Bible Men - Elisha Part 2

Elisha - Part 2 crossing the Jordan, healing the waters, the children that mocked

In the first study of Elisha, we learned that he was promised a double portion of the spirit be upon him if he saw Elijah translated.  And so after Elijah was translated into heaven, Elisha “took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces” (2 Kings 2:12) and he took up Elijah’s mantle which the sign that Elisha was Elijah’s chosen successor, and he “stood by the bank of Jordan” (2:13)  and now we see the first miracle that is further proof that Elisha is God’s chosen one.  “he took the mantle of Elijah..and smote the waters, and said Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.” (V13-14) This is the first miracle that Elisha did by the spirit of the LORD.

There were others watching, the sons of the prophets from Jericho, and they are witnesses that “the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha..and they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” (V15)  The sons of the prophets thought that perhaps God had cast Elijah down again onto a mountain or into a valley and wanted to go look for them, and wanted to send fifty strong men to look for him, but Elisha said “Ye shall not send” (V16)  And so Elisha went to Jericho while the men searched for Elijah but they did not find him.   And when they returned Elisha said to them “Did I not say unto you, Go not? (V18 )

And so because Elisha knew that Elijah would not be found, the men of the city tell Elisha the situation in the city, that the water is bad and the ground is barren because of it (V19) And so Elisha requests a new container with salt inside.(V20)  This must be a new container, not an old that has been used for other things..  healing requires the new, the old is put away.

I was puzzled by the use of salt,  and found this explanation for verses 19-22..  (Marsh Bible  Commentary © 2004 John A. Marsh, used with permission)

20	Salt is a symbol of purification and preservation.
21	Perhaps we could reason that the salt killed an organism in the water that caused it to be bad or that the salt changed some chemical problem, but Elisha makes it clear that God’s power cleansed the water.
22	If the water had been cleansed merely by the physical characteristics of the salt then we might expect the problem to return once the salt had dissipated. However, the indication here is that the cleansing was permanent, which in turn is an indication of God’s power at work.

And so the salt is cast into the water,  and Elijah gives glory to the Lord “Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.” (V21) The man of God makes it clear that this healing is by God’s will, not his own.

After this, Elisha journeys to Bethel, and along the way he is met by a group of “little children out of the city” (V23) we do not know how old they were, but there were a great many of them as will later show, and these children were not taught to respect their elders, nor were they taught to respect God’s own prophets.  They mock him, “Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head” (V23) and God will not allow his chosen to be mocked.  How will others respect Elisha if this is allowed to happen without judgment?  And so Elisha curses them “in the name of the LORD” (V24) (not with profanity but by pronouncing judgment upon them and by the will of the LORD, “there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.”(V24) Surely all God’s creation is subject to Him, and accomplishes His purpose according to His will.   And just as surely, their parents have learned a valuable, if very sad lesson..  “train up a child in the way he should go”…

written by myself..

More Signs of the Times..

Three things lately that have caught my attention:

from today’s My Way News

California’s top court legalizes gay marriage:

link:

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080515/D90MB7SO0.html

Vatican: Its OK to believe in aliens

link:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D90KSE100&show_article=1

along with the above Vatican story, is this:

Britain releases batch of secret files on reported UFO sightings:

link:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080513/world/britain_ufo_files

These to me are signs of the times.  In the beginning, God created the man and the woman, and he said “these two shall be one flesh”..   man and woman, not man and man, nor woman and woman.

Regarding the “alien” and UFO articles, I am reminded of a video we watched some years ago called “UFO, End Time Delusion”  I hope it is still around here somewhere.   But at any rate, God created the heavens and the earth, the Lord Jesus Christ died for his own on this earth.  He did not die for some other planet.  I don’t know what people are seeing,  there are many plausible explanations, but I absolutely do not believe in life on other planets.

Bible Women - The Book of Ruth, Chp 3-4

In the first post of Ruth, (Chp 1-2, please see post under category Bible Women), we learned how Ruth came to glean in the field belonging to Boaz, that he provided care for her, and that she stayed in his field through barley and wheat harvest, staying near his lady workers the whole time, and dwelling with Naomi, thus preserving her reputation as a virtuous woman.

In the beginning of the book of Ruth, Chapter 3, Naomi speaks “my daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?” Naomi knows  that Boaz, as her near kinsman, has the right to marry Ruth. And so she instructs Ruth what to do to obtain Boaz as her kinsman redeemer.

Ruth is instructed to wash herself, anoint herself, put on her garment and go to the threshing floor, then to lie down at Boaz’ feet.  She is not to make herself known to Boaz until he has finished eating and drinking. “And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. (V4)

Oh what a picture of our redemption.   The washing of our sins, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the garment of our salvation.  And Ruth is obedient to Naomi’s insructions.   Just as we are to be obedient to the call of the gospel when it goes out to us to repent and be washed in the blood of the Lamb.  “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7)

And so at midnight Boaz is awoken by this woman lying at his feet, “and he said, Who art thou? (Ruth is veiled, V15 “bring the veil that thou hast upon thee”).  Ruth answers “I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.” (V9)  Ruth asks for Boaz to be her redeemer, just as we come, as it were, to the feet of the Lord Jesus, and ask Him to be our Saviour.   There is absolutely no suggestion here, as some have said, that anything impure passed between Ruth and Boaz.

And so Boaz is prepared to honour her request, just as the Lord Jesus honours the heartfelt request of whosoever will to be their Saviour.  Boaz assures Ruth “Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whther poor or rich.” (V10).  By this we know that Boaz is not a young man, that Ruth should desire him.

Boaz continues on “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee allthat thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.” V11 This is an excellent example of Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

Ruth has nothing to fear from Boaz, he is swift to assure her that her reputation will remain spotless.  And yet there is something that must be overcome, there is one who is a nearer kinsman than Boaz.. (V12)  Boaz tells Ruth “Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; …but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.  (V13) And God’s word further gives evidence that nothing impure past between the two, for it says “And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another…” (V14) and further, Boaz gives Ruth 6 measures of barley to carry in her veil with which she had veiled herself. (V15)

Ruth returns to Naomi, to tell her all that has taken place.  And Naomi gives Ruth excellent advice, something we should all remember when we have done all things possible regarding a certain matter “Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.”(3:18 ) When you have done what you can, leave the matter in the hands of the Lord and trust Him for the results.

And so Boaz goes to the gate of the city and waits for the person who is the nearer kinsman of Naomi and Ruth to come.  And Boaz took ten men who were elders of the city. (4:1-2)  When you have a matter of importance to discuss, it is important to have witnesses so that the truth of the matter be known.

And so Boaz tells the nearer kinsman  that there is a parcel of land that Naomi wanted to sell which belonged to Elimelech, one that Boaz wished to own, but that was the right of the other to buy, because he was a nearer kinsman.  “Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people.  If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee.  And he said I will redeem it” (V4) Boaz wishes the man to agree to purchase it in the presence of the elders..and at first the fellow agrees to do so.

Then Boaz said “What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to riase up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.” (V5) And this is a different matter.  But when Boaz tells him that he must also take Ruth “the Moabitess” and that it will be considered the inheritance of those who have died, the kinsman, in front of the elders, says “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.” (V6) This man decides not to redeem it because he desires his own treasures instead of redeeming in the place of another.  What a treasure he has lost in Ruth..  but he does not know it.

And so, as is the custom of the time, the kinsman took off his shoe and gave it to Boaz, thus giving Boaz the right to redeem the land and also Ruth.  And there are the witnesses that know that Boaz has honourably won the right to Ruth, and Boaz vows “Ye are wtinesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s and all that was Chileon’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.  Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren……”(4:10)  With this action, Boaz is taking on the responsibility of both Ruth and Naomi.

And so Boaz “took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went int unto her,  the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son” (V13) we remember when Ruth was married to Mahlon and bore no children.  Truly God’s timing is perfect, and children are given by the Lord.

And so the child was named Obed, he was the Father of Jesse, who was the father of David,  that most beloved of God, King David.     Who also was the ancestor of Joseph who was the husband of Mary, who bore the Lord Jesus Christ.

written by myself..

Bible Women - The Book of Ruth, Chp 1-2

The book of Ruth takes place in the time of the Judges, “when every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25) and in the beginning of the book of Ruth, we learn of a man named Elimelech, who, because of a famine in the land of Bethlehem-judah, took his wife Naomi, and their two sons into the country of Moab, a pagan land with pagan gods.  He should have stayed in his own land, trusting the LORD God to meet the needs of himself and his family, but instead he took it upon himself to leave.  We are told to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” Prov 3:5-6 But we know that everything is in the hands of Sovereign God, truly “a man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

This is a lesson for Christians who, when times get tough, leave off following the Lord, and slip back into the world.  They are still Christians, but they are compromising and disaster is sure to follow.

But, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. (Romans 8:28 ) and as the story of Ruth progresses we will see how the Lord used this famine to bring a Gentile woman into the line of the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Matthew 1:5) “And Salmon begat Booz (Boaz) of Rachab (Rahab the harlot) and Booz begat Obed of Ruth…….”

After a time Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons Mahlon and Chileon.  Instead of returning home, they made their own decision to stay in Moab and Mahlon and Chilion married wives of the women of Moab, one named Orpah, the other named Ruth.  Ruth means “beauty”.  And they lived together for ten years before Mahlon and Chileon also died.  The timing of their deaths is an example of God’s perfect timing, for it is now that Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem Judah, She has heard that “the LORD has visited his people in giving them bread.” (Ruth 1:6) We can see from this that Naomi recognizes that it is the LORD who has ended the famine.

And so Naomi leaves her place of dwelling in Moab with her two daughters-in-law, but she tells them to return to their homes, and asks that the “LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.” (Ruth 1:8 ) This verse speaks volumes. Clearly both Orpah and Ruth have been faithful wives and faithful daughters-in-law, and Naomi desires that they should stay in the land of their birth, rather than return with her to a strange land where they know no one but her.   But Orpah and Ruth continue to weep, and then Orpah makes the choice to leave Naomi and go back to her home and her family, and to her gods. We never hear word of her again.   But Ruth “cleaves” to Naomi, just as Mary Magdelene clung to the Lord Jesus at his resurrection.. and  much as Elisha  would not leave Elijah (2 Kings 2:2). Ruth makes the most beloved confession of faith:  “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17) So it seems that although Elimelech and his family left Bethlehem, they still must have worshipped the LORD of Israel,  and both Orpah and Ruth would have learned about Him from their husbands and from Naomi.  And so Ruth makes the choice to give up her family, and her homeland, and to go to a place where she knows no one but Naomi, and to worship the one true God.  Notice  her confession is “thy God shall be MY God“  thus it is a personal relationship that Ruth desires,  more she will not leave Naomi until  parted by death.  This is true commitment.  Are we as committed to our family members, and, more importantly, have you made that personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ?

And so, convinced of Ruth’s faithfulness and desire to go to Bethlehem-Judah, the two of them set off.  Upon the arrival, Ruth is referred to as “Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, which returned out of the country of Moab.” (Ruth 1:22) Just as we are to come out of the world when we make that personal commitment to the Lord Jesus. And the timing of their return was the barley harvest.  Truly the timing of their return is in the providential hand of God.

Naomi had a family member named Boaz which means lovely, who was a near kinsman, and  he was “a mighty man of wealth” (Ruth 2:1) And because it is barley harvest, Ruth asks permission of Naomi to  “go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.” (2:2) as it was the custom to let those less fortunate have that which was left in the field.  I am reminded of another Gentile woman who desired the kindness of the Lord Jesus towards her daughter.  When the Lord tested her faith by saying he had come to the house of Israel, she worshipped him and said that the dogs could eat the crumbs that fall from the Master’s table..  (Matthew 15:22-28 )  In the same way Ruth is going to gather the fragments left behind, and is trusting that as a Gentile in the land of the Jews, she will be treated kindly.  Grace means favor, good will, kindness.  But the ultimate grace is, of course, the free unmerited love and favor of God towards those who have done nothing to deserve it.

And so, in the unseen guidance of the LORD, Ruth goes to the field that is owned by Boaz, the one who is the kinsman of Naomi.   And Boaz comes from Bethlehem, the same place where the Lord Jesus was born.  He greets his reapers respectfully, and they in return, respond in the same way.  Than Boaz notices someone new in his field,  and asks about Ruth,  again in the Sovereign plan of God.  And so Boaz is told that Ruth is “the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab” (2:6) And also that Ruth has asked permission of the reapers to be there, and that she has been there all day.  And so Boaz tells Ruth “go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here by my maidens. Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.” (2:8-9) Boaz has greatly provided for Ruth..  he has provided food, the company of other women, protection from his young men, and water when she is thirsty.  Boaz is providing for Ruth as she stays in his field, the same way that the Lord Jesus provides for all our needs as we abide in Him.

And so with gratitude Ruth bows down and asks him “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” (V10) And so Boaz tells Ruth it is because he knows everything she has done for Naomi since the death of her (Ruth’s) husband, and how she has left her home and her family, and has come to a land she knew nothing about, and more than that Boaz says “the LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” V12) Just as we find the grace of God, and innumerable blessings when we come out of the world and trust the Lord Jesus as our Saviour.

And now Ruth speaks to Boaz “Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.” (V13) And we think of our blessed Comforter, the Holy Spirit.  And so at dinner, Boaz bids her eat of the bread, and the wine (vinegar),  and we think of the bread and wine, that we take in remembrance of His body and His blood,  and His life given for us, His precious blood shed for us at Calvary.  And we find that Boaz’ meal was sufficient for Ruth, just as the Lord Jesus is sufficient for our every need. (V14)

And now Boaz tells his young men to let Ruth glean among the sheaves, not only that which is left on the ground.. (V15) just as we may partake of His riches as we follow His will for our life.  And so Ruth gleans until she has gathered much barley, and, gathering it up, takes it to Naomi. V18 )   And so Ruth tells Naomi all that has transpired that day,  and Naomi is very happy and gives praises to the Lord “who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead.” (V20) because Naomi recognizes that Boaz is near kinsman to her.    And so Ruth continued to glean at the field of Boaz until the end of the barley harvest and then of the wheat harvest.  She stayed close to Boaz’ maidens,  and lived with Naomi, thus keeping her reputation good….and showing her desire to please both Naomi and Boaz.

Continued in Ruth, Chp 3-4

Bible Men - Isaac, Son of Abraham

Genesis 22:1-18

Before discussing the offering of Isaac, here is a bit from my post at this site regarding Sarah, and the promise of the birth of Isaac to come:

“And now Gen 21:1-7 “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. (21:1-2) This miracle birth must take place at God’s own time, so that all would know that this child was given by the LORD, and not merely a child of the flesh as other births are. Isaac was surely a child of Abraham and Sarah’s natural act, but he was given at a time when Sarah was far past the age of child bearing, thus showing that his birth was in the plan and purpose of God.

And so Sarah laughs again, and says “God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age. (21:6-7) Our God is in control of all things, to accomplish his purpose.”

The offering of Isaac is one of the key events in the Word of God. By this event Abraham’s faith is tested, as is Isaac’s obedience to his father. “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called:” (Hebrews 11:17-18 ) Isaac is a perfect type of Christ in what is to follow, so after an outline, we will discuss the ways in which this type is shown.

We go back to Genesis 21:33-34 before following the events surrounding this test of faith. “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days.” Perhaps this is the same grove which is to play a part in the events to come.

Now some years have passed, and we come to the momentous event of the offering of Isaac by his father Abraham. We don’t know how old exactly Isaac was, but I do not believe that he was a child at this point. Genesis 22:1-2 “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” We must remember here James 1:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” and so we know that this is a test, not a temptation.

And so Abraham sets off with two of his young men and Isaac, along with the wood which he has cut (see Gen 21:33-34), to go to the place of God’s choosing (”V3) The journey took three days, one of the many references in scripture to “three days” “Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.”V4 The men are told to wait and Abraham and Isaac to off together with the promise to “come again to you” 22:5 “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” By stating that he and the lad would come again, Abraham is showing faith that God would somehow keep his promise “in Isaac shall thy seed be called.”(Gen. 21:12).

So Isaac carried the wood “Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; (this is the reason that I do not believe that Isaac was a child) and Abraham “took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.” (V6). Isaac sees the fire and the wood, but wonders where the lamb is “and Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father:…Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” and Abraham’s faith is seen in his reply “God will provide himself a lamb…” (V7).

The altar is built, the wood is laid and Isaac is bound and laid upon the altar. There is no suggestion of Isaac protesting or trying to get away, he is quietly submissive. And just when the knife is about to fall, “And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son” only then does the angel of the LORD intervene V11-12 “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said Abraham, Abraham, and he said Here am I. And he said Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” Abraham’s faith is proven, his son is spared, the ram is provided, “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” V13)

In V19 we have Abraham returning to his young men, but there is no mention of Isaac again until his servant brings Rebekah to be his wife some years later. In V23 we have recorded the birth of Rebekah.

We will now look at all the ways in which this event is a type of Christ.

1.Just as Isaac was offered by his father Abraham, so the Lord Jesus Christ was offered by his Father “once for all” as our sacrifice.. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

2. The wood for the burnt offering was laid upon Isaac (V6) even as the Lord Jesus carried his own cross to Golgotha. (John 19:17)

3. Isaac is referred to by God as “thine only son Isaac whom thou lovest” (V2) as the Lord Jesus is God’s “…beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11

4. A substitute was provided for Isaac, the offering, but here God intervened. Abraham’s words “God will provide himself a lamb..” (V8 ) is so prophetic. God provided the lamb for this offering instead of Isaac, but He provided the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus, as our offering.

5. It took three days to reach the place of the offering just as the Lord Jesus was three days and three nights in the grave.

6. Isaac was a willing sacrifice, even as the Lord Jesus went willingly to the cross for us to atone for our sins.

7. Only Abraham is seen to come down from the place of the offering, (V19) Isaac is not seen again until he comes to the field to meet his bride, Rebekah. Genesis 24:63, just as we will not see the Lord Jesus until he comes to claim His bride, the church.

8. Verse 23 records the birth of Rebekah, who is to be the wife of Isaac, she is already chosen, just as the church is already chosen and is being drawn out at this very moment until He come.

written by myself.

3rd-Graders Asked to Help Classmate in Gender Change

This is from today’s WorldNetDaily.. third grade students have been given a one-days’s notice explaining to them that one of their male classmates is to be accepted as a girl.. what would he be, 9 years old? Come, Lord Jesus!

© 2008 WorldNetDaily

A Pennsylvania elementary school has angered parents by giving them one-day’s notice of planned counseling sessions with 100 third-grade students to explain that one of their male classmates would soon begin wearing girls’ clothing and taking a female name and to ask that they accept him as a girl and not make unkind remarks.

The exercise in “social transition” was initiated by the boy’s parents who approached the administration at Chatham Park Elementary School in Haverford Township asking that the school help in having their child’s female identity find acceptance among his peers. After consulting experts on transgender children, the Haverford School District sent letters to parents advising them the school guidance counselor would meet with their children, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.

While some parents contacted the principal asking that their children be excused, others took their anger out online.

“Why is the school introducing this subject to 8- and 9-year-olds?” wrote an angry parent who started a discussion on the Haverford Township’s blog site. “Why were we not notified sooner. We received the letter today, the discussion at school is tomorrow.”

link to rest of article:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=63978

Bible Women - Sarah, Wife to Abraham, Mother to Isaac

Genesis 11:29 - 23:2

Sarah is named as one of the great women of faith in the bible. Hebrews 11:11 Through faith Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. At one point, Sarah tried to accomplish God’s promise in her own way, She was like we all are: we try to do things ourselves instead of trusting the Lord to perform his perfect will for our lives. But through it all, Sarah was faithful to her husband, 1 Peter 3:6 “Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord:…. and believed God, and God used her in a miraculous way to bring forth the promised seed of Abraham, from whom would come a great nation, and the promised deliverer, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We first meet Sarah in Genesis 11:29 where she is called Sarai, “..Abraham and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abraham’s wife was Sarai”… we are told right away “But Sarai was barren, and had no child (11:30) and whenever you see the use of the word “But” in the King James bible, you know that something great (powerful) is going to happen.

At this time the Lord spoke to Abram with a commandment and a blessing “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing….and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (12:1-3) God promises this blessing to Abram, but it will be fulfilled through Sarai.

So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Abram was 75 years old at this time (12:4), So Abram took his nephew Lot, and Sarai, all their substance, and their servants, and they traveled to Canaan, and it was there that the Lord appeared to him again, to promise him “unto thy seed will I give this land: (12:7) and Abram continued on south. But there came a famine in the land, and so Abram did that which we all do, he took it upon himself to stop trusting the leading of the Lord, and journeyed to Egypt. Trouble was sure to follow, but as we shall see, it is all in the plan and purpose of God. Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Abram tells Sarai that because she is a beautiful woman, she is to tell the Egyptians that she is Abram’s sister, so that Abram would not be killed for his wife. This was only a half truth, Genesis 20:12 ….she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. In those days, such marriages were acceptable to God. But this begins a series of deceptions that carry on throughout generations.

The Egyptians saw that Sarai was indeed beautiful, and she was taken into Pharaoh’s house, and because Pharoah thought that Sarai was Abraham’s sister, he “entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.” Genesis 12:16 Abraham had great gain because of his deception..

Bur the Sovereign Lord protected Sarai lest she be defiled by another, and “the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abraham’s wife.”. (12:17) and so Pharaoh called Abraham and said “What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.” (V18-20) I find it amazing that Abram was not killed for this deception instead of being told to go with “all that he had” (which Pharoah had given him). It was probably at this time that Sarai acquired Hagar as a handmaid. If not for that fact, Ishmael would not have been born, but this also was in the sovereign will of LORD God.

After the passage of time, the LORD came to Abram again, and made a covenant with Abram “and, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, …he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, so shall thy seed be.” (15:4-5)

And here is where Sarai decides to try and take things into her own hands. She gives her handmaid Hagar to Abram to “go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. (16:2) and so Sarai gave Hagar to Abram to be his wife, so that her child would be his legitimate heir, and Abram listened to his wife, and Hagar conceived, and bears the child Ishmael. But Sarai was despised by Hagar, and so Sarai dealt very hard with Hagar, to the point that she ran away, but after God came to Hagar, she return to Sarai.

Time passes and now Abram is called by God when he is 90 years old, “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abraham, and said..I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.” and God renames Abram, Abraham “for a father of many nations have I made thee…”(17:1-5).

God tells Abraham “As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.” Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?….Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. (17:15-19) and God even gives Abraham the time of the birth which would be in the next year.

The addition of “ah” in Abram and Sarai’s name means “to swear by an oath”. God’s covenant will be fulfilled.

After a time a great event happens, Abraham is visited by three angels in the form of men. Abraham doesn’t see them approaching, they “stood by him” From the heavenly realm to the earthly realm, in an instant. (18:2) Sarah is told to make cakes while a young man prepares a calf. And Abraham is asked “Where is Sarah thy wife? and he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, …lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.” (10:9-10) hearing this, and because “it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women…Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? (V11-12) Some would wonder why Sarah laughed. I believe it was because she was so happy that this miracle would be accomplished in a woman who was far beyond the age of child bearing. Rather than doubting it, I believe she accepted as truth that she would bear a child, and was laughing at the thought of this old woman having a child. It is also important to see that Abraham also laughed in 17:17..

And so the LORD speaks to Abraham, wherefore did Sarah laugh……is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed …..Sarah shall have a son. (18:13-14) The wondrous thing is that Sarah had laughed within herself, but the LORD, who is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12) confronts her, “Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.” (18:15)

After a time, Abraham journeys to Gerar, and once again he tells the people that Sarah is his sister, and so she is taken by the King into his house, history repeats itself. More deception by Abraham. Again God intervenes, and comes to the King in a dream telling him “behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken, for she is a man’s wife.” Abimelech had not come near her, and his plea is that Abraham had told him that Sarah was his sister, that he was innocent. and God said to him “Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.” (20:6) This is a very important verse, for it shows that God’s protection of Sarah was not to prevent a sin against Sarah, but a sin against God, for Sarah is God’s chosen mother to fulfill the covenant with Abraham.

And because the King is obedient to the commands of God, his wife and his maid servants bear children.

And now Gen 21:1-7 “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. (21:1-2) This miracle birth must take place at God’s own time, so that all would know that this child was given by the LORD, and not merely a child of the flesh as other births are. Isaac was surely a child of Abraham and Sarah’s natural act, but he was given at a time when Sarah was far past the age of child bearing, thus showing that his birth was in the plan and purpose of God.

And so Sarah laughs again, and says “God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age. (21:6-7) Our God is in control of all things, to accomplish his purpose.

But as the child Isaac is weaned, Sarah sees that Ishmael, the son of Hagar, is mocking Isaac, so she tells Abraham to cast Hagar and Ishmael away. And God confirms Sarah’s actions ….in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. (21:12) Perhaps God knew what we are not told, perhaps Ishmael would have been a future threat to the safety of Isaac, and so it was God’s will that he be sent away, to become the beginning of the nation that was and still is Israel’s sworn enemy.

And so Sarah lived to the age of 127 years old. She was 90 when Isaac was born. And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. (23:2), Abraham bought a burying place for her, something that could not be taken away. “and after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.” (23:19) . And it was not until Isaac took Rebekah into Sarah’s tent, that “Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (Gen 24:67)

Regarding Abortion-Tainted Vaccine

This is from today’s LifeSiteNews.com: making a vaccine from a selectively aborted child.. there are no words..

Coast Guard Relents, Allows Officer to Refuse Abortion-Tainted Vaccine

WASHINGTON, DC, May 13, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - U.S. Coast Guard officials who initially refused to excuse an officer from being injected with a vaccine derived from an aborted child have relented in the wake of a lawsuit filed on behalf of the officer by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys. The U.S. Coast Guard had refused to grant an exemption for Officer Joseph J. Healy, who is Catholic, even though it allows exemptions based on other religious beliefs.

“Christians shouldn’t be punished for abiding by their beliefs against abortion. The Coast Guard has done the right thing in recognizing that those who lay their life on the line to defend our shores are entitled to same freedom as anyone else not to have their particular beliefs disregarded,” said ADF Legal Counsel Matt Bowman.

“Members of the U.S. military should never be forced to make an unconstitutional choice between honoring their country and adhering to the belief that health and medicine can prosper without exploiting the killing of preborn children,” Bowman said.

In May 2006, the Coast Guard, which requires its personnel to be vaccinated against a variety of diseases, ordered all active-duty personnel to receive one of two vaccines against Hepatitis A or show proof of immunity. The vaccines are derived from cells taken from the lung tissue of a child who was electively aborted at 14 weeks gestation and then dissected. The Coast Guard allows religious exemptions for those who hold a “religious tenet or belief contrary to immunization.”

In compliance with Coast Guard requirements, Healy, a lieutenant commander, submitted a memo requesting religious exemption based on his Catholic faith and strong opposition to abortion. In response, a higher ranking officer denied the request because he disagreed with Healy’s theology, claiming that Catholic teaching “does not state that these immunizations are against the religious tenets of the Catholic Church.”

Friday, the Coast Guard notified the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that it will grant Healy a religious exemption. As a result, ADF attorneys plan to file a motion to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit they filed Jan. 2, Healy v. United States Coast Guard (http://www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4348).

Books - Two Wonderful Biographies

Here are two biographies that really touched my heart. The first one is the story of Gladys Aylward, a missionary to China. Unlike those in the book China’s Christian Martyrs, Gladys Aylward lived until the Lord called her home at the age of 67. Here is a short piece from the back of the book:

“Without formal education or a missionary organization to back her, Gladys raised her own finances for the overland trip that would bring her to the country and people that God had etched so deeply on her heart..China!

What follows is an amazing adventure of faith and determination. Gladys Aylward, a housemaid from England, dared to trust God in the face of dire and seemingly hopeless circumstances. Her life is one of the truly great missionary stories of our era.”

There was a movie made years ago called “The Inn of the Sixth Happiness” starring Ingrid Bergman, but the movie left out a great deal of the true story.

here is a link if you would like to order the book online:

http://ywampublishing.com/pc-215-70-christian-heroes-then-nowbrgladys-aylward-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime.aspx

The second book is very convicting. It is the amazing story of William Borden, a very wealthy man who wanted more than anything to be a missionary to China, but died of an illness before he got there. This book shows that a Christian can touch lives more than he ever knows while he is alive, and following the leading of the Lord. It is a very inspiring book..

From the back of the book:

“Born into a wealthy American family, William Borden attended Princeton Seminary and graduated from Yale. Despite an upper class upbringing, his travels around the world had challenged him to the needs of the heathen world for Jesus Christ, and he purposed to make his choices count toward that goal.

As Borden trained for a life of service to the Kansu people of China, his heart and labor went out in very practical ways to the widows, orphans and cripples in the back streets of Chicago. A quiet yet powerful man, he diligently sought to win other young college men for Christ and His service.

His arrival in Egypt in 1913 was tragically marked by his contracting cerebral meningitis. His untimely death at the age of 25 was covered by nearly every newspaper in the United States as a testimony for Christ. Though “a waste” in the world’s terms, both his life and his death have been a testimony and a challenge even beyond his own generation to “keep eternity’s values in view.”

link if you would like to purchase this book.

http://www.amazon.com/Borden-Yale-Faith-Howard-Taylor/dp/1556610149

Books - The Momentous Event by W.J. Grier

This is a book I’ve acquired in the past couple of weeks regarding the Coming Again of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  If you have come to believe that Jesus will return in a personal, visible, sudden manner, than this is the book for you.  Even though the notes say that it is what “Calvinistic teachers believe”, I have never read the works of Calvin, but my King James bible only to come to the same conclusions as the books holds forth.

Quoting from the back cover:

‘This little volume sets forth in orderly and eminently readable fashion what most Calvinistic teachers believe concerning the “Second Advent and questions related thereto”.  With orthadox Christians of every age, the author holds that our Lord’s return will be personal, visible, sudden and unexpected, glorious and triumphant.  Of three views styled respectively post-millennialism, premillennialism, and non-millennialism, he advocates the last named as scriptural and shows that it has been maintained by a  large majority of the Fathers and Reformers of the Church.  In two valuable chapters dealing with the interpretation of prophecy, he points out that the literalist view leads logically to absurdities and is not adopted by the writers of the New Testament, who specifically state that many of the Old Testament predictions have been fulfilled, albeit in a spiritual sense…

A general consideration of N.T. teaching on the subject, is followed by a more detailed review of the doctrine of the Gospels, Epistles and Apocalypse, special attention being devoted to the significance of the “millennium” of Revelation chapter 20.  Here is a book that will well repay study by those who seek to understand truth that is basic to Christian faith and hope.’

here is a link online if anyone would like to order a copy for themselves:

http://www.cprf.co.uk/bookstore/momentousevent.htm