THE RISEN SAVIOR

     Through the Hebrew in Isaiah 52 and 53 we have seen the profoundness of Christ's suffering.  He laid down His life for His sheep.  John 10:11, 15-18.

  He had the power to lay down His life and the power to take it again. Ps. 16:1-11.

We see Jesus talking to His Father, Oh God…preserve me in vs. 1. In vs. 5 He speaks of His inheritance.

   Beloved, what is His inheritance?  Hebrews 12:2……Who for the "joy" that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. What are your thoughts when you

realize you are His inheritance…you are His joy?

   I was also thinking about inheritance. What if you were given a ring or watch of value as your inheritance, but someone sold it to a pawn shop? You would go and buy that inheritance back…you would redeem it. And that is what Jesus did for us He paid the price to buy us back, "His inheritance": back for Himself. He redeemed us. He is our Redeemer. 1 Peter 1: 18-22.

  Back to Ps. 16: 10-11. His body would not see corruption.  The Father God would show Him the Path of Life….Resurrection.

   PRAISE GOD HE IS RISEN!!!

  Think of the faith it took for Him to go through all His suffering. To lay His life down, believing He had the power to take it back. Believing His Father would preserve Him and show Him the Path of Life. Believing that it was worth it all so He could have you and me as His sheep…His children. (First of all, what faith it took for Him to become a seed in Mary's womb; live a human life; knowing He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth.)  The faith it took for Him to face the enemy in the wilderness: so He could be our faithful High Priest, who understands all our weaknesses and temptation…He showed us how to overcome. (We overcome by faith 1 John 5:4-5.)  What faith it took for Him to face the Garden of Gethsemane and to yield to the Father's will. What faith it took to set His face like a flint toward His sufferings.  What faith it took when He cried "It is finished." And when He said to His Father "Into Your Hands I commit my spirit." No wonder faith pleases Him…He is "Faith"! And He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.

Have you ever thought that it took "Christ's faith" for our salvation?

Now I'm going to ask you a way, far out question…"Does this universe exist because God spoke it into existence "by faith?" Heb. 11:1-3… Rom. 4:17.

In Mark 11:22. Kenneth Copeland says the original interpretation of this is "Have the faith of God."

blown by the wind

resurrection flower

The Rock and Galaxy

                                                               THE ATONEMENT

   1 John 2:1-2 He is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The whole world! What are your thoughts?

   God gave His Son because He so loved the "world."

    The Day of Atonement is one of the 7 "Feasts of the Lord." It was celebrated on the 10th day of the 7th month. On this day, the high priest took off his priestly garments, put on white linen and entered into the Holies of Holies with the blood of the sacrifice. He took the hot coals from the Bronze Altar (where the sacrifice was made…a type if the cross. Bronze always denotes "judgment." Just as Jesus bore our judgment on the cross.). He put the hot coals in his censor. (Censer "a container in which incense is burned.).  He entered into the Holy of Holies behind the heavy curtain (This was the veil that was tore apart, when Jesus died, opening the way into the Holy of Holies)

When he entered the Holy of Holies, he sprinkled incense on the hot coals in the censer ,and a cloud covered the Mercy Seat. He then sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice on the Mercy Seat and before the Mercy Seat. This made atonement for the children of Israel for their sins. Lev. 16.

    Hebrews 9 1-11 this speaks of the 1st Covenant and the duties of the priests and high priest in the Tabernacle in the wilderness. (Later in the temple)

  Thoughts?

   John 20 1-17.  Notice vs. 17 Jesus said unto Mary, "Touch Me not; for I Am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father and your Father; and to My God and your God."

      Jesus had just risen from the dead.  He is ascending to His Father.

Why do you think He told Mary not to touch Him because He had not ascended to His Father yet?

   These are my thoughts. He had just been resurrected…the pure Lamb of God…He is going to the Holy of Holies, to present Himself and His sacrifice (His atonement), to His God and Father. Hebrews 9:22-25.

   Catch a cloud as we go into Heaven with Him. Hebrews 9:13-14 Jesus offered Himself without spot to God…the blood of Christ (The Anointed One) through the eternal Spirit (The Holy Spirit).  

   He entered the Holy of Holies in Heaven. He entered in, in His Own righteousness (white linen signifies righteousness). The Holy Spirit covered the Mercy Seat (He is the Shekinah Glory of God.). (Remember the censer of the high priest. The coals from the altar where the sacrifice was made…the incense applied to the coals made a cloud over the Mercy Seat.) Jesus, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world…through the Holy Spirit... brought His blood to the Father at the Mercy Seat and made an eternal atonement for you and me. 

Any thoughts?

   Hebrews 10:1-25. When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two; making a way into the Holy of Holies. In vs. 19-20 His flesh was torn so we can enter boldly into the Holiest. Only because of Jesus.

What are your thoughts and comments on being able to enter the Most Holy Place in Heaven? That you are told to come "boldly"?

Have you ever thought you have a Holy Place within you? 1 Cor. 3:16-17 1 Cor 6:19-20. In vs. 17 "he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

   As a child of God the Holy Spirit lives in your spirit.  What an awesome privilege that the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Hug yourself tight, because He is in there…in your spirit.

   We are a royal priesthood. 1 Peter 2:5 and 9. Rev. 1:5-6. Jesus has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father…

What are your thoughts…emotions…about being made a king and a priest…being made royalty?  Are there any words?

WHAT IS TRUE PROSPERITY?

RETURN TO CANAAN…PROSPERED BY JEHOVAH

Gloria Phifer

Genesis 13:1-18. Abram has prospered. Is it God's will that we prosper?

Deut 29:9, Joshua 1:8, Ps 1. (In both of these last scriptures it speaks of meditating on the Word.)  What are your thoughts? When you meditate on the Word and obey it, your way will be prosperous and have good success. And you will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. You will bring forth fruit "in his season" (sow-Time-harvest.) Whatever you do will prosper.

   I had a dream one night. I saw a beautiful, mature tree. It was covered with leaves. Hanging from the tree were thick, gold ovals. One of the gold ovals turned and a light shone on it.  Peace was written on the jewel. This scripture, Ps. 1, came to me and also Galatians 5:22…the fruit of the Spirit. Years later I painted a picture of what I had seen.

   As we stay in the Word it renews our mind, it prospers our thinking. Rom. 12:2, Eph. 4:23.-24. To meditate. Meditate in Hebrew is "hagah"(daw-gaw)".To murmur (in pleasure or anger.) To ponder, imagine, meditate, mutter, roar, speak, study, talk, utter. To roar, growl, groan. To utter, speak. To meditate, devise, muse, imagine. To mutter or utter..." (If you can worry…you can meditate.)

   As we've seen before: the Word also washes us. Eph 5:26.

    3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." Greek for prosper "erodoo" (-yoo-od-o-o)."To help on the road. Succeed in reaching. Figuratively: to succeed in business affairs: - have a prosperous journey. Prosper in Hebrew "tsaclach(-tsaw-lakh)" To push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive): Break out, come (mightily) go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper (ity,-ous-ously.) To rush. To advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, and be profitable. To make prosperous, bring to successful issue, cause to prosper. To show or experience prosperity. Prosper.

    One of my favorite scriptures: Ps. 35:27. Let the Lord be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.

   What are your thoughts on the Lord having pleasure in your prosperity? Are you surprised? The Israelites prayed for prosperity Ps. 118:25.

    (It was interesting…I was wondering why we were studying prospering? I turned on a video by Joseph Prince and he was speaking on God wanting to prosper us…the Tree planted by the water in Ps. 1. And meditating on God's word…so ladies looks like we're on the right track.)

    Gen. 13:5-11. Not only has Abram prospered but so has his nephew Lot.  There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot's herdsmen.

What was Abram's solution to this problem?

Abram did not want any strife between him and Lot. In your opinion what was his concern about strife?

   Joyce Meyer says that strife is dangerous. Why is strife dangerous?  How should we handle strife? Matt. 5:9 blessed are the peacekeepers. What do we do if the other person does not want peace? Romans 12:18.

  Why do you think Abram gave Lot the choice of land? Vs.8-13.

   Vs. 14:-18. Why did the Lord speak to Abram at this time and renew His promises?

   This land was given to Abram and his descendents…an Everlasting Covenant.

   He is to walk the length and breath of the land.  Ps. 37:23. (Put it under his feet as his possession from God.)  In Mamre' Abram made another altar. "Hebrew for Mamre =strength or fatness. An oak grove on Mamre's land in Palestine where Abraham dwelt. A place near Abraham's burial place apparently identified with Hebron."

    We don't know much about Lot. He is Abrams nephew. He has chosen the land toward Sodom and Gomorrah. He has pitched his tent toward Sodom.  Lot has chosen to go toward an evil place. In the next chapter we find that he has moved into Sodom. In the Old Testament we do not have a glimpse of his relationship with the Lord.

    We won't read all of chapter 14… but there was a big battle Chedorlaomer the King of Elam with four other kings came against the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Chedorlaomer was a Persian king. Five kings had served Chedorlaomer for 12 years now they rebel and there is war.  Lot and his family were captured along with others that lived in Sodom and Gomorrah.

. Vs. 11-17. We see from vs. 12 that Lot had been living in Sodom. (Why didn't he stay in the plains of Jordan?) What happened to his herds and herdsmen? His prosperity that he had with Abram?  We find Lot again in 2 Peter 2:6-9. Here Lot is called a righteous man. He is a mystery to me. He and his family (except his wife who turned to salt when she looked back) were delivered when the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

    In Gen 14 14-16…With Jehovah on his side, Abraham and 318 of his trained servants defeated the enemy and rescued Lot. Abraham was a warrior! With God on his side who could ever stand against him? Romans 8:31.With God on our side who can ever stand against us?

   Gen 14:17-24. King of Sodom wants to reward Abram. But Abram will take nothing from him. The King of Sodom's name was Bera…Hebrew for "son of evil." Birsha was King of Gomorrah; his name means "with iniquity."

    The King of Salem is a wonderful mystery. He arrives after Abram has had this victory.  His name is Melchizedek, King of Salem ( later known as Jerusalem). He is a type of Christ. He brings bread and wine to Abram (to me this is a type of communion.) He is also a Priest. (Later, under the law, it was unlawful to be a priest and a king. Only One holds both titles… The Messiah …Jesus King of Kings and our High Priest.) Under the Law: Levites were priests (the tribe of Levi) and Kings came from the tribe of Judah. Melchizedek was a priest of the Most High God before the law was ever given. He was high priest before there were any tribes of Israel. He had the position to bless…he blesses Abram of the Most High God (Elyone), Possessor of heaven and earth.

Abram gave a tithe to this priest. (I believe this was the first tithe given). 7:1-4. Melchisedec was a priest before the tribes of Levi became priests. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah  Heb.7 vs. 14-28. What are your thoughts about Jesus being a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec?   I love the end of vs. 16…Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.  (Yea! Jesus lives forever as our High Priest.)

    Jesus is our High Priest Heb. 4:14-17. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. What thoughts and feelings do you have about Jesus being touched by our situations? I don't know about you, but I need to be more aware of how much He cares about my everyday life...my weeknesses...my cares...everything that concerns me. To me this is so huge! Lord, help me to grasp it and hold unto that truth.

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and our High Priest.

What are your feelings about being able to come boldly to the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy and grace in a time of need?

Hebrews 5:1-10. No one takes this honor unto himself…He is called of God to be High Priest forever. How do you feel when you realize that Jesus Christ, The Anointed One, suffered to become our High Priest…The One Who paid the price for our redemption?

   There is no record of where Melchisedec originated. He was a priest before the priesthood of Levi. Jesus has established a New Covenant. His Priesthood is not under the law but He is the Mediator of the New Covenant. Heb. 9:11-15. Eternal inheritance. "What does this mean to you to know you Have this eternal inheritance?  Heb 7:19-27. Jesus is our Faithful High Priest. Hebrews 2:14-18

 Heb. 9:11-28. In the Tabernacle and the Temple, once a year, on the Day of Atonement; the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies (dressed only in white linen (representing righteousness) and presented the blood on the Mercy Seat. A cloud of incense from his censor (filled with coals from off the altar where the sacrifice had been made) covered the Mercy seat.)

    The blood of Jesus, through the Eternal Spirit (To me this would be the Shekinah Glory Cloud…The Holy Spirit) offered Himself, without spot (as the perfect Lamb of God) to God. From this offering of His blood, our conscience is washed, so we can serve the Living God.  He entered the Holy of Holies in Heaven and through the Eternal Spirit He presented His blood and Himself at the Mercy Seat of God for you and me. He is our Atonement. Romans 3:23-26 and 1 John 2:1-2.

    There is a big word for atonement in King James…It is propitiation…this happened on the Day of Atonement once a year.  Propitiation in Greek "especially the lid of the Ark (in the Tabernacle or Temple) Mercy Seat-propitiation. Relating to an appeasing-expiating - used of the cover of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies which was sprinkled with the blood of the expiatory victim on the annual Day of Atonement. (This rite signifying that the life of the people-the loss, of which they had merited by their sins, was offered to God in the blood as the life of the victim and that God by this ceremony was appeased and their sins expiated.); hence the lid of expiation - the propitiatory."

 Hebrews 7:25…..He ever lives to make intercession for them.  (He is interceding for you and me.)  Hebrews 5:10-14…

     I think what we have been studying today is strong meat. A lot to chew on. Remember Jesus is interceding for you and me….our wonderful High Priest

Who has sprinkled His blood upon the Mercy Seat for you and me.

    We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony Rev. 12:11

   Rev. 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  (Even so…Come Lord Jesus.).

STAND STILL AND BELIEVE

'God's eye view': Artist uses Google Earth images to recreate parting of the Red Sea

BETWEEN THE ENEMY AND THE SEA
by Gloria Phifer

        We are going to visit the children of Israel. They have been in bondage for 430 years. The Lord had plagued Pharaoh and Egypt with ten plagues.   The Israelites were eating the Passover (A lamb for one household.) the blood of the lamb had been applied to the doorposts of their homes. The Israelites were covered when the plague of death entered Egypt and killed all the first born of Egypt.  When the Israelites left Egypt they were full of the lamb.

       How does this apply to us today? Is the Blood of Jesus on the doorposts of our hearts? Are we full of the Lamb?

       When the enemy knew I had left "Egypt" the enemy's kingdom: the forces of evil came against me. It was like they chased me to the Red Sea. There was an onslaught of fear. The Lord gave me Acts1:8 "You shall receive power (dunimus) after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…" I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the following Sunday night, at the Assembly of God church.  My family thought I had gone over board.  As His new baby, In Christ, the Lord watched over me. Even at that tender age in the Lord, I knew it was an attack of the enemy. In my spirit I knew God would take care of all of it. And He did. That has been over 40 years ago. I was 22 yrs old.

        There is a scripture that means a lot to me. Isaiah 59:19. I have heard Kenneth Copeland say" the comma should not be where it is "and I agree with him…When you move the comma, the scripture takes on a whole different aspect. When people were translating the Bible they added punctuation. If you move the comma it is exciting…" When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Lord will raise up a standard against him."  The Lord raises up the flood against the enemy. The Lord gave me a visual one night about lying on the water. He said "When you rest, and don't strive, the water will bear you up." He also showed me, that as I rested, the water was so powerful it would move all things into place. I had a life visual, right after that, with the 1993 flood. We went to Saylorville.  The 100 yr flood had moved huge boulders and cut new grooves in the land. That is how powerful a flood is.

Think about the power of the Holy Spirit as a flood.

       Exodus 14:1-14. The Lord led the children of Israel to the Red Sea on purpose.

Have you had any Red Sea experiences lately, with the enemy coming at you?

Why does the Lord allow us to come to a Red Sea where it looks like it is impossible? 

       The Lord wants to be our Only Solution. He wants to show Himself Mighty on our behalf. 2 Chronicles 16:9."For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him."

       Remember when Moses said to Pharaoh "The Lord (Jehovah) says, "Let my people go!" Pharaoh answered, "I know not this Lord (Jehovah.) (Ex. 5:2.)

       Ex. 14: 4…The Egyptians will know that I AM the Lord!  (Jer. 9:23-24. We can glory in the Lord because we know Him. )

        The Pharaoh's called themselves gods. They were worshipped by their people.  They, themselves, were idol worshippers. After 10 plagues, even losing their first born, they still had not acknowledged that Jehovah is LORD.

       This is Israel's first test.  The Egyptians are coming from behind and the Red Sea is before them. They can't run forwards are backwards…they see no escape. In their fear they turn on Moses.

       I have been through tests and trials where I have said to the Lord…"Deliver me out of this!"  The answer has almost always been…"Go through."

       Had to go through lately?

       Isaiah 43:1-4.  When you go through, I will be with you. (He always promises "Going Through.")

       We are still looking at commands: "Be still…Rest…TRUST."

       The Lord will bring us through. He brings us to the preface… we are looking over the cliff….how will we ever get across? The chasm is wide…at these times we realize how helpless we are.  Our only hope is to Trust, Be Still and See the Salvation of the Lord. Vs.13. Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  These enemies they will never see again.

Are there some enemies you never want to deal with again? Why does the Lord always command "Fear Not?"  Do we see that as a command?  Why does He command that we be still? Do we even realize these are commands?

 When humans come up against problems one of the things they want to do is flee. But what is the Lord saying to do?

                   Vs.14 "The Lord shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace."

How do we hold our peace? Ps. 55:18…delivered in peace. Ephesians 6:10-18. Having done all to stand…STAND THEREFORE. In the Armor of God.

       1 Samuel 17:45-47.  When David, a young shepherd boy, came against the giant he proclaimed…"The battle is the Lord's."

Do we let the Lord fight the battle? When the enemy is bigger then we are, and we are no match for them, do we stand still…hold our peace and let the Lord fight the battle?

What do you do when your flesh is screaming…"what are you going to do?"

       Exodus 14:14…We must believe the Lord will fight for us. He is fighting on our behalf.

Do we know the Lord is a Man of War? Ex. 15:3. Deut.1:30, Deut 3:22, Do we know the Lord of Hosts is The Lord of Heaven's armies? Malachi3:1...

Are we trusting and letting the Lord fight our battles?

       I had a dream one night. I saw the Lord. (in this dream he had short hair, but I knew He was the Lord.) He was sitting in a chair. He was dressed in fatigues. I knew He was in war because there were tanks behind Him. He looked straight at me. What came to me was "God of war". And then I woke up. I looked in my Bible and in the Topics I found "God of battles." The impression from my dream was, even though there was a war, He was seated…resting…The battle is won…it is Finished. He finished it at the cross. John 19:30. 

Are we standing in the finished work of the cross?  You may ask "what is my part in this battle?" The good fight of faith. 1 Tim. 6:12. Describe how faith can be a battle.

  2 Timothy 4:7-8 Paul says he has fought a good fight…he has kept the faith…now a crown of righteousness is in heaven waiting for him. What does it mean to keep the faith?  The Armor we have on is the finished work of the cross.

       Jesus is sitting at the Right Hand of God till his enemies are made a footstool. Heb 10:11-14.  (In vs. 11.Every earthly priest that ministered in the Tabernacle or Temple could not sit down…their work was never finished. Jesus work is finished and He, as our High Priest, is seated.)

       Ex. 14:15" Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward."  Forward?  Into the Red Sea?

       Ex.14 Vs.19-20 I love that the Pillar of the Cloud came between the Egyptians and the children of Israel…The Cloud was darkness to the enemy and light to Israel. They were hidden from their enemies.

       Have you ever thought that the presence of God is Light to us and darkness to our enemies?   What a wonderful thought.  Hid: Ps 31:20, Ps 32:7, Ps 119:114, Eph 5:13-14, Col. 3:3, Ps. 138:7. Do you think about being hidden from the enemy?

       Many of the analogies of the Lord are places to hide…Refuge, fortress, Stronghold, Rock.  Isaiah 32:1-2. As the pillar was a shield for the people of Israel, the Lord is a Shield for us.Ps.3:3.

Do you think that in their fear and panic, the children of Israel realized they were being protected and delivered? Do we, in our panic and fear, realize the Lord is protecting, delivering and working on our behalf?  "Here is the battle of faith."

       Ex.14:21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night…

       He made the sea dry land.  I love in vs. 22 they walked across upon the dry ground and the waters were walls on each side of them. (Could they feel the moisture from the walls?)

How cool would that be to have walls of water on each side of you?

       Ex. 14:23-31.  When the people saw that great work the Lord had done...they feared and believed the lord.  Was it only after they saw that they believed?

       Is the Lord calling us to believe before we see? The Work of God that He wants from us always amazes me…John 6:28-29. John 20:24-29.  He wants belief before sight.  Genesis 15:6…Abraham believed in the Lord and He counted it to him for righteousness.

 Hebrews 11:10 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. To believe before we see.  Heb. 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that comes to God must believe that HE IS and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

       BELIEVE GOD EVEN WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE! HAVE FAITH IN GOD!

STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.

Exodus 14:24-31. The Lord fought for them. In vs. 31. Israel saw the great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord and believed

The Lord and His servant Moses. (After they saw the great work, then they feared and believed…just like Thomas.) John 20:29….Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Vs. 30-31…These things are written that you might Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His Name.

The work God calls us to is…Believing in Christ.

.   

                                                                             

WAITING ON THE PROMISES

Isaiah 40: 31 …They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

WAITING ON THE PROMISES

Gloria Phifer

Ps 27:14 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.

Hebrew for wait...gavah…to bind together perhaps by twisting. To expect…look patiently, tarry, wait for or upon. Look up. Hope. To wait or look eagerly.

       We are going to be looking at Abraham and how he waited upon the Lord for the promises to be fulfilled.

       Blessed are those who wait …wait in expectation.  Just as you wait when you are expecting a child. At first you can not see or feel what is inside of you.  You trust.  You plan. You confess, "I'm expecting." A tiny fluttering movement…listening to the heartbeat through the doctor's stethoscope (now there are ultra sounds). For nine months you wait.  Your expectation expands and has movement and activity. The day of delivery…pain that is soon forgotten…because your expectation has arrived for you to see...to hold…and to love. So are the promises of God.  Believe…you are expecting and they will come to fruition. (To full maturity.)  Ps 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. Is 30:18. Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him.

       Webster dictionary "Wait...to stay for. To stop until the arrival of person or event; to attend to a table. To be expecting. An act, a period of waiting.

What are your thoughts on waiting? Why is waiting important to God? Why are we blessed as we wait on God? What does waiting do for us? Why do you think God waits?

THE COVENANT GOD

MOVING OUT IN FAITH

       I was going to skip over Abraham and go on to the Name Hagar (his second wife) gave God. ("El-Roi...the God Who sees me" }But, how can you overlook Abraham…it's impossible. Abraham believed the promises of God and it was counted unto him as righteousness.

       Abraham was a descendant of Shem (Noah's son). Abram was from Ur of the Chaldees. It was located in Babylonia…they worshipped the moon as god. Abram was called by God to leave the Babylonia system. LASB "Abram grew up inUr of the Chaldeans, an important city in the ancient world. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of a flourishing civilization there in Abram's day. The city carried on an extensive trade with its neighbors and had a vast library. Growing up in Ur, Abram was probably well educated." Abrams father, Terah took his family and was headed for Canaan; they stopped in Haran and settled there…Terah died. (Terah was headed in the right direction but he never made it to Canaan.} The name Terah in Hebrew means "Delay."

What are your thoughts about Terah already heading for Canaan? Why do you think he settled in Haran?

       Gen 12:1-9.

       "Pack up Sarai; we're getting out of here.  Oh by the way, we'll need all the tents. We're camping out for the rest of our lives.  Not sure where we're going, but when we get there the Lord will show me." Abram was 75 years old.

       As I thought about the tents and being a nomad…I remembered Hebrews 11:8-10

Abram left Haran by faith.  Abram was not looking for an earthly city. Abraham was looking for a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. Col. 3:1-4.  Heb. 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please God. We must believe that HE IS and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

       Why do you believe faith is so important to God? Why does it please Him?

Do we realize and live as we are only strangers passing through this land? Are we looking (expectantly) for the City designed and built by God? The Heavenly Jerusalem.

       Canaan in Hebrew - Kna'an-ken-ah-an…means humiliated. A son of Ham. Lowland.  

 Gen 12:1-4 8 when they came to Canaan He built an altar unto the Lord in Canaan. Bethel was on the west and Ha'i was on the east.  Bethel - Hebrew- beyth-El…"House of God". A place in Palestine. Ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on the border of Benjamin, (tribes of Israel, sons of Jacob).   Hai on the east - Hai Hebrew -'ay- "ah'ee"  Place in Palestine…"heap of ruins.

What are your thoughts when you see that he built an altar at the place of…"House of God on one side …and heap of ruins on the other side?

LASB "Altars symbolized communion with God and commemorated notable encounters with Him. Built of rough stones and earth, altars often remained in place for years as continual reminders of God's protection and promises. Building altars helped Abram remember that God was the center of his life.

Built any altars lately? What would an altar in your life mean to you?

       He called on The Name…Hebrew-Shem-" The Name as designation of God. Reputation, fame, glory." Of the Lord…"Jehovah. "He called … call in Hebrew-"quara"…Through the idea of accosting a person met. To call out to. To properly address by name. Invite. Proclamation. To call out, recite, cry out, proclaim, utter a loud sound. To call unto (for help) Call with the Name of God."

 Has there been a time when you called on the Name of God (Jesus) with a loud sound?

        Abram left the place of his altar and traveled south (towards Egypt). A famine was in the land. (vs. 10) up to this point Abram has walked by faith in the promises of God.  Now, because of the famine, he leaves Canaan and goes down to Egypt. (Egypt is a type of the world. In Exodus we see it was the central system of the known world at that time.)  Vs. 11.  He was in fear. He was afraid the Egyptians would kill him because Sarai was so beautiful. I do not see any place where the Lord told him to leave Canaan.  While he was in Canaan, even though the Canaanites were in the land, he was not afraid; he was in faith, and now that he enters Egypt he is fearful.

 Are there times when we go to the world for our source instead of God? 

What are you thoughts on Abram building an altar to God and then when things look rough he goes to Egypt? Can you identify?

What happens when we get out of faith and we fear?                                                      

One antidote for fear…Ps. 23:4 He is with us…fear not!

Gen 12:14-17. It amazes me that Abram ends up with gifts and possessions from Pharaoh.  They were escorted out of the country.   "Back to Canaan Abram."

Are you amazed that even when you blow it, God's favor is still on you? I am.

       One of the things I love about the Bible, we see great men of faith, but God lets us see their weaknesses too.

       Gen. 13:1-4. Abram returned to the altar he had made before he left Canaan. He returned to his real source Lord God…Jehovah. Can you identify?

       In Isaiah 30:1-21 Israel has an enemy...the Assyrians. Israel was going to go to Egypt and to Pharaoh for their help. They were not listening to the Lord. The Lord says in vs. 7 "Their strength is to sit still". In other words "Wait on the Lord." They are rebellious to the Lord they want "human help". The Lord is warning them.  Vs. 15 What the Lord wants is for Israel to return and rest (in Jehovah) then they would be saved. In quietness and in confidence would be their strength (quietness and confidence in God) but they would not. They are determined to go to Egypt and Pharaoh for help. Vs18 Blessed are they that wait for Him. He will answer their cry even though the Lord has given them the bread of adversity and the waters of affliction…yet, He will keep on teaching them. The Lord should be the One we look to in every situation…not the world.

       There is a lovely book called "Hinds Feet on High Places". Each time little "Much Afraid" has a test she builds an altar to her Shepherd. She picks up a stone and puts it in her pocket.  At the end of the journey when she pours out the stones they have become Gems.  Her tests had turned into jewels. Have you had any tests where you have had to lay your heart on the altar?

Beloved one...trust in the promises of God. Wait on Him and He will act on your behalf.

  

THE HIDDEN POLISHED SHAFT

Isaiah 1:1 "Listen, O isles, unto Me and hearken, ye people from far…"

He is speaking to a people who do not know Him. To Gentiles who live at the ends of the earth. They have not known the Covenant of Abraham…This message is to them.

            Jesus is speaking Is. 49:1-16. The Lord (Jehovah) has called Him from His mother's womb and made mention of His Name. "Called in Hebrew is "quara" accosting a person, to call out to, properly, address by, bidden, call (for, forth) cry unto, be famous, invite, give Name, preach (make), proclaim (-ation) pronounce, publish, renowned, to call, cry, utter a loud sound. To call unto, cry (for help) Call with Name of God, to summon, invite, call and commission."

            Jesus had a "call" on Him. A summons, a commission.  Only He, as the Lamb of God, could fulfill His calling. (He was called from His mother's womb to fulfill His destiny.)

            Is.49:1…And made mention of His Name. Matt 1:21. "She shall bring forth a Son and you shall call HIS NAME JESUS: For He shall save His people from their sins."Jesus in Greek goes back to the original Hebrew word which means "Jehovah saves." "Yehowshua (yeh-ho-shoo'ah) Joshua. It comes from the Hebrew word "Yasha" (yaw-shah). A primary root…to be open, wide or free. To be safe, and bring ( having) salvations, Save(iour), Get Victory!"

            This touches my heart so much…my Savior…Jesus.

            Isaiah 49:2. He has made my mouth like a sharp sword…Hebrews 4:12. Rev. 1:16-17. Here we find another Name             I AM THE ALPHA AND OMEGA…THE FIRST AND THE LAST.  Vs, 8…ALPHA AND OMEGA. THE BEGINNING AND THE END saith The Lord (Jesus is Lord) which was and which is and which is to come THE ALMIGHTY.  (Remember in Genesis "El" (Elohim and Elyone) meant Almighty. Rev. 19:15 "Out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword…"Through this sharp sword (The Word of God) He will rule the nations.  (Even to the ends of the earth.)

            Isaiah 49:2. In this passage we find two "hid". I found it fascinating that they are two different words and yet they emphasize one another…compounding the meaning.

            In the shadow of His Hand He has hid me…Hid here is Hebrew "chaba" Held, hide (self) do secretly, to be hidden... KJV> "In the shadow of His Hand hath He hid Me…Shadow in Hebrew "tsel" shade, literal or figurative: defense. Shade (-ow) Shadow (on dial) shade as protection. Shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life) from "tsalal" a primary root through the idea of hovering over." (In Genesis the Spirit of God hovered over).

            When I saw "on dial" I thought of time.  He was hidden until time for Him to be revealed.

            Is 49:2…And made Me a polished shaft (arrow); in His quiver hath He hid Me.

This second "hid" (hidden in the quiver) is "cathar" ( saw-thar) To hide by covering. Keep close, conceal, hide, and keep Secret. To hide carefully. To be hidden carefully, be concealed -arrow case.  In LASB version "Hid Me in the shadow of His Hand I AM a sharp arrow in His quiver.

            Jesus, as the polished shaft (arrow) was hid in His Father's quiver…Hebrew..."ashpah" (ashpaw) in the sense of covering. A quiver or arrow-case.

            God the Father kept Him and hid Him as His Secret Weapon. In the fullness of time the Father brought Him from His mother's womb and named Him. Jesus mouth was like a sharp sword (The Word of God…He is the Word made flesh).

            He was the hidden mystery of God. 1 Cor. 2:5-8 He was the Polished Arrow shot into the heart of the enemy.

            Is. 49:3…He is the Servant in Whom God is glorified. Mark 10:45. The Son of Man came to minister.

            He came to Israel as a suffering Messiah. As Shiloh. Coming gently, lowly, riding on a colt. The Son of David. He had shown the work of His Father…the miracles, deliverances, healings, and teachings. He gave His life. On the cross He cried, "It is finished!"

            Yet Israel was not gathered to Him. Matt. 23:37-39, Luke 19:41-44…He wept over the city. John 1:11 He came unto His own but they received Him not.

            Is. 49:4-5 He feels like He has labored in vain because Jacob (Israel) has not been gathered to Him. Yet He is glorious in the eyes of the Lord (His Father, Jehovah). Let us look one more time at the prophesy given to Judah in Gen. 49:10…"Until Shiloh come and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be".

            There were many in Israel who did believe in Him. But the Priests and leaders and most of the tribes did not believe in him.  They were not gathered to Him.

            Jesus Himself, gave a prophesy concerning the temple in Jerusalem that Israel was so proud of…Mark 13:1..2 Jesus answering said until him "See these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down." Luke 23:28 "Jesus turning unto them said, daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me but weep for yourselves, and your children." Luke 19:44. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." Greek for visitation "episcope" inspection (for relief) by implication, superintendence. Visitation. Investigation. The act by which God looks into and searches out the ways, deeds, character, of men in order to adjudge them their lot accordingly. Whether joyous or sad. Oversight, overseer ship, office, charge, the office of an elder." It came from another word."episkeptomai" ep-ee-skep, middle voice. To go to see, look out, visit. To look upon or after, to inspect, examine with the eyes. To look upon in order to help or to benefit. To look after, have care for, provide for: of God."

            What do you think when you see that they did not know the time of their visitation?

To me it means they missed the Messiah…He had come as Shiloh…as a suffering Messiah not as the conquering King they had been looking for.

Here is a question? Did the rejection of their Messiah (He came unto His own and His own received Him not) bring judgment?  According to the word we just studied did the visitation of Christ, an act of God, look into the character of man?" The Father gave His Son with good will (as the angels sang).

            In 70 AD Israel would be scattered around the world. They, as a people, would suffer much. (We will talk about this later.)

            Is 49:6 It is a light thing…Hebrew galal (kaw-lal) a primary root- causatively, make light, small, easy, trifling, be of little account. Be insignificant.

            Now He will give Jesus for a Light to the Gentiles. He will be Jehovah's Salvation unto the ends of the earth. 

 Salvation…Hebrew "yshuw'ah" (yesh-oo-aw)…something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity, health, help, salvation, save, saving, welfare. Salvation of God. Victory!"

Unto the ends of the earth! (Remember the Isles.) Romans 9:23-25. Children of the Living God. John 1:12 to those who believe in His Name gave He power to become the sons of God.

            John 10:14-18 other sheep would be brought into His fold. There are two words for fold here…the "other fold" is "aule" and it means a yard (as open to the wind) sheep fold. An uncovered space around the house…a roofless enclosure." I thought of "no covering". These sheep will be brought into Jesus fold "poimne" (poym-nay) a flock of sheep. Of Christ's flock. The body of those who follow Jesus as their guide and keeper."

            John 10:16 they will hear (Greek " akouo" (ak-oo-o) to hear. Give audience. Come to the ears. Shall hear (er -ken) understand. To be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf. To hear. To attend to. Consider what is or has been said. Perceive the sense of what is said. To perceive by the ear what is announced in one's presence. To get by hearing (Faith comes by hearing the Word of God), learn. To give ear to a teaching or a teacher. To comprehend." John 10:25-29.  His sheep hear His Voice.

            Hear My Voice "(Greek for voice -phone (fo-nay) through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate) saying or language: noise, sound, voice. A sound, a tone. Voice. Of the sound of uttered words. Speech of a language, tongue."

            Is 42:4-7 A Light unto the Gentiles. Matt 4:15-16. He has become our Light and our Salvation to the ends of the earth. Ps 27:1. The Lord is my Light and my Salvation.

            Is 49:7 Thus said the Lord (Jehovah) THE REDEEMER "Hebrew - gall (gaw-al) to redeem (according to the oriental law of kinship. To be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property.) Avenger, deliver purchase, ransom, redeems revenger."

            AND HIS HOLY ONE Hebrew "qadowsh (kaw-doshe) Sacred (ceremonially or morally) as noun -God (by eminence.) Holy One. Sacred, holy, saint, set apart.

            Is 49:7-9 THE REDEEMER AND HIS HOLY ONE…THE MAN, THE MOST HIGH HAS CHOSEN... has been despised, to Him Whom the nation (Israel) abhorred…He will be worshipped.

            Vs.8 The Lord has preserved Him… Preserve...Hebrew "natsar (nawtsar) to guard, to protect, maintain, obey, HIDDEN THING, Keep (er, ing) to guard, watch over. To preserve from dangers. To guard and keep secret. To be kept close, be blockaded. Watchman."

            In Jesus death, when He committed His Spirit into His Father's Hand, the Lord (Jehovah) kept Him. Even when He ascended into hell and took the keys of death and hell from Satan and took the Title Deed of this earth, God kept Him. Jesus trusted His Father that He would not see corruption. Ps. 16:8-11 "I have set the Lord always before Me; because He is at My right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore My Heart is glad, and My glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. For You will not leave My soul in hell; neither will You suffer Your HOLY ONE to see corruption. You will show Me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your Right Hand there are pleasures for evermore." He was RESURRECTED!

            Vs.8 He has been given as a Covenant of the people (Gentiles included) to establish the earth, to cause to inherit desolate heritages. Hebrew for heritages "nachalah (nakh-al-aw') Property, something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, generally an estate, portion, share." Desolate is "shamen" (shaw-mame) to stun, grow numb, devastate, stupefy, make amazed, be astounded, be an astonishment, desolate (ion), waste, to be desolated, be deserted, be appalled. Appalling, causing horror. To cause to be desolate."

            Something had caused their heritages to be desolate…now Christ is giving back their heritages. Now He says…"To say to the prisoners "Go forth-come out of darkness."

            Vs.10 He will lead them by springs of water (Sounds like a Good Shepherd to me.).

Zion

Vs. 14-16 Zion (Israel) says the Lord has forsaken them…they are graven in the palms of His Hands, just as we are. Now He is speaking to Israel. From vs. 14-26. 

In 70 AD His ancient people were scattered around the world. In the 1940's Hitler began an extermination of the Jewish people. Over a million children were killed in the Holocaust.

I have been to the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem and also to Dakau in Germany (a concentration camp) over both of these places there is the heavy stillness of God… awesomeness, as if He is saying "Look what they did to my people…the apple of My eye." A person does not want to speak.  I saw where they were kept and the gas chambers in Germany.

            At the Holocaust museum the art work on the grounds are so moving. They are strong, heart rendering, pieces made of iron or steel. A railroad car, on a track going no where, hangs in the air. I saw stacks of suitcases and shoes. The Jewish people tried to tell their story even on pieces of toilet paper. There is a memorial building for the children. As you pass through the dark, hanging onto the railing, there are stars in the dark. The names of the children who died are spoken over and over again. There are no words when you leave…only silence…stillness.

            On the grounds they have" The Avenue of the Righteous" where a tree is planted for every Gentile who helped the Jewish people.

            To me I felt they were Memorials the Lord had made for His people. To show to the world what had happened to His ancient people.

            Ezekiel 37 1-14. Here is a picture of Israel. They are dried bones in a valley…can they live again? Ezekiel prophesied. The bones came together, flesh covered them. From the four winds breathe came. They lived and stood up and became a great army. The Lord will place them in their land vs. 14.

            I have seen pictures of the holocaust, their bodies; their bones were heaped on top of each other or laid in ditches.

            The Lord puts their bones back together, breaths into them and they become a great army. (Israel has one of the greatest armies in the world). Ez. 37:21

            The "gathering" of Israel began after the Holocaust. They began returning to their promised land. The British were in control of "Palestine." In 1948 Israel became a nation…thanks also to President Truman who endorsed it. So began the fight to possess their land.  Once again the age old animosity between the Son of the flesh -Ishmael and the Son of Promise - Isaac (Israel).  In 1967 the 6th Day war was fought and for the 1st time in 2,000 years Jerusalem belonged to Israel.

            In this passage in Isaiah 49, that we have been reading, it shows the Gentiles helping God's people come back to their land…vs.22. I have seen on television Jewish people arriving on planes from Russia and other countries.

            Israel is gathering. There is coming the gathering to their Messiah. On the Day of Trumpets (One of the Feasts of Israel)…when the Trumpets were blown it was for the gathering of Israel

            ZECH 9:16.

Matt 24:14 And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world and for a witness unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.

           

Hidden mysteries: Romans 11:25-:36, 1 Cor.2:5-8, Col. 1:25-29, Col. 2:2-3, The natural man does not understand the hidden mystery 1 Cor:9-16... . Rev 5:12. Eph 3:8-12. This mystery was hidden in God from the beginning of the world…Who created all things by Jesus Christ. The intent…vs.10 that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.

MAY THE LORD BE PRAISED FOR HIS MANIFOLD WISDOM.