GREAT PROVOCATIONS AGAINST GOD

“Nevertheless they were disobedient and rebelled against You, cast Your law behind their backs and killed Your prophets, who testified against them to turn them to Yourself; and they worked great provocations" (Neh. 9:26 NKJV).

The history of the disobedience and rebellion of the Israelites is reviewed in chapter nine of Nehemiah. It is summed up in our verse as “great provocations.” Thus we want to note the when, the Word, and the wounded in the provocations.

When – “Nevertheless.” The idea here is that Israel rebelled against God during a time of great blessing. Though God had greatly favored Israel, “nevertheless” they “rebelled against” Him. It is terrible to rebel against God at any time. But to rebel against God after He has greatly blessed us makes the rebellion all that much worse. There are many folks like that in our churches today. They have enjoyed much prosperity and live in much affluence; yet in spite of that, they are backslidden and uninterested in serving God fervently and faithfully.

Word – “Cast Your law behind their backs.” Rejection of the Word of God is one of the first signs of a disobedient heart. The rejection starts with neglect of the Word, then disinterest in the Word, and finally becoming critical of the Word. Many schools and churches that were once doctrinally sound, have departed from the faith because of their loss of respect and devotion to the Word. We need to check our own life - is our devotion to the Bible declining. Are we failing to give due attention to the Word? This failure of devotion to the Word, if not stopped, will lead to “great provocations” against God.

Wounded – “Killed Your prophets who testified against them to turn them to Yourself.” Turning away from the Word of God will ultimately result in a turning against those who proclaim the Word of God. Today, many faithful pastors have had to leave their church because the congregations have not only turn against the Word, but also against them. Our nation is turning against the Word; next they will attack all those who dare to proclaim God’s Word.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“When we are walking in our own way, we are actually running from the Lord!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Draw near

In James 4:8 we read, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (NKJV).

Draw near is the Greek word engizō (ἐγγίζω = eng-id'-zo). It means come near, approach, bring near. In classical Greek engizō means to approach or bring near, often referring to drawing near to God. In the Septuagint engizō is used to describe both the approaching Day of Judgment and to describe one drawing near to God. In the New Testament engizō is used to describe the approaching of events or people, as well as describing a person drawing near to God spiritually, either to worship and to meditate. The nearer we come to God, the more graciously will He reveal Himself to us.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be thirsty during His execution (Psalm. 22:15)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 19:28

Bible Facts

Environmental devastation of the planet foreseen (Rev. 11:18). Though evolution imagines that things should be getting better, the Bible foresaw what is really occurring today - pollution, destruction and corrupt dominion.

Bible Quiz

Who was known as “The voice of one crying in the wilderness?”

**Answer to last week’s trivia: What did James and John’s mother ask Jesus? For her sons to sit on Jesus’ right and left hands in the kingdom (Matt. 20:20-23).

That’s in the Bible

"Inner man”

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16 KJV).

“Inner man” - The expression “inner man” refers to the soul, the real personality. It speaks of the heart, the mind, the soul; it is man’s essential being versus his outward appearance. And so the first part of Paul’s prayer is that God, according to His glorious riches might strengthen believers with power through the Holy Spirit in their inner being (the inner man). How wonderful it is that God does not give the Spirit’s power to us ‘out of His riches’ but “according to” which is a far greater thing. Just as the body needs to be strengthened every day, in like manner the soul needs constant supplies of grace.

Did You Know - Christian History

William Trewartha Bray was born June 1, 1794 in Twelveheads, Cornwall, England. He was an unconventional Cornish (ancient Britons) preacher. Bray, an uneducated drunk would become a famous Methodist preacher known as “God’s man with a shout.”

After leaving school, Billy Bray worked as a tin miner in Cornwall and for seven years in Devon. During this time he was a drunkard and was prone to riotous behavior. In 1821 he married Joanna and fathered seven children. Billy Bray was so drawn and shackled to alcohol that his wife had to go get him at nights from the local pubs.

In 1823 Billy Bray had a close escape from a mining accident and was later converted after reading John Bunyan’s book, Visions of Heaven and Hell. No one had to wait long to see the fruit of change in Billy Bray’s life. The next day was payday at the tin mine and the pubs would be full with lively music and drunken miners, yet Billy Bray would not be one of the patrons. For the first time in years, Billy went home sober to his wife. Within a week, she re-committed her life to Lord after seeing the significant change in Billy Bray’s life.

One of the most striking things about Billy Bray was his continual excitement and joy after his salvation. One day, when questioned about his abundant joy, he responded, “He has made me glad and no one can make me sad. He makes me shout and no one can make me doubt. He it is that makes me dance and leap, and there is no one that can keep down my feet. I sometimes feel so much of the power of God that, I believe, if they were to cut off my feet I should heave up the stumps.”

Bray then joined a group of Methodists known as the Bible Christians and became a well-known but unconventional preacher. Bray’s sermons were marked by lively spontaneous outbursts of singing and dancing. Bray did not restrict his activities to preaching: he raised two orphans along with his own children and was generous in giving help to other people. He also raised enough funds to build three new Methodist chapels, one in his home village of Twelveheads, one at Carharrack, and one, nicknamed “Three Eyes” chapel at Kerley Downs.

William ‘Billy’ Bray, God’s man with a shout, went home to be with the Lord and other shouters on May 25, 1868. He is buried at the Kerley Downs Chapel in Cornwall, England. In 1984 “Three Eyes” chapel, the only one of the three he built that is still standing, was dedicated to his memory.

A Little Humor

“I will give till it hurts,” said a member of Hope Christian Church to his pastor. “However, pastor, you need to know that I am terribly sensitive to pain.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“A true fear of hell has sent many souls to heaven!”