(Proverbs 14:4) Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

When the kids were babies and my wife would complain about all the mess, I used to quote this verse to her while flexing my muscles. That was until I learned that a crib was a place of food storage and not a place for babies. Oh well! But the ox is a beast of power. So can we say that where there is no power, there is no corn in the crib? You need power to produce. Now we learned earlier that (Proverbs 12:11) He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread…

You must till your land. But there is going to be no tilling without an ox. You will till nothing unless you got some power. If Proverbs was written in this day and age the writer would no doubt have said that there much increase is by the strength of the John Deere tractor. Think about this for a moment. Spreading the gospel is likened to sowing the seed. We go day to day waiting for an opportunity to witness, to sow the seed. And that opportunity never seems to come. Or we forget. Or hindsight we see the opportunities slip by. Perhaps, instead of just sowing seed, we may consider tilling the ground first. And in order to till the ground, you need the ox; you need power.

Here’s your verse for today: (Acts 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Preacher Allen has always said, however, that the day of Pentecost has fully come. So don’t you go looking for another Pentecost. It has fully come. But Jesus also said (Luke 24:49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Now if you’ve spent any time around our circles, you’ll find taught this teaching of being filled with the Spirit. And with this teaching, if you believe it, comes a burden upon an individual to be filled with the Spirit. And all things accomplished without the aid of the Spirit of God, whether it be preaching, giving, loving, or labouring, will be done in vain and will burn like wood, hay, and stubble at the judgement seat of Christ. It is imperative that we be filled with the Spirit. There will be no real, abiding, God-ordained fruit if the Spirit of God does not aid in the work. No ox. No tilling. No corn. No bread.

Let me as you a question. Are you filled with the Spirit of God? Because all this truly begs the question: Do we wait or do we go? I mean if it’s vanity and futility to labour without the fullness of God, then why labour at all? I think that’s a legitimate question. I’ve read and heard many times dead preaching kills. So that being so, if a preacher cannot stand 100% of the time endued with power and every single word that comes out of his mouth soaked and saturated with the dew of heaven, then why even open your mouth?

Or maybe it’s better investigated in another sense other than preaching. How about husbands loving their wives? How about wives submitting themselves to their husbands? How about children obeying their parents in the Lord. How about praying? If we can’t do all that in the power of the Holy Spirit, then why do them at all? What’s the use of trying to till without the ox? Am I the only one that asks these questions?

Now just for the record, I don’t believe for one second that we sit on our haunch and do nothing until we have some Pentecostal experience. If that was so, we all should have quit this thing a long time ago. The day of Pentecost has fully come. I’m not looking for another one. Paul said (Galatians 2:20-21) The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God… ²¹ I do not frustrate the grace of God. He asked this question: (Galatians 3:2-3) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ³ Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? It’s faith that has saved us. It is faith that shall perfect us. We received the indwelling of the Spirit by faith. We shall receive the fullness of the Spirit by faith also. (Hebrews 10:38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Don’t draw back. Live by faith. I’ll never forget something Lester Roloff said about faith. He said Faith is stepping where there is no place to step. You may be saying to yourself God is never gonna use me. God is never gonna fill me. The Spirit-filled life is just not for me. You’re drawing back. That’s the flesh having dominion over your mind. That’s the devil talking. You are what you believe! If you don’t ever believe that you’re gonna be filled with the Spirit, then get ready! You’re never gonna be filled with the Spirit.

God said (Acts 2:18) And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit. Servants and handmaidens are not idle. Servants and handmaidens are busy in the work. I want to share something with you that was a real blessing to me from Meet the Holy Spirit by Dr. Jack Hyles.

There is a basic truth that needs to be examined concerning which of the workings of the Holy Spirit are obtained instantaneously by faith and which are obtained by sincere supplication. The answer is determined by whether a certain work of the Spirit is TO us and FOR us or whether it His working THROUGH us FOR others…

If a person would come to the First Baptist Church of Hammond to be ministered TO, he simply walks in and we minister to him. If that same person is being considered for a staff position whereby he MINISTERS TO OTHERS, we would take extra care by investigating his past record; we would want references concerning his credit, his service for God, his character, etc. When we minister TO him, he simply presents himself; when we minister WITH him, he must pay a price and be the object of intense scrutiny. When the Holy Spirit minister TO us (as in salvation) we must simply come to Him in faith. When He ministers TO us by teaching us the Word, by leading us, comforting us, etc., we simply come to Him by faith. If, however, we would desire to be used as an instrument OF His, there is a price that we must pay. This price , of course, includes personal separation and purity. It includes, among other things, a complete surrender to Christ. It also includes supplication, or begging for His power.

It is one thing for a son to ask his dad to drive him somewhere in the family care; it is another thing for that son to ask to USE the family care!

There is a difference between a sinner approaching the Savior and a son approaching the Father. The Father wants you out there in the fields tilling with the ox. There’s no doubt about that. But he is not going leave a five year old alone at the back end of that plow connected to that beast. The child is not ready yet. But he will never be ready unless he’s there with the ox working along side him, trying to till and wanting to till and asking to till. For what it’s worth, I’m a father of five boys, and I’ve been a foreman over workers for many years, and I can say this: Those that have an eager interest in more responsibility get my trust; but those that don’t will never learn or advance. It’s more than doing what you’re told. It’s that desire to not have to be bossed around like a child, but to be trusted like a man.

Now back to the question: What’s the use of trying to till without the ox? (Proverbs 14:4) Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. This is not a question of whether or not we have the ox. We’ve got the ox. And he’s gonna get the work done. The question is, are we prepared and willing to throw in with the ox. This is not a quest to obtain the ox; but rather an ambition, a determination, a longing to work with the ox. This farm is fully equipped. Jesus said (Matthew 9:37) But the labourers are few. Consider what Jesus said: (Matthew 25:21) Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.

(Isaiah 1:31) And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

Another interesting thing that we see in the first chapter of Isaiah are the abundant and profound use of metaphors to illustrate the mind of God and the sin of his people. There’s quite a few. Therefore, I have just a few things to relate regarding each one with the exception of the tow and spark. I didn’t know what tow meant so I spent more time learning what it was. And then I ran into a snag in my understanding of what Isaiah was trying to convey. So consequently, we spent much more time with the tow and the spark. Notice how Isaiah uses very extreme metaphors to make his point, yet they are very familiar.

The ox and the ass

(Isaiah 1:3) The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. In an agrarian society, all knew the personality of the ox and the ass; the load bearers of the work. Nothing got done but by the power of the ox and the ass. (Proverbs 14:4) Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. The beasts, dumb and witless as they were, knew where the food came from. They knew who was in charge. They knew their owner and master. Yes Jesus said, (John 1:11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. What a shame that (John 1:10) The world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Isaiah compares the people of Israel to dumb witless animals. Their relationship with their God is debased and lower than that of the beast; a beast that they were familiar with and worked with everyday.

Wounds, bruises, and putrifying sores

(Isaiah 1:6) From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. These have a significant meaning to the Jew in the matter of uncleanness. But nevertheless, help and healing is what is needed. The sinner is plagued with rampant infection. There’s no peace to calm the anxiety, no relief for the pain, and no end to the oozing. Usually back in the day, these type of wounds would end in either amputation or death. This was a serious condition; a dire situation. Isaiah uses health and their familiarity with the wounds of the body to diagnose their sinful condition. Their immorality and corruption was putrid and severe.

Sodom and Gomorrah

(Isaiah 1:9-10) Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. ¹⁰ Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah. The worst of the worst. They may have not know at this point all the law: (Romans 9:4) The adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises. But they knew the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. Mentions of Sodom are littered throughout the bible. Everybody knows of the sin of Sodom. Even to this day, those who are engaged in that sort of evil are still considered Sodomites. The sarcasm, and irony, and insult for the beloved people of God to be called rulers and people of Sodom and Gomorrah! Even Jesus used that same analogy in his days. (Matthew 10:15) Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. I’ve heard preachers say If God doesn’t judge America, he’s going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. That kind of sarcasm may go a little too far for my taste, but what I’m getting at is that Sodom and Gomorrah are the world’s standard of wickedness through out all ages. When Israel thought they were okay and safe and secure and prosperous, God said No, the worst of the worst.(Revelation 3:17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Scarlet and crimson

(Isaiah 1:18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Now I’m not sure when the words scarlet and crimson turned from nouns to adjectives. These are nouns and refer to the dies of scarlet and crimson. But somewhere along the line, the color red, scarlet, and crimson have become associated with sin. Not sure if already was so, or if the impact of Isaiah on a sinful world has left it’s mark. Now scarlet and crimson have always been associated with extravagance and luxury. It has been associated with the delicacy and allurements of the strange woman. In some circles, make-up is strictly forbidden. Red lips and blush are the invitations and advertisements of the strange woman. But once again, there is an innate understanding that red represents sin and white represents purity. The color of blood is crimson. And since the beginning of time, blood speaks regarding sin. (Genesis 4:10) And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. Scarlet and crimson speak to the heart of man also, as does white. They carried on them the mark of sin and their guilt is evident to all.

Oak and garden

(Isaiah 1:30) For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. Now the oaks and gardens they were very familiar with being that these were their objects and places of their idolatry. We may not know nowadays much of these idols but they did back then. And they were not the only ones. The Druids, a name we recognize, was a religious people of the ancient Celtic nations in Gaul, Britain, and Germany. They offered their worship in groves of oak. The oak is where their name was derived; from δρῦς drus, an oak. So tree worship (or hugging) goes back a long way and was not uncommon or unknown. No. The people of Israel were much into idolatry. They built gardens that were places of worship with altars, temples, and trees. During these times of the kings, they are often called high places. Nevertheless, the very things they worshipped for their preservation were used to describe their own destruction. We see the extreme contrast and irony in the metaphor usage of Isaiah.

Tow and spark

(Isaiah 1:31) And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them. Tow is a fiber used as tinder. It’s a fiber taken from the flax plant. And tinder is a very flammable stubstance. Many things can be used for tinder; tow being one of them. Anyhow, tow and a spark is a recipe for fire. A spark around tow means ignition; fast and furious. So what exactly is going on here? In studying about the tow and spark, I came across some very interesting findings.

Firstly, I’d like to say that my hat goes off to the King James Bible translators. I’m am just in awe at the work they have done on this verse. In checking the meaning of the text by parsing through commentaries, my flags and alarms always go off when the commentator starts belittling the King James translation. This is what Barnes had to say:

And the maker of it – This is an unhappy translation. The word פעלו poalo may be indeed a participle, and be rendered ‘its maker,’ but it is more commonly a noun, and means his work, or his action. This is its plain meaning here.

Now, the word actually used is וּפֹעֲל֖וֹ (ū·p̄ō·‘ă·lōw) not פעלו poalo . So if it was that plain, then why would the King James translators, some of the greatest scholars to live, get this wrong? Well, because they didn’t. Barnes goes on to explain his interpretation:

It means, that as a spark enkindles tow, so the works or deeds of a wicked nation shall be the occasion or cause of their destruction… So it means here, that the crimes and hypocrisy of the nation would be the real cause of all the calamities that would come upon them as a people…. So the people and their works would be enkindled and destroyed together.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? The problem is that this is not what it says. In order to maintain this interpretation, you have change what the King James translators wrote. They didn’t say their works. They said the maker of it. Surely the King James translators considered the relationship between the toe and the spark and would have endeavored to come up with something that makes sense. How can the strong and the maker of it possible relate to each other as the tow and the spark? And in trying to answer that question is why the translators and commentators change worker to the work or their work. That way, we can understand that the strong and their work shall be consumed together, and that makes sense to us. It makes no sense to most the King James way. Or does it?

Interestingly, out of 26 of the most widely used English translations of the bible, every single one but the King James translation translates it like Barnes does and most all commentator make the subsequent interpretation: That Isaiah is saying that the worker and their work shall be consumed together. So this is where the King James Bible stands apart and alone. How can they all be wrong and one be right? Let me explain. If you look at Isaiah, you will see that it’s actually written in a poetic fashion. Here is the stanza in question:

²⁸ And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

²⁹ For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

³⁰ For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

³¹ And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

Firstly, look at verse 28, the first line of the stanza. It says very clearly that two shall be destroyed together: the transgressors and the sinners. And then it groups them together and says that they shall be consumed. So that’s the main idea of the stanza. The two shall burn together; the transgressor and the sinner. God makes a distinction between two people: the transgressor and the sinner. Now, what exactly is the difference? We’ll cover that later. Follow me for now.

Then look at the subsequent verses. Verse 29 now makes another double distinction and addresses two different people: those that have desires oaks, and those that had chosen gardens. And no doubt that Isaiah is referring to the idolatry of the day; the worship of trees, and the gardens of worship. These were different ways that the people of Israel had gone off into idolatry.

Then look at verse 30. Isaiah now carries out that distinction into two different descriptions. So, this is a bit of an assumption, but it makes more sense than changing the meaning of words. They that desired oaks in verse 29 shall be as an oak in verse 30. And they that have chosen gardens in verse 29 shall be as a garden in verse 30. This is poetry.

So, in keeping with the pattern and the main idea of the stanza, we enter into verse 31 and see the same distinctions made. The transgressors (28) that desires oaks (29) that shall be as an oak (30) are the strong that shall be as tow (31). And the sinners (28) that chose gardens (29) that shall be as a garden (30) are the maker of it that shall be as a spark (31). And these two that shall be consumed in verse 28 are the same that shall both burn together and none shall quench in verse 31.

Now if that is how we are to understand this, then the King James translators were precisely right in how they translated that word and the multitude of other bibles and their commentators are wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. I think these translators shall be as tow, and these commentators as a spark, and they shall both burn together. I just happened to stumble upon this. It’s just one little word. Most people would never give it a second thought. But I ask this: What else have they changed? What else have they gotten wrong? I am finding that every time I see a commentator bash the King James Bible, if I take the time to study it, I’ll find every time the King James translators vindicated; I’ll learn more and get a deeper, better, and more accurate understanding of God’s word. Every time!

A better interpretation…

So there’s nothing wrong with saying that the worker and his work shall burn together. Sure. Who disagrees with that? But that is not what Isaiah is getting at. He’s not saying that these certain people and their works shall burn together. He’s saying that these certain people and these other certain people shall both become what they have sought after and burn together. I see a theme. (Proverbs 23:7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. And I see another theme. (Galatians 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Think of the irony and satire that Isaiah, or God for that matter, is using to reprove his people. You want to worship a tree? You shall become as tree! We saw this in the wilderness (Numbers 11:18-20) Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. ¹⁹ Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; ²⁰But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

They have sought after oaks, but they will become as an oak; but dry, dread, and lifeless, ready for the fire. They have sought after gardens, but they will beomce as a garden without water; also dry dead and lifeless. Both of these are highly flammable, ready to burn and easily burned. They together will be as the tow and the spark. Their consummation will ignite suddenly and with intensity as the tow and the spark. And they together will burn and none shall be able to quench them. It will start quickly. And once it starts, it cannot be stopped.

A new question…

Now, this brings us to the question: What is the difference between the transgressor and the sinner? So the first verses that come to mind is this: (Romans 5:12-14) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: So we’re all sinners. But then read on. ¹³ (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Notice the word transgression. Paul is saying that they were sinners, but not transgressors. They didn’t do what Adam did, but they came under the same condemnation. Interesting thought. This is how the Holy Ghost works: My wife, just last night, shared this verse with the family during our bible reading:

(Leviticus 5:14-19) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, ¹⁵ If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering: ¹⁶ And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him. ¹⁷ And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity. ¹⁸ And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him. ¹⁹ It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the LORD.

Here God makes a distinction between tresspassing and sinning through ignorance. You can cross over a line knowingly or unknowingly. Either way, you crossed the line. God gives the same instructions in offering to those who sinned through ignorance as those that did so knowingly and then says vehemently It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the LORD.

So looking back in Isaiah and the idolatry of the people of Israel, what I am seeing is there is a distinction between those that knowingly transgressed the law of God and those that have done so unknowingly. Look, let’s face it. Most church members don’t ready and study their bibles. They take for granted that what that man up on the pulpit is telling them is correct. Though they have heard the word of God, they have unknowingly followed unsound doctrine into error; and consequently into sin. The point is that the one on the pulpit and the one on the pew will both suffer the consequences together.

The word transgressors is translated from the word פֹּשְׁעִ֛ים (pō-šə-‘îm) with comes from the word pasha פָּשַׁע (paw-shah’). This word speaks of rebellion and revolting, absolute transgression against God. A transgressor is knowingly and willingly against God. The word sinners is translated from the word וְחַטָּאִ֖ים (wə-ḥaṭ-ṭā-’îm) which comes from the word chatta חַטָּאּים (khat-taw’). This word speaks of a criminal, one who has been accounted guilty, one who is reckoned as an offender; a condemned man.

So can you see how one can be a sinner, but not necessarily a transgressor. None the less, they both will suffered the same consequences as the transgressor. The proud enemy of God will suffer the same fate as the ignorant poor wretch. Both are ready for the fire. But I’ll say this: Though they both are deserving of the same condemnation, they are also both eligible for the same salvation. He will save the transgressor (Isaiah 53:12) He was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Paul said (Romans 5:10) When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.

And he will save the sinner. (Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That is the ignorant sinner. He saved Paul, (1 Timothy 1:13) Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. In Athens, when Paul stood on Mar’s hill and preached the Lord Jesus Christ he said (Acts 17:23) For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

More application…

I believe Isaiah was an ambassador of God, declaring judgment to all of Israel; not just to the rulers, the priests, the prophets, and the scribes. No, to all that ignorantly followed them and partook in their trespasses did Isaiah address. (Galatians 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. We will undoubtedly reap whether we sow knowingly, or unknowingly. What a stern warning! They, the commentators, all say that the transgressor will burn along with their works. But the King James Bible says that they will burn along with all them follow them. Be careful who you follow. Be careful what you believe. Be not deceived.

So, what Isaiah is addressing, is the relationship between the transgressors and the sinners. An ignorant sinner is tempted to think that his sin will somehow be excused because of his ignorance; that his transgression is not as bad; that there is a distance that should be established between the two. In other words the relationship between the sinner and the transgressor is one of neutrality; and inert.

But contrarily, God says no. It is one of an explosive nature. The ignorant sinner is just as offensive and abominable to God as the proud fist-shaking transgressor. He cares not the mind of God. The ignorant sinner is aloof and oblivious to the things of God. It’s all foolishness to him. And together with the transgressor they kindle the wrath of Almighty God.

Remember the warning to Ezekiel concerning the watchman? (Ezekiel 33:6) But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. My point is that regardless whether or not the watchman does his job, his blood, which is the people’s blood, is going to spill. God is saying that it will be as if the watchman killed them himself. Either way, they’re gonna be killed.

The sinner, at the judgement bar, will say, I didn’t know; but God will say, No, you didn’t care. The sinner will say, I was mislead; but God will say, No, you didn’t have to follow. The sinner will say, I’ve been deceived; but God will say, No, you’ve been a fool. God turns to the proud fist-shaking transgressor and says, Repent; turn ye from your wicked ways; I will forgive. And they say, Take a hike; we don’t want you or your laws! We worship the oaks! God says, You’ll be as an oak, but dead, dry, and ready to burn like the tow. Then God turns to the ignorant sinner that knew no better and says, Repent, turn ye from your wicked ways; I will forgive. And they say nothing. They just smile and pass God by and walk on to their gardens. And God says, There goes the spark!

And this is why we use the King James Bible. The message is lost in all the other versions. God help us!

Conclusion

These metaphors are all things that people of that time understood; things of their trade, their knowledge, things common and familiar. In pondering this task of reading and understanding Isaiah, what a surprise and wonder it is to me that the Holy Ghost has inspired the use of such plain and common things to reveal the mind of God. Isaiah is not so difficult and mysterious aswe initially believed.

(Matthew 16:16-18) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Finally, I’ve been wanting to get into some real theological type studies. And the first thing I’ve been chomping at the bit to get into is Ecclesiology; the study of the church. I’ve come to the long hard conclusion that basic church doctrine is what is desperately needed to get the job done. (Ephesians 3:21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. If this whole thing is about living a life that will bring glory to the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, then it seems to me that it must needs be done in the church. There are alot of different topics concerning the church. I’m not entirely sure how to approach this. I’ll most likely skirt around the edges for awhile and look for a place to dive in.

The Church is Important to God

Let me ask a simple question. Why should we study the church? Why is it important that we learn more about the church? To begin with, the church is important to God. Now, the church should be important to us simply because the church is important to God. There’s not just something special about the church. There is much that is special about the church. Why is the church important to God?

The church is important to God because it is God’s means in which He is glorified in this present day.

What does it even mean to have a god? The very nature of a deity is glory: magnificence, exaltation, awe, honor, laud, and praise. Three times the bible proclaims (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 96:8) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name. Now our God is The Almighty God (Revelation 19:16) KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Now we can study the divine character of God and his mighty acts that are worthy of our praise, but I must ask this question: Is he not our God? Regardless of any knowledge regarding Him, his word, his plan, his character, etc., do we have a God or not? And if we do have a God, should he not be glorified, magnified, exalted and worshipped? Why have a God, if we’re not interested in doing that? If He is not to be glorified, then he is not God, or even a god for that matter. He should be glorified simply by reason of his position: our God.

And if we are interested in glorifying our God, would it not behoove us to understand the means in which this could be accomplished by man; the means which our God has set forth. This means is the church. (Ephesians 3:21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. It would benefit us to understand the means in which God is glorified. Now I understand that the heavens declare the glory of God and all creation declares the glory of God. But I’m no tree and neither are you. All creation has to do is just exist and it glorifies God. Not so for us. (Romans 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. For us to just exist, we come short. Hence God has established a means in which we can glorify God; which is his church. (Numbers 14:21) But as truly I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Jesus said he will build his church. And his church is the means, or vehicle for lack of a better word, in which God is glorified. Therefore, it must be important to God; and must needs be important to us.

The church is important to God because it is God’s masterpiece that will endure to eternity.

By the time we get to Revelation 21, there’s truly only two places that you can be. You’ll either be in new Jerusalem, or you’ll be in the lake of fire. And regarding those that will tread the street of gold in new Jerusalem the bible says (Revelation 21:24) And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it. That group of saved people is the church. Though the bible says nations the number will still pale in comparison to the multitudes that will cast into the lake of fire. (Matthew 7:14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

When we move from one home to another, sometimes circumstances be that we cannot keep everything. We must choose certain items that are dear to us that will survive through the transition. Even upon your entrance into eternity, if God gave you the privilege to keep just one thing, what would it be? Think about this: (Revelation 21:1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. It appears to me that God is moving on. After all, He did say in the beginning of all this (Genesis 6:3) My spirit shall not always strive with man. God is moving on. He is abandoning the old heaven, old earth, and old Jerusalem. And he’s moving on to the new one. He’ll only be taking one thing with him; and that is the church.

And the church is God’s masterpiece; not just a new creation created in Christ Jesus, but his greatest creation. The church is his best and final work on this side of eternity and he’s keeping it. It’s the only thing other than himself that will make it to the other side. The church is important to God. Everything else will burn. (2 Peter 3:10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (Revelation 20:15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Nothing will last but the church. Silver and gold won’t make it; the elements shall melt with fervant heart. God’s masterpiece will endure. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the gates of hell shall not prevail. The fire shall have no power. This is the proof and extent of God’s regard. The church is important to God.

The church is important to God because it is God’s mansion in which he dwells on earth.

Two verse: (1 Corinthians 3:16) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? The church is the dwelling place of God in the person of the Holy Spirit. This is where he lives and breathes. This is where he walks and dwells. This is where he prays and cries. This is where he is communed with and worshipped. This, the church, or the individual church member particularly, is his home. I like what C. S. Lewis wrote in The Horse and His Boy.

“Ah!” croaked the Raven. “It is an old saying: see the bear in his own den before you judge of his conditions.”
“That’s very true, Sallowpad,” said one of the Dwarfs. “And another is, Come, live with me and you’ll know me.”

The church is the natural habitat of God. (Ephesians 2:21-22) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Of course now, the Raven and the Dwarf were addressing the disappointment that one usually experiences when he comes to know a person in his own domain. But it is not a disappointment to know God, especially in his domain of the church. Paul said (Philippians 3:10) That I may know him.

For most, our dwelling place is important to us. We keep it clean. (Well, we try!) We fix what goes wrong. We keep the power on and the water running. We adorn it. We arrange it. We enjoy it. It is important to us. Much more is God’s dwelling place to him.

The church is important to God because it is God’s marriage partner chosen for his Son.

Paul said (Romans 7:4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Married to him who is raised from the dead? I guess that kinda makes us a daughter-in-law? Well? I suppose that makes us family now, huh? I like these verses: (Ephesians 3:14-15) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Family is important.

God has gone through great pains and much trouble to secure his Son a bride. It is important to God. Eternity will begin with a wedding! (Revelation 19:7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:9) Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

The church, besides our Lord Jesus Christ himself, is the biggest deal in heaven. It should be the biggest deal down here on earth. All creation, from the foundation of the world, stands in awe of the bride. All heaven, for time and eternity, honors the church; the holy vessel of eternal honor and glory to God. (Ephesians 3:21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. It is throughout all ages. Praise God. And they lived happily ever after. Amen.

The church is important to God because it is God’s beneficiary to which he gave the New Testament.

Of course, the entire bible is God’s book to man. But if you look specifically at the New Testament and see who all the writings were addressed to, you’ll see that the New Testament is indeed the church’s book. Of the 27 books of the New Testament, with the exception of Matthew, Mark, John, and James, every book is directly addressed to the church or a member of the church. .

(Luke 1:3) …to write unto thee… most excellent Theophilus,
(Acts 1:1) …O Theophilus…
(Romans 1:7) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…
(1 Corinthians 1:2) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…
(2 Corinthians 1:1) …unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
(Galatians 1:2) …unto the churches of Galatia:
(Ephesians 1:1) …to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
(Philippians 1:1) …to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
(Colossians 1:2) To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse…
(1 Thessalonians 1:1) …unto the church of the Thessalonians…
(2 Thessalonians 1:1) …unto the church of the Thessalonians…
(1 Timothy 1:2) Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith…
(2 Timothy 1:2) To Timothy, my dearly beloved son…
(Titus 1:4) To Titus, mine own son after the common faith…
(Philemon 1-2) …unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, ² And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
(Hebrews 13:24) Salute… all the saints…
(1 Peter 1:1-2) …to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² Elect according to the foreknowledge of God…
(2 Peter 1:1) …to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
(1 John 1:3-4) …our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things write we unto you…
(2 John 1) …unto the elect lady and her children…
(3 John 1) …unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
(Jude 1) …to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
(Revelation 1:4) …to the seven churches which are in Asia…

The New Testament is twenty-seven love letters addressed to the church. You don’t typically write a lot of letters to someone unless they are very important to you, you care about them, and have much to say to them. What an honor and privilege to be the beneficiary of such attention.

The church is important to God because it is God’s missionary in which he entreats a lost and dying world.

Before Jesus ascended, he gathered his disciples and commissioned them. (Mark 16:15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. There is no other group of people that God has set apart to use to evangelize this old world. Paul said (2 Corinthians 5:20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. Jesus did not ask anybody else to do this task. He asked the church. This is our one great task to do while here on this earth.

Give your most intense thought to the study of ways and means by which you may save sinners. Make this the great and intense study of your life. Refuse to be diverted from this work. Guard against every temptation that would abate your interest in it. – Charles Finney

(Proverbs 11:30) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. It’s wise to works in the garden. Good fruit rarely grows on it’s own. It takes work, commitment, experience, blood, sweat, and tears. (Psalm 126:6) He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. The church is God’s human resources to get the job done. There is reward for doing what is most important to God. (Daniel 12:3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

It’s not that God needs us. Jesus said (Luke 19:40) If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. But God, of all the people of this earth, has chosen a specific people to enter into his labors. (Romans 10:14-15) How shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? God has sent us forth (Luke 4:18-19) to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, ¹⁹ To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. The church is an important people for an important task.

Conclusion

I would say that the church is indeed important to God. The church is the means in which He is glorified, the masterpiece that will endure to eternity, the mansion in which He dwells, the marriage partner chosen for his Son, the beneficiary of the New Testament, the missionary to a lost and dying world. There is no other people so blessed and set apart. And this is why we need study the church; and not just a necessity, but a pleasure and delight to look upon God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus. All hail the power of Jesus name; the power to build his church. He said I will build my church. The church is important to God. Therefore it must needs be important to us. (Ephesians 5:17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Exodus 27:1-8 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits. ² And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass. ³ And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass. ⁴ And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof. ⁵ And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar. ⁶ And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass. ⁷ And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it. ⁸ Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.

Once again, I’m amazed in what little information is presented here and what vague a picture is set forth. One can easily research and find pictures to explain what the brasen altar looked like. Many look the same. No explanation is given. It seems as if people just copy a copy of a copy. So let’s do our own investigating.

The Size

(Exodus 27:1) And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits. A cubit 18 inches long means that the altar was a box 7 1/2 ft long by 7 1/2 ft wide by 4 1/2 ft tall. That’s pretty tall. That’s eye level for the average person. So that demands an answer to the question of how did they get a bullock up on that altar? Being a priest was not just sprinkling some blood and burning some incense. No. It was real work. That’s why they had to rotate the priests. That’s why there were age limits to the priesthood (Numbers 8:24) This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: They had to be at least twenty-five years of age. A man was required. But they couldn’t be past fifty years of age. An able man was also required. Once you’re fifty, you can’t do what you used to.

So how did they lift that animal over the ledge of that altar 4 1/2 ft tall? Can I say this? (John 12:32) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. It must have taken many men to lift upright a full grown man nailed to a cross. So just a strong soldiers worked together to lift up the Lord Jesus Christ, so must have the priest been strong and worked together to heave that beast upon the altar. Think about the sweaty, bloody, stinky work that the priests had to do. (Revelation 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God… (1 Peter 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood..

You say, Well, we don’t have to throw a beast on the altar anymore. Do we not? (1 Peter 2:5) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. I believe Paul said, (Romans 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. That’s hard work, buddy. Most people shirk it.

They may have built a ramp out of the ground or other materials. But they may have not. Remember this was a mobile brasen altar. Using the ground would be alot of work that mysteriously wasn’t mentioned. What if there was no dirt, just rock? They may have built ramps out of wood. But as I said, there’s no mention of that in the bible. So I think it safe to assume that there were no additional pieces of furniture in the tabernacle by the altar. And that every sacrifice, by the sweaty, bloody, stinky work of the priests, was heaved upon that altar, 4 1/2 feet tall.

The Horns

(Exodus 27:2) And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass. So what are the horns used for? Decoration? I think not. Listen to this: (Psalm 118:27) God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. A Western saddle has something on it that European saddles don’t; a horn. This horn has one purpose and that is to hold down them doggies. Most people just use it to hold on to it so they don’t fall off. But that is not the purpose. It’s an anchor used by the cowboy while he’s roping and working cattle and other animals to hold and pull.

I would think that the animals that were about to be slain were tied to the horns of the altar; parked there so to speak. It makes sense. Try killing an animal that’s not tied down. The bible says (Exodus 29:11) And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So the altar must have been very close to the door of the tabernacle in order to tie the animals there. (Leviticus 4:7) And the priest shall… pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So the altar is right there at the door and these horns were used to stay the animals as they were being slaughtered.

Look at this from the eyes of the sacrifice. His owner would walk beside him with a rope in his hand. That rope was tied around his neck. He would see his owner beside him as he walked through the door of the tabernacle and his hand go forth with the rope in it. He’d see the priest and the priest’s hand would come forth and grab the rope. And as he tied it to the horn of the alter, the owner would walk away never to be seen again. He’d see the knife in the priest’s hand. He’d try to pull away but to no avail because his neck was tied to the horn of the altar. Anything that was bound to the horns would die.

There was a purpose for the horns being on the corners of the altar, just like there is a purpose for the horn on your saddle. This gives meaning to the acts of Joab. It was finally his time to die. I think that Joab, to the end, asserted and proclaimed his innocence, and the guilt of Absalom, Abner and Amasa in whom he killed. He believed he was justified in his acts. And he was going to die not for his sin, but for the sin of others. (1 Kings 2:28) And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. (1 Kings 2:30) And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. He may have disagreed with David and Solomon, but he agreed with God that it was time to die when he took hold of those horns of the altar. He knew one way or the other, that the wages of sin was upon him and that death would be his lot. Anything that was bound to the horns would die.

The Instruments

Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass. And here we have the tools of the trade: pans, shovels, basons, and hooks. Again, not a lot of description. So the blacksmith seemed free to create what he chose. Only two things were required. One, that they be made of brass. And two, that all five of these must be made. All five of these tools were necessary in the work of the Tabernacle. God would not have asked them to make tools that they weren’t most undoubtedly going to use.

This makes me wonder how many tools has God given us that remain unused; that just lie there dormant, untouched and unpracticed. These are the instruments of sacrifice. I wonder if there is much difference between the soldier and the priest. I mean both’s job is to slay, is it not? (Ephesians 6:13-18) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God… truth… the breastplate of righteousness… the preparation of the gospel… the shield of faith… the helmet of salvation… the sword of the Spirit… all prayer and supplication…

It makes me think of (Romans 6:13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. That’s what these vessels of brass were: instruments of righteousness. The brasen altar was the place where the righteousness of God was fulfilled and carried out. And God says that our bodies should be the instruments of righteousness. (1 Corinthians 6:20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

It makes me think of Pontious Pilate, the Roman soldiers, Judas, Joseph of Arimathaea, and all the Jews that God used as instruments to carry out his perfect sacrifice once and for all. (Romans 11:11) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles. There may be alot more in these instruments and tools that we see at first glance. We might have to study that one on it’s own.

The Grate

(Exodus 27:4-5) And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof. ⁵ And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar. Now this is really where things get confusing for me. Now the grate is like a huge barbeque grill made of brass. This had to be where the animal was lain. Some people say that the wood was lain on the grate and the ashes would fall through. Most pictures of the brasen altar show a big box with a grate inside. That’s a problem for me. Because God said clearly to put it under the compass of the altar beneath. The compass is edge or ledge of the altar. And the midst of the altar is generally accepted to the the middle of the altar or half-way down the altar. And that makes sense being that it is beneath the ledge. But for it to look like a box with the grate inside doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Under and inside to me look different.

Now here are some other questions about this: How did they collect the ashes of the sacrifice? Did they just burn and fall into the fire through the grate, and the ashes that were collected were simply the pieces that didn’t fall through? How did they work the fire? Was there an opening underneath? A door? I would assume they needed much air to burn stuff quickly. These things are not really discussed in the bible. So let’s move on to the staves so I can share what I think.

The Staves

(Exodus 27:6-7) And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass. ⁷ And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it. Now this is where most of the problems come for me. The only rings that are mentioned in which to put the staves through would be the rings that were on the four corners of the grate. So if the grate was inside the altar as most pictures depict, then how in the world did they get those staves through there?

So this brings me to what I think. I picture the brasen altar to be a two-part work. The grate being the bottom half and the compass being the top half. The grate was a brass structure that stood 1 1/2 cubits tall and the top of it was a net of brass. And the sides were also a net of brass to let the air get through, but in them there must have been doors and things like that in order to access the fire. I would think that more delicate things like doors and hinges that needed to last would have been better made from brass. So it makes sense that the bottom half would have been a brass framework holding a woven lattice type grating with doors integrated in there to access the wood and fire. The rings at the four corners of this grate structure were used to bear altar; for the compass rested on top of this structure. If you picked up the grate, you picked up the compass with the horns which was made of shittim wood overlaid with brass. So in this picture that I found, that is exactly what is depicted. Mind you, most pictures don’t look like this. You can’t see the net in the picture where the sacrifice would lie, but it is assumed that it is at the top of the brass lattice work which is half-way up the altar. It’s underneath the compass. And the rings are showing a little high for my taste, but you can see how it is possible to be attached to the grate, yet still bear the entire altar. This picture makes sense to me.

Conclusion

I don’t have a lot of application today. I just really wanted to get a better picture of what the altar looked like. I hope this got you thinking. And the last verse: (Exodus 27:8) Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it. That word hollow is what stands out of course. That means it was empty. It was a big empty, hollow altar; ready for wood, fire, and sacrifice. His intention was that it be filled. It was filled in salvation. God provided a lamb. (2 Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. But now we have an empty cross in that Christ rose from the dead. But he now invites us (Mark 10:21) Take up the cross, and follow me. The altar is empty again and it’s God intention that it be filled. However, (Hebrews 10:26) There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. I can’t help but think of Job. After he had done all the sacrificing he was going to do and there was no more sacrificing to be done, the Bible says (Job 2:8) He sat down among the ashes.

Here I have built my altar,
The wood I’ve placed in order;
The sacrifice is ready now,
Send thou, O Lord, the Fire.

Evan Roberts

Mark 5:21-24 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. ²² And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, ²³ And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. ²⁴ And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

(The healing of the woman with an issue of blood)

Mark 5:35-43 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? ³⁶ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.³⁷ And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸ And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. ³⁹ And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.⁴⁰ And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. ⁴¹ And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. ⁴² And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. ⁴³ And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

This is the only miracle that Jesus performed in which the text is split and another miracle is performed in between the text of this miracle. And I prefer the text of Mark over Luke. If you read Luke’s account without reading the others, you’d think that Peter, James, and John laughed Jesus to scorn. But it wasn’t. It was the tumult that was there. Anyhow, this is what I got out of this today:

Brother Johnny Pope said at the camp the other day, “Jesus arrives seldom early, but never late.” Jairus no doubt had reason to be impatient, to be discouraged, and to just give up. Jairus came to Jesus and asked him to come and lay his hands on his sick daughter; for she was at the point of death. And Jesus agreed to go. But they were interrupted. There was a woman with an issue of blood that had touched the hem of Jesus garment. So he had to stop and deal with that first.

Now, he may have gotten upset because this woman was keeping Jesus from healing his daughter. His daughter was at the point of death and this woman had been sick for twelve years. Surely she could wait just a few hours while Jesus helps someone that was about to die. Surely his daughter’s case was more urgent and important than this woman’s. He could have grown angry and impatient.

They’re on their way to save a life, but Jesus stops. And as the minutes went by, Jairus feared that this little delay was enough to allow death to take his daughter. And sure enough, here comes someone from his house with the bad news. Thy daughter is dead. I can see him look over at this woman that got healed and then close his eyes and hang his head in disappointment and discouragement. I’m guess I’m too late. You got your issue dealt with, but now my daughter is dead. And that certain person from Jairus’s house advised Why troublest thou the Master any further? That’s the discouraging devil that lives in your house that is talking. Just give up. He didn’t answer your prayer. It must not be God’s will. Quit troubling God over the matter.

But the bible says that As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to Jairus Be not afraid, only believe. There’s a little voice that will speak to us after the devil says his peace, if we would just listen. Be not afraid, only believe. So I wonder at this point what questions were going through Jairus’ head. Did he think that Jesus was going to raise the dead? Or did he think the messenger was wrong? Or did he think that Jesus was just giving him advise to handle the death of his daughter. In Luke’s account, Jesus says (Luke 8:50) Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. I don’t think we can say for sure that Jairus knew that Jesus would raise the dead. But what we can say is that he did go on with Jesus. Through discouragement and confusion, he went on.

And then they come to the house and everybody is weeping and wailing greatly. Okay, the messenger is right. She is surely dead. It’s for certain now. I know for sure. My daughter is dead. And as reality begins to set in, Jesus says Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. Now I see Jairus shaking his head as everybody begins to laugh Jesus to scorn. This is not going the way I thought. What is this man talking about? My daughter’s death is turned into a joke. Just go away. Just leave me alone.

But nope, look what he does. (Mark 5:40) He taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. (Luke 8:51) And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. I’ll tell you what I see there. I see the church. Mom and dad, this is where you will find help from God for your child: Jesus disciples and Jesus in the midst of them. That’s the church. The bible says (Ephesians 3:20-21) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. He is able to do it. But he is in the church. You say Where’s the church? It’s that group of people that everybody is laughing to scorn. (1 Timothy 4:10) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

He goes on. He gets through disappointment. He gets through confusion. Now he has to walk through ridicule and reproach. By going in there, he was (Hebrews 11:25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God… There is really no indication that Jairus understand or knew what was about to happen. When Jesus calls that damsel to arise and she arises, the bible says (Mark 5:42) And they were astonished with a great astonishment. It pays to wait on Jesus. It pays to not give up. It pays to give him the benefit of the doubt and just go with him. Amen?

But then there’s a lesson there also for the church. The church was there in Jairus’ house, not their own house. (Acts 5:42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. The house of God is not a building. The house of God is the assembly of God’s people.

(Ephesians 2:19-22) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

And where God’s people assemble, God is in the midst of them. The tabernacle in the Old Testament went with God’s people. It’s better said the other way around: Wherever the tabernacle went, God’s people were sure to go. We hear alot of messages about walking with God. (Genesis 5:24) And Enoch walked with God. (Genesis 6:9) Noah walked with God. There’s going to be disappointment, confusion, and ridicule. But we musn’t forget (Matthew 11:5) The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Jesus is going to be about the Father’s business, no doubt. The timing, and our understanding, and the circumstances make things difficult for us sometimes, but we stay with him. We’re not troubling God. We’re trusting God. We go with God and we stay with him.

Exodus 26:36-37 And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. ³⁷ And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Now we come to the hanging outside the tabernacle. The ark was situated on the western side of the tabernacle so this curtain faced east. Mind you, this is the hanging curtain that separates the tabernacle from the courtyard and everybody else; the people from the priests. The veil was in the tabernacle, beyond this hanging, and seperated the holy from the most holy. This hanging curtain however is what stands in the way of all the tabernacle. (Hebrews 9:3) And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all. Hence, it is known as the first veil. You must go through this first veil even to see the bread or the candlestick. The priest were allowed beyond this first veil, but not the people. If you recall, Uzziah the king had trespassed into the temple to burn incense and was struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-19). He was not a Levite. The altar of incense was behind the first veil which is this hanging in which we speak. It was not beyond the second veil. If Uzziah would have crossed that, he would have surely died.

Notice the difference between this hanging and the veil. (Exodus 26:31) And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made. The hanging is the same but there are no cherubims on this curtain, but instead it is wrought with needlework. Now the veil was made of cunning work and the hanging of needlework. Some people believe that the Hebrew word for cunning chashab (khaw-shab’) denotes weaver’s work where there is an image on both sides. Whereas the Hebrew word for needlework raqam (raw-kam’) denoted needlework where there is an image on only one side. However, don’t believe everything you read. Thayer’s doesn’t line up with that. His definitions seem to state the opposite. So forget I even mentioned it. Just kidding. Here’s my educated guess. Chashab is more of what I would call weaving in the sense that it’s planned and premeditated and accomplished as the linen is being woven. Whereas raqam is still considered weaving, but it’s more like embroidery where it’s done after the linen has been woven. This is strictly a guess. But if I was right, that would denote that the second veil was of higher quality and of more value that the first veil. It was just plain harder to make.

And this view would seem to compliment what is clear regarding the sockets. The veil hangs on four pillars that are overlaid with gold; and these pillars are set in silver sockets. The hanging hangs on five pillars instead of four and the socket are made of brass instead of silver. Brass sockets is definitely inferior to silver sockets. I would take anything made out of silver over the same in brass. Who wouldn’t? Now brass is stronger than silver, correct? Why would it need to be stronger? Well, notice also that it required five pillars instead of the second veil’s four pillars. Five is also stronger than four. Maybe embroidered work weighs more than woven work! But heavier and stronger doesn’t always mean better or more valuable. See what happens when you go scrap seven tons of stainless steel instead of seven tons of mild steel. Tolkien said Not everything that shines is gold. Well I say Not everything that weighs much pays much.

The second veil is better than the first veil. Now we already covered that the veil was a type of Christ. Anyhow, do you see where I’m going with this? Because I don’t. I’ll come back to this when if I get a revelation.

(Proverbs 13:1) A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

(Proverbs 13:24) He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

So these two verse stand out to me this morning. How important and necessary the Father’s instructions; the father’s love and chastisement. And we learn, of course, from our heavenly Father. My understanding of chastisement was always one of punishment. But our dearest and kind heavenly Father has taught me better. The patience and long-suffering of the Father is unmatched and unrelenting. His love has no bounds and is ever pressing toward us. Chastisement, I’ve come to understand, is development and learning. Punish is no doubt a meaning of the word, but so is correction, admonish, train, discipline, and instruct. And in the light of (Proverbs 12:11) He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread, how is that pumpkin patch of children doing?

Instruction?

I’m just gonna be plain. How are you going to teach your kid anything if you don’t know anything? I picked up a book years ago, Talent is Overrated. It talk about how most people, in their profession, will excel for the first few years, but then will plateau, and then actually regress. They’ll get worst. I’m finding this to be true in many things. When is the last time you learned something new? When is the last time you taught yourself something new? People don’t like to change and people don’t like to learn. It’s hard work. How much thought have we given to instructing our children? How much planning have we done? How much preparation have we done for instruction? I learned this when I was sixteen years old. Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail. I haven’t been good at heeding that advise. But twenty-seven years later, I see the need and I’m wanting to implement that more and more; especially in the matter of father’s instruction. Also, the bible says that a wise son heareth his father’s instructions. What words of instruction do we give our children? What areas are we instructing them in? What areas are we diligently trying to instruct them in?

The Rod?

I know a lot of people like to talk about the rod of discipline; one used to inflict a little pain in order to teach a child something. I understand. But what comes to mind is another rod of discipline. (Psalm 23:4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. David has no fear of evil. He’s learned to trust God. He’s learned to stay close to God. It was a rod of familiarity, peace, and protection. Have we spared our children this rod? Sure I want my child to behave. But what does a child learn just walking along beside you? Through the valleys? Is he learning self-pity and fear and loneliness? That will definitely manifest itself in bad behavior and bad decisions. For thou art with me… I heard this many years ago. I believe it was from Brother Stinnet Ballew. Rules without a Relationship breed Rebellion. That is what the rod represents; the Father’s presence. I would much rather the rod bring comfort and allay fear, than to bring discomfort and strike fear. When they see the rod, do they run from you, or do they run to you? God help us. Jesus disciples were disciplined by Jesus. But he didn’t beat them over the head. They said to him (John 6:68) Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. His discipline drew them to his side. For some of us, our only concept of discipline is limited to pain and yelling. But love produces obedience. The proverb says that a wise son heareth his father’s instructions, not feeleth.

Chastening?

When I hear the word chasten, I’m always reminded of (Isaiah 53:5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Notice. He was wounded for… He was bruised for… The chastisement of… There’s a different relationship here. Everytime I heard this, quite honestly, I’ve always been baffled. What is the chastisement of our peace? The way the commentators explain is that the chastisement of our peace is the chastisement necessary to obtain peace with God. I have no reason to doubt that. But notice the significant relationship between chastisement and peace. Peace is the end to which chastisement strives. This reminds me of horse training again. Horses don’t learn from pressure, but the release of pressure. They are always looking for peace. Releasing pressure, or giving them peace, at the right time is what teaches them and trains them. It’s what disciplines them. It’s what ultimately causes them to obey us. Can this perhaps be a clue as to the chastisement of God? And maybe a lesson on how to chastise these children that we love.

Betimes?

The word betimes is translate from the hebrew word shachar (shaw-khar’) which means the following:

to dawn, i.e. (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking)

I wanted to quote the whole definition. I always thought that betimes meant alot of times. And that is when I was ignorant and thought that spanking was all you had to do. I thought you had to just do it alot. But in light of (Proverbs 12:11) He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread, I like that definition be up early at any task… earnestness. As far as work is concerned, it’s always better to work smarter and not harder. I’m all for hard work, but I don’t care much for futile work. To be diligent is to seek and search for most effective way at accomplishing a task; to find a way that works. If one plan doesn’t work, then go back to the drawing board and come up with another one. I’ve got seven children and everyday it seems we have to go back to the drawing board. What worked for one doesn’t work for the other. What we thought would work, didn’t work. New problem? New issure? New plan. Roll up your sleeves and hammer it out.

Conclusion

(Proverbs 13:1) A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. (Proverbs 13:24) He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Maybe I’m just getting old and soft. Or maybe it’s because I’ve learned better. Now learning better doesn’t mean doing better. We should be diligent to learn, but also diligent to do. My point in all this is that instruction requires preparation. For example, have you ever just sat down and wrote a brief outline maybe of the areas of your instruction that you want to give your children? What do you want them to know? A teacher does not go into a classroom to instruct in a subject unless he has diligently and studiously prepared himself to lecture on the subject. (That is if he has a conscience) Don’t be satisfied. (Proverbs 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go!

(Exodus 26:34-35) And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. ³⁵ And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.

So this is the order in which these items would be set: the ark and mercy seat, the table, and the candlestick. The ark and the mercy seat were within the vail. And the table and the candlestick were set without the vail. The candlestick was to to the south, or to your left walking in. And the table was to the north, or to your right. Now, there is another piece that is not mentioned; and that is the altar of incense. However, instructions are not given regarding this until Exodus Chapter 30. So why this is not mentioned until later, I don’t know. Suffice it to say, these three are the only ones that should concern us at the present moment.

There are three things here before the ark and the mercy seat; three things that must be encountered before the presence of the ark; before the presence of God. No man can come unto God, but to go through these three things. (John 14:6) I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (Ecclesiastes 4:12) And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. These thoughts are somewhat random, and not developed well, but it is what came to mind.

The Way

Through the vail is the way to God. (Hebrews 10:19-20) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; I’m just going to throw this thought out there. When Christ died, the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom, signifying that the way to God is now open to all; that what was closed shut in Adam, was now made open in Christ. (Romans 5:10) We were reconciled to God by the death of his Son… That veil being rent from top to bottom signified a new covenant. It brings to mind an old covenant; one that God made with Abraham many years ago. God told Abraham to take certain animals for offerings. (Genesis 15:9) And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

Then Abraham divided the animals. He cut them in half. Then the bible says (Genesis 15:17-18) And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. ¹⁸ In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram… Now I won’t get into the detail of the covenant, but I noticed that not all the animals were divided in two. (Genesis 15:10) And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. Now I don’t know why Abraham did not cut the birds. Maybe he felt sorry for them. I don’t know.

But to me, this signifies a covenant that was not complete; a covenant that was not perfect. But when Christ died, the veil was rent from the top to the bottom, a complete division. (Isaiah 53:10-11) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. ¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied… God is satisfied in the complete work of Christ. It is finished. The work is done. The divided veil of his flesh is a complete covenant.

The Truth

The table held the bread. And we know Jesus said (John 6:35) I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.The veil is access. The table is sustenance. The truth and the bread speak of the sustaining power of the word of God. An old preacher once said, holding up his King James Bible, “The only food that sheep eat is sheep food!” The bible says (John 1:1) the Word was God.

Nobody gets saved but by partaking of the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. When someone gets saved they’re saved forever. And nothing endures forever but the Word of God. (1 Peter 1:24-25) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: ²⁵ But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

When you come to God you must come by the Word of God. (Ephesians 1:12-13) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. ¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation… Nothing else will satisfy the hungry soul. The bread of life will not just satisfy the starving, but sustain forever the satisfied. We can dine forever at the king’s table. You will know if you got the bread of life because the bread of life will sustain you all your life.

The Life

(John 1:4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. The candlestick speaks to us of the illuminating power of God. Now Jesus said (John 8:12) I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The first step to Jesus is an illuminating step. Your first step to Jesus is a step into the glorious light of the Lord Jesus Christ. The soul of a sinner must be awakened to the light of the gospel. His understanding must be enlightened; his understanding of himself, his sin, God, His holiness, Christ and His saving power. It seems like a lot to learn. But God can and will turn the light on.

The candlestick also speaks to us of the church. (Revelation 1:12-13) And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; ¹³ And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man… (Revelation 1:20) The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Can I be so bold as to say this: Nobody’s understanding is illuminated, but by the work of the church. I like that old song by Phillip Bliss, Let the Lower Lights be Burning.

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy,
From His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

Praise God for his church; his faithful servants; the beautiful feet that brought the gospel of peace! If it wasn’t for that lighthouse, my ship would sail no more!

The Veil, the Table, and the Candlestick

You must go through these to get to God. Yes, the veil is rent and the way to the holiest of all is open. But there still remains the holy place with the table and the candlestick that must be trod; and the veil was rent, not taken down. It’s God’s way or it’s no way. I like God’s way. I like the holy place. I like the things of God. I like that these things are set around the presence of God: his blood, his cross, his light, his word, and his church. It’s good company.

Luke 8:42-48 But as he went the people thronged him. ⁴³ And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, ⁴⁴ Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. ⁴⁵ And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? ⁴⁶ And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.⁴⁷ And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. ⁴⁸ And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

There was a great multitude gathered around Jesus and the disciples. They all wanted to see what was going on, hear what was being said, and be part of the action so to speak. It was tight and crowded, people pushing and shoving. The bible says that (Luke 8:42) the people thronged him. Peter said (Luke 8:45) Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee. Peter and his disciples could not understand why after seemingly everybody touched Jesus, why would he be asking Who touched me? Because though everybody was touching his garment, he distinguished the difference between a physical touch and a spiritual touch. There was something different and special about the contact this woman made with Jesus. (John 3:6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Let me get directly into my application. There is so much commotion in this world around Jesus. There’s a church on every corner. No other country in the world has so many bibles, spiritual literature, facilities, etc. dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ. But don’t let that fool you. Virtue is not going out everywhere all the time. You may be in eyes of all just one of the crowd. Outwardly, there’s not a whole lot to set you apart. But if you’ve ever (Matthew 9:20) touched the hem of his garment the way this woman did, you’ll know that there’s something different inside.

What I find interesting is that Jesus would not rest, until that which was performed inside, was made manifest to all. He insisted (Luke 8;46) Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. Now I don’t believe for one second that Jesus didn’t know who it was. He knew. He knows everything. He wanted everybody else to know. In fact, in Mark it says (Mark 5:32) He looked round about to see her that had done this thing. He asked the crowd who it was that touched him, but looked her straight in the eye. And the bible says (Luke 8:47) the woman saw that she was not hid.

Then the bible says (Luke 8:47) She came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. She came (Mark 5:33) fearing and trembling. It may be a fearful thing and it may not be easy, but if you’ve ever really touched the hem of his garment, if virtue has really gone out of Christ, it must be made public because it was done for all to see. You realize that (Ephesians 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus… You are his masterpiece; his crown of rejoicing. You were never, no never, created to be hid. (Matthew 5:14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

And notice that the bible says (Luke 8:47) She declared unto him before all the people… There’s only one place that could be done today. (Ephesians 3:21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. In the church. If you want to declare something to Christ, declare it before his body. (Colossians 1:18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. You can’t separate the head from the body. And you’ll never give Christ the preeminence lest he be exalted above the body. To ignore his body is to ignore his headship.

Jesus is (Revelation 1:13) in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. And we know Jesus told John that (Revelation 1:20) The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. And we know Jesus said (Matthew 18:20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. And we know that every saved individual is (Ephesians 2:22) Builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. So it seems to me that if you want to declare something to Christ, it’s gonna have to be before his body, the church. There’s no secret service here. You can’t become part of the body and not let the rest of the body know. Yeah, I’m a pinky toe, but I think I can be joined to the body without letting the rest of the body know. No. It doesn’t work like that.

And Christ has instituted a means in which this should be done. And that is baptism. And this is basic baptist doctrine. You get saved; then you get baptized. And you get baptized into the local assembly. That means you don’t vote, you don’t serve, you don’t take the Lord’s supper, you don’t do anything that saved and baptized church members do, until you’ve been baptized. Baptism is a public declaration of your salvation in Christ. It is an outward declaration of an inward reality. (Luke 8:47) She declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. For what cause did you touch God? And what did he do for you? Don’t take lightly the ordinances of God. Jesus said (Matthew 18:18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Interestingly, though it be another matter, the verse right before this one says (Matthew 18:17) Tell it unto the church!

(Luke 8:48) And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. Jesus says three things here. The middle thing is what has happened to her. And if you’ve been saved, this is what has happened to you. (Romans 4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Thy faith hath made thee whole. But now that she had come forth and made it public to Christ before all the people, Jesus says to her be of good comfort… and go in peace. Baptism doesn’t save you and will not make you whole; only faith does that. But you’ll never be comfortable in Christian service and you’ll never have peace without it.

A few final thoughts…

(Mark 5:18-19) And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. ¹⁹ Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. Jesus didn’t suffer him. He wants us to follow him, but first things must be first.

(Matthew 5:15-16) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. What is implied is that God doesn’t do it… And neither do men.

(Psalm 1:5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. I thank God and bless his holy name for my place in the congregation of the righteous. It’s a miracle of God. And it’s only by his grace I can boast such a standing. I touched the hem of his garment! God help us to not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to dishonor the head by ignoring the body. So many applications! The church! What a glorious thing that God has created! The church! The congregation of miracles!

Last thought…

He said Daughter… At Jesus’ baptism, heaven was split open so the Father could declare (Luke 3:22) Thou art my beloved Son in thee I am well pleased. So it’s not just us declaring to God and all what He has done for us, but God declaring to the individual and all his children the new beloved child of God that has come into the fold and the glorious standing in Christ that we’ve been given. Bless his name!

(Proverbs 12:11) He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

I was explaining to my daughter today something of my understanding of the Bible. I usually need a topic of interest to keep me interested. I don’t learn much just reading here and there. I need a specific topic or question or doctrine at the forefront of my thinking in order that my studies be productive. I was telling her this to encourage her to study her bible.

To my surprise, she answered this, “Boundaries inspire creativity.” She has been taking a writing course of late and this is something apparently she has already learned. But when she said that I said bingo! Boundaries inspire creativity! So this verse got me thinking about our efforts in bible reading and study.

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread…

Farmers don’t just throw seed out wherever and whenever. No, they prepare the soil. And they plant specific seed in specific soil at a specific time. There is a plan that must be developed. There is preparation that must be done. There is a program that must be followed. Without it, you can forget the bread.

Our daily bread…

Jesus himself says (Matthew 6:11) Give us this day our daily bread. Daily bread suggests regiment. There must be a plan or a program. It suggests frequency. Once a week is insufficient. It suggests a consistent effort. Sporadic consumption is insufficient. It suggests work. For the satisfaction of bread is not possible without first the tilling of the land.

Now Paul said to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Daily bread to me suggests daily work.

The parable of the sower…

Think about the parable of the sower. (Matthew 13:18) Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. The parable of the sower is usually applied to many as opposed to one. For example, the way side is one individual, stony places is another individual, among thorns is another individual, and then the seed is sown in good ground which is the final individual. And when Jesus interprets his own parable he speaks of the different individuals respectively: he which received the seed by the way side, he that received the seed in stony places, he that received seed among thorns, and he that received seed into the good ground.

But when we apply this, why does he always have to be different people? There’s no reason in the world to believe that one individual is one single bed of good ground, never to be tilled, cleaned, weeded, harrowed, and fertilized. Every saved individual is plagued and hindered by the wicked one, tribulation and persecution, the care of this world, the deceitfulness of riches. The prophet Jeremiah said (Jeremiah 4:3) Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. It’s your fallow ground. Those thorns are on your ground. Everybody has got fallowed ground… if we’re honest.

When you look at it like this, there’s so many ways to apply this. Our whole being is one big farm in which the husbandman, the sower, the farmer, wants to cultivate, plant, grow, and reap. (John 15:8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Paul said (Romans 7:4) that we should bring forth fruit unto God. There are way sides in your heart; stony places untouched; and thorns to be reckoned with. Even a patch of good ground, fertile and rich, when left unattended and neglected, will be rendered useless and fruitless in time.

Dig it and dung it…

Consider Jesus’ parable of the unfruitful fig tree. (Luke 13:7-8) Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?⁸And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: This really is not rocket science. We’ve been farming since the days of Adam. You till up the bad stuff and till in the good stuff. The point is that He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread…

So when I think of what my daughter said, “Boundaries inspire creativity.” I see the furrows of corn, rows of cotton, and fields of sorghum. I’m from Texas. That’s all they grow down there. But they didn’t sow all manner of seed in a field in some haphazard method. No, whole fields where dedicated to one crop. The field was prepared throughout the year. The furrows were made. The seed was planted in a consistent fashion within those boundaries. And as the seed came up it was cared for. It was sprayed for insects. It was harrowed. And this was done for every field for every crop.

Let me ask you this. Do you have boundaries in your bible study? Do you have a plan or a program? Are you tilling the land? This is why people ought to go to Sunday school; because if you don’t have a plan, at least you can benefit from someone else having a plan. But why stop there? If all the bible study you get is Sunday school, then you are essential going over to someone else’s farm and eating the fruit of their labors. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But what about your field? The stones still lay there unmoved and the thorns are left to grow.

I’ll say this: Coming up with a plan is work in and of itself. It’s not easy managing a farm. It’s much easier to just do what someone tells you. We need boundaries just to come up with the boundaries. Don’t give up. I want to encourage you to till your land. Break up your fallow ground. And there’s much ground to cover; not just bible study, but prayer, evangelism, good works, etc. “Boundaries inspire creativity.” I came across this in my readings this morning and it just jumped out at me and nearly knocked me over! “Limitation creates power.”

The next half of the verse may be a help in the matter.

He that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Try to find someone to follow that is fruitful not futile. This verse has been a great encouragement to me. (Jeremiah 5:5) I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God…

3 Point Message Idea

God will till his land

We ought to till our land

We ought to get others to till their own land.

(Proverbs 14:4) Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

(Isaiah 1:31) And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

The ox and the ass

Wounds, bruises, and putrifying sores

Sodom and Gomorrah

Scarlet and crimson

Oak and garden

Tow and spark

A better interpretation…

A new question…

More application…

Conclusion

The Church is Important to God

The church is important to God because it is God’s means in which He is glorified in this present day.

The church is important to God because it is God’s masterpiece that will endure to eternity.

The church is important to God because it is God’s mansion in which he dwells on earth.

The church is important to God because it is God’s marriage partner chosen for his Son.

The church is important to God because it is God’s beneficiary to which he gave the New Testament.

The church is important to God because it is God’s missionary in which he entreats a lost and dying world.

Conclusion

The Size

The Horns

The Instruments

The Grate

The Staves

Conclusion

(The healing of the woman with an issue of blood)

(Proverbs 13:1) A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

(Proverbs 13:24) He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Instruction?

The Rod?

Chastening?

Betimes?

Conclusion

(Exodus 26:34-35) And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. 35 And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.

The Way

The Truth

The Life

The Veil, the Table, and the Candlestick

A few final thoughts…

Last thought…

(Proverbs 12:11) He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread…

Our daily bread…

The parable of the sower…

Dig it and dung it…

He that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

3 Point Message Idea

(Exodus 26:34-35) And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. ³⁵ And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.