Author: Charlie Garrett

Acts 2:20

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Wednesday, 10 November 2021

The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. Acts 2:20

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).

The words of Peter citing Joel, concerning the pouring out of the Spirit, continue now. This verse exactingly corresponds to the OT Greek translation of Joel 2:31. The NKJV translates the Hebrew exactly the same as this verse in Acts –

“The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.”

The words now are also similar in content to various other Old Testament prophecies. A few examples are –

“For the stars of heaven and their constellations
Will not give their light;
The sun will be darkened in its going forth,
And the moon will not cause its light to shine.” Isaiah 13:10

“When I put out your light,
I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark;
I will cover the sun with a cloud,
And the moon shall not give her light.” Ezekiel 32:7

“‘And it shall come to pass in that day,’ says the Lord God,
‘That I will make the sun go down at noon,
And I will darken the earth in broad daylight.’” Amos 8:9

Such words indicate phenomena that occur frequently, meaning the eclipse of the sun and the moon or other atmospheric events that obscure them, such as dust storms. This doesn’t negate the supernatural, however, because the events are prophesied in advance. Further, what is probably the case is that these events will be specifically over the land of Israel. With these thoughts in mind, Peter’s words of this verse begin with, “The sun shall be turned into darkness.”

Here, Luke introduces a word, metastrephó, that signifies to turn about, or corrupt. It is the changing of one thing into another. In Galatians 1:7, Paul uses this word concerning those who “pervert” the gospel. Peter’s words indicate that what is normal in the sky will be unusually changed into a state of darkness.

As noted, this is the obscuring of the sun, probably during an eclipse. As solar eclipses can be precisely predicted as to when they will occur, it is as an advanced warning to those who are living in the tribulation period that the fulfillment of the prophecy is at hand. These words, however, could also be fulfilled in the covering of the sky with smoke. Such was the case during the Gulf War when Saddam Hussein set fire to the oil fields of Kuwait. The sun was turned to darkness.

Next, Peter says, “And the moon into blood.” Lunar eclipses will produce a sort of copper-colored effect. In this, it almost appears as blood. The term “blood moon” is thus appropriate. This effect can be realized by other such events, such as the smoke of fires as well. If the world is in a global conflict, which will surely be the case in the tribulation period, much of the planet could have smoky skies. Either way, these events will come, as Peter says, “Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.”

Here is a word found only this once in Scripture, epiphanés. It signifies that which is manifest, illustrious, or glorious. The corresponding noun, epiphaneia, is used to refer to the second coming of Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 as well as verses in both 1 and 2 Timothy and also Titus.

What Joel prophesied is referred to by Jesus in the synoptic gospels, and it is repeated here by Peter. These great events will precede the day of the Lord. The words of Jesus confirm the prophecy –

“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

There is a time coming when the Lord alone will be manifested in a unique and terrifying way. The world will already be in a state of complete turmoil and confusion, but it will find that nothing they could have imagined would prepare them for what will happen when He returns.

Life application: The Spirit was poured out on believers in Acts 2. The same Spirit is found in believers to this day as a seal and a guarantee for the day of redemption of the Lord’s purchased possession (Ephesians 1:13, 14). However, Israel as a nation rejected the Lord Jesus. As such, the nation went into an extended time period of punishment according to that set forth in the Law of Moses.

Seven more years under this law are set forth for Israel (see Daniel 9:24-27). That is the tribulation period, and it is coming at some point. Israel the people are back in the land of Israel. They have been prepared for the coming of this event, and they will eventually call out to God through Christ. What began in Acts, will find its final fulfillment. But before this occurs, the church will be taken home to glory.

Although it is not for us to speculate on the timing of these events, it is proper for us to be aware of the state of the world in which we live, and the state of Israel who is key to all of these prophecies. With the coming of modern technology, plandemics, a falling away of the church from sound doctrine, and the reestablishment of Israel, the days are closing in on the time when such events are likely to occur.

Let us be faithful to continue to share the gospel, and to tell others about the goodness of the Lord before it is too late. We should let others know about the great and awesome Lord who came once to save and who will come again to judge. Let us tell the world about JESUS!

Lord God, how exciting it is to see the world heading towards the fulfillment of prophecies made thousands of years ago. Time has marched on, and as it has, the world has slowly molded itself into matching what was written beforehand. It is exciting to live in such times. Give us wisdom, courage, and strength in our conduct through them. Amen.

 

 

 

Acts 2:19

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. Acts 2:19

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).

Luke continues with Peter’s citation of Joel 2 now. This is from Joel 2:30 –

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.”

As can be seen, Peter’s words are not an exact quote. As the Greek translation of the OT reflects the Hebrew, Peter’s words are more of a paraphrase. He begins with, “I will show wonders in heaven above.”

The Greek literally means, “I will give.” The idea of a wonder is something that is miraculous and awesome. Further, it is the thing itself. In other words, if the Lord opens up the Red Sea, it is a wonder. If the Lord stills the storm-tossed sea, it is a wonder. Peter continues with, “And signs in the earth beneath.”

A sign is something that represents something else. In Genesis 1, it says –

“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth’; and it was so.” Genesis 1:14, 15

The lights in the heavens are given for light and for dividing the day and the night. That is a purpose that they serve. They are also given for markers of the seasons. People know when to plant and when to reap because of them, and so on. However, it also says that they are for “signs.”

Throughout the Bible, this is then confirmed as the Lord uses them to represent other things, or of the coming of certain events. The sun or the moon turning to blood, such as during an eclipse (Revelation 6:12), is shown to portend catastrophe at times. Stars are seen at times to indicate special events, such as the coming of Messiah (Matthew 2:2). The constellations are set in the sky as markers (see Job 9:9 and Job 38:32). With this understood, Peter continues with, “Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.”

The blood is stated explicitly to be the life in Deuteronomy 12:23. Therefore, when blood is brought forth, it signifies the shedding of life, such as a slaughter in battle or in the unsanctioned killing of others. For the shedding of blood in battle, Ezekiel 38:22 gives the proper sense –

“And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.”

As can be seen, this same verse mentions “fire,” as does Peter. It is reflective of war and the calamity that comes with it. There is destruction with fire and by fire –

“Now in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month (which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 13 He burned the house of the Lord and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire.” Jeremiah 52:12, 13

The “vapors of smoke” that Peter refers to comes from the effects of the fire and from other catastrophes, such as during the destruction of Sodom. Thus, the vapors (or in the Hebrew “pillars”) are columns of smoke rising up like a palm tree into the sky.

What is surely the case is that Peter has gone from the immediate events of Joel’s prophecy to events in the distant future, maybe without realizing it. The Spirit was poured out on the believers, and he described that in verses 17 & 18. Verses 19 & 20 then refer again to events that will come upon Israel during the tribulation period.

Joel’s prophesy seems to say that these things will come upon Israel “after” the great battles of the tribulation period (Joel 2:28 says, “And it shall come to pass afterward”). However, Joel is looking into the future and describing events as they come before him. As such, there is nothing to negate that the giving of the Spirit to the believers is not intimately connected with the future pouring out upon the whole nation. As such, the events bracket the time between Christ’s advents. This is seen in Jesus’ words concerning the tribulation period –

“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.
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.” Matthew 24:21-25

The New Covenant was established with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. They are now (at the time of Acts 2) being given opportunity to accept it and come into all that the covenant promises to them. However, as Acts continues on, it will be seen that this will not occur. Israel (the nation collectively) will reject Christ, and the banner of leadership will go from the tent of Shem to the tent of Japheth (Genesis 9:27). It will go from Jew to Gentile.

This does not, however, mean that the Jews (Israel) are rejected. It means that God, in His advanced knowledge of what would occur, has had His gospel go out to the nations while Israel lives under the Mosaic Covenant curses for rejecting Him. The fact that they are under those curses means that they are still God’s people. If they were not, there would be no covenant to punish them with. But the Lord is faithful to His unfaithful people.

And so, while Israel awaits being brought into the New Covenant, the gospel has gone forth to the Gentiles. It is the same covenant and the same gospel to both. But Israel, as a nation, must accept their Messiah before they – as a people – find restoration.

Life application: Peter’s words, which cite Joel, show that Israel still has a purpose in God’s redemptive narrative. Joel’s words were spoken to Israel. The words pertain to Israel, and the events have (and will) come upon Israel. For now, the redemptive narrative continues through the tent of Japheth, and the spiritual banner is held by the Gentile people. This will end at some point, and the spiritual banner will be picked up again by the tent of Shem. Until that happens, we can know that none of this was out of God’s plans –

“Indeed He says,
‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Isaiah 49:6

There is one Messiah, there is one New Covenant, there is one gospel, and there is one plan of redemption that began at the fall and that will continue until all things are accomplished. Let each of us be a part of that plan by going forth and sharing this good news of salvation!

Heavenly Father, how good it is to know that all we need to do is to simply receive what You have already done. As humans, we always want to do things our own way, and we want to work for what You have already offered freely. Help us to understand that nothing will satisfy You except trusting in the completed work of Christ. He has done the work. May the eyes of all people see this and place their trust in Him. Amen.

 

 

 

Genesis 5,1-32 (Die Generationen Adams)

Charlie Garrett Deutsch/German

Genesis 5,1-32 (Die Generationen Adams)

Einleitung:

Ich nehme an, die meisten von euch haben schon von der Entrückung gehört. Hat jemand hier nicht davon gehört? Ich würde vermuten, dass einige von euch wissen, ohne auch nur nachzusehen,  dass die Entrückung in 1. Korinther 15,1 und in 1. Thessalonicher 4 und Offenbarung 4,1 beschrieben wird. Ich wette, weniger von euch wissen, dass die Entrückung tatsächlich mehrere Male im Alten Testament angekündigt wird. Eine dieser Stellen ist in Kapitel 5 des Buches Genesis, direkt in einer Reihe von Namen und Altersangaben einiger Nachkommen Adams.

Nach dem Sündenfall und der Aufzeichnung von Abel und Kain, werden die ersten neun Generationen von Adam in Genesis 5 aufgezeichnet und enden mit der 10. Generation – der von Noah. Die Flut Noahs kam im Jahr 1656 Anno Mundi und außer Genesis 1-5 ist für diesen gesamten Zeitraum nichts aufgezeichnet.

Ob du es glaubst oder nicht, es könnte eine Milliarde oder mehr Menschen gegeben haben, die zur Zeit der Sintflut gelebt haben. Das ist eigentlich ein ziemlich trauriger Kommentar dazu, wie die Dinge gelaufen sind. Von vielleicht einer Milliarde oder mehr Menschen haben wir nur Aufzeichnungen von 27 Menschen, die namentlich erwähnt werden. Der ganze Rest ging in der immer weiter verzehrenden Flamme der Zeit verloren.

Wir haben uns in Genesis 4 die Linie von Kain angesehen, und in Genesis 5 haben wir die Linie von Seth, die göttliche Linie, die schließlich zum Messias führen wird. Diese Menschen wurden von Gott, und nur aus seinen Gründen ausgewählt, und es wird sehr wenig über sie gesagt, aber heute werden wir nach Hinweisen darauf suchen, wer sie waren und was sie im Gesamtbild der Bibel über den kommenden Christus bedeuten.

Textvers:

Und wie verträgt sich der Tempel Gottes mit Götzen? Wir sind doch der Tempel des lebendigen Gottes, wie Gott gesagt hat: “Ich werde in ihnen wohnen und unter ihnen sein. Ich bin dann ihr Gott und sie sind mein Volk.”
Korinther 6,16

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

I. Nach dem Bilde Gottes

1 Es folgt das Verzeichnis der Nachkommen Adams. Als Gott den Menschen schuf, gestaltete er ihn als Abbild von sich.

Die Genealogie, oder toledot, von Adam. Eine der interessantesten Studien, die ich je gemacht habe, betrifft das Wort toledot oder “Generationen”. Das erste Mal wird das Wort in Genesis 2,4 verwendet, wo es heißt: „Dies ist die Geschichte der Himmel und der Erde, als sie geschaffen wurden, zu der Zeit, als Gott der Herr Erde und Himmel machte.“

Das Wort toledot in Genesis 2,4 bezieht sich auf den Menschen im Garten Eden. Seine Schreibweise ist tav, vav dalet, lamed, vav, tav. Mit anderen Worten, es gibt 2 vavs in der Schreibweise. Das nächste Mal wird das Wort hier in Genesis 5,1 verwendet, nach dem Sündenfall, und es wird mit nur einem Vav geschrieben. Das zweite Vav fiel aus dem Wort, als der Mensch im Garten fiel.

Vav ist der sechste Buchstabe des hebräischen aleph-bet und wird durch einen Zeltpflock dargestellt, und die Zahl 6 steht in der Bibel für den “Menschen”, z. B. dass der Mensch am 6. Tag erschaffen wurde. Du siehst also, der “gefallene Mensch” ist das, was hier vermittelt wird.

Das Wort “toledot” wird im Alten Testament 39-mal zu verschiedenen Zeiten verwendet, wenn es sich auf verschiedene Gruppen von Menschen bezieht, aber es wird bis zum Ende des Buches Ruth nie mit zwei Vavs geschrieben. Bei jedem Vorkommen zwischen Genesis und Rut fehlt ein oder beide Vavs. Warum wird es also erst am Ende des Buches Ruth wieder mit zwei Vavs geschrieben?

Der Grund dafür ist, dass in Ruth die Abstammungslinie König Davids gegeben ist. Bis zu dieser wirkte Gott durch verschiedene Menschen und hatte verschiedene Bündnisse mit ihnen geschlossen. Diese waren mit Noah, Abraham und Mose. Der letzte Bund wurde mit David geschlossen.

Zu dieser Zeit wurde das zweite Vav wieder in das Wort toledot eingefügt, um anzuzeigen, dass die Wiederherstellung des gefallenen Menschen durch die Linie Davids erfolgen würde, und dies war der letzte Pflock im Zelt der Bündnisse Gottes vor dem kommenden Christus.

Wie ich bereits erwähnt habe, gibt es in der Bibel 39 Toledots, die den 39 Büchern des Alten Testaments entsprechen.

Gott vergisst nie das Werk seiner Hände, und er wird auch dich nie vergessen. Wenn du durch Christus wiedergeboren bist, bist du nicht mehr gefallen, sondern vollständig und für immer lebendig. Das Ebenbild Gottes, das bei der Schöpfung gegeben wurde, ging verloren, aber dieses Ebenbild wird in uns wiederhergestellt, wenn wir Jesus als unseren Retter anrufen.

Das ist es, was uns diese kleinen versteckten Dinge in der Bibel sagen. Paulus erklärt dieses Geheimnis in 1 Korinther 15,48-49 –

“Wie der irdische Mensch war (das ist der gefallene Mensch, der Mensch ohne Vav), so sind auch die, die von der Erde sind (da fehlt etwas); und wie der Mensch vom Himmel ist (voll und ganz), so sind auch die, die vom Himmel sind. Und wie wir das Bild des Irdischen getragen haben (gefallen und irdisch), so werden wir auch das Bild des Himmlischen tragen (wiederhergestellt und vollständig).”

Ich weiß nicht, ob dich das begeistert, aber für mich ist es süßer als Honig für meinen Geschmackssinn.

2  Er schuf sie als Mann und Frau. Dann segnete er sie und gab ihnen noch am Tag ihrer Erschaffung den Namen “Mensch”. 

Dieser und der vorhergehende Vers sind ein Echo aus dem Schöpfungsbericht und werden hier wiederholt, um uns an unseren gefallenen Zustand zu erinnern. Wir wurden in ursprünglicher Vollkommenheit geschaffen, aber der Tod und die Strapazen, die durch den Sündenfall entstanden sind, wurden durch unseren eigenen Verstoß gegen Gottes Gebot verursacht und geschahen nicht zufällig.

Den Menschen gab es vorher nicht – und dann war er plötzlich da. Adam hatte keine irdischen Eltern, aber er wurde von Gott am sechsten Tag erschaffen, und mit seiner Frau wurden sie von Gott gesegnet. Weil sie nach Gottes Ebenbild geschaffen wurden, hatten sie kein natürliches oder moralisches Übel. Diese traten erst mit dem Sündenfall auf.

In den nächsten Versen werden die Namen, Lebensjahre und Todesjahre der Söhne Adams gegeben, und so werden wir, bevor diese gegeben werden, daran erinnert, wie die Dinge ursprünglich waren, um uns die Gerechtigkeit und Souveränität Gottes im Umgang mit den Menschen zu zeigen.

3 Als Adam 130 Jahre gelebt hatte, zeugte er einen Sohn nach seiner Gestalt und seinem Ebenbild. Er gab ihm den Namen Seth.
4 Nach der Geburt Seths lebte Adam noch 800 Jahre und zeugte weitere Söhne und Töchter,
5 bis er im Alter von 930 Jahren starb.

Seth ist geboren im Jahr 130              Seth = „Erwählt“

Diese drei Verse sagen uns eine ganze Menge. Sie beginnen mit der Aufzeichnung des Alters der Erde. Adam wurde am 6. Tag erschaffen, was ein buchstäblicher Tag ist. Mit anderen Worten: Die Welt war 6 Tage alt, als Adam erschaffen wurde. Sein Sohn Seth wird in seinem 130. Jahr geboren, und wenn wir die Jahreszahlen in der Bibel verfolgen, können wir das Alter der Welt bestimmen.

Während dieser 130 Jahre hatte Adam Kain, Abel und mindestens eine Tochter. Wir wissen das, weil Kain eine Frau hatte. Es ist wahrscheinlich, dass sie noch viele weitere Kinder hatten, als Seth auftauchte, aber Seth steht im Mittelpunkt der Geschichte – niemand sonst hat Einfluss auf den kommenden Christus.

Diese Verse sagen uns auch, dass Adam einen Sohn nach seinem Ebenbild hatte. Mit anderen Worten: Der Sohn, der Adam geboren wurde, ist ein gefallener Mensch. Wir sind nicht zu einem sündlosen Zustand zurückgekehrt, sondern wir tragen das gefallene Ebenbild Adams. Es gibt nicht so etwas wie den inneren göttlichen Funken, von dem andere Religionen sprechen. Wir sind irdisch, wir sind sterblich, und wir sind unter die Sünde verkauft – das heißt, wir sind zum Sterben verpflichtet.

Dieser gefallene Zustand ist also in jedem Menschen seit Adam vorhanden. Wir wissen das aus diesen drei Versen. Wir können auch sagen, dass alle Söhne Adams dazu bestimmt sind, zu sterben, so wie Adam starb. Er starb im 930sten Jahr seines Lebens und im 930sten Jahr seit der Schöpfung.

6 Und Seth lebte 105 Jahre, da zeugte er den Enosch;
7 und Seth lebte, nachdem er den Enosch gezeugt hatte, noch 807 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter;
8 und die ganze Lebenszeit Seths betrug 912 Jahre, und er starb.
9 Und Enosch lebte 90 Jahre, da zeugte er den Kenan;
10 und Enosch lebte, nachdem er den Kenan gezeugt hatte, noch 815 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter;
11 und die ganze Lebenszeit Enoschs betrug 905 Jahre, und er starb.
12 Und Kenan lebte 70 Jahre, da zeugte er den Mahalalel;
13 und Kenan lebte, nachdem er den Mahalalel gezeugt hatte, noch 840 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter;
14 und die ganze Lebenszeit Kenans betrug 910 Jahre, und er starb.
15 Und Mahalaleel lebte 65 Jahre, da zeugte er den Jared;
16 und Mahalaleel lebte, nachdem er den Jared gezeugt hatte, noch 830 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter;
17 und die ganze Lebenszeit Mahalalels betrug 895 Jahre, und er starb.

Wir haben gerade 12 Verse durchgelesen. Das sind mehr kombinierte Verse auf einmal als zu jedem anderen Zeitpunkt, seit wir unsere Tour durch die Genesis begonnen haben. Wenn wir dieses Tempo beibehalten, können wir bis zum Jahr 2097 mit Offenbarung Kapitel 22, Vers 21 fertig sein. Sei bis dahin jede Woche hier.

Hier ein paar Fakten über diese vier Männer –

Seth starb 1042                                  „Erwählt“
Enosch 235/1140                                „Sterblich“
Kenan 325/1235                                 „Eigentum“
Mahalalel 395/1290                           „Lobpreis Gottes“
Jared geboren 460                              „Hinuntersteigen“

Die uralte Skepsis gegenüber der Richtigkeit der Bibel kann nirgendwo besser ansetzen als genau in diesen Versen. Wer wird schon 900 Jahre alt? Das ist für uns einfach unvorstellbar. Und doch können wir nicht unsere heutige Situation darin hineinversetzen, wie es zu einer anderen Zeit gewesen sein könnte. Die schwersten Reptilien der Erde, die Komodowarane, werden nur noch etwa 300 Pfund (136 kg) schwer. Die längsten – die australischen Salzwasserkrokodile – werden bis zu 23 Fuß (7 Meter) lang. Wenn wir die Logik des Bibelskeptikers über das Alter des Menschen genauso anwenden würden wie über Dinosaurier, dann würden wir nie glauben, dass es sie gibt.

Aber wir haben alle Beweise aus den archäologischen Aufzeichnungen, die belegen, dass Dinosaurier ein wenig größer waren als die heutigen Reptilien. Der Bruhathkayosaurus, der in der Gegend von Tamil Nadu in Indien lebte, wurde bis zu 145 Fuß (44 Meter) lang und wog 220 Tonnen. Ja, das sind 440.000 Pfund – das Gewicht einer Boeing 747. Hätten wir keine Knochen, um dies zu beweisen, wäre es noch viel unverständlicher als ein Mann, der 900 Jahre alt wird.

Der einzige Unterschied ist, dass das Alter keinen archäologischen Fußabdruck hinterlässt, wie Dinosaurierknochen. Aber der Mensch hinterlässt seine Geschichten in der Schrift. Dieses Kapitel der Genesis erwähnt die Genealogie von Adam . Der hebräische Begriff „sepher“ weist darauf hin, dass dieses schriftliche Dokument als Grundlage für die Schriften des Mose diente.

Es gibt wirklich kein Problem mit den hier aufgezeichneten langen Lebenszeiten. Wenn Reptilien so groß wurden, dann war die Welt vor der Flut offensichtlich ein völlig anderes Ökosystem. Die Welt war wahrscheinlich kleiner, was zu einem höheren atmosphärischen Druck führte.

Außerdem befand sich über der Erde ein Baldachin, eine so genannte „Rakia“, die wahrscheinlich kristalliner Natur war. Dies hätte jegliche schädliche Strahlung ferngehalten. Alles in allem gibt es keinen Grund, die Berichte zu verwerfen, und es gibt allen Grund, ihnen zu glauben. Ja, die Menschen lebten 900 Jahre.

Es ist sogar noch sicherer, dass der Bericht wahr ist, weil das Alter der Menschen nach der Sintflut immer kürzer wurde, als die Generationen kamen und gingen. Dies geschah bis zu der durchschnittlichen Lebenserwartung der Menschen, die seither im Wesentlichen gleich geblieben ist.

Der jüdische Historiker Josephus sagt dies über die Söhne Adams, von Seth bis Noah, zur Zeit der Sintflut –

“Aber niemand soll, wenn er das Leben der Alten mit unserem Leben vergleicht und mit den wenigen Jahren, die wir jetzt leben, denken, dass das, was wir über sie gesagt haben, falsch ist; oder die Kürze unseres gegenwärtigen Lebens zum Argument machen, …”

Josephus behauptet, dass die zu seiner Zeit verwendeten astronomischen Berechnungen und Entdeckungen von Männern stammten, die lange genug lebten, um die größeren Zyklen des Universums zu verstehen. Wenn dies wahr ist, dann können die hochentwickelten Sternkarten, wie sie die Maya verwendeten, auf die sorgfältige Arbeit dieser Menschen vor der Sintflut zurückgeführt werden.

Ob dies wahr ist oder nicht, ist schwer zu sagen, aber die Bibel bestätigt Genesis 1, dass die Sterne und andere himmlische Lichter für unser Wissen über „Zeichen und Jahreszeiten“ bestimmt sind.

II. Mit Gott gehen

18 Und Jared lebte 162 Jahre, da zeugte er den Henoch;
19 und Jared lebte, nachdem er den Henoch gezeugt hatte, noch 800 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter;
20 und die ganze Lebenszeit Jareds betrug 962 Jahre, und er starb.
21 Und Henoch lebte 65 Jahre, da zeugte er den Methusalah;
22 und Henoch wandelte mit Gott 300 Jahre lang, nachdem er den Methusalah gezeugt hatte, und zeugte Söhne und Töchter;
23 und die ganze Lebenszeit Henochs betrug 365 Jahre.
24 Und Henoch wandelte mit Gott, und er war nicht mehr, denn Gott hatte ihn hinweggenommen. 

Jared starb 1422                                 „Hinuntersteigen“
Henoch 622/entrückt 987                  „Lehren“
Methusalem geboren 687                  „Sein Tod soll bringen (Mann des Pfeils)“

Von den zehn erwähnten Männern, von Adam bis Noah, haben nur vier von ihnen irgendeine besondere Information, die über ihre Geburt, ihre Lebensjahre und ihr Sterbealter hinausgehen. Diese vier sind Adam, Henoch, Lamech und Noah. Im Fall von Henoch ist dieser fast seltsame Vers alles, was wir haben: „Und Henoch wandelte mit Gott; und er war nicht mehr, denn Gott nahm ihn.“

Wenn dies alles wäre, was wir über das Leben Henochs wüssten, würden wir uns sicherlich den Kopf kratzen und uns fragen, was das zu bedeuten hat. Aber zum Glück wird diese besondere Person namens Henoch 10-mal in der Bibel erwähnt.

Er wird 6-mal hier in Genesis 5 erwähnt und er wird in der 1. Chronik in den historischen Aufzeichnungen über den Menschen von Adam bis hin zur jüdischen Gesellschaft der damaligen Zeit erwähnt. Er wird auch in Lukas 3, in der Genealogie von Jesus, genannt. Und es gibt noch zwei weitere Male, dass er aufgeführt wird – einmal im Hebräerbrief und einmal im Buch Judas.

Durch Glauben wurde Henoch entrückt, sodass er den Tod nicht sah, und er wurde nicht mehr gefunden, weil Gott ihn entrückt hatte; denn vor seiner Entrückung wurde ihm das Zeugnis gegeben, dass er Gott wohlgefallen hatte. Ohne Glauben aber ist es unmöglich, ihm wohlzugefallen; denn wer zu Gott kommt, muss glauben, dass er ist und dass er die belohnen wird, welche ihn suchen.
Hebräer 11, 5-6

Hier im Hebräerbrief erfahren wir Details über Henoch, die dem Alten Testament vorenthalten wurden. Henoch wurde “weggenommen”. Er wurde aus dem irdischen Bereich direkt in den himmlischen Bereich versetzt, ohne den Tod zu sehen. Dies macht Henoch zu einem von nur zwei Menschen, die nie gestorben sind, der andere ist Elia der Prophet.

Diese beiden Männer dienen auch jetzt noch dem Herrn und ich glaube, dass sie es sind, die viele Male in der biblischen Geschichte erschienen sind, wie zum Beispiel in Daniel Kapitel 12, Apostelgeschichte Kapitel 1, und anderswo. Ich persönlich glaube, dass sie wiederkehren werden, während der Trübsalszeit, als die zwei Zeugen, die in Offenbarung 11 erwähnt werden.

Die Bibel stellt diese rhetorische Frage im Buch Amos – “Können zwei miteinander gehen, wenn sie nicht einer Meinung sind?” (Amos 3,3) Die Antwort lautet: “Natürlich nicht.” Um mit Gott zu wandeln, wie Henoch es tat, muss Gott dem Weg zustimmen. In Maleachi 2 heißt es in Bezug auf Levi –

„Mein Bund mit ihm war Leben und Friede, und ich verlieh ihm beides, damit er mich fürchtete, und er fürchtete mich auch und hatte Ehrfurcht vor meinem Namen. Das Gesetz der Wahrheit war in seinem Mund, und nichts Verkehrtes wurde auf seinen Lippen gefunden; er wandelte mit mir in Frieden und Aufrichtigkeit, und viele brachte er zur Umkehr von der Missetat.“
Maleachi 2, 5-6

Henoch wandelte mit Gott, denn er war wahrhaftig, gerecht und wandelte in Frieden und Gerechtigkeit, und vor allem war er ein Mann des Glaubens.

Wie Buchstützen in den hebräischen Schriften wird der Mensch, der richtig mit Gott wandelt, im ersten und im letzten Buch des Alten Testaments erwähnt. Ein solcher Mensch ist es, der von Gott geliebt wird.

Wenn du jemals eine wunderbare Studie darüber machen willst, wie man mit Gott im Reinen ist, dann mach einfach eine Bibelsuche im Internet nach dem Wort “wandeln” und lies alle 384 Male, die es erwähnt wird. Dort wirst du einen großen Schatz finden, wie man in der Gegenwart Gottes lebt und sich bewegt – auf seinem Weg und in seinen Bestimmungen wandelt.

Etwas Interessantes über Henoch, der mit Gott ging – im Hebräischen heißt es nicht nur, dass er “mit Gott wandelte”, sondern dass er “mit dem Gott wandelte” oder ha-elohim. Dies ist das erste von etwa 400 Malen, dass die Bibel diesen Begriff verwendet.

Diese Aussage weist Henoch als einen Mann aus, der in rechter Weise mit dem Einen wahren Gott wandelte. Sie impliziert, dass andere den Gott aufgegeben hatten, den sie nicht sehen konnten und nicht glauben wollten, aber Henoch hielt im Glauben an den Lehren seiner Vorfahren und an seinen persönlichen Überzeugungen über diesen unsichtbaren Gott fest.

Aus diesem Grund wurde er entrückt. Die Bibel verspricht ein ähnliches Ereignis für treue Gläubige, wenn wir unsere Hoffnung auf Jesus setzen. Glaube ich wirklich, dass es eine Entrückung geben wird – dass Menschen einfach verschwinden? Natürlich glaube ich das. Ob eine Person oder Millionen, Gott ist voll und ganz in der Lage, jedes Versprechen zu halten, genauso wie Sein Wort es verkündet.

Das letzte Mal wird Henoch im Buch Judas erwähnt – „Von diesen hat aber auch Henoch, der Siebte nach Adam, geweissagt, indem er sprach: »Siehe, der Herr ist gekommen mit seinen heiligen Zehntausenden, um Gericht zu halten über alle und alle Gottlosen unter ihnen zu strafen wegen all ihrer gottlosen Taten, womit sie sich vergangen haben, und wegen all der harten Worte, die gottlose Sünder gegen ihn geredet haben.«“
Judas 1,14-15

Judas fügte ein weiteres wichtiges Detail über Henoch hinzu – er war ein Prophet. Innerhalb weniger hundert Jahre nach der Schöpfung sprachen Männer Gottes das Wort Gottes zu einem Volk, das in einer vom Teufel beherrschten Welt sehr schnell auf Abwege geriet.

25 Und Methusalah lebte 187 Jahre, da zeugte er den Lamech;
26 und Methusalah lebte, nachdem er den Lamech gezeugt hatte, noch 782 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter;
27 und die ganze Lebenszeit Methusalahs betrug 969 Jahre, und er starb. 

Methusalah starb 1656          (im Jahr der Sintflut)

Lamech geboren 874              „in Gefangenschaft“

Du kennst sicher das Sprichwort über einen alten Kauz: “Er ist so alt wie Methusalah.” Nun, das Sprichwort kommt von hier. Methusalah lebte 969 Jahre alt – der älteste Mensch, der je in den Annalen der Welt aufgezeichnet wurde.

Sein Name war eine Prophezeiung auf die kommende Zerstörung der Welt. “Sein Tod wird bringen” oder eine andere Übersetzung lautet: “Wenn er tot ist, wird es geschickt werden.” Wie auch immer seine Eltern das gewusst haben, sie wussten, dass etwas kommen würde zum Zeitpunkt seines Todes. In dem Jahr, in dem er starb, kam das Wasser und zerstörte die Welt durch eine Flut.

Es gibt ein anderes Sprichwort über einen alten Menschen: “Er ist so alt wie Dreck”. Im Fall von Methusalah würde dies ebenfalls zutreffen. Anders als sein Vater Henoch, der so entrückt wurde, dass er den Tod nie sah, starb Methusalah. Als er starb, kehrte er in den Staub zurück, aus dem er gekommen war.

Der Tod von Methusalah kam langsam, aber er kam trotzdem. Jüdische Schriftsteller sagen, dass er 7 Tage vor der Flut Noahs starb. Um nur eine Woche wurde er von dem Zorn, der über die ganze Welt kam, verschont. Methusalah aber sieht der gleichen strahlenden Zukunft entgegen wie die Gläubigen aller Zeiten – jenem großen Tag der Hoffnung, an dem Jesus Christus uns in die ewige Herrlichkeit versetzt.

Nach Methusalah war Lamech der letzte Mensch, der vor dem Tod Adams in dieser göttlichen Linie geboren wurde. Er wurde im Jahr 874 Anno Mundi geboren und war der neunte Mensch von Adam. Stell dir vor, du sitzt auf dem Schoß deines Ur-Ur-Ur-Ur-Ur-Ur-Großvaters (das sind 6 Urgroßväter, ein Großvater und ein Vater, die alle im selben Raum sitzen und das Baby bewundern!)

“UrUrUrUrUrUropa, kannst du mir noch einmal von dem Tag erzählen, an dem du geschaffen wurdest? Hat Gott wirklich eine deiner Rippen herausgenommen, um “UrUrUrUrUrUroma Eva” zu machen? Ist diese Narbe wirklich die Stelle, wo die Rippe herkam? Hast du nach verchromten Stoßstangen oder Angelrutenaufsätzen gefragt?”

Fragen wie diese weckten in Adam sicherlich die schmerzliche Erinnerung an das verlorene Paradies. Das Leben unter der Sonne war nicht wie das Leben unter dem Himmel. Er war derjenige, der die Regeln gebrochen hatte. Alles, was er tun konnte, war, weiterzuleben und auf die endgültige Vollstreckung seiner vor so langer Zeit ausgesprochenen Strafe zu warten.

Ihm wurde der Staub versprochen, und er wusste, dass er dort enden würde. Als er dort ankam, war der Tod wahrscheinlich ein willkommener Gast.

28 Und Lamech lebte 182 Jahre, da zeugte er einen Sohn;
29 und er gab ihm den Namen Noah, indem er sprach: Der wird uns trösten über unsere Arbeit und die Mühe unserer Hände, die von dem Erdboden herrührt, den der Herr verflucht hat!
30 Und Lamech lebte, nachdem er den Noah gezeugt hatte, noch 595 Jahre und zeugte Söhne und Töchter;
31 und die ganze Lebenszeit Lamechs betrug 777 Jahre, und er starb. 

Lamech starb 1651                 „in Gefangenschaft“
Noah 1056                              „Trost“ oder „Ruhe“

Achtmal wird in diesem Kapitel der Satz “und er starb” erwähnt. Mit Ausnahme von Henoch, der direkt in die Herrlichkeit aufstieg, und Noah, der im nächsten Kapitel weiterbestehen würde, fanden alle diese Männer aus der gottesfürchtigen Linie von Seth ihr Ende und kehrten zur Erde zurück.

Lamech wurde 777 Jahre alt und starb im Jahr 1651, also im 5. Jahr vor der Sintflut. Anders als sein Großvater Henoch, der entrückt wurde, hatte er die kürzeste Lebensspanne in diesem Bericht. Die 777 Jahre seines Lebens sind jedoch ein Zeugnis für die göttliche Gnade, dass er vor der kommenden Zerstörung heimgeholt wurde.

Jesaja sagt dies über den Tod derer, die für Gott leben –

Der Gerechte kommt um,
und kein Mensch nimmt es zu Herzen;
und treue Männer werden hinweggerafft,
ohne dass jemand bemerkt,
dass der Gerechte vor dem Unglück hinweggenommen wird.
Er geht zum Frieden ein;
sie ruhen auf ihren Lagern,
ein jeder, der gerade Wege ging.
Jesaja 57, 1-2

Manchmal verstehen wir nicht, warum ein Kind stirbt, oder wir verlieren einen engen Freund in der Blüte seines Lebens, aber Gott versteht es. Es ist möglich, dass Gott in die Zukunft geschaut hat und etwas Böses gesehen hat, das ihnen sonst passiert wäre, und deshalb hat er sie nach Hause gerufen.

Wenn wir Gott wirklich vertrauen und akzeptieren, dass er souverän ist, können wir uns darauf verlassen, dass sein Plan für die Menschen, die er geschaffen und berufen hat, perfekt ausgeführt wird, so wie bei allen anderen Dingen auch.

Im Falle der Entrückung werden viele Söhne im Handumdrehen in die Herrlichkeit kommen. Ob sie nun schon vor uns gegangen sind und darauf warten, aus ihrem Grab erweckt zu werden, oder ob sie zu diesem Zeitpunkt, wenn die Posaune ertönt, noch auf der Straße des Lebens wandeln, wir werden für immer in seiner herrlichen Gegenwart sein, vollkommen zufrieden und für immer den Gott preisen, der uns vor uns selbst gerettet hat.

In dieser Erzählung erfahren wir, warum Lamech seinen Sohn Noah nannte: “Dieser wird uns trösten über unsere Arbeit und die Mühe unserer Hände wegen des Bodens, den der Herr verflucht hat.”

Der Name Noah bedeutet konkret “Ruhe” oder “Trost”. Lamech war erst 182 Jahre alt, als er Noah zeugte, aber er war schon erschöpft von dem mühsamen Leben, das er führte. Der Fluch, der am Anfang stand, dauerte Jahr um Jahr und Generation um Generation an.

Vor allem aber ist es wahrscheinlich, dass der Name Noah eine Vorwegnahme dessen war, was er sein würde, so wie der Name Methusalah eine Prophezeiung war. Wie wir gesehen haben, bedeutet Methusalah “Sein Tod wird bringen”. Da Noahs Leben zeitlich mit dem von Methusalah zusammenfiel, dachten seine Eltern vielleicht, dass er der verheißene Messias sein würde, der ihnen die Ruhe bringen würde, auf die sie gewartet hatten.

Dem Menschen wurde ein Erlöser versprochen, der den Teufel vernichten und ihn in Gottes Ruhe zurückbringen würde, und die Namensgebung Noahs mag diese Hoffnung vorweggenommen haben.

III. Gott mit dem Menschen

32 Und Noah war 500 Jahre alt, da zeugte Noah den Shem, den Ham und den Japheth.

Shem               –           „Name“ / „Ruhm“
Ham                –           „Leidenschaft“ / „heiß“
Japheth           –           „Vergrößerung“ / „Weitreichende Ausdehnung“

Dies ist der letzte Vers von Kapitel 5 und gibt den Ton für den kommenden Bericht an. Noah hatte ab seinem 500. Lebensjahr drei Söhne. Sem wird als erster genannt, aber er war nicht der Erstgeborene. In Genesis 11 heißt es, dass er nach der Flut 102 Jahre alt war, und wenn Noah seinen ersten Sohn im Jahr 500 hatte, dann war der Erstgeborene Japheth, denn Ham wird in Genesis 9 als der jüngste der Brüder bezeichnet.

Wir haben bereits einen bevorzugten zweiten Sohn gesehen – Abel, der von seinem Bruder getötet wurde. An seine Stelle trat Seth, der das Haupt der Linie von Gottes auserwähltem Volk wurde. Dies ist der zweite bevorzugte Sohn – Sem, der vor seinem älteren Bruder Japheth gestellt wird. Sem ist es, der ein Vorfahre von Jesus Christus war.

Dieses Muster setzt sich in der Bibel bis zum Ende fort und beschreibt sowohl das Wirken Jesu als auch die Lehre von der göttlichen Erwählung. Gott wählt souverän alle Dinge für seine Zwecke aus, und diese Zwecke werden oft auf die kurioseste Weise erfüllt. Wenn du deine Bibel liest …

WENN DU DEINE BIBEL LIEST

… achte auf diese Art von Muster und du wirst in der Lage sein, das Wirken Gottes im menschlichen Leben klarer zu erkennen.

Wie sicher sind wir uns der Lehre von der göttlichen Erwählung? Lesen wir, was Paulus in Apostelgeschichte 17 sagt: „Aus einem einzigen Menschen hat er alle Völker hervorgehen lassen. Er wollte, dass sie die Erde bewohnen, er bestimmte die Zeit ihres Bestehens und die Grenzen ihres Gebietes.“ (Apostelgeschichte 17,26)

Gott wählt die genaue Zeit und den genauen Ort, an dem jeder Mensch leben wird, um ihm die beste Gelegenheit zu geben, Ihn zu suchen und Ihm Ehre zu machen. Und warum tut Er das? Der Vers fährt fort: „27 Er wollte, dass sie nach ihm fragen, dass sie sich bemühen, ihn irgendwie zu finden, obwohl er keinem von uns wirklich fern ist.“

So geht Gott mit Seinen eigensinnigen Kindern um. Er ist allgegenwärtig und arbeitet auf die effektivste Weise, um uns zu erreichen und uns zu der herrlichen Ruhe zu bringen, auf die diese Vorfahren so geduldig gewartet haben. Lasst uns nicht versäumen, in unserem eigenen Leben auf Seinen Ruf zu reagieren.

Die Generationen Adams

Als Adam 130 Jahre alt war, bekam er einen Sohn namens Seth,
Einen Sohn, der nach seinem Ebenbild und auch nach seiner Art geht.
Es dauerte weitere 800 Jahre bis zu seinem Tod,
Doch bevor er starb, wurde sein Ur-Ur-Ur-Ur-Ur-Ur-Enkel
Lamech geboren und alles war im Lot.

Seth machte eine Weile weiter und dann hatte er Enosch,
Das war, als er war einhundertfünf, quasi noch ein junger Frosch.
Im Alter von 912 Jahren biss er dann ins Gras, meine Güte,
Aber da hatte er schon sieben weitere Generationen in der Tüte.

Enosch, dessen Name “Sterblicher” bedeutet, hatte einen Sohn namens Kenan.
Dies geschah, als Enosch erst 90 Jahre alt war, oh Mann!
Enosch starb schließlich im Jahr 1140,
Nach 905 langen Jahre des Lebens war er immer noch witzig.

Kenan war gerade siebzig Jahre alt, als Mahalalel zur Welt kam.
Dieser besondere Name bedeutet “Lob Gottes”, von Anfang an.
Im Jahr 1235 läuteten sie die Totenglocke für Kenan.
Während Mahalalel weiter auf der Erde wandelte dann.

Mahalalel war noch jünger, als er seinen Sohn Jared hatte, eine gute Wahl,
Er war erst 65… manche würden sagen “ein Skandal”.
Seine Uhr tickte weiter, bis 895 Jahre vergangen waren mit Pfiff,
Und dann griff der Sargträger nach Mahalalels Sarggriff.

Sein Sohn Jared war ein viel geduldigerer Typ in diesen Jahren,
Er hatte keinen Sohn, bis 162 Jahre vergangen waren.

Doch dann kam Henoch, “Lehre” heißt sein Name , von nah und fern,
Und Jared lehrte ihn gut, denn Henoch wandelte mit dem HERRN.
Noch bevor Jared starb, erlangte Henoch großen Ruhm,
In die Herrlichkeit entrückt wandelt er auf himmlischen Straßen nun.

Bevor er entrückt wurde, hatte Henoch Methusalah.
Dieser Kerl überlebte bis zum Jahr der Sintflut – oh ja.
Er konnte zusehen, wie Noah seine Arche baute – Hallelujah!
Und er wusste, dass die Zukunft des Menschen immer noch sicher war.

Methusalah wartete bis zu seinem 87. Lebensjahr,
Dann bekam er einen Sohn, Lamech sein Name war.
Im Alter von 969 Jahren war Methusalah dann für den Himmel bereit,
Und sein Rekordalter hat ihm viel Ruhm eingebracht, bis zur heutigen Zeit.

Lamechs Name bedeutet “in Gefangenschaft”.
Etwas, das uns allen ähnelt, wir sind “in Haft”,
Es ist eine Eigenschaft, die erstmal jeder hat.
Seit dem Sündenfall jeder darin tappt.

Und Lamech bekam einen Sohn, der ihm die Mühsal erleichtern sollte,
Er war 182, als Noah endlich aus dem Bauch raus wollte.
Ein Sohn, der half, den hartnäckigen, wütenden Boden zu bestellen,
Ein Sohn, um sich bei harter Arbeit dazuzugesellen.

Lamech hauchte sein Leben im Alter von 777 Jahren aus,
Fünf Jahre bevor die Flut die Erde zerstören würde und jede Maus.
Wir werden ihn auf den Straßen des Himmels treffen, du musst nicht bangen,
Wenn wir zuerst die versprochene neue Geburt empfangen.

Gott hat einen Plan, und er ist in diesen Namen geschrieben,
Ein Plan, der von der Ankunft seines Sohnes erzählt, den wir lieben.
Selbst das wildeste Herz zähmt Jesus ohne weiteres, liebevoll wird es bezwungen,
Die Geschichte des Evangeliums sagt uns, der Sieg ist errungen .

Ich möchte sehen, wie viele von euch dieser Predigt Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt haben. Ich habe euch die 10 Namen von Adam bis Noah genannt und was sie bedeuten. Ich möchte sehen, ob jemand von euch mir diese zehn Namen in der richtigen Reihenfolge nennen kann? Ich gebe euch 10 Dollar, wenn ihr mir die Übersetzung ins Englische/Deutsche geben könnt, die ich euch gegeben habe. Ich gebe euch 100 Dollar, wenn ihr mir das Geburtsjahr nennt, und ich gebe euch tausend Dollar, wenn ihr mir das Todesjahr sagen könnt. Kann mir das jemand sagen?

*Adam                                    Mann
Seth                                         Auserwählt
*Enosch                                  Sterblich
Kenan                                      Eigentum
Mahalalel                                Lobpreis Gottes
Jared                                       Hinabsteigen
Henoch                                   Lehren
Methuselah                             Sein Tod wird bringen
Lamech                                   Gefangener
Noah                                       Trost / Ruhe

Jesus Christus, der Menschensohn, wurde von Gott dazu auserwählt, ein Sterblicher zu werden, ein Mensch, der sterben konnte, damit wir zum Lob Gottes den verheißenen Besitz des ewigen Lebens erlangen können. Er ist vom Himmel herabgestiegen, um zu lehren. Sein Tod ist es, der die Gefangenen befreit und ihnen die seit dem Sündenfall versprochene Ruhe gegeben hat.

Hallelujah und Amen…

Acts 2:18

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Monday, 8 November 2021

And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy. Acts 2:18

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, still citing Joel, continues with the words, “And on My menservants and on My maidservants.” The Spirit will come upon the Lord’s people regardless of sex. Any who believe in Christ Jesus will receive the Promise. In the Hebrew of Joel that Peter is citing, it says, “And also upon the menservants and upon the maidservants.” Instead of “My,” it simply says, “the.”

In the Hebrew, the words of Joel are qualifying the previous verse of Joel. It had said, “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.” And so, to say, “And also upon the menservants and upon the maidservants,” it would be understood that they were included in the term “all flesh.” The Lord was obviously speaking to the people of Israel, and so “My” would be understood.

However, Peter now makes a distinction by saying “My” – “My menservants and on My maidservants.” As some people there were speaking in tongues while others were not, it defines who “My” is referring to, meaning believers. Thus, anyone not having the Spirit poured out on them is not included in “My.” It is a subtle way of saying, “This is what God is now doing. We are what Joel prophesied of, and we are now the people of God.” To remedy this for those listening, Peter will later say –

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38, 39

For now, Peter continues citing Joel, saying, “I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” The idea of the pouring out of the Spirit is more than just coming upon a prophet for the purpose of witnessing to Israel, but of coming upon all people, as noted in the words “all flesh” of the previous verse (in both Joel and Acts). It is an all-inclusive pouring out upon any who belongs to the Lord. Further, these words now tell us that “those days” that Joel was referring to are now “these days.” The promised pouring out of the Spirit had arrived. With this gift, Peter next says, “And they shall prophesy.”

These words are not found in either the Hebrew or the Greek OT. However, Peter stating them now is probably an indication to the people that what he is saying, and what he will continue to say, is to be considered as prophetic utterances of the Lord. Thus, they are to heed Peter’s words just as if they were heeding the prophets of the past. To not do so would be to reject the word of the Lord.

And more, there are times where those who are believers are said to prophesy later in Acts, such as in Acts 11:28, 19:6, and 21:9. Thus, the Spirit is shown in Acts to come upon believers in fulfillment of Peter’s words now.

Another obvious point to be gleaned from Peter’s words is to be seen in what is stated now in Acts. First, who is speaking in Joel 2 when it says, “I will pour out My Spirit?” It is obviously the Lord God (Yehovah). However, Peter – who is quoting those verses from Joel – clearly shows that it is Jesus who is pouring out His Spirit –

“Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” Acts 2:33

Therefore, Peter is clearly, precisely, and unambiguously stating that Jesus is the Lord God (Yehovah) of their Scriptures. This is an important point that will help establish doctrine later in this chapter, and it will explain why certain things occur as they do (here, toward Israel), but that are not later expected of new believers later in Acts.

Life application: It is necessary for us to remind ourselves that the verses being reviewed in Acts 2 are merely describing what occurred at that time. They do not prescribe anything, and they do not establish any ongoing precedent. In other words, just because something occurs here in Acts, it does not mean that it will occur again.

Fire came down on the sacrifices at the tabernacle and then later at the temple to show the Lord’s approval of those edifices. But that did not occur again. The one demonstration of approval was all that was needed to confirm that He was among His people and had accepted what was built.

Likewise, the Lord demonstrates in the book of Acts His approval of His followers, and of various conversions of people in an outward manner in order to demonstrate that He has accepted their faith. But this does not set a new precedent that will reoccur later. We should not expect to have a “Charismatic style” conversion when we receive Jesus. In fact, it is contrary to the prescriptive words of Paul elsewhere to expect that. Most importantly, we are to have faith in the Lord Jesus without any external display of His approval, and with that, He will be pleased.

Lord God, Your word says that if we believe the gospel, we will be saved. It also says that when we do, we are sealed with Your Spirit as a guarantee of our salvation. Help us to trust this and to not waffle in our minds as to whether this is true or not. When we have demonstrated faith, Your word says You are pleased with that, and we are saved. Thank You for the surety Your word provides. Amen.

 

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (The Blessings and the Curses, Part I)

Charlie Garrett Deuteronomy (Written)

Deuteronomy 28:1-14
The Blessings and the Curses, Part I

Deuteronomy 28 is one long chapter, but it is only divided into two major sections, that of blessings and that of curses. As far as the blessings, they are detailed in today’s passage. After this, it is all downhill concerning what will come upon Israel if they fail to do as instructed.

Of the chapter, Albert Barnes notes the following –

“The language rises in this chapter to the sublimest strains, especially in the latter part of it; and the prophecies respecting the dispersion and degradation of the Jewish nation in its later days are among the most remarkable in scripture. They are plain, precise, and circumstantial; and the fulfillment of them has been literal, complete, and undeniable.” Albert Barnes

It is the curses that truly highlight both the chapter and the history of Israel. As such, it is a part of the tutoring that we are given concerning the law and our desperate need for Christ. If it were not so, the Old Testament, and even the gospels would be vastly different than they are.

And more, the state of Israel for the past two millennia would have been vastly different as well. For now, we can see that by putting the blessings first, it is an indication that there is an ideal set forth, even if it is actually unattainable by us.

If there is an ideal set forth, however, it means that attaining it is a possibility, nonetheless. It would make no sense for God to set forth an ideal and then never allow it to be seen in its fully realized state. So, even if it has never come about as promised here in Deuteronomy, it does not mean that it never will.

Text Verse: “I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27 Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them.” Ezekiel 34:25-27

The problem with replacement theology, well one of many with it, is that such theologians hold quite fast to all of the promised blessings, but they overlook anything negative that may arise in regard to what is put forth.

For example, in Romans 11, it clearly says that Israel is blinded. If that is so, and if those who hold to replacement theology are Israel (as they claim), then they must be blinded. So why would anyone want to discuss theology with a spiritually blinded theologian?

And if they are Israel as they claim to be, and yet the curses which are detailed in the next passage (starting next week) are actually curses that belong to Israel, which has been ongoing now for two thousand years, then how do you say that Israel has been replaced by the church? Is God still punishing people that aren’t even His people in the manner that he promised to punish His people?

That would demonstrate a rather confused and vindictive God, wouldn’t it? The problem with what Jews believe, and the problem with what the world at large believes, and which is a problem that is found in replacement theology as well, will be discussed in our sermon today.

So, if you are still confused about who Israel is, and who the church is, and what the responsibilities and warnings to Israel actually mean, pay attention. We’ll go over that, along with the verses in this passage today.

Great things, such as, “Israel is Israel, and the church is the church” 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. Blessed Shall You Be (verses 1-8)

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God,

There is an emphasis given to start out the chapter: v’hayah im shamoa tishma b’qol Yehovah elohekha – “And it shall be if hearing, you hear in voice Yehovah your God.” As has been seen repeatedly, “to hear” signifies more than just listening to the audible sounds, but to hearken to what is said.

The people could go to the synagogue every Saturday and sit and listen to the rabbi read out the words of the Lord, but unless they actually hear what is said, let it sink in, and then hearken to the words by applying them to their lives, they have not obeyed the precept of these words right now.

This is obviously dealing with Israel under the law, but before proceeding on, it should be at least noted that the same is true today within the church. A person can show up at church, listen to whatever is said, and go home no different than when he arrived.

James speaks of this, and his words are based on his life under the law and then discovering his new life in Christ –

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:22-25

The precept of Deuteronomy under the law is applied by James to those who have now found life in the perfect law of liberty which is found in Christ – “if hearing, you hear” the voice of the Lord God as is found in His word. For Israel, once the word is heard and hearkened to, they were…

1 (con’t) to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today,

The Hebrew is more expressive: lishmor laasoth – “to observe, to do.” One can observe without doing. Israel is to pay heed and to conduct their lives in a manner that is in accord with the word they have heard as commanded by Moses.

All of the words have been in the singular – “you, Israel.” Thus, this is speaking of the obedience of the nation. At the time of Elijah, there were only seven thousand people in the nation that could be considered as being referred to here. Thus, it cannot be said that Israel the nation was observing and doing. Rather, only a remnant of the people was. But it is the nation as a whole that will either receive the blessing or the curse.

For now, Moses notes that if the nation hearkens to the word, observes the word, and does what the word instructs…

1 (con’t) that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.

This is a general repeat of what was stated just two chapters ago –

“Also today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, 19 and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.” Deuteronomy 26:18, 19

There, as here, the word elyon, or “most high,” is used. Although the greatness of Israel was seen especially exalted at the time of Solomon, that cannot be said to have been a fulfillment of this promise. Nor can it be said of them at any other time.

To hearken, to observe, and to do all of the commandments takes more than fallen men are capable of. This will be carefully revealed and recorded over the next fourteen hundred years of their history. Only in Christ can this truly come to pass. Only in the messianic age will Israel truly find itself in this exalted position.

In coming to Christ, who is the fulfillment of Moses’ words, Israel will someday be so exalted…

2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you,

The two thoughts are separated in the Hebrew, probably for effect. It reads, “And shall come upon you all the blessings, these, and overtake you.” It isn’t just that they will be evident, but that they will actively come to them.

Moses personifies the blessings, equating them to beings that actively come upon Israel and then pursue the nation, reaching out their hands to it. Of this, John Lange says, they “are personified, because God Himself is, as it were, in them.”

He is the Giver of all good things, and the words are again reflective of the words of James –

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

The words, still in the singular, speak of a prosperity that extends to the entire nation. Some translations use the word “abundance” which certainly gives a good sense of the intent. And there is a reason for this…

2 (con’t) because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

The Hebrew reads “because” (or when), not “if.” This is not a conditional statement like verse 1. Rather, it is an absolute surety that it will come about: “Because you do this, then this is the result.” Now, to explain what “all these blessings” means, Moses continues…

3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

This begins a six-fold repetition of the word “blessed.” However, the number of blessings is more than six as will be evident in the next verse. For now, Moses begins with the entire sphere of existence in the land by noting both the city and the country – literally, the field.

Thus, this covers domestic employment, that of industry inside the walls of the city, and that which is agricultural, or outside of them. Moses indicates that in all areas where Israel puts its hands to work, the work of their hands will be blessed.

4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

Here are listed five blessings of one type, that of reproduction. However, in the Hebrew, the first three are termed “fruit” while the last two are termed “increase,” and explain the term fruit: “Blessed fruit your womb; and fruit your ground; and fruit your beasts – increase your herd, and offspring your flocks.”

These words follow closely after Deuteronomy 7:13 –

“And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you.”

The idea is that everything will increase abundantly, and that there will be many people, but there will also be much to support the many people. Even with a large population, there will be no lack at all. With that stated, Moses next says…

5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

The words here are rare. The first, tene, was introduced in Deuteronomy 26, being seen twice there. The first time, it said –

“And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, 2 that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide.” Deuteronomy 26:1, 2

The other word, mishereth, or “kneading bowl,” is found only twice in Exodus and then twice in this chapter –

“So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls.” Exodus 8:3

“So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.” Exodus 12:34

Probably what is meant by Moses is that 1) the basket that carries the first of the produce is emblematic of all of the harvest. As the firsts are overflowing, so is the entire harvest. And 2) the bowl that is used for making bread (the staff of life) will never fail to be overflowing. In other words, there will always be people sated with the abundance of food set before them.

6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

The Hebrew reads, “in your coming in,” and “in your going out.” There are two separate views on this. The first is explained by the Jewish scholar Rashi, saying that it refers to the entrance into life and the departure from life. He says, “So that thy departure from the world shall be like thine entrance into it, sinless.”

That is wrong on the surface. Jewish scholars generally don’t accept the premise of original sin, which is so clearly painted in Scripture that it removes almost any reason to listen to them on any other doctrine. Everything else will be tainted with this heretical thought. If one is born without sin, and he departs without sin, then he wouldn’t need a Savior from sin. But the word says otherwise.

The other general meaning is exactly what Moses is referring to here and in each precept of the blessings, that of daily health and vigor. Moses uses the term in this way in a few more chapters –

“Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them: ‘I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in.’” Deuteronomy 31:1, 2

Joshua repeats the idea as well –

“As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.” Joshua 14:11

The meaning is that in one’s coming in, there will be strength and vitality within the walls of one’s home. There will be joy, health for the family, contentment, peace, and so on. And in one’s going out, there will be health and vigor, and there will be strength for the day’s labors

7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face;

The words are active and alive: yiten Yehovah eth oyevekha ha’qamim alekha nigapim l’phanekha – “He shall give, Yehovah, your enemies – the risers against you – they are struck before your face.”

This would explain the “going out” for those in battle. Israel is blessed in their going out by having the Lord give their enemies into their hands so that they will be struck. So great will be the confusion that…

7 (con’t) they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

b’derek ekhad yeseu elekha u-b’shivah derakim yanasu l’phanekha – “In way one they shall come out against you, and in seven ways they shall flee before your face.” The idea is that they will come against Israel as a united fighting force, but they shall be broken, confused, and with their tails between their legs as they flee away.

This explains the “coming in.” The enemy will be scattered before Israel, and Israel’s return to the camp will be victorious, joyous, and peaceful. Next…

8 “The Lord will command the blessing

yesav Yehovah itekha eth ha’berakhah – “May command Yehovah on you the blessing.” The first word is a jussive. It is a sort of indirect command. Moses is calling for the Lord to bless Israel in their obedience. This call out is for it to be…

8 (con’t) on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand,

A new word found just twice, is introduced here, asam. It refers to a barn. It comes from a root meaning “to heap together.” Solomon says –

“Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9, 10

The words of this clause are again set as a contrast. The blessing is to come for Israel, as it says, “in your barns, and in all stretch your hand.” In other words, it is referring to “the income and the expenditure” (Ellicott).

That which comes into the barn will be blessed. It will be plenty, of good quality, and so on. And that which is purchased will be of good quality, useful, and so on. In this state, Moses says…

8 (con’t) and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

The meaning of this is a personal blessing upon the individual. It speaks of permanence in one’s abode, possessions, life, and health. Rather than uncertainty and constant unease, there will be stability and a life that is happy and carefree. And more…

With blessing I shall bless you
And you shall be blessed by Me
When you are careful to observe and to do
You shall be blessed by Me abundantly

Follow that path that will lead you to Me
And do not turn left nor right
Be persistent in following this path diligently
Keep Me in the center of your sight

Oh Israel, the blessing is waiting for you
If you will just heed the word that I have spoken
Follow the path that leads to life anew
And I will heal the hearts, desolate and broken

II. To Right or Left (verses 9-14)

9 “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself,

yeqimekha Yehovah lo, l’am qadosh – “Will raise up you Yehovah to Himself, to people holy.” The word qum means to raise up or to stand. It can convey two different thoughts. One is that of permanence. That is how the Jewish writers take this. “We have been established as holy and it is a permanent state.”

The other is that of being raised up into a particular position whether it is permanent or not. Another word, kun, will certainly indicate the latter, and it is used along with qum when speaking of the permanent establishment of the setting up of Christ’s kingdom.

“And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up (qum) your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish (kun) his kingdom.” 1 Chronicles 17:11

The latter meaning, not necessarily indicating permanence, must be referred to here. The reason for this is that Moses has already declared Israel holy –

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:6

And yet the Lord has also said that they would be holy and special to Him based upon obedience –

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:5, 6

This was discussed in detail in Deuteronomy 7:6, explaining how Israel is set apart (holy) to the Lord even if they are disobedient (unholy) before Him.

In the case of the words here, the blessings, and the promise of being raised up as a holy people to Himself will not be realized if they are disobedient to the law. That is made perfectly clear in verse 1 where it is conditional –

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.”

The Jewish scholars and rabbis unfortunately take what is conditional, meaning being a holy people to the Lord (being in a right standing before the Lord), and incorrectly apply it to themselves as a people, meaning being holy before the Lord, regardless as to how they conduct their lives.

This attitude is then accepted by the people at large. I have a Jewish friend that believes heaven is guaranteed for Jews regardless as to how they live their lives. This is the error that has permeated their thinking all along. To understand this, we can look at the various positions in which they might stand –

  • Holy to the Lord as a people because of the covenant promises (positional), but unholy to the Lord because of disobedience to His commands (moral).
  • Holy to the Lord as a people because of the covenant promises, regardless as to whether they are obedient to the His commands or not (positional only).
  • Holy to the Lord as a people because of the covenant promises (positional), and holy to the Lord because of obedience to His commands (moral).
  • Unholy to the Lord because of disobedience to His commands (moral only).

The first is how Israel has been for most of their history. The Lord set them apart as holy, regardless as to whether they are right with Him or not. It is the state in which they now (as a people) exist. They are set apart to God (positional) despite their unfaithfulness (moral) –

“Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:28, 29

The second option is how Israel see themselves. They are holy to the Lord because of the covenant (positional), and so they don’t need to worry about the commands – all is good in the end. Amos shows the end of such people –

“I overthrew some of you,
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning;
Yet you have not returned to Me,”
Says the Lord.
12 “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel;
Because I will do this to you,
Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” Amos 4:11, 12

When the Lord says, “Prepare to meet your God,” He is not speaking about a Sunday picnic. To be fair, and just so no one thinks I’m picking on the Jews, this idea permeates various bodies, and in varying degrees, within Christianity as well.

Many Roman Catholics, for example, think they are going to heaven because they were baptized into the Roman Catholic Church. They should probably reconsider or… prepare to meet their God on rather unfriendly terms. There will be no fist bumping on that day.

The third option, holy in both a positional and moral sense, has almost never been Israel’s condition. There are times recorded in the Old Testament that it could be argued this was the case, but those are tenuous at best and few and far between.

This state will finally and forever be realized, however, when they call out to receive Christ Jesus during the tribulation period, and then as they serve Him during the millennial kingdom. This is seen in the words of Isaiah –

Indeed the Lord has proclaimed
To the end of the world:
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Surely your salvation is coming;
Behold, His reward is with Him,
And His work before Him.’”
12 And they shall call them The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
And you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken. Isaiah 62:11, 12

Those who hold to the fourth option are as unscholarly as those who hold to the second, but unfortunately governments, religions, and even churches around the world are filled with such people.

They reject Israel of today as being set apart to God (position), they reject that there is any future role for them in the world or in God’s economy and dispensations, and they believe that either Israel must be eradicated, or that they (meaning replacement theology) have – instead – replaced Israel. Micah speaks of such –

“Now also many nations have gathered against you,
Who say, ‘Let her be defiled,
And let our eye look upon Zion.’
12 But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord,
Nor do they understand His counsel;
For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor.” Micah 4:11, 12

As you can see, the status of Israel is complicated. And their position before the Lord is both conditional and it is unconditional, depending on what is being evaluated. For this verse in Deuteronomy, it is a conditional raising up of Israel based on their obedience to the commands of the Lord. He will do this…

9 (con’t) just as He has sworn to you,

The Lord will raise up Israel and uphold the surety of pouring out these promised blessings upon them. This is a certainty because the Lord has sworn. However, it is only…

9 (con’t) if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways.

Again, the Hebrew reads “when” not “if.” And saying “when” is simply a shortened way of saying “according to.” In other words, these things will be a response to the keeping of His commandments, and of walking in His ways.

“How much prosperity and blessing can you handle? It will come forth according to how you first respond to Me. With each step forward, there will be blessing. With each step back, there will be a diminishing of it.” Again, to Amos 4 –

“I also withheld rain from you,
When there were still three months to the harvest.
I made it rain on one city,
I withheld rain from another city.
One part was rained upon,
And where it did not rain the part withered.
8 So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water,
But they were not satisfied;
Yet you have not returned to Me,”
Says the Lord. Amos 4:7, 8

However, if the commandments are obeyed, and if the people walk in the ways of the Lord…

10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord,

The Hebrew is more personal, saying: ki shem Yehovah niqra alekha – “that the name of Yehovah is called upon you.” It is as if the name of Yehovah has alighted upon them. Or as if a husband has cast his name upon his bride.

In the pouring out of the blessings, and in the raising up of the people, it would be evident to all peoples that He is their Master, and they are His people. Of this having the name of the Lord called upon them, the Pulpit Commentary incorrectly (see option 4 mentioned above) states –

“Theirs was the adoption and the glory” (Romans 9:4) – but it was theirs only in symbol and in shadow (Hebrews 10:1); the reality belongs only to the spiritual Israel, and this came to men in all its fullness when he who is “the image of the invisible God” appeared and set up his tent among men, full of grace and truth (John 1:12, 14).” Pulpit Commentary

This is the logic of replacement theology, that Israel is out because of their moral failings, and regardless as to the covenant faithfulness of the Lord. In misciting Hebrews 10, they show the error of the thinking.

It says there that “the law” is a shadow of things to come. Even Israel, under the law, could be equated to that, but not Israel the people to whom the promises were made. That is actually seen when evaluating the next words…

10 (con’t) and they shall be afraid of you.

The promise is to Israel, and Jeremiah speaks of the fulfillment of it when referring not to the church, but to Israel –

“I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. 9 Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.” Jeremiah 33:8, 9

Based on the surrounding context in Jeremiah, this promise could only be considered as pertaining to the church by either the poorest of scholars, or by someone who is completely blinded by replacement theology – but I repeat myself.

11 And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods,

It is singular – “And the Lord will make you abound for good.” That is then defined by…

11 (con’t) in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground,

The words are similar to verse 4 where the Hebrew repeats the words “fruit” three times, “in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground.” This abundance is the “good” that was just mentioned. And it will be…

11 (con’t) in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you.

The same word just used (your ground) is repeated in this clause. It reads, “upon the ground.” Rather than speaking of the land in which the people live, this is speaking of that which is blessed from the ground, and which results in the good. It is that ground which is produced in the land next described…

12 The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens,

yiphtakh Yehovah lekha eth otsaro ha’tov eth ha’shemayim – “Will open Yehovah to you treasury the good – the heavens.” There is a new word, otsar which refers to a cellar, armory, treasure house, storehouse, etc. Here, the Lord equates the heavens, with their clouds which drop the rains from above, to a treasury.

There is great value when the skies open and the rains come forth. Not only is water needed for life to continue, but as it rains, wealth literally comes forth from the ground. Hence, the term “treasury” is appropriate. All man has to do is to pick or cut that which comes forth, and he can easily increase his own wealth. Having that on a national scale would be the prosperity of Israel. As it next says…

12 (con’t) to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand.

Here, the word “land” is correct. It is speaking not just of the ground, but the land in which Israel lives. There will be rain in its due season, and from it, Israel will prosper. The hand of Israel, its agricultural effort, will be fruitful and abundant. In such a state, there will be no lack. Rather, there will only be abundance leading to even greater wealth…

12 (con’t) You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

The word is lavah. It signifies “to join,” coming from a root meaning to twine. Hence, it is signifying the joining of Israel to the nations as lenders. Because of the rich abundance that issues from the ground, there will be so much surplus that they will be able to lend to others without worrying about borrowing.

The idea here is exaltation above those who must submit to them for their livelihood and necessities.

13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail;

The meaning is obvious. In their obedience, Israel will be the head of the nations, leading the way and ever ready to consume the best of what comes its way. The tail, on the other hand, is that which lags behind. Abundance, innovation, prosperity, and so on, is all lacking when one is the tail.

Rather than that, Israel is promised to be the chief in privileges, dignity, and might. Next is another, similar, metaphor…

13 (con’t) you shall be above only, and not be beneath,

It is emphatic: v’hayita raq la’malah v’lo tiyeh l’mattah – “and you shall be only [nothing but] to above and no shall you be to beneath.” The words convey the same idea as the previous clause. The emphasis is given to show that it is a certainly that it will be the case. Nothing can stop it from occurring…

13 (con’t) if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.

Rather than “if” it again says “when.” Moses promises that when they act in accord with the commandments of the Lord, being careful to do them, then the Lord will certainly perform as he states.

What Moses says here, and the way the words are put forth does not necessarily confirm the doctrine of divine inspiration as other passages do, but they do present the idea of divine surety.

The Lord could have simply told Moses what He would do for the people, and Moses could just be giving the general sense of it to them, but he would be an utter fool to say, “The Lord will” unless he knew it was to be absolutely so.

Hence, Israel would have every reason to accept that it is so. Even at this point in their history, they had the manna provided to them every day, six days a week, and they also had the cloud by day and the fire by night with them the entire time they traveled.

The evidences of the Lord’s hand upon them, even to the recent plagues that came upon them for the matter of Peor where the people transgressed, demonstrated to them that the Lord was there, and also that Moses was authorized to speak on His behalf.

As such, there is the absolute sense of divine surety that what Moses conveys will come to pass. Therefore…

14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day,

The words go to the plural for just one word out of the entire passage today, “which I command you (plural).” Either Moses has changed the address here to ensure that all of Israel understands that they must be obedient, even as one people, or the text is in error because several other manuscripts keep this in the singular.

Either way, however, the charge to Israel is to keep on the straight path. The one way is obedience and resulting blessing, while any other way will withhold the blessings from them. As such…

14 (con’t) to the right or the left,

The Hebrew is simpler – right or left. There wasn’t to be any deviation at all. All eyes forward, and keep the feet in step, one after the other. The law belongs to the Lord. It is the one path to a right relationship with Him. To turn off that path is…

*14 (fin) to go after other gods to serve them.

It reads, “to walk after other gods.” Obedience to the law is equated to a walk with the Lord. Thus, to deviate from the law is to then walk with another. One must actively choose who he will follow and whom he will serve.

To break the law, in any point, is to break the entire law. That is why the promised blessings end with this warning which is a violation of the First Commandment. Whether a god of wood or stone, or simply the god of self, to deviate from the law is immediately equated to going after other gods.

There are great, plentiful, and sure blessings that are promised for obedience to the Lord. But what is coming in the next verses of this chapter will be considered, in minute and mournful detail, as to what will come upon the people if they turn away from this right path.

This law, a seeming friend with its wonderous promises of blessing and abundance, is shown to also be an enemy in the sense that it works against the inner nature of man. There is a corruption in us that keeps us from being able to do those things that are expected of us in the law. As such, the law itself – even with such wonderful promises – inevitably brings a curse upon us.

Paul, in particular, discusses this. He was a teacher of the law. He was trained in what it said. And yet, he failed to see this until his eyes were opened to what it means to be truly obedient to God. When he came to the realization that the Messiah had to come and take the penalty of the law upon Himself, it changed him wholly and forever.

He no longer looked at the law as a way of showing how good he was before God. Rather, he found that the law demonstrates how utterly sinful our sin is to God. This is the lesson of the many years of Israel under the law, and this is the enormity of the grace of God that not only forgives our transgressions, but who does so through the work of His own perfect Son.

What are the blessings of the law? Without God’s provision in Christ, they are nothing. The inability of Israel to receive them for more than even a fleeting moment in all of their history demonstrates that without Christ Jesus, all blessing is temporary and short-lived, and we are only left with God’s curse.

But in the cross of Calvary, we see God’s curse, in its highest sense, in the dead body of Christ. All of the sin of mankind was placed upon Him to absolve us of our wrongdoing. And in His burial, all of that sin is placed in the grave – once and forever.

In His coming forth in triumph over the grave, He also came forth in triumph – for us – over sin. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ our Lord who has removed the curse so that there is only blessing left. Yes. Thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah and Amen.

Closing Verse: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:3-6

Next Week: Deuteronomy 28:15-29 It’s like being on the good or bad side of nurses, yes… it is true! (The Blessings and the Curses, Part II) (78th 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 Blessings and the Curses, Part I

“Now it shall come to pass
If you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God
———-He of infinite worth
To observe carefully all His commandments which I
———-command you today
That the LORD your God will set you high above all nations
———-of the earth

And all these blessings
Shall come upon you and overtake you
Because you obey the voice of the LORD your God
And all of these commandments you do

“Blessed shall you be in the city, it is true
And blessed shall you be in the country too

“Blessed shall be the fruit of your body
The produce of your ground and the increase of your herds
The increase of your cattle
And the offspring of your flocks; none of your kids shall
———-turn out nerds

“Blessed shall be your basket
And your kneading bowl, no doubt
“Blessed shall you be when you come in
And blessed shall you be when you go out

“The LORD will cause your enemies
Who rise against you to be defeated before your face
They shall come out against you one way
And flee before you seven ways from that place

“The LORD will command the blessing on you
In your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand
And He will bless you in the land
Which the LORD your God is giving you, things will be grand

“The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself
Just as He has sworn to you
If you keep the commandments of the LORD your God
And walk in His ways as instructed to do

Then all peoples of the earth shall see
That you are called – yes, it is true
By the name of the LORD
And they shall be afraid of you

And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods
In the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock too
And in the produce of your ground
In the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you

The LORD will open to you His good treasure
The heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season
———-lots of joy and no sorrow
And to bless all the work of your hand
You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow

And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail
You shall be above only, and not be beneath – no haw or hem
If you heed the commandments of the LORD your God
Which I command you today, and are careful to observe them

So you shall not turn aside from any of the words
Which I command you this day, from them you shall not swerve
To the right or the left
To go after other gods, them to serve

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, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

8 “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

9 “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. 10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.