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.

I had never considered the subject of this passage prior to considering the Cyrus the King of Media Persia. Who is the Lord referring to when He calls the nation of Israel to assemble and to listen. The context of the following verses speaks of this one as being against the Chaldeans, and that he will do His pleasure on Babylon. Though it is without a doubt God Himself that will bring about the downfall of Babylon, He has an instrument on the earth that will fulfill His will.

In this case, Isaiah speaks of Cyrus, 150 years in the future, who will march on Babylon, conquer Babylon, free the Israelites and provide safety and allowance for provisions to enable the reconstruction of the Temple.

Isaiah could simply describe Cyrus as a tool in the hand of God, a device of destruction on the Chaldeans, an instrument on earth to direct and use! After all is said and done, the Lord is over all, and he controls the heart of the king.

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

Remember that Isaiah is referring to a king, a Gentile king, a king that will conquer nations, consolidating an empire.

But Isaiah speaks of the Lord loving him. Now I am not convinced this love refers to any response of the Lord to the actions of war that Cyrus lead, various idolatries he entered into, or of Cyrus’ moral perfections.

Isaiah simply states “The Lord loves him”.

In my mind, weak as it is, this speaks of the uncaused love of God toward each of us, it is a shadow of the universal love of God for all mankind. It is the love of God described for a man centuries prior to his being on earth.

Of course, it is easy to see this reference to the love of God for Cyrus as a shadow of the love of God for the Greater Cyrus, the Lord Jesus and of His fulfilling the will of God while He was on earth.

Jesus was loved of God, without hesitation and without disturbance, without any break in deep fellowship between the Father and the Son.

Except when the love of God was taken from Jesus in order for the love of God to be opened fully to us mere humans, fallen creatures that had no hope. The love of God has been proven to each of us by the cross and the resurrection. He went without the Father while on the cross so that we need never be without the love of God.

May we rest in that truth, and forever understand the extent of the love of God!

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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.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

This passage in Isaiah 42 is generally accepted as referring to Cyrus, though it seems per the verses supplied, there were two subjects “stirred” up. One from the north and one from the east.

Many explanations have been provided, with Cyrus birth being from the east, and his approach toward Israel being from the north. Even within the second verse, his origin speaks of the east, in that he has come from the rising sun.

Besides this minor discussion on the subject of who is being stirred up, it is apparent that once he is stirred up, nothing will stop him. Isaiah belabors the point that this one who is advancing on Babylon has left all other countries conquered. He continues in verse 25, on the topic of this victorious one who shall “shall upon my name”.

Though Cyrus is being referred to here, and though his victories consisted of physical domination, the picture we look back on is of one who is undefeatable, unstoppable, and without equal in his day.

Is this not the same vision of the One who could not be stopped in bringing the kingdom of God to His people? Even to those who had openly rejected His teaching, and His person, He would not retreat from His mission

Luke 9:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Nothing stood in His way, and having entered the valley of death that day, He continued to His expected end, with dominion over His enemies being completely secured as the stone rolled away.

Cyrus, great warrior and king that he was, was simply a reflection, a faint shadow of the One who was unstoppable in His pursuit to defeat the evil one, the world order and our own stubbornness.

May His name be lifted up!

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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.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

Unexpected, to say the least, for a Gentile King to be involved in the development and construction of the temple of the God of Israel. Consider the passage provided, for it appears this Gentile foreign king is directing even the dimensions of the temple!

Unexpected to say the least, but note that Cyrus is actually be restricted from access to the temple, even as he is the principle human force directing the Jews back to the land to build the temple.

I am reminded of the injunctions of a prophet giving restrictions for foreigners entering the second temple. Ezekiel, when describing the temple to be built after the captivity, which Cyrus had been called by God to complete, spoke of the exclusion of foreigners from the temple.

Ezekiel 44:9 ESV – “Thus says the Lord GOD: No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the people of Israel, shall enter my sanctuary.

But Carl, this restriction is for worship, and we know that Cyrus didn’t even know the Lord, little less seek to enter the temple for worhip

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.

Cyrus may have been the only human regent in history that conquered a capital city without bloodshed.

Cyrus conquered the city, and consequently the empire of Babylon, by stealth. History has recorded that as he approached the city of Babylon, it became obvious that the walls of the city were indomitable, and that the city was fully ready for a siege if required. Although a conventional siege commenced, it was to Cyrus’ credit that he sought other means of conquering the city.

The strength of the city of Babylon, amongst many of its wonders, was the river Euphrates that flowed under the walls and through the city. This river provided a source of life for the inhabitants, but it also provided an unconventional access point for the enemy.

My understanding is that Cyrus sent his armies to both the entrance and exit of the river from under the city walls. Upstream, Cyrus reduced the flow of the water by blocking and/or diverting the flow from the main channel. At the exit of the river, his armies dug out a marsh and formed a lake area, large enough to accept much of the flow from the reduced river. Upon opening a canal to the man made lake, the lowered river flow was further reduced and allowed for the Persian army to enter the capital city, conquering the nation of Babylon.

In this monumental conquering of a world empire, Cyrus performed a miraculous feat. By shear genius and stealth, Cyrus added to his empire the extent of the Babylonian kingdom. This kingdom just so happened to contain a small people group known as the Jews.

Though it is not known how Cyrus understood his mission from God – was it Daniel that provided the scroll of Isaiah 45 for him as he began his rule – he liberated the Jew in a famous declaration found in Ezra 1.

Ezra 1:2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Ezra 1:3 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel–he is the God who is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:4 And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”

Note a few details of this declaration of Cyrus.

Let him go up to Jerusalem

Cyrus provided the Jewish people the freedom to leave or to stay. There was no compulsion on his end towards the Jewish population in returning to Jerusalem. It is so refreshing to see that Cyrus understood the importance of a willing heart in the completion of God’s will.

Do you really want to go back to Jerusalem? If you want to, you have the freedom to. Go ahead….

Is it not also the case in relation to the Messiah.

Mark 4:9 … “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

It is as if the Messiah was offering those who heard His message (the parable of the Sower in this case) the chance to “hear His message”!

Do you really want to hear His message? If you want to, you have the freedom to. Go ahead and let the message pierce that ol’ heart!

May his God be with him

Cyrus pronounced a blessing on the people as they went forward to rebuild the temple. It is interesting that the blessing was conferred on those whose desire matched the mission, but this is always the case when we think of the Lord’s work.

Jesus also provided the blessing of God, but not only as a verbal pronouncement, but by the literal giving of His life to become the One in whom we find all blessings.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Let each survivor .. be assisted

This added effort on the part of Cyrus seems over the top and is further confirmation in my thinking that Cyrus is a clear type of the Messiah. Even as Cyrus provides the opportunity of liberty to those in captivity, and even as he pronounces a blessing on them as they depart, he goes one step further and directs for the nation as a whole to support this monumentous effort of rebuilding the temple.

It is not only those willing to take on the challenge of traversing thousands of miles back to a destroyed land to rebuild the temple to the Living God, but those who stayed behind, for whatever reason, were to support the work of those in Jerusalem.

Does this not speak out the continuing method of accomplishing God’s work, of building God’s kingdom through the varied efforts of those in the kingdom? Who knows the spiritual life condition of those who chose to stay, but they were to be involved in the effort, and Cyrus acknowledges this truth.

It seems obvious that this Gentile king continues to exhibit characteristics (faint though they may be) of the character of the Messiah that we can all admire.

Cyrus may have had alternate motives, or unknown pressures requiring him to provide these advantageous circumstances for the Jewish nation. Not so with the Lord Jesus, for we can confidently say that He had one motive, and was not pressured into any decision other than that which the Father determined for His life.

His mission was simple, direct and massive. His death for our life. Resurrection for our justification. Continual, everlasting life to provide peace for those He conquers, for those whom He liberates to enter a kingdom of peace.

May His name be lifted up!

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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.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

As I look into this gentile king, I am surprised in the elevated position God placed this man, that God anointed him, chose him and now is described as a shepherd.

Obviously, God meant this term in a governmental context, but as I look into other passages that refer to one being a shepherd, it primarily describes one who cares for sheep, one who is pastoral.

Yes kings were called out, or as taking on the responsibility as shepherds in various places in the Old Testament, such as  2 Samuel 24:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Jeremiah 2:8.

But the intent of these messages was to remind those in power of the importance of giving up something for their people.

Consider David, willing to take accept the anger of the Lord upon his own house for the sake of others in this passage.

2 Samuel 24:17 Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”

Or of the prophet Micaiah, as he saw the effect of no shepherd on the nation of Israel. The nation was suffering, and it was due to the lack of a shepherd!

1 Kings 22:17 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’”

Or, what may be worse is that those called to be a shepherd may be acting more as overlords, taking from the flock and not caring for the flock.

Jeremiah 2:8 The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.

Each of these three passages speak of a king’s place to be connected with the characteristic of a shepherd. A shepherd that cares for and leads his people.

But in this verse, God is calling a gentile king to care for and protect the nation of Israel. Their own kings brought them to ruin, and now a king that was not of the blood of Abraham is called to care for them, to protect them and to lead them back home.

Although Jesus was physically a Jew, He too was a foreigner in a sense, having come down from above, and was called to lead, protect and care for a people who were in trouble.

Not only did Jesus shepherd the people of Israel, a people who were in a captivity far greater than the captivity Cyrus released them from, Jesus went farther still, and sought those beyond the bloodline of Abraham, determined to shepherd those even outside of the covenant of Sinai.

Cyrus was called to be a shepherd of strangers.

Jesus is the Shepherd of all.

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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.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

The very same verse we looked at last week is providing another similarity for us to consider with the shadow King Cyrus when we look to the reality of King Jesus.

Both were chosen.

For the God of heaven to state centuries before the birth of this gentile king that He would grasp this kings hand speaks of His chosing him for the task ahead.

It is good to remember that to be chosen is usually in reference to a particular task or mission. Yes sometimes is may seem to refer to the ultimate destiny of a nation, as it was with Israel, and as some believers may think, it is a designation for some individuals ultimate destiny also.

That is an issue I will not address in this post, as I have discussed it in numerous earlier posts. A short study on the purpose of being chosen.

Chosen To Perform

1 Chronicles 15:2 Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever.

Chosen To Become

Deuteronomy 14:2 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Chosen to Bear Fruit

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Chosen Not Because

For myself, I sometimes confuse the act of being chosen as signifying somehow being worthy of being chosen.

Deuteronomy 7:6 …..The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Deuteronomy 7:7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples,

The Israelites were not chosen because they were numerous or great when compared with the neighboring nations. As a matter of fact, the smallness, the insignificance of Israel only brought about the strength of the Lord God to be seen. It is a recurring theme, that those chosen for a task are wholly incapable of performing the task, of becoming the person they are called to be, or of bearing fruit on their own.

My I have somewhat stayed from the original topic this morning, but it all applies to Cyrus, for he was chosen to perform a task, he was chosen to become a king, and he was chosen to bear fruit (build a temple) for God.

In his confession of the God of heaven providing all the kingdoms for his reign, he may have also grasped that this choice was not because he was great, but that God provided.

As for the Son of God, His was the original choice by the Father, the only choice that could perform the gargantuan task of salvation, the only choice of the perfect sinless sacrifice and the only choice to bear the fruit of the church, constantly bearing fruit in new and growing believers.

He is the Chosen One!

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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.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

I will admit it, I started looking at Cyrus, thinking that if I found one or two likenesses to the Lord, I will have plunged the depths of the similarities this gentile king had with our Lord. After all, my next subject is Daniel, and I can hardly wait. My attitude, (sad as it was), was to get the gentile king out of the way so I can dig into the life of Daniel and see the Lord in that great saint of old.

Was I wrong! Cyrus is quite surprising as a great Gentile King, but even more so as a typology of Jesus. Although I am reluctant to define the number of similarities I have found so far, suffice to say it is not just one or two. (A hint to my readers – It is less than 100!)

For this post, lets consider the fact that Cyrus was called the anointed of God. Yes, it is true that there were many anointed in the Old Testament, including the kings of Israel and Judah, prophets of Israel, priests of Israel, and many leaders, such as the judges, or different leaders that were within the theocracy of Israel.

But Cyrus stands out amongst these anointed in that he was a dirty Gentile, a foreigner to the covenant and a man that was outside of the regular domain God worked within.

Not only that, but Cyrus was called God’s anointed prior to performing any good deed, or before even sucking breath. Isaiah’s prophecy was given a century prior to the Gentile king arriving on the scene! Not many of the “rank and file” of the anointed in Israel can claim that status.

And yet, even as Cyrus stands out from amongst all those who were of the anointed class in the old theocracy, the True Anointed One is head and shoulders above Cyrus. Though Cyrus was a great and victorious king over all the known world in his day, His anointing may be considered his greatest privilege, a privilege granted by God.

For Jesus, to put it bluntly, to be the Anointed was simply a matter of fact. He is the Anointed, the Only One Who was and is the Anointed One, not due to a privilege granted by God, but because of His Person, of Who He truly is.

There is a difference! He is the Christ, the Anointed One!

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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.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

Hear what Caleb says in this verse. The Lord has kept him alive. What does this imply?

I think it is difficult to peg the age of an old man in the Old Testament. Looking at the ages given to us from before the flood, we have men lasting almost a millennium. Incredible.

Immediately after the flood, it appears life spans began to decrease, and by the time we get to Moses and Caleb, it appears a 120 year old man, as Moses was, may have been an anomaly.

For Caleb, at the time of this passage, he was 85 years old, an old man in his autumn years, hoping his 401(k) will get him through his remaining years. – Just kidding – I think he was way too savvy of an investor to only depend on the markets. I think he had real estate in mind! And at 85, he was going to claim it.

Now don’t get me wrong in describing Caleb here as one who was focused on monetary security. That is not the image I have of this man. He was a man who had been given a promise decades earlier, and was convinced it was time to chase the promise.

But in between the promise and the potential realization, he lived in obscurity, a “regular” saint, patiently waiting on the Lord as his youthful stamina slowly seeped out of his body. From a stout man, willing to take on the people of the land, he had now become a man of wisdom, realizing his life was in the hand of the Lord, his very existence dependent on the One who promised him a patch of ground.

But let us take a moment to consider forty-five years of waiting. More than half his life, burdened down by the decisions of those he lived with, those who made faithless decisions, impacting a faithful man who was ready decades ago.

And for forty-five years we hear nothing of Caleb. He lived in obscurity, possibly even ostracized by some of his neighbors, for he was that one that was so confident, that made them all look so bad.

Forty-five years of toiling amongst those who dragged him back from victory. Forty-five years of living amongst those who constantly rebelled against his God. Forty-five years of having a nation of negative influence constantly rub up against his spirit.

Jesus also was in obscurity, living amongst a people He had come to serve and to save.

Yes – there were flashes of fame with his birth, but only amongst some shepherds and a few foreigners. Yes, it is true that He shook up the religious leaders when he was 12 years old. But let us remember who we are dealing with. This is God in the flesh, and He is content to live in obscurity, content to be amongst those whose actions and attitudes will drive Him onto the cross.

Obscurity.

It is a way of describing a life of being unknown, a life not recognized for the value found in the man. Caleb lived in obscurity, and his faithfulness to God certainly was honed into focus during that time. God was his focus, for no one else seemed too concerned.

For the Lord, His obscurity must have provided an enormous influence in His later years, as He had much time with His Father, much time contemplating the Word and much time understanding His mission.

His obscurity provided Him opportunity to focus on the Only True God, to know His Father while walking amongst His subjects.

Obscurity, in this world that chases fame and fortune, is a true blessing many consider a curse. If you are in a place where you have faded into relative obscurity, take a page from the life of Caleb, and remember who your God is. Better yet, look to the Messiah, for in His obscurity He deepened His relationship with the Father, and that obscurity, though highly undeserved was of great use to the Son.

In His obscurity, He followed after the True God! He recognized the value of God and honed in on His relationship with His Father during this time. For though many thought nothing of Him, letting Him live in obscurity, He recognized the ultimate value of His God, and truly is the Only One worth knowing!

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

Caleb took charge of the situation. Even in the midst of Moses. And remember Joshua was most likely standing beside him!

Quiet

As a leader, he first controlled the situation, quieting the people. He hushed them. Quit running about with your heads falling off, taking in all the fears that have been imagined! Be quiet, and realize the truth of the matter.

He too experienced the fear mongering we are so often the victim of in our modern society, a fear mongering that is easy to fan into flames for those who have little to do with the True God!

Nothing has changed, for one of the enemies greatest weapons against the people of God is to whip us up with rumors of destruction, fear of the future and the dread of death. It is a common tactic, and if we understand the designs of the enemy, we are better positioned to battle our thought lives properly!

2 Corinthians 2:11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Judge

He was a man who could judge a situation quickly and respond naturally for the purpose of directing the people toward God. He didn’t have to get volumes of data and analyze the situation though multiple processes to come to a decision. He knew in his soul of the dangers of this fear mongering report, of the doubt that was raging through the camp.

He surmised the situation, diverted the crowd from their natural, initial reaction to the findings and spoke of their resources, the ability of the tribes of Israel to “overcome it”

Provide a Plan

Although Caleb provided a skeletal plan in this verse, I would like to emphasize the aspect of timing. He was ready to go NOW.

Let us go up at once!

In our analytical world, with studies and reports needed for decision making, it is refreshing to see a man of confidence make a decision, control a situation, and expect the best of the people. Caleb was a leader, in the midst of leaders.

Jesus also was a take charge type of man, a leader who exerted tremendous influence on those who had ears to hear.

When he was dealing with Peter and the catch of fish, He also quieted His subject – Peter fell down at His knees – and provided a plan for Peter. Peter, you are going to catch men! He had a plan for Peter’s life and He provided it to peter without hesitation. Jesus was well prepared to lead His men with decisive decisions as at this calling, and with decisions that turned fatal later in His ministry.

His depth of leadership has no competitor, for He is the only One who is the Ultimate Leader, the Lord.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

In our past post’s on Caleb we have considered him as a man with a different spirit, a devoted man, an overcomer of others doubts, one who depended on God’s promises, a man of conviction, and a man convinced of his purpose for God.

With our passage this morning, let us draw out a truth about Caleb that is not expressly stated, but is evident in his life throughout his journeys and trials.

He was victorious, and though the comparison with the Lord Jesus is accurate, it is accurate in description, but not in extent, for Caleb “simply” won his mountain, but Jesus won the world. His is victorious over the grave, and because of God’s deliverance, has been openly declared to be the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

He is simply greater than all the pictures we consider in this series.

Caleb was victorious because he followed the Lord, and the Lord provided the success, the victory. This is the walk of faith, that is not to seek victory based on our desires, our will, our wants, but to put the will of God ahead of ours.

Caleb certainly was tested, tried in the fire of adversity, peer pressure, and mob opinion. Yet his decision to trust God’s will when all seemed to be going the wrong way is a testament to his faithfulness, and the reason God provided him the victory.

Now I wont go so far as to think the Lord ever had it easy as He rubbed shoulders with those who plotted his death. For even from the very beginning, the cross overshadowed Him. He spoke amazing truths, claimed an astonishing relationship with the God of the Jews, challenged the powers that be and spoke of the kingdom of God breaking forth even as He was on earth. He did not come asking permission from those in charge. He simply came to us, declared the time had come, and rebuffed every argument those threatened by his pronouncements brought to Him. If Caleb had challenges, (and he did), Jesus faced many more, deeper and stronger temptations to veer from His appointed path.

But Jesus never veered. He only performed the work assigned by the Father, and did not go beyond the will of God, or fail to complete the will of God.

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

Jesus never veered from the will of God and His victory was such that His closest friends were astonished. Even to this day, the Messiah’s resurrection is doubted by too many. Admittedly, it is an incredible story, but the Man Jesus was incredible in every way. His works and words have no competition, and His victory is completely without comparison.

And by the sheer grace of His compassion for lost souls, He grants us entry into this very victory. A victory over death and the grave.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Caleb was victorious in his life and God provided this victory due to his continuing faith in the midst of difficult times. His victory became his possession and that of his posterity.

For the Lord Jesus, His victory has also been passed to His posterity, and all who seek to find this victory should look no further than the Son of God.

Titus 3:7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

His victory was due to His faithfulness, but our victory is based on relationship with the One who has overcome all obstacles, even the death of the cross!

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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.

God had a promise and a purpose for Caleb. His faithful spirit attained to a promise from God, that God would keep him through the times of the rebellion in the wilderness, into the promised land, through the battles to take the land and now, after God’s will has been accomplished, the promise is to be realized for Caleb. Yes he is 85 years old, an aged man no matter how we look at it. But even as his age was creeping up on him, he did not consider the promise of God to be less attainable. It was the promise of God, not some self promise, some vow that depended on his stamina or strength! It was the promise of God! Caleb held the promise and it was his purpose to attain this promise!

Is it not so, but even more so, in relation to the promise and purpose of God in the life of our Savior. As a matter, Paul speaks of Jesus as the One in whom all promise is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

The purpose of the Savior was to be elevated to king, as He spoke to Pilate. He is King having completed His eternal purpose and having sat down on the right hand of God the Father!

Though Caleb provides a likeness of Jesus in his desire to attain the promise and fulfill his purpose, we must admit that there is a substantial difference.

God kept Caleb alive for 85 years to provide him the ability to attain the promise given him. For Jesus, the promise was attained by God crushing Him!

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Caleb provides us a glimmer of the One who is the promise of God, and of His heart to go through trials, temptations and eventually scourging and a horrific death to complete His purpose before God.

Let us not frustrate our King by forgetting the extent of suffering He experienced in order to become the King of all Kings. He is the King who provides a benevolent righteous reign over those who follow after Him.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

We considered this set of verses out of Joshua 1 in our previous post as it related to Caleb in his dependence on God’s promises. As we consider this same passage this morning, I would like my reader to consider the devotion Caleb expressed to God during the 45 years of wandering and suffering due to his neighbors unbelief. We noted that he came out the 45 years of delay, depending on the promises, exhibiting a faithful spirit.

May I suggest, this dependence on the promise of God was possible only because he was devoted to God. He followed the Lord, and the term “followed” found in the Old Testament passages speaking of Caleb speak of being behind, of being in the rear, after the one being followed. Now even as I write that, I can hear some saying – Carl that is so obvious!

Well for myself, it is not that obvious in my own devotion to God, for I often seek to get off the path with distractions, or get ahead of God, being the impatient one that I am. Caleb knew his place, and that was behind God, and was willing to stay behind, following as God led.

Did he argue with God when told they would not be allowed to enter the promised land? Where was Caleb when the nationes leaders decided to go ahead and take the land even though God restricted them?

Amazing that the Israelites thought they could go ahead of God, even in rebellion against his prophets direction.

Numbers 14:39-45

When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly.
40 And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the LORD has promised, for we have sinned.”
41 But Moses said, “Why now are you transgressing the command of the LORD, when that will not succeed?
42 Do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies.
43 For there the Amalekites and the Canaanites are facing you, and you shall fall by the sword. Because you have turned back from following the LORD, the LORD will not be with you.”
44 But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp.
45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah.

I will lay my last dollar down (if I was a betting man!) that Caleb stayed behind, devoted to the will of God. He knew his place of following God, and in knowing that, he was successful!

Jesus also was the servant of the Most High, devoted to God, obeying the will of God, even to the point of death. He did not get ahead of the will of God, nor seek to perform any acts other than directed by the Father.

John 5:19

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

For Caleb, he fought through the doubters, and without a doubt, sought to convince those he travelled with as they carried back such a damming report. Joshua records Caleb’s claim of how his own peers, as they reported on what they had seen in Canaan land, was a message of doubt, a message of defeat and that had caused the melting of the young nations heart.

This passage doesn’t address how Caleb sought to convince those bringing back such a deadly doubt-filled message, but surely a man who was committed to the work of God, he sought to convince them before they delivered the poisonous message. This is my assumption. Joshua simply states the fact that Caleb wholly followed the Lord in the midst of doubters. Now I am not knocking Caleb in this instance. No not at all, for it is no small task to believe the Word of God when the world is yelling that you are wrong, but Caleb held tight. He held tight!

While on earth. the Messiah also had close associates that were infected with the doubt disease, a disease that we all suffer from. Numerous times, He spoke to those of little faith, asking them of their doubt.

Now I used to think this was Jesus way to get a dig in, to mentally slap his apostles around, but as I understand the person of Christ more, I don’t see Him like that anymore. What I was actually doing was mirroring my heart onto the Messiah in these interactions with the apostles, for I tend to cut those who need encouragement. I want to assume failure instead of success. I naturally think the worst rather than the best.

Jesus’ heart is wholly different from my heart, and I safely will assume different from your heart, unless of course you have deceived yourself.

Jesus was (and is) in the midst of doubtful friends, surrounded by saints that struggle with faith, and working on believers who just don’t understand. This is the fact of the church and is in my mind a huge mystery of how He gets anything done working with men and women who sometimes just don’t get it. But then I forget who I am dealing with!

He remains faithful to the will of God, as Caleb did, and yet He also successfully pulls us out of the depths of doubt to prove His care and guidance.

We need to look to Him for our strength, for I doubt we have any!

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

Caleb and Moses each had life changing events in their fortieth year. Both men went through extended times of waiting, of being drawn out and tested, of seemingly not being used by God.

For Moses, it was 40 years before he was in front of the Pharaoh, demanding the release of his people.

For Caleb, it was 45 years before he found the opportunity to realize the promise given him by Moses. He may have been greatly encouraged by the life of Moses, the fact that the man of God was “put aside” for 40 years, but was then used by God like no other!

Caleb was a man of conviction, a man that delivered to Moses the message “as it was in his heart”.

The term referred to here in relation to Caleb’s heart is לֵבָב lêbâb, and speaks of the inner man, the will, his heart. It does not refer to fluffy feelings, nebulous ideas or soft thinking, but represents the conviction he had after considering the land he visited, in light of the command of God to conquer.

He was a man of faith, and was convinced (convicted) of the truth of the promise God had provided, and saw the resistance in Canaan for what it was, and not an insurmountable obstacle that was not to be attempted. He was convinced God was bigger, that the land was obtainable, and that he wanted it.

As a matter of fact, in time it came about that he wanted a specific piece of that land, and was given the opportunity to continue in his convictions in routing those in the land out! It was his land, and he was going to take it!

There was Another Man that was determined to complete the will of God for His life, and as the day came closer, we read that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

To “set” his face is the term στηρίζω stērízō. To set his face was to be confirmed, to strengthen, to render constant (in an effort), to make firm.

May I ask you my friend, How many times have you made a decision to perform a task, only to be distracted, deterred from the goal, and wandered off into some other task? My hand is up, I can tell you! This is to be without conviction in a task!

In the Gospel of Luke, this word speaks of Jesus conviction to get to Jerusalem, to get to the goal of the Passion Week, the pain, the suffering, the crucifixion and finally to His final breath. His conviction took Him to the last day, and distractions were helpless against Him.

Both Caleb and Jesus were men of conviction, but in light of the goals each man sought to reach, we see the conviction of Jesus as so much greater, deeper, stronger and wholly different, for this conviction carried him to His death!

Jesus was a man of conviction! Jesus is Lord.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

We all know the story of Joshua and Caleb, along with the other ten spies, (who have remained nameless) being sent into the wilderness, finding enough resistance (or intimidation) in the land for ten of the spies to come back an cower before Moses. But Joshua and Caleb gave good reports, reports that took into account the promise of God in providing this nation a land to call home.

Flash forward 45 years, a period of time that if it had been my experience, I would feel cheated and angry! If I saw an opportunity and my neighbors and countrymen fouled it up, furious would I be! The best years of my life up in smoke, and all due to a faithless generation.

Of course we have little to go on for those 45 years in reference to Caleb’s life. Did he simply wander around the desert with his nation, suffering the judgement of unbelief, continually facing disappointment due to his neighbors denial of God’s ability and goodness?

No matter, for when push came to shove and the occupation of the land was completed, Caleb continued. He was no longer shackled with the unbelieving generation, having outlived them through the judgement years, and now he was ready to take the land Moses promised him 45 years ago.

He depended on God’s promise through His prophet, and had kept his eye on the goal.

You know, I mentioned we have little to go on regarding Caleb’s life in those intervening years, and as I mentioned, if it had been me, I would have ended us a miserly old sod, angry at the nation, but really just angry at God. But Caleb didn’t come out of those years angry and sullen, but was still depending on the promise of God, specifically that promise Moses gave him over 4 decades earlier.

Caleb depended on the promise of God in the midst of much discouragement.

Jesus also faced much discouragement, even from His own 12 disciples. How often do we hear him speak of them having so little faith, or of having no faith, or of how they just don’t understand.

In the big picture, Jesus had the promise of life after death provided to Him from God, but specifically in relation to Caleb and his disappointing neighbors, Jesus had 12 disciples that looked doomed to failure, giving little evidence of ever comprehending the fantastic truth of who Jesus was.

Caleb depended on God’s promises amongst those who were disappointments.

Jesus depended on God’s promises amongst those who were disappointments.

Each of us have those who we consider “disappointments”. First off, this is an attitude of judgement and it be wise if we express love towards them instead of judgement. That may be the wisest thing to do.

But nevertheless, if we live amongst some that do not share the faith, it is not a reason to give up on the promise of God for our lives. His promise is based on His character and not our neighbors acceptance of it.

Depend on God’s promises this day.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

Caleb had a different spirit. It is interesting that the very first thing in my research for understanding this characteristic of Caleb, was that “different” (the Hebrew word is אַחֵר ʼachêr) may be translated as another, or even more interesting, is that it is related to the idea of following.

Now Caleb had a different spirit and as God Himself describes Caleb, He reveals the spirit of the rest of the tribes. Caleb was of a “following” spirit, a different spirit than those he lived amongst.

Being of a different spirit brings about many potential problems, conflicts, loneliness, attacks and rewards. We may see some of these hazards in the life of Caleb and how Caleb reflects the Lord in his life and love for God, but for now, let us think of how the Lord Himself was of a different spirit.

Even from birth, Jesus was identified with the very Spirit of God, brought to earthly existence by the Spirit of God. No other man on earth could make this claim.

Jesus was of a different Spirit!

Jesus exhibited a following spirit, a spirit that followed after God in all the Father’s commands.

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

Jesus was of a following Spirit!

He submitted to the will of God in all things, even death!

Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Jesus was of an enduring Spirit

Caleb endured through 45 years of waiting, due to the many detours caused by the sin of the nation, wandering about a desert. How frustrating for a man to know the promise of God, and yet not to act on it!

Jesus also knew the will of God, and in the midst of the nation called by God, gifted by God, protected by God and led by God, found disappointment, frustration and exasperation in dealing with such a blessed nation. Yet Jesus endured through this to the very cross, enduring even through the greatest injustice mankind has exercised on an innocent man.

Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Caleb was of a different spirit, but Caleb was but a minor reflection of the greater Spirit found in Jesus.

Jesus was of a different Spirit, a saving Spirit, a loving and patient Spirit, and for that we can be eternally thankful!

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

In the book of Ruth, one would think she is the important character, the one who is spoken of, noted, and referred to the most. It’s all about her!

Or is it?

Yes, Ruth is the reciever of blessing, but in a strictly quantitative review of the book, Ruth, by name is only referred to 13 times. Boaz, on the other hand is referred to more than twice that! Twenty-eight times!

Boaz is not only described as a worthy man, an obedient Jew, a Kinsmen Redeemer, a Redeemer of all, expressing acts of kindness, providing for the less fortunate, accepting a foreigner for a wife, a judge and the resurrector of a families hopes, but his name is referred to more than twice Ruth’s is. He is the one who is preeminent in this book, that rises to the top.

In reading the book of Ruth, I find great comfort in seeing Boaz as a type of Christ, and Ruth as a type of the church. As the church, we are the widow who is rescued, the poor who is provided for. We are the recipients of all of our Boaz’s great qualities and His acts of kindness.

Boaz is the preeminent name in the book of Ruth.

Jesus in the preeminent name in the church, and throughout creation.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

In this passage, we find Boaz finalizing the transaction with the closer redeemer. And as Boaz felt that it needed to be clearly stated, he identifies Ruth, the foreigner, as also being included in the trasafction. Boaz, in redeeming the land of Elimelech, Naomi, Chlion and Mahlon, also bought Ruth.

Now at first glance, and by impression, it seems Boaz had a thing for this young woman. He was impressed with her character, her bravery, and her faithfulness to Naomi. So it is fair to think that Boaz went through this effort and cost simply out of love, and I want to think that. ‘Cause I think it is true!

Boaz doesn’t say anything like that in his only public statement regarding his taking Ruth as his wife. Verse 13 simply states

Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife….

But let’s take a second look at verse 10. Boaz provides his public motive for redeeming the family and land of Naomi. He explains clearly that his reason for this redemption.

All his efforts and the cost associated with this transaction was to enable him to

• to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance,
• that the name of the dead may not be cut off

In Israel, according to the laws given by Moses regarding inheritance, land was to remain in the name of the family. My assumption is that Mahlon was the eldest son of Elimelech and Naomi, for in those days, the land of Israel passed down the family line through the eldest son. But to be a childless widow in Israel meant the end of the line for that family. There was no hope.

Ruth, in this instance clearly provides a picture of the gentiles prior to entrance into the Body of Christ. Alienated. Stranger. With no hope. Without God

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

This condition of hopelessness, of no continuing life, was addressed by God in the laws given at Sinai, in that a close relative could take the place of the elder son in the family, and produce offspring to perpetuate the name. This option within Israel essentially provided new life to a family that had experienced the loss of hope for a continued lineage.

Boaz was all about declaring that he would perpetuate the name of the dead. He would perpetuate! To “perpetuate” is typically translated in the Old Testament as “rise up”, “arise” or “raise”, providing us a picture of Boaz reflecting the One who raises up.

How clear it is that Boaz is a picture of Jesus. Jesus also took a foreigner to the covenant, and by entering into covenant with her, raised her up to have life and hope in the Kingdom.

Jesus, in a far more powerful and extremely deeper way, provided life for His Bride, and the hope of a continual lineage in the Kingdom.

He is our Boaz the Resurrector!

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

When I insert the description of judge, it may be taken two ways.

The first way my reader friend may think of Boaz based on being described as judge is that Boaz was an actual judge in Israel during the time of Ruth. I understand that of the 12 judges in the book of Judges, Boaz isn’t named, but there seems to be a link, a possible connection that a minor judge by the name of Ibzan was one and the same as Boaz. The ancient legends of the Jews certainly link the two, informing us that Ibzan, in his old age, was known as Boaz. This interesting claim has many rabbit trails to fall into, but I shall leave that for another day.

The second way my reader may think of Boaz will be the topic of this morning’s post.

Boaz judged Ruth. Now again there may be an assumption on the part of the reader that I am trying to describe Boaz as one who judged or condemned Ruth. Any quick reading of the book of Ruth certainly argues against that claim. Boaz certainly did not take that position. He actually was her redeemer!

So when I mention Boaz as judge, I suppose I could also use words like discerner, as Boaz was an Israelite who made a proper judgement of Ruth’s character. He did not consider her outside circumstances (foreigner, poverty stricken, widow, childless) as defining elements of who she was, but watched her actions. Note that the verse referred to above speaks of Ruth’s actions of choosing an older man, and not a young man for a possible mate.

Boaz had already considered her faithfulness to Naomi, of Ruth’s long days in the field’s providing for her mother in law, and of her struggles to integrate into her new nation. Boaz had been watching, and now as she connects with Boaz on the threshing floor, Boaz sees her character shine forth again.

She is not allowing her passions to control her life, in that she sought a young man, but in these actions she is showing a submissive spirit to Naomi’s direction, a submissive spirit to the laws of the land, and is willing to become Boaz’s wife. Willing to become Boaz’s wife. This is quite the act of commitment, for it is generally understood that Boaz may have been as elderly as 80 yrs old at this time, and Ruth half that age.

Boaz sees Ruth’s character shining forth, culminating in the actions she takes according to Naomi’s plan for her on the threshing floor with Boaz. Boaz made a correct judgement on Ruth, dismissing the circumstances she lived, and judged Ruth based on the actions she performed.

John 8:16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
John 8:26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”

Boaz was a judge, as our Master also is. Our Judge, in like fashion as Boaz, also does not regard our outward circumstances as determining His opinion of our lives. We know His opinion of His broken creation! He is the ultimate One who judges our lives, knowing what our circumstances are and delivering us out of our bondage and sin.

He is also looking for our actions that prove we seek relationship with Him. Let us show to all that are watching that we are seeking the One who knows us and loves us!

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

Ruth the Moabite. Throughout the book of Ruth, Ruth is described 7 times as a Moabite. Even when Boaz was negotiating for Naomi’s land, and consequently “acquiring Ruth”, she was described as other than Israeli.

A Moabite.

They were a people that resulted from drunkenness, for both Moab and Ammon were fathered by a drunken Lot, having lain with his own daughters.

This nation was the one that persecuted Israel when they travelled to the promised land, making themselves to be enemies of Israel. They were the people associated with Balak, the king of Amon, bringing Balaam into the story, trying to separate Israel from their God!

They sought to curse Israel!

Moses blocked them from entering the assembly of the Lord. I have understood this blocking of any Moab to be Moses’ way of ensuring no Moab entered into a government position in the nation of Israel. There should be no Moabite in any leadership position within the nation.

They were to be rejected from participating in any civil matter!

Did Boaz realize the damaged goods he was “acquiring” when he chased after this Moabite? How shameful for a honorable Israeli to associate with one of the Moabite race!

Yet he did, and in this action of seeking an outsider he typified the Master, in that Jesus also reached out to those who were His enemies, those who had questionable heritage, those who cursed God and rejected His people.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Jesus chased after damaged goods – sinners – when He chased after you and I.

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

He chased after “strangers” to the covenant, those who had no connection to God and were outside.

Boaz acquired a wife of questionable national origin, of questionable national prejudice towards God’s people, and of a questionable religious leaning against the God of Israel.

Jesus also took a wife, comprising of strangers, sinners and enemies.

Boaz reflects in a small way the character of God. Jesus blazes out God’s character to the extreme, for He is the brightness of the mercy and grace of God!

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

Let’s remember that at this point in the story, Ruth is a beggar, a foreigner associated with Naomi, having come to Israel due to very bad circumstances back home and an initial faith in the God of Israel. This faith in Israel’s God had not, at this time of the story, granted her great wealth and health, but simply the lowly work of gleaning the fields after the reapers had taken their haul for Boaz.

Granted, Boaz had learned of her relation to Naomi, of her desire to be with her mother in law, even to the point of leaving her homeland. He knew of Ruth’s continued care for her.

It wasn’t long before Boaz had taken upon himself to provide Ruth, not only the freedom to glean, (which by accounts of Leviticus 19:9-10, she could claim by law), but also the privilege of sharing a meal with Boaz and his reapers.

Boaz provided her bread / parched grain and wine/vinegar to dip into, exactly what his workers were able to partake of. Gleaners were not typically associated with the owner and his laborers. It was enough that they were able to retrieve foodstuff from the fields without harassment.

But for Ruth, she was provided the honor and privilege of sitting with the king of the field, and his workers. She was provided a meal sufficient to her needs and more, for she had some left over.

Does not Jesus provide those He loves the opportunity to gather around a meal? Is there not many that have taken the faith of the Israel’s God and had their provisions met?

Jesus provides His people the opportunity to join, to partake and to sit with those others in the kingdom.

And like Boaz in his provision to Ruth, Jesus provides those who were mere beggars more than is sufficient.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

Boaz provided an act of kindness to a new woman in the field and in doing so reflected, in a minor way, the kindness of out God.

But for a bit of background, consider the following.

Boaz was a man who followed the Word of God, instructing landowners to allow those suffering poverty in Israel to glean from the edges and corners of a field reapers had not harvested.

Leviticus 19:9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest.
Leviticus 19:10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.

The kindness of Boaz is not seen in his obedience to Leviticus 19, for Boaz was a godly man, a God fearing Israelite, who sought to honor God in this act of obedience. In allowing the poor and destitute the opportunity to glean at the edges of the field, that which is left behind by the reapers, provided the poor not only food, but a level of honor in working in gathering sustenance for their family.

But I digress.

Our topic is an act of kindness that Boaz exercised to Ruth.

There was a time when Boaz came to his field to greet his reapers, and he noticed a new woman in the field. Was it merely due to Ruth being a new gleaner, or was it that something stirred in Boaz when he saw her. At this point in the story, it is unknown, but Boaz acted with kindness. Once he understood her circumstances, that she accompanied Naomi back from Moab, and that she had been in the fields most of the day, he determined to find ways to protect and provide for her.

I mentioned an act of kindness, but it is obvious that Boaz acted towards Ruth with kindness in many ways. How might we see these acts of kindness?

• She was not to attend to any other field (for Boaz would instruct his reapers to drop extra for her)
• She was not to leave the company of the other women in the field.
• No man was to touch her!
• She was permitted to drink from the men’s water.

As mentioned, Boaz may have had early interest in this foreign lady, this lady committed to Naomi, and for that kindness, she was thankful.

Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Ruth 2:13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

Boaz’s acts of kindness reflects in a small way “the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

But in reality there is a huge difference, for Boaz was kind to a grateful and faithful lady, whereas the Most High, as He sought us and died for us, provided His lavish kindness to the ungrateful and evil.

His kindness far exceeds our understanding, and for that we are grateful, and desire to follow after Him, being transformed as He lives in us!

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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.

The last two posts spoke of Boaz as the Kinsmen Redeemer, and we have considered the likeness of Jesus in Boaz as he performed righteous acts to redeem, and secondly, the motivation he was spurred on by to redeem, to redeem that Moabite lady.

For this short post, let us consider those whom Boaz redeemed.

First off, there was Naomi, a pureblood, fully committed Jewish woman. Though she was away from the land for a period, she remained and was recognized as Jewish by blood and by faith.

Secondly, Ruth was a foreigner, a “dirty” Moabitess, a stranger that was outside the covenant of God and behind the wall of ordinances the faithful were privileged to

In Boaz’s actions, he redeemed both a Jew and a Gentile.

In Jesus, we have the One who perfectly brought the two together into one family, both Jew and Gentile throughout the the world. A completely new kingdom including both Jew and Gentile, a new family with Jesus as the Head of the church.

Though this is a very short post, the truth of Jesus bringing two together as He has should remind us that God is in the business of inclusion under His King.

May we as the church live out the joining together of two groups into one family under Him.

Come join us at Considering the Bible

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.

I know that the last post was to address Boaz as the Kinsmen Redeemer, but I fell into the discussion on Boaz as the obedient Jew and couldn’t help pursuing that topic.

For this post, let’s consider Boaz as the Kinsmen Redeemer in relation to Ruth.

For you see, the legal hoops Boaz jumped through to perform that which was right was not merely a wealthy man seeking to expand his holdings, to amass wealth and increase his portfolio. This seems obvious for thoughout the book of Ruth, it seems he had a thing for that “worthy” girl, an eye on her that he couldn’t resist.

Yes she was not a Jewish woman, but she was a righteous lady, one who wanted join the faithful, those who trusted in the true God. And her actions showed that, (as it is with all believers) for she followed after Naomi into a strange land, accepting a lifestyle of servanthood for her mother-in-laws sake. That alone is an incredible statement of her character.

Ruth 2:11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.

And Boaz saw this in Ruth, saw her character, her humility, her desire to serve Naomi, her willingness to glean the fields, a task left to the poorest of the poor.

Boaz, as the obedient Jew, performed all the righteous acts he needed to pave the way to getting to Ruth. He was obedient, but let us never forget the motivation spurring Boaz on.

Ruth 2:13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

Love.

A love that would not let hurdles remain in his path. A love that required he buy the land of Naomi and out of that action, the hand of Ruth. He sought to fulfill the law of perpetuating the lineage of the family with a lady he favored, a lady named Ruth.

Ruth 4:9, 10 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon.
Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.”

Boaz married Ruth.

We too have a Kinsmen Redeemer, motivated by love for those unworthy, those who were poverty stricken, living the life of the poorest of the poor. He completed the task, but beyond mere obedience, His actions were motivated by a love that was resident in Him, a self sacrificing love that finds its’s source in the heart of God.

His love motivated Him to become our Kinsmen Redeemer.

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