Bible Study - GOD is Faithful (Special Easter Lesson) - Luke 24:1-12 - Worth Reading - April 1, 2018

Bible Study – GOD Is Faithful (Special) – April 1, 2018

This is a special lesson for Easter.

Our focus scripture is Luke 24:1-12.

The empty tomb points to the faithfulness of GOD.

The Bible is replete with Old Testament prophecy that reveals the human birth, life, death, resurrection and purpose of the Promised Messiah, JESUS.

JESUS was born 100% human, yet 100% Divine. JESUS left HIS Glory in Heaven in order to come to earth. 

Do you recall John 17:5?

5 Now, Father, glorify me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

This was before JESUS’ crucifixion. JESUS left HIS home in Heaven to come to earth to be born a human and to freely give HIS sinless life just for those who will place their faith in HIM. That is the height of love. Roman 5:8 reveals:

8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! 

Without any guarantees that anyone would accept HIM as his or her Savior, JESUS gave HIS life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin, so that all who would place their faith in HIM would be forgiven for their sins and receive eternal life through the miracle of rebirth in their spirit. Rebirth changes the human spirit from spirit to Spirit, which is only possible through a person placing his or her faith in JESUS.

The facts are clear:

JESUS was born a human, who was capable of sin but HE remained sinless. All prophesied in the Old Testament and confirmed in the New Testament.

JESUS, as 100% human, revealed GOD to the world by fulfilling the Spirit of the Law and the prophets. HE backed up HIS authority by many signs, wonders and miracles. HE demonstrated the relationship Christians should desire as they are being sanctified, which is an ongoing process until Christians enter Heaven.

JESUS willingly gave HIS physical life while HE hung upon the cross. HIS death was confirmed by a spear being thrust into HIS side and blood and water flowing out. The Roman soldiers who were in-charge of crucifixions knew what death looked like and JESUS was dead.

So how did JESUS body get from the cross to the tomb?

Let’s read John 19:38-42: (After the death of JESUS upon the cross.)

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus-but secretly because of his fear of the Jews-asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away. 

39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds. 

40 Then they took Jesus' body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 

41 There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 

42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

This was Friday, what we refer to as Good Friday. The Jews counted a day as from sunup to sundown. Generally from 6 AM in the morning to about 6 PM in the evening. Of course, the time would flex depending upon the time of the year.

These two members of the Jewish Sanhedrin placed JESUS’ body into a nearby new tomb, which was owned by Joseph of Arimathea. A huge, wheel like, stone rolled on what appeared to be a track to close its entrance to prevent animals from eating the body. In about a year, the flesh would decay and only the bones would remain. The bones would be removed and placed in an ossuary for final keeping.

The entrance to the tomb was sealed and both Roman and temple guards were placed there to guard it.

Let’s read Matthew 27:62-66:

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 

63 and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' 

64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." 

65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." 

66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

The statement “setting a guard” might lead one to think there was one or two guards. It was likely a squad and it was likely both Roman and Temple guards. Some writings say there were 10 Roman and 10 Temple guards. The point being both the Romans and the Jews did not want a hoax to develop by someone stealing the body of JESUS.

Guards were placed at the entrance of the tomb to guard it to keep the disciples from stealing JESUS’ body and claiming that HE was alive. JESUS had stated that HE would be resurrected in three days.

Scripture reveals that the guards were frightened and left the tomb. The religious leaders paid the guards off and told them to say that the disciples had taken JESUS’ body.

Let’s read Matthew 28:11-15: (The tomb was confirmed to be empty and as those knew it was empty were going to tell this good news what else was taking place among the religious leaders and the Roman leaders ---)

11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 

Notice “some of the guard” went into the city, which confirms there were multiple guards.

12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 

13 and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 

14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."

15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Let’s consider our focus scripture.

Let’s read Luke 24:1-3:

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 

2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 

3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.                   

Let’s read Luke 24:4-8:

4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 

5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men. 

6 "He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 

7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day?" 

8 And they remembered His words. 

Let’s read Luke 24:9-12:

9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 

10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 

11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 

12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went home, amazed at what had happened.

The resurrection of JESUS from the physically dead was GOD’S proof to the world that JESUS had paid the price for sin, in full, because the wages of sin is eternal death but the gift of GOD is eternal life to all who place their faith in JESUS. GOD has the power and authority over physical death and eternal life. A person can argue with GOD but he or she will lose because GOD is the final sovereign authority. JESUS is the judge. We read in John 5:24: (JESUS is speaking)

24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 

Does the resurrection of JESUS make a difference to you? It should because none of the founders of the religions of the world have conquered physical death. Christians serve a risen savior. All of the founders of the various religions in the world are dead. Religion is manmade but Christianity is CHRIST in you. Period! We attend brick and mortar buildings to be fed Spiritually and to serve GOD. It is CHRIST in a person that makes a person a Christian. If you do not have CHRIST, you are not a Christian. Being born to Christian parents does not make you a Christian. Each person must make his or her own decision whether or not to believe on JESUS as his or her Savior. It is the shed blood of JESUS that takes away your sin and makes you whiter than snow.

Let’s consider the attitudes of the brothers of JESUS before the resurrection of JESUS as recorded in John 7:1-9:

1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill Him. 

2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 

3 so His brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works that You are doing. 

4 For no one does anything in secret while he's seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." 

5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.) 

6 Jesus told them, "My time has not yet arrived, but your time is always at hand. 

7 The world cannot hate you, but it does hate Me because I testify about it-that its deeds are evil. 

8 Go up to the festival yourselves. I'm not going up to the festival yet, because My time has not yet fully come." 

9 After He had said these things, He stayed in Galilee.

JESUS brothers poked fun at HIM because they did not believe in HIM! In fact, they thought JESUS was off HIS rocker.

Who were HIS brothers? Yes, JESUS was born by the Virgin Mary but Mary had additional children boys and girls. Mark 6:3:

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

Did the resurrection make a difference to JESUS brothers and possibly HIS sisters?

Consider, that after JESUS’ resurrection HE was upon earth for 40 days before HE ascended into Heaven. HE was fully available to HIS brothers and sisters, in fact HE appeared to over 500 people during this time.

Prior to HIS ascension, JESUS told HIS followers something important as recorded in Acts 1:3-5:

3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 

5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 

Now, guess who was in the upper room praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit to come to earth? Let’s explore!

Acts 1:12-14:

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. 

13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 

WOW! The resurrection made an eternal difference to JESUS brothers. There were women present in the upper room, were some of the ladies HIS sisters? I think so. There were 120 people in the upper room as recorded in Acts 1:

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 

The evidence is clear, JESUS was resurrected from the physically dead and HE received HIS Glorified body, which will be like the Glorified bodies Christians will receive at the second coming of JESUS.

What kind of body will Christians have when we exit our earth suits and enter heaven?

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10:

1 For we know that if the earthly tent (earth suit/body) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 

2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 

3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 

4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 

5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 

7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 

8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 

9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

GOD has fashioned for every Christian a special body that he or she will use in heaven until they will follow JESUS to earth at HIS second coming.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18:

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 

14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 

15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

This is when all Christians receive their Glorified bodies which will be our eternal bodies and will be like JESUS’ body after HIS resurrection. It was a body totally under HIS command. Just read about HIS appearances after HIS resurrection e.g. HE could be known or incognito, walk through a door or open it. Scripture reveals that after HIS resurrection HE said that HE was flesh and bones not a Spirit. HE does not mention that HIS body had blood. It is an eternal body and only needs the power of GOD.

My prayer is that all who read this will be compelled to ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and ask JESUS to come into their lives. There is no better time than Easter to become a Son or Daughter of GOD. Eternity is but a heartbeat away. Do not delay. Now is the time for salvation. Happy Easter! JESUS died just for you. Accept it. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - GOD IS --- (4) - Our Peace - Judges 6:11-24 - March 25, 2018

Bible Study – GOD Is --- (4) – Our Peace – March 25, 2018

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “GOD Is ---.”

Our focus scripture is Judges 6:11-16, 22-24.

GOD’S peace helps us rise above our circumstances.

This attribute of being a Christian comes with maturing in our walk with JESUS. It would be wonderful if holy dust could be sprinkled over us and suddenly we would be endowed with peace that passes all understanding when we face troubling issues in life. It is the working through these troubling issues that we learn how to rise above them trusting GOD through the process.

The Israelite's followed a very distinct pattern in their relationship to GOD. 

They would be obedient to GOD and HE would bless them and then they would stray. GOD would warn them but they would continue in disobedience to GOD. GOD would tell them what the consequences would be if they did not return to obediently follow and honor HIM. They would refuse and GOD, true to HIS Word would do as HE said HE would.

They would cry out to GOD and GOD would send them a leader or a judge who would lead them to victory over their situation or circumstances and they would experience GOD’S Grace for a period of time. But then it started all over again. Sounds too much like my life.

The Israelite's had done evil in the sight of GOD. This is explained in Judges 6:1-10:

1 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.

2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 

3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 

4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys.

5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 

6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help. 

7 When the Israelites cried out to the LORD because of Midian, 

8 he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 

9 I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. 

10 I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.”

The Israelites were being pilfered by their enemies. The Israelites would raise crops and livestock and the Midianites would swoop in and take it all for themselves leaving the Israelites improvised. The Israelites finally cried out to GOD. GOD sent a prophet. We do not know who this prophet was but he was a messenger of GOD. This prophet reminded the Israelites what GOD had done for the Israelites over the years. GOD had delivered them to the Promised Land but they had slipped into the worship of other gods and abandoned the One True GOD of the Israelites, YAHWEH. GOD had warned them not to fall into the trap of worshipping the gods of those who were occupying the Promised Land.

The Israelites were living in caves in the mountains. Unconfessed sins can impoverish Christians today. Is Satan pilfering you because of your stubborn nature? If so, it is time for you to confess it and seek a renewed relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

Some ancestral background on Gideon. Gideon was a descendant of the tribe of Manasseh which was named after the first born son of Joseph while Joseph was in Egypt. Joseph’s father, Jacob, blessed both of Joseph’s sons before Jacob died thus his blessings and inheritance carried forward to Joseph’s two sons. When the Israelites arrived in the Promised Land, Joshua assigned a section of land on the eastern side of the Jordan to the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon lived in the western section of their tribe’s allotment.

   

Let’s read Judges 6:11-13:

The Lord Calls Gideon

11 The Angel of the Lord came, and He sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the wine vat in order to hide it from the Midianites. 

“The angel of the Lord” is a thought provoker. Some Bible scholars think it refers to GOD but others believe it refers to either a special angel sent by GOD or to JESUS.

The reason they think it is not GOD is because Gideon sees his or HIS face. The Bible reveals that no one can look upon the face of GOD and live. (Discussed later) JESUS manifests Himself to others several times before HE comes to earth to be born as a human. Regardless, this special messenger calls Gideon to serve GOD and deliver the Israelites from their enemies. We need to reflect upon the circumstances upon which the Israelites were living as explained in the introduction.

It is recorded in Exodus 33:2:

2 And I will send My Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. 

Gideon knew the scriptures as we will see later on in our study. Did his encounter with the “Angel of the Lord” bring back memories of scripture he had learned?

The name “Gideon” means “one who hacks or cuts thing up.” Here Gideon was down in a wine vat threshing wheat. He had obtained wheat that he had to thresh. Normally, wheat would be threshed high on a hill so when the wheat is threshed it would be tossed into the air with something like a pitchfork and the wind would separate the chaff from the wheat. Gideon was down in the wine vat out of sight of the enemy threshing wheat.

This may appear that Gideon was a wimp or does it? What did the “Angel of the Lord” think about Gideon?

12 Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." 

“The Angel of the Lord” first informs Gideon that the Lord was with him. That is YAHWEH or the One True GOD of the Israelites would be with him. Then “The Angel of the Lord” referred to Gideon as a “mighty warrior.” That was a very positive greeting. Gideon does not appear to be concerned with this heavenly visitation, why? Our next verse gives us a clue. Gideon had a question he wanted answered.

13 Gideon said to Him, "Please Sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all His wonders that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Hasn't the Lord brought us out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian." 

Gideon had a burning question. But notice that Gideon addressed the “Angel of the Lord” as Sir or a greeting of a person with prominence not as he would address GOD but as a messenger or prominent person. Compare this to the response Gideon made after he discovered to whom he was talking later in our scripture. “If GOD is with the Israelites, why are we experiencing all of these problems with the Midianites?” If GOD is all powerful as told by our forefathers and the miracles manifested by GOD, why has HE abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites?

Let’s read Judges 6:14-16:

14 The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you?”

The “Angel of the Lord” turned to Gideon and told him that he had been chosen to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. Gideon did not need super human strength because GOD had already equipped him for the task GOD had called him to accomplish. In essence, “Gideon, you have witnessed a visit from GOD’S messenger and he called you to deliver the Israelites.

15 He said to Him, "Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house." 

Gideon gave his reasons why he should not be the person chosen to deliver Israel from the Midianites. When GOD calls us to do HIS will, as Christians, we often feel inadequate. This is the time when we need to build our relationship with GOD and HE in turn encourages the person chosen. GOD demonstrated HIS power to Moses. Gideon was uncertain of his ability and possibly of the person speaking to him.

16 "But I will be with you," the Lord said to him. "You will strike Midian down [as if it were] one man." 

The “Angel of the Lord” assured Gideon that he would be with him and that through his help Gideon could consider the massive Midianites as one man. GOD’S power is the great equalizer. Gideon’s Spiritual eyes were opened as we read our next scripture ---

[Let’s read what happened between verses 17-21 – 17 Then he said to Him, "If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that You are speaking with me. 

18 Please do not leave this place until I return to You. Let me bring my gift and set it before You." And He said, "I will stay until you return." 

19 So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from a half bushel of flour. He placed the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot. He brought them out and offered them to Him under the oak. 

20 The Angel of God said to him, "Take the meat with the unleavened bread, put it on this stone, and pour the broth [on it]." And he did so. 

21 The Angel of the Lord extended the tip of the staff that was in His hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire came up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the Angel of the Lord vanished from his sight. 

Gideon was making sure he was not hallucinating but what he had experienced was genuine. It was an offering but also a test. The offering Gideon gave was very generous. It was his finest goat and the portions were large. When the Angel of the Lord touched the offering with his staff the rock upon which the offering was laid burst into flames and consumed all of it. Gideon’s offering was acceptable to GOD. That was Gideon’s confirmation.]

Let’s read Judges 6:22-24:

Here we encounter another name for GOD – Jehovah-Shalom or YAHWEH-Shalom or “The LORD is Peace.” This is the name Gideon gave to the altar. The altar Gideon made was not an altar for sacrifices but to commemorate GOD’S call to Gideon to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites.

This is a foreshadow of the coming of the Promised Messiah, JESUS, because when HE gave HIS life to pay, in full, for the sins of all who would place their faith in HIM, JESUS won the battle over the consequence of sin, which is eternal death. JESUS is the Prince of Peace. How do we know that? Because GOD resurrected JESUS from the physically death to live eternally with HIM and to intercede for all who place their faith in HIM.

22 When Gideon realized that He was the Angel of the Lord, he said, "Oh no, Lord God! I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face!" 

Gideon realized that he had been speaking to the “Angel of the Lord” face to face and it opened his Spiritual eyes. Often, GOD has to get our attention before we can take the next steps to accomplish HIS will and purpose. Gideon knew the scripture where it was written in Exodus 33:18-23:

18And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." 

19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." 

20 But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." 

21 And the Lord said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 

22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 

23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."

Back to our focus scripture in Judges 6:23:

23 But the Lord said to him, "Peace to you. Don't be afraid, for you will not die." 

24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it Yahweh Shalom. It is in Ophrah of the Abiezrites until today.

When Gideon realized he had been talking face to face with the “Angel of the Lord” the special messenger from GOD, he built an altar to the YAHWEH.

This seems to be an ever increasing revelation of GOD from the “Angel of the Lord” to the LORD. That is what happens when we, as Christians, build the right relationship with GOD. HE reveals Himself in many different ways as we obediently seek to know HIM

Is JESUS your peace? If not, now is the right time to accept JESUS as your Savior.

Easter would be a wonderful time to place your faith in HIM and trust HIM to lead and guide your life. JESUS has won the battle over Satan for you. Accept this victory by placing your faith in JESUS. I am not saying your walk with JESUS will be easy but it will be rewarding. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - GOD is --- (3) - Our Banner - Exodus 17:8-16 - March 18, 2018

Bible Study – GOD is --- (3) – Our Banner – March 18, 2018

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “GOD Is ---.”

Our focus scripture is Exodus 17:8-16.

We are always covered by GOD’S protection.

Again, we encounter another name for GOD – Jehovah-Nissi or Yahweh-Nissi or “The LORD is My Banner.”

Last week’s lesson ended with the Israelite’s in Elim. The Israelite’s journeyed from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin. In the Wilderness of Sin, the Israelites encountered another issue, starvation. They longed to return to Egypt where they had plenty to eat. GOD provided them with manna. Then, they traveled to Rephidim. In Rephidim they complained to Moses because of the lack of water which is recorded in the scripture leading to our focus scripture, Exodus 17:1-7:

Water from the Rock 

1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 

The whole Israelite community was traveling under the leadership of GOD. GOD’s desire was for the entire community to look to HIM for guidance when they had an issue. They encountered a dire need. They needed water. Water is a life or death issue. This was a teachable moment for the entire community. What would they do? Would they turn to GOD or turn to Moses for a solution? Let’s read on ---

2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?”

Moses attempted to guide them to GOD for the solution and for them to build the right relationship with GOD. Why would it be important for the Israelite’s to build a solid relationship with GOD? GOD knew that they would need to trust HIM as they came to the Promised Land. It was a land of plenty but there were well fortified cities in the Promised Land and there were giants. They needed to have full confidence in GOD.

As Christians, we need to have full confidence in GOD as we face the issues in our lives. This was a teachable moment but -----

3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” 

They needed water instantly. But they needed to seek GOD and trust GOD to supply them the water. Instead they sought Moses to seek GOD for water. After all Moses had the wooden stick.

4 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

The Israelites were ready to stone Moses. GOD used Moses to deliver them from Egyptian bondage. GOD had revealed HIS power to them by parting the Red Sea and drowning the Egyptian army that was pursuing them. GOD provided a protective cover to them – Cloud by day and Pillar of fire at night. But the Israelites did not think GOD would take care of them. They pressured Moses.

To whom does Moses turn? The only ONE WHO could help and that was GOD. GOD’S desire was for the Israelite’s to build a personal relationship with HIM and turn to HIM for the solution. Christians, even today, turn quickly to another person for help when they run into trouble. Our first response should be for us to turn to GOD. GOD then instructs us regarding our next action, which could be any number of things e.g. to seek the help of others or wait upon HIM or to do so-and-so. They had Moses as an example to follow. But the Israelite’s don’t seem to have the will to take on responsibility.

5 The LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 

Moses called out to GOD in a panic and GOD responded.

What was the importance of the “staff” Moses held in his hand? After all it was a stick of wood.  Moses held it in his hand and GOD instructed Moses to take the staff with him. The “staff represented the presence and power of GOD but it was a stick of wood. More on this later.

6 I (GOD) will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 

Moses needed to have faith in GOD. Strike a rock and water will flow out. Moses had witnessed GOD doing extraordinary things which began with GOD speaking to him from a burning bush. It seems that Moses took GOD’S instructions in stride.

GOD asked him to take some elders with him when he struck the rock. Think of the elders as the leadership of our church – deacons or elders. They needed to be the Spiritual leaders and they needed to step up to the plate of Spiritual leadership. GOD wanted the elders to stand with Moses to witness this event, which was obeying GOD’S command. It took a lot of faith for Moses to strike a rock to get water.

GOD is faithful and does what HE says HE will do. When HE does, that builds confidence, trust and faith in HIM. When someone else approaches GOD in our behalf that builds our confidence in that person. This often produces a thought from us such as, “I wish I had that kind of relationship with GOD” or so-and-so has a hot line to heaven.” The key is to follow the leadership of GOD in our lives. How and where do we get that leadership? It is by obediently obeying and trusting the indwelling Holy Spirit!

7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

GOD provided for their needs. Massah means “testing” and Meribah means “quarreling.”

Only GOD can produce water from a solid rock.

Consider JESUS as GOD’S solid rock upon which all Christians can stand and have their Spiritual thirst quenched by the living water that only comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Again, let’s consider the Israelite’s as a Christian building his or her relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

The Israelites were in Rephidim. So what will be their next challenge? GOD was leading them to an important and vital stop. Rephidim was their last stop before arriving at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites will have a huge decision to make.

But first, the Israelites experienced their first battle. GOD was revealing HIS protective banner over them in battle.

Let’s read Exodus 17:8-10:

The Amalekites Attack

8 At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel. 

9 Moses said to Joshua, "Select some men for us, and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God's staff in my hand." 

10 Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 

The Israelites encounter the Amalekites. The Amalekites were the people from the tribe as Amalek, thus Amalekites. These people were descendants of Esau’s grandson. They were nomads who roamed across the Sinai Peninsula from Negev to the border of Egypt.

We can only speculate why the Amalekites attacked the Israelites. Likely, if you were their leader and two-million people came into the area which you thought was yours, you would try to show them who controlled it. GOD had a two-fold training session – one for the Israelites and the second for the Amalekites.

Moses selected Joshua to organize an army to defend the Israelites. GOD is beginning to let the Israelites assume greater responsibility. But with greater responsibility comes greater responsibility.

Let’s read Exodus 17:11-13:

11 While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 

12 When Moses' hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put [it] under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. 

13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword. 

Moses was very visible standing on top of the hill with his hands held up toward GOD.

Moses had his staff in his hand. The staff represented GOD’S presence and as long as Moses held the staff high for the Israelites to see they defeated the Amalekites but when his hands grew heavy or tired and dropped then the Amalekites prevailed. Thus, Aaron and Hur came along beside Moses and assisted Moses with a place to sit and to hold his hands up.

The Holy Spirit is referred to as a paraclete or One Who comes along and stands beside and indwells Christians to give them strength and support. Aaron and Hur came along each side of Moses and held up his hands until the battle was won. The battle raged but victory was certain as along as Moses hands were up. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength of GOD as we battle the issues of life until the battle is won.

To me this foreshadows the human birth of JESUS. JESUS being 100% human meant that HE was subject to death and the perils of being a human e.g. HE died physically, was buried, HE was resurrected and lived upon earth for 40 days following HIS resurrection. HE told HIS disciples and followers to wait in Jerusalem to receive the power that would descend upon them soon after HIS ascension into Heaven. Of course, we know this power to be the Holy Spirit.

All Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit the instant they receive JESUS as their Savior. The Holy Spirit is their teacher, enlightener, comforter, strength, assurance and guarantee of GOD’S presence and confirms that they are GOD’S child.  

We know who Aaron was but we have limited information about Hur. Hur was of the Tribe of Judah and the son of Caleb.

Let’s read Exodus 17:14-16:

14 The Lord then said to Moses, "Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua: I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven." 

15 And Moses built an altar and named it, "The Lord Is My Banner." 

16 He said, "Indeed, [my] hand is [lifted up] toward the Lord's throne. The Lord will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation."

If we fast forward to the time when Joshua would lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, GOD instructed them, as recorded in Deuteronomy 25:19 - 19 When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!

There will be pay day some day when you come against GOD as the Amalekites would discover. But would the Israelites obey GOD?

We are fortunate because we know the rest of the story. When all of this was unfolding in the lives of the Israelites they could not fully know GOD’S ultimate plan of salvation through HIS Only Son, JESUS.

We live in a unique time when we can see the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy which also makes us more accountable. Blessings!!!