2 Kings 20:13: “Hezekiah was attentive to them.”
These 3 chapters (18-20) on the reign of Hezekiah are significant in the Scriptures. They are given to us 3 times in the Old Testament (cf. also 2 Chron. 29-32 and Isaiah 36-39). Why this emphasis?
In the case of Isaiah’s inclusion of this in his prophecy it provides a critical water-shed moment in the life of the nation. The regional (world) power when Hezekiah became king was Assyria. They literally stomped on everyone around them, taking control of the nations. And God used them to exact punishment on the idolatrous Northern Kingdom of Israel, resulting in their removal from the promised land. Assyria’s eventual demise however has it’s beginnings when they come to do the same to Judah. There God honors His name by delivering Hezekiah.
Amazingly, in his prophecy, Isaiah 40-66 places special emphasis on Judah’s enemy, but the enemy is Babylon, not Assyria. Babylon’s rise to prominence is still 100 years off. Yet Isaiah treats them as if they are the ones to fear. Thus the position of these chapters in Isaiah indicates the turning from Assyria whom God uses to punish Israel to the next enemy, Babylon, whom God will use to punish Judah. It is likely that Isaiah 40-66 was written after this meeting of the Babylonian emissaries with Hezekiah. It seemed so innocent at the time, and yet was God’s means of moving the prophet to understand the years and centuries to come.
The 2 Chronicles version of the story of Hezekiah’s healing and the visit of the Babylonians is given only in a summary form. Here is what it says.
24 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the LORD; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah’s showing of his riches was not so innocent. It was a failure to thank God for the healing. His pride was the same kind of response the nation would have in the coming years in the 55-year reign of Manasseh. All of this is suggested by the term “attentive” in 2 Kings 20:13. The word means to “hear” but to hear “intelligently”. Hezekiah treated them “as if they were something special”, an attention that belonged only to God Who had blessed him.
Today we will each be living out the story God has planned for us (Eph. 2:10). Let us not fall into the trap of thinking there will be insignificant conversations or events along the way. Always we are being given opportunities to exalt our Father and His Son Jesus Christ! By God’s grace let us do so.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Psalm 147
What a marvelous hymn is this 2nd of the Hillel Psalms that conclude the Bible’s Hymnbook. As with each of them it gives us a multitude of reasons to praise God. Truly praise is both “pleasant” and “beautiful” (v1). But why? What makes it so easy to praise God?
The Psalm is written in the context of a call to Israel, and especially Jerusalem, to praise the Lord for His “sustaining” work in His creation. In verses 2-6 God is seen as omniscient and compassionate. He is so knowledgeable He calls the stars by name; His compassion causes Him to exalt the humble and humble the exalted. And these perfections of God are seen in the way He has gathered the outcasts to Jerusalem to build it up.
In verses 7-11 God is praised because of the way He cares for His creation day by day. These verses note that God’s sustaining grace is for all the earth. And the blessings are especially for those in whom He delights: not the great and powerful of the earth but those who fear Him, who “hope in His mercy”.
Then note that in verses 12-18 it is Jerusalem again that is called to praise God. They are to be thankful for the way God has sustained His people along with the rest of the earth. It is especially to be noted that God is the source of security and peace as well as healthy children and the finest wheat. God does this!
Do not miss the conclusion to the Psalm for herein we see the connection between God’s revealing Himself in creation (general revelation) and His revelation in Scripture (special revelation). The God Who has blessed Israel with rain and crops and families is the God Who has blessed Israel with His word! Those who “fear God (and) hope in His mercy” are those who receive all of His blessings with praise.
Oh Israel, praise God today for His blessings upon you. Do not trust in the strength of man but fear God, hope in His mercy!
Oh drought-ridden friends in California, turn to the Creator-Sustainer today. Thank Him for His blessings. Do not trust in the strength of man but fear God, hope in His mercy!
Oh friends in the Flathead Valley of Montana where God has abundantly blessed, give Him praise. Do not trust in the strength of man but fear God, hope in His mercy.
The Psalm is written in the context of a call to Israel, and especially Jerusalem, to praise the Lord for His “sustaining” work in His creation. In verses 2-6 God is seen as omniscient and compassionate. He is so knowledgeable He calls the stars by name; His compassion causes Him to exalt the humble and humble the exalted. And these perfections of God are seen in the way He has gathered the outcasts to Jerusalem to build it up.
In verses 7-11 God is praised because of the way He cares for His creation day by day. These verses note that God’s sustaining grace is for all the earth. And the blessings are especially for those in whom He delights: not the great and powerful of the earth but those who fear Him, who “hope in His mercy”.
Then note that in verses 12-18 it is Jerusalem again that is called to praise God. They are to be thankful for the way God has sustained His people along with the rest of the earth. It is especially to be noted that God is the source of security and peace as well as healthy children and the finest wheat. God does this!
Do not miss the conclusion to the Psalm for herein we see the connection between God’s revealing Himself in creation (general revelation) and His revelation in Scripture (special revelation). The God Who has blessed Israel with rain and crops and families is the God Who has blessed Israel with His word! Those who “fear God (and) hope in His mercy” are those who receive all of His blessings with praise.
Oh Israel, praise God today for His blessings upon you. Do not trust in the strength of man but fear God, hope in His mercy!
Oh drought-ridden friends in California, turn to the Creator-Sustainer today. Thank Him for His blessings. Do not trust in the strength of man but fear God, hope in His mercy!
Oh friends in the Flathead Valley of Montana where God has abundantly blessed, give Him praise. Do not trust in the strength of man but fear God, hope in His mercy.
Friday, August 1, 2014
1 Kings 8
In verse 20 is Solomon indicating a weak relationship with God, or is it humility when he says, "I have filled the position of my father David"? He spoke the truth, of course. He was serving the Lord by doing what had been in his father's heart. This was what God desired. So Solomon was first required to have an eager heart in fulfilling someone else's plan. That requires a humility not often seen today. We are often about making a name for ourselves and cannot stoop to make a name for someone else. Yet that is the nature of submission. In submission our goal is to make someone else "look good" or prosper.
Nevertheless, given Solomon's spiritual struggles later in his life, we still wonder about the strength of his own faith. He fulfilled his father's vision, but he cannot live on his father's faith. Did he have his own faith and trust in God? Solomon's dedicatory prayer in the verses that follow give evidence of that faith.
In verses 23-26 he prays that God would keep the promise that he made to his father David. The promise has to do with a son on David's throne and at this time Solomon is that son through whom the greater Son will someday come and rule.
In verses 27-30 we see the depth of Solomon's trust in God. He knows God cannot be confined to this building that he is built. For that very reason He is the God that Solomon calls on to bless His people with they turn to him.
We must have personal faith in God. But let us not confuse personal faith with originality. For most of us our faith is being expressed in the context of making someone else successful, whether in the workplace, the home, or society in general. But as we do let us trust God to joyfully do it well and to do it for his glory.
Nevertheless, given Solomon's spiritual struggles later in his life, we still wonder about the strength of his own faith. He fulfilled his father's vision, but he cannot live on his father's faith. Did he have his own faith and trust in God? Solomon's dedicatory prayer in the verses that follow give evidence of that faith.
In verses 23-26 he prays that God would keep the promise that he made to his father David. The promise has to do with a son on David's throne and at this time Solomon is that son through whom the greater Son will someday come and rule.
In verses 27-30 we see the depth of Solomon's trust in God. He knows God cannot be confined to this building that he is built. For that very reason He is the God that Solomon calls on to bless His people with they turn to him.
We must have personal faith in God. But let us not confuse personal faith with originality. For most of us our faith is being expressed in the context of making someone else successful, whether in the workplace, the home, or society in general. But as we do let us trust God to joyfully do it well and to do it for his glory.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Greetings in the Lord!
We continue to enjoy our time at the Garden Tomb. Every day people come through here from many nationalities, including locals. Most are Christians but not all. I (Ron) continue to lead tours. Cindy's responsibilities are either to work in the gift shop or to prepare communion for groups that visit who want to include that in their time of worship. Groups arrive at the reception gate; it is determined how many are in the group and if they want communion. Tours are given in the language of the group, if possible; sometimes it is through translation by someone in the group. While the guides explain the place and share the good news of the cross and resurrection, the women are preparing communion and taking it to the place in the garden where the group will meet after their tour. There, if you wanted to know, that is what we are doing besides the morning cleaning responsibilities.
Yesterday and today have been slower days. As the weather gets hotter there are fewer tour groups. But besides the appointments for tours there are a significant number of families or individuals or smaller groups that just show up at the gate. Often locals come here to relax, read or meditate throughout the day. It's just pretty nice.
Yesterday (Tuesday) we had the morning free. We took a walk into the old city, through the Damascus Gate, to the Spafford Children's Center. Perhaps the name Horatio Spafford is familiar, the writer of the song "It Is Well with My Soul", written after losing 4 daughters when their ship went down crossing the Atlantic (his wife survived and another daughter, Bertha, was born to them later). Later in his life he settled in Israel where they established a home right on the Northern wall of Jerusalem.
Today that home is the Spafford Children's Center, extending help to Palestinian children, not only in Jerusalem but at a "branch center" in Bethany. After a time with the director he took us to the roof top where there is a truly magnificent view of Skull Hill next to the Garden Tomb property.
In the 1860's Charles Gordon, a British army officer, who was a devout believer, would sit on that rooftop and have his devotions, looking over at the hillside. He became convinced that the place was indeed the site where Christ was crucified. Later, in 1893 a tomb was discovered nearby, and then it was discovered that in the time of Christ there was a garden in the area as well, bringing together the various sites called for in the Biblical account.
We make it clear in our presentations, and we all ought to remember: that holy sites are not necessary for worship of Christ. The woman at the well (John 4) wanted to engage Jesus in a discussion of "where" one should properly worship God. Jesus told her that God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth. Place simply does not matter. The Garden Tomb, by it's view of Skull Hill (Golgotha?), it's empty tomb, and it's beautiful and restful garden, provides a great place for one to allow his imagination to run free as one meditates on the Biblical account of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
God bless and keep us in your prayers as God leads.
Ron & Cindy
We continue to enjoy our time at the Garden Tomb. Every day people come through here from many nationalities, including locals. Most are Christians but not all. I (Ron) continue to lead tours. Cindy's responsibilities are either to work in the gift shop or to prepare communion for groups that visit who want to include that in their time of worship. Groups arrive at the reception gate; it is determined how many are in the group and if they want communion. Tours are given in the language of the group, if possible; sometimes it is through translation by someone in the group. While the guides explain the place and share the good news of the cross and resurrection, the women are preparing communion and taking it to the place in the garden where the group will meet after their tour. There, if you wanted to know, that is what we are doing besides the morning cleaning responsibilities.
Yesterday and today have been slower days. As the weather gets hotter there are fewer tour groups. But besides the appointments for tours there are a significant number of families or individuals or smaller groups that just show up at the gate. Often locals come here to relax, read or meditate throughout the day. It's just pretty nice.
Yesterday (Tuesday) we had the morning free. We took a walk into the old city, through the Damascus Gate, to the Spafford Children's Center. Perhaps the name Horatio Spafford is familiar, the writer of the song "It Is Well with My Soul", written after losing 4 daughters when their ship went down crossing the Atlantic (his wife survived and another daughter, Bertha, was born to them later). Later in his life he settled in Israel where they established a home right on the Northern wall of Jerusalem.
Today that home is the Spafford Children's Center, extending help to Palestinian children, not only in Jerusalem but at a "branch center" in Bethany. After a time with the director he took us to the roof top where there is a truly magnificent view of Skull Hill next to the Garden Tomb property.
In the 1860's Charles Gordon, a British army officer, who was a devout believer, would sit on that rooftop and have his devotions, looking over at the hillside. He became convinced that the place was indeed the site where Christ was crucified. Later, in 1893 a tomb was discovered nearby, and then it was discovered that in the time of Christ there was a garden in the area as well, bringing together the various sites called for in the Biblical account.
We make it clear in our presentations, and we all ought to remember: that holy sites are not necessary for worship of Christ. The woman at the well (John 4) wanted to engage Jesus in a discussion of "where" one should properly worship God. Jesus told her that God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth. Place simply does not matter. The Garden Tomb, by it's view of Skull Hill (Golgotha?), it's empty tomb, and it's beautiful and restful garden, provides a great place for one to allow his imagination to run free as one meditates on the Biblical account of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
God bless and keep us in your prayers as God leads.
Ron & Cindy
Sunday, May 27, 2012
We attended church May 27 at East Jerusalem Baptist Church, a 10-min walk from the Garden Tomb. We attended the English speaking service. The worship team was a group helping out in ministry in the Bethlehem area comprised of 2 from the Netherlands, one from Walla Walla, WA, and one from England. In the fellowship we met people from Colorado as well as from England. There were also "locals" who attended.
The Pastor, Alex, teaches at Bethlehem Bible College along with his pastoral responsibilities at this church. The message was 14 points, 7 wrong responses to the Holy Spirit and 7 positive responses to the Holy Spirit. By the way, it was Pentecost Sunday, thus the message on the Holy Spirit.
But it also means there was a lot going on among the Jews as it is a feast day (Shav'uot) for them. From Sat night through Sunday there were apparently big goings on at the Western Wall. Shav'uot commemorates the giving of the Law. On Saturday evening as we walked back from Jaffa Gate to our apartment we passed a large group of singing and chanting Jews. In the midst was a Rabbi (I assume), being carried on a palanquin of sorts under a canopy, while holding a Torah Scroll.
The Law was God's gift to Israel through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness (Rom. 10:4). Does this mean we have no leadership in this age? No! The special gift of God to the Church is the Holy Spirit, given at Pentecost. Not only is there "leadership", enabling us to understand Scripture; there is also enabling through that same Spirit, that we might be doers of the word as well.
Thanks for praying for us in our time here. It is certainly needed and appreciated.
Ron & Cindy
The Pastor, Alex, teaches at Bethlehem Bible College along with his pastoral responsibilities at this church. The message was 14 points, 7 wrong responses to the Holy Spirit and 7 positive responses to the Holy Spirit. By the way, it was Pentecost Sunday, thus the message on the Holy Spirit.
But it also means there was a lot going on among the Jews as it is a feast day (Shav'uot) for them. From Sat night through Sunday there were apparently big goings on at the Western Wall. Shav'uot commemorates the giving of the Law. On Saturday evening as we walked back from Jaffa Gate to our apartment we passed a large group of singing and chanting Jews. In the midst was a Rabbi (I assume), being carried on a palanquin of sorts under a canopy, while holding a Torah Scroll.
The Law was God's gift to Israel through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness (Rom. 10:4). Does this mean we have no leadership in this age? No! The special gift of God to the Church is the Holy Spirit, given at Pentecost. Not only is there "leadership", enabling us to understand Scripture; there is also enabling through that same Spirit, that we might be doers of the word as well.
Thanks for praying for us in our time here. It is certainly needed and appreciated.
Ron & Cindy
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Greetings! It's late Friday night and we leave Sunday afternoon for Jerusalem. Believe it or not we have done some major packing already. We both have a list of things going in the days before the trip so we had to use what time was available. Of course when you pack early, it usually means that just before the trip you will repack everything, trying to remember if you got this or that in.
However, the early packing also seems to reflect our excitement. We have been reading the books mentioned in the previous post and this has only added both to the intrigue about this "special place" as well as the desire to be with the people we have been conversing with through cyber space.
Perhaps our enthusiasm relates to the fact that this place, whether or not the authentic site of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, is nevertheless focused on the foundations of the gospel. We anticipate being focused every day on His death and resurrection. Of course that can be done here or anywhere. But I confess to countless distractions, most of them quite good and even necessary. There we will be "required", "forced", "permitted", "encouraged" to think of the cross of Jesus Christ and the confirmation of His person and work when He was "declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:4).
Did it happen at "Gordon's Calvary" and the "Garden Tomb"? Ultimately that is not the point. The point is that it did happen somewhere! Near the city, at 'The Place of the Skull' (John 19:17-20). Near a garden, in which was a never-been-used tomb (John 19:41). Near other tombs (Isaiah 53:9).
On His cross, just a brief moment before He died, Jesus cried out those most comforting words, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) On that cross ...
* He fulfilled every requirement of the Law of Moses (Romans 8:3-4; 10:4)
* He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of His humiliation (e.g. the substitution of Isaiah 53).
*He completed the 'types' involving the "Lamb of God" (e.g. Gen. 22:13, Isaac's substitutionary ram caught in the thicket on Mt. Moriah).
*He finished the work the Father had given Him to do (John 4:34; 17:4).
*He paid in full the price of redemption (Heb. 9:12; Rom. 6:23).
*He satisfied divine justice (Isa. 53:4,10).
How glorious is our Lord Jesus Christ. He glorified the Father by finishing the Father's work (John 17:4). Thus the Father exalted Him highly, returning Him to the glory He had from eternity (John 17:5). And He has become the "hope of glory" for every man, woman and child who has bowed the knee to Him in simple faith (John 17:22; Col. 1:27).
"Oh Lord, may we set our affection on you now, and always. May we not depend on a place or a circumstance or an opening in the schedule. Thou art our Glorious and Magnificent Obsession! Amen!!"
However, the early packing also seems to reflect our excitement. We have been reading the books mentioned in the previous post and this has only added both to the intrigue about this "special place" as well as the desire to be with the people we have been conversing with through cyber space.
Perhaps our enthusiasm relates to the fact that this place, whether or not the authentic site of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, is nevertheless focused on the foundations of the gospel. We anticipate being focused every day on His death and resurrection. Of course that can be done here or anywhere. But I confess to countless distractions, most of them quite good and even necessary. There we will be "required", "forced", "permitted", "encouraged" to think of the cross of Jesus Christ and the confirmation of His person and work when He was "declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:4).
Did it happen at "Gordon's Calvary" and the "Garden Tomb"? Ultimately that is not the point. The point is that it did happen somewhere! Near the city, at 'The Place of the Skull' (John 19:17-20). Near a garden, in which was a never-been-used tomb (John 19:41). Near other tombs (Isaiah 53:9).
On His cross, just a brief moment before He died, Jesus cried out those most comforting words, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) On that cross ...
* He fulfilled every requirement of the Law of Moses (Romans 8:3-4; 10:4)
* He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of His humiliation (e.g. the substitution of Isaiah 53).
*He completed the 'types' involving the "Lamb of God" (e.g. Gen. 22:13, Isaac's substitutionary ram caught in the thicket on Mt. Moriah).
*He finished the work the Father had given Him to do (John 4:34; 17:4).
*He paid in full the price of redemption (Heb. 9:12; Rom. 6:23).
*He satisfied divine justice (Isa. 53:4,10).
How glorious is our Lord Jesus Christ. He glorified the Father by finishing the Father's work (John 17:4). Thus the Father exalted Him highly, returning Him to the glory He had from eternity (John 17:5). And He has become the "hope of glory" for every man, woman and child who has bowed the knee to Him in simple faith (John 17:22; Col. 1:27).
"Oh Lord, may we set our affection on you now, and always. May we not depend on a place or a circumstance or an opening in the schedule. Thou art our Glorious and Magnificent Obsession! Amen!!"
Monday, May 7, 2012
Well, here we are, a year and a half ago, at the Garden Tomb. Then we were tourists, worshipers of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, but tourists as well. Now we are less than 2 weeks from departure for the Garden Tomb, still worshipers of the same Good Shepherd, but going as volunteers. We are looking forward very much to this opportunity to serve under and with the folks who were such a blessing to us in our first visit.
We have been reading a wonderful book that we want to recommend to you if you are interested in the background of this place in Jerusalem, just outside the Damascus Gate. The book is, "A Special Place: The Story of the Garden Tomb, Jerusalem" by Bill White, published in 1989 by Stanborough Press in England.
Pray for us in preparation for leaving. The regular schedule at Central Bible Church continues and there are several matters to attend to before we leave.
If you are part of our church family, our personal family or network of friends and you did not receive a copy of the devotional booklet on Abraham, "Faith and Faithfulness", please let us know. It includes a letter about our upcoming ministry trip and we would love for you to have a copy.
Ron & Cindy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)