Tag: a picture of Christ in the Old Testament

A Picture of Christ in the Old Testament – Chapter Eight – The Minor Prophets

May 27th, 2016

This is a New Study I developed at Faith Baptist Church on Wednesday night. I would love to hear from you.

Chapter Eight – The Minor Prophets

The Same, yesterday, today, and forever

That’s what Hebrews says about Jesus. As the writer of Hebrews wrote to the Jewish Community, dispersed, perhaps to Rome or to Alexandria, he wanted them to fully understand Jesus. And so, he used many “types” of Christ for them to see: God’s Word, Angels, The Sacrifices, The Law, The Prophets, The Promises, were all pointing us to Jesus. Jesus was in it all, he was the fulfillment of it all, and so he is greater than it all. So, as he closes his teaching he says in Hebrews 13:6 “so we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” And what is this confidence? V8 “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

Don’t believe those who try and paint a divergent picture of God, of Christ, in the Old Testament, New Testament, and Today. He is, he has been, will be the same. That is not to say that he does always for us what he has done for someone else, but his character does not change. His glory doesn’t change. So when we look at the Old Testament and find Jesus, then we have a better understanding of God in the Flesh, Immanuel, who we see in the Gospels. We then better understand the Christian Living enjoined in the writings of the Apostles. Through it all we can understand what he has said, how to apply the promises, carry out his commands, and live in expectation, Today.

So, one section still to walk through – The Minor Prophets, or the less recorded prophets. They are NOT minor. God’s word is never minor; it is always major. Some of the greatest prophesies are in these minor works. We only have time for a few, but let’s see.

Hosea

Oh what an amazing and wonderful thing it is when the Lord speaks. It is truly an amazing thing when he speaks to us, calls us by name. But as we have seen already that the Word of God given to his preacher is not always something pleasant. I had preachers counsel me, “don’t be a preacher, unless God will not let you do anything else.” Because when the word of God comes it is not all flowers and fluffy clouds. But I guess if God’s people were always following him, and in communion with him there wouldn’t be a reason for preachers.

And so God’s Word comes to Hosea …

In 1:2 – … the Lord said to him, “Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord.”

“I’m sorry Lord, what was that?”

Israel was always seen as the wife of God. So unfaithfulness to him and his commands was equal to adultery. The Church is the promised bride of Christ, being prepared for a beautiful wedding in Heaven.

So he obeys God, then Hosea and his wife Gomer have a son, and name him Jezreel = God sows, because God was about to do some plowing under in Israel. Then a daughter was born, Lo-Ruhamah = Not loved, because God’s love for Israel was not going to be shown. And then they had another son, Lo- Ammi = not my people for v8 you are not my people and I am not your God

Wow …see a pattern developing … where is the good news? V10 YET …

Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ 11 The people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited, and they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel

Where is Jesus? In this adulterous generation where do we find Jesus? He is the seeker of the Sinner to be his Bride. The same lover who seeks his beloved in the Song of Solomon. The same one who seeks the one who wants to be loved and loving, seeks the one who is rebellious. The same one also calls the fickle follower back to himself as Hosea would have to do when Gomer left him to return to her old ways. And so Romans 5:8 God demonstrated his love toward us in that WHILE we were STILL SINNERS Christ died for us

The beginning of this fulfillment came in the ministry of Christ and the provision of the Cross

1 Peter 2:10 (NIV84) Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

But as all his promises, it won’t only come true in theory, and in allegory, but in reality in the end times. Revelation 7:4-9; Galatians 4:27

3:1 Go show your love to your wife again though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods …

V2 so I bought her for 15 shekels of silver, and about a homer and a lethek of barley. This price btw … the silver with the barley equal 30 shekels of silver … which Exodus 21:32 says in the cost of a lost slave.

So too, while we had sold ourselves to slavery, Jesus bought us … he was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver but the price was DEATH … and he counted and paid it to the full

So, 14:1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! 2 Take words with you and return to him. Say to him: Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.””

Oh Listen, all we have to take with us to Christ are words … “Lord forgive … receive” with intent to worship him with our lives. Anything else we bring comes up short … but everything we need is in Christ

Joel

The Lord is prominent in … The Day of the Lord this is a concept that will be throughout the minor prophets.

2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming.

1:3 tell it to your children and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation

The Day of the Lord was the day Jesus was born and lived, died, and rose. It will be the day / season of judgment, and restoration. It will be eternity in his presence. And it was the day he became MY Savior, Lord, and Friend

Amos

Jesus is the Judge of Nations in Amos

1:2 The Lord roars from Zion, and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers

His judgment is always Just and he gives legal reasons for his indictments in chapter 1.

5:23-24 away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream

6:1 Woe to you who are complacent in Zion

9:11 in that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be …

Then in those days … prosperity will flow

Jonah

What a wonderful little story to be included in these prophets’ writing.

The word of the Lord came to Jonah … 2 go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me

It is a proclamation of Judgment. Not on God’s people but on a wicked people. Jonah didn’t want to go. There is no promise of anything gracious here, just a promise of judgment. On one hand Jonah would expect to be HAPPY to deliver a message like this to a place so wicked. Nineveh was as wicked as they came. This is a people that always tried to top God and bring him down. The city was founded by Nimrod. He was grandson of Noah’s son, Ham. Outside of scripture, sources and tradition say this is where Babel was built when the people began to move east … They were wicked, cruel. They would build with the skulls of their defeated and cover their walls in the skins of defeated foes. So perhaps Jonah was scared to go preach. But though understandable, that was NOT why Jonah didn’t want to go … We know more at the end of the story about the encounter with God. Although God never promised to relent if they repented … Jonah knew God … and when the people responded to the proclamation of judgment with repentance, sack cloth and ashes, fasting … 3:10 when God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

And Jonah got angry … and then we find out why he ran … what he had said to God in the first place …

4:2 O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? This is why I was quick to flee … I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity

Jonah knew the glory of God Exodus 34:6-7 … and he wasn’t afraid of Nineveh, he was afraid Nineveh might get SAVED! Greatest Revival in history … and he was mad about it.

What do we see of Jesus?

… that he is CONCERNED about the Lostness of the Worst Sinners.

… that if he can save Me, he can save anybody

… that if he can save anybody, he can save me

Was Jonah real? The Fish real? Jesus said “As Jonah was 3 days in the belly of the huge fish so the son of man will be 3 days in the earth” …. Jesus believed he was real, and Jesus was buried for 3 days … if 1 isn’t true, is the other?

Micah

He was a contemporary of Isaiah, beginning with Uzziah’s son Jotham through Ahaz and Hezekiah.

1:3 Look! The Lord is coming from his dwelling place; he comes down and treads the high places of the earth

“high places” refers to pagan worship sites.

Where do we see Jesus?

4:2 Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide …

Then it gives us a picture of the Millennium and Jesus ruling from Jerusalem

Swords into plowshares … spears into pruning hooks

4:5 all the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

Then we move into the passage that instructed the Magi …

4:8 As for you, O Watchtower of the flock … that is Migdal Eder – the watchtower between Bethlehem and Jerusalem where they watched the flocks destined to be sacrificial lambs. It was there where most likely the shepherds were that were called to Bethlehem that late winter, early spring night.

5:2 – But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler of Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times

Oh Jesus was born in Bethlehem but he didn’t start in Bethlehem … his origins are from of old … In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and was God. He was with God in the beginning

5:4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

Still we see his coming, and then still he is coming. He provided peace, and yet peace is still to come. Peace has come to our hearts and yet peace is still to come to our lives in a physical present way.

And finally in this book the most beautiful picture of Jesus

7:18-19 who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl our iniquities into the depts. of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago

He is a promise keeper

Nahum

Remember that the glory of God is Gracious, Compassionate, slow to anger, forgiving the guilt of our sin … but he will not let the guilty go unpunished …

So Nineveh, forgiven under the preaching of Jonah because of the repentance of the people.

Now 100 years later they have returned to their old ways, they are not repentant, and God brings their destruction and disappearance forever from history.

The other side of his glory … God will never send anyone to judgment, but a Just God must do what justice demands …

Nahum 1:2–8 (NIV84) The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. ³ The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. ⁴ He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade. ⁵ The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it. ⁶ Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him. ⁷ The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, ⁸ but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into darkness.

Habbakuk

Don’t ever think that God’s silence in trials means he doesn’t hear and won’t bring justice …

1:2 How long, O Lord must I call for help but you do not listen?

1:5 Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

What we see in Habbakuk is a God who hears and answers prayer

Zechariah

Well we won’t look at every book. But you may know I LOVE Zechariah. You can go online to our website and watch my 17 sermons from this book.

1:8 – A man riding a red horse! … standing among the myrtle trees … 10 the man standing among the myrtle explained … they report to the Angel of the Lord, who was standing among the myrtle … Lord Almighty how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem … the Lord spoke kind and comforting words … I am Jealous for Jerusalem … I will return to Jerusalem with mercy

God keeps his promise … 70 years has passed … God keeps his promise

He is a God who is jealous for his own, and for his glory

He does get angry in Justice

He will return with Mercy – Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23

I will Bring Prosperity and Blessing

Isaiah 40:1-11 – Comfort my people … speak tenderly … every valley shall be raised, every mountain and hill made low … he tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in the arms and carries them close to his heart …

A Picture of what Happens Spiritually when we Turn to God is in – 3:1-10 – I Believe it is a picture of the supernatural in our salvation and anytime we repent and turn to God.

V1 – satan standing at his right side to accuse him … Oh the devil doesn’t want you to repent even less than Jonah wanted Nineveh to hear the message of God. who do you think directed Jonah’s thoughts? Why do you think some of your biggest fusses happen in the car on the way to church? How many headaches, cares, concerns, come to a peak during or before service

1. satan will accuse you, before God, before men, before yourself

2. Christ comes to your defense

V2 the Lord said to satan, “the Lord rebuke you, satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

Oh God is FOR you … you are never so far away as when you are turned from him, but you are never so close as when you turn your head, turn your heart, turn your steps back to him, he is right there … to snatch you from the fire …

Romans 8:33-34 – who will bring a charge against those whom God has chosen? Who is he that condemns? … Christ Jesus … died … raised … is also interceding for us

3. Christ Transforms Us

V3 Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes … 4 the angel said to those who were standing before him, “take off his filthy clothes”… see I have taken away your sin, and I put rich garments on you” … put a clean turban on his head (Crown)

M. Henry – now that he looks clean … let him look Great

Oh he doesn’t just take from us he replaces with so much greater … richer … eternal

4. He Commissions Us

If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here

Oh he saves us in the heavenlies to bring us to the heavenlies … Hallelujah

Oh I wish I could preach you the whole book, because I just love it … but one more

12:7 the Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first … 8 on that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the Lord … 9 on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem 10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 11 … in the plain of Megiddo …

They will look on Him … given because God so Loved … he lived among us in perfection … called us to repentance … showed us God’s glory, gave a sacrifice …

And they will mourn …

Many mourned when he died … but until we mourn our sin … we don’t really understand his death. His death was more than a waste, it was a sacrifice for ME …

When we mourn our sin … and recognize his sacrifice … we are ready to receive … Grace and Supplication – God’s grace follows our repentance … Jonah knew it … it IS the Glory of God … slow to anger, gracious and compassionate, forgiving our sin …

John 6:37 whoever comes to me I will never drive away

From his wounds … God’s grace flows over us

Pierced, he presents himself for us …

Pierced he brings us in to God’s grace

Pierced he will remain … John 20:27 – see my hands … reach out your hand and put it in my side … stop doubting and believe

Oh we will have no problem recognizing Jesus in Heaven. The scars will still be there. And some day we will be in Heaven and Revelation 4 and 5 says God will be on the Throne arrayed in splendor. All of the church, the priesthood of God will be there. We will be dressed in white with crowns of gold on our heads. Flashes of lightning and peals of thunder will come from the throne and the Holy Spirit will be ablaze before God. There will be Heavenly Beings before the throne leading worship saying

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come”

And every time they say that, we, the church will fall down in worship and lay our crowns down saying,

“you are worthy … to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Then it says that God will have in his hand a scroll sealed up with seven seals. And a call will go out across the multitudes of people, angels, and creatures asking “who is worthy to break the seal and open the scroll or even look inside?” And no one in heaven or earth or under the earth will be worthy … Then one of those church folk, the 24 elders, maybe you, will say “do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has triumphed. He is Able to open the scroll …”

And Then we will see a LAMB, looking as if it had been slain standing in the center of the throne … and He will take the scroll from the right hand of God and as we look on Jesus, the one they pierced, Still bearing the scars of our sacrifice, we will sing a new song

You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals

Because you were slain

And with your blood you purchased men for God

From every tribe and language and people and nation …

And all of Heaven will Declare

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

To receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

And honor and glory and praise!

To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

Be praise and honor and glory and power

For ever and ever!

They will look on Him, The One Who Was Pierced …

Oh will YOU Look?

Pierced we see his love

Pierced we see the price has been paid

Pierced our sins are forgiven

Pierced we can be his children

Look and Believe

Look and Receive

Look and Live

And so … chapter 13 says on that day a fountain will be opened … Oh what a Glorious Day … Idols banished …

Oh see him in 13:7 strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered …

Oh what a glorious day …

14:8 on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem … 9 the Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name

V20 – Holy to the Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like sacred bowls in front of the altar …

Oh God … on the day of Christ … the every day is amazing … the common place is supernatural and the supernatural common place …

Because Jesus Is Lord

If you have read through the Great Testament to God’s promises called the Old Testament you understand that you can’t fully understand the Testament to the Fulfillment of the promises called the New Testament, if you haven’t found Jesus in the previous testament.

May the Lord bless us as we see him in the fullest way we can … through his complete revelation in his word. Old and New, exciting and mundane, Beginnings, Law, History, Poetry, and Prophesy … it is all by Jesus, it is all for Jesus, it is all to Jesus

Romans 11:33–36 (NIV84) Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ³⁴ “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” ³⁵ “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Oh Who … Who … who? It is Jesus … that’s who knows God, counsels with God, and reveals God … to him be glory forever and ever.
A Picture of Christ in the Old Testament – Chapter six – In the Poetry – Psalms

May 12th, 2016
This is Chapter Six of a New Study I developed for Faith Baptist Church on Wednesday Nights. I’d love to hear what you think.

So, I did an internet an internet search “Jesus Christ in the Psalms”. That took me to http://www.gotquestions.com and the list of 89 images of Christ in the Psalms OK are you ready?

Well we can’t do that in an hour or going to chapter but let’s hit some high points

In the 24th chapter of Luke Jesus appears to his disciples in his resurrection body. They were frightened and full of doubt v38 says why are you troubled and why do you have doubts rising in your mind? v39 says look at my hands and feet it is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.

Then he asked for took and ate fish with them to show that he was real. Then v44 everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms.

So in the Old Testament we get a picture of Christ but it never becomes real it’s just a spirit, ghost, a pneuma (breath). But we see the breath in the Old Testament and then we see the flesh and bone, the reality born, lived, died, rose again, and so now we are inhabited by the pneuma, God spirit.

In the psalms we see

1) Who he is

The book of Hebrews makes the connection between the Old Testament the law and the prophets and the psalms and Christ

Hebrews 1:5; Psalm 2:7;

Hebrews 1-8-9; Psalm 45:6-7

Hebrews 1:10-12; Psalm 102:25-27

Hebrews 1:13; Psalm 110:1

So God explains who is predicted and who fulfilled those predictions

Then we see

2) What He would Do

The Will of God – Psalm 40:7-8

Rule – Psalm 45:6-7; 110:1-2

Priest – Psalm 110:4

He would

3) Be Rejected

Psalm 118:22-23; 41:9;

John 13:18

What happened to David was a foreshadow of Christ

4) Suffering and Death

Psalm 22

5) Resurrection

Psalm 16:8-11; Acts 2:29-35 – Peter preached it

Paul understood it and applied David’s words about the Christ being fulfilled in Jesus – Acts 13:32-39

Adapted from

Jackson, Jason. “A Study of Messianic Psalms.” ChristianCourier.com. Access date: May 11, 2016. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1198-study-of-messianic-psalms-a

Tim Keller interviewed by http://www.religionNews.com about his “christo-centric” views of scripture says “Jesus himself said numerous times that various psalms were referring to him … If he read the Psalms in a “Christological” way, then so do we.”

So David on the throne is a Type of Christ

The Antitype or Fulfillment then is Christ on the throne in Jerusalem on that of the universe.

Go to Psalm 2 – The Messiah as King

V1 Why do the nations rage/conspire?

Because IF Jesus is Lord, Messiah, King … then WE are responsible to HIM …

Psalm 2:1–3 (NIV84)Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? ² The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ³ “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”

Revelation 19:19–21 (NIV84)Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. ²¹ The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Revelation 20:7–10 (NIV84)When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. ⁹ They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. ¹⁰ And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Do you see it? The Nations Rage

Psalm 2:4–7 (NIV84)The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. ⁵ Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, ⁶ “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” ⁷ I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

Acts 13:33 (NIV84)he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “ ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’

V9 you will rule over them with an iron scepter … you will dash them to pieces like pottery

THEREFORE … V10 –

Be Wise; be Warned

Serve the Lord (YHWH) with Fear

Rejoice (giyl) = shout in exultation with trembling
- I think we need more expressiveness in worship,, but must also tremble that it ever is about anything BUT Jesus … the moment it becomes about ME or anything BUT Jesus … it ceases to be God honoring scriptural worship
Kiss the Son
- If you don’t honor the son, you are not pleasing the Father
Blessed (esher) = happy … Those who Refuge (chacah – khawsaw)

While God laughs at his enemies’ plans, yet he calls them to repentance beginning here in v10

Happiness is NOT in our plans, our desires, our control

Happiness is in RUNNING to Jesus. Why? Because John 3:18 is true, we ARE condemned already. We need to run for refuge

Proverbs 18:10 (NIV84)The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

A “City of Refuge” is a picture of Christ. There were 6 cities, 3 on each side of the Jordan. If you were guilty of accidental death, you could run flee to one of these cities for protection. You had to then stay there till the High Priest died or was no longer in office

Hebrews 6:18–19 (NIV84)God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Psalm 18:1–10 (NIV84)I love you, O Lord, my strength. ² The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ³ I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. ⁴ The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. ⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. ⁶ In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. ⁷ The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. ⁸ Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. ⁹ He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. ¹⁰ He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.

Psalm 18:30–31 (NIV84)As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. ³¹ For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?

Psalm 22 – The Cross

Written “to the tune of ‘the Doe of the Morning’” Ok … Ready … 1,2,3,4, … Anyone, Anyone? Don’t you know that tune? Me either. But Jesus would have known these songs … This is a song book

V1 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Why … so far from saving me … from the words of my groaning?

Do you ever feel like God is too far to hear, too far to save, like you are all alone and forsaken?

But truly Jesus is full acquainted with our grief, a man of sorrows … Isaiah 53:3

There on the cross, the disciples ran away. The crowds who cheered him on Sunday, shouted “crucify him” on Friday. He hangs between heaven and earth and at noon, darkness fell – an eclipse – As moon blocks the sun, so it seems the death of the son blocks the very glory of God … and as he becomes sin for us (2 Cor 5:21) the Father can no longer bear to look at the sin he became and the sorrow he bore. Then Christ, after feeling the separation for three hours cries “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani

V2 You do not answer

Oh certainly prayers were being offered for Jesus, but there was no affirmative answer. Oh aren’t you glad that God doesn’t always answer our prayers with what is easy or expedient, so that his plans and purposes may be fulfilled.

Have you every prayed this way? It’s OK … Jesus did too

M.Henry suggests that Christ may have quoted the entire Psalm either here or in the garden or both.

Hebrews 5:7 (NIV84)During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

This wasn’t Jesus’ only cry to God … his 33 years were years of anguish, tears, and longing.

Psalm 22:3–5 (NIV84)Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. ⁴ In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. ⁵ They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

Confess your reason to trust even as trust seems impossible and deliverance elusive

V6 but I am a Worm … Ignored, trampled on, detested

V7 all who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:

V8 he trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him

Matthew 27:39 (NIV84)Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads

Matthew 27:43 (NIV84)He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

vv9-10 – but I have always followed you … so I won’t stop now

v11 – do not be far from me … for trouble is near … there is none to help

none = ayin = non-existence – help is nonexistent

vv12-13 – Bulls are ready to gore me; lions have their mouths open

v14 – I am poured out like water – how does water go out? Fast or slow?

This is my blood which is poured out for you

My bones are out of joint

My heart has turned to wax … melted away

As the body gives way … the will, the spirit, follows

V15 – my strength is as dry as a pottery lid

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth

John 19:28 (NIV84)Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Oh wow the picture of a crucifixion is so vivid.

V16 dogs … evil doers encircle me … they have pierced my hands and feet

The word “pierced” is to be punctured as by the teeth of a lion

Luke 23:33 (NIV84)When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

John 19:37 (NIV84)and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

(Zech 12:10) – (John 20:25)

V17 I can count all my bones – they stare and gloat

The effects of 39 lashes, ripping away his flesh, then his arms stretched until his shoulders are out of socket and the weight of gravity pulling him down, pushing up to breathe, then down again, taking its toll on the crucified one.

V18 they divide my garments and for my clothing cast lots

John 19:23–24 (NIV84)When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ²⁴ “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did.

(Matt. 27:35; Mk 15:24)

V19 But YOU O Lord … do not be far off

My help – eyaluwth = my strength

Come quickly

V20 – Deliver (draw out) my soul from the sword (judgment)

V21 – Save me

V22 – I will tell of your name to my brothers

Wait, what? … Death making him crazy? No … because this most terrible of agonies is the hand of a gracious, merciful God. This tragedy has a triumph. There is a story to tell … that

John 3:16 (NIV84)“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This is Love … not that we loved God but that God

1 John 4:10 (NIV84)This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

… I will praise you

V23 You who fear … praise him …

V24 he has not despised … the afflicted … he has NOT hidden his face … he has listened (heard) the cries

This IS the answer to the prayers … and he CARES

V25 my vows will I perform

Jesus came FOR this and he finishes what he starts

V26 the afflicted shall eat and be satisfied

John 6 he tells us we must eat his flesh and drink his blood

Jesus told his disciples this is my body which is broken for you, eat it all

v11 Those who seek him shall praise the Lord … May your hearts live forever …

It often seems so strange that we celebrate so great a tragedy, so great a loss … but in it we are forgive and restored

V27 all the ends of the earth … all the families of the nations … YES … even you, even me

V28 kingship belongs to the Lord

V29 bow all who go down to the dust … are you a dying one? Bow down

V30 it shall be told of the Lord to coming generations

V31 proclaim his righteousness, to a people yet unborn that he has done it

Oh yes … still telling, still calling

And then on the cross Jesus said “father into your hands I commend my spirit …

Why with such confidence does he lay down his life?

Psalm 49:15 (NIV84)But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah

John 10:18 (NIV84)No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Psalm 16 – The Resurrection Promise

V1 – keep me safe … in you I take refuge

He told the thief “today you will be with me in Paradise”

That was confidence both for himself AND for the Thief who placed his faith in him.

V5 Lord you assigned me my portion and my cup

What we have, good and bad, is in God’s hands and he gives it to us … Lord fill me up because you are GOOD always

Psalm 16:9–10 (NIV84)Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, ¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

Peter preached his passage at Pentecost:

Acts 2:29–35 (NIV84)“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹ Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. ³² God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. ³³ Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand ³⁵ until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’

David could prophesy this hope of the future because he understood that ONE was coming who would conquer death and the grave

David’s body IS in the grave, long since gone to dust … I have seen where they say his bones are … But he knows they will not stay there … because the Christ would have victory

1 Peter 1:11 (NIV84)trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

David sings “my body will rest secure” and so it does. His spirit delights in God’s presence and I’m sure he has written some amazing songs in this last few thousand years while his body rests. Oh can you imagine the songs that David, Martin Luther, John and Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, Rich Mullins, George Beverly Shea have written since they went to glory? Oh I wonder how many songs Andrae Crouch has written since passing in January, while the body rests. But David writes this with confidence in the firstfruits, The Christ.

V10 because you will not abandon me to the grave

– azab = leave behind, let go, abandon

To Sheol = wasteland, underworld

Or let your Holy One see decay / corruption

V11 you make known the path of life

Oh death isn’t the doorway to annihilation or nothingness

No, death is the path to LIFE for the believer …

V11 in your presence is fullness of joy

Oh listen, I don’t care what the door looks like.

Whether I die in my sleep an old man, am attacked by a cancer, killed by a terrorist’s blast or blade, or translated at the last trumpet, there is JOY on the other side of the door in his presence …

Fullness – soba’= fullness, abundance

Pleasures forever …

He is the firstfruit of our resurrection to come …

On Sunday before Passover, they would have selected the Passover Lamb. That’s the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem. At 3:00pm on Friday, they would have blown the horn and killed the Lamb … while Jesus said “It is Finished”. But do you know that on the Sunday after Passover, the Sunday Jesus Rose from the Grave, the Priests would have been at the Temple that morning waving the Firstfruits of the spring harvest before the Lord in the Temple? Remember the veil was torn on Friday? I have this image of them standing in the Temple with the veil stitched together that God had torn top to bottom. While they waved the firstfruits, Jesus rose from the grave AS the firstfruit of the Resurrection.

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow

Because he lives, All fear is gone

Because I know who holds the future

And life is worth the living, just Because he lives

Oh I wish I had time to take you through Psalm 23 as the One who says in John 10, I am the Good Shepherd” “No one can take them from his hand”. He gives me confidence that

I shall not be in want, I will lie in green pastures, drink from quiet waters as he restores my soul. And as he guides me in righteousness, even in the darkest valleys the good shepherd leads, evil doesn’t scare me. I look at the tablelands he has lovingly prepared. Oh that’s where he is right now, preparing a place for ME. And so no matter where he leads, goodness and love will follow me … Oh it might not always seem like they are in front of me but they follow me. And I will dwell in his house FOREVER … Pleasures forever

Oh I must stop … no time to see the Lover of our Soul pursuing us in the Song of Solomon but he is there … go read it … look for him. You will see the friends, the beloved (bride) and the Lover (the Groom)

You can see the picture of the Groom,

Song of Solomon 2:3 – He is like an apple tree among the trees of the forest … Can you see it … Pine Tree, Pine Tree, Pine Tree, Pine Tree …What is the fruit of the pine tree? Are you hungry? But wait … APPLE TREE … Oh yes, I will be filled … that is the Groom …

Song of Solomon 2:16 – He is mine and I am his

Look at how much he loves us … He is the Lover, We are the Beloved …

He loves you … Oh he loves you

We will stop there … Next week … The Major Prophets, particularly Isaiah …

——–

For further reading

Psalm 34:7 – The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him

Psalm 27:8

Psalm 118:22-23, 26

Psalm 69:9

Psalm 89:4
A Picture of Christ in the Old Testament – Chapter Four – In the History Books – Judges to the Kings – part 2

April 28th, 2016
This is a New Study I developed at Faith Baptist Church on Wednesday Nights. I’d love to hear what you think.

A Picture of Christ in the Old Testament

Session Four: In the History Books

Judges, The Kings

So we talked about Joshua, Rahab, and the Commander of the Army of God.

Then we talked about Gideon and God’s patience with him as he was trying to place his faith but struggling with confidence.

in the Judges period

Chapter 13 introduces us to Samson. A man named Manoah, from Dan, was husband to a woman without children.

13:3 The Angel of the Lord appeared to her and said ‘you are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son … see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink that you do not eat anything unclean … you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

V6 a man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome (yare’ inspiring fear)

And she tells him everything he said …

I LOVE this … then Manoah prayed

Lord I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy

V9 the angel of God came again to the woman … but her husband … was not with her

She ran and got her husband …

They asked God in v12 how to order their son’s life.

V13 the Angel of the Lord confirmed what he had told the woman. A Nazirite

V15 stay and eat with us …

V16 I will not eat any of your food, but if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to The Lord

(did not realize it was the Angel of the Lord)

V17 What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?

V18 why do you ask my name … it is WONDERFUL – piliy/paliy = secret, wonderful – Oh my goodness … it is the same word as to us a child is born a son is given and his name shall be called WONDERFUL Counselor, Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)

Matthew Henry says Angels often gave their names in scripture like Michael, Gabriel, but this Angel has a name “too Wonderful” … it was a SECRET … that would be Revealed in Jesus Christ

And The Lord did an Amazing thing – Yahweh Yehovah … did an amazing thing

Samson was to be a man with singular devotion to the Lord, and to God’s strength, so no wine, no vanity, no rich foods … his strength his focus was to be on God …

V20 and the Angel of the Lord went UP in the flame … and they fell on their faces on the ground …

They knew that he was the Angel of the Lord

What do we do with the Revelation of Jesus? In John 9 what did the Blind man do, proscyneo, fall on our faces and worship him, listen to his voice, be convinced of his direction, and follow …

God doesn’t reveal himself to kill us, as Manoah thought, but to include us in his plan.

Samson was born and grew and the Lord blessed … And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him …

Samson was called and empowered by God. it was affirmed by Jesus and he was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Over and Over it says “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him …”

Of course, Samson is most famous for being strong and for having long hair that was cut by Delilah. After Delilah cut his hair, we know that he lost his strength. But his strength was not in his hair. His strength was in the Spirit of the Lord; and the Spirit of the Lord was with him in his obedience to the commands of God.

He was commanded before birth, to never cut his hair, never eat anything unclean, never take fermented drink. And one of the saddest verses in scripture is Judges 16:20 … He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”

But praise the Lord he doesn’t leave us as we are, if our heart is toward him.

So even then in his captivity, bound in bronze shackles, his eyes gouged out, there is a beautiful simple verse, 16:22 but the hair on his had began to grow again after it had been shaved. The moment the hair started to grow he had a chance to obey God by not cutting it.

Oh we may go into the far country of rebellion, but we can come to ourselves in the pig pen. We can return. It wasn’t the hair that strengthened him, but it was obedience to the commands of God.

And so Samson prayed v28 O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes

What is RIGHT about his prayer?

It is focused on God. “Sovereign Lord” – God is on the throne and in charge, including of my life … God I know you are the boss not me.

“Remember Me” – Lord turn your face toward me. Lord don’t forget me in my justified judgment.

“Please” – there is no demand, but a petition, a request to a ruling God, if it please him. “Strengthen me” – my strength is in you not in me, not in my hair, not in my muscles, my strength is in you

Psalm 84:5 (NIV84)

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

So, the Final Judge then was Samuel. His mother Hannah was barren and married to Elkanah, who was married to two women but deeply loved Hannah. Hannah prayed to the Lord for a son and promised to give him to the Lord if the Lord would give to her. God answered her prayer and gave her a son. She weaned him and brought him to the priest Eli and left him there. She looked after him, probably visited him often, but gave him to the Lord. In response, the Lord gave her 3 more sons and 3 more daughters.

So 1 Samuel 3 … v1 says in those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions

Why? Because the people, the priests, were not obeying God so God wasn’t speaking to them.

The Lamp of God had not yet gone out – like Eli’s eyes were growing dim, so the ability to see God was growing dim … but that was about to change

Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle “where the ark was” … Like Joshua who stayed in the Tent of Meeting while he was servant to Moses, so Samuel stayed close to the Lord. Whether this means he was in the Holy of Holies or just in the Tabernacle which was where God’s Ark was … most likely the latter. He was close to the Lord

Then the Lord Called Samuel – no one comes to God unless God calls him. Yes I believe we have the ability to hear God and respond to him, but it is HIS Gracious choice to call us into relationship with him and to reveal his work as he invites us to join him.

He ran to Eli – thinking it was Eli who called “Here I am; you called me” v5 – “I did not call … lie down”

V6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel” – Oh don’t forget he knows your name. Remember when God spoke to Hagar she was shocked that God knew her … “He knows my name, he knows my ev’ry thought …” and he went to Eli again, “Here I am …” “I did not call you”

V7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord: the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him”

V8 the Lord called a third time … “Here I am; you called me” THEN Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.”

How do we respond to the voice of God? v9 “if he calls you, say, ‘Speak Lord, for your servant is listening’”

V10 … The Lord came and stood there, calling “Samuel, Samuel” – The Lord doesn’t call to us from an unreachable place. Yes the Father lives in unapproachable light, but Jesus is God WITH US and he can be experienced by us. His kindness doesn’t CALL us to Repentance, Romans 2:4 says it LEADS us to Repentance … The Lord is a Shepherd, not an owner … he is there … and so he CAME and STOOD – yatsab = to present oneself – Calling – qara’= to shout, to call, to name, appoint, summon, proclaim, announce

Unique thing here that doesn’t always happen is that Samuel’s call to KNOW God came WITH his Call to Ministry … and it is NOT a Good word that God gives the Boy … how old, not sure but young, he slept on the floor, he served in little outfits made by his mother.

V11 – Behold – See – Samuel had never seen, understood the Lord … but that was about to change … The word of the Lord is often like this … it is like the word in Revelation that is sweet to the mouth but sour to the stomach. It is a wonderful thing to hear the Lord’s word, but proclaiming it, receiving it, can be so hard. This judgment against Eli is spelled out in chapter two by an unnamed prophet.

V15 says that this guilt cannot be atoned for … I do not think that this means that an individual cannot be saved after sin. I believe it means that some actions could cause us to lose a place or a blessing. Just like the generation of Israel that came out of Egypt lost out on the Promised Land, it didn’t mean that they LOST God … he stayed with them, even in the wandering, wilderness, judgment, but they lost the promised earthly gift.

Then Eli calls v16 and asked v17 what God said … hearing the word of the Lord is easier than delivering it … take my word for it.

But Samuel told him and v18 “he is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes”

V19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground

Isaiah 55:11 (NIV84)

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

V20 Israel recognized that Samuel as a prophet of the Lord … and v21 he revealed himself to Samuel through his word

Samuel led the people through God’s word as the last Judge.

But the people wanted a King.

We often would rather be led by people than led by God. We can fight against people, but don’t want to fight with God.

We can complain to people, but not to God … people are easier rather than strive against God and his word.

Saul was the man chosen then by God. He was good, handsome, humble, but he took his eyes off God. Just as Israel was and did.

Saul, against the Amalakites looked at the treasures and he wanted them. He wanted to show himself strong. God wanted quiet obedience and to destroy those things, but Saul wanted a lavish elaborate display … even calling it worship … but God said To Obey is Better than Sacrifice. You can’t disobey and call it worship.

So David was anointed to be King.

David, as much as any in Scripture, is a type of Christ … Just in the Story of Goliath we see it.
1. He fought a battle with Goliath on Behalf of the whole Nation (1 Sam 17)
– Jesus fought our battle with Sin (Rom 5:19)
1. He was Israel’s Representative (1 Sam 17)
– Jesus is ours (Rom 5:18-19)
1. Sent By His Father (1 Sam 17)
– So Christ (1 Jn 4:14)
1. Rejected by his Brothers (1 Sam 17)
– So was Christ (John 7:5)
1. His Victory was Israel’s Victory (1 Sam 17)
– Christ’s Victory is Our Victory (Rom 5:19)
1. David Then was in Exile before he became King (1 Sam 22:1-2)
– Christ has ascended to the Father but will Reign in person after the Tribulation (Col 2:15; Rev 11:15)
1. Gathered the Troubled (distress, discontented, indebted, disoriented) (1 Sam 22:1-2)
– Jesus says come to me all who are weary and heavy laden – they were harassed and helpless (Mt 11:28 – Mt 9:36)
1. He Rewarded those who worked in building his Kingdom (1 Chron 11&12)
– There will be crowns for us at the Marriage of the Lamb (Rev 22:12)

Oh Our enemy is Too Big for us to fight alone

He is Loud and Powerful

He has Large forces behind him … Goliath even had four brothers at home (2 Sam 21:16-22; 1 Chronicles 20:5-8)

Comes a Simple Shepherd to Defeat Him

With a Small Stone he defeats him and cuts off his head … Jesus will crush the head of the serpent …

So, a great man, a King Forever … promised seed will come through him.

But I want us to see The Angel of the Lord in a terrible episode in his life.

2 Samuel 23 talks about David’s Mighty Men, his Thirty Special Fighting Men.

But in 2 Samuel 24 David orders a census of his Army. It results in the judgment of God. What’s the big deal? Is this a sin? Obviously it is a sin … let’s read it

2 Samuel 24:1-4

1 Chronicles 21

So … why was this a big deal? Matthew Henry lists many possible reasons
- He didn’t count those under 20 (1 Chr 27:23-24 so it wasn’t legal)
- He did not require them to pay the temple tax Exo 30:12 as a ransom for their souls
- Or perhaps he DID but kept the money for himself instead of giving to God
- God had not ordered it
- This was counting God’s people who were to be innumerable
- But the WORST was Pride
He was not numbering his sheep so he could care for them. He was numbering them to brag about what he had. God used satan to cause David to do this, which says that the issue in his heart was already there.

The glory of Israel was not in her numbers, not even recounting how they had been blessed, but their glory was in the Lord Alone

So, David sought to offend God by drawing attention to their number. We don’t have to prove the blessing of God, but LIVE IN it.

Joab even purposely left out Benjamin and Levi because it was offensive to him.

V7 this was evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel

M.Henry “If God’s dearest children do amiss, they must expect to smart for it.”

– David was a man after God’s own heart, so it is not that he didn’t sin, but his heart was soft and he responded to correction

V8 David said to God “I have sinned greatly … done a foolish thing”

God then proclaims 3 options for discipline
- 3 years of famine
- 3 months swept away by the sword of enemies
- 3 days of the Sword of the Lord – a plaque – the angel of the Lord ravaging every part of Israel
Decide …

What do you think? What would be The Results of Each?

Discuss

V13 – I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord. For his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men

We are safer in the hands of an angry God than ungodly men

V14 – The Lord sent a plaque – 70,000 died

Angel sent to destroy Jerusalem

V15 The Lord was grieved … Don’t ever think for a minute that God delights in Judgment or discipline. No! He Delights in Showing Mercy and Compassion

Micah 7:18–19 (NIV84)

¹⁸ Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. ¹⁹ You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

And God says Enough! Withdraw your hand

The Angel of the Lord was standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite

Oh my, the Sword of God drawn by Jesus … If he is WITH you it is a beautiful thing … if he is against you, what a dreadful thing it is.

Remember Joshua asked Jesus, while overlooking Jericho, when he saw this man with sword drawn “are you for us or against us” and the reply “neither … I am Commander of the Army of God”

Remember Abraham Lincoln said he wasn’t near as concerned whether God was with them but whether they were with God.

Revelation 19:11–21 (NIV84)

¹¹ I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³ He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ¹⁴ The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵ Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. ¹⁷ And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, ¹⁸ so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” ¹⁹ Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. ²¹ The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

How dreadful for those on Earth, but how glorious for those of us riding with him. His robe dipped in blood will have washed our sins away, but his robe will be dipped in the blood of those who stood against him.

Then David, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.

Repentance and sorrow is where healing begins.

V17 “was it not I … I am the one who sinned … they are but sheep … let your hand fall on me, but not remain on your people”

David understood that he deserved it, but also that he could TRUST GOD

Job said “even if he slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:15)

V18 The Angel of the Lord said “go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah

This is on Mt Moriah … what happened there? Abraham tied down Isaac, offering him to God. There a Ram was in the thicket and there the blood of the substituting ram was received in place of Isaac.

So here,

V20 Araunah and his 4 sons saw The Angel of the Lord and HID

V22 Let me have your site, threshing floor, to build an altar … sell it to me for full price

Remember God appeared to Gideon on the threshing floor too. What is it about the Threshing Floor? The Threshing floor was a place of “winnowing”, the place where true and false are separated, where fruitful and fruitless are separated, so it is where we meet God and Truth reveals itself.

V23 – Take it Lord King …” Think he was scared?

God’s glory on display, sword drawn … “O King, if you can make it stop … do it … I will give you the oxen, wood, wheat … make it stop.”

But David replies … NO

V24 – “No … full price … I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that which costs me nothing”

V25 – Built an altar, sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Oh Listen our sin has to be addressed but so does our fellowship with God which is broken. And then he CALLED on the Lord. And the Lord answered him with Fire from Heaven on the altar.

V27 – The Angel put his sword back into its sheath

Then David makes a decision …

22:1 – The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel

So, Abraham’s altar, David’s altar, and then the Altar of Solomon’s Temple were on this place. Perhaps too this was the same place on which Christ was crucified, as the Temple of Solomon was torn down and then a temple was built later on a different site. But it was the same mountain range

And so Christ, because God’s Sword was against us, did not come to Condemn us (John 3:17) but to save us because (Jn3:18) we were condemned already. So, Jesus emptied himself of glory, like the King took off his Regal Robes, and took up the nature of a servant as David donned Sackcloth.

Though he had not sinned … He who knew no sin (2 Cor 5:21) became sin for us. So like David, he said “Let your hand fall on me” and like Paul told Philemon “If Onesimus owes you anything, charge it to me.” So Christ took up our iniquities, that God’s wrath might not remain on us.

And so on that hill, they didn’t know it, but at the sight of Abraham’s Altar, and David’s Altar and the Altar of Solomon’s temple, they erected an altar where Jesus would not offer anything that cost him nothing. And God did not offer something that cost him nothing, but he gave his one and only son, Jesus, that whoever believes in him will have everlasting life. Jesus was beaten, bruised, stripped bare, nailed to a cross and raised up. And again the blood flowed on Mt Moriah and where the blood flows, forgiveness flows. And again God was pleased for a propitiation, an atoning sacrifice to be offered. Then the Lord Jesus said “It is Finished”, it is “enough” and God put away his wrath and he answered with an earthquake and the veil was torn and the separation between God and man was removed, so that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Oh the blood of Jesus

Oh the blood of Jesus

Oh the blood of Jesus

It washes white as snow

Tag: a picture of Christ in the Old Testament

A Picture of Christ in the Old Testament – Chapter Eight – The Minor Prophets

A Picture of Christ in the Old Testament – Chapter six – In the Poetry – Psalms

A Picture of Christ in the Old Testament – Chapter Four – In the History Books – Judges to the Kings – part 2