Widow – Is, Was and Will Be – The Unknown Character of Christ and His Word https://www.iswasandwillbe.com Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty Mon, 19 Dec 2022 01:10:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cropped-headerlogo-32x32.png Widow – Is, Was and Will Be – The Unknown Character of Christ and His Word https://www.iswasandwillbe.com 32 32 Study of the Book of Kings – 1Ki 17:1-24  “The barrel of meal shall not waste…” https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/study-of-the-book-of-kings-1ki-171-24-the-barrel-of-meal-shall-not-waste/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=study-of-the-book-of-kings-1ki-171-24-the-barrel-of-meal-shall-not-waste Sat, 07 May 2022 02:32:29 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=25702 1Ki 17:1-24  “The barrel of meal shall not waste neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth”
[Study Aired May 6, 2022]

1Ki 17:1  And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 
1Ki 17:2  And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 
1Ki 17:3  Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 
1Ki 17:4  And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 
1Ki 17:5  So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by  “the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 
1Ki 17:6  And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 
1Ki 17:7  And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 
1Ki 17:8  And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 
1Ki 17:9  Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 
1Ki 17:10  So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 
1Ki 17:11  And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 
1Ki 17:12  And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 
1Ki 17:13  And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 
1Ki 17:14  For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 
1Ki 17:15  And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 
1Ki 17:16  And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
1Ki 17:17  And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 
1Ki 17:18  And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 
1Ki 17:19  And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. 
1Ki 17:20  And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 
1Ki 17:21  And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. 
1Ki 17:22  And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 
1Ki 17:23  And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 
1Ki 17:24  And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth. 

This section of scripture gives us hope by showing us, through the prophet Elijah, who is a type of Christ, how God will “supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” as we’re told in (Php 4:19). As we read through this study it should become very clear, via the names and places and people and events taking place, that God is showing the apple of His eye through these inspired events (Pro 7:2, Deu 32:9-10, Zec 2:8, Psa 17:8). He knows what we need before we even ask him as the author and finisher of our faith, desiring “above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”  (Mat 6:8, Heb 12:2, 3Jn 1:2).

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.

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Pro 7:2  Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. [Rev 1:3] 

Deu 32:9  For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 
Deu 32:10  He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 

Zec 2:8  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. 

Psa 17:8  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

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. 

3Jn 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

To be hidden “under the shadow of thy wings” of Psalm 17:8 is to be hidden in Christ (Col 3:3), and Elijah the Tishbite is also a type of the elect who go whithersoever the Lamb leads us, which means we follow each other as we follow Christ (Rev 14:4, Rom 8:14-16, 3Jn 1:3, 1Co 11:1) fulfilling our role in this life of being a light in this world with the word of His truth in our mouth as it was in Elijah’s, “that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth” (1Ki 17:24, Mat 5:14-16, Gal 6:10).

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth [Rom 8:14-16]. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 

3Jn 1:3  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the worldG2889 = kosmos. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [1Jn 3:17, Luk 10:30-37]
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. pan>
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 

1Ti 4:7  But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 
1Ti 4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 
1Ti 4:9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 
1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 
1Ti 4:11  These things command and teach. 

As we go about our Father’s business, as Christ our example does (Luk 2:49), we will learn of His provision along the way and His faithfulness to meet our every need in this life as we learn to live Godly lives (Tit 2:11-12) that are content whether we have a little or a lot (Php 4:11). The promise of God’s provision for His elect is typified with this statement in 1Kings 17:16: “the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah“, reminding us, especially in matters of faith, how God will provide what we need via the author and finisher of our faith Jesus Christ who provides the spiritual meal (as the bread of life [Joh 6:58]) and cruse of oil (Zec 4:6, Lev 6:13, Joh 6:63) that fails not as a symbol of God’s holy spirit that he pours out upon us to give increase in due season, as we labor in His word and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling knowing “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (1Co 3:6-7).

1Ki 17:1  And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 

This prophetic announcement being made to Ahab via the prophet Elijah reveals the sovereignty of God over all of His creation. Not only does God alone give the increase as we read (1Co 3:6), but God alone is the one who withholds His word from us as symbolized with these words, “There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”  The reason God withholds His word from us is to bring us to our wits’ end so that we cry out in that darkened state of not seeing truth clearly (Psa 107:25-30), and then he delivers us just as Elijah did with the people in his day (Jas 5:17-20).

Psa 107:24  These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
Psa 107:25  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 
Psa 107:26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 
Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. 
Psa 107:28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distressesH4480 H4691. [narrowness (Mat 7:14, 1Co 10:13)]
Psa 107:29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 
Psa 107:30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 

Jas 5:17  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 

[This example of Elias is a type of God’s elect who witness to a world today that cannot receive the words of Christ, the whole stay of bread and water, and yet in the day of their visitation Christ’s witness through the elect will bring forth the desired results and the seed will not have been sown in vain (Rev 11:3, Isa 3:1, Isa 55:11, Ecc 11:1, 1Pe 2:12)]

Jas 5:18  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. 
Jas 5:19  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; [Luk 22:32, 1Jn 4:17]
Jas 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death [ultimately the second death (Rev 2:11)], and shall hide a multitude of sins.

[Today as the body of Christ, we cover each other’s sins by washing one another with the word (Eph 5:26), “and the earth brought forth her fruit” because of God giving that increase. That is what is happening now within the body of Christ, and if we are granted to endure until the end, God’s elect will be used to “hide a multitude of sins” via the great white throne judgment that will be administered to the “innumerable multitude” (Rev 7:9) with their “multitude of sins.”]

1Ki 17:2  And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 
1Ki 17:3  Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 

“Turn thee eastward” is a statement that symbolizes our starting to look to Christ whose coming into our heavens is “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Mat 24:27, 2Th 2:8). He comes as lightning which occurs during those Psalm 107 storms, which we see as a result of being dragged to the son (Joh 6:44).  That is how “the word of the LORD came unto him“, and unto us for whom these prophecies are written (1Co 10:11) who are hidden in Christ. It is at the brook Cherith [“cutting”] where we receive that first deadly wound before we can cross the Jordan to “hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.“

1Ki 17:4  And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 
1Ki 17:5  So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 
1Ki 17:6  And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 

God can use any means He wants to sustain us spiritually through the wilderness with bread and meat, which symbolize his word, and this provision that was being made for Elijah comes at “the brook Cherith” where that word CherithH3747 which means “cut” represents our dying daily process that makes it possible for us to be sustained in the Lord, “And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there” (1Co 15:31).

The raven is an unclean bird but can still, by God’s mercy, be used to supply our needs in the wilderness. The raven gives up the meat just as the churches of Babylon labor in the word for our sakes in this age. God’s elect are the few in this life (Mat 22:14) who are able to read, hear and keep the sayings of the prophecies which are symbolized in Elijah’s life when he ate the meat from the raven (Rev 1:3).

Notice Elijah “did according unto the word of the LORD” demonstrating an obedient spirit that was abiding where he needed to be in order to have the ravens bring “him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook” (Luk 24:49).

Luk 24:49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, [Gal 4:26] until ye be endued with power from on high.

God continues to abundantly supply our every need in Christ provided we are granted by His hand to continue to be apprehended by the hand of a fit man, Jesus Christ (Php 3:12, Lev 16:21), who makes it possible for us to die daily.

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. [Php 2:12-13 says the same thing]

The statement “the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook” is a witness to how God provides the spiritual meat in due season we need in order to be sustained in this life (Mat 24:45, 1Co 10:2-3).

Mat 24:45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

1Co 10:2  And were all baptized unto Moses [We are baptized into Christ’s death so we can feed each other spiritual meat in due season (Rom 6:3)] 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. 

1Ki 17:7  And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 
1Ki 17:8  And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 
1Ki 17:9  Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 

Now in our story of Elijah who represents God’s elect, we see the process of dying daily at the brook Cherith drying up, which is symbolic of losing our first love, and what we must be given to do at this point is to receive the counsel that comes from  the word of God “the word of the LORD came unto him” and what it tells us to do is “Arise, get thee to ZarephathH6886 [Zarephath = “refinery”], which belongeth to Zidon H6721 [Sidon = “hunting”], and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee” which is another way of saying “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire [refinement process], 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 3:18, Heb 10:25, Jas 1:27).

We can be hunters and fishers of men [“ZidonH6721“] if God gives us an obedient spirit that leads us to be sustained by “a widow woman” who represents the church where the manifold wisdom of God is given to those who are blessed to hunger and thirst for His righteousness (Eph 3:10, Mat 5:6, Jas 1:27).

1Ki 17:10  So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 

It is at “the gate of the city“, which represents our hearts and minds, that this refining process is going to take place in “Zarephath“. This is where Elijah, a type of God’s elect, meets a woman who represents our early stage in the body of Christ that lacks faith and is gathering wood and not gold, silver and precious stone (1Co 3:12). Elijah provokes her to love and good works and says, “Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink“, as Christ does to us through each other helping us to be doers of the word and not just hearers (Joh 4:7-10, Jas 1:22).

Joh 4:7  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
Joh 4:8  (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) 
Joh 4:9  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 
Joh 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

1Ki 17:11  And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 
1Ki 17:12  And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

Elijah is in type and shadow hungry for the whole stay of bread and water as God’s elect are a peculiar people zealous of good works (Tit 2:14), and asks the widow “I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand“. It is in her hand because that is where the healing words and works of Christ are going to come from, from our hands that have laid hold to the plough and, Lord willing, are not looking back (Luk 9:62). This widow lacks faith at this stage in her walk, unlike this woman in Matthew 15:26-28 (“Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table“) who like Elijah needed only a “morsel of bread” believing that God can multiply that bread as He does His word which is symbolized by bread (Mar 6:41). Elijah is provoking her to love and good works by these actions of asking for bread and water (Php 4:17, Heb 10:24-25).

Mat 15:27  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
Mat 15:28  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

The widow pronouncing “I have not a cake” is a witness that her walk is narrow and hard, no coffee and donuts here, or cake! What she did have however is all anyone of us needs, “an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse“, which represents the little faith of Christ which is great enough to get the work done in our lives (Rev 3:8) as we each operate together as one body in the measure of faith that He gives each joint to supply in love (Luk 17:6, Rom 12:3, Eph 4:16).

Rev 3:8  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The widow was “gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” Those two sticks being separate is a witness of what God is going to do for the body of Christ that is going to become one in Christ. He is our Peace and the One who makes our marriage to him possible by joining the two sticks together. The wages of sin when we’re separate from God is death (Rom 6:23), and the widow has no hope of being sustained or becoming whole again so she just expresses her reason for gathering these two sticks in this manner: “that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die” (Eph 2:14, Mar 10:8, Eze 37:15-20).

Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Mar 10:8  And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 

Eze 37:15  The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, 
Eze 37:16  Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: 
Eze 37:17  And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. 
Eze 37:18  And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? 
Eze 37:19  Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. 
Eze 37:20  And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 

1Ki 17:13  And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 
1Ki 17:14  For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 
1Ki 17:15  And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 
1Ki 17:16  And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

Christ comes to us like Elijah did to this widow woman telling her, as Christ tells the church, “fear not“. Fear not it is your Father’s good pleasure to give his little flock the kingdom (Luk 12:32), and our labors in Christ, which are typified by her making “a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.” This demonstrates that our labors are not in vain in the Lord who has preeminence in all thing including eating of the cake first, then we inherit that blessing [Lev 23:15, Lev 23:17] and share it with “thy sons” which symbolizes the rest of the world (Col 1:15-19).

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. 
Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 

The church is obedient to the commandments of God just as this widow is to the requests of Elijah. The result of that obedience expressed by her doing “according to the saying of Elijah” is that “she, and he, and her house, did eat many days” (Psa 92:14-15).

Psa 92:14  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; 
Psa 92:15  To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

When we are obedient to God’s commandments “the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.” Israel experienced this same principle in the wilderness regarding the manna, which typifies Christ who, when we don’t know, we take for granted and misappropriate His word to our own destruction (Luk 23:34), not obeying his commandments (Mat 5:18, 1Co 4:6).

Exo 16:16  This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. 

Exo 16:20  Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. 

Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 

1Co 4:6  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

1Ki 17:17  And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.

It is after these physical miracles of providing oil and meal, representing the spirit of God being given, that we see the next parable line up showing us what can be accomplished when we have the life of Christ in us (Rom 8:9). We all are the son of the “mistressH1172” of a house where there is sickness, which symbolizes our time of spiritual sickness, or blindness, in Babylon, where there is “no breath” of life within us, no stay of water or bread, no oil or meal within.

“His sickness was so sore” reminds us of how sore our trials were, the great fight of affliction we endured as we were being grafted into the body of Christ, typified by the prodigal son’s time when he was brought to his wits’ end after having “joined himself to a citizen of that country” (Heb 10:32, Luk 15:16).

Heb 10:32  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 

Luk 15:15  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 
Luk 15:16  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

Afterward our trials turn from the purpose of being grafted into the body to a lifetime of being pruned and shown what great things we “must suffer for my name’s sake” as we, Lord willing, grow and mature in Christ (Act 9:16, Act 14:22).

Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

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.

1Ki 17:18  And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 

The son was at death’s door, and Elijah came to give witness to the life of Christ symbolically for our sakes, by resurrecting her son to life. That soon-to-be-resurrected son represents our being born again unto God through the death of our old doctrines that are destroyed by being given the new life of Christ within. In this sense, Elijah did slay her son and brought her sins into remembrance, and then raised the child so that he could, in type and shadow, be baptized into Christ’s death (Joh 3:3, Rom 6:3).

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

This section of the story symbolizes how God calls our sins to remembrance and then heals us as the child was healed, “to call my sin to remembrance.” Elijah is come to heal her dead son who represents the false doctrines, or demons, that have come forth from her as a type of Babylon, who was the mother of us all at one point (Rev 17:5). Her spirit is one of fear and torment as she does not see that God is bringing healing to her, and not the condemnation she supposes to be the case (Mat 25:24-26, Rev 18:10, 1Jn 4:17-18).

Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Rev 18:10  Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

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.

1Ki 17:19  And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

This is not the “bosom” of Abraham that typifies Christ (Luk 16:22), but rather the bosom of Babylon that is in the earth that the child is taken from (Luk 16:22) just as we are dragged out of Babylon by God and grafted into Christ (Joh 6:44). Then the prophet “carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed“, which is symbolic of our being raised in heavenly places where we are grafted into Christ (Eph 2:6) as we lay upon “his own bed” to be healed by God’s power alone, through his Word. 

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

1Pe 1:21  Who by him [Christ] do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

Once we are healed, it will be our own bed and no other man’s, meaning we are commanded at that point to pick up our own bed once we are healed (Joh 5:8) by the Lord. We will spend the rest of our life knowing that it is we who must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, intimately knowing that it is Christ who is giving us the power to pick up our own bed and accomplish this (Php 2:12-13.

1Ki 17:20  And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

The answer to Elijah’s question is, “Yes, God did bring the evil (Isa 45:7)” He did so with the purpose in mind of preserving life, just as was the case with Joseph’s brothers (Gen 45:5-7). The elect’s posterity in the earth today comes about as a result of being given to see that God does create darkness and makes peace and creates evil. He does it all as the Master Potter who, in time, will save all of His creation (Rom 9:14-16).

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

Gen 45:5  Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 
Gen 45:6  For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 
Gen 45:7  And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 

Rom 9:14  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 
Rom 9:15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 
Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

1Ki 17:21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. 

This symbolic prayer of Elijah, “let this child’s soul come into him again”, is the one that we pray for each other every day when we ask God to fulfill his will in our lives and give us this day our daily bread. This is how the manchild will mature within us as we cry out for one another to God with fervent prayer that avails much and is heard when we fear God (Jas 5:16, Heb 5:7).  It is three times he stretched himself upon the child as a symbol of “the process of spiritual completion” we go through and is accomplished when we are covered by Christ (Exo 37:9, Rom 4:7).

Exo 37:9  And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims.  

Rom 4:7  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

The words “And he stretched himself“H4058 explains to us what Christ must do to us as His sons and daughters (who need healing in this life, who need a physician) who is healing us with His word that is measuring us against Christ and His words (Luk 5:31, Rev 11:1, Zec 4:9). We stretch ourselves for each other looking not just on our own things but the things of others (Php 2:4), and in so doing we are blessed to fulfill the law of Christ for one another (Gal 6:2).

Luk 5:31  And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 
Luk 5:32  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 

Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 

1Ki 17:22  And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 
1Ki 17:23  And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 

We are heard by God when we fear Him and have reverence toward Him, and this is what makes it possible for our outward man to perish daily even as we put on the new man that is formed in His righteousness (Joh 14:13, 1Jn 5:14, Heb 5:7, Eph 4:22-24). Elijah is a type of the elect who is heard by the Lord, and the body of  Christ’s prayers are answered according to God’s will which is to put off the flesh and to have us conformed to the image of Christ in this age (2Co 4:16-17, Lam 3:22, Luk 22:42).

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 
Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 
Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 
2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

One day the Father will introduce the bride of Christ to the world, symbolized by this sentence: “And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.” This witness of the son’s healing reminds us also of Christ’s own resurrected body that had to be seen by the doubting heart of Thomas in order to be convinced that this was the son of God (Joh 20:27-29).

Joh 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 
Joh 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 
Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

1Ki 17:24  And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

Her statement, “Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth“, demonstrated her lack of faith having had to see these things to believe (Joh 20:29), just like Nicodemus coming to Christ by night who uttered very similar words out of his mouth which were connected with the works of Christ and not the faith of Christ which is the precious gift God has given to so few in this life (Joh 3:1-3).

Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 

Joh 3:1  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 
Joh 3:2  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 
Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

It is with that faith of Christ that we come to believe the personal application of the title of this study that applies to the body of Christ today that has been “born again” and can see the kingdom of God that is God’s good pleasure to give to us in an earnest relationship that is leading up to the first resurrection: “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah“.

]]> Gospels in Harmony – The Widow’s Offering https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/gospels-in-harmony-the-widows-offering/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gospels-in-harmony-the-widows-offering Tue, 03 Aug 2021 16:39:09 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=24060

Gospels In Harmony – The Widow’s Offering

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple and the Sign of His Coming – Mat 24:1-14, Mar 12:41-13:13, Luk 21:1-19

[Study Aired August 3, 2021]

Mar 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury,
Luk 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Mar 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Luk 21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Luk 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts,
Mar 13:1 as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you,
Luk 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Luk 21:7 saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
Mat 24:3 and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Luk 21:8 and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Luk 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Luk 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Luk 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:9 and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake,
Mar 13:9b for a testimony against them.
Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts,
Mar 13:11a when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate:
Luk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Mar 13:11b but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Luk 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Luk 21:18 there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Our first set of scriptures gives us a contrast between the “rich men” and the “certain poor widow”. These represent the old man and new man within each of us.

Mar 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury,
Luk 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Mar 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Luk 21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

As the old man, we give only what we have in abundance. An example of this would be telling someone that you will pray for their need although you have a way to fulfill that need. Prayer alone is good, but you are not filling up what they are lacking if you have what they need and only pray. On the other hand, the new man gives “of her penury casting in all the living” the new man has. The new man gives everything to satisfy what is lacking in the body of Christ.

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:

The word ‘behind’ in Colossians 1:24 is the same word translated as ‘penury’ in Luke 21:4. Here are a few more verses using this Greek word husterema G5303.

1Co 16:14-18 Let all your things be done with charity. I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

2Co 11:9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

2Co 8:1-15 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

2Co 9:6-15 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

The widow, representing a member of the body of Christ, will “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ” by being a living sacrifice.

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. 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.

Being a member to the body of Christ, we must be as this widow and give all of our living and not just of our abundance.

Continuing with our scriptures.

Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Luk 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts,
Mar 13:1 as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you,
Luk 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

The disciples are still focusing on the things of the flesh, but Christ uses this moment, speaking in parables, to shed light of the things to come by telling them things they are not able to understand for now.

We are the temple that must be thrown down.

Mar 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

Joh 16:12-13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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.

1Co 3:16-23 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

The following scriptures are questions everyone desires to know. However, the answers are not what the old man desires to live out.

Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Luk 21:7 saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
Mat 24:3 and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Luk 21:8 and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Who are these deceivers?

2Co 11:1-4 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

2Co 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

These deceivers are the religions of the world where we have been and are now coming out. That was the beginning of our journey into the kingdom of God. We were deceived and deceitful. Christ now goes on to explain what happens next.

Luk 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Luk 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Luk 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:9 and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake,
Mar 13:9b for a testimony against them.
Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

We were just told that all these things must happen first. The nation rising against nation, the great earthquakes, the famines and pestilences are all happening within us while we are in Babylon. We are caused to go into Babylon in order for us to be deceived. Then we receive the truth so that we can be cast out of Babylon.

Continuing with our verses.

Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts,
Mar 13:11a when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate:
Luk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Mar 13:11b but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Neither “take no thought” no “premeditate” happens when we receive the truth. It is Christ’s truth given to us because His thoughts are not our thoughts. Isaiah tells us about our transformation out of Babylon.

Isa 55:1-8 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Here are the last verses for today’s study.

Luk 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Luk 21:18 there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

This is what is written in our books: a life in the flesh of destruction through judgment by a fiery trial but a life in the spirit of mercy, peace and joy.

1Pe 4:12-19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 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? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Gal 5:19-26 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

]]> The Meaning of The Widow’s Sons Being Sold Into Bondage https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-meaning-of-the-widows-sons-being-sold-into-bondage/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-meaning-of-the-widows-sons-being-sold-into-bondage Fri, 16 Jun 2017 19:02:18 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=14092

Hi Mike,

I ​trust you are fairing well. Am going through 2 King 4:1-7, the story of Elisha and the widow. The insight I get from there is: When the prophet dies (entry point of the word of God-mind of Christ-Spirit),​ we run out of the supply of the spirit (little oil left), when that happens, we becomes carnal (depending on the flesh) which makes us debtors to the Law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus.

There is therefore now no condemnation for they that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.

M_____

 

Hi ​M​____

I really appreciate what you see there in 1Kg 4:1-7. The death of the indebted prophet is indeed a type of us having lost our first love:

Rev 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The oil that comes to us through the agency of the Living Prophet, typifies the spirit,​ which is given us via the agency of Christ.

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Thank you so much for sharing your revelation with me.

Women in scripture always signify the church. This widow, whose sons are being sold as bondmen​,​ ​is the exact scriptural type of all of us being in bondage to the elements of this world and the rudiments of this world. These verses describe perfectly the situation in which this widows sons find themselves.​

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

We have been redeemed from the bondage of sin via the spirit of Christ, the oil of the spirit, symbolized by the oil which the woman was supernaturally given to redeem her sons.

Thank you for your question, Mike​

]]> Psalms 68 – “Ascribe Ye Strength Unto God – Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/psalms-68-ascribe-ye-strength-unto-god-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=psalms-68-ascribe-ye-strength-unto-god-part-2 Fri, 06 Nov 2015 00:14:38 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=10427 “Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds” – Part 2

Psa 68:3-11

Psa 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Psa 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
Psa 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Psa 68:6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. Psa 68:7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
Psa 68:8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Psa 68:9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
Psa 68:10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
Psa 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

Right near the end of the Psalm we are looking at in this study we find the title of our study in verse 34 which says “Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.” Those words truly define the exercise that we are all called unto as the Lord makes his strength perfect through the Israel of God (Gal 6:16) who is was and will be perfected by the means that God has devised to reconcile all His creation (2Sa 14:14). That means is described in verse 34 of this Psalm as “his excellency” and “his strength“, which we know He is making perfect through the weak and marred vessels of clay that God created (Jer 18:4). He is making his strength perfect through us today, and we can conclude in this verse 34 that we are those clouds that He is perfecting and preparing to bring his strength and excellency over the rest of Israel in their appointed time as the body of Christ.

In our last study we examined the negative and positive use of the word ‘scatter’ to some degree and were reminded of how all the promises of God are ‘yes’ in Christ (2Co 1:20), meaning every word by which we live is essential and needful to understand how God scatters the first vessel of clay and brings out of that experience a new creation or vessel of honour that is fashioned by the same God who made the first man Adam to be destroyed and not able to inherit the kingdom of God (1Co 15:50).

It is through this process of tearing down and building up that the new creation is formed at the expense of the old.

Mar 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

The garments of Christ, which represent the righteousness of Christ, are first scattered like the elect who are scattered in four parts. Each soldier got a part of Christ’s clothing, and there were four parts distributed. The number four represents that scattering of all the world, because all have sinned and gone astray and have been scattered as this event symbolizes. This parable also tells us what we must do to Christ first by making merchandise of his righteousness, his garments, and it is all done or accomplished by casting of lots which reminds us again that all these actions were predestined and accomplished for our learning and admonition.

Lev 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Lev 16:9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
Lev 16:10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

What a blessing to know that when it comes time for mankind to try to rip the righteousness of Christ away from Him and His body, God does not let them prevail, but rather as we again read in this prophecy and parable of Joh 19:23-24, the garment cannot be ripped, and God inspires the actions of these men to preserve the word or cloth of Christ just like the Jews who were given to keep the oracles of God (Act 7:38, Rom 3:2).

Mat 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Joh 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
Joh 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

In this study we will look more closely at the effect of Christ’s excellency and strength working in our lives and what is the fruit that is produced as a result of this blessed relationship were given to share today.

Psa 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Psa 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

The pattern is revealed again how there is joy in the morning after weeping endures for a night (Psa 30:5, Mat 26:75). This is when we sing praises to his name: and extol him that works in our heavens by His powerful spirit or excellency and strength which we ascribe unto him.

Psa 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Psa 68:6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

God is turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers and showing us that without him we are spiritually fatherless and widows without our true groom (Mal 3:1, Mal 4:6).

God takes care of His children who have the honour of coming out of this world and understanding the shadows and types that are hidden from our own flesh and blood family who are deceived and cut off from God today for our sakes (Luk 10:24).

It takes his dwelling in “holy habitations” to convince us of this new family relationship where we now honour our heavenly Father and are no longer of our father the devil. We recognize that we are spiritual widows for having been dragged out of Babylon (Rev 18:4, Joh 6:44) which is a “dry land” that keeps people bound to lies where there is no stay of bread or water to be had (Isa 3:1).

Psa 68:7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
Psa 68:8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

The parallel thought for us in this verse is found in Hebrews 10:32 where we’re encouraged to remember the former days and what great struggles we were given to bring us closer and closer to that place where we don’t trust in our own flesh but in God alone (2Co 1:9, Pro 3:6-9).

Unless our earth shakes and our heavens (our minds) drop at the presence of God (Rom 14:11) we will not come to know God and Jesus Christ in this age (1Jn 4:17, 1Pe 5:6-9). The bride of Christ that comes up on Mount Sinai is of a meek and quiet spirit today and ultimately is becoming that example of a city set on a hill or nation which God provides for the world to learn of His glory and power (Oba 1:21, 1Pe 3:4, Isa 66:7-8).

Psa 68:9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
Psa 68:10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
Psa 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

So on one hand we have the whole stay of water and bread taken away contrasted with what God is doing with those who are His in this age. Our inheritance is in Christ, and we are Christ’s inheritance (Eph 1:18, Col 1:12, Joh 8:12, Mat 5:14), and God is making His strength perfect through this weary flesh by sending “plentiful rain”.

God has called the “poor” of the world to be rich in faith (Jas 2:5), which demonstrates His goodness and desire to not overlook any crumb (Joh 6:12, Mar 7:28), any part of his creation, for He so loved the world that He gave Christ and His body (Joh 3:16) for the feeding of the masses of humanity. As we read “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.“

God’s elect are called in this age to witness to His great power as we demonstrate not just how God can take a small scattered group and do a great work through us, but also how that work ascribes to the world His strength and excellency in making us one body of believers, one bread and a ministry of disciples who love one another and are being used to ultimately reconcile all the world by turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers (Mal 4:6).

]]> Awesome Hands – part 75: “The judgments” – Part F https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/awesome-hands-part-75-the-judgments-part-f/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=awesome-hands-part-75-the-judgments-part-f Thu, 26 Feb 2015 01:14:24 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=9126

Audio Links

Awesome Hands – part 75

“The judgments” Part F

February 25th, 2015

 

Today, we are continuing our series with the judgments the Lord has given us as admonitions on how to live our lives. While some of the examples given to us in the judgments in Exodus 22 do not apply to us in the physical today, all of those same judgments apply to us spiritually.
In the study today, we are going to cover the next few verses concerning how to treat strangers and how to deal with the poor, widows and fatherless.

 

“Strangers in the land”

 

The first verse we are covering today is found in  Exodus 22:21.

Exo 22:21  Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

One of the more easily forgotten aspects of the Israelites being strangers in the land of Egypt is that it was due to them needing help so they didn’t perish and being welcomed in due to one of their own family members. Here is a short recap on why they were strangers in the first place.

Gen 41:56  And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:57  And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

Gen 45:17  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
Gen 45:18  And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
Gen 45:19  Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
Gen 45:20  Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
Gen 45:21  And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
Gen 45:22  To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

Pharaoh typifies our Lord and King, and as such, we should recognize that all strangers are in their particular situations due to the Lord working all things out after the counsel of His own will.
A stranger naturally has a huge disadvantage in a strange country as it pertains to communication, knowledge of surroundings, customs of the people, etc.
We, as strangers seeking our “home country,” should take this to heart and remember that we too know the heart of a stranger.

Exo 23:9  Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

However, what is not easily gleaned from reading the words in the letter, about why it is that we shall no oppress a stranger, can be found in what a stranger lacks.
When we meet strangers, they do not know they are speaking with the Christ, but they should SEE the Christ in our ACTIONS and DEEDS. We should be disciples IN DEED, in doing what the Lord commands us and in living our lives as unto Christ Himself.
Before we are given the “land” to possess, we are strangers to that land.
Before the war with Egypt can be won, before the red sea can be parted, before the Hivites, Canaanites, Hitites, Amorites, Jebusites, Perizzites and Philistines are driven out, before the giants in the land can be conquered and killed, we are strangers.

Exo 23:20  Behold, I send an Angel before thee, TO KEEP thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
Exo 23:21  Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
Exo 23:22  But if thou shalt indeed OBEY HIS VOICE, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

Notice, it is the voice of the Lord which SPEAKS through the MOUTH of His angel.

Exo 23:23  For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
Exo 23:24  Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
Exo 23:25  And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
Exo 23:26  There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
Exo 23:27  I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
Exo 23:28  And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
Exo 23:29  I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
Exo 23:30  By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
Exo 23:31  And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

Why do I mention these things in the context of speaking about not oppressing a stranger?

Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.
Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Heb 13:3  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

A stranger could very well be an angel of the Lord, and a stranger could also just as easily be someone who the Lord is working with but has not yet been given the Lord’s heart and mind.
Notice that we strangers to the land, when our enemies possess the land. Yet, the Lord will send ANGELS before us to guide us. Why do strangers in this state of mind need guidance and direction?

Exo 22:21  Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Exo 22:22  Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
Exo 22:23  If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
Exo 22:24  And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and YOUR wives shall be widows, and YOUR children fatherless.
Exo 22:25  If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.

Zec 7:9  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
Zec 7:10  And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

In a negative application of these verses, each of these groups is lacking something. Widows lack their spouse, the fatherless lack a Father, the poor lack riches and strangers lack their country.
If you apply these things in the Spirit, we should be the MESSENGERS of the Lord to represent our Father and our Lord to these strangers who NEED HIM. He is the spouse they want, the Father they need, the riches they desire and the country they seek.
Do we know and remember the heart of a stranger? Do we not also seek the same country as some of them? We are of the household of Faith.

Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

For those who are of the household of Faith, it is important to recognize that the Lord is telling us ahead of time that “he who is given much is expected much”.

Luk 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
Luk 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luk 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Luk 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

To be as blunt as possible, you are NOT of the household of Faith unless you are a THANKFUL stranger. Being thankful is in your ACTIONS as well as your words, but only words is NOT what the Lord seeks. We must worship in Spirit and Truth and NOT in lip service alone.

Luk 17:11  And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed THROUGH THE MIDST of Samaria and Galilee.
Luk 17:12  And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
Luk 17:13  And they lifted up their VOICES, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Luk 17:14  And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
Luk 17:15  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a LOUD VOICE glorified God,
Luk 17:16  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Luk 17:17  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Luk 17:18  There are not found that RETURNED to give glory to God, save this STRANGER.
Luk 17:19  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: THY FAITH hath made thee whole.

Notice, the other 9 lepers were cleansed, and the other 9 lepers were healed, but only ONE was made WHOLE.
James tells us this about our Faith:

Jas 2:12  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Jas 2:13  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Jas 2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
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.
Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James tells us that to claim the Faith of Christ alone is DEAD and VAIN. Do you believe him? If we claim the Faith of Christ and do not operate that same Faith by DOING, acting, living and breathing it, then we are only fooling ourselves.

Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jas 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Look at why the Lord tells His people in Exodus they should be concerned with listening to Him diligently when handling strangers, widows, fatherless and the poor.

Exo 22:23  If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
Exo 22:24  And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and YOUR wives shall be widows, and YOUR children fatherless.
Exo 22:25  If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.

Also notice, that our voice or their voice will be heard.
If we operate in Faith in all things covered by Exodus 22:21-25, then we will not have the hot wax of God’s wrath poured out on us.
However, we also know that we must live by every word, so we all at some point do the EXACT OPPSOSITE of what we are told not to do here in Exodus.
If what is being presented to you today makes any spiritual sense to you, then you will recognize that it is at times that you are the stranger, the widow, the poor and the fatherless who CRY OUT to the Lord and are heard of Him.
While later down the path with Christ, you become the angel sent ahead of others and to them to be the voice of the Lord. Unbeknownst to those strangers, widows, poor and fatherless is that their old man is being burned up by the presence of His coming!

2Sa 22:7  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
2Sa 22:8  Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
2Sa 22:9  There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Rev 11:5  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Do these verses in Jeremiah not say it all about who a stranger is?

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.
Jer 5:15  Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

It should be becoming clearer that we are a positive and negative type of “stranger, widow, poor, and fatherless”.
We first start off seeking the Lord and we are in great need. We are sent angels of the Lord, that we know not at first, and they help us by BURNING us up, burning away the old man that needs to go for that time.
Later, we become the stranger seeking a country, living by Faith, being poor, meek and humble in spirit, having written of the first man Adam and His Father the devil knowing the first man Adam must die.
Lastly, in this physical world we should be looking to help those who need it the most in this world, notwithstanding we are to help the household of Faith first and foremost.
We should physically help the widows, strangers, poor and fatherless that we know need help and as the Lord permits. Likewise, we need to be careful to always remember those which are spiritually widows, fatherless, poor and strangers.
We have to do both and find the balance the Lord would have us to seek.

Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

And:

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 

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