What is the church? And what shall we liken it to on the mountain in Genesis 22?
"And they came to the place
that God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and arranged the
wood. Then he bound Isaac his son and placed him on the altar atop the
wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. And the angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham! Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” And he said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the boy; do not do anything to him. For now I know that you are one who fears God, since you have not withheld your son, your only child, from me.” And
Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked. And behold, a ram was caught in
the thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered
it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place “Yahweh will provide,”"
God is God. He is Holy. Part of what that means is anyone who does not treat him as such deserves to die. Abraham deserved to die for his sins. The concept and practice of sacrificing an animal in our own place goes back to Genesis 3 when God gives animal skin coverings to Adam and Eve. Our naked shame is covered by the blood of something which did not rebel against God; did not doubt Him; an innocent caught in the thicket of our sin. We see it again in chapter four with Cain and Abel. We see it again in the animals Noah brings on the ark and sacrifices as soon as they are safe on land again. And we will see it all through the Bible, right up to the coming of the True Lamb of God. All of this points ahead. God knew what He was going to do from the beginning.
"And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain." Revelations 13
Just as God knew what Abraham and Isaac were going to find on the mountain. Here God is giving Abe and the angels and us a much clearer picture of Jesus than even a fuzzy little lamb! Here God is letting Abraham, the father of nations, act in God's own place! For God knows what He is going to do: sacrifice His own Son! This test wasn't to show God what was in Abe's heart, He already knew. Abe's name is written in a book God has on his coffee table. A book of people whom Jesus has chosen to die for. Chosen to die in place of. Chosen to provide for. It is to show us what is in God's heart.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6
The church are those who have received the gift God has provided.
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Friday, March 24, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
What is the church? Condemned...
What is the church? And what can we liken it to as we continue with Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22?
"And Isaac said to Abraham his father, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “God will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went together."
Isaac is a dead man walking. He just doesn't know it yet. Maybe being in his teens and no dummy, he begins to suspect, yet he walks on. Abraham has known for days. Yet he walks on. And here's the very simple point i've tried to make before and will try again today, the church is not inherently free from sin or its penalty: death.
"They are corrupt.
They do abominable deeds.
There is none who does good.
Yahweh looks down from heaven upon the children of humankind
to see whether there is one who has insight,
one who cares about God.
All have gone astray;
they are altogether corrupt.
There is not one who does good;
there is not even one." Psalm 14
"Because of this, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned." Romans 5
There is nothing lovely in these people who have come to be known as the church in and of themselves! They are sinners. They are thieves and whores and liars and murderers when they are called, every last one of them. The church are dead men walking...
but they are also prophetic. "And Abraham said, “God will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”
"And Isaac said to Abraham his father, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “God will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went together."
Isaac is a dead man walking. He just doesn't know it yet. Maybe being in his teens and no dummy, he begins to suspect, yet he walks on. Abraham has known for days. Yet he walks on. And here's the very simple point i've tried to make before and will try again today, the church is not inherently free from sin or its penalty: death.
"They are corrupt.
They do abominable deeds.
There is none who does good.
Yahweh looks down from heaven upon the children of humankind
to see whether there is one who has insight,
one who cares about God.
All have gone astray;
they are altogether corrupt.
There is not one who does good;
there is not even one." Psalm 14
"Because of this, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned." Romans 5
There is nothing lovely in these people who have come to be known as the church in and of themselves! They are sinners. They are thieves and whores and liars and murderers when they are called, every last one of them. The church are dead men walking...
but they are also prophetic. "And Abraham said, “God will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
What is the church? A Testimony.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 22 still?
"And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where I will tell you.” And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. And he took two of his servants with him, and Isaac his son. And he chopped wood for a burnt offering. And he got up and went to the place which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes..."
Those whom God calls and those who hear and obey and suffer for it and serve when and where and how they are called, will be a testimony to Christ. Their very lives, their very suffering will point to the suffering of Christ! This makes perfect sense. The church are those given the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is always testifying about Christ. How could we not? Abraham's call to sacrifice. Isaac's call to be the sacrifice. Three days of thinking Isaac as good as dead. Abraham is being invited to know God in ways we could never know him just by reading about him.
"If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12
The church are those who's suffering, who's prosperity, who's very lives are a living testimony to Jesus Christ who's life, death and resurrection are a testimony to the Father.
"And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where I will tell you.” And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. And he took two of his servants with him, and Isaac his son. And he chopped wood for a burnt offering. And he got up and went to the place which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes..."
Those whom God calls and those who hear and obey and suffer for it and serve when and where and how they are called, will be a testimony to Christ. Their very lives, their very suffering will point to the suffering of Christ! This makes perfect sense. The church are those given the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is always testifying about Christ. How could we not? Abraham's call to sacrifice. Isaac's call to be the sacrifice. Three days of thinking Isaac as good as dead. Abraham is being invited to know God in ways we could never know him just by reading about him.
"If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12
The church are those who's suffering, who's prosperity, who's very lives are a living testimony to Jesus Christ who's life, death and resurrection are a testimony to the Father.
Monday, March 20, 2017
What is the church? Asked to suffer.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 22?
"And he said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where I will tell you.”"
Does God, who gave you everything you have, including you, have the right to ask for it back? Thank God, you say, that He doesn't test all of us in this way anymore! But does He? Many parents have had to wrestle with the question, "Is God good?" or "Is God trustworthy?" after the loss of a child? After something terrible has happened to their child? God is all powerful. Things we disdain to even put a price on matter to God. Buy one, get one-sparrows matter to him and not one dies but by his permission. Not one hair from your head falls without his noticing and approving the loss. You think He didn't know a child would die? Didn't ordain it? Didn't bring it about? The God who brought the universe into being and maintains it by His mere word? Please.
So if it's not a question of authority or power then it comes down to Eve's question. Is God good? Is God good in this? Job asked it. Anyone who suffers has to ask it. If God asks you to do something hard, to give up something crucial, something treasured, something we think we can't live without, our lives, to follow him somewhere painful, will you obey then? If so, why? i sense we'll be camped out here for a few days but for today...
The church are those who hear the voice of God and obey it, because they know Him and trust Him.
"Whenever he sends out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10
"And he said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where I will tell you.”"
Does God, who gave you everything you have, including you, have the right to ask for it back? Thank God, you say, that He doesn't test all of us in this way anymore! But does He? Many parents have had to wrestle with the question, "Is God good?" or "Is God trustworthy?" after the loss of a child? After something terrible has happened to their child? God is all powerful. Things we disdain to even put a price on matter to God. Buy one, get one-sparrows matter to him and not one dies but by his permission. Not one hair from your head falls without his noticing and approving the loss. You think He didn't know a child would die? Didn't ordain it? Didn't bring it about? The God who brought the universe into being and maintains it by His mere word? Please.
So if it's not a question of authority or power then it comes down to Eve's question. Is God good? Is God good in this? Job asked it. Anyone who suffers has to ask it. If God asks you to do something hard, to give up something crucial, something treasured, something we think we can't live without, our lives, to follow him somewhere painful, will you obey then? If so, why? i sense we'll be camped out here for a few days but for today...
The church are those who hear the voice of God and obey it, because they know Him and trust Him.
"Whenever he sends out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10
Saturday, March 18, 2017
What is the church? Children of the promise.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 21?
"And Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said. And Yahweh did to Sarah as he had promised. And she conceived, and Sarah bore to Abraham a son in his old age at the appointed time that God had told him."
"And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne Abraham, mocking. Then she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will not be heir with my son, with Isaac.” And the matter displeased Abraham very much on account of his son. Then God said to Abraham, “Do not be displeased on account of the boy and on account of the slave woman. Listen to everything that Sarah said to you, for through Isaac your offspring will be named...."
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They replied to him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have not been enslaved to anyone at any time. How do you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus replied to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. And the slave does not remain in the household forever; the son remains forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be truly free." John 8
"Tell me, you who are wanting to be under the law, do you not understand the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the female slave and one by the free woman. But the one by the female slave was born according to human descent, and the one by the free woman through the promise, which things are spoken allegorically, for these women are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery, who is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is a slave with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother. For it is written,
"And Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said. And Yahweh did to Sarah as he had promised. And she conceived, and Sarah bore to Abraham a son in his old age at the appointed time that God had told him."
"And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne Abraham, mocking. Then she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will not be heir with my son, with Isaac.” And the matter displeased Abraham very much on account of his son. Then God said to Abraham, “Do not be displeased on account of the boy and on account of the slave woman. Listen to everything that Sarah said to you, for through Isaac your offspring will be named...."
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They replied to him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have not been enslaved to anyone at any time. How do you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus replied to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. And the slave does not remain in the household forever; the son remains forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be truly free." John 8
"Tell me, you who are wanting to be under the law, do you not understand the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the female slave and one by the free woman. But the one by the female slave was born according to human descent, and the one by the free woman through the promise, which things are spoken allegorically, for these women are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery, who is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is a slave with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother. For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren woman, who does not give birth to children;
burst out and shout, you who do not have birth pains,
because many are the children of the desolate woman,
even more than those of the one who has a husband.”
burst out and shout, you who do not have birth pains,
because many are the children of the desolate woman,
even more than those of the one who has a husband.”
But you, brothers, are children of the promise, just as Isaac. But just as at that time the child born according to human descent persecuted the child born according to the Spirit, so also now. But
what does the scripture say? “Drive out the female slave and her son,
for the son of the female slave will never inherit with the son” of the free woman. Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the female slave but of the free woman." Gal 4
Friday, March 17, 2017
What is the church? Taking a walk.
What is the church? And what can we continue to liken it to in Genesis 18?
"Then Yahweh said, “Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am going to do? Abraham will surely become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed on account of him. For I have chosen him..."
Yahweh God reveals himself to his chosen. He opens his mind and his heart to his children. And not just so they can obey with blind faith, but so they can hear and think and respond! Abraham responds to God's plans and not necessarily in the affirmative! He pleads for mercy on what he must know to be wicked towns for even he is not sure there are fifty, forty, thirty, or even twenty righteous people there deserving of being spared God's just wrath, but he argues him down to ten. Of which four are his own flesh and blood.
And God is pleased to walk with Abraham alone and speak with him like this! God, who knows what He's going to find in Sodom and Gomorrah and Zeboiim and Admah. God is not argued into changing His mind. He is delighting in the compassion He sees in His child! The maturity. As any parent who has had one of their first "adult" conversations with their son or daughter does. It could be about anything, from life itself to their favorite band but it gives us joy to hear not just their opinions but the way they present them, the consideration and budding wisdom in them, the heart behind them being conformed into the heart of our savior, Jesus Christ.
The church are those in whom God delights.
"When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
When I called them, they went from my face.
They sacrificed to the Baals, and they sacrificed to idols.
And I myself taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them in my arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
I drew them with human ties,
with the bands of love." Hosea 11
"Then Yahweh said, “Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am going to do? Abraham will surely become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed on account of him. For I have chosen him..."
Yahweh God reveals himself to his chosen. He opens his mind and his heart to his children. And not just so they can obey with blind faith, but so they can hear and think and respond! Abraham responds to God's plans and not necessarily in the affirmative! He pleads for mercy on what he must know to be wicked towns for even he is not sure there are fifty, forty, thirty, or even twenty righteous people there deserving of being spared God's just wrath, but he argues him down to ten. Of which four are his own flesh and blood.
And God is pleased to walk with Abraham alone and speak with him like this! God, who knows what He's going to find in Sodom and Gomorrah and Zeboiim and Admah. God is not argued into changing His mind. He is delighting in the compassion He sees in His child! The maturity. As any parent who has had one of their first "adult" conversations with their son or daughter does. It could be about anything, from life itself to their favorite band but it gives us joy to hear not just their opinions but the way they present them, the consideration and budding wisdom in them, the heart behind them being conformed into the heart of our savior, Jesus Christ.
The church are those in whom God delights.
"When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
When I called them, they went from my face.
They sacrificed to the Baals, and they sacrificed to idols.
And I myself taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them in my arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
I drew them with human ties,
with the bands of love." Hosea 11
Thursday, March 16, 2017
What is the church? Keepers of the Way.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 18?
"Abraham will surely become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed on account of him. For I have chosen him, that he will command his children and his household after him that they will keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham that which he said to him.”"
As we said from the beginning, God has chosen to bless certain folk in order that they may bless the world. God works through agents. His Ministry of Silly Blessings, as it were. But they are more than just agents. They are family. The children of Abraham. Each generation teaching the next to 'keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness (worship, good, love) and justice (charity, generosity, peacemaking)."
The church is a single family blessed and devoted and dedicated to keep the Way of Yahweh.
"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How are we able to know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14
"Abraham will surely become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed on account of him. For I have chosen him, that he will command his children and his household after him that they will keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham that which he said to him.”"
As we said from the beginning, God has chosen to bless certain folk in order that they may bless the world. God works through agents. His Ministry of Silly Blessings, as it were. But they are more than just agents. They are family. The children of Abraham. Each generation teaching the next to 'keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness (worship, good, love) and justice (charity, generosity, peacemaking)."
The church is a single family blessed and devoted and dedicated to keep the Way of Yahweh.
"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How are we able to know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
What is the church? Circumcised.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 17?
"And God said to Abraham, “Now as for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you, throughout their generations. This is my covenant which you shall keep, between me and you, and also with your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you."
A sign of the covenant. A sign no one except your wife may see. Not much of a sign. A cutting. Bloody. Male. A removal of something unnecessary between a man and his wife. Personal. Intimate. Yet it was there to distinguish God's chosen people from the rest of the world.
And as most signs back then, had nothing to do with the flesh which was actually cut. It points ahead, it points inward, a change of heart which can only be recognized by our actions; it points outward, forward, toward the Bridegroom who shed his blood for obedience, for his Bride: the Church...
"And now, Israel, what is Yahweh your God asking from you, except to revere Yahweh your God, to go in all his ways and to love him and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep the commandments of Yahweh and his statutes that I am commanding you today for your own good. Look! For to Yahweh your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Yet to your ancestors Yahweh was very attached, so as to love them, and so he chose their offspring after them, namely you, from all the peoples, as it is today. So you shall circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn." Deut 10
"For the Jew is not one outwardly, nor is circumcision outwardly, in the flesh. But the Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, whose praise is not from people but from God." Romans 2
"And God said to Abraham, “Now as for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you, throughout their generations. This is my covenant which you shall keep, between me and you, and also with your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you."
A sign of the covenant. A sign no one except your wife may see. Not much of a sign. A cutting. Bloody. Male. A removal of something unnecessary between a man and his wife. Personal. Intimate. Yet it was there to distinguish God's chosen people from the rest of the world.
And as most signs back then, had nothing to do with the flesh which was actually cut. It points ahead, it points inward, a change of heart which can only be recognized by our actions; it points outward, forward, toward the Bridegroom who shed his blood for obedience, for his Bride: the Church...
"And now, Israel, what is Yahweh your God asking from you, except to revere Yahweh your God, to go in all his ways and to love him and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep the commandments of Yahweh and his statutes that I am commanding you today for your own good. Look! For to Yahweh your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Yet to your ancestors Yahweh was very attached, so as to love them, and so he chose their offspring after them, namely you, from all the peoples, as it is today. So you shall circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn." Deut 10
"For the Jew is not one outwardly, nor is circumcision outwardly, in the flesh. But the Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, whose praise is not from people but from God." Romans 2
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Know for Certain
“Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”
These are words God told Abraham way back in Genesis 15. When one looks backwards at prophecy fulfilled there's not a lot of awe. Our natural reaction is somewhere along the lines of, "duh. I saw the Ten Commandments and/or Prince of Egypt. Who doesn't know that?" What we forget is that, Abraham hadn't seen those movies. He was a little behind with Netflix. He was talking to God and God was telling him what was going to happen in the next four hundred years. Wow. That had to be mind blowing. Too bad God doesn't tell us what's going to happen now, huh? Right?
Only he does. God's always telling us what's going to happen. It's one of the ways He proves He is God, in control and immutable. God never saw something happen and said, "Oh myself! I totally didn't see that coming!" Quite the opposite. He warns us all the time what's coming so that we can be faithful and confident in Him and His power. Setting aside even the prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled, we'll deal with them later, let's go back and look at His words to Abe.
"Why?" you may ask. "This prophecy was fulfilled. There's nothing here for us apart from a bit of history and an object lesson. What can five thousand year old words tell us today?"
- First, they tell us that it's pretty freakin' amazing that we have a recorded conversation that occurred five thousand years ago! That's not really my point, it just now hit me how wild that is. Sorry.
- This conversation is between God and man. God took some time out of His day to talk to his created child. Don't lose the awe of that! That right there should tell you something vital about His nature. He wants us to know some things. He doesn't want us kept in ignorance. He wants us to know Him and so He talks with us. And what does He say?
- "Know for certain..." See, don't wonder, KNOW. I'm gonna tell you.
- "...for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there." He knows our plight. Not only that, but He's allowing it...for a while. For you see...
- "But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves," He's keeping records and nobody's getting away with anything. You are His and while it may not feel like He's protecting you, He doesn't take lightly anything done to you. Our best guess as to when the Exodus happened was right after Pepi II's reign. A guy named Merenre II, believed to be his son took power for only one year. Archeologists have no idea what happened to him (cause they're not looking on the bottom of the Red Sea) but they know that his reign began something called the First Intermediate Period. A one hundred and fifty year Dark Ages for Egypt that kicked off with famine, plague, looting, chaos, an end of international trade, art and building and civil war. Just the kind of thing you may think would happen after: the Nile turns to blood; having enough of blood, the frogs abandon the Nile for the people's homes; dust becomes gnats all over everyone's faces; God ups the ante and adds flies to the gnats (i'm picturing those freakin greenhead ones that bite you in the center of your back and even draw blood); a disease strikes the Egyptian livestock; boils cover the Egyptians; a hailstorm kills everyone outside; locusts finish off the Egyptian crops; God sends darkness upon the Egyptians, darkness that can be felt (i have no idea what that is but it sounds creepy); all the firstborn who are not protected by the blood of an unspotted, innocent lamb die in one night (remember what i was saying about God telling the same story over and over again?)
- "...afterward they will come out with great possessions." God compensates his. That generation, who had known nothing but slavery, oppression and poverty, in one day was free and rich beyond they're dreams.
- "You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age." A lot of times, when God really digs you, He spares you from coming tragedy altogether. (Enosh, Noah, Abe, Lot, Elijah, Daniel, the Rapture)
- "In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." God's got a plan and a limit. He's merciful. He tolerated the Amorites nonsense for four hundred years until their sin just got so putrid He'd had enough and He wasn't going to let them pollute the rest of the world with it any longer. Many like to paint this as a portrait of God's genocidal nature. Few see it as mercy and justice. What was the final straw for God. How do you know when you've finally pushed Him too far? Seems like a good thing to know right? What is the last recorded act of Pepi II in the Bible? The slaughtering of the Israelite children. What religious rites were the Canaanite's known for? Temple harlotry and child sacrifice. "But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed he made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out from before the children of Israel." (2 Kings 16) "Moreover you took your sons and your daughters, whom you bore to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your acts of harlotry a small matter, that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to pass through the fire?" (Ezek 16) Is it really psychopathic genocide to wipe out a people who kill their own kids? Would you want to live next door to them? Go to school with them? Have them serve on your town council?
Next post: What is God still telling us? or How the answer to the last post is probably, "Not Much."
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