MasterTruth

Treasures in Abraham and Isaac

Without a doubt, Genesis 22 is one of the most amazing stories in the book of Genesis historically. The whole chapter is the movie we see in our minds of how God asks Abraham to offer Isaac, the promised seed, on the alter. Abraham, full of faith, commences to obey. Remember?

And he (God) said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. (Gen. 22:2)

Abraham and Isaac travel three days to a God-specified mountain in Moriah, which is likely what we know as Golgotha in the New Testament. (This is starting to look a little prophetic, isn’t it?)

Abraham lays the wood on Isaac who begins to wonder where the sacrifice animal is. Abraham makes his famous statement: My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering. (22:8) We can’t help but think forward to the capital L Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) Abraham proceeds to raise his knife to plunge it into Isaac as the offering, per God. (22:10)

And he (God) said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. (Genesis 22:12) It turns out that the actual Lamb of God would come around 1,900 years later.

God was so pleased that Abraham, not seeing the end result, obeyed Him. And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:  That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. (Genesis 22:16-18)

Do you notice that each of the three statements from God in our story share a five-word phrase in common? thy son, thine only son. (Gen. 22:2, 10, 16) We already saw that this historic account is also prophetic. Who else had a son, an only son, offered up as a sacrifice? How about this: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

That’s tidy. We have linked the Old Testament and New Testament. But oops, there’s one problem. Isaac wasn’t Abraham’s only son. Remember that baby he made with Sarah’s handmaid Hagar—Ishmael? Oh him. A Bible critic would ding God and the Bible for the “error” in calling Isaac Abraham’s only son. Three times. In one chapter.

Here’s a Bible-study lesson. Take a faith-based approach to the Word of God. Trust His Word in the same way that Abraham trusted God. When you find something you can’t explain like what I’ve pointed out, rather than doubt and condemn, realize that God is smarter than you and there is a hidden treasure under that oddity.

Think about it. God also had another son. Here’s the verse: Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. (Luke 3:38) So, you could say that Jesus was the second son of God. What’s the significance of that? Look at the blog post just under this one for that answer.

One last point. After Abraham proves his faith by offering Isaac, God finishes His sevenfold promise of land and a “seed.” Abraham’s faith and act sealed the covenant. (Reminder, God visited Abraham seven times to outline His covenant. See Genesis chapters 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21 and 22) After this seventh and final visit, Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba. (Genesis 22:19) Beersheba means “well of the sevenfold oath.” This is where Abraham settled. That is the bow on this historic and prophetic story. Never forget. God declares the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10) What do you want to bet that this well of the sevenfold oath is significant in the future of Israel? I’ll bet there will be a conflict there just before or after the rapture. (Study Gen 21 to learn more about Beersheba.)

R&J Shee

See the Ways of God

Remember when God told Abraham to leave his kin and go to a land that He would show him? Notice that he and Sarah obeyed for awhile, then took a detour to Egypt to avoid a famine. Let’s march right past Abraham’s huge judgment lapse in making Sarah identify him as her brother rather than her husband, thus allowing Pharoah to steal her for a short time.

When they finally left Egypt and got back on track, Sarah emerged, not with a new handbag, but with a new handmaid. And if Abraham erred greatly in allowing Pharoah to steal Sarah, Sarah had her own severe lapse in judgment a little later. She ordered Abraham to help God in fulfilling His promise of a “seed” by having Abraham “go into” her handmaid and make a baby.

We all know that first baby of Abraham’s via Sarah’s handmaid was not the promised seed. It was the second baby, Isaac, through whom the promised seed of Jesus and the nation of Israel would be born.

We have two major points to make here. Both involve “the ways of God.”

Abraham’s blind obedience to Sarah’s suggestion of making a baby by her handmaid Hagar was part of God’s sovereign plan. God intended to use it as an instructional allegory story in the New Testament. How do I know this? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants. (Gal. 4:22-24a)

Also note, God unveils His “promised seed” plan to Abraham in seven visits, each time giving him a little more information about this land and people covenant. In the first three accounts, nowhere does God tell Abraham the promised seed will be from his union with Sarah. After three visits from the Lord that yielded no child, they both could have assumed there could feasibly be another way to make that baby, seeing that Sarah was barren. It was only after Ishmael was born by Sarah’s handmaid that God revealed the promised seed would be Sarah’s yet-unconceived baby. Oh! Why didn’t He make that clear sooner? Because He intended for it to work out how it did.

“I believe everything happens for a reason” is such a common philosophy these days. Even unsaved people say that. If only they knew the God who orchestrates the purpose for the way things happen.

The other lesson to draw from these two opposing children of Abraham’s is that one of God’s repeated ways is to oversee that the first-born son is the “wrong” one to accomplish God’s purpose. And this is in a culture where the first-born son is the most highly regarded. But with God, the second son turns out to be the preferred. Examples, you ask?

• Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-16): Cain was born first to Adam and Eve. He offered the wrong sacrifice. Abel, the second son, offered an acceptable sacrifice to God. Cain became angry and jealous and murdered Abel.
• Ishmael and Isaac (Gen. 17:18-21, Gen. 21:1-21): Isaac was the second son of Abraham. He was born to his wife Sarah, while Ishmael, the first son, was born to Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid. Isaac was the promised heir per God’s covenant promise.
• Jacob and Esau (Gen. 25:19-34, Gen. 27): Jacob was the second son of Isaac and Rebekah. She loved him more than her firstborn, so she connived to get Jacob the first-born blessing and birthright in place of first-born Esau. This led to a long-lasting conflict between the two brothers.
• Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:13-20): Ephraim was the second-born son of Joseph. Come time for Jacob to bless the sons of Joseph, he placed his hand of blessing on Ephraim rather than first-born son Manasseh. This led to the tribe of Ephraim becoming more prominent in Israel’s history.

Why is this a signature move of God? Because this is a flashing arrow pointing us to the fact that the first son of God (Adam, see Luke 3:38) was not the prominent son. He introduced us ALL to sin. The right Son of God is Jesus. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit... For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Cor. 15:45&52) God does all things after the counsel of His own will. Jesus was the second Son of God on earth, and through Him, now WE have the power to become the sons of God! (John 1:12) It's a huge deal to God.

R&J Shee

The Seed of Progressive Revelation

One of the beauties of the Bible is that through the 66 books, God chose to progressively reveal His plan for the ages. It’s aptly called progressive revelation. One ancient theologian described it, “What at first is only obscurely intimated is gradually unfolded in subsequent parts of the sacred volume, until the truth is revealed in its fulness.”

One brush stroke sweeps across the whole canvas of the Bible as the main theme: God’s kingdom with Jesus Christ ruling and reigning. The brush is first set on the canvas of time with this Genesis verse: And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman (Israel), and between thy seed (antichrist) and her seed (Jesus & Israel); it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen 3:15) Get some popcorn and read the Bible. It’s about a seed.

But you know, if you just read that Genesis verse and nothing else, you have no idea who the seed and the woman are. You might just read over it as interesting history and move on looking for your verse to get you through the day.

I point this out for several reasons related to “how to study the Bible.”

First, God said the beginning and the end tie together: Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. (Isa 46:10) From that verse, we see that our heavenly Creator is not only the creative author of the scriptures we study, but He also sovereignly rules over the situations and events they describe. If you want to get to know God better, get to know the scriptures. If God’s glory is unfathomable, so is His word, including the history it describes and the method He uses to communicate it. He chose progressive revelation.

Second, if you are a “find my verse for today” kind of Bible reader, you have a “milk” approach to the Word. God says, Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isa. 28:9-10) In other words, only when you compare scripture with scripture will you discover each passage is more than just history. You dig to discover how this place in Genesis relates to Jesus before He was even born, and to His second coming, which is still to come. When you do that, you are enjoying the meat of the word. Some people have never tasted this meat before, and they don’t realize there is more than milk. Meat is delicious!

We have a little micro example of progressive revelation in Genesis with the covenant God makes with Abraham. He doesn’t give the full story to Abraham all at once. He unfolds it in seven visits. That is certainly tidy. Seven is the number of completion. We can call these seven installments of God’s plan to Abraham progressive revelation. The messages from God spanned 25 years between the first and sixth visit, and then ever how many years old Isaac was when God asked Abraham to sacrifice him.

1.     Gen. 12:1-3	God calls Abram to leave his country and family and promises to bless him and make him a great nation.
2.     Gen. 13:14-16	After Abram fully obeys and he and nephew Lot part ways, God reiterates His promise to give Abram’s seed the land of Canaan.
3.     Gen. 15:4-16	God makes a covenant with Abram, promising him countless seed in number and defines the boundaries of the land they would inherit.
4.     Gen. 17:1-22	God establishes a new seed covenant with Abram, changing his name to Abraham and introduces the practice of circumcision as a sign of the covenant. God also changes Sarai’s name to Sarah and promises she will bear a son.
5.     Gen. 18:1-33	The Lord, with three angels, reaffirms His promise that Sarah will bear a son and tells Abraham about His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
6.     Gen. 21:12-13	God instructs Abraham to listen to Sarah and send Hagar and Ishmael away, promising that in Isaac his seed would be called, but also promises that Ishmael will become a great nation.
7.     Gen. 22:15-18	God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. After Abraham demonstrates his obedience, God reaffirms His seed covenant and blessings.

Throughout the Bible, beginning to end, there’s a tussle between Satan’s seed and the seed promised to Abraham that would ultimately bruise Satan’s head. The seed is Jesus, but it’s also as numerous as the stars of heaven and is Israel. The seed is dual. You see the brilliance of God?

God sweeps that paintbrush through the Bible until we get the last reference to that seed in what completes this hue of the picture of progressive revelation: And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 12:17) The dragon ultimately ends up in the lake of fire.

That’s just a limited view of the brush sweep over the whole Bible. There are many more truths that have their beginning, or first mention, in Genesis that play out through the Bible. The Old and New Testaments intricately weave together in a picture of progressive revelation.

In closing, if you tend not to read the Old Testament, ask God for a hunger for it. Ask Him to open your eyes to learn more about Him. He will show you.

R&J Shee

Watching for the Fulness of Times

For all you Bible study students, we are going to dive into the deep end, starting with the third time God told Abraham His grand plan for him and for the nation that would come out of him. As we look,  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. (Isa. 46:9-10) God is in control, and He’s ruling the affairs of man, nations, kingdoms, past present and future. Prophesy is Him declaring (foretelling) the end from the beginning.

God had a kingdom plan that was related to Abraham that He unfolded to him in seven installments. Abraham couldn’t have handled it all at once. But also, God used His signature number seven. In God’s first mention of His kingdom prophesy to Abraham, all God said (in Gen 12:1-3) was that Abraham was to leave his land, and God would make him a great nation. Today, let’s jump to God’s third explanation after Abraham finally asked some questions when God spoke of his future: And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs (Egypt), and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve (Egypt), will I judge: and afterward shall they (Israel) come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again (the promised land): for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. (Gen. 15:13-16)

God is eager to reveal His plan. Here are some notes about what He just told Abraham before Abraham even had a child:

• The nation that would spring from his loins would be slaves in Egypt for 400 years.
• God would do that because He planned to judge the Egyptians (All those plagues were God’s judgement on wicked Egypt).
• God would allow the Israelites to escape to the promised land after gathering all the “great substance” from the Egyptians. (Ex 12:35-36)
• Israel’s return to the promised land would actually involve two judgments. Not just the Egyptians, but also the Amorites in the promised land of Canaan.
• Implied, it would take 400 years for the iniquity of the Amorites in Israel’s promised land to be full.

What is the iniquity of the Amorites that had to be full first?

The fact that God even said that reveals how He thinks differently than we do, because He’s the supreme, sovereign God. When the Amorites, who were Canaanite giants (see Amos 2:9-10), would become as wicked as they could be, deserving of judgment, God would send in the Israelites to clear out the land as God’s hand of judgment on the wicked. This situation would alternately present itself as His hand of mercy on the Israelites as He fulfilled His promise of giving Abraham’s seed the promised land.

This answers the question, “Why did God order the Israelites to kill people when they entered the promised land?” or “How can a loving God legitimize war?” It was because those people’s wickedness was full. Israel was God’s hand of judgment on them. Never forget that our loving God is also a just, righteous and holy God who judges sin.

By the way, what were the abominations of the Amorites that became so full and deserved such judgment? I challenge you to read Lev. 18. You will be astounded. Read the whole chapter. It’s pretty much about one genre of sin. I will just point out 2 verses of warning for the conquering Israelites: Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) Lev. 18:26-27.

I’ll conclude where we started. God declares the end from the beginning. Not only did God reveal to Abraham the certain future of Israel before there even was an Israel. He revealed the end of the Bible from the beginning, here in Genesis. God’s redeemed will leave the world (of which Egypt is a type) when the fullness of wickedness is complete. Believers in this church age will be raptured out. And then will come the tribulation followed by Christ’s second coming—but not before the iniquity that is worth the eternal wrath of God is full.

Here's a verse you might never see the same way again:

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. (Eph 1:9-10) Perhaps you’ve thought the “fulness of times” would come when “the last person who will get saved gets saved.” But don’t forget that God sees the fulness of times from multiple angles. I propose it’s also when the world gets so wicked, God finally calls it.

Final thought. What will be the clue that the iniquity of the world is about full? For one possibility, read Lev. 18. It’s your homework.

R&J Shee

Abraham's Big Blunder Didn't Stop God's Plan for His Life

As we move through human history in Genesis, we come to God’s course-altering promise to Abraham in chapter 12. Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing (Gen. 12:1-2).

What a grand way to start the chapter. But in the 18 verses that follow, we go from A) God’s amazing call and promise to Abraham to B) Abraham ending up in the promised land and building alters to God to (C) Abraham moving away from the promised land into Egypt because of a famine to D) Abraham assuming Pharoah will “want” his wife, and to spare his own skin, he makes a plan to allow Pharoah to peacefully take her from him. “So long, sweetie.”

How quickly he spirals into absurdity!

But my purpose here is not to drag Abraham through the mud. I want to point out a few things:

While Abraham was in charge of directing the affairs of their married life as the man of the household through whom God directs, Sarah was in charge of her responses. God doesn’t share her response or attitude here in Genesis. We like to imagine what our response would be. But we DO get her attitude in 1 Pet 3:1-6. She handled it like a champ, becoming one of our great role models.

But here’s the “rest of the story” from Gen. 12. It doesn’t end with Sarah becoming part of Pharoah’s haram. It ends with a “but God” moment. Read Gen. 12:17-20. God plagued Pharoah’s household because he took Sarah. Pharoah got to the bottom of it and discovered that Sarah was actually Abraham’s wife. The situation knocked some sense into Pharoah and he gave her back unharmed and sent them away after rebuking Abraham for allowing this situation to happen in the first place.

Here are the things I see from this chapter:

• No matter what the situation, God is in control. He can change bad circumstances around.
• When the husband makes seriously stupid choices, the wife’s correct response is to repeat these 2 verses: The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Ps. 118:6&8) And then, actually trust the Lord! It takes practice, but there’s victory to be had.
• God had a plan for Abraham and Sarah’s life. He already stated it earlier in the chapter. God will see to it that His plans and purposes are fulfilled. Nothing can stop it. Not even the forks in the road where we take the “wrong” turn.
• God can use unsaved people to help steer our lives into God’s paths. They don’t realize they are tools in God’s hands.

You probably already know all this, but look at it from a different perspective in the poem below.

Jody

Headlines and Humdingers

I don’t know about you, but lately, my jaw drops from reading headlines… before I even read the sordid details underneath them.

The world’s circumstances are epic in scope. See if you feel it here, and I’m just taking a few headlines from the last 2 days (Feb. 23-24, 2023) from the website Rapture Ready:

• Two powerful winter storms hit U.S., leaving more than 2 million people without power
• Very strong and shallow M6.8 earthquake hits Tajikistan
• US can’t keep pace with China’s warship buildup, warns Navy Secretary
• Percentages of Americans identifying as LGBT doubles over past decade: Gallup
• Loud booms heard in Texas were due to 1,000-lb meteoroid exploding, Nasa says
• Pope Francis calls on humanity to unite around one world religion
• Cyber attack on produce giant Dole shuts down production plants in North America

All these headlines combined with what we experience in the world around us every day simply underscores that we are in a heightened spiritual wrestling match. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Here’s a needed spiritual sanity check. Ever how wacko it gets out there, remember that God “keeps” you. I looked up what it means to be “kept” online—as in a “kept woman.” The term is often used to imply that the woman is dependent on the man for her livelihood and does not have a significant source of income or independence. It is important to note that the concept of a “kept woman” can be viewed as problematic... (source: ChatGPT)

That is proof that the world (including artificial intelligence) does not think like God thinks. God delights in “keeping” those who trust in Him. Tortured souls find rest in allowing God to be strong while we admit we are weak.

Let’s let the water of the Word cleanse our minds and spirits as we bathe in these “kept” and “preserved” verses. These are humdingers for the soul:

1. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. (Psalm 16:1)
2. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (Psalm 17:8)
3. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. (Psalms 37:28)
4. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (Psalm 91:11)
5. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah. I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. (Psalm 140:4-8)
6. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:29)

Worldlings, who don’t think like us, say, “Ah, Jesus is just a crutch.” But they don’t understand. He’s not just a crutch. He’s the whole hospital! We need to take our body, mind, soul and spirit to Him every day and collapse before Him in utter dependence. Only then can we go out and face the day!

Jody

Signs and Billboards

Raise your hand if sometime in your life you’ve secretly asked God for a sign—for any reason. Maybe it was to help you make a decision, or to gain assurance that the decision you already made was the right one.

Perhaps you will find it comforting that God understands our desire (and need) for signs. The first mention of the word signs in the Bible comes as early as the fourth day of creation when He made the sun, moon and stars. God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: (Genesis 1:14)

We emphasize the “first mention” of words in the Bible because they often reveal a message God wants to send throughout the Bible in the form of pictures and types. There are hidden treasures to be found in first mentions.

Read this creation verse again. What are the stated purposes of the sun and moon?

1. They divide day from night.
2. They are the agents for changing seasons, days and years.
3. They are for signs.

We can understand the sun, moon and stars in terms of day, night and seasons. But what about signs? That sounds a little mysterious. On purpose. God opens the door right here to use those ever-visible solar elements as sign language.

A sign is a signal or banner. When you raised your hand and said you’ve asked God for a sign before, you meant some visible indication of God’s direction and approval. On a much grander scale, the sun, moon and stars are billboards with a “message of proof” from God. What do they prove? See if the following verses scattered throughout the Bible shed some light on that.

• The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. (Psalms 19:1-6) The sun is a daily picture of Jesus as bridegroom. The body of true believers is His bride. He wants everyone to be His bride. The sun calls out to all of us every day… trust Jesus and be His bride!
• When Jesus hung on the cross, crowd members were all lost in their own thoughts. The chief priests, scribes and elders challenged Him. They said that if He had the power to save others as He claimed, He should prove it by saving Himself and coming down off that cross. (Mathew 27:42) Then they would believe. In other words, they dictated the sign. But instead, Jesus died, and God used the sun to authenticate Him. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45) This early darkening of the sun was unnatural. So was the ensuing earthquake. Those watching suddenly believed.
• As it turns out, the absence of the sun (and thus darkness) authenticates judgment. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jude 1:6)
• But for believers, our future promises eternal light. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Revelation 21:23)
• Finally, the light in believers’ lives authenticates Jesus, the light of the world, and draws folks to Him. (Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The sun’s representation of Jesus radiates as one of the most dazzling and profound truths in the Bible to me. I’ve written about it before here.

I love that the first mention of signs is in connection with the sun. God is no discriminator. The sun is obvious to everyone every day. And, every single one of us will be held accountable for getting this sign right. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:19-21)

Many have mistaken the meaning of this sign. The sun has played a significant role in the religious beliefs and practices of many cultures throughout the ages, inspiring the creation of many structures dedicated to its worship.

People, get this straight. Do not worship the sign. Worship the creator of the sign and the One to whom it points. Jesus Christ.

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. (Malachi 4:2a)

Jody

God is a Fashion Designer

You’ve heard the phrase clothed and in his right mind. It means sane and dressed appropriately. We’re going through Genesis and picking out “first mentions” of various words. Today, we’re looking at the first mention of the word clothed, which we find to be instructional. The meaning we dissect from a first mention often points to a doctrine or picture that God wants us to see throughout scripture.

Adam and Eve had just sinned. They lost their light covering. Now they were naked and ashamed. It was the first visible manifestation of the result of the original sin of mankind. Here is the first mention:

Let’s meditate on this by asking some simple questions that this verse answers:

1. Did God instantly obliterate Adam and Eve for sinning? No.
2. How did God handle this sin and their obvious angst over feeling naked? He made them clothes.
3. What were the clothes made of? Skins.
4. Don’t skins come from animals that have to die first in order to get their skins? Yes, and perhaps it was a lamb. Because to cover our spiritual nakedness, didn’t the lamb of God have to die?
5. How did Adam and Eve put these clothes on? God did it for them. He dressed them. They didn’t have to do anything. (Read the verse again.)

The big picture that emerges from the answers to these simple questions is that God deals with sinful people mercifully. He knows we are undone with our guilt and shame. He killed a lamb (Jesus) to clothe us in His way. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6). Additionally, He’s the one who clothes us. We don’t clothe ourselves. You could say that the clothes God dressed Adam and Eve with were gracious gifts. (Read Ephesians 2:8-9)

So, in the first mention of “clothing,” God clothes man (and woman). They don’t clothe themselves. Is this reminiscent of what God does throughout Scripture? See if these verses don’t shine a little brighter now that God has established his specialty to clothe people.

• Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Luke 12:27-28)
• I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)
• When Christ returns, those He has clothed with the garments of salvation are coming with Him. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)

The takeaway today is that God loves to clothe undeserving people—all the way from Adam and Eve clear to we the saints whom He clothes and brings back with Him at His second coming. We will mount up to help Him conquer the insurgents leading to Jesus Christ reigning as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We will be the ultimate specimens of clothed and in our right minds!

Jody

What is the First Thing God Said?

Whenever I study the Bible, there’s one little guideline I keep in my “study tool box.”  It’s called “the law of first mention.” I can’t tell you why, but usually the first time a word, truth, picture or type is revealed in the Bible, its meaning carries throughout the Bible. If it’s true the first time, it’s true throughout. It outlines a doctrine that will carry through the Bible, because God is a God of order, and He is faithful. Examples:

• Grace: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Gen 6:8) It’s unmerited favor that God imparts.
• Serpent: (as in Satan) Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Gen 3:1) He is crafty and sly, and look at his MO. He plants doubt about what God said. (There’s a whole paper on how Satan gets people to doubt God’s word today here.)
• Merciful: And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his (Lot’s) hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. (Gen. 19:16) This was God’s way of sparing “righteous Lot” from God’s judgment. God withholds what we deserve.

I am studying Genesis this year. I’m giving myself the whole year, and I’m going to do it through the lens of “first mentions.” Not all of them, because face it, every word in the book of Genesis is mentioned the first time in the Bible right there.

But let’s DO look at the first time “God said.” I’m thinking that whatever God records in the Bible as the first thing “He said” should be pretty important in the context of the law of first mention. Whatever it was “He said,” I’ll bet will carry through the Bible as a word, truth, picture, type or doctrine. So think this through with me. The first thing God said must be super important. So we must pay attention:

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Gen 1:3)

• We know to this point, darkness covered the earth. So first thing, “God said, let there be light.” This was Day One.
• But don’t mistake that for the sun. That wasn’t created until Day Four.
• All else that God created hinged on “God said, let there be light.”
• Darkness flees when there is light. God speaks a clear contrast for darkness.
• Darkness represents evil. Light represents good. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. (Gen 1:4)

Does all this picture something that happened later on? Read with me:

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12) If you have Jesus, you need not live in darkness any longer. But folks don’t readily come to the light, do they?

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19)

But this carries even further than God sending Jesus to save us from our sins. Usually, we find that whatever truth we learn in “the law of first mention” carries even beyond Christ’s coming.

Look at what happens when we get to heaven. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Rev. 21:23) You know, “God said let there be light,” and from that point forward forever, there is light—in Jesus and in His word.

What? His word is light too? Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Ps. 119:105) Jesus and God’s word are light—and they always will be. Remember that point about the wily devil trying to get Eve/us to doubt what God really said, because he wants us all in his evil darkness? Do we have God’s word today? Some people don’t think so. Some think we only had it in the original languages they were written in, and now… not so much. That thinking is a trick of the devil. Again, read here for more on that.

Follow with me as we explore “first mentions” in the book of Genesis.

Jody

What Does it Take to Study the Bible?

A good New Year’s resolution would be “to study the Bible more.” To some folks, that idea sounds as burdensome as climbing a mountain. I’ve had seasons like that, especially when I’ve gone for a long time not getting into the Bible. But I’ve discovered a way to study it that really isn’t hard at all—and it is so rich. Life altering, really. I’ll share it.

First, you only need two things to study the Bible: the right tools and a healthy curiosity. But you have to have both. One without the other won’t work.

What are the right tools? Before I tell you, I have to ask you to set aside a tool that you may currently use. That is Bible study guides written by your favorite teachers. Go ahead and put those on the shelf for now. You will thank me later. OK. Done that? Now you need a computer (a laptop will do) with a good Bible app on it. So, I guess you’re also going to need a desk or table and a chair. Sounds like school, I know. Perhaps. But don’t school students need a computer, a desk and a chair? Ah.

There are some good free Bible apps you can download on your computer. My favorite is Bible Analyzer. Another is e-Sword. I encourage you to click the links here and have a look. I like them because these are searchable Bibles. You can type in words and phrases and find everywhere they are mentioned in the Bible. You can then copy and paste them into a computer file. So instead of taking your notes in a physical journal, you will take notes in a document on your computer. Is this starting to sound too academic? Remember our topic is studying the Bible.

If you have a laptop with Microsoft Word and a Bible app, along with a nice cleared off desk and a chair with armrests, you are ready to study the Bible!

The second thing you need to study the Bible is a healthy curiosity. That’s because without it, you will have no desire to seek and search anything. Here are some tips on “how to be curious.”

• How many times does the Bible say X? You fill in the X. How about “the just shall live by faith” I’m using the KJV (here’s why). Those exact words are found in three verses. I copy and paste them into my Word file, and I read 3 or 4 verses before and 3 or 4 verses after each reference, and it gives me an idea of what and why the Bible says this.
• In Gen 22:8, Abraham is offering Isaac, and Abraham says (after Isaac asks about the lamb to be offered) “God will provide himself a lamb.” I think I know what that implies about Jesus being the lamb, but how can I find that? If you’ve downloaded one of the two apps I suggested, if you go to Gen. 22:8, you will find many cross references (more than in the margin of your Bible) that explain that. Look up those cross references and be amazed at how Jesus totally saw Himself as that lamb.
• There really seems to be something with the number 7 in the Bible. It seems to be God’s signature number. In your Bible app, look up such phrases as “seven days” or “seven times” or “seven years.” You’ll only do that if you’re curious. Expect to learn something when you look those up. See what I mean?

That was pretty simple, wasn’t it? Maybe you need a third thing to study the Bible. Accountability. You see the value, you’re curious, you have the tools, but you’re not sure you have the willpower. You need some forward momentum.

One time in my 20s or 30s, as a single, I decided one Saturday morning that if I was going to keep up with daily Bible study and reading, I was going to need to hold myself accountable to someone. Seriously, I went through my friend list trying to decide who might be the best candidate to hold me accountable. One name rose to the top. Debbi. I decided to call her. But before I could dial the phone, my phone rang. It was Debbi. How “coincidental.” But even more so when, before I could say more than “hello,” she asked me a question: “Could I be accountable to you to read my Bible every day?” I shared with her how I was thinking the same thing at the same time. It had to be of God. From there, we took turns calling each other every morning for several months to make sure each of us was up and ready to read. It was exactly what both of us needed. So, I’d like to suggest the same thing. Find someone who will hold you accountable for a set length of time, like a month, or six months.

Decide to be one of a small private club that actually studies the Bible and learns the riches of Christ, making a difference in your life—and those around you as you interact positively with what you learn.

Jody

David's Last Class Act

Today is the last day of 2022, and I’m finishing a year of studying David as a type of Christ from 1 and 2 Samuel. In the next to the last chapter of 2 Samuel (chapter 23) I posted last time of David’s last words in verses 1-5 and how they were obviously prophetic of Christ. As I meditated on that, I realize it underscores how David, king of the Jews, mimicked Jesus, King of the Jews. Both were not only kings, but prophets.

Now I’ve ended up in chapter 24, the last chapter. If chapter 23 was David’s last words, what was there left to finish off with in chapter 24? I read with anticipation, because there must be a hidden gem to cap off David’s life as type of Christ. And here it is:

After David’s last kingly words in chapter 23, he ends by offering a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. The end of chapter 24 (verses 16-25) is very much about Araunah’s threshing floor where the angel of the Lord told David to build an altar. In fact, Araunah’s threshing floor is so overstated, it shouts something. But what? So, how’s this for a Bible study method? I Googled, In the Bible, where was Araunah’s threshing floor? In bold letters, the answer came back Mount Moriah. Oh! That’s the same place Abraham offering Isaac and where Jesus was crucified to make atonement for the sins of the world. With all this in mind, I pondered (the biblical word is meditated) and came up with these concluding thoughts:

• David, king of the Jews, who was also a prophet (many of his Psalms were prophetic), ended his life by acting also as priest in offering a sacrifice. Christ’s last act was priestly. He Himself became the sacrifice.
• In the next to the last verse, David refused Araunah’s offer of a free sacrifice animal. The king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. Doesn’t that piece of the story make sense now? He’s picturing something. Christ’s sacrifice cost Him everything.
• The very last verse says this: And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel. Prophetically, without Christ’s sacrifice, the plague of death because of sin would have no end.
• The Bible is not “all about me.” Capture this. David was king of the Jews. It was the sins of the nation of Israel that he was atoning for (the last chapter begins with this: And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.) Don’t forget where we are in 1 and 2 Samuel. The Old Testament is written to and about the Jews, and for our learning.
• In the New Testament, Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t just for the Jews. It was for the world (John 3:16). But never forget, one of Christ’s titles is King of the Jews, and His atonement was just as much for Israel as a nation, which they will realize all at once in the future. (Jer. 31:34) And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

I just find the Old Testament so glorious with pictures of Jesus woven in and out of the stories like a hologram. I’m learning that when things don’t make sense or seem a little off or are emphasized beyond what seems necessary, there’s a gem of Jesus under it all.

I remember decades ago confessing to my pastor that I had no desire to read the Old Testament. It just seemed boring and like it didn’t apply. He told me to pray for a desire to read it. I did, and suddenly it was more interesting. And over the years, it has become even more interesting as I see the pictures God paints through the history—miraculously—like what I’ve just pointed out. I encourage you to read 1 and 2 Samuel looking for ways David pictures Jesus. You’ll fall deeper in love with the Lord, and you will feed your hungry soul.

Jody

Who is the Greatest Type of Christ in the Bible?

The words of Jesus as He was incognito with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus are instructional about the idea of types in the Old Testament. When the disciples displayed their stunning lack of understanding about the death and resurrection of Jesus, He finally opened their eyes and revealed His identity. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27) No doubt, He opened their eyes to the types of Him in the Old Testament, because He’s not specifically named there.

So, who is the greatest type of Jesus in the Old Testament? Some say Joseph and/or Daniel, because no sin is ever recorded about either of them. That is one plausible speculation. As I’ve studied, I have an educated guess about who is the most significant type of Christ in the Old Testament. But first, consider these three things:

1) In our discussion here, a type is a shadow or proxy for Jesus. Look for who best “stands in” for Jesus if you carry that character’s role forward to Christ. Who best pictures Him?

2) Jesus is multi-dimensional. He’s more than Savior (Joseph is a good picture of Jesus as Savior). He is also Prophet (Moses is a great OT type of Jesus as prophet. So is Daniel). Jesus is Priest. (Melchizedek is a great type of Jesus as priest, though some say he’s actually the pre-incarnate Christ, so perhaps Aaron as type of Christ as priest). And Jesus is/will be King. King David is an apt proxy for Jesus in the OT. Thus, there are multiple types of Jesus in the Old Testament.

3) The theme of the Bible presents a great clue as to who is the greatest type of Christ in the Old Testament. By the way, what is the theme of the Bible? Hint: It is not “Jesus died for me.” Rather, it is Jesus sitting on the throne ruling and reigning. He did that in the past and will again in the future. Meanwhile, He left His throne in heaven, came to earth to accomplish God’s plan for the salvation of mankind, rose again, and in the end, He will be back on His throne ruling and reigning as King of King and Lord of Lords in His Kingdom.

Here's the theme of the Bible in two verses, looking forward to the ultimate future. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Now, back to our question. Who is the greatest type of Christ in the Old Testament? In light of the theme of the Bible, which is His kingdom, it’s David as king. Notice the reference to David in the verses above. I’ve been studying the life of David for the past year, and I’ve seen him as a type of Christ over and over.

But I finally reached the end of David’s life in my study the other day, and I noticed something that cements him as the greatest type of Christ. His last words, compared to Christ’s last words.

• David’s last words were prophetic of him as a type of Christ (because, surprise, David was not only king, he was a prophet) Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. (2 Sam 23:1-5)
• In Christ’s last words, He equates Himself with David. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Rev. 22:16) And in verse 20, Surely I come quickly.

Here’s a Bible study tip. In your daily devotions, pick a book of the Bible or a Bible character and read—looking for something in particular. I picked David from 1 and 2 Samuel earlier this year and read with one thing in mind each day. “How does David picture Christ in this chapter?” And I took notes on my computer. It was a rich study, learning about Jesus from a different perspective.

Jody

Why are People So Adamant About the KJV?

I contemplated going to Bible college back in 1980. I picked one in West Virginia from where my pastor graduated years earlier. But I needed the answer to one deal-breaker question. What version of the Bible did they make everyone study from? I personally was keen on the New American Standard Bible (NASB), though I switched between versions now and then to add spark to my devotions. The only version I had an aversion to was the King James (KJV). It was too archaic. In my mind I determined that if they made everyone at that college study the KJV, I wasn’t going. I called and asked. They used the NASB. Yay! I headed off to Bible college.

While there, I became involved in the puppet ministry at the church I attended. I was the one in front of the curtain talking to the children and reading Bible verses while the pastor was behind the curtain operating the puppets.

One Sunday morning after the children were gone, the pastor stormed out from behind the curtain and informed me that from then on, I needed to read all the verses from the KJV. The other versions were full of errors, and he pronounced that in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, there were great spiritual revivals. But there were no revivals in the 20^th century. The reason, he stated, was because all these erroneous new versions had come on the scene.

I blinked at him. OK, I would read from the KJV. But I left thinking that he was crazy to tie the lack of revivals to newer Bible versions. This was my first “staunch KJV” experience.

My next significant encounter came in 1994 when I was going through a combined church/spiritual crisis. I thirsted to know God more, and it wasn’t happening at the dull, uninspired church I was attending. A couple of friends urged me to visit their church, which they described as amazing and life changing. That intrigued me. But no. It was well known as a KJV-only assembly.

But for the sake of my friends, I ended up compromising and visited the KJV church a few Sunday nights, but stuck with my dry NIV church on Sunday mornings. I had to admit, the teaching on Sunday nights was far deeper and was delivered and received with more enthusiasm and earnestness than I’d ever experienced anywhere else. It was a spiritual magnet.

While I was loving this church, I had an unshakable mental block. Why was everyone so adamant about the KJV? I asked my friends. They could not explain it. I was so frustrated. Why didn’t they know why they believed what they believed? I determined not to give up. Someone surely must have an answer.

I met a couple who had recently switched from my Sunday morning church to this church. They loved it so much. I told them I did too, but I needed to know the reason behind the inflexible stand on the KJV. They invited me over for dinner, and they would answer my questions.

Finally! They asked me to bring my NIV Bible with me (I had all the versions). After we ate, we sat in their living room, and the husband asked me to turn to Acts 8:37 and read it out loud. It was the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. I went to Acts 8:37, and it wasn’t there. The chapter jumped from verse 36 to 38 skipping verse 37, number and all! I was shocked. What in the world? How could a Bible skip a verse? They told me that was just one of many glaring errors. They showed me others.

I left their house convinced that there was a solid reason not to believe that all Bibles are equal. I determined to study it out further. I learn best when I write. So, I got books and pamphlets and started reading up on the differences between the manuscripts the versions were translated from. It was two years in the making, but I wrote a tract entitled “Does it Matter Which Bible Translation I Use?” I ran it by a few of the KJV church pastors to make sure I got it right. I’ve converted the tract into an easy-to-print white paper, which you can read and download if you click here.

And here’s the “rest of the story.” Some 25 years ago when I was doing my research, one of the friends who had invited me to the KJV church introduced me to a friend of hers, and at some point in one of our early conversations, I told him I was writing a tract on why the KJV. He told me he had written some great facts on that in the front of his Bible, and we went out to his car, and I looked at his copious notes on the topic. That was Richmond. We were married less than a year later! Glory to God for directing me so perfectly into the place I needed to be in order to get a firmer grasp of the Bible, experience a spiritual revival and find my husband!

Jody

What Do Bible Colleges Teach about Bible Versions?

I actually went to two Bible colleges. One in West Virginia and one in Kansas City, and neither of them was adamant about any particular Bible version.

Rather, they focused on the Bible as inspired (or God-breathed) in the original languages. They would never say the KJV (or NASB or NIV, etc.) is God-breathed or supernaturally inspired. Only the original manuscripts. OK, I get that. You probably do too.

I took a Bibliology class at my West Virginia Bible college. Bibliology is the study of the Bible and how it came about from the originals to the versions. We had to memorize the lineage of Bibles beginning with the originals and then the translations into other languages and where early manuscript copies were found and who was responsible for the various translations, etc. It was a class you didn’t want to take right after lunch. (Snooze)

When the semester was almost over, one student raised his hand and asked, “After all this, which Bible version would you say is the most accurate to the original?” Honestly, this Bible theologian acted like the student had just asked, “What color are Martians?” I thought he looked like he had dreaded this question all semester, and here it was finally asked. He absolutely didn’t want to take a stand. But after some apology, in his opinion, it was probably the New American Standard Bible.

But given all that we had studied, his guess was as good as anyone else’s. What mattered was that the originals were supernaturally inspired, and thus the more important question was, “What do the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts say? They are what was inspired.” By implication, that means Bible degradation started immediately after the original manuscripts disentegrated or were lost. Serious Bible college students took the Greek and Hebrew classes. Especially those who wanted to be pastors so that they could be the translators of God’s message to the rest of us peons.

I accepted that for over a decade.

Then I learned a term that was never uttered in Bible college and is not found on any non-KJV church doctrinal statement regarding its stand on the word of God. That term is supernaturally preserved.

As I write this at the end of 2022, God offers His word to us today in our language, and we do not have to resort to the original Greek and Hebrew in order to know what God really said. Whew! Because guess what. There isn’t a single original Greek/Hebrew manuscript available to look at. However… scribes went through great lengths to hand-copy the originals, and those were passed around and further meticulously copied and then translated into other languages. It's called the preservation process, and it began way back when and continued on up to the publishing of the first mass-produced Authorized Version (KJV).

When God moves, so does Satan. He led certain unscrupulous men much later to find ancient manuscripts that didn’t match the numerous copies of the widely circulated ones. The obscure copies likely weren’t widely available because they contained errors. Nevertheless, some dudes grasped on to those, and through their vetting process, changed numerous verses to say or not say what they wanted or didn’t want them to say, based on their beliefs. Learn more about all this in further detail by reading my more detailed white paper.

But let me give an example of this all-important preservation tug of war between God and Satan. Let’s compare Psalm 12:6-7 in the KJV with the NIV. Read each of them twice to grasp the full impact of what they say about the preservation of the word of God, and how they aren’t saying the same thing at all.

(Psa 12:6-7 KJV) The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

(Psa 12:6-7 NIV) And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked.

Those are significant differences, wouldn’t you say? Here's what you have to understand: If God stopped his supernatural process of getting us His word (not just His ideas, but His word) after He inspired the originals, we are toast. As I mentioned, we don’t have the originals. And in that case, we are confused about which of the verses above is right. If I was Satan, I’d want everyone to ask “what did God really say? You can’t know for sure.” Isn’t that what he did with Eve in the very beginning?

You have to know that God continued His supernatural process of getting us His word beyond inspiration. He also guided in preserving His word in English. We have what He intended for us to have.

But you won’t find a Bible college that talks about supernatural preservation except in a few KJV-only church affiliated Bible colleges. And no Bible scholar other than a KJV proponent will claim supernatural preservation of his/her choice version.

Coming from someone who went to Bible college, I will tell you that with the right heart attitude that believes every word in your Bible (the KJV), you do not need to go to Bible college to learn the Bible. In fact, DON’T go to Bible college. Find a good KJV church that is committed to teaching you how to study the Bible and God will give you just what you need.

Jody

The Rising Son

The sun/Son is the light of the world, yes? (Joh 8:12) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. God communicates His Son’s light-bearing quality by likening Him to the actual sun. There’s one thing the sun does that we want to focus on. It rises in the morning.

Inspiration

We are so blessed that every morning, Jesus rises with us ready to demonstrate fresh mercies. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lam 3:22-23)

After a troublesome day, we can awaken with fresh hope, greeting the morning with praise to God.  But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. (Ps. 59:16)

Because Jesus rises in the morning, we begin each day from a position of strength when we grasp on to His mercies. Start each day meditating on His loving kindness, and end the day with praise for His faithfulness in showing those loving kindnesses (Ps. 92:1-2). (For more on grasping His loving kindness, read my book Ditch Depression Devotional.)

Doctrinal

God pictures Jesus as the rising sun throughout the Bible. Jesus rose again in the morning, for starters. But there’s even more richness from the sun’s/Son’s “rising” angle when you trace it through scriptures.

• Prophetically, before Jesus was even born, the Bible says And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isa. 60:3)
• In the Psalms, God paints Jesus as the rising sun on the canvas of His creation. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. (Ps. 19:4-6)
• There’s the prophesy in Mal. 4:2—also before Christ’s birth—that stumps Bible scholars. Read this: But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. It’s not a mistake. Here, the Son is the Sun.

Definition

Perhaps we should have started here. But we will end here. What exactly is that big bright ball in the sky we’ve been talking about? It’s a star! In star terms, Jesus is called the morning star and the day star.

Let’s leap to the end of the Bible. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16b). When you read through the Bible, you see Jesus in many lights.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (2 Pet 1:19)

Now look at this. Please pay attention.

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! (Isa 14:12, New International Version)

It appears that Jesus fell from heaven in this version. But now read the King James Version of the same verse.  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isa 14:12)

The NIV is pretty blasphemous here, replacing the fallen “Lucifer” (the devil) with the “morning star” whom we have learned is Jesus. Satan did say in Isa. 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. He got his wish in a backward way in the NIV Bible—taking Jesus down with him. (By the way, other newer translations say what the NIV says).

Some choose to read the NIV and the like because they think these are more readable. I’m thinking accuracy is the more important benchmark. Read here for more on why we choose the KJV.

Jesus is the light of the world, the morning star and the day star. He rose, and He is coming again. Learn more about Him from studying His word, taking a faith-based approach. If you’re reading the wrong Bible, you can’t believe everything you read.

Tell me what you think.

Jody

Help! The World is on Fire!

I used to look at what’s going on in our country and think that surely Jesus is about to return. How could He stand what’s going on one more minute?

And then came 2020. That’s when the whole planet went rogue. Usually, I’m oblivious to what’s going on in other countries, but the news I read these days reveals the roiling of the whole globe in a cauldron of wickedness.

Some say that it’s the believer’s duty to fight all this off with everything in us. In certain cases, yes. What’s going on in the public schools, for example, is something parents just can’t turn a blind eye to. Protect your kids. But there are other things going on we can’t do much about… the rise of wicked leaders in so many countries; wars; the push to reduce the global population; open borders allowing in criminals, terrorists, drugs and child trafficking; defunding of police departments… and on and on.

How are we to view this and not just become militant? Don’t forget God. He has a plan and a purpose.

Let me start with this: The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Prov 16:4)

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Pet. 2:9)

There was a dress rehearsal for how this is all going to end up in Ex. 9:13-16 when God gave Moses a message to deliver to that wicked slave master Pharoah. God said that He was going to bring plagues on Pharoah and his people. God already knew Pharoah wouldn’t repent, and things would continue to get worse. Why? For this cause have I raised thee (Pharoah) up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. (Ex 9:16).

That right there was and is God’s design. Never forget that God created each and every one of us, including all these evil beasts.

In the context of His sovereign plan for the ages, He calls us all vessels. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (Rom 9:21-22)

Isn’t this what God did with Pharoah? He endured with longsuffering all of Pharoah’s rejection and the worsening of circumstances for his subjects.

Let’s carry this “vessel” theme a little further. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (2 Tim 2:20) Pharoah was a vessel to dishonor. So was Judas. So are the faceless puppet masters who are really running this global horror show, human and spiritual.

Today God is enduring with longsuffering these people and their wicked schemes. He knows their end. Just like Pharoah. He made them and they are being vessels that will accomplish God’s grand plan, which involves His glory. Wickedness looks exceedingly wicked to us right now. That is to show the coming brightness of God’s pure glory in contrast, and the justness of God’s wrath when He metes it on their head. They are going to fall into the pit that they have dug for others.

Let’s go to our earlier verses and draw some comfort:

The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Prov 16:4)

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Pet. 2:9)

We don’t have to fight these people. It’s not our job. Let God do it in His perfect time and way. Meanwhile, here is our hope…That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. (Eph. 1:10)

Jody

Absalom’s Rejection Makes Perfect Sense

In exactly one day, upon hearing one sentence, David went from reigning king to fugitive. That one sentence was a punch in the gut. And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. (2 Sam 15:13)

David knew what that meant. How? Remember after his sin with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan delivered God’s message of punishment to David, which David did not forget these years later: Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house. (2 Sam 12:10-11a)

Here it came. His son Absalom was on the march with his sword to overthrow him. Absalom had deceived the people and stolen their hearts. David immediately ran away with 600 of his men.

The Bible is a hologram. Pictures of Christ weave in and out. If you have eyes to see and ears to hear, you will get that. The Bible is about God and where He’s been and where He’s going. It’s about His kingdom. He made the Bible a picture book. A pattern. What happened in Bible history repeats itself. It points to either Christ’s first coming, second coming, Jews in the tribulation or all three. 

Back to our story. David, a type of Christ, is rejected by his own in 2 Sam 15. Absalom wants to replace him—by killing him if necessary. It was foretold by Nathan the prophet.

With this hint of Christ in the front of your mind now, you can’t read this next verse taken from David’s flight from Absalom without having a lightbulb moment.

And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, (same as Mount of Olives) and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. (2 Sam 15:30)

Compare this with Jesus.

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him…And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:39, 44)

Hopefully you see it. And having seen the similarity… the hologram… the picture… let’s go back to the prophet Nathan’s prophesy to David that we looked at earlier:

Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; … Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house. (2 Sam 12:10a-11a)

The sword never departed from David’s house. Jesus was the ultimate seed that came from David’s household, and in the Luke passage, Judas was on the march to meet Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives to betray Him.

This seems a grievous experience. But look. God was in control! Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house. This rejection in David’s life was from the hand of God for a purpose that mirrored the rejection in Christ’s life from the hand of God for a purpose. What was that, you ask? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

By the way, the sword still never departs from David’s house. There’s still the tribulation to come where the sword comes against the Jews. This prophesy from the mouth of Nathan doesn’t end until Christ returns. The whole plan of God is still playing out!

Jody

What Does it Mean That God is Sovereign?

I’ve asked myself many times throughout my life what it means that God is sovereign. I mean, I’ve gathered that it means He is in control, but how is that demonstrated in life? I see a super example in the life of David beginning with three intriguing verses.

As Israel’s king, David came up with the noble desire to build a house (a temple) for the Lord. The Ark of the Covenant had been moved hither and yon and was housed in the tent of the tabernacle. It occurred to David that he had a better dwelling place than did the ark that represented God. That just seemed wrong to David. God deserved better than that. Let’s read this.

David didn’t even have to finish his thought before the prophet Nathan started tracking with him. He assured David that his idea was great and honorable to God. “Yes,” was Nathan’s no-brainer response to David’s desire.

If you get curious and read on in verses 4-17, you will learn that this plan of David’s to build God a house was not approved by God. Here’s where I see the sovereignty of God. Let’s approach it with these verses:

(Isa 55:8-9) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

• David’s high thoughts: “I have a house. But God doesn’t have a house. I will build Him one.”
• God’s higher thoughts: “I’ve never had a house and never asked for one, and I don’t need one now.”

God chose this occasion and this conversation to actually lay out His grand plan that David did not know, nor could he have known had the sovereign one who reigns over all not chosen to reveal the bigger picture right then and there. God announced the establishment of an eternal kingdom from David’s seed. In the near term, that was Solomon who was assigned the task of building the temple and beginning this promised kingdom. And because we see Jesus in every page of the Bible, we note that Solomon was a proxy for Jesus who would be of David’s seed on down the road, and His kingdom would and will last forever.

Life is a tapestry, and we live on the underside unable to see the pattern and beauty that’s visible from above. The master weaver has a grand plan that He is threading together.

God’s sovereignty is not simply His foreknowledge. He knows what will happen, yes, but He’s also in control of it. He brings about events for His purposes and His glory.

What do we learn about God from David’s story?

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. (Prov 19:21)

The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: (Isa. 14:24)

David was allowed to hear God’s ultimate plan in response to his own little plan. In our age, we are allowed to hear God’s decisive plan too… from reading His word:

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Eph. 1:9)

By the way, the top of that tapestry is more complete now than it was in David’s day. It’s still the same one. God described His final design and purpose in the next verses.

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. (Eph 1:10-11)

Jody

A Fresh Look at the Tower of Babel

There’s one place and one miracle in the Bible about which I’ve never heard an in-depth “what does that mean prophetically” discussion. It’s the tower of Babel. God scattered all the peeps and gave them different languages, which ended the dispensation of human government. It happened in Gen 11:1-9, and here’s the general thinking of the time: And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Gen. 11:4)

Remember, after the flood, God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth (Gen 9:1). Like, spread out. Now, later, they decide they want to create and unite within a super city with a super tower reaching heaven. They focused on making a name for themselves.

Well, they kind of did. Hello Babylon. God’s goal was not a one-world government at this time in this way. How do we know that? Because He tells us. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech (Gen 11:6-7).

I’m pushing pause. Do you see that miracle? In a matter of seconds, God put all kinds of different languages in their mouths and moved them into language-centered people groups, each developing its own culture. We could say that in that instant, God ended a dispensation and began a new one. And we know why. They aimed to build a global empire. In Babylon. 

Only that split-second miracle prevented the prominence of Babylon in that era. I’m cutting to the chase. Here’s a truth to wrap your mind around. All of Biblical history serves as a pattern for the future.

In the case of the tower of Babel and the city of Babylon, that was a stab at a one-world government. But we know the whole book, and a one-world government isn’t in God’s plan under any other leader than Jesus Christ at the right time and from the right place. (Remember, the government shall be upon His shoulder Isa. 9:6.)

In the end, Babylon is mentioned 6 times in the book of Revelation… and none of the references are flattering. They are all about the city falling and being thrown down. Kind of like at the tower of Babel.

If you’re reading the alternative news (because the mainstream news isn’t showing the whole picture), you see that another global one-world everything is in the making. Will it succeed? Did the tower of Babel? It was the pattern for what’s going to happen. God hated this concept back then, and He’s got His eye on it again this time.

What’s going to prevent it this time? Another phenomenal miracle that will happen in a moment. Back then, it was a confusion of languages in a single moment. This time, us believers will be taken up in the rapture, and the tribulation will commence. All this one-world stuff you see shaping up will continue to shape up while we’re in heaven getting geared up to return with Jesus at the end of the tribulation to finish off the devil’s schemes that he’s been working on since before the days of Adam and Eve.

Let the story of the Tower of Babel encourage you that the one-world governance you see developing now is under the watchful eye of God, and He will end it. And you will be part of His solution. We read the back of the book, and He wins!

Tell me what you think!

Jody

What’s the Difference Between a Bible Study and a Life Group?

I don’t think anyone would argue that we’ve clearly entered the last days. Besides the downward spiral of government(s), schools, the media/news, the family and basic morals, the church is also suffering. And I’m not talking about “woke” churches. I’m talking about churches that still look to the Bible for insight—but barely. There’s been a subtle change regarding how churches approach the Bible. That is, today it’s a resource to add to your feelings and discussions.

I speak this from the perspective of a couple (us) who both have the spiritual gift of teaching. Unfortunately, we find that folks today don’t have the gift of listening, but rather of discussing, sharing and opening up.

So, let’s talk about home groups (also known as life groups, cell groups, fellowship groups), which have replaced midweek-service Bible studies in a lot of churches. In today’s care groups, it’s not essential that the group leader be a teacher. Just a discussion facilitator able to coax opinions out of people. It’s also not necessary that the study material be the Bible. A “how to” book written by a popular influencer will do.

I speak of nothing new. This has been going on for a few decades. Back in the 1990s, one of the home groups in the church I attended wanted to study the Bible, but the pastor would not allow it. He said only a pastor could lead an actual study of the Bible. Instead, the group had a choice of 3 or 4 topical books to read and discuss. When some friends, who had escaped that home group/church heard that I was going to that church, they prayed me out. God answered.

That was nearly 30 years ago. Today, home/care groups of fundamental churches are fundamentally more focused on thoughts, opinions, feelings and deep emotional sharing. Only Christ’s return is going to stop this. Churches overall are blindly too far afield.

Just for clear contrast, here’s the difference between a midweek Bible study and a home or life group.

Bible Study	Life Group
The topic is the Bible	The topic is… a topic and/or current events
The source is the Bible	The source is a book, video, article, handout, etc. with the Bible as a secondary source
The role of the leader is to teach	The role of the leader is to facilitate discussion
The aim is to learn what God says. (Thus saith the Lord)	The aim is soul care: for everyone to feel loved, heard and valued
Central focus: God and His word	Central focus: Us
Bottom line: The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Ps. 119:130)	Bottom line: A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. (Prov 18:2)

The reason why churches will not revert back to Bible studies is that they sound too dry compared to the feelings- and self-focused nature of life groups. To get the most attendees, they must focus on the attendees.

But let me change gears here. When believers face Christ at the judgment seat, they will be judged for their works, whether they be good or bad and of what sort they are (gold, silver and precious stones or wood, hay and stubble 1 Cor 3:12). Remember that truth that God gave gifts to men, and those are for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry and the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12)? Doesn’t it make sense that our best works will be those in which we use the talents He gave us for Him and His purposes, like He expects us to do?

That whole concept is top of mind to me. So, here’s how the conversation could go when someone like me faces Christ at the judgement seat.

Christ: I gave you the gift of teaching. How did you use that?

Me: Well, lately, I haven’t had anyone to teach.

Christ: Couldn’t you find someone to teach?

Me: I would have loved to have taught a Bible study, but my church doesn’t encourage that. They want us to study “The Purpose Driven Life” in life groups.

Christ: Why didn’t you leave that church and go to one that would receive you and use you with your gift? As it is, you buried your talent!

I don’t want to face the Lord and have a conversation like that. How about you?

If you’re reading this and you totally get it as a layman, start praying that God will guide you to another church more in line with His focus, which is building His kingdom.

If you’re a pastor, and perchance you “get it,” start a Bible study in which you pick a book of the Bible, outline one chapter at a time, giving an outline copy to each group member. Over time, encourage them to come up with their own outline for the next chapter and come prepared next time to teach it. That’s exactly how the pastor/teacher of a Bible study I went to at another church did it. Through that process, I found I loved outlining chapters and sharing what I got from studying. It was confirmed, I have the gift of teaching.

Pastors, disciple your Bible study students in studying and teaching the Bible and see who God raises up as a teacher.

Churches, use your teachers—and not only as childrens’ workers. Teaching is a primary gift in helping saints to grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).

Jody