SPIRITUAL CONSTRUCTION
By Jack Davis
I Cor. 12:31 “…covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
I Cor. 14:12,26 “…forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church…Let all things be done unto edifying.”
Eph. 2:19-22 “…ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
The Scripture is filled with instruction concerning a constructive attitude in God’s building, and in Christ’s body. We who are members of Christ’s body, and part of God’s building, should be laborers together with God, as He gives the increase. Each one shall be rewarded according to his individual responsibility. Therefore we are to take heed how we are building and the material we are using in our lives.
The Holy Spirit would give us precious instruction in this area, as we consider the charge that King David gave his son Solomon and the Princes of Israel concerning the building of the house for the Name of the Lord. David said, “The house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory…Now SET your heart and soul to SEEK the Lord your God; ARISE therefore and BUILD ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to BRING the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the Name of the Lord” – I Chron. 22:5,19. Let us draw spiritual benefit as we think on these five words from verse 19: Set, Seek, Arise, Build, and Bring. May these give us some insight so that we may aspire, enquire, inspire, and see transpire to acquire the best of our Father’s good pleasure.
“Set your heart:” I have found some synonyms to the Hebrew word translated “set” to be “to fix, plant, appoint, constitute, commit, fasten, give over.” In a constructive attitude the Lord would have us aspire to setting our affections on things which are higher. To me, this would be wholehearted determination and holy zeal. “Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord you shall receive a reward of the inheritance” – Col. 3:23-24. “Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave” – Ecc. 9:10. We have only one life; it will soon be past, so let us redeem the time. While it is day, let us make the opportunities (to be constructive) count. O Lord, teach us to number our days! “Blessed are they that seek Thee with a whole heart…give me understanding…Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart” Ps. 19:2,34.
“Seek the Lord:” From the Hebrew word translated “seek” we also find these synonyms; “implore, regard, follow.” It seems to carry the thought “to apply oneself, to tread or frequent a place.” It is also very important that we always enquire before God’s throne, and at the feet of Jesus for wisdom and enablement. Taking these from Him could save us a lot of wasted energy and effort. To be constructive we must completely trust His guidance and grace. Ask the Lord and look into His Word for it is full of constructive guide lines, especially in Paul’s Epistles.
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” – I Cor. 10:23-24. When we seek the Lord, we are made to realize that the things that are non-constructive and unprofitable are not just out in the world, and only among unbelievers. But the religious form of this age is spiritually very destructive. “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another” – Rom. 14:19. Let us paraphrase; Let our aim be to keep on pursuing that which belongs to our mutual up-building.
“Arise therefore:” This word from the Hebrew seems to carry such thoughts as, to flourish, to excite, to apply to action. This word also speaks to me of one of the important aspects of overcoming. In order to be truly constructive, there must be spiritual cooperation, that is, rising above petty feelings. Love is not easily provoked, (not touchy, not quick to take offence, not irritable.) We are taught to walk in love. We who can foresee the Lord’s coming are urged to inspire one another unto love and good works. In view of our Lord’s return we are told to comfort ourselves together, and edify one another – I Thess. 5:11. O yes, there will be hindrances, difficulties, problems, objections and fierce opposition. Satan, who came to steal, kill, and destroy, seems to be very handy at making it easy for the flesh to be destructive. God has provided everything to make us, (that is, our lives), totally constructive. He place gifts in the Church, and the offices for building up the body of Christ, and not just for the uplifting of the gifts, and the gifted. Eph. 4:11-12.
“Build ye:” Our Father is willing to use every member, every part in its place to cause His great building plan to transpire. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which it the Head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectually working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love: – Eph. 4:15-16. This word translated “build” is very interesting, it is used to express making repairs, and to set up, but also to “cause to prosper, to advance or enlarge in knowledge, wealth, and honor.” This same word is also used of teachers, and applied to having offspring. Those who know and appreciate Paul’s epistles will enjoy such significance.
“Bring:” Them which sleep in Jesus will God (one day soon) bring with Him, When He gathers together in one all things in Christ. O, How He must anticipate with joy, the claiming and gathering home His precious purchased possessions. The SETTING, SEEKING, ARISING, and BUILDING was for the purpose of BRINGING in the Ark and the Holy vessels. The Ark teaches us of the presence and provisions of God among His people. We, His trusting people, are the “vessels” in whom His glorious provisions are placed; His treasures are invested, and His Presence is to be realized. Them which sleep in Christ, and those who are alive and remain will God one day soon bring with Him.
Praise God, one day soon it will be universally announced; “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God” – Rev. 21:2.
J. D.
Friday, June 6, 2014
THE LAST DAYS
Anita Clark
“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God.” speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Isa. 40:1-2)
When has Israel “received double for all her sins?” When God finally allowed Israel to be taken captive by Assyria and then Judah taken captive to Babylon, and the temple destroyed, and many killed; was this the punishment spoken of here as having “received double for her sins.” Ezra says, “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this” (Ezra 9:13).
After their return to Jerusalem from Babylon, they rebuilt the wall and the temple and instituted temple worship and the service, but were in bondage to foreign rulership. Finally, years later, after their rejection of Jesus Christ, judgment came upon them again as Jesus foretold in Matthew 24:1-3. Rome came against them and besieged the city of Jerusalem, starving to death many inhabitants, crucifying and looting. They looted the Temple and burned it with fire. It was reported that melted gold flowed in the streets, when the fire grew so hot inside the temple. Those who escaped death were scattered all over the known world, seeking refuge. Jeremiah 16:17-18, “For mine eyes are upon all their [speaking of Israel] ways; they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.”
When did the double portion of retribution against them begin? It seems in 70 A. D. WHY? Because they rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah. According to some estimates around 14 million Jews were killed since then. The greatest numbers at one time took place in the Second World War by the Nazi’s who exterminated and killed over 6 million Jews.
The very sad thing to my heart is that there will be another time of purging for the Jews during the seven years of tribulation. We are standing on the brink of the most horrible time ever to be experienced on this earth. Read Revelation. Before the Seven Years of tribulation, Israel will seek refuge in a man who will guarantee them peace and safety, which they so much crave. He no doubt will allow them to build a temple which they long for. At the present time the Temple Mount Faithful, has prepared all the furniture and garments of the priests, and the breastplate and mitre for the High Priest, and many other items to use in the new temple. They already have the blueprint for the construction. Being allowed to build a Temple may be the one thing that will get Israel to concede to the Palestinians.
Continue to watch the events of the Middle-East. Things could move very quickly, when they get started. The Scripture teaches that there will be a remnant of Israel who believe in Jesus kept through the seven years. At the end of that terrible time those Jews who are left will look up, and see Jesus Christ coming in the clouds and will accept Him as their Lord and Messiah. They will then enter into the Kingdom Reign of Christ upon the earth. The hope of all overcoming Christians today is to be ready to be taken to heaven without dying (I Thess. 4:13-18), before the tribulation begins.
PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS AROUND THE GLOBE. - Persecution of Christians is increasing in the world today. Statistics show that more Christians have been killed for their faith since 1900, than during the previous years going back to the time of the early church. Reuters reports that a group called Open doors supporting persecuted Christians worldwide, says it has documented 2,123 “martyr” killings in 2013, compared with 1,201 in 2012. There were 1,213 such deaths in Syria alone this year. It is estimated that one Christian dies every 5 minutes.
Open Doors places at the top of the list North Korea of 50 most dangerous countries for Christians, then Somalia, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. “In Syria, another war is thriving in the shadow of the civil war - the war against the church,” an Open Door representative said.
“Islamist extremism is the worse persecutor of the worldwide church.” Nine of the 10 countries listed as dangerous for Christians are Muslim-majority states. Nigerian Christians are suffering horribly, being killed and churches burned. Open Doors which started smuggling Bibles into communist states and now works in more than 60 countries, estimated last year that about 100 million Christians around the world suffered persecution for their faith.
Satan is working against true Christianity here in the U.S. also. Every day, it seems there is another headline of government interference concerning Christian belief. In this country we are guaranteed Freedom of religion, but at times you would not think so. Tribulation is coming when all will have to worship one way and one person - the Antichrist.
Pray for the persecuted church! We are one body with all believers in Christ. These dreadful times speak to us that very soon God will reckon with those who hate and persecute His saints. “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” Romans 12:19. God’s wrath will not be stayed forever. He is not willing that any should perish (II Pet. 3:9), and so we are still here awaiting Christ’s return.
We are longing to be caught away from this tumultuous mess, this wicked, out of order world. I wonder if Noah felt the same way as he looked on the debauchery of his day. Enoch was translated so that he did not see death sometime before the flood. Let us not be discouraged, but LOOK UP
Anita Clark
“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God.” speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Isa. 40:1-2)
When has Israel “received double for all her sins?” When God finally allowed Israel to be taken captive by Assyria and then Judah taken captive to Babylon, and the temple destroyed, and many killed; was this the punishment spoken of here as having “received double for her sins.” Ezra says, “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this” (Ezra 9:13).
After their return to Jerusalem from Babylon, they rebuilt the wall and the temple and instituted temple worship and the service, but were in bondage to foreign rulership. Finally, years later, after their rejection of Jesus Christ, judgment came upon them again as Jesus foretold in Matthew 24:1-3. Rome came against them and besieged the city of Jerusalem, starving to death many inhabitants, crucifying and looting. They looted the Temple and burned it with fire. It was reported that melted gold flowed in the streets, when the fire grew so hot inside the temple. Those who escaped death were scattered all over the known world, seeking refuge. Jeremiah 16:17-18, “For mine eyes are upon all their [speaking of Israel] ways; they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.”
When did the double portion of retribution against them begin? It seems in 70 A. D. WHY? Because they rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah. According to some estimates around 14 million Jews were killed since then. The greatest numbers at one time took place in the Second World War by the Nazi’s who exterminated and killed over 6 million Jews.
The very sad thing to my heart is that there will be another time of purging for the Jews during the seven years of tribulation. We are standing on the brink of the most horrible time ever to be experienced on this earth. Read Revelation. Before the Seven Years of tribulation, Israel will seek refuge in a man who will guarantee them peace and safety, which they so much crave. He no doubt will allow them to build a temple which they long for. At the present time the Temple Mount Faithful, has prepared all the furniture and garments of the priests, and the breastplate and mitre for the High Priest, and many other items to use in the new temple. They already have the blueprint for the construction. Being allowed to build a Temple may be the one thing that will get Israel to concede to the Palestinians.
Continue to watch the events of the Middle-East. Things could move very quickly, when they get started. The Scripture teaches that there will be a remnant of Israel who believe in Jesus kept through the seven years. At the end of that terrible time those Jews who are left will look up, and see Jesus Christ coming in the clouds and will accept Him as their Lord and Messiah. They will then enter into the Kingdom Reign of Christ upon the earth. The hope of all overcoming Christians today is to be ready to be taken to heaven without dying (I Thess. 4:13-18), before the tribulation begins.
PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS AROUND THE GLOBE. - Persecution of Christians is increasing in the world today. Statistics show that more Christians have been killed for their faith since 1900, than during the previous years going back to the time of the early church. Reuters reports that a group called Open doors supporting persecuted Christians worldwide, says it has documented 2,123 “martyr” killings in 2013, compared with 1,201 in 2012. There were 1,213 such deaths in Syria alone this year. It is estimated that one Christian dies every 5 minutes.
Open Doors places at the top of the list North Korea of 50 most dangerous countries for Christians, then Somalia, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. “In Syria, another war is thriving in the shadow of the civil war - the war against the church,” an Open Door representative said.
“Islamist extremism is the worse persecutor of the worldwide church.” Nine of the 10 countries listed as dangerous for Christians are Muslim-majority states. Nigerian Christians are suffering horribly, being killed and churches burned. Open Doors which started smuggling Bibles into communist states and now works in more than 60 countries, estimated last year that about 100 million Christians around the world suffered persecution for their faith.
Satan is working against true Christianity here in the U.S. also. Every day, it seems there is another headline of government interference concerning Christian belief. In this country we are guaranteed Freedom of religion, but at times you would not think so. Tribulation is coming when all will have to worship one way and one person - the Antichrist.
Pray for the persecuted church! We are one body with all believers in Christ. These dreadful times speak to us that very soon God will reckon with those who hate and persecute His saints. “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” Romans 12:19. God’s wrath will not be stayed forever. He is not willing that any should perish (II Pet. 3:9), and so we are still here awaiting Christ’s return.
We are longing to be caught away from this tumultuous mess, this wicked, out of order world. I wonder if Noah felt the same way as he looked on the debauchery of his day. Enoch was translated so that he did not see death sometime before the flood. Let us not be discouraged, but LOOK UP
Refiners Fire
By Gordon Crook
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:3
God is in the business of refinement. He alone can produce the refined silver that is pure. Often we try to produce the same, but all we end up with is a slightly polished lump of dirt.
The refining process is not one of polishing up the existing lump of dirt, it is a process of removing the old useless dirt to show the silver. This process is not easy, it requires fire and time. It requires removal of the old worthless stuff. “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.” Proverbs 25:4 “And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:” Isaiah 1:25
The fire is not necessarily a pleasant place to be, but it is the place where refinement happens. It is essential to the process. This process has been known since old times, and that is why it is used to illustrate what God needs to do in our lives.
As the refiner, God sits to watch, as He is the only one who knows how long it takes to get the pure silver, and what is dross that needs to be removed. Each batch of ore needs to be processed the correct amount of time. We cannot make any claim as to when we think it is enough. We cannot compare ourselves to others, as only the refiner knows the right processing time.
The silver is not very useful until it has been refined. The old dross that is mixed in reduces the value. It reduces the shine and makes the silver less workable. When truly purified, silver can be polished to a mirror finish. As it is being purified, it naturally becomes very shiny while still molten from the fire. As we are being purified, we will become as a mirror that reflects the glory of God. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7.
So, when we find ourselves in the fire, we need to be reminded that God is doing something that will result in great value. Sometimes it is hard to envision the results of the refining process while we are in the midst of it, but we can be certain that the refiner knows what He is doing. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” 1 Peter 4:12
Gordon Crook
By Gordon Crook
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:3
God is in the business of refinement. He alone can produce the refined silver that is pure. Often we try to produce the same, but all we end up with is a slightly polished lump of dirt.
The refining process is not one of polishing up the existing lump of dirt, it is a process of removing the old useless dirt to show the silver. This process is not easy, it requires fire and time. It requires removal of the old worthless stuff. “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.” Proverbs 25:4 “And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:” Isaiah 1:25
The fire is not necessarily a pleasant place to be, but it is the place where refinement happens. It is essential to the process. This process has been known since old times, and that is why it is used to illustrate what God needs to do in our lives.
As the refiner, God sits to watch, as He is the only one who knows how long it takes to get the pure silver, and what is dross that needs to be removed. Each batch of ore needs to be processed the correct amount of time. We cannot make any claim as to when we think it is enough. We cannot compare ourselves to others, as only the refiner knows the right processing time.
The silver is not very useful until it has been refined. The old dross that is mixed in reduces the value. It reduces the shine and makes the silver less workable. When truly purified, silver can be polished to a mirror finish. As it is being purified, it naturally becomes very shiny while still molten from the fire. As we are being purified, we will become as a mirror that reflects the glory of God. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7.
So, when we find ourselves in the fire, we need to be reminded that God is doing something that will result in great value. Sometimes it is hard to envision the results of the refining process while we are in the midst of it, but we can be certain that the refiner knows what He is doing. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” 1 Peter 4:12
Gordon Crook
RUTH
Debra Isenbletter
Ruth 2:8 – “Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:”
In this verse there are three commands that Boaz gives to Ruth: 1) To listen. 2) To be faithful. 3) To abide. These are gentle commands, personal commands but they are also requests that Ruth can accept or reject. Boaz will leave the choice up to her.
To Listen: “Hearest thou not, my daughter?” It sounds like Boaz is saying “Don’t you hear what I’m saying?” But the translation can read: “Listen to me” or “Listen carefully.” Everything begins with a willingness to hear and to hear with the right attitude. Obedience that does not come from a truly surrendered heart is not true obedience. The word “hear” means “to give attention to” and “to give obedience to.” Notice the word “give” in the meaning. No one can make Ruth do this; she must be willing to “give” or surrender her will to Boaz, trusting that he knows what is best for her. She can go to another field and choose not to hear, not to listen. The moment she stays she becomes his handmaiden, one of his servants and her care and protection become his responsibility. Notice how Boaz addresses her, he says, “my daughter.” This is a personal command as well as a gentle one, and this may also show that there was an age difference between Boaz and Ruth. Ruth was a “damsel,” a “maiden” or “young woman” (2:5). Boaz was a “mighty man of wealth” (2:1) and the owner of the fields. Boaz isn’t like the “young men” that he refers to later (3:10), he is a mature older man and addresses Ruth as a younger woman.
To be Faithful: “Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence,” This command concerning faithfulness is twofold. 1) He says: “Go not to glean in another field” – (Don’t go to another field) and 2) He says: “neither go from hence” (Remain in this field). Boaz is asking Ruth to stay in his fields during the barley harvest (1:22) and to continue in his fields through the wheat harvest which would come later. The barley harvest usually lasted March-April and the wheat harvest from June-July. Ruth will do this, she stays in Boaz’s fields for both of these harvests, barley and wheat (2:23). She will not move on after the barley harvest but wait for the wheat. This is an invitation Boaz doesn’t give to everyone, but he gives it to Ruth. She has his promise of a present provision and a future provision. As she goes on the harvest is richer and she will be fed with the finest of the wheat. (Ps 81:16; Ps 147:14). Her faithfulness will be rewarded by his faithfulness. This is what listening will enable us to do, to be faithful and through that faithfulness lay hold of the Lord’s full provision for us. He invites us to stay, invites us to labor, invites us to partake of His care and provision.
To Abide: “but abide here fast by my maidens:” Jamieson, Fausset and Brown says the following: “The reaping was performed by women, while the sorting of sheaves was the duty of men-servants. The same division of harvest labor obtains in Syria still. Ruth picked up any straggling heads or ears which they had left.”
These maidens are important and will become the ones that Ruth will associate with and fellowship with. She will learn from them how to serve and please Boaz. I can look back at when I first came to meeting and Sister Erline Spickard was one of those “maidens” that I followed after and learned from. She showed how to serve by example and I saw in her life and sacrifice an example of what would please the Lord Jesus. She was also an example to me of how Ruth served, because she had in her own life maidens that she followed. She saw Sister Bodie was one of those “maidens” and there were others she saw and followed their example. We all have those set before us as examples to “cling close to” and “follow close after.” We learn from them and then others learn from us. The lesson is to Stay and don’t Stray! This is what “abide here fast by” means. It means to “cling to, adhere to.” It means to “follow close after” or “hard after.” It is translated “stay close by” (Amplified) and “stay here” (NIV).
There are three great truths in this verse that guide and protect us that only we can do.
We are to Listen. What is your answer to Jesus’ question: “Hearest thou not my daughter?” My answer is: “Yes, I hear!”
We are to be Faithful: We are to stay in the field the Lord leads us to. Growth comes from staying and not straying!
We are to Abide: We are to cling to the Lord and the Lord’s things. We are to cling to the place we are fed and led to. We are to cling to those that are true servants of the Lord and follow their example.
We do this by “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25). We do this by “continuing steadfastly” in doctrine and fellowship, in communion, in prayer (Acts 2:42). We do this when we “hold fast” to sound words (2 Tim 1:13). This is my heart’s desire. I want to be like Ruth to make the choice she does when she hears the words of Boaz. The Lord Jesus Christ has given the invitation; all we need to do is accept!
Debra Isenbletter
Ruth 2:8 – “Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:”
In this verse there are three commands that Boaz gives to Ruth: 1) To listen. 2) To be faithful. 3) To abide. These are gentle commands, personal commands but they are also requests that Ruth can accept or reject. Boaz will leave the choice up to her.
To Listen: “Hearest thou not, my daughter?” It sounds like Boaz is saying “Don’t you hear what I’m saying?” But the translation can read: “Listen to me” or “Listen carefully.” Everything begins with a willingness to hear and to hear with the right attitude. Obedience that does not come from a truly surrendered heart is not true obedience. The word “hear” means “to give attention to” and “to give obedience to.” Notice the word “give” in the meaning. No one can make Ruth do this; she must be willing to “give” or surrender her will to Boaz, trusting that he knows what is best for her. She can go to another field and choose not to hear, not to listen. The moment she stays she becomes his handmaiden, one of his servants and her care and protection become his responsibility. Notice how Boaz addresses her, he says, “my daughter.” This is a personal command as well as a gentle one, and this may also show that there was an age difference between Boaz and Ruth. Ruth was a “damsel,” a “maiden” or “young woman” (2:5). Boaz was a “mighty man of wealth” (2:1) and the owner of the fields. Boaz isn’t like the “young men” that he refers to later (3:10), he is a mature older man and addresses Ruth as a younger woman.
To be Faithful: “Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence,” This command concerning faithfulness is twofold. 1) He says: “Go not to glean in another field” – (Don’t go to another field) and 2) He says: “neither go from hence” (Remain in this field). Boaz is asking Ruth to stay in his fields during the barley harvest (1:22) and to continue in his fields through the wheat harvest which would come later. The barley harvest usually lasted March-April and the wheat harvest from June-July. Ruth will do this, she stays in Boaz’s fields for both of these harvests, barley and wheat (2:23). She will not move on after the barley harvest but wait for the wheat. This is an invitation Boaz doesn’t give to everyone, but he gives it to Ruth. She has his promise of a present provision and a future provision. As she goes on the harvest is richer and she will be fed with the finest of the wheat. (Ps 81:16; Ps 147:14). Her faithfulness will be rewarded by his faithfulness. This is what listening will enable us to do, to be faithful and through that faithfulness lay hold of the Lord’s full provision for us. He invites us to stay, invites us to labor, invites us to partake of His care and provision.
To Abide: “but abide here fast by my maidens:” Jamieson, Fausset and Brown says the following: “The reaping was performed by women, while the sorting of sheaves was the duty of men-servants. The same division of harvest labor obtains in Syria still. Ruth picked up any straggling heads or ears which they had left.”
These maidens are important and will become the ones that Ruth will associate with and fellowship with. She will learn from them how to serve and please Boaz. I can look back at when I first came to meeting and Sister Erline Spickard was one of those “maidens” that I followed after and learned from. She showed how to serve by example and I saw in her life and sacrifice an example of what would please the Lord Jesus. She was also an example to me of how Ruth served, because she had in her own life maidens that she followed. She saw Sister Bodie was one of those “maidens” and there were others she saw and followed their example. We all have those set before us as examples to “cling close to” and “follow close after.” We learn from them and then others learn from us. The lesson is to Stay and don’t Stray! This is what “abide here fast by” means. It means to “cling to, adhere to.” It means to “follow close after” or “hard after.” It is translated “stay close by” (Amplified) and “stay here” (NIV).
There are three great truths in this verse that guide and protect us that only we can do.
We are to Listen. What is your answer to Jesus’ question: “Hearest thou not my daughter?” My answer is: “Yes, I hear!”
We are to be Faithful: We are to stay in the field the Lord leads us to. Growth comes from staying and not straying!
We are to Abide: We are to cling to the Lord and the Lord’s things. We are to cling to the place we are fed and led to. We are to cling to those that are true servants of the Lord and follow their example.
We do this by “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25). We do this by “continuing steadfastly” in doctrine and fellowship, in communion, in prayer (Acts 2:42). We do this when we “hold fast” to sound words (2 Tim 1:13). This is my heart’s desire. I want to be like Ruth to make the choice she does when she hears the words of Boaz. The Lord Jesus Christ has given the invitation; all we need to do is accept!
The Feasts of The Lord
Leviticus 23 – Part 4
by Earlene Davis
The Feast of Pentecost
Vs. 15-16, “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.”
This feast is known as Pentecost in the New Testament, the Greek name for it means ‘fifty.’ God gave very specific directions for counting the proper number of days until this feast. It is exactly fifty days after the wave offering of First Fruits.
It is also called the feast of Weeks. The Jews call it ‘Shavuot’ which means ‘weeks’ in Hebrew, because of the counting of seven sabbaths.
This feast is also known as the feast of Harvest, because it actually marked the summer harvest, the second harvest of the year. Many more crops were available than at the first fruits, but still not as many as would come in the fall harvest. Like the Feast of First Fruits, this feast occurs on a Sunday, “the morrow after the sabbath.” The predominate spirit of this feast was glad praise, Deut. 16:9-12.
At this harvest festival the people thank God for the wheat harvest with a free-will offering. V. 17, “Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.” The priest offered two wave loaves of bread that were of equal weight as a “new meal offering” unto the Lord - V. 16. The word “new” is very significant. The first believers after Pentecost were the first-fruits of the new creation. We see in them a type of God’s people, both Jews and Gentiles. For we find in them the nature of Christ, the fine flour; but we also find leaven which is a type of sin (Mt. 16:6) indicating the presence of sin in God’s people. Rom. 7:18a.
But these loaves have been baked (which speaks of the judgment Christ bore for sinful humanity) making the leaven inactive. God was predicting that the church would be comprised of Jews and Gentiles (two loaves). Sometimes we mistakenly think of the church as entirely Gentile, but it has always been part Jewish. The Lord retains a remnant of the Jews. In fact the Holy Spirit came first upon Israel, those Jews in the upper room of Acts 2. Jesus had declared that the Holy Spirit shall abide forever. Was God at a loss when the nation of Israel would not have Him? NO! God brought to light His purpose that had been “Hid in God.” Eph. 3:1-11.
Both Jews and Gentiles have been made one in Christ at the birth of the church on Pentecost. I Cor. 12:12-14, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…”. This baptism took place at Pentecost. It is the “one baptism” of Eph. 4:5. All believers present and future were baptized into one body, the body of Christ, the church. Gal. 3:27-28, “…for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Therefore, it was necessary to wave the loaves with the five offerings which figure Christ (Vs. 18-21). We are not accepted because of our own worth or perfection, but because of His perfection, which we accept. The atonement of Christ has made full provision for the sin which dwells in our flesh.
V. 22, “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.” Some of the poor who ate from the corners of the fields that were left unharvested were Jesus and His disciples.
Let us consider this feast as it occurred in the New Testament. After Christ resurrection He appeared to His disciples and taught them for 40 days. Acts 1:4-5,8-9,13a,14, “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me…ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence…ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem…and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight…And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room…These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…”
The Holy Spirit came exactly on the day of the feast of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-6, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.”
Acts 2:12-18, “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:”.
Peter tells how it was foreordained of God that Christ should die. That they by wicked hands have crucified Him, but He was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God - Vs. 22-23. That David prophesied of His resurrection – Vs. 29-33. That day the Holy Spirit gathered a harvest of 3,000 souls – V. 41. Many were added to the church daily – V. 47. And many have been added during this Church Age.
Peter was empowered to stand up and preach Christ to the multitude in Jerusalem, after receiving the Holy Spirit. The same Peter who cowardly denied Jesus three times only seven weeks before this. Do we need this power of God, His Spirit? Oh yes, we do. Don’t refuse this precious gift of God to His people.
Christ was crucified on “Passover.”
He was buried on the feast of “Unleavened Bread.”
He arose on “First Fruits.”
The Holy Spirit was sent on “Pentecost.”
These four feasts are in the spring and summer of the Jewish year and they have been fulfilled. We have not yet seen the fulfillment of the fifth feast, “Trumpets.” It may be soon. The last three feasts were at the end of their year. Today we are cultivating the summer crops. We are workers together with Christ in the field of the world, until the day of the great harvest marked by the next feast, “Trumpets.”
The feast of Trumpets, next issue of the magazine.
Leviticus 23 – Part 4
by Earlene Davis
The Feast of Pentecost
Vs. 15-16, “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.”
This feast is known as Pentecost in the New Testament, the Greek name for it means ‘fifty.’ God gave very specific directions for counting the proper number of days until this feast. It is exactly fifty days after the wave offering of First Fruits.
It is also called the feast of Weeks. The Jews call it ‘Shavuot’ which means ‘weeks’ in Hebrew, because of the counting of seven sabbaths.
This feast is also known as the feast of Harvest, because it actually marked the summer harvest, the second harvest of the year. Many more crops were available than at the first fruits, but still not as many as would come in the fall harvest. Like the Feast of First Fruits, this feast occurs on a Sunday, “the morrow after the sabbath.” The predominate spirit of this feast was glad praise, Deut. 16:9-12.
At this harvest festival the people thank God for the wheat harvest with a free-will offering. V. 17, “Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.” The priest offered two wave loaves of bread that were of equal weight as a “new meal offering” unto the Lord - V. 16. The word “new” is very significant. The first believers after Pentecost were the first-fruits of the new creation. We see in them a type of God’s people, both Jews and Gentiles. For we find in them the nature of Christ, the fine flour; but we also find leaven which is a type of sin (Mt. 16:6) indicating the presence of sin in God’s people. Rom. 7:18a.
But these loaves have been baked (which speaks of the judgment Christ bore for sinful humanity) making the leaven inactive. God was predicting that the church would be comprised of Jews and Gentiles (two loaves). Sometimes we mistakenly think of the church as entirely Gentile, but it has always been part Jewish. The Lord retains a remnant of the Jews. In fact the Holy Spirit came first upon Israel, those Jews in the upper room of Acts 2. Jesus had declared that the Holy Spirit shall abide forever. Was God at a loss when the nation of Israel would not have Him? NO! God brought to light His purpose that had been “Hid in God.” Eph. 3:1-11.
Both Jews and Gentiles have been made one in Christ at the birth of the church on Pentecost. I Cor. 12:12-14, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…”. This baptism took place at Pentecost. It is the “one baptism” of Eph. 4:5. All believers present and future were baptized into one body, the body of Christ, the church. Gal. 3:27-28, “…for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Therefore, it was necessary to wave the loaves with the five offerings which figure Christ (Vs. 18-21). We are not accepted because of our own worth or perfection, but because of His perfection, which we accept. The atonement of Christ has made full provision for the sin which dwells in our flesh.
V. 22, “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.” Some of the poor who ate from the corners of the fields that were left unharvested were Jesus and His disciples.
Let us consider this feast as it occurred in the New Testament. After Christ resurrection He appeared to His disciples and taught them for 40 days. Acts 1:4-5,8-9,13a,14, “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me…ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence…ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem…and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight…And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room…These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…”
The Holy Spirit came exactly on the day of the feast of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-6, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.”
Acts 2:12-18, “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:”.
Peter tells how it was foreordained of God that Christ should die. That they by wicked hands have crucified Him, but He was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God - Vs. 22-23. That David prophesied of His resurrection – Vs. 29-33. That day the Holy Spirit gathered a harvest of 3,000 souls – V. 41. Many were added to the church daily – V. 47. And many have been added during this Church Age.
Peter was empowered to stand up and preach Christ to the multitude in Jerusalem, after receiving the Holy Spirit. The same Peter who cowardly denied Jesus three times only seven weeks before this. Do we need this power of God, His Spirit? Oh yes, we do. Don’t refuse this precious gift of God to His people.
Christ was crucified on “Passover.”
He was buried on the feast of “Unleavened Bread.”
He arose on “First Fruits.”
The Holy Spirit was sent on “Pentecost.”
These four feasts are in the spring and summer of the Jewish year and they have been fulfilled. We have not yet seen the fulfillment of the fifth feast, “Trumpets.” It may be soon. The last three feasts were at the end of their year. Today we are cultivating the summer crops. We are workers together with Christ in the field of the world, until the day of the great harvest marked by the next feast, “Trumpets.”
The feast of Trumpets, next issue of the magazine.
THE PATH OF LIFE
Jack Davis
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Psalm 16:11.
The path of life is to be traveled with the Prince of life for it is in His Presence that we find the only route to lasting pleasures. The life of this path is designed for a joy-filled presence, containing encouraging prospects.
AN ENLIGHTENED PATH
“Thou wilt shew:” by divine illumination our path grows brighter day by day. “…the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” – Prov. 4:18. As we take His Word for our light and walk in the light of that Word, we are progressing on this living path. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Order my steps in thy word…” – Ps. 119:105,133. Oh, what a great road map the Word of God is. We will thank Him forever for revealing the Only Way to our hearts. We progress on this road by faith for it is generally revealed one step at a time.
It is not God’s fault that comparatively few find and follow unto its ultimate heights. There are many ideas and attempts to discover the meaning of life and the fountain of youth. Reason says, ‘This must be the way.” But if the path of life is to be seen, He must show it to us. When we get our eyes off Him, we surely miss the intended goal. The many side trips, tangents and detours that we seem prone to get on are not in the direction of life.
We, by faith, follow Him Who was led as a sheep to the slaughter. From death into life everlasting He passed and we follow Him there. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” it’s still on the path of life that I pass through. Even as we today still remember His death, our communion is still a fellowship of life. As we break the bread representing His broken body, we are feasting also on Him as the Bread of Life.
AN ENJOYABLE PRESENCE
THE PATH OF LIFE is just that because of THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. Death has no staying power in His presence. Thank God, He didn’t ask us to go this way alone. “Thou art with me.” Go with God for a joy-filled journey. The light we have in His fellowship is sweetly soothing. Joy is indeed a heavenly, divine trait. It is also a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is a characteristic produced in one who lives in close communion with the Lord. Oh, what grace, that we should be able to enjoy divine Presence! The law could never accomplish such. “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God” – Heb. 7:19. When God invited us to come boldly to the throne of grace, He intended that we make ourselves at home there, to be comfortable and accepted in the Beloved.
ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS
The path of life, the presence of the Lord, make for pleasures that are lasting. “At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” Hallelujah! Praise God for this blessed, precious living hope! What wonderful, encouraging prospects. “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Such assurances as these spur us on in seeking His good pleasure. Walking daily in a continuous awareness of His Presence has such a powerful and stabilizing effect on our lives.
Jack Davis
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Psalm 16:11.
The path of life is to be traveled with the Prince of life for it is in His Presence that we find the only route to lasting pleasures. The life of this path is designed for a joy-filled presence, containing encouraging prospects.
AN ENLIGHTENED PATH
“Thou wilt shew:” by divine illumination our path grows brighter day by day. “…the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” – Prov. 4:18. As we take His Word for our light and walk in the light of that Word, we are progressing on this living path. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Order my steps in thy word…” – Ps. 119:105,133. Oh, what a great road map the Word of God is. We will thank Him forever for revealing the Only Way to our hearts. We progress on this road by faith for it is generally revealed one step at a time.
It is not God’s fault that comparatively few find and follow unto its ultimate heights. There are many ideas and attempts to discover the meaning of life and the fountain of youth. Reason says, ‘This must be the way.” But if the path of life is to be seen, He must show it to us. When we get our eyes off Him, we surely miss the intended goal. The many side trips, tangents and detours that we seem prone to get on are not in the direction of life.
We, by faith, follow Him Who was led as a sheep to the slaughter. From death into life everlasting He passed and we follow Him there. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” it’s still on the path of life that I pass through. Even as we today still remember His death, our communion is still a fellowship of life. As we break the bread representing His broken body, we are feasting also on Him as the Bread of Life.
AN ENJOYABLE PRESENCE
THE PATH OF LIFE is just that because of THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. Death has no staying power in His presence. Thank God, He didn’t ask us to go this way alone. “Thou art with me.” Go with God for a joy-filled journey. The light we have in His fellowship is sweetly soothing. Joy is indeed a heavenly, divine trait. It is also a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is a characteristic produced in one who lives in close communion with the Lord. Oh, what grace, that we should be able to enjoy divine Presence! The law could never accomplish such. “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God” – Heb. 7:19. When God invited us to come boldly to the throne of grace, He intended that we make ourselves at home there, to be comfortable and accepted in the Beloved.
ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS
The path of life, the presence of the Lord, make for pleasures that are lasting. “At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” Hallelujah! Praise God for this blessed, precious living hope! What wonderful, encouraging prospects. “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Such assurances as these spur us on in seeking His good pleasure. Walking daily in a continuous awareness of His Presence has such a powerful and stabilizing effect on our lives.
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