Category Archives: Pride

Consequences of Sin, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Interceding for Others, Justice / Judgment, Merciful, Pride, Repenting from Sin, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

A Case Study in Temptation, Sin, Punishment and Repentance

The Bible is anything but boring. There is much excitement, drama, and intrigue. We see the best, and the worst, of people. All seems to be laid bare for us to learn from as we study.

David was a great king and a man after God’s own heart, yet we see where Satan tempted him and led him into prideful sin, angering Yahweh. Following the example of Job, perhaps we must acknowledge also that God allowed Satan to tempt David in this way, perhaps to expose his pride to deal with it. Some of this is a bit of speculation.

As we read 1 Chronicles 21, we may even not fully understand why conducting a census was wrong, but clearly Joab recognized it and counseled David against it. Thus we see David knew better and ultimately made a mistake. It was not that he was acting without the knowledge that this could be displeasing to Yahweh.

1 Chronicles 21

Census Brings Pestilence

      1Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. 2So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number.” 3Joab said, “May the LORD add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord seek this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel?” 4Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore, Joab departed and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. 5Joab gave the number of the census of all the people to David. And all Israel were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword; and Judah was 470,000 men who drew the sword. 6But he did not number Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.

      7God was displeased with this thing, so He struck Israel. 8David said to God, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

      9The LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, 10“Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “I offer you three things; choose for yourself one of them, which I will do to you.”’” 11So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Take for yourself 12either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the LORD, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.” 13David said to Gad, “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

      14So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel; 70,000 men of Israel fell. 15And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; but as he was about to destroy it, the LORD saw and was sorry over the calamity, and said to the destroying angel, “It is enough; now relax your hand.” And the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 16Then David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces. 17David said to God, “Is it not I who commanded to count the people? Indeed, I am the one who has sinned and done very wickedly, but these sheep, what have they done? O LORD my God, please let Your hand be against me and my father’s household, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”

David’s Altar

      18Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19So David went up at the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD. 20Now Ornan turned back and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. And Ornan was threshing wheat. 21As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out from the threshing floor and prostrated himself before David with his face to the ground. 22Then David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build on it an altar to the LORD; for the full price you shall give it to me, that the plague may be restrained from the people.” 23Ornan said to David, “Take it for yourself; and let my lord the king do what is good in his sight. See, I will give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for wood and the wheat for the grain offering; I will give it all.” 24But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price; for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing.” 25So David gave Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the site. 26Then David built an altar to the LORD there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And he called to the LORD and He answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. 27The LORD commanded the angel, and he put his sword back in its sheath.

      28At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifice there. 29For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were in the high place at Gibeon at that time. 30But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was terrified by the sword of the angel of the LORD.

We see a case study of Satan leading someone into sin, pride, ignoring the advice of counselor and friend, Yahweh angered and rebukes Israel, and we see David in full and genuine repentance followed by Yahweh’s forgiveness. It is an action packed chapter to be sure and a model for us to study on several accounts.

  • Beware of Satan and his temptations. Spiritual warfare is real. To ignore or underestimate the enemy is to set yourself up to lose battles.
  • Listen carefully to wise counsel from trusted advisors. Truly consider it and not just what you already decided that you want to do.
  • When you have sinned and recognize it, don’t deny it or try to hide it. Come clean and repent before Yahweh, asking forgiveness and mercy. Accept what judgment He decides as consequence.
  • Don’t let someone else pay for your sin. David paid for the property and sacrifices even when offered as a gift from someone else.
  • If your sin has affected others, intercede on their behalf and ask they not be punished due to your guilt.
  • Trust more in the mercy of Yahweh than the mercy of human enemies.
  • Remember that the LORD is righteous and just and He is worthy of fear and reverence. Do not fall into the trap of thinking He is ok with whatever you do and however you live just because He does not strike you down immediately. He let the census take place before bringing consequences.
  • The LORD is not harsh or bad because He punishes us. It is our own sin that is the issue. Don’t blame Him.

If you want to study more about why the census was a sin, consider the following as on perspective on it, Why was God so angry at David for taking the census_ _ GotQuestions.org.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to learn from this case study in temptation, spiritual warfare, sin and repentance. Help me to respect and honor who You are and what You call me to do (and not to do). Help me to draw near to You and live according to Your ways. Help me to stand firm against Satan and his temptations when they come. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Humility, Interceding for Others, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Pride, Thankfulness

He Is Risen! How Will You React to That Fact?

The historical record continues to have a striking contrast between how people continue to react to Yeshua. Some ignore all the glory and miracles and evidence, pursuing only a way to dismiss and reject Him… and convince others to do the same. Others just simply rejoice when He is with them.

He is risen! How will you choose to react to that fact? Will you rejoice? or ignore the evidence and keep finding reasons to reject Him?

Matthew 28:1-15

Jesus Is Risen!

      1Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7“Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

      8And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. 9And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

      11Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14“And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.

I truly do not want to be one who constantly dismisses the miracles of God and His presence in my life. I want to embrace Him and rejoice! Perhaps a bit of a trick to remind ourselves is that we can choose the LORD because He first choose us. Let us not be arrogant or boastful because we know Him. Rather let us pray for others who may not see as we do. They are spiritually blinded to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). They dismiss every evidence and miracle that points to His glory.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for choosing me to know You. Please help me not to  be arrogant or boastful or prideful. Help me to be gracious and understanding to those who do not know You. Lead me to pray for them. Open the eyes of the spiritually blind that they may come to know You. Help me to rejoice in Your presence. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

 

 

Anger (unrighteous anger), Arrogance, Bitterness / Resentment, Discerning / Judging, Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, False Prophets / Teachers, Lying / Deceiving, Pride, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Revenge, Selfishness, Submitted / Servant, Teachable, Unteachable / Foolish

Do We Seek Truth or Do We Seek Personal Validation?

The chief priests and the Council were not objectively seeking the truth about Yeshua. They had already decided they wanted to put Him to death. We can observe also a complete lack of respect in how they treat Him. Even if they believed Him to be a heretic, and worthy of death, why beat and mock Him?

Matthew 26:57-68

Jesus before Caiaphas

      57Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

      59Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 63But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

      65Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”

      67Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 68and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

To varying degrees, people still act this way towards Yeshua today. They dismiss Him. They don’t really seek truth or understanding of His teaching. Instead, they simply look to discredit or destroy His name and His followers. As we see in the scriptures, those that oppose Him are sometimes within the established religious order that claims to serve Yahweh! So, too, many pastors or religious leaders actually stand against Yeshua and His teaching, while claiming His name.

We are to test everything and not dismiss it out of hand just because we have been taught different in the past or because our pastor says something else is true.  The chief priests and Council would have done well to genuinely test Yeshua and His teaching against the scriptures before making up their minds against Him. We can learn from their mistake.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

19Do not quench the Spirit; 20do not despise prophetic utterances. 21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.

There are several other scriptures you can seek that encourage the same concept of testing. What Does the Bible Say About Test Everything?

From the perspective of Torah, Deuteronomy 13 addresses false prophets. The focus is on those who would seek to lead Yah’s people away from Him and His commandments. Yeshua did not do that. He consistently pointed back to the Torah and the writings of the prophets as the source of authority. He pointed people towards Yahweh.

The basic problem is that the leaders of the time made up their mind ahead of time that He could not be Messiah and never tried to really listen to what else He was teaching. They seemed to overlook all the miracles and healing and casting out of demons that accompanied His ministry. Let their inability or unwillingness to see serve as warning for us. Seek Him diligently and if He may be showing up in a way we do not expect or using someone we do not anticipate, test it vs. scripture rather than our opinion or that commonly accepted by others.

I suppose another warning for us from observing those who came against Yeshua could be summarized as follows: The LORD may send someone to rebuke us for the error of our ways. Try not to get defensive and reject the message because it is difficult to hear. Instead, let us listen carefully and consider and test it against scripture, even if that reveals to us our own sin.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please open my eyes to Your message when it is delivered, even if it brings sharp rebuke to me. Help me receive the message and test it and my life against the truth of Your scripture. Help me not be quick to make up my mind based on what I think I already know or what is commonly accepted or taught. The true test is comparing carefully and prayerfully to Your written word. Amen. 

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Am I on the path?, Arrogance, Consequences of Sin, Discerning / Judging, Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, False Prophets / Teachers, Fear / Reverence for God, Pride, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Selfishness, Worldliness

When Yeshua Rebukes… We Should Pay Attention

We should pay careful attention to the rebukes Yeshua delivered to the religious leaders during His earthly ministry. Do not assume they only apply to them. Reflect carefully on how these rebukes may apply to us personally and those around us who may be in leadership positions today.

As you read the scripture below, a summary may be that the scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day, were all about outside appearances and elevating themselves and lead people away from Yahweh rather than to Him. They look good on the outside, but inside were hollow and empty in terms of a heart seeking the Father.

Matthew 23:13-36

Eight Woes

      13“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14[“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.]

      15“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

      16“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ 17“You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? 18“And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.’ 19“You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering? 20“Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. 21“And whoever swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it. 22“And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.

      23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

      25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26“You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.

      27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28“So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

      29“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31“So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32“Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. 33“You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?

      34“Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, 35so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36“Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

This is a bold rebuke of the religious leaders of the day. To be honest, much of it still applies today, and not just to religious leaders. Do not miss verse 23, where we are reminded that the law is still relevant and important to obey. It is just made clear that there are some core elements that are more important than others. We should not neglect the core elements or the lesser. They are all important.

I suppose we can also recognize a reminder that many who will be sent to share truth will be rejected and persecuted, even by those who claim to be following Yahweh. This is also true today in many cases. People want to cling to the traditions of their fathers and culture around them instead of God’s ways.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to pursue You and Your ways passionately and completely. Let me not pursue just an outside appearance of righteousness for recognition by man. Help me to recognize truth from falsehood in regards to Your ways. Raise up more workers for the harvest, to teach Your ways. Let Your people not be deceived and led astray by worldly or arrogant men who claim Your name, but teach ways that are not Yours. Reveal them for the false teachers they are and let them fail in leading others astray. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Arrogance, Help / Serve Others, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Pride, Selfishness, Worldliness

To Truly Lead Is to Serve, Not to Be Put on a Pedestal and Admired

It is all together too easy to listen only to what Yeshua says we should do and overlook something equally important. Let us pay attention to the fact that Yeshua rebuked those who were doing wrong, even those in a place of authority. We do well to pay attention to what He tells them, and us, not to do.

Clearly He is not pleased simply with someone claiming the name of Yahweh. He wants us to truly worship and respect and obey the Father. It is in what we do, not what we say or how we look, that we demonstrate our righteousness, our love for Father, and our submission to Him.

Matthew 23:1-12

Pharisaism Exposed

      1Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 4“They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. 5“But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6“They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. 8“But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

When seated in the chair of Moses, they were to read only from the Torah. Thus Yeshua emphasizes that we are to obey the law of Yahweh. However, He also calls out the hypocrisy in how the Pharisees do not live out the law they teach to others. Thus, do as they say (when teaching the law), and not as they do.

When Yeshua speaks of tying up heavy burdens and not doing them, I believe He is referring to the Pharisees adding on to the law with their own instructions and commands. Their additions created a burden for people to follow, yet they did not even do God’s law themselves.

Yeshua calls out the Pharisees for their desire to be called out with special respect and emphasis among the people. They like having the spotlight and a place of honor. They were not seeking relationship with the Father, but rather focused on getting the attention of men. We should be the opposite of that, focused on pleasing the Father rather than impressing men.

There is also an important point made here about leadership. Do not seek to be a leader to lord it over people as one who is better than they. Do not seek to be called father or rabbi as a sign of respect as if you have some unique insight into the Father’s will. Instead carry the attitude of being brothers, all seeking and following our Messiah. Help, lead, serve. I close with the last two verses, which can not be emphasized enough.

11“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to be humble and to have a servant’s heart. Let me now lord over people any position of authority, but rather use it as an opportunity to serve them and help them. I pray You would raise up leaders with this attitude around our nation in political office and teachers of Your word. Cast down those who seek to elevate themselves rather than serve and help others, especially those who do so while calling upon Your great name. Help me and all of Your people to understand how to live out Your instructions according to the law. Raise up more workers for the harvest. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Humility, Pride, Repenting from Sin, Wise

Pride Goes Before Destruction

How does Yahweh feel about pride?

Proverbs 16:18-19

5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

18Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

 19It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

The scripture warns about pride. We see Satan rebelled against Yahweh out of pride. Pride is offensive to the LORD and it is quite simply a routine path to getting yourself in trouble.

2 Kings 14:1-16

Amaziah Reigns over Judah

      1In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah became king. 2He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. 3He did right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father; he did according to all that Joash his father had done. 4Only the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 5Now it came about, as soon as the kingdom was firmly in his hand, that he killed his servants who had slain the king his father. 6But the sons of the slayers he did not put to death, according to what is written in the book of the Law of Moses, as the LORD commanded, saying, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the sons, nor the sons be put to death for the fathers; but each shall be put to death for his own sin.”

      7He killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt 10,000 and took Sela by war, and named it Joktheel to this day.

      8Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face each other.” 9Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trampled the thorn bush. 10“You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you?”

      11But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah. 12Judah was defeated by Israel, and they fled each to his tent. 13Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, 400 cubits. 14He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils which were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasuries of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

Jeroboam II Succeeds Jehoash in Israel

      15Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 16So Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son became king in his place.

Amaziah “did right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father”. He did some things well, but it appears he could not break through the man made cultural traditions he grew up with that involved worship in the high places. Either he did not acknowledge it or he was not willing to deal with it because it was hard. He experiences victory and let’s it go to his head. What was he hoping to accomplish with war against Israel? Why call them out? The King of Israel even tried to stop him, but to no avail.

Pride seems to have filled Amaziah and he picked a fight that was unwise. He lost and so did Judah with him. It was totally unavoidable.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have a humble spirit before you and before men. Please help me not to be prideful. Let me be content with what you provide and rejoice in it. Let me not covet what others may have or feel that somehow I have to prove my worth to others. Let me focus on pleasing you and being fulfilled and satisfied in that. Help me to see any areas where I am not walking in your ways and grant me the wisdom and courage to change, even when it is very hard. Guide our leaders to seek after righteousness in all their ways. Help them see clearly your path from the path of wickedness. Please grant these requests to all those who are called by your name for your honor and glory. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Greed, Healer, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Lying / Deceiving, Miracles, Obeying God, Pride, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

Do Things God’s Way, Not Our Way

For those of us who study the Bible and have relationship with the LORD, we come quickly to know that He operates differently than we expect. He has His own way and His own timing. It is usually different than ours. Watch that we do not get frustrated or turn from Him… or even just avoid turning towards Him and obeying because things He instructs are so different than what we expect.

And let not our personal greed affect our obedience to His guidance and instruction. We do not serve Him to get rich. We serve Him because of who He is, king of kings and lord of lords. He is a loving Father. There is none like Him.

2 Kings 5

Naaman Is Healed

      1Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper. 2Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3She said to her mistress, “I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy.” 4Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus spoke the girl who is from the land of Israel.” 5Then the king of Aram said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed and took with him ten talents of silver and six thousand shekels of gold and ten changes of clothes.

      6He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “And now as this letter comes to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man is sending word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? But consider now, and see how he is seeking a quarrel against me.”

      8It happened when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent word to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Now let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9So Naaman came with his horses and his chariots and stood at the doorway of the house of Elisha. 10Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.” 11But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.’ 12“Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean.

Gehazi’s Greed

      15When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now.” 16But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. 17Naaman said, “If not, please let your servant at least be given two mules’ load of earth; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering nor will he sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD. 18“In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.” 19He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him some distance.

      20But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” 21So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes.’” 23Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes and gave them to two of his servants; and they carried them before him. 24When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and deposited them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25But he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.”

      26Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants? 27“Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

Greed was the downfall of Gehazi, and lying. Pride was almost the downfall of Naaman. Fortunately he had some caring advisors supporting and encouraging him to do as he was instructed.

Note also, that Naaman was not a righteous, godly man. Rather God healed him so that he would turn away from his false gods and turn toward Yahweh.

There is a lot in this scripture to reflect and pray about in terms of how it applies in our lives today. Let those who have ears, hear.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Murder, Pride, Purposeful / Intentional, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Selfishness, Submitted / Servant, Wickedness / Evil

What Can We Learn from the Death of John the Baptist?

There are four perspectives through which I want to view and reflect on the death of John the Baptist, perhaps five. Read through the scripture and I will meet you after with some additional comments.

Matthew 14:1-12

John the Baptist Beheaded

      1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

      3For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

      6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. 10He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Let us reflect on this scripture from the perspective of John the Baptist, Herod, Herod’s wife, and her daughter. I will not go very deep in any one, but rather focus on getting you started. You can reflect more deeply and build out the positions and reflect on it. Human nature has not changed. This is still relevant to what we face today and how we react.

John is perhaps the easiest to summarize. He boldly proclaimed the truth of Yahweh and Messiah Yeshua even at his own personal expense. He did not compromise. He did not ignore sin if it was from powerful people. He was a prophet and submitted servant of Yahweh. He was willing to face persecution, even die for his faith and submission to the Father.

Second, let us reflect from the perspective of Herod. He was fearful of the people even as he was ruler. He was weak as a leader, at least in this situation. He lacked the courage to kill John or perhaps had the wisdom to spare John based on concerns for how the people would react. Either way, how weak can you be to change your mind and kill him because of someone dancing in front of you? Seriously. I get the whole promise thing, but before we give him too much credit remember he was fine with murder to not break a promise! By the way, why even get yourself into that situation with such an open ended offer to the young lady who asked for the head of John the Baptist. Do not miss that there is likely some pride factoring in here as he did not want to look bad in front of dinner guests. He made bad decisions and did so for bad reasons.

Herodias was consumed by hate for John. She did not like what he had to say about her relationship with Herod. She held a grudge. It was not enough that he was in jail and she was married to the ruler doing as she pleased. She has to get even. Think about the fact that she was so selfish. She could have encouraged her daughter to get something else which could have been of real value and benefit to her. Nope. She selfishly demanded to kill John, which benefits her daughter absolutely nothing.

Herodias’ daughter was trying to please her mom. I get that. I do not know how old she is at this time, but she failed to exert her own good judgment to not murder someone. She could have asked for something really beneficial to her, but did not. She is an example of how much power and influence parents can have over their children. That can be a good thing, but not in this case with Herodias as the mother. The disregard for John’s life and the waste of an opportunity to get something of real value is evidence of a child who is well on her way to being like her wicked mother.

The last perspective… consider it all from God’s perspective. With whom was He pleased? With whom was He disgusted? Why? If John would have changed his testimony to save himself, would God have been more or less pleased? I think God was pleased with John. He would have been disappointed if John would have changed to save himself.

Now, the final part… let’s think through the different aspects of this message today and apply it to our lives. Are we fully devoted to serve and please the LORD? Are we selfish and prideful, letting others influence our choices for sake of our image? Are we vindictive and pursuing revenge rather than mercy? Are we consumed with hate or can we move on gracefully when someone does something we do not like or agree with? Are we willing to hear criticism from another’s perspective and consider it? If we are trying to please others, do we use good judgment and do what is right even if it is displeasing to them? Do we remember to please God first?

We are free to choose our way, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices as it relates to our relationship and righteousness (or not) before our Father.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Help / Serve Others, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Jesus (hearing from God), Kindness / Gentleness, Learning To Pray Effectively, Pride, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Selfishness, Submitted / Servant

Do Not Practice Righteousness to be Noticed by Man

His ways are surely not our ways. Do not practice your righteousness before men to be noticed by them. Normally we think this would be good. Don’t we want to be noticed? Don’t we want to be a light? Yes we do, but take care in what way. Our motives matter as much as our actions.  The context here is speaking against doing the right things for the wrong reasons. We should seek to honor and glorify God, not get personal recognition from man, lest our motives be impure. If all we are seeking to do is get praise from man, then that is all the reward we will ever get. Let us stay focused on pleasing God.

Matthew 6:1-14

Giving to the Poor and Prayer

      1“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

      2“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

      5“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

      7“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

      9“Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.

      10‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

      11‘Give us this day our daily bread.

      12‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

      13‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]
14“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

For a deeper study of the LORD’s prayer, review our teaching Learning to Pray Effectively. There is so much more to study and digest than this short  article.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Arrogance, Consequences of Sin, Humility, Pride, Selfishness, Teachable, Unteachable / Foolish, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Seek Guidance from the Wise, Not Those Who Echo What You Want to Hear

Seek guidance from those who are truly wise. Do not seek counsel from those who just tell you what they think you want to hear. Rehoboam sought advise from multiple sources. He did not seek the wisest advice, but rather the one that agreed with his opinion. We do not learn or grow wiser in this way. Nor is this counsel helpful as it is redundant. It would be fair, in this case to point out that YHWH caused this to come to pass to fulfill His word to Solomon about splitting the kingdom, but none the less we see that Rehoboam’s actions, whether led by YHWH or himself, still have the same result. His pride and arrogance and refusal to listen to wise advice were devastating. It is also fair to observe that Rehoboam was totally focused on himself and serving the LORD did not even come up. Compare that to David and Solomon when they started their rule. We can also conclude that Solomon, like David, did not appear to be a very good father. His children were a mess and totally lost. So too that Solomon’s heir was not following the LORD, as Solomon had turned away from the LORD also.

I suppose an equally powerful message for us to hear is that government, even kings, get their power by submission of the people to allow their rule. What makes this work is the ability of a people to have weapons of warfare, not self defense alone from robbers, so that they can stand up to a tyrannical government or king.  Once you give that up, then it is hard to remain free.

1 Kings 12:1-24

King Rehoboam Acts Foolishly

      1Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. 2Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, he was living in Egypt (for he was yet in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon). 3Then they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4“Your father made our yoke hard; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” 5Then he said to them, “Depart for three days, then return to me.” So the people departed.

      6King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?” 7Then they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” 8But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him. 9So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?” 10The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ But you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins! 11‘Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

      12Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.” 13The king answered the people harshly, for he forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him, 14and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” 15So the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

The Kingdom Divided; Jeroboam Rules Israel

 16When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the  people answered the king, saying,
“What portion do we have in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse;
To your tents, O Israel!
Now look after your own house, David!”
So Israel departed to their tents.

17But as for the sons of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. 19So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

      20It came about when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, that they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. None but the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.

      21Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 22But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 23“Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the rest of the people, saying, 24‘Thus says the LORD, “You must not go up and fight against your relatives the sons of Israel; return every man to his house, for this thing has come from Me.”’” So they listened to the word of the LORD, and returned and went their way according to the word of the LORD.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.