Is anything holding us back? Let’s discuss putting the mistakes of the past behind us and moving forward. Let’s discuss how Jesus helped his disciples move forward after their failures in John 21:1-19.[1]
John 21:1-5 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
The disciples failed Jesus. They went fishing and failed to catch anything. Highly educated, very intelligent people run this world and fail miserably. We are all no different than Jesus’ disciples. With Jesus’ guidance, they made an enormous catch. He invited them put their fish with his bread for breakfast.
John 21:6-7 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
A common net was flax about 6 yards or meters across with small lead weights around the outside. It was thrown to open up as it hit the water. The weights dropped and the net encircled the fish. Men then jumped into the water to retrieve the net, often naked.[2]
The fish were then sorted and counted so that each received a fair share. Day laborers usually helped with the duties. Fishermen probably knew the local Aramaic language, Hebrew and also Greek, the language of trade. Jesus arrived and advised the experts. Who would let a stranger advise their business!
John 21:8-13 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Would Jesus restore us too after a grievous sin? Can a pastor be restored after grievous sin? They had all acted like cowards, felt guilty and ashamed, and so went home. Jesus provided fish and invited them to breakfast. It was time to move on from their grief and fear.
John 21:15-17 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
In Greek, love [agapé] can mean a wrong kind of love. Men loved darkness (John 3:19), the praise of men more than God (John 12:43), this world more than Paul (2 Timothy 4:10). Peter was taught to show brotherly love [philia], “feed my sheep.” (John 21:1-19).
Love [agapé] finds its greatest expression in an act of brotherly love [philia], dying for our brothers/friends (John 15:13). Jesus also taught that He expects us to show love to Him in acts of brotherly love towards the needy, like foreigners, homeless, sick and prisoners (Matthew 25:31-46).
Does God give second chances, recovery from our mistakes? Should a minister be reinstated after repentance? Jesus reinstated Peter. How many of us have completely ruined something? Have we hurt our family? Have we betrayed a friend? Have we denied Jesus? If we want a second chance, God is willing.
The disciples were no different than us. We love Jesus, but sometimes are afraid. With three confirmations of his love for Peter Jesus reminded Peter of the task ahead. We are forgiven, invited to eat with Jesus. There’s no time for guilt, shame and fear. It’s time to feed the sheep.
John 21:18-19 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Would we follow Jesus like Peter even if it means our death? Will we stay faithful even in old age? Will we follow Jesus even if it means being carried where we do not want to go? We don’t follow men, or their denominations, but Jesus. Let’s never forget who we follow!
There is danger ahead and work to be done. Let’s take time in prayer to discuss with God our many failures in life and ask for forgiveness. Then let’s move on. There are sheep to be fed. One person cannot do it alone. We are all needed. Let’s follow Jesus to the end!
[1] New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
[2] Elizabeth McNamer. "Cast Your Nets: Fishing at the Time of Jesus" www.AmericanCatholic.org. n.p., July 2004. Web. 14 January 2013.
Bible E-Course 3h - Isaac
Isaac was the son of promise, yet Abraham was tested. How does a father feel, sacrificing his son, to war, or to a cross? Abraham faced that test, and passed. What could Isaac have been thinking during his father’s trial of faith?
“And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.’ So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.” (Genesis 22:7-9 ESV)
What could have been running through the mind of Isaac when he realized that he would serve as the burnt sacrifice? There is no record of him struggling against the bindings. As a young man, he would certainly have been stronger than his father. Did he have the same faith as Abraham who believed that God could resurrect his son?
“because he was sure that God could raise people to life. This was just like getting Isaac back from death.” (Hebrews 11:19 CEV).
Abraham was spared the suffering of a son who was sacrificed. God was not.
Rebekah
Sarah died and Abraham bought property in Hebron to bury her. Then begins a love story of Isaac and Rebekah, and the faithfulness of Abraham’s most senior servant whom he sent to find Isaac a wife. Though he would have inherited everything if Abraham did not have a son, this loyal servant prayed.
“O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” (Genesis 24:12-14 ESV)
Rebekah was willing, Isaac loved her and she became his wife.
After Sarah’s death, Abraham had more children by Keturah and several concubines. He sent them away with gifts and gave his entire inheritance to Isaac. Abraham died, Isaac and Ishmael buried him beside Sarah and the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael still attend his grave to this day, side-by-side in Hebron.
Unlike his father Abraham, Isaac knew only one woman. But they had to wait about 20 years for a child.
“And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” (Genesis 25:21 KJV)
Favoritism
Favoritism was a generational problem. It was a problem for Abraham's descendants even to this day, and has hurt many other families throughout history.
“Now Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (Genesis 25:28 NASB)
God shows no favoritism. In Abraham God wants to bless the whole world, not just one nation.
“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” (Deuteronomy 10:17 NIV)
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8-9 NKJV)
“Then Peter replied, ‘I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.’ ” (Acts 10:34-36 NLT)
“God does not have favorites.” (Romans 2:11 CEB)
All are equal, yet there are different responsibilities given to different people, and a firstborn son was usually given a double inheritance because he had greater responsibility, for instance, to lead the clan, and take care of any family widows or unmarried sisters. When Isaac realized that he blessed who he had initially thought was the wrong son, he “trembled exceedingly” and wept.
“Isaac started trembling and said, ‘Then who brought me some wild meat right before you came in? I ate it and gave him a blessing that cannot be taken back.’ ” (Genesis 27:33 CEV).
Perhaps, because Isaac was a man of honor he stood by his word even though it was given under false pretenses, in a way that our society cannot understand, where people so easily break their word. Perhaps in faith, he also realized that this was God’s will all along, and he was not going to go against God. Jacob had no need for his deception, because God was indeed going to bless him with the clan leadership. So, Isaac told Esau the decision.
“ ‘My son,’ Isaac answered, ‘I have made Jacob the ruler over you and your brothers, and all of you will be his servants. I have also promised him all the grain and grapes that he needs. There’s nothing left that I can do for you.’ ” (Genesis 27:37 CEV).
The New Testament gives a clue to Isaac’s motive, faith. Do we have that kind of faith, to place our lives in God’s hands, whether or not He works things out as we had planned?
“By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.” (Hebrews 11:21 WEB)
Liar
Like father, like son. The family weakness of lying about their wives comes once again to the fore.
“And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.” (Genesis 26:7 KJV)
God’s human leaders on earth have never been perfect, but they have had faith.
Peacemaker
Some men wanted to fight Isaac over an ancestral well. But, rather than argue over well water, Isaac chose to make peace and move on. In the annals of Middle East history, this example could be followed more often.
“So Isaac departed from there and camped in the Valley of Gerar, and settled there.” (Genesis 26:17 NASB)
Similar disputes over well water with locals continued again and again until finally there was peace.
“He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, ‘Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.’ ” (Genesis 26:22 NIV)
Being able to take a loss for the sake of peace is a good thing. It’s a pity the world has not learned that lesson very often in history.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)
As we see with all of God’s servants, none are perfect, but it is righteousness by faith that counts. Is Isaac saved? Quoting Exodus 3:6 Jesus provides us an answer.
“But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead—haven’t you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead.” (Matthew 22:31-32 NLT)
Will you have a change of heart and mind and like Isaac believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
“And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.’ So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.” (Genesis 22:7-9 ESV)
What could have been running through the mind of Isaac when he realized that he would serve as the burnt sacrifice? There is no record of him struggling against the bindings. As a young man, he would certainly have been stronger than his father. Did he have the same faith as Abraham who believed that God could resurrect his son?
“because he was sure that God could raise people to life. This was just like getting Isaac back from death.” (Hebrews 11:19 CEV).
Abraham was spared the suffering of a son who was sacrificed. God was not.
Rebekah
Sarah died and Abraham bought property in Hebron to bury her. Then begins a love story of Isaac and Rebekah, and the faithfulness of Abraham’s most senior servant whom he sent to find Isaac a wife. Though he would have inherited everything if Abraham did not have a son, this loyal servant prayed.
“O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” (Genesis 24:12-14 ESV)
Rebekah was willing, Isaac loved her and she became his wife.
After Sarah’s death, Abraham had more children by Keturah and several concubines. He sent them away with gifts and gave his entire inheritance to Isaac. Abraham died, Isaac and Ishmael buried him beside Sarah and the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael still attend his grave to this day, side-by-side in Hebron.
Unlike his father Abraham, Isaac knew only one woman. But they had to wait about 20 years for a child.
“And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” (Genesis 25:21 KJV)
Favoritism
Favoritism was a generational problem. It was a problem for Abraham's descendants even to this day, and has hurt many other families throughout history.
“Now Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (Genesis 25:28 NASB)
God shows no favoritism. In Abraham God wants to bless the whole world, not just one nation.
“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” (Deuteronomy 10:17 NIV)
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8-9 NKJV)
“Then Peter replied, ‘I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.’ ” (Acts 10:34-36 NLT)
“God does not have favorites.” (Romans 2:11 CEB)
All are equal, yet there are different responsibilities given to different people, and a firstborn son was usually given a double inheritance because he had greater responsibility, for instance, to lead the clan, and take care of any family widows or unmarried sisters. When Isaac realized that he blessed who he had initially thought was the wrong son, he “trembled exceedingly” and wept.
“Isaac started trembling and said, ‘Then who brought me some wild meat right before you came in? I ate it and gave him a blessing that cannot be taken back.’ ” (Genesis 27:33 CEV).
Perhaps, because Isaac was a man of honor he stood by his word even though it was given under false pretenses, in a way that our society cannot understand, where people so easily break their word. Perhaps in faith, he also realized that this was God’s will all along, and he was not going to go against God. Jacob had no need for his deception, because God was indeed going to bless him with the clan leadership. So, Isaac told Esau the decision.
“ ‘My son,’ Isaac answered, ‘I have made Jacob the ruler over you and your brothers, and all of you will be his servants. I have also promised him all the grain and grapes that he needs. There’s nothing left that I can do for you.’ ” (Genesis 27:37 CEV).
The New Testament gives a clue to Isaac’s motive, faith. Do we have that kind of faith, to place our lives in God’s hands, whether or not He works things out as we had planned?
“By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.” (Hebrews 11:21 WEB)
Liar
Like father, like son. The family weakness of lying about their wives comes once again to the fore.
“And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.” (Genesis 26:7 KJV)
God’s human leaders on earth have never been perfect, but they have had faith.
Peacemaker
Some men wanted to fight Isaac over an ancestral well. But, rather than argue over well water, Isaac chose to make peace and move on. In the annals of Middle East history, this example could be followed more often.
“So Isaac departed from there and camped in the Valley of Gerar, and settled there.” (Genesis 26:17 NASB)
Similar disputes over well water with locals continued again and again until finally there was peace.
“He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, ‘Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.’ ” (Genesis 26:22 NIV)
Being able to take a loss for the sake of peace is a good thing. It’s a pity the world has not learned that lesson very often in history.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)
As we see with all of God’s servants, none are perfect, but it is righteousness by faith that counts. Is Isaac saved? Quoting Exodus 3:6 Jesus provides us an answer.
“But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead—haven’t you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead.” (Matthew 22:31-32 NLT)
Will you have a change of heart and mind and like Isaac believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
Bible E-Course 3g - Abraham
A study of the patriarchs and matriarchs reveals that they were very imperfect people, but blessed by God because of faith. This should be an encouragement to us who are likewise very imperfect, but trust in God.
Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? Let’s look at Genesis 12-25 and the life of a patriarch of our faith.
God’s Will for Abram
In Genesis 12 God said to Abram six times “I will.”
“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you.’ ” (Genesis 12:1-3 CEB).
At age 75, Abram left a comfortable life in Harran because he believed God’s promise.
“I will give this land to your family forever.” (Genesis 12:7b CEV)
The whole point is Abram’s faith, not any kind of sinless perfection, because he was far from perfect.
“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, ‘I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife.” Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.’ ” (Genesis 12:11-13 ESV)
Abram & Lot
Abram had large herds of animals. The land could not hold both his and Lot’s herds so they separated. Revealing his character, Abram let Lot choose the best land.
“Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” (Genesis 13:9 KJV)
Lot chose the greener, sin-filled plains, but eventually needed rescue. Eastern kings attacked, captured Lot and his family. With hundreds of fighting men Abram saved them. Then he met Melchizedek king of Salem [Jerusalem], a priest of God.
“And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has handed over your enemies to you.’ And he gave him a tenth of everything.” (Genesis 14:19-20 NASB)
Covenant of Promise
God blessed Abram, and despite his human faults, he is counted as righteous because he believed the Lord.
“He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6 NIV)
His belief was not perfect though. Sarai used her handmaid as a surrogate and Abram complied. Ishmael was the result. As you can imagine, Abram’s family life became pretty messed up because of that. Yet, God changed Abram’s name from High Father (Abram) to Father of a Multitude (Abraham), and Sarai’s name from Princess (Sarai) to THE Princess (Sarah).
God instituted circumcision as a sign of the covenant and promised a son via Sarah. Both laughed in mockery that God would give two old people a son. So God gave them a constant reminder of that laughter. Yitzhak or Isaac in Hebrew means he laughs.
“But God said, “No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac [he laughs]; and I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.” (Genesis 17:19 NASB)
Sodom & Gomorrah
A heavenly trio visited Abraham, promised a son and shared God’s plans for Sodom. Abraham asked what if there were fifty, forty-five, forty, thirty, or twenty righteous people there.
“Finally, Abraham said, ‘Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?’ And the Lord replied, ‘Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.’ ” (Genesis 18:32 NLT).
Lesser known sins of Sodom included pride, idleness and neglect of the poor and needy.
“Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 16:49 NKJV).
Their more well-known sin was sexual.
“But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter. They called to Lot, and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came in to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we may have sex with them.’ ” (Genesis 19:4-5 WEB)
Lot is a sad case. He chose to live in a perverted, self-indulgent town. Perhaps he thought he could be a force for good, unaffected by his environment. Perhaps he was just naïve. No matter where we live, we need to be in the world but not of the world (John 15:19; 17:14-16).
We can see how low Lot had sunk by the offer of his daughters to the mob.
“See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.” (Genesis 19:8 NKJV)
Perhaps this cowardly and repulsive character failure was in part to blame on the town’s wickedness that tormented his soul day and night. Lot is still called righteous, had God’s favor, and was mercifully given a way of escape.
“But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.” (2 Peter 2:7-8 NLT)
Rather than glad to be rid of such an abominable town, Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.
Abraham & Hagar
Abraham’s family situation became very tense, after Abraham had a child with the household servant Hagar, even though it was at Sarah’s insistence. Sarah was exasperated by the whole sordid affair and wanted Abraham to send Hagar and her son Ishmael away.
“God said to Abraham, ‘Don’t be upset about the boy and your servant. Do everything Sarah tells you to do because your descendants will be traced through Isaac. But I will make of your servant’s son a great nation too, because he is also your descendant.’ ” (Genesis 21:12-13 CEB)
In this, God shows His great mercy, even upon this very messed up family situation and the sins of His faithful people. We must learn not to judge, because even the most faithful of God’s servants will have glaring faults.
Abraham & Abimelech
Though Abraham was faithful to God, like us he was faulty. He repeated his sin of deception in Egypt with Abimelech. So, God warned Abimelech in a dream.
“Now return the man’s wife. He’s a prophet; he will pray for you so you may live. But if you don’t return her, know that you and everyone with you will die!” (Genesis 20:7 CEB)
Abraham was flawed, but he obeyed God.
“Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen.” (Hebrews 11:8 CEV)
He was tested for his willingness to sacrifice his son in a way that reminds us of the cross.
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ ” (Hebrews 11:17 ESV)
Though far from perfect, Abraham had a kind of righteousness credited by faith.
“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” (James 2:23 KJV)
Though perhaps born in a different nation that does not have God’s law as its heritage, all who have the faith of Abraham are his successors, because he is a father to all believers.
“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, ‘I have made you the father of many nations.’ This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” (Romans 4:16-17 NKJV)
Will you have a change of heart and mind and like Abraham, believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? Let’s look at Genesis 12-25 and the life of a patriarch of our faith.
God’s Will for Abram
In Genesis 12 God said to Abram six times “I will.”
“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you.’ ” (Genesis 12:1-3 CEB).
At age 75, Abram left a comfortable life in Harran because he believed God’s promise.
“I will give this land to your family forever.” (Genesis 12:7b CEV)
The whole point is Abram’s faith, not any kind of sinless perfection, because he was far from perfect.
“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, ‘I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife.” Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.’ ” (Genesis 12:11-13 ESV)
Abram & Lot
Abram had large herds of animals. The land could not hold both his and Lot’s herds so they separated. Revealing his character, Abram let Lot choose the best land.
“Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” (Genesis 13:9 KJV)
Lot chose the greener, sin-filled plains, but eventually needed rescue. Eastern kings attacked, captured Lot and his family. With hundreds of fighting men Abram saved them. Then he met Melchizedek king of Salem [Jerusalem], a priest of God.
“And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has handed over your enemies to you.’ And he gave him a tenth of everything.” (Genesis 14:19-20 NASB)
Covenant of Promise
God blessed Abram, and despite his human faults, he is counted as righteous because he believed the Lord.
“He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6 NIV)
His belief was not perfect though. Sarai used her handmaid as a surrogate and Abram complied. Ishmael was the result. As you can imagine, Abram’s family life became pretty messed up because of that. Yet, God changed Abram’s name from High Father (Abram) to Father of a Multitude (Abraham), and Sarai’s name from Princess (Sarai) to THE Princess (Sarah).
God instituted circumcision as a sign of the covenant and promised a son via Sarah. Both laughed in mockery that God would give two old people a son. So God gave them a constant reminder of that laughter. Yitzhak or Isaac in Hebrew means he laughs.
“But God said, “No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac [he laughs]; and I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.” (Genesis 17:19 NASB)
Sodom & Gomorrah
A heavenly trio visited Abraham, promised a son and shared God’s plans for Sodom. Abraham asked what if there were fifty, forty-five, forty, thirty, or twenty righteous people there.
“Finally, Abraham said, ‘Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?’ And the Lord replied, ‘Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.’ ” (Genesis 18:32 NLT).
Lesser known sins of Sodom included pride, idleness and neglect of the poor and needy.
“Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 16:49 NKJV).
Their more well-known sin was sexual.
“But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter. They called to Lot, and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came in to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we may have sex with them.’ ” (Genesis 19:4-5 WEB)
Lot is a sad case. He chose to live in a perverted, self-indulgent town. Perhaps he thought he could be a force for good, unaffected by his environment. Perhaps he was just naïve. No matter where we live, we need to be in the world but not of the world (John 15:19; 17:14-16).
We can see how low Lot had sunk by the offer of his daughters to the mob.
“See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.” (Genesis 19:8 NKJV)
Perhaps this cowardly and repulsive character failure was in part to blame on the town’s wickedness that tormented his soul day and night. Lot is still called righteous, had God’s favor, and was mercifully given a way of escape.
“But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.” (2 Peter 2:7-8 NLT)
Rather than glad to be rid of such an abominable town, Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.
Abraham & Hagar
Abraham’s family situation became very tense, after Abraham had a child with the household servant Hagar, even though it was at Sarah’s insistence. Sarah was exasperated by the whole sordid affair and wanted Abraham to send Hagar and her son Ishmael away.
“God said to Abraham, ‘Don’t be upset about the boy and your servant. Do everything Sarah tells you to do because your descendants will be traced through Isaac. But I will make of your servant’s son a great nation too, because he is also your descendant.’ ” (Genesis 21:12-13 CEB)
In this, God shows His great mercy, even upon this very messed up family situation and the sins of His faithful people. We must learn not to judge, because even the most faithful of God’s servants will have glaring faults.
Abraham & Abimelech
Though Abraham was faithful to God, like us he was faulty. He repeated his sin of deception in Egypt with Abimelech. So, God warned Abimelech in a dream.
“Now return the man’s wife. He’s a prophet; he will pray for you so you may live. But if you don’t return her, know that you and everyone with you will die!” (Genesis 20:7 CEB)
Abraham was flawed, but he obeyed God.
“Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen.” (Hebrews 11:8 CEV)
He was tested for his willingness to sacrifice his son in a way that reminds us of the cross.
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ ” (Hebrews 11:17 ESV)
Though far from perfect, Abraham had a kind of righteousness credited by faith.
“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” (James 2:23 KJV)
Though perhaps born in a different nation that does not have God’s law as its heritage, all who have the faith of Abraham are his successors, because he is a father to all believers.
“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, ‘I have made you the father of many nations.’ This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” (Romans 4:16-17 NKJV)
Will you have a change of heart and mind and like Abraham, believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
Bible E-Course 3f - Babel
Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of God. Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of non-citizen neighbors. The sin of self-centered national pride, of placing our name above others is the same attitude as existed at the tower of Babel. Such arrogant self-importance discredits any modern nation just as it did them. Let’s examine how the tower of Babel is still relevant today.
Making a Name
Unity can be a good thing unless a unified group uses its power to oppress others. Church unity is important, but even some morally weak Christians have used their power to murder and oppress dissenters in history. Look at how badly some Christians treated others in European history. Look at the atrocities committed by so-called Christian monarchs. Look at how some modern churches treat each other.
We’ve all heard attitudes like, “We are the best. We have the best country. We are the right denomination. Another world first by our scientists.” This was Babylon’s attitude.
“They said, ‘Come, let’s build for ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves so that we won’t be dispersed over all the earth.’ ” (Genesis 11:4 CEB)
Disobedience
Why were they worried about making a name for themselves? Was it because they wanted to be disobedient to God’s clear command to Noah?
“So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.’ ” (Genesis 9:1 NKJV)
Did they think that by becoming famous for a tall tower they could stay together instead of filling the earth? Did Nimrod want power and so rallied people to support his vision which disobeyed God’s purpose? How similar is this to great swelling ideas proposed by modern politicians?
Preaching Lies
Making a name for ourselves is also a danger in the church. How many preachers want a big church, lots of money or fame? We see it frequently. Some preachers settle for a popular message and judiciously avoid the offensive words of the Bible which describe sin or suffering.
It’s tempting for preachers to heed the ancient plea of the people for comforting sermons that avoid our need to repent of sin. It’s tempting to emphasize heaven and ignore hell. Popular preferences include motivational speeches about health and wealth, or entertainment and physical experiences, or to ignore biblical morality and promote popular immorality, or to emphasize later traditions more than the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. People can’t cope with the truth. They prefer preachers who tickle their ears. They are a people,
“Who say to the seers, ‘You must not see visions’; And to the prophets, ‘You must not prophesy the truth to us. Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.’ ” (Isaiah 30:10 NASB)
Pride
These kinds of false and watered down messages bring about the same kind of pride exhibited at the tower of Babel. There is nothing new when it comes to attitudes.
What’s wrong with national or denominational pride? Pride of any kind causes evils such as treating others as lesser people. Why are would-be immigrants mistreated across the world? Why do Ulster Catholics and Protestants have a long history of violence? Why have weak Christians persecuted other Christians? Pride causes many evils.
“God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble.” (1 Peter 5:5b CEV)
Despots
Technological advancement is a mixed blessing because it also brings a greater capacity for evil. We often admire cities, yet they also isolate us from the beauty of creation in noisy, crime-ridden, concrete jungles. Despots like Nimrod assembled people in cities for protection and pride, but it also gave them more power.
“Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one [tyrant] in the earth.” (Genesis 10:8 WEB)
In context, this seems to imply that Nimrod was “one who magnifies himself, behaves proudly, a tyrant.”
Growth of Evil
The problem with a taste of power is that it easily leads to corruption. God knows this and so decided to put the brakes on human progress, because a simpler country life slows down the growth of evil and His plan was to populate the whole world.
“And the Lord said, ‘Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.’ ” (Genesis 11:6 ESV)
Languages
What was God’s solution?
“Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.” (Genesis 11:7 KJV)
Losing the ability to communicate, they soon ceased building what may have been an iconic Mesopotamian ziggurat and they scattered. Just as before the flood, people were tending towards the lowest common denominator, sin. But, God had promised not to flood the whole world again. Instead, He scattered people into smaller linguistic groups. It only slowed down human depravity, but did not put a permanent stop to it as modern history shows.
Whether you believe this is allegory or history, the lessons are the same. Human civilization tends towards oppression of the weak by the powerful, eventually spiraling into greater and greater depravity. This sad proclivity has not changed despite all modern advances. Society has never been able to overcome humanity’s greatest weaknesses.
Will you have a change of heart and mind and believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
Making a Name
Unity can be a good thing unless a unified group uses its power to oppress others. Church unity is important, but even some morally weak Christians have used their power to murder and oppress dissenters in history. Look at how badly some Christians treated others in European history. Look at the atrocities committed by so-called Christian monarchs. Look at how some modern churches treat each other.
We’ve all heard attitudes like, “We are the best. We have the best country. We are the right denomination. Another world first by our scientists.” This was Babylon’s attitude.
“They said, ‘Come, let’s build for ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves so that we won’t be dispersed over all the earth.’ ” (Genesis 11:4 CEB)
Disobedience
Why were they worried about making a name for themselves? Was it because they wanted to be disobedient to God’s clear command to Noah?
“So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.’ ” (Genesis 9:1 NKJV)
Did they think that by becoming famous for a tall tower they could stay together instead of filling the earth? Did Nimrod want power and so rallied people to support his vision which disobeyed God’s purpose? How similar is this to great swelling ideas proposed by modern politicians?
Preaching Lies
Making a name for ourselves is also a danger in the church. How many preachers want a big church, lots of money or fame? We see it frequently. Some preachers settle for a popular message and judiciously avoid the offensive words of the Bible which describe sin or suffering.
It’s tempting for preachers to heed the ancient plea of the people for comforting sermons that avoid our need to repent of sin. It’s tempting to emphasize heaven and ignore hell. Popular preferences include motivational speeches about health and wealth, or entertainment and physical experiences, or to ignore biblical morality and promote popular immorality, or to emphasize later traditions more than the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. People can’t cope with the truth. They prefer preachers who tickle their ears. They are a people,
“Who say to the seers, ‘You must not see visions’; And to the prophets, ‘You must not prophesy the truth to us. Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.’ ” (Isaiah 30:10 NASB)
Pride
These kinds of false and watered down messages bring about the same kind of pride exhibited at the tower of Babel. There is nothing new when it comes to attitudes.
What’s wrong with national or denominational pride? Pride of any kind causes evils such as treating others as lesser people. Why are would-be immigrants mistreated across the world? Why do Ulster Catholics and Protestants have a long history of violence? Why have weak Christians persecuted other Christians? Pride causes many evils.
“God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble.” (1 Peter 5:5b CEV)
Despots
Technological advancement is a mixed blessing because it also brings a greater capacity for evil. We often admire cities, yet they also isolate us from the beauty of creation in noisy, crime-ridden, concrete jungles. Despots like Nimrod assembled people in cities for protection and pride, but it also gave them more power.
“Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one [tyrant] in the earth.” (Genesis 10:8 WEB)
In context, this seems to imply that Nimrod was “one who magnifies himself, behaves proudly, a tyrant.”
Growth of Evil
The problem with a taste of power is that it easily leads to corruption. God knows this and so decided to put the brakes on human progress, because a simpler country life slows down the growth of evil and His plan was to populate the whole world.
“And the Lord said, ‘Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.’ ” (Genesis 11:6 ESV)
Languages
What was God’s solution?
“Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.” (Genesis 11:7 KJV)
Losing the ability to communicate, they soon ceased building what may have been an iconic Mesopotamian ziggurat and they scattered. Just as before the flood, people were tending towards the lowest common denominator, sin. But, God had promised not to flood the whole world again. Instead, He scattered people into smaller linguistic groups. It only slowed down human depravity, but did not put a permanent stop to it as modern history shows.
Whether you believe this is allegory or history, the lessons are the same. Human civilization tends towards oppression of the weak by the powerful, eventually spiraling into greater and greater depravity. This sad proclivity has not changed despite all modern advances. Society has never been able to overcome humanity’s greatest weaknesses.
Will you have a change of heart and mind and believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
Giving Extravagantly
One of the greatest secrets of the universe is in Jesus’ words, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Do we give extravagantly to God or our leftovers? Let’s look at Mary’s anointing of Jesus in John 12:1-8.
“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.” (John 12:1-2 NKJV)
This is six days before the cross, and Jesus naturally turned to some of His dearest friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. There is a contrast between two ladies who loved to give and Judas who loved to take.
“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:3 NKJV)
Have you ever desired to simplify and lighten the burden of having so many physical trappings? What is sitting around our lives that we could willingly and joyfully give away? Mary was naturally very thankful to Jesus for restoring the life of her brother Lazarus. Her lavish giving is a measure of her gratitude.
Mary’s perfume in a very expensive alabaster vase, was possibly about a litra, a Roman pound, around 12 oz, 350 ml, worth about 300 denarius, 300 day’s wages, a year’s income. Spikenard or nard was imported from the slopes of the Himalayas, a long, long way. How extravagant is our giving to Jesus?
Beautiful church buildings are a testimony to the generosity of people who love God. London’s Westminster Cathedral, Cologne’s Cathedral, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral and the Salzburg Cathedral are treasures. Should they be sold to give to the poor? Among the Great Commandments the first is to love God. The second is to love our neighbor. Which of the two is exemplified by Mary anointing Jesus with outrageously expensive perfume?
“But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” (John 12:4-6 NKJV)
Judas Iscariot did not truly love Jesus. He feigned caring for the poor but had stolen money from the cash box. Many Christians are not obsessed by materialism and money but give generously to both God and the poor. Some Christians practice the spirit of the Old Testament tithing law, and are blessed by God for their generosity towards His kingdom. Some others are offended that it takes money to run a church. The spirit or principle of God’s laws on giving still applies. Do we give God the best we have, or second best?
Do we believe we are giving to a club or organization of mere human beings or to Jesus? Giving is a measure of our values, a measure of our love. Do we love things more than God? Do we see the blessing that comes when we get rid of things?
“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.’ ” (John 12:7-8 NKJV)
The dead were often anointed with perfume to cover the smell of death. Jesus quoted the law about the poor.
"For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’" (Deuteronomy 15:11 NKJV)
Our obligation to the poor is clear, but we must not neglect our first love as did the church at Ephesus.
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV)
This is also a description of modern liberal Christians, who have loved their neighbor, and pretended to love God but have not obeyed His will. Jesus commended Mary’s choice, to honor Jesus extravagantly, to obey the first of the two great commandments: love God first and neighbor second.
Here is an example of extravagant giving to our Lord, with permission and encouragement from Jesus. The one who criticized her generosity was a thief who focused only on the second great commandment. Most of us are not thieves, but perhaps not extravagantly generous in our love of the Lord. May we all learn to be a little more like Mary.
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.” (John 12:1-2 NKJV)
This is six days before the cross, and Jesus naturally turned to some of His dearest friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. There is a contrast between two ladies who loved to give and Judas who loved to take.
“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:3 NKJV)
Have you ever desired to simplify and lighten the burden of having so many physical trappings? What is sitting around our lives that we could willingly and joyfully give away? Mary was naturally very thankful to Jesus for restoring the life of her brother Lazarus. Her lavish giving is a measure of her gratitude.
Mary’s perfume in a very expensive alabaster vase, was possibly about a litra, a Roman pound, around 12 oz, 350 ml, worth about 300 denarius, 300 day’s wages, a year’s income. Spikenard or nard was imported from the slopes of the Himalayas, a long, long way. How extravagant is our giving to Jesus?
Beautiful church buildings are a testimony to the generosity of people who love God. London’s Westminster Cathedral, Cologne’s Cathedral, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral and the Salzburg Cathedral are treasures. Should they be sold to give to the poor? Among the Great Commandments the first is to love God. The second is to love our neighbor. Which of the two is exemplified by Mary anointing Jesus with outrageously expensive perfume?
“But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” (John 12:4-6 NKJV)
Judas Iscariot did not truly love Jesus. He feigned caring for the poor but had stolen money from the cash box. Many Christians are not obsessed by materialism and money but give generously to both God and the poor. Some Christians practice the spirit of the Old Testament tithing law, and are blessed by God for their generosity towards His kingdom. Some others are offended that it takes money to run a church. The spirit or principle of God’s laws on giving still applies. Do we give God the best we have, or second best?
Do we believe we are giving to a club or organization of mere human beings or to Jesus? Giving is a measure of our values, a measure of our love. Do we love things more than God? Do we see the blessing that comes when we get rid of things?
“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.’ ” (John 12:7-8 NKJV)
The dead were often anointed with perfume to cover the smell of death. Jesus quoted the law about the poor.
"For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’" (Deuteronomy 15:11 NKJV)
Our obligation to the poor is clear, but we must not neglect our first love as did the church at Ephesus.
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV)
This is also a description of modern liberal Christians, who have loved their neighbor, and pretended to love God but have not obeyed His will. Jesus commended Mary’s choice, to honor Jesus extravagantly, to obey the first of the two great commandments: love God first and neighbor second.
Here is an example of extravagant giving to our Lord, with permission and encouragement from Jesus. The one who criticized her generosity was a thief who focused only on the second great commandment. Most of us are not thieves, but perhaps not extravagantly generous in our love of the Lord. May we all learn to be a little more like Mary.
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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