But I want to add another thought to this promise because this promise has a greater reach than just Israel. I think there is probably a question mark in your head right now so let me explain. Because of this there are two parts of this promise that are relevant for us today. Therefore, this blessing and cursing does not just apply to the way you treat Israel it applies to the way you treat Jesus.
For those who bless Jesus, God will bless them. For those who curse Jesus, God will curse them. Second , however, this promise also applies to those who are in Christ. Consider these 3 scriptures. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Paul is clear here that those who are Gentiles have now been included in this citizenship in Israel.
Therefore the promise of Genesis , while still relevant for the people of Israel, also extends to everyone who is found in Christ. If you are in Christ then this promise applies. Those that bless you God will bless and those that curse you God will curse. How would it be possible that all the nations of the earth would be blessed because of Abraham? Remember this is an eternal promise because God did not put an expiration date on it. The fulfillment of this promise is not in Abraham himself or the nation of Israel.
The fulfillment of this promise is in Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus and the sacrifice that he made it is now possible that all the nations of the earth can be blessed and God can fulfill this promise he made to Abraham.
I believe he was thinking of all those who would eventually be part of his family because of the sacrifice of Jesus, thereby blessing all the nations of the world. Here is what God promised to do. Eight times God said I will. There was only one requirement necessary to set these promises of God in motion.
Abraham had to go. Jesus often met people who were like bruised reeds at their breaking point, but He helped and healed them rather than breaking them, or turning them away. What about the smoking flax? These are people who are like flickering lamps. They are new to the Gospel and have much to learn, but Jesus understands this and He is patient.
He will do nothing to extinguish the Gospel light. Rather, He will make it brighter. He was never like a lamp running low on oil. Jesus always stood strong, even when surrounded by so many enemies. Just think of all the opposition He faced from sin, Satan and religious officials, yet He never quit.
In all the world, who could have carried the enormous burden of sins? Only Jesus could bear that burden, and He did not break.
He was strong and courageous all the way to His death on the cross. Trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He will deliver you from the prison house of sin, and from darkness to the light of the only real hope you will ever have. A life that does not honor God March 26, Malachi details for us how worship deteriorated into dishonoring God, and how worship leaders only encouraged the people to continue in their sad and sinful condition. How this irreverent attitude came to be is the same as today.
Selfishness and carelessness move so quickly to the forefront in the hearts and minds of people. The first chapter of Malachi makes clear that unacceptable offerings were made on the altar.
Bread likely refers to all offerings brought to the priests for sacrifices. Why did God require offerings without blemish? The priests abused their honor in serving as priests by allowing the unacceptable sacrifices. Serving was hardly more than a job to these men, and they performed their duties in ways that were comfortable and pleasing to themselves. They were lazy as they avoided confrontation with the people who wanted to dispose of a sick or lame animal.
When people have no fear of God and refuse to honor Him in worship, they only sink deeper in sin. Had His nature been otherwise, they would have been consumed by His wrath. Our lessons here deal first with religious leaders. A good number of professing Christians have itching ears, or a desire to hear only agreeable things. Some preachers and teachers are all too willing to scratch those ears with comforting words.
We must preach and teach the entire, literal, Word of God. It is our responsibility and where it hurts, perhaps it will convict hearts and bring people to salvation in Christ Jesus. Secondly, we can really honor God with nothing less than our best. He can be reached at edwilcox nc. Walk humbly with God March 19, A survey by the Pew Research Center found 63 percent of Americans have little confidence or no confidence at all in elected officials. It seems likely that corruption, or at least the suspicion of it, influenced the opinions of some of the people who were polled.
At some point, they had lost sight of their responsibility to God and the citizens. There should be a very distinct line between right and wrong in the minds and hearts of leaders in government, and there ought to be a willingness to do what is right even when it is not popular.
In the wilderness, Moses was overwhelmed by his responsibilities in judging the people. This is a good guide for us today as whenever we consider persons seeking our votes. Micah said the leaders were so cruel to the people they governed were like butchers and cooks who slaughtered animals and ate them. In the sixth chapter, God asked Israel what He had done that resulted in their wickedness. He had always been good to them, but what we find in their response was they seemingly did not take seriously their need for forgiveness.
They questioned whether gifts would be sufficient to get forgiveness. Without a change of heart, outward acts are in vain. God does not need what we have. What did God require of the people? They should act in a just manner toward all people.
A just heart is found in a person who has faith in God and reverence for Him. All people should, as well, act with mercy. We are to walk humbly with God, we are told.
These few word form the basis of everything in our lives. We are sinners, lost forever, in need of a Savior to redeem us from slavery to sin. Jesus paid the price of our redemption when He died on the cross. Surrender your life to Him. Trust Him to be your Lord and Savior.
As Habakkuk observed the violence and injustice in his nation, he cried out to the Lord. He did not receive an immediate response to his prayers, but that would soon change as the Lord answered the prophet in His own time.
Because Habakkuk believed, he put himself in position to hear the Lord. Sometimes we must get above the clamor and chaos of the world to prepare ourselves to hear from the Lord. King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians were in power, but God told the prophet this was temporary.
The Babylonians were proud and self-sufficient. Pride has a way of bringing discontent, and proud people are never satisfied. There is never enough money, never enough stuff, and never lasting peace.
They seek satisfaction in what they accomplish for themselves, not in what God has done for them. God warned that the destruction of wicked people often comes quickly. Wickedness is not forever overlooked by the Lord, and the world needs to be reminded that we, too, are in a temporary state. The Lord is coming back, and judgment will follow. The commandment against coveting is the tenth commandment, but it has often been said that disobedience to this commandment often results in disobedience of the other nine.
We live in a covetous world. So many of our problems are the result of disregard for this commandment. The material objects that man accumulates for himself will cry out as witnesses against him one day. Habakkuk stood watch on the tower, expecting an answer from the Lord. Observing corruption and injustice March 05, The unsaved man is convinced that mankind is constantly evolving into something better. Money, government, education all have their places in life, but man is foolish to rely solely on these.
The greatest need of any person is forgiveness of sins. It was burdensome to him because the vision was a direct revelation from the Creator.
Having received the revelation, a further burden came in sharing it. When Habakkuk looked at the world, he saw corruption and violence. But where was God? Why did God not intervene to stop the decay he saw? He prayed that God would do something to end the violence and injustice in the land. Perhaps you have had the same thoughts. How can a people be rightly concerned with the humane treatment of animals and treat one another so inhumanely? Why is it that some people treat other people as disposable?
Where is God and why does He allow these things to happen? Justice was non-existent as wealthy people bribed and connived their way to take advantage of poor people. Doubting is not disbelieving. It is often a result of hurt and compassion we have for other people, and our desire that God should intervene on their behalf.
God is absolutely holy, so Habakkuk questioned why He would use the Babylonians, a far more wicked people, to punish Judah. God had plans for the Jews and they would not be destroyed. However, they would be severely punished. The prophet saw injustice and violence, but that was nothing new. We need obedience and faith in God, but man wanders farther into spiritual darkness.
One day, God will give perfect peace and calm to believers, and those who have preferred darkness will suffer eternally. The Day of the Lord is coming February 27, When God looked at Israel, He saw what might have been full and joyful lives for people He loved so dearly. As part of this last covenant, God asked Abraham to remove his foreskin and the foreskin of all Jewish boys after him.
This process is known as circumcision circumcision and is a sign of the Abrahamic covenant. The Abrahamic covenant The covenant between Abraham and God consisted of three separate parts: the promised land the promise of the descendants the promise of blessing and redemption curriculum-key-fact.
Abraham was the founder of Judaism and was the first to make a covenant with God.
0コメント