JANUARY 9, 2024

 “But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him in the ark…” (Genesis 8:9)

We must admire Noah’s wisdom respecting the thoughtful and resourceful method that he employed to determine the conditions outside the ark. It had been forty days since the flood waters were abated, and he was eager to know if the earth was yet ready for human habitation. The Lord had instructed him when to enter the ark, but as for when God would have him to disembark was a matter to be ascertained.

After many months of confinement, and no way to see his surroundings (the only window looking upward), Noah sent forth two birds as a means to gain the knowledge he needed. The first bird that he dispatched was a raven. When the raven did not return Noah was able to learn that the waters had subsided at least enough that objects were visible above the water, which would provide a place for the raven to light and rest. However, he still did not know if conditions were suitable for humans. Thus, he sent a second bird, a dove. If the dove did not return, he would know that it was safe for all to come out of the ark. The dove is a bird of the valley (Ezek. 7:16). They inhabited the low places, unlike the birds of prey which took to the high places. Doves are gentle, peaceful, meticulously clean creatures, which cannot abide filth, especially dead rotting carcasses and such things that the raven would find very suitable.

Noah sent forth the dove in the morning, and at evening she returned, no doubt, weary, speckled, and perhaps with dirty feet. When she tried to land the stench would force her to take back to the air. Even though her wings were heavy, she was forced to spread them and continue in flight. At last, as the sun was setting, she made her way back to the ark where she found her caring master, his hand outstretched to retrieve her “and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.”

Without taking anything away from this true historic event, and the purpose that was achieved with respect to the situation, let us see this as a great allegory. Using it as a parable, we see Noah as a type of Christ our Lord, the ark as representing the church, the raven as picturing unregenerate sinners, and the dove as a picture of regenerate believers. The dove was a clean bird, both ceremonially and actually. She pictures righteous souls. The raven was an unclean bird, both ceremonially and actually. He pictures unrighteous worldlings.

We see the raven, as he was sent out; he gladly flew away from Noah and the ark. He found in the unrenewed world everything that delighted him, and thus, he did not return. His nature and his appetite were well satisfied with the filth and corruption that pretty much covered the earth. This is an apt picture of the ungodly. They are happy to go out from Christ and the church. They delight to feed on the sinful pleasures and pursuits of “this present world.”

The dove, on the other hand, went out, sent by her master, who had rescued her from perishing and had provided her every need. Why did she go? She was sent on a mission by her master. As she went, she was curious about what she saw, and no doubt, tried to check it all out, but she was repulsed by the things that she tried. Now there was the raven over yonder, and he was quite enjoying himself, feasting on an endless buffet of carrion. But her pure nature would not allow her to indulge. Being a homing bird by nature, she surely searched out her old dovecote where she used to live, but nothing was the same as it used to be. She now had a new home, and she was much better suited to it. “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through.” It was once our home, but it is no longer.

The regenerate soul cannot take delight in the corruption and filth of this world. The new nature, which is our new identity, must constantly be at war against the old nature (Rom. 7:22, 23), yet “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin…” (I John 3:9)

Virus-free.www.avast.com

JANUARY 4, 2024

 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Children today want forgiveness without correction. Whatever forgiveness is administered without correction from their authoritative figure and change within themselves or the pursuit of change within themselves, they are fashioned into a people who lose interest in forgiveness. They care nothing for forgiveness, but rather become a people who expect everything from everyone regardless of their actions. That’s the very culture that we live in today. That’s the work of men’s hands.

And when the authoritative figure holds to discipline with the pursuit of fashioning their children into the individuals they ought to be, that is considered abuse. These authoritative figures are threatened by our society and informed that if they do not conform to what society says is right, then they will be disciplined. If they are parents, they may lose their children…and so on. In such an environment, we fashion people who care nothing for righteousness and expect all of their actions to be received favorably.

That’s the very thing that is produced whenever we declare that Christ died so that we may be forgiven to the neglect of the totality of Christ’s redemption. It is promised that He has come to deliver His people from their sins. Forgiveness for sins is a part, and a huge part, of Christ’s redemption, but it does not make up the whole. Jesus is the Liberator, and He came to set His people free from the dominion of sin. He does so by giving of His Holy Spirit which He prayed the Father to send when He ascended up on high. (John 14:16) In His sermon on the mount, Jesus declares “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6) Those who are blessed are not only concerned about forgiveness, but they are concerned about righteousness. They are a people who not only want to be forgiven but want to be changed. They are a people who not only want the consequence removed but want to be delivered from their sin that has brought about the consequence. It would only be right to say that they are preeminently concerned about their deliverance from their sins above and beyond their freedom from the consequences. These blessed people are those who not only hear about Christ’s full work, and who long after it, but who come to Christ by faith and receive all of God’s promises in Christ.

Most today will receive a message that declares to them that the consequence of their sins is removed if you keep back from them the whole offer. The offer of the gospel is delivered from sin. The first two foundational doctrines of Christ are repentance from dead works and faith in God. This, most people do not rejoice in because not everyone hungers and thirsts for righteousness. Most do not see their need to be delivered from their sin, let alone care for deliverance from their sin. But the Lord blesses those who do hunger and thirst for righteousness. He does so not only by forgiving them but making His home in them. He pardons sinners of their sin, while also delivering them from their bondage to sin. He changes their hearts as He has promised He will do. Those who are truly found in the faith are not perfect until they enter into Glory, but they are a people longing after perfection and striving unto that end in and through the grace of God. Where there is a forgiving hand of God upon an individual, there is also His sanctifying hand. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness. As Christ told Peter, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” (John 13:8)

JANUARY 2, 2024

 “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” (Psalm 45:6-7)

The author of this psalm is unknown, and no answer can be determined as to this question unless we suppose that the title “for the sons of Korah” or “of the sons of Korah” conveys the idea that it was written by one of that family. Of course, no one can disprove that David may have written it, but since his name is not mentioned, the presumption is that it is not his.

Various opinions have been entertained regarding the occasion on which the psalm was composed. But there can be no question that it has reference to Christ, and is a most beautiful Messianic Psalm.

Nearly all older Christian interpreters agree that it does refer to the Messiah and many good modern interpreters of the Bible also hold this opinion. However, there are some who are not of this opinion. They disagree on the question to whom the psalm refers. Some think it may have been sung at Solomon’s marriage with a foreign princess, probably the daughter of the king of Egypt. Some say the king whose praises are sung is an Israelite. Others still hold that it was sung at the weddings of a Persian king.

So, what is written? In verse 6, the author writes, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever…” The author of the Epistle quotes this passage to the Hebrews as proof that the Messiah is exalted above the angels. It is undoubtedly an address to the “king” here referred to as God – one to whom the name “God” may be applied appropriately. It is also the title applied to the Messiah by the author of Hebrews, proving the Divinity of Christ.

He is a lover of righteousness and a hater of wickedness. In the last verse, we see a dual purpose that describes the psalmist’s then-ruling king and the prophesied Messiah, Jesus. The Gospel accounts of the earthly life of Jesus reveal His love of righteousness: He refused to yield to temptation. He continually performed God’s will. In Acts 10, Peter told the crowd gathered in Cornelius’s house that Jesus “went about doing good.” Jesus also detested wickedness: After forgiving the woman caught in the act of adultery, He told her: “…go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). When He saw moneychangers turn the temple into a den of thieves, He drove out those who sold and bought in the temple, overturning the tables.

According to Psalm 45:7, God has anointed His Son with the oil of gladness beyond His companions. The anointing with oil, in addition to its use in the anointing of kings and priests, was part of Hebrew marriage proceedings and represents joy. Jesus’ initial work as Messiah involved humility and even death. His final works, however, will be to establish victory and eternal happiness for His people.

DECEMBER 28, 2023

“If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.” (I Samuel 2:25)

I Samuel 2:22-26 describes Eli’s rebuke of his sons Hophni and Phinehas for the abuse of their power as priests over Israel. The news of their corruption is spreading everywhere. Eli asks who will intercede for them when they sin directly against the Lord. Still, they refuse to repent because the Lord has already marked them for death. Meanwhile, Samuel continues to grow in favor with the Lord and others.

Eli is hoping his sons will understand the seriousness of their sinful actions. He hopes to see sorrow and a change of heart in his boys. He wants them to understand they could be facing dire consequences from the Lord for abusing their role as priests of Israel.

He reiterates to Hophni and Phinehas what they should know better than anyone: if someone sins against another person, the Lord will step in and mediate between them. The Law of Moses included provisions from God meant to protect those who had harmed another and wanted to make it right. In that way, the Lord became the third party between two people to resolve conflict. As priests, Eli and his sons were meant to help enforce and carry out those provisions between people in conflict.

Yet, if someone sins directly against God, the old covenant provides no designated mediator between the sinner and the Lord. Those who sin directly to God’s face, so to speak, can communicate via priests but cannot appeal to a third party to protect them from the Lord’s judgment. The priests served directly before the Lord, in His presence, as mediators between the Lord and the people. When the priests sinned in their work, they did so directly against the Lord’s purpose to be connected to His people. The priests had nowhere to hide from God.

That’s the immediate sense of Eli’s message to his sons. In a larger sense, though, everyone who sins does so against the Lord. David recognized that in confessing his sin (Ps. 51:4). The lack of a direct, absolute mediator between sinful humans and God was the seemingly hopeless problem for which a solution had to be offered. God sent His son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to serve as the intercessor on our behalf. In the Bible, we are told that Christ is “…at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Rom. 8:34). He is our advocate, constantly intervening on our behalf. This is a fantastic reality. Jesus is ultimately able to save those who come to God through Him. Jesus is our great High Priest who has paid the price for our sins, and He can save us ultimately from our sins. Jesus lives to make intercession for you and me. He is dispensing the blessings of God in our lives. He almost serves as our attorney – making our appeal before The Great Judge. We should always revel in His intercession!