Micah 4
LORD going to reign in future over Jerusalem verse 1
But in the LAST DAYS it shall come to pass
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established in the top of the mountains
and it shall be exalted above the hills
and people shall flow unto it
People from all nations will worship the LORD verse 2
And many nations shall come
and say
Come – and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD
and to the house of the God of Jacob
And HE will teach us of HIS ways
and we will walk in HIS path
FOR the law shall go forth of Zion
and the WORD of the LORD from Jerusalem
Future end of war verse 3
And HE shall judge among many people
and rebuke strong nations afar off
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruninghooks
nation shall not lift up a sword against nation
neither learn war any more
Future time of peace and prosperity verse 4
BUT they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree
and none shall make them afraid
FOR the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken it
Israel will worship the LORD verse 5
FOR all people will walk everyone in the name of his god
and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God
for ever and ever
Remnant from captivity verse 6- 8
IN THAT DAY
says the LORD
Will I assemble her that halts
and I will gather her that is driven out
and her that I have afflicted
And I will make her that halted a remnant
and her that was cast far off a strong nation
and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion
from henceforth – even for ever
AND you – O tower of the flock
the stronghold of the daughter of Zion
to you shall it come – even the first dominion
the kingdom shall come
to the daughter of Jerusalem
Present time will be captivity verse 9- 10
NOW why do you cry out aloud?
Is there no king in you?
Is your counselor perished?
FOR pangs have taken you as a woman in travail
Be in pain – and labor to bring forth – O daughter of Zion
like a woman in travail
FOR NOW shall go forth out of the city
and you shall dwell in the field
and you shall go even to Babylon
there shall you be delivered
there the LORD shall redeem you
from the hand of your enemies
Nations plan to destroy Jerusalem verse 11- 12
NOW also many nations are gathered against you – that say
Let her be defiled – and let our eye look upon Zion
BUT they know not the thoughts of the LORD
neither understand they HIS counsel
FOR HE shall gather them as the sheaves in the floor
Jerusalem will rise again verse 13
Arise and thresh – O daughter of Zion
FOR I will make you horn iron
and I will make your hoofs brass
and you shall beat in pieces many people
and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD
and their substance
to the LORD of the whole earth
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow to it. (5102 “flow” [nahar] means stream, to move or progress freely as if in a stream, as in a movement of a crowd, travel in mass, or be lightened.)
DEVOTION: When the Bible talks about the last days it is talking about a time period that has not happened yet. We don’t know the future but the LORD does and HE reveals it to us through HIS prophets in the Old Testament. HE has a future plan for the children of Israel. Now they are still looking for the Messiah to come because they don’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Some Jews believe and worship HIM now.
In the future the nation of Israel will be restored and Jerusalem will be the center of the world. People from all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the LORD Jesus Christ as HE will be reigning over the world.
People from all nations will come to worship HIM. HE will instruct them concerning the proper way to walk. There will be children born to those who enter this time period called the Millennium. They will need to be taught who HE is and how to worship HIM. It seems that even when the devil is in chains and the world is in the control of Jesus Christ that our human nature still wants to worship false gods.
The LORD wants us to understand that we are to worship HIM in spirit and in truth today.
CHALLENGE: If you don’t understand what that means ask someone who genuinely loves the LORD and is serving HIM.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and w will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (3384 “teach” [yarah] means instruct, direct, to throw, display, show, or give guidance.
DEVOTION: One of the things that is confusing about studying the prophets is that they move from the present to the future and back without really helping us understand what is going on. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who are followers of the LORD helps us see the different time period and once that is understood helps us interpret the passage in the right manner.
Too often when people are confused they just stop studying instead of praying and asking the LORD for wisdom to understand the passages that cause confusion in us. We have to remember that God is not the author of confusion.
I had a deacon of a large church tell me to not send Leviticus to him but wait until I start Numbers. He didn’t understand Leviticus and didn’t seem to want to learn. Many times the letters of Paul in the New Testament can confuse people because of his terms and repetition.
The LORD wants us to understand HIS Word. HE can be a great teacher if we allow HIM to teach us through the ministry of HIS servants and the Holy Spirit. Once we learn we can walk correctly.
In the future in Jerusalem this is going to happen to those who have survived the Tribulation. Only those who didn’t receive the mark of the beast will enter into this time period called the Millennium. Christ is going to reign as King.
CHALLENGE: Continually ask the LORD for wisdom to understand not only the present ministry of the LORD but the future plans of the LORD for HIS people.
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: 3 And HE shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (3925 “learn” [lamad] means instruct, expert, teachers, exercise in, be skillful, to accustom oneself, well-versed, or gain information.)
DEVOTION: What would the world be like to not have any nation fighting with another nation? Many people are praying for world peace like it could happen at any time. It is not wrong to pray for peace but world peace can never happen until the LORD returns to reign on this earth.
Our human nature is at war within us on a daily basis if we are a believer. We want to serve the LORD but our flesh wants to serve self because we are selfish. We are also lazy because we don’t want to change. The LORD knows these facts about us and still has sent HIS Son to die on the cross for our sins and offer us salvation for eternity.
This verse informs us that there is future time period when the LORD is reigning in this world and the devil is in chains that nations will not learn war anymore.
Today nations are learning war. It is important for a nation to be strong with a military to fight if necessary. With a strong military we count on our weapons to defend us against our enemies.
The Bible instructs us in the fact that the LORD is the one who is in control of our world and HE will protect HIS people even during times of war. Does that mean that no Christians will be killed in our present time period? NO!! Christians are going to be killed because the world doesn’t want us around.
Now is different from later. In the future kingdom the LORD is going to do all the fighting. Satan is going to take a final stand at the end of the Millennium but the LORD is going to defeat HIM alone. We are just going to be watching from heaven.
CHALLENGE: No more war is going to happen in the future but we can still pray for peace in our family, church and nation.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. (4284 “thoughts” [machashabah] means devise, plan, purpose, work or invention.)
DEVOTION: We are reminded over and over in the word of God that the LORD’S plan is different than our plans (Isaiah 55: 8, 9). Once we chose to follow the LORD, we receive a divine nature in us but we still can’t fully understand the LORD’S plans for the present or future. HE is working out HIS plan.
This chapter gives us a picture of the future of Israel and the present of Israel. They are two different pictures. The present state is one of going into captivity in Babylon because of their sin. Their future state is promised to be one of blessing.
This future time period is after the seventieth week of Daniel or the Tribulation period. It will take place during a time period called the Millennium. Christ is going to reign in Jerusalem. It is thought that only those who are followers of Christ will enter the Millennium. However, during the thousand years reign of Christ there will be children born that chose not to follow the LORD. They will be worshiping false gods. Even with the devil in chains and Christ reigning people will still have a sin nature and chose to follow it instead of the LORD. Those who chose not to follow the LORD will be gathered as sheaves and put in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels.
In the future state all nations will come to Jerusalem to learn about the LORD. In the future state there will be peace. In the future state the LORD will be ruling over them. In the present state they are not doing what the LORD wants them to do. Our nation which once honored the LORD is not following HIM. We are getting further and further away from HIM.
We have a responsibility that includes trying to honor the LORD with our actions. Many times we fail. Sometimes we succeed. We only succeed as we yield ourselves to the LORD. We don’t understand all that the LORD is doing in our lives, just like Israel didn’t understand all that the LORD was doing to them as a nation.
Our understanding is clouded because of our perspective on things. We just have to remind ourselves that all things that happen to us are for our good. The Holy Spirit is willing to teach us how to walk closer to the LORD. There is a gathering coming to the church in the rapture. Are we ready for HIS calling us to the Judgment Seat of Christ for the distribution of our rewards for service to HIM? There will be seven years of Tribulation and then the time period described in this chapter. Are we praying for HIS trumpet to sound? Are we working as if today is the last day before we meet HIM in the air? Are we saying, even so come Lord Jesus!!!
CHALLENGE: Remember that our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. Many false teachers are giving their thoughts in our pulpits which confuse the people of God. Go to the source and ask HIM for wisdom and instruction.
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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)
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)
House of the LORD verse 1, 2
People will flow to it verse 1
Many nations shall come to worship verse 2
Mountain of the LORD verse 2
House of the God of Jacob verse 2
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Law verse 2
Word of the LORD verse 2
Month of the LORD of hosts has spoken verse 4
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 2, 4- 7, 10, 12, 13
House of the LORD verse 1
Mountain of the LORD verse 2
Word of the LORD verse 2
HE will teach us HIS ways verse 2
Judge verse 3
HE shall judge among many people verse 3
HE shall rebuke strong nations afar off verse 3
LORD of hosts verse 4
Mouth of the LORD of hosts verse 4
LORD our God verse 5
Gather halted, driven out & afflicted verse 6, 7
I will make strong nation verse 7
LORD shall reign in Mount Zion verse 7
Asks “Now why do you cry out aloud? verse 9
Asks “Is there no king in you? verse 9
Is your counsellor perished? verse 9
LORD shall redeem Israel from enemies verse 10
Thoughts of the LORD verse 12
Counsels of the LORD verse 12
Gather the nations verse 12
I will make your horn iron (Israel) verse 13
I will make your hoofs brass verse 13
Consecrate gain to the LORD verse 13
Lord (Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 13
Lord of the whole earth verse 13
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
LORD will reign verse 7
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 2, 5
House of the God of Jacob verse 2
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Many nations verse 2, 11
Many peoples verse 3, 13
Strong nations verse 3
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruninghooks verse 3
Not learn war any more verse 3
None shall make them afraid verse 4
All people verse 5
Babylon verse 10
Enemies verse 10
Many nations what Israel to be defiled verse 11
Know not the thoughts of the LORD verse 12
Don’t understand HIS counsel verse 12
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Learn war verse 3
False god verse 5
Defiled verse 11
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Teach HIS ways verse 2
Walk in HIS paths verse 2, 5
Judge verse 3
Rebuke verse 3
No war verse 3
No fear verse 4
Remnant verse 7
Redeem verse 10
Know thoughts of the LORD verse 12
Know counsel of the LORD verse 12
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Jacob verse 2
Zion verse 2, 7, 8, 10,11, 13
Law shall go forth out of Zion verse 2
Jerusalem verse 2, 8
We will walk in the name of the LORD
our God forever and ever verse 5
Daughter of Zion verse 8, 10
First dominion verse 8
Daughter of Jerusalem verse 8
Woman in travail verse 9
Daughter of Zion verse 13
You shall beat in pieces many peoples verse 13
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Last days verse 1
Walk in the name of the LORD our God verse 5
For ever verse 5, 7
In that day verse 6
LORD shall reign forever verse 7
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QUOTES regarding passage
4:5 Micah brings his hearers (and readers) back to present reality. “The nations which in the final days will seek to learn the ways of Yahweh now wander in the name of other gods.” “Walk in the name of” has been variously explained and/or translated: “trust in, worship, and obey” (NIrV), “be loyal to” (REB), “live by” (God’s Word), “follow” (cev), “live in conformity to the will and character of,” “give allegiance to,”63 “walk in the strength of.” In the second half of the verse Micah either quotes the faithful remnant of God’s people or speaks for them (“we”). In contrast to the polytheistic, idolatrous, corrupt people of the pagan nations, God’s chosen people are determined to worship and follow faithfully their covenant “Lord,” the one true, living God—and to live such a life of faith, faithfulness, obedience, and complete commitment to him forever. That is how all God’s people should live while awaiting the final, complete fulfillment of the glorious future promised in vv. 1–4, when God’s irresistible kingdom will be ushered in on this earth by Christ the King and will continue eternally on the new earth. These momentous future events should provide an incentive for holy, faithful, fruitful service in the present (cf. 1 Thess 5:6, 8, 11; Titus 2:11–14; Heb 10:25; Jas 5:8–9; 1 Pet 4:7–11; 2 Pet 3:11–13; 1 John 2:28; 3:2–3). (Barker, K. L. (1999). Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (Vol. 20, pp. 87–88). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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5 The reason for the people’s safety and security is that they will walk in the name of the Lord forever. “To walk in the name” means more than simply adhering to the religious requirements associated with the deity in question. It means to live in reliance on the strength of that deity. In the case of Yahweh, it involves reliance on the might of his power by which his attributes are manifested (cf. Notes).
The implication is that the nations were walking in the strength of their gods, but that would not continue. The placing of the word “forever” at the end of the line in the Hebrew text indicates its emphatic nature. Unlike the nations, God’s people would enjoy his strength forever. It would be otherwise with the nations, for the dominion of their gods would come to an end when the people of’ the world submit to the rule of Yahweh and recognize the vanity of their false deities. (McComiskey, T. E. (1986). Micah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, pp. 422–423). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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4:5. The nations who were following their gods refer to pagan nations in Micah’s day. They could not be the nations in the future Millennium because Micah had just written (vv. 2–3) that they will go to Jerusalem to learn of the Lord. Though pagan nations worshiped idols, Israel (we) in the Millennium will walk (cf. “walk” in v. 2) in the name of the Lord, that is, she will follow and obey His standards. (Martin, J. A. (1985). Micah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1484). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Micah moved from the destruction of Jerusalem (606–586) to “the last days” when there will be a new Jerusalem and a rebuilt temple at the heart of the righteous kingdom of Messiah. The period known as “the last days” began with the ministry of Christ (Heb. 1:1–2) and they climax with His return to establish His kingdom on earth. The Lord gave His people four wonderful promises.
A promised kingdom (vv. Micah 4:1–8). The situation of the two little Jewish kingdoms was hopeless when Micah delivered his messages. Assyria was about to pounce on Israel and put an end to that nation, and then the Assyrian army would ravage Judah and almost take Jerusalem. When the outlook is grim, try the uplook. Thus the prophet encouraged the people to look ahead to what God had promised for His chosen people.
God promised that the nation would be united and the people returned to their land. Jerusalem would become the world’s most important city, the temple would be rebuilt, and the true worship of Jehovah would be restored (see Ezek. 40–48). Instead of the Gentile nations fighting the Jews, they would “stream” to Jerusalem to worship God and hear His Word. There would be peace among the nations because they would obey God’s truth, submit to the Messiah’s rule, and destroy their instruments of war.
Every Jewish family wanted to achieve what Micah described in 4:4: a pleasant home with a productive garden in a peaceful land (see 1 Kings 4:25; Isa. 36:16). But even more than peace and economic stability was the blessing of knowing the Lord and obeying Him (Micah 4:5). This verse doesn’t refer to the future, because during the Kingdom Age all the nations will worship Jehovah. It was an affirmation of faith on the part of the true believers, the remnant in the land: “The other nations may now be serving their own gods, which are false gods; but we will walk in the name of Jehovah, the true God, and obey Him alone.” (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be concerned (pp. 101–102). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor.)
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4:5 Even if all others were walking after other gods at the present, the godly remnant of Israel would no longer pursue other gods but would walk after the true God in the millennial kingdom (cf. Jos 24:15). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Mic 4:5). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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Ver. 5. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, &c.] Till those times come before described; when many nations and people shall flock to the church, and there shall be such general peace and tranquillity as here promised; till then the nations of the earth shall retain their former religion, and the profession of it, with constancy, till they are otherwise instructed, as Aben Ezra; or till the Messiah shall turn them into the right way, as Kimchi; till that time comes, the Pagans will worship their idols, and continue in the idolatry of their ancestors; the Papists will retain their image-worship, and hold to their lord god the pope, as they call him; the Mahometans will cleave to their prophet, and walk according to the rules he has left them to observe. Jarchi’s note is, “they shall go to destruction because of their idolatry;” with which he says the Targum agrees, which is, “all nations shall go according to the idols they have worshipped;” or, as the king of Spain’s Bible, “they shall be guilty or condemned because they have worshipped idols:” and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever; both in the mean while, and when those happy times shall come, and so through all generations as long as the world stands. This is the language of those that know the Lord, believe in him, and sincerely serve him; who determine in the strength of divine grace to continue in their profession of faith of him, in his worship and service, in his ways, truths, and ordinances, whatever others do; and indeed are the more animated to it, when they observe how constant and steadfast idolaters, Pagans, Papists, and Mahometans, are in their false worship, both in the profession and practice of it. The Targum is, “we will trust in the Word of the Lord our God for ever and ever;” in Christ the essential Word; and so the phrase is expressive of faith, and a profession of faith, in him; and of constant attendance upon his word and ordinances. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 569). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe
Job 42: 3
There are 329 questions asked in the book of Job, yet there are not many answers.
(p. 54)
The Lord’s silence during this discussion allowed the men to use words to obscure truth and ignore actions.
Once he had seen God and seen himself, the only thing he could do was repent.
In today’s noisy and talkative world, we must find time for the ministry of silence if we hope to hear the still small voice of God. Yes, we need to watch our words, but we alos need to watch our silences. Otherwise, how else can we know ourselves and the Lord? (p. 55)
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TozerSpeaks by A. W. Tozer
At the close of every obituary of His believing children, God adds the word henceforth! After every biography, God adds the word henceforth! There will be a tomorrow and this is a reason for Christian joy. (p. 256)
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PREPARE: Living Your Faith In An Increasingly HOSTILE CULTURE by J. Paul Nyquist
Rewards are different from our eternal salvation because entrance into heaven is a gift freely received by grace through faith in Christ. Once we believe, we’re assured an inheritance “that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for [us]” ( 1 Peter 1: 4).
In contrast to the gift of salvation, rewards are earned. They’re gained or lost based on our faithfulness in life. Jesus reminds us, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompence with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Rev. 22: 12).
Our rewards will be determined when we each stand before the judgment seat of Christ after we enter God’s presence through death or the rapture. (p.122-3)
His point to them – and us – is clear; gaining eternal rewards demands perseverance. It’ll get hard, but we cannot and must not quit. (p. 131)
Conscious of his imminent demise, Paul reflects on his life with joy and satisfaction. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4: 7). Those three short phrases confirm Paul’s perseverance to the end. He fought the fight and didn’t give up. He finished the race and didn’t quit. He kept the faith until his last breath. His example should motivate every believer. (p. 133)
That means, regardless of what the world believes, we are winners. (p. 135)
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TAKING GOD SERIOUSLY by D. Stuart Briscoe
Note this as well. Often those who can predict, prophesy, and interpret, who would bring a message from the Lord, find that it is like pulling teeth to get people to listen to the warnings. (p. 89)
He (Pastor) felt as if he had been hammering his head against a brick wall. So ne day he came into church late for the Sunday morning service, to get the people’s attention. He came in the back door instead of the front. That also aroused their attention. Instead of wearing his pulpit gown, he dressed himself in sackcloth and covered himself with ashes. Instead of carrying a Bible he carried a bell. He came in ringing his bell, and dressed in sackcloth and ashes. As a result, they fired him as their pastor and put him in a home for the mentally unstable. One day I talked with him and asked, “Did you have a nervous breakdown?”
“No,” he said. “They decided that was what I had, but in actual fact I was trying hard to get their attention. I got it,” he went on, “and when they gave me their full attention, they locked me up. They didn’t want to know.” (p. 91)
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Water from the Rock
“Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:6)
This amazing provision of drinking water for the Israelites in the midst of a barren wilderness is surely one of the most remarkable miracles of creation recorded in Scripture. Furthermore, it was not a one-time event but somehow continued to provide water for them during the entire 40 years they spent in the desert. God provided daily water just as He provided their daily bread. “Our fathers . . . did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:1, 3-4).
The provision was an act of pure grace on God’s part, for even after God created the manna for them, the people were about to stone Moses (Exodus 17:4). But their complaint was really against God, so God “stood before” Moses as he smote the rock at Horeb, and a great spring of water burst forth.
This is the first mention of the word “rock” in Scripture, and it is surely significant that the apostle Paul calls this rock a type of Christ. Just as Moses smote the rock with the same rod of judgment that he had used to smite the river in Egypt (Exodus 7:20; 17:5), so Christ had to be “smitten of God” (Isaiah 53:4) because of our sins before He could fulfill His promise: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37).
But once our Rock was smitten, the water of everlasting life was made available freely to all who will drink. The very last invitation of the Bible is: “And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). Then, “whosoever drinketh . . . shall never thirst” (John 4:14).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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THE EXTENT OF REVELATION
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
There are certain things in the Scriptures about which we cannot speak with finality. There are certain things about which equally good and capable men and women are not agreed and cannot agree. When we come to such matters, surely it is our business to say that we do not know. We cannot prove them, and we are content to wait until we arrive in glory, and all things are made plain and clear to us. At the moment we see and understand only in part, “through a glass, darkly.” Our knowledge is not full. It is not final. Let us be content with the revelation that is given.
But there are certain doctrines about which we are and must be absolutely final, and they are the doctrines that are essential to the way of salvation. I am not referring to the mechanism of salvation. When you come to that, you find good people often differing. I accept that. I am prepared to say, “I believe this, and I am not prepared to believe that.” And another man says, “All right–as long as we both agree about the way of salvation.” But there must be no disputing about the person of Christ, about the miraculous and the supernatural, about Christ’s substitutionary death upon the cross, and about His literal, physical resurrection. There is no argument here. This is final; this is absolute.
But with regard to all other matters, where we cannot be final and absolute, let us be sympathetic. Let us be tolerant. Let us admit our inability to prove, and let us together enjoy the great salvation in which we all participate and look forward to the day when the hidden things shall be made plain, and we shall know even as we are already known.
A Thought to Ponder: Our knowledge is not full. It is not final. Let us be content with the revelation that is given.
(From God the Father, God the Son, p. 46, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Isaiah 40
The Lord gives strength to those who wait on Him.
INSIGHT
God has given us the Christian family as a picture of the relationship between Him and His children. We are given earthly fathers, that we might more fully understand our heavenly Father. Just as an earthly father takes no delight in disciplining his children, so our heavenly Father takes no delight in disciplining His children. Hear the tenderness in these words: “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” (v. 1). God tenderly loves us and takes no pleasure in our pain, although He desires our spiritual growth as a result.
(Quiet Walk)
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