Author: Charlie Garrett

Acts 9:5

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Artwork by Doug Kallerson.

Wednesday, 20 July 2022

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Acts 9:5

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Note: The text of verses 9:5 and 9:6 is different based on original manuscripts, and so your Bible may not match what is presented here:

*And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (ESV)

* And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (NKJV)

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Paul was just shown to have fallen to the ground, and he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting Me?” With that, Luke now records Paul’s response, “And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’”

In the use of “Lord” (Greek: kurios), it is probably not yet to be understood as referring to the Lord, Yehovah, the God of Israel, although by now that may not be out of the question. The same word can be translated in various ways based on the context. For example, in John 4:19, it says, “The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.’” There, the word “Sir” is the same as what Paul now uses.

Paul may, at this time, be thinking it is an angel. Whatever was on his mind, he uses this title to indicate someone in a highly respectful position. With the question asked, the narrative continues, saying, “Then the Lord said.”

The same word, kurios, is used again. This time, it is from Luke’s understanding of who it actually is, and thus it should mentally be considered as “Lord God,” meaning the Lord Jesus. This is seen in the divine response, “I am Jesus.”

The words would have pierced right into Saul’s soul. Here he is, trying to eradicate this very name. He had surely believed the lie of the council that Jesus’ body was stolen –

“Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, ‘Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.’ 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” Matthew 28:11-15

Suddenly, this voice accompanied by the brilliant light has called out that He is alive. The enormity of the moment would never have left Paul’s mind. This was the great transformative event that would change him forever. With this stated, Jesus continues, saying, “whom you are persecuting.”

As with the previous verse, Jesus relays the thought that an attack against His people is an attack against Him. It is personal and it will be reckoned as such on the day of judgment. But Paul is given a mark of grace that will lead to mercy upon him and his previous actions (1 Timothy 1:13). With this stated, Jesus continues, saying, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Here, the word translated as “goads,” kentron, is introduced. It is from kenteo (to prick) and thus it signifies “center,” as in the sharp part of a sting, a thorn, a sharp weapon, and so on. It is used in reference to the sting of bees, scorpions, and so on (see Revelation 9:10). It is also used figuratively as something that stings in the emotions, as in “the sting of death” referred to by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55.

Jesus’ words certainly came from a proverbial expression of the time. It is seen in various ancient Greek writings. The meaning for Paul is that he is acting like a dumb ox that kicks against the goads that are intended to prod him along. Instead of responding positively, he kicks back into the goad itself. A common saying that gives a similar sense is, “You’re only hurting yourself.”

Life application: The Bible has been given as a guide for our lives if we will simply utilize it as such. There are many who simply reject it, and they reject the One who is proclaimed in it. They have no understanding, and they will die apart from God. Others hear the gospel and they come to a saving knowledge of the Lord. But then, they never apply the precepts of the Bible to their lives.

Imagine the state! These people are immature, and they are unwilling to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. Their lives are unproductive, unhappy, and without a sense of direction or purpose. In essence, they spend their lives kicking against the goads (see Ecclesiastes 12:11). God is prodding them to grow up and become responsible members of His church. But they just keep plodding along without faithfully doing as they should. Every time someone says to them, “You really should attend church and start reading your Bible,” they kick against the advice, and their week is miserable.

Or maybe they attend a church that doesn’t properly feed them with the word of God. Instead of being grounded in the hope of Christ, they are told that God wants them to prosper materially. And yet, only the pastor seems to be getting rich. The money that is supposed to be a “seed offering” that will magically multiply in their pockets never does, because it has multiplied in the pockets of these false teachers.

What kind of a follower of Christ will you be? Don’t kick against the goads. God is prodding you to follow Him, to get to know Him, and to act in accord with His expectations for you. These things cannot occur unless you are willing to put Him and His word first in your life. Be wise and study this precious word. Avoid the pains of kicking against His divine will for you!

Lord God, surely things will be a lot better off for us if we will simply apply Your will to our lives. Help us to do so by learning what that will is through a careful study of Your word. May we seek it out all the days of our lives. To Your glory, we pray! Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genesis 11,10-32 (Abraham wird vorgestellt)

Charlie Garrett Deutsch/German

Genesis 11,10-32 (Abraham wird vorgestellt)

In den letzten Wochen haben wir die Sintflut und Noah hinter uns gelassen und sind dann nach Babylon gereist, um zu sehen, wie sich die Welt von Gott entfernt und einem System falscher Religion zuwendet.

In dieser Woche geht die Bibel auf ein Datum vor dieser Zeit zurück, um die Linie von Sem aufzulisten, und etwa auf halbem Weg durch die Namensliste wird die Geschichte von Babel hervorgehoben und wir kamen dadurch zu Sems Ur-Ur-Ur-Enkel Peleg. Schließlich kommen wir heute zu dem großen Helden unseres Glaubens namens Abram oder Abraham.

Bevor wir in die Bibel einsteigen, möchte ich dir etwas über das Land Ur erzählen, in das einige der Nachkommen Sems gezogen sind, welches südlich von Babylon liegt. Es ist das Land, aus dem Abraham herausgerufen wurde, und als er es verließ, hatte die falsche Religion bereits die Oberhand gewonnen.

Es war eine Stadt in Mesopotamien, die auf halbem Weg zwischen der modernen Stadt Bagdad und der Spitze des Persischen Golfs lag. In der Antike floss der Euphrat in der Nähe der Stadtmauern vorbei, und da diese Stadt den Zugang zum Meer kontrollierte, war sie für die Entwicklung des Handels und die Erlangung der politischen Vorherrschaft günstig gelegen.

Es war das wichtigste Zentrum der Verehrung des sumerischen Mondgottes Nanna. Aus dem Gebiet sind drei Dynastien bekannt, die seit ihren frühesten Tagen ihre eigenen Götter verehrten.

Die älteste Dynastie, die auf die Zeit der Flut zurückgeht, baute einen Tempel für die Göttin Ninhursag. Aus diesem Land erhielt Abraham den Ruf, mit seiner Familie in ein Land zu ziehen, das Gott ihm und seinen Nachkommen für immer geben würde: das Land Kanaan, das heute als Israel bekannt ist.

Einleitung:

Die Namen, die wir in den nächsten 30 Minuten oder so durchgehen werden, sind fast ohne jeden Kommentar aufgeführt, aber sie sind aus mehreren Gründen wichtig. Erstens setzen sie die Reihe der Menschen fort, die schließlich das Volk Israel werden und zu Jesus führen.

Sie liefern auch weiterhin Datierungen für das Alter der Welt. Wir wissen, wann etwas geschehen ist, und können daher sowohl sagen, wie lange dieses Volk gelebt hat, als auch, wie lange es seit der Schöpfung gelebt hat.

Diese Verse, wie auch andere, die wir uns angesehen haben, sind die einzigen Aufzeichnungen dieser Art auf der Erde. Und doch sind sie merkwürdigerweise in dem meistgedruckten Dokument der Menschheitsgeschichte enthalten – der Heiligen Bibel. Gott wirkt wirklich auf wundersame Weise!

Textvers:

„Abraham, euer Vater, frohlockte, dass er meinen Tag sehen sollte; und er sah ihn und freute sich.“ Da sprachen die Juden zu ihm: „Du bist noch nicht 50 Jahre alt und hast Abraham gesehen?“ Jesus sprach zu ihnen: „Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch: Ehe Abraham war, BIN ICH!“
Johannes 8,65-58

Von Anfang an war Jesus und Er wird immer sein. Noch bevor der große Mann des Glaubens, Abraham, existierte, ist Jesus Christus. Die ganze Bibel spricht von der Person und dem Werk Jesu, also…

Möge Gott heute durch Sein Wort zu uns sprechen, und möge Sein glorreicher Name immer gepriesen werden.

I. Die Generationen Sems

10 Dies ist die Geschichte Sems: Als Sem 100 Jahre alt war, zeugte er den Arpakschad, zwei Jahre nach der Flut;
11 und nachdem Sem den Arpakschad gezeugt hatte, lebte er noch 500 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter.

Dies ist nun die fünfte Reihe von Generationen oder Genealogien, die uns die Bibel gegeben hat. Bisher haben wir die Generationen der Himmel und der Erde in Genesis 2, die Generationen von Adam in Genesis 5, die Generationen von Noah in Genesis 6 und die Generationen der Söhne Noahs in Genesis 10 gesehen. Jetzt werden wir Gottes Wirken in der menschlichen Geschichte weiter verfeinern, indem wir die Generationen von Noahs zweitem Sohn Sem betrachten.

Die Sintflut Noahs endete im Jahr 1657 AM und so war Sem im Jahr 1659 AM 100 Jahre alt, als sein Sohn Arpakschad geboren wurde. Nachdem Arpakschad geboren war, lebte Sem 500 Jahre und starb im Jahr 2159 AM.

Von der Zeit Sems an wird das Leben der Menschen immer kürzer, und die ersten aufgezeichneten Kinder kommen oft auch in einem früheren Alter zur Welt. Sem ist der letzte Mensch, der 600 Jahre alt wurde. Er lebte bis lange nach Abrams Geburt, also 10 Generationen später… erstaunlich.

12 Arpakschad war 35 Jahre alt, als er den Schelach zeugte;
13 und nachdem Arpakschad den Schelach gezeugt hatte, lebte er noch 403 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter.

Arpakschad wurde im Jahr 1659 geboren und hatte Salah im Jahr 1694 AM. Arpakschad starb im Jahr 2097 im Alter von 438 Jahren.

14 Schelach war 30 Jahre alt, als er den Heber zeugte;
15 und nachdem Schelach den Heber gezeugt hatte, lebte er noch 403 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter.

Schelach wurde im Jahr 1694 AM geboren und bekam Eber im Jahr 1724 AM. Schelach starb im Jahr 2127 AM im Alter von 463 Jahren.

16 Heber war 34 Jahre alt, als er den Peleg zeugte;
17 und nachdem Heber den Peleg gezeugt hatte, lebte er noch 430 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter.

Eber wurde im Jahr 1724 AM geboren und bekam seinen Sohn Peleg im Jahr 1758 AM. Eber starb im Jahr 2188 AM im Alter von 464 Jahren. Er ist der letzte Mensch, der mehr als 450 Jahre alt werden würde, und tatsächlich ist er der letzte, der sogar über 300 Jahre alt werden würde. Nach der Flut sinken die Lebensjahre des Menschen rapide.

Der Name Eber bedeutet “Einer von jenseits” oder “Derjenige, der hinüberging”, und von seinem Namen stammt der Begriff “hebräisch”. Eber lebte zu der Zeit, als sich die Sprachen teilten, und er war mit Sicherheit der Vater der Familienlinie, die die ursprüngliche Sprache der Erde, die wir heute Hebräisch nennen, beibehielt.

Da sein Name “der Überquerer” bedeutet und berichtet wird, dass seine Nachkommen in Ur lebten, das auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite des Euphrat von Babylon liegt, ist es wahrscheinlich, dass er und mehrere Generationen seiner Nachkommen einige Zeit nach dem Turmbau zu Babel von Babylon nach Ur zogen.

Der Grund, warum ich das sage, ist, dass in Genesis 14 das Wort Hebräisch zum ersten Mal in der Bibel verwendet wird, wenn von Abraham die Rede ist. Er ist der Mann, der den Euphrat “überquerte” und das Gebiet von Babel verließ.

Es ist wahrscheinlich, dass Eber bei ihm war, denn er lebte bis 2188 und Abram wurde 2009 geboren – 179 Jahre vor Ebers Tod. Diese Gruppe von Menschen mit dieser besonderen Sprache, der hebräischen Sprache, überquerte also den Euphrat,  von Gottes mächtiger Hand geleitet.

Und in Josua 24,2 lesen wir, dass Abrahams Vater, der später vorgestellt wird, auf der anderen Seite des Euphrat lebte und andere Götter anbetete –

Da sprach Josua zu dem ganzen Volk: „So spricht der Herr, der Gott Israels: »Eure Väter wohnten vor Zeiten jenseits des Euphrat-Stromes, und sie dienten anderen Göttern, auch Terach, der Vater Abrahams und Nahors.“
Josua 24,2

Abraham, der ein Hebräer war, überquerte den Euphrat sicherlich mit mehreren Generationen seiner Väter, einschließlich Eber.

18 Peleg war 30 Jahre alt, als er den Regu zeugte;
19 und nachdem Peleg den Regu gezeugt hatte, lebte er noch 209 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter.

Peleg wurde im Jahr 1758 AM geboren, und er bekam Regu im Jahr 1788. Peleg starb im Jahr 1997 AM im Alter von 239 Jahren. Er starb 191 Jahre vor seinem Vater Eber und 9 Jahre vor seinem Ur-, Ur-, Urgroßvater Noah. Ja, Noah war zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch am Leben.

Peleg ist die letzte Person in dieser Linie Sems, die in den Generationen der Söhne Noahs in Genesis 10 erwähnt wird. Er wurde zusammen mit seinem Bruder Joktan aufgeführt, und Joktans Söhne wurden erwähnt, aber nicht die von Peleg.

Joktan ist für die Geschichte nicht mehr relevant, und so konzentriert sich diese Zeile in Kapitel 11 auf Peleg und die, die nach ihm kommen. Er ist es, nicht Joktan, der ein Vorfahre von Jesus ist.

Pelegs Name bedeutet “Teilung”, und zu seinen Lebzeiten wurden die Völker geteilt. Von der Zeit Pelegs an wird sich die Welt in viele Richtungen ausbreiten. Und die Sprachen werden so vielfältig und für andere schwer verständlich sein, wie sie es bis zum heutigen Tag sind.

20 Regu war 32 Jahre alt, als er den Serug zeugte;
21 und nachdem Regu den Serug gezeugt hatte, lebte er noch 207 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter.

Regu wurde im Jahr 1788 AM geboren und bekam seinen Sohn Serug im Jahr 1820 AM. Regu starb im Jahr 2027 im Alter von 239 Jahren.

22 Serug war 30 Jahre alt, als er den Nahor zeugte;
23 und nachdem Serug den Nahor gezeugt hatte, lebte er noch 200 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter.

Serug wurde im Jahr 1820 AM geboren und bekam seinen Sohn Nahor im Jahr 1850 AM. Serug starb im Jahr 2050 AM im Alter von 230 Jahren.

24 Nahor war 29 Jahre alt, als er den Terach zeugte;
25 und nachdem Nahor den Terach gezeugt hatte, lebte er noch 119 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter.

Nahor wurde im Jahr 1850 AM geboren und bekam seinen Sohn Terach im Jahr 1879 AM. Nahor starb im Jahr 1998 AM im Alter von 148 Jahren. Das war 22 Jahre vor seinem Vater Serug und 8 Jahre vor seinem Ur-Ur-Ur-Ur-Ur-Großvater Noah.

Ja, Noah war in der 9. Generation noch am Leben, als Abrahams Vater Terach geboren wurde und auch als Nahor starb. Die Umwelt in der Welt nach der Sintflut ist für die Menschen offensichtlich viel härter als vor der Sintflut.

Und diese Härte hat einen kumulativen Effekt, der sich auf die ganze Linie überträgt. Wir wissen das, weil Noah 350 Jahre nach der Flut lebte und jede Generation weniger lang lebte als die vorherige. Alles, was uns beeinflusst, überträgt sich also auch auf die nächste Generation.

Noah überlebte viele von denen, die nach ihm kamen, und das Unglaubliche für mich ist die Vorstellung von all den Problemen und der Abkehr von Gott, die seit der Sintflut eingetreten sind.

Alles, was die Leute tun mussten, war, zu Noah zu gehen und ihn zu fragen, ob die Geschichte über die Flut wahr war. Er war mit ihnen allen verwandt, also brauchten sie nur “Opa zu fragen”.

Aber die Bibel zeigt uns, dass Menschen wie Nimrod dies ablehnten, gegen Gott kämpften und versuchten, die Dinge auf ihre eigene Weise zu regeln. Ist das wirklich etwas anderes als bei uns? Wir haben Fotos und Filme über den Holocaust in Deutschland, und doch gibt es in fast jedem Land Menschen, die leugnen, dass er stattgefunden hat.

Niemand bestreitet, dass Amerika zwei Atombomben auf Japan abgeworfen hat, und doch wird etwas geleugnet, für das es viel mehr Beweise gibt und das aus demselben Zeitraum stammt. Wenn man sich heute nach Japan begibt, gibt es fast keine Spuren der Zerstörung durch die Atombombe, und was es gibt, könnte auf ein Feuer oder einen normalen Luftangriff zurückgeführt werden, aber niemand leugnet, dass dies geschehen ist.

In Deutschland gibt es nicht nur Gedenkstätten und Fotos, sondern auch die Konzentrationslager und die Öfen sind noch da. Alles ist da für jeden, der einfach nur die Augen aufmacht, und doch leugnen die Menschen, dass es passiert ist.

Dies ist ein sehr trauriger menschlicher Zustand, der „Dummkopfitis“ genannt wird, und es gab ihn nicht nur in der frühen Welt nach der Sintflut, sondern er hält bis heute an. „Dummkopfitis“ kann definiert werden als das Leugnen von etwas, das eindeutig ist, und das im Angesicht überwältigender Beweise.

Ein weiteres gutes Beispiel für Dummkopfitis betrifft den modernen Staat Israel. Es gibt mehr als genug Beweise dafür, dass es nie eine Gruppe von Menschen gab, die als “Palästinenser” bekannt waren. Man braucht nur das Buch „The Innocents Abroad“ von Mark Twain zu lesen, um zu wissen, dass dies wahr ist. Und du kannst es direkt online kostenlos lesen.

Er dokumentierte seine Reisen durch das Heilige Land im Jahr 1869 und hielt fest, wie viele Menschen dort lebten und welche Volksgruppen es gab. Das war vor dem modernen Staat Israel und sogar vor der zionistischen Bewegung und ist daher völlig unvoreingenommen.

Es zeigt zweifelsfrei, dass es im Land Israel nicht die Menge an so genannten “Palästinensern” gab, wie heute behauptet wird. Und es gibt viele andere historische Aufzeichnungen über das Land und die Menschen, die den Wahrheitsgehalt dieser Angelegenheit bestätigen.

Es gab auch nie eine palästinensische Regierung, palästinensisches Geld oder irgendeine andere Möglichkeit, die Palästinenser mit dem Land zu verbinden. Aber das ist den Leuten, die die Bibel und die Wahrheit hassen, egal.

Anstatt der Wahrheit zu glauben, lassen sie es zu, dass die schreckliche Krankheit, die als „Dummkopfitis“ bekannt ist, jeden Gedanken und jede Handlung in ihrem Leben bestimmt.

Ich hoffe, dass jeder der hier Anwesenden das Heilmittel gegen Dummkopfitis alle Tage seines Lebens verfolgt und gesund, glücklich und zufrieden bleibt, dass wir die Wahrheit erkennen können, Lügen zurückweisen können und dass wir fest auf der Gewissheit Gottes und Seiner Botschaft des Evangeliums stehen können, die uns von Jesus, Seinem Sohn, erzählt.

26 Terach war 70 Jahre alt, als er den Abram, Nahor und Haran zeugte. 

Terach wurde im Jahr 1879 n. Chr. geboren, und ab diesem Punkt kann die Datierung in der Bibel verwirrend werden, man muss wirklich nachforschen, um die Dinge herauszufinden. Abram wird in diesem Vers als erster genannt, aber er ist nicht der älteste Sohn. Wir wissen das, weil der Älteste, Haran, in ihrer Heimatstadt Ur starb. Das erkläre ich später noch ein wenig.

Abram ist eigentlich der zweite Sohn Terachs, und wieder einmal sehen wir Gottes lenkende Hand im Prozess der göttlichen Auswahl. Wir haben es gesehen, als Adams ältester Sohn Kain durch Seth ersetzt wurde, und wir haben es gesehen, als Noahs ältester Sohn Japheth durch Sem ersetzt wurde.

Das Muster setzt sich mit Abram anstelle von Haran fort und zieht sich durch die ganze Bibel und führt uns zu einer größeren Erkenntnis der Person Jesu Christi.

Vers 26 beendet die Generationen von Sem und führt uns in einen neuen Abschnitt des biblischen Berichts, der unser nächster Hauptgedanke des Tages ist…

II. Die Generationen von Terach

27 Und dies ist die Geschichte Terachs: Terach zeugte den Abram, den Nahor und den Haran; Haran aber zeugte den Lot. 

Dies ist nun die sechste Reihe von Generationen, die uns die Bibel gegeben hat – die Generationen der Himmel und der Erde, die Generationen Adams, die Generationen Noahs, die Generationen der Söhne Noahs, die Generationen Sems und nun die Generationen Terachs.

Wenn ich einen Vers nach dem anderen durchgehe, versuche ich die Menschen daran zu erinnern, dass es Schlüssel zum Verständnis der Bibel gibt und wie sich die Dinge entwickeln werden. Wir haben gerade über einen dieser Schlüssel gesprochen – dass der zweite Sohn den ersten ersetzt. Dies ist der Schlüssel der göttlichen Erwählung.

In dem Vers, den wir gerade gelesen haben, werden Terach und dann drei seiner Söhne aufgezählt. Gleich danach heißt es: “Haran zeugte Lot”. Da Lot auf diese Weise erwähnt wird, können wir davon ausgehen, dass wir ihn wiedersehen werden, und die Chancen stehen gut, dass er in einer bedeutenden Weise wieder auftauchen wird.

Da Lot jetzt vorgestellt wird, ist es ein guter Zeitpunkt, um zu erwähnen, dass er sehr wohl älter sein kann als Abram. Die meisten Menschen, die die Geschichte von Abram und Lot gelesen haben, wissen, dass er Abrams Neffe ist, und wir denken normalerweise, dass Neffen jünger sind als ihre Onkel.

Aber Abrams älterer Bruder Haran war 60 Jahre älter als er, und so ist es wahrscheinlich, dass auch Lot älter war als er. Einige Gelehrte sind sogar davon überzeugt, dass dies der Fall ist, wenn sie das Zusammenwirken dieser beiden Männer untersuchen.

28 Und Haran starb vor seinem Vater Terach im Land seiner Geburt, in Ur in Chaldäa.

Haran war der älteste Sohn von Terach. Ich sagte, ich würde später erklären, woher ich das weiß, und “später” ist noch nicht. Du wirst dich also bis… etwas später gedulden müssen. Hier sehen wir jedoch, dass Haran in Ur starb, bevor die Familie abreiste.

Bevor wir weitermachen, können wir auf einige großartige Parallelen zwischen der Linie von Adam zu Noah vor der Sintflut und der Linie von Noah zu Abram nach der Sintflut zurückblicken. Einige von ihnen sind ziemlich cool.

Noah erhob sich über die Wasser der Sintflut. Und Adam wurde aus dem Land geschaffen, das aus den Wassern der Schöpfung hervorgebracht wurde.

Adam aß von der Frucht des Baumes der Erkenntnis von Gut und Böse, was einen Fluch auf seine Nachkommen auslöste, so wie Noah von der Frucht des Weinstocks getrunken hat, was einen Fluch auf seine Nachkommen auslöste.

Kain war ein Baumeister und der erste, der vor der Sintflut eine Kultur auf der Erde aufbaute, und er tat dies im Land östlich von Eden, etwa dort, wo heute der Irak liegt. Diese Kultur war von Gott getrennt und führte zu allgemeiner Schlechtigkeit in der Welt.

Nimrod war ein Baumeister und der erste, der nach der Sintflut eine Kultur auf der Erde aufbaute, und er tat dies in dem Land, das ungefähr dort liegt, wo heute der Irak ist. Diese Kultur war von Gott getrennt und führte zu allgemeiner Schlechtigkeit in der Welt.

Noah war der zehnte Mann von Adam und wurde durch eine Wasserflut aus der Welt des physischen Todes gerettet. Abram war der zehnte von Sem und wurde aus der Welt des geistigen Todes in der Flamme gerettet – die Bedeutung von Ur, woher Abram kam, ist „Licht“ oder „Flamme“.

Die Bibel sagt, dass es zwei Zerstörungen der Welt geben wird – eine durch Flut und eine durch Feuer.

Die Welt, in der Adam erschaffen wurde, erhielt die großen Lichter des Himmels als Zeichen und für die Jahreszeiten. Der Welt, in die Noah kam, wurde der Regenbogen als Zeichen des Bundes gegeben.

In Genesis 5, vor der Sintflut, werden die 10 Generationen von Adam bis Noah aufgezählt. Diese Genealogie endet mit der Aufzählung von Noahs drei Söhnen – die alle einen wichtigen Einfluss auf den Rest der biblischen Geschichte haben würden.

In Genesis 11, nach der Sintflut, werden die 10 Generationen der Söhne Noahs aufgezählt, von Sem bis Abram. Diese Genealogie endet mit der Auflistung von Terachs drei Söhnen – die alle einen wichtigen Einfluss auf den Rest der biblischen Geschichte haben sollten.

Diese Parallelen sind keineswegs offensichtlich und man muss sie suchen. Sie sind hier angebracht, um uns zu zeigen, dass eine göttliche Hand hinter der Niederschrift dieser Berichte steht und dass Er die Kontrolle über alle Dinge hat.

Halten wir hier also einen Moment inne und denken wir darüber nach. Wenn Gott all diese Dinge bis ins kleinste Detail unter Kontrolle hat, sollten wir uns dann nicht besser fühlen, wenn es um die Dinge geht, die uns im Leben gerade zu schaffen machen?

Warum sollten wir annehmen, dass Gott, der für jedes Detail der Welt vor und nach der Sintflut bis zur Zeit Abrams verantwortlich war, irgendwie in unserer Lebenszeit damit aufhört, alles im Griff zu haben. Die große Frage während der Anschläge von 9/11 war: “Wo ist Gott in all dem?”

Die Antwort, wenn man diese Berichte so verfolgt wie wir, ist, dass Gott genau da war und alles mitbekam, was mit jeder Person geschah, der das passierte. Und derselbe Gott hat immer noch die Kontrolle, wenn du aufwachst und dich fragst, wie du deine Rechnungen bezahlen sollst oder was mit dem Familienproblem passieren wird, das du zu bewältigen hast.

Gott ist sich deiner Prüfungen bewusst, und Er bittet dich, dir keine Sorgen über Dinge zu machen, die hoffnungslos oder außer Kontrolle zu sein scheinen. Wenn du diese Namen, Daten, Altersangaben und Orte durchgehst, kann es sein, dass dir der Kopf weh tut, aber hier sind zwei Dinge, die du bedenken solltest –

Erstens bin ich derjenige, der sich hinsetzen und das alles abtippen musste. Es ist also gar nicht so schlecht für dich.

Und zweitens, und das ist der springende Punkt, gibt Gott uns diese winzigen Details, um uns zu zeigen, dass Er wirklich Seine Hand über die Zeitalter und über die Menschen der Welt hält. Und Er hat Seine Hand in jedem einzelnen Detail, um Seine immense Weisheit und Größe zu zeigen.

Hab nie das Gefühl, dass du nur ein ungewolltes Sandkorn an einem unendlich langen Strand bist. Ganz gleich, wie viele Sandkörner es gibt, Er kümmert sich um jedes einzelne und nimmt es wahr.

29 Abram aber und Nahor nahmen sich Frauen; Abrams Frau hieß Sarai, und Nahors Frau hieß Milka, eine Tochter Harans, des Vaters der Milka und der Jiska.

Die beiden übrigen Söhne von Terach heirateten beide ihre eigenen Verwandten. Abram heiratete seine Halbschwester Sarai. Später in der Genesis erfahren wir, dass sie die Tochter seines Vaters Terach war, aber sie hatten eine andere Mutter, was bedeutet, dass Terach mehr als eine Frau hatte.

Nahor hingegen heiratete die Tochter seines ältesten Bruders Haran. Und dann wird noch eine weitere Tochter Harans erwähnt, nämlich Jiska. Erinnere dich an das, was ich schon tausendmal gesagt habe – wenn eine Person in der Bibel auf diese Weise erwähnt wird, auch wenn es nur einmal ist, ist ihr Name für etwas anderes in der Bibel wichtig.

Jiska bedeutet “die, die nach vorn schaut”, und da ihr Name nur ein einziges Mal ohne weitere bekannte Bedeutung erwähnt wird, sagen die meisten Gelehrten – und ich meine die meisten, die Tausende von Jahren zurückgehen -, dass Jiska und Sarai dieselbe Person sind.

Das ist eine billige Art, das Problem zu lösen, und es löst es überhaupt nicht. Jiska ist nicht Sarai und Sarai ist nicht Jiska. Es ist ganz klar, dass es zwei Menschen sind.

Der Grund, warum sie erwähnt wird, ist, dass sie höchstwahrscheinlich die Frau von Lot ist. Wer die Geschichte von Lot und der Zerstörung von Sodom kennt, weiß, dass die zerstörenden Engel ihm sagten: “Flieh um dein Leben! Sieh nicht hinter dich und bleib nicht in der Ebene. Flieh in die Berge, damit du nicht vernichtet wirst.”

Und dann lesen wir…

Doch seine Frau blickte hinter ihm zurück und wurde zu einer Salzsäule.

Jiska, oder “Jessica” auf Englisch, bedeutet “Eine, die nach vorn schaut”. Anstatt ihrem Namen gerecht zu werden, schaute sie stattdessen zurück und wurde zum Gewürz für viele Currygerichte im Nahen Osten.

30 Sarai aber war unfruchtbar; sie hatte kein Kind.

Als diese Pilger bereit sind, Ur zu verlassen und ins Gelobte Land zu ziehen, sind Abram und Sarai schon lange genug verheiratet, um zu wissen, dass Sarai unfruchtbar ist. Es ist wahrscheinlich, dass andere in der Familie bereits Kinder hatten, aber Sarai nicht.

Und genau wie die Einführung der Namen von Menschen, führen Verse wie dieser immer zu etwas Interessantem in der Bibel. Diejenigen unter euch, die die Geschichte von Abram und Sarai kennen, wissen, dass ihre Unfruchtbarkeit enorme Auswirkungen auf den Verlauf der Menschheitsgeschichte haben wird, und zwar bis zum heutigen Tag.

Sie ist die erste Person, die erwähnt wird, die unfruchtbar ist, aber es werden noch viele weitere auf den Seiten der Bibel erscheinen. Wenn eine solche Aussage gemacht wird, führt sie unweigerlich zu einer glücklichen Lösung und zu einer Demonstration der Größe und Herrlichkeit Gottes. In den kommenden Wochen werden wir die wunderbare Geschichte von Abram und Sarai weiterverfolgen…

31 Und Terach nahm seinen Sohn Abram, dazu Lot, den Sohn Harans, seinen Enkel, auch Sarai, seine Schwiegertochter, die Frau seines Sohnes Abram, und sie zogen miteinander aus von Ur in Chaldäa, um ins Land Kanaan zu gehen. Als sie aber nach Haran kamen, blieben sie dort.

Die Familie macht sich auf den Weg, um der Flamme von Ur zu entkommen und um in dem Land, in das Gott sie führen wird, geistige Erneuerung zu erfahren. Auf dem Weg nach Kanaan… hielten sie an.

Der Grund dafür wird nicht genannt, aber sie machen an einem Ort namens Haran Halt, und wir können vermuten, dass ihr Vater Terach, als sie anhielten, wusste, dass er nicht mehr weitergehen konnte, vielleicht weil er einfach zu alt war. Anstatt weiterzuziehen, ließen sie sich in dem Land nieder und nannten es Haran, nach ihrem verstorbenen Sohn und Bruder.

Abram würde diesen Ort nicht verlassen, bis Terach starb. Erst danach würde er in das Land weiterziehen, das ihm versprochen wurde. Wenn man darüber nachdenkt, gibt es überall auf der Welt Menschen, die Terach symbolisch sehr ähnlich sind.

Sie erfahren, dass es ein gelobtes Land gibt, und sie machen sich auf den Weg dorthin, aber sie gehen nie die Verpflichtung ein, die Reise zu Ende zu führen. Das ist auch deshalb traurig, weil Gott es der verlorenen Seele nicht schwer macht.

Er ruft sie und wartet auf ihre Antwort. Wenn Er sie erhält, führt Er sie den Rest des Weges zur Herrlichkeit. Die ganze Arbeit ist getan, und Er bittet lediglich darum, dass wir sie im Glauben annehmen. Aber so viele, wie Terach, sehen es nur aus der Ferne. Sie kommen nie an den Ort, den Gott für sie vorgesehen hat… sehr traurig.

32 Und die Lebenszeit Terachs betrug 205 Jahre, und Terach starb in Haran.

Terach wurde im Jahr 1879 AM geboren und hatte seinen Sohn Abram im Jahr 2009 AM. Terah starb und Abram wurde im Jahr 2084 AM in das Land Kanaan gerufen. Terach war bei seinem Tod 205 Jahre alt und er ist der letzte Mensch, der über 200 Jahre alt wurde, und ob du es glaubst oder nicht, Sem ist zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch am Leben.

Vorhin habe ich gesagt, dass Abram der zweite Sohn von Terach war und dass ich das später erklären werde. Nun, später ist jetzt. Es ist ein bisschen verwirrend, aber in Genesis 12,4 steht, dass Abram Haran verließ, um in das verheißene Land zu ziehen, als er 75 Jahre alt war.

Sein Vater Terach wäre 130 Jahre alt gewesen, als er Abram im Jahr 2009 bekam. Aber Terach war 70, als er sein erstes Kind bekam. Das bedeutet, dass Haran, der älteste Sohn, 60 Jahre älter war als Abram.

Das Lustige daran ist, dass wir das Neue Testament brauchen, um dies zu bestätigen. Ohne Apostelgeschichte 7 könnten wir nur spekulieren, aber in der Rede des Stephanus in Apostelgeschichte 7,4 heißt es –

„Da ging er aus dem Land der Chaldäer und wohnte in Haran. Und nach dem Tod seines Vaters führte er ihn von dort herüber in dieses Land, das ihr jetzt bewohnt.“

Erst als Terach starb, rief Gott Abraham zum Umzug auf. Nächste Woche beginnen wir mit dem Bericht über Abrahams Berufung und seinen Umzug in das Land Kanaan. Er ist einer der größten Glaubenshelden der Bibel, und doch hatte er mit vielen Fehlern und Schwächen zu kämpfen, wie wir alle.

Aber Gott benutzt echte, fehlbare Menschen für Seine Vorhaben, und Er führt sie immer zu einem glücklichen Ende. Vergiss das nicht, wenn du heute nach Hause gehst. Ja, du hast Probleme und deine eigenen Unzulänglichkeiten, aber Gott kann und wird dich gebrauchen, wenn du dich Ihm und Seiner Führung unterordnest.

Die Generationen von Sem und Terach

Sem war 100 Jahre alt, als er seinen Sohn Arpakschad bekam
Das war zwei Jahre nach der Flut dann
Nachdem er Arpakschad hatte, lebte er noch fünfhundert Jahre
Und bekam weitere Söhne und Töchter bis er hatte graue Haare

Arpakschad war 35 Jahre alt und zeugte seinen Sohn Salah
Und dann lebte Arpakschad noch 403 Jahre da
Er hatte noch weitere Söhne und Töchter vor seinem Ende
Dann schritt Arpakschad durch die Tür in der Ewigkeit Hände

Salah lebte 30 Jahre und dann kam Eber, süß wie ein Babykater
Salah wurde dann weitere 403 Jahre alt, genau wie sein Vater
Während dieser Zeit kamen weitere Kinder, ihm zur Freude
Und mit 433 Jahren dankte er dem Herrn für Seine Treue

Eber war 34 Jahre alt, als Peleg auftauchte, was „Teilung“ heißt
Wir folgen der Schrift, die solch unglaubliche Präzision aufweist

Nach der Geburt von Peleg lebte Eber noch weitere Jahre, noch 430
Bis zum Anklopfen an die Himmelspforte war er aber noch fleißig

Peleg lebte dreißig Jahre, bevor er seinen Sohn Regu zeugte
Und dann lebte Peleg noch 209 Jahre, bevor er sich dem Tod beugte
Und während Pelegs Zeit kamen viele Sprachen anstelle von nur einer
Und so breitete sich das Volk aus, verschont blieb da keiner

Als Regu 32 Jahre alt war, wurde ihm sein Sohn in Windeln gehüllt
Als er ihn sah, war er sicher von Freudentränen erfüllt

Nachdem Serug angekommen war, lebte Regu noch 207 Jahre weiter
Und andere Söhne und Töchter wurden ihm hinzugefügt heiter

Serug lebte 30 Jahre und zeugte Nahor, Abrams Großvater, das ist nicht absurd
Und dann lebte Serug noch 200 Jahre nach dieser Geburt
Viele andere Söhne und Töchter sah Serug in seiner Zeit
Und er trat den Löffel ab nach 230 Jahren der Fröhlichkeit

Nahor bekam seinen Sohn Terach, als er gerade 29 Jahre alt war
Das brachte Nahors Gesicht zum Strahlen, als er ihn sah

Und Nahor fügte noch weitere Söhne und Töchter hinzu
Und er starb mit 148 Jahren und legte sich, dankbar für alles, zur Ruh

Terach zeugte Abram, Nahor und Haran im Land Ur
Und Haran zeugte Lot, sein Gesicht leuchtete in Freude pur

Aber Haran starb in seinem Heimatland
Dann nahmen Abram und Nahor Frauen aus ihrem Familienverband
Abram heiratete Sarai und auf die Milka fiel Nahors Wahl
In der Familie zu heiraten, das war damals normal

Der Vater von Milka war Haran, und sie hatte eine Schwester, Jiska
Und Abrams Frau Sarai war unfruchtbar, sie saß ganz traurig da
Doch die unfruchtbare Frau war zu großem Ruhm bestimmt
Als eines Tages sie gebar ein von Gott gesegnetes Kind

So nahm Terach den Abram, den Lot und seine Schwiegertochter Sarai mit
Und sie machten sich auf den Weg nach Kanaan, von Ur fort, Schritt für Schritt

Und als sie nach Haran kamen, wohnten sie dort
bis zu dem Tag, als Terach seine Augen schloss und in den Himmel ging fort
Er war 205 Jahre alt, als sie sein Sterbegebet sprachen dann
Und in der Erde von Haran ruht sein Leichnam

Das ist die Linie von Sem und auch die Linie von Terach
Diese Linien, die zu unserem Retter führen, Jeshua Ha Maschiach
Sie sind für uns aufgezeichnet, damit wir sie sorgfältig studieren
Weil Gott sie speziell für uns bewahrt hat, sie zu eruieren

Hallelujah und Amen…

 

Acts 9:4

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Artwork by Doug Kallerson.

Tuesday, 19 July 2022

Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Acts 9:4

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse told of the light from heaven that shone around Paul as he was nearing Damascus. Now, a voice accompanies that brilliant light. The NKJV is not very precise in its translation. Comparing a more literal translation will show its weakness –

Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (NKJV)

“And having fallen upon the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’” (CG)

With that noted, the verse can be looked over, beginning with, “And having fallen upon the ground.”

Some suppose that this means Paul was on a horse, mule, donkey, or camel. But there is nothing to suggest this. Jesus is said to have fallen upon the ground in Mark 14:35 while in the Garden of Gethsemane. The same words are used in that account as now in Acts, and it is clear that he was walking with the disciples at the time.

And so, whether on horse or simply walking by foot, Paul was overwhelmed with the brightness of the glory that shone around him and he fell to the ground. The sentiment is not at all uncommon in either testament. In the Old Testament, for example, when Daniel was confronted with the glory of the Lord, it says –

“And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.” Daniel 10:7-9

In the New Testament, Peter saw a miracle of the Lord and it overwhelmed him –

“But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’” Luke 5:5-8

Peter’s encounter was one of seeing the effects of the Lord’s power, and yet in comprehending the scope of the miracle, he fell down before the Lord who had performed it. Other such encounters are noted in Scripture. In Paul’s case, as he lay on the ground, it says, “he heard a voice.”

In Paul’s personal recounting of the event, he says, “I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language.” As a side note, the word used to describe the language can mean Hebrew or Aramaic. It would have been the common language of the land at the time which was quite different than the Hebrew found in the Old Testament. This is evident from various other passages in the gospels and elsewhere in Acts. Regardless of that, Jesus spoke to Paul in his native tongue “saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’”

The repetition of the name is a way of showing emphasis and also, at times, personal affinity. Such repetitions are found throughout Scripture in both Testaments. An example from each –

“Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’
So he said, ‘Here I am.’” Genesis 22:9-11

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’” Luke 22:31, 32

The Lord is making a personal, emphatic, and targeted call to Saul. It is personal by calling him by name. It is emphatic because he calls it twice. And it is targeted because of the accusation leveled at him, “Why do you persecute Me?”

The One, as yet unknown to Saul, directly accuses him of persecution, and He indicates that it is a persecution against His own being. He does not say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting My people?” Rather, he says, “Me.” If thought through, it is another clear indication of eternal salvation. The people of the Lord are “in” the Lord. An attack against them is an attack against Him. And alignment with Him brings the believer into union with Him in a permanent covenantal relationship.

Life application: It is important to understand the relationship that existed between Saul (Paul) and Jesus until this point. He was a law-observant Pharisee. Not only that, he was one while the temple still stood, and the rites and sacrifices for purification from sin were still being practiced. And yet, Paul was an enemy of Jesus because he had not come to participate in the New Covenant established in Jesus’ blood.

Hebrews 7:18, 8:13, and 10:9 indicate that the law is set aside, obsolete, and annulled in Christ. Colossians 2:14 tells us that the law is nailed to the cross. Obviously, nobody walked up to Jesus’ cross and nailed a copy of the law to it. Rather, the words of Paul are given in metaphor. Christ is the embodiment and fulfillment of the law. Jesus was crucified on the cross. The law (Jesus’ fulfillment of it) was crucified on the cross. Jesus died on the cross. The law was made obsolete (abolished – Ephesians 2:15) in His death.

If Paul was an enemy of Jesus Christ (the only way to salvation – John 14:6), and yet he was a law-observant Jew living within the framework of the rites of the law, then it tells us – clearly and unambiguously – that no person can be saved by adherence to the law of Moses. But this is what the doctrine of dual covenantalism teaches.

It is a doctrine held by the Roman Catholic Church and various figures within Christianity today. Roman Catholicism’s statement on this says, “From the Christian confession that there can be only one path to salvation, however, it does not in any way follow that the Jews are excluded from God’s salvation because they do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah of Israel and the Son of God” (Source: The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable (Rom 11:29) by Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews).

Likewise, there are innumerable sects and cults within Christianity that espouse partial or total adherence to the Law of Moses as the means of salvation, ignoring the finished work of Jesus. Be sure to think about what is presented in the church you attend and consider the words of the pastor or leadership. This includes attending through videos or livestream. Such teachings are not a part of the gospel, and they must be identified so that they can be rejected.

Hold fast to the truth that God has sent His Son into the world, that He has established a New Covenant in His blood, and the only way to be saved is through belief in what He has done. Be ready to both teach this and defend this truth.

Lord God, it should not be surprising to us that there is only one way to be reconciled to You. It should be overwhelming to our minds that there is even one way. We are fallen, we have disobeyed, and we are the sinners. And yet, while we were enemies, You sent Christ into the world to save us. Thank You that there is a path to reconciliation with You. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 9:3

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Artwork by Doug Kallerson.

Monday, 18 July 2022

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Acts 9:3

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse had Paul preparing for a journey to Damascus in order to bring back believers of the Way for trial in Jerusalem. Now that thought continues, saying, “As he journeyed.”

Concerning the route he would have taken, Charles Ellicott says –

“The route by which the persecutor and his companions travelled was probably that taken by the Roman road, which extended from Jerusalem to Neapolis (Sychar, or Shechem), thence to Scythopolis, and so by the shores of the Sea of Galilee and Cæsarea Philippi, and thence under the slopes of Hermon, to Damascus. … It is, however, possible that he may have taken the road by the Jordan valley by which Galilean pilgrims sometimes travelled in order to avoid Samaria; but the former was beyond all question the most direct and best frequented road.”

With that, the Greek next says “it came to pass.” This is omitted by the translators, but it can be seen in the BLB translation –

“Now in proceeding, it came to pass as he draws near to Damascus, suddenly also a light from heaven flashed around him.”

Somewhere along the journey, it came to pass as “he came near Damascus.” The meaning of the name of the city depends on several things. Abarim defines it –

“The Hebrew term for Damascus, namely דמשק (dammasq), means something like The Beginning Of Salvation. The Chronicler’s slightly adapted term for Damascus, namely דרמשק (darammasq) means Period Of Salvation or perhaps more precise Full Turn In The Pattern Of Salvation. The Greek name Damascus means Tameness or somewhat more positive Synchronicity.”

Damascus is outside of Israel’s borders which is appropriate for the calling that will occur. The apostle to the Gentiles will receive his calling outside of the set borders of Canaan, but still within the area of land originally promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:18. That promise extends the land as far as the River Euphrates. It was there, in the Gentile land close to Damascus that Paul was traveling, “and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.”

The word translated as “shone” is found only here and in Acts 22:6. It signifies to flash around like lightning. Acts 26 will further explain the intensity of this light –

“While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.” Acts 26:12, 13

The magnificence of the light outshined the radiance of the sun. With this ultra-intense display of the glory of the Lord now stated, the narrative will continue in the verses ahead.

Life application: There are commentaries that will attempt to diminish the magnitude of what occurred with Saul (Paul), saying things like he was driven mad while considering his acts of persecution, and this is what produced the vision that happened in his mind. Nothing of the sort is even hinted at. And more, the effects of the light upon his eyes will demonstrate that this was not just an internalized event. Rather, it is an actual appearance of the glory of the Lord as He revealed Himself to Saul.

We need to always consider the words of Scripture in the context in which they are given. In the case of this theophany, there is no doubt about how it occurred. At the same time, we need to not be duped by people that claim they have their own visions of God. There is no need for such visions today, and it would be contrary to the word itself that they should occur.

Paul was chosen to be an apostle of Jesus, and the events that surround his conversion were necessary for the validation of his ministry, both for himself and for those who would interact with him, such as the other apostles. People’s conversions now occur in accord with what is written in Scripture, and those who are placed in the ministry have the words of Scripture to explain their requirements. There is no need for any extra validations of such things, and none should be expected.

Logically, if God is going around giving visions of Himself to people today, there is no need for the word of God in their lives. And yet, it is the word of God that reveals to us what we need to do in order to be saved, to live out our lives in accord with His will, and to appoint to the ministry those we deem to have satisfactorily met its requirements for the position.

Don’t look to the sensational when the Bible itself is sufficient for our lives, doctrine, and conduct. Let us be content with this wonderful treasure God has given us.

Yes, Lord God! What a treasure Your word is! May we hold fast to it as the rule and guide of our lives as we live them out before You. Help us to apply its precepts to our lives and to seek out the mysteries in it all our days. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joshua 2:1-11 (A Harlot Named Rahab)

Charlie Garrett Joshua (Written)

Artwork by Doug Kallerson.

Joshua 2:1-11
A Harlot Named Rahab

Many years ago, I ran the wastewater plant that treated the water for all of the Gulf Gate area. The company provided all the water and wastewater services, including the big blue water tower just behind us, but I preferred the wastewater side of the job.

Running a plant is a lot like running your own body, just with a lot more volume. Stuff comes in, it has to be processed, and stuff goes out in a completely different condition. It is pretty much an all-natural process with the addition of several non-toxic chemicals.

When we eat, the minerals and vitamins contained in food are used by our bodies to make them work well. The treatment plants need iron and other things to be added in so that the “big stomach” doesn’t get upset. The plant needs air pumped through it to keep the microscopic bugs alive. The plant converts things from one form to another. It’s so much like how we function.

That includes when things get into the system that shouldn’t be in there as well. Things can upset our stomachs or even poison them. Well, this is true with the “big stomach” at the plant. One Saturday morning, I got a call from one of the operators, Jason, a really great guy.

He said, “Charlie, the plant is dead. We did 0.0% nitrification.” A dead plant is a bad thing for many reasons, but mostly because the untreated water still has to leave the plant. Those tanks have a very short time before they are full and flow downhill to where they finally rush out to Sarasota Bay. We had hours, at best, to fix things.

Text Verse: “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” Hebrews 11:31

I got to the plant in a matter of minutes. We immediately turned one tank into a holding tank and started pumping every single drop of the “dead bug” out of the plant and into that holding tank. We then took a giant reserve of “live bug” from what is known as a digestor and pumped that back into the plant.

Within probably one to two hours, the plant was running as if it had never had a problem. This not only saved Sarasota Bay from becoming polluted with an unknown but highly toxic chemical (saving all the fish and other aquatic life out there), but it saved the company hundreds of thousands, or more, in fines.

The “dead bug” that we pumped to the temporary storage tank had to be loaded onto trucks and hauled to a special treatment center out of state. It was an immensely expensive process, but it had to be done. After analysis of the contents, it was determined that someone had poured highly toxic chemicals used in photography into the sewer system. Out of sight, out of mind, or so they thought.

If it wasn’t for the quick thinking of Jason who was working all alone on Saturday morning, Sarasota Bay would have received much of that toxicity, along with hundreds of thousands of gallons of untreated wastewater.

Today, we will meet a similarly quick-thinking lady. Life and death are on the line for her, and she knows it. But she wasn’t a top executive of a major company somewhere. She was just a prostitute. Who would think that someone like that would end up in the genealogy of the Savior of the world!

Great, great things such as this are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. Did Not Know (Liar, Liar, etc.) (verses 1-7)

Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men

As noted in the previous sermon, the words of verse 1:11 most likely follow chronologically after the account which is now given. There it said –

“Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’” Joshua 1:11

As such, what is now to be detailed is an event that precedes the preparation of the people to enter Canaan, and the words “had sent,” instead of “sent” should be used. These two are sent out…

1 (con’t) from Acacia Grove to spy secretly,

min ha’shittim shnayim anashim merag’lim kheresh – “From the Acacia Groves two men reconnoiterers secretly.” The location is “the Shittim,” or translated, “the Acacia Groves.” Also, saying, “to spy secretly” is a redundancy.

The word is ragal, coming from regel, or foot. It is one who walks about, but it is to be taken in a specific way. In this case, it is to reconnoiter. But that is then defined with a new word to Scripture, kheresh, “secretly.” It is in this capacity that Joshua is…

1 (con’t) saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”

The word “especially” is not in the text, even if it is implied. It reads, “Go, see the land – and Jericho.” They were to do a general reconnoiter of the land, but also to ensure that they focused on Jericho. With that stated, it next says…

1 (con’t) So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there.

The Hebrew is more expressive: v’yeleku v’yavou beit ishah zonah rakhav, v’yishkevu shamah – “and they went, and they came to house woman – harlot – and named Rahab, and they lie down there.”

Here, the text identifies Rahab as a harlot, a word used consistently to speak of a whore or a prostitute. It is often used in Scripture to describe Israel in their whoring after false gods. However, the root of zonah, znh, is the same root used for a female who gives food and provisions; an innkeeper.

For this reason, rabbinic texts explain that this is what is being referred to. Even Josephus said that she kept an inn. And, thus, liberal teachers are quick to grab onto this and to identify her as having a noble background.

Unfortunately, if they would simply read the New Testament, they would not make such a blundering error. Our text verse today was from Hebrews 11:31. Both there and in James 2:25, she is identified as a harlot (a prostitute) using the Greek word porné. I assure you that porné does not mean an innkeeper. The same word is used to describe her as such in the Greek translation of the Old Testament as well.

Though the spelling of her name in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew is different than that of Hebrews and James, it is certain that this is the same woman so clearly referenced in Joshua. It is the entire point of including her in the narrative and then in the genealogy.

This is a problem with consulting rabbinic literature. The rabbis didn’t like that a prostitute was in the genealogy of David, and thus in that of the coming Messiah, so they attempted to sugarcoat the obvious. This is not uncommon in their writings.

The apostles saw no such difficulty and understood that the very same fallen women, such as Rahab and Bathsheba, could be used as key participants in the unfolding narrative of redemption that would lead us to God’s Christ.

It should be noted that even reputable scholars, with all fudginess possible, attempt to repair her reputation. Adam Clarke went down innumerable avenues to patch-up Rahab’s image. In the end, he sums up his thoughts as to why he needed to do so –

“To all this may be added, that as our blessed Lord came through the line of this woman, it cannot be a matter of little consequence to know what moral character she sustained; as an inn-keeper she might be respectable, if not honorable; as a public prostitute she could be neither; and it is not very likely that the providence of God would have suffered a person of such a notoriously bad character to enter into the sacred line of his genealogy.”

Rather, it is expressly because she was a prostitute that the story is so glorious. A key point of this, at least from a moral perspective, is that God has accepted you. You may have been a prostitute, had an abortion, divorced your wife, secretly killed someone, been an alcoholic, or whatever. And yet, the beauty and even glory of God in Christ says, “Come. My grace is sufficient.”

Whatever your past was, in Christ, your future will never be the same. Come to Christ. This is the lesson of Rahab, and so far, we have only been introduced to her with a short description, “a woman – a prostitute.”

Her name, Rakhav, comes from the verb rakhav meaning to be or to grow wide or large. It is used in the Old Testament to indicate enlargement of an area, such as in a border, baldness on the head, the size of Sheol, and so on. It is also used to refer to enlarging the heart, opening the mouth, etc.

Thus, her name means Spacious or Enlarged. One must wonder what would prompt a name like this. As she is a prostitute, and as it appears her family was fully aware of this – as will be seen in the narrative – it may be that this was her lot all along, something not uncommon in many cultures.

As such, and solely as speculation by me, her name may have been given to her to reflect the work she would do, such as Isaiah prophesied concerning Israel when using this same root verb –

“Also behind the doors and their posts
You have set up your remembrance;
For you have uncovered yourself to those other than Me,
And have gone up to them;
You have enlarged [rakhav] your bed
And made a covenant with them;
You have loved their bed,
Where you saw their nudity.” Isaiah 57:8

Whatever the intent behind the name, and regardless of her profession, she will be a key figure in the history of Israel leading to the Messiah. For now…

2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying,

As Jericho is a walled city, it had a ruling elder, here called a king because of the authority that he would have had over the populace. It was probably sentinels that guarded the gates who told the king.

People would be free to come in and go out of such a city, but it would be negligent to not tell the leader of any unusual foreigners that came around. The spies would only be two strangers coming in, probably unarmed. This would not be a reason to keep them out, but being Hebrews, it would at least be worthy of raising the matter to the king…

2 (con’t) “Behold, men have come here tonight

This would explain how they wound up meeting Rahab. As a prostitute, she would be hanging around the gates of the city in the evening to entice any travelers to spend the night at her place. It fits naturally into the narrative. As for the men, they were…

2 (con’t) from the children of Israel

One can only surmise that the two men told them this. Their accents would be unusual, but so would the accents of other people from all over the area. Having never heard anyone from Israel before, it would be unlikely they could be identified as such unless they were simply told it was so. This probably goes for the next words…

2 (con’t) to search out the country.”

lakhpor eth ha’erets – “to search out the land.” One can imagine it, “Hey guys, where are you coming from?” “We’re Israelis just checking things out. We’ve never been here before.” “OK! Good to have you, c’mon in.” It would be a common and innocuous greeting between them, but still one worth reporting…

3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying,

He has already been identified as the king of Jericho. As such, it is implicit stress on the fact by saying, “the king of Jericho” rather than just “the king.” As such, the words are made more poignant, and thus the actions of Rahab, to whom the king’s words were directed, are brought forth as well. His words are…

3 (con’t) “Bring out the men who have come to you,

A verb is used in place of a noun: khotsii ha’anashim ha’baim elayik – “bring out the men, the comers unto you.” The king was apprised of the situation, he knew exactly who had come and who they had gone into. It is these two Israelis…

3 (con’t) who have entered your house,

asher bau l’betekh – “who have entered to your house.” Regardless of her type of business, to entertain a stranger meant the right to proper treatment and protection for those in the house.

Unless a refusal was made by Rahab, they would be bound by the honor found in Middle Eastern culture to ask her to deliver them rather than having the guards forcing themselves into her home. This is what provides her with the opportunity to take the action of hiding the Hebrew spies. In the meantime, those sent to her continue with…

3 (con’t) for they have come to search out all the country.”

The words expand upon the corresponding clause of verse 2 by adding in the word “all” to what is now said: ki lakhpor et kal ha’arets bau – “for to search out all the land they have come.”

As John Lange correctly states, “Notice the full circumstantiality of the king’s command.” The king has deduced that they are not merely tourists looking for a fun time, but they are men on a mission to determine the state of things for an invasion. One can see that even as they are speaking at the door, she is pointing out where the men can go and how to hide…

4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them.

The words curiously go from the plural to the singular: va’tiqah ha’ishah eth shene ha’anashim va’titspeno – “And took the woman two the men and hid him.” The Greek translation reads “them,” and without the later addition of the vowel points by the Masoretes, this could be read as them, but for some reason, the Masoretes carefully recorded it as “him.”

John Gill notes the Jew’s ridiculous take on this, saying, “hence the Jews, who take these two spies to be Caleb and Phinehas, say, that only Caleb was hid, and Phinehas, though he was before them, was not seen, being an angel.”

Ewald sees this as “the free discourse in which one passes from the plural to the singular.” The Pulpit Commentary explains this as each man being hidden in a separate place. But these notions hardly explain this. It is as if one of them is being singled out.

Despite that, one can see her pointing to the two and saying in a hush, “Go up on the roof. I’ll get rid of them.” They would have no choice but to trust her because the king’s men were standing there. It would make no sense for her to try to hide them, just to say to the king’s men, “They are on the roof.” Simply opening the door would have had exactly the same effect.

In reading the account, it makes one (meaning me) wonder if one of these two men didn’t become her future husband. It is wholly speculation, but they are identified in verse 6:23 as “young men.”

They are old enough to be sent out on a mission, but probably unmarried and are most likely in their mid to late teens. This completely dispels the Jewish idea that these are Caleb and Phinehas, one of whom is almost eighty at this point.

Rahab’s attitude and actions towards them, along with the curious change from plural to singular, reveal a quickly developed affinity that raises this idea in my mind.

4 (con’t) So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.

This is her first lie. It is already known where they are from as will be seen in verse 9. Having arrived at the point where a lie has been introduced, it must be noted that the comments by scholars on this go on and on.

They bring in the nature of God and of the terrible thing she has done by lying, carefully noting that a lie is always a sin. From there, they then go into the notion of forgiveness and mercy because of her faith, and so on.

It is true that lying is sin, but what is it that brings this about? The law. She is not under law. But she has a conscience. And so, either her conscience is seared, and she is corrupt, or she has weighed the matter out and she is working under a law of faith. Charles Ellicott wisely evaluates the matter –

“The Divine standard of sin and holiness never varies; but the standard of man’s conscience, even when faith is a dominant principle in the character, may vary to a very considerable degree. In Jesus Christ ‘all that believe are justified from all things;’ but ‘by the deeds of the law no one.’ Here, as elsewhere, the application of the law only brings the discovery of sin.”

Rather than focusing on something contrary to the Divine standard, the narrative focuses on exaltation of it through her words and actions that are grounded in faith. This is not unlike those who hid Jews during WWII. Even though the Bible says we are to be subject to the governing authority, there is often a time that such obedience must be disobeyed for a higher purpose. With that understood, Rahab continues…

5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out.

The next lie. However, it is more than a simple lie, but also a fabrication. She is making stuff up on the fly to construct a convincing argument in order to hide the truth.

It is after dark, the gates are shut as the sun goes down, and they are only opened when those coming to it in either direction can be individually identified and authorized for passing through it. Thus, her words form a persuasive argument that is credible and would put her in jeopardy if it were not so. Hence, they have no reason to not believe it.

5 (con’t) Where the men went I do not know;

The third lie. She is fully aware of where they are, and the Bible doesn’t hide either the fact that she does know or that she lied. It simply conveys the details of the story, allowing us to come to our own conclusions about the matter.

While at the same time that her words are contrary to the Divine nature, the reason behind them and the actions which are joined to them are not.

Since this account was compiled, the same value judgments have been made continuously throughout human history. The number of people who took exactly the same path as Rahab during the holocaust alone is large. And those who did what they did are cited as heroes by people who would stand over Rahab and accuse her for being a little liar.

We live in a fallen world and there are times when judgments must be made that stand outside of the propriety of law. And yet, they will inevitably be the right choices when the larger situation is taken into consideration and when the person’s faith is properly directed. The evaluation of Rahab in Hebrews 11 and James 2 bears this out.

5 (con’t) pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.”

The words are well thought out. She has already convincingly stated that they are not with her, having no discernible reason to lie and every reason to tell the truth. Adding these words intensifies the urgency to get about finding the miscreants. Some may call her conniving, but others would see her as quick thinking and resourceful.

6 (But she had brought them up to the roof

v’hi heelatam ha’gagah – “And she had caused them to ascend to the roof.” The meaning is that she told them to go up to the roof, and they went up. As noted earlier, this was probably as the king’s messengers came to the door. At that time, she pointed for them to go up, and so they went up.

The roofs of such houses were flat and were easily accessible because many things were done on top of them, from dinners and small parties, to accomplishing various types of work, and even for bathing or sleeping. It is probably after the messengers left that the next words came about…

6 (con’t) and hidden them with the stalks of flax,

The verb is imperfect: va’titmenem b’pishte ha’ets – “and hides them in flax, the wood.” These are stalks of flax that are said to grow to about three or more feet in length. After cutting, they would be set out in an array to dry, as seen in the next clause. This would be where the men could be easily hidden…

6 (con’t) which she had laid in order on the roof.)

ha’arukoth lah al ha’gag – “the arrayed to her upon the roof.” In other words, they had been laid out in an array upon the roof for drying. In this manner, they could get sun from all around and uniformly dry as they stood in these particular arrangements.

The roof would be the area where that was done. Eventually, the stalks would be worked and made into linen. She would have hidden them in these arrayed stalks until it was certain that nobody would be coming back to inspect the place, and until they could make their escape.

7 Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan,

v’ha’anashim rad’phu akharehem derek ha’yarden – “And the men pursued after them way the Jordan.” This would be the logical route to take. It would have been known that Israel was on the other side of the Jordan, and so to get to the Jordan as quickly as possible would be the most obvious thing to do. As it says…

7 (con’t) to the fords.

al ha’mab’roth – “upon the fords.” The word ma’avar signifies a passing through. It can be fords of a river or the passages through a mountain. As this is plural, it probably means that a group of soldiers went out and one or two of them stood upon each of the fords within reasonable distance of Jericho.

7 (con’t) And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

Because of the way the words are laid out, a direct translation is difficult: “And the gate they shut after as which had gone out the pursuers after them.” It means just as the English translation says. Once those pursuing the men went out, the gates were shut.

Being nighttime, they were taking no chances of a sudden rush by the enemy, or anyone getting in or out that should not do so. Other than face masks and vaccines, the city had gone into lockdown

*Who are you and where are you from?
And why is your accent so odd?
Come inside and explain to me some
What is your people, and who is your God?

**We are Israel and just checking things out
You know, seeing what is up in this place
We’re searching the land to see what it’s all about
And it’s so nice to see your smiling face

*We have heard of you. Your life is in danger in this place
But I can hide you if anyone comes around
I want you to remember my face
I hope for mercy from you if it can be found

I will join with your people, please remember my face
After I have gotten you safely out of this place

II. For We Have Heard (verses 8-11)

8 Now before they lay down,

 

There is a stress in the words: v’hemah terem yishkavun – “and they before they (certainly) lay down.” It shows the imperative nature of what will come next.

With the messengers gone and the soldiers sent out of the city, things would have calmed down enough for the two men to lie down and sleep. But before they could do this, she ascended to the roof to converse with them…

8 (con’t) she came up to them on the roof,

v’hi aletah alehem al ha’gag – “and she ascended upon them, upon the roof.” Her words to come are filled with careful attention concerning the state of those in Canaan, the knowledge of the Lord and His care for Israel, and of her faith in the Lord’s capabilities.

9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land,

Rahab explicitly speaks out the name Yehovah: yadati ki nathan Yehovah lakem eth ha’arets – “I know for has given Yehovah to you the land.” She is both aware of this name and she understands His purposes for Israel. Her faith in the capability of the Lord is demonstrated in the words, “has given Yehovah to you the land.”

It is a done deal even though the actions that will cause it to come about have not yet even begun. She knows this. And more, all of the people know it as well…

9 (con’t) that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.

Here she uses the word mug, or melt – “and that have melted all dwelling the land from your presence.” This was the purpose of the Lord’s dealings with Pharaoh. Going through the plagues gradually was intended to slowly harden Pharaoh’s heart.

If He had gone in and done something beyond their imagination right at the beginning, Pharaoh may have just said, “Let them go!” But that is not what happened. The Lord started with simple plagues that were reproducible by Pharaoh’s own magicians.

He then brought more plagues that one might think would logically follow one after another. If you turn water into blood, you will bring out frogs. If the frogs all die, the bugs that the frogs eat will increase exponentially, from there, pestilence on the livestock will result. And so forth.

The Lord followed a set path to slowly harden the heart of Pharaoh. He would have been well educated and attributed these things to what he could naturally observe. By the time the greater plagues came, he would be hardened to the point where more hardening would be the inevitable result.

And this is exactly what the Lord intended. By multiplying His judgment, He would magnify His name. And in doing that, the nations would then hear and fear –

“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” Exodus 7:3-5

The Egyptians would know all that happened, and the word from them as they traded with the nations would naturally carry right back to the homes of those who traded. By the time the greatest plague hit, the death of the firstborn of Egypt, Pharoah would want them gone and even drive them out.

But because of the hardness of his heart, he would relent and attempt to retrieve them. In that, the great and miraculous event that would finally destroy Pharaoh’s power would come…

10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt,

The story of the Red Sea crossing was forty years earlier, but it was well known and remembered by all who heard it. And the credit is given to Yehovah, and it is given on behalf of the people of Israel. The narrative was clearly and precisely remembered.

This was exactly the purpose of the Lord having multiplied His judgments upon Pharaoh. A swift, sudden, and decisive early judgment would have not led to the knowledge of the Lord by Rahab and all of the others throughout Canaan. But more, she says…

10 (con’t) and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.

This was very recent history, and it would have resounded with the people, calling to mind the tales of the past and both reaffirming them and adding to the terror of the present. And, again, this is exactly what Moses said would occur, beginning with Sihon –

“Rise, take your journey, and cross over the River Arnon. Look, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to possess it, and engage him in battle. 25 This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the nations under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.” Deuteronomy 2:24, 25

The conquest of Sihon was immediately followed up with the conquest upon Og. As such…

11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted;

The words “as soon as” are not in the Hebrew. It is short and specific: “And we hear and melted our hearts.” The tales of the Red Sea would have been known but not considered for many years, but with the sudden coming of Israel upon the land east of the Jordan, and of the victories over the great inhabitants there, there would be utter panic at what lay ahead. As such…

11 (con’t) neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you,

v’lo qamah od ruakh b’ish mip’nekem – “And no stood again spirit in man from before you.” The idea is that every man became completely dispirited and he could not get himself to regain his courage again. They simply remained terrified. Hence, we saw the reaction of the king of Jericho. Rahab next makes a sure statement of faith in what she now perfectly knows…

11 (con’t) for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Rahab’s words are emphatic: ki Yehovah elohekem hu Elohim ba’sh’mayim mi maal v’al ha’aretz mi’takhat – “For Yehovah your God HE God in the heavens from above and upon the land from beneath.” They are practically the words of Moses, but most especially in these words from Deuteronomy 4:39 –

“Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.”

Verses 9-11 can be summed up in the words of the Song of Moses from Exodus 15 –

“Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
16 Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O Lord,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.” Exodus 15:15, 16

This is a logical point to end the words for today. Rahab has demonstrated faith in the capabilities of the Lord, even to the point that what she does aligns with what she believes. This brings in the obvious difficulty that is evidenced between the writings of Paul and those of James, something that we will look at in a moment…

With what will you come before the Lord?
What will you present for the sin of your soul?
What will bring you the great reward?
On what thing will you, your sins roll?

Shall you accomplish a great and noble deed?
Claiming it is worthy of His praise?
Shall giving up a wicked life or one of greed
Bring you honor, blessing, and eternal days?

Rather, come to your God in faith because of His grace
Come to Him with hands empty of any pride
By grace through faith alone will you see His smiling face
And through that alone will you in heaven reside

III. A Lesson in Faith

Paul says in Romans 3, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28). He then goes on to say –

“What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” Romans 4:1, 2

A few verses later, he says, “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

Paul says this elsewhere as well, both directly and indirectly. And yet, James says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).

This is a problem, because preachers, teachers, and scholars then come up with impossible-to-reconcile solutions, such as, “Good works stem naturally from saving faith.” That is nonsense, and it is not ever taught in Scripture.

First, tell that to the guy on the cross next to Jesus. Secondly, the obvious question is, “What works?” Who decides what is sufficient work to say, “Yes, he is saved, and he is not.”? And thirdly, isn’t lying evidence of not doing what is right?

So, if a person does some good things and some things that aren’t good, like Rahab, then who decides that her works are acceptable for saving or not? It completely misses the intent of what Paul is saying, and it dismisses what James is saying.

In James 2, he gives only two examples of what works justify a person. The first was, astonishingly, that of Abraham, the exact same person that Paul says was justified by faith alone –

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” James 2:21, 22

His second example is, equally incredibly, Rahab –

“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?” James 2:25

Is James saying that these two people were not justified by faith? If so, then he didn’t read the epistle to Hebrews. Because both of them are used as examples there for being people of faith. And more, both of them have exactly the same “works” cited as “works of faith” –

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” Hebrews 11:17-19

“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” Hebrews 11:31 (our text verse)

So how can it be that works justified them? If their faith was behind the works, then it was faith that justified them. Their works were simply works of faith. It is true that their works were products of the faith, but that is not what justified them, their faith did.

So, the question remains, “What works?” What is it that will save the human and bring him before God justified and acceptable to Him? Jesus gave us the answer –

“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’
29 Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” John 6:28, 29

The “works” which justify are the works of Jesus Christ. Faith in Him may or may not lead to our own works, but it is He who did the works. It is He who fulfilled the law. It is He who died in fulfillment of the law, and it is He who rose again. And it is we – here it is, here are our works – who are to believe in Him.

It is entirely false that “good works stem naturally from saving faith,” because no “good works” are defined for us to do except for those things that are found for us to do that are recorded in Scripture. But if a person hears the gospel, accepts it, and is saved, unless he has the Bible – something almost unheard of in much of history and still for many of the people of the world – they cannot “do” what is expected of them from the word.

In the end, everything comes back to one thought for our justification: faith. And it is faith plus nothing. If you want to be pleasing to God, have faith. If you want to add to that, learn His word and apply its precepts to your life. And when you do good things, if they are done because of your faith in Christ, you will receive your reward. Have faith in that.

Closing Verse: “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’” Galatians 3:11

Next Week: Joshua 2:12-24 To the spies, Rahab these words does submit… (According to Your Words, So Be It) (4th Joshua Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. It is He who has defeated the enemy and who now offers His people rest. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

A Harlot Named Rahab

Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove
To spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho
So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab
And lodged there, thinking no one would know

And it was told the king of Jericho, saying
“Behold, men have come here tonight
From the children of Israel to search out the country
For sure, this just ain’t right

So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying
“Bring out the men who have come to you
Who have entered your house
For they have come to search out all the country
———-such they came to do

Then the woman took the two men and hid them
So she said, “Yes, the men came to me
But I did not know where they were from
So I tell you plainly

“And it happened as the gate was being shut
When it was dark, that the men went out; their escape
———-they did make
Where the men went, I do not know
Pursue them quickly, for them you may overtake”

(But she had brought them up to the roof
And hidden them with the stalks of flax
Which she had laid in order on the roof
She carefully covered their tracks

Then the men pursued them by the road
To the Jordan, to the fords heading straight
And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out
They shut the gate

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof
And said to the men: “I know that the LORD has
———-given you the land. Yes, I know it’s true
That the terror of you has fallen on us
And that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted
———-because of you

For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water
Of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, such
———-great wonders He has employed
And what you did to the two kings of the Amorites
Who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og
———-whom you utterly destroyed

And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted
Neither did there remain any more courage in anyone
Because of you, for the LORD your God
He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath
———-He is the only One!

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

And we shall be content and satisfied in You alone
We will follow You as we sing our songs of praise
Hallelujah to You; to us Your path You have shown
Hallelujah we shall sing to You for all of our days

Hallelujah and Amen…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”

So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.”

3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.”

4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” 6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) 7 Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.