My hope is that this series will offer my readers a chance to consider the names, characteristics and descriptions of our God in the Word.
The remaining Names of God in this series might be considered descriptors, or characteristics of the Lord. We have reviewed the three primary Names of God, along with nineteen compound Names of God in our previous posts. As we venture through these descriptors of our God, I hope we will recognize all the many characteristics of our God that we tend to take for granted.
The Word is truly rich with descriptions of the Living God, and this effort of searching in the Word was quite illuminating. He truly is the ultimate subject of the Word, and His revelation of self-descriptions, or the accolades offered Him by His priests, prophets, kings apostles and faithful truly is a blessing.
May the Name of the Lord be praised, and by thinking on His name, may you have a blessed day.
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| GREAT LIGHT |
| Matthew 4:16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” |
| John had just been put in prison. Things were trending to be against this new movement in Jerusalem. Those in the spiritual center of the region were actively seeking to “protect” the people of Israel from heresy. The time would come when the Messiah would enter the lion’s den in Jerusalem, but for now, upon the imprisonment of John, Jesus headed north, to an area that didn’t have any spiritual light, that was despised by the elite of Jerusalem. Yes He headed to Galilee of the Gentiles, an area that some have estimated inhabited close to three million souls, a fertile farmland region, with a thriving fishing industry. Formerly a part of Israel, with a pure Jewish population found, the region had been “overrun” with Gentiles, to the point that it was defined by their presence. Galilee of the Gentiles. This is the region the Lord headed for as John was imprisoned. A region that was in darkness, spiritually speaking, not only in the opinion of those elites in Jerusalem, but also in truth. No prophet had appeared in the region since the area fell to Assyria over 700 years before, and was considered by those who knew best in Jerusalem to be a spiritual write off. Jerusalem was to be the focus for the religious elite, for in it the temple resided, the place where the Light had once been in the Holy of Holies. Granted, the Shekinah glory had not been resident in the Temple for centuries, but the claim to fame was still being held onto by the elite. Those of Jerusalem guarded a tradition, a religion, a past light that had left centuries ago, but the tradition was fiercely guarded, defended against from all competitors. Even when that Great Light was introduced to the elite, he was imprisoned by the elite. No – those in the know would protect their truth, defend their light and fight against all who would bring heresy. Definitely a defensive stance! Jesus, the Great Light was different. He would go to them, for how could He not? Light is not defensive in it’s nature but outgoing, defeating darkness, proceeding forward. Yes, He saw the rejection of light by those who claimed the light, but then proceeded to take the light to those who had no claim of light, who did not assume a spiritual standing before God. The region was Gentile! Oh my goodness, how could anyone think there was a spiritual component to the area, when it was overpopulated with Gentiles. But Jesus, the Great Light was different! Jesus, as He entered the region performed many miracles, taught many stories, and lived a charmed life amongst them. As the Great Light amongst a darkened people, these folk, even the Gentiles amongst them were exposed to truth, light and love as never before. Sadly some in the region exercised their stubbornness and remained blind, even though the Great Light was in their presence. This condition is a relevant truth to consider, for if there is darkness, it may be due to a self inflicted, stubborn streak in the one in need of light. After all, when Jesus was closing out His ministry, He condemned some of the cities He had shone in, Matthew 11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Matthew 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Matthew 11:24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” The Great Light shone in darkness and some who dwelled in darkness judged the darkness to be preferred. Was it that they were not of the pure Jewish blood, those of Abraham’s lineage that they couldn’t recieve the light? I think not, for as we read of Jesus condemnation, Jesus compared those of Chorazain, Bethsaida and Capernaum with other Gentile cities. As the Word constantly teaches, bloodlines, nationalities and religions are not the key to seeing light. The key to seeing light is a loss of blindness. And the first step to the loss of blindness is an admission of being blind. The Great Light is still shining for all of us, and each of us may still retain a certain blindness to His glory. I readily admit my own blindness, my own desire to be in the land of darkness. Lord help me as I dwell in my own darkness! It is truly amazing that He not only is the Great Light, but that He came to those in darkness, even a self inflicted darkness, willing and able to provide sight to those who want to escape the darkness. Each of us, whether we be Jew, Gentile (or even Canadian) have the privilege and responsibility to open our eyes to the Great Light. Once you do, it is a decision that will never be regretted, and that will cause you to keep coming back to that Light, for He is the One and Only Great Light! |
I would love to hear of your favorite name, characteristic or description of the Living God. Please leave me a comment, and I will include it in the list!
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