Jesus is the Prince of Peace
ESV Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Genesis points to the Prince of Peace in many ways. Over the last few months we have seen how Genesis points to Jesus in 10 different ways. Some Christian scholars have identified dozens of ways that Genesis presents Jesus hundreds of years in advance of his coming.
Genesis 1 speaks of God creating the light of the heavens and the earth. Natural light. John identifies this as pointing to Christ, the 'light of the world' the supernatural light.
Genesis 2 speaks of God creating Adam, the first man. Romans 5 points to Christ as the second Adam, the one who gives us the ability to fight against sin through our new nature that we receive if we choose to follow Christ!
Genesis 2 also shows us the first marriage between Adam and Eve. And the NT again shows us that Christ is the Bridegroom. The Church is his bride, and that human marriages reflect this greater reality. And so the first marriage in the bible points to Jesus as the groom and the Church as His bride!!
Genesis 3:15 shows enmity between the serpent of the garden and the seed of the woman. The seed of the woman is a Bible motif for Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah, who crushes the head of the serpent through his death on the cross. So Genesis 3:15 points to the gospel for the very first time in the seed form!
Genesis 3:21 we see that after Adam and Eve sinned, God made clothes for them out of animal skins. In the NT we see that Christ clothes us to cover the shame of our spiritual nakedness, and that Churches that fail to embrace the humility and kindness of Christ walk in danger of spiritual nakedness (Revelation 3).
In Genesis 4 we see Cain murdered Abel. And the way of Cain is identified in Jude and 2 Peter as a plague the infects mankind. The way of Cain's true antidote is given to us in this: Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life! Also, Christ's blood speaks a bolder and better word than the blood of Abel. And so we see the NT picking up themes from Cain and Abel to show us Christ once again!!
And then in Genesis 12 Abram is blessed by God. God promises through Abram's seed to bless every ethnic people in the world! This promise is a biblical prophecy that Paul picks up in Galatians 3, identifying Jesus Christ as the seed of Abram through whom all peoples on earth will be blessed!!
What is that blessing? It is the working of God's perfect peace in us. The theme of today's message!
And Genesis 14 describes Abraham having a meal with Melchizedek, the Highpriest of God, and tithing to him after a great battle was won. Hebrews identifies Melchizedek's priesthood as a special eternal priesthood and teaches us that Christ is a highpriest in the order of Melchizedek! So Genesis 14 points to Christ also!
God comes to Abram in Genesis 15 and they make a blood covenant where God assures Abram that he will bless him! The covenant of Abram and God points directly to the NT blood covenant of Christ's death on the cross. Jesus Christ, born on earth to die for mankind to enter heaven. For everyone who turns to Him in faith finds the way of eternal life.
Paul writes to the church in Rome and keys in on the idea that it is not by our works that we are accepted by God. It is by faith.
ESV Romans 1:15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.
ESV Romans 3:19 ¶ Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 ¶ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
ESV Romans 6:10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
ESV Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
You see Abraham was given righteousness by God in Genesis 15 because he took God at His word and continued to believe no matter how bleak things looked. He questioned God about how things were going to unfold, but did not doubt! There is a difference!!
Last Sunday we looked at how Isaac and Abraham went up Mount Moriah to make a sacrifice, and how God provided a ram in the thicket at the last minute, prevent Abraham from sacrificing Isaac on the altar as a burnt sacrifice! This amazing provision, the ram substitute, is yet another amazing picture of Christ, the substitute for us!
You see all through the bible, as we are seeing in Genesis, Jesus Christ is pictured as the saviour of the world. God has not left us alone. No He is alive and He has reached out to us through Jesus Christ his son. Our only reasonable response to Him is to give our lives fully to Him. To choose to follow Him and to give Him all that we are and all that we have.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace
ESV Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Rom 5:1b we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
NLT Ephesians 2:1 ¶ Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil-- the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.
Another version says that Jesus He is our peace!
And finally the Lord Jesus will triumph ultimately and finally over all as the scriptures forecast.
ESV Revelation 11:15 ¶ Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."
His kingdom will increase forever until this scripture comes to pass. It's no wonder that the bible, which begins with incident after incident predicting the coming of Jesus Christ, ends with the words
ESV Revelation 22:20 ¶ He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 ¶ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
So we the scriptures looked forward to Jesus' birth and death and resurrection. And look forward to his ultimate blessing of peace on everyone through His triumph over darkness in totality at the end. This triumph began at the cross and is progressing through the advancing Kingdom of God. We His people are part of this advancement every time we proclaim He is our peace. Every time we look to Jesus Christ we testify that God's Kingdom is prevailing. This is why we sing. This is why we call everyone to worship Jesus. And this is why the meaning attached to Christmas is so powerful!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Isaac as a child sacrifice?? Genesis 22
Introduction
Molech ESV Micah 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
ESV Leviticus 18:21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
The shocking practice of taking a child and causing the child to pass between two fires and killing the child and burning the child in a fire sacrifice was practiced in the ancient near east all around Abraham and even off and on for 1,000 years or so after Abraham.
Comparison to our society today? Abortion is a hidden vice that is the closest thing we have to child sacrifice.
vs 1-19 form a literary structure. It parallels Genesis 12:1-9 to help form the structure of Genesis. (The call of Abram)
Up the mountain? Why a mountain?
Who are the characters in this story? The Lord, Abraham, Isaac, Ram.
The point of the story is in the naming of the Lord at the end of the story. The Lord is the central figure of this story. The real story here is that the Lord will provide for His people. He is named "Yahweh Yireh" or some call Him Jehovah Jireh. The Lord God who provides for us!
ESV Genesis 22:1 ¶ After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" 8 Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. 9 ¶ When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." 15 ¶ And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba.
ESV Exodus 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
Lev 4, 5, 6 & 7. Daily sacrifice of lambs for the sin of the people. Drawn from Abraham's sacrifice of the Ram on the mountain!
ESV John 1:29 ¶ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Jesus is the ransom lamb of the world!!
ESV Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
1 Peter 1:18...you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (ESV)
NET 1 John 4:9 By this the love of God is revealed in us: that God has sent his one and only Son into the world so that we may live through him. 10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Isaac was the promised child that Abraham waited his whole life for! He represents to Israel themselves!
Molech ESV Micah 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
ESV Leviticus 18:21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
The shocking practice of taking a child and causing the child to pass between two fires and killing the child and burning the child in a fire sacrifice was practiced in the ancient near east all around Abraham and even off and on for 1,000 years or so after Abraham.
Comparison to our society today? Abortion is a hidden vice that is the closest thing we have to child sacrifice.
vs 1-19 form a literary structure. It parallels Genesis 12:1-9 to help form the structure of Genesis. (The call of Abram)
Up the mountain? Why a mountain?
Who are the characters in this story? The Lord, Abraham, Isaac, Ram.
The point of the story is in the naming of the Lord at the end of the story. The Lord is the central figure of this story. The real story here is that the Lord will provide for His people. He is named "Yahweh Yireh" or some call Him Jehovah Jireh. The Lord God who provides for us!
ESV Genesis 22:1 ¶ After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" 8 Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. 9 ¶ When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." 15 ¶ And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba.
ESV Exodus 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
Lev 4, 5, 6 & 7. Daily sacrifice of lambs for the sin of the people. Drawn from Abraham's sacrifice of the Ram on the mountain!
ESV John 1:29 ¶ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Jesus is the ransom lamb of the world!!
ESV Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
1 Peter 1:18...you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (ESV)
NET 1 John 4:9 By this the love of God is revealed in us: that God has sent his one and only Son into the world so that we may live through him. 10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Isaac was the promised child that Abraham waited his whole life for! He represents to Israel themselves!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
How to get into heaven!!!
Genesis 15 Abram's Covenant & Jesus
A few years ago I went to a public square in our city and began to interview people randomly. One of the questions I asked person after person was: "Do you believe in heaven?" Almost everyone said yes. I then asked them "If God asked you why He should let you into heaven what would you answer?" Most people answered, "Because I'm a pretty good person" or "I'm as good as most other people" or something to that effect.
What would you say? How would you answer this key question? Are you good enough to get into heaven? What are you counting on to gain acceptance into God's eternal glory? Have you done everything that you need to do?
What does the Bible say about this issue?
ESV Genesis 15:1 ¶ After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." 2 But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." 4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir." 5 And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 7 ¶ And he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess." 8 But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" 9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 ¶ As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the LORD said to Abram, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for yourself, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." 17 ¶ When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites."
Notice that Moses takes care to present Abram as a prophet in this passage. The emphasis on a vision is interesting.
God came to Abram in a vision.
The bible talks a lot about visions and dreams. Does God really speak to people in visions and dreams?
In this vision experience God and Abram interact with each other. Abram asks questions and God answers.
This raises a question.
If you question God about how He is going to fulfill a promise, does that display doubt?
Not necessarily. Notice that in this passage, Abram's questions are supported with verse 6.
6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
This is not just a one time belief. This is an unwaivering faith that endured to the end of his life.
The prophet Habakkuk keys in on this verse as he writes ESV Habakkuk 2:4 "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
The idea that the just or the righteous abide by taking God at His word is not a dominant theme in the bible until we get to the book of Romans.
Paul writes to the church in Rome and keys in on the idea that it is not by our works that we are accepted by God. It is by faith.
ESV Romans 1:15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.
ESV Romans 3:19 ¶ Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 ¶ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
ESV Romans 6:10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
ESV Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
You see Abraham was given righteousness by God in Genesis 15 because he took God at His word and continued to believe no matter how bleak things looked. He questioned God about how things were going to unfold, but did not doubt! There is a difference!!
ESV Romans 4:1 ¶ What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." 9 ¶ Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 ¶ For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 ¶ That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." 23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Notice that the faith that justified Abram was the kind of faith that caused him to act. He completely believed God. This was proven in how he responded when God asked for his son to be given up on the altar.
ESV James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God.
So the faith that Abram had was a faith that endured to the end of his life and shaped his behavior. That is what we are called to have as Christians.
A faith that endures to the end.
ESV Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
So what can we say if we are asked why we should be let into heaven?
I believe that Christ's death on the cross opened the way for me. I believe God will count me as righteous because He said he would at the cross!
A few years ago I went to a public square in our city and began to interview people randomly. One of the questions I asked person after person was: "Do you believe in heaven?" Almost everyone said yes. I then asked them "If God asked you why He should let you into heaven what would you answer?" Most people answered, "Because I'm a pretty good person" or "I'm as good as most other people" or something to that effect.
What would you say? How would you answer this key question? Are you good enough to get into heaven? What are you counting on to gain acceptance into God's eternal glory? Have you done everything that you need to do?
What does the Bible say about this issue?
ESV Genesis 15:1 ¶ After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." 2 But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." 4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir." 5 And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 7 ¶ And he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess." 8 But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" 9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 ¶ As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the LORD said to Abram, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for yourself, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." 17 ¶ When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites."
Notice that Moses takes care to present Abram as a prophet in this passage. The emphasis on a vision is interesting.
God came to Abram in a vision.
The bible talks a lot about visions and dreams. Does God really speak to people in visions and dreams?
In this vision experience God and Abram interact with each other. Abram asks questions and God answers.
This raises a question.
If you question God about how He is going to fulfill a promise, does that display doubt?
Not necessarily. Notice that in this passage, Abram's questions are supported with verse 6.
6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
This is not just a one time belief. This is an unwaivering faith that endured to the end of his life.
The prophet Habakkuk keys in on this verse as he writes ESV Habakkuk 2:4 "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
The idea that the just or the righteous abide by taking God at His word is not a dominant theme in the bible until we get to the book of Romans.
Paul writes to the church in Rome and keys in on the idea that it is not by our works that we are accepted by God. It is by faith.
ESV Romans 1:15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.
ESV Romans 3:19 ¶ Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 ¶ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
ESV Romans 6:10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
ESV Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
You see Abraham was given righteousness by God in Genesis 15 because he took God at His word and continued to believe no matter how bleak things looked. He questioned God about how things were going to unfold, but did not doubt! There is a difference!!
ESV Romans 4:1 ¶ What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." 9 ¶ Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 ¶ For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 ¶ That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." 23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Notice that the faith that justified Abram was the kind of faith that caused him to act. He completely believed God. This was proven in how he responded when God asked for his son to be given up on the altar.
ESV James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God.
So the faith that Abram had was a faith that endured to the end of his life and shaped his behavior. That is what we are called to have as Christians.
A faith that endures to the end.
ESV Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
So what can we say if we are asked why we should be let into heaven?
I believe that Christ's death on the cross opened the way for me. I believe God will count me as righteous because He said he would at the cross!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Christ as a High Priest In Melchizedek's Order
Notes are from my study of Melchizedek, but the message on the Vineyard site was by Chris Williamson, so they do not match up exactly. They are pretty close though.
ESV Genesis 14:17 ¶ After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Passages that deal with Melchizedek
ESV Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
Note the background of Psalm 110:4 is in vs 1. God is speaking to the Messiah!
Prophetic perspective like mountain tops...look close but are not. Messianic prophecies are split up like mountain tops...in experience there is a gap but from a distance they look jammed together.
Written to Hebrews about the change in the order of the covenant. It was for Moses to the Messiah, but now we have a superior covenant.
ESV Hebrews 5:4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; 6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
ESV Hebrews 6:19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
ESV Hebrews 7:1 ¶ For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. 4 ¶ See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. 11 ¶ Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 ¶ This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
Midrash-Jubilee year is interpreted as an eschatological release of prisoners of the evil spirit opposing God's Kingdom at Qumran. Melchizedek the angelic power garnishes the release in Qumran lit. 11QMelch
ESV Psalm 82:1 A Psalm of Asaph. God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: (Qumran saw Melchizedek as a heavenly being at this divine council casting judgment in the very presence of Elohim).
2 Enoch taught that Melchizedek was born to the priest Nir, brother of Noah, and great grandson of Enoch. That he was miraculously conceived and born from the corpse of his dead mother. This child, Melchizedek, is chosen to be saved from the flood to continue the line of priests that began with Seth. How this is to occur is not clear since the child is taken by Michael to paradise where is to remain forever. The Melchizedek Abraham encounters is perhaps a heavenly copy or figure in the image of the one in 2 Enoch? From the Abrahamic Melchizedek a succession of priests will culminate in an eschatological High Priest, the 'word and power of God'. He too will be a Melchizedek who will perform great miracles. So the idea of successive Melchizedek's is pre-Christian.
Melchizedek means King of righteousness or my king is righteous (Heb 7:2)
Adoni-zedek Josh 10:1 means My lord is righteous
Salem is JerusalPs 76:2 ESV Psalm 76:2 His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
gen 14:18 Melch. pun in bringing out bread and wine opposes Sodom's King who came empty handed apparently
First reference to priests in the bible. Implied there are other priests because there is no definite article
Bread and wine means banquet 2 Sam 17:27-29; Prov 9:5
ESV Leviticus 5:9 and he shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, while the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar; it is a sin offering. 10 Then he shall offer the second for a burnt offering according to the rule. And the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin that he has committed, and he shall be forgiven. 11 ¶ "But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for the sin that he has committed a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it and shall put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 12 And he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take a handful of it as its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, on the LORD's food offerings; it is a sin offering. 13 Thus the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed in any one of these things, and he shall be forgiven. And the remainder shall be for the priest, as in the grain offering."
14:19-20 Melchi. blesses Abraham and abraham tithes
gen 1:22, num 6:22-27; 1 Chron 16:2; Heb 7:7 Melch. is greater than Abraham
ESV Genesis 1:22 And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."
ESV Numbers 6:22 ¶ The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 27 ¶ "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."
ESV 1 Chronicles 16:2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD
Genesis 12:3
It puts the name of the Lord on the people and releases God's blessings on them.
royal priesthood is a Melchizedek.
ESV 1 Peter 2:9 ¶ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
How do we function as ministers, priests, royal heirs?
ESV Genesis 14:17 ¶ After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Passages that deal with Melchizedek
ESV Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
Note the background of Psalm 110:4 is in vs 1. God is speaking to the Messiah!
Prophetic perspective like mountain tops...look close but are not. Messianic prophecies are split up like mountain tops...in experience there is a gap but from a distance they look jammed together.
Written to Hebrews about the change in the order of the covenant. It was for Moses to the Messiah, but now we have a superior covenant.
ESV Hebrews 5:4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; 6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
ESV Hebrews 6:19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
ESV Hebrews 7:1 ¶ For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. 4 ¶ See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. 11 ¶ Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 ¶ This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
Midrash-Jubilee year is interpreted as an eschatological release of prisoners of the evil spirit opposing God's Kingdom at Qumran. Melchizedek the angelic power garnishes the release in Qumran lit. 11QMelch
ESV Psalm 82:1 A Psalm of Asaph. God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: (Qumran saw Melchizedek as a heavenly being at this divine council casting judgment in the very presence of Elohim).
2 Enoch taught that Melchizedek was born to the priest Nir, brother of Noah, and great grandson of Enoch. That he was miraculously conceived and born from the corpse of his dead mother. This child, Melchizedek, is chosen to be saved from the flood to continue the line of priests that began with Seth. How this is to occur is not clear since the child is taken by Michael to paradise where is to remain forever. The Melchizedek Abraham encounters is perhaps a heavenly copy or figure in the image of the one in 2 Enoch? From the Abrahamic Melchizedek a succession of priests will culminate in an eschatological High Priest, the 'word and power of God'. He too will be a Melchizedek who will perform great miracles. So the idea of successive Melchizedek's is pre-Christian.
Melchizedek means King of righteousness or my king is righteous (Heb 7:2)
Adoni-zedek Josh 10:1 means My lord is righteous
Salem is JerusalPs 76:2 ESV Psalm 76:2 His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
gen 14:18 Melch. pun in bringing out bread and wine opposes Sodom's King who came empty handed apparently
First reference to priests in the bible. Implied there are other priests because there is no definite article
Bread and wine means banquet 2 Sam 17:27-29; Prov 9:5
ESV Leviticus 5:9 and he shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, while the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar; it is a sin offering. 10 Then he shall offer the second for a burnt offering according to the rule. And the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin that he has committed, and he shall be forgiven. 11 ¶ "But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for the sin that he has committed a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it and shall put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 12 And he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take a handful of it as its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, on the LORD's food offerings; it is a sin offering. 13 Thus the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed in any one of these things, and he shall be forgiven. And the remainder shall be for the priest, as in the grain offering."
14:19-20 Melchi. blesses Abraham and abraham tithes
gen 1:22, num 6:22-27; 1 Chron 16:2; Heb 7:7 Melch. is greater than Abraham
ESV Genesis 1:22 And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."
ESV Numbers 6:22 ¶ The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 27 ¶ "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."
ESV 1 Chronicles 16:2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD
Genesis 12:3
It puts the name of the Lord on the people and releases God's blessings on them.
royal priesthood is a Melchizedek.
ESV 1 Peter 2:9 ¶ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
How do we function as ministers, priests, royal heirs?
Jesus is the Blessing Genesis 12 predicts!
How to bless other people
Jesus is 'the Blessing'! Genesis 12:1-3
ESV Genesis 12:1 ¶ Now athe LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and bin you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Start out defining the problem of curses today. The lack of a father's blessing on people. The strength of a curse (Cubs example). The failure to gain blessing from parents.
Daughters who receive no blessing from their father, yearn for a love that often drives them into the arms of those who will use them and abuse them.
Sons who never could measure up to their father or their mother are often haunted by a lack of satisfaction in their performance. Some give up and some never can win often enough.
All of mankind bears the curse of Adam's sin, and we all find ourselves struggling with it's effects in our lives daily.
It's ironic that our new President is named Barak (his name is Arabic for 'blessed') and that he was not raised by his mother or his father.
Whatever your politics, his name is a like a sign to us in America. So, whatever your political position, pray for Barak to be blessed and pray for God's blessing on our lives.
vs 3
Pharoah's taking of Sarai
What happened to Pharoah?
My friend who cursed me in high school.
There is great power in curses.
The Blessing God promised Abram has been delivered to us through Christ Jesus and is contained in the gospel message itself.
ESV Galatians 3:6 ¶ just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
ESV Galatians 3:15 ¶ To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 ¶ Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 ¶ Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 ¶ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
When reading the Old Testament we should bear in mind the revelation the apostles had concerning it. The Old Testament testifies to the coming of not only the Messiah, but to the gospel message the Messiah brought. That gospel message revolutionized everything.
Inset of Insight on Genesis
Ten divisional markers in Genesis with five basic broader stories.
Creation account
Flood account
Abram/Abraham and his son of the promise Isaac
Jacob/Israel
Joseph
How did Abram respond to God's promise?
Read Romans 4:1-25
How should we imitate Abraham?
ESV Hebrews 6:11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 ¶ For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.
ESV Hebrews 11:8 ¶ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
ESV Hebrews 11:17 ¶ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,
Notes:
1) We must know God!
2) We must be familiar with His voice!
3) We must be willing to obey before we know the particulars of what He is calling us to do!
4) We are to have an eye towards the final reward of God!
5) We will never see the fulness of our promise during our earthly lives
a) Paul's reward is still increasing!!!!
b) Peter's reward is still increasing!
c) Our spiritual leaders who have gone before us and are with the Lord are reaping an increasing inheritance!
Line Your Life Up With The Revealed Will Of God
Gen 12:3 b "all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Big things start in little packages.
A big life starts as a baby.
A big ministry starts with a few.
The greatest was Jesus and he had 12, lost one and is reaping all nations!!!
Therefore, give yourself to a spiritual family, a LifeGroup! Help make disciples who will go into all nations.
Build high quality in a few lives.
Jesus is 'the Blessing'! Genesis 12:1-3
ESV Genesis 12:1 ¶ Now athe LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and bin you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Start out defining the problem of curses today. The lack of a father's blessing on people. The strength of a curse (Cubs example). The failure to gain blessing from parents.
Daughters who receive no blessing from their father, yearn for a love that often drives them into the arms of those who will use them and abuse them.
Sons who never could measure up to their father or their mother are often haunted by a lack of satisfaction in their performance. Some give up and some never can win often enough.
All of mankind bears the curse of Adam's sin, and we all find ourselves struggling with it's effects in our lives daily.
It's ironic that our new President is named Barak (his name is Arabic for 'blessed') and that he was not raised by his mother or his father.
Whatever your politics, his name is a like a sign to us in America. So, whatever your political position, pray for Barak to be blessed and pray for God's blessing on our lives.
vs 3
Pharoah's taking of Sarai
What happened to Pharoah?
My friend who cursed me in high school.
There is great power in curses.
The Blessing God promised Abram has been delivered to us through Christ Jesus and is contained in the gospel message itself.
ESV Galatians 3:6 ¶ just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
ESV Galatians 3:15 ¶ To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 ¶ Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 ¶ Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 ¶ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
When reading the Old Testament we should bear in mind the revelation the apostles had concerning it. The Old Testament testifies to the coming of not only the Messiah, but to the gospel message the Messiah brought. That gospel message revolutionized everything.
Inset of Insight on Genesis
Ten divisional markers in Genesis with five basic broader stories.
Creation account
Flood account
Abram/Abraham and his son of the promise Isaac
Jacob/Israel
Joseph
How did Abram respond to God's promise?
Read Romans 4:1-25
How should we imitate Abraham?
ESV Hebrews 6:11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 ¶ For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.
ESV Hebrews 11:8 ¶ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
ESV Hebrews 11:17 ¶ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,
Notes:
1) We must know God!
2) We must be familiar with His voice!
3) We must be willing to obey before we know the particulars of what He is calling us to do!
4) We are to have an eye towards the final reward of God!
5) We will never see the fulness of our promise during our earthly lives
a) Paul's reward is still increasing!!!!
b) Peter's reward is still increasing!
c) Our spiritual leaders who have gone before us and are with the Lord are reaping an increasing inheritance!
Line Your Life Up With The Revealed Will Of God
Gen 12:3 b "all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Big things start in little packages.
A big life starts as a baby.
A big ministry starts with a few.
The greatest was Jesus and he had 12, lost one and is reaping all nations!!!
Therefore, give yourself to a spiritual family, a LifeGroup! Help make disciples who will go into all nations.
Build high quality in a few lives.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The way of Cain Genesis 4 (Cain & Abel)
The Story of Cain & Abel
Read Genesis 4
Ancient brackets that signal the end of a section in Genesis.
A Now the man knew his wife Eve 4:1
B Cain and Abel bring offerings to the Lord 4:3-4
A' Adam knew his wife again 4:25
B' People begain to invoke the name of the Lord 4:26
Cain/Abel has similarities to the Fall account.
Adam/Eve tempted to sin. Cain was tempted to sin 4:7
is warned to master it, but succombs to the temptation 4:8
The Lord seeks him out and curses him, as he cursed the serpent and the ground, pronounces the penalty "When you till the ground it will no longer yield to you its strength 4:12. Cain will be hidden from the Lord's face and he settles east of Eden.
Genesis 4 has a double plot. Cain murders Abel and then Cain has descendants. The literary design has multiples of seven throughout it. Abel occurs seven times. Cain fourteen. The term brother appears seven times. 4:26 has the seventieth ocurrance of a reference to God. Evil Lamech is the seventh from Adam through Cain. Enoch is the seventh from Adam through Seth, Abel's replacement.
There is a concentric structure for 4:1-16.
The New Testament teaches us several things from Cain and Abel's account in Genesis 4.
Primary New Testament references to Cain & Abel.
ESV Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
There is a parallel between the blood of Abel that Cain shed, and the blood of Christ which we have a covenant with God for. Essence that I see is that Abel's blood cried out for justice. Christ's blood satisfies justice and provides mercy. The idea I see here is that Christ's blood is enough for our atonement. Only His blood cleanses us from all sin. And don't we need that?
MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT
Rejecting Jesus Christ brings us inline with the sin of Cain. It brings on us the guilt of Cain.
ESV Matthew 23:29 ¶ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30 saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
THE WAY OF CAIN
ESV Jude 1:11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
Jude is talking about early church shepherds, or house group leaders, who deny Christ with their lives while claiming Him as their Lord with their confessions. Jude says they have taken the way of Cain.
In Jude we have a crucial understanding laid out for us. There is an ancient path called the way of Cain.
The way of Cain is marked by poor relationships.
Poor relationship first and foremost with God.
For some reason, Cain's offering was rejected by God.
The way of Cain is also marked by poor responses to the Lord's rejection. Instead of repenting and changing, Cain became angry that his offering was not accepted.
Divine rejection often reveals the true condition of our hearts. Our only way forward in God is to repent of our sins and plead for mercy.
Thirdly the way of Cain is marked by poor control of the emotions. Anger was boiling in Cain.
Fourth-the way of Cain is marked by putting down ones brother in anger. In Cain's case it was murder. Some of us simply write our brother off. We cut them off. We refuse to reconcile or acknowledge them. Failure to forgive, resentment because our lives are not accepted by God and our brother's is, and any attempt to assasinate our brothers reputation or life-all of this is the way of Cain.
Christ came to redeem us from the curse of sin. Cain's way represents the power of sin overcoming us. Christ's way represents not only mercy triumphing over judgement, but also the power of faith and love working in us to open up the paths of righteousness.
We see glimmers of these things in other NT references to Cain/Abel. I see them all converging in Jude.
Abel exemplified faith!
ESV Hebrews 11:4 ¶ By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
Cain's way missed love.
ESV 1 John 3:12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.
Jude shows us the way in Christ.
ESV Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
See the way of Christ is to overcome wickedness with mercy and the hatred of sin and it's relics. The way of Cain is to overcome by angry outburts.
The way of Christ is given in Jude.
Build yourselves up in your holy faith.
A) Pray in the Spirit of God
B) Keep centered in God's love!!
C) Wait for Christ's mercy that leads to eternal life.
D) Evangelize with mercy AND the fear of the Lord (which includes hating sin and things that represent sin).
So the New Testament sees in the account of Cain and Abel the broad 'way of Cain' which leads to all kinds of problems-but especially the murdering of a brother because he is a good man. Our only hope is Christ. And as Jude tells us, pray in the Spirit, stay in His love, wait for His mercy and reach out with the fear of the Lord in your heart.
Now this brings us to today's special topic which happens to match this sermon perfectly (not by our design).
The way of Cain today is stronger than ever with more martyrs than ever in history. Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We are going to watch a video showing on this together.
Read Genesis 4
Ancient brackets that signal the end of a section in Genesis.
A Now the man knew his wife Eve 4:1
B Cain and Abel bring offerings to the Lord 4:3-4
A' Adam knew his wife again 4:25
B' People begain to invoke the name of the Lord 4:26
Cain/Abel has similarities to the Fall account.
Adam/Eve tempted to sin. Cain was tempted to sin 4:7
is warned to master it, but succombs to the temptation 4:8
The Lord seeks him out and curses him, as he cursed the serpent and the ground, pronounces the penalty "When you till the ground it will no longer yield to you its strength 4:12. Cain will be hidden from the Lord's face and he settles east of Eden.
Genesis 4 has a double plot. Cain murders Abel and then Cain has descendants. The literary design has multiples of seven throughout it. Abel occurs seven times. Cain fourteen. The term brother appears seven times. 4:26 has the seventieth ocurrance of a reference to God. Evil Lamech is the seventh from Adam through Cain. Enoch is the seventh from Adam through Seth, Abel's replacement.
There is a concentric structure for 4:1-16.
The New Testament teaches us several things from Cain and Abel's account in Genesis 4.
Primary New Testament references to Cain & Abel.
ESV Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
There is a parallel between the blood of Abel that Cain shed, and the blood of Christ which we have a covenant with God for. Essence that I see is that Abel's blood cried out for justice. Christ's blood satisfies justice and provides mercy. The idea I see here is that Christ's blood is enough for our atonement. Only His blood cleanses us from all sin. And don't we need that?
MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT
Rejecting Jesus Christ brings us inline with the sin of Cain. It brings on us the guilt of Cain.
ESV Matthew 23:29 ¶ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30 saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
THE WAY OF CAIN
ESV Jude 1:11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
Jude is talking about early church shepherds, or house group leaders, who deny Christ with their lives while claiming Him as their Lord with their confessions. Jude says they have taken the way of Cain.
In Jude we have a crucial understanding laid out for us. There is an ancient path called the way of Cain.
The way of Cain is marked by poor relationships.
Poor relationship first and foremost with God.
For some reason, Cain's offering was rejected by God.
The way of Cain is also marked by poor responses to the Lord's rejection. Instead of repenting and changing, Cain became angry that his offering was not accepted.
Divine rejection often reveals the true condition of our hearts. Our only way forward in God is to repent of our sins and plead for mercy.
Thirdly the way of Cain is marked by poor control of the emotions. Anger was boiling in Cain.
Fourth-the way of Cain is marked by putting down ones brother in anger. In Cain's case it was murder. Some of us simply write our brother off. We cut them off. We refuse to reconcile or acknowledge them. Failure to forgive, resentment because our lives are not accepted by God and our brother's is, and any attempt to assasinate our brothers reputation or life-all of this is the way of Cain.
Christ came to redeem us from the curse of sin. Cain's way represents the power of sin overcoming us. Christ's way represents not only mercy triumphing over judgement, but also the power of faith and love working in us to open up the paths of righteousness.
We see glimmers of these things in other NT references to Cain/Abel. I see them all converging in Jude.
Abel exemplified faith!
ESV Hebrews 11:4 ¶ By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
Cain's way missed love.
ESV 1 John 3:12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.
Jude shows us the way in Christ.
ESV Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
See the way of Christ is to overcome wickedness with mercy and the hatred of sin and it's relics. The way of Cain is to overcome by angry outburts.
The way of Christ is given in Jude.
Build yourselves up in your holy faith.
A) Pray in the Spirit of God
B) Keep centered in God's love!!
C) Wait for Christ's mercy that leads to eternal life.
D) Evangelize with mercy AND the fear of the Lord (which includes hating sin and things that represent sin).
So the New Testament sees in the account of Cain and Abel the broad 'way of Cain' which leads to all kinds of problems-but especially the murdering of a brother because he is a good man. Our only hope is Christ. And as Jude tells us, pray in the Spirit, stay in His love, wait for His mercy and reach out with the fear of the Lord in your heart.
Now this brings us to today's special topic which happens to match this sermon perfectly (not by our design).
The way of Cain today is stronger than ever with more martyrs than ever in history. Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We are going to watch a video showing on this together.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Jesus Clothes Us Genesis 3:21
Jesus Clothes Us
Genesis 3:21
skin garments: the long outer tunic is still the basic garment for many people in the Middle East. This replaces the inadequate fig leaf covering made by Adam and Eve. God provides this as a gift given by a patron. This tunic prepares them for the weather and work which awaits them as they are about to be sent out.
Other ancient religions around them had stories like this. For example, the ancient Tale of Adapa loses the opportunity to eat from the bread and water of life. He is given clothing by the god Anu before being sent from his presence. Adapa is the first of seven sages before the flood.
So does this mean that the Bible story is copied from ancient peoples? Some would say so. Some would say the creation and flood accounts in Genesis are mirrored off other more ancient stories like Adapa and Gilgamesh.
I believe the Creation and Flood accounts of the Bible are given by inspiration to Moses. I believe that other accounts have similarities because they are counterfeit efforts by the counter Kingdom of darkness.
Genesis 3:21 is a play off Genesis 3:7.
What Adam and Eve made for themselves was inadequate. God made clothes for them. An outer tunic that covered most of their bodies. Adam and Eve had loin clothes made for themselves. In ancient times slaves were often stripped as a form of humiliation. In Genesis Joseph was elevated to a position of high honor. As his patron, Pharoah clothed him.
ESV Genesis 41:42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.
In Genesis 3 Adam and Eve could not deal with their shame. God deals with it for them.
This concept is striking. It is striking in light of the rest of the Pentateuch (first five books of the bible).
The sequence of Adam and Eve being dealt with as a protection before being sent out from the garden matches Cain's marking before he is exiled in Genesis 4:15. There are patterns throughout Genesis and this is another one of them.
The word here means more than skin, it means a robelike garment worn next to one's skin. The term is used in Exodus 28:39; 39:27 to describe garments made from linen. In Genesis 3 they are made from animal skins.
There is a glimmer of a theme in the Pentateuch showing garments as a requirement to cover the shame of people's nakedness. Especially in the presence of the Lord.
ESV Exodus 28:39 ¶ "You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework. 40 ¶ "For Aaron's sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. 41 And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 42 You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43 and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.
Further implication from the death of an animal to make garments for Adam and Eve. The garments that cover their shame may also have been drawn from an animal that was sacrificed as an offering for their sin. Although Genesis doesn't say this, the idea flows throughout the Pentateuch. Sin must be atoned for by a blood sacrifice. Animal skins require the death of an animal. It is possible therefore that the first sacrifice painting the future coming atonement for sin on the cross was right here in Genesis 3. However, an argument from silence is not a strong one. But when you align all the scriptures on this topic, it becomes convincing.
Isaiah gives this concept of a robe that is spiritual, not physical.
ESV Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Jesus is presented in a priestly robe
ESV Revelation 1:12 ¶ Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
Have you ever had a dream that you were standing naked in front of a bunch of people or that you went out into public naked?
Sometimes these things symbolize the reality of our lives. We are caught spiritually naked sometimes.
ESV Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
ESV Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
ESV Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 ¶ Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
ESV Revelation 3:15 ¶ "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
God covers us with righteousness when we cannot cover ourselves. Christ is our righteousness. He is our robe of righteousness!
Invitational song by Bebo Norman "Cover Me"
Cry out for Jesus to clothe you!
Genesis 3:21
skin garments: the long outer tunic is still the basic garment for many people in the Middle East. This replaces the inadequate fig leaf covering made by Adam and Eve. God provides this as a gift given by a patron. This tunic prepares them for the weather and work which awaits them as they are about to be sent out.
Other ancient religions around them had stories like this. For example, the ancient Tale of Adapa loses the opportunity to eat from the bread and water of life. He is given clothing by the god Anu before being sent from his presence. Adapa is the first of seven sages before the flood.
So does this mean that the Bible story is copied from ancient peoples? Some would say so. Some would say the creation and flood accounts in Genesis are mirrored off other more ancient stories like Adapa and Gilgamesh.
I believe the Creation and Flood accounts of the Bible are given by inspiration to Moses. I believe that other accounts have similarities because they are counterfeit efforts by the counter Kingdom of darkness.
Genesis 3:21 is a play off Genesis 3:7.
What Adam and Eve made for themselves was inadequate. God made clothes for them. An outer tunic that covered most of their bodies. Adam and Eve had loin clothes made for themselves. In ancient times slaves were often stripped as a form of humiliation. In Genesis Joseph was elevated to a position of high honor. As his patron, Pharoah clothed him.
ESV Genesis 41:42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.
In Genesis 3 Adam and Eve could not deal with their shame. God deals with it for them.
This concept is striking. It is striking in light of the rest of the Pentateuch (first five books of the bible).
The sequence of Adam and Eve being dealt with as a protection before being sent out from the garden matches Cain's marking before he is exiled in Genesis 4:15. There are patterns throughout Genesis and this is another one of them.
The word here means more than skin, it means a robelike garment worn next to one's skin. The term is used in Exodus 28:39; 39:27 to describe garments made from linen. In Genesis 3 they are made from animal skins.
There is a glimmer of a theme in the Pentateuch showing garments as a requirement to cover the shame of people's nakedness. Especially in the presence of the Lord.
ESV Exodus 28:39 ¶ "You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework. 40 ¶ "For Aaron's sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. 41 And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 42 You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43 and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.
Further implication from the death of an animal to make garments for Adam and Eve. The garments that cover their shame may also have been drawn from an animal that was sacrificed as an offering for their sin. Although Genesis doesn't say this, the idea flows throughout the Pentateuch. Sin must be atoned for by a blood sacrifice. Animal skins require the death of an animal. It is possible therefore that the first sacrifice painting the future coming atonement for sin on the cross was right here in Genesis 3. However, an argument from silence is not a strong one. But when you align all the scriptures on this topic, it becomes convincing.
Isaiah gives this concept of a robe that is spiritual, not physical.
ESV Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Jesus is presented in a priestly robe
ESV Revelation 1:12 ¶ Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
Have you ever had a dream that you were standing naked in front of a bunch of people or that you went out into public naked?
Sometimes these things symbolize the reality of our lives. We are caught spiritually naked sometimes.
ESV Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
ESV Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
ESV Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 ¶ Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
ESV Revelation 3:15 ¶ "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
God covers us with righteousness when we cannot cover ourselves. Christ is our righteousness. He is our robe of righteousness!
Invitational song by Bebo Norman "Cover Me"
Cry out for Jesus to clothe you!
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