Ezra 7
Introduction to Ezra the priest & scribe verse 1- 7
Now after these things – in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia
Ezra the son of Seraiah – Azariah – Hilkiah – Shallum – Zadok
Ahitub – Amariah – Azariah – Meraioth – Zerahiah
Uzzi – Bukki – Abishua – Phinehas – Eleazar
Aaron the chief priest
This Ezra went up from Babylon
and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses
which the LORD God of Israel had given
and the king granted him all his request
according to the HAND of the LORD his God on him
And there went up some of the children of Israel – and of the priests
Levites – singers – porters – Nethinim – unto Jerusalem
in the seventh year of Artaxerxes
Ezra had a prepared heart verse 8- 10
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month – which was in the
seventh year of the king – for upon the first day of the first month
began he to go up from Babylon – and on the first day of the
fifth month came he to Jerusalem – according to the
good HAND of his God upon him
For Ezra had PREPARED his heart to SEEK the law of the LORD
to DO it and to TEACH in Israel statutes and judgments
Letter given to Ezra by King Artaxerxes verse 11- 12
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes
gave to Ezra the priest – the scribe – even a scribe of the
words of the commandments of the LORD
and of HIS statutes to Israel
Artaxerxes – king of kings – unto Ezra the priest
a scribe of the law of the God of heaven – perfect peace
and at such a time
Content of letter: Facts regarding Jerusalem verse 13- 15
I make a decree – that all they of the people of Israel
and of his priests and Levites – in my realm
which are minded of their own freewill
to go up to Jerusalem go with you
Forasmuch as you are sent of the king – and of his seven counselors
to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem
according to the law of your God which is in your hand
And to carry the silver and gold – which the king and his counselors
have freely offered unto the God of Israel
whose habitation is in Jerusalem
Content of letter:
Take money with you for offering verse 16- 18
And all the silver and gold that you can find in all the province of Babylon
with the freewill offering of the people – priests
offering willingly for the house of their God
which is in Jerusalem – that you may buy speedily
with this money bullocks – rams – lambs
with their meat offerings – drink offerings
and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God
which is in Jerusalem
And whatsoever shall seem good to you – your brethren
to do with the rest of the silver and gold
that do after the will of your God
Content of letter: Any need will be met verse 19- 20
The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of your God
those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem
and whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of your God
which you shall have occasion to bestow
bestow it out of the king’s treasure house
Content of letter: Money to be given verse 21- 24
And I – even I – Artaxerxes the king – do make a decree to all the treasures
which are beyond the river – that whatsoever Ezra the priest
the scribe of the law of the God of heaven
shall require of you IT BE DONE SPEEDILY
unto an hundred talents of silver
hundred measures of wheat
hundred baths of wine
hundred baths of oil
and salt without prescribing how much
Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven
let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven
for why should there be wrath against the realm of the
king and his sons?
Also we certify you – that touching any of the priests – Levites – singers
porters – Nethinim or ministers of this house of God
it shall not be lawful to impose toll – tribute – custom upon them
Content of letter: Ezra is to lead verse 25- 26
And you – Ezra – after the wisdom of thy God – that is in your hand
set magistrates and judges – which may judges all the people
that are beyond the river all such as know the laws of thy God
and teach ye them that know them not
And whosoever will not do the law of your God – and law of the king
let judgment be executed speedily upon him – whether it be unto
death – banishment – confiscation of good – imprisonment
Ezra praised the LORD and king for provisions verse 27- 28
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers
which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart
to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem
and hath extended mercy unto me before the king
and his counselors – and before all the
king’s mighty princes
And I was STRENGTHENED
as the HAND of the LORD my God was upon me
and I gathered together out of Israel chief men
to go up with me
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God on him. (4106 “ready” [mahiyr] means diligent, skillful, experienced, having or showing or requiring special skill, prompt, or expeditious)
DEVOTION: Here we have children of Israel moving back to the Promised Land after a time period of captivity. They had been judged by the LORD for their disobedience and now they were returning to the Promised Land to start worshiping the LORD again.
Ezra found grace in the eyes of the king and the king was giving him all that he wanted regarding the Promised Land. God was at work in a nation that had worshiped false gods and turned their back on HIM.
Our God is a forgiving God. HE allows the children of Israel to return to the Promised Land. God has a plan and is working HIS plan while this world is in existence. From the beginning of creation to the end of our world there is a plan recorded in the Word of God. Those who are followers of God need to study the Bible to understand how God works in our world. If we understand the Word of God properly, we will see that the LORD is in control even when it seems like chaos around us today.
We have to trust the LORD that HE knows what is going on and if we are obedient to HIM we will be blessed and be given a reward for all eternity.
The children of Israel knew this fact even when they didn’t obey. It is great to know a Savior who cares about everything that is happening in our lives and is working HIS plan for us.
CHALLENGE: From the beginning of time till the end of time God has a plan for HIS people and HE is working HIS plan.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. (3559 “prepared” [kuwn] means establish, made ready, fixed, made firm, arranged, set up or to move toward a certain goal)
DEVOTION: Here we have a descendant of Aaron. He was still in Persia. He didn’t go with the first group to Jerusalem. Now he is headed to Jerusalem with the kings blessing and a donation to help the children of Israel.
The LORD was preparing him for his assignment in Jerusalem. He was who was moving toward a goal of being a leader in the nation. He had to fix his heart on the LORD. Apparently the time he was in this foreign nation he earned the respect of the king.
The king sent him with a great offering and with a letter of recommendation to be a leader of the nation and to set up the legal system in Jerusalem.
He was coming with the letter but also with a desire to teach those who were living in Jerusalem the Law of Moses. He wanted the people to be genuine followers of the LORD and this could only be done with people who were trained in what the LORD expected of them from the Law of Moses.
Teaching was one of his main goals. It should be one of our main goals if we are mature believers. We need to be instructing those who are baby and immature Christians in the teaching of the New Testament. Every Christian needs to know what is expected of them in the eyes of the LORD and this will not happen unless mature Christians are teaching those who need instructions.
One of the problems we have in many churches is that those who claim to be Christians for many years are not capable of teaching those who are immature because they are still immature.
God wants us to be saints who mature in the faith and don’t stay as baby Christians all their lives. The Bible describes them as carnal Christians. They are believers who never mature. This is sin. This is not what should be happening in our churches.
What stage are you at in your Christian growth: baby, carnal or mature? Ezra was mature!!!
CHALLENGE: There needs to be training that causes believer to mature in their faith with a prepared heart to teach others.
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: 18 And whatsoever shall seem good to you, and to your brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. (7470 “will” [rauwth] means something that is desired, good pleasure, decision, a rational action of thought, implying volition and purpose)
DEVOTION: Trust is something that is earned between two people. Here we have a king who trusts Ezra to do what is right with the money that he is given. The king established what needed to be done with the money and told him that whatever was leftover he could decide how to use it to help the nation move forward in their relationship with the LORD.
Churches are given money and the people trust that the leadership will use the money wisely. We need to make sure that the giving is correct in the church. Those who are mature believers realize that God wants us to support the local church with our tithes and offerings. Then the local church gives the money to help the church move forward for the LORD. Also they give money to missionaries to help not only Jerusalem which is the local church but the town around the church and then around the world.
We still have the responsibility to help not only the church to stay alive but that our influence helps the Christian community in the area. Then other nations that need to hear the Word of God through those who are sent but the local church to minister.
Today we find many churches that are using their money only in the local church and not in the community and especially not in the rest of the world. We have churches that stop supporting missionaries on the foreign fields while they are there they receive letters stating that the church will no longer support them. This leaves them with not enough funds to continue. This means they have to come home to raise support and then go back to the field.
This should not happen unless the local church is financial unable to support them because it can’t support themselves. Many large churches don’t have missionaries they support regularly. They just give a freewill offering when they are home and then never help them on the field.
There needs to be a combination. The LORD wants us to make sure we are reaching our Jerusalem, Judah and Samaria as a local body of believers. We have extra like Ezra and need to establish the best place to use that extra.
If we use it wisely the LORD will bless us with more than enough for all we have to do in the local church.
CHALLENGE: Does the LORD trust us with the extra money?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 25 And you, Ezra, after the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know that laws of your God; and teach you them that know them not. (3046 “teach” [yada] means notice, to reveal, to impart knowledge to, to perceive, to understand, acknowledge, or explain)
DEVOTION: The king was allowing the legal system in Judah to be one based on the Law of the LORD. He wanted Ezra to train individuals he thought were mature enough to become magistrates and judges to help the people have a legal system that was pleasing to the LORD.
If Ezra didn’t find any qualified individuals, he was to train them until they were qualified. Remember the qualifications included understanding the Law of Moses. All judgment was based on the LORD’S instructions to Moses.
Training is the key throughout this time period. The nation was starting up again and needed a good legal system that would honor the LORD. It was not going to be pagan laws but God’s laws.
The king also instructed those across the river not to interfere with the legal system that was established in Jerusalem. So, they were autonomous in their legal system.
We had established a legal system here in America based on the Word of God. Many of the laws were based on the Law of Moses. The Ten Commandments were posted in many courtrooms. The Supreme Court has them in their building. They are still there but the laws of the land have changed. They are being based on something other than the standards that the LORD established in the Old Testament.
We find that many people today don’t like to obey any laws. They want to establish new laws that are based on humanism instead of God. So, our legal system has changed and our country is headed in a different direction.
When the children of Israel stopped obeying the LORD they were chastened of the LORD until they repented and returned to the LORD. This is something that might be happening in our world today.
CHALLENGE: God wants us to know that HIS teachings are still appropriate even today. If we are obedient to HIM, we will be blessed as a nation but if we are disobedient, we will be judged.
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: 28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me. (2388 “strengthened” [chazaq] means prevail, be strong, be courageous, be firm, or be secure)
DEVOTION: We find a man who has prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD. This same man is to do the will of the LORD. This same man is to teach others to follow the LORD.
Ezra was that man. He was a priest. He was a scribe. He was a leader. The king of Persia gave him all that he desired. Ezra was concerned with what was happening in Jerusalem. Artaxerxes was concerned about what was happening in Jerusalem.
The king wanted the temple of the LORD to be fully funded. He sent instructions with Ezra regarding getting more supplies if they are needed. He sent silver and gold and other things with Ezra to take to Jerusalem. Ezra was amazed at all the LORD was doing through the king.
He knew that it was only the LORD’S mercy that was being manifested through the king. When he saw the LORD’S mercy at work it encouraged him.
He was firm in his conviction that others should go with him to Jerusalem. He gathered a group to travel with him. When we see the LORD’S mercy active in our lives, we are willing to tell others to follow us.
We have work to do for the kingdom of God. We need all to be involved in this work. Some of us are leaders and some are followers. We all have to be in one of these two categories. However, all of us are being examples to others. Are we all secure in the mercy of the LORD in our lives and willing to work for HIM?
CHALLENGE: We need courage to serve the LORD. We need determination to work HIS plan for our life. The LORD had a plan for Ezra. HE has a plan for us. Are we allowing HIM to work through us?
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Gold and silver from king verse 15
Gold and silver in Babylon verse 16
Freewill offering verse 16
Rest of the silver and gold verse 18
Out of the king’s treasure house verse 20
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Ezra the priest verse 1- 28
Prepared his heart to seek the LORD
Scribe of the law of God of heaven
Prepared heart to seek
Teacher
Priest
Set magistrates and judges
Tell laws of God
Teach laws of God to people
Strengthened as the hand of the LORD
Aaron – first High Priest verse 5
Priests verse 7, 13, 24
Levites verse 7, 13, 24
Singers verse 7, 24
Porters verse 7, 24
Nethinims verse 7, 24
Gold and silver given verse 15,
House of God verse 16, 19, 20
Meat offerings verse 17
Drink offerings verse 17
Altar of the house of your God verse 17
Treasures given to house of the LORD verse 21
Ministers of the house of God verse 24
Can impose: toll, tribute, custom
Beautify the house of the LORD verse 27
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Law of Moses verse 6
Commandments verse 11
Statutes verse 11
Law of your God verse 14, 25
Law of the God of heaven verse 21, 25
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 6, 10, 11, 27, 28
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 6, 9, 12, 14- 21,
23- 28
LORD God of Israel verse 6
Hand of the LORD his God verse 6
Good hand of his God verse 9
Law of the LORD verse 10
Commandments of the LORD verse 11
Law of the God of heaven verse 12, 21
Law of thy God verse 14
God of Israel verse 15
whose habitation is Jerusalem
House of their God verse 16
House of your God verse 17
Will of your God verse 18
House of thy God verse 19, 20
Commanded by the God of heaven verse 23
House of the God of heaven verse 23
House of God verse 24
Wisdom of your God verse 25
Laws of thy God verse 25, 26
LORD God of our fathers verse 27
House of the LORD verse 27
Hand of the LORD my God verse 28
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Artaxerxes – king of Persia verse 1, 7, 11- 26
Made a decree
Babylon verse 6, 9, 16
Worried about wrath of God verse 23
No taxes on clergy verse 24
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Law of God requires judgment verse 26
Death
Banishment
Confiscation of goods
Imprisonment
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Prepared heart verse 10
Seek the LORD verse 10
Do the law of the LORD verse 10
Teach verse 10, 25
Perfect peace verse 12
Minded of their own freewill verse 13
Freewill offering verse 15, 16
Provisions verse 18
Mercy verse 28
Strengthened verse 28
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Children of Israel verse 7
Jerusalem verse 7, 14
People of Israel verse 13
Judah verse 14
Set magistrates and judges verse 25
Law of the king verse 26
Chief men verse 28
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
23 The urgency of the Persian king’s command—“with diligence”—is reflected in a letter from Xerxes to Pausanias, the Spartan commander (Thucydides 1.129.3): “And let neither night nor day hinder you from taking care to accomplish anything of what you have promised me, neither for expense of gold and silver let them be hindered … boldly execute both my affairs and yours, whatever is finest and best for both” (emphasis mine).
“Wrath against the realm of the king” speaks of Egypt’s revolt against the Persians in 460 b.c. and Egypt’s expulsion of the Persians in 459 with the aid of the Persians. In 458 (457) when Ezra returned to Palestine, the Persians were involved in suppressing the revolt (see Introduction: Reign of Artaxerxes I). We do not know how many “sons” the king had at this time, but he ultimately had eighteen, according to Ctesias (Persika 44). (Yamauchi, E. (1988). Ezra-Nehemiah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, pp. 653–654). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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Then Artaxerxes gave Ezra the sacred articles from the original temple that hadn’t been carried back by Zerubbabel (v. 19). Finally, he allowed Ezra to receive gifts from the Jews who remained in Babylon and from anybody else in the realm who wanted to contribute (see 1:4). Not every Jew wanted to go back, and not all were able; but all could contribute something to the work.
Like Darius before him (6:10), Artaxerxes was anxious that the God of Israel bless him and his sons and give success to his kingdom (7:23); so his generosity had somewhat of a selfish motive behind it. But it’s doubtful if any person, king or commoner, ever does anything from an absolutely pure motive. It was remarkable that a pagan ruler would be this generous toward a captive people from whom he could hope to gain nothing. After all, if the God of Israel hadn’t been able to protect the Jews from Babylonian Captivity, what could He do to help the Persians?
What Artaxerxes did for the Jews was clearly because of the good hand of God that was at work on behalf of God’s chosen people. Finally, Artaxerxes exempted the priests, Levites, and temple servants from paying taxes or being conscripted for special duty to the empire (v. 24). Even if he had selfish motives, Artaxerxes was concerned that the temple ministry be strong and steady. To make certain that everything went smoothly as the Jews rebuilt the city, the king gave Ezra extensive authority to enforce the law (v. 26). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Be heroic (pp. 40–41). Colorado Springs, CO: ChariotVictor Pub.)
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7:11–26 King Artaxerxes of Persia granted sweeping powers to Ezra in this letter recorded here. Any Israelites who desired could accompany him to Jerusalem, where he was to inquire if everything was being done in accordance with the Law of Moses. Generous gifts had been donated by the king and his counselors. These, along with any temple vessels which were still left in … Babylon, were committed to his charge. The gifts were to be used to maintain the temple services, and any surplus was to be distributed at Ezra’s discretion. If that was not enough, silver, wheat, wine, oil, and salt were to be supplied without prescribed limit from the royal treasury. The last four items were essential ingredients in the Jewish sacrificial system. Those who served in the temple were granted exemption from taxes. Finally, the edict gave Ezra the political power to appoint magistrates and judges for the Jews living west of the Euphrates River. These judges were to teach and enforce the laws of … God. (MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (pp. 477–478). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
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Ver. 23. Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, &c.] In the law given by Moses to the people of Israel: let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven; for the service of it, particularly sacrifices: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? through the neglect of the service of God in the temple, and by reason of the default of the king’s treasurers.
Ver. 24. Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, &c.] The king had a right and perfect knowledge of the distinct offices and services of those persons, see ver. 7. it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them; that they might be the less encumbered with the affairs of life, and be more at leisure to attend divine service, and do it the more readily and freely; it was usual with the Heathens to except ecclesiastics from taxes, tributes, and imposts; so the priests in Egypt, and the Druids here in Britainx. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 119). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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14–26. The several features in this grant were all in favor of the church. And how strange would it seem did we not look deeper than the surface of the matter, and behold the Lord’s hand in the direction, to view an idolatrous heathen giving assistance to the church of Jesus. John saw a wonder in heaven when he saw the earth helping the woman. Rev. 12:16. And surely it is a wonder which grace only can explain, when men become the unwilling instruments of accomplishing the very reverse of what they intend. Witness the sons of Jacob in their intended ruin of Joseph. And yet infinitely higher and more important, and never to be lost sight of, when the Jews crucified the Lord of life and glory, how little did they consider what blessings they became the instruments to accomplish! I have to call upon the Reader to admire and adore the Lord God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, for the wonderful change which must have been wrought in the minds of Artaxerxes and his princes, to favour the cause of God so very highly. Not only giving Ezra authority to take with him all as many as felt inclined to go up to Jerusalem, but also to grant him money so liberally to do all that was in his heart. And to impose upon all his subjects an obedience to whatever Ezra should demand in favour of the cause he was engaged in. Surely no higher proof can be required that the hearts of all men are at the Lord’s disposal, and that like rivers of water he turneth them whithersoever he pleaseth. Prov. 21:1. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 612). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
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(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Sally sent me this: YES, I’M A SENIOR CITIZEN! I’m the life of the party….. Even if it lasts until 8 p.m. I’m very good at opening childproof caps….. With a hammer. I’m awake many hours before my body allows me to get up. I’m smiling all the time, because I can’t hear a thing you’re saying. I’m sure everything I can’t find is in a safe secure place, somewhere. I’m wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that’s just my left leg. I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps. Yes, I’m a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life! Now if I could only remember who sent this to me, I wouldn’t send it back to them. Or, maybe I should send it to all my friends anyway. They won’t remember, even if they did send it. Spread the laughter Share the cheer. Let’s be happy. While we’re here. MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MAY AMERICA
CONTINUE TO THANK GOD!!
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Psalms 63
Spiritual thirst is satisfied only by spiritual intimacy with God.
INSIGHT
There is a God-shaped vacuum in every human heart. Man was made for God, and his soul will be restless until it finds its rest in Him. Our longings for love, relationships, belonging, security, meaning, purpose, and identity are ultimately met only in the Lord Jesus Christ. We find temporary fulfillment in the pursuit of people, possessions, and circumstances; but eventually, these will pass away or we will change and they will no longer satisfy. We have been made for God, and we will find our deepest longings met only in Him. Make David’s prayer your own prayer for spiritual fulfillment. (Quiet Walk)
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THE MECHANISM OF THE PROMISE
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
We must look at what I choose to call the mechanism of the promise–the way in which it works. The apostle says that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” He says that we “know” this, that it is something that is well-known and acknowledged, something that to the Christian is self-evident. How is this so? The answer is partly doctrinal and partly a matter of experience.
The doctrinal answer starts at the end of our text–“to them who are the called according to his purpose.” It continues at the end of the chapter. We know that all things work together for good to believers because their whole position is dependent upon God and His activity. Our salvation is God’s work. Listen to the argument: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” (verses 29-30). There is nothing accidental or fortuitous or contingent about God’s work. It is all planned and worked out from the beginning right until the end. In our experience it comes to us increasingly, but in the mind and purpose of God, it is all already perfect and entire. Nothing can frustrate it.
But it is not merely a matter of high doctrine. There is a fact that confirms it all: “he that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Is God, who actually delivered up His only Son to that cruel death on Calvary’s cross for us, likely to allow anything to stand between us and His ultimate purpose for us? Impossible.
A Thought to Ponder: There is nothing accidental or fortuitous or contingent about God’s work. (From Why Does God Allow War? pp. 122- 123.by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Stunted Growth in Carnal Christians
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)
The apostle Paul here makes a clear distinction between “spiritual” Christians, controlled and led by the Holy Spirit, and “carnal” Christians, still controlled by the desires of the flesh. A carnal Christian is a baby Christian. Baby Christians are a cause of great rejoicing when they are newborn believers, just like baby people. But if they remain babies indefinitely, they become an annoyance to hear and a tragedy to behold.
Each born-again believer needs urgently to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). That spiritual growth comes only through study of the Word, accompanied by belief and obedience. First there must be “the sincere [or ‘logical’] milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2), but that is good only for the first stages of growth. “For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14). Scripture encourages us to grow to maturity and then to continue growing.
Carnal Christians are not necessarily pseudo-Christians, although they should examine themselves to determine whether their profession of faith in Christ is genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5), but they should not be content to remain spiritual babes. Every Christian should be able to say with the prophet Jeremiah: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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