ISRAEL'S HISTORY

“And they came in and took possession of it, but they have not obeyed Your voice or walked in Your law. They have done nothing of all that You commanded them to do; therefore You have caused all this calamity to come upon them!” (Jer. 32:23 NKJV).

In this verse we have a summary of the history of Israel’s experience in the Promised Land. This history is a warning to all people. It speaks of the conquering of the land, the corruption in the land, and the chastisement in the land.

Conquering of the land – “They came in and took possession of it.” The word “possession” carries the idea of dispossessing someone of something, to seize something, or to occupy by driving out the previous tenants. Indeed, the Israelites did dispossess the Canaanites of the land. They drove them out of the land in order to occupy it. And all of this was done with the help of the Lord.

Corruption in the land – “But they have not obeyed Your voice or walked in Your law.” Once in the land, the Israelites ceased obeying the Lord. And as is often the case, our greatest battle will come after great success – we let our guard down after the victory and fall into sin. However, we are not to be so taken up with the celebration that we forget to maintain our consecration to the Lord.

Chastisement in the land – “Therefore You have caused all this calamity to come upon them.” Because of their disobedience after getting into the land, God eventually brought judgment on Israel. He chastened them for their wickedness. Enemy nations invaded the land and brought great destruction and hardship to the land and then carried many away captive. History will confirm the fact that sin brings judgment on any country

(Adapted from Butler's Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Your obedience to God today determines what you’ll be for God tomorrow!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Divine Nature

In Rom. 1:20 we read, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (NASB).

Divine Nature is the Greek word theiotēs (θειότης = thi-ot'-ace). It refers to the quality or characteristics pertaining to deity and thus refers to divinity, divine nature or divineness. Theiotēs is only used here in the New Testament and emphasizes the divine nature and properties or the whole of that which goes to make up our idea of God.

Theiotēs could be translated divine majesty and is seen supremely in the Lord Jesus who uniquely bears the divine image (cf. Heb. 1:3). He is God’s full revelation in human form (cf. Col 1:19; 2:9).

It is important to note that while theotēs is associated in meaning to theiotēs, there is a distinction in meaning. Theotēs is used in Col. 2:9 to means Godhead, while theiotēs used here in Rom. 1:20, is translated divinity. Godhead expresses deity (theotēs), while godhood (theiotēs) signifies the sum-total of the divine attributes. Theotēs is the Divine Personality and theiotēs the Divine Nature and properties

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be Intercessor between man and God (Isa. 59:16)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 10:32; Heb. 7:25

Did You Know…

In the Bible it states that the Lord Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12).

Bible Quiz

From what point in his life had Timothy known about the Holy Scriptures?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: According to Proverbs, what is “like apples of gold in settings of silver?” “A word fitly spoken” or the right word spoken at the right time (Prov. 25:11)

Names of the Lord Jesus Found in the Bible

“Messiah”

"He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, we have found the Messiah (which is translated, the Christ)!” (John 1:41; cf. 4:25; Dan. 9:25 NKJV).

1. Meaning – The Lord Jesus is the Messiah: the Anointed One, the Christ.

2. Insights – Messiah is the Hebrew word, translated into Greek, as Christ. Both words means “Anointed One” (one especially appointed by God for His plan and purpose).

3. Related Titles – Christ (Matt. 1:16); Anointed / Anointed One (Psalm 2:1-2).

Did You Know – Christian History

Augustus Toplady was born November 4, 1740 in Farnham, Surrey, England. He was an Anglican cleric and hymn writer.

Toplady was raised by his mother as his father died when he was very young. He was educated at Trinity College in Dublin. As a first-year college student, he heard a sermon, and was converted. By his own testimony he said it was during that sermon that he received his effectual call from God.

Toplady was initially influenced by John Wesley, but then he read Thomas Manton’s sermon on John 17, and became a convinced Calvinist. As a third-year college student, he published his first book, which was a book of poems. When he graduated in 1760, Toplady came under the influence of men like George Whitefield and John Gill. In 1762 Toplady began his pastoral ministry, serving in the Anglican Church and held a variety of pastorates.

In 1763 Toplady wrote what he is probably most famous for: his beloved hymn, “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me.” His other major works were The Church of England Vindicated from the Charge of Arminianism (1769), and the Historic Proof of the Doctrinal Calvinism of the Church of England (1774).

Toplady was also a prolific essayist and letter correspondent and wrote on a wide range of topics. He was interested in the natural world and in animals. He composed a short work Sketch of Natural History, with a few particulars on Birds, Meteors, and the solar system. In this wok, Toplady wrote of his observations of the marvels of nature, the behavior of birds, and the wise actions of various animals.

Toplady spent his last three years mainly in London, preaching regularly at a French Calvinist Reformed Church in Orange Street, London. Toplady died of tuberculosis on August 11, 1778. He was buried at Whitefield’s Tabernacle, Tottenham Court Road.

Few if any today read the sermons or other books Augustus Toplady wrote, but we still sing his great hymn – Rock of Ages. It has remained a favorite that is sung in churches or at home; it speaks of the mercy Chris to all ages.

A Little Humor

Elephant: Why do mother kangaroos hate rainy days?

Hippo: I give up.

Elephant: Because the kids have to play inside!

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Christ is the only way to heaven; all other paths are detours to doom!”