LAMENT OVER JERUSALEM

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing?” (Matt. 23:37 NKJV).

Here the Lord Jesus is lamenting the fact that His own people, the Jews, have rejected Him. However, the message is not limited to just the Jews, but applies to all men in every age. Thus in this lament we want to note the iniquity of the Jews, the illustration for the Jews, and the indictment of the Jews.

The iniquity of the Jews – “The one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her.” The Jews did not treat God’s servants very well. The same is true of many folks in our society today. However, mistreatment of God’s servants is to mistreat the God Who sent them since they are God’s ambassadors. When you mistreat an ambassador, you are showing disdain for whom he represent. In the case of God’s servants, mistreating them begs God for judgment.

The illustration for the Jews – “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” This illustration of a hen and her chicks shows the care and wisdom of God for His people. The Lord Jesus especially save us from the peril of eternal damnation and calls us to Him. Further, the Lord Jesus is wiser than we are and knows all the pit falls of sin. We need to listen to Him as it will spare us from a life of trouble.

The indictment of the Jews - “You were not willing.” This speaks of rebellion and there are many folks who are living in rebellion. Though warned repeatedly by the Word of God, they still refuse to heed the warning and continue in their sin. This will be to their ruin. It is not God’s fault when we get in trouble. “You were not willing” says it is our fault.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Greatness in the kingdom of God is measured in terms of obedience!”

John Robert Walmsley Stott (1921 – 2011)

English Anglican Cleric and Theologian

Word Study

Examine (tested)

In 1 Peter 1:7 we read, “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (NKJV).

Examine (tested) is the Geek word dokimázō (δοκιμάζω = dok-im-ad'-zo). It means to examine, prove, scrutinize, to make a trial of, to verify, to discern to approve. In classical Greek, dokimázō means a testing. In the Septuagint dokimázō means pure or tested. In the New Testament dokimázō also carries the idea of testing. Dokimázō involves not only testing but determining the genuineness or value of an event or object. That which has been tested is demonstrated to be genuine and trustworthy.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings” (Isa. 51:7 KJV).

Did You Know…

In Old Testament times, land could never be permanently lost to the family through debt, taxation, or even voluntary sale. Even if one generation of a family fails at farming and falls into debt, the next generation has access to the land needed to make a living (cf. Lev. 25:23-28).

Bible Quiz

On his death bed, King Hezekiah cried out to God in prayer. As a result of his prayer, how many years did the Lord add to his life?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: How did the 2 spies escape from the city of Jericho? Rahab let them down on a rope through her window (Josh. 2:15).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“KING OF KINGS”

"And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!” (Rev. 19:16 NKJV).

1. Meaning – KING OF KINGS speaks of the Lord Jesus’ sovereignty as the supreme ruler.

2. Insights – This title “King of kings” is used elsewhere in Scripture, always indicating God’s absolute sovereignty (cf. Deut. 10:17; Dan. 2:47; 1 Tim. 6:15). Here it is ascribed to the Lord Jesus Christ since there is no other king comparable to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ is the highest exalted Sovereign, who reigns with majesty, power, and authority. “King of kings” means that He is sovereign over the kings of the earth, and that all nobles and princes are under his control. This title rightly and properly belongs to the Son of God since He is Creator, Redeemer, and Conqueror

Did You Know – Christian History

Robert Lowry was born March 12, 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was an American preacher and hymn writer in the mid to late 19th Century.

Lowry was fond of music and even as a child he amused himself with the various musical instruments that came into his hands. Lowry was converted to Christianity at seventeen and became a Baptist. Soon afterward he entered the University of Lewisburg (now Bucknell) with the intention of becoming a pastor. After graduation, he took a church in West Chester. Over the next 45 years, he pastored five churches in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Between 1869 and 1875 he combined his pastoral work while teaching at his alma mater and then serving as University’s chancellor. During the following 30 years, often in conjunction with hymn writers such as W. H. Doane and Ira D. Sankey, Lowry oversaw the production of more than 20 hymnals

As a Baptist minister, he wrote the words and music for “Shall We Gather at the River,” “Christ Arose,” and “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.” In addition to those popular hymns, he wrote the music for several others that are loved by the church. Three of the best known are “All the Way My Savior Leads Me,” “We’re Marching to Zion,” and “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

Whether he liked it or not, Lowry’s songs, not his sermons, made him famous. At a Sunday school Centennial in England, the chairman said, “I am told that Dr. Lowry, the author of “Shall We Gather at the River” is present; we should be glad to hear from him.” The moment Robert reached the platform the crowd erupted into uncontrollable applause.

In 1880 Lowry took a break from his pastoral duties at Plainfield and visited Europe. His health at this time was deteriorating, and he suffered from increasing deafness. In 1885, feeling the need for a longer rest, he resigned his ministry. After travels in the south and west of the country, and in Mexico, he returned to Plainfield much refreshed, and resumed his pastoral work. Lowry continued to live and work in Plainfield until his death, on November 25, 1899. While Dr. Lowry said, “I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative, receptive congregation than write a hymn,” his hymns have lived on, being translated into many languages, preaching and comforting thousands, furnishing them expression for their deepest feelings of praise and gratitude to God for His goodness.

A Little Humor

Bent over and obviously in pain, the old man with a cane hobbled laboriously through the sanctuary and into the pastor’s office while the choir was practicing. Ten minutes later he came out, walking upright and moving with grace and speed. “Good gracious,” the choir director exclaimed. “Did the pastor heal you by faith?” “No,” the old man said with a smile. “He just gave me a cane that wasn’t six inches too short!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“God’s plan is always better than our own!”