How is God’s purpose hinted at from earliest human history? What does it have to do with a lamb? Let’s look at how Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain from the beginning and how it culminates in Revelation 22.
Genesis 4:4 “Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift”[1] Why do you think that Abel’s gift to God was accepted and Cain’s not? Some people give God their leftovers and others give Him their best.
Genesis 22:13 “Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.”[2] Jesus is our substitute ram offering.
Exodus 12:3 “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.”[2] We are introduced to the Passover lamb, a symbol of our Passover, Jesus.
Why does God say in Isaiah 1:11 “I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats”? It’s no use offering without a change of heart, “Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”[2]
Isaiah 53:7 “Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”[2] This detailed prophecy of the Messiah’s suffering has made it obvious to many Jews who their Messiah is. (Acts 8:32)
John 1:29 John the Baptist knew who Jesus was, because he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”[2] John prophetically spoke of the purpose of Jesus’ mission, from the prophecies of Messiah coming as a sacrificial lamb to atone for sins.
Luke 22:8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.”[2] What did Jesus think as He sat there eating with His disciples, knowing that all the Passovers were going to culminate in His death on the following day?
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 It was not necessary to keep the letter of the old festival, but its spirit in the purging of “the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” Why? Because “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.”[1]
1 Peter 1:18-19 “you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”[2] Jesus died to atone for sins once for all.
Revelation 5:6 “I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders.”[2] This literally means “a little lamb” and also highlights His resurrection because He is “now standing.”
Revelation 5:8-14 “the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.” This is amazing. The purchased “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation… will reign upon the earth.” Angels will say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain".[2]
Revelation 7:9 “and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands”.[2] Finally, what God planned from the beginning, happens.
Revelation 22:1 After peace reigns on earth, a renewed heaven and earth will be made, and in that new place will be a river. “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb”.[2]
We all fail and need a Savior. Jesus became our Passover Lamb to take away our failures, the sins of the world. He will return to bring world peace and the heavens and the earth will be renewed and come together. God’s purpose from the beginning has been life forevermore, a the River of Life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Genesis 4:4; Genesis 22:13; Exodus 12:3; Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32; John 1:29; Luke 22:8; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 5:8-14; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 22:1
[1]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
[2]New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Abraham, the Rest of the Story
Why was Abram who became Abraham called the father of the faithful? What can we learn about faith today by looking back at Abraham? Let’s look at his early life and ten tests of Abraham’s faith and how he dealt with them in Genesis 12-22 (Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; 17:24, 20:2; 21:12; 22:2).
Family Stories of Abram
Today, we might be blessed enough to have four generations alive at one time. In those days, people lived much longer. Noah was ten generations older and died when Abram was 58. Abram got his faith initially from his mother, but also from years with Noah and Noah’s son Shem.
Noah and Shem were faithful believers in the one true God. Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols for his false religion, a way to control people. Dictators like the power to make the rules, including license to murder those who get in their way.
Astrologers told Nimrod of a baby who was to become father of a great nation. Like Herod, Nimrod wanted the threat killed. Terah took a servant’s child instead, and Nimrod thus deceived, killed the baby with his own bare hands. Abram’s mother hid him in a cave for ten years.
Abram’s mother told him stories of Noah and Shem and the one true God. When he was ten years old, Abram left the cave to go to Kedem in the mountains of Ararat to visit Noah and Shem. They welcomed him and taught him God’s ways for about 39 years.
Then, Abram heard the news about the tower of Babel, where God had divided people into seventy languages and people groups. So, Abram went out to teach them about the one true God. He was risking his life, because Nimrod had proclaimed himself god and forced people to worship him.
At age fifty, Abram returned to his father's house. Terah had an idol workshop in his house. Idols were made from wood, stone and precious metals. It was big money. People came from all over to worship and buy the idols. Terah wanted Abram to be in charge of sales.
With an axe Abram destroyed all the idols except one. He placed the axe in the last one’s hands and claimed that it had killed the rest. Terah said that was impossible. Abram had tricked him into admitting that the idols were powerless, and in anger betrayed him to Nimrod.
Nimrod threw Abram into a furnace, but he came out unharmed and Nimrod was afraid to touch him. Nimrod then gave Abram many presents and sent him back to his father’s house. With him went two hundred noble men, including Eliezer who was later to become Abram’s most trusted servant.
A large crowd rejected Nimrod and his opulent lifestyle to go with Abram and learn more about the one true God. Two years later, Nimrod had decided once more to try and kill Abram. Eliezer warned Abram and they left for Haran, where God was about to make a promise.
Bible Stories of Abraham
2. Genesis 12:10 Famine (Trial)
The first thing Abram encountered in the promised land, was famine. “Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.” How often when we start to do God’s will, are there strings of obstacles?
3. Genesis 12:15 Pharaoh (Failure)
The next obstacle on Abram’s faith journey was Egypt’s king. “Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.” Even faithful believers fail some of life’s obstacles. When have we lied like Abram to try and get out of a difficult situation?
4. Genesis 14:14 Battle (Trial)
Abram was probably not wanting a fight, but “When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” How often in doing God’s will must we fight battles?
5. Genesis 15:13 Enslaved (Discouraged)
God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.” This is a prophecy of Egyptian slavery. Do we believe that even such bad news will be for our good?
6. Genesis 16:3 Hagar (Failure)
“After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.” Abram neglected to ask God’s advice. Can faithful followers of God make unwise decisions, and still be people of faith?
7. Genesis 17:24 Circumcised (Success)
“Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.” If our faith journey revealed that God required something causing some short-term pain, would we believe God? Do we have faith that what we do not yet know about God’s ways will be good?
8. Genesis 20:2 Gerar (Failure)
“Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.” Abraham lied because he was afraid. How many times have we done the same thing, lied to protect ourselves from embarrassment, from a perceived threat, to be polite, or cover sin?
9. Genesis 21:12 Hagar (Failure)
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” For the sake of family peace, someone had to leave. God promised to bless them and provided for them.
10. Genesis 22:2 Isaac (Success)
He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Unlike God, Abraham did not have to give up his son.
Hebrews 11:8-13
By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing where he was going… lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs… for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Romans 4:16
…it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
Conclusion
If you have ever followed God not knowing where you are going, you might have the faith of Abraham. If you feel like a foreigner in this land, looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God, then you might have the faith of Abraham. Like Abraham, none of us is perfect, but then salvation does not depend on our perfection, but our faith in the mercy of the One who is perfect.
Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; 17:24, 20:2; 21:12; 22:2; Hebrews 11:8-13; Romans 4:16
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112063/jewish/Abrahams-Early-Life.htm
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246612/jewish/Abraham.htm
Family Stories of Abram
Today, we might be blessed enough to have four generations alive at one time. In those days, people lived much longer. Noah was ten generations older and died when Abram was 58. Abram got his faith initially from his mother, but also from years with Noah and Noah’s son Shem.
Noah and Shem were faithful believers in the one true God. Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols for his false religion, a way to control people. Dictators like the power to make the rules, including license to murder those who get in their way.
Astrologers told Nimrod of a baby who was to become father of a great nation. Like Herod, Nimrod wanted the threat killed. Terah took a servant’s child instead, and Nimrod thus deceived, killed the baby with his own bare hands. Abram’s mother hid him in a cave for ten years.
Abram’s mother told him stories of Noah and Shem and the one true God. When he was ten years old, Abram left the cave to go to Kedem in the mountains of Ararat to visit Noah and Shem. They welcomed him and taught him God’s ways for about 39 years.
Then, Abram heard the news about the tower of Babel, where God had divided people into seventy languages and people groups. So, Abram went out to teach them about the one true God. He was risking his life, because Nimrod had proclaimed himself god and forced people to worship him.
At age fifty, Abram returned to his father's house. Terah had an idol workshop in his house. Idols were made from wood, stone and precious metals. It was big money. People came from all over to worship and buy the idols. Terah wanted Abram to be in charge of sales.
With an axe Abram destroyed all the idols except one. He placed the axe in the last one’s hands and claimed that it had killed the rest. Terah said that was impossible. Abram had tricked him into admitting that the idols were powerless, and in anger betrayed him to Nimrod.
Nimrod threw Abram into a furnace, but he came out unharmed and Nimrod was afraid to touch him. Nimrod then gave Abram many presents and sent him back to his father’s house. With him went two hundred noble men, including Eliezer who was later to become Abram’s most trusted servant.
A large crowd rejected Nimrod and his opulent lifestyle to go with Abram and learn more about the one true God. Two years later, Nimrod had decided once more to try and kill Abram. Eliezer warned Abram and they left for Haran, where God was about to make a promise.
Bible Stories of Abraham
1. Genesis 12:1-3 Leave (Success)
The people of Haran were as much idolaters as those in Babylon. Abram and his followers were the only ones who worshipped God. So, God intervened and said, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you”.
This was bigger than Abram could imagine, “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” The Messiah came from Abram. Would we be willing to move to an unknown country, at age 75, if God offered us an inheritance we would not even receive in this life?
The people of Haran were as much idolaters as those in Babylon. Abram and his followers were the only ones who worshipped God. So, God intervened and said, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you”.
This was bigger than Abram could imagine, “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” The Messiah came from Abram. Would we be willing to move to an unknown country, at age 75, if God offered us an inheritance we would not even receive in this life?
2. Genesis 12:10 Famine (Trial)
The first thing Abram encountered in the promised land, was famine. “Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.” How often when we start to do God’s will, are there strings of obstacles?
3. Genesis 12:15 Pharaoh (Failure)
The next obstacle on Abram’s faith journey was Egypt’s king. “Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.” Even faithful believers fail some of life’s obstacles. When have we lied like Abram to try and get out of a difficult situation?
4. Genesis 14:14 Battle (Trial)
Abram was probably not wanting a fight, but “When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” How often in doing God’s will must we fight battles?
5. Genesis 15:13 Enslaved (Discouraged)
God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.” This is a prophecy of Egyptian slavery. Do we believe that even such bad news will be for our good?
6. Genesis 16:3 Hagar (Failure)
“After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.” Abram neglected to ask God’s advice. Can faithful followers of God make unwise decisions, and still be people of faith?
7. Genesis 17:24 Circumcised (Success)
“Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.” If our faith journey revealed that God required something causing some short-term pain, would we believe God? Do we have faith that what we do not yet know about God’s ways will be good?
8. Genesis 20:2 Gerar (Failure)
“Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.” Abraham lied because he was afraid. How many times have we done the same thing, lied to protect ourselves from embarrassment, from a perceived threat, to be polite, or cover sin?
9. Genesis 21:12 Hagar (Failure)
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” For the sake of family peace, someone had to leave. God promised to bless them and provided for them.
10. Genesis 22:2 Isaac (Success)
He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Unlike God, Abraham did not have to give up his son.
Hebrews 11:8-13
By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing where he was going… lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs… for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Romans 4:16
…it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
Conclusion
If you have ever followed God not knowing where you are going, you might have the faith of Abraham. If you feel like a foreigner in this land, looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God, then you might have the faith of Abraham. Like Abraham, none of us is perfect, but then salvation does not depend on our perfection, but our faith in the mercy of the One who is perfect.
Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; 17:24, 20:2; 21:12; 22:2; Hebrews 11:8-13; Romans 4:16
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112063/jewish/Abrahams-Early-Life.htm
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246612/jewish/Abraham.htm
Secure in God's Hand
What makes us Christ’s sheep? Are we in danger of being lost for eternity? Are we secure in His hands? Let’s examine John 10:22-30 and see.
The Setting
John 10:22-23 “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.” Jesus showed his approval of Hanukkah by attending it. It’s a winter celebration remembering the miraculous restoration of the Temple.
John 10:24 “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’” Literally, they encircled Him. Some were perhaps sincere, others with deceitful hearts, men who sought to denounce and sabotage Jesus.
The Believers
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” Why did these learned men not believe Jesus’ works? Why did they not believe over 300 prophecies from the Bible? What was missing?
John 10:26-27 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep [as I said to you]. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”. This logic is followed by a series of “and’s” which explain why some believe and others don’t.
The Promises
John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Notice that eternal life is already given to them. They will not perish, be lost to eternity, based on continued belief. Jesus, on His part, holds them tightly.
John 10:29-30 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Though they are one, the Father is greater, and the final guarantor of this “blessed assurance.”
Here is truth: We believe because we are His sheep. Here are promises: believers in Jesus will never perish and no one can snatch them from God the Son’s hand, nor God the Father’s hand.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
The Setting
John 10:22-23 “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.” Jesus showed his approval of Hanukkah by attending it. It’s a winter celebration remembering the miraculous restoration of the Temple.
John 10:24 “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’” Literally, they encircled Him. Some were perhaps sincere, others with deceitful hearts, men who sought to denounce and sabotage Jesus.
The Believers
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” Why did these learned men not believe Jesus’ works? Why did they not believe over 300 prophecies from the Bible? What was missing?
John 10:26-27 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep [as I said to you]. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”. This logic is followed by a series of “and’s” which explain why some believe and others don’t.
The Promises
John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Notice that eternal life is already given to them. They will not perish, be lost to eternity, based on continued belief. Jesus, on His part, holds them tightly.
John 10:29-30 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Though they are one, the Father is greater, and the final guarantor of this “blessed assurance.”
Here is truth: We believe because we are His sheep. Here are promises: believers in Jesus will never perish and no one can snatch them from God the Son’s hand, nor God the Father’s hand.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Prayer for Hard Times
What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times.
House of Prayer
Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” Jesus’ anger was justified because a house dedicated to God was being used for commercialism. Prayer is one of the most important purposes for our church buildings.
Believing Prayer
Matthew 21:21-22 “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
What if we pray and God says, No? Can we learn something from Habakkuk’s prayer? Habakkuk the prophet was possibly a temple musician, a Levite. Tradition records that he was the Shunammite woman's son, whose life Elisha saved. He wrote in the 7th century BC, just before the Babylonian captivity.
Habakkuk’s Prayer
Habakkuk expresses his doubt to God about His plans to punish Judah via an unjust Babylon. God reminded Habakkuk that He will punish evil, and Habakkuk learns to faithfully trust God’s decision. Habakkuk 2:4 “the righteous will live by his faith” is quoted several times in the New Testament.
Habakkuk 3:1 “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.” This is the plural of Shiggaion, only used in one other place, Psalm 7. This possibly implies a wildly passionate prayer, which certainly describes the chapter. This indicates the prayer, like the Psalms, was probably set to music.
Habakkuk 3:2 “Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.” Rebellious people create a passive, cuddly God they don’t have to fear.
Habakkuk 3:3 “God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.” God was present with them at Sinai, and the creation provides evidence of His existence, figuratively proclaiming His praise every single day.
Habakkuk 3:4 “His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.” To those with insight, the brilliant light and radiance of the sun reveals a hidden secret, the incredible power that created everything in the entire universe.
Habakkuk 3:5 “Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.” God did reveal Himself in this way to Israel’s enemies after the Exodus, including the armies of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35). When necessary, God comes to avenge and judge. As Creator of everything, He has that right.
Habakkuk 3:6 “He stood and surveyed the earth; He looked and startled the nations. Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered, The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting.” The mountains and hills may seem permanent, but when God intervenes, a vain and arrogant humanity sees who really is everlasting.
Habakkuk 3:7 “I saw the tents of Cushan under distress, The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.” This imagery is probably from the Exodus. Cushan may be Cush, Ethiopia. Midian was to the east. At the Exodus, surrounding nations took notice and trembled at God’s deeds.
Habakkuk 3:8 “Did the Lord rage against the rivers, Or was Your anger against the rivers, Or was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, On Your chariots of salvation?” God wasn’t angry with sea and horses, but revealed His power over creation, freeing Israel.
In Habakkuk 3:9-17 we are reminded of God’s power over the earth, mountains, sun, moon, nations, armies, trees, fruit, fields, and flocks. In this context, verses 16-17, is a lament about prophecies in Habakkuk 1-2 of a future foreign invasion of a rebellious Judah and captivity by Babylon.
Rejoice in God
Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Despite the prophesied Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk hopes in God because of His track record of saving Israel from Egyptian slavery. Perhaps he even has faith in a second Exodus.
The Lord God is My Strength
Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” Though Babylon takes us prisoner, or life takes us through calamity, God helps us be as surefooted as deer and walk on high places.
Conclusion
Habakkuk teaches us that, though we don’t always understand God’s answers to our prayers, Bible history teaches us that we have every reason to rejoice in God, because He will save us from the consequences of our wrongdoings. Habakkuk also teaches us that singing songs of faith is itself an act of faith.
Matthew 21:12-22; Habakkuk 3; 2 Kings 19:35
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
House of Prayer
Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” Jesus’ anger was justified because a house dedicated to God was being used for commercialism. Prayer is one of the most important purposes for our church buildings.
Believing Prayer
Matthew 21:21-22 “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
What if we pray and God says, No? Can we learn something from Habakkuk’s prayer? Habakkuk the prophet was possibly a temple musician, a Levite. Tradition records that he was the Shunammite woman's son, whose life Elisha saved. He wrote in the 7th century BC, just before the Babylonian captivity.
Habakkuk’s Prayer
Habakkuk expresses his doubt to God about His plans to punish Judah via an unjust Babylon. God reminded Habakkuk that He will punish evil, and Habakkuk learns to faithfully trust God’s decision. Habakkuk 2:4 “the righteous will live by his faith” is quoted several times in the New Testament.
Habakkuk 3:1 “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.” This is the plural of Shiggaion, only used in one other place, Psalm 7. This possibly implies a wildly passionate prayer, which certainly describes the chapter. This indicates the prayer, like the Psalms, was probably set to music.
Habakkuk 3:2 “Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.” Rebellious people create a passive, cuddly God they don’t have to fear.
Habakkuk 3:3 “God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.” God was present with them at Sinai, and the creation provides evidence of His existence, figuratively proclaiming His praise every single day.
Habakkuk 3:4 “His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.” To those with insight, the brilliant light and radiance of the sun reveals a hidden secret, the incredible power that created everything in the entire universe.
Habakkuk 3:5 “Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.” God did reveal Himself in this way to Israel’s enemies after the Exodus, including the armies of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35). When necessary, God comes to avenge and judge. As Creator of everything, He has that right.
Habakkuk 3:6 “He stood and surveyed the earth; He looked and startled the nations. Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered, The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting.” The mountains and hills may seem permanent, but when God intervenes, a vain and arrogant humanity sees who really is everlasting.
Habakkuk 3:7 “I saw the tents of Cushan under distress, The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.” This imagery is probably from the Exodus. Cushan may be Cush, Ethiopia. Midian was to the east. At the Exodus, surrounding nations took notice and trembled at God’s deeds.
Habakkuk 3:8 “Did the Lord rage against the rivers, Or was Your anger against the rivers, Or was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, On Your chariots of salvation?” God wasn’t angry with sea and horses, but revealed His power over creation, freeing Israel.
In Habakkuk 3:9-17 we are reminded of God’s power over the earth, mountains, sun, moon, nations, armies, trees, fruit, fields, and flocks. In this context, verses 16-17, is a lament about prophecies in Habakkuk 1-2 of a future foreign invasion of a rebellious Judah and captivity by Babylon.
Rejoice in God
Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Despite the prophesied Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk hopes in God because of His track record of saving Israel from Egyptian slavery. Perhaps he even has faith in a second Exodus.
The Lord God is My Strength
Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” Though Babylon takes us prisoner, or life takes us through calamity, God helps us be as surefooted as deer and walk on high places.
Conclusion
Habakkuk teaches us that, though we don’t always understand God’s answers to our prayers, Bible history teaches us that we have every reason to rejoice in God, because He will save us from the consequences of our wrongdoings. Habakkuk also teaches us that singing songs of faith is itself an act of faith.
Matthew 21:12-22; Habakkuk 3; 2 Kings 19:35
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Woes to Unfaithful Church Leaders
It is such a privilege to be a church leader, especially in kind and loving churches. It is a grave responsibility to feed God’s sheep and guide people that we are privileged to call our friends, on their journey to eternity. Overseers of churches are far from perfect, but some mistakes are worse than others. Jesus’ stern warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-39 is also important for us today.
Though this is a stern rebuke of the Pharisees, it is also a lesson for the listening disciples who would replace the Pharisees in authority, and also a severe warning to all future overseers of the churches.
1. Teaching Against Christ
Matthew 23:13 “woe… because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people…” These religious leaders had the keys to the kingdom, but locked the door literally “in their faces.” Those who believed in the One who the law pointed to, were being locked out of the synagogues. Bringing themselves misery, Pharisees did everything they could to turn the people from their Messiah. Do we turn people to Jesus?
2. Teaching to be Sons of Hell
Matthew 23:15 “Woe… because you… make one proselyte… twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” Before we try to convert someone to our church, or our denomination, perhaps we had better be sure they are going to be in an orthodox place, where they will be encouraged to follow Jesus instead of some stupid legalistic man-made rules or watered-down heresies. Will we faithfully teach what Jesus taught?
3. Teaching Blindness
Matthew 23:16 “Woe… blind guides…” The religious leaders had made the offering more sacred than the Temple. This is like those who see church relics as more sacred than the Gospel, or those Church swindlers who saw the collection of indulgences as more important than telling the truth. The Pharisees were greedy for the offerings. Do we church leaders care more for the people than the offering plate?
4. Teaching Pickiness not Principles
Matthew 23:23 “Woe… you tithe… and… neglected… justice and mercy and faithfulness…” Tithing is important, but without justice, mercy and faithfulness it’s useless. Do we get stuck in picky details and forget what’s most important? Any of us can focus on lesser important things and neglect what’s most important. Do we “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel”? Do we love people more than getting lost in details?
5. Character: Extortion and Self-Indulgence
Matthew 23:25 “Woe… you clean the outside… but inside… are full of robbery and self-indulgence.” From the historic extortion of indulgences to modern televangelists who extort millions and spend it on self-indulgent lifestyles living in lavish mansions, the Church is not immune to looking pretty on the outside but filled with extortion and excess on the inside. Jesus warns Church leaders not to soil the Gospel by such corruption.
6. Character: Hypocrisy and Lawlessness
Matthew 23:27-28 “Woe… you… on the outside appear beautiful, but inside… full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness… full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Church buildings can be beautiful, but if they are filled with hypocrisy and abominations, they are just tombs for the spiritually dead. Church leaders must be sure that they spend enough time in prayers of repentance for God to clean us up on the inside.
7. Character: Murderous Hearts
Matthew 23:29-36 “Woe… you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous… I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute…” In “whining hypocrisy”[1] they deluded themselves not to have the murderous spirit of their ancestors. Do we give life to Christ?
Conclusion
Local churches have a number of overseers. The responsibility is grave and not to be treated flippantly. We want to lead people to Christ not ourselves, to heaven not hell, for God not money, to what’s important not pickiness, with clean hearts on the inside not what just looks good, living God’s way of life not the world’s way of death.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
[1] A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown. 1882.
Though this is a stern rebuke of the Pharisees, it is also a lesson for the listening disciples who would replace the Pharisees in authority, and also a severe warning to all future overseers of the churches.
1. Teaching Against Christ
Matthew 23:13 “woe… because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people…” These religious leaders had the keys to the kingdom, but locked the door literally “in their faces.” Those who believed in the One who the law pointed to, were being locked out of the synagogues. Bringing themselves misery, Pharisees did everything they could to turn the people from their Messiah. Do we turn people to Jesus?
2. Teaching to be Sons of Hell
Matthew 23:15 “Woe… because you… make one proselyte… twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” Before we try to convert someone to our church, or our denomination, perhaps we had better be sure they are going to be in an orthodox place, where they will be encouraged to follow Jesus instead of some stupid legalistic man-made rules or watered-down heresies. Will we faithfully teach what Jesus taught?
3. Teaching Blindness
Matthew 23:16 “Woe… blind guides…” The religious leaders had made the offering more sacred than the Temple. This is like those who see church relics as more sacred than the Gospel, or those Church swindlers who saw the collection of indulgences as more important than telling the truth. The Pharisees were greedy for the offerings. Do we church leaders care more for the people than the offering plate?
4. Teaching Pickiness not Principles
Matthew 23:23 “Woe… you tithe… and… neglected… justice and mercy and faithfulness…” Tithing is important, but without justice, mercy and faithfulness it’s useless. Do we get stuck in picky details and forget what’s most important? Any of us can focus on lesser important things and neglect what’s most important. Do we “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel”? Do we love people more than getting lost in details?
5. Character: Extortion and Self-Indulgence
Matthew 23:25 “Woe… you clean the outside… but inside… are full of robbery and self-indulgence.” From the historic extortion of indulgences to modern televangelists who extort millions and spend it on self-indulgent lifestyles living in lavish mansions, the Church is not immune to looking pretty on the outside but filled with extortion and excess on the inside. Jesus warns Church leaders not to soil the Gospel by such corruption.
6. Character: Hypocrisy and Lawlessness
Matthew 23:27-28 “Woe… you… on the outside appear beautiful, but inside… full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness… full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Church buildings can be beautiful, but if they are filled with hypocrisy and abominations, they are just tombs for the spiritually dead. Church leaders must be sure that they spend enough time in prayers of repentance for God to clean us up on the inside.
7. Character: Murderous Hearts
Matthew 23:29-36 “Woe… you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous… I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute…” In “whining hypocrisy”[1] they deluded themselves not to have the murderous spirit of their ancestors. Do we give life to Christ?
Conclusion
Local churches have a number of overseers. The responsibility is grave and not to be treated flippantly. We want to lead people to Christ not ourselves, to heaven not hell, for God not money, to what’s important not pickiness, with clean hearts on the inside not what just looks good, living God’s way of life not the world’s way of death.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
[1] A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown. 1882.
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