Category Archives: Bible

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

DIVISION & DECLINE: WHY STUDY II KINGS

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)
It is not a happy story and there is plenty of heartbreak, yet the Book of II Kings is an important part of God’s Word. For in it, we learn the legacy and the lunacy of turning away from the LORD: division, decline, decadence, depravity, and dispersion. II Kings was written is for our benefit, so that we learn from the successes and failures of the people of God.
II Kings is the narrative of the Israelite nation divided into two competing kingdoms: Judah in the south and Israel in the north. Neither of them were faithful to the LORD and the result of such unfaithfulness is the challenge of invasion, conquest, and exile. Yet in the midst of the backsliding and inevitable judgment, there is the scarlet cord of redemption. Though Judah was chastened and exiled, by God’s grace, it returned from exile. Those who returned became known to the world as ‘Jews.’ We also get a front row seat to the stunning and spectacular prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha. When the night is darkest, the stars shine brightest.
II Kings begins with Ahaziah, son of Ahab, King of Israel, facing a rebellion from his vassal state of Moab and falling through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria. He sent his servants to inquire of Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron, if he would recover from his injury. The angel of God sent Elijah the prophet to rebuke Ahaziah, asking rhetorically ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Because of this affront, Ahaziah would die from his injuries … and he did. His story was a mini-version of the faithlessness we find in the rest of the book.
From this point, II Kings switches from the kingdom of Judah, to the kingdom of Israel, then back. While there were some bright stars in Judah, like Hezekiah and Josiah, for the most part the kings of Judah and of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. The results were frighteningly predictable: eventual yet furious divine judgment. It is like being an eye-witness to a car crash in slow motion. At the end, in Chapter 25, Jehoiachin king of Judah is released from captivity and treated with respect. He represented in proxy the grace that would to extended to his nation under the Persians.
HEBREW NAME
Melechim Beth or II Kings,
AUTHOR
Either the prophet Jeremiah or someone who lived the same time as him.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Christ resembles the ministry of Elisha: grace, hope, peace, and a double-portion of God’s spirit. Elisha did double the recorded miracles that Elijah did.
THEME OF II KINGS
Two backslidden kingdoms colliding towards captivity, with a hint of mercy at the end.
KEY VERSES
For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; 23Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day — II Kings 17:22-23 (KJV)
And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there — II Kings 23:27 (KJV)
SUMMARY
David’s kingdom was divided into Judah and Israel because his son king Solomon had turned from the LORD. His successors did not learn the lesson, either. Both kingdoms continue to backslide. Judah had only 8 good kings out of 20. Israel had no good kings out of 19.
In the face of this apostasy, God graciously sent his prophets to the divided kingdom. To Israel came the prophetic ministries of Elijah, Elisha, Amos and Hosea. To Judah cam Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk.
Yet despite their sterling ministries, and the noble efforts of Judean kings Hezekiah and Josiah, none of their efforts averted judgment on Israel or Judah. In 722 BC, the Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom and deported the population to the far reaches of the realm. In their place heathen people were settled in Samaria, of which some evolved into the Samaritans of Jesus’ day. Judah was captured by Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. This led to the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple.
Mercifully, while some of the best and brightest of Judah were deported to Babylon (including Daniel and his three friends) some of the poorest of the people were left in the land. Unlike the Assyrians, the Babylonians did not transplant foreigners into Judah. Years later under Medo-Persian king Cyrus the Great, the Jews were allowed to return home and a minority did.
Even though Josiah’s reformation was not enough to appease God’s righteous wrath, thank God for the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and ent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins — I John 4:10 (cf Romans 3:25; I John 2:2). What Josiah was unable to do, Jesus does completely, saving us from the wrath to come (I Thessalonians 1:10).
DISTINCTIVES
While both kingdoms did evil, Israel was by far more unstable than Judah. It had heathen shrines with golden calves at Bethel and Dan, established by their first king Jeroboam. Not one of their kings had the courage and conviction to repudiate this reproach on the nation. Furthermore, it had 3 capitals: Shechem, Tirzah, and Samaria. It also had 9 dynasties, all but one created by killing the previous king.
Judah had only one capital: Jerusalem. One dynasty: David’s. One sanctuary: Solomon’s temple. And because of the promise to David of the everlasting dynasty, known as the Davidic Covenant (II Samuel 7; I Chronicles 17), God gave him an heir and Son in Jesus, and a stake in Jerusalem.
Despite the backsliding and well-deserved judgment, God continues to delight in mercy. Two incidents shine out:
1.      Joash: Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, mother of the slain Judean king Ahaziah, usurps the throne in Judah. Her goal was destroy the royal seed of the House of David, which happened to be her own grandchildren. Yet grandson Joash escaped the murderous rampage of his grandmother. Under the guidance of the righteous priest Jehoiada, they managed to coronate Josh as king, age 7, and his barbarous grandmother was slain.
2.      Hezekiah: The Assyrian army had rampaged through the Judean kingdom in 701 BC and was poised to devour Jerusalem as a python to the egg. This was 21 years after the same army conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and deported the inhabitants to Assyria. Hezekiah was king and the His only recourse was God. Thanks to his intercession and the prophetic guidance of Isaiah, God struck the Assyrian army and they withdrew. Jerusalem was saved. This was a fulfilment of God’s promise to David, that he would have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there – I Kings 11:36.
OUTLINE OF II KINGS
I.          The Divided Kingdom (1:1-17:41)
A.  Reign of Ahaziah in Israel 1:1-18
B.  Reign of Jehoram in Israel (2:1-8:15)
During this period, Elijah is translated to heaven. Elisha does multiple miracles: giving the widow oil; predicting and raising up the Shumanmite’s son, healing the deadly pottage, multiplying of loaves, healing of Naaman the Syrian leper, causing the ax-head to float.
C.  Reign of Jehoram in Judah (8:16-24)
D.  Reign of Ahaziah in Judah (8:25-9:29)
Here is the battle against Syria. Jehu is anointed king and he executes fierce                      judgment against king Joram, his mother Jezebel and the house of Ahab.
E.  Reign of Jehu in Israel (9:30-10:36)
F.  Reign of Queen Athaliah in Judah (11:1-16)
G.  Reign of Joash in Judah (11:17-12:21)
H.  Reign of Jehoahaz in Israel (13:1-9)
I.    Reign of Jehoash in Israel 13:10-15)
Elisha dies, a dead man whose corpse touches his bones is raised to life, Israel                 finally gains   victory over Syria.
J.  Reign of Amaziah in Judah (14:1-22)
K.  Reign of Jeroboam II in Israel (14:23-29)
L.  Reign of Azariah in Judah (15:1-7)
M.  Reign of Zechariah in Israel (15:8-12)
N.  Reign of Shallum in Israel (15:13-15)
O.  Reign of Menahem in Israel (15:16-22)
P.  Reign of Pekahiah in Israel (15:23-26)
Q.  Reign of Pekah in Israel (15:27-31)
R.  Reign of Jotham in Judah (15:32-38)
S.  Reign of Ahaz in Judah (16:1-20)
T.  Reign of Hoshea in Israel (17:1-41)
Samaria is captured, Northern Kingdom destroyed, population deported, and foreign transplants settle in their place.
II.  Surviving Kingdom of Judah (18:1-25:30)
A.      Reign of Hezekiah (18:1-20:21)
Assyria unsuccessfully invades Jerusalem, Hezekiah is healed, Babylonian captivity      of Judah is predicted. Hezekiah builds his famous tunnel from the Gihon Spring to     the Pool of Siloam – it is still a tourist site to this day.
B.  Reign of Manasseh (21:1-18)
C.  Reign of Amon (21:19-26)
D.  Reign of Josiah (22:1-23:30)
Josiah is the last righteous king of Judah. He renews the covenant, repairs the                   temple, discovers the Book of the Law (Deuteronomy), repents for Judah, brings                reforms, conducts a Passover.
E.  Reign of Jehoahaz in Judah (23:31-34)
F.  Reign of Jehoiakim (23:35-24:7)
G.  Reign of Jehoiachin (24:8-16)
H.  Reign of Zedekiah (24:17-25:21)
I.  Governorship of Gedaliah (25:22-26)

J.  Release of Jehoiachin in Babylon (25:27-30)
Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Power of Biblical Meekness Part 03

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace — Psalm 37:11 (KJV)
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it — Psalm 37:34 (KJV)
It has been the lofty goal of millennia: rule over the whole earth. Whether it is dictators of the past or globalists today, there is the idea that to have universal peace and prosperity, there has to be economic, political and spiritual union. These utopian notions are as old as time but they overlook the most important thing: unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it (Psalm 127:1). Every attempt to conquer and rule the world has failed spectacularly because they overlook God Himself. Every attempt to build this ‘perfect world without God’ has resulted in tyranny, dictatorship, warfare, and worse.
So logically, if we are going to have a world of peace and prosperity, we need to partner with God. He is coming to this earth to establish a kingdom that will never be removed. Psalm 96:13 says that God is coming to judge the earth with righteousness and truth.
Every time the ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ is recited, we are asking for God’s kingdom to come and His will be done ‘on earth’ as it is in heaven. Yes, the kingdom is coming to earth because the King is coming!
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord — Psalm 27:14
MEEKNESS DESCRIBED
We have already learned in Parts 01 and 02 that they people who inherit the God’s earth are the ‘meek.’ These are people who focus on God, His grace, and His purposes, while forgoing personal rights, vindications, entitlement, and agendas. The meek have strong, quiet, graceful determination to plough through life in order to fulfil God’s will for their lives. They dive over distractions and overlook opposition. In this regard, they are greatly empowered by God. They are too preoccupied with the Kingdom of God to be drawn down by the undertow of this world. Such ‘meekness’ is actually spiritual empowerment, because as the meek individual decreases, Christ in them, the Hope of Glory, increases. Christ in them inherits the earth with them.
Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil;’ Wait on the LORD, and He will save you — Proverbs 20:22 (NKJV)
Psalm 37 reiterates the promise of the meek inheriting the earth, just as Jesus does in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:5). Yet this psalm gives us an important angle in both demonstrating meekness and gaining the inheritance. It is found in verse 9ff:
…but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
In that simple phrase, ‘wait upon the LORD,’ there is a powerful and practical key to meekness. In our ever-busy, materialistic, and often dysfunctional world, the last thing we have time to do is ‘wait on God.’ Our collective sense of immaturity, and the impatience that exemplifies it, makes ‘waiting’ all the more difficult. Yet, for the spiritual discerning and empowered, they know that ‘waiting on God’ is the key for breakthrough, miracles, and promotion. Indeed, those who ‘wait on God’ will not fail to get to the next level.
So what does it mean to ‘wait on God’ and how do we do it?
My soul, wait though only upon God; for my expectation is from him — Psalm 62:5 (KJV)
Perhaps the best way to describe it is an active seeking of God’s face in an attitude of humility and faith. The individual acknowledges that God is the One who knows and has everything they need. There is also a confident expectation that God will respond positively to the diligent seeking of the believer. Instead of looking to one’s own resources or to other people, the meek person who ‘waits’ looks to God … and God alone … for the answers.
HOW TO WAIT ON GOD
The ‘how to’s’ of waiting on God? There is ‘passive waiting,’ meaning that you have done everything you can and now it is up to God. So you patiently, gratefully, and expectantly look to and wait for the Almighty to do His work, at the time and place of His choosing. You diligently avoid impulsiveness, especially the notion: if nothing is happening, I’m going to make it happen! ‘Waiting on God’ helps you discern and implement the ‘God-Idea,’ rather than defaulting to the home-cooked, man-made ‘good idea.’ Only the God-ideas work.
Then there is ‘active waiting.’ This is both part of your regular devotional ‘quiet time’ (you do have regular ‘quiet time’ with God, don’t you? If not, blast a hole in your schedule and make some time. You will never be future-ready, let alone inherit the earth, without devotional ‘quiet time’).
Whether part of your regular devotions or a special time of seeking God, the key ingredients include:
1.       Bible: Refer to it, quote from it, meditate on the promises of God that come your way, and meditate on it;
2.       Prayer: Have a time of prayer, either as a block or interspersed with your Bible reading;
3.       Praise and worship: This is the language of faith, so do so regularly and liberally;
4.       Thanksgiving: Philippians 4:6 and I Thessalonians 5:18 makes it clear; this is God’s will for you;
5.       Silence: On occasion, wait silently before God and allow Him to speak to you;
6.       Fasting: If you are healthy, abstain from meals in order to have the time and consecutiveness to reach God. There is a simple reason people fast: they need to wait on God. Second reason: it works!
Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me —Micah 7:7
Keep waiting until you hear from God and get your marching orders.
Following these simple steps, consistently and fervently, is guaranteed to change your life.
So do you need direction? Provision? Breakthrough? Healing? Big answers to big prayers? Answers, full stop? Then look no further – the throne-room of grace is open to you (Hebrews 4:16?) to come and wait on the LORD. For as you do so, both as a regular practice and special emphasis, you will not fail to get to the next level. Now is the time!

I will praise the for ever, because thou has done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints — Psalm 52:9 (KJV)
Articles, Bible, Education, Family, Prophecy, Teaching

Inheriting the Earth: The Power of Biblical Meekness PART TWO

In Part One we were introduced to the concept of Biblical meekness, which comes with the superlative promise: The meek shall inherit the earth (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5). In essence, meekness is submission to God and His grace, letting Him carry us, fight our battles, and use us as He wills. The two meekest men in the Bible were Moses and Jesus, yet both of them were mightily used of God in acts of power.
The meek do not ‘fight for their rights,’ actively seek vengeance or vindication, strive in their own strength or live off man-made, home-cooked ‘good ideas.’ They live and labour according to God’s terms, timing, and territory. The meek simply keep single-minded and focused on what God has called them to do.
ISAAC: MEEKNESS IN ACTION
A classic example of this principle, and how to inherit the earth, is found in the patriarch Isaac in Genesis 26:16-22. God commanded Isaac to remain in Canaan, a land he was destined to inherit. Amazingly, this was during a time of intense famine. When food was scarce in Canaan, the natural response was to travel to nearby Egypt, where the Nile River and its alluvial rich overflow normally guaranteed a steady food supply.
Certainly, Isaac’s father Abraham, and son Jacob, did go to Egypt when famine hit in Canaan during their day. Yet when Isaac tried to make the same move, God intervened and told him to stay put. He would bless him in the land of promise, drought, famine, and all. Meekness meant trusting God and committing all to him.
Ever energetic, Isaac was busy sowing in the land and reaping 100-fold (Genesis 26:12). That was a miracle, considering that the Negev wilderness is dry, even in normal times, let alone in a season of dryness.
The neighbouring Philistines became jealous of his success and expelled him from the city of Gerar. It was most unfair, but Isaac decided not to fight for justice but to keep on labouring in his inheritance. God’s justice towards Isaac would outstripped any compensation this world can offer.
The patriarch began to dig wells or re-dig wells in the Negev, where his father Abraham had dug. Wells not only brought water but served as a stake to claim the land. At least twice the Philistines protested that the wells belong to them, even though Isaac was the one who dug them. He did not argue or stop fulfilling his call. He kept his powder dry, relinquished the wells to his opponents, and kept digging elsewhere. Isaac knew that the promise of God to inherit the land would come in God’s timing and God’s way.
Isaac’s meekness netted him a wonderful reprieve called Rehoboth (Genesis 26:22). Here was a ‘Philistine-free zone’ were there is room, water, fruitfulness, and no strife. Every believer needs to visit Rehoboth, periodically if not regularly.
What is remarkable is that Isaac’s spirit of meekness did not make him look weak, but strong. Eventually, his enemies met with him and sued for peace.
The reason was that the blessing of God appeared prominently on his life. Wherever his plough laboured, there was a bumper crop. Wherever his spade touch, a well of springing water resulted. When opposition hit, he glided over it like a stream over a stubborn rock. To fight such a God-blessed man like Isaac would mean to fight against God Himself.
Then he came across Beersheba, well of seven, which became the patriarchs winter capital. The land of Canaan was now within Isaac’s reach and he never had to fire a shot.
MEEKNESS FOR TODAY
Isaac’s exemplary conduct contradicts our current culture, which focuses on ‘rights,’ ‘entitlement,’ and ‘self-interest.’ The problem with this attitude is that as soon as you drop your spade (shovel) and pick up your boxing gloves to fight your enemy, they have already won. The reason is that you are no longer doing what God has called you to, but instead you are distracted by a battle that is best left with God. Often, these battles can be lengthy and tiresome. So even if you win the battle, you truly lose the war. Second, by taking up the fight yourself, you are not demonstrating the power of faith and trust whereby God can fight your battle and win your prize.
Except in rare situations, the Biblical meek don’t even bother responding to their opponents. The work of God is simply too great (remember Nehemiah: he did not want to stop building the walls of Jerusalem in order to debate his enemies).
The meek reserve their focus on one thing: doing God’s will. All the other issues they leave for God to sort out. Many take the lower road, which leads to the barnyard. It can be messy, battling with the chickens and other poultry who can’t even fly. Or, you can take the ‘higher way’ of Biblical meekness, where the eagles rule the skies. Those who choose this way travel faster, farther, and truly inherit the earth.
Meekness
A spirit of empowerment, not entitlement;
overcoming, not overcome;
inheritance, not infirmity;
grace, not greed;
victory, not victimhood.
By meekness you interface with
Almighty God Himself
So that when He inherits the earth (Psalm 24:1);

                                                  You inherit it with Him

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

A Man After God’s Own Heart: Why Study Second (II) Samuel

If you want to learn about the 40 year reign of King David, II Samuel is the Bible book to study. After seeing this anointed, amazing man of integrity rise up to national prominence in I Samuel, here we see him take the throne of Israel. In some ways, he sets the stage for ‘Israel’s golden age’ where enemies are subdued, Jerusalem is captured and made capital, the Ark of God is brought to the royal city, and plans are made for a glorious temple.
Yet, the Bible gives a candid portrait of our hero: he transgresses the law of God, commits covetousness, theft, adultery, and murder, then pays for those sins for the rest of his life. Despite this colossal moral failure at the height of his success, David did what only the minority ever do: he repented. This, and his heart of worship, demonstrate that he continued to be a man after God’s own heart. II Samuel will help you to learn invaluable lessons of God’s interaction with His people and how to walk uprightly.
                                                                 HEBREW
The original name of the book comes from Samuel, or shmu’el.This can be translated ‘heard of God,’ ‘petitioned of God,’ or even ‘his name is God.’ Though it, along with II Samuel, were originally one account in Hebrew, in the 285 BC Greek language translation of the Hebrew Bible, known as the Septuagint (LXX), separates the two books.
AUTHOR
The consensus is that II Samuel is a compilation from the prophets Gad and Nathan. Apparently, there is some reference from the Book of Jasher (1:18). Written after death of Solomon but before the Assyrian captivity of 722 BC, there are hints of the rivalry between Judah and Israel. This rivalry erupts into a full-blown schism in I Kings 12. Lessons about obedience and blessing, disobedience and punishment, also are prominent themes in II Samuel.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Jesus is the ‘root and offspring of David’ (Revelation 22:16), the heir to his throne who will reign forever. He is the ‘man after God’s own heart’ (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), the faithful servant of God who rules from the throne first established by Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18), which is Jerusalem.
THEME OF II SAMUEL
II Samuel is the story of David’s 40 year reign. It begins with some great triumphs, like the elimination of the Ishbosheth threat, conquest of Jerusalem, subduing of the Philistines, alliance with Tyre, bringing the ark to Jerusalem, and receiving the Davidic covenant. 
However, after David became successful and careless, he sinned grievously. This began a period of tragedy, including the death of his faithful mighty man Uriah the Hittite, the death of his infant son by Bathsheba, the rape of his daughter Tamar, the murder of her treacherous half-brother Amnon, the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba, a famine because of the Gibeonites, and the dreadful plague after the foolish census.
The theme: Obedience to God (chapters 1-7) bring God’s blessing; however, sin (11) brings punishment (12-24). To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).
 KEY VERSES
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever — II Samuel 7:12-13
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me — II Samuel 22:21
DISTINCTIVES
•    The Davidic covenant (7; I Chronicles 11): This is one of the most important parts of the Bible. It is by this covenant that David is promised a son and heir who would reign from his throne forever. In addition, David son will be simultaneously God’s Son. This ‘Son of David is known as ‘the Messiah,’ the ‘anointed one.’ Of course, this Son is none other than Jesus of Nazareth. When He came the first time, He was crucified as ‘The King of the Jews.’ When He comes the second time, it will be to reign over the whole world from David’s throne in Jerusalem.
•   Sin of David: The Bible does not try to air-brush the faults of its heroes and David is no exception. His sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent trouble in his family serves as a warning to us all. Galatians 6:7 says Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Let us remember that we will reap what we sow, therefore let us sow to the Spirit, not to the flesh.
OUTLINE OF II SAMUEL
I.         Victories of David (1:1-10:19)
•    Political Victories (1:1-5:25): Reign in Hebron, overcoming the Ishbosheth threat, conquest and reign in Jerusalem, defeat of the Philistines, alliance with Tyre
•    Spiritual Victories (6:1-7:29): The ark is brought to Jerusalem, Davidic covenant ratified.
•    Military Victories (8:1-10:19): Over the Philistines; Moabites, Zobah, Syrians, and Ammonites. He also remembers his covenant with Jonathan and treats his son Mephibosheth with respect.
II.      Sin of David (11:1-27)
•    David covets Bathsheba
•    David steals Bathsheba
•    David commits adultery with Bathsheba
•    David murders her husband, Uriah the Hittite
III.    Judgment in David’s Family (12:1-13:36)
•    Nathan’s prophecy and David’s repentance
•    Infant son of Bathsheba and David dies; Solomon is born
•    Amnon rapes sister Tamar
•    Amnon murdered by Tamar’s brother, Absalom
IV.   Judgment in David’s Kingdom (13:37-24:25)
•    Absalom’s revolt
•    Absalom murdered, rebellion ends
•    Sheba’s revolt & execution
•    Famine due to the Gibeonites
•    Mighty men and Philistine war
•    Foolish census
•    Plague as a judgement for the census
•    Sacrifice at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

God’s Peace Process – Part 02

                                                                           
It is precious, wonderful, and at times, rare. The world longs for peace but it always seems to be elusive. It is said of the Ottoman Turkish Empire (1300-1922) that there were only 24 consecutive years of peace throughout its entire history; otherwise, they were either fighting to take territory or to retain it.
While the world survived two world wars and a cold war, today there remain global hotspots, particularly in Asia, that are like dry tinder in a hot summer. One misguided spark and the region, if not the world, could go up in flames.
Add to that how even in the relatively prosperous and peaceful western world, many people lack personal peace, even as Christians. Be assured, this is not God’s will and He does have the best way forward.
In Part One, we learned that God has peace that surpasses all understanding. It is freely given, universal in scope, and eternal in duration. We learned that the pre-requisite to receiving this peace is to make a decision to obey Jesus’ command: don’t let your heart be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).
Here in Part Two, we want to learn how to establish God’s peace in your life.
In regard to the cause of conflict, even war, we need not go any further than the Book of James:
James 4:1-3 (MEV): Where do wars and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your lusts that war in your body? 2 You lust and do not have, so you kill. You desire to have and cannot obtain. you fight and war. Yet you do not have, because you do not ask. 3. You ask, and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your passions.
Bad as this – that our lusts cause conflict and war – there is something even worse. Humanity is serious danger of incurring the wrath of God, in part because of the lusts, greed, and sin. The Book of Romans says that God’s wrath is being stored up against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (1:18), hardness and impenitent hearts (2:5), and contentious people who do not obey the truth. Though we are made in God’s image, our sin nature and actions have put as in enmity towards God. The carnal mind is on a  collision course with God and it cannot be subject to His law (8:7).
Frankly, it is the most dire situation to be an enemy with the living God, but that’s what Romans tells us. Yet, God unilaterally instituted a solution to rectify this situation.
It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day; this is the gospel in a nutshell. Believe this and receive Him and an amazing thing happens. We are ‘saved’ and ‘justified,’ which means we are declared not guilty and righteous.
Peace Established
Do you want to enter the peace process? From the very outset, God’s peace will come upon your heart and mind. A tranquility beyond your own enablement will enter in. How do you get it?
Say ‘Yes’ to the gospel and the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ, receive justification, and look what comes next:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ — Romans 5:1
It couldn’t been easier or clearer. When the Prince of Peace comes into your life, you are reconciled with God, adopted into His family, grafted into Israel’s olive tree (Romans 11:17-24) justification sets in, and a peace beyond all understanding will take control of your life.
Till this day, I will never forget the feeling of joy and peace I received when I asked Jesus into my life. That peace has stayed with me ever since. What God has done for me, He will do for you.
Unlike the manmade ‘peace process,’ where peace is given in instalments, God gives you complete peace on the spot. Yet, it is possible to grow in peace, like you can grow in grace, faith and glory. In fact, you can come to a place of great peace, perfect peace, and permanent peace.
Our upcoming articles will show you how.
Verses to Ponder
Romans 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Colossians 1:20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

God’s Peace Process – Part 01

Among the most desirable and least obtainable commodities in the world is peace. In the last century, we had two world wars and dozens of regular wars since. We even had a very dangerous ‘Cold War’ where the American and Soviet superpowers avoided direct conflict, but they facilitated several proxy wars while pointing nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles at each other. We even now have a ‘war on terror,’ which, in reality, is a war with global jihadism.
In addition, there are global hotspots, mostly in Asia, where a miscalculation or lack of statecraft could result in a regional or global conflict. These ‘hotspots’ include the Korean Peninsula, China-Taiwan, India-Pakistan, Israel-Iran, Israel-Arabs, the Syrian war and the threat of the Islamic State.
Yet, even in prosperous and relatively peaceful societies, there is a shocking lack of personal peace. Rates of anxiety and depression are at record levels, especially in prosperous peaceful countries like Australia. Those who suffer from these things derive no comfort from the fact that their country is not in armed conflict.
Are you eager to trade in your fears, anxieties, and depression, for some lasting peace? Then read on.
THE PEACE PROCESS
During the early 1990s, there was a novel approach to the Arab-Israel conflict. Israel entered into the ‘Oslo peace process’ with the Palestine Arabs. Basically, it offered ‘peace in instalments.’ Here’s how it worked: the more land Israel gave to the Palestinians, the ‘more peace’ it would obtain.
While there have been some areas of progress as a result of Oslo (for example, Oslo made it possible for certain countries to enter into diplomatic relations with Israel), the ultimate goal of a just, lasting peace remains elusive.
Nevertheless, there is good news: it is possible to have personal, growing, permanent, life-sustaining peace. It is a priceless gift from Jesus Christ Who, among His many glorious titles, is called the ‘Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus offers every true believer the marvellous gift of peace and it, too, comes as a process. You can ‘grow in peace’ as you do ‘in faith, grace and glory.
WORD OF THE LORD: SHALOM
If you would like to receive God’s peace, here and now, pay particular attention to this promise from Jesus from John 14:27 (NKJV):
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Most people know the Hebrew word for ‘peace,’ namely ‘Shalom.’ It is used to say ‘hello,’ ‘good-bye,’ and ‘how are you?’ Yet this word goes even deeper. It can also mean ‘wholeness, inner rest, fellowship with God, and total well-being.’ In the Greek language translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, ‘shalom’ becomes ‘soteria,’ which means ‘salvation’ (Genesis 26:31; 41:16).
What a wonderful word!
GOD’S PEACE PROCESS
If you would like to enter into God’s ‘Peace Process,’ please understand that the above verse in John 14:27 gives the promise of peace and the pre-requisite for receiving it. Christ promises to leave His peace with you. As the Prince of Peace, His peace will be grander, more powerful, and more wonderful than mere human peace. He promises to give peace in a manner that is impossible for the world to replicate. When the world gives peace, it gives for a price, it gives in part, and it can renege and take it away. When Christ gives, He gives peace fully, freely, and permanently.
Yet, there is a condition you must fulfil. Before you can receive Christ’s peace, you have to obey the simple command: don’t let your heart be troubled or afraid. Despite the march of fleshly fear, overdrive anxiety, and deepening depression, if you will surrender to God, humble yourself, and submit to His grace, you can enter into a personal, mental, and spiritual ‘cease-fire’ which makes receiving Christ’s peace possible.
The Nature of Peace
The World’s Peace
Christ’s Peace
Given for a price
Given freely
Given in part
Given in full
Can be lost or taken back
Remains permanently
Powerless
Powerful
Anxiety remains
Anxiety gone
Depression remains
Depression gone
Fear remains
Fear gone
Despair possible
Despair impossible

There are four more steps to entering into God’s peace process. Stay tuned for more
Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

From Defeat to Victory: A Lesson from Joshua Part 02

In Part 01, we looked at one of the reasons why life has bends, twists and turns, making the journey longer and harder than expected. In order to minimise and eliminate these roadblocks, it is important to learn and apply the lessons of Scripture.
If you are struggling with unanswered prayer, a roadblock on your normal path, chronically unresolved issues, or a general feeling of failure, read on. You may be experiencing exactly what Joshua did.
One of those lessons is that Joshua and the children of Israel conquered Jericho with ease, even though it was a formidable fortress. However, at their next destination Ai, which was much smaller and thus easier to conquer, they suffered a massive defeat.
The reason? Not the strength of the enemy, but because of corruption in their own heart. Israel sinned because it touched the accursed things. As long as they embraced that which God rejects, He would not be with them and they would fall before their enemies. Whether our enemies are strong or weak, we need God with us at all times.
Let’s learn more about the problem, so that we can apply the solution.
The Accursed Thing Will Defeat You
The Hebrew word for ‘accursed’ is cherem, meaning ‘to ban, devote, or design for total destruction.’ The city of Jericho was cherem, and all within was to be destroyed. However, a man name Achan, the son of Carmi, from the tribe of Judah, after the fall of Jericho, saw a Babylonian garment, silver, and gold. He coveted these accursed things and took them within his own tent. By touching cherem, he brought a curse upon himself and judgment on the entire nation.
The Bible does speak of blessing and cursing. These are real life conditions and they come with a price. According to Deuteronomy 28, when you diligently obey God’s command, you are blessed; but if you disobey, the curses will rain down on you. There are 14 verses of blessing and 54 of curses in that chapter alone.
In our day, we need to be ‘word-wise’ regarding God’s principles. Salvation in Christ is by ‘grace through faith,’ but we are still duty-bound to obey the Lord’s commands (Matthew 7:21). Obedience means holiness, sanctification, and righteousness. Jude verse 23 says the righteous would not even touch the garment soiled by the flesh.
However, to willingly embrace that which God curses will bring terrible consequences, although not necessarily immediately. We are still in an age of grace and God wants to give room for repentance. But we must never forget: we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Even if we eventually come around, we will lose a lot of ground and our call will only be partially fulfilled, if at all. This is a high price to pay for a few moments of sensuous pleasure.
The Remedy
The remedy: cleanse oneself from the unclean thing. Achan’s sin was discovered, he made a full confession, but unfortunately it was not enough to save him. He and his family were stoned to death in the Valley of Achor, meaning trouble. Embracing cherem is of the ultimate condemnation. Joshua 22:20 summaries the situation well:
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the cursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.
Ultimately, Joshua led Israel into corporate repentance. Once completed, they went up to Ai a second time and prevailed.
On a positive note, let’s take a moment to focus on Rahab, whose story is in Joshua 2. It was bad enough that she was a harlot. But to add to her condemnation, she came from the accursed city of Jericho, a Canaanite of the land. In essence, she was a condemned woman.
Yet, Rahab did not share the fate of Achan. The reason: she hid the Israelite spies with peace, meaning she exercised faith. She received commendation in both testaments (Joshua 6:17, 25; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25); married a man named Salmon, and they had a child called Boaz, who married another virtuous Gentile, Ruth. Rehab and Ruth are named as an ancestors of the Messiah.

In short, embrace that which God curses and condemnation will come. Or, repent and believe the gospel and you will pass from curse to blessing. Now is the time!
Articles, Bible, Education, Family, Prophecy, Teaching

When All is Lost – Why Study the Book of Ruth

The circumstances could not have been more tragic. A Judean woman moves to Moab because of famine in her homeland. After arrival to this foreign land her husband dies an untimely death. Her two sons marry local Moabite girls, but like their father, they also die prematurely. There were no children, either. With no government safety net or church support, or children to send out to work, the situation was hopeless.
What can you do in such circumstances?
Welcome to the Book of Ruth. Far from being a quaint, romantic tale, Ruth is a powerful manifesto of redemption – from tragedy to triumph. When all seems to be lost, redemption comes in and turns everything around –  even more than you can imagine.
And there is more. What was really at stake was not merely the fortunes of two widows – it was the Messianic lineage itself from Abraham to David. The redemption of Ruth restored this broken line. Though a Gentile from a despised race, Ruth became an honoured matriarch who is named an ancestor of the Messiah (Matthew 1:5).
What were the keys that turned this hopeless situation around?
First, it was Ruth’s faithfulness. She put all her trust in the God of Israel. Her faithfulness to God is matched by her legendary care of her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi. ‘Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God’ Ruth 1:16ff (NKJV) was her famous statement of commitment.
Second, God’s faithfulness. The LORD made provision for such tragedies through two means. First, regarding food for the needy, Israelites were commanded to leave the corners and fringes of their harvest field untouched so that the poor, stranger, fatherless, and widows can glean therein and have food (Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 24:21). Ruth went to glean in the fields and caught the attention of an older man named Boaz.
Another provision of God was the ‘kinsmen-redeemer’ or go’el in Hebrew. This means a male relative (brother) takes on the widow and raises up a descendant for the deceased brother. This is called ‘Levirate Marriage,’ described in Deuteronomy 25. Since Naomi had no more sons to offer Ruth, here again all seemed lost.
Yet this same Boaz, who took notice of Ruth in his harvest field, also happened to be a relative. When Naomi saw the favour Ruth enjoyed in the eyes of Boaz, she ‘nudged’ her to invite him to do the duty of a kinsman-redeemer. The ‘Naomi nudge’ at home turned into a ‘Ruth nudge’ at the threshing floor. Once he was nudged, Boaz, son of Salmon and Rahab, wasted no time in trying to secure Ruth’s redemption.
After quickly clearing the last hurdle, Boaz married Ruth, they had a son called OBED, and redemption came to Ruth, Naomi, Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion. Ruth, daughter-in-law of Rahab, became the great-grandmother of David. The Messianic line was preserved.
The bottom line: When you put all your trust in the LORD, there is never a situation where ‘all is lost.’ God’s redemption means you will find your blessing, with dividends.
Hebrew:  Ruth
Author:  Unknown. Probably written in the time of David, great-grandson of Ruth.
Christ:  Kinsman-Redeemer.  Go’el
1.       He was a blood relative to Israel and Son of man to the Gentiles.
2.       Redeemer must be free Himself. Christ is totally free.
3.       Purchased redemption with His priceless blood (Boaz did it with money).
4.       Needs to buy back forfeited inheritance. Christ the Redeemer has the power to buy back all that was lost.
5.       Must be willing to marry the widow. Christ has a bride (Romans 7:4).
Theme: Power of Redemption

Book of Ruth:

A Simple Outline
CHAPTER ONE: Tragedy for Naomi & Ruth
LOCATION: Moab
The Unfortunate Move of Elimelech & Naomi
1:1-5
Ruth’s Transformational Decision
1:6-18
Ruth Moves to Judah with Naomi
1:19-22
CHAPTER TWO: The Toil of Ruth
LOCATION: Fields of Boaz
Ruth Gleans in Boaz’s Field
2:1-3
Ruth Finds Favour With Boaz
2:4-18
Naomi Revives
2:19-23
CHAPTER THREE: Trust in Action
LOCATION: Threshingfloor
Naomi ‘Nudges’ Ruth Towards Boaz
3:1-5
Ruth ‘Nudges’ Boaz
3:6-9
Boaz Agrees to be a Kinsman-Redeemer
3:10-15
Naomi Transformed: From Pessimist to Optimist
3:16-18
CHAPTER FOUR: Triumph and Redemption
Location: Bethlehem City Gate
Boaz Redeems
4:1-10
Boaz Marries Ruth
4:11-12
Ruth Gives Birth to Obed
4:13-17
Genealogy of David
4:18-22
Note: We offer an 8 hour audio MP3 verse-by-verse commentary on the Book of Ruth, including 30 pages of printable PDF notes. It is part of our larger ‘Understanding the Bible Series.’ For further information, go to
http://www.tan.org.au/shop/understanding-the-book-of-ruth/  for a copy sent in the mail
OR
Immediate download:

http://www.tan.org.au/shop/understanding-the-book-of-ruth-digital-download-audio-mp3/
Apologetics, Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

There Was No King in Israel: Why Study the Book of Judges?

It was the best of times and the worst of times. The children of Israel, liberated from Egyptian bondage and dwelling in the land of promise, should have been enjoying the blessings of God, living under their own vines and fig trees. Instead, they faced cycles of backsliding, carnality, followed by repressive foreign occupation.
When they woke up to their sin, Israel called out to God, who sent them a human deliverer called a ‘judge.’ Once the judge delivered the nation from their oppressors, Israel remained faithful to the LORD as long as the judge lived. Once he or she passed away, then they returned to their old worldly ways.
This pattern, which occurred with nauseating regularity, is the story of the Book of Judges. This book covers a period of over 350 years from the time of Joshua the conqueror until the coming of Samuel, the final judge (who is first mentioned in I Samuel, not Judges).
There are some great stories of deliverance in it, like that of Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Samson, and Jephthah. Some of these judges are so noteworthy that they merit a mention in the ‘hall of faith’ in Hebrews Chapter 11. Yet there are some real scandals, like the Danites stealing Micah’s idols and priest and setting up the northern city of Dan on a foundation of idolatry. Years later, Jeroboam’s golden calf was installed here, the altar platform is still present until today. Even worse was the brutal rape and murder of the Levite’s concubine which led to civil war and the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin.
Great insights and lessons await you as you study the Book of Judges.
Hebrew Name
It is easy to confuse the heroes of this book with men and women, wearing long black robes and white whigs while pounding a gavel in a courtroom. The Hebrew name for judges is shophetim which translated means rulers, saviours, and deliverers. The judge can settle disputes, win battles, liberate and deliver people. After their military victory, they settle down to to civilian leadership, where they rule and judge.
Author
Anonymous, though tradition nominates Samuel as the author.
Date
Probably after Saul became king. The reason is that the Book of Judges uses the phrase ‘There was no king in Israel,’ implying that Israel had a king at the time of writing.
Theme
Cycles of reprobation and revival. The pattern was one of:
The Descent
Service (of God),
Seduction,
Sin,
Scandal,
Servitude (to foreign occupiers) – this is where they hit rock bottom
The Ascent
Seeking God,
Sanctification, and
Salvation.
This pattern is what happened again and again and again.
Portrait of Christ in Judges
In Judges we learn about Christ as Saviour-Ruler. As long as the judge lived, Israel served the LORD. Since Christ rose from the dead and lives forevermore, His people will remain eternally faithful to God.
Like the rest of the Bible, Judges does not do a whitewash of the main characters. It tells their story just as it was, warts and all: Gideon made an ephod in Oprah, Samson had ‘women problems,’ and Jephthah uttered a rash vow. Yet all of this helps to highlight to glory of Christ, who never sinned and is able to save us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).
Judges serves as a reminder, if one was needed, how humanity stands in desperate need for a Saviour.
Key Verses in Judges
Judges 2:20-21:And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; 21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:
Judges 21:25:In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Distinctives
Judges is a real object lesson of ‘comparison and contrast.’ We see good and evil, light and darkness, faithfulness and debauchery, living side-by-side. While this may seem like deep dark ancient history, it helps illustrate the ‘last days,’ which Scripture teaches is a time of ‘contrasts,’ just like Judges.
•   Contrast: God’s faithfulness to Israel’s backsliding.
•   Contrast: A penitent Israel to a hedonistic Israel.
•   Contrast: The faith of the judges to the faithlessness of the people.
•   Contrast: The perfection of Christ to the flaws of the judges.
Outline of Judges
1.       Failure of Israel to Conquer all the Land (1:1-3:34): Failure of Judah, Benjamin, Joseph, Zebulon, Asher, Naphtali, Dan. Angel makes announcement.
2.       Southern Campaign: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar (3:5-31)
3.       Northern Campaign: Deborah/Barak (4:1-5:31)
4.       Central Campaign: Gideon, Abimelech, Tola, Jair (6:1-10:5)
5.       Eastern Campaign: Jephthah (10:6-12:7)
6.       Second Northern Campaign: (12:8-15)
7.       Western Campaign: Samson (13-16)
8.       Israel’s Idolatry (17:1-18:31)
9.       Israel’s Immorality (19:1-30)
10.   Israel’s Civil War (20:1-21:25)

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

FROM ‘DE FACTO’ TO ‘DE JURE:’ Part 02

Finding Legitimacy in an Immoral World
‘Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.’ –Hebrews 13:4
DE FACTO: Existence without legal or ecclesiastical recognition or sanction.
DE JURE: Existence by right according to law.
Last month we looked at the ever-rising phenomena of de facto relationships, also known as cohabitation. We will explore this topic some more.
Are There Any Benefits to Cohabitation?[i]
Just because something is commonplace and permitted by society does not make it healthy and right. After all, cigarette smoking is legal but it can cost your thousands of dollars a year and have a detrimental effect on your health. Gambling also is legal and look at the trail of trouble and sorrow it leaves.
           
Some claim that a de facto relationship helps prepare a couple for marriage and prevents divorce. Does it? Research suggests otherwise: couples that live in a de facto relationship before marriage are more likely to divorce than couples that wait until marriage. One statistic said that of couples who were married twenty years or more, 56% of those who lived as a de facto couple before marriage ended up in divorce, while 29% of those who never cohabited before marriage ended up in divorce. According to the Jubilee Report on cohabitation: ‘The idea that first cohabitations that lead to marriage do not result in an increased rate of divorce is not reflected by this data set: prior cohabitation with a spouse is associated with 60 per cent higher risk of divorce (emphasis mine).
Another study concluded that 75% of married couples were still together when their child turned 16; only 7% of de facto couples can make the same claim. That’s a ten-fold increased for the married couples. In Britain, the direct annual cost of family breakdown is GBP 41.7 billion. The Daily Mail Online, ‘Married Parents Ten Times More Likely to Stay Together,’ Sarah Harris (February 2010).[ii]
Why Are Those Who Live Together
Before Marriage More Likely to Divorce?
Why is this the case? Why do couples who live in a de facto relationship have a greater chance of divorce? It is like the analogy of a building during an earthquake. If the building has deep, strong foundations, then it will withstand the tremors. However, if the building has weak foundations, the first shake will bring it down. Life-long relationships have good foundations: Godly commitment, mutual love and respect, morality and strength. These things will help the relationship weather any storm. Unfortunately, the de facto relationship does not have these things and so even when one eventually marries, due to the poor moral and commitment foundations, it will be vulnerable to collapse, even with the slightest of shaking.
Others say that single parents enter into a de facto partnership so that the children can have a father figure in the home. While it is indeed possible for non-biological fathers to show love and kindness to (step) children, there is an alarming trend of the adverse effects de facto relationships have on youngsters.
In his article, “De Facto Danger” (Melbourne Herald Sun, April 6, 1998, page 19), Paul Gray says “Our ongoing willingness to pretend that de facto fathering is just as good as traditional fathering (the biological father living in a stable relationship with the mother) is having horrific consequences.”  Gray quotes former human rights commissioner Brian Burdekin as saying de facto living arrangements have increased the child sex abuse rate by 600 per cent. A NSW Child Protection Council reports says suspected killers in de facto relationships was 6 1/2 times higher than in the population at large. The sad and sensational cases of Jesse Winning (14 months) and Daniel Valerio (age 2), who were murdered by their mother’s de facto partners, only highlights this alarming trend. ‘Traditional fathering, within the stable, two-parent family, is clearly the best way to protect and raise children. For that, the evidence is overwhelming,’ remarks Gray.
If the person is uncommitted to their de facto partner, why would they be caring and committed to the children of that partner?
           
Above all, there is a far more serious implication about de facto relationships that have a long-term effect. Any sexual activity within these relationships clearly falls into the category of fornication and/or adultery. Apart from the temporal disadvantages of these acts, like venereal disease and unwanted pregnancies, are the eternal consequences. On this matter, God’s Word is very clear. Hebrews 13:4 affirms this. Read also Ephesians 5:3-5; I Timothy 1:9-10; Revelation 21:8; 22:15. The implications couldn’t be plainer
Study after study confirms the following conclusions:
1.   De facto or cohabitation relations lead to a markedly increased risk of divorce compared to those who have never married.
2.   De facto increases the risk of domestic violence against women and men, and also violence against children;
3.   Lower levels of happiness and satisfaction;
4.   De facto relations have serious spiritual consequences.
Having observed the world for all these years, it is impossible to ascribe any benefits whatsoever to cohabitation. Consider the bedrock motivation behind many de facto relationships: a lack of making a genuine, long-term commitment; fear of failure; wanting to reap the benefits and pleasures without taking the responsibilities and commitment those benefits require; exhibiting and enhancing weak character. Of course, these attitudes of de facto-ism are not just in relationships; they can also occur in business, politics, the church, and more.
To be continued


 FACTS ABOUT COHABITATION[i]

•       Over half of all first marriages are proceeded by cohabitation (University of Wisconsin document)
•       Cohabitation doesn’t reduce the likelihood of divorce–in fact it leads to a higher divorce risk. One study showed 46% higher risk (1992 Journal of Marriage and Family).
•       No positive contribution of cohabitation to marriage has ever been found, not even sexual compatibility, as usually suggest (1993 Journal of Marriage and Family)
•       Cohabitants tend not be as committed as married couples, or prepared to work on their differences (1995 Journal of Family issues)
•       Particularly problematic is the area of serial cohabitation. It generates a greater willingness to dissolve later relationships. (1993 Journal of Family Issues)
•       About 60% of cohabitation ends in marriage (1989 National Study of Cohabitation
•       In general, cohabiting relationships tend to be less satisfactory than marriage relationship-s, with cohabiting couples reporting lower levels of happiness, sexual exclusivity and sexual satisfaction, as well as poorer relationships with parents (Bumpass, Sweet & Cherlin’s 1991 study)
•       After five years, only 10% of cohabiting couples are together. They do not tend to permanency (Bumpass & Sweet’s 1989 study)
•       Married couples have substantial benefits over the unmarried in terms of labour force productivity, physical and mental health, general happiness and longevity (1994 American Journal of Sociology)
•       Annual rates of depression among cohabiting couples is more than three times the married rate. (1990 Psychiatric Disorders in America)
•       Physical and sexual abuse of a spouse is much higher. One study showed evidence of being twice as high (1991 Journal of marriage and family)
•       Abuse is 20 times higher for children with cohabiting, but biological parents, but 33 times greater if the parent was cohabiting with a non-parenting male partner (1993 Family Education trust: London).
•       The 1996 poverty rate was 6% with married parents, but 31 % with cohabiting parents (1996 Journal of Marriage and the Family).
–taken from Leadership NOW! January 2000, page 12.