Musing – Why does God want us to be Separate People?

Hebraic Musing – Why does God want us to be Separate People?

In the creation account, God separated the day and the night “to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.” Gen. 1:18-19   The message of separation is found throughout the Bible starting in chapter one.  Amidst the many commandments in Leviticus, God told them “You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean…” Lev. 15:31   And when Korah and his sons grumbled against Aaron, God told Moses and Aaron “Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” Num. 16:21

God knew what He was doing when the Israelites moved to Egypt and Joseph scripted his family on how to answer Pharaoh.  “When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, 'What is your occupation?'  you should answer, 'Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.” Gen. 46:33-34   This disdain by the Egyptians was key to God’s plan to keep the Israelites separate, protected from integration into the Egyptian society and idolatrous practices.

Was God telling us to be unhospitable and neighborly relationships in 2 Corinth. 6:16-17?   “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.  Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.’” NIV

We definitely want to be separated from the wicked when – “The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” as Jesus promised in Matt 13:49-50

Ezra saw the danger and result of not maintaining separation when he pointed out the reason for the Babylonian exile of the Northern Kingdom.  “After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, ‘The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites (and 6 other ‘ites’).  They have … mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. …’"  Ezra 9:1-2  NIV

Key Message – God wants us kept separate for our protection, not to punish us or deprive us.  BUT we are by nature a socializing people.  We want friends and we like to hang with them.  To this point, we have heard the famous challenge that “we are to be in the world, but not of the world.”  Sounds contradictory, how might we might be letting the world get into us – news and entertainment media, friends we ‘hang’ with, bad habits, no time to serve Him, escapism techniques, etc.  You name it!

Are you a citizen of the world?  Or are you an ambassador to the world?  Whose Kingdom are you seeking?

  Points to ponder

Where is your citizenship?

In how many ways does the world draw us into sinful thoughts, deeds and actions?

Do you want to know how the world is getting into you? 
Answer three questions:
1. Where do you spend your “free” time?
2. On what do you spend your “free” money?
3. On what do you spend your “free” thoughts?

 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” John 17:16

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                  December 26, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Thank you Johanna Hocker for your post – “We too are called to live in Goshen” – December 5, 2017

Musing – How Could the Wise Men Have Possibly Known?

Hebraic Musing – How Could the Wise Men Have Possibly Known?

The typical manger scene at Christmas includes some extra-Biblical portrayals of “Three Kings” and a “Star”.  This is portrayed even though Matthew 2:1 begins with “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem…”  Actually, some number of Magi, or wise men (not kings), visited Jesus in His home about two years later; and they had journeyed from the East and brought significant gifts.  But who were they and how could they have possibly known about Jesus and His birth?

It makes sense that these wise men were astrologers from Babylon and they were led by something that has been translated as a “Star”.  The original the Greek could just as easily been translated “Light” or “Brilliance” which makes more sense since everyone, especially astrologers, know that stars do not move East, West, North, South and rest over a home!  Many rightfully contend that it could have been the Shechinah glory of God that they followed. 

Why would “Wise Men” from Babylon have been searching for such a sign?  Matthew recalls the Magi referring to it as “His star” in Matt. 2:1-2 …during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."   NIV   These Magi had not come to welcome previous kings of the Jews, so why this one?!?!   This was obviously not an ordinary star or event!  How would Magi, wise men, from Babylon know about the coming of a Messianic King?  Here are two clues in the OT.

First, Daniel’s book was written mostly in Aramaic while he was in Babylon; and Daniel had many associations with the wise men, astrologers in Babylon.  They would have studied and interpreted Daniel’s famous “Seventy ‘sevens’” prophecy in Dan 9:24-27.  But, why would the astrologers have paid attention to prophecies of a Jew in exile?  Answer – He saved their lives!  And they would have recognized Daniel’s “God of Heaven”.   Daniel 2:12-17 tells of the King Nebuchadnezzar’s orders to execute all the wise men of Babylon; and of Daniel’s answer from the “God of Heaven” which spared their lives.  Nebuchadnezzar had made Daniel head of all the astrologers (whose lives he just saved!).  Since they were “wise men”, can we assume they also recognized the “God of Heaven” whom Daniel heard from?  Hence, a line of Babylonian astrologers from generation to generation recognized and worshipped the true God and were relying on Daniel’s prophecy looking forward to the coming “King of the Jews” whom they asked for in Matt.2:2. 

Second, since Daniel said nothing about a “Star” announcing the Messiah’s birth, where did the knowledge of a star come from?   Remember that back in Numbers 22, the king of Moab, Balak, desperately needed someone to curse the Israelite nation, so he called on “Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, in his native land.” Num. 22:5   Balaam’s home is a suburb of Babylon and he had a reputation as a noted wise man or seer!  After failed attempts to curse Israel, Balaam was forced by God to prophesy of the coming of the Jewish Messiah and he related that to a “Star/Scepter out of Jacob”.  God had Balaam utter this oracle -- "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:  I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.  He will crush … his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.  A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."  Num. 24:15-19

Two of Babylon’s renowned wise men, both Balaam and Daniel had provided the Wise Men of Babylon with belief in the “God of Heaven” and with prophecies and Messianic understanding and timing.  It’s not surprising they responded when they saw a brilliant light appear in the sky at just the right time. 

 Point to ponder

They were obviously Wise Men, they came seeking the “King of the Jews”.
Shouldn’t we all be Wise Men and seek Him today?

"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.” Job 34:2

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                 December 19, 2017

Musing – What should happen when you become a “Christian”?

Hebraic Musing – What should happen when you become a “Christian”?

Apostle John told us how to know if we belong to Jesus – “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:  Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:3-6  NIV  But are we expected to “walk as Jesus did” or are we in a “Process of Sanctification”?

The overarching definition of Saints is “persons of great holiness, virtue, or benevolence.”  Peter said that believers are “Saints” when he defined us in 1 Peter 2:9-10  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Peter called us “a holy nation”.   The words Holy and Sanctified and Sanctuary and Sanctification all derive from the distinction of being set apart for God’s purpose(s).  And if we have been set apart because we made Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives, some evidence should show up in our lives.  What are the evidences of the “Process of Sanctification” that should be continuously occurring in our lives from the time of our salvation until the time of our death?  Here are six R’s of evidence:

Redemption – We’ve been “…brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col.1:13-14    We should be moving from lost to found, from darkness into light,…?   “So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Rom 13:12

Resisting – And do you find yourself resisting temptations?  Have you “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” Eph 6:11

Righteousness – “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” Gen.15:6   Righteousness can be simply defined as “Being in right standing with God”. 

Reliance – Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”   Matt 16:24   And the alternative is described in Titus 1:16 “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”

Repentance – Jesus had strong words for the church in Sardis – “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief….” Rev 3:3

Replication – In kindergarten we should have learned to share.  Is your heart’s desire to share the gift of salvation you received?   “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Heb 13:16    Is “sharing” what Jesus intended in Mark 16:15 when He told us to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”?  

These six R’s should help us determine if and how well we are progressing in the “Process of Sanctification”.

  Points to ponder

Are we making progress in our own “Process of Sanctification”?

Might we use some of these R’s to encourage our Brothers & Sisters?

Might these R’s be used to witness to those who are not bearing fruit?

Might these R’s be used to witness to the unsaved?

“…contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                  December 12, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – inspired by Pastor Chris Cooper’s message Sunday December 3, 2017

Musing – What do we mean by “Sharing our Testimony”?

                               Hebraic Musing – What do we mean by “Sharing our Testimony”?

The word “testimony” is found 113 times in the NIV and has a variety of uses.  For example:

·         Of God’s provision -- In Exodus, the Testimony is the Ark in the Tabernacle that held manna and Aaron’s rod that budded as a testimony to the multiple miracles and provision during the Exodus and wandering in the wilderness.  And it held the Stone Tablets with Ten Commandments; which serve as a testimony of our sinfulness.

·         Testifying -- One of the commandments says "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” Ex. 20:16  Later in the Torah, we hear important rules regarding use of legal testimonies - "Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.” Num. 35:30

·         Jesus tells us the purpose of the Gospel – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matt 24:14

·         Personal experience – “Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.” John 1:32  And that is part of John the Baptist’s personal testimony.

·         Our personal lives serve as a testimony to others of how belief and trust in Christ changes His believers.  “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”   Matt. 10:18 NKJV

We have a testimony when verbalizing our salvation experience and/or our experience with miracles, and blessings.  We can use a simple outline – (1) Life Before; (2) What happened; (3) The difference since then. 
Our personal testimony can be tailored to resonate with the need(s) of a particular audience.  And trials can become testimonies afterwards.

I find it interesting that we rarely hear sermons that include a personal testimony.  Sometimes we’ll hear of a third person testimony, but those fall flat and ineffective.  From personal experience I’ve seen and encouraged the sharing of personal testimonies, typically of one’s salvation experience, and have witnessed many many making decisions for Christ as a direct result -- The power of personal testimonies!!!

I have often said “People argue with my teachings and they argue with my preaching; but they cannot argue with the truth of my personal testimony.”

And God’s testimony is the greatest – “We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.  Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart.  Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.  And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” 1 John 5:9-11  NIV

  Points to ponder

Might your written testimony become the outline to be tailored for "divine opportunities"?

Might your written testimony become a tract, a witnessing tool?

Can you deliver your testimony in varying time lengths for different occasions?

 “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony”   Rev 12:11

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                  December 5, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – inspired and excerpted from Johanna Hocker’s   “Sharing our Testimony” May 23, 2017