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The articles on this page are designed to provide expository explanations of various passages in the Bible to help in gaining a better understanding of what the scriptures actually say. They are arranged in the order that the passages appear in the Bible. If you have any questions or comments, you can contact us by e-mail at: defender@defenderoftruth.com.
Gleanings From Genesis:
"IN THE BEGINNING, GOD"
(Genesis 1:1)
by Wayne S. Walker
We live in a day and age where our faith is being bombarded from every side. We see atheism (or at least secular humanism) being taught in our public schools, liberal theology in the denominations, and even modernism in the church. It is necessary that we continue to study those facts and principles that will help us to strengthen our faith in God and his word. The world is unable to provide any answers to mankind's most important questions. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? These are things that people are asking themselves. The only source to which we can go for satisfactory answers to these questions is our Creator and his inspired revelation.
Take, for example, Genesis 1:1-3. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light." The first verse of the Bible is as easy to understand as, "In the evening, John watered the garden and the lawn." It is simple, but what power is found in it. "In the beginning God. . . " introduces us to the greatest force man can know.The Text
I. Notice the text itself. This record contains the five necessary facts for science to operate: time - "in the beginning"; force - "God"; action - "created"; space - "the heavens"; and matter - "the earth." The Bible cannot be used either to prove or disprove science. Neither does science necessarily prove or disprove the Bible. True science is merely a body of facts about the physical universe, and the Bible is not designed as a treatise on science, for is it subject to scientific observation, although it is scientifically accurate. It is primarily a book of history and contains a record, revealed by God, for anyone who will read, examine, and accept it.
The observations of the Bible are historical in nature rather than scientific, since they are not open to subsequent experimentation as-is true of all history. They are stated as facts of history. Our only choice to make is whether or not we believe they happened. No man was present at creation; God's word is the only record we have. It is certainly within. reason, not like the fantastic creation myths of ancient heathen cultures, and there is no evidence to prove otherwise. All that so-called scientists have come up with, using entirely natural means, are several conflicting theories, none of which have any supportable proof. Therefore, "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible" (Heb. 11:3).God
II. Who is this "God" who is said to have created the heavens and the earth? The term translated "God" in our text is Elohim the plural form of Eloah, whose root is El. This family of words forms the general Hebrew term for God or deity. The derivation in Hebrew is not absolutely known, but many scholars believe that it is derived from a term which means "to be strong." Robert B. Girdlestone in Synonyms of the Old Testament wrote, "This name properly represented One only Being, who revealed Himself to man as Creator, Ruler, and Lord. It was His own peculiar title, and ought to have been confined to Him. Accordingly we read, 'in the beginning God (Elohim in the plural) created (in the, singular) the heavens and the earth."'
The most common form is Elohim, the plural noun. Sometimes the plural is used to designate unlimited greatness. In the Old Testament, the plural form is also used because God exists in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is consistent with the use of plural pronouns. "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness... (Gen. 1:26). Herbert C. Leupold in Exposition of Genesis wrote, "The hortative 'Let us make' . . . is particularly striking because it is plural. Though almost all commentators of our day reject the view that this is to be explained in connection with the truth of the Holy Trinity and treat this so-called trinitarian view as a very negligible quantity, yet rightly considered, this is the only view that can satisfy. . . . Those that hold that a reference to the Trinity is involved do not mean to say that the truth of the Holy Trinity is here fully and plainly revealed. But they do hold that God speaks out of the fulness of His powers and His attributes in a fashion which man could never employ. Behind such speaking lies the truth of the Holy Trinity which, as it grows increasingly clear in revelation, is in the light of later clear revelation discovered as a kind of obscure adumbration. The truth of the Trinity explains this passage."
Another name for God, found 6,823 times in the Old Testament, is Jehovah. The English form Jehovah comes from the Hebrew tetragrammaton YHVH. Some prefer Yahweh, but no one knows the correct pronunciation. It is thought to be derived from a verb meaning "to be" and is sometimes translated as "the Eternal One." This name distinctly expresses the personality of God and points to him as the one who was, is, and always will be. The origin of this name is generally related to God's appearance to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14-16. The phrase, "I AM THAT I AM," contains the verb form of the name Jehovah. Later God said, "I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name LORD I was not known to them" (Exod. 6:3). The American Standard Version uniformly uses Jehovah in the Old Testament, but with a few exceptions, the King James Version uses "LORD." Creator
III. This God whose name is Jehovah is affirmed to be the Creator. He created the universe. "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. . . . " (Exod. 20:22). He created the earth and all life upon it, because it is said, "The earth is the LORD's and all its fulness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters" (Psa. 24:1-2). Furthermore, he created man. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" (Gen. 2:7). God also sustains the life of man upon the earth. The apostle Paul said of God, "For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring'" (Acts 17:28).
The creation of God was "fiat" creation. "Fiat" is a Latin word that literally means, "Let it be done," and is defined as "an order issued by legal authority; decree." God created by his word. He said, "Let there be light" and there was light! I might walk into a room, say, "Let there be light," and turn on a light switch - and there will be light. But if I walk into a deep dark cave where never man has been and say, "Let there be light," there will be no light! God's creation "ex nihilo," which means that is was out of nothing. "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth" (Psa. 33:6). Man can take material already in existence and make something else from it. But only God can create where nothing beforehand. Revelation
IV. How is this Creator God revealed unto us? One way is by means of the heavens which he made. "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psa. 19:1 ff). Every effect must have an adequate cause. Design demands a designer. The heavens above bear the imprint of their First Cause, their Grand Designer. It is through contemplating the existence of the universe that we conclude that there must be a God and that his is powerful enough to make all that we know. "Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20, RSV).
However, the natural creation does not reveal unto us the will of our Creator. For this, God must give us a special revelation. Today, God makes his will known to us through his Son. "God, who at various times and in different way spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son" (Heb. 1:1-2). The Son sent the Holy Spirit to inspire his apostles and prophets to record his will for us in written form (Eph. 3:3-5). The product of their efforts, the Holy Scriptures, contains the will of God for all mankind today. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).Faith
V. Those who live upon this earth created by God must have faith in him. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). Again, the source of this faith must be the written revelation of God, his word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). And this faith must be more than a mere intellectual assent to God's existence. It must be an active trust. "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (Jas. 2:24).Conclusion
God is the Creator. We are his creation. It is our responsibility to seek after him and believe in him. As we consider the universe around us, the earth upon which we live, and the God who made them, we are moved to say, "Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How Great Thou Art!" Do you know the God who is revealed in the Bible? "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (Jn. 17:3). Have you obeyed his word? Are you his spiritual child? The Bible tells us how to become one. We encourage you to read it, study it, and follow it. It is the only means by which you can have a right relationship with the God who made you. (---taken from Guardian of Truth; January 7, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 1, pp. 8-9)
Gleanings From Genesis:
ADAM IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN
(Genesis 2:15-17)
by Wayne S. Walker
A few years ago there was a newspaper article in which several leading scientists were asked to discuss whether the forbidden fruit of Genesis chapters two and three was really an apple or not, since apples do not generally grow in the part of the middle east where it is believed the Garden of Eden was located. A couple of these so-called experts even said that we would probably have to check the Hebrew and Greek translations of the Bible to see exactly what was meant by the word "apple" to be absolutely sure. (For those who wish to check the accuracy of this, the story is found on page 3 of the July 7, 1974, Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune. The author was Derrick Blakely and his title was, "Apricots in Eden? Experts Take a Bite.")
However, all of this discussion was a manifestation of ignorance because the Bible does not even claim that Adam and Eve ate an apple. It just calls it a fruit. "Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die (Gen. 2:15-17, NKJV). Our purpose in this article is not to determine the kind of fruit that God forbade Adam and Eve to eat, but to look at this text and see what lessons can be learned from it.
A Job
I. God gave man a job to do. Adam was put into the Garden of Eden and told "to tend and keep it." God despises idleness. Of the slothful man he said, "So your poverty will come like a prowler, And your want like an armed man" (Prov. 24:34). One of our own proverbs is that an idle mind is the devil's workshop and idle hands are the devil's tools. God has always required man to work in the physical realm. "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need" (Eph. 4:28). God has given his people a spiritual work to keep them busy. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58). When you sing the grand old gospel song, "I Want to Be a Worker for the Lord," do you really mean it?
Provisions
II. God gave man provisions to live. God said to Adam, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat." God also provides for us. He is the source of every good and perfect gift. It is him who "gives to all life, breath, and all things," and it is in him that "we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:25-28). God provides for all our physical needs. While preaching in Lystra, Paul said of God, "Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17). May we ever be thankful for these wonderful material blessings. But God has also provided for all our spiritual needs in Christ. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
A Commandment
III. God gave man a commandment to keep. His specific words to Adam were, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat." In every age, God has revealed his commandments to mankind. The Psalmist wrote, "You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me" (Psa. 119:98). One of the purposes of these commandment is to try or test man's faith whether he would obey or not. Moses told the Israelites, "And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not" (Deut. 8:2). It is by keeping his commandments that we show our love for God. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 Jn. 5:3). To say that we "love God" and then refuse or fail to obey his commandments is to lie.
Punishment
IV. God gave man a threat of punishment to motivate him. Adam heard God say, "For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Law without punishment is, in fact, no law. "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Ecc. 8:11). One of the major problems with the laws of our nation is that punishment is not sure and swift. This has resulted in the skyrocketing of our crime rate. Most people recognize the need for occasional punishment in the home. "He who spares the rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly" (Prov. 13:24). In order for children to learn the difference between right and wrong, wrong behavior must be punished. In the spiritual realm, the reward of heaven would mean relatively little without the contrasting punishment of hell. Only when the wicked go away into everlasting punishment and the righteous into eternal life will justice finally be perfected (see Matt. 25:31-41).
Conclusion
Adam and Eve had enough to do in the garden that they really did not have time to stand idly around thinking about the forbidden fruit. They had plenty of other fruit to eat so that they did not even need it. Furthermore, God commanded them not to eat of it and promised punishment if they did. However, in spite of all this, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. And God did punish them. God has given us everything we need to get from earth to heaven. "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Pet. 1:3). But if we do not do his work and keep his commandments, we shall also be punished - eternally. Yet, because Jesus died for us, we can escape the punishment of our sins and receive God's eternal reward by giving our lives to him in obedience to his will. If you are not a Christian, or are unfaithful, will you not consider your spiritual condition and come to Christ for his blessings? (---taken from Guardian of Truth; January 21, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 2, pp. 44-45.)
Gleanings From Genesis:
THE SIN OF MOTHER EVE
(Genesis 3:1-24)
by Wayne W. Walker
The inspired account of the very first sin ever committed is found in Genesis 3:1-24. Sin is a problem that every one of us faces and with which we must cope. The more we learn about the subject from the Bible, the better we will be able to avoid and overcome it. And there is a great deal that we can learn about sin from the third chapter of Genesis.
The Temptation
1. First, we notice the temptation. Satan, in the form of a serpent, approached Eve and focused her mind upon the prohibition. "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'" Adam and Eve could eat of every tree in the garden except one, but Satan emphasized this one negative, and thus distorted the situation. Eve apparently understood God's command, although we are made to wonder why she added, "Nor shall you touch it."
Then the devil very plainly changed God's command. "You will not surely die." All he did was add one little word, "not," but in so doing he simply denied God's word. There is reason to believe that the devil was equivocating. Adam and Eve would die spiritually when they ate, but not physically. In any event, Satan was living up to his reputation as the great deceiver. Then he cast doubts on God's goodness. "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." The basic appeal of humanism is to cause people to desire to be their own gods. Thus, they are deceived just as was the woman here.
Eve was tempted in the very same ways that we are tempted (I Jn. 2:15-17). She saw that the tree was good for food -the lust of the flesh. She saw that it was pleasant to the sight - the lust of the eyes. And she saw that it was desirable to make one wise - the pride of life. Jesus was tempted through these same avenues (Matt. 4:1-11). By his example, we can know that if we will resist the devil, he will flee from us also (Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9). This is what Eve failed to do.
The Disobedience
II. Because of this failure, Eve sinned. "She took of its fruit and ate." Not satisfied with this, "She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate." Many believe, based on 1 Timothy 2:14, that Eve, being tricked, ate without fully understanding the consequences of her actions, but Adam did so with full knowledge of what he was doing. This is entirely possible. Whatever the case, both of them did the very worst thing they could do. They disobeyed God and did exactly what he had told them not to do.
Sin takes several different forms. Sometimes it is a direct transgression of God's law, like Adam and Eve's, doing that which God has specifically forbidden (1 Jn. 3:4). Other times, it is a failure to do what God has positively commanded must be done (Jas. 4:17). Sin may also take the form of a violation of one's conscience, even if the act itself is not one of disobedience to what God has said (Rom. 14:23). In fact, "all unrighteousness is sin" (1 Jn. 5:17). Anything that is not right in the sight of God, i.e., in harmony with his revealed will, is sin.
The Coverup
III. Adam and Eve not only sinned, but also tried to cover up their sin from God. When they heard the sound of the Lord in the garden, they hid themselves among the trees. Many other people have tried to hide their sins from God, as do many people today. David thought he could hide his sin by letting time take care of it. Jonah thought he could hide his by running away from it. However, the trees of the garden could not hide Adam and Eve from God. Neither can we hide our sins from him because he is omnipresent (Psa. 139:7-12).
Since they were not able to hide from God, they evidently decided to lie their way out of their predicament. Instead of owning up to their wrong and telling God the whole truth, they merely said that they were hiding because they were naked. Ananias and Sapphira tried to cover up their sin by lying in Acts 5, and it did not work then either. God is omniscient (Psa. 139:1-6). He knows everything about us. As soon as Adam said the word, "naked," he was trapped! "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Num. 32:23). And even if we are successful in covering up our sins from men while on earth, we shall still have to face them in the day of judgment (Eccl. 12:13-14).
Now that their lie was exposed and their sin known, the only other route left open to them, aside from acknowledgment and repentance, was to "pass the buck." Adam blamed Eve who "gave me of the tree, and I ate." In effect, he was also blaming God ("The woman whom You gave to be with me"), implying that if God had not given him Eve, he would not be in this mess. Eve then blamed the devil. "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." It was from Eve that Flip Wilson must have drawn his now-famous line, "The devil made me do it." There was some truth to both of these accusations, but notice that each one was still held accountable for his or her own actions.
The Punishment
IV. This brings us to the punishment. God turned his attention first to Satan, whose deception was the heart of the problem. The form that he used, the serpent, was cursed to crawl on its belly. And the devil himself was promised that the seed of the woman would arise to crush his head, that is, to deliver him a crushing blow. This is sometimes called the "proto-evangelicum" for in it, the first glimmers of hope for mankind through the gospel are found. It was in Jesus Christ, who was "born of a woman" (Gal. 4:4), that this promise was ultimately fulfilled. He came to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8).
Next, God spoke to the woman. It was she who was beguiled by the serpent (2 Cor. 11:3). Even so, she should have known better. Therefore, God said that he would greatly multiply her sorrow in her conception, so that in pain she would bring forth children. God's place for the woman has always been in the home, providing for the needs of her family (1 Tim. 2:15; 5:14; Tit. 2:4-5). Also, as a result of her sin, her desire was to be to her husband and he was to rule over her. God's word teaches that women are to be in subjection to their husbands who are their heads (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:1-6). Today's feminists may not like this, but it is what God has decreed.
Then, God passed judgment on the man. No longer would he be provided with all he needed unconditionally. The ground from that time onward would bring forth thorns and thistles so that he would eat of it through toil and the sweat of his face. For this reason, mankind has always been required to work to make his livelihood (Exod. 20:9; Eph. 4:28). "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3: 10). The responsibility to provide for the needs of the family falls upon the husband and father (1 Tim. 5:8). But even more serious, whatever God had planned for human beings before the fall, they would now return to the ground from which they were taken (Eccl. 12:7; cf. Gen. 2:7). No, we do not bear the guilt of Adam's sin, but because we are born into a sinful world and become sinners ourselves, we must bear the consequences (1 Cor. 15:21-22).
Conclusion
There are many lessons that we can learn from this account. We must recognize that sin is still with us (Rom. 3:23; 1 Jn. 1:8-10). There are some who seem to want to debate which kinds of sins will condemn and which will not. I do not wish to be drawn into this argument, except to say that sins which are confessed, forsaken, and covered by God will not be imputed to us (Prov. 28:13; Rom. 4:7-8). All I know to preach about sin is that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).
However, we have good news. We know that "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (Jas. 1:14-15). Therefore, we can turn to God for help to overcome temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). "And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (1 Jn. 5:3). And when we do sin, it is in Christ that "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Eph. 1:7).
Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father (1 Jn. 2:1). Therefore, if we will confess our sins, we can know that God will be faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9). In this way, we have the promise that the blood of Jesus Christ the righteous will cleanse us from all sin (1 Jn. 1:7). The statement that is often made is, I believe, true that what mankind lost in Adam, we can regain through Jesus Christ. May we ever be thankful to him who died for us as a sacrifice for sin. Praise God for his love and grace! (---taken from Guardian of Truth; February 4, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 3; pp. 75-76)
THE EXAMPLE OF ABEL
(Genesis 4:1-10)
by Wayne S. Walker
There are several Old Testament characters about whom we know a great deal, such as Abraham, Moses, and David. There are others about whom we know very little, sometimes not even their names, such as Lot's wife, the butler and baker in Egypt, and David's little child who died. Then there are those in between, about whom we know some but not a whole lot. The story of Abel, found in Genesis 4:1-10, would fall into the latter category.
However, the lives of all people recorded in the Old Testament, whether we know much or little, are there for a reason. "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15:4). It is not just to give us some interesting biographical or historical information, but to provide important lessons by which we can learn something about God's will for us. What can we learn from the example of Abel?
Obeying
To begin, we see that Abel obeyed. "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, 'I have acquired a man from the LORD.' Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering" (Gen. 4:1-4).
Why did God respect Abel and his offering? The Bible says that it was because Abel acted by faith. "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks" (Heb. 11:4). There is only one way to act by faith. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Thus, we conclude that God must have spoken. We do not know exactly what God told Cain and Abel about sacrifices. The most logical conclusion is that He wanted animals offered. But whatever He said, Abel did exactly as He commanded.
From Abel's example we can see the importance of obeying God's will. We must obey God to meet His conditions for our salvation. "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Rom. 6:17-18). However, even after we become Christians, we must continue to obey God in all things. Paul wrote to the saints at Philippi and said, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). We need to obey as Abel did.
Suffering
Next, we see that Abel suffered because He obeyed God. In contrast to God's acceptance of Abel's sacrifice, it is said, "But He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.' Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him" (Gen. 4:5-8).
Why did this event occur? It is an example of the righteous being persecuted by the unrighteous. "Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous" (1 Jn. 3:12). Cain chose to follow the will of the evil one in offering a sacrifice that was not acceptable to God. Rather than repenting, he continued to listen to the evil one in venting his frustration by murdering his righteous brother. Jesus warned us that such things would happen. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake" (Matt. 5:10-11).
Christians in the first century often were persecuted for righteousness' sake (Acts 5:40-42). And even though we may not be put to death, as were Abel and many in the first century, we are told, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12). From the example of Abel, we can learn to expect it.
Speaking
Finally, we see that Abel still speaks. "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is Abel your brother?' He said, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?' And He said, 'What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:9-10). Even then, though Abel was dead, his blood spoke to God. And remember that the writer of Heb. 11:4 said that he, being dead, still speaks. Though now long dead, Abel still speaks to us because his obedience and suffering for righteousness' sake are recorded in the scriptures, so that Jesus was able to make reference to him (Matt. 23:34-35).
However, our lives are not recorded in the scriptures. So when we die, can we yet speak, and if so, how? One way is by the influence that we have on our families. "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). Let me cite a personal example. I am a Christian because I heard and obeyed the gospel of Christ, but the circumstances that brought me to hear and obey the gospel are interesting in this regard. At some time in my family's history, I do not know exactly when, where, or how, one or more of my ancestors heard and obeyed the gospel. As a result of teaching done in the family, my grandfather was brought up in the training and admonition of the Lord, so that he became a gospel preacher. In turn, he brought up my mother to know the Lord and become a Christian, and it was from her that I first came to remember the Creator in the days of my youth. So, someone whose name I do not even know still speaks through my life.
Another way that we can speak is by our example on our friends. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12). Even young people who are trying to serve the Lord can be a good example to their friends at school and play, so that in later years, perhaps after they are dead, others whom they have influenced for good may still remember them. I have heard older Christians on occasion speak of some friend who is no longer alive but led them to Christ when they were younger. Such influence can still speak after death like Abel does.
Conclusion
We do not know very much about Abel, other than that he was the second son of Adam and Eve, that he was a shepherd, and that he was murdered by his brother Cain. Yet, by what we do know about him, he still speaks to us regarding the need to obey God, to be willing to suffer for righteousness' sake, and to be a good influence upon others. May we learn these lessons and follow this great example in our lives today. (---Taken from Expository Files; January, 2002; Vol. 9, No. 1)
Gleanings From Genesis
THE EXPERIENCE OF CAIN
(Genesis 4:3-8)
by Wayne S. Walker
The Old Testament is filled with examples for our learning. Some of these examples illustrate positive precepts that God expects us to imitate. Others contain negative admonitions of behavior that God wants us to avoid. The experience of Cain falls into the latter category. The story of Cain and Abel, the first two sons of Adam and Eve, is found in Genesis 4:3-8. Cain became a tiller of the ground and Abel became a keeper of sheep. Evidently, God commanded them to bring an offering. Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock, while Cain brought of toe fruit of the ground. It is here that the trouble begins.
Obedience
I. We may learn about obedience. "And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering." Why? To answer this, we need to see the importance of faith to obedience. Abel offered by faith (Heb. 11:4). We know that faith comes only by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10: 17). Thus, the Lord must have specified what kind of offering he desired. Abel followed the Lord's instructions, acting by faith, and was blessed. Cain acted out of rejection of and rebellion to God's wishes. 1 John 3:12 tells us that Cain's works were evil while his brother's were righteous.
The lesson for us is that we also must "walk by faith" (2 Cor. 5:7). This, of course, applies to everything that we do, but it should be applied especially to the realm of religion. To do so, we must strive to please God, not ourselves or. other men (Gal. 1:10). Furthermore, we must accept God's word as final authority and do nothing outside what is revealed. (2 Jn. 9). The same kinds of arguments that are made to justify instrumental music in worship today could have been used by Cain to justify his vegetable offering. So far as we know, God did not say "not to." But he did 'specify what he wanted. Therefore, he rejected Cain's substitute.
Anger
II. We can learn about anger. When Cain did wrong and displeased God, he became upset. Actually, it was God who had the tight to be angry with Cain's disobedience. But we are told, "And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?'" Cain directed his anger towards righteous Abel. It has always been quite common for those who have turned away from God to be angry with those who are following God. Paul asked those among the Galatians who had .been bewitched by a different gospel, "Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16). Cain's anger turned i4to jealousy and envy which then became hatred and malice.
What we need to learn is to be careful of anger. Yes, there are times when righteous anger is in order. However, even in these situations we must understand that we should "be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (Eph. 4:26). Rather, we must work to control our anger, "For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (Jas. 1:19-20). Moreover, we must not allow our anger to become envying, which is a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:21). Nor should we ever allow anger to linger until it turns to malice harbored in our hearts (Eph. 4:31). Cain could have used his anger constructively to motivate him to do better. Rather, he let it lead him down the wrong path.
Sin
III. We may learn about sin. God described sin to Cain as not doing well. "And if you do not do well. . . ." It is a transgression of God's law (1 Jn. 3:4), an act of unrighteousness (1 Jn. 5:17). In addition, sin is enslaving, H.C. Leupold translated v. 7, "And if thou dost not do right, then at the door there is sin, a crouching beast, striving to get at thee, but thou shouldst rule over it." This statement reminds us that the author of sin, Satan, goes about as a roaring lion, seeking victims to devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Therefore, when we yield ourselves to Satan's temptations, we become servants of sin (Rom. 6:12-18).
However, this account teaches us that we can "rule over it," that we can overcome sin by faith (1 Jn. 5:4). In order to do this, we must come to control the lust within us that permits us to be tempted (2 Tim. 2:22; Tit. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:11). We must also strive to avoid opportunities where we will be tempted to sin (Jas. 1:13-16). And we must also learn, when we are faced with temptations, to resist the devil by saying, "No" (Jas. 4:7). In addition, we must look to God's word for strength (Psa. 119:11). This is what Jesus did when he was tempted (Matt. 4). We do not have to sin in the manner that Cain did. Rather, we can follow the example of our Savior and conquer Satan.
Conclusion
Let us remember that sin is progressive. Cain began with a seemingly innocent act of disobedience. This led to anger, jealousy, and hatred, which eventually culminated in the sin of murder. While sin in our lives may not result in so drastic an act, each of us is faced with two choices. Either he can go the way of Cain, living a life of disobedience and sin. Or he may follow the example of Abel in his faith and obedience. It is the little decisions that we make along the way start us on one road or the other. Therefore, we need to be careful of even these "little things." And when we do sin, we need to be grateful that God has made it possible for us to have forgiveness and to avail ourselves of that privilege before we become hardened in our sin. If we do this, we will benefit from the experience of Cain. (---taken from Guardian of Truth February 18, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 4; p. 106)
Gleanings From Genesis
ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD
(Genesis 5:24)
by Wayne S. Walker
Some people find an interesting past time in going into old cemeteries, walking about the graves, and looking at the epitaphs on the tombstones. It is our custom today to have only the person's name and dates on the graveyard markers, but in previous years it was quite common for a cemetery stone to include an epitaph, or short statement summarizing the person's life. Of course, if someone did not die, there would be no need for a tombstone. Two such individuals are recorded in the Bible. One was Elijah. The other was Enoch. "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Gen. 5:24). However, even though Enoch never died, we could still ascribe the epitaph to him that he walked with God.
What Is Meant?
I. What is meant by Enoch walking with God? I believe that Herbert C. Leupold answered this question best in his Exposition of Genesis. "Now the significant thing reported concerning him is that he 'walked with God' . . . 'To walk about'= 'to live.' The particular preposition used. . . denotes 'intimacy, fellowship'. . . . We are thus driven to take the expression, 'to walk with God,' figuratively, in the sense of inner communion, as living one's life in such a way that in faith one remains uninterruptedly conscious of the' nearness of the almighty God and so walks as the thought of that presence determines. Life was lived Lo please God, so far as this was humanly possible" (pp. 241-242).
There are others in Scripture who are said to have walked with God. "This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God" (Gen. 6:9). In what way did Noah walk with God? "Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did" (Gen. 6:22). Abraham also walked before God (Gen. 17:1; 24:40). How did he do this? When God told Abraham to leave his country and kindred, "Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him" (Gen. 12:1-4). When God told him to offer his son Isaac, "Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son" (Gen. 22:1-3). These examples show us that basically walking with God means obeying his will in all things.
We also have the privilege of walking with God today. In what manner do we walk in order to walk with God? The New Testament tells us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). We must walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16,25). We are commanded to walk in good works (Eph. 2:10). It is necessary for us to walk in love (Eph. 5:1-2). We ought to walk wisely, redeeming the time (Eph. 5:15-27). And we should walk in the light (1 Jn. 1:7). There has been a lot of discussion on this last point through the years, but a look at the other similar passages leads us to conclude necessarily that while walking in the light does not require sinless perfection, it does mean that we cannot continue in sin. Only when we live according to all the commandments of God can it be said that we are walking with God, and that includes repenting of our sins.
What Were the Circumstances?
II. What were the circumstances in which Enoch walked with God? It is clear from the context that they were not favorable. Adam and Eve had already brought sin into the world (Gen. 3), and Cain had set the tone for the life-style of his descendants by his murder of Abel (Gen. 4). The world was becoming quite corrupt, even in Enoch's day, because it was not long until we read that, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5). Shortly after this, we are told that God was grieved that he had made man and determined to destroy man from the face of the earth by means of a flood. It would be a mistake to think that Enoch lived in a time when it was easy for him to walk with God.
True men of God have always been at their best in unfavorable situations. Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery by his own brothers, had a master whose wife tried to seduce him, and was put into prison because he refused to yield. Yet he is cited as an example for our faith (Heb. 11:22). Moses had to put up with the hatred of the Egyptians, the stubbornness of Pharaoh, the rigors of the wilderness, the constant complaining of the Israelites, and opposition by some of his followers. Still, he is described as more humble than all other men who were on the earth (Num. 12:3). David was chased by King Saul who tried to kill him, suffered the rape of his daughter Tamar by his son Amnon, was driven out of Jerusalem by another son Absalom who tried to usurp the kingdom, and faced continual fighting among his assistants. However, through all this he was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). Consider also the courage of Daniel in Babylonian captivity and the steadfastness of Paul through all of his persecutions.
We also live in adverse circumstances. Peter called the people of his day "this perverse generation" (Acts 2:40). Paul referred to it as "a crooked and perverse generation" (Phil. 2:15). With rank atheism becoming more common, secular humanism taught in our schools, immorality rampant throughout the land, and all kinds of ungodliness portrayed in the media, can the people of our day be called any less? Even so, as those who are to be children of God, we cannot give in to the world and its ways by being conformed to it (Rom. 12:1-2). Rather, we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Tit. 2:11-12). This is the only way that we can hope to be "like a little candle, burning in the night" and walk with God in the midst of our current evil generation.
What Were the Results?
III. What were the results of Enoch's walking with God? Our text says that he was not, for God took him. That is, he did not see death. "By faith, Enoch was translated so that he did not see death, 'and was not found because God had translated him'; for before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God" (Heb. 11:6). I remember hearing a preacher several years ago say that Enoch walked with God so long that finally they were closer to God's place than to Enoch's, so God just took Enoch home with him. In any event, there was something about Enoch's character, his way of life among the people with whom he dwelt, that prompted God to do this. What a blessing it must have been not to have suffered the pain and agony associated with physical death!
Of course, all other human beings (beside Elijah) have died, and so must we unless the Lord comes first (Heb. 9:27). But great men of God, even though they knew that they must die, still looked forward to being with God. David knew that his first child by Bathsheba could not return to him after it died, but he also knew that he would go to be with it (2 Sam. 12:23). Because Jehovah was his shepherd, he expected to "dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psa. 23:6). Likewise the apostle Paul looked upon death as that time when he could depart from all the sorrows of this life and be with Christ, which he described as being far better (Phil. 1:23). He had lived in such a way that he was confident that "there is a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day" (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
Furthermore, Paul said that this crown would be given "not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." This same hope and expectation can be had by every Christian who walks with God. "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (Jas. 1:12). Jesus told the church at Smyrna, "Do not fear any of those thing which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). I know that we, in spite of our sins, can walk with God and receive these promises because Old Testament worthies did, and disciples of Christ in the first century did too.
Conclusion
Yes, Enoch walked with God. When I was just a small child and heard sermons about Enoch's walk with God, I always pictured a nice, grassy field on a bright, sunlit day, with two people, one a giant-sized person and the other a normal-sized individual, holding hands together and walking down a fence row. Of course, that is not what actually happened. From Hebrews 11 it is clear that for Enoch to walk with God meant that he lived his life in such a way as to please God. Are you walking with God? "Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God" (1 Thess. 4:1). As Christians, we must walk with God by following his revealed will in every aspect of our lives. And if you are not a Christian, you need to begin your walk with God by giving your life to Jesus in obedience to his word. Let us all strive to "walk with the Lord in the light of His word" as we "trust and obey." (---taken from Guardian of Truth; March 3, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 5; pp. 136-137)
Gleanings From Genesis
NOAH'S ARK
(Genesis 6:14)
by Wayne S. Walker
One of the great heroes of God's word in the Old Testament was Noah. This example of faith lived during a very difficult time, when the people of the world were so wicked that the thoughts of their hearts were only evil continually and that God determined to destroy the earth with a flood. But Noah was a man who found grace in God's sight because he was just, perfect in his generations, and one that walked with God. Therefore, God determined to save Noah and his family and commanded him, "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch" (Gen. 6:14). There are several interesting lessons that we can learn and applications that we can make from a study of Noah's ark.
A Pattern
I. Noah had a pattern to follow. He was told to make an ark. The wood was to be gopherwood. The proportions were to be three-hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. There were to be a window for the ark a cubit from the top and a door to the ark in the side. It is interesting to note that the dimensions in the Bible are common for any worthy sea-going vessel, unlike those mentioned in many of the ancient heathen flood stories. Also, based upon an eighteen-inch cubit, the total capacity of the ark would have been 3,500,000 cubic feet, plenty of room for all the animals and supplies that Noah needed to take.
Now, what would have happened if Noah had added a few cubits to come out with a length of 305 cubits? What if he had decided that he really did not need a window in the ark? What if he substituted oak or pine for the gopherwood that God had specified? It is not our desire to engage in a lot of fruitless speculation, but consider the following points. When Nadab and Abihu substituted their own fire for the fire that God had commanded, they were both consumed immediately with fire from heaven (Lev. 10:1-2). When Uzzah disobeyed the instructions of the Lord and touched the ark, he was struck dead on the spot (2 Sam. 6:1-7). Simply put, God has never allowed any deviation from his expressed will, so there is no reason to believe that Noah could have been saved by ignoring or rejecting what God said.
Moses also had a pattern given by God for building the tabernacle. ". . For He said, 'See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mount" (Exod. 25:9, cf. Heb. 8:5). In a similar vein, the New Testament reveals God's pattern for mankind today. We can be made free from sin only by obeying from the heart the form or pattern of doctrine to which we have been delivered (Rom. 6:17-18). Then after we are thus saved, the Lord has a "pattern of sound words" which he wants us to hold fast (2 Tim. 1:13). This-idea which we are hearing with increasing frequency, that we do not have nor do we need a "pattern" with regards to the church today, is plainly not taught in God's word.
Salvation
II. Salvation was found only in the ark. Let me ask you a question. How many people were saved outside the ark? Look at Genesis 7:13-16. "And all flesh died that moved on the earth . . . both men and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive." Reread the last sentence and notice the word "only" and the phrase "in the ark." Again, "only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive." Very clearly, no one outside the ark was saved.
The apostle Peter tells us that Noah's salvation is like ours. ". . . When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism. . . " (1 Pet. 3:20-21). Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives were all saved from the evil and ungodliness in the world. How were these eight souls saved? By water. Where were they saved? In the ark. As Noah and his family were saved from the unrighteous world by the waters of the flood, Peter says that we are saved from sin by baptism.
Baptism puts one into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). The body of Christ is his church (Eph. 1:22-23). Thus, when one is baptized into the body or church of Christ, he is said to be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). The church is God's ark of safety today for salvation is found in it. All spiritual blessings are found in Christ and therefore in his church (Eph. 1:3). This includes salvation. "For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and he is the Savior of the body" (Eph. 5:23). The only people of whom Christ is ever said to be the Savior are those in his body or church. Those who teach that the church is unimportant, that one can be saved and go to heaven yet not be a member of the church, do not find that doctrine in the Scriptures.
One Door
III. There was only one door to the ark. God told Noah to put it there in Genesis 6:16. Its purpose is quite evident. "On the very same day Noah and Noah's sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them entered the ark. . . .So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in" (Gen. 7:13-16). There had to be a way by which Noah, his family, and all the animals that God had commanded to be taken could enter into the ark and be shut in by God for their protection. Once the door was shut, there was no other way in.
Similarly, as the church is God's ark for us, there is only one door into it. In a different context, but making the same basic point, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. . . . I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture" (Jn. 10:7-9). This truth is reinforced by many other passages of Scripture. Christ also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (Jn. 14:6). In Matthew 7:13-14, the Lord described two basic ways. One is broad, with a wide gate and room for many different routes. But it leads to destruction. The other is narrow or confined, with a gate that is strait or difficult. And only that way will lead to eternal life.
As we have already indicated, this way includes baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). Since the only way to the Father is by Christ, we must find the way by which we come into contact with Christ. Paul wrote, ". . . As many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. . . . Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death" (Rom. 6:3-4). The only way my Bible says that I can get into Christ, and thus come unto the Father, is by baptism. Many folks have the concept that we are all going to heaven, just traveling different ways. But the book of God does not say that there are many different ways, that it does not make any difference what one believes as long as he is honest and sincere. There is only one way.
Conclusion
God commanded Noah to build an ark. How did Noah respond? "Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him so he did" (Gen. 6:22). The result of this obedience is revealed for us in Hebrews 11:7. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." Noah was not saved by "faith only" as some claim we can be saved. He was saved by a faith that prompted him to do everything exactly as God had told him to do.
As we conclude our study of Noah's ark, we need to remember that Noah had to build the ark after a pattern and that God has commanded us to make all things in the church according to his pattern. We must also realize that as salvation in Noah's day was available only in the ark, so salvation today is offered to mankind only in the church. And let us understand that the only door into God's ark for us, the church, is through Jesus Christ by being baptized unto Him. These are simple, basic lessons. But they are recorded for our learning that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope (Rom. 15:4). (---taken from Guardian of Truth; March 17, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 6; pp. 172-173)
Gleanings From Genesis:
THE STORY OF LOT
(Genesis 11:27)
by Wayne S. Walker
The word of God contains many excellent examples of faith and righteousness - consider, for example, the lives of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and Paul, as well as the perfect life of Jesus Christ. The Bible also pictures several negative examples - illustrations of what God does not want us to be or do - like Cain, King Saul, Bar-Jesus, etc. However, many of the people who are described in the Bible are like most of us - a mixture of good and bad. One such individual was Lot. We are introduced to Lot in Genesis 11:27. "This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot." Haran died, and when Abraham departed for Canaan as God commanded him, he took his nephew Lot with him.
Bad Example
I. Lot's bad example can be seen in Genesis 13. Because of strife between the herd men of Abraham and Lot, Abraham suggested a separation. Since the plain of Jordan was well watered, Lot chose it, leaving Abraham with the less productive hill country. Here we see Lot's greed and selfishness. His choice was seemingly based only on monetary considerations, rather than on any feeling of respect for his uncle or concern for how his decision might affect himself and his family. Too many men today are making moves with the company to places where there are no faithful congregations solely on the basis of getting a promotion or receiving more money instead of the spiritual needs of their wives and children.
We are told that Lot "pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD" (Gen. 13:12-13). In fact, the city's wickedness was so manifest that God determined to destroy it. And evidently ten righteous people could not be found there to spare it (Gen. 18:16-23). The overthrow of Sodom is used throughout the Bible as an illustration of God's punishment of sin (Deut. 12:23; Jude 7). Even Jesus used it as an example of wickedness (Matt. 10:15; 11: 23-24). Today, the term "sodomite" is still a synonym for homosexual (Deut. 23:17). And the Bible specifically teaches that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
The result of this choice upon Lot and his family is clearly seen in Genesis 19 by the evil influence that it had upon them. His own sense of values had become warped enough that he apparently thought offering his two virgin daughters for fornication was preferable to allowing his guests to be seized for homosexuality (v. 8). And even though he knew that the city was to be destroyed, "he lingered" so that the angels had to take hold of his hand and lead him out of the city (v. 16). His sons-in-law, and apparently his married daughters, thought he was a fool for trying to convince them to flee (v. 14). His wife was so attached to her life in Sodom that while fleeing she took one last, longing look in direction violation to God's command and was turned into a pillar of salt (vv. 17, 26; cf. Lk. 17:32). And Lot's unmarried daughters were so corrupt that they got their father drunk and enticed him to commit incest so that they could have children (vv. 30-38). What a sad story.
Redeeming Qualities
II. Yet, as we turn to the New Testament, we find that Lot had some redeeming qualities. He is, in 2 Peter 2:7-8, referred to as "righteous Lot, who was oppressed with the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)." If we did not have this statement in the New Testament, we would probably not be left with this impression of Lot based upon the picture we are given in Genesis. Still, even in Genesis 19, we can see glimmers of the righteous character of this man in spite of his weaknesses and mistakes.
He knew enough about the condition of the city to recognize a clear danger for his visitors if they stayed in the street (vv. 23). Though living in Sodom, he did not participate in nor even condone the conduct of the Sodomites, pleading with them, "Do not do so wickedly" (v. 7). It seems that he had even been warning the men of Sodom concerning their evil - "he keeps acting as a judge" (v. 9, NKJV). Once he saw that he had been wrong, he tried to save others, though he was unsuccessful with his sons-in-law (vv. 12-14). And in the end, whatever else may be said of him, Lot heeded the instructions of the angels to flee, and thus saved himself from the destruction of Sodom (vv. 15-22).
Some Applications
III. Let us look at some applications for us today that we can make from the account of Lot. We must exercise our senses so that we are able to recognize the danger of sin and to learn right from wrong (Heb. 5:14) Like Lot, we live in a sinful environment and must also torment our souls that we do not allow our consciences to become seared (1 Tim. 4:2). This can occur by becoming so familiar with evil that we grow calloused to it. The great English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) wrote in his "Essay on Man,"
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
May we, who are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world and be God's peculiar people, never allow this to happen to us.
We should never enter into any evil relationships, especially those that would make it appear that we are condoning that which is wicked, and most certainly those that would pull us into participating in sinful activities. "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. . . . Come out from among them and be separate" (2 Cor. 6:14-17). Yes, we must live and work with the people of this world, else we could never have an influence for good upon them. But let us be careful as to who is influencing whom. "Evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Cor. 15:33). We need to watch the kind of friends and associates we have. You cannot throw one good apple into a barrel of rotten ones and expect the good one to make the others better. Remember that "friendship with the world is enmity with God" (Jas. 4:4).
It is most important that we not allow our family to be influenced for evil. Parents have a spiritual as well as a material responsibility for their children. "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). Lot put his family in a situation that contributed to their downfall. You would not allow your child to play in the middle of a busy street because of the evident danger to his physical well-being. Yet, many parents will let their children choose friends, go places, and do things that are clearly detrimental to their spiritual health without much effort to warn or guide them. Lot did save himself, but lost his family.
We have an obligation to warn and try to save others however bad the situation may appear. Lot was not able to convince his sons-in-law to escape, but at least he made the attempt. In our day, it is true, there do not seem to be too many people who are willing to hear and respond to the gospel. But how many people are we contacting in an effort to save their souls? In Ezekiel 3:17-21 the watchman was told that when the enemy attacked and he gave no warning to the people, their blood would be on his head. However, when he gave the warning, even if the people refused to act and were destroyed, he would have delivered his own soul. Will there be any blood on our heads in the day of judgment? Remember, Lot tried.
Finally, whatever else may happen, it is necessary for us to heed and obey God's word. Lot made some bad decisions along the way, but when the angels told him to get out of the city, he got out. He saved himself. In Acts 2:40 Peter told the Jews on Pentecost to save themselves from that perverse generation. How could they do this? By obeying the instructions given back in v. 38. Then in Philippians 2:12, Paul wrote to the Philippian saints and said, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." This was possible because they had "always obeyed," not only in Paul's presence but also in his absence. The only way that we can have eternal salvation is by obeying him who himself obeyed God's plan to bring about that salvation (Heb. 5:8-9).
Conclusion
Surely we can all see that Lot made some serious mistakes in his life and suffered the consequences. In these areas, his example serves to warn us not to make the same mistakes in our lives as well. Yet, Lot also exhibited some characteristics by which he was able to make the best of a bad situation and eventually overcome his mistakes, at least in saving himself. In these, we need to emulate his example and develop these same characteristics so that we might live as God would have us to live in this present evil world and ultimately overcome. Lot lived as we do, facing many of the same choices and decisions that we must make. May we consider the account of his life and learn from his example. (---taken from Guardian of Truth; April 7, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 7; pp. 198-199)
Gleanings From Genesis:
THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM
(Genesis 15:1-6)
by Wayne S. Walker
One of the greatest heroes of all the Bible is Abraham. While he made his share of mistakes, the general trend of his life was that of faithfulness to God and, as a result, he is referred to as the friend of God. In this article, we shall notice a statement made about Abraham in Genesis 15:1-6. This particular event follows a number of things that might have given Abraham occasion to be apprehensive. He had been called to leave the comfort of his homeland to sojourn in a strange country. Because of a famine, he had to dwell for a short time in Egypt where he incurred the wrath of Pharaoh. There was strife between his servants and those of his nephew Lot, so they decided to separate. Afterwards, Lot and his family were taken captive in a battle and it was necessary for Abraham to gather an army, overcome the captors, and rescue Lot.
Verse 1 tells us, "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."' God went on to promise Abraham that he would have a child and that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars of heaven. Then it is said of Abraham, "And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness" (v. 6). Abraham believed in the Lord. He was a man of faith. In fact, we often refer to him as the father of the faithful. Based upon this account, let us examine the faith of Abraham.
What Is Faith?
I. What is faith? "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11: 1). This is not so much a definition of what faith is so much as it is a description of what faith does. The term translated "faith" is defined in Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon as, "Conviction of the truth of anything, belief . . . in the N.T. of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and conjoined with it. . . . When it relates to God, [faith] is the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ. . . . In reference to Christ, it denotes a strong and welcome conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God." The verb form is "used especially of the faith by which a man embraces Jesus, i.e. a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah - the divinely appointed author of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God, conjoined with obedience to Christ."
The best way to identify what faith is would be to examine its manifestations in the life of Abraham. God had told Abraham, "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you." Abraham believed God so strongly that he "departed as the LORD had spoken to him" (Gen. 12:1-4). The Lord said to Abraham, ". . . Every male child among you shall be circumcised." Abraham's faith was firm enough that he ". . . took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him" (Gen. 17:9-26). When Jehovah commanded Abraham, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Abraham did exactly as he was ordered so that God could say, "For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me" (Gen. 22:1-2). That was faith!
Notice what the New Testament says about Abraham and his faith. Abraham was justified by faith (Rom. 4:1-3, 1922). The basic meaning of "justify" is "to render righteous or such as he ought to be" (Thayer's Greek-English). But was Abraham justified by faith only? No, he was also justified by works (Jas. 2:20-24). But is this not a contradiction? How could this possibly be so? "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going" (Heb. 11:8). Abraham was justified by faith when he obeyed God's word and did the work that God commanded him to do.
How Do We Express Faith?
II. This brings us to our second point, which is, how do we express our faith? Remember that Abraham obeyed. We must also obey the will of God. "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:8-9). Just as it was necessary for Jesus to obey the plan of God so that we might be saved, it is also necessary for us to obey the plan of God so that we might be saved. The only people who are said to receive eternal salvation are those who obey Christ. What about those who do not obey? ". . When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:7-8; emphasis mine, WSW). Obedience is the only way to salvation by faith.
Once we have obeyed and become God's children, we continue to express our faith by faithfulness in service. "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord" (Matt. 25:21; emphasis mine, WSW). It is interesting to note that the word rendered "faith" can also be translated "faithfulness," depending upon the context (Gal. 5:22, cf. KJV and ASV). Jesus told the struggling church at Smyrna, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).
Another means by which we must express our faith in God is by purity of life. We are not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewal of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2). J.B. Phillips explains the command not to be conformed as, "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold" (The New Testament in Modern English). To be transformed means to be changed, hence, to be different. How is this accomplished? "For the grace of God t hat brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Tit. 2:11-14). Let us keep ourselves "unspotted from the world" (Jas. 1:27).
What Are the Results of Faith?
III. Our last point is, what are the results of our faith? Just as Abraham was justified by faith, we too can be justified by faith. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). To be justified by faith is equivalent to being saved by faith. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8). We are not saved by grace only, but by grace through faith. Grace is descriptive of all that God has done for us to make salvation possible. Faith is descriptive of all that man must do in response to God's grace to receive the salvation offered. And as we have seen in the example of Abraham, this kind of faith definitely includes obedience.
Another result of faith is that it provides for us a source of guidance in this life. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7). Does this refer simply to a blind leap in the dark? No. What is the source of our faith? "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Thus, the source of guidance provided by faith is God's word. David said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path" (Psa. 119:105). Therefore, to walk by faith means to walk in the truth of the Scriptures (3 Jn. 4). This is how the children of faithful Abraham are to live (Gal. 3:6-9).
A final result of faith is eternal salvation. The apostle Peter describes this salvation as "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you," and then goes on to tell his readers that because of what Jesus had done for them and because of their own faith in him they will be "receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls" (1 Pet. 1:39). The world "end" in that passage carries with it the idea of "the final issue or result of a state or process" (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). The blessed promise of Jesus himself is found in John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes [has faith, WSW] in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Abraham could look forward to this hope by faith (Heb. 11:13-16).
Conclusion
As we close this article, consider the following question. Do you have faith in God like Abraham did? "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). If you do have faith, what kind of faith is it? Is it a dead, passive faith? Or is it a living, active, obedient faith? "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6). Examine your life and remember the warning of Hebrews 10:38. "Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draw back, My soul has no pleasure in him." (---taken from Guardian of Truth; May 19, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 10; pp. 304-305)
Gleanings From Genesis:
REBEKAH -- A WORTHY WOMAN
(Genesis 24:15-67)
by Wayne S. Walker
Most Bible students know the story of the birth of Isaac. God had promised it and it occurred miraculously when Abraham was about 100 and Sarah 90. After many years, Sarah died, Abraham became old, and Isaac needed a wife. Since Abraham did not want Isaac to marry into the heathen tribes round about them, he sent his servant back to his family in Haran to find his son a mate. The girl he found was named Rebekah, and this is basically where we pick up the story in Genesis 24:15-67. This chapter gives us some information about Rebekah, a worthy woman.
I. She was hospitable.
We find in verses 15-25 that Rebekah not only drew water for Abraham's servant and his camels but also invited this stranger to lodge with her family and share their straw for the animals and their food. All Christians should be hospitable. "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling" (1 Pet. 4:9). Our English word "hospitable" literally means to be a host, to serve guests, to be generous and friendly in entertaining others. The Greek term from which it is translated may be defined as love to strangers. "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (Heb. 13:2).
Early Christians showed hospitality to each other by opening their homes to one another for meals so that, "breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart" (Acts 2:46). While all Christians are to show hospitality, the woman is to guide the house (1 Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:5). Therefore, she is the one who is responsible for the cooking, cleaning, etc. (Please note that I did not say that she had to do it all herself, but that it is within her domain to see that it is done.) Hence, hospitality is her, speciality (1 Tim. 5:9-10). No elder, preacher, or any other male Christian, can truly be "given to hospitality" whose wife is not hospitable. II.
She was obedient.
We see in verses 50-58 that, in a day when marriages were not arranged by the parties involved but by their families, Rebekah willingly bowed to the wishes of her brother and father that she go with Abraham's servant to be Isaac's wife. The Bible teaches that children are to obey their parents. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise" (Eph. 6:1-2). In a similar way, the wife is to obey her husband, being in submission or subjection to him as her head (Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Pet. 3:1-6).
Furthermore, we must demonstrate this same kind of attitude in our relationship with God. Spiritual obedience is necessary for salvation. "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Rom. 6:17-18). We are made free from sin only after we have obeyed the form of doctrine mentioned here. This obedience involves faith in Christ, repentance, confession of Jesus as Lord, and baptism in his name. What will happen to those who do not obey? "Those who do not know God, and . . . those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power" (2 Thess. 1:8-9).
III. She had a good family relationship.
We note that in verses 59-60, before she left, her family blessed her and said, "Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them." This shows the close-knit bond that existed in this household. Rebekah's family was concerned about her and her welfare in the same way that the Shulamite's brothers cared for their sister and her reputation (Song of Solomon 8:8-10). In order for this kind of situation to exist in a family, there is a need for proper parental teaching so that the children will love and respect their parents as they grow up. "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and the admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4).
One of the ideal pictures of family life we have in the Scriptures is found in Proverbs 31:10-31. Here is a woman who takes care of her family by seeing that they have the necessary food and clothing. She is also an example to them of strength, honor, wisdom, and kindness. As a result, her husband trusts in her, is enabled to go about his business in the land without fear of what is happening back home, and praises her saying, "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." Also, her children rise up and call her blessed. To many, this may be an anachronistic description in our day of working mothers, easy divorce, and single-parent homes. But it is the home as God intended it and God's people will seek to develop just such a home.
IV. She was modest.
We read in verses 61-65 that Rebekah apparently did not wear the customary veil of that day while traveling, but when the party neared Abraham's home and she was told that Isaac was walking in the field to meet them, she jumped off the camel, took a veil, and covered herself. The custom of a woman having to wear a veil in public is not necessary in order for her to be modest in our society today. But the Bible still teaches the need for modesty. After Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis 3, God was not satisfied with the "aprons" or loin-cloths of fig leaves that they made for themselves, but made them cloaks or coats of skins as an indication to all their descendants to dress modestly. From this, we learn that the need to dress in modest apparel is applicable to the man as well as the woman.
However, the importance of modest dress is emphasized for the woman and the passages that relate to the subject are directed to her. "In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works" (1 Tim. 2:8-9). Why is this so? One possible reason is the nature of man and woman as God created them and the obvious difference between the two. Men are far more attracted to what they see of the physical display of women than vice versa. This is why men are warned, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt. 5:28). Many claim that what one wears outwardly is not important. But a godly woman will continue to dress modestly despite what the world says.
V. She was a good wife for Isaac.
Finally, in verses 66-67, we learn that when Rebekah became Isaac's wife he loved her and as a result he was comforted after his mother's death. God's original intent in ordaining the marriage relationship was to provide the man with a helper meet, or suitable, for him as it was not good for the man to be alone. Of course, this also placed a reciprocal responsibility upon the man to "leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife" (Gen.2:18-24). Only when both the husband and the wife commit themselves totally to each other can the two become one flesh. Today's view of marriage as a "business partnership" where each party maintains his or her own separate identity is not the biblical view. The biblical view is that of a complete union of two selves into one unit.
Over and over the Bible extols the virtue of marriage. "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD" (Prov. 18:22). It is true that behind every great man you will find a great woman, and most often it is his loving wife. "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4). Marriage is the only lawful relationship in which the deepest physical and emotional needs of men and women can be fulfilled. It is also the only proper relationship in which the husband and wife can find their highest joy, and in which their children can be raised to be what they ought to be. Truly, marriage is honorable in all. Rebekah provided comfort for Isaac at a time in his life when he needed it the most. And every good woman will bring to the marriage relationship those things which will enable her to help her husband be the kind of man that God wants him to be.
Conclusion
The lessons of the Bible are taught in the lives of not only great men but also of great women. And these holy women of old can be examples to both women and men today. Yes, Rebekah, like every other human being, made her share of mistakes. As her husband showed favoritism to their elder son Esau, she showed favoritism to the younger Jacob. This caused friction in their family. But ladies who wish to please God can learn what kind of attitude the Lord expects of them by studying the good characteristics that Rebekah displayed. And her life, as well as those of many other good women of both the Old and New Testaments, reveals principles that all of us need to emulate. (---taken from Guardian of Truth; June 2, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 11; pp. 326-327)
Gleanings From Genesis
JOSEPH AND TEMPTATION
(Genesis 39:1-23)
Wayne S. Walker
One of the unconscious phrases that tells so much about the condition of our society is the response that one receives from many when talking about a young couple a few years after their marriage. "Oh, are they still together?" The prevalence of divorce is one of our great national tragedies. However, this problem is not limited to those "in the world." We hear with increasing frequency of those in the church, even gospel preachers, becoming involved in a divorce situation. The immorality so rampant in the world usually finds it way among members of the church. Why is this so? The answer is temptation. The apostle Paul said that the Old Testament was written for our learning. In this article let us look at an example of one who met and overcame temptation.
Turn to Genesis 39:1-23 so that we may study about Joseph and temptation. Most of us, I am sure, are familiar with the story of Joseph. He was the eleventh of twelve sons in the family of Jacob. Because he was the older son of Jacob's beloved Rachel, his father showed him favoritism which provoked jealousy on the part of his older brothers. Eventually, Joseph's brothers sold him to a band of Ishmaelites or Midianites, who in turn took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard. Though but a slave, he proved so trustworthy that his master made him the overseer of his house. But Potiphar's wife cast lustful eyes on Joseph and presented him with temptation. There are three characters in this story who need to be considered.
Potiphar's Wife
I. Potiphar's wife was a temptress. We have other examples of seductive women in the Bible. Tamar tempted her father-in-law Judah to commit fornication (Gen. 39). Delilah apparently seduced Samson to enter into an illicit relationship with her which ultimately resulted in his downfall (Judg. 16). Bathsheba lured David to engage in adultery (2 Sam. 11). Of course, David's actions constituted sin, but one of the unanswered questions of God's word is, what was Bathsheba doing bathing herself in a place that was in full view of the king's rooftop where he very likely was often to be found? Nothing said here is intended to diminish the sinfulness of the behavior of any of the men mentioned but, as one of my history teachers said, it takes two to tango!
To me, Potiphar's wife is an excellent example of the kind of woman that Solomon described and warned against in Proverbs 7:10-14 (and with seven-hundred wives and three-hundred concubines, Solomon ought to know): "And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every comer. So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: 'I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows."' I hate to sound "down on women" too much, but I fear that there are far too many ladies in the church today who, unconsciously I hope, are leaving the impression with men that they are "easy" or like harlots by the way they dress, act, and speak. The feminism and freedom for women that characterizes today's society has had far too great an impact on those who are to be godly women. For example, I am appalled just at what some young women wear to church services, let alone what they probably wear in other places.
The New Testament ad dresses this subject. Certainly, men are to guard their hearts that they do not look at a woman to lust after her and thus commit adultery with her in their heart (Matt. 5:28). But women should help the men in this area by adorning themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation (1 Tim. 2:9). Godly women will not seek to make themselves attractive to others solely on the basis of their outward appearance, whether it be by gaudy dress or by skimpy attire, but rather on the basis of "the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God" (1 Pet. 3:34). While it is unfortunate, it is also true that young men may desire a certain kind of girl to date but another kind of girl to marry. Young ladies who are Christians will strive to be the kind of girl that they want to marry.
Joseph
II. Joseph was the one faced with the temptation. We, too, are faced with all sorts of temptation today. We need to understand the nature of temptation and the consequences of yielding to it. "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (Jas. 1:14-15). Temptation is made possible because of the lusts within us. That is why John tells us not to love the world with its lust of the flesh, Just of the eyes, and pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15-17). And the end result of giving in to temptation is death - not just physical death, although that is sometimes the case, but spiritual, eternal death (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 21:8).
Like many do today, Joseph could have offered excuses to justify his going ahead with Potiphar's wife. He might have reasoned, "I'm young and have a right to sow a few wild oats." In fact, Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery at the tender age of seventeen. But he understood the principle stated by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12: "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example of the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." He might have thought, "I'm far away from home and no one else will ever know." Unfortunately, other people usually do learn of our sins. "And be sure your sin will find you out" (Num. 32:23). And even if no one else on earth will ever know, God will know (Psa. 139:7-12). Or he might have said, "It's my own life and I'll do with it whatever I want to." But that is not true, especially for the child of God. "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
Rather than throwing in the towel, Joseph overcame this temptation by saying, "No!", by exercising self-control. Whenever we are faced with a temptation like Joseph, whether it be to commit fornication, drink alcoholic beverages, abuse drugs, watch pornographic movies, read filthy literature, tell dirty jokes, lie, cheat, steal, disobey the laws of the land, or whatever, may we have the courage of our convictions that characterized Joseph to stand by the principles of righteousness that we know to be true from God's word. "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore . . . I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:25-27).
God
III. The third character in this story that needs our consideration is God. Joseph recognized that to lie with Potiphar's wife would in fact be a sin against God. Yes, it would be a great wickedness against Potiphar's wife, against Potiphar himself, against Joseph's own body, and against Joseph's family who brought him up to do better, as well. But all sin is primarily against God. When David sinned with Bathsheba he acknowledged in his prayer to the Lord, "Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight" (Psa. 51:4). Whenever we think about doing something that is a sin, we need to consider that it will be a violation of the very will of God himself (1 Jn. 3:4). That might help us stop and think twice before doing it.
Yes, God knows when we sin. And God hates the sin that we commit. But God also wants to help us overcome sin. Jehovah is not some mean, nasty taskmaster who is just waiting for us to sin so that he can gleefully mark it down in his little black book and then look forward with joy to casting us into hell because of it forever and ever. He has promised us assistance. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13). However, it is up to us to find that way of escape that we might take advantage of the Lord's aid. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).
How does God provide this help, this way of escape? One way is through his word that he has revealed to us. David wrote, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You" (Psa. 119:11). In this written word we have an account of the life of Jesus who left "us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in His mouth" (1 Pet. 2:21-22). Jesus was tempted in all points like we are, so he understands what we have to endure; yet, he did so without sin (Heb. 4:15). When Jesus faced those temptations, he resisted Satan by relying upon God's word. "It is written. . . . It is written again. . . . For it is written" (Matt. 4:1-11). If we develop this same dependence upon the Scriptures and use them as Jesus did, we can "resist the devil and he will flee from" us (Jas. 4:7).
Conclusion
I cannot think of a finer example, apart from our Lord, of how to meet and overcome temptation than Joseph, unless it be Daniel and his three friends. I would hope that, as we seek to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, their main heroes will not be war generals, television actors, movie stars, or rock singers, but the great men and women of faith found in God's word. These stories are recorded to thrill our hearts, raise our hopes, and strengthen our resolve to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. May we turn to them often for comfort and encouragement in our struggles against temptation and sin. And may they draw us closer to the Lord that we might be more like him who died to save us from our sins. (---taken from Guardian of Truth; June 16, 1988; Vol. XXXII, No. 12; pp. 364-365)
WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO
(Deut. 10.12-13)
by Wayne S. Walker
During the early days of this earth's history, God spoke to all mankind in some way through the heads of families. However, as He began to carry out His scheme for the redemption of mankind, He chose the descendants of Abraham, the nation of Israel, as His own peculiar people through whom the Messiah would come to bring salvation. God sent the Israelites down into Egypt during the days of Joseph in order to preserve them from famine, but when a |
