12 Pentecost

12 Pentecost - Sunday

first posted 08/21/04

Judges 6:1-24 Gideon visited by an angel
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 The duty of giving
Mark 3:20-30 Jesus’ power

Israel’s history during the time of the judges was marked by a series of cycles of apostasy, affliction, repentance and restoration. After Deborah and Barak had defeated Sisera, there was peace in Israel for forty years. But again the people turned from the Lord and did what was evil in his sight, and the Lord allowed them to be afflicted by the Midianites for seven years.

Because of Midianite raids, the Israelites were forced to make dens, caves and strongholds in the mountains. Whenever the Israelites planted, the Midianites would come and camp and destroy the produce and the livestock. They were as numerous and as devastating as a plague of locusts.

Israel was brought very low, and the people cried out to the Lord. In answer, the Lord sent a prophet who reminded them of all the Lord had done to deliver them from bondage in Egypt, and how he had driven the inhabitants of Canaan out before them and had given them the Promised Land. The Lord had warned them not to reverence the gods of the land, but the Israelites had disregarded the Lord’s command.

The angel (self-manifestation) of the Lord came to Gideon, who was threshing wheat in a winepress to conceal it from the Midianites. The angel told Gideon that the Lord was with Gideon, and hailed Gideon as a mighty man of valor. Gideon asked why this affliction had befallen the Israelites if God was with them.

The Lord told Gideon to go and deliver Israel from the Midianites. But Gideon told the Lord that his clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and that Gideon was the least in his family. But the Lord promised that he would be with Gideon. Gideon asked for a sign that it was the Lord who spoke to him; Gideon asked the Lord to wait while Gideon prepared food for him. Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread, and brought it to the angel.

The angel told him to put the bread and meat on a rock and pour broth over them. Then the angel touched the offering and fire sprang up and consumed the offering, and the angel vanished from Gideon’s sight. Gideon was afraid because he had seen the angel of the Lord face to face. But the Lord told him to be at peace, and not to fear; that Gideon would not die. Gideon built an altar there, and called it “The Lord is peace,” which was still standing at Ophrah in the writer’s time.

Paul was collecting an offering for the relief of the Christians at Jerusalem. Paul told believers that those who give sparingly will be blessed sparingly, and those who give generously will be blessed generously. Each one is to give according to his own determination, without being pressured by others, because it pleases God when we give cheerfully.

God is able to provide us with every blessing in abundance, so that we will always have sufficient resources for every good deed. God provides us with everything we need, and he will also provide what we need to grow in good works, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. Such giving not only relieves the needs of others but also glorifies God, through our obedience to the Gospel of Christ, and by our generosity to others, and is reciprocated by their love for us and gratitude for God’s grace.

After appointing his twelve disciples of his inner circle, Jesus returned to his home. When the people heard that he was at home they came to him in great numbers so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. His friends thought Jesus was crazy. The scribes (teachers of the Law; the Scripture) from Jerusalem said that Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul, and used demonic powers to cast out demons.

Jesus called them together and said in parables that it is impossible to cast out Satan by Satan. Neither a divided kingdom nor a divided house can stand. So also, Satan cannot stand if he is divided against himself. No one can rob a strong man’s house unless he first incapacitates the strong man. All sins and blasphemies of mankind are forgivable except the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin” (Mark 3:29). This was Jesus’ response to those who said that Jesus had an unclean spirit.

When God’s people obeyed God’s word and did what was right, God blessed them. When they turned from the Lord and disobeyed his word, the Lord withheld his blessings and allowed them to experience affliction, so that they would recognize their need for the Lord and return to him. The Lord called Gideon to be the savior of his people, and promised to be with Gideon and give Gideon victory as Gideon trusted and obeyed the Lord’s command.

Gideon asked for a sign that it was the Lord who was calling him, and the Lord gave him the sign that Gideon had requested. The sign to Gideon was similar to the miracle of the contest between the prophets of Baal and the prophet of the Lord at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40), but in Gideon’s offering there was no wood provided for the burnt offering. The offering was soaked with broth, but was consumed by fire, yet without any kindling. The sign is open to interpretation by the beholder; one can accept it as a sign of God’s power, or one can devise some alternative explanation.

As we sow in this life, so shall we reap for eternity. We will be rewarded according to what we have done. Those who have cared for the wellbeing of others will be blessed; those who have though only of themselves will have nothing. Are we living lives that bless others and glorify God, or lives that glorify ourselves and afflict others?

Jesus’ powers were evident. It was their interpretation which caused people problems. Jesus' works are good and righteous; how they are interpreted reveals the spiritual condition of the beholder. Those who think Jesus’ powers are demonic and come from evil condemn themselves. If they think Jesus’ actions come from evil, then where do their own actions come from (compare Matthew 12:27). Imputing evil as the source of God’s actions is the ultimate denial of God’s existence. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit cuts off the blasphemer from the only one who can change his heart and bring him to forgiveness and salvation.

Jesus is the Savior whom God has raised up to deliver us from bondage to sin and death: Jesus is our “Gideon” who saves us from the “Midianites” who enslave and destroy. The Holy Spirit is the angel of the Lord, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9b) which the Lord gives to his disciples; to those who obey his word (John 14:15-17, Isaiah 42:5e). We can, like Gideon, ask for confirmation that it is the Lord we are talking to. John tells believers not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits to see whether they are of God (1 John 4:1). The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Bible or deny Jesus Christ.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first believed Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:18-20). Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

12 Pentecost - Monday

first posted 08/22/04

Judges 6:25-40 God calls Gideon
Acts 2:37-47 People’s response to Pentecost
John 1:1-18 Prologue of John

Israel’s history during the period of the judges was one of repeated cycles of disobedience, disaster, repentance and restoration (see entry for 11 Pentecost - Tuesday even year). The Israelites had been beset by invading Midianites for seven years because of Israel’s apostasy (Judges 6:1b). Then the Israelites cried out for help to the Lord (Judges 6:6) and the Lord called Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6:11-12). The Lord told Gideon to tear down the altar to Baal which Gideon’s father had. Gideon was to take his father’s bull and offer it as a burnt offering to the Lord on a new altar which Gideon was to build, using the wooden Asherah (pole representing an idol) to burn the offering upon the altar.

Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord had commanded, but he did it at night, because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople. The next morning, when the villagers found the altar to Baal broken down, the Asherah cut down, and the bull sacrificed on the new altar to the Lord, they investigated and discovered that Gideon had done this.

They went to Gideon’s father, Joash, demanding that he hand over Gideon to be executed, but Joash refused to hand his son over to the people. Joash declared that those who would fight for Baal or defend his cause would be dead by morning. Joash told them that if Baal was a god, let him contend for himself. Gideon was called Jerrubbaal meaning “let Baal contend against him” because Gideon had pulled down Baal‘s altar.

The Midianites and Amalekites invaded Israel and encamped in the valley of Jezreel. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and he called up an Army from the Abiezrites (a branch of the descendants of Manasseh) and from the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali. Gideon prayed for a sign from God that God would deliver Israel by Gideon.

Gideon laid a lamb’s fleece on the threshing floor overnight. Gideon asked that, if God would deliver Israel by Gideon, the fleece would be damp with dew while the ground stayed dry; and so it was. The next day the fleece was not only damp but wet enough that Gideon was able to wring a bowl full of water from it. Gideon asked for a second sign, as a confirmation, that the fleece stay dry and the ground be wet, and again it was as he had said.

On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples had received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit which Jesus had promised (Acts 1:4-5, John 14:15-16), a great crowd had gathered because of the commotion, and Peter had preached a powerful sermon explaining what was happening.

Peter’s sermon convicted many of the hearers of their need for forgiveness and they asked the disciples what they should do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, and that they would receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, because the promise is for all who come to him in trust and obedience. Peter urged them to save themselves “from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:40).

Three thousand people, all who believed Peter’s words, were baptized that day. The new converts devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread [the Lord’s Supper was celebrated as part of a common (communal) meal], and prayers. The Jerusalem Christians became a commune, a household of faith. They fellowshipped, worshiped and ate together, and took care of one another like family. Their behavior glorified God and earned the respect of their neighbors, and new converts were added daily.

Jesus is the word of God in human form (John 1:14). He existed from the beginning of creation. He is God (John 1:1c; John 20:28 Colossians 2:8-9), he is the creator (John 1:3); He is the giver of physical and spiritual life (John 1:4). He is the light of the world (John 1:4-5). Evil is darkness. Righteousness cannot be overcome by evil.

John the Baptist was sent by God to herald Jesus as the coming of the Messiah. John was not the Messiah, but he testified that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is the true light that was coming into the world. He came into the world which he had created, but the world did not acknowledge him. His own home and his own people did not welcome him. But to all who did welcome him and believe in him he gave power to become children of God, not according to flesh and blood or the will of mankind, but by the will of God.

Jesus dwelt among us full (an inexhaustible supply for all who are willing to receive it) of grace (redeeming love) and truth (faithfulness to his promises). Jesus’ glory has been revealed for all to see; those who see Jesus' glory have beheld the glory of God (Matthew 11:27b; John 14:9b).

The Lord is the God who is; all other “gods” are the creation of mankind and are powerless. Baal needed men to fight his battles for him; the Lord fights the battles for his people. The Lord hears when his people call; he forgives those who repent, and he welcomes all who turn to him in faith (trust and obedience).

Peter’s sermon caused many to recognize their sinfulness and their need for forgiveness. All who believe the gospel, repent of their sins and turn to Jesus are forgiven and restored to fellowship with the Lord. Notice that the new believers were discipled by the apostles (Acts 2:42).

God loves us; he created us, he gives us physical and spiritual life. God sent us a savior, Jesus Christ, to deliver us from bondage to sin and death. God gives us the power to become children of God (John 1:12), but we must appropriate that power for ourselves; we must act on the promise. When we turn to him in trust and obedience he saves us and restores us to fellowship with him. Jesus is the light of hope and righteousness shining in the darkness. Have you seen the glory of God in Jesus Christ? Have you come to a personal relationship with the Lord?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

12 Pentecost - Tuesday

first posted 08/23/04

Judges 7:1-18 Gideon’s preparations for battle
Acts 3:1-11 Lame man healed
John 1:19-28 Testimony of John the Baptist

Gideon (Jerubbaal) and his army camped by the spring of Harod at the cliffs of Mt. Gilboa. The Midianites were camped in the valley of Jezreel to the north by the hill of Moreh. Gideon’s army numbered thirty-two thousand. The Lord told Gideon that his army was too large; that Israel would take credit for the victory themselves, rather than acknowledging that the Lord had given them the victory.

The Lord told Gideon to dismiss all the troops who were fearful, and twenty-two thousand went home, leaving ten thousand soldiers. The Lord said that there were still too many soldiers, so he told Gideon that the Lord would test the men and tell Gideon which to keep and which to send home. Gideon was to have the men drink from the spring. Those who put their faces to the water to drink were to be sent home, but those who cupped the water with their hand and brought it to their mouths were to be kept. Three hundred men drank from their cupped hand; they were kept, and all the rest were sent home.

The Lord assured Gideon that the Lord would defeat Midianites with three hundred men. That night the Lord told Gideon to go down to scout the Midianite camp with his servant named Purah. The Lord told Gideon that Gideon would hear what the Midianites were saying about Gideon’s army, and that would encourage him. Gideon went down as instructed. The Midianite army was vast beyond counting, like a plague of locusts in number.

Gideon overheard a Midianite telling, to a companion, a dream he’d had. In his dream, the Midianite had seen a barley cake tumble into the Midianite camp and strike a tent, completely overturning it. His companion told him that the barley cake represented Gideon’s army, and that God had given Gideon victory over the Midianites.

When Gideon heard this he worshiped God; then he returned to his camp and assembled his troops. He told them that God had given the Midianites into their hands. Gideon gave each of the soldiers a trumpet and an empty clay jar with a lit torch inside. Gideon told the men to follow his example; when they came to the outskirts of the Midianite camp, together they would all blow their trumpets and shout “For the Lord and for Gideon” (Judges 7:18).

Peter and John were going to the temple at the hour of prayer (3:00 p.m.). They encountered a lame man who was being carried to his regular daily position beside the Beautiful Gate, where he begged alms from those coming to the temple. Seeing Peter and John he asked them for alms.

Peter told the lame man, “Look at us.” The lame man fixed his attention on Peter and John, and Peter told him that he didn’t have money, but would give what he had. Peter commanded the lame man, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to walk. Peter took the lame man by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and the man was healed instantly. The man walked with Peter and John into the temple, leaping and praising God. The people in the temple recognized him, since they had seen him daily collecting alms, and they were amazed to see that he had been healed.

The Jewish religious authorities (Pharisees, the leading ruling party; John 1:24) sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to John the Baptist at “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (Bethabara), where he was baptizing (John 1:28), asking him to identify himself. John confessed that he was not the Christ (Messiah). They asked John if he were Elijah (who was expected to return to prepare the Messiah’s coming) or the prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15; an anticipated forerunner of the Messiah). John said that he was not.

John described himself as a voice crying in the wilderness, as Isaiah had said, announcing the Messiah’s coming (Isaiah 40:3). They asked John why he was baptizing if he was not the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet. “John answered them, 'I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie'” (John 1:27).

A few people can accomplish great things if they trust and obey the Lord and glorify the name of the Lord. It required faith on the part of Gideon and his men to go against a vast army with only three hundred men, armed with trumpets and torches. In our human nature, we tend to take personal credit for our successes and blame God for our failures. Even worse, we tend to consider worldly success as divine approval. We tend to rely on God only when our own efforts have failed.

When Gideon committed to trusting and obeying the Lord, the Lord confirmed his promises to Gideon in order to strengthen Gideon to do what the Lord asked. Gideon gave worship and praise to the Lord, and he glorified the Lord in front of his men. The men were committed to following the Lord first and foremost, and then to following the leader who was committed to following the Lord.

Peter and John were disciples; they were trusting and obeying the Lord. They were on their way to their daily prayer and personal fellowship with the Lord. They weren’t successes in the worldly sense, but they had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through his indwelling Holy Spirit within them. They offered the lame man what he needed that they could provide, rather than what he said he wanted. Because of their faith and obedience, the Lord was able to work life-changing healing through them, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed, and the Lord was glorified (Acts 3:6, 11-16).

John trusted and obeyed the Lord. He wasn’t a worldly success. John was apparently not conscious of his own role as the forerunner of the Messiah (Matthew 11:14; Mark 9:13), although he fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. He didn’t seek status for himself; he just faithfully did what the Lord had called him to do, and he gave the glory to the Lord. The Pharisees were legalists; they were obsessed with enforcing the smallest details of the Law, although they did not keep the Law themselves. So the Pharisees were concerned that John was baptizing without official status.

Are we willing to trust and obey the Lord and depend on him for our security, or do we try to provide our own security? Do we acknowledge and praise the Lord for our blessings, or do we take credit for them ourselves? Are we disciples of the Lord, spending time with the Lord in daily fellowship and prayer, and led and empowered by his Holy Spirit? Are we seeking the Lord’s will and his plan, and humbly carrying it out? Are our lives glorifying the Lord, or are we seeking our own glory and status? Do we proclaim the Lord’s power and faithfulness to others?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

12 Pentecost - Wednesday

first posted 08/24/04

Judges 7:19-8:12 Victory over Midian
Acts 3:12-26 Peter’s address
John 1:29-42 John’s testimony

The Lord had selected three hundred men to attack the camp of the Midianites, led by Gideon. Gideon divided the group into three companies, which encircled the camp. They attacked the camp in the middle of the night, just after the changing of the guard. Gideon and his men broke the jars concealing the torches and blew their trumpets.

At the sound of the trumpets the camp was thrown into a panic and the Midianites slew one another with their own swords. The remaining Midianites fled, probably to the southeast toward Zerethan and Abel-meholah, east of the Jordan (northeast of Shechem). The men of Ashur, Naphtali and Manasseh were called out to pursue the Midianites.

Ephraim was called out to secure the land as far as the Jordan River, and they captured and killed two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. The Ephraimites were angry at Gideon for not being called to participate in the attack against the Midianite camp at Jezreel, but Gideon mollified them by pointing out that their “gleaning” produced greater victory than the entire preceding vintage of Abiezer (a branch of the tribe of Manasseh). Gideon and his three hundred men pursued the fleeing Midianites across the Jordan River.

His men were faint with hunger, so Gideon asked the people at Succoth to give bread for his men, but they refused, saying that Gideon’s men had not yet captured the fleeing Midianites. Gideon promised to punish Succoth when he had captured the fleeing kings of Midian. He was likewise refused bread at Penuel, and he promised revenge upon them when he had accomplished his mission.

Not far beyond Penuel Gideon caught up with Zebah and Zalmunna, the two fleeing Midianite kings and their remaining army of about fifteen thousand men. One hundred and twenty thousand Midianites had been slain. Gideon and his three hundred men attacked the remaining army, throwing them into a panic, and were able to capture the two kings.

Peter and John had healed a lame man at the temple (Acts 3:1-11). The people were amazed at the healing, and gathered together in Solomon’s portico, so Peter began to explain to them what had happened. Peter refused to take any personal credit for the healing, giving the glory to the Lord instead.

This gave him the opportunity to preach the Gospel, showing that Jesus was the promised Messiah, who the people of Israel had delivered to be crucified although Pilate had found him not guilty and had decided to release him. They had rejected the Holy and Righteous One in favor of a murderer (Barabbas; see Matthew 27:15-26) in his place. They had killed the “Author of life” but God raised him from the dead. Peter and John were witnesses to the fact of the resurrection and testified to it.

It was by faith in Jesus’ name that the lame man had been healed. The people had acted in ignorance, but God’s word foretold by his prophets (and the scriptures) they thus fulfilled. Peter urged them to repent so that their sins might be forgiven and that they might be restored to peace and fellowship with the Lord through Jesus Christ, and receive the promises of God. Jesus is the successor to Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). Everyone who does not obey that prophet (the Messiah; Jesus) shall be destroyed from the people (of God) (Acts 3:23).

Peter pointed out that all the prophets from Samuel onward have foretold the coming of the Christ which had now been fulfilled. The people of Israel were the descendants of the prophets and the heirs to the covenant of God with Abraham, which promised to bless the people through Abraham’s descendant, who is Jesus Christ. God had sent the Christ to the people of Israel first, so that they might be blessed as they repented and turned to him.

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and declared that Jesus was the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” comparing Jesus to the Lamb which is sacrificed at Passover, as an offering for the forgiveness of sins. John the Baptist preceded Jesus in order to prepare for his coming, but Jesus, as the Son of God, ranks before John and existed before John (John 1:1-3, 14).

John’s commission from God was to point to Christ. John didn’t know in advance who the Christ was, but God gave him a sign. As John baptized with water, the one, on whom he saw the Spirit descend as a Dove and remain, was the Christ. John saw this sign upon Jesus and testified that Jesus was the Christ.

The next day John was standing with two of his disciples and he again saw Jesus passing, and declared to his disciples that Jesus was the Lamb of God. John’s disciples heard, and followed Jesus. Jesus saw them following and asked them what they were seeking. John’s disciples addressed Jesus as Teacher (Rabbi) and asked where he was staying, so Jesus invited them to “come and see” (John 1:39). They did, and stayed with Jesus that night, since it was 4:00 PM.

One of the disciples who followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He went and found his brother Simon, and told him that he had found the Messiah (Christ). Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, and Jesus looked at Simon and knew his name and that he was the son of John. Jesus gave him a new name, Peter (in Greek: “Petra; in Aramaic: “Cephas;” both words mean “rock”).

The Lord had fought the battle and won the victory for Israel over her enemy. There is no other way an army of three hundred could have prevailed against an army of one hundred and thirty-five thousand (Judges 8:10). The people were asked to join Gideon’s army to assist in rounding up the fugitives, securing the land and supporting Gideon’s army.

The tribe of Ephraim was disappointed that they had not been invited earlier, so that they could have participated in the actual battle, but Gideon assured them that the role they were asked to play in rounding up the remaining Midianites was just as important as the battle itself.

The response of the people of Ephraim was admirable; the response of the people of Succoth and Penuel was despicable. The people of Succoth and Penuel wanted to wait in comfort without contributing any support to Gideon’s army until all the work was done.

Peter and John were disciples of Jesus Christ, going about their daily routine of prayer and fellowship with the Lord, when they encountered the lame man. They gave him healing in the name of Jesus, and they had an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to many people as a result. They didn’t seek their own glory; they gave the Lord all the credit for what had been done in his name.

John was faithfully carrying out God’s call to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. John wasn’t seeking his own glory; he gave the glory to the Lord. John wasn’t making disciples for himself; he pointed them to Jesus.

As soon as Andrew had come to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ, he immediately went to his brother, Simon, shared the good news with him, and led him to Jesus. Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, to point to Jesus as the Christ, and to prepare the people of the world for the coming of Jesus Christ at the Day of Judgment.

Jesus is God’s only plan for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6 see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right); Jesus is our victory over sin and death. God has already fought the battle and won the victory through Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.

Jesus is our Gideon. He has defeated the enemy. Now he’s calling us to join him to secure the land, round up the stragglers, and support Gideon’s army. What is our response? Are we zealous for the Lord’s army, eager to help and only disappointed that we weren’t able to join sooner and do more? Or do we expect to wait in ease and comfort until all the work has been done?

Are we willing to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, spending time daily in Bible study, prayer and fellowship with our Lord. Are we doing what we can to bring healing and salvation to those who are hurting around us, and so that we will be able to explain the Gospel to those who are receptive, as the opportunity arises? Are we seeking God’s will and direction in our lives, so that we can point others to Jesus and glorify our Lord? Those who join Jesus’ army will be blessed; those who refuse will be eternally destroyed.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

12 Pentecost - Thursday

first posted 08/25/04

Judges 8:22-35 Gideon makes an ephod
Acts 4:1-12 Peter and John arrested
John 1:43-51 Call of Philip and Nathaniel

After his victory over the Midianites, the people wanted Gideon and his descendants to be their rulers, but Gideon refused hereditary kingship. Gideon told them that the Lord was their king. But Gideon asked them to give him their golden earrings, which they had taken from the Midianites (Ishmaelites) as spoils of war. The weight of the gold was about eight hundred and fifty ounces, just for the earrings; not counting the other gold jewelry worn by the Midianites and the collars around their camels’ necks. Gideon made an idol out of the gold so that it became a snare to Gideon and his family.

As a result of the victory over Midian, the Israelites had peace for forty years. Gideon (Jerubbaal) set up his own household, with many wives, and he had seventy sons of his own offspring. He also had a son named Abimelech by a concubine in Shechem. Gideon lived to an old age, and was buried in his father’s tomb at Opherah of Abiezer (in the valley of Jezreel, near Mount Tabor).

Soon after Gideon died the Israelites turned away from the Lord to idolatry, and made Baal-berith their God (Baal is the Canaanite idol; here his title is Lord of the Covenant). The people forgot the great saving acts and faithfulness of the Lord, and they didn’t honor the family of Gideon (Jerubbaal) for the good that he had done for Israel.

On their way to pray in the temple, Peter had healed a lame man. A crowd had gathered, giving Peter an opportunity to present the Gospel. As Peter was preaching the priests, the captain of the temple, and Sadducees heard him and were annoyed because Peter was teaching and proclaiming the resurrection of the dead in Jesus. (Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection.) They arrested Peter and John and put them in prison until the next day. Then they brought them before the Sanhedrin (Jewish court, headed by the high priest).

The court asked Peter and John by whose name they had healed the lame man, and Peter replied that the lame man had been healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they (the Sanhedrin) had had crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead. Jesus was thus the “stone” rejected by the builders (the Jewish religious leaders) but which has become the “cornerstone” (quoting Psalm 118:22, and Jesus in Mark 12:10) “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

John was baptizing in the Jordan River at “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (Bethabara; John 1:28). The day after Andrew brought his brother, Simon, to Jesus and they began to be Jesus’ disciples, Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip and said, “Follow me” (John 1: 43). Philip, Andrew and Simon were all from Bethsaida (on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee). Philip went and found his friend Nathanael, and told him that they had found the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph. Nathanial was skeptical that anything good could come from Nazareth, but Philip told him to “come and see” (John 1:46b).

Jesus saw Nathanael coming, and said that Nathanael was a guileless Israelite. Nathanael asked Jesus how he knew Nathanael, and Jesus told him that he had “seen” Nathanael under a fig tree, before Philip called him. Nathanael declared that Jesus was the Son of God, and King of Israel! Jesus told Nathanael that he would see more amazing things than that; Nathanael would see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Gideon realized that the Lord was the King of Israel, and he resisted the temptation to establish his own hereditary kingdom, but he succumbed to other worldly temptations which came with his success. Gideon started out trusting and obeying the Lord and giving the glory to the Lord, but the acclaim that came with success became a snare for himself and his descendants.

His popularity led him to establish his own household apart from his father, with many wives and concubines, and many children. He was a success in worldly terms, but the money he received from the spoils of war and his popularity with the people became idolatry to him. The people turned from the Lord to worship idols, and Gideon’s worldly success and achievements were soon forgotten. Gideon had great opportunities! If only he had used his popularity to build up God’s kingdom instead of pursuing his own worldly goals!

Peter and John were faithful disciples. They were attending to their daily fellowship with the Lord in prayer, and they had an opportunity to bring healing to someone in need. They did what they could, and the man was healed and glorified the Lord. Others saw the lame man healed, and Peter used the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to them.

The religious authorities had Peter and John arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, where Peter again had an opportunity to present the Gospel. Peter and John had come to a personal relationship with Jesus, and had been discipled by Jesus. They had been filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit; they were prepared and empowered for opportunities to witness, and they acted on those opportunities.

Andrew and Philip are examples of what followers of Jesus are called to do. Someone had pointed them to Jesus; they had acted on that direction and had come to a personal knowledge of Jesus. They had experienced Jesus, and had come to believe that he was the Christ (Messiah). They told their friends what they had found and invited them to come and see for themselves. But Andrew and Philip didn’t stop growing as disciples at that point.

They continued to be discipled by Jesus, they experienced the risen Lord Jesus after the resurrection, they were filled with his Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:27, 32, 45).

The Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is the prototype of the "modern" "post-resurrection" disciple and apostle, like we can be. He experienced the risen Lord on the road to Damascus, his spiritual eyes were opened so that he was able to understand the scriptures in the light of Jesus Christ, he received the indwelling Holy Spirit, and he immediately began proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God (Acts Chapter 9).

Paul’s conversion happened in a matter of days, but he was already highly educated in the scriptures and the religion. Our discipling process will probably take longer. The Twelve were with Jesus physically day and night for more than three years. After that they still had to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8; Acts 2:1-13).

Jesus knew Nathanael's character and what he had been doing when Philip had called him. Jesus said that Nathanael was a guileless Israelite, not posessing the sinful qualities of his ancestor Jacob (Jacob had cheated his brother, Essau, out of his inheritance), before Jacob had wrestled with the Lord and his name was changed to Israel.

Jesus depicted his ministry as the fulfillment of Jacob's dream of the ladder. Jesus is the ladder of Jacob's dream, by which the blessings of God's promises descend upon God's people, and by which God's people have access to heaven.

Will we answer the Lord’s call to follow him? Are we willing to spend time with the Lord daily in fellowship, personal Bible study and prayer, so that we can be led by the Lord into opportunities for witness and can be effective witnesses? Witnessing is not just a matter of inviting friends to church. We need to have a personal relationship with Jesus first, and then we have to invite others to experience that personal relationship for themselves.

The Lord has already won the victory at the Cross; are we being faithful followers, capturing “stragglers” (Judges 7:23-24), building the kingdom of God and glorifying the Lord for what he has done, or are we seeking our own glory and building our own “empires”? Do we expect, having entered into Christ’s victory, to live out the rest of our days in comfort and luxury, while neglecting the opportunities all around us? Are we allowing worldly success, material wealth, and physical pleasures to keep us from following Jesus' command?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity(1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

12 Pentecost - Friday

first posted 08/26/04

Judges 9:1-16, 19-21 Abimelech rises to power
Acts 4:13-31 Peter and John before the council
John 2:1-12 The Wedding at Cana

After Gideon’s (Jerubbaal’s) death, his half-Canaanite son by a concubine, Abimelech, went to his mother’s clan at Shechem and told them to talk to all the people of Shechem to convince them that it would be better for them if Abimelech was their ruler than if the 70 sons of Gideon were their rulers. His mother’s clan did as he had said, and the people of Shechem were convinced to follow Abimelech, because he was from their own community and people.

They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith (Baal, "the Lord of the Covenant;" the Canaanite false god), which Abimelech used to hire mercenaries to form an army. With these men, Abimelech went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed all of his seventy brothers except Jotham, the youngest, who hid himself. Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo (probably a fortress in the region) came together and made Abimelech king, at the oak of the pillar at Shechem (probably a place of idolatrous worship; pillars were set up to represent idols; compare Joshua 24:26; Exodus 23: 24 RSV; Leviticus 26:1).

When Jotham heard, he told the people of Shechem a parable of trees. The trees wanted to anoint a king, so they chose the olive tree, but the olive tree chose not to depart from its purpose of producing oil for the anointing of kings in order to rule over trees. So the trees proposed the fig tree, but the fig tree chose not to give up producing sweet fruit in order to reign over the trees. The trees then suggested the vine, but the vine didn’t want to give up producing wine which gave cheer to men in order to reign over trees. Then the trees went to the bramble, and the bramble said that if the trees were anointing it king in good faith (righteously), they were welcome to take refuge in its shade; otherwise fire would come out of the brambles and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

Jotham told the people of Shechem that if they had acted in good faith with Gideon (Jerubbaal) and his house, they should rejoice in Abimelech and he in them; otherwise may Abimelech devour the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo, and let Shechem and Beth-millo destroy Abimelech.

Peter and John had been arrested by the Jewish religious authorities for preaching Jesus in the temple following Peter’s healing of a lame man (Acts 3:12-26; see entry for Wednesday, 12 Pentecost, even year). Peter had preached the Gospel to the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-12; see entry for Thursday, 12 Pentecost, even year). The members of the Sanhedrin were amazed at the boldness of Peter and John, who they realized were common uneducated men. But since the healing was undeniable, they really didn’t have anything to say in opposition.

Peter and John were sent out so the council could discuss the situation among themselves. They decided to order Peter and John not to preach or teach in Jesus' name any more. But when Peter and John had been brought in and given this order, Peter replied that the Council must decide for themselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey men rather than God. But Peter declared that he and other followers of Jesus must testify to what they have seen and heard. The Council threatened them but couldn’t punish them further for fear of causing a riot among the people, who praised God for the healing of the lame man.

When released, Peter and John went to their friends (the church) and told them what had happened, and the church prayed, acknowledging that the scriptures had foretold opposition to the Gospels by the people of Israel, the Gentiles, and the rulers of the earth, which had been fulfilled in the in the crucifixion of Jesus.

The church acknowledged that God’s will was predestined (and could not be thwarted). The church asked God to be aware of the threats made against the Christians, and to give them boldness in proclaiming the Gospel, while God continues to works miracles through the name of Jesus. “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

Three days after Philip had brought Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:43-51) Jesus attended a wedding in Cana in Galilee with his disciples. Jesus' mother was also there, and when the host ran out of wine, Jesus’ mother told him. Jesus asked her why she was telling him this, since his hour (of Jesus’ self-disclosure) would be determined by God’s will, rather than Mary’s.

Mary told the host’s servants to do whatever Jesus would tell them. There were six jars, each of about twenty-five gallon capacity, standing nearby for the Jewish purification ritual. Jesus told the servants to fill them with water to the brim, and they did so. Then Jesus told them to draw some and take it to the steward of the feast, and the steward tasted the water which had now become wine.

Not knowing where the wine had come from (although the servants knew), the steward went to the host and remarked that most hosts serve the best wine first, and then when people have become intoxicated, the poor wine, but that this host had kept the good wine until now. After the wedding, Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and stayed there for a few days.

The people of Shechem were not seeking to do what was right in the eyes of God, but what they perceived as their own best interest. They thought that it would be to their advantage to have a “local boy” be their king; they didn’t consider Abimelech’s character. They thought that they would have favor and influence with Abimelech as king.

They allowed themselves to be manipulated by Abimelech and his clan. They gave him a “campaign contribution” from funds generated from the practice of sin and idolatry (Judges 9:4). With these funds Abimelech hired ruthless and unscrupulous men to help him seize political control.

God had raised up Gideon as a savior of the people at a time of Midianite oppression. Gideon had declined an offer by the people to establish himself in a hereditary monarchy; instead he acknowledged that the Lord was the king of Israel (Judges 8:22-23). The people of Shechem denied the kingship of the Lord, and the legitimate heirs of Gideon, and instead chose the illegitimate son to be their king.

The religious leaders had manipulated the people (Matthew 27:20) to choose a “local boy,” Barabbas, who happened to be a notorious robber, instead of Jesus, the legitimate heir to the throne of David (Matthew 27:15-26). The Jewish leaders chose to do what was right in their own eyes, rather than seeking and doing God’s will.

They arrested Jesus’ disciples for preaching the name of Jesus Christ, although a healing done in that name was undeniable and God was being glorified by the people as a result. The leaders ordered the disciples not to preach and teach in Jesus’ name. The Jewish Council had the authority to judge what was right, but misused that authority. The disciples chose to trust and obey the Lord, rather than men.

The disciples acknowledged that God’s will is fulfilled whether or not people approve and co-operate with that will. God’s will is truly in our best interest, although we may not perceive and acknowledge that. The world opposes God’s will in favor of what they perceive as their own best interests. Those who trust and obey the Lord are empowered and enabled by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to stand and prevail in the face of opposition.

Jesus was totally committed to doing God’s will, to the point of dying on the Cross. Jesus loved his mother, but he didn’t change the water into wine to please his mother. Jesus sought to know and obey God’s will. Mary believed that Jesus was able to provide wine for the wedding and that he would do so. Mary believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Mary knew Jesus’ character. Her actions were based on her faith.

Are we seeking God’s will in order to co-operate with it, or are we seeking our own interests? Have we chosen Jesus Christ, God’s rightful heir to the throne and the kingdom, or we choosing to serve the "local boy," Satan? Do we determine what is right on the basis of God’s word, or by what we think and feel? Are we choosing leaders based on their character and what is right in God’s eyes, or according to what we think they can do to benefit us?

12 Pentecost - Saturday

first posted 08/27/04

Judges 9:22-25, 50-57 Abimelech’s demise
Acts 4:32-5:11 Ananias and Sapphira
John 2:13-25 Cleansing the Temple

Abimelech, the half-Canaanite son of Gideon by a concubine, had slain sixty-nine of the seventy sons of Gideon and had been made king by the people of Shechem (Judges 9:1-16; see entry for yesterday, 12 Pentecost - Friday, even year). Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years. There was enmity between the people of Shechem and Abimelech, and they dealt treacherously with one another, resulting in the violence done to the seventy sons of Gideon coming back upon Abimelech and the people of Shechem who helped him attain power.

The people of Shechem set ambushes in the mountaintops and robbed those who passed by, and Abimelech heard about this. Abimelech went to Thebez (Tubas; Tabas; about 11 miles north-east of Shechem) and attacked it. There was a strong tower within the city and the people of the city took refuge in it. Abimelech attacked the tower and prepared to burn the door of the tower, but a woman of Thebez threw a millstone down from above, and crushed Abimelech’s skull.

Abimelech was conscious, so he called his armor-bearer and asked the armor-bearer to kill him with his sword, so that Abimelech would not be dishonored by being killed by a woman. The servant did as requested, Abimelech died, and Abimelech’s army departed to their homes. So God caused the evil that Abimelech had done against his father in killing his sixty-nine brothers to come back upon his head, and God also punished the people in the region of Shechem for bringing Abimelech into power, fulfilling the curse which Jotham, the surviving son of Gideon had invoked.

In the church in Jerusalem, the believers adopted a communal system and everyone contributed their property to the common good. As a result there was no poverty among them. Joseph Barnabas, a Levite and native of Cyprus sold a field and gave the proceeds to the apostles to distribute. But a man named Ananias, and his wife Sapphira, conspired to sell their property but withhold a portion of the proceeds secretly.

When Ananias brought their contribution to the apostles, Peter challenged him for lying to the Holy Spirit, since Ananias was pretending to donate the entire proceeds while withholding part. Ananias was free to distribute his property as he wished, but he had lied to the Holy Spirit in an attempt to seem to be complying with the standards of behavior of the others, and to seem more generous than he was. At Peter’s words Ananias dropped dead at Peter’s feet. Young men of the congregation carried Ananias out and buried him.

Three hours later, Sapphira came, not knowing what had happened. Peter questioned her about the donation, asking the price received for the land sold. Sapphira repeated the lie Ananias had told, and Peter denounced her and told her that she would suffer the same fate as her husband. She too dropped dead on the spot. And the fellows who had buried her husband carried her out and buried her beside him. "And great fear came upon the whole Church, and upon all who heard these things" (Acts 5:11).

Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration and he went to the Temple and found the vendors who sold animals for sacrifice and the money-changers (Roman coinage had to be exchanged for Jewish to be used for offerings) at their business. Jesus made a whip from cords, and he drove the merchants and their livestock out of the Temple, and overturned their tables, and scattering money. He told the merchants not to make “my Father’s house” a business. His disciples realized that this fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 69:9 which said that zeal for God’s house would consume the Messiah.

The religious leaders asked Jesus what sign he could produce as authority for what he was doing. Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The religious authorities thought Jesus' statement ridiculous, because they took Jesus to mean the literal Temple building, but Jesus was referring to his body. When Jesus had been raised from the dead his disciples remembered him saying this and their faith in scripture and Jesus’ word were reinforced. Many in Jerusalem at the Passover believed in Jesus when they saw the signs (miracles) that he did, but Jesus did not have confidence in them, because he knows what is in the heart of each person.

The Israelites had been commanded not to intermarry with the people of the Canaan, but Gideon had a son by a Canaanite concubine. The oak at Shechem where the Israelites had reaffirmed their covenant with the Lord (Joshua 24:25-27) had become a shrine to the Canaanite false god Baal-berith (“Baal, Lord of the Covenant;” Judges 8:33-34). The people had rejected the Lord as the king of Israel, and had chosen the illegitimate son of Gideon to be their ruler, instead of the rightful heir. Abimelech was able to reign for a short time, but he and the Shechemites who put him in power fought and both were punished for their wickedness; their evil came back upon themselves.

Ananias and Sapphira wanted to appear to be upstanding members of their church without actually practicing the values held by the congregation. They couldn’t deceive the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9b). They were struck dead on the spot, as a warning, but trying to deceive the Holy Spirit is still deadly, though not as obvious and instantaneous. ["The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do his commandments"(Psalm 111:10 NKJV)]

Jesus found that the worship of God had been corrupted. Religion had become a business. People had established their dominion over the Religion in their areas of interest. Tradesmen held the concessions in their business specialties. The religious leaders held the concessions in spiritual, theological and legal specialties. The religious leaders challenged Jesus’ authority; he was trespassing on their “territory.” They had come to think of the Religion as their domain; rather than God’s.

Instead of acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah, and the rightful heir to the throne of David, they crucified him. As a result the Jewish religion effectively ended at the Cross of Jesus Christ. The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD and has never been rebuilt. Israel ceased to exist as a nation, and the people were scattered all over the earth; only since World War II has the nation of Israel been re-established.

Many of the people in Jerusalem for the Passover believed in the name of Jesus when they saw the signs that Jesus was doing, but Jesus knows what people really believe in their innermost thoughts. Believing in Jesus only through proof of his power isn’t faith. The fact that they believed that Jesus could do things for them didn’t change their hearts. Only Jesus can change people’s hearts, as they trust and obey Jesus, through his indwelling Holy Spirit. It’s not enough to call Jesus Lord and not do what he says Matthew 7:21-24).

Turning from trusting and obeying the Lord to reliance on worldly leaders proved to be a disaster for the Shechemites and later for the Jews. This should be a warning to America and to the Church as well. The Church is the New Israel, the new people of God, but in another sense America is also the New Israel, founded on Christian principles, viewed by many as a “Promised Land,” which is falling away from following the Lord.

Do we think that we can look like Christians on the outside and fool the Spirit of the Lord? Do our Churches look like the Temple of Christ on the outside, while tolerating all sorts of corruption on the inside? I think both America and the Church are in about the same condition today as Israel was at the time of Jesus’ first coming. Will we return to the Lord, or will we keep pursuing our own worldly interests? Jesus has promised to return to judge the earth (Matthew 25:31-46); are you ready for Jesus’ return?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?