http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2019;%20Psalms%2046,%2080,%20135&version=NIV
I’ve decided that I’m done. I am done believing in God serving him in the way that I have been. Why? Because I’ve been serving him in a way that made him way too small and way too powerless. I’ve been believing and serving in a way that said, I know God is able, I just don’t know that he will.” I’ve been believing and serving him in a way that said “I know God has power, but I am not sure how to access it or whether it is for me. “ I’ve been trying to believ and serve a God that is way to small and through a power that was too much mine and not enough him. So I’m done.
For this time forward I will serve a God who is ABLE. I will serve a God who can go way beyond beyond what we can ask or imagine. I will serve a God who can do more than I ask or imagine in my life and more importantly, accomplish more for him through my foolish self than I can even begin to fathom. I will serve a God who spoke it and it was done. I will heed the words in Psalm 46:10:
"Be still and know that I am God."
My text notes tell me that here the Hebrew means “Enough!” – or “Stop!” and know. And I feel like that is what God is speaking to me as he works out my faith – Enough, Carol. Be still and know – believe – that I am the God that my words says that I am. What am I supposed to know about God. The rest of the verse tells me:
"I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth."
In the margins of my bible I have this written next to verse 10: 'God moves in a way that bring him glory'. My text notes tell me that God’s mighty acts in behalf of his people will bring him universal recognition. That’s what it means when the Word says that “The zeal of the Lord Almight will accomplish this.” (2 Kings 19:31; Isaiah 37:32; Isaiah 9:7). And that’s what I – and you are supposed to know. That God does might acts on behalf of his people. He is passionately commited to his children. Did you hear that? He is PASSIONATELY commited to you and does mighty works on your behalf! This is what I’ve decided that I want to know that I know that I know. God is passionate about me, he is commited to not only working on my behalf, but doing MIGHTY WORKS THAT BRING HIM GLORY!
Hezekiah understood this when laid out Sennacherib’s threats to God’s people before God in 2 Kings 19. He goes in faith that God will work on behalf of his covenant people – God’s reputation is at stake and Hezekiah believes that God is passionately commited to him people - therefore he is certain that God will hear and that God will move. His faith is evident in his words as he declares God to be enthroned over all kingdoms and remembers him as creator. His faith is evident as he boldly asks God to see and hear and act. His faith is so evident when he says, “Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” (2 Kings 19:19). Indeed, Hezekiah understood God’s zealous, passionate commitment to do mighty acts on behalf of his people. He believed it, was still, and knew God – and that was all he needed. I want a faith like that.
I have a friend that I received a letter from today. She lived on the farm down the road from ours in Nebraska when I was growing up and taught my sisters in the little church school there. Today, she serves as a missionary in Banda Aceh, Indonesia (proof that God can and will use anyone from anywhere when we willingly answer his call). The greatest privilege of my life has been knowing her journey, being a part of it, and watching God take ashes (like most people, she is one refined by fire) and turn them into this amazing, most beautiful faith. She truly is a planting for the display of God’s glory. Her faith reminds me of Hezekiah’s. Her faith knows that God is passionate for and will do mighty acts on behalf of his people. In fact, I’m not sure anyone could have stated it more clearly. And so I’ll end with her words and a prayer that you and I would have a faith like this:
Greetings from Banda Aceh, Indonesia, in the powerful Name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, the One and only Way, the One and only Truth and the One
and only Life! It is with great joy that I report to you that I am back and that the
Lord is sustaining me in the midst of trying times here. Persecution has broken out
in the province against new national believers, so we are expecting great things
from our all-powerful God who can and does work all things for the good of those
who believe in His Name!
May we live a life, friends, that expects great things from our all-powerful God.
If you’d care to share, I would love to hear of a time when God did mighty works on your behalf.
Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Isaiah 44-48
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2044-48&version=ESV
Isaiah 46:9-1o "remember the former things of old;for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,'"
In chapters 44 and 45, we read of the great prophecy of Cyrus.
Isaiah wrote this prophecy probably around 700 B.C. and Cyrus came to be king of Babylon around 550 B.C.
In this prophecy, the Lord names Cyrus by name. He says that Cyrus will be the shepherd of His people. That He will accomplish His will by using Cyrus.
As I discussed yesterday, liberal scholars and theologians scoff at predictive prophecy in the Bible. So, they come up with theories to explain away the prophecy. One theory is that a later author came along and then went back and wrote Cyrus in Isaiah after the events had transpired. The author who comes in and fills in the details after they have come to pass is known as a redactor.
I don't want to take that track in my post today. But I want to focus on how sovereign God is. God uses people that we would not think of to accomplish His purposes.
Cyrus was not a believer. He was a pagan from Babylon and worshipped their Gods. Yet, God used this pagan to accomplish His will.
Often times in church, we see some one who is appointed to do something, and our fleshly nature comes out.
We say, "He is not qualified, he has not been a member of the church long enough, she is not pretty enough, or they are not articulate enough."
But our response instead should be to support these individuals for the Lord may have willed them to do these tasks. They may fail. However, we must realize that the Lord is sovereign. He will accomplish His purposes with us or without us. I would rather be involved with Him in fulfilling His purposes!!!!
The prophecy of Cyrus, outside of the prophecies of Christ, is probably one of the most important prophecies in the Bible. The prophecy shows how God is over history and how He works through history. How He did this in such minute detail, is really a testimony to God that He is God. As many of you have heard the old saying, "History is His story."
Read this prophecy, and reflect on how God is sovereign. How He has been sovereign in History and how He has been sovereign in your own life.
If you would like, share with us how you have experienced God's sovereignty in your life. We would be blessed to hear how God has and is working through you.
Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
Isaiah 46:9-1o "remember the former things of old;for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,'"
In chapters 44 and 45, we read of the great prophecy of Cyrus.
Isaiah wrote this prophecy probably around 700 B.C. and Cyrus came to be king of Babylon around 550 B.C.
In this prophecy, the Lord names Cyrus by name. He says that Cyrus will be the shepherd of His people. That He will accomplish His will by using Cyrus.
As I discussed yesterday, liberal scholars and theologians scoff at predictive prophecy in the Bible. So, they come up with theories to explain away the prophecy. One theory is that a later author came along and then went back and wrote Cyrus in Isaiah after the events had transpired. The author who comes in and fills in the details after they have come to pass is known as a redactor.
I don't want to take that track in my post today. But I want to focus on how sovereign God is. God uses people that we would not think of to accomplish His purposes.
Cyrus was not a believer. He was a pagan from Babylon and worshipped their Gods. Yet, God used this pagan to accomplish His will.
Often times in church, we see some one who is appointed to do something, and our fleshly nature comes out.
We say, "He is not qualified, he has not been a member of the church long enough, she is not pretty enough, or they are not articulate enough."
But our response instead should be to support these individuals for the Lord may have willed them to do these tasks. They may fail. However, we must realize that the Lord is sovereign. He will accomplish His purposes with us or without us. I would rather be involved with Him in fulfilling His purposes!!!!
The prophecy of Cyrus, outside of the prophecies of Christ, is probably one of the most important prophecies in the Bible. The prophecy shows how God is over history and how He works through history. How He did this in such minute detail, is really a testimony to God that He is God. As many of you have heard the old saying, "History is His story."
Read this prophecy, and reflect on how God is sovereign. How He has been sovereign in History and how He has been sovereign in your own life.
If you would like, share with us how you have experienced God's sovereignty in your life. We would be blessed to hear how God has and is working through you.
Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Isaiah 40-43
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2040-43&version=ESV
In today's reading we begin the last section of Isaiah, chapters 40 to 66. The tenor and tone of these chapters are different from Isaiah chapters 1-39.
Chapters 40 to 66 deal with the coming Messiah and have a much more prophetic inclination to them. While chapters 1 to 39 deal more with judgement on the nations, and historical accounts of Israel, there is some prophecy in them - particularly in chapters 7, 9 and 11.
I write this because many liberal scholars say that because the two sections of Isaiah are so different in their mind that they must be written by two authors. They call this second author of Isaiah 40-66 Deutero-Isaiah (which stands for Second Isaiah).
Another reason why scholars say chapters 40 to 66 were not written by Isaiah is because of the prophecies that have been fulfilled. Notably the prophecy of Cyrus in chapters 44 and 45 of Isaiah and probably one of, if not the greatest prophecy that was fulfilled by Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53. They deny the supernatural and acknowledging the fulfillment of these prophecies would really call into question their denial of the supernatural.
This is another attempt at trying to discredit the Bible, its authority and authenticity. No where in the Bible do the writers ever talk of there being two Isaiahs.
In fact, the Lord Jesus in the Gospel according to John has this to say,
"Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
(John 12:37-41)
In these verses from the book of John, Jesus quotes Isaiah twice. The first quotation is from Isaiah chapter 53 and the second quotation is from Isaiah chapter 6.
So, Jesus did not look at there being two authors of Isaiah. If He knew that there were two authors and He did not refer to the other author, then He would have been deceiving us and He would have sinned.
But He did not sin. Jesus held a very high view of Scripture. In John 17:17, Jesus says,
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."
So, when you hear scholars or programs on the history channel that talk about the supposed contradictions, or different authors of the books, do some digging on your own. Research the issues, and look to conservative evangelical scholars and resources to supplement your study of the Scriptures. If you have any questions about certain issues, feel free to email me at rshellhamer@yahoo.com . I would be glad to help or assist you or point you to some good Christian resources to help you in your studies.
I wish I could write more about the opening of Isaiah chapter 40 - which John the Baptist quotes in Mark chapter 1. Or the great ending of chapter 40, talking about waiting on the Lord. Or about chapter 42, the first of the 4 chapters on the suffering servant in Isaiah (the others being in chapters 49, 50 and 52 to 53 - which refer to Jesus).
Or the great verse that tells everyone on earth what their purpose in life is. Isaiah 43:7,
"everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."
Read these chapters. Enjoy them. The book of Isaiah only gets better and better.
But what I wanted to convey to y'all today is that the Word of the Lord can be trusted. It can be relied upon. It is truth.
As the Prophet Isaiah wrote:
"The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever."
(Isaiah 40:8)
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
In today's reading we begin the last section of Isaiah, chapters 40 to 66. The tenor and tone of these chapters are different from Isaiah chapters 1-39.
Chapters 40 to 66 deal with the coming Messiah and have a much more prophetic inclination to them. While chapters 1 to 39 deal more with judgement on the nations, and historical accounts of Israel, there is some prophecy in them - particularly in chapters 7, 9 and 11.
I write this because many liberal scholars say that because the two sections of Isaiah are so different in their mind that they must be written by two authors. They call this second author of Isaiah 40-66 Deutero-Isaiah (which stands for Second Isaiah).
Another reason why scholars say chapters 40 to 66 were not written by Isaiah is because of the prophecies that have been fulfilled. Notably the prophecy of Cyrus in chapters 44 and 45 of Isaiah and probably one of, if not the greatest prophecy that was fulfilled by Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53. They deny the supernatural and acknowledging the fulfillment of these prophecies would really call into question their denial of the supernatural.
This is another attempt at trying to discredit the Bible, its authority and authenticity. No where in the Bible do the writers ever talk of there being two Isaiahs.
In fact, the Lord Jesus in the Gospel according to John has this to say,
"Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them."
(John 12:37-41)
In these verses from the book of John, Jesus quotes Isaiah twice. The first quotation is from Isaiah chapter 53 and the second quotation is from Isaiah chapter 6.
So, Jesus did not look at there being two authors of Isaiah. If He knew that there were two authors and He did not refer to the other author, then He would have been deceiving us and He would have sinned.
But He did not sin. Jesus held a very high view of Scripture. In John 17:17, Jesus says,
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."
So, when you hear scholars or programs on the history channel that talk about the supposed contradictions, or different authors of the books, do some digging on your own. Research the issues, and look to conservative evangelical scholars and resources to supplement your study of the Scriptures. If you have any questions about certain issues, feel free to email me at rshellhamer@yahoo.com . I would be glad to help or assist you or point you to some good Christian resources to help you in your studies.
I wish I could write more about the opening of Isaiah chapter 40 - which John the Baptist quotes in Mark chapter 1. Or the great ending of chapter 40, talking about waiting on the Lord. Or about chapter 42, the first of the 4 chapters on the suffering servant in Isaiah (the others being in chapters 49, 50 and 52 to 53 - which refer to Jesus).
Or the great verse that tells everyone on earth what their purpose in life is. Isaiah 43:7,
"everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."
Read these chapters. Enjoy them. The book of Isaiah only gets better and better.
But what I wanted to convey to y'all today is that the Word of the Lord can be trusted. It can be relied upon. It is truth.
As the Prophet Isaiah wrote:
"The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever."
(Isaiah 40:8)
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Isaiah 37-39, psalm 76
Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2037-39,%20psalm%2076&version=NIV
Of course King Hezekiah is not perfect, but in chapter 37, he does show a wonderful example of how to handle a crisis. When he heard that the great army of Assyria was at his doorstep, he responded with urgency, repentance, humility, and selflessness.
Hezekiah’s response is immediate. “As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD. “ (Isaiah 37:1). As soon as he heard the words of the Rabshakeh, he turned to God. He did not consult his advisors, he didn’t go out to meet the army, he didn’t survey his options; he immediately turned to God.
When faced with crisis, verse 1 also says that Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. In biblical times, sackcloth indicated repentance. Hezekiah put pride aside and donned a visual symbol of repentance, humility and dependence upon God on behalf of Judah.
In verse 3, Hezekiah admitted that Judah has no power to deliver itself a victory. He attributes any glory to God and recognizes his own weakness and the weakness of the people of Judah.
In verse 4, Hezekiah acknowledges what matters most – not that his kingdom survive, but that God’s glory is realized. The name of the Lord is being mocked by the Rabshakeh and Hezekiah prays for vindication. He prays that God intervene and rescue Judah that they may be proof of his glory and his power.
The Lord responds to Hezekiah’s prayer and draws the army away, but Hezekiah is left with the threat that they will return. Hezekiah’s response in verses 14-20 follows the same pattern of urgency, repentance, humility and selflessness.
In the end of chapter 37, we see that God does keep his promise and the angel of the Lord strikes down the Assyrian army. Judah is safe for now.
We will all come face to face with crisis in our lifetimes – more than once. How will you respond? Hezekiah’s response in chapter 37 gives us such a wonderful lesson on how to respond with urgency, repentance, humility and selflessness. This response was evidence of Hezekiah’s authentic faith. Pray that God will prepare your heart for crisis so that you may respond as Hezekiah did in chapter 37. Take some time to acknowledge his power and his glory and his perfect plan. Ask Him to build in you a faith that allows you to be proof of his glory and his power.
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Of course King Hezekiah is not perfect, but in chapter 37, he does show a wonderful example of how to handle a crisis. When he heard that the great army of Assyria was at his doorstep, he responded with urgency, repentance, humility, and selflessness.
Hezekiah’s response is immediate. “As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD. “ (Isaiah 37:1). As soon as he heard the words of the Rabshakeh, he turned to God. He did not consult his advisors, he didn’t go out to meet the army, he didn’t survey his options; he immediately turned to God.
When faced with crisis, verse 1 also says that Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. In biblical times, sackcloth indicated repentance. Hezekiah put pride aside and donned a visual symbol of repentance, humility and dependence upon God on behalf of Judah.
In verse 3, Hezekiah admitted that Judah has no power to deliver itself a victory. He attributes any glory to God and recognizes his own weakness and the weakness of the people of Judah.
In verse 4, Hezekiah acknowledges what matters most – not that his kingdom survive, but that God’s glory is realized. The name of the Lord is being mocked by the Rabshakeh and Hezekiah prays for vindication. He prays that God intervene and rescue Judah that they may be proof of his glory and his power.
The Lord responds to Hezekiah’s prayer and draws the army away, but Hezekiah is left with the threat that they will return. Hezekiah’s response in verses 14-20 follows the same pattern of urgency, repentance, humility and selflessness.
In the end of chapter 37, we see that God does keep his promise and the angel of the Lord strikes down the Assyrian army. Judah is safe for now.
We will all come face to face with crisis in our lifetimes – more than once. How will you respond? Hezekiah’s response in chapter 37 gives us such a wonderful lesson on how to respond with urgency, repentance, humility and selflessness. This response was evidence of Hezekiah’s authentic faith. Pray that God will prepare your heart for crisis so that you may respond as Hezekiah did in chapter 37. Take some time to acknowledge his power and his glory and his perfect plan. Ask Him to build in you a faith that allows you to be proof of his glory and his power.
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Isaiah 31-16
I apologize to our faithful readers...we are a little behind in our posting. Please follow the link to read the passages for Monday and Tuesday. Carry on my friends! We have a God who wants a relationship with us and your perseverence in His Word will only strengthen that bond. Wednesday's passage is coming soon!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%2031-36&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%2031-36&version=NIV
Sunday, July 25, 2010
To Rest or to Flee
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2028-30&version=NIV
Today we look at one of my favorite passages in God's word - Isaiah 15:18-20. I think it's one of my favorite because I see it's truth in my life all of the time. It has both the power to settle my heart and make me rest, and the power to convict me in a way that sometimes pierces me. Let's look at how it begins:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength".
So many times God uses that verse to gently call to me - to remind me that he is fighting my battles and has everything well in hand. He reminds me that I don't have to work so hard sometimes I tend to try to work out my own salvation - the tendency for my flesh wanting to prove that I am good. The results are I end up spiritually exhausted. God says to me, "Carol, be still, just repent and rest" and with a sigh I lean into his arms and let him carry me.
Other times, probably more often if I am being truthful, he uses the verse to convict me. Too often I'm trying to play God in my circumstances. Instead of living out the beginning of verse fifteen, I choose the second part which reads, "but you would have none of it". I proceed live in the craziness of trying to fight my own battles, trying to fight against God's plan and timing, trying to be wise unto myself instead of searching for God's wisdom. That to is exhausting and generally ends with me looking foolish before God - if not others.
Oh yes, there are a thousand ways that I reject God's rest and strength and try to do life through my own. I'm doing it less often these days though, because I've experienced the rest, the quietness, the trust, and rather like the way it feels. These days I'm asking God to remind me of the truth in vs. 18:
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are those who wait for him."
If I accept that, allow it to settle in my heart, and live like I believe it, the repentance, rest, quietness and trust arrive much more quickly and stay a lot longer. I spend less time fleeing or chasing my own tail - and that equals a lot more time to love, serve, and worship. But better than that, it equals God's plan and his glory being played out in my life. From the small glimpses I've had of his plan and glory, I desperately want to learn to wait for it because it is so good and so beautiful - it is perfection in a way I can't design myself.
I pray that you and I both choose daily take a deep breathe, repent, rest, be quiet and trust on our gracious and compassionate Lord. For truly, there is immense blessing for those who wait for him, both in the waiting and when he accomplished that on which we are waiting. Rest in Him - it's a very, very good thing - even better than a Sunday afternoon nap! Be blessed!
Today we look at one of my favorite passages in God's word - Isaiah 15:18-20. I think it's one of my favorite because I see it's truth in my life all of the time. It has both the power to settle my heart and make me rest, and the power to convict me in a way that sometimes pierces me. Let's look at how it begins:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength".
So many times God uses that verse to gently call to me - to remind me that he is fighting my battles and has everything well in hand. He reminds me that I don't have to work so hard sometimes I tend to try to work out my own salvation - the tendency for my flesh wanting to prove that I am good. The results are I end up spiritually exhausted. God says to me, "Carol, be still, just repent and rest" and with a sigh I lean into his arms and let him carry me.
Other times, probably more often if I am being truthful, he uses the verse to convict me. Too often I'm trying to play God in my circumstances. Instead of living out the beginning of verse fifteen, I choose the second part which reads, "but you would have none of it". I proceed live in the craziness of trying to fight my own battles, trying to fight against God's plan and timing, trying to be wise unto myself instead of searching for God's wisdom. That to is exhausting and generally ends with me looking foolish before God - if not others.
Oh yes, there are a thousand ways that I reject God's rest and strength and try to do life through my own. I'm doing it less often these days though, because I've experienced the rest, the quietness, the trust, and rather like the way it feels. These days I'm asking God to remind me of the truth in vs. 18:
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are those who wait for him."
If I accept that, allow it to settle in my heart, and live like I believe it, the repentance, rest, quietness and trust arrive much more quickly and stay a lot longer. I spend less time fleeing or chasing my own tail - and that equals a lot more time to love, serve, and worship. But better than that, it equals God's plan and his glory being played out in my life. From the small glimpses I've had of his plan and glory, I desperately want to learn to wait for it because it is so good and so beautiful - it is perfection in a way I can't design myself.
I pray that you and I both choose daily take a deep breathe, repent, rest, be quiet and trust on our gracious and compassionate Lord. For truly, there is immense blessing for those who wait for him, both in the waiting and when he accomplished that on which we are waiting. Rest in Him - it's a very, very good thing - even better than a Sunday afternoon nap! Be blessed!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Direction the Wind Blows
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea%208-14&version=NIV
“I will have no compassion, even though he thrives among his brothers. An east wind from the Lord will come, blowing in from the desert; his spring will fail and his well dry up. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures.” - Hosea 13:15
You might be wondering why I chose to center on this verse today. Does it matter from which direction the wind blows? As I was studying and deciding what to write about, I read the text notes in my archeological study bible. The note for verse 15 explained that “In a literal sense, wind from the east came to Palestine over the desert, making it a hot, dry wind that brings sand and dust. An east wind brought the plague of locusts on Egypt (Exodus 10:13) and dried up the sea so the Israelites could cross over dry land (Exodus 14:21). Many references mention the destructive results of the east wind; thin and withered heads of grain (Gen. 41:6), broken ships (Eze. 27:26), withered plants (Eze. 17:10), dried fountains (Hosea 13:15) and Jonah’s fainting spell (Jonah 4:8). The east wind was used as a means of judgment by God and here is a figure for Assyria, an instrument of destruction.”
So for the northern kingdom, it did matter from which direction the wind blew. In his message of judgment and warning spoke through Hosea, God very purposefully described the wind to be an ‘east’ wind because he knew that the people would understand the destruction brought by this wind. God made his message of judgment very clear to him.
But why does this detail matter to us? First, I think that it is important to point out why studying the word of God is so important. By studying I mean not just reading or memorizing or answering questions in a bible study, but digging down deep. Studying God’s word means finding out about the context in which his word was spoken so we understand exactly what he was saying. God’s word is his revelation of himself to us. If we want a more complete picture of God, we MUST have a more complete picture of his word. We must be diligent to not just read but to study and to dig and to search for understanding. This is foundational to our faith, because by doing this, we get a greater picture of God, his attributes, and his character. It’s like getting to know the person you will marry (since we are in a covenant love relationship with God). You don’t want to just know what they look like on the outside, but your heart desires to know each deep intimate detail about their hearts and minds as well.
What does the east wind reveal to us about God? It reveals his character and the way he communicates to us. The message here is that God is not a God who keeps himself hidden. He doesn’t want us to play a guessing game about who he is or what he’s saying. He lovingly reveals himself to those who seek diligently after him. What we also learn that when he has something he wants us to know, he isn’t vague, but is very clear. He didn’t just warn the people that it would get a little windy, but he used the east wind to describe his judgment because he knew the message would be very clearly understood.
So rest, my friends, in knowing that God WILL reveal to you what he wants you to know. He will reveal it very clearly. Your job is quite simple – seek him diligently and believe him – take him at his word. He will do the rest.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.” – Jeremiah 29:13-14
“I will have no compassion, even though he thrives among his brothers. An east wind from the Lord will come, blowing in from the desert; his spring will fail and his well dry up. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures.” - Hosea 13:15
You might be wondering why I chose to center on this verse today. Does it matter from which direction the wind blows? As I was studying and deciding what to write about, I read the text notes in my archeological study bible. The note for verse 15 explained that “In a literal sense, wind from the east came to Palestine over the desert, making it a hot, dry wind that brings sand and dust. An east wind brought the plague of locusts on Egypt (Exodus 10:13) and dried up the sea so the Israelites could cross over dry land (Exodus 14:21). Many references mention the destructive results of the east wind; thin and withered heads of grain (Gen. 41:6), broken ships (Eze. 27:26), withered plants (Eze. 17:10), dried fountains (Hosea 13:15) and Jonah’s fainting spell (Jonah 4:8). The east wind was used as a means of judgment by God and here is a figure for Assyria, an instrument of destruction.”
So for the northern kingdom, it did matter from which direction the wind blew. In his message of judgment and warning spoke through Hosea, God very purposefully described the wind to be an ‘east’ wind because he knew that the people would understand the destruction brought by this wind. God made his message of judgment very clear to him.
But why does this detail matter to us? First, I think that it is important to point out why studying the word of God is so important. By studying I mean not just reading or memorizing or answering questions in a bible study, but digging down deep. Studying God’s word means finding out about the context in which his word was spoken so we understand exactly what he was saying. God’s word is his revelation of himself to us. If we want a more complete picture of God, we MUST have a more complete picture of his word. We must be diligent to not just read but to study and to dig and to search for understanding. This is foundational to our faith, because by doing this, we get a greater picture of God, his attributes, and his character. It’s like getting to know the person you will marry (since we are in a covenant love relationship with God). You don’t want to just know what they look like on the outside, but your heart desires to know each deep intimate detail about their hearts and minds as well.
What does the east wind reveal to us about God? It reveals his character and the way he communicates to us. The message here is that God is not a God who keeps himself hidden. He doesn’t want us to play a guessing game about who he is or what he’s saying. He lovingly reveals himself to those who seek diligently after him. What we also learn that when he has something he wants us to know, he isn’t vague, but is very clear. He didn’t just warn the people that it would get a little windy, but he used the east wind to describe his judgment because he knew the message would be very clearly understood.
So rest, my friends, in knowing that God WILL reveal to you what he wants you to know. He will reveal it very clearly. Your job is quite simple – seek him diligently and believe him – take him at his word. He will do the rest.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.” – Jeremiah 29:13-14
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