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Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 08:32:27 +-200
Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
From: Teus Benschop
Subject: ChrExp, The Scriptures opened, 83
To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP
Status: U
Contents
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1. Judges 5:8 - Other gods lead to war
2. Acts 1:6-9 - Christ's ascension
3. 2 Timothy 2:3 - The good soldier of Jesus Christ
1. Judges 5:8 - Other gods lead to war
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Judges 5:8
He chose new gods; then was war in the gates.
Deborah sings the song, whereof our text is a part. She says: "He
chose new gods; then was war in the gates." First attend unto the word
"he". He, that is Israel; Israel chose new gods. Not only a few chose
other gods, but nearly the whole country. By mutual consent, and with
the agreement of great parts of the people, they decided to chose new
gods. When a whole nation is rejecting God, but a few, the remnant,
remains faithful. The greater part of that nation agrees on the
rejection of their own God, and chooses new ones. When then the
greater part of our nation acts wickedly, let we go on in the worship
of the true God. When multitudes fall away, let we stand fast in the
power of God. When our whole family chooses new gods, let us, with the
help of God, remain faithful. "He", that is the entire nation of
Israel, "chose new gods; then was war in the gates."
"He chose new gods". Striking is the word used. He "chose" new gods.
As if they had to choose! They acted as if they were at liberty to
choose new gods. Was the choice theirs? Were they at liberty, on own
authority, to reject the LORD, and choose new gods? Hadn't the LORD
saved them? Did not God lead them out of Egypt? Hasn't He given them
the land of Canaan? They thought that they were at liberty to choose,
but actually, the choice was already made. God had chosen them, and
their father has promised that they would continue serving Him. The
choice was not theirs, but the choice was already made. The LORD was
their God, and none else. They CHOSE new gods! How ungrateful to
reject the living God, and chose dead ones. How proud to arrogate to
themselves the free choice of other gods. Let's learn from this to not
do the same. We have one God, and let we therefore not choose other
ones. But some pretend to serve God, and yet they do nothing for Him.
With their mouth they confess the LORD, but with their works they do
as if they know Him not. This, of course, is the same as if they had
rejected Him and chosen new ones.
"He chose new gods; then was war in the gates". Why did they chose NEW
gods? Was their old God no longer in use? Hadn't the LORD given them
all what they needed? Did He not send down the rain from heaven to
make the land fruitful? Did He not send down the Spirit from heaven,
to make their hearts and their hands fruitful? Why then did they chose
new gods? Whence was this change? Were they tired of the God of heaven
and earth? The cause is that they no longer believed in the LORD, or
that they no longer did love Him. Their hearts were gone after other
gods, and were alienated from the one and true God. They were led
astray by the many idols surrounding them. That is the danger when you
forsake the true God. Then your hearts and your eyes are beginning to
be opened for strange and new gods. At the same moment, your eyes and
your hearts begin to be closed for the LORD of heaven. Thus the choice
is made.
"He chose new gods; then was war in the gates." What was the result of
choosing new gods? War! For, he chose new gods, then was WAR in the
gates. They had already proclaimed war with the LORD, and therefore He
sent their enemies, who might war with Israel. Warring with God
resulted in warring with the nations. When we serve God, and walk
humbly after Him, He subdues our enemies, that they not begin to war
with us. When we love God, and obey His voice, we will live in peace.
Even during wars, we will be safe. It may be that some will kill the
body, but yet, our souls are in God's hand, and are always preserved.
But when we chose new gods, then the LORD will send enemies to fight
against us.
"He chose new gods; then was war in the gates." Note the place of the
war God has sent. It is "in the gates". Note how far the enemy already
has come. He nearly is in the city. He is fighting already in the
gates, so they have already destroyed the doors of the gates. Yet a
little time, and the city will be burnt down. The inhabitants will be
killed and persecuted, and sold as slaves. And why? Because they had
chosen new gods, and had forsaken the God of their fathers.
We see what is the result of choosing strange and new gods. Let us
learn from this. In the time of the Judges, the Israelites repeatedly
chose new gods, and God repeatedly sent war in their gates. It
repeatedly happened, and it seems me they never learnt from it. But
let us learn from their example. Are you choosing or serving other
gods? Be assured that the war will be terrible. Let's then serve God,
and have peace. Let's pray Him that He may send, instead of war in our
gates, His Spirit in our hearts. The war in our gates destroys all and
everything, but the Spirit in our hearts will renew us, and make us
obedient, lovers of God, deniers of self. That Spirit will adorn us
with all spiritual decorations, which will make us acceptable in God's
sight.
Choose then:
1) New gods? Then you get wars.
2) The God of heaven and earth? Then you get His Spirit.
But as for me and my house, we shall serve the LORD.
2. Acts 1:6-9 - Christ's ascension
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6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,
Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them,
It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,
which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power,
after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken
up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
"Lord", asked the disciples, "wilt Thou at this time restore again the
kingdom to Israel?" They still were in the wrong opinion that Jesus
had come to restore the earthly kingdom of David again to Israel. But
they greatly erred. Jesus not long ago had said: "My kingdom is not of
this world", Joh 18:36. Therefore it was a carnal question of the
disciples. They still thought of honour, and worldly brilliance, and
of a kingdom, and of they being the first in the kingdom. But Jesus
said: "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this
world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to
the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." Joh 18:36. Lord, will
Thou restore the kingdom again? "And He said unto them, It is not for
you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His
Own power". We cannot look in the book of future. These things are in
the Father's power, and are hidden for us.
Instead of trying to search in the hidden counsel of God, let us be
content with the present things. So it is with us, and so it was for
the disciples. Instead of giving the disciples explanation of the
future, the Lord Jesus did something totally different. He gave them
an order. What order did He give them? He commanded them to preach the
gospel in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost parts of the earth. "But ye shall receive power, after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you". So, they should receive power, to
preach the Gospel. In the power of the Spirit, they should be
witnesses unto Jesus. Not in own power should they witness, but in the
power of the Spirit, after He is come upon them. "But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." We see that
without God's help, none can preach. It is true what Paul writes to
the Romans: "And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" Rom
10:15. How shall they preach, except they be send by God? How shall
they preach, except they have received the power of the Spirit, and go
in God's strength?
And when Jesus had given orders, He was taken up to heaven. "And when
he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a
cloud received him out of their sight." Our Lord is taken up in
heaven. There He is now, and rules His church on earth. The church of
God is persecuted and fights its war on earth. But our Lord is in
heaven, and preserves those that are of Him.
So then, after the Lord had spoken unto His disciples, He was received
up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God. While He blessed His
disciples, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. When
Stephen was stoned, He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the
Father, in heaven. From there our Lord will come back to judge the
quick and the dead. Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered
up the kingdom to God the Father; when He shall have put down all rule
and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He has put all
enemies under His feet.
3. 2 Timothy 2:3 - The good soldier of Jesus Christ
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Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
The soldiers of Christ, at least the good ones, are not at rest. They
have a great struggle. They fight with evil. They endure hardness.
They are not greater or more then their Master, Jesus Christ. Like
Christ endured all kinds of affliction, also His soldiers do the same.
Christ suffered much; so His soldiers will endure the same.
To preach the gospel to all nations, the soldiers of Christ endure all
things. For the elect's sakes, they endure all. To bring God's elect
to the light of the truth, the soldiers of Christ go out, and bring
the Word of truth to every place where Christ sends them. Paul wrote
"I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." 2 Tim
2:10. Also, every false shame should be put off by the soldiers of
Christ. Do not shame yourselves for the truth of the testimony of the
Lord. Instead of being ashamed, be you partaker of the afflictions of
the gospel. Go out in the power of God. Endure hardness, as a good
soldier of Christ. When Paul was on mission, he endured persecutions
and afflictions. But out of them all the Lord delivered Him. It may be
that the ministers of God come in great dangers, but out of them all
God will deliver them. In the case the preaching of the gospel costs
them their lives, them a better part is laid up for them in heaven.
The good soldiers of Christ will endure all kinds of hardness. But let
they look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith. He is
their Example. Do they endure some affliction? Christ did the same.
Are they in troubles? Christ also. Are they persecuted unto death?
Christ experienced the same. Let we then look to Jesus, and learn from
what He did. For the joy that was set before Him, He even endured the
cross, and presently is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God. When you, as a good soldier of Christ, will do the same, then
also you will be set in heaven, in the presence of your Master.
Consider then Jesus, while you are in difficulties, and while you are
persecuted for the sake of your faith. Consider your Master, Jesus,
who endured much more. Having Him as an example, and seeing the
outcome, you may gather strength. Consider Him, lest you be wearied
and faint in your minds.
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chr-exp@nic.surfnet.nl
"A Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel"
Institute Practical Bible-education
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/ipbe-home.html
Written by Teus Benschop -- t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl
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file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/so: s-open-083.txt
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