Category Archives: Bible

Articles, Bible, Education, Prayer, Prophecy, Teaching

Call of God Series Part 05: How to Respond to God’s Call Practically

Now that you know God has called you, where do you go from here? How do you respond to His call in a practical way?
We began to address these questions in Part 04 of this series. Using Romans 12:1-2 as our guide, we learned that our motivation to respond to God was because of His great mercies. Our bodies are to be presented to God and used as a ‘living sacrifice.’ In addition, our minds are surrendered to God for renewal, which will keep us from thinking, acting, and speaking like the world. More on this in a moment.
Here are some other points to make you effective in responding to God’s call:
1.       Forget the world: We need to learn how to turn our backs on the world. This phrase ‘the world’ can be misunderstood. We are not talking about planet earth, with the beautiful trees, plants, waterways, terrain, and skies. Instead, it has to do with the cosmos, the worldly government order or system, under the immediate command of fallen humanity but ultimately under satanic influence. The Bible teaches that the whole world lies under wickedness (I John 5:19) and the wicked one; Satan is ‘prince’ of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and ‘god’ of this world (II Corinthians 4:4). Scripture condemns friendship with the world, which is rightly considered enmity towards God (James 4:4). For those who crave to be ‘relevant’ with the world, be very careful: you cannot please God and the world, anymore than you can serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Therefore, in responding to God’s call to become a living sacrifice, Paul gives us a straightforward command: Do not conform to the world. If we insist in thinking, acting, speaking and supporting the world’s agenda, we are of no use to God. It is like salt losing its saltiness, only good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden underfoot of men (Matthew 5:13). If we repudiate these things, we become useable and fruitful.
2.       Renew the mind: Responding to the call of God promises transformation – we will be like new people. Such transformation comes by the renewal of our minds. We will be like the thoughts we think or as scripture teaches, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Renewal of the mind is like a detox and reprogramming of our thoughts. This takes time and discipline. Four ways to renew the mind include: 1) The Word of God – memorise in your mind, retain in your heart, confess with your mouth; 2) The cross of Christ. Embracing the cross, as Paul did (Galatians 6:14), means you will relinquish bad thoughts and they will be replaced with good. 3) The Holy Spirit will help you think new thoughts; let Him lead you in this area; 4) Christian fellowship – you will be like the company you keep (Proverbs 13:20), so make sure you are with people who ‘fear the Lord,’ have the right priorities, and will be a positive influence on you (and vice-versa)
3.       Understand God’s Will: If you will follow through with all the above mentioned steps, the greatest benefit is divine direction. A world-denying, renewed mind will be in an optimal position to discern God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. Furthermore, you will be able to seek God and exercise your faith to obtain the provision necessary to fulfil His will. Then ‘write the vision,’ make it plain, so whoever reads it will run with it (Habakkuk 2:2-3). Once you know God’s will, write it down, put the appropriate Scripture promises with it, and confess these passages to the Lord. You will be amazed when God’s will comes to pass before your eyes. But no wonder, you laid the groundwork with proper consecration, totally on God’s terms.
Follow these steps and you are on your way. However, we want to offer at least one more article. Stayed tuned for next month’s edition of the Issachar Teaching eLetter.

Articles, Bible, Education, Faith, Prophecy, Teaching

Jerusalem, A Magnet for Christian Visits, 7th & Final Instalment.

We continue – and conclude – a 7 part series about Jerusalem and the Christian pilgrim.
Part 01:We learned that Christians have been visiting the holy city of Jerusalem since the beginning of the church. Christians of all stripes constitute 60% or more of incoming visitors to Israel.
Part 02: The effect of worldwide tourism on overall pilgrim numbers.
Part 03: After the 1967 Six Day War, number of visitors to Jerusalem increased due to the ‘tradition of pilgrimage’ and the innovation of modern tourism.
Part 04: When is a Christian visitor a ‘tourist’ and when is he/she a ‘pilgrim.’
Part 05: A continuation of identifying the Christian visitor as ‘tourist’ or ‘pilgrim.’
Part 06: The nature of today’s Christian visits to Jerusalem.
Now, in this 7th and final part, we will finalise the identity and nature of Christian visits.
First, when you contrast modern tourism with traditional pilgrimage, a Christian visitor, coming on a tourist visa, can still be a fully bona fide pilgrim. Just because there is a strong tourist element, similar to many secular tours, does not mean the journey lacks faith or inspiration. As we learned, being a pilgrim is less about activities and more about faith in the heart.
Like in the early years of the church, there are parallels with visits today. There is less an emphasis on visiting shrines or conducting liturgy, especially since Protestants, evangelicals, and Pentecostals constitute a high-number of visitors to Jerusalem. This is ironic, since these categories of Christians do not have a strong tradition of pilgrimage. In Europe, where Catholic shrines number in the 100s, Protestant pilgrim sites are only 10 continent-wide.
Today’s Christians visit sites that are non-classical, non-traditional, educational, etc. For example, many tours which spend a limited amount of time in Nazareth may elect to visit Nazareth Village, an educational site that recreates the Nazareth of Jesus’ day, rather than visit the Church of the Annunciation (the largest church building int he Middle East) and nearby Mary’s Well. Conferences, study breaks, religious marches, visits to non-Christian or non-Biblical sites, are some of the other ‘non-traditional activities’ they may partake.
A couple of major differences between ancient pilgrimage and today: modern pilgrims usually spend less time – significantly less – in the City of the Bible than the ancients. This is understandable: ancient people endured a long journey to get to Jerusalem and felt a long sojourn of several weeks, months, or years, was in order. Today’s visitor may spend no more than 10-14 days on tour nation-wide, not just in Jerusalem.
Second, the pace was very different – the ancients tarried and spent time in devotion. Modern visitors are eager to see as much as they can – as quickly as they can – and it can make for a superficial coverage of the given site.
A third and major difference – even a painful one – is that ancient pilgrims had significant and meaningful interaction with local Christians, often times worshipping and/or boarding with them. This is much less the case with modern pilgrims. Many are often unaware that there are local Christians with whom to fellowship. Even if they are aware, they may be uninterested in connecting due to denominational or even political differences. Besides, the touring schedule is ‘tight’ and many barely have time to breathe, let alone slow down enough to meet with local Christians. The danger of this approach is treating the holy land like Disneyland, altogether forgetting that Jerusalem is not an amusement park, but a vibrant city where 850,000 people call home.
Another possibility that can cause pain and division is politics. Modern Israel is highly politicised on all sides. One has to be very deft on avoiding any political entanglement. The June 2018 visit of HRH Prince William was a case in point, the first official of the royal family in 70 years. British royals have to be scrupulous to convey political neutrality wherever and with whomever they may be. Visiting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the West Bank put Williams’ regal upbringing to the test. t By all accounts, he successfully walked the tight-rope, stayed above the fray, and managed to pleased most everyone.
Summary
First, the pattern and nature of Christian visits to Jerusalem have changed since the June 1967 (Six Day) War. Instead of drawing from mainly local Middle East Christians, the post-1967 visitors are worldwide, including from countries that have not diplomatic relations with Israel. Overall numbers of Christian visitors have steadily risen in most recent decades.
Second, it has been argued that a Christian, with faith in his or her heart, is a ‘pilgrim,’ not just a ‘tourist.’ A pilgrim is a person of faith on a long journey to a sacred destination. The journey itself is a ‘pilgrimage’ and the person making the journey is a ‘pilgrim.’ It doesn’t matter what they do – visit Christian or Biblical sites, or conduct liturgies and services or not – as much as who they are. The Bible teaches that our entire earthly life is a pilgrimage, travelling on a journey to a sacred city, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). So since our earthly life in faith is a pilgrimage, then visiting the City of the Bible, mentioned 811 times in Scripture, has to be a pilgrimage, too. In recognition of the ‘faith-based’ nature of Christian visits, combined with a strong element of mass tourism, perhaps we can offer a unique title for all believers who come to Jerusalem:
Biblical Tourists
Rev. Dr. Kameel Majdali is Director of Teach All Nations (tan.org.au). ‘Jerusalem Christian Pilgrimage’ was the subject of his PhD thesis at Melbourne University. He teaches and preaches God’s Word worldwide.
Dr. Kameel has led 38 Bible land tours. For further information on the 2019 tours, log onto: tan.org.au

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Culture War Part 09

Recognising Progressive Churches Part 02:
Attitude To God’s Word
The Culture War: We have focused on this topic for several months – and for good reason. In order to ‘understand our times,’ we need to gain hold of the single-most critical issue of our day: the conflict between left-leaning progressives and traditional values conservatives. This is part of the half-century old ‘cultural civil war’ or ‘culture war.’ Conservatives wants to preserve the good things of western civilisation: rule of law, parliamentary democracy, constitutional government, and, above all, Judeo-Christianity. Progressives wants to either alter or destroy the West as we know it, all for the sake of ‘progress.’
We learned that this war is no longer strictly a secular phenomena. Progressivism is now affecting Christian churches: liberal, mainline, and even some evangelical. The process happens over time but some constant trends include high emphasis on relevance to the world system and culture. What we will see is that there is a concurrent de-emphasis on the Word of God.
Here are some of the key warning signs:
Demotion of Objective Truth
One of the hallmarks of ‘the Christian faith’ is its proclamation of objective, universal, divine truth. This is God’s truth, applicable to all people at all times. It’s the only truth worth embracing. With the advent of postmodernism, relativism has warred against the notion of ‘one-sized fits all truth.’ It’s objections do not change God’s truth but nevertheless they have caused question marks – and doubts – to rise in people’s minds.
Since God’s Word abides forever (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35), we need to stand on it like a rock. Those who hear and obey will withstand all of life’s storms (Matthew 7:24-25).
Yet, in the current times, people are floating away from Bible-based sound doctrine and the truth it represents. II Timothy 4:3 warns us of these things: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.
Part of how this will happen is the substitution of opinions, feelings, and personal experiences – in other words, subjective criterion – in the place of God’s objective truth. Yet, some Christians are departing from clear teaching of Scripture to embrace abortion, marriage redefinition, income redistribution, identity politics, and other items from the progressive agenda. For example, some Christians take clear doctrines and ‘don’t feel like’ they apply anymore in our times. Or ‘Jesus is love’ so how can anyone be judged, let alone go to hell?
It is one thing to wonder, it is another thing to depart from sound doctrine on the whim of the moment or to pander to a dying culture. It we become disengaged to these eternal truths, we risk fulfilling Ephesians 4:14: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
A Low View of Scripture
The church was built on the veracity of the Word of God. If the Bible is not true or not the Word of God, then the church will fail and fall. The Scriptures represents God’s liberating truth and to neglect or ignore it brings bondage. Jesus had a very high view of Scripture: it must be fulfilled, cannot be broken, and woe to anyone who adds or subtracts from its timeless counsel (Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19).
The slide to progressivism subjects the Scriptures to debate, even doubt. For example, if someone says ‘The Bible “contains” the Word of God’ is enunciating a lower view of Scripture. What parts of the Bible are the Word? What parts are not? This guessing game fosters doubt and unbelief, whereas the purpose of Scripture is to inspire faith (Romans 10:17). Any statement, especially from the pulpit, that shows disagreement or dismissiveness to the clear teachings of Scripture, can be rightly seen as a slide towards progressivism.
TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

I Am My Beloved’s: Why Study the Song of Solomon?

This is one of the unusual books of the Bible. There is no mention of Almighty God, its spiritual content appears to be non-existent, and its language is highly sensuous. How could such a book have a welcome place in the the Word of God?
This book is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Though Christian theologians have mixed opinions – some say it is figurative and allegorical, others question its place in the canon – apparently the Jewish sages have a high opinion of it. While the Greeks deemed physical things as bad and invisible spiritual things as good, the Hebrews had a different, more practical perspective. The Hebrews said that God made both physical and spiritual realms and everything He creates is good. This includes male and female, falling in love, marriage, and becoming husband and wife. What’s more, sex is God’s idea and it is good, too. But like electricity, divinely-ordained sexuality is most powerful and must be handled with care. When left in the context of a committed, monogamous heterosexual marriage, it is declared ‘good.’ When done outside or in-between marriage, it is can have devastating consequences. Sex outside God’s design has a price-tag: unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and divine condemnation (Revelation 21:8; 22:15).
While some want to find spiritual meaning within the sensuous imagery, it is best to take it at face value: this book is about marital love. It is good to take it on your honeymoon!
So why should we read the Song of Solomon? God is love (I John 4:8), and Christianity is based on God’s love towards us and our reciprocating his love in return. We also understand how God feels when love is not returned. The story of Hosea and his adulterous wife Gomer – and the frustration the prophet feels at his wife’s infidelity, mirrors what God feels when His people become lukewarm and two-timing. It also helps us gain the Godly perspective that human sexuality is the Lord’s idea and that He heartily endorses it under the divinely-designed boundaries. Finally, Song of Solomon is Scripture, meaning it is divinely inspired and profitable for doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness.
HEBREW NAME
Hebrew: Shir-HaShirim, ‘Song of Songs. In the Greek Septuagint (LXX), it is Asthma Asmaton. In the Latin Vulgate, it is Canticum Canticorum, where we get the alternate name called ‘Canticles.’
AUTHORS OF THE SONG OF SOLOMON
Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (I Kings 4:32) and he is the author of the Song of Solomon. He also wrote Ecclesiastes.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN SONG OF SOLOMON
Jesus Christ is the ‘leaping, skipping voice of the beloved’ (2:8), ’the bridegroom’ (the word is used 24 times in Scripture and 16 times in the New Testament, of which 15 of the 16 are in the words of Jesus).
THEME OF SONG OF SOLOMON
This book is God and love: God is love, God’s love for His people; God’s solid endorsement of marital love. It is also about marital love from a human perspective with a strong Middle Eastern flavour.
KEY VERSES IN SONG OF SOLOMON
I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me — Song of Solomon 7:10
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned — Song of Solomon 8:7
SUMMARY OF SONG OF SOLOMON
The main personalities are Solomon, the Shulamite, and the daughters of Jerusalem. The king has a country estate in Ephraim, Samaria, called Baalhamon. The Shulamite is a Cinderella type character where she, the daughter of the tenant farmer, works so much in the vineyard that she turns ‘black’ in the hot sun. There she meets a man in the vineyard, they talk regularly, and then fall in love. He proposes to her and they plan to marry.
However, her fiancé has to go back south for business and will be gone for awhile. The Shulamite has nightmares because she is afraid he will never return.
Finally, her man does return to get her. He is not just any man … he is Solomon himself. She is engaged to marry the king. One small detail: he already has 60 wives and eventually will have 700, plus 300 concubines. He takes her south to Jerusalem to live in the palace. A banquet is given in her honour. She feels strange in the presence of the other 60 wives. In fact, she is only the ‘rose of Sharon’ and the ‘lily of the valley.’ Really? Solomon sees her as the ’lily among the thorns. It says in Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
OUTLINE OF SONG OF SOLOMON
I.         Love commences (1-2)
II.      Pain of Separation (3)
III.    The beloved described from the North (4)
IV.   Love grows (5-8)

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

I Am My Beloved’s: Why Study the Song of Solomon?

This is one of the unusual books of the Bible. There is no mention of Almighty God, its spiritual content appears to be non-existent, and its language is highly sensuous. How could such a book have a welcome place in the the Word of God?
This book is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Though Christian theologians have mixed opinions – some say it is figurative and allegorical, others question its place in the canon – apparently the Jewish sages have a high opinion of it. While the Greeks deemed physical things as bad and invisible spiritual things as good, the Hebrews had a different, more practical perspective. The Hebrews said that God made both physical and spiritual realms and everything He creates is good. This includes male and female, falling in love, marriage, and becoming husband and wife. What’s more, sex is God’s idea and it is good, too. But like electricity, divinely-ordained sexuality is most powerful and must be handled with care. When left in the context of a committed, monogamous heterosexual marriage, it is declared ‘good.’ When done outside or in-between marriage, it is can have devastating consequences. Sex outside God’s design has a price-tag: unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and divine condemnation (Revelation 21:8; 22:15).
While some want to find spiritual meaning within the sensuous imagery, it is best to take it at face value: this book is about marital love. It is good to take it on your honeymoon!
So why should we read the Song of Solomon? God is love (I John 4:8), and Christianity is based on God’s love towards us and our reciprocating his love in return. We also understand how God feels when love is not returned. The story of Hosea and his adulterous wife Gomer – and the frustration the prophet feels at his wife’s infidelity, mirrors what God feels when His people become lukewarm and two-timing. It also helps us gain the Godly perspective that human sexuality is the Lord’s idea and that He heartily endorses it under the divinely-designed boundaries. Finally, Song of Solomon is Scripture, meaning it is divinely inspired and profitable for doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness.
HEBREW NAME
Hebrew: Shir-HaShirim, ‘Song of Songs. In the Greek Septuagint (LXX), it is Asthma Asmaton. In the Latin Vulgate, it is Canticum Canticorum, where we get the alternate name called ‘Canticles.’
AUTHORS OF THE SONG OF SOLOMON
Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (I Kings 4:32) and he is the author of the Song of Solomon. He also wrote Ecclesiastes.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN SONG OF SOLOMON
Jesus Christ is the ‘leaping, skipping voice of the beloved’ (2:8), ’the bridegroom’ (the word is used 24 times in Scripture and 16 times in the New Testament, of which 15 of the 16 are in the words of Jesus).
THEME OF SONG OF SOLOMON
This book is God and love: God is love, God’s love for His people; God’s solid endorsement of marital love. It is also about marital love from a human perspective with a strong Middle Eastern flavour.
KEY VERSES IN SONG OF SOLOMON
I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me — Song of Solomon 7:10
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned — Song of Solomon 8:7
SUMMARY OF SONG OF SOLOMON
The main personalities are Solomon, the Shulamite, and the daughters of Jerusalem. The king has a country estate in Ephraim, Samaria, called Baalhamon. The Shulamite is a Cinderella type character where she, the daughter of the tenant farmer, works so much in the vineyard that she turns ‘black’ in the hot sun. There she meets a man in the vineyard, they talk regularly, and then fall in love. He proposes to her and they plan to marry.
However, her fiancé has to go back south for business and will be gone for awhile. The Shulamite has nightmares because she is afraid he will never return.
Finally, her man does return to get her. He is not just any man … he is Solomon himself. She is engaged to marry the king. One small detail: he already has 60 wives and eventually will have 700, plus 300 concubines. He takes her south to Jerusalem to live in the palace. A banquet is given in her honour. She feels strange in the presence of the other 60 wives. In fact, she is only the ‘rose of Sharon’ and the ‘lily of the valley.’ Really? Solomon sees her as the ’lily among the thorns. It says in Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
OUTLINE OF SONG OF SOLOMON
I.         Love commences (1-2)
II.      Pain of Separation (3)
III.    The beloved described from the North (4)
IV.   Love grows (5-8)

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Is Life in Vain? Why Study the Book of Ecclesiastes

One respected conservative scholar called the ‘strangest book in the Bible.’ It speaks in terms that are high and low, mostly the latter. Written by an older man who ‘had it all,’ made some bad moves, and now speaks as one who is in the depths of depression. It’s famous phrase is vanity of vanities, all is vanity? Is this really the case?
Vanity: def. futile, lost, a waste of time, worthless
The book in question is called Ecclesiastes and it is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Perhaps the best way to understand this book is to remember that it is describing life ‘under the sun,’ a phrase used 27 times and apparently no where else in Scripture. Life ‘under the sun’ is talking about natural, carnal living in a fallen world; this is the antithesis of a born-again, fruit-bearing, Spirit-filled life.
If a person’s perspective is 100% under the sun, in the natural, valuing the things of the world, and not living though to the Almighty, the transcendent, then our future will not just be vain, but eternally lost.
It is of interest how many of the philosophies of today’s world have some sort of reflection in Ecclesiastes. These include:
Pessimism: Things will definitely get worse;
Hedonism: Living for the moment in pleasure, often excessively so;
Existentialism: Living for the moment because tomorrow may not come;
Cynicism: A deep distrust of human nature to the point that even the good is not as good as it seems;
Chauvinism: One group thinks and acts as if they are better than another;
Fatalism: It is as it is, you cannot change it. ‘The stars’ have determined it.
All of this is the world’s wisdom ‘under the sun.’ Unless the God-element is introduced, it will all be vain. The author of Ecclesiastes ought to know.
HEBREW NAME FOR ECCLESIASTES
The Hebrew name for Ecclesiastes is qoheleth ‘a preacher,’ one who speaks to a congregation. Can also be likened to the speaker in a house of parliament or congress. In the Septuagint (LXX), the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the word is ekklesiastes (preacher) from ekklesia ‘assembly, congregation.’ The name Ecclesiastes comes from the Latin and is about a ‘speaker before the assembly.’
AUTHOR OF THE ECCLESIASTES
Not explicitly mentioned but answer the following questions:
1.   The author was ‘the son of David’ (1:1);
2.   He was ‘king over Israel in Jerusalem’ (1:12);
3.   He had ‘more wisdom than all they that have been before me’ (1:16).
Only one man fits description: Solomon.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN ECCLESIASTES
•    The portrait of Christ for Ecclesiastes is simple. If vanity means ‘meaningless,’ ‘futile,’ ‘in vain,’ then Jesus Christ is the antidote to these things.
•    When we choose Jesus, we are choosing life, light and blessing for us and our descendants (Deuteronomy 30:19; John 1:4)’
•    We have purpose in life – we are God’s handcraft, created in Jesus Christ for good works (Ephesians 2:10);
•    We are ordained for abundant life (John 10:10ff);
•    We are ordained for eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23);
THEME OF ECCLESIASTES
Life without God, lived for the now in this present fallen world, is not only vain, but vanity of vanity. Only through Godly fear directed to the living God does life have wholeness and meaning. The word ‘vanity’ is used 29 times.
KEY VERSES AND PRINCIPLES IN ECCLESIASTES
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? — Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: — Ecclesiastes 3:1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. — Ecclesiastes 11:1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. — Ecclesiastes 12:1; 13-14
SUMMARY OF ECCLESIASTES
The king seeks after the things of the world which are ‘under the sun’ but finds that all of it is vain. Even lofty, desirable things like education, work, fun, mirth, everything is still vanity. He also laments at how unfair life ‘under the sun’ can be: a person will live, work, and die, leaving possessions to someone else (who didn’t work for them). The wicked prosper, the righteous suffer, and the poor are downtrodden. Yet, there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ – fear God and keep His commandments, for one day there will be the judgement: God will judge will right every wrong and reward every right. Stop living ‘under the sun’ and take the long-view, spiritual view, and divine perspective.
OUTLINE OF ECCLESIASTES
I.         Meeting Vanity (1:1 – 1:11)
A.    ‘The Preacher’ introduced (1:1-3
B.     Seeking for meaning in science (1:4-11)
II.      Vanity in Daily Living (1:12-6:12)
A.    Seeking meaning through philosophy (1:12-18)
B.     Through mirth and pleasure (2:1-11)
C.     Through building construction (2:4)
D.    Through possessions (2:5-7)
E.     Through wealth and music (2:8)
F.      Through materialism (2:12-26)
G.    Through fatalism (3:1-15);
H.    Through deism (3:1-4:16);
I.        Through religion (5:1-8)
J.        Through wealth (5:9-6:12)
III.    How to Handle Vanity (7:1-12:14)
A.    A good name is better than precious ointment (7:1)
B.     Curse not the king because he will find out (10:20)
C.     Cast your bread on the waters; you shall find it again (11:1)
D.    Remember your creator in the days of you youth (12:1);
E.     Death: body returns to dust, the spirit to God who gave it (12:7);
F.      Fear God and keep His commandments (12:13).
CONCLUSION: If a life is only lived ‘under the sun,’ it is heading for vanity and a lost eternity. If it is lived ‘under the Son,’ then there is forgiveness, salvation, hope and a future.

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Is Life in Vain? Why Study the Book of Ecclesiastes

One respected conservative scholar called the ‘strangest book in the Bible.’ It speaks in terms that are high and low, mostly the latter. Written by an older man who ‘had it all,’ made some bad moves, and now speaks as one who is in the depths of depression. It’s famous phrase is vanity of vanities, all is vanity? Is this really the case?
Vanity: def. futile, lost, a waste of time, worthless
The book in question is called Ecclesiastes and it is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Perhaps the best way to understand this book is to remember that it is describing life ‘under the sun,’ a phrase used 27 times and apparently no where else in Scripture. Life ‘under the sun’ is talking about natural, carnal living in a fallen world; this is the antithesis of a born-again, fruit-bearing, Spirit-filled life.
If a person’s perspective is 100% under the sun, in the natural, valuing the things of the world, and not living though to the Almighty, the transcendent, then our future will not just be vain, but eternally lost.
It is of interest how many of the philosophies of today’s world have some sort of reflection in Ecclesiastes. These include:
Pessimism: Things will definitely get worse;
Hedonism: Living for the moment in pleasure, often excessively so;
Existentialism: Living for the moment because tomorrow may not come;
Cynicism: A deep distrust of human nature to the point that even the good is not as good as it seems;
Chauvinism: One group thinks and acts as if they are better than another;
Fatalism: It is as it is, you cannot change it. ‘The stars’ have determined it.
All of this is the world’s wisdom ‘under the sun.’ Unless the God-element is introduced, it will all be vain. The author of Ecclesiastes ought to know.
HEBREW NAME FOR ECCLESIASTES
The Hebrew name for Ecclesiastes is qoheleth ‘a preacher,’ one who speaks to a congregation. Can also be likened to the speaker in a house of parliament or congress. In the Septuagint (LXX), the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the word is ekklesiastes (preacher) from ekklesia ‘assembly, congregation.’ The name Ecclesiastes comes from the Latin and is about a ‘speaker before the assembly.’
AUTHOR OF THE ECCLESIASTES
Not explicitly mentioned but answer the following questions:
1.   The author was ‘the son of David’ (1:1);
2.   He was ‘king over Israel in Jerusalem’ (1:12);
3.   He had ‘more wisdom than all they that have been before me’ (1:16).
Only one man fits description: Solomon.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN ECCLESIASTES
•    The portrait of Christ for Ecclesiastes is simple. If vanity means ‘meaningless,’ ‘futile,’ ‘in vain,’ then Jesus Christ is the antidote to these things.
•    When we choose Jesus, we are choosing life, light and blessing for us and our descendants (Deuteronomy 30:19; John 1:4)’
•    We have purpose in life – we are God’s handcraft, created in Jesus Christ for good works (Ephesians 2:10);
•    We are ordained for abundant life (John 10:10ff);
•    We are ordained for eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23);
THEME OF ECCLESIASTES
Life without God, lived for the now in this present fallen world, is not only vain, but vanity of vanity. Only through Godly fear directed to the living God does life have wholeness and meaning. The word ‘vanity’ is used 29 times.
KEY VERSES AND PRINCIPLES IN ECCLESIASTES
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? — Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: — Ecclesiastes 3:1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. — Ecclesiastes 11:1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. — Ecclesiastes 12:1; 13-14
SUMMARY OF ECCLESIASTES
The king seeks after the things of the world which are ‘under the sun’ but finds that all of it is vain. Even lofty, desirable things like education, work, fun, mirth, everything is still vanity. He also laments at how unfair life ‘under the sun’ can be: a person will live, work, and die, leaving possessions to someone else (who didn’t work for them). The wicked prosper, the righteous suffer, and the poor are downtrodden. Yet, there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ – fear God and keep His commandments, for one day there will be the judgement: God will judge will right every wrong and reward every right. Stop living ‘under the sun’ and take the long-view, spiritual view, and divine perspective.
OUTLINE OF ECCLESIASTES
I.         Meeting Vanity (1:1 – 1:11)
A.    ‘The Preacher’ introduced (1:1-3
B.     Seeking for meaning in science (1:4-11)
II.      Vanity in Daily Living (1:12-6:12)
A.    Seeking meaning through philosophy (1:12-18)
B.     Through mirth and pleasure (2:1-11)
C.     Through building construction (2:4)
D.    Through possessions (2:5-7)
E.     Through wealth and music (2:8)
F.      Through materialism (2:12-26)
G.    Through fatalism (3:1-15);
H.    Through deism (3:1-4:16);
I.        Through religion (5:1-8)
J.        Through wealth (5:9-6:12)
III.    How to Handle Vanity (7:1-12:14)
A.    A good name is better than precious ointment (7:1)
B.     Curse not the king because he will find out (10:20)
C.     Cast your bread on the waters; you shall find it again (11:1)
D.    Remember your creator in the days of you youth (12:1);
E.     Death: body returns to dust, the spirit to God who gave it (12:7);
F.      Fear God and keep His commandments (12:13).
CONCLUSION: If a life is only lived ‘under the sun,’ it is heading for vanity and a lost eternity. If it is lived ‘under the Son,’ then there is forgiveness, salvation, hope and a future.

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Seven Pillars to Understanding the Future: Final Pillar Number Seven

In this important series we have been learning the pillars that help us to make sense of the future. When you understand the future, we are better prepared to face it. So far, the pillars we learned include:
Pillar 01: Bible Prophecy is the key;
Pillar 02: We live in a spiritual world and the challenges, problems and solutions are equally spiritual;
Pillar 03: We have power and victory over the enemy;
Pillar 04: We are called to fearlessness;
Pillar 05: We are simultaneously ‘dead’ and ‘alive;’
Pillar 06: God provides a way of escape.
To these we add the seventh and final pillar. It is well described in Proverbs 4:18-19:
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
In short, Pillar 07 can be summarised as this: Your God-given future is bright. This is very true, however, the converse is also correct: A future without the living God is wicked, dark, and full of offences that will make one stumble.
Ever notice how our mood is affected by weather. When the day is overcast, cold, and dark, it projects a sullen effect. When the day is bright and sunny, we respond with a open heart and uplifted countenance. In the United States, during the short, cold winter days, some people spend the season in the ‘sun belt’ like Arizona and Florida. Yet in the summer, these states become hot spots so the same people stay in the north. We cannot change the weather but we can change our location.
Regarding the seventh and final pillar, there are some important things to to understand:
DECISION
What is notable is that we actually have a choice of which future we want to embrace. Stay in default mode and you automatically gravitate towards way of the wicked, which is darkness. Make a decision to embrace wisdom, understanding, knowledge and prudence – qualities advocated by the Book of Proverbs – and you will be steered to the well-lit path of the just.
A NARROW PATHWAY.
The path of the just is a bright, lit pathway. It is also very narrow. We are told in Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV):
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
You will not necessarily be walking with the multitudes when you choose the path of the just. Yet you will have some choice company.
LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY COMES FROM GOD HIMSELF
The source of all light, life, and love, comes from Almighty God Himself. All His ways are just, holy, gracious, and true. A decision to walk on the ‘path of the just’ is essentially a decision to walk with God and God alone. Endeavouring to walk with God while trying to remain in the world brings all kinds of undesirable consequences. The Lord will not share His glory with anyone else and demands our complete attention, submission and cooperation.
OBEDIENCE
It is impossible to come and remain in God’s light while living in disobedience. God’s simple and just commands are to be obeyed, not merely acknowledged, and with that obedience comes light. In Isaiah 60:1-2, we are told to ‘rise and shine,’ The reason is the light has come and God’s glory is rising. Obedience brings us into every increasing light; disobedience leads us into gross darkness.
This theme of obedience is also enunciated in II Peter 1:19. Since we through Christ have been given a more sure word of prophecy, we would be well advised to heed this prophetic word. Why? It is a light that shines in a dark place. Indeed, the prophetic word is the brightest light we have in this planet until Jesus, the light of the world, comes.
‘
Obedience requires us to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light (Romans 13:12). God commands us to awake from sleep and rise from the dead so that Christ can give us life (Ephesians 5:14).
I John 1:5 tells us that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. Like the sun gives light to the earth and moon, God gives His light to those who follow him. So we can and should reflect His light and that becomes possible by being on the path of the just.

Future-friendly living is to live in obedience to God’s commands. Enter the path of the just: you will never lack God’s light, you will be future-ready, and you will never look back at past darkness. Guaranteed.
Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

ANOTHER LOOK AT DAVID: WHY STUDY I CHRONICLES

Now all theses things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come — I Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV)
He is one of the most famous and significant figures in the Bible. The covenant God made with him changed history and paved the way for the coming of the Messiah. He set an example of leadership, worship, and service of God. He was not perfect but so dedicated was he to the Lord that he was called the ‘man after God’s own heart’ (Acts 13:22).
The person in question is David, king of Israel. The book of I Chronicles is primarily about him. Out of love for God he wants to build a temple, but God forbade him because he had shed too much blood. So though his son and successor Solomon will be the temple builder, David will do all the planning and preparation necessary to make the temple possible.
Chronicles was written after the Israelites returned to Judah from the Babylonian exile in the 5th Century BC. It serves as a reminder that God is faithful to those who keep His covenant and put all their trust in him.
HEBREW NAME
Dibere Hayyamim meaning ‘The words or accounts of the days.’ We get the word ‘Chronicles’ from the Latin Vulgate Chronicorum Liber which speak about sacred history of the time of the Judean kings.
AUTHOR
Author is anonymous but Ezra is nominated by the Talmud and makes a good candidate. In any case, the author wrote the book at after the Babylonian exile.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Seed of David who will sit on his throne forever. Christ is simultaneously Son of God and Son of David, thanks to the Davidic Covenant (I Chronicles Chapter 17).
THEME OF I CHRONICLERS
I Chronicles is the official priestly-prophetic account of David’s genealogy and reign.
KEY VERSES
I Chronicles 17:11-14:
And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. 13I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: 14But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.
I Chronicles 29:11:
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
SUMMARY
I and II Chronicles is a single volume in the Hebrew Bible. It speaks of people and events found in II Samuel and I & II Kings.
Here in I Chronicles there is a focus on the royal lineage of David (chapters 1-9), followed by his reign as king of Israel (chapters 10-29). Unlike the other books of Samuel and Kings, there is no mention of Saul’s persecution of David, David’s first 7 years as king in Hebron, the rebellion of Absalom, the wives of David or his adultery with Bathsheba. While Solomon gets credit for building and dedicating the temple, it is David who made it possible with his meticulous preparation.
DISTINCTIVE OF I CHRONICLES
Samuel-Kings                                                                      Chronicles
From Samuel to Cyrus                                                        From Adam to Cyrus
David             at his best and worst                                                David the good king
Kings of Israel & Judah                                                       Kings of Judah alone
Emphasis on all kings: good & evil                                  Emphasis on good Judean kings
Solomon builds the temple                                                            David plans the temple
Response of kings to God’s covenant                               Focuses on faith institutions
OUTLINE OF I CHRONICLES
I.  Royal Lineage of David (1:1-9:44)
A.  Genealogy from Adam to Abraham (1:1-27)
Adam to Noah, Noah to Abraham via the 3 sons of Noah: Ham, Shem, and Japheth
B.  Genealogy from Abraham to Jacob (1:28-54)
The Patriarchs, Esau’s descendants, kings and chiefs of Edom
C.  Genealogy from Jacob to David (2:1-55)
D.  Genealogy from David to the Babylonian Captivity (3:1-24)
E.  Genealogies of the 12 tribes of Israel (4:1-8:40)
12 tribes listed except Dan. Great emphasis on Levites, the lineage of the                   priests, and Aaron.
F.  Genealogy of the returning exiles (9:1-34)
Lists those Israelites who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity
G.  Genealogy of Saul (9:35-44)
II.  David’s Righteous Reign (10:1-29:30)
A.  David Becomes King (10:1-12:40)
Saul’s death, anointing of David, Jerusalem captured, David’s mighty men.
B.  The Ark of Covenant (13:1-17:27)
                       
After a bad start, David brings the Ark to Jerusalem. God makes a covenant with David.
C.  The Military Victories of David (18:1-20:8)
Victories over the Philistines, Zobah, Ammon, Moab, and Syria.
D.  David’s Preparation for Temple (21:1-27:34)
Disastrous Census and material preparation of the temple.
E.  Final Days of David (28:1-29:30)

Briefs Solomon, prepares for the temple, prayer of thanksgiving, Solomon coronated, and David’s death.
Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

7 PILLARS TO UNDERSTANDING THE FUTURE: PILLAR Four God Has Called Us to Fearlessness

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go – Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
Whose playing in the football match this weekend?
Where will we spend our family holiday?
What kind of cuisine shall we have for dinner tonight?
People give attention to short-term issues of today and tomorrow, but seem to give little thought to the long-term future. Why is this the case? There are several reasons, but one of the key explanations is that people think the future will be unpleasant. If people are struggling to balance their budget or handle their teenage children, how can they cope with the notion that the world is being turned on its head – or going out of business altogether.
If we are going to achieve the worthy goal of becoming ‘future ready,’ we need to understand what the future is about. One means is to keep well informed by reliable, truthful, and balanced news sources.
More importantly, it is important to understand Bible prophecy. Yet amazingly, despite talk of ‘wars and rumours of wars,’ ‘antichrist,’ ‘harlot of Babylon,’ ‘seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments,’ there is a very clear prophetic call from God to His people: ‘Fear not.’
God does not want you to be afraid of anything. The phrase ‘fear not’ is used 63 times in the Bible, ‘be not afraid’ 26 times, and the word ‘peace’ 429 times. The only fear you should have is the ‘fear of the Lord’ (Proverbs 9:10) and it has the divine ability to cancel all other fears.
Read Joshua 1:6-9 and amazingly God commands the man Joshua three times to be ‘strong’ and ‘courageous.’ Despite the fact that he stood at the backdoor of Canaan, where seven nations (another name for people groups) awaited Israel’s invasion. Some of these nations had tall giants and even taller walls. Yet God shows the possibility and necessity of being strong and courageous in the face of all challenges.
In the Book of Joshua, the basis of courage and fearlessness comes from three sources:
1.       A Decision to Hear and Obey God’s Command to be Strong and Courageous;
2.       Putting God’s Word in Your Heart;
3.       The Presence of the Lord;
Yes, the challenge of conquering Canaan is softened greatly by making a decision to be strong and courageous. Yes, strength and courage are a decision you make to obey God and He will do the rest.
The command to be ‘strong and courageous’ is not just for Joshua – it applies to every believer. Twice in the psalms God promises the psalmist that if he will be of good courage, God will strength his heart (Psalm 27:14; 31:14). Preceding the command to be courageous is to ‘wait on the Lord.’
Practically speaking, in order to obey the command is to believe it, affirm it, and confess it.
Second point is to put God’s Word in your heart. This comes from devotion, study, and meditation. With the Word in your heart, faith levels arise. You become more aware and attentive to what God says. From the fullness of your heart, you will be strengthened and encouraged to do what God says.
Finally, understand that God’s presence with you and in you will be a source of tremendous courage. The promises of Scripture are clear: God is with His people. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus says to His great commission obeying disciples that He will be with them always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
How can we forget the reality of the Twenty-Third Psalm, Verse 4:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
David the psalmist had every good reason to fear in the natural. The wilderness where he tended the sheep had wild animals, venomous reptiles, scarcity of water and food, and it was easy to get lost. Yet he says that even in the ‘valley of the shadow of death,’ he will fear not evil. What is the basis of his fearlessness: For you art with me.
When God is with you and for you, no one and nothing can be against you.
It is like the story of the 12 year old student. For him, recess was not a time of fun and games but of torment. Why? Because a 14 year old school yard bully was waiting in the playground to taunt and harass. A dark cloud hung over his head and a knot tightened in his stomach as the bell rang. Yet, the time came when he could go into the playground and the bully could not touch him. Why? Because the student’s 16 year old brother accompanied him there.
If an older brother can keep us safe from schoolyard bullies, how much more will the promised presence of God keep us fearless despite the uncertain and tumultuous times in which we live.
Remember that true courage is not the absence of fear; it is the mastery of fear through the tools God has given us. So if we are to be ‘future-ready,’ hear and respond to God’s wonderful call to fearlessness. It will open all kinds of wonderful doors for you.