Let’s go to Egypt

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 43:1-13

 

Jeremiah 43:5-7

But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven— 6 the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah. 7 And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord. And they arrived at Tahpanhes.

(ESV)

 

The people remaining in Judah had security under the leadership of Gedaliah but with his murder, found that security has gone (Jeremiah 40:9-12; 41:1-3). Those in Judah initially sought the Lord’s direction through Jeremiah and were advised not to return to Egypt (Jeremiah 42). However, simply hearing from the Lord is useless without seeking interpretation of the Word through the Holy Spirit and making application of the Word to our lives. Sadly, those in Judah failed to properly interpret the Word coming from Jeremiah and failed to make application of the Word to their lives.

 

After receiving the warning from the Lord through Jeremiah, Azariah, Johanan, and all the insolent men accuse Jeremiah of lying and not speaking the words given to him by the Lord (Jeremiah 43:1-3). Such false accusations were not surprising to Jeremiah because his entire ministry has been one of trying to convince Israel and Judah to repent and turn back to the Lord to avoid exile that was rejected (Jeremiah 6:19; 15:6). After making these false accusations, Johanan and the commanders of the forces then disobey the Word of the Lord and go to Egypt, arriving at Tahpanhes (Jeremiah 43:4-7).

 

Once the people are in Egypt, Jeremiah receives a Word from the Lord in Tahpanhes (Jeremiah 43:8). The Lord orders Jeremiah to take large stones with his hands and hide them in the mortar of the pavement in front of Pharoah’s palace in Tahpanhes in sight of the men of Judah (Jeremiah 43:9). Jeremiah then tells the men of Judah that Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord’s servant, will set his throne upon the stones he has just hidden and spread a royal canopy over them (Jeremiah 43:10). Nebuchadnezzar shall come in and strike the land of Egypt, causing those in the land to suffer pestilence, captivity, and the sword (Jeremiah 43:11). Nebuchadnezzar shall burn the temples of the gods of Egypt and clean the land of Egypt like a shepherd cleans his cloak, and then go away in peace (Jeremiah 43:12). Nebuchadnezzar shall also break the obelisks of Heliopolis along with burning the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:13). The people of Judah seeking escape from Babylonian captivity will suffer captivity in Egypt but without the safety promised by God to those going to Babylon (Jeremiah 24).

 

Decisions have consequences which in this case are destruction for those choosing to go to Egypt instead of obedience to the Lord according to the Word of the Lord coming from Jeremiah. It is puzzling that these people would ask Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord on their behalf (Jeremiah 42:1-6) and then reject what they hear from the Lord (Jeremiah 43:1-2). They even went so far as to accuse Jeremiah of lying to them because he wanted them destroyed (Jeremiah 43:3). Every individual has free will with God allowing them to make decisions but along with this right to make decisions comes the consequences of these decisions. After following through on the decision to go to Egypt, the people in Judah receive a warning from the Lord through Jeremiah that tells them the king of Babylon that they are running from will conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:8-13). What the people of Judah feared was destruction by the king of Babylon that will come upon them in Egypt, something they could have escaped by obeying the Lord and remaining in Judah.

 

Our decisions also have consequences and why it is wise for one to seek Godly counsel before making any major decision. It is also crucial to prepare through the study of the Word of God and praying continually so we can keep our head or Godly perspective in all situations, endure hardship, and do the Lord’s work (Ephesians 6:18; 2 Timothy 4:1-8). It is also crucial to spend time regularly with other believers for this is where we will find wise counsel when we need it. The main application we must make in our lives is to lose conformity to the world’s way of thinking and allow the Word of God, time spent with God in prayer, and time with other believers to transform our thinking (Romans 12:2).

 

If you are reading this and have never made Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God Challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

A One Size Fits All Gift

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 10:5-21

 

Romans 10:12-13

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

(ESV)

 

One of Satan’s most devious deceptions is placing people into categories which creates divisiveness in the culture. This divisiveness causes groups of individuals to become prideful, believing they are superior to other groups of individuals. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that pride goes before a fall meaning that any group of individuals believing they are superior to others has a fall coming. Romans 10:5-21 reminds us that the message of Salvation from sins is for all and not limited to a select group of individuals. The message in this passage teaches us about,

 

1)      Confession (Romans 10:5-13) – The passage begins with a contrast of Moses writing about righteousness based on the law and one living by the commandments in the law versus righteousness based upon faith (Romans 10:5-7). This is another reference to the contrasting of righteousness based upon religion or one performing certain religious practices versus relationship or one entering into a restored relationship with God through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Saving faith is not based on works but a confession of Jesus as Lord based on one’s belief in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Romans 10:8-10). Belief in Jesus as Lord eliminates shame for Jesus came to save not condemn (John 3:16-17). This belief also eliminates any distinction of groups for all who believe are saved who call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:11-13).

2)      Commission (Romans 10:14-17) – Experiencing a restored relationship with God should cause one to have the desire to share their experience with others lacking a relationship with God in their lives. Paul poses a series of four questions to challenge his readers to share the Gospel message (Romans 10:14-15)

a.       How will people call on Jesus in whom they have not believed – Jesus taught that if He is lifted up, he will draw all people to him (John 12:32). Sadly, many Churches are either liberal or legalistic. Liberal teaching is a self-help message, designed to make one feel good but fails to lift up Jesus or speak of one’s need for a Savior. Legalism requiring adherence to a set of rules and regulations to gain a right standing with God. The Great Commission is about lifting up Jesus and pointing people to their need for a Savior and a relationship with God.

b.      How can people believe unless they hear the message of the Gospel – Again this is a call to the Church to focus on lifting up Jesus through teaching from the Bible.

c.       How are people to hear without someone preaching – Every believer in Christ as Savior has a calling to share the Gospel with others when the opportunity presents itself. This does not require one to have academic proficiency in theology but a relationship with God they can share.

d.      How are people to preach unless God sends them – Churches must also be a place where one discovers their God-given calling and equipped, empowered, and encouraged to step out and serve God in their calling.

The world under the divisive deception of Satan needs to hear the Word of God from Churches that lift up Jesus and His Word and why each of us must use our God-given gifts to find our calling and serve God. We must be participants and not spectators in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).

3)      Contradiction (Romans 10:18-21) – Satan has caused the Jews to be blinded to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, using divisiveness between groups, Jews and Gentiles, to cause them to believe only they are God’s chosen ones. This is what the Bible means when it speaks of the veil over the minds of Israel when reading the old covenant that only Christ removes.

 

There is a contradiction in the Bible between salvation through the law and righteousness based upon faith. Moses wrote about salvation by the law, saying that all who live by the commandments shall live by them (Romans 10:5). Contrast that with salvation by grace which says that the Word of God is near and in one’s mouth and heart (Romans 10:8). Because of this, one is saved by a profession of faith with his or her mouth that Jesus is Lord and belief in one’s heart that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Since there is no distinction in this passage that one be Jewish or Gentile, the Gospel is available to all. This is why God tore the veil from top to bottom when Jesus said it is finished to make the most holy place available to all who believe (Matthew 27:51). The mission of the Church is to declare this message so others can have a relationship with God through a righteousness of faith because the sacrificial requirement of the law that was fulfilled with the death of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 10:11-14).

 

As we see the world around us sliding further and further into ungodliness, the Church must return to its missional focus of spreading the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). People are hurting, economically, physically, and mentally, looking for answers. These people turn to their abilities or the government for help but are not finding answers. This is a harvest field that is ripe and ready for harvest, waiting for harvesters to go and tell others about Jesus (Matthew 9:37). If you are reading this post and have never made a profession of faith in Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage everyone who has made a profession of faith, including those that just prayed to join in the mission of the Church (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) and become a harvester by telling others what Jesus has done in your life. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.      

No Security in Egypt

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 42:1-22

 

Jeremiah 42:21-22

And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God in anything that he sent me to tell you. 22 Now therefore know for a certainty that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to live.”

(ESV)

 

It is an understatement to say that we find ourselves in complicated times. For those of us that have been around a while, there are familiar components like economic retraction, soaring prices, and increased violence. However, there are also components unfamiliar like transgenderism, which is a slap in the face of God, telling Him that He made a mistake with my gender at birth that I need to correct. The redefining of life excludes the unborn in the interest of permitting their murder through abortion in the interest of convenience so one can have sex without the consequence of a baby. There is also the absolute rejection of any standard of truth, like the Bible, in the interest of defining truth to include what every individual believes it should be. This is why it is crucial for everyone professing faith in Jesus as their Savior or Messiah to be, like the Bereans, who diligently seek truth through the study of the Bible, God’s Word (Acts 17:11; Psalm 119:105).  

 

A remnant of Jews has remained in Israel, believing they were safe under the leadership of Governor Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-4). However, with his assassination, this remnant lives in fear and under the leadership of Johanan, has plans to go to Egypt, believing they will find protection there (Jeremiah 41:17). Johanan does do the wise thing and seek guidance from the Lord before taking the people to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:1-3) but will he listen to the instruction from the Lord coming from Jeremiah or reject it? Jeremiah agrees to bring their plea to the Lord with the people vowing to obediently follow the instructions from the Lord, whether good or bad (Jeremiah 42:4-6).

 

God rejects their plans to go to Egypt for protection and urges the people to trust God by remaining in the land (Jeremiah 42:7-12). The Word of the Lord from Jeremiah then continues by letting the people know the consequences of disobedience by defiantly going to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:12-17). While this is not defiance like the worship of Baal that sent Israel into exile (Jeremiah 11:13,17;19-5) it is a rejection of the Word of the Lord and as such carries consequences. The Word of the Lord from Jeremiah then continues with the consequences of defiance to the Word of the Lord should the people choose to go to Egypt instead of obeying the instructions from the Lord as they promised (Jeremiah 42:5-7,18). Jeremiah reminds the people that they asked him to inquire of the Lord on their behalf and that rejection of his instructions from the Lord will result in their death (Jeremiah 42:19-20). Jeremiah has carried out his obligation and the ball is now in the court of the people in Israel, will they flee to Egypt or obediently obey God (Jeremiah 42:21-22)?

 

The remnant remaining in Israel thought they would be safe under the leadership of Governor Gedaliah because he promised protection for those remaining in Israel (Jeremiah 40:9). However, with his assassination (Jeremiah 41:1-4), the people lived in fear and plan to go to Egypt for protection (Jeremiah 41:17), but do the smart thing, seeking guidance from the Lord (Jeremiah 42:1-3). With the Word from the Lord rejecting the people’s plan to go to Egypt, the people must choose between going ahead with their plans to go to Egypt based on fear or trust in God based on faith in the Word of the Lord coming through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 42:7-12).

 

Where we turn when facing danger or lack in our lives is an indication of where our heart is. While it is not wrong to depend upon our God-given abilities to provide for and protect us, there are times when these abilities face an unsurmountable enemy. These are the times when we must place our trust in the Word of God and live obediently to what it instructs us to do. This is because Jesus is the overcomer (John 16:33), the one who provides for our needs (Philippians 4:13), and the one providing strength to do whatever is necessary (Philippians 4:19). One unsurmountable problem faced by all humanity is the problem of sin (Romans 3:23). This is a serious problem carrying with it a death penalty but one can escape this death penalty by accepting God’s free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). This gift is available for all because Jesus came to die for sinners (Romans 5:8). One can accept this gift by making a profession of faith in Jesus as his or her Lord (Romans 10:9-10). Please join me in making this profession by praying with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Jesus, the Stumbling Stone of Grace

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 9:30-10:4

 

Romans 9:32-33

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, ³³ as it is written,

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
    and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

(ESV)

 

Life is full of struggles that can become stumbling blocks in our lives. Life brings financial stumbling blocks, health stumbling blocks, stumbling blocks in marriage, and even stumbling blocks in our relationship with God. While Jews and Christians worship the same God, the Jews have a stumbling block, Jesus whom they rejected as their Messiah. The same is also true of Gentiles who reject Jesus as their Savior but there is hope because Jesus overcame despite struggles (John 16:33) through His death burial and resurrection, giving us the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23).

 

Romans 9:30-10:4 begins with Paul asking if the Gentiles wo did not pursue righteousness have attained it through faith while the Jews who pursued righteousness through obedience to the Law failed to reach righteousness (Romans 9:30-31). Paul then answers the question by explaining that the Jews failed to achieve righteousness because they attempted to reach it through works of obedience and not through faith (Romans 9:32). However, despite their stumbling over the stumbling block Jesus, Paul still prays and has a desire for the salvation of his fellow Jews (Romans 10:1). Paul acknowledges a zeal for God by his fellow Jews but not according to knowledge. This knowledge is knowledge of the Word of God something they lack even though they diligently study it (Romans 10:2). This lack of knowledge has led to their ignorance regarding the righteousness of God that comes through faith and not one’s works (Romans 10:3). In fulfilling the law through his death as the sinless lamb of God, Jesus has made righteousness available to anyone choosing to believe (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:4).

 

The Jews are God’s chosen people, chosen to receive the law but have failed to attain righteousness, believing they can attain it through works of obedience to the Law (Romans 9:32). This belief rejects the words of Isaiah who stated that the righteous acts of humanity are like a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6). In addition to this word of prophecy, there were the annual sacrifices of a lamb at Passover, indicating that salvation is more than adherence to the Law (Deuteronomy 16:1-2). Paul has a heart’s desire for his fellow Jews to believe in Jesus as their Messiah but understands that this belief is a stumbling stone they must overcome through faith in Jesus as the lamb of God taking away their sins (John 1:29). Salvation is through the grace of God and not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Jesus said He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus did not say he was a way but the way. Since we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and under a death sentence for sin (Romans 6:23a) we find ourselves in a hopeless situation. However, through Jesus we have the free gift of eternal life and have hope but not according to our works but the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23b). To receive this gift, one only has to confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord of his or her life and believe that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). If you have never confessed this with your mouth, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.