Randy Green's Blog - Posts Tagged "personal-relationship"
Scary Teddy Bears – Part 1
For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind and declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness and treads on the high places of the earth, the Lord God of hosts is His name [Amos 4:13].
Once upon a time when I had a couple of teeny tiny tots to rear, I discovered a spiritual truth by means of experience. Sometimes I was Mr. Dad, with his course and stern voice and disciplinary disposition. At other times I was Nice Guy Dad, who took his kids to the recreation center and coached their basketball teams.
And you know what? Neither of my rug rats was ever confused by the split personality involved in proper parenting. Not once did we enjoy a time of play and relaxation at the rec center, and then come home to become discombobulated by the switch from Nice Guy Dad to Mr. Dad the rules enforcer. It just didn’t happen.
Do you know why? Well, it’s like this. Kids want to have fun with their parents, yes, they most certainly do. But if that’s all they get—if Dad and Mom are simply one of the gang of kids from the neighborhood—kids cannot help but feel insecure. They need guidance and protection from their parents. It’s why the Lord gave them parents!
In the quoted text which commenced this study, Amos acknowledged these two simultaneous attributes of God. God has them, which explains where we got them! We share with God these same two attributes. I believe it’s part of what the Bible labels “the image of God”.
There is a qualification to this as it applies to God, however. Amos identified God as “the Lord God of hosts is His name”. The two attributes don’t stand out in the case of “God”, at least as the Bible employs the identifier. In order for both attributes to receive honorable mention at the same time, the terminology for deity requires both the words “Lord” and “God”.
Allow me to explain. The word “God” is a term which identifies deity or the divine being. It is used in much the same way the word “human” or “human being” is used to identify humanity or man. Such is not the case with the word “Lord” in Scripture. The word “Lord” (written in the Bible as all capital letters, LORD) is the actual name of God.
Let me present an equivalent as applied to myself. I am a human being and my name is Randy. The word usage “the Lord God” as applied to me would be “Randy the human being”. God’s actual name is YHWH (aka Yahweh or Jehovah). In the English Bible His name is written as “LORD”. When you see those four capital letters used together in the Bible, recognize it as the actual name of God.
At times I have been addressed as “Pastor” or “Teacher” or “Reverend”. At other times I’ve been addressed as “Randy” or “Mr. Green”. What’s the difference? Well, the words “pastor”, “teacher” and “reverend” are not names. The words are impersonal, formal, stiff, and not necessarily friendly.
On the other hand the word “Randy” is my personal name. By using it another person is being personal with me. Perhaps he’s even taking undue liberties because he doesn’t know me and shouldn’t speak to me in such a personal way. But the word “Randy” when employed appropriately toward me is personal. It implies a relationship between the speaker and myself.
When both these aspects express themselves in a parent, a scary teddy bear materializes. But let us pause here and continue on the morrow. Enjoy your time with the Lord Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Once upon a time when I had a couple of teeny tiny tots to rear, I discovered a spiritual truth by means of experience. Sometimes I was Mr. Dad, with his course and stern voice and disciplinary disposition. At other times I was Nice Guy Dad, who took his kids to the recreation center and coached their basketball teams.
And you know what? Neither of my rug rats was ever confused by the split personality involved in proper parenting. Not once did we enjoy a time of play and relaxation at the rec center, and then come home to become discombobulated by the switch from Nice Guy Dad to Mr. Dad the rules enforcer. It just didn’t happen.
Do you know why? Well, it’s like this. Kids want to have fun with their parents, yes, they most certainly do. But if that’s all they get—if Dad and Mom are simply one of the gang of kids from the neighborhood—kids cannot help but feel insecure. They need guidance and protection from their parents. It’s why the Lord gave them parents!
In the quoted text which commenced this study, Amos acknowledged these two simultaneous attributes of God. God has them, which explains where we got them! We share with God these same two attributes. I believe it’s part of what the Bible labels “the image of God”.
There is a qualification to this as it applies to God, however. Amos identified God as “the Lord God of hosts is His name”. The two attributes don’t stand out in the case of “God”, at least as the Bible employs the identifier. In order for both attributes to receive honorable mention at the same time, the terminology for deity requires both the words “Lord” and “God”.
Allow me to explain. The word “God” is a term which identifies deity or the divine being. It is used in much the same way the word “human” or “human being” is used to identify humanity or man. Such is not the case with the word “Lord” in Scripture. The word “Lord” (written in the Bible as all capital letters, LORD) is the actual name of God.
Let me present an equivalent as applied to myself. I am a human being and my name is Randy. The word usage “the Lord God” as applied to me would be “Randy the human being”. God’s actual name is YHWH (aka Yahweh or Jehovah). In the English Bible His name is written as “LORD”. When you see those four capital letters used together in the Bible, recognize it as the actual name of God.
At times I have been addressed as “Pastor” or “Teacher” or “Reverend”. At other times I’ve been addressed as “Randy” or “Mr. Green”. What’s the difference? Well, the words “pastor”, “teacher” and “reverend” are not names. The words are impersonal, formal, stiff, and not necessarily friendly.
On the other hand the word “Randy” is my personal name. By using it another person is being personal with me. Perhaps he’s even taking undue liberties because he doesn’t know me and shouldn’t speak to me in such a personal way. But the word “Randy” when employed appropriately toward me is personal. It implies a relationship between the speaker and myself.
When both these aspects express themselves in a parent, a scary teddy bear materializes. But let us pause here and continue on the morrow. Enjoy your time with the Lord Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Scary Teddy Bears – Part 2
For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind and declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness and treads on the high places of the earth, the Lord God of hosts is His name [Amos 4:13].
We paused our last study by noting I am a human and my name is Randy. The “human” part is impersonal, the “Randy” part is quite otherwise. Let’s now see how this applies to the Divine Being.
The words “God” and “LORD” when used to identify the Deity, the Supreme Being, accomplishes the same function as the words “Randy the human” in identifying me. In the Bible when the Divine Being is referred to as “God”, the emphasis is upon His being the Creator, the high and mighty One Who is far above His creation, including mankind. It is impersonal, evoking dread in man and prompting us to draw back and move away from Him.
On the other hand when His name “LORD” is used, the emphasis is personal. It denotes man as having a personal relationship with the Supreme Being, as knowing Him personally and being involved with Him. It is a pleasant blessing, not an atmosphere of awkward and uneasy formality.
Such is the intimation presented by Amos’ usage of the phrase “the Lord God of hosts is His name”. The high and mighty Creator, the all-powerful and intimidating Supreme Being is inseparably bound together with the loving and personable Deity Who wants to have a relationship with man.
So how does this express itself in the remainder of the quoted text? Let’s assay Amos’ words and see for ourselves. First let’s hear the words which express personal relationship: He who…declares to man what are His thoughts.
Those words don’t leave the impression of the almighty Supreme Being calling into existence the heavens and the earth. They express the concept of the Divine One speaking to man and explaining Himself and His plans. It is personal. It is relationship. It is personal relationship. In theology textbooks this personal aspect of God’s character wears the appellation “immanence”.
Now for Amos’ words which express God as way up there in the sky and impersonal, far removed from man and unapproachable. Since there are considerable more words used to express this concept, we will employ a bulleted list:
• He who forms mountains and creates the wind
• He who makes dawn into darkness
• He who…treads on the high places of the earth
It should be readily evident to you how suchlike depictions of God differ drastically from the words “He who…declares to man what are His thoughts”. In the case of the bulleted list the Supreme Being is behaving as, well, a supreme being! He isn’t talking with man and explaining His purposes. He is creating mountains and wind and darkness, and He is walking around on the high places, far above man’s habitations. In theology textbooks this aspect of God’s character goes by the jargon “transcendence”.
The two aspects of God, the personal and impersonal, are true simultaneously. However, they only display themselves simultaneously to those humans who accept Him as their God, as their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With such folks He is indeed personal. At the blink of an eye He also marches into battle on their behalf as the mighty and invincible God.
Alas, but for those humans who reject Him as their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, He only appears to them as the impersonal and not so friendly Judge of all the earth. They don’t win His favor or garner His blessings. They are under a curse for sin and, after the Millennium will stand before His tribunal, the great white throne, to be condemned eternally (cf., Revelation 20:5, 11-15).
This is not a topic which wins friends and influences people, dear souls. It is the Word of God nonetheless. We determine by our response to the Lord Jesus whether or not we know Him personally. My heart’s desire is that all men will be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We paused our last study by noting I am a human and my name is Randy. The “human” part is impersonal, the “Randy” part is quite otherwise. Let’s now see how this applies to the Divine Being.
The words “God” and “LORD” when used to identify the Deity, the Supreme Being, accomplishes the same function as the words “Randy the human” in identifying me. In the Bible when the Divine Being is referred to as “God”, the emphasis is upon His being the Creator, the high and mighty One Who is far above His creation, including mankind. It is impersonal, evoking dread in man and prompting us to draw back and move away from Him.
On the other hand when His name “LORD” is used, the emphasis is personal. It denotes man as having a personal relationship with the Supreme Being, as knowing Him personally and being involved with Him. It is a pleasant blessing, not an atmosphere of awkward and uneasy formality.
Such is the intimation presented by Amos’ usage of the phrase “the Lord God of hosts is His name”. The high and mighty Creator, the all-powerful and intimidating Supreme Being is inseparably bound together with the loving and personable Deity Who wants to have a relationship with man.
So how does this express itself in the remainder of the quoted text? Let’s assay Amos’ words and see for ourselves. First let’s hear the words which express personal relationship: He who…declares to man what are His thoughts.
Those words don’t leave the impression of the almighty Supreme Being calling into existence the heavens and the earth. They express the concept of the Divine One speaking to man and explaining Himself and His plans. It is personal. It is relationship. It is personal relationship. In theology textbooks this personal aspect of God’s character wears the appellation “immanence”.
Now for Amos’ words which express God as way up there in the sky and impersonal, far removed from man and unapproachable. Since there are considerable more words used to express this concept, we will employ a bulleted list:
• He who forms mountains and creates the wind
• He who makes dawn into darkness
• He who…treads on the high places of the earth
It should be readily evident to you how suchlike depictions of God differ drastically from the words “He who…declares to man what are His thoughts”. In the case of the bulleted list the Supreme Being is behaving as, well, a supreme being! He isn’t talking with man and explaining His purposes. He is creating mountains and wind and darkness, and He is walking around on the high places, far above man’s habitations. In theology textbooks this aspect of God’s character goes by the jargon “transcendence”.
The two aspects of God, the personal and impersonal, are true simultaneously. However, they only display themselves simultaneously to those humans who accept Him as their God, as their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With such folks He is indeed personal. At the blink of an eye He also marches into battle on their behalf as the mighty and invincible God.
Alas, but for those humans who reject Him as their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, He only appears to them as the impersonal and not so friendly Judge of all the earth. They don’t win His favor or garner His blessings. They are under a curse for sin and, after the Millennium will stand before His tribunal, the great white throne, to be condemned eternally (cf., Revelation 20:5, 11-15).
This is not a topic which wins friends and influences people, dear souls. It is the Word of God nonetheless. We determine by our response to the Lord Jesus whether or not we know Him personally. My heart’s desire is that all men will be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
If Only I Knew – Part 1
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints [Ephesians 1:17-18].
The Apostle Paul had the heart of the Lord. This is evident from his every word in the Scriptures. He sacrificed his life to promote the welfare of others. He endured hostility and resentment for insisting Christians practice holy living. He knew this was for their own good, and that harm would befall them should they live contrary to the Word of God.
Paul didn’t take from the Christians to benefit himself. Rather, he gave of himself to his own hurt, so they would know Christ and grow in His grace. That is the definition of true love, God’s love. “For God so loved the world that He GAVE…” By definition love gives. It doesn’t take and even insist on having its equal share.
We today put the cart before the horse when it comes to love. The all important “I-me-mine” trumps all else. “I have my rights. Give them to me!” “I did such and so for you. What have you done for me? You owe me!” In all suchlike thoughts the other person’s welfare really isn’t considered. The bottom line: it’s all about “I-me-mine”.
We’ve become quite adept at building a façade in front of the old “I-me-mine” penchant. The façade gives the impression of a church building, and it wears an attractive religious garb. Even though we live the “I-me-mine” routine, we spruce it up with assortments of “Praise the Lords!” and “I’m praying for you”, and suchlike jargon. Stir in a touch of affluent middle class morality as a substitute for Biblical morals, and no one can discern the difference. Looks like the real McCoy to me!
In all of this I expect the Lord’s blessings to shower down upon me. If they don’t, someone must be doing me wrong. I deserve the blessings. They’re my right! After all, I’m a good Christian. Just ask some of the folks in the church building. They’ll tell you. I’m popular!
We’ve incorporated the general elections into making our determinations for what is spiritual and what is not. Let’s vote on it! I’ve got lots of friends. They’ll vote for me. They’ll affirm that my spiritual maturity level is off the charts. Just ask ‘em.
Such is the bane of the contemporary USA religious climate, dear friends. We will continue this topic in the next study. In the meantime let’s betake ourselves to the prayer closet to receive the Lord’s input.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The Apostle Paul had the heart of the Lord. This is evident from his every word in the Scriptures. He sacrificed his life to promote the welfare of others. He endured hostility and resentment for insisting Christians practice holy living. He knew this was for their own good, and that harm would befall them should they live contrary to the Word of God.
Paul didn’t take from the Christians to benefit himself. Rather, he gave of himself to his own hurt, so they would know Christ and grow in His grace. That is the definition of true love, God’s love. “For God so loved the world that He GAVE…” By definition love gives. It doesn’t take and even insist on having its equal share.
We today put the cart before the horse when it comes to love. The all important “I-me-mine” trumps all else. “I have my rights. Give them to me!” “I did such and so for you. What have you done for me? You owe me!” In all suchlike thoughts the other person’s welfare really isn’t considered. The bottom line: it’s all about “I-me-mine”.
We’ve become quite adept at building a façade in front of the old “I-me-mine” penchant. The façade gives the impression of a church building, and it wears an attractive religious garb. Even though we live the “I-me-mine” routine, we spruce it up with assortments of “Praise the Lords!” and “I’m praying for you”, and suchlike jargon. Stir in a touch of affluent middle class morality as a substitute for Biblical morals, and no one can discern the difference. Looks like the real McCoy to me!
In all of this I expect the Lord’s blessings to shower down upon me. If they don’t, someone must be doing me wrong. I deserve the blessings. They’re my right! After all, I’m a good Christian. Just ask some of the folks in the church building. They’ll tell you. I’m popular!
We’ve incorporated the general elections into making our determinations for what is spiritual and what is not. Let’s vote on it! I’ve got lots of friends. They’ll vote for me. They’ll affirm that my spiritual maturity level is off the charts. Just ask ‘em.
Such is the bane of the contemporary USA religious climate, dear friends. We will continue this topic in the next study. In the meantime let’s betake ourselves to the prayer closet to receive the Lord’s input.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
If Only I Knew – Part 2
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints [Ephesians 1:17-18].
Contemporary Christianity has bit into the forbidden fruit. Christians nowadays determine for themselves what is right and what is wrong. We go by popular opinion, currying favor with others to win their support, like any modern politician. But we do it with regard to morality!
Alas, but this isn’t Biblical! God doesn’t agree. He needs no vote from us to make His determination for what is right and what is wrong. And He’s not the least bit impressed by any of our popularity contests either. It may surprise a great many Christians, but “American Idol” means zilch to God.
The Apostle Paul—you know, the guy who actually does have the heart of God—he had a different take on how the Lord views right and wrong. He had this thing about us sinners comparing ourselves with other sinners, so as to draw the conclusion that we’re not really so bad after all. Paul denounced it (cf., 2 Corinthians 10:12)!
In the two verses quoted at the commencement of today’s study, his intake affords us invaluable teaching vis-à-vis the mind of Christ. In the first verse he instructs Christians to know the Lord Jesus. Then in the second verse he points out how the Lord’s blessings follow from knowing the Lord.
If we’re out to get the blessings and bypass growing in our knowledge of the Lord, we’ll find ourselves up the proverbial creek without a paddle. The Lord blesses His kids like any good parent. The thing is, any good parent doesn’t shower affluence on his kids, while they live as inveterate urchins! Guess what? Neither does the Lord.
First we have to love Him enough to want to know Him. As we truly come to know Him, we discover how the Lord thinks, what He likes, what hurts Him, things of this sort. Hey! That’s basically how it is with our close earthly relationships too, isn’t it? Go figure.
Anyway, as we know the Lord more and more, our love for Him leads us to do the things which please Him. Simultaneously, our love encourages us to refrain from the things which hurt the Lord’s feelings. That is the definition of love. It comes from grace, not from Law.
Law leads us to do things for the Lord because He requires us to do them, else we won’t be blessed. This fits in well with middle class affluence and the “I-me-mine” mentality. We want to get something, so we grudgingly give something. Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. Quid pro quo and all.
So much for Law. We will move on to a consideration of grace in our next study. Hope to see you there!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Contemporary Christianity has bit into the forbidden fruit. Christians nowadays determine for themselves what is right and what is wrong. We go by popular opinion, currying favor with others to win their support, like any modern politician. But we do it with regard to morality!
Alas, but this isn’t Biblical! God doesn’t agree. He needs no vote from us to make His determination for what is right and what is wrong. And He’s not the least bit impressed by any of our popularity contests either. It may surprise a great many Christians, but “American Idol” means zilch to God.
The Apostle Paul—you know, the guy who actually does have the heart of God—he had a different take on how the Lord views right and wrong. He had this thing about us sinners comparing ourselves with other sinners, so as to draw the conclusion that we’re not really so bad after all. Paul denounced it (cf., 2 Corinthians 10:12)!
In the two verses quoted at the commencement of today’s study, his intake affords us invaluable teaching vis-à-vis the mind of Christ. In the first verse he instructs Christians to know the Lord Jesus. Then in the second verse he points out how the Lord’s blessings follow from knowing the Lord.
If we’re out to get the blessings and bypass growing in our knowledge of the Lord, we’ll find ourselves up the proverbial creek without a paddle. The Lord blesses His kids like any good parent. The thing is, any good parent doesn’t shower affluence on his kids, while they live as inveterate urchins! Guess what? Neither does the Lord.
First we have to love Him enough to want to know Him. As we truly come to know Him, we discover how the Lord thinks, what He likes, what hurts Him, things of this sort. Hey! That’s basically how it is with our close earthly relationships too, isn’t it? Go figure.
Anyway, as we know the Lord more and more, our love for Him leads us to do the things which please Him. Simultaneously, our love encourages us to refrain from the things which hurt the Lord’s feelings. That is the definition of love. It comes from grace, not from Law.
Law leads us to do things for the Lord because He requires us to do them, else we won’t be blessed. This fits in well with middle class affluence and the “I-me-mine” mentality. We want to get something, so we grudgingly give something. Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. Quid pro quo and all.
So much for Law. We will move on to a consideration of grace in our next study. Hope to see you there!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
If Only I Knew – Part 3
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints [Ephesians 1:17-18].
Law doesn’t inspire us or woo us to love. Law forces us to do so as to get something in return. The Apostle Paul wanted nothing to do with Law, and for a very good reason: he came to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!
God’s grace gives us eternal life freely. Grace adopts us into the family of God. Grace gives us new birth into the eternal kingdom. Grace pulls us out of the pit, washes us off, and sits us at the banqueting table. Grace gives because grace comes from the love of God, and love by definition gives.
Paul prayed for God to give to the Christians of the city of Ephesus “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Wisdom may be defined as “knowing how to apply what we know to our daily living”. Revelation has to do with the Lord showing us what we don’t already know.
Paul wanted the Christians to receive the necessary information for daily living, and the ability to employ this information in their daily living, so they would grow in knowing and understanding the Lord Jesus. This comes first in the Christian’s relationship with God.
The blessings of God follow this, in fact flow out of knowing Jesus more and more. “Father God, give them what they need, so they will truly know Your Son Jesus!” That was Paul’s prayer and earnest desire for the Christians.
As this became a reality more and more, it followed that they would have their eyes opened to see the truth of God more clearly (v.18). Then their hope would kick in and they would receive their inheritance, the riches of His glory.
But first came the true personal relationship with the Lord Jesus (v.17). First we give our hearts to the Lord, love Him in spirit and truth, and require time alone with Him regularly. This promotes spiritual growth on our part, leading us to live with Jesus and for Jesus.
As we do so, we discover the vastness of our inheritance in Christ. It isn’t about what I get. It’s about what I give. I give my life to Jesus because He first gave His to me. I do so because I see how desirable He is and want to be like Him. What I’ll get in return doesn’t even enter the equation. Give, not take.
Is this what you want? Does it appeal to your inmost being? Let us arise and go to Jesus together. He will embrace us in His arms.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Law doesn’t inspire us or woo us to love. Law forces us to do so as to get something in return. The Apostle Paul wanted nothing to do with Law, and for a very good reason: he came to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!
God’s grace gives us eternal life freely. Grace adopts us into the family of God. Grace gives us new birth into the eternal kingdom. Grace pulls us out of the pit, washes us off, and sits us at the banqueting table. Grace gives because grace comes from the love of God, and love by definition gives.
Paul prayed for God to give to the Christians of the city of Ephesus “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Wisdom may be defined as “knowing how to apply what we know to our daily living”. Revelation has to do with the Lord showing us what we don’t already know.
Paul wanted the Christians to receive the necessary information for daily living, and the ability to employ this information in their daily living, so they would grow in knowing and understanding the Lord Jesus. This comes first in the Christian’s relationship with God.
The blessings of God follow this, in fact flow out of knowing Jesus more and more. “Father God, give them what they need, so they will truly know Your Son Jesus!” That was Paul’s prayer and earnest desire for the Christians.
As this became a reality more and more, it followed that they would have their eyes opened to see the truth of God more clearly (v.18). Then their hope would kick in and they would receive their inheritance, the riches of His glory.
But first came the true personal relationship with the Lord Jesus (v.17). First we give our hearts to the Lord, love Him in spirit and truth, and require time alone with Him regularly. This promotes spiritual growth on our part, leading us to live with Jesus and for Jesus.
As we do so, we discover the vastness of our inheritance in Christ. It isn’t about what I get. It’s about what I give. I give my life to Jesus because He first gave His to me. I do so because I see how desirable He is and want to be like Him. What I’ll get in return doesn’t even enter the equation. Give, not take.
Is this what you want? Does it appeal to your inmost being? Let us arise and go to Jesus together. He will embrace us in His arms.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Heights and Highs – Part 2
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” [1 Kings 22:5-7]
King Ahab wanted Jehoshaphat to go with him to Ramoth-gilead, so as to take back his territory from the king of Aram. That king was a bad dude, you see, so Ahab wanted some moral support…and some extra fire power on Jehoshaphat’s part.
And that is where King Jehoshaphat entered the story. He was visiting his buddy Ahab at his palace in Samaria. King Ahab decided to take advantage of the opportunity by putting Jehoshaphat on the spot.
Hey, Josh! Now that you’re here, maybe you can give me a hand. That no good sidewinder in Damascus is occupying my territory in Gilead at Ramoth. I want it back. Care to come along with me and take it away from him?
Jehoshaphat was on the spot. If he declined he’d look like a scaredy-cat. The alternative was to go fight Ahab’s war for him. Hard choice, huh? Not! Jehoshaphat didn’t want anyone to think he was a wuss, so he jumped right into the fray like a real dufus.
Yes, by all means. Let’s go kick the scalawag’s heinie and take back Ramoth-gilead! But first let’s consult the Lord. Let the prophets give us His Word about the matter.
Well, back in the day folks knew better than to get on the king’s wrong side. Any self-styled prophet who wanted a life worth living knew to tell the king what he wanted to hear…or else! So Ahab’s four hundred flunkeys gathered in the throne room before the two kings. “O King. Go up to Ramoth and take back what is yours. The Lord gives the king of Aram into your hands. You’re the man!”
But wait a sec! King Jehoshaphat didn’t much fancy those smarmy pagan prophets. They didn’t speak the Word of God. They uttered their own malarkey in the name of the heathen idols. So Jehoshaphat waxed bold and objected,
Hold your horses, Nellie, er, I mean Ahab! I want to hear the Word of the Lord, not the words of man under pretense of being words of the gods. Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord in Samaria?
Ahab was taken aback by Jehoshaphat’s rebuttal. He was used to seeing the king of Judah playing the role of yes-man to him. So Ahab was a bit slow in responding. He had to compose himself first, so as not to lay the lumber to Jehoshaphat for his display of temerity.
Oh, of course. I almost forgot. You’re from Judah and they like to worship the Lord down there. Up here we prefer our own gods. Well, in answer to your inquiry, yes, there is still one prophet of the Lord left in my kingdom…unfortunately. But I hate to give him a pulpit because he never says one good thing about me. He always castigates me and banishes me to the deepest, darkest recesses of the nether world. But for you I will allow him to speak…but just this once! Guards! Go fetch that worthless Micaiah from the dungeon and bring him here at once.
Awkward for Ahab? Yes. But even more so for Jehoshaphat, who should never have had such close involvements with an idolater like Ahab. The Law of Moses specifically forbade it, but Jehoshaphat was a slow learner.
We’ll continue this theme in our next study. Jesus requests our presence now. Let’s not keep Him waiting.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
King Ahab wanted Jehoshaphat to go with him to Ramoth-gilead, so as to take back his territory from the king of Aram. That king was a bad dude, you see, so Ahab wanted some moral support…and some extra fire power on Jehoshaphat’s part.
And that is where King Jehoshaphat entered the story. He was visiting his buddy Ahab at his palace in Samaria. King Ahab decided to take advantage of the opportunity by putting Jehoshaphat on the spot.
Hey, Josh! Now that you’re here, maybe you can give me a hand. That no good sidewinder in Damascus is occupying my territory in Gilead at Ramoth. I want it back. Care to come along with me and take it away from him?
Jehoshaphat was on the spot. If he declined he’d look like a scaredy-cat. The alternative was to go fight Ahab’s war for him. Hard choice, huh? Not! Jehoshaphat didn’t want anyone to think he was a wuss, so he jumped right into the fray like a real dufus.
Yes, by all means. Let’s go kick the scalawag’s heinie and take back Ramoth-gilead! But first let’s consult the Lord. Let the prophets give us His Word about the matter.
Well, back in the day folks knew better than to get on the king’s wrong side. Any self-styled prophet who wanted a life worth living knew to tell the king what he wanted to hear…or else! So Ahab’s four hundred flunkeys gathered in the throne room before the two kings. “O King. Go up to Ramoth and take back what is yours. The Lord gives the king of Aram into your hands. You’re the man!”
But wait a sec! King Jehoshaphat didn’t much fancy those smarmy pagan prophets. They didn’t speak the Word of God. They uttered their own malarkey in the name of the heathen idols. So Jehoshaphat waxed bold and objected,
Hold your horses, Nellie, er, I mean Ahab! I want to hear the Word of the Lord, not the words of man under pretense of being words of the gods. Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord in Samaria?
Ahab was taken aback by Jehoshaphat’s rebuttal. He was used to seeing the king of Judah playing the role of yes-man to him. So Ahab was a bit slow in responding. He had to compose himself first, so as not to lay the lumber to Jehoshaphat for his display of temerity.
Oh, of course. I almost forgot. You’re from Judah and they like to worship the Lord down there. Up here we prefer our own gods. Well, in answer to your inquiry, yes, there is still one prophet of the Lord left in my kingdom…unfortunately. But I hate to give him a pulpit because he never says one good thing about me. He always castigates me and banishes me to the deepest, darkest recesses of the nether world. But for you I will allow him to speak…but just this once! Guards! Go fetch that worthless Micaiah from the dungeon and bring him here at once.
Awkward for Ahab? Yes. But even more so for Jehoshaphat, who should never have had such close involvements with an idolater like Ahab. The Law of Moses specifically forbade it, but Jehoshaphat was a slow learner.
We’ll continue this theme in our next study. Jesus requests our presence now. Let’s not keep Him waiting.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Heights and Highs – Part 1
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” [1 Kings 22:5-7]
Every year on October 31 masses of folks across America don costumes and pretend to be somebody they are not. Usually they don’t feign being a prominent contemporary figure. Most often they disguise themselves as a fictional character, say, for example, Frankenstein or Snow White. Famous historical personages receive their share of the attention too, like Napoléon or Caesar.
This annual rite of passage for the adolescent and the adolescent-at-heart goes by the name “Halloween”. The adolescents parade the streets, going from door to door with a big sack in their hands. When residents answer their doorbell, they are greeted with kiddies shouting, “Trick or treat!” If the folks living their know which side their bread is buttered on, they had best drop a copious supply of treats in the bag. Otherwise they might well discover a trick the following morning.
The adolescents-at-heart don’t practice the same routine. They prefer to gather at some party location and have an extravaganza. Each person there wants to receive special attention for his/her costume. To be the talk of the town is a prize highly coveted by adolescent hearts, it seems.
1 Kings 22 narrates a true historical account. The story revolves around six cast members, with miscellaneous supportive cast members tossed in for good measure. The six major members of the cast are these:
1. Yahweh (aka YHWH or Jehovah)
2. the Lord
3. King Ahab of Israel
4. King Jehoshaphat of Judah
5. Micaiah, the prophet of Yahweh
6. the prophets of the Lord
It seems old King Cole, er, I mean old King Ahab felt cheated by the king of Aram (Damascus). When the Israelites conquered the entire east bank lands under Moses’ leadership, the land of Gilead was included in the spoils of war. An area in the far northeastern part of Gilead known as Ramoth was a part of Israel’s domain.
Well, around three years prior, the King of Aram beat up on Israel and seized Ramoth-gilead. The name Ramoth-gilead means “the heights of Gilead” or “the high places of Gilead”. A “high place” refers to a lofty location where heathen idolatry was practiced.
Anyway, King Ahab wanted Ramoth back. He didn’t much relish the mortification of being a toady to the king of Aram. That bully came into his yard and stole something of his, and he was determined to get it back and give the bully a black eye in the process. Trouble was, the king of Aram was a bully because he was one of the big kids on the block. So giving him a black eye wasn’t going to be so easy.
We’ll find out what Ahab did about it in our next study. In the interim why not enjoy fellowship with the Lord?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Every year on October 31 masses of folks across America don costumes and pretend to be somebody they are not. Usually they don’t feign being a prominent contemporary figure. Most often they disguise themselves as a fictional character, say, for example, Frankenstein or Snow White. Famous historical personages receive their share of the attention too, like Napoléon or Caesar.
This annual rite of passage for the adolescent and the adolescent-at-heart goes by the name “Halloween”. The adolescents parade the streets, going from door to door with a big sack in their hands. When residents answer their doorbell, they are greeted with kiddies shouting, “Trick or treat!” If the folks living their know which side their bread is buttered on, they had best drop a copious supply of treats in the bag. Otherwise they might well discover a trick the following morning.
The adolescents-at-heart don’t practice the same routine. They prefer to gather at some party location and have an extravaganza. Each person there wants to receive special attention for his/her costume. To be the talk of the town is a prize highly coveted by adolescent hearts, it seems.
1 Kings 22 narrates a true historical account. The story revolves around six cast members, with miscellaneous supportive cast members tossed in for good measure. The six major members of the cast are these:
1. Yahweh (aka YHWH or Jehovah)
2. the Lord
3. King Ahab of Israel
4. King Jehoshaphat of Judah
5. Micaiah, the prophet of Yahweh
6. the prophets of the Lord
It seems old King Cole, er, I mean old King Ahab felt cheated by the king of Aram (Damascus). When the Israelites conquered the entire east bank lands under Moses’ leadership, the land of Gilead was included in the spoils of war. An area in the far northeastern part of Gilead known as Ramoth was a part of Israel’s domain.
Well, around three years prior, the King of Aram beat up on Israel and seized Ramoth-gilead. The name Ramoth-gilead means “the heights of Gilead” or “the high places of Gilead”. A “high place” refers to a lofty location where heathen idolatry was practiced.
Anyway, King Ahab wanted Ramoth back. He didn’t much relish the mortification of being a toady to the king of Aram. That bully came into his yard and stole something of his, and he was determined to get it back and give the bully a black eye in the process. Trouble was, the king of Aram was a bully because he was one of the big kids on the block. So giving him a black eye wasn’t going to be so easy.
We’ll find out what Ahab did about it in our next study. In the interim why not enjoy fellowship with the Lord?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Heights and Highs – Part 3
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” [1 Kings 22:5-7]
King Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from a prophet of the LORD. King Ahab had no choice but to send for Micaiah, even though he hated the dude. So he dispatched the guards to the dungeon to fetch Micaiah from his jail cell. Before the guard left though, King Ahab bent over and whispered in the guard’s ear, “Be sure to warn him in no uncertain terms that he had best agree with what my own prophets have proclaimed.”
So the guards fetched Micaiah ben Imlah, the Lord’s prophet, from the dungeon and read him the riot act. Standing before the two august kings, Micaiah spoke the words of a sycophant…but he did so with the utmost sarcasm. “Go, O King Ahab, to Ramoth-gilead. The Lord gives it to you, like your toadies said.”
King Ahab snapped at him, “I told you to never tell me lies, Mike! Let’s hear the truth.”
So Micaiah ben Imlah gave him the unadulterated Word of God, “I saw all Israel on the heights of Gilead, wandering about without a shepherd.” Uh, the shepherd of Israel was old King Ahab. That didn’t sound to promising for the king’s longevity.
“See!” Ahab bellowed at Jehoshaphat. “I told you he never says anything good about me. Not even by accident! Why’d you have to ruin a perfectly good day by insisting on hearing from him anyway?”
Micaiah wasn’t finished with the Word of the Lord yet. He added,
I saw the throne room of God in heaven. The angels were gathered around the throne, and the Lord asked, “Who will go and convince King Ahab to march off to Ramoth to face his death there?”
Well, one angel had this idea and another angel had a different one. They couldn’t seem to come up with a plausible plan. Then this other angel stepped forward and boldly declared to the Lord, “I’ll do it!”
The Lord wanted to know the angel’s plan, so the angel told him, “I’ll go and be a lying spirit in the mouth of Ahab’s false prophets. He always listens to them because they always say what he wants to hear.”
The Lord responded, “Go. You’ll certainly succeed with that plan.”
Now be sure to take in the scenario in the throne room of Ahab in Samaria. There were the 400 false prophets and there was Micaiah, the lone true prophet. Did you catch what he said about all 400 of those rascals? Could you be so bold and audacious as to confront 400 deceivers and denounce their deception? Only the Lord Himself inside Ahab could instill such confidence, that Micaiah didn’t even flinch when the false prophets attacked him.
King Ahab ordered Micaiah sent back to the dungeon, and to be left there with his needs unattended to until Ahab returned from Ramoth. Micaiah got off a parting shot, “If you ever return from Ramoth, then the Lord didn’t speak through me!” Folks, that is holy boldness in the extreme!
And that spells a fine time to call it a day. We’ll return to this spot on the morrow. Now let’s betake ourselves to the prayer closet.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
King Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from a prophet of the LORD. King Ahab had no choice but to send for Micaiah, even though he hated the dude. So he dispatched the guards to the dungeon to fetch Micaiah from his jail cell. Before the guard left though, King Ahab bent over and whispered in the guard’s ear, “Be sure to warn him in no uncertain terms that he had best agree with what my own prophets have proclaimed.”
So the guards fetched Micaiah ben Imlah, the Lord’s prophet, from the dungeon and read him the riot act. Standing before the two august kings, Micaiah spoke the words of a sycophant…but he did so with the utmost sarcasm. “Go, O King Ahab, to Ramoth-gilead. The Lord gives it to you, like your toadies said.”
King Ahab snapped at him, “I told you to never tell me lies, Mike! Let’s hear the truth.”
So Micaiah ben Imlah gave him the unadulterated Word of God, “I saw all Israel on the heights of Gilead, wandering about without a shepherd.” Uh, the shepherd of Israel was old King Ahab. That didn’t sound to promising for the king’s longevity.
“See!” Ahab bellowed at Jehoshaphat. “I told you he never says anything good about me. Not even by accident! Why’d you have to ruin a perfectly good day by insisting on hearing from him anyway?”
Micaiah wasn’t finished with the Word of the Lord yet. He added,
I saw the throne room of God in heaven. The angels were gathered around the throne, and the Lord asked, “Who will go and convince King Ahab to march off to Ramoth to face his death there?”
Well, one angel had this idea and another angel had a different one. They couldn’t seem to come up with a plausible plan. Then this other angel stepped forward and boldly declared to the Lord, “I’ll do it!”
The Lord wanted to know the angel’s plan, so the angel told him, “I’ll go and be a lying spirit in the mouth of Ahab’s false prophets. He always listens to them because they always say what he wants to hear.”
The Lord responded, “Go. You’ll certainly succeed with that plan.”
Now be sure to take in the scenario in the throne room of Ahab in Samaria. There were the 400 false prophets and there was Micaiah, the lone true prophet. Did you catch what he said about all 400 of those rascals? Could you be so bold and audacious as to confront 400 deceivers and denounce their deception? Only the Lord Himself inside Ahab could instill such confidence, that Micaiah didn’t even flinch when the false prophets attacked him.
King Ahab ordered Micaiah sent back to the dungeon, and to be left there with his needs unattended to until Ahab returned from Ramoth. Micaiah got off a parting shot, “If you ever return from Ramoth, then the Lord didn’t speak through me!” Folks, that is holy boldness in the extreme!
And that spells a fine time to call it a day. We’ll return to this spot on the morrow. Now let’s betake ourselves to the prayer closet.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Heights and Highs – Part 4
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” [1 Kings 22:5-7]
The Lord’s prophet Micaiah warned King Ahab that he would die at Ramoth-gilead, if he went there to conduct war against Aram. But that smug idolater didn’t care what the Lord had to say about anything.
So off to Ramoth-gilead went Ahab and Jehoshaphat, leading their armies to the battle field. Now here’s where Halloween comes into the story. Ahab donned a disguise so that the Aramean soldiers wouldn’t recognize him as the king. He told Jehoshaphat to impersonate him, and Jehoshaphat was dufus enough to do so! Didn’t exactly flatter him, did he?
All the disguises in the world couldn’t thwart the Word of God. The Lord pronounced through Micaiah that Ahab would die on the heights of Gilead, so die Ahab must. The Aramean soldiers saw Jehoshaphat bedecked in his kingly garb and mistook him for Ahab. But try as they might, they failed to kill or even wound Jehoshaphat.
On the other hand, Ahab went into the battle looking like…well, not like a king, let’s put it that way. So the Aramean soldiers didn’t pay Ahab any mind. It didn’t affect God’s plan one iota though. By accident an Aramean archer shot his arrow and killed Ahab! The Word of the Lord came true, as we should know it always does.
Now I want to bring out a point of import from the story, one which the average English reader wouldn’t notice. But it bears the utmost importance in Biblical teaching, so we mustn’t miss it. This point has to do with the words spoken by Jehoshaphat and the true prophet Micaiah on the one hand, and by the false prophets on the other.
King Jehoshaphat said to Ahab, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”
The false prophets claimed, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
Jehoshaphat didn’t like what Ahab’s false prophets said, so he rejoined, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?”
Then Micaiah declared, “Therefore, hear the word of the LORD.”
Read those four quotations again, except very slowly. Do you see the difference in who they prayed to? Jehoshaphat wanted to hear the Word of the “LORD”. The false prophets spoke the word of the “Lord”. Micaiah proclaimed the Word of the “LORD”.
In the English Bible when you see the word “lord” in all capital letters (“LORD”), in the original Hebrew it is the actual name of God. God’s personal name is YHWH (aka Yahweh or Jehovah). The word “lord” with only the first letter capitalized (“Lord”) is not a name at all. It is a title which means “lord” or “master”.
Hmm. Interesting tidbits those. Except they’re not tidbits at all, and tomorrow we’ll learn why. For now let’s enjoy time alone with Jesus.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The Lord’s prophet Micaiah warned King Ahab that he would die at Ramoth-gilead, if he went there to conduct war against Aram. But that smug idolater didn’t care what the Lord had to say about anything.
So off to Ramoth-gilead went Ahab and Jehoshaphat, leading their armies to the battle field. Now here’s where Halloween comes into the story. Ahab donned a disguise so that the Aramean soldiers wouldn’t recognize him as the king. He told Jehoshaphat to impersonate him, and Jehoshaphat was dufus enough to do so! Didn’t exactly flatter him, did he?
All the disguises in the world couldn’t thwart the Word of God. The Lord pronounced through Micaiah that Ahab would die on the heights of Gilead, so die Ahab must. The Aramean soldiers saw Jehoshaphat bedecked in his kingly garb and mistook him for Ahab. But try as they might, they failed to kill or even wound Jehoshaphat.
On the other hand, Ahab went into the battle looking like…well, not like a king, let’s put it that way. So the Aramean soldiers didn’t pay Ahab any mind. It didn’t affect God’s plan one iota though. By accident an Aramean archer shot his arrow and killed Ahab! The Word of the Lord came true, as we should know it always does.
Now I want to bring out a point of import from the story, one which the average English reader wouldn’t notice. But it bears the utmost importance in Biblical teaching, so we mustn’t miss it. This point has to do with the words spoken by Jehoshaphat and the true prophet Micaiah on the one hand, and by the false prophets on the other.
King Jehoshaphat said to Ahab, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”
The false prophets claimed, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
Jehoshaphat didn’t like what Ahab’s false prophets said, so he rejoined, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?”
Then Micaiah declared, “Therefore, hear the word of the LORD.”
Read those four quotations again, except very slowly. Do you see the difference in who they prayed to? Jehoshaphat wanted to hear the Word of the “LORD”. The false prophets spoke the word of the “Lord”. Micaiah proclaimed the Word of the “LORD”.
In the English Bible when you see the word “lord” in all capital letters (“LORD”), in the original Hebrew it is the actual name of God. God’s personal name is YHWH (aka Yahweh or Jehovah). The word “lord” with only the first letter capitalized (“Lord”) is not a name at all. It is a title which means “lord” or “master”.
Hmm. Interesting tidbits those. Except they’re not tidbits at all, and tomorrow we’ll learn why. For now let’s enjoy time alone with Jesus.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Heights and Highs – Part 5
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” [1 Kings 22:5-7]
The English Bible translates God’s personal name as “LORD” (all capital letters). The title “lord” or “master” is translated as “Lord” (only the L is capitalized).
With that understanding in mind, now read the four quotations a third time. Jehoshaphat doesn’t want to hear the false prophets proclaim so-called words from idols. He wants to hear what Yahweh has to say. Jehoshaphat is a good Hebrew. He knows there is only one real God and His name is Yahweh.
So Jehoshaphat says, “Let me hear what Yahweh has to say about us going to Ramoth-gilead.” Ahab sends for his false prophets, who claim their “master” (“Lord”) says… Jehoshaphat insists to Ahab that the supposed words of idols won’t suffice for him. Get him a prophet of Yahweh to speak. Micaiah obliges by proclaiming the Word of Yahweh to Kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat.
Now be honest. Knowing this distinction between “LORD” and “Lord” as used in the English translations of the Bible, doesn’t the tale of Micaiah ben Imlah come alive so much more? We can better understand the Old Testament interaction between the prophets of the LORD and the false prophets, when we look for these distinctive signs.
But there is something more we must needs emphasize about this distinction. The Lord revealed His personal name to Moses at the burning bush on Mount Sinai. He did so because Moses was to return to Egypt and be the Lord’s prophet, as He brought the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery and into the Promised Land.
This plan of the Lord was the fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham, the Abrahamic Covenant. A covenant is a personal relationship between the Lord and another or others, in this case Abraham’s progeny, the Israelites. A personal relationship entails knowing a person’s personal name. Hence when we see LORD, we should train ourselves to immediately recognize that covenant and personal relationship is involved.
Ahab and all those who practice idolatry are out of relationship with the LORD. They don’t know Him personally, so using His personal name is awkward and inappropriate on their part.
His name is higher than any other. Even though Ramoth-gilead was the heights of Gilead, God’s personal name is far far higher than Ramoth. We cannot rise higher than the name Jesus, dear friends. His name is special. It is precious. His name along with He Himself is HIGH above all else.
Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ personally? If you don’t, it is inappropriate for you to use His personal name, and it should be awkward to you if you did so.
I know the solution. Why not call on the Lord Jesus right this moment? Confess your sins to Him, ask Him to forgive you and be your Savior and Lord. Then spend time alone with Him daily, reading and musing over His Word and talking to Him in prayer. You’ll get to know Him real well in no time flat. And you’ll never be the same again.
So what are you waiting for already?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The English Bible translates God’s personal name as “LORD” (all capital letters). The title “lord” or “master” is translated as “Lord” (only the L is capitalized).
With that understanding in mind, now read the four quotations a third time. Jehoshaphat doesn’t want to hear the false prophets proclaim so-called words from idols. He wants to hear what Yahweh has to say. Jehoshaphat is a good Hebrew. He knows there is only one real God and His name is Yahweh.
So Jehoshaphat says, “Let me hear what Yahweh has to say about us going to Ramoth-gilead.” Ahab sends for his false prophets, who claim their “master” (“Lord”) says… Jehoshaphat insists to Ahab that the supposed words of idols won’t suffice for him. Get him a prophet of Yahweh to speak. Micaiah obliges by proclaiming the Word of Yahweh to Kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat.
Now be honest. Knowing this distinction between “LORD” and “Lord” as used in the English translations of the Bible, doesn’t the tale of Micaiah ben Imlah come alive so much more? We can better understand the Old Testament interaction between the prophets of the LORD and the false prophets, when we look for these distinctive signs.
But there is something more we must needs emphasize about this distinction. The Lord revealed His personal name to Moses at the burning bush on Mount Sinai. He did so because Moses was to return to Egypt and be the Lord’s prophet, as He brought the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery and into the Promised Land.
This plan of the Lord was the fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham, the Abrahamic Covenant. A covenant is a personal relationship between the Lord and another or others, in this case Abraham’s progeny, the Israelites. A personal relationship entails knowing a person’s personal name. Hence when we see LORD, we should train ourselves to immediately recognize that covenant and personal relationship is involved.
Ahab and all those who practice idolatry are out of relationship with the LORD. They don’t know Him personally, so using His personal name is awkward and inappropriate on their part.
His name is higher than any other. Even though Ramoth-gilead was the heights of Gilead, God’s personal name is far far higher than Ramoth. We cannot rise higher than the name Jesus, dear friends. His name is special. It is precious. His name along with He Himself is HIGH above all else.
Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ personally? If you don’t, it is inappropriate for you to use His personal name, and it should be awkward to you if you did so.
I know the solution. Why not call on the Lord Jesus right this moment? Confess your sins to Him, ask Him to forgive you and be your Savior and Lord. Then spend time alone with Him daily, reading and musing over His Word and talking to Him in prayer. You’ll get to know Him real well in no time flat. And you’ll never be the same again.
So what are you waiting for already?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
