Today’s Reading: Joel 3:1–21, Acts 7:54–8:25, Job 19:1–12

Today’s Theme: Jesus Glorified

Today’s theme is about Jesus glorified seen in the prophecy of the end and in Stephens vision.

Joel 3:1–21

Dividing the Land

I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, (Joel 3:2, ESV)

The reason God judges the nations are for scattering His people and dividing the land of Israel. This is exactly what we are dealing with politically today.

Nations take note

Behold, I will stir them up from the place to which you have sold them, and I will return your payment on your own head. (Joel 3:7, ESV)

God actively causes Tyre, Sidon and Philistia to reap what they have sown.

Reaping what we sow is not an automatic process, God is actively involved

The valley of decision

Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14, ESV)

This is talking about the great battle of Armageddon which is to come.

Finding context

“So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it. (Joel 3:17, ESV)

This gives us context that this part of the prophecy is connected to Jesus 2nd coming.

Acts 7:54–8:25

Jesus Glorified

And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56, ESV)

The Holy Spirit opened Stephens’s eyes to see Jesus glorified at the right hand of God, this had two purpose, firstly it would encourage his faith in this very difficult situation and it would serve as a witness to his accusers

Jesus Displayed

And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60, ESV)

To say this Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit till the very end, he was also fulfilling Jesus new command to Love our enemies and His example on the cross

The Gospel Spreads

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1, ESV)

This shows the position of influence Saul had and his murderous nature before he meet Jesus.

The persecution was used in God’s plan to spread the Gospel further abroad.

Make an impact

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. (Acts 8:5, ESV)

Philip made a huge impact in Samaria, he proclaimed Christ and confirmed what he had proclaimed by delivering those with demons and healing the sick.

Respond

But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12, ESV)

The Gospel is not like magic, we are not trying to amaze people. We preach to illicit a response, a very conscious and thoughtful response to that which is preached resulting in belief and the corresponding actions like baptism

Laying of hands

Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17, ESV)

This laying on of hands was the practice of the Apostles but is not the only way the Holy Spirit is given for service, the laying on of hands seems to have been used to draw out the wicked intention of Simon (notice the context, the text has focused on this character for a while)

The gift is God’s

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! (Acts 8:20, ESV)

Ministry can be a dangerous thing for someone whose heart is not right, Simon just wanted to be seen as great and to exercise power whereas Gods ministers serve the flock in love.

Also this speaks against the practice in the prosperity movement today where a “Man of God” is paid for various things like giving a word of prophecy to someone.

Forgiveness is not automatic

Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. (Acts 8:22, ESV)

Notice the nature of forgiveness, it is not automatic, God is personally involved in forgiving His people, they do not deserve it and can not demand it, but must ask for it that God might show mercy and grace in granting repentance

Job 19:1–12

Keep your eyes on God

know then that God has put me in the wrong and closed his net about me. (Job 19:6, ESV)

Job continues to recognise that God has done this. The NT also encourages us not to compare ourselves to others but to keep our eyes on God.

Today’s Reading: Joel 1:1–2:32, Acts 7:1–53, Job 18:1–21

Today’s Theme: God Restores

In today we look God as our great restorer and rescuer, seen most clearly through Jesus, the better Joseph and Moses

Joel 1:1–2:32

Fruitfulness brings joy

The vine dries up; the fig tree languishes. Pomegranate, palm, and apple, all the trees of the field are dried up, and gladness dries up from the children of man. (Joel 1:12, ESV)

Fruitfulness brings joy in both the physical and spiritual, if joy is lacking we need to ensure we are growing fruitfully in the Lord

No word leads to no joy

Is not the food cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God? (Joel 1:16, ESV)

Again no word from God means no Joy.

No word leads to suffering

How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep suffer. (Joel 1:18, ESV)

Without the word which brings Joy Gods flock will suffer

Sound the Alarm

Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, (Joel 2:1, ESV)

Part of the Gospel is to warn of the wrath to come

God’s army

The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it? (Joel 2:11, ESV)

This terrible force is Gods army because they are under His control

Tear your heart

and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:13, ESV)

God desires that these warnings draw his people in genuine heartfelt repentance which is more than just an external show

This is a cry to wayward saints (sinners were never with the Lord).

God’s character is clearly outlined here. God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger abounding in steadfast love and wants to turn back concerning disaster for his people (In the same way a parent would prefer to not have to smack a child in love if the child repents).

Our repentance will cause God to turn back from judgement too.

Jealous Love

Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. (Joel 2:18, ESV)

God showed his jealous love and zeal for the land while also having pity on His people in response to the prayer of His people

God restores

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. (Joel 2:25, ESV)

I am so grateful that God is a God who restores what he had taken away in judgement.

It is also comforting to know that the Lord can restore years that were eaten away in sin or rebellion

Satisfied in God

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. (Joel 2:26, ESV)

God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him.

The Promised Holy Spirit

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. (Joel 2:28–29, ESV)

Peter said this was fulfilled in Acts on the day of Pentecost, we give God thanks that we live in these days.

Everyone who calls

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:32, ESV)

Salvation is available and offered to all who will call upon the name of the Lord.

Acts 7:1–53

Know history

and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ (Acts 7:3, ESV)

History give foundation and definition to our faith, this is why it is so important that we know our history as Gods people

God our Rescuer

“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. (Acts 7:9–10, ESV)

Joseph was like an OT type of Jesus

God remained sovereign in the midst of Joseph’s trouble, which gives us hope in the middle of ours

Joseph, a type of Jesus

And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. (Acts 7:13, ESV)

Again a nod to Jesus, because at his second coming he will make himself known to His brothers the Jews.

Moses, a type of Jesus

He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. (Acts 7:25, ESV)

Another type of Jesus, the first time he came to Israel they did not understand either

Jesus, the Judge

But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? (Acts 7:27, ESV)

This was the attitude of the many in Israel to Jesus too. Also this gets to the heart of the problem why many from all nations who do no follow Jesus and obey God, it is because at heart they do not want anyone to judge or rule them.

We need to make sure this wicked attitude is not in our hearts, homes or churches

It all points to Jesus

“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. (Acts 7:35, ESV)

Here Stephen is driving the point of his historical retelling clearer, he is trying to show his accusers that the entire History of the Jewish people was pointing to Christ and how he would come in two parts being rejected and suffering 1st and then coming a 2nd time to rule

Turn your heart to God

Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, (Acts 7:39, ESV)

May we receive an obey Jesus from the heart and not turn back to the world in our hearts, we must guard against this.

Replacement gods

And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. (Acts 7:41, ESV)

The calf for Israel today is a Christ-less Judaism, we must continue to reach them with the gospel. We must ensure we do not have replacement gods in our lives.

Look past this world

Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, (Acts 7:48, ESV)

Stephen wants them to get their eyes past the temple and the external observances of tradition and religion

Have circumcised hearts

This is the summation of Stephens’s lesson and appeal.

Lord may we be circumcised in our hearts and help us to not resist your Holy Spirit

Job 18:1–21

The wicked trap

For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on its mesh. (Job 18:8, ESV)

This is true of the wicked, they are decivers and being decived like the Proverbs and NT teacha nd will be caught in their own traps

Today’s Reading: Hos 13:1–14:9, Acts 6:1–15, Job 17:1–16

Today’s Theme: Hope in God

Today’s theme looks at the hope we can have in God.

Hosea 13:1–14:9

God the only Saviour

But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior. (Hosea 13:4, ESV)

God makes these exclusive statements that only He can make. He reminds the people and us about who he is, the only God and Saviour

The good times test

but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me. (Hosea 13:6, ESV)

This is the test, do we forget God when we prosper and all goes well, sadly this is often the case. We need to test our hearts, if God is our number one desire then we will not forget Him in good times.

Seize the opportunity

The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son, for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb. (Hosea 13:13, ESV)

Lord help us to be wise and seize opportunity in the life time of the opportunity

Death will be defeated

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. (Hosea 13:14, ESV)

This is a prophetic passage, in the end Jesus will defeat even death, there will be no more death.

Hope for Apostates

I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. (Hosea 14:4, ESV)

This verse shows the loving heart of God, and the amazing truth that there is even hope for the apostate to be healed and restored.

The ways of the Lord

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9, ESV)

Gods right ways are the litmus test of authentic faith, do we walk in the Lords ways, well if we do that is evidence of true conversion, if His ways are a stumbling block to us we are not yet converted.

Acts 6:1–15

Social action

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (Acts 6:2, ESV)

This daily distribution must have something to do with the pooling of resources that was happening so that everyone had food etc

Social action and service should not be pitted against the preaching of the Word, both are important but the Pastor should be able to focus on the highly important task of studying the word to preach and teach it to the church.

Some in the west play down this role and give very little time in their service to the exposition of the word, I thank God we are in a church where the expository preaching of the bible is central.

Ministry in the word

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4, ESV)

Another good example for today’s churches, elders should devote themselves to the word of God and prayer. These spiritual disciplines are crucial in the lives of the churches leaders for the growth of the entire body.

Also note the context here, a deacons focus should be the social care of the church.

The power of the gospel

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7, ESV)

Another reminder of the power of the Gospel, many of the jewish priest form the tribe of Levi were converted

Unbeatable wisdom

But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (Acts 6:10, ESV)

This is the sort of wisdom the Holy Spirit gives to us as Gods people, we will speak with the sort of wisdom that can not be refuted.

Also note the word “Spirit” they were not able to resist the power of the Holy Spirit in Stephen, We need to the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses.

This is why when we speak the truth in the Holy Spirit, we are not met with reason or logic but ignorance and violence

Job 17:1–16

Hope in God

where then is my hope? Who will see my hope? (Job 17:15, ESV)

Job has been explaining for this whole chapter that he has no hope, thank God for Jesus we do have hope , if we put our hope in God.

Today’s Reading: Hos 11:1–12:14, Acts 5:1–42, Job 16:10–22

Today’s Theme: The attributes of God

Today we read about just some of the wonderful attributes of God which should will us with awe and faith. In the NT we see Gods order, structure and life in the early church.

Hosea 11:1–12:14

Called out

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1 (ESV)

This like much of the OT has dual meanings on one hand it speaks of Israel but the NT uses it to speak of Christ too.

God has called us out of Egypt in a sense too if we consider Egypt as representing the world system.

The motivation in all three cases (Israel, Jesus, us) is God’s love for us.

God, our loving Father

I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. Hosea 11:4 (ESV)

God is a loving Father to His people Israel, be encouraged by this today that he loves you as a father too, his leading in our lives is motivated by his love.

God is compassionate

How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. Hosea 11:8 (ESV)

God has great affection and compassion for His people, I just thank God that he is not like man.

We should be like God as Jesus showed us in his life and ministry, we should show compassion (compassion noun. – a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering.).

God, the true Lion

They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; Hosea 11:10 (ESV)

God is the true Lion, He roars and His people come to him, this is such a picture of authority and power, God is not some lonely man on a hill just wishing people would follow him, he is a mighty, sovereign God in operation drawing and saving His people with all authority.

Don’t feed on wind

Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. Hosea 12:1 (ESV)

A picture of the futility of our pursuits without and against God, it is like feeding on wind, it will bring no satisfaction.

Also the winds of false doctrine are empty and can not satisfy.

God the Wise One

I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables. Hosea 12:10 (ESV)

God declaring His glory as the revealer of visions and parables. Our God knows everything and is wise there are two of His eternal attributes

God’s guards for his people

By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded. Hosea 12:13 (ESV)

The Prophet Moses was used as a guard for the people of Israel, this is true today too, our Pastors are guards and shepherds over the flock. Paul admonishes the Elders/Pastors and leaders to watch over the doctrine, to guard and defend it. Doctrine matters.

Thank God for the guards he has given us.

Acts 5:1–42

Don’t be dishonest

and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:2 (ESV)

It was not that they were obligated to give it all, the problem here is that they were acting as if they gave the full price of the land when they did not as Peter mentions later.

The lesson is simple, we should not be dishonest.

You can’t lie to God

While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” Acts 5:4 (ESV)

This is the most foolish position any man can take, God is all knowing and wise, how can man lie to Him and hope to get away with it… well it happens all the time and shows the depravity and unsound thinking of our fallen nature. We need to be regenerated. We need the Holy Spirit.

Discipline from God

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. Acts 5:5 (ESV)

God still uses this sort of discipline today, this one was recorded for our instruction but God will judge and chastise severely and openly to cut out rot and deception in the Church.

Jesus died to save the church and will move to preserve her when necessary, but as noted earlier in todays reading this is done mostly through Pastoral leadership, good elders, exposition of the Bible and biblical church discipline which all give the church biblical discernment.

My own thought (it is possible that the Lord so drastically cut of these deceivers because the church was in such early days and this culture of falsity needed to be dealt with, also that maybe the elders were not yet trained and matured to deal with this sort of manipulation etc)

The Fear of God

And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. Acts 5:11 (ESV)

God’s purpose in this judgement was that the fear of God would be established in and through the church

Church Leadership

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. Acts 5:12 (ESV)

Again notice these are by the hand of the apostles and not just any believer

Church Membership

None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Acts 5:13 (ESV)

In those days joining the church was no casual thing. This is still the case in areas of the world where the church is persecuted. Lets pray that the serious nature of church membership would be revived.

Delivered by Angels

“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” Acts 5:20 (ESV)

The command of the Angels shows the purpose in their mission to free the Apostles was not for them to escape into hiding on this occasion but to Go, Stand and Speak the gospel.

Thank God that he sends Angels in answer to our prayers to deliver his people.

Teaching the people

And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Acts 5:25 (ESV)

Like Jesus, this was often the mission of the Apostles. Man has been so deceived that teaching in the truth is one of his greatest needs.

Our creed

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:30–32 (ESV)

Peters 3rd sermon as it were and in it we find some good definition and summary of the beliefs of the early church.

The enduring Church

but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, Acts 5:39 (ESV)

…and time has proven that this is of God because we are still here today.

Elected to suffer

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Acts 5:41 (ESV)

Do we rejoice in being elected to suffer for His name, if not we need to check our hearts.

Job 16:10–22

The trinity

that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor. Job 16:21 (ESV)

Here is a nod to the OT understanding / revelation of the trinity (God bringing a case before God)