Author: Charlie Garrett

Deuteronomy 30:1-10 (The Lord Your God Will Circumcise Your Heart)

Charlie Garrett Deuteronomy (Written)

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Deuteronomy 30:1-10
The Lord Your God Will Circumcise Your Heart

I must admit that there is a progression of thought in this passage that was rather difficult for me to pin down, and there are some clauses within it that took a lot of effort to think through.

A couple of the scholars, Keil and Lange, I read for each sermon had some invaluable insight into the Hebrew that helped me out, but their analyses were so difficult to understand that I spent half my time just trying to make sense of what they were saying.

Get a load of Lange’s comments from a portion of his thoughts about verse 2. And mind you, this is just a short portion of them –

“To put an end to the captivity, to turn the imprisonment. GES., HUPF., as already J. H. MICHAELIS, KNOBEL, in a transitive sense likewise, but questionable (since it gives the Kal the force of the Hiphil); to turn back the captivity, or the captives. שׁבוּת  (שׁבית  as it is alternately pointed by Masoretic punctuators) from שָׁבָה shavah to sweep away, to lead captive, is an abstract form designating the condition. It is impossible, in this connection, to take the abstract for the concrete, since the leading back of the captives, the gathering of Israel from the heathen, appears as the consequence of ‎את־שבותך ושב—. Comp. Jer. 29:14; 30:3, 18. As there the consideration of what had been experienced, i.e., the bringing it back to heart, preceded the return of Israel to the Lord, so now, the leading back of Israel, the gathering of His people out from all the nations, follows upon the return of the Lord to His people. The expression, have compassion upon thee, which as is conceded, appears in the earlier prophets, and has no necessary connection therefore with the Babylonian exile, but as there used refers rather to the time of the Messiah, is moreover satisfactorily explained.”

There are some good insights, but he sure could have stated them in a much easier way. If you think my sermons get complicated, just try to understand what these are saying. As for the passage, despite its complexities, the overall message is rather simple, “You will be restored someday, and the Lord will rejoice over you.”

Who is being referred to, and when is it speaking of? That is what we will go over in detail today…

Text Verse: “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:4, 5

Another commentary I read, but which is less worried about the details and more concerned with the overall picture of what is being said is the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary. I didn’t need their comments for the sermon, but I appreciated what they had to say enough to let you hear a portion of their thoughts –

“The hopes of the Hebrew people are ardently directed to this promise, and they confidently expect that God, commiserating their forlorn and fallen condition, will yet rescue them from all the evils of their long dispersion. They do not consider the promise as fulfilled by their restoration from the captivity in Babylon, for Israel was not then scattered in the manner here described—’among all the nations,’ ‘unto the utmost parts of heaven’ (De 30:4). When God recalled them from that bondage, all the Israelites were not brought back. They were not multiplied above their fathers (De 30:5), nor were their hearts and those of their children circumcised to love the Lord (De 30:6). It is not, therefore, of the Babylonish captivity that Moses was speaking in this passage; it must be of the dispersed state to which they have been doomed for eighteen hundred years. … But undoubtedly it will receive its full and complete accomplishment in the conversion of the Jews to the Gospel of Christ.” Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

The Jews are looking for one thing, what they will get is not at all what they now expect. But be sure of this, what they get will be infinitely greater than what they now expect. The commentators are right, it is future to us now, and it is all about Jesus and His relationship with the Jews.

Let’s not insert the church where it does not belong. These verses today have nothing to do with the church. They speak of a day, future to us now, when Israel will again be in a right standing with God. The way the world looks now, that day may not be far off.

We’ll see. For now, great things 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. The Lord Your God Will Gather You (verses 1-6)

“Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you,

Moses now sums up the contents of Chapters 27-29. A great deal has been spoken forth in those chapters concerning the state of the people in relation to the law that has been given. Chapter 27 referred to the proclamation of the curses upon Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. The final proclamation summed up the entire matter, though –

“‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’
And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’” Deuteronomy 27:26

Chapter 28 defined the blessings and the curses that would come upon the people for obedience or disobedience. However, understanding the all-encompassing nature of those final words of Chapter 27, it appears to be a given that bad times lay ahead for the people, even if the blessings initially came upon them.

In Chapter 29, Moses clearly stated that the covenant was being made not just with the people there before him, but all who would issue from them who are called “Israel.” The binding nature of the law cannot be escaped from by the nation.

In his words, he went from the singular “The Lord would not spare him” (29:20), and he moved to punishment upon the whole land, saying, “when they see the plagues of that land and the sicknesses which the Lord has laid upon it” (29:22). The implication is that the entire nation has departed from the Lord.

That is then confirmed in the words, “Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt” (29:25). As such, the words of cursing finished with, “And the Lord uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day” (29:28).

With that stated, Moses closed out the chapter with the words, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (29:29).

With that context understood, and with the thought of Israel being in a state of exile from the land, while at the same time the land simmers and burns in the heat of the Lord’s anger and wrath, the beginning words of Chapter 30 include – “when all these things come upon you.”

Moses takes it as an axiom that they will, in fact, come upon them. He does not say “if.” The word signifies “that,” “for,” “when,” and so on. The words “all these things” are exactly what we just detailed. They encompass…

1 (con’t) the blessing and the curse which I have set before you,

Moses acknowledges that all of it would come upon Israel, both the joy of the blessing and the terror of the curse. He has clearly, fully, and in minute detail expressed everything that would come to pass. The words have been presented to them, and they are recorded for all generations to consider.

Nothing needed has been kept secret, but the Lord has revealed the future to them through Moses. Those things that the Lord has kept secret are His alone, but that which has been presented is fully sufficient to alert Israel to what is coming and thus who is to blame when it does. Of these words so far, Charles Ellicott (1819-1905) says –

“The curse is still upon them, and therefore this chapter contemplates the possibility of a restoration still to come. Some would go much further than this. But thus much is undeniable.” Charles Ellicott

This flies in the face of replacement theology. If Israel is still under the curse (which even replacement theologians are willing to admit), then it means that they are still under (bound to) the covenant by which the curse finds its authority. One cannot say “Israel is out” while Israel is still in. It is illogical, incompetent, and inconsistent.

As one can see from Moses’ words though, it is, unfortunately, the case that eventual failure is the expectation, and the curses are to be the anticipated result of the failure. In that state, having received all of the curses, including the state of being in exile…

1 (con’t) and you call them to mind

va’hashevota el l’vavekha – “And you return unto to your heart.” The heart reflects the cognitive thinking of man, the mind. It is that which Israel uses to reflect on their state. It must be noted that all of the words of this verse are in the singular, “you Israel.” This is unlike what occurred in Daniel 9 –

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.” Daniel 9:1-3

Daniel called to mind the things that had been written, and he petitioned the Lord because of them. But what is spoken of here is a national acknowledgment of their condition.

Today, there are some Jews that will acknowledge, “Boy, we really got what we deserved,” just as Daniel did. He went on through much of that chapter detailing how deserving they were of all of the calamity that came upon them. For the most part though, Israel of today finds every reason except for their own national failure as to why all the ills they have experienced have come upon them.

Therefore, their return to the land cannot be a fulfillment of what is stated now by Moses. That is solely an act of grace by the Lord, preparing them for what lies ahead. Further, their being in the land now does not negate that a literal fulfillment lies ahead for the next words…

1 (con’t) among all the nations

It is true that Israel has a homeland, and that it is filled with the people of Israel. But it is also true that a majority of them are still not in the land. They are still “among all the nations.” But this is an unnatural state. If they are Israel, they belong in Israel.

A Japanese belongs in Japan. If a person moves to America from Japan, and if that person becomes an American, he is no longer a Japanese. He, and those after him, are Americans of Japanese descent. However, Jews generally identify with their culture first.

There is nothing wrong with this. It is just how it is. Whatever one identifies with most, that is what he is. As a Jew derives his cultural identity from Israel, then it would logically follow that he is in a state of separation when he is not in the land by which he is identified. This is the condition known as exile. For those of Israel who are not in the land of Israel, it is…

1 (con’t) where the Lord your God drives you,

Israel was in the land, they disobeyed the Lord, and they were exiled from the land. From that time on, those who are not in the land are in exile. If this was not so, they would simply do what everyone else does and join to the nation where they now live.

If you go to England, there are people from India, Africa, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, and so on. They came to England over the years, and they have – if they are willing to be a part of the English culture – identified with England. They can be proud of their heritage, but they also identify with England, deciding that is their permanent place to hang their hat.

Jews will also do this. They serve in the military in the US, they identify with the US, and so on. But for many, their primary identification remains being “Jewish.” It is what defines them. This is why they were paraded around with yellow stars in Germany. The bonds of their culture remained at the forefront of who they are. Again, this isn’t right or wrong, it is just how it is.

The Lord anticipated that, and He has, in their continued disobedience, done to them exactly as He said He would, and exactly as Moses affirms would occur. Understanding these things, Moses continues…

2 and you return to the Lord your God and obey His voice,

v’shavta ad Yehovah elohekha v’shamata b’qolo – “And you return as far as Yehovah your God and obey His voice.” The thought and the words are similar to Deuteronomy 4:30 –

“When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice.”

Both there, and here in Chapter 30, the words are in the singular – “you Israel.” And in both, the word translated as “to” is ad. It signifies “as far as” or “even to.” Israel is in exile, they are in distress, it is the latter days, and so on. Over the years, they may have turned from their ways, but not to the Lord.

What Moses is saying in both Deuteronomy 4:30 and again here, is that Israel will someday turn as far as or even to the Lord. In other words, this is a complete returning to Him, not just a turning to Him at some particular point in order to meet a timely need. John Lange says, “including the goal as one attained.”

Relying on their own righteousness, and in heeding the placating thoughts of the rabbis of the past whose words comprise the Talmud, Israel has never come to this point. Someday, they will put all of that nonsense behind them and turn until they attain the goal, coming to the Lord alone. This turning will be…

2 (con’t) according to all that I command you today,

The words refer to everything spoken of by Moses in Deuteronomy – every law, every precept, every anticipated event. The expression “I command you today” has been repeated more than twenty times since Deuteronomy 4:40. As such, it must be remembered that this then includes the clear commands concerning the “Prophet like me” spoken in Chapter 18.

That Prophet was clearly presented to Israel, and it is He that fulfilled the Mosaic Code, and then both annulled it and initiated a New Covenant in His blood. But it is only annulled for those who accept that it is so. For those who do not, they remain under the Law of Moses, and thus under the curse of the law.

For Israel, when they turn to the Lord, acknowledging Christ – as is clearly presented in what Moses is conveying – they will then have fulfilled the precepts of the law as now given by him…

2 (con’t) you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul,

What is spoken of is a national turning. The word “you” is in the singular. It is undoubtedly not speaking merely to each individual, but to the nation sitting before him now, which is inclusive of “your (singular) children.”

At some point, the nation will have a collective turning, even to (as far as) the Lord, and it will be “in all to your (singular) heart and in all your (singular) soul.” Understanding this timing, the thought which began in this first clause now continues…

3 that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity,

The words seem simple. One can read them and quickly pass on to the next verse. And yet, the Hebrew is so precise and carefully stated that scholars have lengthy commentaries on it: v’shav Yehovah elohekha eth shevutekha – “And return Yehovah your God your (singular) fortunes.”

Moses introduces a new word here shevuth. It comes from shavah, meaning “to take captive.” Hence, it is generally translated as “from captivity.” Two major translations are given though –

“then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity” (NASB)
“then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes” (ESV)

Keil clearly presents what is being conveyed –

“‘the Lord will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and gather thee again’ את־שׁבוּת שׁוּב does not mean to bring back the prisoners, as the more modern lexicographers erroneously suppose (the Kal שׁוּב never has the force of the Hiphil), but to turn the imprisonment, and that in a figurative sense, viz., to put an end to the distress…”

In other words, whether it is translated as “from captivity” or “restore your fortunes,” it signifies the ending of the distress of the people. This is important because of the continued words of the verse.

As an interesting insight into this verse, the Greek translation says, “and the Lord will heal your sins.” How they came to that is difficult to understand unless they logically understood that the fortunes cannot be restored unless the sins are forgiven. The thought is certainly reminiscent of Romans 11 –

“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.’” Romans 11:26, 27

For now, Moses provides parallelism to confirm the restoration of Israel, saying…

3 (con’t) and have compassion on you,

In the returning of the captivity (restoring the fortunes), compassion is given. The second thought restates but repeats the previous thought. With that noted, Moses then says…

3 (con’t) and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.

Moses repeats the same word as the first clause, v’shav or “and return,” saying: v’shav v’qibetskha mikal ha’ammim – “and return and gather you (singular) from all the peoples.” The words then are a resumption of the thought –

“And return Yehovah your God your fortunes.”
“And have compassion on you.”
“And return and gather you from all the peoples.”

What has happened in these verses is first a turning of the heart of the people in order to obey the Lord’s voice. In turn, the Lord returns to restore Israel. The second is a consequence of the first. The gathering of Israel comes after – as a result of – the turning of the collective heart.

Therefore, what has happened since 1948 is not a fulfillment of these words. The restoration of Israel to the land has happened, that is true, but their true restoration is yet ahead. This gathering of the people is something that will occur after, not before, the tribulation period. That will be seen as Moses continues…

4 If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven,

The Hebrew reads “the heavens.” Israel will be scattered to the ends of the earth. The words here do not reflect what occurred during the Babylonian captivity. It is clearly a prophecy of a worldwide dispersion. Despite the vastness of the exile…

4 (con’t) from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you.

The Lord, through Moses, promises that at the time of their returning to Him as is defined in the law, and which includes the acceptance of Christ as their Messiah, there will be a gathering of the exiles. This is certainly what Jesus is referring to –

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31

The elect Jesus refers to are those Jews who will come to trust Christ during the tribulation period. They have nothing to do with the church which is inclusive of Jews who have already received Christ. Moses is speaking to Israel and Christ is speaking to Israel.

But more, the elect are not necessarily the people who are in Israel now. If they were, Jesus would not have said this just a few verses earlier in Matthew –

“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:15-22

If everyone in Israel was “the elect,” there would be no need to address those who heeded His words in Judea, imploring them to flee to the mountains. The elect will heed, those who do not are not of “the elect.”

When the addressees or the dispensations are mixed, error in theology is the natural and inevitable consequence. The restoration of Israel, as spoken by Moses now, is still future to us at this time.

5 Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it.

It is those who heed the words of Moses, and who thus heed the words of Jesus that will be brought into this land to possess it. This then speaks of the millennial kingdom, not of what is going on in Israel today.

Again, it is true this is the same body of people, obviously, because Jesus tells those who are of this body (meaning Israel), but who are also willing to pay heed to His words (meaning the elect), to flee to the mountains. It is these who are referred to with the words…

5 (con’t) He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.

The reference here cannot be speaking of Israel at this time. It is true they are prospering and multiplying, but it is also true that the Lord prospering them (literally “do you good”) more than their fathers is not true at this time.

The state of peace described in Israel at the time of Solomon has never been realized in modern Israel, and that must be taken into consideration along with all other points. This will truly only be fulfilled in the millennial kingdom. What Moses next says clearly reveals this…

6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants,

The words of this verse cannot be speaking of the time after the Babylonian captivity. Hence, none of what is said here can. This is speaking to Israel the nation, in the singular, and therefore it can only be referring to them. The promise of circumcision of the heart is the same basic thought as the Lord writing His law on the heart.

The two concepts are set in parallel. One speaks of a change in heart, the other speaks of what that change in heart signifies. It is an action of the Lord, and it is something that only occurs in conjunction with the New Covenant. Thus, replacement theology has no standing. This can only be speaking of Israel, not the church.

It is true that both Moses and Jeremiah tell the people to circumcise their hearts to the Lord, but that is a way of telling the people to turn their minds to Him and to think with clarity concerning Him. However, it is not the same as when the Lord performs the action.

To truly have a circumcised heart is to turn to the Lord in Christ, and then to have Christ convert the heart. To understand this, a logical progression of verses needs to be considered –

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Jeremiah 31:31-33

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:28, 29

“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11, 12

Paul confirms that the precept of the New Covenant circumcision of the heart applies to Gentiles as well as Jews, but Moses’ words only apply to Israel the nation (you, singular). When the Lord finally does His work in them, because they directed their hearts toward Him (meaning Christ who performs the circumcision), it will finally result in their ability…

6 (con’t) to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

The action of the Lord, His circumcising Israel’s heart, is a result of Israel’s turning the heart to Him in order to obey His voice. In that, they are restored, and in that the heart is circumcised. The result is their ability to love Him with all the heart and all the soul of the nation, (it is singular).

And there is an ultimate reason behind this, which is, l’maan khayekha – “to end purpose your (singular) life.” The wording here brings to remembrance the words that described Jacob (who pictured Israel the people) when he realized Joseph (who pictured Christ) was alive. Literally, it said, “and lives spirit of Jacob.”

What Moses is saying here is not referring to physical life any more than what was said of Jacob. Rather, it speaks of the spiritual reconnection to God that was lost in Adam. Israel as a nation will have that collective revival of the heart, and they will collectively be made alive when they come to Christ – just as was typologically anticipated in the story of Joseph.

Listen to the statutes and the judgments too
Pay heed to the word that you hear
Everything is laid out that you are to do
Keep them with you always; be sure to keep them near

Think on what the Lord is telling you
Consider what needs to be done
Will you trust in your own ability, these things to do?
If so, you must accomplish every single one

Think on what the word is telling you
Consider again what needs to be done
Will you trust in your own ability, these things to do?
Or will you by faith simply trust in His Son?

II. When You Turn to the Lord (verses 7-10)

7 “Also the Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you.

Rather than “curses,” it should say “all the oaths.” Everything that the Lord swore would come upon Israel will instead come upon their enemies. One might say, “This can’t be speaking of the millennial kingdom then.” But that one would be wrong.

One of the promised blessings of Deuteronomy 28 was rain. One of the promised curses was the rain being changed to powder and dust. That is a promise of the millennium –

“And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18 If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.” Zechariah 14:17, 18

There will be death in the millennium as well. This tells us that things may be different from our current state, but the evil inclinations of the heart of man will not be changed. Things will continue on in the manner they now exist in that regard.

But even without that, the verb translated as “persecuted you” is in the perfect tense. Those who persecuted Israel will suffer for their actions. That is clearly evidenced in Jesus’ words of Matthew 25 –

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” Matthew 25:31-33

This is a judgment of the nations, and it is a judgment directed at the treatment of Israel by those nations. How His people are treated will reflect what the Lord does with them. As for Israel…

8 And you will again obey the voice of the Lord and do all His commandments which I command you today.

The word “you” is emphatic – “And YOU…” This sets Israel off from those in the previous verse. “They did this to you, but YOU will…” But what Moses says must now be considered. First, it doesn’t say “again obey.” It says, “And you will return and obey.”

There was never a time when Israel faithfully obeyed all the commandments which Moses commanded them. If there was, they would not have needed Jesus. They would have fulfilled the law. With that understood, what does it mean that Israel will do all the Lord’s commandment which Moses commands them?

One view is that the Law of Moses will again be in effect during the millennium. The temple described by Ezekiel has sacrifices. Isaiah 66 seemingly refers to dietary laws, New Moon and Sabbath observances, and so on during this time. If this is so, then the words of Hebrews that the law is annulled, obsolete, and set aside in Christ are contradictory.

The correct view is that in coming to Christ, who fulfilled the law, Israel is fulfilling all of the laws of Moses. He accomplished for them, and indeed for all who come to Him, everything that the law only anticipates and pictures. A law that is annulled is done with. Israel has not yet learned that. Until they do, they will not be included in what God has done.

9 The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good.

The verse begins with And. “And the Lord your God will.” There is a mutual aspect to the words. Israel will do this, and the Lord will do that.” Further, the words continue in the singular, just as they have through the entire passage.

Israel will abound in all the ways promised here. It is reflective of the words of the blessing promised in Deuteronomy 28. Everything they set their hand to will be blessed. It will be a time of abundance and prosperity for them –

“Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob;
Israel shall blossom and bud,
And fill the face of the world with fruit.” Isaiah 27:6

It is one of a very long list of the blessings that will be realized during the millennium. And there is a reason for this…

9 (con’t) For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good

Again, the word “again” gives the wrong sense. It says, “For will return Yehovah to rejoice over you to good.” The comparison is to the fathers of the next clause, not to Israel of the past. The Lord will return to rejoice over Israel…

9 (con’t) as He rejoiced over your fathers,

The question that must be asked in order to understand this is, “Who are ‘your fathers?’” The answer is found in the singular. Moses has not spoken in the plural even once so far. Therefore, it is speaking of the fathers of Israel, not the fathers of the people of Israel.

It is a clear indication that the previous verse is not speaking of the people obeying the Law of Moses, but of following Christ who obeyed (and thus fulfilled) the Law of Moses.

The fathers, those before the law – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – who are being referred to here, did not have the law. They lived by faith, just as is recorded in Hebrews 11. In this, the Lord rejoiced over them. It is not observance of the law, but the obedience of faith that pleases the Lord. This is then highlighted in the next words…

10 if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law,

The word “if” is incorrect. It says: ki tishma – “when (or for) you hear (meaning obey).” It presupposes that this will happen someday, and it is what will bring the state of the Lord’s rejoicing over them.

But it is obvious that if this occurs after the New Covenant that was promised in Jeremiah, as we have already seen that such is the case, then it must mean that the obedience to the commandments and statutes is vicariously applied.

Moses has already said that the Lord will circumcise their heart. This is in response to accepting the work of Messiah, not adherence to the law. That will be shown true, once again, in our closing verse for today…

*10 (fin) and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Again, the word “if” is incorrect. It is not conditional. It says, “when (or for) you turn to Yehovah your God.” The ESV is the closest to what the Hebrew says –

“when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

How does one keep all the words of the Book of the Law? Israel, even in the future, could only failingly do so. The reason why is because the words are written to Israel, the nation. If one person fails to keep the words of the law, then the nation has failed. And it is quite clear that even in the millennium, this will be the case –

“No more shall an infant from there live but a few days,
Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days;
For the child shall die one hundred years old,
But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.” Isaiah 65:20

If there is a sinner in the millennium among Israel, then Israel would fail to keep all of the commandments. Even if the people executed the punishment of the law upon the offender, the words of Moses are in the singular, not the plural. It is an all-or-nothing scenario. Hence, the goal is not the law, but Jesus, who embodies the law.

When, not if, Israel turns to the Lord with all of the heart and all of the soul, Israel will find its rest and will find its peace. This is the lesson of the carefully chosen words of Moses. And it is the same lesson for each individual today – Jew or Gentile.

We cannot find peace without the Lord, and there is no rest for the wicked. Only in coming to Christ is the sin debt cancelled. But when that happens, the peace of God, and the rest which is found in Christ, is made available to that soul.

There is a lot of theology tied up in today’s verses, but the main message is surprisingly easy to understand. God has done the work through Christ, He offers forgiveness by faith in that, and in His forgiveness, reconciliation with Him is realized.

It is all summed up in the gospel. Christ died for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again. If you believe that message and call on the name of the Lord, you will be saved. Be sure to do that today.

Closing Verse: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.’ 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’ 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:10-14

Next Week: Deuteronomy 30:11-20 In Him ends the enmity and the strife… (For He Is Your Life) (88th Deuteronomy Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. But He also has expectations of you as He prepares you for entrance into His Land of Promise. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

The Lord Your God Will Circumcise Your Heart

“Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you
The blessing and the curse which I have set before you
———-as I now do
And you call them to mind among all the nations
Where the LORD your God drives you

And you return to the LORD your God
And obey His voice, to Him your obedience you roll
According to all that I command you today
You and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul

That the LORD your God will bring you back from captivity
And have compassion on you, so He will do
And gather you again from all the nations
Where the LORD your God has scattered you

If any of you are driven out
To the farthest parts under heaven, as He said He would do
From there the LORD your God will gather you
And from there He will bring you

Then the LORD your God will bring you
To the land which your fathers possessed, as He promised to do
And you shall possess it
He will more than your fathers prosper you and multiply you

And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart
And the heart of your descendants that to you He does give
To love the LORD your God
With all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live

“Also the LORD your God will put all these curses, so He shall do
On your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you

And you will again obey
The voice of the LORD, so I say
And do all His commandments
Which I command you today

The LORD your God will make you abound in all the work
———-of your hand
In the fruit of your body, let this be understood
In the increase of your livestock
And in the produce of your land for good

For the LORD will again rejoice over you for good
As He rejoiced over your fathers, so He will do
If you obey the voice of the LORD your God
To keep His commandments and His statutes too

Which are written
In this Book of the Law, not in part but in whole
And if you turn to the LORD your God
With all your heart and with all your soul

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 it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God drives you, 2 and you return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you. 4 If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. 5 Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

7 “Also the Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. 8 And you will again obey the voice of the Lord and do all His commandments which I command you today. 9 The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, 10 if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 4:21

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Around the area of York’s residence, Pall Mall.

Sunday, 23 January 2022

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. Acts 4:21

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).

Peter and John have clearly stated their intentions to speak concerning what they had seen and heard. The council’s command found no footing in them, but there was nothing further that could be done other than bring more empty words of threat. This is seen now in verse 21, beginning with, “So when they had further threatened them.”

As just noted, Peter and John plainly stated that it was their intention to continue speaking out. They knew it was right, they had the authority of the Lord to do so, and those who administered the law had no justifiable reason to punish them. All they could do was threaten them some more and then “they let them go.”

Whether the beggar was there with them, or if he had already been excused, Luke’s words center on the apostles. Their words effectively communicated the events that occurred, the healing that had been performed stood as its own witness to the truth of their words, and thus their defense was valid. Those who wished to silence them had to release them, “finding no way of punishing them.”

Here is a new word that will only be seen again in 2 Peter 2:9, kolazó, to chastise. Vincent’s Word Studies says it was, “Originally, to curtail or dock; to prune as trees: thence to check, keep in bounds, punish.” The council was in a bind because they did not have the weight of the law behind them to support them and to legally keep the apostles curtailed. There was nothing to be found in Scripture that would justify one of the punishments authorized by Moses. In fact, just the opposite was true.

Luke, who carefully and meticulously provides every necessary detail, says nothing of witnesses – even false witnesses – that could testify against the apostles. But witnesses were required in order to render punishment upon offenders. Should they abuse their authority in such a way, it would cause real problems for them “because of the people.”

This was their main concern, not just at this time, but at other times as well. For example, when the leaders confronted Jesus about a matter, instead of directly responding to their question, knowing it was a trap, He asked them another question that put them in a bind. Their fear of the people’s reaction dictated their words and their judgments –

Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”
24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.”
And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The same state of fear concerning the people is seen in them now in Acts. They understood that they were limited by the constraints of the law, and the people were aware of what those constraints were. In this case, the apostles had the support of the people and therefore the council had to give up any intention of punishing them. If they did, it would have aroused the masses who had – only one day before – seen the sign of the healing “since they all glorified God for what had been done.”

These words follow directly upon what the beggar himself had done –

“So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.” Acts 3:8, 9

When the man was healed, he gave God the praise. When Peter addressed the crowd, he then denied that he had accomplished the miracle, but instead said that it had been upon “the faith” in Jesus’ name that it had occurred. It was a demonstration of God’s approval of Christ Jesus.

Further, Peter indicated to the people that Jesus was the fulfillment of the words of Moses that God would raise up a Prophet like him. As this was accepted by the people, it meant that what was done was in accord with the law of Moses. Because of this, the people glorified God for the man’s healing. If the council were to punish the apostles, it would be taken as an act against the Law of Moses and against God who directed the issuance of that law. The consequences of that would be that the people would surely revolt.

Life application: In the US, there is a constitution that establishes the rule of law. The government, when run by miscreants, will do its best to work around the law, override the law, or simply suspend the law. But the constitution is the basis of the law. It is what gives them power in the first place. Because this is so, if the people are aware of what the constitution says, they will rightly revolt when the fundamental precepts found in this document are not adhered to.

For example, the Second Amendment to the US Constitution clearly and unambiguously provides for the bearing of arms by the citizens of the nation. When the government whittles away at this right, there will be blowback from the citizens through the legal process. If that is ignored, at some point the people will be (not may be) justified in taking action against the government because the fundamental right – set down in the nation’s founding document – has been violated.

The word of God is of far greater weight and importance than the US Constitution. It is the very source of humanity’s rights, responsibilities, and code of conduct before God. Man has no right to add to it or to take from it. It must be adhered to, in its proper context, and accurately explaining it is to be held as a sacred charge by those who preach it and teach it.

When this is not the case, the people should question on what authority the pastor, priest, preacher, teacher, church, or denomination thinks they stand. They should rightly revolt against any authority that does not align its teachings to be in accord with this word. Unfortunately, like the citizens of the nation in regard to their establishing documents, the people cannot do this if they do not know what the word of God says.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to read this word, to study this word, and to be able to defend a right interpretation of this word at all times – lest your life be led astray from what God intends for you by miscreants who enter the church in order to tear the people away from what is sound and proper.

Lord God, may we be sound in our doctrine because of our study of Your word. Keep us from being led astray by those who would curtail our freedoms in Christ, but also from those who would lead us to abusing our freedoms as well. May our walk before You be in accord with Your word at all times. Amen.

 

 

Genesis 8,20 – 9,7 (Ein neues Zeitalter– Re-gierung)

Charlie Garrett Deutsch/German

Genesis 8,20 – 9,7 (Ein neues Zeitalter– Regierung)

Als Abraham aufgefordert wurde, seinen Glauben auf konkrete Weise unter Beweis zu stellen, was sollte er da tun? Er sollte einen Altar bauen und seinen Sohn opfern.

Was hat Jakob getan, als er das Land Kanaan zum letzten Mal verließ? Er opferte Gott.

Als die Israeliten in Ägypten waren, was war der Grund, den sie dem Pharao nannten, um in die Wüste zu gehen? Um Gott zu opfern.

Nachdem sie das Gesetz erhalten hatten, verbrachten sie fast ein ganzes Jahr am Fuße des Berges Sinai, um eine Stiftshütte zu bauen und die Anweisungen für den Gottesdienst, das Opfer und das Leben in der Gemeinschaft der Gläubigen zu erhalten.

Was taten die Israeliten, als sie in das verheißene Land einzogen und durch die Zerstörung von Jericho und Ai bereits Fuß gefasst hatten? Sie gingen auf den Berg Elbal, bauten einen Altar und brachten Brandopfer dar.

Was taten die Israeliten, als sie aus der Gefangenschaft zurückkehrten, noch bevor sie den Grundstein des zweiten Tempels gelegt hatten? Im dritten Kapitel des Buches Esra heißt es –

Als aber der siebte Monat nahte und die Kinder Israels nun in ihren Städten waren, da versammelte sich das Volk wie ein Mann in Jerusalem. Und Jeschua, der Sohn Jozadaks, und seine Brüder, die Priester, und Serubbabel, der Sohn Schealtiels, und seine Brüder, machten sich auf und bauten den Altar des Gottes Israels, um Brandopfer darauf darzubringen, wie es geschrieben steht im Gesetz Moses, des Mannes Gottes… Am ersten Tag des siebten Monats fingen sie an, dem Herrn Brandopfer darzubringen, obwohl der Grund für den Tempel des Herrn noch nicht gelegt war.
Esra 3, 1-2 + 6

Und heute, viele tausend Jahre später, bereitet sich das jüdische Volk auf einen neuen Tempel vor, vor allem aber darauf, Opfer auf einem Altar darzubringen. Der Tempel wird kommen, aber noch bevor er gebaut wird, werden sie auf einem Altar, dort, wo er stehen wird, Opfer darbringen. Seit den frühesten Zeiten der Menschheit, bis heute, ist bekannt, dass ein Opfer notwendig ist, wenn man sich Gott nähert.

Die Wirksamkeit von Opfern ist ein anderes Thema, aber die Tatsache, dass sie von den Menschen auf der Erde erbracht werden, wird allgemein als Voraussetzung für unsere Beziehung zum Schöpfer anerkannt.

Einleitung:

Noah war ein Mann des Glaubens und ein treuer Mensch. Er verstand Gott auf eine Weise, die ihn seinem Schöpfer nahe brachte, selbst als der Rest der Welt zerstört war. Zu seinem Glauben gehörte auch, dass er diesen Glauben zum Ausdruck brachte.

Er predigte der Welt vor der Sintflut über Gerechtigkeit und das kommende Gericht. Er baute eine Arche, als noch kein Meer in Sicht war. Er sammelte und bewahrte Nahrung auf, als die Welt vom Überfluss des Bodens aß und trank.

Und nach der Prüfung durch die Flut bewies Noah weiterhin seinen Glauben, wie wir heute sehen werden. In unserem Eröffnungsvers, Genesis 8,20, und bis zu Gottes Versprechen an Abraham in Genesis Kapitel 12 wird Gott mit dem Menschen in einem regierungsähnlichen Rahmen arbeiten. Dies ist der dritte von sieben allgemeinen Abläufen zwischen Gott und dem Menschen. Und das führt uns zu unserem heutigen Textvers, Römer 13,1-7

Text Verse:

Jedermann ordne sich den Obrigkeiten unter, die über ihn gesetzt sind; denn es gibt keine Obrigkeit, die nicht von Gott wäre; die bestehenden Obrigkeiten aber sind von Gott eingesetzt. Wer sich also gegen die Obrigkeit auf­lehnt, der widersetzt sich der Ordnung Gottes; die sich aber widersetzen, ziehen sich selbst die Verurteilung zu. Denn die Herrscher sind nicht wegen guter Werke zu fürchten, sondern wegen böser. Wenn du dich also vor der Obrigkeit nicht fürchten willst, so tue das Gute, dann wirst du Lob von ihr empfangen! Denn sie ist Gottes Dienerin, zu deinem Besten. Tust du aber Böses, so fürchte dich! Denn sie trägt das Schwert nicht umsonst; Gottes Dienerin ist sie, eine Rächerin zum Zorngericht an dem, der das Böse tut. Darum ist es notwendig, sich unterzuordnen, nicht allein um des Zorngerichts, sondern auch um des Gewissens willen. Deshalb zahlt ihr ja auch Steuern; denn sie sind Gottes Diener, die eben dazu beständig tätig sind. So gebt nun jedermann, was ihr schuldig seid: Steuer, dem die Steuer, Zoll, dem der Zoll, Furcht, dem die Furcht, Ehre, dem die Ehre gebührt.
Römer 13,1-7

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

I. Dankbarkeit und Versprechen

20 Noah aber baute dem Herrn einen Altar und nahm von allem reinen Vieh und von allen reinen Vögeln und opferte Brandopfer auf dem Altar.

Ich muss hier anmerken, dass der Tag, an dem Noah dies tut, derselbe Tag ist, an dem Esra im Buch Esra seine Opfergaben darbrachte, und es ist derselbe Tag, an dem Jesus geboren wurde. Genau hier in diesem Vers wird in der Bibel zum ersten Mal ein Altar erwähnt. Anstatt für sich selbst ein Haus zu bauen, opfert Noah Gott. Er bereitet einen Ort vor, an dem er Gott begegnen, ihm danken und ihn verherrlichen kann.

Später in der Bibel, nach der Rückkehr der Israeliten aus der Gefangenschaft, werden wir diese Worte in Haggai 1 lesen –

„Ist es aber für euch an der Zeit, in euren getäfelten Häusern zu wohnen, während dieses Haus in Trümmern liegt? Und nun, so spricht der Herr der Heerscharen: Achtet doch aufmerksam auf eure Wege! Ihr sät viel und bringt wenig ein; ihr esst und werdet doch nicht satt; ihr trinkt und habt doch nicht genug; ihr kleidet euch und werdet doch nicht warm; und wer einen Lohn verdient, der legt ihn in einen durchlöcherten Beutel! So spricht der Herr der Heerscharen: Achtet doch aufmerksam auf eure Wege! Geht auf das Bergland und holt Holz und baut das Haus! Dann werde ich Wohlgefallen daran haben und verherrlicht werden, spricht der Herr.
Haggai 1,4-8

Zu diesem Zeitpunkt hatten die Israeliten bereits mit dem Opfern begonnen, aber sie hatten den Mut verloren und den Bau des Tempels nicht vollendet.

Auf meinen Reisen durch Amerika ist mir aufgefallen, dass in den alten Städten des Landes das älteste Gebäude der Stadt und das am zentralsten gelegene Gebäude in der Regel die Kirche ist. Die Städte wurden um die Kirche herum gebaut und konzentrierten sich auf den Glauben und die Art der Anbetung der Menschen, die sich dort niederließen.

Als die Mayflower 1620 an der Küste Amerikas anlegte, wurde als Erstes der Mayflower-Vertrag verfasst und vereinbart und dann ein Kreuz an der Küste des Landes aufgestellt.

„Im Namen Gottes, Amen. Wir, deren Namen unterschrieben sind, die treuen Untertanen unseres gefürchteten Souveränen Lords King James, von Gottes Gnaden, von Großbritannien, Frankreich und Irland, König, Verteidiger des Glaubens usw., haben uns zur Ehre Gottes verpflichtet, eine Reise zu unternehmen, zur Förderung des christlichen Glaubens und zur Ehre unseres Königs und Landes, um die erste Kolonie in den nördlichen Teilen von Virginia zu gründen; vor diesen Anwesenden schließen wir feierlich und gegenseitig in der Gegenwart Gottes und miteinander einen Bund und vereinen uns zu einer bürgerlichen Körperschaf; und kraft dessen von Zeit zu Zeit solche gerechten und gleichen Gesetze, Verordnungen, Akte, Verfassungen und Ämter zu erlassen, zu konstituieren und zu gestalten, wie es für das allgemeine Wohl der Kolonie am besten geeignet und zweckmäßig erscheint; denen wir alle gebührende Unterwerfung und Gehorsam versprechen.“

Leider ist das erste, was bei der Gründung einer modernen Stadt gebaut wird, entweder ein Einkaufszentrum oder eine Sportarena. Kirchen werden heute am Rande der Städte gebaut. Statt Orte der innigen Anbetung, des Lobpreises, des Bekenntnisses, der Demut und der eingehenden Verkündigung des Wortes Gottes zu sein, sind sie nun gesellschaftliche Ereignisse.

Es wird viel Wert auf Kaffee, Bequemlichkeit und leicht verständliche Predigten gelegt, und es mangelt an Disziplin im christlichen Leben. Das ist der Zustand, in dem wir heute mit Gott leben. Die Heiligkeit und Ehrfurcht vor dem Altar ist ein zweitrangiger Gedanke und nicht die erste Verpflichtung der erkauften und erlösten Seele.

Aber Noah baute zuerst einen Altar, einen Ort für Opfergaben. Ob frühere Opfer in der Bibel Altäre beinhalteten oder nicht, wird nicht erwähnt. Der Grund dafür, dass es jetzt erwähnt wird, ist, dass die Erde durch die Flut völlig leergefegt wurde und der Garten Eden mit ihr verschwunden ist.

Der Herr ist jetzt in der Höhe und Seine Gegenwart ist von der Erde zurückgezogen. Er wird erst zur Zeit Moses und der Stiftshütte wiederkommen, um dort zu wohnen. Und so wird der Altar gebaut, um Opfer zu verbrennen, die symbolisch den Rauch zu Ihm und Seiner Wohnung aufsteigen lassen.

Unser Wort “Altar” kommt vom lateinischen Wort “altus”, was “hoch” oder “erhöht” bedeutet. Noah befand sich auf den Bergen des Ararat, und der Rauch seiner Opfergabe würde noch höher aufsteigen. Als der Altar gebaut wurde, war er für Jehova und nicht nur für Gott bestimmt.

Jehova – der Herr – ist der bundestreue Gott, der bewiesen hat, dass Er die Verheißung, die Er Noah gegeben hat, erfüllt hat. Und deshalb opferte Noah “von jedem reinen Tier und von jedem reinen Vogel”. Indem er von allen Tieren opferte, wollte er seine Dankbarkeit für seine vollständige Befreiung zum Ausdruck bringen.

Der Begriff “olah” wird für das Brandopfer verwendet. Dieses Opfer wird vollständig auf dem Altar verbrannt. Wenn ein solches Opfer dargebracht wird, bittet man Gott, das Opfer als Ersatz für das Leben des Opfernden anzunehmen, und bittet um die Barmherzigkeit Gottes. Das Feuer und die Verbrennung des Opfers symbolisieren genau das – das Eingeständnis, dass das, was man verdient hat, der Feuersee ist.

Das Tier wird als ein Bild dafür gegeben. Noah opferte es, weil ihm das Leben geschenkt wurde, während der Rest der Erde um ihn herum starb. Diese und alle anderen Opfergaben in der übrigen Bibel weisen auf das Werk Jesu Christi hin.

Das Buch der Hebräer erklärt diese Dinge und zeigt, wie sie auf Sein letztes Opfer hinweisen. Letztendlich ist Jesus der Einzige, der uns vor der Hölle retten kann, die wir zu Recht verdient haben. Dies ist die Anerkennung Noahs vor Gott.

21 Und der Herr roch den lieblichen Geruch, und der Herr sprach in seinem Herzen: Ich will künftig den Erdboden nicht mehr verfluchen um des Menschen willen, obwohl das Trachten des menschlichen Herzens böse ist von seiner Jugend an; auch will ich künftig nicht mehr alles Lebendige schlagen, wie ich es getan habe. 

Der Herr roch einen wohltuenden Duft. Gott hat keine Nase, aber der Herr Jesus schon. Es gibt zwei Möglichkeiten, dies zu betrachten. Die erste ist, dass der ewige Christus – Jesus, der der souveräne Herr des Alten und Neuen Testaments ist – dieses Opfer und all die anderen dort erwähnten Opfer irgendwie tatsächlich gerochen hat und den Geruch genoss.

Die andere Erklärung ist, dass es sich um ein Glaubensopfer Noahs handelt. In dieser Flamme und dem Rauch befindet sich das gesamte Wesen des Tieres, das Gott, der es gegeben hat, zurückgegeben wird. Als Noah dieses Glaubensopfer darbrachte, stieg sein ganzes Herz der Dankbarkeit mit ihm auf.

Alles, was mit der Dankbarkeit zusammenhängt – der Dank, das Gefühl des empfangenen Schutzes, die Vorfreude auf die verheißene Zukunft – all das steigt zum Herrn auf und ist somit ein “wohltuender Duft” für den Herrn.

Wie können wir wissen, ob dies die richtige Auslegung ist? Wir müssen sie nur mit anderen Opfergaben in der Bibel vergleichen, die nicht angenommen wurden. Es gibt viele Beispiele, aber sehen wir uns nur eines aus Jeremia an –

Höre es, Erde!
Siehe, ich will Unheil über dieses Volk kommen lassen,
die Frucht ihrer Gedanken;
denn auf meine Worte haben sie nicht geachtet,
und mein Gesetz, das haben sie verworfen.
Was soll mir der Weihrauch von Saba
und das köstliche Gewürzrohr aus fernem Land?
Eure Brandopfer sind mir nicht wohlgefällig,
und eure Schlachtopfer sind mir nicht angenehm!
Jeremia 6,19-20

Dieselbe Art von Opfern wird aufgrund der Einstellung der Menschen angenommen oder abgelehnt, nicht nur aufgrund der Art des geopferten Tieres. Wenn die Frucht unserer Gedanken böse ist, dann wird die Opfergabe von Gott als solche angesehen. Wir haben das in der Erzählung von Kains Opfer gesehen.

Auch wenn wir erst am Anfang der heutigen Predigt stehen, führt uns dieser Gedanke des Glaubensopfers zum Ende und Ziel unseres Glaubens – dem Werk Jesu. Wir wären nachlässig, wenn wir nicht das wahre und letzte Opfer einbringen würden, das Gott selbst uns in Christus geschenkt hat –

„Werdet nun Gottes Nachahmer als geliebte Kinder und wandelt in der Liebe, gleichwie auch Christus uns geliebt und sich selbst für uns gegeben hat als Darbringung und Schlachtopfer, zu einem lieblichen Geruch für Gott.“
Epheser 5,1-2

Gott sandte Seinen Sohn, um das Leben zu leben, das wir nicht leben können, und um dieses Leben als Ersatz für unser eigenes zu geben. Wenn wir Jesus Christus als Herrn und Retter annehmen, übertragen wir unsere Sünde und unsere Schuld auf Jesus. Sein Tod ist dann für Gott derselbe süße Duft, den wir in Noahs Opfer sehen. Unser ganzes Herz und unsere Dankbarkeit fließen durch den Tod Seines Sohnes zu Gott.

Das Problem bei uns ist, dass wir allzu oft anfangen, das Opfer, das dargebracht wurde, als selbstverständlich anzusehen. Wir werden unseres Weges überdrüssig, wir schwänzen die Kirche und das Bibelstudium, wir nehmen alte Gewohnheiten an und begeben uns in die Gewässer des Ungehorsams.

Im Grunde genommen fangen wir an, das Opfer zu verachten, das uns gerettet und in die Nähe Gottes gebracht hat. Nehmen wir uns einen Moment Zeit und beten wir, dass unsere Herzen wieder in Christus erneuert werden – so wie an jenem ersten Tag, als wir Ihn annahmen…

GEBET

Noahs treues Opfer wurde angenommen, und Gott versprach, die Erde nie wieder zu verfluchen, auch wenn, wie Er sagt, “die Gedanken seines Herzens von Jugend an böse sind”. In diesem Moment der Menschheitsgeschichte war Noah der Priester und Vertreter seiner Familie und aller, die nach ihm kommen würden.

Weil Gott sein Opfer annahm, übertrug er diese Annahme gnädigerweise auf alle, die nach ihm kamen. Damit versprach Gott, nie wieder alle Lebewesen zu vernichten, wie Er es getan hatte.

Die Welt wird nie wieder durch eine Flut zerstört werden. Eine der Fragen, die mir immer wieder gestellt wird, lautet: “Warum gibt es dann immer wieder Überschwemmungen auf der Erde, die Menschen töten?”

Die Antwort liegt auf der Hand. Gott hat nur versprochen, dass es keine globalen Fluten mehr geben wird, die alles Leben vernichten. Der Lauf der Welt, die örtlich begrenzten Katastrophen und das Gericht über die Sünde setzten sich fort und werden sich fortsetzen, aber es wird nie wieder zu einer weltweiten Flut kommen. Die Dinge werden von nun an konstant und gleichmäßig weitergehen.

22 Von nun an soll nicht aufhören
Saat und Ernte,
Frost und Hitze,
Sommer und Winter,
Tag und Nacht,
solange die Erde besteht!

“Solange die Erde besteht” scheint zu bedeuten, dass die Erde nicht ewig bestehen wird. Das ist ein verwirrendes Thema in der Bibel, und es gibt Leute, die Vers für Vers darüber streiten, ob die Erde für immer da sein wird oder nicht, aber wir sind nicht am Ende der Dinge, also können wir wirklich nicht zu dickköpfig mit unserer Meinung sein.

Es wird immer Saatzeit und Ernte, Kälte und Hitze, Winter und Sommer, Tag und Nacht geben. Diese Dinge sind so regelmäßig und so vorhersehbar, dass die Menschen wundersame Denkmäler für die Präzision von Gottes Handarbeit gebaut haben – Stonehenge, Pyramiden auf der ganzen Welt, Höhlenzeichnungen und sogar moderne wissenschaftliche Geräte und Sternkarten sind allesamt Zeugnisse für die großartige Präzision von Gottes Handeln.

Wir wissen genau, wann wir pflanzen müssen, wann wir ernten sollten, wann der richtige Zeitpunkt ist, um auf den Dachboden zu gehen und unsere langen Unterhosen herauszuholen, und wann wir sie weglegen und unsere Badeanzüge herausholen können.

Die Skigeschäfte wissen, wann sie die neuen Snowboards auf den Markt bringen müssen, und die Geschäfte in Florida wissen genau, wann die Touristen kommen und ihr Geld ausgeben, um alle möglichen lumpigen Souvenirs zu kaufen, die bald auf den Müllhalden der Welt landen werden.

Und genau wie wir haben auch die Tiere ein Gespür dafür, wann sie was zu tun haben. Bären halten Winterschlaf, Vögel und Schmetterlinge wandern, Elche kommen in ihre jährliche Brunft, Hunde werfen ihr Fell ab, und Liebeskäfer schwärmen genau zur richtigen Zeit.

Und mehr noch: Die Pflanzen wissen, wann sie knospen und blühen, das Gras weiß, wann es seine Samen ausstreut, die Eichen wissen, wann sie ihre Blätter abwerfen, und der Mandelbaum hat seine Nüsse genau zur richtigen Zeit bereit.

Alles ist so wunderbar ausbalanciert, dass der Mensch genau zur richtigen Zeit bereit ist, all diese Dinge zu erleben, die direkt aus dem Geist und der Weisheit Gottes stammen, der sie geplant hat. Wir wissen sogar, wann wir unsere Pfeile und Bogen und unsere Gewehre herausholen und ein wenig auf die Jagd gehen müssen…

II. Leckerbissen

Hier sind wir nun, am Anfang von Kapitel 9 der Genesis. In einer wunderschönen Darstellung der Liebe Gottes zu den Menschen der Welt kommen wir zu den tröstlichen Worten von Vers 1 –

1 Und Gott segnete Noah und seine Söhne und sprach zu ihnen: „Seid fruchtbar und mehrt euch und erfüllt die Erde!

Als Gott diese Menschen auf der Erde segnete, war dies sicherlich ein Segen für ihre physische Person und möglicherweise auch in einem geistlichen Sinne, aber er überträgt sich nicht unbedingt weiter als nur auf sie.

Ich sage das, weil in den kommenden Versen einer der Söhne sich seinem Vater gegenüber ungebührlich verhalten wird und Noah den Sohn dieses Sohnes verfluchen wird, anstatt seinen eigenen Sohn direkt zu verfluchen. Wie die Bibel an anderer Stelle berichtet –

„Wie sollte ich den verfluchen, den Gott nicht verflucht? Wie sollte ich den verwünschen, den der Herr nicht verwünscht?“
Numeri 23,8

Den Sohn zu verfluchen, der vom Herrn gesegnet wurde, wäre ein tragischer Fehler, und so wird der Sohn des Sohnes den Fluch empfangen.

Sie werden gesegnet und aufgefordert, fruchtbar zu sein, sich zu vermehren und die Erde zu füllen. Dies ist eine Wiederholung des ursprünglichen Befehls, den Gott den Menschen in Kapitel 1 gegeben hat.

Das moderne Konzept, das Bevölkerungswachstum einzuschränken, ist nicht nur unbiblisch, sondern antibiblisch. Gott hat angeordnet, dass der Mensch sich vermehren und nicht abtreiben soll. Und wir sind angewiesen, die Erde zu füllen, nicht die Erde anzubeten.

2 Furcht und Schrecken vor euch soll über alle Tiere der Erde kommen und über alle Vögel des Himmels, über alles, was sich regt auf dem Erdboden, und über alle Fische im Meer; in eure Hand sind sie gegeben!

In Genesis 1 wurde dem Menschen die Herrschaft über die Geschöpfe der Erde übertragen. Diese Herrschaft besteht auch nach der Sintflut fort, und das Eigentumsrecht an ihnen gehört ebenfalls dem Menschen. Sie stehen uns zur Verfügung und sind für unseren Gebrauch bestimmt. Doch nach der Sintflut kommt ein neuer Aspekt dieser Beziehung hinzu. Die Furcht und der Schrecken vor dem Menschen wird auf allen Tieren lasten.

Das bedeutet nicht, dass wir nicht von Löwen gefressen werden, wenn wir nicht aufpassen, also geh nicht in die Serengeti ohne ein gutes Gewehr, das dich schützt. Was es bedeutet, ist, dass ein Pferd keine Ahnung hat, wie stark es im Vergleich zu dem mickrigen kleinen Reiter auf seinem Rücken ist, der auf es einprügelt, wenn es die zweite Kurve des Preakness-Rennens nimmt.

Gott verbirgt dieses Wissen vor ihm und gibt ihm die Angst vor dem kleinen Jockey, so dass er trotz seiner immensen Macht dem mickrigen Schwächling unterworfen bleibt. Und Raubtiere wie der Tiger und der Löwe, die sich nicht wirklich zähmen lassen, laufen immer noch vor Angst weg, wenn der Mensch in der Nähe ist. Es sei denn, Siegfried und Roy sind in der Nähe, dann ist es Zeit für das Mittagessen.

Das einzige Tier auf der Welt, von dem bekannt ist, dass es den Menschen aktiv jagt, ist der Eisbär. Und der ist weder einem gut geölten Gewehr noch ein paar Eskimos gewachsen, die wissen, wie man einen Bären mit Speeren jagt und tötet. Was in der liebevollen Freundschaft zwischen Mensch und Tier vor der Sintflut verloren ging, hat der Mensch durch seine Weisheit und Geschicklichkeit wieder wettgemacht.

3 Alles, was sich regt und lebt, soll euch zur Nahrung dienen; wie das grüne Kraut habe ich es euch alles gegeben.

Ich mag diesen Vers. Das ist einer dieser Verse, die ich Tag für Tag genieße. Ich mag Hamburger. Ich mag Lammkoteletts und Schweinekoteletts, Speck und Schinken und Würstchen und auch Fleischwurst. Ich liebe Hummer, und wenn Krabben nicht so unhandlich wären, würde ich sie auch viel mehr mögen. Wildbret ist lecker. Und wer liebt nicht Huhn oder Truthahn.

Dieser Vers ist ziemlich eindeutig: “Alles, was sich bewegt und lebt, soll euch zur Nahrung dienen. Alligatorschwanzsuppe gefällig? Bis zur Zeit des mosaischen Gesetzes gab es kein einziges Verbot, was wir essen durften oder nicht. Das mosaische Gesetz wurde für das Volk Israel eingeführt. Damit ist das Volk Israel gemeint, das jüdische Volk, nicht die Kirche.

Es ist heute einfach nicht die Zeit, alle Verse zu zitieren, die uns sagen, dass das mosaische Gesetz überholt ist, aber der Hebräerbrief sagt es ausdrücklich mehrere Male. Die Aufhebung des Verbots, bestimmte Nahrungsmittel zu essen, ist im Neuen Testament so klar und so detailliert, dass nur jemand, der wirklich einer Gehirnwäsche unterzogen wurde, die Wahrheit der Sache übersehen kann.

Wenn du mit diesem Thema kämpfst, tu es nicht. Schick mir eine E-Mail, und ich kann dir Seite für Seite Informationen über deine Freiheit in Christus geben. Diese Freiheit schließt Straußenburger ein. Wenn er durch die Lüfte fliegt, wenn er die Erde betritt, wenn er durch das Gras schlittert, wenn er sich in der Erde eingräbt oder wenn er im Meer schwimmt, dann hat Gott bestimmt, dass du ihn zum Abendessen essen kannst. Und lade mich bitte ein, wenn es in einer Currysauce zubereitet ist.

Besorg dir also deine Spezialsaucen und bereite dich auf ein Festmahl mit Leckerbissen aller Art vor. Guten Appetit.

4 Nur dürft ihr das Fleisch nicht essen, während sein Leben, sein Blut, noch in ihm ist!

Als die frühe Kirche mit der Gesetzlichkeit und den Judaisten konfrontiert war, die ihnen vorschrieben, was sie essen durften und was nicht, die ihnen vorschrieben, dass sie beschnitten werden mussten, oder die ihnen vorschrieben, dass sie bestimmte Feste oder den Sabbat einhalten mussten, wurde in Jerusalem ein Konzil einberufen. Zu den angesehenen Mitgliedern gehörten die Apostel Petrus und Paulus und Jakobus, der Bruder des Herrn, sowie andere Apostel und Älteste.

Die Fragen lauteten unter anderem: “Was machen wir mit den Nichtjuden, die zum Glauben an Jesus kommen, und wie lehren wir sie”. “Was dürfen sie essen, was dürfen sie nicht essen, was müssen sie tun und warum”.

Ihre Schlussfolgerung war so einfach und prägnant, dass wirklich nur ein Schwachkopf sie falsch verstehen konnte. Und doch vermasseln es Konfessionen in der ganzen christlichen Welt. Der Brief ist kurz, nur ein paar Absätze, aber hier ist die Schlussfolgerung der Angelegenheit für diejenigen, die Jesus Christus als Herrn angenommen haben –

„Es hat nämlich dem Heiligen Geist und uns gefallen, euch keine weitere Last aufzuerlegen, außer diesen notwendigen Dingen, dass ihr euch enthaltet von Götzenopfern und von Blut und vom Erstickten und von Unzucht; wenn ihr euch davor bewahrt, so handelt ihr recht.“
Apostelgeschichte 15,28 – 29

Dem Heilige Geist war es angenehm, ihnen vier notwendige Dinge aufzuerlegen. Sich zu enthalten von Götzenopfern, von Blut, von Ersticktem und von sexueller Unmoral.

Es ist klar, dass die Briefe der Apostel seitdem berücksichtigt und auf unser Leben angewandt werden müssen, aber nichts, was von diesen Aposteln geschrieben wurde, steht im Widerspruch zu dieser frühen Entscheidung, insbesondere in Bezug darauf, was gegessen werden kann und was nicht. Paulus stellt später den Teil über Götzenopfer klar, und er und die anderen Apostel sprechen ausführlich über sexuelle Unmoral.

Darüber hinaus müssen Dinge, die erwürgt werden, in einem eigenen Kontext betrachtet werden. Und das Trinken von Blut ist verboten, weil es aus der Zeit vor dem Gesetz des Mose stammt und in dem Vers, den wir gerade betrachten, erklärt wird. Das Blut enthält das Leben.

Später im Buch Levitikus wird es noch einmal erklärt:
„Denn das Leben des Fleisches ist im Blut, und ich habe es euch auf den Altar gegeben, um Sühnung zu erwirken für eure Seelen. Denn das Blut ist es, das Sühnung erwirkt für die Seele.“
Levitikus 17,11

Wir sollen kein Blut trinken, weil Gott die Quelle des Lebens ist. Das Vergießen von Blut ist dann das Ende dieses Lebens. Wenn ein Opfertier getötet wurde, wurde das Leben dieses Tieres, sein Blut, zur Sühne für den Opfernden verwendet.

Als Jesus Sein Blut vergoss, geschah dies zu unserer Versöhnung. Gott will nicht, dass wir versuchen, das zu umgehen, was Er angeordnet hat, indem wir das Blut eines Tieres trinken, um irgendwie Seine Lebenskraft zu erhalten.

Aber das Trinken von Blut zu diesem Zweck hat nichts mit Bluttransfusionen zu tun. Es gibt Sekten, die sie nicht zulassen, aber das missbraucht die Absicht der biblischen Aussage völlig. Die Erhaltung des Lebens durch eine Bluttransfusion ist eine völlig andere Kategorie als das, was mit dem Trinken von Blut versucht wird. Vampire nein, Spender ja.

III. Der Wert des menschlichen Lebens

5 Jedoch euer eigenes Blut will ich fordern, von der Hand aller Tiere will ich es fordern und von der Hand des Menschen, von der Hand seines Bruders will ich das Leben des Menschen fordern.
6 Wer Menschenblut vergießt, dessen Blut soll auch durch Menschen vergossen werden; denn im Bild Gottes hat Er den Menschen gemacht.

Dies ist eine ewige Norm, die von Gott festgelegt wurde. Der Mensch wurde nach Gottes Ebenbild geschaffen, und deshalb führt das Vergießen von Menschenblut dazu, dass das Blut desjenigen, der es vergossen hat, verwirkt wird – egal ob es sich um ein Tier oder einen anderen Menschen handelt. Wie ich bereits gesagt habe, heißt es in Numeri 35,33, dass das Land, das durch Blutvergießen verunreinigt ist, nicht gesühnt werden kann, außer durch das Blut dessen, der es vergossen hat.

Da der Mensch nach Gottes Ebenbild geschaffen ist und die Bibel dem Ungeborenen die gleichen Rechte zugesteht wie den Geborenen, ist der Fluch der Abtreibung in einem Land eines der schwersten Vergehen, die gegen Gott begangen werden können. Es kann keine Sühne für das vergossene Blut der Abtreibung geben, außer durch die Beendigung des Lebens der Person, die die Abtreibung vornimmt.

Da es sich um ein politisches Thema handelt, geht die Schuld leider auf die politischen Befürworter der Abtreibung über. Sie arbeiten aktiv gegen Gott, um das nach Seinem Bild geschaffene Leben zu vernichten. Und noch bedauerlicher für eine ganze politische Bewegung ist, dass diejenigen, die die Befürworter der Abtreibung wählen, ebenfalls Schuld an diesem Prozess tragen.

Das mag trivial erscheinen, wenn man in eine Wahlkabine geht, aber wenn du für einen Kandidaten stimmst, der die Abtreibung unterstützt – egal auf welcher Ebene des politischen Spektrums -, bist du stillschweigend am Mord an Gottes Ebenbild beteiligt und trägst die Schuld des Blutes. Denk darüber nach, wenn du deine Stimme abgibst. Gott verlangt Rechenschaft für das Leben Seiner Ebenbilder, und Er wird sie von dir einfordern.

Und noch etwas zu diesem Vers: Es heißt: “Wer Menschenblut vergießt, dessen Blut soll vergossen werden.” Wenn jemand einen Mord begeht, bittet uns die Bibel nicht, seine Kindheit zu betrachten und festzustellen, was ihn dazu veranlasst hat, es zu tun. Sie bittet uns nicht, seine soziale Stellung zu betrachten oder ob er betrunken war oder Schmerzmittel genommen hat.

Es sagt ganz klar, dass ein Mörder mit dem Tod bestraft werden muss. Das geht auf das mosaische Gesetz zurück und beruht auf dem Angriff auf einen anderen Träger des Bildes Gottes. Menschen, die vor staatlichen Hinrichtungen stehen und protestieren, zeigen kein Mitgefühl, sondern eigentlich nur Verachtung für Gott.

7 Ihr aber, seid fruchtbar und mehrt euch und breitet euch aus auf der Erde, dass ihr zahlreich werdet darauf!“

Wir schließen heute mit diesem Vers ab. Gott wiederholt Seinen Auftrag an Noah, “seid fruchtbar und mehret euch”. Die Schönheit von Kindern und einer Erde voller Menschen, die nach Gottes Bild geschaffen sind, erfreut das Herz Gottes.

Er hat erschaffen, weil Er die Liebe ist und die Liebe Sein Wesen ist. Wie sehr muss Er sich freuen, wenn Seine Schöpfung Ihm diese Liebe in Lob, Anbetung und Verehrung zurückgibt.

Er bittet uns, auf der Erde reichlich zu gebären und uns zu vermehren. Kinder sind ein Segen und ein Erbe des Herrn, und wir erweisen Ihm die Ehre, wenn wir heiraten, Kinder bekommen und sie in der Erkenntnis der Furcht und der Ermahnung Gottes erziehen.

Die Zuteilung der Regierung

Noah baute einen Altar, er baute ihn dem Herrn
Dass er ihn an ein ruhiges Ufer geführt hatte, dafür dankte er ihm gern
Er opferte von jedem reinen Tier und jedem reinen Vogel darauf
Und sein kostbares Opfer stieg zum Himmel hinauf

Der Herr roch den Duft, den das Opfer verströmte und ohne zu scherzen
Gab Er ein Versprechen an alle Menschen in Seinem Herzen
„Ich werde nie wieder die Erde verfluchen, damit ihr es wisst,
Obwohl das Böse in jedem ihrer Gedanken zu finden ist.

Die Gedanken des Menschen sind von Jugend an böse.
Ich werde nie wieder alles Lebendige zerstören, nie mehr Wassergetöse.
Dieses Gelübde lege ich ab, der Gott der vollkommenen Wahrheit
Und ich werde es halten, bis zum Ende der Erde bestimmten Zeit

Solange die Erde bleibt, werden die Zyklen genau richtig funktionieren
Durch Saatzeit und Ernte, in Kälte und in Hitze frequentieren
Im Winter und im Sommer, am Tag und in der Nacht
Diese Dinge werden nicht aufhören, sondern treu weitergemacht“

Und Gott segnete auch Noah und seine Söhne mit ihm
„Seid fruchtbar und mehrt euch, füllt die Erde, das ist mir wichtig und schön

Erfülle sie mit denen, die nach Gottes Ebenbild geschaffen sind
Erfülle die ganze Welt, wo auch immer dein Fuß hingeht, geschwind

Und die Furcht und der Schrecken vor dir wird jedes Tier erfüllen
Es wird in ihnen allen sein, den Größten bis zum Kleinsten umhüllen

Jeder Vogel der Lüfte und alles, auf der Erde, jeder Stier
Auch die Fische im Meer fürchten sich vor dir
Sie sind dir in die Hand gegeben zur Nahrung also
Genießt die Leckerbissen – nascht alles aus dem Zoo

Alles ist Nahrung für euch, auch das Grünzeug, so viele Sorten.
Aber iss nicht Fleisch mit Blut, das ist dir verboten
Wenn du willst, kannst du das Fleisch mit Kartoffeln und Bohnen kombinieren.
Aber vorher sollst du das Blut abtropfen lassen, das sollst du aussortieren.

Für dein Lebensblut will ich Rechenschaft fordern
Von der Hand jedes Tieres und von der Hand jedes Menschen es ordern
Jeder, der jemanden tötet auf dem gesamten Erdball
Dessen Blut soll vergossen werden, ja so ist der Fall

Der Mensch trägt mein Bild, im Ebenbild Gottes ist er gemacht
Darum sollst du in Heiligkeit auf meiner Erde wandeln mit Bedacht

Seid fruchtbar und mehret euch, das sage ich euch allen samt
Bringt reichlich hervor im ganzen Land
“Mehrt euch”, sage ich wieder, das ist es, was ich euch auftrage
Und eure Saat wird gedeihen, so wie ich es geplant habe.“

Halleluja und Amen…

Für die nächste Woche lest bitte Genesis 9,8-28 – Ein Regenbogen, ein Weinberg, ein Segen und ein Fluch

Acts 4:20

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Neighborhood house, Pall Mall, Tennessee

Saturday, 22 January 2022

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

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).

Peter and John had just stated to the council, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.” Now, they add on their note of intended non-compliance to the council’s determination, beginning with, “For.”

In essence, they are clearly justifying why they will not comply with the decision that has been rendered. They had said, “you judge.” As for them, they have already judged and if the two judgments do not align, it is theirs that will take the priority. That is unambiguously made known with the words, “we cannot but speak the things.”

They will speak, and there is a higher authority that requires them to do so. That thought is tied in with the idea of listening to God. If God has spoken, then it would be inappropriate to not heed the things that He has said. Again, as noted in the previous verse, this is a clear indication that the Law of Moses is now no longer in force.

The men who stood and commanded Peter and John to not speak in the name of Jesus were those who sat upon Moses’ seat. They bore the authority of Moses, and Moses has spoken for God. If Peter and John were disobedient to them, it was as if they were disobedient to God… unless they had proof that their conduct was validated by God.

As Moses had spoken of the coming Messiah, and as he had told them that He must be heard, then it is a poignant note that Messiah’s word would now be what held rule over the people of Israel. In essence, Moses, almost fifteen hundred years earlier, had talked himself out of a job at some point in future history. Time had met up with that point, and now a new order of things had come. That time is validated by their next words, which say, “which we have seen and heard.”

The council itself had noted that the healing was a sign. Added onto that were all of the doctrines of Christ that Peter and John had been taught, all of the miracles, signs, and wonders He had performed, the cross which had taken His life, and then the resurrection where He stood alive and whole before them.

They had the proofs needed to assure them of what was right and proper, and they would boldly proclaim those things no matter what. The decision was not a difficult one because it was fully supported by the hand of God upon the message they proclaimed.

Life application: Many people were raised in Christian homes, and what they believe is based upon what they were taught. That is a good thing. However, many people were brought up in Buddhist, Muslim, or Shinto homes, and they believe what they were taught. Someone could then say, “Well that is a good thing too.”

What is the difference? The answer depends on which God or “god” one is serving. That there is one God can be deduced in various ways. We do not need a book to determine this. Simply taking the time to think the matter through can bring the human mind to know this.

And more, there are certain things about this one God that can be known as well. These things take careful thought to deduce, but it can be done. Eventually, one can weed out all non-monotheistic religions, Hinduism, for example. And more, one can then weed out incorrect monotheistic religions, Islam, for example.

These things can be done. In the doing, one is left with actually only one possibility as to what God is like. But this does not prove that the God presented in Scripture is the one true God. However, there is such an abundance of evidence that He is – such as in fulfilled prophecy – that eventually a person must reasonably ask, “If there is a God, and if He has presented Himself to the world, is what I am reading about Him in the Bible true?”

One can say, “The fulfillment of these prophecies is interesting, but it is still just random chance. The descriptions are perfectly in accord with what I can know about God, but someone just figured out the same thing and wrote a book that matches what I know. I just cannot believe that God would make this effort.”

Or, one can say, “I have all the evidence I need to believe that the God presented in the Bible is the true God, and that He has actually communicated His message to mankind in a knowable, verifiable way. I accept this word, and I believe.”

In the end, it comes down to one word – faith. God asks us to simply believe that He has done it. The smartest biblical scholar on the planet is as far from God as is the vilest murderer if he will not believe. God has spoken, and He has presented His word to the people of the world. He asks you to have faith in what He says. Trust Him and believe.

Lord God, thank You for the Holy Bible that tells us of what You have done, are doing, and have yet to do for us in order to bring us back to You. It is a precious and sacred word that we possess. Help us to be responsible with it all the days of our lives. Amen.

 

 

 

Acts 4:19

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Beautiful pond across from York residence. Pall Mall, Tennessee

Friday, 21 January 2022

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. Acts 4:19

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).

Peter and John have just been called in and commanded to not speak or teach upon the name of Jesus. Now they wisely choose to appeal to a higher authority. That begins with Luke recording, “But Peter and John.”

Although referring to both Peter and John in the same sentence is not unusual, it is of note that it is almost always Peter who is then noted as speaking. However, Luke specifically notes John and includes his voice in what is said, demonstrating that the matter is something they both agree to and openly avow. With this noted, Luke continues that it is both who “answered and said to them.”

John is not just a timid bystander allowing Peter to carry all the weight of what is spoken. He clearly has his priorities in line with what is right and is willing to speak out along with Peter, even against the entire council that has gathered to hear their words, and which has now commanded their silence about Jesus Christ. Their bold stand starts with, “Whether it is right in the sight of God.”

This is what is of paramount importance, and their words clearly indicate it as such. The highest human authorities in the land have gathered, those who sit on Moses’ seat, those who minister in the temple, the elders, and so on. They all have rendered a decision concerning a matter, but Peter and John together voice their minds, elevating the matter to one that must be pleasing to God, first and foremost.

The implication clearly is that they believe those in authority before them are – by default – not pleasing to God in their judgment. Their words want to know if it is right in God’s sight “to listen to you more than to God.”

How can this be? It comes back, once again, to Scripture. The words of the author of Hebrews clearly demonstrate that Moses was the highest authority in the land. As these men sat on Moses’ seat, they were sitting in the place of God concerning the law –

“Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Hebrews 10:28

This is why the author of the psalm (as agreed to by Jesus in John) uses the term elohim, or “gods,” to describe such men –

“I said, ‘You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.’” Psalm 82:6

They were elevated to such a position that they were considered separate from the people in this regard, making decisions on behalf of God when in accord with the Law of Moses. However, the Psalm doesn’t end with that. In the next verse it says –

“But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.” Psalm 82:7

They were, in fact, men. Their position was to uphold Moses. But Moses wrote of one to come who would present words introducing a New and better Covenant. Jesus claimed, and then proved, to be that One –

“Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, “You are gods”’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” John 10:34-38

This is then what the author of Hebrews tells the people in his next words of Hebrews 10 –

“Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:29-31

The Son of God had come. He had demonstrated His position and authority, and He was now to be heard, confirming the very words of Moses that the council had rejected. So, who should the apostles listen to, God or these men? With this stated to them, they adamantly state, “you judge.”

The apostles had clearly presented their case to the council, proving that the same Jesus whom they had crucified had healed the man. The sign stood as confirmation of the claim that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) and, as such, He was to be obeyed. If a right and honest decision was made concerning the matter by the council, it would be that He – rather than they – were to be obeyed concerning their decision.

Life application: The words of this verse are in accord with the words of Acts 5:29 –

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

Though the passage is descriptive in and of itself it states, they form a precept that still applies to all believers. We cannot disobey God, meaning what He has stated in Scripture, and rather obey a lesser authority. For example, though abortion is not directly addressed in Scripture, a moral precept concerning the matter is clearly defined in Scripture. If a society says that its people are to abort children, that must be disobeyed by believers. Abortion is a moral evil that is not to be allowed within the church, even if it is allowed within society.

All moral issues are first and foremost to be evaluated against Scripture. What man decides must be rejected when that decision does not align with the moral basis provided by God.

A second precept to be drawn, once again, from this verse is that the Law of Moses is now fulfilled and annulled in Christ. This is perfectly obvious from what has been stated, right in this verse, from Acts. Jesus had earlier said to the people –

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.” Matthew 23:2, 3

If the law were still in effect, Peter and John would be guilty of violating both the Law of Moses and Jesus’ instructions concerning it. But a New Covenant with a new Leader and direction had been instituted. In disobeying the leaders on what they decided, it is a clear indication that this New Covenant had superseded the old. The lesson is to stay away from any teacher who instructs you to obey any precept of the Law of Moses. Our doctrine is to be obtained solely from what is presented in the New Covenant.

Lord God, it is right and proper that we will obey You rather than men. When a law of the land in which we live is contrary to a precept that is clearly presented in Your word, give us the wisdom to recognize it, the voice to speak against it, and the willingness to disobey it rather than to be found disobedient to Your word. Give us both the wisdom and the desire to be obedient in this. To Your glory we pray. Amen.