Liars: Final warning of those in hell from Revelation 21:8
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines a liar as someone who tells lies. No comment here on how great that definition is..:(
I will state as I have numerous times that no names need to be given here; just a mere mention of politics whether "donkeys or elephants" should suffice. I have said to people on occasion that a liar is worse than a murderer. The Apostle Paul is my "exhibit A" in that he at least was complicit in murder but did it in ignorance ( 1 Timothy 1:13). What we can't say is that he ever lied about his intentions; everyone knew his impassioned motives in the persecution. Lying is probably the most common methodology for maintaining a lifestyle of sin; if not lying to ourselves as to what we are doing and the consequences it is lying to others for self promotion. There are scriptural instances of lying where the midwives told Pharoah that the babies he wanted to kill were born before they could get to them. ( Exodus 1:19). There are other cases where for instance the full census wasn't given of the Israelites (Levites excluded) because the evil was sensed in King David's request that Satan himself had supplanted his heart to perform. I won't quibble here on that but certainly when we find a lie as the only way to preserve a life it is different than when it is merely self promoting.
In concealing a matter; as a case study we aren't helping ourselves ( Prov. 28:13). Hiding our sins is only going to be destructive. We will in time be found out. Lying of course can attempt to distract from any sort of transgression so again it seems that it may be most dangerous and deliberately at the end of sins leading to damnation. We need to heed carefully David's reaction when Nathan said "YOU ARE THE MAN" ( 2 Samuel 12:7). Saul wasn't ever able to repent; even though he said that he sinned ( 1 Samuel 15:24). This is like Pharaoh in Exodus 9:27 or Judas in Matthew 27:4. Worldly sorrow.
You asked this about the Apocrypha: "So if it wasn't "God inspired," how did it manage to remain between the Testaments for 270+ years?" Why the Apocrypha was included in the KJV until 1885 is a kind of mystery but it shouldn't be a cause to believe in this book as Holy Ghost inspired. What matters is this book contains some very serious false doctrines which proves it is not Holy Ghost inspired.
In 2nd Maccabees 12: 40-43 it gives credence in giving prayers and alms so that the dead can be forgiven and eventually go to heaven. After a major battle during the preparation for burial of soldiers who had died, it was discovered that each of them was wearing amulets of devotion to pagan gods under their clothes which was sin: "Then under the tunic of each one of the dead, they found sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this was the reason these men had fallen. So they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous Judge, who reveals the things that are hidden; and they turned to supplication, praying that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted out,"
In Baruch 3:4 it teaches that the dead can pray for themselves to eventually go to heaven. "O Lord Almighty, thou God of Israel, hear now the prayers of the dead Israelites, and of their children, which have sinned before thee, and not hearkened unto the voice of thee their God: for the which cause these plagues cleave unto us.
In Tobit 9:12 it claims that alms can purge away sin. "For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life:"
So whether we can give a precise reason why God allowed the Apocrypha to be included in the KJB for a time or not, it is a book to be avoided by true believers. God Bless :)
I was in a very odd situation with a former OPC church I attended where I was granted a sort of "partial" membership without ascribing to their stance on infant baptism. There are a couple other issues which would keep me out of a similar place in the future (that church shut down 6 or 7 years ago due to lack of attendance). I will say that it wasn't required that I believed in their stance on Postmillenialism; although I may have mentioned here in the past when it was brought up how foolish it was to believe in the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast in one of their sermons and I took them up on that they sort of backed down. It wasn't a requirement to adhere to their eschatology, although it was a rather cliquish sort of mentality at that place. I agreed to disagree with them without such banter so I thought it only fair; however of course it was their belief.
In any case; infant baptism has cast a rather nebulous picture in my mind as to explanations; somehow holding what children or infants were commemorated with when they become adults and rebel as if they had some sort of inherent partaking of a covenant; I suppose equivalent to the Israelites who were "baptized" by crossing the Red Sea. ( 1 Cor. 10:2). No one I know actually thinks someone is saved through infant baptism but nonetheless they seem in my mind to have carried on a Catholic tradition through the Reformers in the past. I also had a "rebaptism"; having argued beforehand the sprinkling of water should also be legitimate ( Ezekiel 36:25). In my case I had it done that way along with my wife at the time because she had a balance issue going totally underwater; but I rededicated myself to a commitment as a church member when I had an immersion at the founding of a church I used to attend at its inception almost 10 years ago. Seeing how quickly Philip baptized the eunuch in Acts 8; and the jailor with his family ( Acts 16:33) it should follow salvation quickly.
"And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?"And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." Evangelist Matthew reports after he cleansed the temple Jesus introduces himself as " My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (v.13) Compare how John treats the same cleansing of the temple, " And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."(John2:17). John places the emphasis on "My Father's house." It is in this gospel we have this citation, "I and my Father are one."( John 10:30). In the Gospel of Matthew the book introduced Jesus as the son of Abraham and son of David. (Matt.1:1) St John having presented the logos aspect of Jesus Christ gives us a concrete example in this cleansing. My house is as valid as My Father's house. John continues the Alpha aspect of Jesus by the next verse, "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."(v.17)
This just shows each Gospel has its inner logic and what drives them as one is the Alpha Omega aspect of the Son hitched to the word.
John 2:18-23
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?/Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up./Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?/But he spake of the temple of his body."
"Temple of the body" how marvelously the Spirit gives us a concrete image of the Word become flesh? We are made kings and priests into Jesus Christ and the church as his body must witness this aspect of our Savior Lord. (Re.1:6)
Levitical priesthood was set for the Israelites as befitting their bootcamp, while Order of Melchizadec is forever.
This book is describing the transatlantic slave trade. And they would be sent into Egypt Again, which means this particular nation of people have had a history of being enslaved prior.
Me Personally have been going to church my entire life and not once have I ever heard the Priests, Pastor's preach this book in complete.
Which Is why most don't understand even though it's clear who the people are the book speaks of and who claim to be but are not.
The most high Yahweh leadath Israel into captivity in Egypt for disobeying his laws and sent Moses to being them out but they hardheaded Israelites continued there disobedience of his laws so the most high sent them into Egypt again this time on ships with yolks of iron upon thy necks sold to thy enemies separated from there children never to see them again given names and nationalities of the gentiles so they would no more be known as Israel and would work on pagan gods of the heathen so they will be broken.
In the wilderness the Israelites were led by pillar of cloud and of fire. They represent the two witnesses in Re.11. Baptism of water and of fire: one is John and the other 'an angel' the little one could be any saint, representing the world of the body prepared for the Son.
The Holy Spirit-the God of the earth-Re.11:4-take a look,he does not confound himself with what He Himself speaks and writes, with the things the spirit that is in man also speaks and writes, according the spirit of man that is in him,it means, in the mind or heart of man.Heb.4:12-13 reveal how he discerns thoughts and intents of the heart(of man). What does the Word of GOD say? John 3:31-34:
31 He that come from above is above all(the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth sent by JESUS who proceede from the Father- John 15:26 combined with John 16:12-15.Take a look):he that is of the earth is earthly,and speaks of the earth.He that comes from heaven is above all.
32And what he has seen and heard,that(only that)he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that GOD is true.
34For he whom GOD has sent speaks the words of GOD:for GOD gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.
That said,who will believe in the messenger sent here by JESUS from the part of the Father-Joo 15:26-, to announce the everlasting gospel,unto them that dwell on the earth,and to every nation,and kindred,and tongue,and people?(Re.14:6 combined with Re.11:15-18,and 1Thes.4:16,and Daniel 12:1-3,and Luke 18:8, and 21:24,and Re.11:2.Take a look)
What is the message of the everlasting Gospel?The angel MUST walks in the midst of heaven(heaven?Eph.1:3-8),having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,and kindred,and tongue,and people,SAYING: Re.14:7, with a loud voice,Fear GOD,and give glory to Him;for the hour of His Judgment is come(the righteous Judgment of GOD, the Judgment Seat of of Christ):and saying:worship Him that made heaven(next heaven, the 3rd- Luke 20:35-36),and earth(Israel-the true Israelites saved and sealed-Re.7:1-8:),and the sea(Gentile nations-peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues)and the fountains of waters(the Holy Scriptures- John 7:38.Take a look.
A wise deacon in our church has stated that we are in enemy territory currently on earth. Our state prior to salvation was an enemy of God as we were blinded by the god of this world to do his bidding ( 2 Cor. 4:4). Despite what may be assumed by some; there are numerous descriptions of hell in the Old Testament. There are also references to heaven and the Millennial reign of saints ( Psalm 61 seems to be a veiled reference to David in that capacity; for instance). We see also in the famous passage in Job 19:27 which alludes to a bodily resurrection where he will see God. Psalm 63:9 is another reference to hell; in sending enemies to the "lowest parts of the earth." As much as we may not comprehend these eternal truths; Proverbs 8:36 states that "all who hate me love death." (see also John 3:19-21 and 1 John 2:11).
Jesus makes it clear that He is the only way to salvation in John 10:9 and many other passages state the same thing; often in parables. Those who are not enlightened to this truth often have some scripture knowledge, but they can only see general statements about living a righteous life or see descriptions of God and only see God from afar; much as the Israelites did when wandering through the wilderness. Somehow man's myopic perspective focuses on characters in the Bible and considers those who were a prophet; or a "good teacher" and not understanding who is truly good; that is God alone ( Mark 10:18). This is why the man called Christ good in that passage; he was only seeing Him through human lenses rather than His true position as God in the flesh which only God Himself can reveal to someone ( Matt. 16:17).
These truths explain why man underplays his spiritual condition; he sees outer works and judges himself on them; and that based on his own set of scales weighing in his heart the "good vs. the bad"; ignoring God's perfect Holy standard. Worse still; he is blind to his sin NATURE which can only be changed God's way
This was a holy convocation, which the Israelite observed and also was heard by one other. The word of God is not only in your heart and was also heard. You spoke as Christ in you did speak; you also did all for the glory of God and even as Christ did, forgiving one other and in humility so you are seen as lights as effective witnesses of Christ. 'You are not to do any servile work' Servile work, and what does it mean? As epistles of Christ in your fleshy heart are you to ride the coattails of politicians of the day? Neither do you for some mead of praise and silver in your pocket, water down the Gospel of Christ.
This festival was celebrated at the beginning of the month Tisri, the first month of the civil year.
"Also at your times of rejoicing-your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts-you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings,"(Nu.10:10; 29:1-6)
Day of Atonement vv. 26-32
(See under A-Atonement)
The Festival of Tabernacles vv.33-44
"Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:,/ That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God./ And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.
'That your generations may know,' This is the commandment of God who is a Spirit. Living in a visible world only speaks part of the reality, which is our fellowship with God. We are bearing about also a spiritual space where truth is written in our inward parts. Heart it is called. How big is it? It all depends how deep your faith is.
Truth is what infinite mind of God has invested in the world of the Spirit, which is signified by heart. Where your treasure is where your heart will be found. Parable of the Rich Fool shows us a heart where not an inch of space could be found for God. He was not rich towards God for this reason.
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete(v.15)."
These seven weeks, called here Sabbaths, were to be complete, i. e., the forty-nine days must be finished, and the next day, the fiftieth, is the day of Pentecost. (See under N-numbers, command/five)
Here we see concept of sevens used , which signifies the command number 7. Similarly we see the Israelites setting out from their bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land is a kangaroo word within the blessings God promised Abraham. It is thus the Spirit has set the numbers in sequences the earth time within the reconstituted Time. So Pentecost falls the next day after 7X7. After the Ascension of Jesus we read that two men in white apparel stood by and said to those who were watching the Ascension, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Ac.1:11)". Thereafter the day of Pentecost fully had to come signifying there is a break between the two events.
(See the entry under M-Mode/Parenthesis)
By the same token we may examine this verse, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."(Dan.12:12) God blessed man on the sixth day ("And God blessed them,"-Ge.1:28)
In the preceding verse the man clothed in linen tells that "there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days." signifying a break between the outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon all souls on earth and the Jubilee year in heaven. It is New Jerusalem and the old is consigned to Lord's indignation. "For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment./The sword of the Lord is filled with blood/"(Is.34:5-8)
"Six days work shall be done" Le.23:3. For the Israelites it was the work of human hands, toil of the beasts and fruits of the field that counted as work. Their literalism was such they would not see it as anything else. The fact is borne out in the question they asked Jesus. "What shall we do that we might be doing the works of God?"( John 6:27-28). God sent his only begotten Son on whom was his seal of approval and they rejected him. If the horse has bolted the stable why the nation belabor themselves with the act of scrubbing the stable floor? By the same token when God has cast them out why cause the odium of genocide from the world as we see it in our times, over the name Jerusalem that is instead being built in the heaven places? New Jerusalem is where a believer may enter in the rest of God and in his Son.
Sabbath serves as a sign. "That ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you"(Ex.31:17a.) the shadow of good things to come. It was a sign of sanctification, which, however did not good to the nation of Israel for want of faith. Moses pleading 'blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written' was ineffectual. He was the servant (He.3:1-3) and not Son whose offering was perfect. His Son who he shall send according to His will in the fullness of time, refreshed him. So He sanctifies the seventh day. "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified (He.10:14)".
It is God who sanctifies and at His terms. God cannot deny his holiness, "And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book".
"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren(He.2:11).What Moses gave the nation of Israel was a shadow of good things to come.
The olive tree mentioned is in a secular context. Israel as the people of the Law were part of the olive tree. The burning bush that did not consume itself stood in relation to the tree of life. By the same token this olive tree is set in context of the everlasting dominion of the Son. God called out as He did with Moses to be the tree of righteousness. Israel corrupted themselves. "Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb./My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.."(Ho.9:16-17) In their place the Gentiles have come in. They were grated to the tree. St Paul calls it is not a permanent damage or gain for the Israelites and the Gentiles respectively. "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."(11:5) Election of grace is open for all in his Son. God is able to restore a remanant from Israel as well break off the Gentiles (Brances) that resist divine grace. So the churches need know on what they are grafted to.
"and if the root be holy, so are the branches." The church of Rome found the root of a pagan world empire to grow mighty. from it. Is the root holy? It is only like the tree that King Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream.(Dan.4:11-14) "He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches."(4:14).The command of God "Shake off the leaves, and scatter his fruit" is what we see about us, so many sects, denominations and what do they want? Prosperity! Make America great Again, Watchmen's Creed white Evangelicalism. What else can you expect from a 'mighty' but dead tree?
"Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us." Beware cedars!
The concept of "rest" is important in Scripture, and it has a deep spiritual meaning for Christians. As Christians, we understand that our rest is in Christ, who is our Sabbath. When we rest spiritually in Christ, we present ourselves as the people of God before his presence in continuous sacred assembly. We are always the church, in his presence every day of the week, not just one.
In conclusion, for most Israelites, the Sabbath was a day to rest at home, not a day to travel long distances and attend a worship service. The annual harvest festivals were the time for Israelites to enjoy communal worship and fellowship. Here is what the Expositor's Bible Commentary (volume 2, page 623) says about Leviticus 23:3:
[There is an emphasis here that the Israelite rested at home. There were special offerings given in the tabernacle (e.g., a double burnt offering), but the ordinary Israelite and his whole family rested. Presumably here was an opportunity for family worship and instruction in the law of God, but this is not specifically enjoined. What a boon a weekly rest must have been to the ancient laborer and farmer in his weary round of toil! ]
As did the Jews in their synagogue system, Christians find that regular fellowship and communal instruction is an important foundation of their religious life. As Christians, we are free to meet together at any time of the day, any day of the week, and any season of the year. We are not limited to meeting on just one day, since no day has been specifically set aside by God for Christian fellowship and worship. We are always in the presence of God and worship him continually because he and Christ reside in us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. At the same time, we can gather weekly and seasonally in small groups or in larger communal situations to praise God, to recall Christ's work of salvation and to fellowship in the Spirit.
Is worshipping God on any given day breaking the Sabbath?
Part 6.
LEVITICUS 23:3
Let us look at Leviticus 23:3 directly: "There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord." The verse emphasizes rest.
Since the passage is about resting and not working, it seems that the expression "day of sacred assembly" is a parallel to "Sabbath to the Lord" and refers not so much to official communal worship on the Sabbath but to the day itself as being a "sacred assembly."
The phrase "day of sacred assembly" can be understood as a "sacred day of celebration" or a "sacred occasion," as well as a "sacred assembly" or convocation. The weekly Sabbath, as well as the annual festivals, were occasions to worship and praise God for the abundance of his physical blessings and for saving Israel from bondage in Egypt. But this worship and praise could be given to God in the Israelites' participation in rest itself (thus experiencing the blessings of Yahweh through rest), as well as in contemplation and conversation at home.
By resting from their labor and self-interests on the weekly Sabbath, the Israelites were presenting themselves before God through rest. Resting was a way of being in the presence of God and fulfilling his sacred purpose. The only people who were commanded to come to the Temple for worship were the Levites and priests. On behalf of the entire nation, they performed
the prescribed ceremonies. There was no command for people to watch them, or for them to teach the people. It was simply not possible for very many people to be there.
Is worshipping God on any given day breaking the Sabbath?
Part 4.
It would be strange, then, to have one phrase in Leviticus 23:3 refer to a weekly worship service commanded for all Israel, and then claim that this was just as important as resting as a way to keep the Sabbath. It would be a mistake to assume such a teaching from a single and vague phrase in one verse when the entire witness of the Old Testament does not mention worship service attendance in conjunction with the Sabbath.
There is no indication in Scripture of Israelites going to worship services of one kind or another in their local towns and villages. They could travel to worship services at the Tabernacle only for the annual festivals.
SYNAGOGUE SYSTEM.
One might point to the New Testament and say, "But Jesus and Paul attended the synagogue on the Sabbath. Doesn't this indicate that worship services were an essential part of God's command to keep the Sabbath holy?"
So far as we know from Scripture or Jewish history, there was no national system of Sabbath-day worship sites or places of communal instruction throughout Israel's history in the Promised Land up to the captivity of Judah in the 530s B.C. and the return of a remnant to Judea a few decades years later. There were no synagogues before the exile; there were no local meeting places in Israel before the exile, because there was no command for weekly meetings.
Is worshipping God on any given day breaking the Sabbath?
Part 3.
WHAT MADE SABBATH "HOLY "
The essence of Sabbath-keeping was physical rest. In Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15, the Sabbath command specifies rest from labor as the way to keep the day "holy." There is no mention of going to a worship service each Sabbath. Other passages in the Old Testament also define the Sabbath by rest, not by attendance at worship services. See Exodus 31:12-17, Numbers 15:32, Nehemiah 13:15-22 and Jeremiah 17:19-27. The latter two passages, though they refer to Jerusalem, do not mention anything about failure to attend worship services or "sacred assemblies," but only work on the Sabbath as a desecration of this day.
An interesting study is to look up the word "Sabbath" in a concordance, find all the Old Testament references and then read those passages to see how this day was kept "holy." The conclusion will be that rest from labor is what made the Sabbath sacred time, not attendance at a worship service. Most Israelites lived too far from the tabernacle to attend a worship service every Sabbath - and there is no evidence in the Old Testament that they did. And the law did not allow them to assemble anywhere else for worship. Nor do we find commands even for people near the Tabernacle that they had to gather for worship. The Sabbath was kept at home, by resting.
There is no mention in Old Testament passages that attending a worship service on the Sabbath is a way of keeping this day holy. The way the Sabbath was sanctified, made holy or set apart as sacred was through physical rest from labor. All the Old Testament references to Sabbath observance in Israel speak to this point. There is no Old Testament theology of weekly Sabbath holiness that centers around attendance at "holy convocations."
Is worshipping God on any given day breaking the Sabbath?
If performing the Sabbath rest is to be done on a Saturday, How is worshipping God on a Sunday be breaking the Sabbath?
God gave the command for the Sabbath in Exodus 20:8-11 to those "WITHIN THE GATES OF ISRAEL"
Not to the rest of the world.
In Numbers 15:32-36. there was a man stoned to death for picking up sticks!
I have never read anything like that happening or any punishment given to the rest of the world whether weekly Sabbath, yearly Sabbath or a Sabbath for the land.
THE COMMAND TO REST ON THE SABBATH WAS GIVEN TO ISRAEL AND THE WORSHIP BY ISRAEL HAD TO BE DONE IN A CERTAIN PLACE.
Here's an Interesting article by Paul Kroll.
Part 1.
Old Testament Laws:
Is Leviticus 23:3 a Command to Have Worship Services on the Weekly Sabbath?
We read the following command from Jesus in Luke 5:14, when he healed someone: "Show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." If one assumed that Jesus' teaching applied to all people at all times, it could be claimed that this passage is "proof" telling Christians they must offer the proper Mosaic sacrifice and appear before a Jewish priest.
However, we know that Luke 5:14 is not a command for us to offer sacrifices. How do we know this? It is because the total witness of the New Testament makes it clear that such sacrifices applied only to Israelites and Jews under the Mosaic old covenant. This illustrates the folly of isolating a verse from its context. We need to examine both the verse in question and the larger context of the Bible. We must not start with advance assumptions.
I thought that I should address several things here. First of all, if we are to look at the Seventh Day Adventists and their teachings of Ellen White it is clear that there are spurious elements there; from her supposedly communicating with her late husband; to the predictions about the Lord's return. This is something I have just begun to investigate; but when you hear how commonplace demonic attacks are in their own pamphlets describing experiences that are always inexorably involved with this lady's teachings as being some sort of proposed solution you know there is a problem.
I wanted to differentiate between that and those such as Messianic Jews who may choose to worship on Saurdays. I have attended meetings in several of these type settings when I lived in Pittsburgh; and have seen how there is a fairly good acceptance of other believers such as myself who worship on Sundays. Nonetheless; there are reminders with events not to serve food that isn't considered Kosher which I suppose is ok not to offend those of the Jewish faith we wish to bring to Christ by not allowing our liberties to dissuade men. In regard to Saturday sabbath; it is clear that the PENALTY is for those who are in Israel who are cut off from God that disobey the Sabbath. In that regard it appears to be uniquely there for the Israelites only; while other laws such as divorce count for all men (as we see from examples with pagans who were told; for instance not to touch Abraham and Issac's wife when they were passed off as sisters; and John the Baptist being martyred for a pagan marrying his brothers wife). We could say the same of course for murder which is something found originally with Cain well before the law was delivered on Sinai.
God may well establish again some of this during the Millennial reign at least with the Temple which will keep people ceremonially clean around glorified saints and Christ after He returns as well as be a reminder of Christ's sacrifice for sin.
2 Sam. 7:26 says that The LORD Almighty is God over Israel. He is our God as well.
David speaks of resting in the shadow of the Almighty in Ps.91:1 WE, too, can rest in Him, as Jesus promised to give us rest when we come to Him.
Rev. 19:6 says the LORD God Almighty reigns. He is sovereign! He reigns far above all else. No one can rest His throne of glory from Him.
2 Chr. 32:7 says that the Israelites had a greater power with them than whom was against them.
His great power saves us. Ps. 20:6
Hosea 13:14 says that God has power to ransom His own from the power of the grave and death.
God's mighty power gave the Son the victory over death and the grave in raising Him from the dead to be alive evermore.
Luke 1:35 says to Mary that the power of the Most High will bring about the conception of the Holy One in her even as she is a virgin.
Rom. 1:20 says that God's power is eternal.
1 Cor. 1:24 says that Christ is the power of to those who are called. We do not have the power to save ourselves, but Jesus does.
And in 15:24 Paul says that God will put an end to all dominion. power, and authority after subduing every enemy, crushing them under the feet of Jesus.
Col. 2 :10 says that in Jesus is the head of all power and authority.
Heb. 7:16 says that Jesus had the power of an indestructible life.
How Great Is Our God, Great in Power, Great in Wonder, King of Heaven.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts GiGi as you progress on the Attributes of God using the alphabet - very interesting & edifying as also the great submissions from Richard. As I read yours, and you quoted Deuteronomy 4:7, my thoughts went to the very Name of God in respect to this.
The Israelites were indeed reminded that the LORD God was always near to them - with them; and yet they should have known (or, maybe it wasn't revealed to them at that stage), that this God is also known by His compound Name, YHWH-Shammah: "The LORD Who is Present". And this we see in Ezekiel 48:35, the very last statement in the very last verse of Ezekiel's prophecy (which is generally understood to refer to Israel's existence in the Millennial Kingdom; Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48).
In that verse, the Hebrew reads, "wasem ha-ir mi-yowm Yahweh sammah" ('and the name of the city from (that) day (shall be) YAHWEH (is) THERE'). Israel of old knew that God was with them by all His marvelous Works yet they still resorted to the flesh & idolatry. But the day will come when they will truly know Him as Yahweh Shammah, the LORD Who is present, with them, very near to them, for Christ Jesus their Messiah will be the Lord Whom they will know & Who will rule over them (also speaks of Christ's indivisible Deity). And what we, as those who have now received Christ's Spirit in our hearts, know Him in a personal way & a powerful Presence in our lives, still remain to them as a distant hope & a vain search, all the while clouded in disbelief, darkness, & rejection of their Messiah's first coming. Thank you for reminding us that the LORD has never left us - He has constantly been involved in all our affairs, even though at times in our personal & global existence, He might appear absent. But unto 'us who believe, He is precious' & we ought to live in such a manner befitting His Name, 'the LORD Who is Present with(in) us'.
This chapter speaks warning to the Israelites before they enter the land.
They are not to be afraid of the strong nations they will encounter when they go forth to take the lands. God promised to destroy the peoples. So it was not up to the might of the Israelites for the victory to occur, but upon the almighty power and will of God.
The part the Israelites will play in the conquest is to destroy ALL the people, ALL their idols and places of worship. The Israelites responsibility was obedience. God named the 7 nations they were yet to conquer.
He commanded them to not intermarry with members of the nations of this land. They are to be a people separate from the idolaters. They were not to intermix with them in marriage, business, and in everyday life. God knows the power of sin and temptation. He was warning them for their good, not just to put restrictions on their lives. It is wise to follow God in this way, to not be involved with idolaters, those who hate God, those who, in ignorance or rebellion fail to worship and serve Him. These idolaters do not have much to offer us in way of relationships. Their company will usually lead us into sin rather than bring reformation to them. But we still are to be witnesses in and out of season.
God promised to make the Israelites fruitful in every way. Being fruitful is a blessing, being barren is not. We should have this same attitude in our lives. We should greatly desire to be spiritually fruitful, fruitful in our work habits, fruitful in our marriage, fruitful in our relations with other believers as we pray and study the Word together.
I am thankful that I married a believer. This was God's doing. It has led us to have a harmonious marriage. We are coming up on our 44th wedding anniversary in a few weeks. God has blessed us so much. May we show gratitude to each other even more so in the years ahead!
"And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He hath commanded us."
Well, we know how that went. The Israelites found out that they could not, would not, and failed miserably to gain righteousness on their own because they were unable to keep from breaking God's commands. The Law shows us our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. The Israelites as a whole, must have thought that they could fall back on the sacrificial system to remove their sins when they failed God. But they could not truly say they gained their own righteousness because they could not keep the Law.
Only Jesus is righteous, completely sinless, and worthy of God's acceptance as a truly human person. His divine nature always remained divine, but His human nature needed to choose obedience to God always, and He did. His righteousness is imputed to us because He was the perfectly acceptable sacrifice for our sins. He did what we could never do, never sin, and be of such worth that His sacrifice took away all of our sins.
The Israelites grew accustomed to sinning against God, going after idols, and forgetting Him who delivered them from bondage. May we not fall into such a state. Thank God for giving us the Holy Spirit, without Whom we would not be able to continue in faith and obedience to God every day. God provides us with all we need for life and godliness through the work of Jesus for us and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us to sanctify us and empower us to desire to obey our God and Savior. He is the only One who can save us. Let always be turned toward Him, seeking Him wholeheartedly, hiding His word in our hearts, and sharing the hope we possess in Jesus, our Lord.
God tells them to write them on their doorposts where they come in and go out. They are to be able to be read from the inside or outside of the entry to their home. Even to write them on the gates of one's property. To me this sounds like such a good thing to do, to have God's Words visible around one's house.
God then promises to be true to His promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to bring these descendants into the land promised. They will be blessed with the work of the people whom they drive out of the lands they will possess. God plans to give them good cities and homes to dwell in, fields, and vineyards, olive groves, and wells, none of which they planted, dug, or tended so as to be made full of the what the land will already have waiting for them. They will not have to begin from scratch as Noah and his family had to do after the flood. The land will already be ready for them.
But then, God warns them not to forget Him, nor to forget Egypt and the bondage they were brought out of. Rather, they are to fear Him, serve him, and swear by His name and not that of any other idol god. They are to stay clear of idols and the idolaters around them. They should not inquire about them or the way the pagans serve their idols. God says He is jealous for their worship and service and they are to not divide their religious faith and allegiance with idols that cannot help them nor save them.
The Israelites were to be careful about how they lived, worshipped, and taught their children. They are to be ready to explain to their children what God had done for them and why they are to worship Him alone by adhering to His commands, statues, and the good testimony of Him to Israel. We are to be knowledgeable of what we are to explain to our kids about the Lord and His truths. We are not to neglect this important aspect of parenting. I wish I had been even more diligent in doing this with my sons.
After instructing the people to fear Him, listen to Him, and obey His commands, God speaks the great words of the Shema:
Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD.
There is not a multiplicity of God that are true and worthy of worship. There is only One: YHWH
This statement will be of utmost importance when He sends His Son and the Holy Spirit, each of Whom is God, but not three Gods, but One unified Divine Being that is three distinct Persons in a relationship of love and unity. There is but One true God, no other, and ever will there be but one God to worship. In the fullness of time, God's elect will learn of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each who is to be worshipped and glorified, but we are to remember that God is One in substance, love, will, and workings.
The Shema goes on to say: Love the LORD your God with all of one's heart, soul, and strength. We are to love Him with all that we are: our minds, bodies, soul, powers, will, actions, words, thoughts, relationships, and emotions. There is nothing about us that we are to withhold from Him. All of us belongs to Him, We have been bought with a price, our life is not our own to live our own way, but to live to God.
God then tells them to put His words in one's heart. To know His commands thoroughly and to teach them to our children often. We are to be a holy example to our children, our spouse, our neighbor, those who are in authority over us, and those who we have authority over. We are to submit to God in all affairs, living according to God's ways, not our own sense of right and wrong. to do what is right in God's eyes, not what seems right in our own eyes.
We are to recall God's Word when we lay down to sleep and when we rise up, when we work and when we rest. The Israelites are to bind God's Law upon their wrists, put them as frontlets between one's eyes. God's ways were to be ever before them, keeping them from being double-minded or forgetful of what God requires of His people.d
In this chapter Moses is setting the stage for the delivering of the Law to the people of Israel who were too young when the nation was gathered at Sinai to fully understand what God was asking of them in regards to worshipping and serving Him individually and as a nation.
First, God calls the Israelites to fear Him. This means to revere Him and understand that He is able to make alive or destroy, raise up or bring down, bless or curse. Recognizing His worthiness for obedience, worship, and service is emphasized in the term: fear. Remembering his mighty, miraculous, and awesome deeds done in the flight out of Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the water coming forth in the wilderness, the descent of God upon Sinai, the pillar of cloud and fire, quail and manna each morning, the deliverance from enemies, reminds that He is not a God who is weak and unable to do as He pleases or so congenial that one can take sin lightly and He will not require judgment, and that He is a God who cannot be stood up to and prevail. He puts down the proud and haughty, disciplines those He has chosen, and brings calamity upon the persistently disobedient. He takes offense at idolatry and His anger and wrath is fearsome. The Israelites needed to know all of these things in order to take Him seriously and, knowing that there is no other God to serve, they are obligated to obey, love and worship Him alone.
Then God says that His commands and statutes are ongoing. They pass on to the lives of one's children and grandchildren and future descendants. They are sure and consistent. God will not change nor amend them as time passes. They are for the good of the individual and the nation. (vs. 3)
God tells the people to hear Him, listen attentively and soberly with the intent to obey God's commands. In doing so, life will go well for the obedient. There will be increase of blessing in the life of the obedient, and prosperity in the land they will be entering, as promised to the forefathers.
Perhaps in the beginning the year was 12- 30 day divisions (360) days and perhaps the lunar month was also 30 days each. But a major cataclysmic occurrence like the flood or a meteor strike could have altered the orbit of the earth and moon along with the axis of the earth being tilted.
I think that this happened at some time in history. But with that being said. Nothing in the New Testament tells us that we are to gauge the yearly calendar by the Jewish method. What God asked of the Israelites in Exodus, and Deuteronomy and Leviticus was specifically for them at that time in history. In the world at that time people groups had their own calendars with their feast days and holy days and pagan celebrations. God wanted the Israelites to have this calendar He instituted so that this people would remain separate and distinct from the pagan peoples around them, celebrating the feasts, ordinances, and holy days He decided for them (which all point to Christ in some way).
In the Christian era, with Jesus being the completion of the promises, prophecies and fulfillment of all OT Scriptures, a calendar reflecting the life and works of Christ is more appropriate and is not prohibited in the NT writings. Paul says that each of us are to keep feast days, holy days, or Sabbaths according to our conscience or not according to our conscience and that whatever is not of faith is sin. In other words, Paul is saying that these aspects of a calendar year are inconsequential in following Jesus. He is our rule and guide for doctrine and faith.
Having an accurate calendar system helps the Christian family over the centuries with its consistency, aiding in our celebrating Jesus' life, death and resurrection and in conducting life and business in the world we must work in but not be overtaken by worldly ways that are sinful.
So, those who want to follow a Hebrew type of calendar do not sin, and those wish to follow a solar year calendar does not sin either.
Most commentaries online take the 4th generation mentioned in Genesis 15:16 as just another way of describing the same span of 400 years (or 430 years) that the nation of Israel spent in Egypt which is covered in Genesis 15:12-14. This cannot be the case.
Genesis 15:16 answers Abraham's question in Genesis 15:8 about how he would know God would cause his seed to inherit the land God had brought him out of Ur to see that Abram was standing on in Hebron. The thought of asking God about when his seed would leave Egypt had nothing to do with Abrams question in Genesis 15:8, since he knew nothing about his seed going to Egypt until God revealed His plan in Genesis 15:12-14.
Numbers 14:13-25 shows that God made the Israelites wander in the wilderness according to Moses word, which specifically acknowledged God's right to visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the 3rd and 4th generations. The 1st generation that left Egypt punished as the fathers was 20 years old at the census in Numbers 1:1-54. The 2nd generation was their children who were born in Egypt and seen God's wonders, but who could not enter God's promised land until 40 years of wandering with their fathers had passed. That generation spent a maximum of 40 years of their years in military service wandering in the wilderness.
The 3rd generation would be born over the first 20 years in the wilderness and would spend a maximum of 20 years of their military service wandering in the wilderness. The 4th generation was born in the last 20 years in the wilderness and first served in the army after entering the promised land. The 5th generation spent no time in the wilderness and began entering the army 20 years into Joshua's campaign.
Caleb was promised Hebron when he was 85 years old, which was 5 years after Israel left the wilderness. Caleb was from the tribe of Judah, the first tribe to gain its inheritance, and he obtained Hebron before he turned 100, the age he would be 20 years into Joshua's campaign.
Jema, I think that it was changed to reflect account for the remaining days in year, one revolution around the sun takes 365 days and some small remainder. (this is why we have a leap year).. But the lunar year is 28 times 12 is 336. The Israelites needed to add a month into their calendar at some point (every so many years to coincide with the actual number of days it takes to go around the sun. 28 times 13 is 364 days. So a 13 month year still leaves 2 days each year (and some remaining minutes) short of what is actually occurring. Perhaps at one time the orbit of the earth around the sun was actually 364 days (13 lunar months) or 336 days (12 lunar months) but some spectacular event may have happened cosmically to change the distance of the earth from the sun or the shape of the orbit.
Therefore, the calendar was changed to a solar year to more accurately show the number of days it takes to revolve around the sun in a year's time. If a lunar year was strictly kept then the beginning of "spring" according to the Jewish calendar would come earlier and earlier each year eventually occurring in winter, then in fall, then in summer, and then in actual spring again.
Does anyone know where it says in Scripture that we are to keep time by the lunar phases or the orbit of the earth around the sun? I am not aware of a verse that explains this or that shows how time is amended every so many years to account for the difference between a lunar year and solar year. If there is not a command of God on this topic anywhere, then it is fine to keep track of months and years by a solar means or by a lunar means. (or to us AD and BC for that matter or go by what the Jews do keeping the year being from the creation of Adam up to present.)
Why is eternal torture in hell for the sinner / atheist etc , never mentioned in the old testament ? Why , when Israel wandered in the desert , led by Moses , when Israel sinned in all the different and frequent ways that they did , why didn't God ever say to Moses : tell the children of Israel that if they don't obey me , after they have died , they will spend eternity in a torture chamber , run by satan and his minions , being tortured day and night for all eternity ? Why didn't God ever tell them that that is what would happen to them , if that is what was going to happen to them ? Is God deceitful ? I don't think so . Is God very honest and open towards us ? Yes , He is . God says : the soul that sinneth it shall die and the wages of sin is death . Simple , honest , open , that is God's communication with us . He is not the author of confusion . How many Israelites would have been terrified into obedience if Moses had told them about an eternal torture chamber ruled over by a demon ? But that's not what Moses said because that's not what God said , anywhere in the old testament . I don't even see it in the new either , but by that time Israel was populated by all kinds of people from all kinds of religious , or rather idolatrous backgrounds who believed all kinds of fables and many of these myths and legends had found their way into Israel's hearts and minds . We see this in the divisions between the Pharisees and the Sadducees , both groups considered themselves to be faithful and loyal Jews but they both believed different things , they both had the scriptures ( old testament) they like us were reading the same book yet believed very different things . Why ? How did that happen ? It happens when myths and legends and fables from other civilisations creep in . If the Jews were divided then no wonder we are . We are much more aware of other cultures because they really are all around us in these last days . Just believe what it says , not what you think it says
In vs. 29 Moses reveals to the Israelites God's heart, "O that there was such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all of my commandments always, that it may go well with them, and with their children forever! God so desired that this nation would truly be people after His own heart, even though He knew that they would not be so.
God instructs Moses to tell the people to back into their tents, but Moses was to stay beside God and hear all that He wanted Moses to speak to the people before they enter the land of promise and possess it so that they will do all that God says to do in the land.
God speaks through Moses "Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land that ye shall possess."
Moses knew that he would not be entering this land. But he was faithful to tell to the people ALL that God instructed him to say and do. Moses was such a good example of selfless servanthood. He wasn't in it for himself, but for the benefit of this people God had chosen to fulfill His promises in and through. These people had already repeatedly turned away from God in the 40 years since they had traveled from Egypt and around the desert wilderness. Moses saw this happen again and again. It grieved his heart as it grieved the LORD's heart.
Now we have the Holy Spirit within us to make us know that God is with us and in us. He is the only true God and He is near, though transcendent in nature, He is near us in Presence.
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines a liar as someone who tells lies. No comment here on how great that definition is..:(
I will state as I have numerous times that no names need to be given here; just a mere mention of politics whether "donkeys or elephants" should suffice. I have said to people on occasion that a liar is worse than a murderer. The Apostle Paul is my "exhibit A" in that he at least was complicit in murder but did it in ignorance ( 1 Timothy 1:13). What we can't say is that he ever lied about his intentions; everyone knew his impassioned motives in the persecution. Lying is probably the most common methodology for maintaining a lifestyle of sin; if not lying to ourselves as to what we are doing and the consequences it is lying to others for self promotion. There are scriptural instances of lying where the midwives told Pharoah that the babies he wanted to kill were born before they could get to them. ( Exodus 1:19). There are other cases where for instance the full census wasn't given of the Israelites (Levites excluded) because the evil was sensed in King David's request that Satan himself had supplanted his heart to perform. I won't quibble here on that but certainly when we find a lie as the only way to preserve a life it is different than when it is merely self promoting.
In concealing a matter; as a case study we aren't helping ourselves ( Prov. 28:13). Hiding our sins is only going to be destructive. We will in time be found out. Lying of course can attempt to distract from any sort of transgression so again it seems that it may be most dangerous and deliberately at the end of sins leading to damnation. We need to heed carefully David's reaction when Nathan said "YOU ARE THE MAN" ( 2 Samuel 12:7). Saul wasn't ever able to repent; even though he said that he sinned ( 1 Samuel 15:24). This is like Pharaoh in Exodus 9:27 or Judas in Matthew 27:4. Worldly sorrow.
You asked this about the Apocrypha: "So if it wasn't "God inspired," how did it manage to remain between the Testaments for 270+ years?" Why the Apocrypha was included in the KJV until 1885 is a kind of mystery but it shouldn't be a cause to believe in this book as Holy Ghost inspired. What matters is this book contains some very serious false doctrines which proves it is not Holy Ghost inspired.
In 2nd Maccabees 12: 40-43 it gives credence in giving prayers and alms so that the dead can be forgiven and eventually go to heaven. After a major battle during the preparation for burial of soldiers who had died, it was discovered that each of them was wearing amulets of devotion to pagan gods under their clothes which was sin: "Then under the tunic of each one of the dead, they found sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this was the reason these men had fallen. So they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous Judge, who reveals the things that are hidden; and they turned to supplication, praying that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted out,"
In Baruch 3:4 it teaches that the dead can pray for themselves to eventually go to heaven. "O Lord Almighty, thou God of Israel, hear now the prayers of the dead Israelites, and of their children, which have sinned before thee, and not hearkened unto the voice of thee their God: for the which cause these plagues cleave unto us.
In Tobit 9:12 it claims that alms can purge away sin. "For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life:"
So whether we can give a precise reason why God allowed the Apocrypha to be included in the KJB for a time or not, it is a book to be avoided by true believers. God Bless :)
I was in a very odd situation with a former OPC church I attended where I was granted a sort of "partial" membership without ascribing to their stance on infant baptism. There are a couple other issues which would keep me out of a similar place in the future (that church shut down 6 or 7 years ago due to lack of attendance). I will say that it wasn't required that I believed in their stance on Postmillenialism; although I may have mentioned here in the past when it was brought up how foolish it was to believe in the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast in one of their sermons and I took them up on that they sort of backed down. It wasn't a requirement to adhere to their eschatology, although it was a rather cliquish sort of mentality at that place. I agreed to disagree with them without such banter so I thought it only fair; however of course it was their belief.
In any case; infant baptism has cast a rather nebulous picture in my mind as to explanations; somehow holding what children or infants were commemorated with when they become adults and rebel as if they had some sort of inherent partaking of a covenant; I suppose equivalent to the Israelites who were "baptized" by crossing the Red Sea. ( 1 Cor. 10:2). No one I know actually thinks someone is saved through infant baptism but nonetheless they seem in my mind to have carried on a Catholic tradition through the Reformers in the past. I also had a "rebaptism"; having argued beforehand the sprinkling of water should also be legitimate ( Ezekiel 36:25). In my case I had it done that way along with my wife at the time because she had a balance issue going totally underwater; but I rededicated myself to a commitment as a church member when I had an immersion at the founding of a church I used to attend at its inception almost 10 years ago. Seeing how quickly Philip baptized the eunuch in Acts 8; and the jailor with his family ( Acts 16:33) it should follow salvation quickly.
"And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?"And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." Evangelist Matthew reports after he cleansed the temple Jesus introduces himself as " My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (v.13) Compare how John treats the same cleansing of the temple, " And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."(John2:17). John places the emphasis on "My Father's house." It is in this gospel we have this citation, "I and my Father are one."( John 10:30). In the Gospel of Matthew the book introduced Jesus as the son of Abraham and son of David. (Matt.1:1) St John having presented the logos aspect of Jesus Christ gives us a concrete example in this cleansing. My house is as valid as My Father's house. John continues the Alpha aspect of Jesus by the next verse, "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."(v.17)
This just shows each Gospel has its inner logic and what drives them as one is the Alpha Omega aspect of the Son hitched to the word.
John 2:18-23
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?/Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up./Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?/But he spake of the temple of his body."
"Temple of the body" how marvelously the Spirit gives us a concrete image of the Word become flesh? We are made kings and priests into Jesus Christ and the church as his body must witness this aspect of our Savior Lord. (Re.1:6)
Levitical priesthood was set for the Israelites as befitting their bootcamp, while Order of Melchizadec is forever.
Me Personally have been going to church my entire life and not once have I ever heard the Priests, Pastor's preach this book in complete.
Which Is why most don't understand even though it's clear who the people are the book speaks of and who claim to be but are not.
The most high Yahweh leadath Israel into captivity in Egypt for disobeying his laws and sent Moses to being them out but they hardheaded Israelites continued there disobedience of his laws so the most high sent them into Egypt again this time on ships with yolks of iron upon thy necks sold to thy enemies separated from there children never to see them again given names and nationalities of the gentiles so they would no more be known as Israel and would work on pagan gods of the heathen so they will be broken.
In the wilderness the Israelites were led by pillar of cloud and of fire. They represent the two witnesses in Re.11. Baptism of water and of fire: one is John and the other 'an angel' the little one could be any saint, representing the world of the body prepared for the Son.
The Holy Spirit-the God of the earth-Re.11:4-take a look,he does not confound himself with what He Himself speaks and writes, with the things the spirit that is in man also speaks and writes, according the spirit of man that is in him,it means, in the mind or heart of man.Heb.4:12-13 reveal how he discerns thoughts and intents of the heart(of man). What does the Word of GOD say? John 3:31-34:
31 He that come from above is above all(the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth sent by JESUS who proceede from the Father- John 15:26 combined with John 16:12-15.Take a look):he that is of the earth is earthly,and speaks of the earth.He that comes from heaven is above all.
32And what he has seen and heard,that(only that)he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that GOD is true.
34For he whom GOD has sent speaks the words of GOD:for GOD gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.
That said,who will believe in the messenger sent here by JESUS from the part of the Father-Joo 15:26-, to announce the everlasting gospel,unto them that dwell on the earth,and to every nation,and kindred,and tongue,and people?(Re.14:6 combined with Re.11:15-18,and 1Thes.4:16,and Daniel 12:1-3,and Luke 18:8, and 21:24,and Re.11:2.Take a look)
What is the message of the everlasting Gospel?The angel MUST walks in the midst of heaven(heaven?Eph.1:3-8),having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,and kindred,and tongue,and people,SAYING: Re.14:7, with a loud voice,Fear GOD,and give glory to Him;for the hour of His Judgment is come(the righteous Judgment of GOD, the Judgment Seat of of Christ):and saying:worship Him that made heaven(next heaven, the 3rd- Luke 20:35-36),and earth(Israel-the true Israelites saved and sealed-Re.7:1-8:),and the sea(Gentile nations-peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues)and the fountains of waters(the Holy Scriptures- John 7:38.Take a look.
A wise deacon in our church has stated that we are in enemy territory currently on earth. Our state prior to salvation was an enemy of God as we were blinded by the god of this world to do his bidding ( 2 Cor. 4:4). Despite what may be assumed by some; there are numerous descriptions of hell in the Old Testament. There are also references to heaven and the Millennial reign of saints ( Psalm 61 seems to be a veiled reference to David in that capacity; for instance). We see also in the famous passage in Job 19:27 which alludes to a bodily resurrection where he will see God. Psalm 63:9 is another reference to hell; in sending enemies to the "lowest parts of the earth." As much as we may not comprehend these eternal truths; Proverbs 8:36 states that "all who hate me love death." (see also John 3:19-21 and 1 John 2:11).
Jesus makes it clear that He is the only way to salvation in John 10:9 and many other passages state the same thing; often in parables. Those who are not enlightened to this truth often have some scripture knowledge, but they can only see general statements about living a righteous life or see descriptions of God and only see God from afar; much as the Israelites did when wandering through the wilderness. Somehow man's myopic perspective focuses on characters in the Bible and considers those who were a prophet; or a "good teacher" and not understanding who is truly good; that is God alone ( Mark 10:18). This is why the man called Christ good in that passage; he was only seeing Him through human lenses rather than His true position as God in the flesh which only God Himself can reveal to someone ( Matt. 16:17).
These truths explain why man underplays his spiritual condition; he sees outer works and judges himself on them; and that based on his own set of scales weighing in his heart the "good vs. the bad"; ignoring God's perfect Holy standard. Worse still; he is blind to his sin NATURE which can only be changed God's way
This was a holy convocation, which the Israelite observed and also was heard by one other. The word of God is not only in your heart and was also heard. You spoke as Christ in you did speak; you also did all for the glory of God and even as Christ did, forgiving one other and in humility so you are seen as lights as effective witnesses of Christ. 'You are not to do any servile work' Servile work, and what does it mean? As epistles of Christ in your fleshy heart are you to ride the coattails of politicians of the day? Neither do you for some mead of praise and silver in your pocket, water down the Gospel of Christ.
This festival was celebrated at the beginning of the month Tisri, the first month of the civil year.
"Also at your times of rejoicing-your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts-you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings,"(Nu.10:10; 29:1-6)
Day of Atonement vv. 26-32
(See under A-Atonement)
The Festival of Tabernacles vv.33-44
"Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:,/ That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God./ And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.
'That your generations may know,' This is the commandment of God who is a Spirit. Living in a visible world only speaks part of the reality, which is our fellowship with God. We are bearing about also a spiritual space where truth is written in our inward parts. Heart it is called. How big is it? It all depends how deep your faith is.
Truth is what infinite mind of God has invested in the world of the Spirit, which is signified by heart. Where your treasure is where your heart will be found. Parable of the Rich Fool shows us a heart where not an inch of space could be found for God. He was not rich towards God for this reason.
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete(v.15)."
These seven weeks, called here Sabbaths, were to be complete, i. e., the forty-nine days must be finished, and the next day, the fiftieth, is the day of Pentecost. (See under N-numbers, command/five)
Here we see concept of sevens used , which signifies the command number 7. Similarly we see the Israelites setting out from their bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land is a kangaroo word within the blessings God promised Abraham. It is thus the Spirit has set the numbers in sequences the earth time within the reconstituted Time. So Pentecost falls the next day after 7X7. After the Ascension of Jesus we read that two men in white apparel stood by and said to those who were watching the Ascension, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Ac.1:11)". Thereafter the day of Pentecost fully had to come signifying there is a break between the two events.
(See the entry under M-Mode/Parenthesis)
By the same token we may examine this verse, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."(Dan.12:12) God blessed man on the sixth day ("And God blessed them,"-Ge.1:28)
In the preceding verse the man clothed in linen tells that "there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days." signifying a break between the outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon all souls on earth and the Jubilee year in heaven. It is New Jerusalem and the old is consigned to Lord's indignation. "For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment./The sword of the Lord is filled with blood/"(Is.34:5-8)
"Six days work shall be done" Le.23:3. For the Israelites it was the work of human hands, toil of the beasts and fruits of the field that counted as work. Their literalism was such they would not see it as anything else. The fact is borne out in the question they asked Jesus. "What shall we do that we might be doing the works of God?"( John 6:27-28). God sent his only begotten Son on whom was his seal of approval and they rejected him. If the horse has bolted the stable why the nation belabor themselves with the act of scrubbing the stable floor? By the same token when God has cast them out why cause the odium of genocide from the world as we see it in our times, over the name Jerusalem that is instead being built in the heaven places? New Jerusalem is where a believer may enter in the rest of God and in his Son.
Sabbath serves as a sign. "That ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you"(Ex.31:17a.) the shadow of good things to come. It was a sign of sanctification, which, however did not good to the nation of Israel for want of faith. Moses pleading 'blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written' was ineffectual. He was the servant (He.3:1-3) and not Son whose offering was perfect. His Son who he shall send according to His will in the fullness of time, refreshed him. So He sanctifies the seventh day. "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified (He.10:14)".
It is God who sanctifies and at His terms. God cannot deny his holiness, "And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book".
"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren(He.2:11).What Moses gave the nation of Israel was a shadow of good things to come.
The olive tree mentioned is in a secular context. Israel as the people of the Law were part of the olive tree. The burning bush that did not consume itself stood in relation to the tree of life. By the same token this olive tree is set in context of the everlasting dominion of the Son. God called out as He did with Moses to be the tree of righteousness. Israel corrupted themselves. "Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb./My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.."(Ho.9:16-17) In their place the Gentiles have come in. They were grated to the tree. St Paul calls it is not a permanent damage or gain for the Israelites and the Gentiles respectively. "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."(11:5) Election of grace is open for all in his Son. God is able to restore a remanant from Israel as well break off the Gentiles (Brances) that resist divine grace. So the churches need know on what they are grafted to.
"and if the root be holy, so are the branches." The church of Rome found the root of a pagan world empire to grow mighty. from it. Is the root holy? It is only like the tree that King Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream.(Dan.4:11-14) "He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches."(4:14).The command of God "Shake off the leaves, and scatter his fruit" is what we see about us, so many sects, denominations and what do they want? Prosperity! Make America great Again, Watchmen's Creed white Evangelicalism. What else can you expect from a 'mighty' but dead tree?
"Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us." Beware cedars!
The concept of "rest" is important in Scripture, and it has a deep spiritual meaning for Christians. As Christians, we understand that our rest is in Christ, who is our Sabbath. When we rest spiritually in Christ, we present ourselves as the people of God before his presence in continuous sacred assembly. We are always the church, in his presence every day of the week, not just one.
In conclusion, for most Israelites, the Sabbath was a day to rest at home, not a day to travel long distances and attend a worship service. The annual harvest festivals were the time for Israelites to enjoy communal worship and fellowship. Here is what the Expositor's Bible Commentary (volume 2, page 623) says about Leviticus 23:3:
[There is an emphasis here that the Israelite rested at home. There were special offerings given in the tabernacle (e.g., a double burnt offering), but the ordinary Israelite and his whole family rested. Presumably here was an opportunity for family worship and instruction in the law of God, but this is not specifically enjoined. What a boon a weekly rest must have been to the ancient laborer and farmer in his weary round of toil! ]
As did the Jews in their synagogue system, Christians find that regular fellowship and communal instruction is an important foundation of their religious life. As Christians, we are free to meet together at any time of the day, any day of the week, and any season of the year. We are not limited to meeting on just one day, since no day has been specifically set aside by God for Christian fellowship and worship. We are always in the presence of God and worship him continually because he and Christ reside in us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. At the same time, we can gather weekly and seasonally in small groups or in larger communal situations to praise God, to recall Christ's work of salvation and to fellowship in the Spirit.
End.
God bless.
Part 6.
LEVITICUS 23:3
Let us look at Leviticus 23:3 directly: "There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord." The verse emphasizes rest.
Since the passage is about resting and not working, it seems that the expression "day of sacred assembly" is a parallel to "Sabbath to the Lord" and refers not so much to official communal worship on the Sabbath but to the day itself as being a "sacred assembly."
The phrase "day of sacred assembly" can be understood as a "sacred day of celebration" or a "sacred occasion," as well as a "sacred assembly" or convocation. The weekly Sabbath, as well as the annual festivals, were occasions to worship and praise God for the abundance of his physical blessings and for saving Israel from bondage in Egypt. But this worship and praise could be given to God in the Israelites' participation in rest itself (thus experiencing the blessings of Yahweh through rest), as well as in contemplation and conversation at home.
By resting from their labor and self-interests on the weekly Sabbath, the Israelites were presenting themselves before God through rest. Resting was a way of being in the presence of God and fulfilling his sacred purpose. The only people who were commanded to come to the Temple for worship were the Levites and priests. On behalf of the entire nation, they performed
the prescribed ceremonies. There was no command for people to watch them, or for them to teach the people. It was simply not possible for very many people to be there.
See Part 7.
Part 4.
It would be strange, then, to have one phrase in Leviticus 23:3 refer to a weekly worship service commanded for all Israel, and then claim that this was just as important as resting as a way to keep the Sabbath. It would be a mistake to assume such a teaching from a single and vague phrase in one verse when the entire witness of the Old Testament does not mention worship service attendance in conjunction with the Sabbath.
There is no indication in Scripture of Israelites going to worship services of one kind or another in their local towns and villages. They could travel to worship services at the Tabernacle only for the annual festivals.
SYNAGOGUE SYSTEM.
One might point to the New Testament and say, "But Jesus and Paul attended the synagogue on the Sabbath. Doesn't this indicate that worship services were an essential part of God's command to keep the Sabbath holy?"
So far as we know from Scripture or Jewish history, there was no national system of Sabbath-day worship sites or places of communal instruction throughout Israel's history in the Promised Land up to the captivity of Judah in the 530s B.C. and the return of a remnant to Judea a few decades years later. There were no synagogues before the exile; there were no local meeting places in Israel before the exile, because there was no command for weekly meetings.
See Part 5.
Part 3.
WHAT MADE SABBATH "HOLY "
The essence of Sabbath-keeping was physical rest. In Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15, the Sabbath command specifies rest from labor as the way to keep the day "holy." There is no mention of going to a worship service each Sabbath. Other passages in the Old Testament also define the Sabbath by rest, not by attendance at worship services. See Exodus 31:12-17, Numbers 15:32, Nehemiah 13:15-22 and Jeremiah 17:19-27. The latter two passages, though they refer to Jerusalem, do not mention anything about failure to attend worship services or "sacred assemblies," but only work on the Sabbath as a desecration of this day.
An interesting study is to look up the word "Sabbath" in a concordance, find all the Old Testament references and then read those passages to see how this day was kept "holy." The conclusion will be that rest from labor is what made the Sabbath sacred time, not attendance at a worship service. Most Israelites lived too far from the tabernacle to attend a worship service every Sabbath - and there is no evidence in the Old Testament that they did. And the law did not allow them to assemble anywhere else for worship. Nor do we find commands even for people near the Tabernacle that they had to gather for worship. The Sabbath was kept at home, by resting.
There is no mention in Old Testament passages that attending a worship service on the Sabbath is a way of keeping this day holy. The way the Sabbath was sanctified, made holy or set apart as sacred was through physical rest from labor. All the Old Testament references to Sabbath observance in Israel speak to this point. There is no Old Testament theology of weekly Sabbath holiness that centers around attendance at "holy convocations."
See Part 4.
If performing the Sabbath rest is to be done on a Saturday, How is worshipping God on a Sunday be breaking the Sabbath?
God gave the command for the Sabbath in Exodus 20:8-11 to those "WITHIN THE GATES OF ISRAEL"
Not to the rest of the world.
In Numbers 15:32-36. there was a man stoned to death for picking up sticks!
I have never read anything like that happening or any punishment given to the rest of the world whether weekly Sabbath, yearly Sabbath or a Sabbath for the land.
THE COMMAND TO REST ON THE SABBATH WAS GIVEN TO ISRAEL AND THE WORSHIP BY ISRAEL HAD TO BE DONE IN A CERTAIN PLACE.
Here's an Interesting article by Paul Kroll.
Part 1.
Old Testament Laws:
Is Leviticus 23:3 a Command to Have Worship Services on the Weekly Sabbath?
We read the following command from Jesus in Luke 5:14, when he healed someone: "Show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." If one assumed that Jesus' teaching applied to all people at all times, it could be claimed that this passage is "proof" telling Christians they must offer the proper Mosaic sacrifice and appear before a Jewish priest.
However, we know that Luke 5:14 is not a command for us to offer sacrifices. How do we know this? It is because the total witness of the New Testament makes it clear that such sacrifices applied only to Israelites and Jews under the Mosaic old covenant. This illustrates the folly of isolating a verse from its context. We need to examine both the verse in question and the larger context of the Bible. We must not start with advance assumptions.
See Part 2.
I wanted to differentiate between that and those such as Messianic Jews who may choose to worship on Saurdays. I have attended meetings in several of these type settings when I lived in Pittsburgh; and have seen how there is a fairly good acceptance of other believers such as myself who worship on Sundays. Nonetheless; there are reminders with events not to serve food that isn't considered Kosher which I suppose is ok not to offend those of the Jewish faith we wish to bring to Christ by not allowing our liberties to dissuade men. In regard to Saturday sabbath; it is clear that the PENALTY is for those who are in Israel who are cut off from God that disobey the Sabbath. In that regard it appears to be uniquely there for the Israelites only; while other laws such as divorce count for all men (as we see from examples with pagans who were told; for instance not to touch Abraham and Issac's wife when they were passed off as sisters; and John the Baptist being martyred for a pagan marrying his brothers wife). We could say the same of course for murder which is something found originally with Cain well before the law was delivered on Sinai.
God may well establish again some of this during the Millennial reign at least with the Temple which will keep people ceremonially clean around glorified saints and Christ after He returns as well as be a reminder of Christ's sacrifice for sin.
PT. 2
To Moses, He says the same in Exodus 6:3
2 Sam. 7:26 says that The LORD Almighty is God over Israel. He is our God as well.
David speaks of resting in the shadow of the Almighty in Ps.91:1 WE, too, can rest in Him, as Jesus promised to give us rest when we come to Him.
Rev. 19:6 says the LORD God Almighty reigns. He is sovereign! He reigns far above all else. No one can rest His throne of glory from Him.
2 Chr. 32:7 says that the Israelites had a greater power with them than whom was against them.
His great power saves us. Ps. 20:6
Hosea 13:14 says that God has power to ransom His own from the power of the grave and death.
God's mighty power gave the Son the victory over death and the grave in raising Him from the dead to be alive evermore.
Luke 1:35 says to Mary that the power of the Most High will bring about the conception of the Holy One in her even as she is a virgin.
Rom. 1:20 says that God's power is eternal.
1 Cor. 1:24 says that Christ is the power of to those who are called. We do not have the power to save ourselves, but Jesus does.
And in 15:24 Paul says that God will put an end to all dominion. power, and authority after subduing every enemy, crushing them under the feet of Jesus.
Col. 2 :10 says that in Jesus is the head of all power and authority.
Heb. 7:16 says that Jesus had the power of an indestructible life.
How Great Is Our God, Great in Power, Great in Wonder, King of Heaven.
The Israelites were indeed reminded that the LORD God was always near to them - with them; and yet they should have known (or, maybe it wasn't revealed to them at that stage), that this God is also known by His compound Name, YHWH-Shammah: "The LORD Who is Present". And this we see in Ezekiel 48:35, the very last statement in the very last verse of Ezekiel's prophecy (which is generally understood to refer to Israel's existence in the Millennial Kingdom; Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48).
In that verse, the Hebrew reads, "wasem ha-ir mi-yowm Yahweh sammah" ('and the name of the city from (that) day (shall be) YAHWEH (is) THERE'). Israel of old knew that God was with them by all His marvelous Works yet they still resorted to the flesh & idolatry. But the day will come when they will truly know Him as Yahweh Shammah, the LORD Who is present, with them, very near to them, for Christ Jesus their Messiah will be the Lord Whom they will know & Who will rule over them (also speaks of Christ's indivisible Deity). And what we, as those who have now received Christ's Spirit in our hearts, know Him in a personal way & a powerful Presence in our lives, still remain to them as a distant hope & a vain search, all the while clouded in disbelief, darkness, & rejection of their Messiah's first coming. Thank you for reminding us that the LORD has never left us - He has constantly been involved in all our affairs, even though at times in our personal & global existence, He might appear absent. But unto 'us who believe, He is precious' & we ought to live in such a manner befitting His Name, 'the LORD Who is Present with(in) us'.
They are not to be afraid of the strong nations they will encounter when they go forth to take the lands. God promised to destroy the peoples. So it was not up to the might of the Israelites for the victory to occur, but upon the almighty power and will of God.
The part the Israelites will play in the conquest is to destroy ALL the people, ALL their idols and places of worship. The Israelites responsibility was obedience. God named the 7 nations they were yet to conquer.
He commanded them to not intermarry with members of the nations of this land. They are to be a people separate from the idolaters. They were not to intermix with them in marriage, business, and in everyday life. God knows the power of sin and temptation. He was warning them for their good, not just to put restrictions on their lives. It is wise to follow God in this way, to not be involved with idolaters, those who hate God, those who, in ignorance or rebellion fail to worship and serve Him. These idolaters do not have much to offer us in way of relationships. Their company will usually lead us into sin rather than bring reformation to them. But we still are to be witnesses in and out of season.
God promised to make the Israelites fruitful in every way. Being fruitful is a blessing, being barren is not. We should have this same attitude in our lives. We should greatly desire to be spiritually fruitful, fruitful in our work habits, fruitful in our marriage, fruitful in our relations with other believers as we pray and study the Word together.
I am thankful that I married a believer. This was God's doing. It has led us to have a harmonious marriage. We are coming up on our 44th wedding anniversary in a few weeks. God has blessed us so much. May we show gratitude to each other even more so in the years ahead!
"And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He hath commanded us."
Well, we know how that went. The Israelites found out that they could not, would not, and failed miserably to gain righteousness on their own because they were unable to keep from breaking God's commands. The Law shows us our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. The Israelites as a whole, must have thought that they could fall back on the sacrificial system to remove their sins when they failed God. But they could not truly say they gained their own righteousness because they could not keep the Law.
Only Jesus is righteous, completely sinless, and worthy of God's acceptance as a truly human person. His divine nature always remained divine, but His human nature needed to choose obedience to God always, and He did. His righteousness is imputed to us because He was the perfectly acceptable sacrifice for our sins. He did what we could never do, never sin, and be of such worth that His sacrifice took away all of our sins.
The Israelites grew accustomed to sinning against God, going after idols, and forgetting Him who delivered them from bondage. May we not fall into such a state. Thank God for giving us the Holy Spirit, without Whom we would not be able to continue in faith and obedience to God every day. God provides us with all we need for life and godliness through the work of Jesus for us and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us to sanctify us and empower us to desire to obey our God and Savior. He is the only One who can save us. Let always be turned toward Him, seeking Him wholeheartedly, hiding His word in our hearts, and sharing the hope we possess in Jesus, our Lord.
God then promises to be true to His promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to bring these descendants into the land promised. They will be blessed with the work of the people whom they drive out of the lands they will possess. God plans to give them good cities and homes to dwell in, fields, and vineyards, olive groves, and wells, none of which they planted, dug, or tended so as to be made full of the what the land will already have waiting for them. They will not have to begin from scratch as Noah and his family had to do after the flood. The land will already be ready for them.
But then, God warns them not to forget Him, nor to forget Egypt and the bondage they were brought out of. Rather, they are to fear Him, serve him, and swear by His name and not that of any other idol god. They are to stay clear of idols and the idolaters around them. They should not inquire about them or the way the pagans serve their idols. God says He is jealous for their worship and service and they are to not divide their religious faith and allegiance with idols that cannot help them nor save them.
The Israelites were to be careful about how they lived, worshipped, and taught their children. They are to be ready to explain to their children what God had done for them and why they are to worship Him alone by adhering to His commands, statues, and the good testimony of Him to Israel. We are to be knowledgeable of what we are to explain to our kids about the Lord and His truths. We are not to neglect this important aspect of parenting. I wish I had been even more diligent in doing this with my sons.
The chapter ends with these words:
Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD.
There is not a multiplicity of God that are true and worthy of worship. There is only One: YHWH
This statement will be of utmost importance when He sends His Son and the Holy Spirit, each of Whom is God, but not three Gods, but One unified Divine Being that is three distinct Persons in a relationship of love and unity. There is but One true God, no other, and ever will there be but one God to worship. In the fullness of time, God's elect will learn of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each who is to be worshipped and glorified, but we are to remember that God is One in substance, love, will, and workings.
The Shema goes on to say: Love the LORD your God with all of one's heart, soul, and strength. We are to love Him with all that we are: our minds, bodies, soul, powers, will, actions, words, thoughts, relationships, and emotions. There is nothing about us that we are to withhold from Him. All of us belongs to Him, We have been bought with a price, our life is not our own to live our own way, but to live to God.
God then tells them to put His words in one's heart. To know His commands thoroughly and to teach them to our children often. We are to be a holy example to our children, our spouse, our neighbor, those who are in authority over us, and those who we have authority over. We are to submit to God in all affairs, living according to God's ways, not our own sense of right and wrong. to do what is right in God's eyes, not what seems right in our own eyes.
We are to recall God's Word when we lay down to sleep and when we rise up, when we work and when we rest. The Israelites are to bind God's Law upon their wrists, put them as frontlets between one's eyes. God's ways were to be ever before them, keeping them from being double-minded or forgetful of what God requires of His people.d
First, God calls the Israelites to fear Him. This means to revere Him and understand that He is able to make alive or destroy, raise up or bring down, bless or curse. Recognizing His worthiness for obedience, worship, and service is emphasized in the term: fear. Remembering his mighty, miraculous, and awesome deeds done in the flight out of Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the water coming forth in the wilderness, the descent of God upon Sinai, the pillar of cloud and fire, quail and manna each morning, the deliverance from enemies, reminds that He is not a God who is weak and unable to do as He pleases or so congenial that one can take sin lightly and He will not require judgment, and that He is a God who cannot be stood up to and prevail. He puts down the proud and haughty, disciplines those He has chosen, and brings calamity upon the persistently disobedient. He takes offense at idolatry and His anger and wrath is fearsome. The Israelites needed to know all of these things in order to take Him seriously and, knowing that there is no other God to serve, they are obligated to obey, love and worship Him alone.
Then God says that His commands and statutes are ongoing. They pass on to the lives of one's children and grandchildren and future descendants. They are sure and consistent. God will not change nor amend them as time passes. They are for the good of the individual and the nation. (vs. 3)
God tells the people to hear Him, listen attentively and soberly with the intent to obey God's commands. In doing so, life will go well for the obedient. There will be increase of blessing in the life of the obedient, and prosperity in the land they will be entering, as promised to the forefathers.
Perhaps in the beginning the year was 12- 30 day divisions (360) days and perhaps the lunar month was also 30 days each. But a major cataclysmic occurrence like the flood or a meteor strike could have altered the orbit of the earth and moon along with the axis of the earth being tilted.
I think that this happened at some time in history. But with that being said. Nothing in the New Testament tells us that we are to gauge the yearly calendar by the Jewish method. What God asked of the Israelites in Exodus, and Deuteronomy and Leviticus was specifically for them at that time in history. In the world at that time people groups had their own calendars with their feast days and holy days and pagan celebrations. God wanted the Israelites to have this calendar He instituted so that this people would remain separate and distinct from the pagan peoples around them, celebrating the feasts, ordinances, and holy days He decided for them (which all point to Christ in some way).
In the Christian era, with Jesus being the completion of the promises, prophecies and fulfillment of all OT Scriptures, a calendar reflecting the life and works of Christ is more appropriate and is not prohibited in the NT writings. Paul says that each of us are to keep feast days, holy days, or Sabbaths according to our conscience or not according to our conscience and that whatever is not of faith is sin. In other words, Paul is saying that these aspects of a calendar year are inconsequential in following Jesus. He is our rule and guide for doctrine and faith.
Having an accurate calendar system helps the Christian family over the centuries with its consistency, aiding in our celebrating Jesus' life, death and resurrection and in conducting life and business in the world we must work in but not be overtaken by worldly ways that are sinful.
So, those who want to follow a Hebrew type of calendar do not sin, and those wish to follow a solar year calendar does not sin either.
Genesis 15:16 answers Abraham's question in Genesis 15:8 about how he would know God would cause his seed to inherit the land God had brought him out of Ur to see that Abram was standing on in Hebron. The thought of asking God about when his seed would leave Egypt had nothing to do with Abrams question in Genesis 15:8, since he knew nothing about his seed going to Egypt until God revealed His plan in Genesis 15:12-14.
Numbers 14:13-25 shows that God made the Israelites wander in the wilderness according to Moses word, which specifically acknowledged God's right to visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the 3rd and 4th generations. The 1st generation that left Egypt punished as the fathers was 20 years old at the census in Numbers 1:1-54. The 2nd generation was their children who were born in Egypt and seen God's wonders, but who could not enter God's promised land until 40 years of wandering with their fathers had passed. That generation spent a maximum of 40 years of their years in military service wandering in the wilderness.
The 3rd generation would be born over the first 20 years in the wilderness and would spend a maximum of 20 years of their military service wandering in the wilderness. The 4th generation was born in the last 20 years in the wilderness and first served in the army after entering the promised land. The 5th generation spent no time in the wilderness and began entering the army 20 years into Joshua's campaign.
Caleb was promised Hebron when he was 85 years old, which was 5 years after Israel left the wilderness. Caleb was from the tribe of Judah, the first tribe to gain its inheritance, and he obtained Hebron before he turned 100, the age he would be 20 years into Joshua's campaign.
Therefore, the calendar was changed to a solar year to more accurately show the number of days it takes to revolve around the sun in a year's time. If a lunar year was strictly kept then the beginning of "spring" according to the Jewish calendar would come earlier and earlier each year eventually occurring in winter, then in fall, then in summer, and then in actual spring again.
Does anyone know where it says in Scripture that we are to keep time by the lunar phases or the orbit of the earth around the sun? I am not aware of a verse that explains this or that shows how time is amended every so many years to account for the difference between a lunar year and solar year. If there is not a command of God on this topic anywhere, then it is fine to keep track of months and years by a solar means or by a lunar means. (or to us AD and BC for that matter or go by what the Jews do keeping the year being from the creation of Adam up to present.)
In vs. 29 Moses reveals to the Israelites God's heart, "O that there was such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all of my commandments always, that it may go well with them, and with their children forever! God so desired that this nation would truly be people after His own heart, even though He knew that they would not be so.
God instructs Moses to tell the people to back into their tents, but Moses was to stay beside God and hear all that He wanted Moses to speak to the people before they enter the land of promise and possess it so that they will do all that God says to do in the land.
God speaks through Moses "Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land that ye shall possess."
Moses knew that he would not be entering this land. But he was faithful to tell to the people ALL that God instructed him to say and do. Moses was such a good example of selfless servanthood. He wasn't in it for himself, but for the benefit of this people God had chosen to fulfill His promises in and through. These people had already repeatedly turned away from God in the 40 years since they had traveled from Egypt and around the desert wilderness. Moses saw this happen again and again. It grieved his heart as it grieved the LORD's heart.
Now we have the Holy Spirit within us to make us know that God is with us and in us. He is the only true God and He is near, though transcendent in nature, He is near us in Presence.
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