The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #349
Description
Messenger of the new covenant
Old Testament Prophecy
Malachi 3:1c
the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
New Testament Fulfillment
Luke 4:43
but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
2:17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
A drink offering on a sacrificial offering?
In the Old Testament, God required a number of different offerings in the sacrificial system. The main offerings are of course
The Burnt Offering – generally an offering for atonement of sine and an expression of devotion to God, and could be a bull, sheep, goat, dove or pigeon, and the animal, with the skin removed was completely consumed in the fires of the sacrifice.
The Grain Offering – generally used as a voluntary offering of gratefulness, and an expression of devotion to God. As the name states, this sacrifice was bread based, and was only partially consumed, that is a part of the bread was sacrificed, with the priest retaining some for their own consumption.
The Peace Offering – generally was used to consecrate a meal between two or more parties before God. This offering included both animal and grain in the sacrifice, with portions retained for the priest.
The Sin Offering – occasionally seen as an offering to atone for unintentional sins, or for the removal of guilt from the offending party. Some of the sins atoned for were of ritual impurity, but primarily is used to purify the offering party to enter into God’s presence. This offering was not to be shared with anyone.
The Guilt Offering – sometimes called the trespass offering, was not to clear the conscious of the offeror, but to restore, or make restitutions or reparations to the one offended. This offering usually ended up being a provided in cold hard cash, or some monetary offering to settle a debt.
Notice that in all the offerings, not once was a drink offering described. Each of these five offering hearken to the Lord Jesus, and in my “Jesus in the Old Testament” series we will enter into each of offerings a bit deeper, seeing how they speak of the Messiah. For now, let us understand that the drink offering Paul describes himself as is that which supplements the sacrificial offering of the Philippians faith.
In the Old Testament, the drink offering was associated with the peace, burnt and grain offerings. In Paul’s mind, I want to think that he is referring to the Philippians faith as a burnt offering, that offering which signifies complete dedication to God. Paul, in his life as the apostle, is simply describing himself as an “add on” to the Philippians faith, a supplemental drink offering to their sacrificial lives.
What a wonderful way to consider his life, a humble man that sees his own existence as only supplementing someone else in their effort to please God. Again, we see the humility of the Lord Jesus being expressed in a side comment from the apostle Paul. He is simply speaking of his desire to assist the Philippians in their faith, for them to understand his deep love and devotion not only to God but to them.
Humility of service shines forth from the apostle, and the theme of humility continues through this short passage, starting back in the first few verses of Chapter 2. Humility is a characteristic of the Lord, a characteristic of the apostle Paul and a characteristic of the faithful believer.
Humility. Are you proud of your humility? Boast in the Lord and humility will be a fruit that grows without noticing!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 51
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
David is closing his prayer of contrition with these final verses, and expanding his prayers beyond his own life.
His first desire is that God will do good to Zion. This is God’s heart for His people and David is expressing his own heart in connection with God. He is seeking the prosperity of Jerusalem, and this must mean the spiritual prosperity of Jerusalem, for he immediately refers to God delighting in right sacrifices.
After this entire psalm, if there is one thing that stands out, it is that the sacrifices God prescribed in the Old Testament were not only to be physically performed, but that the practice of sacrifice had a much greater meaning than a simple offering of an animal.
The greatest message of sacrifice is of the Lord Jesus Himself, and of His full and complete provision of our salvation through his sacrifice on the cross. This is the focus of the Word and we (at least I) need to be remined of it daily.
Yet David speaks to the believer also in this psalm, describing the sacrificial system in the believers life, not only of physical sacrifice, but of the sacrifice of our will to God’s will, of the acceptance of a verdict of death in our own lives.
As he closes he speaks of “then bulls will be offered..” Bulls and goats, sheep and doves were being offered in sacrifice even as he wrote this psalm, yet David speaks of the sacrifices of a humble and contrite (broken) spirit in the believer, that is to accompany acts of worship and remembrance. When the believer humbles himself, accepts the truth of his rebellion and obstinacy, openly confesses his dark heart, and seeks renewal and restoration after a period of sin, this is when the sacrifices become pleasing in the sight of the Lord.
May God open our eyes to our own condition before Him so that we may gladly offer up sacrifices to Him in spirit and in truth!
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #348
Description
Sudden appearance at the temple
Old Testament Prophecy
Malachi 3:1b
And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple
New Testament Fulfillment
Mark 11:15-16
And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Hebrews 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
It was a Friday, early in the morning when the Lord reminded me of a phrase in the Word. Even as I rehearsed it out loud, having my walk about, it seemed to be as if I had never considered it before, almost as if I had never read it. (I can assure my readers that I have read it many times in the past.)
Nevertheless, I couldn’t reconcile the idea of sacrifice with praise, for in my mind, my primary association with sacrifice is that of giving something up that has personal value, yet not from any internal desire, but from an external influence. For example, I don’t sacrifice a meal unless I have to (Doctors orders) , or at the very least, believe some resultant benefit will come from it (a personal fast for concentrating on God’s will, or a period of prayer).
Another tripping thought for me was the idea that sacrifice involves a death, as in the Old Testament Levitical system with the slaughter of bulls, goats and sheep. In our modern world, this does not literally occur in the Christian life, and I had another disconnect in my thinking regarding this verse.
It just didn’t make sense for me, and, as a paradox is wont to do, it took me outside of my usual way of thinking.
So for the remainder of the day and into the weekend, this nagging disconnect kept floating around in my mind. Until I mixed in the human experience, (and not just a logical analysis of the verse) did it become apparent as to what the author was describing.
Consider the background of the epistle. Groups of Hebrew’s were being ostracized, persecuted and rejected by their religious culture, and the apostle was addressing their condition. They seemed to be at the edge of apostacy, willing to jump for it was simply too hard for some.
So what does the apostle challenge this group with. Sacrifice. A very familiar concept for these believers, for they grew up in a culture of sacrifice, or giving up something to the God of their fathers. Only, sly apostle as he was. this sacrifice was something that would not only honor the Lord Jesus, but also give them strength to endure.
For you see, as the believer decides to praise the Father and Son, specifically in the midst of trials and tribulations, when the situation is difficult, disappointing and even discouraging, an active decision to praise when he or she doesn’t feel like it, that is the sacrifice the apostle is admonishing these believers to enter into.
Many believers who may be reading this may consider this to be Christianity 101. This is true, for we are to praise Him for His glorious working in our lives when we see it and don’t see it, when we feel it and when we don’t feel it. So true, but this verse and the message it had for me that weekend produced a memory that I can tuck away in a corner of my mind for future times of difficulty.
The Lord is faithful, and I trust that He will remind me of this “paradox” the next time a period of difficulty arrives at my doorstep.
For that I praise Him!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #347
Description
Messenger to prepare the way for Messiah
Old Testament Prophecy
Malachi 3:1a
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.
New Testament Fulfillment
Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[a] As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.
I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.
SEEING JESUS IN
ADAM
STOOPED TO EVE’S CONDITION
Genesis 3 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Philippians 2 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Adam, in joining Eve in her decision to eat of the forbidden fruit, and knowing the word of God in relation to this tree, joined Eve in her condition of death. Jesus also stooped to our condition of death, yet His stooping to our condition was temporary and for the lifting of our lives out of the pit of death. Praise His name!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #346
Description
He would return to the Mt. of Olives
Old Testament Prophecy
Zechariah 14:4
On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
New Testament Fulfillment
Acts 1:11-12
and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
2:16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Holding fast to the word of life is the anchor out of which we can endure in the correct path. The previous verse speaks of the church as lights in the world, and to be light is what we have been called to. This light we are called to shine is the light of God’s truth, love and ways.
If we go about imagining God’s ways, we simply become darkness, assimilating into the ignorance of God that the world lives in. We need to be in the Word if we are to know reflect the truth.
We need to hold the Word in the conventional sense, that is to not let go, to possess the Word, to hang on to the promises, and bend our wills to its teachings. Yet there are shades of meaning that the Greek word ἐπέχω epéchō (“hold fast”) may provide us additional truths for our lives.
Noticing
To hold fast in the ancient world also spoke of actively noticing, being alert to a situation, as Luke uses in his gospel.
Luke 14:7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,
Jesus noticed, perceived, caught sight of His surroundings. He was taking it all in, understanding the environment. He was not passively existing, simply existing, but absorbing the situation He was in. May this word also be informing us to be active in our understanding in the Word of Life and not simply be a passive reader, one who has heard and walked away?
Concentrating
Acts 3:4-5 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
When Peter and John were entering the Beautiful Gate, Peter and John looked at a cripple begging for alms. When Peter told the beggar to look at them, the beggar “fixed his attention” on the apostles. This speaks of focus, of concentration. He was single minded in looking at Peter and John. Of course he did not know what he would end up receiving, but that is immaterial to our topic at hand. He concentrated on the apostles.
May this word also be informing us that we are to concentrate on the principles and truth of the Word of God. Paul, when speaking of holding fast the Word of Life is also exhorting us to concentrate on the truth of the Word. Surely this is a responsibility and the desire of the believer that always needs to be refreshed!
Watching
1 Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Although Paul is speaking to Timothy in this verse, the Greek word ἐπέχω epéchō exhibits one additional facet of meaning for the believer. Paul uses the term in an application to Timothy to watch, or even guard his life and teaching. Back in Philippians 2:16, we might apply it to our own guarding of the Word in our own lives. As we grow in the Word we need to be careful (diligent) to maintain that which we have already learned. A relearning of principles and truths in the Word is an ongoing practice of the believer, and builds the spiritual fencing we need in guarding or protecting the Word in our own lives.
Presenting
Finally, Paul’s use of the term in Philippians 2:16 may also have the meaning of presenting, holding forth (as is translated in my old KJV) or displaying. After Paul speaks of the church as shining as lights in the world, he exhorts them to present, or display the Word of Life to those outside of the church, as light shines from it’s source. If the world is watching (and they are!), they should see the truths of the Word in the life of the believer.
The picture in this verse is of gospel truths being clearly presented to the world by redeemed sinners, for the world to see in those who claim the name of Jesus to actually recognize Jesus (in some manner) as we walk about in the darkness of this world.
Be in the Word in the morning, evening or afternoon. Consider the truths you have learned and walk in them. Notice the Word, concentrate on the Word, watch over the Word and finally present the Word to those around you. And if necessary, use words!
Remember God is good, all the time!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 51
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
In our last post I needed to stop on the last thought, that of praising God, and just settle in that mindset for a short period, for it is a good thing to do. He really is good, you know.
This next couple of verses, they also are super famous, with songs a plenty being written based on them. Yet David continues to amaze me, for he is describing concepts that go beyond what was available for the common Jewish man of his day.
During David’s time, to approach God involved sacrifice. Sacrifice of animals was the primary (only) way to approach a holy God. God established a sacrificial order to deal with personal sins, iniquities, transgressions and rebellion. Beyond the sacrificial system, which is a picture of the Christ, the Jewish man had no way to enter into God’s presence. God had provided a way for the covering of sin, but it was highly specific, detailed and required multiple steps, even an intermediary, as in the Levitical priests that would provide this service.
But read the verse above once more.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
Sacrifice was the prescribed method of approach to God, given by God in that time. Yet David says God does not delight in sacrifice, nor is He pleased with a burnt offering. What type of heresy is David teasing us with? Or is David a New Testamental believer that is far beyond some of our own understandings of God and His ways?
I would suggest the latter, for David understands the relationship connection with the Almighty, and the secondary religious priority of sacrificial offerings. This is not to say David no longer went to the temple to offer up sacrifices of bulls, lambs and goats, but that his thinking had shifted. Maybe he had always understood this prioritization of relationship over religion. Maybe those days in the fields with his sheep had been times of understanding God’s ways.
God is looking for sacrifices, that is true, but we understand in the church that the vicarious death of animals was a picture of the Lord Jesus, and always has been. David takes the concept of sacrifice and internalizes it, speaking of his brokenness and regret. And expresses his realization of the nature of God in that He will not despise one who comes to Him broken, humble and open to Him.
God will not despise this heart attitude. As we approach Him in humility and brokenness, we can have confidence that the Lord of Glory will receive us, minister to us, heal us and save us. One of my favorite set of verses in this vein of thinking may be found in Matthew 12:18-20, where the Lord Jesus is describing Himself, God’s Chosen Servant, and the character the Servant would display.
Matthew 12:18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; Matthew 12:20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; Matthew 12:21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
Did you catch it. A bruised reed has no strength. A smoldering wick has no life. He will not quarrel or shout, but understands the condition we are in. He is approachable in our very weakness and contrition. His character is to heal, not to destroy or to take advantage of any weakness we come to Him with.
As we walk the way, following after Him, we may stumble, even rebel against the good life. Do not hesitate to return to Him, admitting to and confessing your sin, for He is a great Father, One who delights in truth in the inward being.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #345
Description
Israel scattered as a result of rejecting Him
Old Testament Prophecy
Zechariah 13:7d
“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.
New Testament Fulfillment
Matt 26:31-56
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”
Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”
And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.
Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.”
And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.
Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”
At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
As we have been venturing through the Psalms, getting lost in the volume of the book, and the many nuggets of truth laid out for believers, I have come to realize (again and again) the beauty of the book, the depth of the book, the expanse of the human experience the book describes and allows us to join into.
We started with a quick dip into one of the most amazing chapters in the Word, one that has impacted my life in various stages of my Christian faith. It is a psalm that spoke to my wife and I as we were reading that night, but it began a journey through the psalms that has continued for over a year, and I suspect may continue to hold me.
With that said, I would like to offer those who read my bumbling efforts to understand one of the great books of the greatest book ever delivered to the human race, an ongoing summary of the findings and blessings I have enjoyed discovering.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #344
Description
Both God and man
Old Testament Prophecy
Zechariah 13:7c
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts.
New Testament Fulfillment
John 14:9
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.
I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.
SEEING JESUS IN
ADAM
GENTILE BRIDE
Genesis 3 20 The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Ephesians 5 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Both Adam and Eve were technically non-Jews, and therefore “of the nations” in the mind of the first century believer. With this point of view, Eve may be considered a gentile bride for Adam. The church is made up of Jews and Gentiles, and may be thought of as one entity, one person that has no ethnic distinction, much like Eve.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #343
Description
A violent death
Old Testament Prophecy
Zechariah 13:7b
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts.
New Testament Fulfillment
Mark 14:27
And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
In our last post we began this challenging verse and discussed the first two descriptions of the believer when Paul used the concepts of blameless and innocence.
Lets continue with the apostle Paul’s teaching for the believer.
Without Blemish
Can anyone hear the book of Leviticus when this phrase is written. That particular English phrase is used 17 times in the book of Leviticus (and an additional 17 times in the book of Numbers), always speaking of the quality of a sacrifice for the Lord. A good example is in Number 6:14, where Moses is trying to make a point!
Numbers 6:14 and he shall bring his gift to the LORD, one male lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish as a sin offering, and one ram without blemish as a peace offering,
Obviously, Paul is not speaking of lambs or rams without blemish in our passage today. The thought has morphed into a characteristic of the believer, an outgrowth of the thought life described in the passages previously. Some passages translate the greek word ἄμωμος (amōmos) as above reproach, as in Colossians 1:22.
Colossians 1:22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
To be without blemish (above reproach) speaks of a life lived that no one may find opportunity of criticism, no reason for someone to bring a just complaint against the believer. It is to be without fault, which begs the question of our being weak and frail in our lives. We sometimes fall, and we may find mercy from the Lord, yet in this description of the believer, we must admit that to be above reproach in this world requires humilty in front of those who may be against us, of our admission of sin in front of those who know not the Lord.
Is there no limit to the topic on humilty in Pauls message in this chapter? Yet we need to keep short accounts of our failings with Him, as we often speak, and of our failings with those who are watching us, those who are in the Lord and those who are not!
Shine as Lights in the World
Lights in the world.
Let’s consider the effect of light for a moment. Paul speaks to one effect of light in Ephesians 5:13
Ephesians 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible
Light is that which reveals. But, at the risk of being picky, I want to remind my reader that Paul uses the term in the plural, not the individual. Of couse the individual is required to be a light in this world, but Paul is going “congregational” here. He is looking for the body of Christ to be as lights in this world, a unified humble presence that as we interact with our neighbors, our combined character and presence would be that which reveals the unrighteous and evil nature of the culture we walk in. A counter culture, fueled by the love of God, not motivated by some impending judgement from God, living to His glory, rejecting the self glorification that is so pernicious in this old world.
My friends, take note of Paul’s admonition in this verse to maintain a singular thought life, of keeping or repairing relationships with our neigbor, and of living together with our brothers and sisiters in unity, humbly considering others better than ourselves. (See Philippian Bits – 2:3). For this we desperately need the Lord’s Spirit to be active and obeyed as we seek His kingdom.
Be blessed my friend. May the Lord be working in our lives to produce that which is pleasing in His sight!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 51
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
David has just reviewed his sins, laid them all out to the Lord, begged for forgiveness, and asked God for an act of creation, no small request. He knew he needed a clean heart, and after referring to washing away of his iniquities and purging of his sins, he still understood that the heart was the matter, the dead weight holding him down, the unrighteous influence in his pursuit of God. His heart was not in need of a repair, or medicine, as if it had any redeeming value.
He begged for the creation of a clean heart!
As the new heart is created, the natural fruit of a clean heart is described in the next three verses.
A Teacher of Transgressors
The clean heart can’t help but to share the truth with those who have it not. Whether it is with a believer who may be sliding a bit, or a lost soul who has never understood the grace of God, a clean heart is motivated to declare God’s goodness.
A Tongue of Singing
Recently, I have been listening to the old hymns, and when I am alone, I sometimes sing them to myself. (I restrict my singing around others as an act of love towards them!) At the Cross – what a hymn. Of course I usually only sing the chorus,
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day!
What great lyrics to dwell on in the body of the song itself.
Alas, and did my Savior bleed? And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I?
Was it for sins that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut His glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker, died For man, His creature’s sin.
Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears. Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt mine eyes to tears.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
A clean heart will sing, the tongue will be loosed, and songs will erupt. But we also need to understand there are singers and there are singers. In my case, wisdom dictates my volume to be somewhat less than deafening! It is for the best!
A Mouth of Praise
A praising mouth. The joy of expressing praise to God. Of speaking of His glories, of His faithfulness, of His steadfast love, of His mercy.
Recently I have been meditating in the morning about what it mean for God to be the Highest of all. That there are no gods like Him, that none are as lofty, or above Him. The implications of this truth is growing in my mind and heart, and the blessings are such that I can not explain. Oh to try, but words fail me!
Let us pickup on verse 16 in our next post, and give yourself some time this day the Lord has given us, to consider the One who has provided all things to us, and to take a few moments to meditate on Who He is. It shall transform you!
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #342
Description
God’s will He die for mankind
Old Testament Prophecy
Zechariah 13:7a
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts.
New Testament Fulfillment
John 18:11
So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
In addressing this couplet of verses, in relation to conditional security, we need to address the New Testament understanding of what it means to believe in Jesus the Messiah. You see, the verse speaks of obeying Him, and some may consider this obedience the initial act of faith, and there is truth in that statement. The initial act of faith was an obedient act of the will of the sinner to a call of grace, to a call from the Crucified One.
Yet if we look at the tense of the verb, we find the following. If you notice on the right, BlueLetterBible.org provides a bubble which includes the parsing of the verb. (The link will take you directly to the page being referred to.)
On the left is a listing defining what these letters in the bubble refer to.
For example, the first letter, “V” teaches us that the word “obey” is a verb. The second letter speaks of the tense of the verb. In English, we think of past present and future tense. The Greek word translated as obey is in the present tense.
For the most part, as the clip on the right teaches, this is directly equivalent to our present tense, and is translated as such in this verse.
So in review, let’s consider what we have learned.
The verse does not say
…he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obeyed him. (As in referring to the initial obedience of faith)
Nor does it say
…he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believe him. (Though if we understand to believe is to obey, we could without conflict understand it as such.)
The issue is current obedience.
Where are you at in hearing the voice of God in your life. Is He speaking about something specific, that needs to obeyed? Is He allowing a period of quiet in you life, simply to provide you time to put into practice the teachings you know to be true and faithful.
The Christian life is a life of obedience, discipleship and death to self on a daily basis. Obedience is synonymous with faith, and is simply the path to life.
Do you believe?
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The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #341
Description
The Messiah would be rejected
Old Testament Prophecy
Zechariah 12:10c
they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
New Testament Fulfillment
John 1:11
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.
I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.
SEEING JESUS IN
ADAM
BEGOTTEN OF GOD
Luke 3 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Acts 13 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’
To be considered the son of God was Adam’s distinct privilege, until Jesus arrived on the scene, and through His death and resurrection, confirmed for all of humanity that He is the Son!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #340
Description
The Messiah would be both God and man
Old Testament Prophecy
Zechariah 12:10b
they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
New Testament Fulfillment
John 10:30
I and the Father are one.”
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
In our last post we reviewed a most difficult verse, that is for those who want to hear the Word for their lives and tend to be complainers, grumblers, and murmurers. We saw that Paul was addressing our thought life, and the general attitude the believer is to maintain.
He has recently deisplayed the humility of the Lord in previous verses and our need to mimic Him, and then speaks of our thought life as being positive, loving kind and “not grumbly”. Heart issues are the topic, not our actions, yet with a correct heart attitude comes the proper fruit. This packed passage speaks of the our internal ruminations, resulting in proper fruit, the natural fruit of the believer who do all things without grumbling and murmuring!
Let’s consider the passage, that we may check our lives against the wishes of the apostle.
Four characteristics of the believer are described in this verse
Blameless
Paul has spoke of the blamelessness of the believer earlier in this wonderful book, back in verse 10 of the first chapter (See Philippian Bits – 1:10). To be blameless is not to be perfect in all of our actions, though that should be our goal. No, Paul is addressing our desires that if we do fall into an imperfection (some may want to insert the word “sin” here) with another soul, we need to request forgiveness, to take away the blameworthiness of that imperfection, to reestablish relationship with those who may have something against us.
We are to live in peace with all men, as much as possible. Our neighbor may love to hang on to unforgiveness though we seek it humbly. Their response is out of our hands but we need to be are honest and humble with ourselves and with our neighbor, seeking to maintain/repair relationships.
We can’t do that if we are grumbly!
Innocent
Paul continues with the description of the believers thoughts. He is not describing a verdict being handed down by some human judge in a court hearing, but of the single minded life of the believer. Let me try to explain.
The term innocent is from the greek word ἀκέραιος (akeraios). Notice the leading letter “a”, which in the greek is the same as our “not”. The root word is κεράννυμι (kerannymi), which simple speaks of mixing or mingling, even pouring in some instances. Paul is looking for disciples of Jesus to be “unmixed” in our thoughts, to be of “one mind.”
The term is only used three times in the New Testament, our verse today and the following two.
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Note that Jesus speaks of the wisdom of a serpent, and links it with the innocence of doves. This innocence isn’t speaking of a verdict in a court case, (as I so often associate with this word), but of a source of thinking for our actions.
Romans 16:19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
Paul, as the Lord above in the previous verse, links wisdom with innocence. Wisdom is sourced from the Lord and is a mental / internal condition for the believer to request of the Lord and to live in. Such also is the innocence the believer is to live in. Let’s remind our selves of the original meaning of this term, in that it refers to being not mixed. Paul is speaking of our minds to being single minded, unmixed of that which is evil.
These two desciptions of the believers thought life, which produce fruit in our day to day life, is extemely challenging. With the culture we live in, we are bombarded with evil, and we find it easy to slip into a callousness, not concerned about either our relationships with our neighbor or our unmixed thought life. Paul is calling us to a greater calling, a higher life, and that is to follow the Master in the minute by minute challenges we find as we swim through this evil culture.
Let’s continue this wonderful, challenging verse in our next post, for I fear this one is becoming less “succinct” than I originally planned.
Be blessed this day as you seek to honor His word by maintianing(or repairing a relationship) and by having a single unmixed thoughtlife.
God is good, all the time!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 51
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Super famous verses, some of the first verses out of the Old Testament that I memorized. Songs have been written based on David’s confession and request for restoration after his rebellion. Very famous passage!
Yet, as I reflect on the passage, I sense in the King a continuing admission of his helpless state. He begs God to do what only God can do. He begins this section in verse 7 where he refers to his need of cleansing. We have discussed the cleansing David requested in previous posts, (See Psalms for Psome – Ps 51.02) and he recalls the request again in front of the only One who can cleanse.
David then continues with a request for God, to allow, no – to provide the ability to experience joy and gladness, to hear with right ears and to find joy in the very discipline (broken bones) he experienced in his rebellion.
He pleads God to hide His face from his sins, and to blot out his iniquities. How much greater experience we have to know that His sacrifice for our sins allows us to experience forgiveness based on His mercy and love in dying for us. We no longer have to request the Father to “hide His face” from our sins, for He has dealt with our sins on the cross. We are most blessed, for we as believers have the gospel shining into our hearts, giving us light, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
David then breaches the famous words!
Create in me a clean heart. No longer is he asking to wash his sins away! He “cuts to the core” and speaks of his heart condition, realizing he is in desperate need of a new heart, for the old heart will only drag him back into the rebellion he is desperately clawing away from. No – a new heart is what he needs, and he knows it. The depth of David’s understanding of self is astounding.
One other time in the Old Testament, the term “clean heart”:” occurs, and that is also in the Psalms, in chapter 73, verse 12. Asaph speaks of maintaining a clean heart, but some translations refer to it as a pure heart. Ezekiel is the prophets that speaks of a new heart, that of those who in the New Covenant will be granted, as they look to the Messiah.
A clean heart. A pure heart. A new heart. Out of a sinful existence this is a very real possibility for those who wish it. The freedom that comes from a clean heart, the boldness, the restfulness and openness a clean heart provides. Oh to have a clean heart continually!
He speaks to God concerning his fear of being cast away, of having the Spirit of God taken from him. This is a topic I would like to reserve for a separate post in the Conditional Security series I am venturing though. Watch for it.
He finally requests God for restoration. He has confessed, he has requested, now he looks to God for his restoration, and not only restoration, but that God would uphold him in this restoration. For you see, David claimed the very same thing Jude spoke of in his book where it is written..
Jude 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
In the midst of trials and troubles, self inflicted pain and worries, as we look to Him for help, He may be found. As you may be going through confession and contrition over sin, realize that it is a sign of life. Do not refuse it, do not ignore it, for He looks to those who are brokenhearted, and delights to see truth in the inward man, in the heart!
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