19 Pentecost – Sunday
first posted
09/24/05
2 Kings 4:8-37, The Son Restored to Life
Acts 9:10-31, Paul’s Conversion
Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist’s Preaching
Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah, went to
Shunem
(north of Jezreel) to the home of a
wealthy woman who
had invited the prophet to eat with her whenever he was in the area.
The woman
told her husband that she knew that Elisha was a holy man of God who
passed by
frequently, and she asked her husband to build a small furnished upper
chamber
for Elisha to stay in whenever he wanted.
One day Elisha was
staying in the
upper chamber with his servant, Gehazi, and had his servant summon the
woman.
Elisha asked what he could do for her to repay her for her hospitality,
and
suggested he could speak to the king or the commander of the army on
her
behalf. She said that she didn't need anything from the king or the
commander. Elisha
asked what else he could do for her and Gehazi mentioned that she had
no son
and her husband was old. So Elisha said to the woman that next year at
that
time she would have a son. The woman thought that was impossible and
replied
that she hoped that he, a man of God, would not be lying to her. But she did conceive and gave birth to a son
the following year.
When the boy was old
enough, he
went out to his father who was harvesting a field with his reapers. The
boy
suddenly had a severe headache. The father’s servant carried the child
to his
mother, and she held him on her lap until he died around noon. She laid
her dead
child on the bed in the upper guest room and then sent word to her
husband that
she needed a servant and a donkey so that she could go quickly to
Elisha and
return. The husband asked why she wanted to go, since it wasn’t a
Sabbath or
religious festal day. She assured him that it would be alright. She and
her
servant set out for
Elisha saw her coming
and sent
Gehazi to meet her and ask if she and her family were well. She replied
that
all were well. When they came to Elisha she knelt and took hold of his
feet (a
gesture of humility and supplication). Gehazi was going to rebuke her
but
Elisha told him that she was just very distressed. The woman said that
she had
not asked for a child and had asked not to be deceived (she had been
given
great hope which now seemed lost).
Elisha sent Gehazi
with Elisha’s walking
staff and instructions to lay it on the child’s face, but the woman was
unwilling to go back without Elisha, so Elisha and the woman followed
Gehazi.
Gehazi did what Elisha said, but the child did not revive, so he
returned and
met Elisha and the woman on the way.
When Elisha entered
the house he
saw the dead child lying on the bed in the upper chamber. Elisha went
in and
closed the door and lay on top of the child, mouth to mouth. The
child’s body
became warm but he did not revive. Elisha got up and paced back and
forth
through the house once, and then returned and lay on the child as
before. “The
child sneezed seven times and…opened his eyes” (2 Kings 4:35b). Elisha
called
Gehazi and told him to fetch the mother. When she came Elisha gave her
back her
son, and she fell at Elisha’s feet bowing in gratitude.
Saul
of Tarsus (who later became the apostle
Paul) had been on his way to
There
was a Christian in Damascus named
Ananias who received a vision of Jesus telling him to go to Straight
Street to
the house of Judas, where he would find Saul of Tarsus. The Lord had
also given
Saul a vision in which Ananias would come and lay hands on him and
restore Saul’s
sight. Ananias replied that Saul’s reputation for persecuting
Christians was
well-known. But the Lord told Ananias to go, because the Lord had
chosen Saul
to be the Lord’s instrument to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the
Gentiles,
kings and Jews. Saul would discover how much he would have to suffer
for Jesus’
name.
Ananias did as the
Lord commanded,
and told Saul that the Lord Jesus who had confronted Saul on the road
had sent
Ananias to him so that Saul could regain his sight and be filled with
the Holy
Spirit. Saul’s vision was restored, he was baptized and then ate and
was
strengthened.
Saul stayed with
Christians in
After many days the
Christians in
Saul went to
John the Baptist
preached to the
multitudes that came to him, saying “You brood of vipers (snakes); who
warned
you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits that befit repentance,
and do
no presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father;’ for I
tell
you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
Even now
the axe is laid to the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear
good
fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:7b-9).
People asked John what
they should
do and he told them to share what food and clothing they had with
people in
need. Tax collectors were to take no more than the required tax, and
soldiers
were told not to rob anyone by violence or false accusation, and to be
content
with their wages.
The people were
expecting the
Messiah and so everyone wondered if John were the Christ. But John said
“I
baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the
thong of
whose sandals I am unworthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit
and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his
threshing floor,
and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn
with
unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:16b-17). “So with many other exhortations,
he
preached good news to the people” (Luke 3:18).
The woman of Shunem
trusted in the Word of God spoken by Elisha and that Word was
fulfilled. Samuel was
another
son born to a barren woman (1 Samuel 1:1-20); so was Isaac (Genesis
18:1-15);
so was John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25, 36-66); so was Jesus, except that
Mary
was a virgin instead of an old, infertile woman (Matthew 1:18-25).
The Shunammite woman’s
hopes in
God’s Word had been built up, but then those hopes seemed to be taken
away. But
the woman didn’t waver in her faith; she declared to her husband and to
Elisha’s servant that all was well. When troubles struck, she sought
the man of
God instead of worldly alternatives.
She went to the prophet and asked
him to
intercede, not with the king or the commander of the army, but with
God; not by
Elisha’s servant but by Elisha himself. It turned out that persistent
faith in
God’s Word was victorious, although it took three tries. Although the
child was
obviously dead, the woman, the prophet and the servant believed that
God could
raise the child from the dead. They didn’t quit believing the first or
second
time.
Elisha is a forerunner
and
illustration of the Christ. Jesus is the one who intercedes for us to
God. Jesus
is the one to turn to in hard times. Jesus is the one who can raise us
from
physical and spiritual death to eternal life.
Paul (Saul) is the
prototype and
example of a modern, “post-resurrection,” “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8)
Christian disciple and apostle (one who is sent; a messenger of the
Gospel); an
example of a person raised to new, eternal life, by the gift of the
indwelling
Holy Spirit.
Ananias is a
latter-day “Elisha;”
an example of a “born-again” disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ.
Ananias was
obedient to the Holy Spirit of Christ, and went to Saul and healed his
spiritual as well as physical blindness and helped Saul to receive the
gift of
the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is okay, desirable and highly
recommended for
disciples to pray back what we think the Lord is telling us to make
sure we
understand. Ananias did that and, once he was sure he’d heard right, he
trusted
the Lord instead of his own fears.
John the Baptist was
the
latter-day “Elijah” (Mark 1:6a; compare 2 Kings 1:7-8; Matthew
17:10-13). He
was the prophet of God who called God’s people to repent and return to
obedient
trust in God in preparation to receive the coming Messiah who he
announced and
identified (Luke 3:1-6; John 1:31-34).
Jesus is the Messiah,
God’s
anointed eternal king, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire
(Luke
3:16). This prophecy was first fulfilled on Pentecost (Acts Chapter
2:1-4). It
continues to be fulfilled as people claim and act upon the promise
(John 14:21;
see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Christians will face
fiery
ordeals which will test their faith (1 Peter 4:12). The workmanship of
Christian disciples will be tested by “fire” (the Lord’s judgment; 1
Corinthians 3:11-15). In the Day of Judgment the unsaved will be
sentenced
to eternal
destruction in the fires of Hell (Mark 9:43-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10;
2 Peter
3:7).
The Holy Spirit, the
Spirit of
God, the Spirit of Christ (note the Trinity; God in three persons, or
expressions; Romans 8:9), is the seal
and
guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians
1:22;
Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Only Jesus gives the gift
of the
Holy Spirit (John 1:33), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus
(John
14:15-17).
John the Baptist’s
sermon is
characterized as “good news” ("gospel" means “good news;” Luke 3:18
RSV).
It is
good news because it contains the promise of God to restore the
penitent to
new, true, spiritual, eternal life. Most people today are unwilling to
listen
to such exhortations (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Would you be willing to hear
and obey
John’s exhortation to repentance and obedient trust in God’s Word?
Is Jesus your Lord?
Are you Jesus’
disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the
indwelling
Holy Spirit since you first truly 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)?
Alternative Entry
first posted
10/18/03
2 Kings 4:8-37, The son restored to life
Acts 9:10-31, Paul’s conversion
Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist’s preaching
Elisha, the prophet
who succeeded
Elijah, went to Shunem (east of
Elisha told her that
next year at the same
season she would
“embrace a son.” The woman could scarcely believe his prophesy, and
begged him
not to lie to her. The following spring she gave birth to a son, as Elisha had foretold.
When the child had grown,
he was out
in the field with his father and suffered some kind of a pain in his
head. He
was carried to his mother who held him on her lap until he died around
noon.
Then she laid him on the bed in Elisha’s
guest-room,
and quickly arranged to ride off to
When she
came to Elisha she told him the situation,
and he sent his servant
to the child with Elisha’s walking-stick,
with
instructions to lay the staff on the face of the child, but the servant
returned saying that the child had not awakened. Then Elisha
himself went to the child and laid himself on the child until the child
revived. Elisha had his servant summon the
woman and
returned her son to her alive.
After Saul (later known as Paul) had been struck
blind in an
encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to
John the Baptist preached to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him: “You brood of vipers (snakes)! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits that befit repentance…” (…and do not rely on cultural or religious tradition). He also warned that there will be a Day of Judgment, when all will be accountable to God, and will either receive eternal life or eternal destruction, according to their deeds. His hearers asked what they needed to do, and he told them to repent, to change their ways and begin to live in obedience to God’s Word. The people were in expectation of the coming of the Christ (the Lord’s anointed; Messiah), and wondered if John was the one, but John explained that he baptized with water for repentance in preparation for the coming of the Christ, who would “baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Luke 3:16d). Using the analogy of grain harvesting, John said that the Christ will be the Judge on the Day of Judgment and will save the good but destroy the wicked.
The Shunammite woman at first found it hard to
believe Elijah’s
prophesy, and she sought assurance. When the prophecy was fulfilled,
her
“mustard seed” faith (Matthew 13:31-32; 17:20-21) matured. She believed
that
her son would be restored, and she acted on that faith. Elijah, the man
of God,
believed that the Lord would restore the child, and kept believing,
even though
it didn’t happen at once. Their faith didn’t waver through several
"tests" and was ultimately vindicated. Ananias
trusted in the Lord and acted on that faith, against his own instincts.
His
experience was another example of "mustard seed faith”. At first it
took
the Lord’s assurance to convince him. (It’s OK, and highly recommended,
to ask
the Lord to confirm what you think he’s asking you to do, and to make
sure that
it is in accordance with the scriptures, in order to be certain that
it’s
really his will.) After he had done as the Lord had commanded him and
seen the
results, imagine how his faith must have been strengthened.
Saul
received his
sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit as he repented and changed
his
direction from opposing the Lord to serving him. Saul believed the
Lord’s Word
which he had received not only in in the
encounter on
the road to
Lots of
people today find his message offensive! Those who heed the call to
repent, and
change their ways to become obedient to God’s Word in faith, will find
that
faith vindicated and magnified, and they will receive spiritual sight
and
eternal life.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and
obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you
first truly 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)?
19 Pentecost – Monday
2 Kings 5:1-19, Naaman the Leper
1 Corinthians 4:8-21, Rebuke and Admonition
Matthew 5:21-26 Higher Righteousness
Naaman had an illness and it was his wife’s
servant girl who
knew where he could be healed. The servant was a member of God’s
people, but
had been captured by
When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house, he was
angered by the
fact that Elisha had sent his faithful servant, Gehazi, to speak to him
rather
than coming himself. Naaman also expected some dramatic incantation and
ritual
to accompany his healing. When Gehazi told Naaman that all he needed to
do was
bathe in the
Naaman did as he had been told and he was healed.
He
returned to the prophet and now Naaman talked face-to-face with
Elisha. Naaman
declared that he had come to know that the Lord was the only true God,
and
committed to worship and serve the Lord from then on. He offered Elisha
his
worldly treasures, but Elisha would not accept them. Naaman knew that
he was
still obligated to accompany his master, the king of
The Corinthian Christians had been exalting their
spiritual
wisdom and accomplishments because they didn’t examine themselves
impartially
(1 Corinthians 3:18), and because they didn’t realize how spiritually
immature
they were (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Some considered themselves above
Paul’s
teaching and correction. Paul asserts that spiritually mature Christian
disciples are persecuted by the world, treated like captives of
military
conquest about to be executed.
The Corinthian Christians wanted to be
seen by
the world as wise and strong, but disciples who are following Jesus in
obedient
trust will be perceived as foolish and weak by the world. Disciples
must be
willing to suffer discomfort, depravation, and dishonor for the sake of
the
Gospel. They must support themselves rather than expecting the world’s
support.
In the face of these persecutions the disciple must return good for
evil; “when
reviled we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered we try to
conciliate” (1 Corinthians 4:13). We must accept that worldly people
will
regard us as worthless. Paul’s own life testifies to these realities.
Paul wasn’t trying to hurt or embarrass the
Corinthian
Christians, but to warn them, as a father with his children. Paul
considered
himself their spiritual father because he preached the Gospel through
which
they received “rebirth” (John 3:3, 5-8) and new life in Christ. But as
their
father, he wanted them to follow his example and grow to spiritual
maturity.
Paul sent Timothy, who is an example of a spiritual child of Paul’s who
had
grown to spiritual maturity, to remind the Corinthian congregation of
Paul’s
teaching (the scriptural, apostolic Gospel).
Some of the people in the
congregation were arrogant about their own spiritual knowledge and
authority,
thinking Paul wasn’t around to test their claims. Paul intended to come
soon,
if it was God’s will, and then all would see if these arrogant
individuals
could backup their claims; whether their “walk” matched their “talk.”
“For the
Jesus taught his disciples that true righteousness is not just a matter of obeying the minimum requirements of law. God commands us not to kill but the intent is that we should not injure others in any way. We cannot honestly worship God while we have unreconciled issues with others. We should make an effort to be reconciled with those we have wronged now before the Day of Judgment. Common worldly experience should have taught us that it’s better to settle with an accuser out of court. Once we’re before the judge, if we’re found guilty there will be no escape from punishment.
Naaman’s cure is a parable about Christian
baptism. We are
all sick with an illness of the flesh, like spiritual leprosy. The only
cure
for it is in Jesus Christ. Like the slave of Naaman’s wife, Christian
disciples
are all God’s children, but away from the “Promised Land” of God’s
Kingdom in
heaven, and forced to work and live in the present worldly kingdom.
Some of
those who are leaders of God’s people are like the king of northern
When someone realizes his spiritual sickness and
begins to
seek the Lord, the Lord knows and will come to meet him and bring him
to his
house. Our first contact is through a faithful servant of the Lord, who
tells
us that to be healed we must be baptized by water into Jesus Christ.
The
complete cleansing of all sins through baptism in Christ is represented
by the
seven baths in the
We must offer our worldly treasures to the Lord
and he
will return them to us; when Jesus is Lord of our possessions, then we
are free
to use them as he directs. The Lord makes allowances for our individual
situations, and doesn’t demand from us what is not possible, and as we
fail to
trust and obey worship and serve him completely, he forgives us, as
long as we
are genuinely trying to do his will. The Lord gives his Holy Spirit
(symbolized
by the soil of the Promised Land) to his disciples who trust and obey
him, to
take the Lord with them, wherever they go while they’re in the worldly
kingdom.
The King of Israel symbolizes unfaithful servants of God, those who are anointed by God to be spiritual and civic leaders of God’s people, but who have joined with worldly rulers of this present world and have allowed Christian faith to be corrupted by worldly influences. There are lots of false prophets and false “Churches” today.
Naaman’s associates and traveling companions were able to help Naaman to come to obedient trust in the Lord, by timely and tactful suggestion that Naaman trust and obey what the faithful servant had told him. Naaman accepted their correction, instead of being angry with them.
Naaman had wanted healing the easy way, without
the bother
and boring repetitive task of bathing in the
The Corinthian Christians were like Naaman, seeking the outward appearance of spiritual wisdom, accomplishment, and worldly approval. They wanted spiritual healing, but wanted it in worldly glory, rather than through discipline and suffering.
Christians by definition are disciples of Jesus
Christ (Acts
11:26c). Paul was discipling the Christians at
Jesus has promised that he is coming again to judge everyone who has ever lived on earth (Matthew 25:31-46). Paul was absent from the Corinthian congregation but was coming again to judge whether they were living in obedience to what they professed. Paul would give them either blessing or punishment according to what they had done. So also, Jesus is coming to see whether we have produced the fruit of obedient trust in the Gospel. Jesus warns that it is not those who call themselves Christians who are saved, but those who trust and obey Jesus (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46).
Jesus is God’s only plan for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal death (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus warns that now is the time to repent and turn to live in obedient trust in the Lord, before the Day of Judgment. Take the opportunity to be reconciled with God now while it is possible, because the Day of Judgment is coming when it will be too late to be reconciled, and then you will have to pay the full penalty.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly 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)?
Alternative Entry
first posted
10/19/03
2 Kings 5:1-19 The Healing of Naaman the Leper
1 Corinthians 4:8-21 Paul’s Status as Teacher
Matthew 5:21-26 The Higher Righteousness
Naaman was the
commander of the
Syrian Army, and highly regarded by his King because of his record of
military
victories, but he was a leper. On one of his raids, an Israelite maiden
had
been captured, and had become a slave of Naaman’s
wife. The Israelite maid told her mistress of Elisha
the prophet, who could heal Naaman’s
leprosy. Naaman went to his King, who sent
Naaman
to the King of Israel with a letter from the King of Syria and a very
large
monetary gift, asking him to heal Naaman.
The King of
Israel was in despair when he read the letter, because he knew he
couldn’t heal
Naaman; only God could. He suspected that
the King of
Syria was trying to trick him.
Word of this came to Elisha,
and he suggested that the King of Israel send Naaman
to him. When Naaman came to Elisha,
the prophet sent a servant to tell him to “go and wash in the
But Naaman’s servants drew near to him
and
pointed out that if the prophet had asked Naaman
to
do some great thing, Naaman would have
done it; why
not obey the prophet’s much less demanding command? So Naaman
did as Elisha had told him, and his flesh
was
restored and he was healed of his Leprosy, just as Elisha
had said. Naaman returned to Elisha
and offered to pay him for the healing, but Elisha
would not accept it. Naaman acknowledged
that there
was no god but the Lord, the God of Israel, and he vowed to worship
none but
the Lord from that day on.
With great sarcasm, Paul rebuked the Corinthians
for their pridefulness and judgmentalism. By
contrast Paul was suffering for the sake
of the Gospel, while the Corinthians wanted to be exalted and indulged.
Paul
was admonishing them as their spiritual father. There had been
factional
squabbling in the Corinthian church over the comparative merits of
several
different church leaders; Paul used the analogy of the relationship of
children
to various “nannies” in comparison to the relationship with their
father to
illustrate his relationship to the Corinthians. Paul had sent Timothy,
one of
Paul’s most faithful helpers, to remind them of Paul’s teachings. Some
of the
Corinthians were arrogant, thinking that Paul was far away and
insignificant,
but Paul reminded them that the power of the
Jesus taught that true righteousness is more that keeping the letter of the law; it’s more than outward conformity; it’s a matter of inward commitment. Be reconciled with your fellows if you want to be reconciled with God. Take the opportunity to be reconciled with God now while it is possible, because the Day of Judgment is coming when it will be too late to be reconciled, and then you will have to pay the full penalty.
Naaman wanted to be
healed, but he
had preconceived ideas about how it should be done. He had in mind
something
which would exalt himself. He expected to do something which would show
his
great courage or strength, perhaps. That
was the Corinthian’s problem, too. They wanted to look important, and
they
tried to do that in part by their factional rivalry. The religious
leaders in
Jesus time made a great outward appearance of righteousness so that
they would
“look good”.
God wants our humble obedience. Do we think we’re “good”
people
and therefore don’t need to go to church? Do we go to church so that
people
will think we’re “good,” or do we truly want to worship and serve God?
Are we
willing to humble ourselves and obey his Word? Are we bragging about
ourselves,
or our great pastor, or our fine church building; or are we praising
and
glorifying our Lord?
19 Pentecost – Tuesday
first posted 09/26/05
2 Kings 5:19-27,
Gehazi’s Sin
1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Church Discipline
Matthew 5:27-37 Jesus’ Teaching on Righteousness
Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, had come
to Elisha,
the prophet of the northern Kingdom of
Gehazi told Naaman that Elisha had
just
received a visit from two “sons of the prophets” (Elisha’s disciples),
and
asked Naaman for a talent of silver and two festal garments. Naaman was
happy
to give Gehazi twice as much silver as Gehazi had asked for, in
addition to the
two festal garments. Naaman sent two of his servants to carry the
silver (a
talent weighed 76 pounds) to Elisha’s house for Gehazi. Gehazi put the
silver
and garments in the house and then went to Elisha.
Elisha asked Gehazi where he had been, and Gehazi denied being anywhere. But Elisha said, “Did I not go with you in spirit when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments…?” (2 Kings 5:26). Elisha declared that for what he had done, Naaman’s sin would cling to Gehazi and his descendants forever. Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence a leper with skin white as snow.
Paul was discipling the Corinthian congregation by
letter,
since he was not then able to be there in person, but was hoping to,
later. The
A man of the congregation was living with his
father’s wife. (Both Roman and Jewish law forbade marriage between a
man and
his stepmother; Leviticus 18: 7-8*) The congregation had been boasting
in their
spiritual maturity and righteousness when they should have been
mourning that
corruption and immorality within them.
“Paul wrote, “for though absent in body I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing” (1 Corinthians 5:3-4). Paul ordered the congregation to assemble and, in the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, to excommunicate the guilty man, “to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5)
Paul rebuked the congregation for boasting of
their spiritual
wisdom and maturity while tolerating sin within the membership. Using a
metaphor of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, sin, like
leaven, can
corrupt the whole congregation the way yeast affects the whole loaf.
Leaven
(yeast) represents sin; malice and evil. Sin is to be searched out and
removed
from the congregation so that the people can be the “unleavened bread”
of
sincerity and truth.
Christ is the unblemished (sinless) Passover Lamb
sacrificed for our sins so that we can be blameless, and be “passed
over” by
the destroying angel (Exodus 12:12-13). As a Jewish household must
purge the
leaven from the house, before they can celebrate Passover, so the
Church must
do likewise with sin, in order to celebrate the salvation we have in
Jesus Christ.
Jesus taught his disciples that it isn’t
sufficient to
observe the minimum requirements of God’s Law, or to have the outward
appearance of righteousness, without inward obedience. It’s not
sufficient to
abstain from actual murder or adultery; we must avoid doing things that
injure others,
or that lead to their injury.
Sin has eternally, spiritually deadly
consequences. If one had to suffer the loss of an eye or a hand in
order to
avoid sinning, one would be better off with physical life with
disability than
eternal destruction in Hell. Divorce is permitted by God’s Word because
of
human sinfulness, but it is contrary to God’s will, and it causes
injury to
people that God’s command not to commit adultery was intended to
prevent.
Christian disciples should refrain from using the Lord’s name in any way except to pray, praise or thank him. We should remember that our words and intentions are subject to his will. Any oath we add is only an attempt to give our word more credibility than it deserves. We should do what is right without having to be bound by an oath to do it. Jesus warns that an oath can be used to deceive. He reminds us that God knows all our deeds; we cannot hide anything from him,
Elisha is a forerunner and illustration of the Christ. Gehazi is an example of a servant of the Lord who succumbed to worldly temptation. He used his position as a representative of Elisha for personal material gain by deceiving Naaman, telling him the money and clothes were to be used for the disciples of the prophet. Elisha was filled with the Holy Spirit and knew by the Spirit what Gehazi had done. Naaman had been healed of his disease of sinful human flesh by obedience to God’s Word; Gehazi had given into temptation to sin in his human flesh and was condemned to die in his corrupt flesh.
Some of the members of the Corinthian congregation
boasted
of their righteousness and spiritual maturity while tolerating blatant
immorality within the congregation. They thought they could conceal
their sin
from Paul, but Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and knew and wrote
by the
guidance and inspiration of the Spirit.
The guilty man and the
congregation
were both liable to eternal destruction as long as the unrepentant
sinner was
allowed to remain in the congregation, because sin would corrupt the
whole body
like yeast affects the loaf. The guilty man would never be brought to
repentance and restoration as long as the congregation allowed him to
continue
within the congregation. Removing the guilty man from the protection of
the
church was the only hope of getting him to realize his “lost” condition
and
lead him to repentance.
The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread are intended by the Lord to be parables; metaphors of life in this world. The symbolism of these celebrations is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Only through Jesus Christ can they be fully understood. [The Passover feast evolved into the Lord’s Supper (the Eucharist; Sacrament of the Altar; Holy Communion), which is the central celebration of the Christian Church, aside from Baptism.]
The trouble with Judaism at the time of Jesus’
physical
ministry was that they were outwardly obedient to God’s Word, but were
inwardly
corrupt (Matthew 23:27). The Corinthian congregation was having a
similar
problem, but Paul was holding them accountable and insisting on reform.
Jesus
was calling for Judaism to repent and return to obedient trust in God’s
Word,
but the Jewish leaders refused to be reformed.
Judaism effectively
ended at the
crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The curtain of the temple was
supernaturally torn
in two, from top to bottom symbolizing that Jesus had opened a new way
directly
into God’s presence through him (Matthew 27:51). In 70 A. D., the
temple and
The Old Covenant of Law of Judaism was dependant on the temple
sacrificial system. At Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus became, once for all
time and
all people who accept him and trust an obey him, the only sacrifice
acceptable
to God. Jesus instituted the New Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor;
free gift)
to be received through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Church and
Is
the Church making disciples or allowing members to remain spiritually
immature
with only the superficial appearance of obedience to God’s Word? Are our churches tolerating sin within their
congregations? Jesus has promised to return on the Day of the Lord, to
judge
the physically and spiritually living and dead (John 5:28-29, Matthew
25:31-46;
see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right) like Paul was coming
to the
Corinthian congregation (1 Corinthians 4:21). Are we ready for Jesus’
Second
Coming?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly 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)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, 1 Corinthians 5:1n, p. 1382, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
Alternative Entry
2 Kings 5:19-27 Gehazi’s Greed and Punishment
1 Corinthians 5:1-8 A Matter for Church Discipline
Matthew 5:27-37 True Understanding of the Law
Naaman the Commander
of the Syrian
Army had been cured of leprosy by Elisha
the prophet,
and had offered Elisha a large monetary
gift he had
brought with him for that purpose, but Elisha
had
declined to accept it. Gehazi, the servant
of Elisha, saw an opportunity to enrich
himself. When Naaman had gone a short
distance Gehazi
ran after him and caught up with him. Gehazi
told Naaman the wild fabrication that 2
prophets had come to
visit Elisha unexpectedly, and Gehazi
asked for two talents of silver and two festival garments to give to
them. Naaman gladly gave Gehazi the
money and garments he had requested, and had his servants carry it back
to the
hill (
When Gehazi had put the treasure away, he
went in and
“stood before his master” (2 Kings 5:25) and Elisha
asked him
where he had been. Gehazi replied that he
had been
nowhere, but Elisha had known where Gehazi was and what he had done by the Spirit
(by the
supernatural power of the Holy Spirit). Elisha
then
prophesied judgment on Gehazi, that Naaman’s leprosy would come upon Gehazi
and his descendants for ever, and Gehazi
went from Elisha’s presence “a Leper,
white as snow” (2 Kings 5:27).
Paul confronted a sin which was being openly
tolerated in
the church at
Jesus taught that righteousness is more that just keeping the letter of the law; it’s a matter of inner commitment to the principles. He illustrated this with examples concerning adultery, one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14). The consequences of sin are so deadly that extraordinary measures to avoid sinning are worth the cost. Jesus pointed out that it is not sufficient merely to perform what you have taken an oath to do, but to keep your word without invoking any oath, since any oath implies an authority we do not possess and cannot control. We will either keep our word, regardless of the oath, or we will have used the oath to deceive.
Gehazi coveted the
treasure Naaman had brought to pay for Naaman’s
healing, and he coveted the reward to which his master Elisha
had been entitled. Gehazi lied to Naaman
in order to get what he coveted, and then he lied to his master to keep
it. But
God knew his sin, and Elijah knew it by the Spirit of God. God punished
Gehazi, and Elijah pronounced God’s
judgment.
Paul knew the
sin which was being tolerated in the Corinthian church. Since we know
he was
born-again and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), I believe that
he was
able to know this by the Spirit of God in the same way that Elisha
knew about Gehazi’s misbehavior. Paul’s
comment in
verse 4 also alludes to this.
Jesus taught that righteousness is more
than just
keeping the letter of the law; it is more than just outward
appearances. He
emphasized how serious the consequences of sin are, and how earnestly
we should
strive to avoid sinning. His point about oaths is that we should be
truthful
without being required to take an oath, and that we should do what is
right
without having to be bound by an oath to do it. He warns that an oath
can be
used to deceive. He reminds us that God knows all our deeds; we cannot
hide
anything from him, and there will be a final judgment, where those who
have
done good will receive eternal life, and those who have done evil will
receive
eternal condemnation and destruction.
Do we imagine that we can get away with sin because no one will know, or that our community (or even our church) will tolerate it? Aren’t our communities and even our churches *arrogantly* tolerating (1 Corinthians 5:2, RSV) worse sexual sins (to mention just one type) than the one cited by Paul in the Corinthian church? God forbid that anyone would use the word “Christian” as an oath of righteousness to deceive! We may have trouble telling the truth, but God doesn’t. God’s Word is Truth! What he says he will do will be done!
19 Pentecost – Wednesday
first posted
09/27/05
_______________________________________________________________________
* "Homosexuals" used
here (1 Corinthians 6:9 RSV note j) is a translation from two words in
Greek meaning “effeminate sodomite” (Strong’s #3120). Sodom, from which
we get “sodomite,” was the city of rampant homosexuality destroyed by
God (Genesis 18:16-19:28). It’s pretty hard to argue that “homosexuals”
(and lesbians) is not an accurate translation.
________________________________________________________________________
Alternative Entry
first posted
10/21/03
2 Kings 6:1-23
1 Corinthians 5:9-6:11
Matthew 5:38-48
The sons of the prophets (members of the prophetic
community) were expanding their lodgings, so they went to the
The King of
Syria
was warring with
When Elisha’s servant arose in the morning
he
discovered that the city was encircled by the Syrian Army, he was in
despair,
but Elisha prayed that the servant’s eyes
would be
opened, and the servant saw that the hills around them were covered
with horses
and chariots of fire. When the Syrians attacked, Elisha
prayed the Lord to strike them with blindness, and then Elisha
led them to
Paul taught that Christians should not fellowship with immoral people as members of the church (brethren). He rebuked believers who bring legal charges against fellow members in secular courts. Any grievances between church members should be settled within the church. God is not served or glorified by either party in any lawsuit between brethren. Those who continue to practice immorality, idolatry, adultery, or homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God, nor will those who persist in thievery, greed, drunkenness, reviling, or robbery. ["Homosexuals" used here (v.9 RSV)is a translation from two words in Greek meaning “effeminate sodomite;” Sodom, from which we get “sodomite,” was the city of rampant homosexuality destroyed by God (Genesis 19:1-29).] Believers are required to repent and turn from doing those things and instead live in obedience to God’s Word.
Righteousness is not just the keeping of the letter of the law; Jesus taught that it is a matter of inner commitment to the spirit of the law. “An eye for an eye…” was a means of restraining retaliation, but was not intended to justify it; retaliation is not an obligation. Instead of seeking retribution, we should seek to emulate our Heavenly Father, who forgives us our sins and loves us even when we are unlovely.
Elisha was able to
know the secret
plans of the King of Syria by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. By
that same
power, the eyes of his servant were opened to see the power of God
surrounding
the city to protect it from the Syrian Army, and the eyes of the enemy
were
blinded to the events that were taking place, so that they were led
into a trap
and defeated.
Paul knew by the same Spirit that immorality was being
practiced
in the church in
Jesus teaching on turning the other cheek and
praying for
our enemies does NOT mean that churches are obligated to tolerate
unrepentant
sinners as members. Jesus point is that his followers should emulate
him. He
didn’t tolerate sin; he forgave sin and told the sinner to go and sin
no more.
He threw the vendors and moneychangers out of the temple, because they
were
“robbers,” greedily using religious practice to enrich themselves
(Matthew
21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46).
Sin is being flaunted openly in our communities
and even in
many churches. Some churches are not only tolerating unrepentant
sinners as
members, but also as clergy! Nothing is hidden from God. God’s Word
doesn’t
change. Jesus has promised that he will come again to judge the whole
earth.
Those who have done good will receive eternal life with him in the
Jesus said: “Not every one who says to me
‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the
will of my
Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord,
did we
not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do
many mighty
works in you name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;
depart
from me, you evildoers.’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and
obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you
first truly 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)?
19 Pentecost – Thursday
2 Kings 9:1-16,
Jehu Anointed King
1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Warning Against Licentiousness
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Worship with Sincerity
Elisha, the prophet, called one of his disciples
(a “son of
the prophets”), and told him to take a flask of oil and go to
Ramoth-gilead
(east of Jezreel and the Jordan River), where he was to find Jehu, the
son of
Jehoshaphat (former king of the southern
The disciple followed Elisha’s instructions and
found Jehu
in a meeting of the commanders of the army of
Jehu came out to the military council, and they
asked what
the “lunatic” disciple had wanted. Jehu tried to pass it off lightly,
but they
insisted on the truth, so Jehu told them that he had been anointed king
of
The reigning King of
Israel was Joram (Jehoram), son of Ahab. Joram was in Jezreel
recovering
from wounds he received in battle against
In the first century A.D.,
Our bodies are members of Christ. God’s Word declares that one becomes united in the flesh with a sexual partner (Genesis 2:24). But a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian is united in one Spirit with the Lord. Christians must shun immorality. “Every other sin which a [person] commits is outside the body, but the immoral [person] sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). A born-again Christian’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within us, which we have received from God. Furthermore, we have been redeemed, ransomed from eternal condemnation by Jesus’ who paid with his blood for our forgiveness and salvation, so our bodies no longer belong to us; they belong to the Lord.
Jesus teaches that worship of God must be with sincerity and honesty. Those who act pious for worldly recognition will not receive any benefit from God in heaven. True disciples of Jesus do not call attention to their offerings. Those who give ostentatiously to be praised by men will receive only that. God knows all our inner thoughts and attitudes, so we should give privately, as if our left hand doesn’t know what our right hand is doing. Our giving should be to please the Lord, and the Lord will know and reward us.
The same thing is true of our prayers; those who pray ostentatiously to impress other people will receive only that. The Lord is not impressed with flowery oratory. Jesus told his disciples to pray privately; to go into their room and close the door so that they can pray to God the Father privately, and he will reward us. God already knows what we need before we ask.
Similarly, when we fast, we should do so privately, rather than calling attention to our fasting to receive worldly praise. We should conduct ourselves as though we are not fasting, so that only God and we know we are fasting, and God will reward us.
Elisha’s disciple, a “prophet-in-training,”
carried out
God’s Word, God’s anointing of Jehu in private. Jehu didn’t need any
public
declaration or ritual to become king of
The Corinthian congregation was being influenced
by the
sinful secular culture around them. Paul was discipling them, teaching
them to
follow Jesus’ example and teachings instead of worldly values. Instead
of
living to gratify our fleshly desires and have worldly popularity, we
are to
deny the desires of the flesh and live to serve and please the Lord.
We
need to
allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse us of unrighteousness so that we can
be filled
with the Holy Spirit. We must not allow worldly things to enslave us;
instead,
we are to be free to be guided by the Holy Spirit. When we worship the
Lord,
give offerings, pray or fast, if we do so for worldly approval we are
being
influenced and enslaved by the world. Instead we must learn to serve
and please
the Lord sincerely and honestly.
Elisha is a forerunner and illustration of Christ and his disciple is an example of a Christian disciple who trusts and obeys Jesus, without seeking public attention. Just as some things in political life are best done in private, in our religious life it is important to have a private, personal relationship with our Lord which is not influenced by the attitudes or reactions of other people. We should guard against adopting the worldly values of the culture around us, and we should not let our values be modified by our concern about what the world will think. We need go aside so that we can pray and worship God sincerely in private without being influenced by the reactions of people around us.
The problem Paul was addressing in the Church at
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly 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)?
*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6
Alternative Entry
2 Kings 9:1-16
Jehu Anointed King of
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Warning Against Immorality
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18 Practical Piety
Elisha, the prophet,
sent one of
the sons of the prophet (a member of the prophetic order) with a flask
of oil
and instructions to go to Ramath-gilead
and anoint Jehu to be King of Israel.
[This is the second and only
remaining unfulfilled command given by the “still small voice” of God
to Elijah
at Horeb (1 Kings 19:15-16).] So the young
prophet
did as he had been instructed.
Jehu was
meeting with
his military commanders when the young prophet arrived. He took Jehu aside in private and anointed him, telling
him to
destroy Jezebel and the entire male line of Ahab. When Jehu
and the young prophet came out, the prophet left in haste (2 Kings
9:3c) and Jehu’s fellow commanders urged Jehu
until he explained what had taken place.
When they heard, they
immediately
proclaimed Jehu King of Israel. The
reigning King of
Israel was Joram, son of Ahab. Joram
was in Jezreel recovering from wounds he
received in
battle against
Paul quoted some of the libertine attitudes that were causing trouble in the church and refuted them. His point was that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that immorality is a desecration of that temple.
Jesus warned that those who practice their religion to be seen by men will receive no other benefit from it. True religion is focused on the worship and glory of God. God sees the innermost thoughts and motives of our hearts; He’s not fooled by outward appearances, so right worship should be focused on our sincere relationship to God, without regard for the response of other people to it.
The young prophet was on a mission from God to
anoint Jehu King of Israel. He didn’t rush
into Jehu’s meeting with great fanfare and
dramatic ritual to
anoint him; he quietly took Jehu aside and
did it
privately so that only he and Jehu knew
what he had
done. God was behind it so it wasn’t necessary to have the knowledge or
approval of anyone else. When Jehu
returned to his
meeting, he tried to avoid telling them what had taken place, but they
insisted
on knowing. When they found out they wanted to make a public
celebration, but
it was necessary to keep the news from spreading to Jezreel
until Joram had been dealt with.
Public
reaction to
the news would have interfered with the results they intended. Just as some things in political life are
best done in private, in our religious life it is important to have a
private,
personal relationship with our Lord which is not influenced by the
attitudes or
reactions of other people. We should guard against adopting the worldly
values
of the culture around us, and we should not let our values be modified
by our
concern about what the world will think. We need go aside so that we
can pray
and worship God sincerely in private without being influenced by the
reactions
of people around us.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and
obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you
first truly 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)?
19 Pentecost – Friday
2 Kings 9:17-37, Death of Joram, Ahaziah, and Jezebel
1 Corinthians 7:1-9, Directions Concerning Marriage
Matthew 6:7-15, The Lord’s Prayer
Jehu had been privately anointed king of northern
The watchman at Jezreel announced that a company
of men was
approaching, and Joram ordered a horseman to ride out to meet them and
determine their intentions. The horseman went and asked Joram if his
purpose
was peaceful, but Jehu replied, “What have you to do with peace? Turn
around
and ride behind me” (2 Kings 18b).
The watchman reported that the
horseman had
joined the approaching company, so Joram sent out another horseman;
Jehu told
him the same thing he’d told the first one, and the second messenger
also
joined Jehu’s men. The watchman reported that the second messenger was
also
staying with the approaching group. The watchman recognized Jehu
because Jehu
drove his chariot furiously.
Joram ordered chariots made ready, and he and Ahaziah each went out in separate chariots, and met Jehu at the property of Naboth. Joram asked if Jehu came in peace, and Jehu asked how there could be peace as long as the harlotries and sorceries of Joram’s mother, Jezebel, continued. Joram turned his chariot around and warned Ahaziah to flee. Jehu shot an arrow between the shoulders of the fleeing Joram and he died. Jehu commanded that Joram’s body be cast onto Naboth’s property, in fulfillment of God’s Word through Elijah (1 Kings 21:17-24).
King Ahaziah of
When Jezebel heard Jehu was coming to Jezreel she put on her makeup and looked out her window. When Jehu entered the gate she asked if his purpose was peaceful, calling him a murderer like Zimri, who had been a brutal assassin. Jehu called out asking who of Jezebel’s attendants was on Jehu’s side, and two or three eunuchs appeared at the window. Jehu told them to throw Jezebel down, and they did. Her blood spattered and she was trampled by Jehu’s horses.
Jehu went in and ate dinner, and afterward told his men to bury Jezebel, but they couldn’t find anything left of her but her skull, feet and the palms of her hands. They came back and told Jehu, who declared that this was the fulfillment of God’s Word to Elijah that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs in the street in Jezreel (1 Kings 21:23).
The Corinthian Christians had asked Paul for
instructions concerning
marriage. Paul replied, “It is well for a man not to touch a woman” (1
Corinthians 7:1). In order to avoid temptation to immorality people
should get
married. In the marriage relationship each belongs to the other, and
should be
available to the other and respond to the needs of the other, except
for a
short period of abstinence if mutually agreeable as a spiritual fasting
with
prayer.
These were suggestions, rather than commands. Paul felt that
celibacy
suited him well, but acknowledged that it was not required or more
desirable
for Christian disciples. Paul suggested that the unmarried and widowed
remain
single unless they are unable to resist sexual temptation. Sexual
expression is
only acceptable within marriage.
Jesus taught his disciples to have a private personal relationship with the Lord, in sincerity and honesty, not influenced by or intended to influence other people. Disciples are not to pray publicly so as to attract attention to themselves. Instead we are to go into a private room where we can be alone in fellowship with the Lord. The Lord already knows our innermost thoughts and will reward our sincere and honest prayers.
We don’t need eloquent oratory or fancy words, empty phrases or repetition to pray effectively. Jesus gave his disciples an example, which we call the Lord’s Prayer. We address God as our Father, and acknowledge that his name is holy and that we hope to uphold that holiness in our lives. We acknowledge that his kingdom is coming, individually in us, and ultimately on earth as it is in heaven, and we pray to help bring it to fulfillment. We pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is done in heaven, and that we personally will know and do his will. We acknowledge that the Lord is the source of everything, and we ask him to supply everything we need, daily, one day at a time. We ask the Lord to forgive our sins, and we commit to forgiving others. We ask the Lord to lead us so that we won’t fall into temptation, and to deliver us from evil.
King Joram had continued in the disobedience of
God’s Word
and the idolatry which his parents had practiced. King Ahaziah had
cooperated
and allied himself with Joram. Jehu was the Lord’s anointed king, whom
the Lord
had chosen and designated King of northern
The watchman alerted Jezreel to Jehu’s coming. The
mounted
messengers had to choose whether to remain loyal to the wicked worldly
rulers
or join the Lord’s anointed and follow him. The wicked rulers attempted
to
flee, but were not able. God’s Word condemned them and his Word was
fulfilled.
Jezebel, the heathen wife of Ahab and mother of Joram, had gained great
influence in the northern kingdom by marriage to Ahab. Ahab had been
seduced by
her physical beauty and sexuality, and had been led into apostasy and
idolatry
by her. Her name today has become synonymous with seduction and
idolatry.
Jezebel put on her makeup when she heard Jehu was coming, trying to exploit her physical assets to deflect Jehu’s fulfillment of God’s Word against her, but she wasn’t able to escape God’s judgment and God’s Word was fulfilled.
Paul was discipling the Corinthian Christians. He
was
teaching them how to live in obedience to Jesus’ words and example.
Celibacy is
not better or “more righteous” than marriage. Marriage reduces sexual
temptation outside of marriage, but may lead to sin in other areas.
Love for a
spouse or children can become idolatrous if it interferes with our love
and
obedience to God.
Wife and family can also lead us to place too much
importance
on worldly concerns such as home, food, clothes, shelter, and job. It
may seem
easier to trust God to supply our daily needs for ourselves alone than
when we
have a family to support, but God is able to do much more than we can
begin to
imagine. Monogamous heterosexual marriage is the only acceptable
context for
sexual expression; it doesn’t guarantee freedom from sexual temptation,
but it
does provide an acceptable outlet for gratification.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray by giving them an example. A Christian disciple acknowledges that God is the sovereign Lord and that God’s kingdom is coming. We commit ourselves to work for the coming of his kingdom, personally and universally; we commit to do his will personally and to advocate obedience to God’s will universally. We acknowledge him as the source of everything we need, and we ask him to deliver us from sin, temptation and evil.
Jehu is a demonstration and illustration of the Christ, God’s anointed eternal king (Christ and Messiah each mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). Jesus is going to return to execute God’s judgment upon the wicked worldly rulers and the “Jezebels” of this world. The apostles, the prophets of God, are the “watchmen” who announce the approaching Second Coming (Second Advent) of Jesus Christ.
Only through Jesus Christ can we have peace with God. Only Jesus can restore the fellowship with God which we broke through sin (Genesis 3:1-24; Acts 4:12; John 14:6). If we want to have eternal peace we must join the company of followers of Jesus Christ.
Jesus will return to this world like Jehu coming to Jezreel (Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 1:11). The enemies of Christ will not be able to flee. God’s Word will be fulfilled. If we have not been saved by God’s Word through obedient trust in Jesus Christ we will be condemned to eternal destruction and death by it.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly 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)?
Alternative Entry
2 Kings 9:17-37 The Deaths of Joram, Ahaziah, and Jezebel
1 Corinthians 7:1-9 Concerning Marriage
Matthew 6:7-15 Prayer
After Elisha the
prophet had
anointed Jehu to be King of Israel, Jehu had set out for Jezreel
with
his army to overthrow Joram, the reigning
King of
Israel, son of Ahab. The Watchman on the tower in Jezreel
saw the company of Jehu coming and
announced it to Joram. Joram sent a messenger to
find out Jehu’s mission, but the messenger
was
recruited by Jehu to join him, and so he
did not
return. Likewise Joram sent a second
messenger and he
too did not return. The watchman recognized Jehu
because of his furious chariot-driving.
Then Joram, King of
When Jehu returned to Jezreel,
Jezebel called out to him from an upper window asking his intentions,
calling
him “you Zimri,” after the man who was an
infamous
assassin (1Kings 16:8-12). He called out in reply, “Who is on my side?”
Several
eunuchs looked out the window, and Jehu
told them to
throw Jezebel down from the window. They did and she was trampled to
death by
the horses of Jehu’s army. Jehu
went in and ate, and then prepared to bury Jezebel, but when they went
for her
body there was nothing left of her but her skull, hands, and feet, for
the dogs
had eaten her, as the Word of the Lord had said (1 Kings 21:23).
Although Paul was celibate, he advocated marriage for those who were vulnerable to sexual temptation. By implication, monogamous heterosexual marriage is the only acceptable context for sexual expression. He advocated mutual consideration and equality of conjugal rights for both husband and wife.
Jesus taught that prayer is part of a sincere personal relationship with the Lord. One does not need to use eloquent language, flowery phrases, or other outward public displays. Those things are used to impress men; God doesn’t need them to understand what we're saying, and he isn’t impressed with outward appearances. He wants sincerity and truth in our inner attitude. His sample prayer demonstrates a balance, acknowledging who God is and our submission and commitment to his will, and recognizing our physical and spiritual needs and also our obligation to apply the same consideration for others that we ask for ourselves.
Jezebel didn’t acknowledge God, and she didn’t
have any
regard for the interests of others. She was the Canaanite wife of King
Ahab,
who brought her ancestral worship of Baal with her, and tried to impose
it on
her Israelite subjects. Her name today has become synonymous with
seduction and
idolatry. When Ahab coveted Naboth’s
vineyard,
Jezebel conceived Naboth’s judicial murder
so that
Ahab could take possession of the land. As a result, Elijah prophesied
judgment
against the house of Ahab (Ahab and his descendents) and Jezebel (1
Kings
21:1-29).
When Jehu confronted Joram,
the son of
Ahab and Jezebel, Jehu said: “What peace
can there
be, so long as the harlotries and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel
are so
many?” Jehu was God’s anointed King of
Israel (2
Kings 9:1-10), fulfilling the judgment of God, prophesied by Elijah.
[Ahab
avoided God’s judgment by his sincere repentance (1 Kings 21:27-29)].
The prophecy
was fulfilled exactly as foretold, on the property of Naboth.
True religion is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ
in
sincerity and truth. One cannot know God or come to him apart from
Jesus (John
14:6). We must realize and acknowledge who God and Jesus are, we must
commit
and submit to God’s will, we must acknowledge our spiritual as well as
material
needs, and we must apply the same consideration to others what we ask
for
ourselves.
Jesus is God’s Anointed King of the Universe.
(Christ and
Messiah both mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively.) He’s
coming
back to judge everyone on Earth. Those who have not come to God through
Jesus
Christ as their Lord and Savior, and who have not obeyed his will are
going to
be condemned to eternal destruction. Those who have come to God through
Jesus
Christ will receive eternal life. God’s Word is absolutely dependable
and
trustworthy. What he says will happen happens. We will choose to accept
Jesus
as our Lord and Savior and spend eternity with him in Heaven, or we
will suffer
eternal destruction in Hell. Each one makes his own choice.
19 Pentecost – Saturday
2 Kings 11:1-20a, Usurpation and Death of Athaliah
1 Corinthians 7:10-24, Marriage and Family Problems
Matthew 6:19-24 Treasure in Heaven
Jehu was the Lord’s anointed king of the northern
Kingdom of
Jehosheba was the daughter of King Joram,
half-sister of
Ahaziah, and wife of Jehoiada, a priest. She secretly rescued Joash,
the son of
Ahaziah and hid him in the house of the Lord for six years while
Athaliah
reigned as Queen of
For
the
coming Sabbath, Jehoiada assigned one third of the temple guards to
guard the
Palace, and the rest to surround and guard King Joash and the temple,
with
orders to kill anyone who tried to approach the king. The guards were
armed
with the spears and shields which had been King David’s, which were
stored in
the temple.
On the Sabbath, with armed guards surrounding him
in the
temple, Jehoiada brought out Joash, and crowned him and “gave him the
testimony” (2 Kings 12:12) which may have been an armlet signifying
kingship,
or perhaps a book or document. Jehoiada anointed him and the guards and
congregation exclaimed, “Long live the king” (2 Kings 12:12).
Athaliah
heard
the celebration and went into the temple to see what was happening (she
was not
there on the Sabbath because she was a worshiper of Baal, the Canaanite
idol).
She saw Joash standing by the pillar (one of two free-standing pillars
of
bronze called “Jachin” and “Boaz” meaning “God establishes” and “He
comes with
power”*) apparently where the King stood according to custom.
Athaliah tore her robes and exclaimed that the coronation was treason. Jehoiada ordered the guards to seize Athaliah and take her outside, through the horses’ entrance to the palace and kill her. Jehoiada didn’t want her killed in the temple.
Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, King
Joash and
the people, that all would be the Lord’s people. Then all the people
went to
the
The Corinthian Christians had asked Paul for instructions on marriage and family relations. Paul wrote that, in accordance with Jesus’ teachings, married Christians should not divorce. If married Christians did divorce they should remain single or else be reconciled with their spouses.
Paul offered as a personal suggestion, not by any specific teaching of Jesus, that any Christian married to an unbeliever should continue in that marriage as long as the unbelieving spouse is willing. Children of such marriage are not made unclean by the unbelieving parent. But if the unbelieving spouse desires divorce, the Christian partner should accept the divorce; they are not obligated to remain married to an unbeliever. (In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul warns believers not to enter into marriage with unbelievers.) The Lord desires us to live in peace (not demanding us to continue in a marriage which results in frequent strife). No one can be sure that an unbelieving spouse can be converted.
Each believer should live the life assigned to him
by the
Lord, continuing the life each had when called to faith. (This assumes
that the
existing situation is not illegal or immoral. It is not to imply that
conversion doesn’t require repentance and turning from sin.). Those who
were
uncircumcised should not seek circumcision, and those who were
circumcised
should not wish to undo their circumcision. Physical circumcision has
no
spiritual value in itself; what matters is obedience to God’s will.
Believers
should remain in whatever state they were when called to faith. Those
who are
under obligation to the ungodly should free themselves if possible. Our
obligation is to trust and obey the Lord. By Jesus’ death on the cross,
Jesus
purchased our freedom from slavery to sin, physical death and the
things and
rulers of this world. Believers should not allow themselves to submit
to
domination by any worldly person or thing.
Jesus taught his disciples not to accumulate material things or to desire worldly glory. Every material possession and worldly value passes away; none of those things is eternal, and trusting in them is false security. If we value those worldly things we will be unable to focus on spiritual things and life in the Spirit, which is eternally important.
Righteousness is like light. As our eyes recognize and receive light, filling and enlightening our lives, so we must learn to see and do what is righteous. If we don’t learn and practice righteousness, our lives will be filled with sin and spiritual ignorance leading to eternal darkness and spiritual death.
“No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). No
one can
serve the
Athaliah is an example of worldly people who want to rule over this world and try to seize power contrary to God’s will. She was a worshiper of the worldly religion, idolatry. She tried to destroy the members of the royal family, the princes and princesses of the king. The Lord preserved his anointed king through his faithful servants, hiding him in the temple until it was safe for him to take the throne.
The faithful priest, Jehoiada, led the people to a covenant relationship with the Lord’s anointed king and a spiritual revival. The temple of the idol was torn down and the wicked worldly usurper was destroyed. The result was that God’s people were able to live in peace.
God hid Jesus, his anointed eternal king, in Egypt, from Herod the Great, the wicked worldly ruler who attempted to wipe out his rivals by killing all the male children in the region of Bethlehem under two years of age (Mathew 2:13, 16).
Paul was discipling the Corinthian Christians, leading them to trust and obey Jesus’ teachings so that they could live in the peace God intended for us. Jesus is the only source of true peace (John 14:27). Jesus is the only way to have forgiveness, salvation and peace with God (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Christians are to covenant with God to be his obedient, trusting people, to enthrone Jesus as the Lord of their lives, and avoid and remove any thing or person that attempts to usurp Jesus’ sovereignty, including our own self-will.
Jesus warned his disciples that we cannot serve both the worldly kingdom and the heavenly kingdom. We must make a choice. It is tempting to think that we should accumulate worldly necessities first, before pursuing spiritual things, but that is a deception. If we wait until our worldly needs are satisfied we will never reach a point when we can pursue what is spiritual and eternal. The way to make sure our worldly needs are provided for is to pursue personal fellowship with the Lord first and most importantly.
We’re in need of revival today. Wicked worldly rulers have, in many instances, usurped the thrones of our secular and even our religious institutions. We must covenant with God to crown and enthrone Jesus Christ, God’s anointed eternal king, on the throne of our lives and our world. We need to tear down the idolatries which have sprung up and polluted our lives, our churches and our land, and we must depose the usurpers of God’s kingdom.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly 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)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard
Version, Ed.
by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, 1 Kings 715-22 note, p. 424,
Alternative Entry
2 Kings 11:1-20a Usurpation and Death of Athaliah
1 Corinthians 7:10-24 Instructions Concerning Marriage and Vocation
Matthew 6:19-24 Treasures in Heaven
After Jehu, King of
Israel, killed
King Ahaziah of
On the appointed sabbath,
the one-third of the guards who were
normally off
duty were kept on duty and were equipped with shields and spears which
had
belonged to King David’s men and were stored in the Temple. Thus under increased military guard, Jehoiada had Joash,
Ahaziah’s son, anointed and crowned King of
Judah. When she
heard the celebration and trumpets Athaliah
went from
the Palace next door into the house of the Lord (she was a
Baal-worshiper)
where she saw that Joash had been made
king. Jehoiada commanded the captains of
the guard to seize her
and take her out of the
Jehoiada mediated a covenant
between
the Lord and the people, that they would be the Lord’s people. Then all
the
people went to the house of Baal, killed the priest of Baal before the
altars,
and then tore down the temple, altars and images of Baal. Then they
brought
King Joash from the
Paul taught against divorce, except if a spouse who is an unbeliever desires to separate. (This was during a time when people were beginning to convert to Christianity. Where one converted, the unconverted spouse was permitted to divorce if he chose to separate, but was otherwise acceptable to continue in the marriage. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul warns believers not to enter into marriage with unbelievers.) In the event of divorce Paul counseled against remarriage, except to the original partner in the case of reconciliation. Paul’s general principle was that one should continue in whatever life situation existed at the time of conversion. (This assumes that the existing situation is not illegal or immoral. It is not to imply that conversion doesn’t require repentance and turning from sin.)
True wealth is that which yields eternal life. All the things of this world are perishable and passing away, so putting our hope in them is futile. Not only are material treasures bound to fail us, but they are obstacles to our real security; they give us false hope, while preventing us from obtaining the imperishable treasure in heaven which we really need. Sin is like darkness, and righteousness is like light. If one indulges in sin, one becomes blind to the truth and life for him becomes like that of a blind man stumbling in the darkness.
Athaliah, daughter of
Jezebel and
Ahab, had introduced Baal-worship in the southern kingdom,
Paul warned believers not to
marry non-believers (2 Corinthians 6:12). Ahab had, in marrying
Jezebel,
violated a specific command of God not to marry natives (Canaanites) of
the
Promised Land which God had given to the Israelites (Exodus 34:1-16;
Deuteronomy 7:1-5). Look at all the chaos caused among the people of
God as a
result of this one disobedience! But the
Lord was working through his loyal followers to accomplish his purpose,
in
spite of all opposition.
The history of
God had a plan to defeat spiritual darkness ever since the
fall of
man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis Ch. 3), and that plan was Jesus
Christ. The Church
in
Jesus is the treasure which will never fail. He is eternal life. He is the light of the world. Jesus says: “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12) There is eternal life and salvation in no one else. Are we walking in his light?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and
obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you
first truly 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)?