SOLDIERS OF ZEBULON

“Of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who could keep ranks” (1 Chron. 12:33 NKJV).

Here in this verse we have a partial is listing of the men who helped to make David king. They “came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chron.12:23). Our verse speaks of the men from the tribe of Zebulon - they were dependable, diligent, disciplined, and devoted.

Dependable – “Went out to battle.” When duty called these soldiers were there. They were willing and dependable soldiers who could be counted on to defend Israel from the enemy. On the other hand, there are those folks who do not want to go to battle. They like dress parades, but they do not want the sweat and labor of duty.

Diligent – “Expert in war with all weapons of war.” Diligence in practice is needed to become skilled soldiers. The men of Zebulon spent much time and effort to sharpen their skills so when duty called they would be ready and prepared. We cannot defeat evil unless we are well prepared. We need to be diligent about Bible study and prayer if we are going to defeat the enemy of our soul.

Disciplined – “Could keep rank.” Few folks can keep rank today. Keeping rank involves submission to authority and marching to the proper rhythm. This requires discipline. A lot of people want to march to the beat of their own drums; they want to march according to their own tune, and not God’s tune.

Devoted - “Stouthearted men.” These soldiers were loyal. They would not be involved in betrayal, but could be trusted. They would never aid the enemy. Further, they would not say one thing to your face and another thing behind your back. We need more folks like this in church; folks who are loyal to the Lord and therefore faithful in service.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God didn’t call us into the vineyard to eat grapes but to get busy and hoe!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Devour

In 1 Peter 5:8 we read, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (NKJV).

Devour is the Greek word katapinō (καταπίνω = kat-ap-ee'-no). It is made up of two words: “kata” which means down, and “pino” which means to drink. Thus the word means to drink down, swallow, devour, consume. It carries the idea of to cause something to pass through the mouth and into the stomach - to gulp down. Literally, katapino means to drink down, and so to swallow and to swallow up completely. Figuratively, katapino means to cause the complete and sudden destruction of someone or something.

In Classical Greek, katapinō was used in the general sense to mean gulp down or to swallow. In the Septuagint, katapinō carries the idea to swallow up or to destroy. In the New Testament katapinō pictures the overwhelming of one thing by another. As believers we need to understand who our adversary is. This “lion” doesn’t just want to paw at his victims and scratch them but he wants to ‘chew them up’ and ‘swallow them down.’ He is seeking to devour us by destroying our faith so completely that we cease walking dynamically with God. He wants to ruin our testimony. Peter is painting an ugly portrait of an adversary with malicious intent on devastating and destroying lives. Although he can destroy our testimony, wreaking havoc and devastation in our lives, the Devil cannot take away your salvation. Thus we are exhorted to live sober, vigilant and controlled lives. We are to stay alert to the devil and his temptations at all times

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – That He would speak in parables (Isa. 6:9-10)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 13:10-15

Bible Facts

Sexual promiscuity is dangerous to your health (1 Cor. 6:18; Rom. 1:27). The Bible warns that “he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” Much data now confirms that any sexual relationship outside of holy matrimony is unsafe.

Bible Quiz

Who placed his own brothers in jail for 3 days?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to Proverbs, what kind of a person will have the king for a friend? “Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend,” (Prov. 22:11 NKJV).

That’s in the Bible

"With you in spirit”

“For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ” (Col. 2:5 NKJV).

To be with someone “in spirit” is to be with that person in thoughts when we can’t be with the person physically. When a Christian says he is with us “in spirit,” he can mean it literally, for every Christian has the same Spirit of God residing in him. Further, because all believers are in the Holy Spirit (who is omnipresent), they are with each other in spirit as well.

Did You Know – Christian History

Jacques Marquette was born at Laon, France, on June 1, 1637. He was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan’s first European settlement, Sault Ste. Marie, and later founded St. Ignace, Michigan.

Jacques Marquette determined from an early age that he would become a missionary. At seventeen he became a Jesuit novice, and at age 29 he was allowed him to transfer to Quebec. Working in the area of Three Rivers, he quickly mastered Algonquin, a language by understood by the Indians. Thereafter he managed mission posts along the Great Lakes. Threats by the fierce Sioux drove him to found a Mission of St. Ignaz on the straits between Lakes Huron and Superior, a few miles off the shore of Upper Michigan.

In 1672 Marquette joined the explorer Louis Joliet on an expedition through the interior of North America, thus becoming the first Europeans to map the northern portions of the Mississippi River. On the return trip, Joliet lost his log. Marquette’s personal journal became the principle record of the expedition, and of great importance to historians. The exertions of the voyage produced serious illness in Father Marquette and cut short his work. He died May 18, 1675 at the river now named after him near what is now Ludington, Michigan.

Of all the Jesuit missionaries who labored in America, his name is among the best-known because of his humble and pure character and his great contribution to opening up the heartland of America. Millions of tourists have visited Mackinac Island where he built his main station. Jacques Marquette is memorialized in the names of many towns, parks, geographical locations, a major university (Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI), and other institutions. In addition, statues in Marquette’s honor have been erected in several places, including the Prairie du Chien Post Office; Parliament Building, Quebec, Canada; at Marquette University; Detroit, Michigan; and Fort Mackinac, Michigan.

A Little Humor

Little Johnny’s kindergarten class was on a field trip to their local police station where they saw pictures, tacked to a bulletin board, of the 10 most wanted criminals. One of the youngsters pointed to a picture and asked if it really was the photo of a wanted person? “Yes,” said the policeman. “The detectives want very badly to capture him.” Little Johnny asked, “Why didn’t you keep him when you took his picture?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“If you make an excuse for sin, your sin will never be excused!”