After Joshua died, individual charismatic leaders known as judges provided leadership for the Hebrew/Jew/Israelite nation. This event coincided with increasingly independent activity by the Israelite tribes, caused partly because of Canaanite resistance to the conquerors. The lack of centralized leadership meant that 'Covenant Law' was not being observed, and it was being replaced by 'Idolatry.'

Although the judges tried hard to correct local problems, they were no match for the increasingly militant Canaanites or for Eglon, a Moabite ruler who oppressed some of the Hebrew people for 18 years before being killed by a left-handed judge named Ehud.

Then Israelites cried to Yahweh, and Yahweh raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud the son of Gera the Benjaminite; he was left-handed. The men of Israel appointed him to take their tribute to Eglon the king of Moab. Ehud made a dagger - it was double-edged and a cubit long - and strapped it on under his clothes, over his right thigh. He presented the tribute to Eglon the king of Moab. This Eglon was a very fat man.

Having presented the tribute, Ehud went off again with the men who had carried it; but he himself, on reaching the Idols of Gilgal, turned and went back and said, 'I have a secret message for you, O king.' The king replied, 'Silenced!' and all who were with him went out. Then Ehud went in. The king sat in the cool retreat of his upper room; he was alone. Ehud said to him, 'I have a message from God for you, O king.' The king immediately stood up from his seat. Then Ehud, using his left hand, drew the dagger he was carrying on his right and thrust it into the king's belly. The hilt too went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for Ehud left the dagger in his belly; then he went out through the window. Ehud went out by the porch; he had shut and locked the doors of the upper room behind him.

When Ehud had gone, the servants came back and looked; the doors of the upper room were locked. They thought, 'He is probably covering his feet in the inner part of the cool room.' They waited until they no longer knew what to think, for he still did not open the doors of the upper room. At length they took the key and unlocked the room; their master lay on the ground, dead.

While they were waiting, Ehud had fled. He passed the Idols and escaped to safety in Seriah. When he reached the territory of Israel, he sounded the horn in the highlands of Ephraim, and the Israelites came down with him from the hills, with him at their head. And he said to them, 'Follow me, because Yahweh has delivered your enemy Moab into your hands.' So they followed him, cut Moab off from crossing the fords of the Jordan and let no one across. On that occasion they beat the Moabites, some ten thousand men, all tough and seasoned fighters, and not one escaped. That day, Moab was humbled under the hand of Israel, and the land enjoyed rest for eighty (80) years. - Judg. 3:15-30 -

By this time Hazor had been reoccupied by Canaanites under Jabin, their king, who made several northern tribes his subjects for twenty (20) years. When Ehud died, once again the Israelites began to do what displeases Yahweh, and Yahweh handed them over to Jabin the king of Canaan who reigned at Hazor, and Jabin the king had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty (20) years. - Judg. 4:1-3 -

Jabin's forces were superior because they had iron-fitted, horse-drawn chariots. These chariots were effective on level ground but they proved less threatening in the hill country. Then, again, the Israelites cried out to Yahweh for help. Again, with God's help, Jabin's general Sisera was defeated by the Hebrew commander Barak and slain by Jael, the wife of an ally named Heber. - Judg. 4:1-24 -

The Book of Judges shows clearly that Israel's troubles were the result of disobedience and rejecting 'Covenant Law' and adopting various forms of Canaanite idolatry. Canaanite religion was one of the most sensuous and morally depraved that the world has ever known; it contrasted dramatically with the Holiness and Moral Purity demanded of the Israelites by the 'Sinai Covenant.'

It is because of their persistent idolatry, the Hebrews/Jews/Israelites were punished further by Midianite and Ammonite attacks. The most serious threats, however,, came from the 'Philistines.' These war-like people had migrated to Canaan in small numbers in the time of Abraham. But they came in a body about 1175 B.C. and settled on the southwestern Palestinian coast. The Philistines established a group of five cities - Gaza, Gath, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Ekron - and began to push the Israelites into the hill country.

The Philistines were superior in military power because they monopolised the manufacture and sale of iron implements and weapons. In fact, 'Samson' had delivered the Israelites periodically from Philistine oppression, but after Samson death they were at the mercy of the enemy once more. - Judg. 13 to 16 -

The social chaos described in the closing chapters of the Book of Judges came to a head in the religious corruption in Israel at a time of 'Samuel's' childhood. Although Samuel himself exercised a wholesome ministry, the Israelites were more intent on being ruled by a king than in living as a 'Holy' nation in 'Covenant with their God.' - 1 Sam. 2:12-22; 8:19-20 - Saul, son of Kish, was duly anointed by Samuel as a charismatic leader over the nation. The first king of Israel. - 1 Sam. 10:1 -

But  king Saul had an unbalanced personality which soon showed signs of paranoia. He disobeyed God's commands and a successor was chosen and anointed in the person of 'David', son of Jesse. David gained popular favour by his defeat of the Philistine champion Goliath. Thereafter, David was seen as Israel's saviour, much to the dislike of king Saul, who felt his own position threatened. Saul fought at intervals against both David and the Philistines but was ultimately killed along with five sons at Mount Gilboa.

The northern tribes then looked to Ishbosheth, the surviving son of Saul who was made king at Mahanaim in Transjordan by Abner, his father's commander. - 2 Sam. 2:8-10 - While David settled in Hebron - 2 Sam. 2:11 - and Abner tried to gain favour with him. But Abner was murdered by Joab, David's commander, at Hebron. - 2 Sam. 3:27 - When Ishbosheth was also murdered - 2 Sam. 4:5-6 - the way was clear for David to assume sole rule of Israel and unify the kingdom. King David established his capital at Jerusalem which he captured from the Jebusites. King David also brought the "Ark Of The Covenant" to the city, making it a religious as well as a political centre.

For the remainder of king David reign, king David fought against the Ammonites and Syrians as well as the Philistines. His later years were clouded by family dissension and by a revolt among some of his subjects. In spite of his troubles, king David behaved with great courage and managed to overcome all his enemies. Before king David death, he proclaimed his son Solomon as his successor. Solomon was duly anointed at Gihon by Zadok the priest. - 1 Kin. 1:39 -

King Solomon renowned by God's given wisdom. He brought the kingdom of Israel to great prominence at a time when other Near Eastern nations were weak politically. He renewed the alliance that king David had made with Hiram, king of Tyre, engaging Hiram's workmen to construct a "Temple" complex in Jerusalem.

Although the finished building had some of the characteristics of the wilderness 'Tabernacle' it also included some pagan features. These included the free standing columns found in Syrians shrines, while certain aspects of the internal decoration reflected Canaanite religious symbolism.

The cost of king Solomon's ambitious building projects in and around Jerusalem was high. Much of the agricultural productivity of the land was sent to Phoenicia to pay for materials and workmen's wages. Although king Solomon levied tolls on the caravan trade that passed through his kingdom, king Solomon could not meet the rising costs that an increasingly lavish way of live involved. He attempted to replenish his depleted resources by increasing productivity in the mining industry of the Arabah and by building a fleet of ships near Elath for trading purposes.

In desperation, king Solomon finally began a program of forced labour which involved 30,000 men working by rotation and 10,000 working every third month, labouring in the forests, mines, and cities under harsh conditions.

As he grew older, Solomon entered into political marriages with non-Israelites. These women brought with them the gods of their native lands, adding to the problem of idolatry in Israel. Before Solomon died, he managed to antagonise almost all his subjects. - 1 Kin. chapter 3 to 11 - When he was succeeded by his son Rehoboam, the ten northern tribes led by Jeroboam, a former head of the forced labour units, met with him and sought relief from the burdens of work and taxation. Rehoboam followed bad advice and refused.

With Rehoboam refusal, the northern tribes declared independence and formed a separate kingdom with Jeroboam as head. They named their kingdom "Israel" (this sometimes causes confusion because the name is also used for the remnant of the "Covenant People" at a later time) The southern section of the divided kingdom was known as Judah. It soon attracted the attention of Shishak, pharaoh of Egypt (about 945-924 B.C.) who moved into Judah, robbed the "Temple" of its golden objects, and destroyed a number of Judah's fortresses. This event weakened still further an already vulnerable people.

Israel's troubles had also begun...

                                                                Page 17
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By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

Covenant People - a name often used for the Hebrew/Israelite people, Abraham's descendants. The Israelites/Hebrews were chosen by God as instruments of His redemption of the world. - Gen. 12:1-3 - Israelite is a descendant of Israel or Jacob. Israelites were considered to be children of the "Covenant" faithful servants of the Lord, and heirs to the promises made to Abraham.

"You are to keep this feast in the seventh month. For seven days you are to live in shelters: all natives of Israel must live in shelters, so that your descendants may know that I made the sons of Israel live in shelters when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God." - Lev. 23:42-43 -

What I (apostle Paul) want to say now is no pretense; I say it in union with Christ Jesus - it is the truth - my conscience in union with the Holy Spirit assures me of it too. What I want to say is this: my sorrow is so great, my mental anguish so endless, I would willingly be condemned and be cut off from Christ if it could help my brothers of Israel, my own flesh and blood.

They were adopted sons, they were given the glory and the covenants; the Law and the ritual were drawn up for them, and the promises were made to them. They are descended from the patriarchs and from  their flesh and blood came from Christ who is above all, God for ever blessed! Amen. - Rom. 9:1-5 -

Let me put a further question then: is it possible that God has rejected His people? Of course not, I, an Israelite, descended from Abraham through the tribe of Benjamin, could never agree that God had rejected His people, the people He chose specially long ago. Do you remember what sacred scripture says of Elijah - how he complained to God about Israel's behaviour? Lord, they have killed your prophets and broken down your altars, I, and I only, remain, and they want to kill me. What God say to that? I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bent the knee to Baal.

Today the same thing has happened: there is a remnant, chosen by grace. By grace, you notice, nothing therefore to do with good deeds, or grace would not be grace at all!

What follows? It was not Israel as a whole that found what it was seeking, but only the chosen few. The rest were not allowed to see the truth; as scripture says: God has given them a sluggish spirit, unseeing eyes and inattentive ears, and they are still like that today. And David says: May their own table prove a trap for them, a snare and a pitfall - let that be their punishment; may their eyes be struck incurably blind, their back bend for ever. Rom. 11:1-10 -

But in the New Testament, those who believe and baptized in the Lord Jesus Christ ( In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit ) are people of a "New Covenant."

The institution of the Holy Eucharist/Holy Communion/Holy Mass by the Lord Jesus Christ. Then Jesus Christ took some bread, and when He had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of Me.' Jesus Christ did the same with the cup after supper, and said, 'This cup is the "New Covenant" in My blood which will be poured out for you. - Luke 22:19-20 -

Before God, we are confident of this through Christ: not that we are qualified in ourselves to claim anything as our own work: all our qualifications come from God. God is the one who has given us the qualifications to be the administrators of this "New Covenant" which is not a "Covenant" of written letters but of the Spirit: the written letters bring death, but the Spirit gives life. - 2 Cor. 3:4-6 -

Throughout history, God's 'covenant people' were meant to be an example of spirituality to the world.

Unfortunately, much of the God's first chosen people, that is, Israelite/Hebrew/Jew (Jacob) history was marked by periodic sinning and disobedience of the "Covenant Law." Israelite history began badly with an idolatrous act. The people made and worshiped a golden calf while Moses was still on Mount Sinai. - Ex. 32:1-35 -

After their punishment, the "Covenant" was renewed and work began on the building of the "Tabernacle." The structure was portable, and it moved with the Israelites whenever they wandered in the wilderness. Subsequent Hebrew/Jew temples were to reflect something of its structure.

In the 'Wilderness Years' and because the Israelites disobeyed God by refusing to enter Canaan. - Num. 14:30-35 - they were compelled to wander for a generation in the wilderness. These aimless wanderings are summarized in Numbers chapter 33. The people apparently moved between various oases in the Sinai wilderness. After Aaron's death - Num. 20:22-29 - the Israelites moved steadily toward Moab in 'Transjordan' and prepared to conquer Canaan.

The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who owned large herds, were allowed to settle in the conquered Transjordan lands and to raise their cattle. The remainder of the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan River at Jericho and occupy the Promised Land. Moses was not permitted to lead the Israelites to victory because he had not carried out God's will properly. Deut. 32:51 - Instead he was allowed to view Canaan from the summit of Mount Nebo. After this, Moses died and was buried in Moab. - Deut. 34:6 -

Jericho was like a town under siege when Joshua, who had been commissioned as leader shortly before Moses died, advanced to overthrow it. He obeyed God's instructions regarding the attack upon the fortress like city that guarded the entrance to Canaan. The Hebrews marched around it daily for six days and it collapsed dramatically on the seventh day. - Josh. 6:12-20 -

The next assault was on nearby Ai. This offensive, however, met with disaster because an Israelite named Achan had defied God's instructions about not taking plunder from Jericho. When his sin was discovered, he and his family were stoned to death, after which Ai was overthrown. - Josh. 7:25 -

Shortly afterwards, Joshua was tricked into sealing a covenant with the neighboring 'Gibeonites'. This was followed by a defense of the royal city of Gibeon against the attack of five Canaanite kings who resented the pact made with Joshua. The kings were captured and executed. - Josh. 10:16-27 - Then Joshua proceeded to conquer the south land, where Lachish and Hebron were important cities. Jerusalem, however, was not captured at this time, nor was Megiddo in central Palestine.

The final phase of occupation involved northern Palestine, where Joshua was confronted by a military group led by Jabin, king of Hazor. Perhaps, because the Israelites were anxious to keep the cities intact, none were destroyed except Hazor, the chief city of the north. This policy proved costly in later years. Although, the Israelites had occupied the Promised Land, they had not conquered the people completely. Once the Canaanites were able to re-establish themselves, they presented serious problems for the Israelites.

After Joshua died, individual charismatic leaders known as 'Judges' provided leadership for the Hebrew nation.....

                                                                        Page 16
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The New Testament makes a clear distinction between covenants of Law and covenants of Promise. Saint Paul or Apostle Paul spoke of these "Two Covenants" that is, one originating "from Mount Sinai" the other from "the Jerusalem above."

Saint Paul or Apostle Paul also explained explicitly that the covenant established at Mount Sinai, the Law, is a "ministry of death" and "condemnation" - a covenant that cannot be obeyed because of man's weakness and sin.

You want to be subject to the Law? Then listen to what the Law says. It says, if you remember that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-girl, and one by his free-born wife. The child of the slave-girl was born in the ordinary way; the child of the free woman was born as a result of a promise. This can be regarded as an allegory: the women stand for the two covenants.

The first who comes from Mount Sinai, and whose children are slaves, is Hagar - since Sinai is in Arabia - and she corresponds to the present Jerusalem that is a slave like her children. The Jerusalem above, however, is free and is our mother, since sacred scripture says: Shout for joy, you barren women who bore no children! Break into shouts of joy and gladness, you who were never in labour. For there are more sons of the forsaken one than sons of the wedded wife.

Now you, my brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise, and as at that time the child born in the ordinary way persecuted the child born in the Spirit's way, so also now. Does not scripture say: Drive away that slave-girl and her son; this slave-girl's son is not to share the inheritance with the son of the free woman? So, my brothers, we are the children, not of the slave-girl, but of the free-born wife. - Gal. 4:21-31 - 

Does this sound like a new attempt to commend ourselves to you? Unlike other people, we need no letters of recommendation either to you or from you, because you are yourselves our letter, written in our hearts, that anybody can see and read, and it is plain that you are a letter from Christ Jesus, drawn up by us, and written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on the tablets of your living hearts.

Before God we are confident of this through Christ: not that we are qualified in ourselves to claim anything as our own work: all our qualifications come from God. He is the one who has given us the qualifications to be the administrators of this new covenant which is not a covenant of written letters but of the Spirit: the written letters bring death, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the administering of death, in the written letters engraved on stones, was accompanied by such a brightness that the Israelites could not bear looking at the face of Moses, though it was a brightness that faded.

Then how much greater will be the brightness that surrounds the administering of the Spirit! For if there was any splendour in administering condemnation, there must be very much greater splendour in administering justification. In fact, compared with this greater splendour, the thing that used to have splendour now seems to have none; and if what was so temporary had any splendour, there must be more in what is going to last for ever.

Having this hope, we can be quite confident; not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites would not notice the ending of what had to fade. And anyway, their minds had been dulled; indeed, to this very day, that same veil is still there when the old covenant is being read, a veil never lifted, since the Lord Jesus Christ alone can remove it.

Yes, even today, whenever Moses is read, the veil is over their minds. It will not be removed until they turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now this Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, with our unveiled faces reflecting like mirrors the brightness of the Lord Jesus Christ, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect; this is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ who is Spirit.

Since we have by an act of mercy been entrusted with this work of administration, there is no weakening on our part. On the contrary, we will have none of the reticence of those who are ashamed, no deceitfulness of watering down the word of God; but the way we commend ourselves to every human being with a conscience is by stating the truth openly in the sight of God.

If our gospel does not penetrate the veil, then the veil is on those who are not on the way to salvation; the unbelievers whose minds the god of this world has blinded, to stop them seeing the light shed by the Good News of the glory of Christ Jesus, who is the image of God.

For it is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. It is the same God that said, "Let there be light shining out of darkness" who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God's glory, the glory on the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Cor. 3:1-18, 4:1-6 -

The "New Covenant" God has made with mankind, based on the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. The concept of a new covenant originated with the promise of the prophet Jeremiah that God would accomplish for His people because they did detestable things that God's never ordered. In other words, the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah greatly sinned against Yahweh and the old covenant.

For the sons of Israel and of Judah have done nothing but displease Me from their youth up (the sons of Israel, in fact, have done nothing but provoke Me by their actions - it is Yahweh who speaks.) Yes, from the day when it was built until today, this city has been such cause of anger and of wrath to me that I mean to remove it from My sight, because of all the wickedness the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah have committed to provoke Me; they, their kings, their nobles, their priests and their prophets, the men of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem.

They turned their backs to Me, never their faces; and though I taught them so urgently, so persistently, they would not listen and learn the lesson. They have put their abominations in the Temple that bears My name to defile it. They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom, there to make their sons and daughters pass through fire in honour of Molech - something I never ordered, for it never entered My thoughts that they would do such detestable things - and so they have led Judah into sin. - Jer. 32:30-35 -

Under this "New Covenant" God would write His Law on human hearts. This promised action suggested a new level of obedience, a new knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a new forgiveness of sin. The "New Covenant" accomplished what the old covenant could not, that is, removal of sin and cleansing of the conscience.

The New Testament which itself means "New Covenant" interprets the fulfillment and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ as bringing this promised "New Covenant" into being. In the New Testament, the Gospel According To Saint Luke, when Jesus ate the Passover meal at the Last Supper with His disciples, the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of the cup as "The New Covenant In My Blood".

Then Jesus took some bread, and when Jesus had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My Body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of Me." Jesus did the same with the cup after supper, and said, "This cup is the "New Covenant In My Blood" which will be poured out for you. - Luke 22:19-20 -

When the apostle Paul recited the tradition he had received concerning or pertaining to the Last Supper, he quoted these words of the Lord Jesus Christ about the cup as "The New Covenant In My Blood." Thus, if a person who eats and drinks without recognising the Body is eating and drinking his own condemnation.

For this is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus Christ took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, "This is My body which is for you; do this as a memorial of Me." In the same way He took the cup after supper, and said, "This cup is a "New Covenant In My Blood." Until the Lord Comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming His death, and so anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord Jesus Christ unworthily will be behaving unworthily towards the body and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everyone is to recollect himself and herself before eating this bread and drinks this cup; because a person who eats and drinks without recognising the Body is eating and drinking his own condemnation. In fact, that is why many of you are weak and ill and some of you have died. If only we recollect ourselves, we should not be punished like that. But when the Lord Jesus Christ does punish us like that, it is to correct us and stop us from being condemned with the world.

So to sum up, my dear brothers and sisters, when you meet for the Meal, wait for one another. Anyone who is hungry should eat at home, and then your meeting will not bring your condemnation. - 1 Cor. 11:23-34 -

The reason, therefore, why those who are in Christ Jesus are not condemned, is that the law of the spirit of life in the Lord Jesus Christ has set you free from the law of sin and death. God has done what the Law, because of our unspiritual nature, was unable to do. God dealt with sin by sending His own Son in a body as physical as any sinful body, and in that body God condemned sin. He did this in order that the Law's just demands might be satisfied in us, who behave not as our unspiritual nature but as the spirit dictates.

The unspiritual are interested only in what is unspiritual, but the spiritual are interested in spiritual things. It is death to limit oneself to what is unspiritual; life and peace can only come with concern for the spiritual, That is because to limit oneself to what is unspiritual is to be at enmity with God: such a limitation never could and never does submit to God's law. People who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God.

Your interest, however, are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual since the Spirit of God has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to Him. Though your body may be dead it is because of sin, but if the Lord Jesus Christ is in you then your spirit is life itself because you have been justified; and if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through His Spirit living in you.

So then, my brothers and sisters, there is no necessity for us to obey our unspiritual selves or to live unspiritual lives. If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die; but if by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live. - Rom. 8:1-13

The "Covenants of Promise" are God's guarantees that He will provide salvation in spite of man's inability to keep his side of the agreement because of his/her sin. ("....... do not forget, I say, that you had no Christ Jesus and were excluded from membership of Israel, aliens with no part in the covenants with their Promise; you were immersed in this world, without hope and without God. But now in the Lord Jesus Christ, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ............") - Eph. 2:11-22 -

The provision of a Chosen People through whom the Messiah would be born is the promise of the covenants with Adam and king David. - Gen. 3:15; 2 Sam. 7:14-15 - The covenant with Noah is God's promise to withhold judgment on nature while salvation is occurring. In the covenant with Abraham, God promised to bless Abraham's descendants.

These many covenants of promise may be considered one covenant of grace which was fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension ushered in the new covenant under which we are justified by God's grace and mercy rather than our human attempts to keep the law. The Lord Jesus Christ is the "Mediator" of this better covenant between God and human beings.

Jesus' sacrificial death served as the oath, or pledge which God made to us to seal this "New Covenant". The Lord Jesus Christ is determined to give us eternal life with Him, in spite of our unworthiness. This is still God's promise to any person who turns to Him in repentance.

To suit us, the ideal high priest would have to be holy, innocent and uncontaminated, beyond the influence of sinners, and raised up above the heavens; one who would not need to offer sacrifices everyday, as the other high priests do for their own sins and then for those of the people because He has done this once and for all by offering Himself. The Law appoints high priests who are men subject to weakness; but the promise on oath which came after the Law, appointed the Son - the Lord Jesus Christ - who is made perfect for ever. - Heb. 7:26-28 -

The Letter To The Hebrews ( A Letter Addressed To A Jewish-Christian Community) gives the "New Covenant" more attention than any other books in the New Testament. It includes quotations from the Old Testament. The "New Covenant" accomplished what the old covenant could not: removal of sin and cleansing of the conscience. The work of Jesus Christ on "The Cross" fulfills the promises of God and thus makes the old covenant "Inefficacious".

                                                           Page 15
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

Yahweh said to Moses, 'Leave this place, with the people you brought out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land that I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel I would give their descendants. I will send an angel in front of you; I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Jebusites. Go on to the land where milk and honey flow. I shall not go with you myself - you are a headstrong people - or I might exterminate you on the way.' On hearing these stern words the people went into mourning, and no one wore his ornaments.

Then Yahweh said to Moses, 'Say to the sons of Israel, "You are a headstrong people. If I were to go with you, even for a moment only, I should exterminate you. Take off your ornaments, then, that I may know how to deal with you!"' So, from Mount Horeb onward, the sons of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments. - Ex. 33:1-6 -

The activities of the Israelites tribes during the period between their departure from Egypt under Moses and the time when they encamped by the Jordan River, ready to be led into Canaan by Joshua. The period of time covered by these events is traditionally 40 years.

God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai (Horeb) and entered into a relationship with the twelve tribes, which bound them to God, Himself and made them, in effect, the nation of Israel. The relationship was in the form of a "Covenant".

This "Covenant" is fundamentally important for Israelite history. Through it a number of independent tribes were bonded together into one Hebrew/Israel nation and given a specific destiny as the "people chosen by God" as a channel for divine revelation. The Israelites, however, were not to behave just like any nation of the ancient world. All of these were pagan, following depraved and corrupt moral practices as part of their worship. The Israelites were to live as a religious community in which each member cared for the others.

Throughout their history, God' covenant people were meant to be an example or model of spirituality to the world. This, rather than political activity or territorial conquest, was to be their true destiny. Unfortunately, much of Israelite history was marked by periodic disobedience of the covenant laws. In fact, Israelite history began badly with an idolatrous act. The people made and worshiped a golden calf while Moses was still on Mount Sinai. - Ex. 32:1-6 -

After their punishment, the "Covenant" was renewed and work began on the building of the "Tabernacle". The structure was portable, and it moved with the Israelites whenever they wandered in the wilderness. Subsequent Hebrew/Israel/Jew temples were to reflect something of its structure.

After the rebellion had been put down, Moses went up into Mount Sinai again and there received the "Ten Commandments" a second time. - Ex. 20:1-21, Deut. 5:1-22 -

Yahweh said to Moses, 'Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones and come up to me on the mountain, and I will inscribe on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready by morning, and come up to the mountain of Sinai at dawn; await my orders there at the top of the mountain. No one must come up with you, no one be seen anywhere on the mountain; even the flocks and herds may not graze in front on this mountain.'

And so Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first and, with the two tablets of stone in his hands, he went up the mountain of Sinai in the early morning as Yahweh had commanded him. And Yahweh descended in the form of a cloud, and Moses stood with Him there.

Moses called on the name of Yahweh. Yahweh passed before him and proclaimed, 'Yahweh, Yahweh, a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness; for thousands He maintains His kindness, forgives faults, transgression, sin; yet He lets nothing go unchecked, punishing the father's fault in the sons and in the grandsons to the third and fourth generation.' And Moses bowed down to the ground at once and worshipped. 'If I have indeed won Your favour, Lord' Moses said 'let my Lord come with us, I beg. True, they are a headstrong people, but forgive us our faults and our sins, and adopt us as Your heritage.' - Ex. 34:1-9 -

"THE  COVENANT"  -  EXODUS  20:1-21,  DEUTERONOMY  5:1-22  -

Yahweh said, 'I am about to make a Covenant with you. In the presence of all your people I shall work such wonders as have never been worked in any land or in any nation. All the people around you will see what Yahweh can do, for what I shall do through you will be awe-inspiring. - Ex. 34:10 -

When Moses came down from the mountain of Sinai - as he came down from the mountain, Moses had the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands - he did not know that the skin of his face was radiant after speaking with Yahweh. And when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, the skin on his face shone so much that they would not venture near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron with all the leaders of the community came back to him; and he spoke to them.

Then all the sons of Israel came closer, and he passed on to them all the orders that Yahweh had given him on the mountain of Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever he went into Yahweh's presence to speak with Him, Moses would remove the veil until he came out again. And when he came out, he would tell the sons of Israel what he had been ordered to pass on to them, and the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he returned to speak with Yahweh. - Ex. 34:29-35 -

Covenant refers to an agreement between two people or two groups that involves promises on the part of each to the other. The concept of covenant between God and His people is one of the most important theological truths of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. By making a covenant with Abraham, God promised to bless His descendants and to make them His special people.

Abraham, in return, was to remain faithful to God and to serve as a channel through which God's blessings could flow to the rest of the world. - Gen. 12:1-3 - Even before Abraham time, God also made a covenant with Noah, assuring Noah that He would not again destroy the world by flood. - Gen. 9 - Another famous covenant was between God and David, in which David and his descendants were established as a royal heirs to the throne of the nation of Israel. - 2 Sam. 7:12, 22:51 -

This covenant agreement reached its highest fulfillment when Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of the line of David, was born in Bethlehem about a thousand years after God made this promise to David the king.

A covenant, in the scriptural/biblical sense, implies much more than a contract or simple agreement. A contract always has an end date, while a covenant is a permanent arrangement. Another difference is that a contract generally involves only one part of a person, such as a skill, while a covenant covers a person's total being.

The word for covenant in the Old Testament also provides additional insight into the meaning of this important idea. It comes from a Hebrew root word which means "to cut". This explains the strange custom of two people passing through the cut bodies of slain animals after making an agreement with each other. - Jer. 34:18 -

A ritual or ceremony such as this always accompanied the making of a covenant in the Old Testament. Sometimes those entering into a covenant shared a holy meal. - Gen. 31:54 - Abraham and his children were commanded to be circumcised as a sign of their covenant with God. - Gen. 17:10-11 - Moses sprinkled the blood of animals on the altar and upon the people who entered into covenant with God at Mount Sinai.

To Moses God had said, 'Come up to Yahweh, yourself and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel and bow down in worship at a distance. Moses alone must approach Yahweh; the others must not, nor must the people go up with him.

Moses went and told the people all the commands of Yahweh and all the ordinances. In answer, all the people said with one voice, 'We will observe all the commands that Yahweh has decreed.' Moses put all the commands of Yahweh into writing, and early next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain, with twelve standing stones for the twelve tribes of Israel.

Then he directed certain young Israelites to offer holocausts and to immolate bullocks to Yahweh as communion sacrifices. Half of the blood Moses took up and put into basins, the other half he cast on the altar. And taking the Book of the Covenant he read it to the listening people, and they said, 'We will observe all that Yahweh has decreed; we will obey.' Then Moses took the blood and cast it towards the people. 'This' he said 'is the blood of the Covenant that Yahweh has made with you, containing all these rules.' - Ex. 24:1-8 -

The Old Testament contains many examples of covenants between people who related to each other as equals. For instance, David and Jonathan entered into a covenant because of their love for each other. This agreement bound each of them to certain responsibilities. - 1 Sam. 18:3 - But the striking thing about God's covenant with His people is that God is holy, all-knowing, and all powerful; but He consents to enter into covenant with man, who is weak, sinful, and imperfect.

In the Old testament, God's Chosen People confirmed their covenant with God with oaths or promises to keep the agreement. At Mount Sinai, the nation of Israel promised to perform 'all the words which God has said". - Ex. 24:3 - When the people later broke this promise, they were called by their leaders to renew their oath. - 2 Kin. 23:3 - By contrast, God does not break promises. His oath to raise up believing children to Abraham is an "everlasting" covenant. - Gen. 22:16-17, 17:17 -

The New Testament makes a clear distinction between....

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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

When Moses and the people of Israel/Jacob reached the land of Midian, Moses' father-in-law Jethro came to meet them. He gave Moses sound advice on how to exercise his leadership and authority more efficiently by delegating responsibility to subordinate rulers who would judge the people in small cases.

'It is not right' the father-in-law Jethro of Moses said to him 'to take this on yourself. You will tire yourself out, you and the people with you. The work is too heavy for you. You cannot do it alone. Take my advice, and God will be with you. You ought to represent the people before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the statutes and the decisions; show them the way they must follow and what their course must be.

But choose from the people at large some capable and God-fearing men, trustworthy and incorruptible, and appoint them as leaders of the people: leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens. Let these be at the service of the people to administer justice at all times. They can refer all difficult questions to you, but all smaller questions they will decide for themselves, so making things easier for you and sharing the burden with you.

If you do this - and may God so command you - you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.' Moses took his father-in-law's advice and did as he said. - Ex. 18:1-27 -

The Covenant At Sinai - God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai (Horeb) and entered into a relationship with the twelve tribes, which bound them to Himself and made them, in effect, the nation of Israel. The relationship was in the form of a "Covenant."

This "Covenant" is fundamentally important for Israelite history. Through it a number of independent tribes were bonded together into one Hebrew/Jew/Israel nation and given a specific destiny as the people chosen by God as a channel for divine revelation. The Israelites, however, were not to behave just like any nation of the ancient world. All of these were pagan, as part of their worship.

The Israelites were to live as a religious community in which each member cared for the others. The exploitation of such helpless persons as strangers, widows, and orphans was strictly forbidden under the Mosaic Law - Deut. 24:17 - since God Himself was their champion. - Duet. 10:14-22 -

God promised to provide a land for the Hebrews/Jews/Israelites in which they could settle in obedience to "Covenant Law' as a holy nation, and be witnesses of His existence and power to all the neighboring nations.

Moses then went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, 'Say this to the House of Jacob, declare this to the sons of Israel. "You yourselves have seen what I did with the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to Myself. From this you know that now, if you obey my voice and hold fast to my Covenant, you of all the nations shall be my very own for all the earth is mine.

I will count you a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation. Those are the words you are to speak to the sons of Israel.' So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people, putting before them all that Yahweh had bidden him, Then all the people answered as one, 'All that Yahweh has said, we will do.' And Moses took the people's reply back to Yahweh. - Ex. 19:3-8 -

Throughout Hebrew/Jew/Israel history, God's covenant people meant to be an example of spirituality to the world. This, rather than political activity or territorial conquest, was to be their true destiny. Unfortunately, much of Israelite history was marked by periodic disobedience of the Covenant Laws. - Ex. chapter 19 to 31 -

When God had finished speaking with Moses on the mountain of Sinai, God gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. - Ex. 31:18 -

-  ISRAEL'S  APOSTASY  -  THE  COVENANT  RENEWED  -

Unfortunately, Israelite history began badly with an idolatrous act. The people made and worshiped a golden calf while Moses was still on Mount Sinai.

Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, 'Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostasised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. "Here is your God, Israel" they have cried "who brought you up from the land of Egypt!"'

Yahweh said to Moses, 'I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.'

But Moses pleaded with Yahweh his God. 'Yahweh' he said 'why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Why let the Egyptians say, "Ah, it was in treachery that He brought them out, to do them to death in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth"?

Leave your burning wrath; relent and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.' So Yahweh relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened. - Ex. 32:7-14 -

When Moses delayed in coming down from Mount Sinai, the faithless people became restless. They persuaded Aaron to take their golden earrings and other articles of jewelry and to fashion a golden calf for worship, offered holocausts and brought communion sacrifices; then all the people sat down to eat and drink, and afterwards got up to amuse themselves.

As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the groups dancing, Moses' anger blazed. He threw down the tablets he was holding and broke them at the foot of the mountain. Moses seized the calf they had made and burned it, grinding it into powder which he scattered on the water; and he made the sons and daughters of Israel drink it.

To Aaron Moses said, 'What has this people done to you, for you to bring such a great sin on them?' When Moses saw the people so out of hand - for Aaron had allowed them to lapse into idolatry with enemies all round them - he stood at the gate of the camp and shouted. 'Who is for Yahweh? And of the sons of Levi rallied to him. And Moses said to them, 'This is the message of Yahweh, the God of Israel/Jacob, "Grid your sword, every man of you, and quarter the camp from gate to gate, killing one his brother, another his friend, another his neighbor"?

The sons of Levi carried out the command of Moses, and of the people about three thousand men perished that day. 'Today' Moses said 'you have won yourselves investiture as priests of Yahweh at the cost, one of his sons, another of his brother; and so God grants you a blessing today.' - Ex. 32:1-35 -

Yahweh said to Moses, 'Leave this place..........

                                                                   Page 13
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The departure of the Israelites and the slaying of the first-born of all Egypt was the ultimate test of God's power to set the people free. On the night of the "Passover" feast of Israel. That night Moses began to lead the slaves to freedom, as God killed the first-born of Egypt and spared the first-born of Israel through the sprinkling of the blood of the "Passover" lamb.

This pointed to the day when God's own Lamb would come into the world to deliver, by His own blood, all of those who put their trust in Him, setting them free from sin and death.

Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ Jesus; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake. - 1 Peter 1:18-20 -

Now before we came of age we were as good as slaves to the elemental principles of this world, but when the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born of a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted sons and daughters. - Gal. 4:3-5 -

The next day, seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, "Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. - John 1:29 -

The "Passover Meal" first instituted by God for the deliverance of the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews from, slavery, became one of the local points of Israel's/Jacob's faith. Truly, it served as the base on which the Lord Jesus Christ instituted and developed "Last Supper" (Holy Eucharist/Holy Communion/Holy Mass) as a leading memorial for His apostles, disciples, followers and believers. 

With clear insight into the "Passover Meal" "Holy Eucharist" "Holy Communion" "Holy Mass" the message of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible and the meaning of the life of Jesus Christ dawns with greater understanding for all Christians. Amen!

The crossing of the Red Sea is one of the most dramatic events in all the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible; the scriptural/biblical writers repeatedly refer to it as the utmost sign and the most significant sign of God's love for Israel.

The Exodus from Egypt began, with the whole company (Hebrews/Israelites/Jews) under Moses being directed by a "Pillar Of Cloud" during the day. At night they were guided by a "Pillar Of Fire" which led them away from Etham, probably in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, facing Baal-zephon. 

At this site a body of water stood in the way. To the Egyptians this spelled the doom of a group of runaway slaves that had become thoroughly confused about their location as they struggled to get out of the Goshen area. This misunderstanding was part of God's plan to destroy the Egyptians armies. They closed in on the Israelite camp, eager to recapture their escaped slaves. While the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews assembled and rushed to the edge of the water, the "Pillar Of Cloud" moved to the rear of the fleeing Israelites/Hebrews/Jews, preventing the movement of the Egyptians armies.

Pharaoh's forces pursued them to the Red Sea (some scholars say the Sea of Reeds) threatening to destroy them before they could cross. "A Pillar Of Cloud And Fire" however, stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians, protecting the Israelites until they could escape. When Moses stretched his hand over the sea, the waters were divided and the Israelites passed to the other side. When Egyptians attempted to follow, Moses again stretched his hand over the sea, and the waters closed over the Egyptians army. The miracles of the Exodus were thus completed by the destruction of the Egyptians armies. - Ex. 14:1-31 -

A helpless slave people had been delivered from their enemies by their powerful Redeemer God. They celebrated their victory with a song of praise or song of victory that emphasizes the theme of the Exodus. It was then that Moses and the Israelites sang this song in honour of Yahweh:

Yahweh I sing: He has covered Himself in glory,

horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.

Yahweh is my strength and my song,

He is my salvation.

This is my God, I praise Him;

the God of my father, I extol Him.

Yahweh is His name.........

...............................................

Yahweh will be King for ever and ever. - Ex. 15:1-21 -

Israel In The Desert - Moses made Israel move from their camp at the Sea of Reeds, and they made for the wilderness of Shur where they travelled for three days without finding water. They reached Marah but the water was so bitter they could not drink it; this is why the place was named Marah. The people grumbled at Moses. 'What are we to drink?' they said. So Moses appealed to Yahweh, and Yahweh pointed out some wood to him; this Moses threw into the water, and the water was sweetened.

There it was he charged them with statute and with ordinance, there that he put them to the test.

Then He said, If you listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to his commandments and keep his statutes, I shall inflict on you none of the evils that I inflicted on the Egyptians, for it is I, Yahweh, who give you healing.'

So they came to Elim where twelve water-springs were, and seventy palm trees; and there they picked their camp beside the water. - Ex. 15:22-27 -

From Elim they set out again, Moses led the people toward Mount Sinai, in obedience to the word of God spoken to him at the burning bush. During the long journey through the desert, the people began to murmur because of the trials of freedom, forgetting the terrible trials of Egyptians bondage. Through it all, Moses was patient, understanding both the harshness of the desert and the blessings of God's provision for them.

In answer to Moses' prayers, God sent bread from heaven - Manna and quail to eat. In the Wilderness of Sin, when they again had no water, and through God's power, Moses performed a miracle by striking a rock, and water came out of the rock. This is what Moses did, in the sight of the elders of Israel. The place was named Massah and Meribah because of the grumbling of the sons and daughters of Israel and because they put Yahweh to the test by saying, "Is Yahweh with us, or not?" - Ex. 16:1-36, 17:1-7 -

Again by God's power, Moses and the people of Israel defeated the Amalekites. The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, 'Pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek. I, meanwhile, will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.' Joshus did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. But Moses' arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, Aaron and Hur supporting his arms, one on one side, one on the other; and his arms remained firm till sunset. With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek and his people.

Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Write this action down in a book to keep the memory of it, and say in Joshua's hearing that I shall wipe out the memory of Amalek from under the heaven.' Moses then built an altar and named it Yahweh-nissi because he said, 'Lay hold of the banner of Yahweh! Yahweh is at war with Amalek from age to age!' - Ex. 17:8-16 -

The Exodus became for the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews the supreme occasion when God acted to deliver His people from harsh captivity, binding them to Himself by a solemn 'Covenant.' Even today when the Jews/Hebrews/Israelites celebrate "The Passover" they are reminded of God's mighty deliverance in that long-ago time.

When Moses and the people of Israel/Jacob reached the land of Midian, Moses' father-in-law........

                                                                
                                                                         Page 12

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

Yahweh said to Aaron, 'Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.' And so he went, and met Moses at the mountain of God; and he kissed him. Moses then told Aaron all that Yahweh had said when he set him His task and all the signs He had ordered him to perform.

Moses and Aaron then went and gathered all the elders of the sons of Israel together, and Aaron told all that Yahweh had said to Moses, and in the sight of the people he performed the signs. The people were convinced, and they rejoiced that Yahweh had visited the sons of Israel/Jacob and had seen misery, and they bowed down and worshipped. - Ex. 4:27-31 -

After this, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh. Pharaoh - the title of the kings of Egypt until 323 B.C. In the Egyptian language the word Pharaoh means 'great house.' This word was originally used to describe the palace of the king. Around 1500 B.C. this term was applied to the Egyptian kings. It meant something like 'his honor, his majesty.' In addition to this title, the kings also had a personal name (Amenhotep, Rameses) and other descriptive titles.

The Pharaoh was probably the most important person in Egyptian society. The Egyptians believed he was a god and the key to the nation's relationship to the cosmic gods of the universe. While the Pharaoh ruled, he was the son of Ra, the sun god, and the incarnation of the god Horus. He came from the gods with the divine responsibility to rule the land for them. Thus, there were no law codes, because the king upheld order and justice and insured the stability of society.

The Pharaoh was the head of the army as well as a central figure in the nation's religious life. As an inter-mediator between gods and men, the Pharaoh functioned as a high priest in the many temples in Egypt. The Egyptian people believed their fate was dependent on that of the Pharaoh, they seldom attempted to overthrow the government, although some pharaohs were very cruel.

In several instances the Israelites came into contact with a Pharaoh. Abram (Abraham) went to Egypt around 1900 B.C. because of a famine in the land of Palestine. However, after 300 more years in Egypt, a new dynasty came to power. Its kings did not acknowledge Joseph and his many deeds to save Egypt. Therefore, all the Israelites but Moses were enslaved. Moses was raised in the Pharaoh's own court.

After this, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel/Jacob, has said, "Let my people go, so that they may keep a feast in the wilderness in honour of Me."' 'Who is your Yahweh' Pharaoh replied 'that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I know nothing of Yahweh, and I will not let Israel go.'

Pharaoh rejected the demand of this unknown God of whom Moses and Aaron spoke: He showed his contempt of this God of the Hebrews by increasing the oppression of the slaves. As a result, the people grumbled against Moses. - Ex. 5:1-5, 20-21 -

Moses did not waver in his mission but complaint to Yahweh, 'Lord', he said to Him 'why do You treat this people so harshly? Why did You send me here? God spoke to Moses and said to him, 'I am Yahweh. To Abraham and Isaac and Jacob I appeared as El Shaddai; I did not make myself known to them by my name Yahweh.

The promise of the Exodus began with God's revelation of Himself to Moses at the burning bush. This was followed by the commissioning of Moses and Aaron to stand before Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites.

When Pharaoh refused, a series of ten plagues began. Nine of these involved natural occurrences that were concentrated within a short period of time, affecting the Egyptians only and leaving the Israelites untouched. Each plague involved an Egyptian god in some manner, showing how powerless such deities were in comparison to Israel's/Jacob's God. - Ex. chapter 7 to 13 -

The final plague resulted in the death of all the first-born children and animals. Only when this had happened did Pharaoh agree to release the Hebrew/Israel people. They were spared from death by remaining in their houses and putting sacrificial blood on the doorposts of their houses before they ate the newly "Instituted Passover Meal." -

The Egyptians were so glad to be relieved of what had become a great burden to them that they gave the departing Israelites gifts of gold, silver, and clothing.

The sons of Israel did as Moses had told them and asked the Egyptians for silver ornaments and gold, and for clothing. Yahweh gave the people such prestige in the eyes of the Egyptians, that they gave them what they asked. So they plundered the Egyptians. - Ex. 12:35-36 -

The departure of the Israelites........

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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -