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 35 9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his salvation. 10 All my bones shall say, “O LORD, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?”
As an engineer, I tend to read my profession into passages. Not trying to justify it, or to say it is the only way to understand the Word. Definitely not. But it is the standpoint I am currently in when relating to the Word.
So when I hear David say
All my bones shall say….
I automatically consider David to be speaking of the very structure and foundation of his existence, that which provides support and stability in his body. (Without bones, we would simply be a quivering pile of skin, fat and organs laying on the ground!) The most tangible and structurally solid part of David’s body (his bones!) was the source of His exultation. He resonated deeply with this truth and the very essence of his being, he shouted out the unanswerable question…
O LORD, who is like you?
There is no one out there that is like the Lord, that behaves as the Lord does. He is the One who delivers…
the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?”
Maybe that is why we struggle with accepting His goodness, His kindness, His abundant, overflowing grace. As with everyone we know, (including ourselves), there seems to be an agenda attached with any assistance provided, a secondary, hidden motivation benefitting the rescuing soul. Rare is the one who rescues simply out of an abundance of grace. How uncommon to find one that delivers simply out of love, and not with a side benefit. Scarce indeed is the selfless one.
And yet, this is the One we worship. The One we look to for guidance and strength, for wisdom and patience, for understanding and comfort. He is altogether unlike any other.
And yet we experience His loving kindness most when we are in our deepest need, when we realize our enemies are much stronger than us, when we realize we cannot win the fight. When we are in a condition of utter helplessness, the Lord, the God of Jacob is the One who delivers, the One who rescues, the One who saves us from an enemy that is much stronger than us, of whom we have no resource other than Him to find our defense.
He is worthy to trust. Not only worthy, but altogether the only One that will not let the trusting soul be ashamed, or to be let down.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #108
Description
He was to preach the Righteousness in Israel
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 40:9
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
New Testament Fullfillment
Matt 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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
Calvin’s followers seek to justify their teaching with verses that, with just a little bit of explanation, seem to reinforce their philosophy.
You know – the Romans 9 passage, or maybe 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Some of these passages, without considering alternate views (i.e. listening to only Calvinist teachers!) tend to reinforce the Calvinistic thought pattern.
This series of video podcasts will provide a discussion that many Calvinists may have never heard, or considered.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #107
Description
His delight-the will of the Father
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 40:6-8
In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.[a] Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
New Testament Fullfillment
John 4:34
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Heb 10:5-10
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),
then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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
In oversimplified terms, universal reconciliation speaks of the eventual redemption of every soul ever created through the work of the Messiah and His sacrifice on the cross. This teaching does not remove the existence of hell, or the suffering associated with it, but it does challenge it’s never ending duration, and the purpose of the flames.
This series of posts, on the book “Heaven’s Doors” will be my last on the topic of universal reconciliation (not universalism). I am thankful to my Calvinist friend for directing me to this “heresy”. The teaching of universal reconciliation has more Scriptural support than I imagined and is worth considering if you are of an open mind and willing to consider alternate views to expand your understanding of the Word.
Of course if you are convinced you are completely right, without error, and doctrinally pure, this topic would be a waste of your time. Please move on!
This post will address The Narrow Door
Our initial verse to consider is Luke 13:23-24
And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. – Luke 13:23-24 ESV
Notice the question being asked. Does you understand the question as “Lord will those who are saved during the church age be few?” Or maybe, you might read it, understanding the question such as “Lord, will those who are saved in the future be few?”
My point is that the disciple who asked Jesus this question may have been considering the smallness of the current following that Jesus had. Let’s not put words in the disciples mouth, making him say something we assume.
Note the graphic below, with the Greek parsing provided to assist in making the point that the question was regarding their current condition, their present situation
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
In our last post, we dealt with the term “perish” and concluded that perish does not define endless suffering in hell, but describes a wasted life, a life of ruin.
Although this passage from the Sermon on the Mount is not expressly answering the question above in Luke 13, it does speak to the “fewness” of those that find life.
The destruction experienced by the many, spoken of in this verse is similar to perishing. The Greek word is ἀπώλεια (apōleia), and has the Strongs number of G684, with the following definition
ἀπώλεια apṓleia, ap-o’-li-a; from a presumed derivative of G622; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal):—damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.
If you have not had the chance to read the previous post on Perishing ( a different but similar Greek word) , I would recommend you spend a few minutes venturing over to it. Book Look – Heaven’s Doors – Perishing.
Again, it appears Jesus is speaking of His kingdom being experienced in the here and now, and that my assumptions is that the passage is speaking of my eternal fate. This may not be the focused intent of the verse. And yet destruction at the end of my physical life cannot be entirely discounted, for if my life is wasted, ruined by my choices, I will experience sorrow and regret, suffering and pain.
This is a sad truth, and one that needs to be considered as we seek to know the true God and His Son Jesus Christ. This destruction, this waste or ruin of a life, of becoming useless is a terrible waste, and yet the Lord is the Redeemer of those who realize their state, repent and believe in the Son, and follow after Him.
A few years ago, my wife and I experienced a sadness, a realization of waste that burdened us very much. In our sorrows, I was reading in the book of Joel, and fell on a verse that greatly encouraged me at that time.
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. – Joel 2:25
The Israelites had just experienced a great loss, in that swarms of locusts had ravaged their land, stripping the fields of their produce and future crops.
The Lord speaks to their condition and promises them that He will restore (or pay back) the years that the locusts have taken from them.
To those who are currently taking the wide road to destruction, there will come a time of suffering, of regret and of pain. There is no denying this, and yet in the midst of this destruction (in this life or the next) God’s mercy may be available.
If this is the intent of the Biblical message, this should encourage you to reach out to Him now, for He is a merciful and kind God, One who given His All (in the sacrifice of His Son) and can provide you a life worth living in the here and now, a life that is not useless or that has been wasted.
Trust in the Messiah. You will not regret knowing Him, for He is kind and loving, patient and yet persistent in bringing each believer to a better life, a life more like His!
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #106
Description
The joy of His resurrection predicted
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 40:2-5
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.
New Testament Fullfillment
John 20:20
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
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
Weddings are awesome, but sometimes full of tension and surprises. To plan a wedding is one of the more complex projects I have been involved with. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being involved with my girls in their wedding plans and taking part in the work, creating memories that will remain with them forever.
This parable speaks of a King throwing a wedding, having completed all the preparations, and offering a celebration to His people.
But something goes wrong. Terribly wrong. Let’s read the passage and consider the message.
Matthew 22:2-14
2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”‘ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
This parable was delivered to the nation and people of Israel as Jesus was preparing to establish the eternal kingdom through His death.
Where did the Lord teach the parable?
It appears this parable was provided in the temple, as it continues from previous parables.
Why did the Lord give this message?
The previous parable was given as a warning of the rejection of the Son by the Jewish leadership and the plea for individuals to flee the sinking ship and to “fall on the stone”
This parable introduces the Lord as the King’s Son, and the central figure in the wedding prophecies throughout the Old Testament. Rejection of the invite and the resulting judgement on the nation is again spoken of, and yet the hope of an expansion of the wedding is offered. In the end, He warns of fakers, those who don’t have the wedding garment that was provided.
What was the message for the original audience?
There are a number of messages the Lord provided to the audience that day. Lets peruse the parable and find each.
As I mentioned above, Jesus introduces Himself as the Kings Son, and in saying this, He is declaring to His enemies the very truth that will lead to His death. That He is the King, and no other!
The second truth expressed may be found in verses 3 – 6, where Jesus speaks of the invite to the “bidden”, those who had been called to the wedding feast, as simply not coming. Again, just prior to the beginning of the feast the King sent forth servants again to invite the “bidden” to come to a feast already prepared, ready for a celebration Those “bidden” made light of the invitation, ignoring the invitation and continued on with their daily drudgery of farms and business. But this time, a portion of those who paid no attention to the invitation, went beyond simply ignoring the invitation, and continued into aggression upon those servants inviting them. To the death. Let’s get this straight – a portion of the invited, those “bidden” to the wedding celebration, slew the servants of the King. This group hearkens back to our previous parable.
The third truth may be found in verses 7-9, and speaks of the overflowing grace of the King. Note that although judgement must be meted out to those murderers, the King’s ongoing attitude was not of bitterness and anger, but to find some way to lavish His grace upon a people, no matter their standing. The servants went out and gathered “all whom they found, both bad and good”. The wedding hall was filled with guests! I can’t help but to see this as referring to the gospel call after the Lord’s rejection, beating, crucifixion and resurrection. Not only from those within the nation doomed to destruction, but to all those that the servants could gather.
In the final section Jesus focusses in on one lone individual. A man who had been invited. A man without a wedding garment. Although the passage does not state where the wedding garments came from, it is my understanding that the garments were provided by the host, that is, by the King Himself. The garments were basic robes that all attendees wore that would hide rank or status in life, thereby removing barriers to freely enjoy each others company.
When the King saw a man who was not wearing the provided garment, He questioned him.
Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?
You see, this man was blatantly expressing his rejection of the Kings provision by not wearing the garment. He may have been too proud to cover up his own status in life, his own garment may have been such that it exalted his own status in life over other attendees. At the very least, he rejected the Kings offer, and did not want to identify with the other wedding guests This may have been his motive and his path to doom, of his being cast into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
He was rejected from the wedding feast and cast into the outer darkness. But what is the outer darkness, that has this weeping and gnashing of teeth?
The term “outer darkness” is found three times in the Word, each time in the gospel of Matthew. (Darkness, of course is found many more times, but I am simply looking for clues on the specific term “outer darkness”.)
12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Mat 8:12 ESV 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ – Mat 22:13 ESV 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ – Mat 25:30 ESV
“Weeping and gnashing of teeth” (not including the phrase “outer darkness” as in the verses above) may be found an additional three times in Matthew and once in Luke.
42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. … 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Mat 13:42, 50 ESV 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Mat 24:51 ESV 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. – Luke 13:28 ESV
I find it interesting that the term weeping and gnashing of teeth is so specific. Let’s take a moment to look at these terms to see if the New Testament can shed some light onto our understanding.
Weeping.
When I read this parable initially, I associated pain with the weeping. But is that the intended meaning of the term, or is it the image we have imported, including the associated pain we have been taught of. When I am in pain, I may cry in the midst of the pain, and this may be synonymous with weeping, but is this the intended meaning here?
The term “weeping” is the greek work klauthmos and is used only in the above verses, and the two following passages.
“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” – Mat 2:18 ESV And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, – Act 20:37 ESV
These verses are instructive since they provide a background and reason for the experience of weeping. For Rachel it was the death of her children. Much sorrow and sadness. For the elders in Ephesus, again, it was sorrow and sadness of not seeing the beloved apostle Paul again that caused the weeping. As we can see from the two available passages above, the term “weeping” is associated with sadness or sorrow. The root word for “klauthmos” is “klaiō” (G2799) and has many more verses that would support this general conclusion. I will leave it to the reader for further study if of interest.
Gnashing
The term “gnashing” is a translation of the Greek word brygmos (G1030), from the root word brychō, (G1031)
Brygmos is only found in the seven verses provided above, and are descriptive of some emotion that I associate with pain and suffering. I refer to Matthew 13:42, 50, where the passage speaks of a fiery furnace. The associated pain of fire must be where I am linking this gnashing of teeth with suffering.
42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. … 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Matthew 13:42, 50 ESV
But I am still looking for a bit more definition. After all, Matthew 13:42,50 may be referring to multiple emotions and not necessarily linking the pain of the fire with the gnashing of teeth. There may be more going on, i.e. the suffering of fire AND an emotion associated with the gnashing of teeth. After all, we have found that weeping is generally associated with sadness, and may be experienced at the same time as suffering pain.
So in my research, I found one time where the root word for gnashing appears in the New Testament, and to be honest, it is quite surprizing.
brychō
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. – Act 7:54 ESV
Stephen is giving his defense to the high priest and Sanhedrin, and with his defense, his audience “ground/gnashed their teeth” Why you ask? Were they suffering eternal pain and torment. No – They were enraged! Furious! Stephens defense condemned the Jewish leadership and they had had enough. Three verses later, Luke records the leadership…
cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.
These guys were blind with rage! Murderous rage. The gnashing of teeth is associated with rage, anger, fury!
In conclusion, was Jesus describing the outer darkness as a place of sadness and sorrow, combined with anger and rage? You be the judge.
Now before some may claim I am trying to remove pain, suffering and torment from hell, (the “outer darkess”?), please rest assured that this little study is focused on the emotions described in this parable, and is not intending to limit the emotions or experiences that await those who may suffer in Gehenna.
What is the message for us today?
Two messages come to mind for me, and hopefully for you.
Heed the Invite
First, don’t ignore the invitation! Ignoring the invitation is rejecting the invitation. I speak to those who know not the Lord. If you have not sought out His grace and found Him – Seek Him. He has provided the invitation, but no response from you, no desire to accept this invite is a repitition of those who “went on their way” in the parable. No good results come from that! Therefore
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; Isaiah 55:6
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
I also speak to those know the Lord. Seek the Lord. Do not ignore your part of the relationship with the Lord of glory. Don’t ignore Him and drift off to destruction.
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. Hebrew 2:1
We must remember that He is a God who rewards those who seek Him. There is danger to avoid and rewards to be gained in seeking Him. To knowing Him.
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrew 11:6
Understand the Alternative
The alternative to seeking the Lord, to accepting the invite, is to reject the invite from the King.
Now I want you to know that I have two daughters, and we have sent out invitations for thier weddings to many friends and relatives. Some ignored the invitation, and that saddened us, but we didn’t go to thier town and burn it down.
You see, I am not a King.
I am just a poor ol’ fella that wanted to celebrate my little girl’s “happy day” and share it with others. I had no authority over those I invited. If they didn’t respond and come to the celebration, it was, at most, simply a social embarrassment for our family. At the least, we fully understood and accepted the guests declining the invitation as something they could not comply with.
But again, I am not a King.
Not so with Jesus. Jesus is declaring His authority over all those “bidden” to the wedding and clearly stating that ignoring the invite is an affront on his Kingdom. This does not bode well for those who ignore his grace.
The result of rejection, specifically in this parable is destruction, sorrow and rage. Other passages describe the suffering due to the rejection of the King in many other ways, but for this parable, this passage expanded my view of the consequences of rejection. When I considered the afterlife of those who reject the King, sorrow and rage did not come to my mind.
Have you considered the multiple results of the rejection of the One?
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 35 7 For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life. 8 Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it–to his destruction!
This short passage is a continuation of the imprecatory prayer of David, of his desire and request that the Lord deal with his enemies.
Verse 7 is providing David’s blamelessness in front of his enemies. And it speaks of the greater David’s righteousness in front of His enemies.
David’s enemies hid a net and dug a pit (poetically speaking) for him to be entrapped in, but David boldly declared that the enemies were motivated by something other than David’s actions. He claims the actions were not cause of the enemies hatred! In other words, H actions were not the reason causing this hatred. How bold! How proud of David to claim this!
But wait a minute. Is this not to be the condition of each believer? Is not the believer to walk in such a way as to be blameless?
Consider David’s situation. He acquires enemies seemingly “out of nowhere”. And these enemies are hunting him down. Without reason. Is it not somewhat confusing for us when we acquire an enemy out of nowhere?
Our lives are to be of a blameless character. Notice that I am not associating blamelessness with perfection or sinlessness. I remind you that Paul’s prayer was seeking believers to
10…. be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, – Philippians 1:10 ESV
Now we need to understand that to be blameless is to be without blame. (Duh – that is obvious Carl.) Ok, in other words, to be blameless is to be without any cause of stumbling another.
If we commit a sin against a brother, we are to ask for forgiveness, and thereby enter into blamelessness. If a believer offends a non-believer, they are to seek seek reconciliation and forgiveness from the non-believer. Blamelessness must be maintained by avoiding or removing any instance of blameworthiness. (Dang – I am using big words today, no?)
Nevertheless, you see the reason I did not assign blamelessness to the Son of God, since it may imply the requirement of forgiveness due to an unjust offense. Blamelessness is never used in relation the the Master in the New Testament Psalm 35:7 may be rightly understood as prophetic of the Son, describing His righteous actions towards those who rose up as enemies against Him.
In verse 8, David returns to the idea of “letting” destruction come upon his enemies, and it may be of benefit to remember the principle of how the devices of the wicked boomerang on them. A bit fuller explanation may be found in the previous post Psalms for Psome – Ps 35 – B.
Both David and Jesus had powerful enemies arrayed against them in their tribulations, and both were rescued.
But how marvelous was the rescue of the Savior. How incredible the deliverance, even from the grave! How utterly fantastic the reclaiming of His life. He who did no harm, who was hated without cause, and who suffered such horrible treatment from His subjects, patiently enduring the shame and agony of the cruel crucifixion, how magnificent the Savior is in his resurrection!
He is righteous. We are not. (I speak of experience, not in standing!) Our focus, at least out of this passage, is a call to blamelessness. A desire to keep “short accounts” with those we hobnob with.
And to understand, that as we maintain (or work to become blameless) we will acquire enemies without cause. David did. Jesus did. The prophets did. The apostles did.
Ok then, so do you got some enemies? By being blameless I mean. By doing good and not evil?
For a believer to accumulate enemies by being offensive, rude, hateful proud or self righteous is not the calling we have brothers. Acquiring adversaries through doing good, (and not evil) is the way of the Master.
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. – 1Peter 2:15 ESV
By the way, where are you in relation to being blameless with your spouse, your children, your employer or even that cantankerous church member that rubs you the wrong way? Accept a position of humility in your life, and reach out to those you may suffer insult from. They may even cause you offence or hurt. Seek forgiveness and relationship with your enemy. Do good.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. – 1Peter 2:20 ESV
Remember, by doing good we may acquire enemies, but in the acquiring of these enemies, we are to remain blameless even with those who seek our harm.
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, – Mat 5:44 ESV
Leave your thoughts and comments below. As always I look forward to hearing from you.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #105
Description
He went about doing good
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 38:20
Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.
New Testament Fullfillment
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with 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
Calvin’s followers seek to justify their teaching with verses that, with just a little bit of explanation, seem to reinforce their philosophy.
You know – the Romans 9 passage, or maybe 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Some of these passages, without considering alternate views (i.e. listening to only Calvinist teachers!) tend to reinforce the Calvinistic thought pattern.
This series of video podcasts will provide a discussion that many Calvinists may have never heard, or considered.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #104
Description
Silent before His accusers
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 38:12-13
Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long. But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
New Testament Fullfillment
Matt 27:12-14
But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer.
Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?”
But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
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
In oversimplified terms, universal reconciliation speaks of the eventual redemption of every soul ever created through the work of the Messiah and His sacrifice on the cross. This teaching does not remove the existence of hell, or the suffering associated with it, but it does challenge it’s never ending duration, and the purpose of the flames.
This series of posts, on the book “Heaven’s Doors” will be my last on the topic of universal reconciliation (not universalism). I am thankful to my Calvinist friend for directing me to this “heresy”. The teaching of universal reconciliation has more Scriptural support than I imagined and is worth considering if you are of an open mind and willing to consider alternate views to expand your understanding of the Word.
Of course if you are convinced you are completely right, without error, and doctrinally pure, this topic would be a waste of your time. Please move on!
This post will address Perishing
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
It’s funny how the Lord pre-teaches a believer something only to teach him the same thing and then have to teach him in the future again. Please understand this is referring to John Doe – not me. No no no!
I have went through multiple understandings of this great verse, and each time I am challenged, and it only opens the Word up to greater blessing and wonder.
One of those times that challenged my thinking was March 15th, 2020, when I studied the term “perish” in the New Testament, to find out what in tarnation is being described by saying something perishes. Does it refer to eternally suffering in flames as I assume in John 3:16?
For those who have limited time, let me summarize my findings.
For something to perish is for it to experience a lostness, or of destruction. Of death, or to be rendered useless. To be abolished, or to end in ruin.
Although I have provided a list of verses in the post mentioned above, let me supply one or two in order for my reader to consider.
Luke 15 :32
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was dead, and is found.
In this verse, Luke is recounting the parable of the prodigal son. and the father refers to the son as dead. This is the same Greek word as used in John 3:16, translated as perish.
How about one more verse to consider?
Luke 21 :18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
All the time I have read the Bible, it has never occurred to me to apply the idea of endless suffering I associate with “perishing” into this verse. It seems foolish at this point to consider one hair on my head experiencing unending suffering.
So what is the message of John 3:16?
John 3:16 speaks of the great love of the Father in providing His only Son to whomever chooses to believe in Him. The result? The one who believes in Him will experience everlasting life and not be rendered useless. The believing one will not experience a life wasted, ruined by sin and thrown away to satisfy the call of self.
The Father has provided the Son for our salvation from a life of waste and ruin.
Consider your present condition. Believe in the Son that you might experience life today! Trust His way of life, a life that is counter cultural to this present evil world. A life that is energized by the Spirit and guided by the Word.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #103
Description
Enemies try to entangle Him by craft
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 38:12
Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long.
New Testament Fullfillment
Mark 14:1
It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him,
Matt 22:15
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.
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
Occasionally I will be dwelling on a verse or passage, ruminating on the message, (or to be honest, wandering off into some undisciplined daydreaming), and the Lord will bless me with a truth that is so obvious, so fresh and such a blessing that I just want to share it with you.
Such is the following passage
1 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: 2 “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it–the LORD is his name: 3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. – Jeremiah 33:1-3 ESV
Jeremiah was in the court of the guard. As a matter of fact, Jeremiah was in the court of the guard a bunch! The phrase shows up 10 times in Jeremiah, many of the time referring to his being placed in the court of the guards, or in the cistern in the court of the guards.
Turns out that Jeremiah was in the court of the guards until Jerusalem was taken.
And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken. – Jeremiah 38:28 ESV
The court of the guards was the Kings prison. If I understand it correctly, this meant Jeremiah was in stocks, day in and day out. one of the references of Jeremiahs imprisonment in the court of the guards mentioned that he had bread once a day to sustain his existence.
And the Lord said…
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah, the prophet of the Lord, one hated by his countrymen, prisoned by his earthly king, accused of being a traitor, and a false prophet, suffering without sustenance, was told by the Lord to …
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah has been preaching of the destruction of Israel, of the imminent failure of his nation before the Lord God. In the midst of the destruction of Jerusalem, of the entire nation of Israel, the lone prophet of God is shackled in a prison. And the Lord gives him the command to call on Him.
The Lord continues with describing the inevitable fall of Israel to the Babylonians, but check out verse 7-9, where the Lord God gives His great and mighty promise of restoration in the midst of the certain death of the nation.
7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. 8 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. 9 And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it. – Jeremiah 33:7-9 ESV
Jeremiah had many needs, ranging from emotional healing, adequate sustenance, deep fellowship, physical healing, pain relief… I think you get my point.
The Lord gave him his heart’s desire – that is, that his nation would rise again, that the kingdom would continue and flourish. The Messiah would arrive, and He will execute justice and righteousness in the land.
14 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’ – Jeremiah 33:14-16 ESV
My friends, God is good, even in the midst of very trying times. There may be trying times coming for our generation. Take heart. The same God who spoke to Jeremiah is the same God who came to execute justice and righteousness on the earth, and is the same God who will deliver us from this present evil world.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8 ESV
May His name be praised and remembered as we go about our day. Be thankful for His many mercies!
This past Sunday, our Sunday School Class was delving into the famous passage of Ezekiel 37. It was a real good class, but I came away with a few questions.
Let’s read the passage prior to getting into it.
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD.” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. 11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.” – Ezekiel 37:1-14 ESV
The questions I had, started a week previously, when during the same class, it appeared the teacher was implying this passage was fulfilled in the modern state of Israel. I reminded the teacher that Ezekiel was an exilic prophet, that is, that he lived during the 70 year captivity of Israel by the Babylonian nation. I asked him if he thought Ezekiel’s message was intended for the audience of his day, for the surviving Jewish population in Babylon.
After all, the nation of Israel was gutted. If Babylon hadn’t taken you into captivity, well, you were out of “luck”.
15 The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour. – Ezekiel 7:15 ESV
The sword of war would hunt you down. Famine and sickness were locked together in the capital city, with the inhabitants waiting for the end.
24 I will bring the worst of the nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the strong, and their holy places shall be profaned. – Ezekiel 7:24 ESV
Israel was to become a wasteland, devoured by the Babylonians (the worst of the nations!), gutted of any hope. Totally hopeless!
19 And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord GOD concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink water in dismay. In this way her land will be stripped of all it contains, on account of the violence of all those who dwell in it. 20 And the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation; and you shall know that I am the LORD.” – Ezekiel 12:19-20 ESV
My point is that Israel was without any hope, they were devastated, and when Ezekiel saw the valley of dry bones, this was an accurate representation of the nation of Israel. The Lord clearly identifies the bones in verse 11 as the whole house of Israel, and of their utter hopelessness.
11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ – Ezekiel 37:11 ESV
When the Lord asked …
Son of man, can these bones live?
Ezekiel must surely have connected this image with the current state of his beloved nation. The Lord was giving Ezekiel a vision of the resurrection of the nation of Israel in the midst of the most hopeless condition possible.
But as I was listening to the class discuss this fantastic passage, I kept thinking of one passage in the New Testament. One New Testament passage that kept niggling at the back of my mind. One New Testament passage was especially leveraged in my thoughts when I came upon verse 12.
12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. – Ezekiel 37:12 ESV
Oh my goodness. Can you hear the words of the Messiah, as He was on the earth, walking amongst us?
28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice – John 5:28 ESV
The Lord GOD will speak to those in the graves, and raise them from their graves. Jesus had the audacity to say that it was merely hours until the dead would hear His voice.
Now I am not going to get into a prolonged discussion on resurrection teaching, but it occurs to me that the general flow of Ezekiel’s prophecy may be fulfilled in the following manner.
As the bones join together, receive sinew and muscles and even stand up, even as a great army, could this not represent the return of the Jewish people back into the land after the first captivity?
Let’s pick up Ezekiel’s prophecy in verse 13
13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.” – Ezekiel 37:13-14 ESV
Check out verse 14! When, pray tell, may that verse be considered as a historical occurrence? Might Pentecost be the fulfillment of this amazing prophecy? Might the birth of the church, the true Israel, be the fulfillment of this great prophecy, a prophecy of a great army (vs 10) energized to know the Lord!
As the prophet declared, “THEN you shall know that I am the LORD!”
Amazing. He is so good! Praise His name, for His many acts of grace and wonder for His creation!
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #102
Description
His friends stood afar off
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 38:11
My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off.
New Testament Fullfillment
Luke 23:49
And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
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
Calvin’s followers seek to justify their teaching with verses that, with just a little bit of explanation, seem to reinforce their philosophy.
You know – the Romans 9 passage, or maybe 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Some of these passages, without considering alternate views (i.e. listening to only Calvinist teachers!) tend to reinforce the Calvinistic thought pattern.
This series of video podcasts will provide a discussion that many Calvinists may have never heard, or considered.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #101
Description
He was hated without a cause
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 35:19
Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.
New Testament Fullfillment
John 15:25
But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
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
In oversimplified terms, universal reconciliation speaks of the eventual redemption of every soul ever created through the work of the Messiah and His sacrifice on the cross. This teaching does not remove the existence of hell, or the suffering associated with it, but it does challenge it’s never ending duration, and the purpose of the flames.
This series of posts, on the book “Heaven’s Doors” will be my last on the topic of universal reconciliation (not universalism). I am thankful to my Calvinist friend for directing me to this “heresy”. The teaching of universal reconciliation has more Scriptural support than I imagined and is worth considering if you are of an open mind and willing to consider alternate views to expand your understanding of the Word.
Of course if you are convinced you are completely right, without error, and doctrinally pure, this topic would be a waste of your time. Please move on!
This post will address – Forfeiting Your Soul
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? – Mark 8:35-37
I’m confused. I have chatted with my wife a number of times on the difference between soul, spirit and body, and if we are a three part creation or a two part creation, that is if the soul and spirit are the same entity. It is not something that keeps me up at night, but this verse we are looking at has made me consider my priorities on a number of occasions.
Since I have read Mr. Sarris’ book, and even prior to understanding his teaching, I understood life and soul to be two different entities. You know, my life is that which I experience on earth, between birth and death, whereas my soul is understood to go on after death.
Although I am beginning to see a few cracks in this thinking, was Jesus making a difference in these verses above. Notice that the first verse refers to “life”, with verses 36 & 37 referring to a man’s “soul”. Did Jesus intend to use two different words in these three verses?
Lets take a closer look at what the Master said with the following interlinear tool (using Blue Letter Bible – I like it!)
I have circled the term “life” along with the associated Greek word used in the Gospels of Jesus’ speech. Of course, we should have expected consistency in translation and we have it within this verse. Psychē, Strong’s number G5590 is translated as “life” both times. Very good.
Mark 8:35
Ok, let us move onto the next verse, Mark 8:36. I have likewise circled the same Greek word in the following two verses for your convenience.
Mark 8:36
Okay, so the Lord continues his warning in verse 36, but what is going on? Why has the same Greek word, psychē, Strong’s number G5590, been translated as “soul”?
That must be a glitch! (A bit bothersome, no?)
Lets take a look at the next verse!
Mark 8:37
Again, the Greek word is translated as “soul”, instead of “life”. I don’t get it! Why the difference? The audience in Jesus’ day didn’t hear a different word, (and therefore didn’t come away with a possibly different thought.)
So what is it that Jesus was teaching? Was he addressing our destiny in heaven or hell, or something else?
One explanation is that Jesus was speaking of our earthly existence, our lives, that period of time between birth and death. He was bringing the gospel of the kingdom to earth, for His followers to enter into, in this life. When I hear the term soul, I automatically think of the afterlife, but I am not sure Jesus was referring to the afterlife in this passage.
How many people do you know that have sold their lives to gain the world, to gain possessions, prestige, power? They have sacrificed everything in this life that was of any quality. Things that are of infinite worth, such is their integrity, their honesty, their relationships, the love of God and the love of others.
Maybe Jesus was speaking of this life, of a quality of life, of an abundant life in the here and now, and not of eternal torment in hell, of loosing all hope and of gnashing of teeth, of burning forever.
Maybe we have understood something a bit incorrectly.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #100
Description
False witnesses rose up against Him
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 35:11
Malicious[a] witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know.
New Testament Fullfillment
Matt 26:59
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death,
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
In our last post on the parables, (See Parable Surprises – Two Sons), we watched as Jesus reached out to the Jewish leaders, seeking to find a willingness on their part to repent. He spoke of their rejection of John the Baptist and of His own ministry, and of how they yet would not change their minds.
This parable turns a page. No longer is the opportunity granted, but the Kingdom is going to be taken away from them.
Let’s read this sobering parable.
Matthew 21:33-44
33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Questions to Consider
Who were the audience?
Luke 20:9 states that Jesus began to tell this parable to the people. Mark 12:1 simply tells us that he began to speak to “them”. The order of the gospel of Matthew implies that the parable was spoken to the Jewish leaders that had been interacting with the Messiah in the previous parable.
When did the Lord give this parable?
This parable was delivered to the people of Israel as His ministry was coming to a close, and the cross was casting it’s shadow over the Son of God.
Where did the Lord teach the parable?
The Lord was in the temple of God delivering this parable. Both Luke and Matthew provide this parable as a continuation of a discussion in the temple.
Why did the Lord give this message?
This is sometimes the hardest question to answer in this series, for the motivation of a parable sometimes isn’t as clear as I would like. (And sometimes the reason for giving the parable is a bit difficult to accept). This parable is the first that we have come up against where the judgement of national Israel is clearly pronounced. Jesus is entering into a time where He provides the Jewish leadership the national consequences of their rejection of God. His reason for providing this parable is two fold; to declare the loss of kingdom status to national Israel, and to call individuals into the everlasting kingdom.
What was the message for the original audience?
Jesus presents a microcosm of the history of Israel in a picture of a landowner. This landowner has invested much time and effort in creating a vineyard out of bare land, fencing the area, installing a winepress, building a guard towner and providing purpose for those who became the tenants of the vineyard. After all the work was completed in building the vineyard, the landowner trusted to tenants to provide him with his share of the fruits of his labor.
Remember that as tenants, they were joining in on the benefit of the vineyard, receiving a portion of the fruit for their management of the vineyard. The tenants did not own the vineyard, but they were safe, they had purpose and they were productive. At least that was the intent.
The parallels with the history of national Israel seems so obvious to us as we look on this parable after the fact. Often in the Old Testament, the God of Jacob would refer to Israel as a vineyard. Let’s read Isaiah 5:1-7 to see if Jesus may be taking advantage of the Old Testament writings in providing this parable of the wicked tenants.
Wild Grapes
1 Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2 He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? 5 And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6 I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry! – Isa 5:1-7 ESV
How could the Jewish leadership have been so blind as to not see where Jesus’ parable was heading? Sure, Isaiah was referring to bad fruit, and Jesus was referring to bad management, but the similarities are amazing in the set up of the parable. Isaiah provided the very theological framework defining the nation of Israel, that Jesus used in this parable. How could they have been so blind?
The message for the first century audience? Run! Run as fast as you can from the trust you may have in the leadership of the nation of Israel. RUN!
Trusting in the national status of Israel as God’s display of His kingdom was coming to an end. Babylon took them out over 500 years ago, and the utter final destruction of the theocratic nation of Israel, as we will learn of in future parables is within a generation. The management (leadership) has a track record of actively working against God, killing God’s servants and now conspiring against the Son of the landowner. Jesus again prophecies of his own death at the hands of the Jewish leadership, even to the detail of His death being outside of the vineyard!
The Jewish leadership/tenants defined their own destruction in their response to Jesus.
Two Stone Passages
Jesus concludes His parable with the very Scriptures the Jewish leadership claim to trust! Two stone passages, centered on the Lord Jesus.
The first passage, Psalm 118:22, the Messiah is depicted as the corner stone for an edifice, a building that God is building, but that is rejected (not ignored) by the tenants. The most important stone of the entire construction! Thrown away by the builders. Utter foolishness, or better said – utter rebellion!
The next “stone” passage refers back to Daniels dream of the great statue of Nebuchadnezzar. The stone (Messiah) would destroy the kingdoms and become a great mountain, filling the entire earth. Daniel 2:44 is instructive
And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, – Dan 2:44 ESV
The everlasting kingdom (that shall never be destroyed) will be established out of the destruction of the existing national kingdoms the Stone destroys. Being everlasting, this kingdom will stand forever and not be left to another people. The kingdom set up will be the final kingdom. Previous kingdoms will be destroyed. Jesus is clearly including Israel with those kingdoms, when he concludes
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
Like the Master said earlier – It (the everlasting kingdom) shall break in pieces all those kingdoms, bringing them to an end. But what of an individual application to this tectonic prophecy concerning a nation?
And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him. Matthew 21:44
The Stone falls on You
The text states it will crush whoever it falls on. If any of you are reading along with me in my Psalms for Psome series, (See Psalms for Psome – Ps 35 – B) we discussed the wicked as chaff. The same general picture is provided here.
When Jesus is giving this truth, the Greek word He uses for crushing (likmaō) also refers to grinding to powder, to a chaff. This image is of a grinding stone in a mill, cleansing away the chaff from the grain by winnowing. Not only a crushing, as if that is not dire as it is, but the subsequent casting to the wind, allowing the wind to carry the waste away.
Why would anyone let the Stone fall on them?
You Fall on the Stone
To fall (piptō) upon the Stone has many uses in the New Testament, but a few are instructive.
To fall upon the Stone can simply mean to fall prostrate. To agree with His authority over your life, to relinquish your own lordship and follow after Him. Many in Israel were looking to the Messiah, and more would come. Many, many more would fall upon the Stone.
One other use of (piptō) is to describe the decent from a state of prosperity, or to lose authority, to no longer have force. Is this not striking at the very heart of the Jewish leaderships core sin? They would not bow to the authority of John the Baptist, and they are heading to greater sin by rejecting the Source of all authority.
What is the message for us today?
The message is the same for us as it was for the individuals hearing the message two millennium ago. You have a choice to allow the Stone to fall on you, or to fall on the Stone!
Which will it be? There is no other option. He has not provided any other option to choose, and don’t deceive yourself that you have any special status before Him through works, beliefs or bloodlines. He has not made that available!
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.
Let’s return to Psalm 35 and continue in David’s prayers
4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! 5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away! 6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them!
As I have been ruminating over these three verses a concept comes up that I would offer the reader. David is looking for the Lord to “let” his enemies be put to shame and dishonor. To “let” them be like chaff and to “let” their way be dark and slippery.
Would it be correct to see David’s prayer here as a prayer of allowance, that is of letting those who are laying traps for David to fall into their own traps. His prayer is that the Lord is to drive them away, and pursue them, and we will consider that a bit later, yet a few moments on the concept of the lost being caught up in their own devices against the Lord’s people.
Consider the following passages.
Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. – Psalm 69:22 ESV
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. – Psalm 9:15 ESV
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. – Psalm 10:2 ESV
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. – Psalm 10:2 ESV
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. – Proverbs 28:10 ESV
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. – Proverbs 29:5 ESV
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. – Ecclesiastes 10:8 ESV
There are actually many more passage that speak of the devices of the wicked planned for the saint to turn back onto the wicked. (As a matter of fact, our next post will find this principle again in verse 8!)
The Scripture also gives numerous examples of this principle. The first example that comes to mind of this deliverance is of course the story of Esther and how the schemes of Haman were turned upon himself.
A proud man utterly humbled by honoring the very man he hates most. A ruler of nations that had the power of life and death, himself hung on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai, the believer. Take note also that not only was Haman’s fortunes turned on him, so were Mordecai’s, in that he was lifted up to great heights.
Or consider the eleven sons of Jacob and their turning Joseph over to slave traders. The brothers went from being seemingly in control over Joseph, to becoming totally dependent on the mercy of Joseph.
I can’t keep bringing examples since I do want to consider verse 5 and 6, but as we meditate on the deliverance of the Lord in our lives, lets consider the wonder of the Lord’s ways. The wicked sin against the Lord in plotting against the believer, and the sin itself becomes the very judgement they fall into.
A word of caution for those believers who may think this does not apply to their own lives since they are “positionally” on the Lord’s side, this last example of Jacobs sons shows that to be in covenant with the Lord of Glory does not remove us from this very same principle. (For those interested in this topic, consider the post The Lord’s Enemy.)
Let’s consider verse 5 and 6
Oh to think like a Hebrew. The pictures found in the psalms, as we take a few minutes out of our busy day, are so graphic and so alarming.
Consider the precarious spot David is seeking for the enemy.
Chaff in the wind. The very purpose of the wind when winnowing the harvest was to carry the chaff away. The chaff had no power of resistance over the wind.
Their way to be dark and slippery. Given that David’s request is for his enemy to be powerless against the circumstances he is in (chaff in the wind) , he is also asking that they have no knowledge or understanding of their condition, neither any ability to resist their falling into their trap.
In the midst of this self destruction, David is asking that the angel of the Lord drive them away, and to pursue them. To “drive” is to push, to push violently, to be thrust down. To “pursue” is to run after, to chase after. The term is sometimes translated as to harass or to persecute!
Not only is David requesting to Lord to allow the enemy to fall into his own wicked devices, but he is requesting that the Lord ensure this result. He is praying that the Lord push the enemy down, and to chase after him, as a victorious general would ensure a victory over the defeated enemy.
David is a military man, a man of blood and was a strategic fighter. He did not waver in his passion for the victory of the God of Israel, and his prayers were reflective of his zeal.
Let me encourage those reading that passion in prayer is often found in the Word and may need to be found in our lives. A prayer of recitation without personal involvement may be simply words bouncing off the ceiling at times. May our prayers, as we go through our days of pilgrimage, exhibit a greater passion and desire to see God get greater victories in our lives and the lives we touch.
May God bless you as you seek to follow after Him.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #99
Description
Not a bone of Him broken
Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 34:20
He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
New Testament Fullfillment
John 19:31-36
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
He who saw it has borne witness–his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth–that you also may believe.
For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”
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Calvin’s followers seek to justify their teaching with verses that, with just a little bit of explanation, seem to reinforce their philosophy.
You know – the Romans 9 passage, or maybe 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Some of these passages, without considering alternate views (i.e. listening to only Calvinist teachers!) tend to reinforce the Calvinistic thought pattern.
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