Truth Magazine

 

servants also found water (26:32-33).

Lessons From Isaac

1. Isaac yielded to the Lord’s command not to go to Egypt (26:2-3) . The land of Egypt was notoriously prosperous at the time, but it was outside the land of promise. The Lord commanded Isaac not to go there and he yielded. His desire to move was not motivated in pleasure, but in necessity. Nevertheless, he yielded to the Lord’s command.

Thomas Whitelaw observed, “But the behaviour of this Hebrew patriarch is sometimes outdone by that of modern saints, who not simply project, but actually perform, journeys, of pleasure or of business, across the boundary line which separates the Church from the world, into places where their spiritual interests are endangered, and that too not only without the Divine sanction, but sometimes in express violation of that authority” (The Pulpit Commentary: Genesis 325).

2. Prosperity sometimes causes envy and conflict (26:12- 14). Isaac’s success caused the Philistines to envy him. One sometimes can bear another’s prosperity easier than he can another’s prosperity. Rachel could not rejoice in Leah’s children (Gen. 30:1, 15). Joseph’s brothers were jealous of Joseph’s place in the family (37:4-11, 19, 20). Miriam and Aaron could not enjoy the place Moses had over Israel (Num. 12:1-10).

The proper attitude toward a brother’s success should include: (a) Joy. We should rejoice with those who rejoice, just as we weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor. 12:26). Elizabeth’s neighbors shared her joy at the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:58). The friends of the one who lost the sheep and coin rejoiced when they were found (Luke 15:5-10). Barnabas shared the joy at Antioch at the conversions that occurred in that city (Acts 11:23). Think of some of the occasions of joy that we should share with our brothers: (1) A raise in pay; (2) A promotion; (3) A new car; (4) A new house; (5) New furniture; etc. Surely, none of us would be like the Philistines who became envious at Isaac’s prosperity and drove him from them. (b) Thankful that one of our brothers was blessed of God to be so prospered. Who had we rather see so blessed as one of our brothers? See 3 John 2.

Some attitudes one should not have toward a brother’s prosperity are: (a) Envy; (b) Jealousy; (c) Suspicion. Abimelech seemed to suspect that Isaac’s increase in power was some threat to his kingdom.

3. The efforts Isaac made to live at peace. He gave up three very precious possessions (wells) rather than fight with the Philistines over them. In an age that demands its rights, this spirit is rare. Indeed, some would even equate it with pusillanimity.

The spirit of Christ teaches his children to give up their rights for the sake of the brother who might stumble because of exercise of their rights (1 Cor. 8:10-12). One is to pursue those things that make for peace (Rom. 14:19). Why did Isaac not fight for those wells? There is no indication that he did not fight because of his inability to win. The Scriptures imply that his giving up the wells was a reflection of Isaac’s peaceful nature.

Isaac was a peacemaker (Matt. 5:9). He chose to be defrauded rather than contend (1 Cor. 6:7). He manifested the attitude toward his enemies that Christ commanded (Matt. 5:39-42), as shown by his willingness to enter a covenant with Abimelech even after he had been so abused (26:30).

Conclusion

How many church conflicts would end if brethren reflected the magnanimous spirit of Isaac! Rather than belligerently standing for one’s own way, sanctifying it of course with “I’m standing for the truth,” why not display more of the spirit of Isaac? Sometimes brethren display more of the spirit of a pit-bulldog which bites and holds on in a death struggle rather than turning loose of something. We are not stating that one should sacrifice the revealed word of truth for the sake of peace, but in matters of judgment and personal preference, such a yielding spirit should characterize each of us.

 

By Richie Thetford

In the Albuquerque Journal (August 13, 1998), a headline read: “Clerics’ Group Draws ‘Line in Sand’ Against Gays.” Before I read the article the first thing that came to mind was the fact that it was not any “cleric” group or any particular denomination that “drew the line” against homosexuality, but rather God himself. It is good that there are still many religious groups that will take a stand against homosexuality because God teaches that it is a sin. There are various passages of Scripture that teach against homosexuality. Notice the line that God has drawn: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Other passages of Scripture teaching against homosexuality are: Romans 1:26-32; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13.

God Called Them Homosexual

It is interesting to me that when the homosexual community raises its head to “come out of the closet” and “tell all” that we are supposed to listen to their concerns and be sympathetic to their cause. Yet when we that are opposed to homosexuality raise our head and cry out against the sin of homosexuality then we are accused of violating human rights. Let’s not forget that it was not me or any other man that determined that homosexuality is a sin, it was our creator, God himself!

This is the same God that made everyone of us. He made us with the ability to follow and practice his righteousness. Yet the homosexual community cries out against those that are trying to uphold the teaching of God as “a well-orchestrated political campaign directed against the ‘gay’ community!” One individual stated, “It’s simply wrong to use God as an excuse for name-calling.” But wait, it was God that called them “homosexual,” pronounced that it is a sin, and said that anyone engaging in this sin will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. The homosexuals of the world don’t want to be labeled as sinners and called names and, as stated in this article, don’t appreciate “using God as an excuse for name-calling” but then the very next line of the article calls those ministers an “intolerant, homophobic chorus.” See what I mean? The homosexual community can take a stand and call names but when it gets thrown back their way they cry “foul!”

Calling It Like It Is

When Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., compared homosexuality to kleptomania and Green Bay Packers star Reggie White called homosexuality a sin during a speech to the Wisconsin legislature they drew immediate fire from the homosexual community. Brethren and friends, homosexuality is lawlessness and those engaging in this act and who do not repent will not be in heaven. God drew this “line in the sand” a long time ago. We can either accept his word or reject it.

Must Do All of the Word of God

By the way, I also find it interesting that all these religious denominations find it necessary to take a stand against homosexuality (that which is lawlessness), but will not take a stand on many, many other things that God has also condemned such as instrumental music in worship, partaking of the Lord’s supper only once or twice per year, raising money for the church treasury in ways not authorized and then using money from the church treasury in support of organizations or institutions not authorized in Scripture, sprinkling instead of immersion, teaching that baptism is not necessary for salvation, etc. The same God that condemned homosexuality is the very same God that instructed us how we must worship him (John 4:24). There is no such thing as a smorgasbord religion as far as God is concerned. We must eat that which has been set before us and that is the all of the Word of God. The “line in the sand” has been drawn by God since creation and he expects man to do all of his will (Matt. 7:21), and to teach his whole counsel (Acts 20:27). May we all do our very best to live and defend all of which God has taught us (Rev. 2:10; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:15).

 

 

A Study Of Nehemiah

The story of Nehemiah is that of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem following the Jews’ return from Babylonian captivity. In this book we see a people who feared God. Nehemiah described the people to God as those who “desire to fear Your name” (Neh. 1:11). Later in the book he rebuked some for not walking in the fear of God (Neh. 5:9). He also cited the fear of God as the cause for his own behavior (Neh. 5:15). Nehemiah describes Hanani (who was given charge of the city after the walls were completed) as “a faithful man and feared God more than many” (Neh. 7:2).

Remember, as we have studied in an earlier article, that fear involves: (1) awe and respect, and (2) being afraid of displeasing God. We shall see both of these concepts as we look at the book of Nehemiah.

With the above references as a backdrop, let’s consider what the fear of God would prompt these people to do. Likewise, if we are walking in the fear of God, we will do the same.

1. Concerned about the things of God. When Nehemiah learned that the walls were torn down and burned, he “wept and mourned for many days.” He said, “I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Neh. 1:4). Nehemiah was so bothered that the city of God was in total ruins that he cried. His concern was so great that he couldn’t eat.

Our concern about spiritual things (the church, a soul in danger, what is being taught, development of an apostasy and our worship) should cause us to be greatly disturbed when we see that things are not as they should be. Too often apathy allows the problems to go unchallenged (cf. 1 Cor. 5:2).

2. View God as great and awesome. As Nehemiah prayed, he addressed God as, “O great and awesome God” (Neh. 1:5). Later, when urging the people to resist their opposition, he reminded them that the “great and awesome God” would fight for them (Neh. 4:14).

3. See a need and act upon it. After Nehemiah was informed of the situation in Jerusalem, he went to see for himself (Neh. 2:1-10). He went out by night and surveyed the damage the city had suffered. It is interesting to note what Nehemiah didn’t do. He didn’t think, “Somebody ought to do something about this.” Rather, he immediately made a plea for the people of God to rise up and build (Neh. 2:17-18). His plea included himself in the plan.

When we see a need in the Lord’s work (someone to be visited, someone to be taught, a problem to be handled or encouragement to be offered), the fear of God will cause us to jump in and do what we can.

4. Diligently work. Chapter three shows who worked and where in the reconstruction of the wall. In this chapter we also see the attitude and manner with which they worked. Baruch “diligently repaired the other section” (Neh. 3:20). There was no time for workers who didn’t get with it (Neh. 3:5). Those who fear God will put their whole heart into their work.

5. Have a mind to work. The reason they finished the wall in such a short time (52 days, 6:15) was that the “people had a mind to work” (Neh. 4:6). They were willing to work. They responded to Nehemiah’s pleas by saying, “Let us rise up and build” (Neh. 2:18).This is a far cry from those who have to begged and coached and still don’t carry their load.

6. Press on in spite of trouble, opposition or the fear of man. Sanballat (from the north) and Tobiah (from the south) did all they could to hinder the work on the wall (Neh. 4). They ridiculed their work and tried to confuse the workers besides planning an attack. However, that didn’t stop those who feared God. They returned the their work (v. 15) while some stood guard with spears (v. 21). They didn’t buckle under pressure.

7. Work long and hard for the Lord’s cause. Under Ne- hemiah’s leadership the people worked on the wall “from daybreak until the stars appeared” (Neh. 4:21). They literally worked from sun-up to sun-down. What could explain their drive and motivation to give so much to their work? It must be their desire to fear God (1:11). Churches that have members that fear God, will have members who work long and hard for the cause of the Lord.

8. Treat one another right. When Nehemiah learned that some of the people were exacting usury (charging unreason- able interest) from their brethren, he rebuked them saying, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God?” (Neh. 5:9).

The fear of God will cause us to treat others fair and right. That is the very motive cited by Nehemiah for his own conduct being different from the former governors (v. 15).

9. Respect for the word. In the eighth chapter Ezra reads the law before the people. Because of their respect for God (fear) they (a) listened with the intent of understanding (vv. 2, 3, 7, 8), (b) they took time for the hearing of the word (v. 3; 9:3), (c) when Ezra opened the book the people stood (v. 5), (d) they were willing to do what they found lacking in their own lives (vv. 13-18), and (e) as they listened, they viewed the speaker as a spokesman from God (9:26, 29).

10. Make great changes. After reading the law, the people confessed their sins (Neh. 9). The Feast of the Tabernacles was not being observed as the law commanded. So, they changed! They also separated themselves from the mixed multitude (13:1-3).

After all, that is the purpose of the preaching of God’s word (Neh. 9:26, 29). Those who fear God will make any changes necessary (no matter how painful) to fit their lives to the plan of God.

11. Recognize that God’s wrath is just. The confession that is recorded in Nehemiah 9 said to God, “You are just in all that has befallen us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have done wickedly” (v. 33). This is a recognition that God’s wrath, rebuke and punishment are fair.

12. Promise to be faithful. Once the people confessed their sins, they make a covenant that they would “walk in God’s law . . . and do all the commandments of the Lord” (10:29). Those who fear God make a promise to the Lord by their confession and baptism that they will serve the Lord faithfully. Those who would think of doing otherwise do not fear God.

13. Exercise righteous indignation. There is such a thing as righteous indignation. There is a time to be upset and angry. While we must control ourselves properly at all times, there is a time and place to demonstrate our dis- pleasure over things that do not harmonize with the fear of God. Nehemiah did.

While Nehemiah had left Jerusalem to return to the king, Eliashib, the priest, had compromised with Tobiah “preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God” (Neh. 13:7). Nehemiah said, “it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room” (v. 8).

Later, when Nehemiah learned that some of the people had married people of the land, he said, “So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, ‘You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves’” (Neh. 13:25).

When we fear God we will be upset when we see God’s will being transgressed.

14. Aware of danger. As Nehemiah dealt with the matter of their marriage to the strangers of the land, he cited Solomon as an example of what could happen. He said, “Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin” (Neh. 13:26). If that happened to Solomon, it could and would happen to those of Nehemiah’s day. The point is that those who fear God have their eyes open to the danger of things that could lead them away from the Lord.

It is my prayer that this short series of articles will challenge you to do more thinking and study on the concept of the fear of God.