MIME-Version: 1.0 Date: Tue, 26 Mar 1996 08:33:18 +-100 Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel From: Teus Benschop Subject: ChrExp, The Scriptures opened, 76 To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP Contents ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Leviticus 6:9 - The perpetual fire 2. Jeremiah 31:11 - Jacob redeemed 3. Revelations 5:12 - The slain Lamb glorified 1. Leviticus 6:9 - The perpetual fire ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Weekly reading: Leviticus 6 - 8 Leviticus 6:9 Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it. We read in the law that the fire on the altar should burn always and ever. After God has lighted the fire in the beginning, the priests should care that the fire burns always, and never goes out. "It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning". The fire must burn always. "The fire of the altar shall be burning in it." "The fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning", Lev. 6:12. "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out", Lev. 6:13. This fire on the altar was not kindled by the priests, but by God Himself. The first fire upon the altar came from heaven. "And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces" Lev. 9:24. Of this fire the priests should take care, to keep that up continually. They had to toil in that every day. Every morning, they should lay new wood upon it, that the fire might continue burning. We have this continual fire as an example before us. Let we always and ever feed our holy affections, comparable to this fire. Let we take care that our fire of love never goes out. This requires toil, every morning, and every day. Let also the fire of our holy affections not go out in the nights, but let it burn always and ever. Let the exercise of our faith and love, of our prayer and praise, be without ceasing. We know how much we come short of this. We, weak people, carnal, earthly minded, always keep up the fire of our affections for ourselves, and for all kinds of worldly things, but how is it with our holy love and zeal? In the most cases, it not only has gone out during the nights, but also during the days, weeks and months. We forget God, and spend not much toil in keeping up the fire of love towards God. We do all what lays in our might to feed our worldly affections, but who is there that spends his labour in loving God, continually? We should shame ourselves, because our fire has gone out. It is quenched by the waters of the world. Our pleasures act as rain, that extinguish the fire on the altar. And we forget to supply new wood, to keep up the fire. Who is there that spends much time in meditations about God, in reading Scripture to keep the fire burning, and in all other kinds of the service of God? Who is there, that, like Daniel and David, often prays? David arose even at night, to pray to God. "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgements", Ps 119:62. Therefore, readers, let we mend our ways, and keep up the fire, from now on and henceforth. It requires toil, and lazy people are unfit for this. Jesus gave us the example that we always should pray. He Himself spent much time on the mountain, and elsewhere, to pray to His heavenly Father. We read also of Him that "He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint", Luke 18:1. He wished to teach us, by this parable, that we should pray always. Then God will hear. Let the fire of prayer burn always. Also Paul the apostle, repeatedly says that he prayed always and ever. "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you", Col 1:3. "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers", 1 Thess 1:2. "Wherefore also we pray always for you,", 2 Thess 1:11. "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord," 2 Thess 2:13. "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers," Philemon 1:4. Paul, the faithful apostle and preacher of the gospel, kept his fire always burning. Through God's grace he always found wood enough to keep up his fire of prayer. The apostle admonishes us to praise God continually. He compares this with the offerings. "Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name", Heb 13:16. Another apostle, namely Peter, kept up always the fire of his work in the service of God. It was his task to teach the people, according to the command given him by Christ Himself. Go to all nations, and teach them to keep the things I have commanded you, said Jesus. Peter, being a faithful apostle, obeyed this command. He was always toiling in the fire of his calling, to keep that burning. He always taught the people, and took care that they would be taught, even after his death. "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance", 2 Pet 1:12-15. 2. Jeremiah 31:11 - Jacob redeemed ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Once Israel was, because of its sins, driven in exile. They were driven off to Babylon. Their enemies, being cruel, killed them, and ill-treated them. But here the prophet says that Jacob is redeemed by the LORD. "The LORD has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he". It is a prophecy. The prophet says that Jacob already - is - redeemed, but it was yet to happen. But he was so sure thereof, that he not said "Jacob will be redeemed from all their enemies that ill-treated them", but he says "Jacob already IS redeemed". The prophet, through faith in God, saw it before him as if it already had happened. Yes, my people, though you are downcast at present, yet your redemption is coming. You soon will be redeemed, nay, you - are - already redeemed, because so sure is it. The LORD will not forget you for always, but He will come and ransom you from the hand of them that are stronger than you. "The LORD hath redeemed Jacob". God HAS redeemed Jacob, though he presently is in exile, under the hands of the oppressors. The LORD has redeemed his people, that is, surely, Christ will redeem his people. It is so sure that Christ will redeem us, that it is as if it already has happened. Is there anyone doubting whether God is willing to redeem him? Let me tell you then, with this prophet: "The LORD has redeemed Jacob", so why should He not redeem you? Everyone that is heavy laden, and oppressed by the adversaries, cast down by all kinds of adversity, listen: God has redeemed Jacob. God has done it then, and He remains the same. Therefore, also in this time He will redeem His people. There were people that were stronger then Jacob, but God has ransomed him from their hand. "The LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he." It may be that our enemies are stronger then we, but yet the LORD is the strongest of all. Nobody will be able to resist Him. When He comes to redeem Jacob, then every enemy must let his captive go. Maybe that he does this unwillingly, but yet he will do it, because God is stronger than him. If we are caught by the bonds of satan, then God will deliver us. Satan may keep us captive by his delusions, by his evil thoughts, by his bonds, but God will come, and overthrow all enemies. "Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him", Isa 40:10. Our LORD is Ruler of this world. But there is one that has raised himself up, to be the prince of this world. The enemy, who is from this world, and will perish together with it, has a temporal power over all his subjects. But as Jesus said, "Now is the judgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out", Joh 12:31. The prince of this world is stronger then we are, but yet he will be cast out. Not through our own strength, but because it is written: "the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he." Jesus, during his time on earth, everywhere cast out devils. Jesus is the LORD, and is stronger then any adversary. He said "If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you", Matthew 12:28. Those devils had taken possession of somebody. Those devils were stronger then him. But the LORD has ransomed Jacob from the hand of him that was stronger then he. No devil could stand; as soon as Jesus spoke His word of power, they fled. They left their house, and trembled for the Son of God. They knew that their power was limited, because God casts out everybody that thinks he is stronger then God's people. Christ spoiled "principalities and powers", and "he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them", Col 2:15. God redeemed Jacob, who was oppressed by the powers. If then there is anybody that lies under the power of death, and of sin, and of any other power, let him cry to his God for help. Let him cry in faith, repent from his sins which are the cause of his bondage, and God will come. The Lord will redeem you from those that are stronger than you. Let we now listen to David. He prayed a prayer when he was in the cave, Psalm 142. King Saul persecuted David, which was the reason David had to hid himself in the cave. Being persecuted by his enemy, David prayed a prayer. He said: I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. But he also knew that God was with him. David trusted in the LORD. Who else should he trust in? When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. Before he went into the cave, and also during his stay therein, he looked for help. But there was none that saved him. He was alone, left by everybody. Only God was with him (which is enough). I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. When every other refuge failed him, he looked to God for help. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Here you have David's persecutors, who are stronger then he. But we know that "the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he." So, if David's persecutors are stronger then him, that does not mean that his end is at hand. Though our persecutors may be stronger then us, yet our God is the strongest of all. And He will deliver us. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. 3. Revelations 5:12 - The slain Lamb glorified ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Worthy is the Lamb to receive all what is on earth. He is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessing. Who is this Lamb? Who is this honourable Lamb? It is the Lamb that was slain. It is the Lamb of God, given to the world to be slain. "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter", Isa 53:7. This Lamb that is slain, Who is it? It is our Lord, Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God, given to the world, to be offered up in its stead. He is slain, like the lambs of old were slain to be offered up on the altar in the tabernacle and in the temple. However, these lambs of old were not worthy to receive all glory. They also were many, but this lamb is alone. He is worthy to receive all what is on earth. This Lamb is alone, because with His one offering, all other need of offerings ceased. His worth was so high, that, when He was slain, all offerings ceased. The Lamb, that is Jesus Christ, is worthy to receive power. He receives all power, because He is King of kings. He rules His church both on earth and in heaven. He is a mighty King, and dreadful for His enemies. He not only is worthy to receive power, but also all riches. He is the Owner of the earth. The earth, together with the whole universe, is made by Him. He also is worthy to receive all wisdom. There is no wisdom, real wisdom on earth, but that what comes from Him. Christ, being King of kings, should be honoured always and ever. All glory is due to Him. He is the blessed Son of God, Who gave Himself a ransom for His elect. "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever", Rev 5:13,14. Christ was the Lamb that was slain. He Himself was without sin. Yet He was slain. It was not for himself, but for all those that believe and will believe in Him. He was slain, because the reward of sin is death. He poured out His soul into death, not for Himself, but for us, that believe in Him. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life", Joh 3:16. This Lamb, God's beloved Son, is worthy to receive all honour, glory, blessing and power. He gave Himself to be slain for us. Once having done that, He is exalted into the heavens, to be with God. There He receives all glory, together with the Father and the Spirit. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- chr-exp@nic.surfnet.nl "A Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel" Institute Practical Bible-education Web: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/ipbe-home.html Written by Teus Benschop -- t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl ---------------------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/so: s-open-076.txt .