Here’s Something to Stand on Today

The anchor for my soul today is going to be God’s testimonies. I think I can live off of a few stories in the Old Testament that talk about folks who trusted God in trying times, and God came through in a huge way. If He did it for them, he can do it for me. Sign me up.

Let’s look at the next three verses in Ps. 119 that talk about the testimony of the Lord. Remember what we’ve learned so far. God’s testimonies are the Bible stories we learn from. Those stories teach us what God likes, doesn’t like and how he responds to certain actions, words and hearts.

There are 23 verses in Ps. 119 that talk about God’s testimonies. It’s my favorite word used for the word in Ps. 119.

Psalms 119:46  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.	Who gets to stand before kings and discuss God’s testimonies and not be ashamed? David did.  He could recount God’s deliverance from Goliath to Saul and tell him what he told Goliath: Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (1 Samuel 17:45)  Daniel did. After surviving the outcome of the king throwing him into the lion’s den, he said, My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (Daniel 6:22) All these testimonies are recorded for us to know and share and trust and live. What’s my excuse for wimpiness?
Psalms 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.	So, I’ve just thought about David’s boldness and fearlessness in the Goliath battle, and I’ve thought about Daniel’s innocency and how God rewarded that with deliverance from the hungry lions. Now I think on my ways. I need to turn like David and Daniel to the living God. Lord, may I equally rely on you, keeping a pure heart and life before you? If I’ll do that, I can see that your deliverance is right there. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. (Psalms 56:3-4) Why? Because I know what God is like from David and Daniel's testimonies.
Psalms 119:79   Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.	This is David, who at times was running for his life from king Saul, asking God for good friends. The kind he asked for were those who fear God and that know God’s testimonies. I need friends, too, but not just any friends. Those who know what God can do. Thank you. It’s OK to ask for quality friends who equally love what God can do. David had a friend like that. Jonathan. Remember, he also faced war enemies alone and won the battle. They both had the same victory experience with God, and it’s probably why the Bible says, and it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:1) I want friends like that.

God’s Testimonies are the Break That Refreshes

It’s natural for my first response to be frustration or panic when things don’t fall into place. I had that experience today while trying to gather some elusive information for an article I’m writing. I finally had to step away from my computer before I was tempted to pick it up and throw it.

What ultimately calmed me was taking a break in the Lord. I looked at the next three “testimonies” verses in Ps. 119 and meditated on them. Ahh. How refreshing.

Take a look at them with me. Then let’s pick up again tomorrow for the next three. God’s testimony is that he always comes through.

To find the next three, go to the chart of testimonies verses at the end of my last post. Here we go.

Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.	This may be my favorite verse for testimonies, because, yes, his testimonies are my counselors. Let’s train ourselves to encourage ourselves in God by first turning to his word in emotional emergencies. That is David’s testimony. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6) Find a testimony of God’s deliverance and draw counsel from it. How many times did he deliver the Israelites in the O.T.? Countless.
Psalms 119:31  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.	I’ll stick to his testimonies when I recognize them, and I’ll trust him to not let me be put to shame by others when I do. Here’s one I’ll trust: I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalms 37:25) That’s a testimony of God David recognized and that I have stuck to for years
Psalms 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.	It’s a prayer I can pray. Lord, bend my heart toward your testimonies rather than things. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1) That’s David’s testimony. When we focus on God, we won’t want: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) God’s testimony is that he provided for David in the cave; Joseph in Egypt; Moses in the wilderness; Ruth and Naomi via Boaz; Abraham a ram in place of Isaac, etc.

Look for Jewels in Ps. 119

God’s testimonies are jewels. When I find them and observe them, I beautify my soul and my life with them.

God’s testimonies are the Bible stories I learn from. Those stories teach me what God likes, doesn’t like and how he responds to certain actions, words and hearts.

If I didn’t have the stories in the Bible to show me God, I wouldn’t know God.  Let’s observe each of the 23 verses in Ps. 119 that uses the word testimonies starting with the first three.

To the right of the verse, I’m writing my observations. You can do the same. At the end, I have the chart of all 23 verses. You can copy and paste them into a Word document and start your own worksheet. My aim for the space to the right is to write observations, prayers and examples of testimonies that help me to understand the verse.

Psalms 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.	When I learn God’s testimonies (the things he likes and doesn’t like and responds positively or negatively to, based on the stories I see), then I’ll keep his testimonies. I’ll apply what I learn. In John 8, the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery and challenged him on whether he would deal with her according to the law (stone her). His testimony? Love and forgiveness. I should be like that. “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies.”
Psalms 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.	I have to admit, riches are something to rejoice in… no more worrying about finances. Imagine. But a deeper sense of joy comes from God’s testimonies. Here’s one. In Exodus, Moses wanted to see and know God. So God testified of himself to Moses, and we get to see. I have run miles with this. Exo 34:6-7  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Psalms 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.	This one is tough, because one testimony is 2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Jesus did, we will. But I know from stories in the Bible that God can change people’s hearts on the behalf of those who walk close to him. David, who walked uprightly, keeping God’s testimonies, was often given respite from Saul’s terror. Saul would have changes of heart and quit pursuing David as an enemy. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. I can pray to be removed from reproach and contempt because God works in hearts to make it happen. That’s his testimony.

Those verses are jewels. I want to interact with each of the 23 “testimonies” verses in Ps. 119. Come along with me. Let’s beautify our souls. Here is the verse chart.

Psalms 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psalms 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Psalms 119:22 ¶ Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:24 ¶ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalms 119:31  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
Psalms 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Psalms 119:46  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Psalms 119:59 ¶ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:79  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:88 ¶ Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Psalms 119:95 ¶ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:99  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Psalms 119:111 ¶ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Psalms 119:119  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:125  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:129 ¶ PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Psalms 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Psalms 119:144  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
Psalms 119:146  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:152 ¶ Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Psalms 119:157 ¶ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:167 ¶ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee

Find Mercy and Salvation Today

It’s Monday, and we’re on a journey through Ps. 119. Today, we have another group of eight verses to look at, and they are delicious. Read it with me. I’ll share my thoughts to the right, and I plan to memorize the first two verses (41 and 42). I’ve already written the eight verses out by hand, so I’ve interacted with each letter. I encourage you to do the same.

Psa 119:41-48  Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.  (42)  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.  (43)  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.  (44)  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.  (45)  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.  (46)  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.  (47)  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.  (48)  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

I’m praying for mercies and salvation (deliverance) for myself and others today. I’m recognizing with the Psalmist that those two benefits are according to God’s word. He promises mercies and salvation, so it’s perfectly within his will to grant those.  And when I have God’s mercies and salvation, I’ll have something to answer those who reproach me. That’s something I can hang on to. In vs. 45, I will walk in freedom, because I seek his precepts, which we learned are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. There’s freedom in following God’s word. Freedom to speak God’s testimonies before kings without being ashamed comes when I hope and trust in God’s word (verses 42,43). The key is to love God’s word and meditate on it. The benefits are internal and eternal.That’s why a study of Ps. 119 is delicious.

Tomorrow we will start a close look at my favorite word in Ps. 119. Testimonies.

We Will Find Deliverance Today

Deliverance is what I need. Deliverance from those who don’t like me; from myself when I don’t like me; from staleness; and from general malaise. That deliverance will come when I grasp hold of God’s precepts.

Precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. We’ve been studying them in Ps. 119, as they are mentioned 21 times in this chapter. We are looking at the last five of them today.

I just finished looking at them and comparing them with other verses to help me apply them. I use two free Bible programs to find verses: www.e-sword.net and www.biblegateway.com/  (though I have installed the Online Bible on my computer). If you don’t have either of these programs, consider adding them to your Bible tool belt.

Now, let’s learn about deliverance and God’s precepts.

Psalms 119:134 ¶ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.	In this case, the Psalmist requests deliverance from oppression (injury or cruelty) of man first. Then he will keep God’s precepts. A similar thought is spoken by John the Baptist’s father Zacharias in Luke 1:74-75  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,  (75)  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Enemies can be a powerful force, affecting our walk with God.
Psalms 119:141 ¶ I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.	I may be insignificant, and even disliked, yet in spite of what others think about me, or what I think about me, I’m not going to forget God’s principles to live by.  The Psalmist comforts himself in God by remembering his precepts. I should learn to turn to God as readily when I feel small and despised. Here’s one to think on: The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (Psalms 118:6)
Psalms 119:159 ¶ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.	If I love God’s wisdom and principles, it will occur to me to ask God to enliven me by his lovingkindness, that is, his acts and words of love that he does for me, not because I deserve it, but because he is a kind God. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, (Ex. 34:6-7a)
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.	Before I’ll keep God’s precepts or principles, I have to have them before me. How to do that. Putting them to music is a good way. Writing them on 3x5 cards and keeping them with me and referring to them is another way. For sure, the only way I’ll keep his precepts is if they are before me. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11)
Psalms 119:173 ¶ Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.	I’ll turn to God for help (rather than to others or the TV, books, magazines, the internet, etc.) when I’ve chosen God’s precepts or principles. It would be great if his word was so ingrained in my heart that my automatic response would be to turn to God for help. Here’s one to turn to: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

Let’s Start Our Day Together With Aha Moments

Parents guide their children toward independence.  God guides his children toward dependence… on him and his word. His precepts are one of the things we depend on.

We are studying the word precepts in Ps. 119. Remember that precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives.

Just 2 minutes ago, I finished looking at and meditating on the verses on the left below, and wrote down my thoughts and responses on the right. I encourage you to do the same with the five remaining verses in Ps. 119 with the word precepts in them. The blank chart is at the bottom of this post. Copy and paste, work on them, and join me tomorrow for a look at them together.

Psalms 119:100  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.	Practicing precepts (Bible codes of wisdom and principles) gives me more understanding than my ancestors. Here’s one that most of my predecessors probably didn’t get: The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (Psalms 34:10) The precept of seeking the Lord to have my needs met is one to remember today and always.
Psalms 119:104  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.	By meditating on his precepts, I get understanding, or “aha” moments, and it makes me hate every false way. Here’s one: Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. (Prov. 31:30)  The false way that I hate is the emphasis on fashion and sex appeal. They are vain. Fear of the Lord provides  satisfying internal beauty that no one can resist.
Psalms 119:110  The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.	The wicked are not my friends, and they want to trap me in their wickedness. (This can happen via TV or the internet as easily as anywhere else.) Yet, I haven’t tripped up from God’s precepts. Here’s a precept, or code of wisdom, to help with that: I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (Psalms 101:3)
Psalms 119:128  Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.	When I look at God’s precepts regarding any area of life, I have no doubt that they are right. I start with that assumption, and so, in comparison, I hate every false way. Here’s a precept I will assume is right and ponder today: The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. (Prov. 13:4) I want a plump soul, so I know it’s right that I be diligent in studying God’s word vs. being a sluggard, and wishing I was God-fulfilled, but doing nothing about it.

Study with me for tomorrow morning. As I think through the verses on the left, I think of precepts that come to mind that I can apply. At the top of your chart for tomorrow, copy and paste this statement: Precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives.

Psalms 119:134 ¶ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Psalms 119:141 ¶ I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Psalms 119:159 ¶ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
Psalms 119:173 ¶ Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

Let's Go Diamond Hunting Today

The Bible is like a multi-faceted diamond. Altogether, it is sparkly and beautiful, but it is more intricately beautiful when you turn it in the sunlight and capture all the different hues. There are names for all the different sparkly hues of the Bible highlighted in Ps. 119: the commandment, law, statutes, precepts, testimonies, word and judgments of the Lord. Notice, there are seven words for the word. It’s the number of perfection. And God’s word is perfect.

We are turning the diamond in the sunlight today and looking at the word precepts in Ps. 119, as we have for the past few days. We have discovered that precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives.

On the left, I have four verses in Ps. 119 that mention God’s precepts. On the right, I’m paraphrasing or responding to the verses and finding precepts that apply to the thoughts. Follow along with me. Several posts back, I have a chart of verses in Ps. 119 with the word precepts. Copy and paste that chart into a Word document and add your comments, thoughts and prayers.

Psalms 119:78 ¶ Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.	Others may be proud rascals who act perversely toward me with no reason, but I will ponder God’s precepts. In this case, an appropriate precept to meditate on might be Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Luke 6:47-48)
Psalms 119:87  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.	There are wicked people out there who seem bent on making my life miserable and eating me alive. But rather than focus on that and complain to others and wilt in anguish, my testimony will be that I hung on to God’s precepts.  Here’s one to hang on to: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)
Psalms 119:93 ¶ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.	Because God has enlivened me with his precepts when I needed them, I won’t forget them. For me, the precepts God quickened me with that are branded into my soul are For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. (1 Peter 2:19-20)
Psalms 119:94 ¶ I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.	Save or deliver me, your child, right now, because I’ve sought and clung to your precepts, like this one: For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isaiah 57:15)

I'm Going For Peace Today

Let’s see, what is a precept? I’m in Ps. 119, and I’m trying to grasp the word precept—which is one of the words the Psalmist uses to describe the word of God in this chapter. In fact, precepts is only used in 29 verses in the Bible and 21 of those times are in Ps. 119.

I’ve already discovered that precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. Before I go further looking at each verse in Ps. 119 that uses precepts, I want to have some precepts in mind. I’m going to find some to ponder:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16)

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Now that my mind is primed with a few precepts or principles—statements of truth to guide my life… I’ll go on down the list of verses in Ps. 119 with precepts and better be able to interact with them.

Psalms 119:45 ¶ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.	I’ll have freedom as I go through this day, because my mind and my heart are going after his precepts. Here’s one to seek today: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
Psalms 119:56  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.	This goes back to vs. 55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night and have kept thy law. I remember his name in the night because I keep his precepts.
Psalms 119:63 ¶ I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.	Lord, help me to find companions who value and keep your precepts or principles. This reminds me of a Proverbs precept: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20)
Psalms 119:69 ¶ The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.	Face it. Not everyone is my friend. There are backstabbers and critical, condemning people out there. But I won’t repay them evil for evil. Instead, I’ll keep God’s precepts. For this one, how about Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

How to be Stretched

I’m involved in a ladies group at church, and we are reading through Ps. 119 together. The 176 verses are divided into groups of 8 verses, called stanzas. We are studying one stanza per week, and this week is verses 33-40.  I’m asking God to show me things in those verses to apply to my life and picking out a memory verse from each one.

Today I’m taking an initial pass through Ps. 119:33-40. Read and observe with me.

(33)  Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.  (34)  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.  (35)  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.  (36)  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.  (37)  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.  (38)  Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.  (39)  Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.  (40)  Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Each of these verses has a prayer, and the first seven begin with prayers. Wonderful. These are prayers I can pray and I know God will hear because they will be according to his will. The first two verses say that If God will answer the prayers, the Psalmist will keep God’s word. Lord, if you teach me the way of your statutes, I’ll keep them. If you’ll give me understanding, I’ll keep your word. Two of the verses ask God to quicken the Psalmist (37, 40). Quicken means to enliven. I don’t want to be dull, I want to be alive. Lord, quicken me or make me alive in your way, and enliven me in your righteousness. In two of the verses, the Psalmist experiences fear (38, 39) He’s devoted to God’s fear (or the fear of the Lord) and he fears reproach.

 My favorite verse of the eight, which will be my memory verse is  (36)  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

God’s testimonies are something I grasp. They are the stories in the Bible that show what God is like. For example, he is forbearing or patient, and I know that because of his testimony of how he always took the Israelites back in the Old Testament when they cried out to him. Because of that, I know he will always take me back when I sincerely turn to him after I’ve failed. It makes me love God that much more. There are many more testimonies of God. I know he is faithful because of the examples I read in the Bible. He is just, because I see how he deals with the wicked in the Bible. All those things I see in the stories of the Bible are God’s testimonies.

So, my memory verse again: Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Incline means to stretch. Stretch my heart, Lord, to your testimonies. May I get more satisfaction out of them than out of a new case of eye shadow or a new piece of jewelry or a new scarf. Those things bring a quickly fading material satisfaction. But God’s testimonies…. I want them to bring more, deeper, longer-lasting and fulfilling satisfaction.

Jody

Learn to Meditate on Precepts

Nearly all the verses in Ps. 119 talk about the word of God in one form or another: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments. We are taking the intriguing word precepts and examining it further. Precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives.

I encourage you to copy and paste the chart in my last post that lists all the verses in Ps. 119 with the word precepts in them. I’m just going to write my thoughts, observations and prayers in the box next to each. You can do the same. Here are my first two:

Psalms 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.	Precepts are good to know, but I must go beyond knowing them and keep or apply them diligently.
Psalms 119:15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.	To really get a precept, I must meditate on it. For example, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Meditate on that precept with me. 1Pe 5:5 …”Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

The best meditation would be to find other verses that amplify that thought. Remember, precept upon precept in Isa. 28:10. I use my Treasury of Scripture Knowledge in my e-sword Bible program (download it for free www.e-sword.net.)

Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Job 22:29  When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

Isa 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

            Wow. I feel like I’m tiptoeing through a forest of the awesomeness of God—and it’s just a single precept. God responds positively to the humble person. Does my meditation stop there? It could, but remember, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little.

            Let’s see, who in the Old Testament wasn’t very humble, and God brought them down? There are many. But here are two for further examination:

In Daniel 4, king Nebuchadnezzar thought he was the hottest thing going. And then he had a dream that he didn’t understand. Daniel eventually stood before him to interpret the dream, and it wasn’t good. The king could have corrected his life and avoided the prescribed judgment, but humility wasn’t a trait of his. Read what happened.

Dan 4:30-33  The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?  (31)  While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.  (32)  And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.  (33)  The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

In Esther 3, king Ahasuerus promoted Haman above all the other princes—to the point that everyone was told to bow down to him, but Esther’s uncle Mordecai wouldn’t comply. What? Not worship Haman? He was furious and devised a plan to kill Mordecai. That involved hanging him on gallows that Haman had built. Haman was too proud, and it came back to bite him. Read what happened.

Est 7:6-10  And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.  (7)  And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.  (8)  Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.  (9)  And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.  (10)  So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

 The outcome is never good when we are proud. Remember our precept: God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Back to our first two precept verses from Ps. 119. Aren’t they so much richer?

Psalms 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

Psalms 119:15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Jody

Master the Truth of Precepts

We’re just starting a journey to understand the idea of precepts in the Bible. Using my Bible program, I see that precepts is used in 29 verses, and 21 of them are in Ps. 119. However, the most intriguing use of the word is in Isaiah, where we read, 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.  (10)  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)

Here I’d like to give a shout out to Kay Arthur and her Precepts Ministries (visit precept.org). No doubt these verses in Isaiah led to the naming of her Bible study series. When we compare scripture with scripture (line upon line, here a little, there a little) we’re on the path to the inductive Bible study method. I’ve been through a study using Kay Arthur’s inductive Bible study material, and it really does make you look closely and deeply into the very words of the Bible, comparing verses. I encourage others to check out her website. She offers a good, free succinct summary of the inductive Bible study method on this webpage:  http://bit.ly/UFNfFl

At any rate, we’re looking at precepts, and my aim is to follow the Psalmist through precepts in Ps. 119, and also take a few precepts and interact with them, line upon line, looking up testimonies in the Bible of precepts in action and gathering an understanding of exactly how they apply.

Below is a table with all the verses in Ps. 119 with the word precepts. I have a Word file of this on my computer, and I’m going to fill in all the spaces to the right of the verses with observations, insights and prayers. See if you can copy and paste the chart into a Word file and do the same.

And our journey begins. Jody

Psalms 119:4 ¶ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Psalms 119:15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Psalms 119:27  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
Psalms 119:40 ¶ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Psalms 119:45 ¶ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Psalms 119:56  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
Psalms 119:63 ¶ I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
Psalms 119:69 ¶ The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Psalms 119:78 ¶ Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
Psalms 119:87  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Psalms 119:93 ¶ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
Psalms 119:94 ¶ I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
Psalms 119:100  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
Psalms 119:104  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:110  The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Psalms 119:128  Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:134 ¶ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Psalms 119:141 ¶ I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Psalms 119:159 ¶ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
Psalms 119:173 ¶ Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

The Bible Secret

The Bible isn’t for babies, though babies can easily draw life-sustaining milk from it. Really, God's word is for those with spiritually attuned hearts and minds. Here’s the secret.

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.  (10)  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)

Knowledge and understanding of God’s word comes from God. We can read it and get a little devotional thought, but real knowledge and understanding is an act of God in our hearts and minds.

If that’s the case, to whom does God bestow that knowledge and understanding? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  (13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb. 5:12-14)

Do you want to transition from the “little daily devotional” milk mindset to a full meaty knowledge and understanding of God’s word? It’s not only an act of God in the heart (whom shall he teach knowledge and whom shall he make to understand doctrine), it’s a discipline of the will and an application of time and effort. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. That simply means that you compare scripture with scripture.

When you sit down to read your Bible, pray Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Ps 119:18) because God’s word can only be spiritually discerned. The mind of the flesh will not get it. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they [the things of the Spirit of God] are spiritually discerned. (1Cor 2:14)

Then, become skilfull in the word. Don’t settle for reading a paragraph from the Bible each day. Find an interesting thought and trace it through the Bible. Use a good Bible computer program that allows you to find cross references to ideas in the Bible.

If I was stuck on a desert island with only one other book besides my Bible, it would be the “Treasury of Scripture Knowledge,” which takes you to other verses that contain the same ideas of the verse you are reading. Good Bible software has the “Treasury of Scripture Knowledge” built in. (I use the Bible program e-sword, which I downloaded from the internet for free. Visit www.e-sword.net.)

Follow me in future blog posts as we go through Ps. 119 and look at that word precepts. Remember in Isaiah we saw For precept must be upon precept. Let’s learn more about that together.  

Jody

The Budding Rod, Perfect for Easter

Types and symbols. They fill the Old Testament, pointing to Christ. It’s not a stretch to believe that. Jesus said so himself talking to the two men on the road to Emmaus. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

In the last six blog posts, I’ve shown how the rod in the first five books of the Bible represents Christ. This is our last lesson, though there is fodder for more lessons.

We first saw that the rod represents Christ in that famous exchange when God called Moses, and Moses said, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.” (Ex 4:1-3)

Read through the last posts to see how I arrived at the rod representing Christ. With that knowledge, we see that the rod became a serpent. Elsewhere, the serpent represents you-know-who. So, Christ becoming a serpent here as the first miracle with the rod points to Christ becoming sin for us (remember the serpent on the brass pole, and the people only had to look at it to live?).

Our point here, though, is Moses’ earlier concern: “They will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice.” God presented the rod miracle to answer that concern.

So what happened later when the people actually didn’t believe Moses, nor hearken to his voice? It’s a fascinating story, to which the rod was the answer, as God said in the first place. Only this time, the rod doesn’t represent Christ’s death, but his resurrection—timely for this Easter season.

Here’s the situation in the book of Numbers: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? (Numbers 16:3)

God responded by sending a fire and consuming 250 men. That scared the Israelites, but they soon got over the scare. But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. (Numbers 16:41)

God decided to prove who was who by having the leaders of each of the 12 tribes write their names on their rods. And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you….And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. (Numbers 17:5&8)

The piece of dead wood bloomed again. Christ rose from the dead, conquering sin and shut everyone’s mouth. That budding rod was so important that God required it to be added into the ark of the covenant. All three items in that ark (manna, the budded rod, and the 10 commandments) represent Christ and/or the word.

Jody

The Rod, Our Strength

We’ve been looking at the three-dimensional quality of the Bible, noting that God uses types and figures to convey truth. There’s plenty on the one-dimensional level to keep any of us close to God and informed of what we absolutely need to know.

But like a hologram, as we look at the symbols and types in his word, we see the art of God in orchestrating events and recording them—allowing us to see more of God’s majesty.

The rod in Exodus is one of the amazing “holograms” that we’ve been looking at as a type of Christ for the past five blog posts. It’s not a stretch to equate the rod with Christ. The Bible makes it clear, and now we will look at this element of Christ the rod: The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.  The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. (Psalms 110:1-2) This is a prophetic passage referring to Christ, “the rod of thy strength.”

We’ve seen the miracles performed using the rod. Now we will see the rod used for strength as the Psalm says, and we’ll simply read the passage in Exodus. It hardly needs comment when we observe with our 3D glasses on.

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.  So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:9-11)

There was strength and victory for battle when Moses held up his hand with the rod, Christ.

This was an important lesson God wanted everyone to get, because, “the Lord said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovanissi…” That means “The Lord, my banner.”

And there you go. He’s our banner and strength for battle. We are winners with Christ. The passage in Exodus we just looked at makes this verse sparkle even more:

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) Christ is our strength, our banner, our intercessor in our battles.

Jody

A Great Mystery Revealed in the Rod and Rock

One of the main mysteries of God to Westerners is His use of types and figures to unfold truth. In our U.S. culture, we say it straight. But God orchestrated the events of time to picture what was to come. In plain Christian terms, much of the Old Testament is prophetic, and when fully grasped, we see that it pictures not only what is yet to happen, but what happened in Christ’s life on earth.

After his resurrection, Jesus himself explained some of it to the two guys on the road to Emmaus. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

For the past four blog posts, we have been looking at that rod in Exodus and discovered that it represents Christ. It may have even been one of the things Jesus explained to the guys on the road to Emmaus.

In Exodus 17:5-6 the rod, still representing Christ, crosses paths with the rock from which sprung drinking water for the complaining Israelites. If there is a picture of Christ in the Old Testament that many Christians already grasp, it’s that rock.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7-8)

Now, here is the interesting passage in Exodus where the rod (Christ) is used to get water out of the rock (also Christ):

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.  Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6)

God’s way to get water out of that rock was to “smite” it.  That means to hit or beat it. And that’s what happened to Christ.

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands. (Matthew 26:67)

Here is the question. If Christ is the rod and Christ is also the rock, why was it required in the Exodus passage that Christ smite Christ in order for the water to come out?

The answer to that amplifies a truth about Christ you already know. See if this passage doesn’t look a whole lot brighter now:

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. …  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:15-18)

And so, let’s think this through a little further. Who killed Jesus? It’s the one question that divides Christians and Jews. It even divides and offends Christians and saved Jews.

The question may even offend Christ, because he laid down his life willingly. No one took it from him.

In fact, those who sanctimoniously say they killed Jesus or that their sin was responsible for his death are not so accurate. Let’s not take credit for something that Christ did himself in obedience to God’s command for him.

Stay tuned for more lessons on the rod as Christ. It’s a fascinating study.

Jody

Watch the Similitudes in the Bible

The Bible often uses parables to convey truth. Something is like something else. Something is compared to something else. For example, in John 10, Jesus said that he is the door of the sheep. He also said he is the good shepherd. He drove his listeners crazy because they didn’t get it. His words and concepts were only discerned spiritually. The natural person would never understand.

Symbols, types, and similitudes in the Bible aren’t just limited to the Gospels. Much of the rest of the Bible is like that as well, and here we are going to focus further on that rod in the Old Testament, which symbolizes Christ. Most of us don’t get it right off because we are not used to looking at happenings in the Old Testament as being types of what was to happen in the New Testament. But types they were, and after his resurrection, Jesus found himself explaining Old Testament types to two guys on the road to Emmaus. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

If you read my previous three posts, you will see why I say that the rod in Exodus is a symbol of Christ. After I discovered that, I looked more closely at the rod and how it was used and what happened with it, and it made Christ sparkle.

As you recall, when Moses and Aaron were working with Pharaoh trying to secure the release of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, there was this rod that was the agent of miracles. Of all the miracles that were performed, the rod was used to accomplish six of them (It became a serpent in Ex. 7:10; it turned the river into blood in 7:17; frogs appeared in 8:5; lice in 8:16-17; hail in 9:23; and locusts in 10:13). Yet there were more miracles. Why was the rod involved in only six? The best I can figure is that the number six is symbolic itself. It is the number of man. Christ was the God/man and he came to save man.

The rod was quickly used again after the Israelites were released from Egypt, “But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” (Exodus 14:16)

This was the miracle of separating the Israelites from the Egyptians by separating the water with the rod. Hmm. The rod (Christ) separates nations here. Guess what, Christ will do that again. There’s a prophetic sense to what happened in Exodus that is yet to be fulfilled. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world… Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:31-34 & 41)

There may be more insight to be gained considering Christ as the rod that separated the water, saving the Israelites and causing the demise of the pursuing Egyptians. It certainly makes the following pre-explanation by Moses more meaningful: “And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

Jody

The Rod as a Prophetic Symbol

When we read our Bibles, there is plenty we can read and apply immediately. That’s the beauty of the Bible. If we can read, we can grow. But after knowing the Lord for some time and hearing and applying what we learn, it’s easy to get the feeling that we know pretty much all there is, and eventually whatever we hear in a sermon or read is nothing new.

Fortunately, there’s more depth to be had when we grasp the symbology and types used in the Bible. This idea is not widely taught in churches today, and it should be. Start noticing the words “like” and “as” for comparisons, then study them for doctrine. For example, here is one of the few that is widely taught: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up (John 3:14). We know that refers back to Numbers 21:7-9, and it makes that story so much richer knowing that the serpent on the pole represented Christ on the cross.

If you look at the previous two posts, you’ll see the symbology I’m going to further lay out here regarding that rod in Exodus that turned into a serpent in Exodus 4:1-5. This rod symbolizes Christ. How do we know there’s a connection between the rod and Christ? And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (Isaiah 11:1). If this seems unbelievable, read the previous two posts. Considering that the rod in Exodus represents Christ, re-read the Exodus story and zero in on that rod and how it was used. Here are some things to notice.

• And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. (Exodus 4:17) Moses was to do signs with the rod. Christ also did signs that the people would believe.
• And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:10-12) The rod as Christ became a serpent, and all they had to do was believe, but they wouldn’t, and they duplicated Christ—made an antichrist. He can do miracles too. Fortunately, the true Christ eats up the antichrist. This reminds us of a New Testament verse: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3)
• Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. (Exodus 7:17) Remembering that the rod is Christ, notice that Christ would turn the water into blood. This reminds us of Christ’s first miracle. He turned the water into wine. Hmm. Christ has turned water into wine and blood. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (1 Corinthians 11:25) wine represents his blood. The magicians were able to do the same thing also, though (Exodus 7:22) and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. We get more rod action, which will be explained in my next blog post.

For now, just know that the Bible is three dimensional. It can be perfectly understood historically and applied devotionally, but there is an often unexplored prophetic sense to take us to the next level, and once we get it, we are in awe of the Master of the universe who always knew and knows what He is doing. He is in control and He is Lord.

Jody

Why Did the Rod Become a Serpent?

Believe it or not, the first five books of the Old Testament, traditionally called “the law” or “the books of Moses” aren’t merely a history lesson. Much of it actually points to Christ. Jesus said so himself. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)

It would be interesting to hear which of the things in the books of Moses Jesus showed them that related to him. But I have one. Go back to that rod in Exodus 4.

God told Moses how he would use him to deliver the Israelites. After God laid out his big plan, Moses said “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand and caught it and it became a rod in his hand. That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.” (4:1-5)

We saw in my last blog post that elsewhere the Bible says…And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (Isaiah 11:1)

The rod is Christ.  

In Exodus, the rod (Christ), becomes a serpent. That’s not the only time Christ is pictured as a serpent. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. (Numbers 21:8) We know that was representative of Christ because Jesus said so himself. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (John 3:14)

But wait. I know in Genesis that the serpent was Satan? How come the rod becomes a serpent, and this time represents Christ?

The First Serpent	Christ
And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: (Genesis 3:13-14)	Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14)
The serpent was cursed for causing the woman to sin	Christ was made a curse for us, that blessings might come on us through Christ.
The Application Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand and caught it and it became a rod in his hand. That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. (Ex. 4:4-5) He had to grab hold of that cursed thing, and it became a rod. He had to personally take it.	The Application …that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.(Gal. 3:14b) We have to believe.

In light of all this, look here again:

Moses said to God: But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.(Ex 4:1-2)

The sign that God chose to answer that dilemma (that the people wouldn’t believe the Lord had appeared to Moses) was the rod/Christ prophetically. Christ was the physical manifestation of God. He was God in the flesh, and he became sin and all we have to do is believe.

What if people don’t believe? Show them Christ (the rod). He became sin (cursed, like the serpent) on their behalf. All they have to do is look and believe.

Jody

What is the Meaning of the Rod in Exodus?

I recently discovered some hidden treasure when studying “the rod” in Exodus. What I intended to unearth was “how God uses what’s in your hand,” starting with the example of the rod that Moses had in his hand when God spoke to him in Exodus 4. But I saw something much deeper in the rod, and when I was done with my study, I told God I was sorry that “I” was the center of what I expected to learn. Because in reality, He is the center of that story.

Let me explain. I was conditioned to read the Bible and grasp what it says historically (the facts) and then see what I can glean personally or devotionally. I call that two-dimensional. After you’ve been around the block a few times, you get pretty good at this. So I thought the lesson on “how God uses what’s in your hand” would take 45 minutes or less for my morning devotions. Except I saw the third dimension. That is, beyond historically and devotionally, there’s a prophetic view of “the rod” in Exodus 4. Scripture is meant to be studied historically, personally and prophetically. In Bible college, I just learned about the first two. But here’s an example of the third dimension, and I’ll show you how I found it and what I learned.

This will take several blog posts, but I promise, it will be worth it when you see the depth that God has for you if you go beyond the surface and start comparing scripture with scripture. And it’s not even a stretch. Even Christ taught to look for the third dimension. Remember when He said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life?” (John 3:14-15). Obviously, when you read that, you’re compelled to go back and read the story in Numbers and look at it another way to see the prophetic message in that story.

Well, I’m saying there’s a prophetic message in the rod Moses had in his hand.

God told Moses how he would use him to deliver the Israelites. After God laid out his big plan, Moses said in Exodus 4:1-5, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand and caught it and it became a rod in his hand. That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.”

God’s use of the rod in Moses’ hand was what he would use to convince/prove to the people of his (God’s) power. This physical manifestation of God’s power is like Christ. He was the physical manifestation of God’s power.

This is the first mention of “rod” in the Bible, and it has to do with God’s strength.  Here are some other significant mentions of the rod related to Christ, and don’t miss this:

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.  The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. (Psalms 110:1-2) This is Christ.

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (Isaiah 11:1) This also is Christ.

I started looking at the rod in Moses’s hand as Christ prophetically, simply because other places in the Bible refer to the rod as Christ. In my next blog posts I’ll show how a look at this animated rod indeed does picture Christ, and it makes other scriptures come alive. Be prepared. The third dimension is amazing!

Jody

Challenged World Views

Will anyone argue that we’re in the last days? All the signs point to what Christians have long awaited. But part of living in the last days is the “falling away” of many. You can just see wide-spread unawareness of the truth, in spite of a plethora of Christian books, radio programs, magazines, videos and mega churches.

We still have to study to show ourselves approved unto God. That’s studying, not simply devotional reading or following our favorite Christian speaker on the radio. If I was trapped on an island and could only have one book besides my Bible, it would be the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, which gives cross references for every verse, because part of studying is comparing Scripture with Scripture.

And if there was WiFi on this desert island, I’d be set, because I have a Bible program I just love on my computer that not only has the Bible, but Strong’s Bible Concordance and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. If you don’t already have a program like this on your computer, you can download the one I use (e-sword) for free from this website: http://www.e-sword.net/downloads.html

I seem to find that in these last days, what mainstream Christianity teaches is frequently off the mark. For example, there’s one idea that’s making rounds in churches via video that argues for and fiercely defends the idea of a young earth- 6,000 years- as though all creationists believe that the earth is that young. I saw the series. But there is an exception to the idea of a young earth that was acknowledged in one sentence in that whole series. It was the idea of a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.

What was barely worth bringing up in that series is something to consider. Richmond has studied it and written a white paper on the topic, which will open your eyes to something you may never have considered- simply because you have never been exposed to the possibilities, which are worth studying out. I encourage you to click to the right on Study: How Old is the Earth. And then, study it out for yourself.  

Jody