Archives for 2014

The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, namely of Tola, mighty warriors of their generations, their number in the days of David being 22,600. 1 Chronicles 7:2 (ESV)

These genealogies are not just lists of names, these were recorded when the children of Israel returned from exile and serve as a call to a unified kingdom.

The tribes mentioned here are from the north of Israel, however the chronicler was from the Southern kingdom which is another indication that unity and oneness is being appealed to.

Another important note for this section is the numerous mentions of the amount of “mighty warriors” each tribe had.

As God’s people, from various cultures, times, locations and denomination we too are called to be one and to serve as mighty warriors in the army of our king Jesus Christ. See John 17:20-23 and 2 Timothy 2:3-4

His daughter was Sheerah, who built both Lower and Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah. 1 Chronicles 7:24 (ESV)

There is a biblical sort of inclusiveness in this passage, this is seen in the additional details and side notes. For example in verse 14 an Aramean (another nation) is mentioned and here the exploits of a woman (some cultures treat women as 2nd class) named Sheerah is noted.

This points to God’s heart for the purpose of Israel from the beginning, not that they would be an exclusive closed group but that they would be the light of the world and a blessing to all nations.

The calling on God’s covenant people Israel is also on God’s “new covenant” people the church (Jews and Gentiles). We are called to be a light in the world and a blessing to all people.

Jesus did not just die for one type of people but for all types from every nation, tribe and tongue and he died for both men and woman. We are called to finish the mission by proclaiming the good news to all people. See all nations around the throne in Revelation 5:9–10 and 7:9–10

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 1 Timothy 5:1–2 (ESV)

Paul’s instructions to the young Pastor Timothy is connected to the biblical inclusiveness we observed in our OT reading.

The church is a family and we should treat each other with the love and respect that family deserves. We should respect and honour older men and women as if they were our own mum or dad and we should encourage, work with and walk alongside the younger men and women as if were actually our brothers and sisters.

Jesus said in Mark 3:31–35 that his true family was not limited to his physical mum and siblings but spiritually to all believers who obey him.

Paul gives a note of warning, knowing the tricks of the enemy to take these loving family like relationships in the church and turning them into a cause of temptation and stumbling. In Timothy’s case this was in regards to the young women.

We should love and treat each other like family, with pure motives and intentions.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV)

The fact that the church is a spiritual family does not take away from the fact that we have actual families with real spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings and children.

We have a biblical calling to provide for our own families. Our families should not suffer so we can “minister in the church” as we read earlier in this letter, things should be in order at home before we turn to work in the church.

The church should be a reflection of the healthy and loving “real life” family relationships in Christ. The Gnostics who taught that the spiritual was all that mattered would have favoured the spiritual family at the neglect of the real family.

God wants us (particularly men) to provide for our families through loving hard work. Our faith is so rooted in real life and God’s wonderful physical creation that Paul boldly declares that a man who does not provide for his family is worst than an unbeliever. Our self centred western culture needs to hear / see this today.

But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. Psalm 78:36–37 (ESV)

We must keep guard over our hearts that we are not just paying God lip service. We had a wonderful service yesterday morning where Pastor Dennis preached from this psalm and led us in true repentance before God.

This is what God wants from us, hearts that are faithful to him and his covenant, if we do not make our hearts steadfast towards the Lord then our repentance will become mere lip service.

Thank God for his Holy Spirit who helps to make our hearts strong for God and thank him for the covenant of his word which we can focus on as we walk in true repentance.

He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels. Psalm 78:49 (ESV)

It is good to remember that God has given some of his Angels special ministries. As we pray we can ask God to even send a company of destroying angels to defeat the enemy

These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. 1 Chronicles 6:31–32 (ESV)

Ministry in song through Praise and worship was a large part of life in Israel for God’s covenant people and even the biblical accounts of Heaven we see the large role singing and praise plays.

Singing praises and worship should be a large part of our lives too. We should give thanks for those who like these priests lead us in praise and worship when we come together. See Colossians 3:16

and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, 1 Chronicles 6:39 (ESV)

Asaph was the great writer of many Psalms like David

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

Although much of this passage is really aimed at those in leadership, there is a theme tat we can all benefit from.

We should exercise our spirits by practising goodliness, we should have our hope in God our saviour and so we should work hard. Above all ensure we are not distracted by silly myths, instead we should keep a close eye on the teaching we receive, ensuring it is sound and that we apply it to our lives.

Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. Psalm 78:25 (ESV)

The people always called this Manna (what is it), but God had told them it was bread and reminds us here that it was the bread of the angels.

Jesus said of himself in John 6:58 “This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him. 1 Chronicles 5:20 (ESV)

These men were mighty and valiant men, this was not only true physically but spiritually as well. They put their faith and trust in God and cried out to God in the middle of the battle, God heard and graciously granted their request. We must learn from this to be valiant in our spirits and minds.

We must put our trust and faith in God. We must open our mouths in the middle of the battle and cry out to God. see John 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Ephesians 6:10–18

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)

We must still be aware of this today, ever since Jesus came the last days have been in motion and we have seen the teachings of demons in blatant areas in institutions like the Roman Catholic church with its “Veneration” of Mary or the Watchtower Society who say Jesus is just an Angel to modern day distortions and inversions of the truth in things like the New Age and the Word of Faith Movement.

These false teaching often rely on legalistic frameworks to keep its adherents in bondage which is why they in some cases insist on celibacy and in others an over emphasis on spiritual exercises like fasting or even being away from normal life and people (monks etc).

We should avoid these sort error and extremism.

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 1 Timothy 4:4 (ESV)

God’s created order with things like marriage and food should bring us great pleasure and bring God great glory as we enjoy these things in thanksgiving and honour to him.

Our faith is not just spiritual it has a very real part to play and affect on the physical world which does not belong to the devil and was created by God. We should avoid all suable forms of Gnosticism which says the spiritual is good and the physical is evil, the bible does not teach that, the physical and spiritual all belong to and were created by God.

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. Psalm 78:4 (ESV)

We must preserve and spread our faith by teaching it to our Children so that they too will know God in their generation.