct us as our own iniquities will do (Jer 2:19, Rom 9:19-21, 1Jn 1:8).

Psa 104:25  So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

Eze 8:10  So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.

Hab 1:14  And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

Jer 2:19  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

The “creeping things” is more akin to the wood and stone, silver and gold, idols that we worship instead of God (Deu 29:17, Psa 115:4), whereas the “flying foul”  is more connected to the spiritual battles in our heavens that we have in regard to learning how to rightly divide the word of God, having our senses exercised so we can learn to discern good and evil overcoming all the lies of Babylon that had darkened our heavens for so long (Heb 5:14, Rev 9:2, Rev 18:2).

Deu 29:17  And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:

Psa 115:4  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

Job 28:7  There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:

Job 28:20  Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
Job 28:21  Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

Rev 18:2  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Psa 148:12  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 
Psa 148:13  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 

These are some more of “the generation to come” (Psa 78:4) that are mentioned who praise the LORD, and “His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven“, meaning we are more than conquerors through Christ, through His name, through His word, through His mind, that is far above our heavens and earth (2Ti 1:7) which are praising God for His stedfast love toward His children (1Jn 3:1).

Psa 78:4  We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

1Jn 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

This section of Psalm 148 expresses the thanks and praise we ought to give to God for the victory that He has promised to His children over sin (Joh 8:36), and as we read through 1 John 2:12-17, notice the very similar references to “young men, and maidens; old men, and children” and how it is all in the context of overcoming. Being given the power to overcome is one of the greatest reasons we praise God and give him thanks as his mercies are renewed day by day as he heals us of all our iniquities and diseases (Psa 103:3).

1Jn 2:12  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
1Jn 2:13  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1Jn 2:14  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

[God gives His children the ability to abide in his word and to overcome the wicked one by our faith which is a gift of God (Joh 16:13, 1Jn 5:4)]

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

[Christ is our example and by the hope of glory within us (Col 1:27) we can fulfill God’s will and overcome our fleshly will. We are sojourning together as the body of Christ through the wilderness of this life that our flesh represents and we are seeing him increase and our life decrease as we continue to die daily and cry out as our Lord did “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Joh 3:30, Luk 22:42).]

1Jn 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1Jn 2:21  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 2:23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1Jn 2:24  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. [Joh 8:31-32, Joh 15:5]
1Jn 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1Jn 2:26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
1Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1Jn 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Psa 148:14  He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

“Praise ye the Lord” because “He also exalteth the horn of his people“.

“His people” is speaking specifically of the elect who are “of the children of Israel” and are blessed to be “near unto him” through the dragging and converting process (Joh 6:44) we are going through as those who are first being judged and learning to trust God (Eph 1:12) at the altar which is the cross where the power, strength or “horn of his people” is exalted, as God makes his strength perfect through our weakness (Psa 118:27, 2Co 12:9).

These last verses we’ll look at for this study explain very clearly that the enemy we are overcoming is within, and that it is God alone who is going to save us from ourselves. Not only will the Lord save us, but He will do it in this fashion through Christ: “Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore“. We were all enemies of the cross in our appointed time, and now we “Praise the Lord” for this reason: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Psa 18:45  The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
Psa 18:46  The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Psa 18:47  It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
Psa 18:48  He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Psa 18:49  Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Psa 18:50  Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

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