_ Time to claim your possession (part 2 of 2)
JOSHUA 1:1-11
Last week we focused on the purpose, major theme, who is Joshua and how the Lord gave him instruction but this week we will concentrate on the three things that leads to claiming your possession. Whatever it is that you need to possess, you can get it but only from the Lord Jesus Christ.
What are you claiming from the Lord Jesus Christ? Just see yourself holding it in the future and going towards it, and then holding it in your hands. Claiming one’s possession is simply, easy and reachable. But it can only become possible only if you stay focus and in the will and purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I will repeat what I said last week, that, even before you go after your possession, you must understand that there is something to possess or something there for you to fulfill. But how can you possess what is rightful yours? You can possess what’s yours by simply going after it in prayer and fasting, having a plan and or allowing the Lord Jesus Christ to give you direction on where you can find that possession or how to use that gift and or calling that you already have. Once more, what possession do you want to claim from the Lord? In this week lesson as we focus on the three things that directed Joshua to claim the possession for himself and the children of Israel I pray that you will also be able to claim your possession.
These are the three things that will help you to claim your possession; first God made a promise to Joshua, second God’s bestows blessings through obedience and last Joshua acting on God’s promises. Looking at the text we will find that God made a promise to Joshua.
1. God made a promise to Joshua (v. 3-5)
God informed Joshua that the land was going to be given to the children of Israel and also to him. Notice God said that the land was going to be given to the children of Israel first in verse 2 and then HE specified that it was going to be given to Joshua. In verse 2 it says ‘which I do give to them’ specifying a congregated unit.
And in verse 3 here HE said unto Joshua ‘the sole of your foot’, I have given unto you” Here God used the past tense, so God was reminding Joshua that the land was given unto him already, because it was a promise for Moses but it was for the children of Israel to go and get it. This promise was given to Abraham first in Genesis 15:18 and then to Moses in Deuteronomy 11:24. In verse 4 God showed Joshua what he and the children of Israel was going to receive. They were going to get everything from,
- The wilderness of Lebanon (which was promises to Abraham in Genesis 15:18)
- The great river which was the river Eu-phra-te
- The land of the Hittites- mentioned in Deu. 7:1
- The great sea (which is the Mediterrnean sea)
The Lord also assured Joshua in verses 5b “as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee”, the Lord was telling Joshua that he was there to counsel and advise, guide and direct, protect and defend, prosper and guarantee his success. This was one of God’s greatest promises to Moses, “I will be with you” in Exodus 3:12And he said, certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. The second thing is;
2. God’s bestows blessings through obedience (v. 6-9)
The Lord continues to give confidence to his chosen servant to act upon the gifts and talents which he has given Joshua, those abilities which have been sharpened through the years in leadership and obedience: “Be strong and of a good courage”. The Lord was encouraging Joshua because HE knew that he was going to face some hard times. These words were used four times in verses 6, 7 & 9 and the people used this word toward Joshua in verse 18. Even David encouraged Solomon with these words in 1-Chronicles 22:13, 28:20. In Joshua receiving the land he had to divide the land amount the children of Israel.
God assured Joshua again that he will give the inheritance or land to the children of Israel. And God said that he “sware unto their fathers to give them”. The Hebrew word ‘SWARE’ there is ‘shaba’ and means: Charge by an oath. Feed to the full. To be complete. As if by repeating a declaration seven times and made a covenant
God swore to give them the land. The word ‘give’is ‘naw-khal' and means, Take as a possession. Inherit. Apportion the inheritance. Allotted, Distribute for, distribute and take as a heritage. At this time, God now wanted Joshua to be obedient to him. The law was already given to Moses and these laws the children of Israel had to follow. If they followed these laws then they were going to prosper everywhere they go in verse 7. The word ‘PROSPER’ there means, much more than just financial success, it includes spiritual well being.
Notice that God repeated the same thing in verse 8. In verse 7 he said that Joshua should observe to do according to all the law, but in verse 8 he said after Joshua observes to follow the laws, this will make his ways prosperous and he will have good success. The law that God was talking about was which He gave Moses is mentioned in Exodus 20 ‘the thou shall not laws’. Therefore, in Joshua following these laws God was going to give not only Joshua but also the children of Israel success. The Hebrew word SUCCESS there is ‘saw-kal’ and means, to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, have insight, Act wise and showing intelligence.
Notice that the process and victory of the children of Israel was dependent on Moses. So God now continue to encourage Joshua in verse 9 to not be afraid (aw-rats- that is cause to tremble, oppress, or fear) also neither dismay(khaw-thath- be broken, be scared, terrify, to shatter, confound, beaten down).
God know that Joshua was going to experience the time when he was going to be afraid and dismayed so, He encouraged him before this time or period come. Remember Moses, who walk the walk already knew the responsibility that Joshua was going to face so he encouraged him way before in Deuteronomy 31:6-8.
As the Lord encouraged Joshua, He informed him that he was going to be with him everywhere he goes. The Lord spoke in the first person to Joshua in verse 8, “Have not I commanded thee” and in “For the Lord thy God is with thee”. With thee, this shows assurance that God was with Joshua everywhere he walked, departed, come or all manner of life. Here we find that God was repeating what he told Joshua in verse 2, to go over Jordan with the people into the land of Canaan, and to observe the Law of Moses in all things, and to be of good courage, which is again repeated. Remember God had also mentioned in verse 5 that “no man would have been able to stand before Joshua all the days of his life”. The last thing that happen is that;
3. Joshua acting on God’s promises (v. 10-11)
Having received encouragement from God, Joshua now ‘commanded officers’ to the people and these officers now had to go through the whole camp of Israel, and the camp consisted of six hundred thousand fighting men. These officers were appointed similar to the way Pharaoh appointed officers in Exodus 5:14-15.
These officers had to instruct the people (that include men, women and children) to prepare victuals. And victualsare provision, meat or food of other sorts of food besides bread; for they had manna, the bread of heaven, which fell about their tents every morning, so that they were sufficiently provided with that always, and which did not cease until they had entered the land, even until the sixteenth of Nisan, Joshua 5:12. They had to prepare this for three days; three is the number of COMPLETION OR DIVINE PERFECTION. These were the same three days that the spies hid in the hills outside of Jericho that is mentioned in 2:16 & 22. So the moment they made the move to go over Jordan, they began to conquer what was theirs.
Now understand that the food was to be prepared for them to go over Jordan. This was the command that God gave Joshua in verse 2 to go over Jordan. The officers told them what Joshua said, that they were going over to Jordan to possess the land that God giveth to them. The Hebrew word possess is ‘yaw-rash’ and means, to seize, take possession off, Inherit, be an heir, given us as an inheritance and drive them out completely. The children of Israel wanted what was promised to them by God; therefore, they followed instruction and went to possess the land that God had provided for them.
Now is the time to claim your possession, if God had made a promise to you, and you were obedient to God and acted on God’s promises, without a doubt God will release HIS possession in your life. Now, go and claim it.
_ Time to claim your possession (part 1 of 2) JOSHUA 1:1-11It’s right for a child of God to take possession of what God has for them. Most parents that have wealth will leave the inherent for their child and or children. This inherent could be financial wealth or any tangible material or even it could be a spiritual legacy for the child and or children such as the inheritance of a church. For some it may be going after the calling that God has given you and you have decided to put it aside to pursue other things. But whatever it is you must go after it, NOW.
Whatever it is, there will be a time when that inheritance has to be claimed in order for you to become the rightful owner of it. If that material is not claim then you will not be able to possess it. If your gift is not used, then God will raise up someone else and used that person gift in front of your face, while you are still trying to figure out or work out some things in your life.
Understand that, even before you go after your possession, you must understand that there is something to possess or something that for you to fulfill. But how can you possess what is rightful yours? You can possess what’s yours by simply going after it in prayer and fasting, having a plan and or allowing the Lord Jesus Christ to give you direction on where you can find that possession or how to use that gift and or calling that you have.
To obtain your possession you must be committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, follow his instruction and allow him to guide you all the way through. Remember, the earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein, Psalms 24:1. And since the earth is the Lord’s he will certainly grant you that which belongs to you, but you have to make sure that you position yourself in the right place at the right time.
In this week’s lesson we will look carefully at how Joshua followed the instruction of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to possess what had belong to him and children of Israel. This week we will focus on the purpose, major theme, who is Joshua and how the Lord gave him instruction to move from where he was after the death of Moses in order to possess the land that he had promise the children of Israel.
The Book of Joshua does not explicitly name its author. More than likely Joshua the son of Nun wrote it sometime between 1400 and 1370 B.C. Obviously, the book of Joshua continues the story of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. Most importantly the book of Joshua records the consummation of the redemption Israel out of Egypt; for redemption has two parts: "out," and "into" (Dt 6:23). The book chronicles approximately 20 years of Joshua’s leadership of the people after Moses anointed him at the end of Deuteronomy. And this book continues the story of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt.
We find that the Israelites, after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, finally entered the rest God had promised for them in the land of Canaan. The writer of Hebrews uses this incident as a warning to us not to let unbelief keep us from entering into God’s rest in Christ according to Hebrews 3:7-12. With this we find the purpose, the major themes and message of Joshua is as follow.
The purpose is summarized in Joshua 21:43-45 and how God kept his covenant promise to give the land to Israel, the land that he had showed to Abraham. For this the children of Israel spent forty years of the wilderness wandering has been mentioned in chapter 21.
The major theme is that God hath promise Abraham a land, thought it was not to belong to his family for some four centuries in Genesis 15:13-21. Israel did not come out of Egypt by its own power, so the land was not taken by Israel’s military might or by Joshua’s strategies.
The message is that God keeps his promises, no matter how impossible they may seem. And God’s covenant with Abraham is something that he took very seriously and intended to fulfill.
Since Joshua wrote the book of Joshua let’s examine who Joshua was: His name is ‘Yehoshua’ and means, "the LORD is salvation,” Joshua was born as a slave in Egypt, about 40 years before the Exodus. He was the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20 & 27). Originally named Hoshea (Numbers 13:8), meaning salvation, Moses renamed him Joshua, meaning The Lord is Salvation (Numbers 13:16). He was Moses' successor. He was permitted to accompany him part of the way up Mount Sinai when Moses received The Ten Commandments from God. During his absence, Aaron and the people ran wild in Exodus 32:15-21 & 24:13-14. Joshua is considered one of the Bible's greatest military leaders for leading the seven-year conquest of the Promised Land. The first time we see Joshua is in Exodus 17:13 which tells us that Joshua "overwhelmed Amalek and his people." Joshua was one of the twelve men sent by Moses to spy the land (Numbers 13:16-17 and 14:7-10) but only Joshua and Caleb gave an encouraging report. Before Moses' death the leadership of Israel was formally transferred to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:23). The people were encamped at Shittim when he assumed the command. (Joshua 1:1, 2:1). The primary lesson to draw from Joshua’s life is that God is faithful to His promises. God promised Abraham that his descendants would dwell in the land, and under Joshua, God brought the people into the land that He had promised to give to them. Considering everything about Joshua we can conclude that he had confidence in God according to numbers 14:6-10.
Understanding the Text
We find that the book of Joshua begins where Deuteronomy ends, after the death of Moses. Notice that the book opens up with ‘Now’, this word shows a connection of something that has happen before, which was the death of Moses in Deuteronomy 34:5. And Moses is mentioned as a servant of the Lord, and he was representing the law. And Moses death was repeated in Joshua 1:1 to inform the readers of the “Now”.
So it was after the death of Moses that God had to select another servant/leader. And Moses wasn’t able to take the children of Israel to the promise land because Moses had rebelled against the Lord in the sight of a rebellious people. The congregation of God’s people had complained to Moses about the lack of water according to (Num. 20:3-4). And for this reason Moses rebelled against God in Numbers 20:8-11. So it was because of Moses disobedience God now had to raise up someone else.
And as the book opens up, God showed Joshua how to prepare in order to take the land in verses 1-2. And the first thing we see is that the, “LORD spake unto Joshua” in verses one. As the LORD spake to Joshua he gave him instruction of how to conquer the land.
The first thing the Lord told Joshua, was to ‘arise’ the Hebrew there is ‘koom’ and means, Stand up, Make a move, Go ahead and confirm, Take this stand. The Lord told Moses to arise because at this time Moses was probably mourning for the loss of his mentor. But God had wanted a quick move to take place for the children of Israel. The Lord told Moses to arise and go over Jordan, for I do give to them a land. It was the land of Canaan God had first promised to Abraham hundreds of years before in Genesis 12:7, 12:14-17, and God had promised to bring Abraham’s descendants back to their own land n Genesis 15:16.
Since God had made that promise he had to keep it. So in this, after the death of Moses, Joshua had to carry out this promise. Joshua was set apart to lead the people in the way of the Lord, and he was filled with the Spirit of God according to Numbers 27:18-20. The children of Israel were going to have all the land on the east, west, north and south. But first they had to cross over, Jordan in order to get there. And Jordan means Descend or flow down.
Next week’s lesson we will conclude with the three stages that Joshua had to follow in order for him to claim the possession that God had for him and the children of Israel. For the rest of this week I encourage you to think of a promise that God had promised you and go towards with. It’s time to take possess of it, Now. What is it that God promised you?
_ The four seasons of God Leviticus 26:1-13
There are four seasons a year, which is a result from the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and because of this, it causes the change of weather, ecology and hours of the day. Yet it is the Lord Jesus Christ who created the Heaven, the earth and the four seasons; for all things were made by him and for him, according to Colossians 1:16 and John 1:3.
Since everything was made by Jesus Christ, this is an indication that HE allows all things to happen and change according to HIS desire. Since Jesus can do whatever he desire, HE allows four weather seasons which are, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, and each seasons has its own purposes. There are also four spiritual seasons of God for HIS saints. These four seasons of God are set for those who positioned themselves in the righteousness of God and keep his commandments. Once we remain righteous before the Lord we can expect to see the four seasons of God in our lives. To understand the four seasons of God we will look at the book of Leviticus chapter 26:1-13. But before we look at the four seasons of God, let’s understand the text.
The name of the book Leviticus is derived from the name of the tribe of Levi, and the Levi are the tribe that supplied the priests for Israel. It was written by Moses after he received revelation from God to speak to God’s people. The purpose of the book of Leviticus summarized in the command on how to “consecrate oneself and be holy, because God is holy” in Leviticus 11:45-46. The major theme of Leviticus is holiness. God's demand for holiness in His people is based on His own holy nature. Holiness must be maintained before God, and holiness can only be attained through a proper atonement, in Leviticus 26:1-13.
Understanding the text
We will find that has chapter 26 begun that the Lord instructed Moses what the children of Israel must do in verse 1-3. Then in verse 4-12 Moses showed them what God will do. This chapter is a solemn conclusion of the main body of the Levitical law. Now this chapter contains a general enforcement of all those laws by promises of reward in case of obedience on the one hand, and threatening of punishment for disobedience on the other hand.
We find in the text that God made promises to all who walk in his status. The Hebrew word Walk is ‘haw-lak’ and means,accompany, act, to go, behave self, be conversant. And the word Statues there is shaw-mar’ and means, preserve, beware, being careful or guard. The children of Israel had to keep the Lord’s commandments. The Hebrew word COMMANDMENTS is ‘mits-vaw’ and means,Obligation, Terms, Law, Precept and Tradition. Therefore, as the children walk and keep God’s statues and commandments, then God was going to release several promises and these promises are the four seasons of God. The first season is;
1. The season of INCREASE (verse 4-5)
The former and latter rain, in the two seasons of the year in which rain usually fell, and when the land of Israel, which required rain, not being watered for years God had to first grant increase. Notice God said Former and latter rains, which are normally in March through March. The text says, ‘I will give you in due season.” Hebrew word ‘Give’ is ‘naw-than’ and means, Put, Added, Allow, Appointed, Assigned, Certainly give, Dedicated, Ascribe, Assign and Bestow.
Not only will God give increase to the children of Israel but he will give it to them in “due season”, which means in the appointed time. The former and latter rain accords in March-May. And it is during this time that God was going to release the blessing to Israel and to us. God will release his increase in THREE AREAS;
A. Abundant supply of food, including rain. ‘The rain’, Rain season is January-
March. The second area was;
B. The grain harvest was finished by early to mid-June. ‘The land’, Grain
harvest is in the month of February. And the third area was;
C. The grape harvest which begins two months later. ‘The trees’, Grape harvest
is in May. The second season of God is,
2. A season of PEACE (verse 6-8)
During this season God is going to grant us peace. Our enemies will fall before us by the sword. The Hebrew wordPEACE in verse 6 is ‘shaw-lome’ and means, Completeness, Soundness, Welfare, Favorable, Ease, Good health, Perfect, Happy and Prosper. Here is where no animals or human adversaries would be successful against Israel or us. And any enemy that would try to attack Israel would be sword by one hundred to one. There will be such great peace for us. Even when you are in a situation that seems burdensome it will not bring you down or have you fall into distress.
Let’s pay attention to verse 8 clearly, as it speaks of a Divine blessing. These remarkable promises clearly have a supernatural element. Because the principle behind that particular blessing is remarkable, look at the ratio of five to one hundred (so that’s one person to twenty) and the ratio of one hundred to ten thousand means, (one person to one hundred). This can be done because; Gideon's 300 defeated 135,000 Midianites, in Joshua 7:7 or the entire chapter also Jonathan and his armor bearer alone defeated a Philistine army in 1-Samuel 13 & 14. God will fight the battle for us every when there seems to be more against us, God will release strong peace and protection. The third season of God is;
3. A season of God RELEASE (verse 9-10)
During this season of release Israel would be eating their old harvest and the new one is coming in. For us during this season God will give us abundant blessings and increase in all things. God will bring forth the old because of the new. So all the old things that was lost or taken away, will come back and added to the new things we have.
At the same time God will have respect for his people and will do two things: Made them or us fruitful the Hebrew word fruitful is ‘paw-raw’ and means, (To bear fruit. Bring forth. Cause to be). Second, God will Multiply us, the Hebrew word multiply there is ‘raw-baw’, and means (To grow, be great, make much or many, to increase). Third, the Lord will, Establish HIS covenant, the Hebrew word establish is ‘ber-eeth’ and means (Confederate, Divine constitution given to Israel with promises on condition of obedience and penalties for disobedience.Promises to multiply their seed, give them the land of Canaan, and make them a blessing to the nations).
The children of Israel received this release because they had positioned themselves at the right place and they had allowed God to do HIS work after they followed HIS obedience. We too can receive this release once we positioned ourselves in righteousness, commitment to God and follow HIS commandments. Once this is done God will certainly grant us his abundant release. The four and last season of God is;
4. A season of God’s GLORY (verse 11-13)
A season of God’s glory is required in everyone’s live. Once we experience the glory of god once we will always have a desire to feel his glory. The glory of God was a promise to the children of Israel which they have received and it’s a promise that John wrote about in John 1:14 the Word was made flesh, and Made His Tabernacle among us.
We will find that a season of God’s glory is also the presence, manifestation, and indwelling of God in human nature. The text says, ‘I will set my tabernacle’ and ‘I will walk among you’. I will WALKthe Hebrew there is ‘haw-lak’ and means, Come, Go, Accompany, Proceeded and Live.
To the end God saved the promise for last and said that Israel would enjoy a special relationship with HIM. When Israel walked after the Lord, these blessings were real; one example of this is when the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon and saw a nation so blessed, she knew it had to be of God (1 Kings 10:1-13). God now promised Israel through his covenant that His presence will be in the midst of Israel and HE would set his tabernacle among them and walk among them and or us. After walking with us HE will be our God and we will be his people.
In every church and or ministry we know when God is with us, or when HIS glory is manifested among us, because the people are revived, there will be healing, and joy. But most importantly there will be God's INCREASE, PEACE, RELEASE AND HIS GLORY. Understand that God wants us to experience all the four seasons, but in order for us to have an experience we must keep HIS commandments and HIS status. Do you want to experience these four seasons or which seasons of God do you want to experience? Seek HIM earnestly and wait for him to release it in your life. Not only is my desire for you to experience one of these four season in your life, but for you experience all four of Gods season, His season of Increase, Peace, Release and His Glory.
_ GET READY AN OPEN DOOR (part 2of 2)
Acts 16:16-26
Last week’s lesson we had focused on the purpose of the book of Acts, the theme, who was Paul and Silas and then we got a little into the text, but this week we will conclude this lesson on focusing on Paul and Silas experience and how we can get ready for the open door.
Once more, opportunity produces open doors. As you accept an opportunity that is of God, you will find that it will lead you to major breakthrough and you will be able to produce unceasing fruits.
God has an open door for each and every one of us (THE SAVED), but it’s our responsibility to position ourselves to receive that open door through, prayer, praise and fasting. This week I encourage you, that as you seek God’s face expect open doors in your finances, health and business or whatever your needs are, don’t quick until God release it to you.
Understand that before there come open doors, there will be some trying and testing times which will push you closer to God in prayer and fasting, and that is what attracts God’s attention and allow HIM to open up major opportunities. We will now look at the life of Paul and Silas and see how their experiences pushed them to, sing praises, and prayed unto the Lord.
Paul and Silas experience
Paul and Silas teaching wasn’t related to the Roman customs or laws. So because of this they were told that they ‘trouble the city’ and were taken to the magistrates in verse 22. It was before the magistrate that Paul and Silas clothes were taken off. Note that before prisoners were beaten with rods, their garments were literally torn off so that their flesh would be exposed for the flogging. In Jewish legal system, there were a maximum number of blows that could be delivered when beating a person, but the Romans had no such limit. This is something Paul had experienced on three times separate occasions in 2-Corinthians 11:23-25.
It was after they were beaten that they were cast into prison in verse 23. Notice they were cast into prison. Castthe Greek there is ‘ballo’ and means, To Throw, Rush, Put, Drop, Toss and to let down. It was after they were cast into prison that the soldiers had to guard them safely. Because the soldiers had to keep them safe they thrust them into the inner prison in verse 24. They trust them and ‘made their feet fast in the stocks’. Stocks is (anything made of wood, the trunk of a tree). They were thrust into the inner prison that is the lowest or furthest part of the prison; so that there were the more doors, bolts, and bars, to break open, and pass through, should they attempt to make their escape:
Getting Ready For the Open Door
Paul and Silas having nowhere to go began to pray and sang praises to God at midnight and midnight is (the middle of the period between sunset and sunrises). So it is the middle of your situation you have to sing songs of praise and pray. They prayedand the Greek word there is ‘pros-yoo'-khom-ahee’ and means, To exchange wishes. To interact with the Lord by switching human wishes/ideas for HIS wishes as He imparts faith (divine persuasion), Supplicate and Worship.
Paul and Silas prayed for themselves, for their deliverance in God's time and way, and for support under their present afflictions, to enable them to be patient and cheerful. While Paul and Silas prayed and sang songs of praise, the bible said that the prisoners heard them or they were listening. The word translated listening is ‘ep-ak-ro-ah-om-ahee’ and means, To listen with pleasure, To listen attentively, Hearken to and listen intently to.
They probably sang one of David's psalms, or hymns: for the book of Psalms is a book of hymns. That’s why our light must always shine as is mentioned in Philippians 2:14-15 14Do all things without murmurings and disputing: 15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
It was after Paul and Silas prayed and sang praise that there was an earthquake. The earthquake was the Lord showing visible signs in providing for his servants, that they might more manifestly know that their prayers were heard.
Not only was there an earthquake but the foundation was shaken. Foundation, ‘them-el’-ee-os’ (something put down or belonging to the foundation) of the prison were shaken it’s not the roof and walls only but the foundation. Prison, the Greek there is ‘des-mo-tay-ree-on’ and means, Imprisoned, A place of bondage and a dungeon.
In ancient prison each doors were secured with a bar so there was no way out, but the earthquake came and shock the bars off and loose the bonds off of Paul and Silas. An earthquake there could have represented a symbol of God’s presence as is mentioned in Matthew 28:2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.” We also see that the shaken could be God’s presence in Acts 4:31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
And immediately (instantly, straightway, presently or at the time itself), all doors were opened and every one bonds were loosed, it was both of the outer and inner prison door. It said All doors were opened and and the Greek workthere is ‘pas’ (all) and means, Every, Every kind of, All the things, All the kind, Making up the whole and viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.
The doors were opened because of Paul and Silas praying and singing psalms. The Greek word Door there is ‘thura’ and means, Opportunity, Entrance, Gates and the opening or the closure. The disciples had this experience before, Acts 5:20 and Acts 12:7-10. Their bonds were loosed, the Greek there is ‘an-ee’-ay-mee’ which means, To send up, Produce, Send back, Desist from, Release and Give up.
Even if things don’t seem possible and it seems life there is no way out, God will open up that door which will bring your breakthrough or the opportunity and that opportunity will bring other opportunity and more open doors. God will open doors of every kind which includes, finances, health, ministry and business and today I pray that God will open all the doors that you desire for HIM to open. Don’t get weary in well doing for in due season you shall certainly reap your harvest. Continue to pursue, for there will be open doors in your life.
GET READY FOR AN OPEN DOOR (part 1of 2) Acts 16:16-26Every one desire some sort of opportunity, either an opportunity for a business and /or a business deal, or a work or ministry opportunity. And waiting for any opportunity can be the most difficult thing to do since it calls for patience. Nonetheless, opportunity always comes with patience but mostly there have to be some trying times and or even dry times while waiting for that opportunity. But it doesn’t matter how long you’re waiting for that opportunity God will grant it in due season.
Understand that opportunities leads you to open doors, because opportunity allows you to get into the place that God has assigned for you to be in and this will give you access to all open doors. Some of us may experience our open door right in the midst of our trials or it may come when we least expected. Whichever way we may gain opportunity, we have to be sensitive enough to know that it’s the will of God before we accept it, because not all opportunity or open doors means it’s of God.
Once more, opportunity produces open doors. As you accept an opportunity that is of God, you will find that it will lead you to major breakthrough and you will be able to produce unceasing fruits. Through open doors, we will gain financial blessings, good health, unceasing miracles, multiplication in gifts, salvation for love ones and ministry breakthrough. I want to say that in this time and season that you should get ready for some open doors from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Since this lesson deals with open doors, we will look carefully at Acts 16:16-28 and see how God can create open doors in the midst of our trials. Part one of this lesson will focus on the purpose of the book of Acts, the theme, who was Paul and Silas and get a little into the text, but will conclude this lesson next week has we get more in dept of the text.
Looking at the text we find that the book of Acts was written by Luke in 61-64 A.D. to the Acts of the Apostles. And Luke wrote this book while he was in Rome to the Romans. And the book of Acts theme is based on the history of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God or to provide a history of the early church, but most importantly it shows us how our spiritual fathers/sisters were empowered by the Holy Spirit. And it is written with the purpose to tell us about the birth and building of the church, the eyewitness account of the spread of the gospel. Luke also shows us the fulfillment of Jesus’ words, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18.
As we read the book of Acts we will find that it emphasis is on the importance of the day of Pentecost and the Apostles being endowed with power to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ. Acts records the apostles being Christ's witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the rest of the surrounding world. And in less than thirty-five years the gospel had reached cities from Jerusalem to Rome. And the book of Acts opens with the disciples in Jerusalem in the upper room.
And before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations in Luke 24:46-49. Therefore Luke begins Acts with a reiteration of that commission and description of how it would be carried out. And since the book of Acts emphases the works of the apostles we find that the book opens with instructing the disciples with the final commission by the Lord Jesus Christ to wait for the promise of the Holy Ghost which will give them the power to be witnesses in Acts 1:8 and that promise was fulfilled in Acts 2. By receiving this promise we find that the disciples were able to function effectively and with power and authority when they had preached the Gospel. And that is the reason it is called the Acts of the Apostles because it records or emphases the works of the apostles.
The Acts of the Apostles summarize the accomplishments of outstanding men. Note that the Acts of the Apostles records the acts of Peter in chapters 1-12 and of Paul in chapters 13-28. That’s why the record or story mentioned in the book of Acts shows the disciples fulfilling God’s work. Most of the book of Acts deals with the apostle Paul. And Paul’s first missionary journey had been about five years before the events of this chapter here in chapter 16, and Paul was eager to continue up the work of the Lord among these churches founded five years before.
Now bear in mind that prior to Paul’s missionary journey here in chapter 16, Paul had great success on his first missionary journey in Derbe in Acts 14:20-21. And it was on that same trip while they entered Lystra, a crowd had tried to honor Paul and Barnabas as pagan gods on the first missionary journey Acts 14:8-20 and then they stoned him (Acts 14:19)! So it is here in Acts 16 Paul and Silas had faced another incident.
This was their second missionary journey, here in Acts 16 Paul and Silas revisited and strengthened those churches in the faith they had previously founded during their first missionary work. Let us take a look at who Paul and Silas were since they are the ones in the text we are dealing with.
Who was Silas? He was a Roman citizen and a helper of Paul. The name "Silas" is a shortened form of "Silvanus", and the Silvanus whom Paul mentions in his writings to the Corinthians (2 C 1:19) and the Thessalonians (1 Th 1:1; 2 Th 1:1). Silvanus who carried the Apostle Peter's first letter (1 P 5:12) to its scattered recipients. He and Barnabas were chosen to accompany Paul to Antioch and deliver a letter which contained doctrinal instructions for the Gentiles there in Acts 15:22-30. This was Paul’s second missionary journey that he accompanied Paul. Silas who was also a close associate of the apostle Peter, did the actual writing of at least one of Peter's epistles in I-Peter 5:12. And we have no information of his family birth.
Now who was Paul? The apostle Paul was one of the most famous citizens of the Roman Empire and without question one of the most influential individuals in history. Saul was born around the same time as Christ. Now Saul was his Hebrew name and Paul was his Gentile name. The name ‘Saul’ means ‘little’ or ‘same’. And the Jewish law required a boy to start studying the scriptures at five years of age, with him taking on the full obligation of the law at 13. Once a boy reaches thirteen years old they receive their ‘bar-mitzvah’ and the girls receive their ‘bat-mitzvah’ between ages 12-18. So once Paul had reached thirteen years old, he was sent to Jerusalem for religious training He was trained under the highly renowned teacher Gamaliel, another Pharisee who was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council in Jerusalem in Acts 22:3. As a young man, Paul learned the trade of tent-making. Fourteen of the New Testament epistles have been attributed to the apostle Paul. Paul was actually born as Saul according to Acts 13:9. He was born in Tarsus in Cilicia around A.D. 1–5. Paul’s father was a Jew a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, of pure and unmixed Jewish blood according to Acts 23:6 and Phil. 3:5. We learn nothing regarding his mother. He had a sister and nephew in Acts 23:16. He had other relatives (Rom. 16:7, 11-12).
Now let’s get into the text.
In this text, we find that Paul and Silas, departed into the region of Macedonia according to the vision that God gave them to go to Macedonia and preach the gospel in v. 9-10. Immediately Paul, Silas, Timothy (v.1-3), and now also Luke who had joined them at Troas, firmly concluded God had called them to carry the message to Macedonia. However, Paul and Silas had wanted to go into other regions like (Asia v.6 and Bi-thyn-ia v. 7) but God had led them to Macedonia. Macedonia is a region of Greece and is the largest and second most populous Greek region or Europe in Acts 17:6-10.
Even though Paul was commissioned to carry the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Eph. 3:1-12), it was his policy to begin his ministry among the Jews, usually at the local synagogue where the Old Testament was known and revered. When Paul and Silas arrived in Philippi, they expected great things to happen. After all, the Lord had clearly commanded them to go to that city, v. 6-12. His will was further revealed when Lydia and some others came to faith in the Lord, v. 13-15. As soon as the Lord started blessing, however, the devil began his work. But Paul and Silas were in the Lord’s will, doing the Lord’s work and still misfortune occurred in their lives. They found themselves in a place of misery.
When Paul and Silas were in Macedonia they met with the damsel who was possessed with a spirit of divination. The spirit of divination there is known as: A python, which was a divining spirit. Or Pytho was, according to fable, a huge serpent, that had an oracle at Mount Parnassus, famous for predicting future events; Apollo slew this serpent, and hence he was called Pythius, and became celebrated as the fore teller of future events; and all those, who could or pretended to predict future events, were influenced by the spirit of Apollo Pythius. It also could be a mythical serpent that was one of the names of the Grecian god of the fine arts, of music, poetry, medicine, and eloquence.
This particular cult was popular in Greece, especially in Corinth. This woman’s masters gained a lot of money through her and we are taught in the Old Testament that certain things we shouldn’t do. We find in Leviticus 19: 31Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.” Also Deuteronomy 18: 10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
But she grieved Paul by saying these men are servants of the most high God. She was speaking the truth, but Paul was annoyed because the girl was being viewed as the source of truth, when she had a spirit of divination. So they had to cast out the spirit.
Now, Paul and Silas was preaching salvation, which the damsel acknowledged in verse 17 and ‘salivation’ there in Greek is ‘so-tay-ree'-ah’/ ‘sótéria’ and means, Welfare, Prosperity, Deliverance, Preservation, Safety. God's rescue which delivers believers out of destruction and into His safety. Notice that Paul and Silas were preaching the word of God and people were being saved which the young lady with the spirit of deviation came to them.
This leads us to Paul and Silas’ experiences which we will conclude next week. As you read and or study this lesson, I encourage you to focus on the doors that you want God to open for you and the opportunity that you have been seeking him for, and trust Him that HE will. There is an open door that God wants to open for you, but you must remain faithful and prayerful.
_ Pray until It Happen(Part 2 of 2)
Luke 2:36-40
Last week we looked at the purpose of the book of Luke and focused on, who were the Gentiles and who is Anna in this text. But this week we want to conclude this lesson by focusing on four major points that will bring result once we continue to pray fervently. Not only Anna can see these results but we also can, once our prayers are persistent.
The key focus of this lesson is not how we pray but how persistent we are in our prayers. Have you ever prayed for something for more weeks or even months and or possibly for years and knew that you have gotten the answer because of your perseverance and urgency. And you knew within yourself that if you had stop praying that you would not have seen any outcome. This shows us clearly that we must have a prayer life, because by our continual prayers of a certain need it will develop us to become praying people. We should not only pray because we have a need but should always pray because we want to stay in relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. So this week I want to encourage you find a fix time and place where you will go before the Lord for at least thirty minutes and intercede for the need (s) you have and wait for result but most importantly go before the Lord in prayers this week, just to get in the presence of the Lord and tell him how much you love, appreciate and adore him.
With prayer in mind, we want to focus on the four things that we must do in order to see results in our prayers are, we must be persistent, we must thank God for the change before it happens, we will see result and we will see visible manifestation. If these four things are done in our prayer lives, we will see noticeable outcome. The first thing we must do is:
1. Be persistent. Verse 37
Notice what it says at the end of verse 37b “but served God with fasting and prayers night and day.” Now understand that at the time of Anna’s prophesy, prophecy had ceased among the Jews for hundreds of years, about three hundred years and it now revived upon the coming of the Messiah. The Spirit of prophecy now began to revive, which had ceased in Israel. Anna was one who had understanding in the scriptures above other women, and made it her business to instruct the younger women in the things of God. And though instances of female prophetess were rare, yet there were few, both before, and after the coming of Christ Jesus; there were Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron in Exodus 15:20, Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth in Judges 4:4 and Huldah, the wife of Shallum in 2-Kings 22:14, and now Anna, at the time of Christ's birth. But afterwards there were the four daughters of Philip the Evangelist, who were virgins, in Acts 21:9.
As we look at the text we find that Anna was persistent in her needs, in that she served God in fasting and prayers night and day as she served God. The Greek word served is lat-ryoo’ and means: Acceptable service because specifically qualified or equipped also to minister to God and to be a worshipers. In the text we find that Anna served God night and day, continually without interruption in the temple. It’s amazing that it’s at that age that she was able to fast and pray. Now since Anna was an old prophetess and was able to still fast and pray, we certainly can pattern this same method in our prayers and fasting in being persistent. The second thing that we must do is:
2. We must thank God for the change before it happens. Verse 38
In verse 38 we find that Anna “gave thanks”. To give thanks is, to acknowledge fully, confess, and or to make a mutual agreement. It’s amazing that they said out of Galilee ariseth no prophet, when no sooner did prophecy revive it appeared from Galilee. John 7:52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
Not only did the Lord Jesus Christ used Anna has a prophetess; she was the third witness to the birth of Jesus the Messiah. Anna was constant in the temple; she could not miss the opportunity of the birth of Christ. Notice that Anna did not stop thanking God for sending the Messiah, she also spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And Jesus birth brings miracle to the children of Israel; it was Jesus who Anna proclaimed. For it says, “For redemption in Jerusalem”. The word Redemption there is, ‘loo'-tro-sis’ and means:Properly, the payment of the full ransom-price to free a slave – particularly, the redemption of an individual, Liberation, Deliverance and or Release.
Anna spoke of him (Jesus Christ) to all them that believed the Messiah would come, and with him looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Redemption was the thing wanted, waited for, and wished for at that time in Jerusalem. Since it was mentioned before in Isaiah, 2:3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Note that the children of Israel were waiting for redemption, which was the same as waiting for ‘consolation’ as mentioned in verse 25. Consolation is ‘par-ak'-lay-sis’ and means, A calling to one's aid, i.e. encouragement, comfort. Or it means an "intimate call" that someone personally gives to deliver God's verdict and or the close-call" that reveals how the Lord weighs in the relevant facts (evidence). Anna wasn’t the only one that had wanted redemption for the children of Israel it was also Simeon in verse 25 who had wanted consolation and Anna who saw it happen.
Whatever it is that you need from the Lord its time you begin to thank him for it. Your praise and thanks offering does the work most of the time. Even when you don’t see visible outcomes, most of the time you may feel it strong in your spirit or see it in the spiritual realms. So go ahead and praise him for his, the breakthrough is on the way. I feel that!!!!!!!!!! The third thing that will happen is that;
3. We will see result. Verse 39
Luke now writes that Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the law of the Lord. The term law of the Lord is used interchangeably with Law of Moses in Luke 2:22 & 24 and refers to the law of God given through Moses. Luke is careful to show that Joseph and Mary were very obedient Jews, and did everything required of them by the law.
In verse thirty-nine the family, Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth after the child was born. The bible says that “When they had performed all things”. At this time the child was born and it was time for purification. Notice it says preformed all things, the Greek word performed is ‘tel-eh'-o’ and means, Accomplish, Pay, Reaching the end /aim, Finish (qualitatively) the necessary process with the results "rolling-over" to the next level, make an end and or Expire.
When you see result it means that you have reached the end of something, it means that that thing you have been praying for had happened. But when your prayers has been answer it doesn’t mean that you must stop praying, it simply means that your prayer live must become stronger and consistent. Result in prayers should push you to be more forceful, diligent aggressive and consistent in your prayer and fasting life. And Anna saw result in her fasting and prayers. Not only did she see result but she saw visible manifestation as a result of her fasting and prayers. Which was the next and last thing Anna saw, visible manifestation.
4. We will see visible manifestation. Verse 40
Luke 2:40 is more than just a summary of the first twelve years of Jesus’ life but it showed the spiritual process of his age. Let’s acknowledge that Anna prayed and fasted until she was able to see manifested in her own eyes. She was able to see the ‘child grew and waxed strong in spirit’, Jesus passed through infancy and childhood as other children did, yet without sin.
Notice that Anna prayers became visible, yes there was result. Not only can Anna alone see visible result, we also can see visible manifestation for the things we pray for. The scripture said that Jesus grew, the Greek word there is ‘owx-an'-o’ and means; Become greater in size or maturity, to make to grow and or cause to increase.
Note that both verbs are imperfect tense for obvious reasons. He grew as did any other child. Luke said that Jesus grew and became strong in spirit. These are the two phrases with which Luke points us backward to Luke 1:80 referring to John. He now introduces two phrases which point us forward to Luke 2:52 and the account in between. The first phase is that Jesus was filled with wisdom. And the word wisdom is ‘sophia’ and is the root of the English terms, "sophistication" and "philosophy" and means, Skills, Insight and Intelligence. The second phase is that Jesus had favor. And the word favor is ‘charis’ and means, Grace, Kindness and A gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ.
Because Anna saw visible manifestation of the child we can conclude that when something grows, it means that it becomes more visible and God is able to manifest his divine favor and provision for us once we believe and trust him. The child was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Here is where Jesus’ infancy ended because in verse 42 we see that it picks up when Jesus was twelve. It showed that Jesus was unchanging and infinite.
Today as we conclude this lesson, we can certainly learn from the prophetess Anna. If we continue to fast and pray, that change will happen. Once we are persistent, thank God before change happen we will see result and visible manifestation in our fasting and prayers. Therefore, this week I want to encourage you once more to pray until it happens for you. Don’t give up on that thing you have need of, only prayers can fix it. So whatever you are going through, take it NOW to the Lord in prayer and watch and see God fix it. Today I declare that, it’s DONE.
Pray until It Happen (Part-1of 2)
Luke 2:36-40Fasting and Prayers are, and will always be the two most vital tools for Christians. These two tools help us to break, destroy and demolish any strong holds that is coming our way. It also allows us to grow spiritually and closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and gives us the capacity to perform under authority. Fasting & Prayers will carry us to great dept in the Lord and allow us to live sanctify, pure and holy lives. But most importantly it will give us spiritual ears and eyes which will help to develop our spiritual discernment.
Every Christian should allow themselves to fast at least once or twice a week and pray daily. In doing this it will keep you away from temptation also and built you spiritually. If you do not fast and pray, your walk with God will simply be ineffective and powerless.
We should not fast and pray only because we need something from the Lord but because we want him to be the head of our live and we desire to see signs and wonders and long for a change in our lives, community, city, borough, state, country and or nation, and /or to maintain our spiritual life. Anytime fasting and prayers has to be done in order to bring change, it calls for great intercession and persistence. Because when God has to release something big or great to us, the enemy will try to stop it at any cost. Therefore, it will also cost us in our fasting and prayer. The reason why it will cost us, is because there must be deep intercession, persistence, pressing, spiritual warfare, commitment but most of all, letting go of FOOD and finding TIME to pray.
As we look closely at fasting and prayer in this week’s lesson we will see how an OLD WOMAN prayed for change. She prayed until this change came about, not only for herself, but for the nation. Do we want to see change in our lives or the live of an individual around us, or even for this nation, then we have to pray until it happen. Part one of this week’s lesson will focus on Anna the prophetess and who were the Gentiles, but before we look at the life of Anna and the Gentiles, let’s get some history about the text we will focus attention on.
The Gospel of Luke does not identify its author. From Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3, it is clear that the same author wrote both Luke and Acts, addressing both to “most excellent Theophilus,” and Theophilus who was possibly a Roman dignitary. The Gospel of Luke was likely written between A.D. 58 and 65 and was probably penned by Luke making him the only Gentile to pen any books of Scripture.
This book’s purpose is to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ and all HE “began to do and to teach until the day HE was taken up to heaven” (Acts 1:1-2). Luke’s gospel is unique because it’s an “orderly account” (Luke 1:3) consistent with the Luke’s medical mind—often giving details the other accounts omit. Luke’s history of the life of the Great Physician emphasizes His ministry to—and compassion for—Gentiles, Samaritans, women, children, tax collectors, sinners, and others regarded as outcasts in Israel.
Luke begins by telling us about Jesus' parents; the birth of His cousin, John the Baptist; Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born in a manger; and the genealogy of Christ through Mary. Since Luke was a Gentile, his references to the Old Testament are relatively few. And Luke wrote to the Gentiles.
Now who were the Gentiles?
We know that the label Gentile comes from the Latin gens, which is a translation of the Hebrew word goy and the Greek word ethnos and means “nation” or “people. The term “Gentile” includes those nations and people who exist outside the laws and justice of God. Before Jesus went on the cross, all the people on Earth who weren’t Jews were called Gentiles.
Therefore, we can say there were Jews, Gentiles and the Church of God according to 1-Corinthians 10:32, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.” But after Jesus died on the cross, Paul tells us in Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Nonetheless, Gentiles here were non-Israelite people.
Now that we have some history let’s look at the text and understand what it’s saying to us? This Anna wasn’t the wife of Elkanah nor the mother of Samuel whose name was Hannah that is mentioned in 1-Samuel 1:1-2 but was another Hannah. The Anna here lived during the time of Jesus Christ. Anna is not mentioned by the other gospel writers, and serves to bring together several key Lukan themes. First is Luke’s emphasis on women being used by God. Luke refers to the ministry of women in a positive light more than any other New Testament writers. Second, by calling Anna a prophetess, Luke once again reveals that God is at work speaking to and through certain individuals.
Who is Anna?
Note that in this text that we are dealing with Anna and verse 36-37 tells us who she was. Just as with Simeon in verse 25, the account of Anna begins with a description of her characteristics. Her name Anna means, ‘favored’, grace or gracious. The meaning of her name denotes the very quality she possessed, “graciousness”. She was one that had the grace of God herself, and was a publisher of the glad tidings of grace and redemption by Christ, to others. Anna was a prophetess and a prophetess is someone who is a female who is a foreteller. Or an inspired woman. Or a person gifted at expositing divine truth. And /or one who speaks forth by the inspiration of God. She declares the mind or message of God for a particular situation or an interpreter or forth-teller of the divine will.
Anna’s work as a prophetess was to speak the Word of God, and share what she knew about Jesus with all who would listen to her. Anna was the daughter of Phanuel, who was a man well known in that day, of the tribe of Asher, which was in Galilee. And Anna father's name is mentioned, to remind us of Jacob's Phanuel. The word Penuel is mentioned in Gen. 32:30, “30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Even though we know little of Anna’s father Phanuel, we know he was from the tribe of Asher. The tribe of Asher was one of the ten northern tribes of Israel carried off into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 B.C which was lost. But God preserved one of their descendants as His child, who was Anna. Asher is mentioned in 2-Chronicles 30:10-11 10”So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.” 11nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Also Joshua 19:24-31.
Anna was of age and was married for seven years. She was married for seven years, which was also seven years from her virginity. And is now an 84years old the bible says (four score and four). But does Luke mean that she had been a widow for eighty-four years? If so, and assuming she got married as young as 15, she would be 106 years old (15+7+84=106). She lived in the temple and Luke does not tell us how her physical needs were met, but he does tell us about how she relied night and day on the Lord. She served God in fasting and prayers night and day. She did what a widow normally would do according 1-timothy 5:5”Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.”
Let’s note how similar the beginning of verses 25, 33, 36 which mentioned, Simeon, the parents, Anna. Looking at the life of Anna we can learn several things from her about prayer. But next week as we conclude this lesson we will look at several things that Anna did in her fasting and prayer that gave her result. These same methods we can follow in order to bring us result.
_ You Have An Assignment (Part 3 of 3)
When God wants to get our attention HE sometimes will allow certain situation to happen in our lives. These situation is only to push us to the place that God desire for us to be, so that HE can use us in the gifts and or calling that is placed upon our lives. The gift or calling is given to us to be used in the kingdom of God on the appointed time that God has set aside for us. Once that time comes God will make sure that you are push to that place, county, city, state and /or country to carry out his plan. As we conclude the this lesson on the life of Jonah we will be able to learn how the assignment that God has for us must be fulfill even if we try to run from it.
In last week’s lesson, we had focused on, where is Nineveh, how Jonah prophesy to Nineveh and when you have an assignment God will take you there himself if he has too. Today’s lesson we will concentrate on the four things God allowed to happen in order to get the attention of Jonah, which helped him to carry out his assignment. The first thing that God prepared or appointed, to get the attention of Jonah was:
‘A Great Fish’ in 1:17, The Hebrew word Fish is gaw-dole’ and means, large in magnitude and extent, or in number. The fish was not created especially for this purpose, but was appointed in Jonah providence, or was provided by God. The fish was there to swallow Jonah and take him to the place God had assigned for him from the very first time his assignment was given. It doesn’t matter how long we take to carry out an assignment or run from it, God will make sure the task that is assigned to you be carried out by you and no one else.
Jonah’s survival in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, or his resurrection from the dead after being vomited upon the shore. He was in the belly of ‘Hell’ the Hebrew there is shĕ'owl/ sheh-ole', underworld, grave, hell, pit, Sheol, this is the Old Testament designation for the abode of the dead, place of no return, without praise of God, wicked sent there for punishment, in 2:2 It was in the belly of hell that Jonah words of prayer changes. Notice two observation of words from “The Lord” that was used many times in chapter one to, “The Lord God”, in 2:6 when Jonah’s prayed and in 4:6 showing involvement. The second thing that Jonah experienced was:
‘A Gourd’ in 4:6-7 & 9, the Hebrew word Gourd is “kee-kaw-yone” and means castor-oil plant, Or a plant grow to the size of a tree. Jonah sat under the street similar to when Elijah's run from Jezebel (I Kings 19:1-18). While Elijah was in the wilderness he, like Jonah, sat under the shade of a plant and also asked the Lord to take away his life (I Kings 19:4). As God dealt gently with Elijah, nourishing and comforting him, so did God likewise deal with Jonah. Additionally, the Lord repeated a simple question to both Elijah and Jonah (compare I Kings 19:9, 13 with Jonah 4:4, 9).
Jonah made a ‘booth’ the Hebrew there is cukkah/ sook-kaw and means, temporary shelter but God knew it wasn’t good so he prepared a Gourd where it might be a ‘Shadow’ for Jonah. The Hebrew word ‘Shadow” is tsel /tsale and means, defense, shelter or protection. When you prepare your own things it doesn’t last but when God does it certainly will last. The gourd appointed by God to grow rapidly in order to provide Jonah with shade in 4:6. David shared his experience of when God provided for him in Psalms 23:2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. The third thing God prepared was:
‘A Worm’the Hebrew word Worm is ‘Towla`/ ‘to-law-a' and means, God struck the plant with a worm so that the plant died. The plant was there one night and gone the next. The worm was prepared to destroy the tree God prepared.The plant serves as God’s agent in Jonah’s life. And for this reason God allowed Jonah to be in total dependence on him. Joel 2:25 say “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”
It is in your appointed season of your fulfilled assignment that God will provide things out of the extraordinary to come in your live, and then you will know that the situation came from God. Be careful how you handle the assignment that God has for you. Don’t wait until God allow circumstance to come into live before you answer your call. If you know your assignment, just do it. The fourth and last thing that God allowed to happen in the life of Jonah was a:
‘Vehement east wind’,the Hebrew word Vehement is khar-ee-shee and means, harsh, hot and sultry. The wind that blows from the desert draws moisture from the plants and caused it to wither. In Isaiah 40: 7The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the person is grass. 8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. The word of God described the wind in 1:4 and 4:8 has vehement. And the Hebrew word ‘Wind’ is “Ruwach” and means, Breath, Mind, and Spirit, as manifest in the Shekinah glory, or it’s a scorching wind, summoned by God to discomfort Jonah (4:8). I love what John3: 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Notice that it was God who allowed the vehement wind to get the attention of Jonah. Not everything that happened in our life is of the enemy but some circumstances are because of our disobedience to God. Pay attention to every situation and weight it carefully to know if God had allowed it to happen because of our disobedience. Don’t allow yourself to experience the same conditions that Jonah encountered. If God give you an assignment, this is the time to do it or if you haven’t found out your assignment since you have been in the kingdom of God ask God to reveal it to you and HE certainly will. What is your assignment today? Once more If you don’t know ask the Lord…..But remember that every Christian has an assignment….
_ You have an assignment (Part-2 of 3)
Jonah 4:4-11 In last week’s lesson, we were able to understand the background of the book of Jonah, the purpose and the message of the book of Jonah and how Jonah refused to go Nineveh to prophesy. But in today’s lesson we will focus on, several sources. The first source is what’s the location of Nineveh? Second, we will see, the way in which Jonah prophesy to Nineveh. And third, we will find out that once an assignment is given, that God will take you to the people and/ or location to fulfill HIS assignment. As we concentrate on these three sources, I pray that you become motivated to think closely about what your assignment is in the Kingdom of God. Or if you already know your assignment, please continue to be faithful, committed and dedicated to it. Our assignment in the kingdom of God is what pushes us to be fruitful, grow spiritual and remain dedicated to the things of God. Now let’s look at the story of Jonah and see how we have an assignment in the kingdom of God. We find Jonah’s experience in the fish belly provides him with a unique opportunity to seek a unique deliverance. His initial act of disobedience leads not only to his personal revival, but to that of the Ninevites as well. The revival which Jonah brings to Nineveh was one of the greatest evangelistic efforts of all time.During this period of history, Assyria was a powerful, evil nation and Israel’s most dreaded enemy. The Lord spoke to Jonah and told him to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, and preach to the Ninevites. (Jonah 1:2) Jonah was commanded to warn the Ninevites to repent or suffer the consequences of their wickedness. But why was Jonah wrong to hate the Assyrians, similar to the way David said he hated those who hated God in Psalm 139:21-22, 21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
It could be that the Assyrians did not have much hatred for the true God; they barely knew who he was. In Jonah 4:11 God speaks of the Ninevites as not knowing their right hand from their left, or in other words, scarcely even knowing right from wrong, 4:1-2Where was Nineveh?Jonah's fear and pride caused him to run from God. He did not wish to go to Nineveh to preach repentance to the people, as God has commanded, because he feels they are his enemies, and he is convinced that God will not carry out his threat to destroy the city. Where was Nineveh? Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis10:11, 11Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah”. The next time it is mentioned is in the book of Jonah. Described as a great and densely populated city, it is also identified as the capital of the Assyrian empire in II Kings 19:36 and Isaiah 37:37. Nineveh was a mighty, thriving city surrounded by three moats and five walls, the tallest of which rose up 100 feet and stretched for 60 miles around the city. It was known for its wide avenues and squares, its extensive public and private libraries, and the beauty of its temples, parks and gardens. Water was brought in from a reservoir located approximately 30 miles away through a system of aqueducts. Language, religion and culture united the people to Nineveh. Nineveh was a distant city. In Jonah 3:3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. And had a population numbering more than 120,000, thousand according to 4:11And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? Understand that Jonah believed in God, wanted to worship and serve God, and undoubtedly wanted to obey God in general. However, Jonah did not want to obey God in this specific area; Jonah gives us the reason why he did to protect the Nineveh’s in Jonah 4:2. Jonah did not question God’s power, knowledge, or love. Rather, Jonah did not love the cruel Assyrians and God did love them. Jonah did not appreciate the fact that God loved the cruel wicked. Curiously, one cannot excuse Jonah’s reluctance by saying he did not have all the facts, or that he did not know enough about God. Rather, Jonah chose to hate the cruelty of the Assyrians, and knowingly turned his back on the fact that God loved them.Now, instead, of boarding the ship headed for Nineveh, he boarded the ship bound for Tarshish, which is in the opposite direction. And Tarshish is a city of the Phoenicians in a distant part of the Mediterranean Sea or is the name of a village in Lebanon and a place where Solomon set up a trade with Tarshish and received ivory, apes, and peacocks in 2-Chronicles 9:21-22, 21For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. 22And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom, But after Jonah changed his position there was a great “wind” the Hebrew there is ‘ruwach’ and means, Breath, Mind, Spirit, Wind of heaven, and God's spirit. And because of Jonah, this causes the crew to cast lots and determine that Jonah is the problem. They throw him overboard, and he is swallowed by a great fish. In its belly for 3 days and 3 nights, Jonah repents of his sin to God, and the fish vomits him up on dry land (we wonder what took him so long to repent). Jonah then makes the 500-mile trip to Nineveh and leads the city in a great revival. We find that Jonah is a type of Christ, which is clear from Jesus’ own words. In Matthew 12:40-41, 40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. We find that Jesus declares that He will be in the grave the same amount of time Jonah was in the fish belly. He goes on to say that while the Ninevites repented in the face of Jonah’s preaching, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law who rejected Jesus were rejecting one who is far greater than Jonah. Just as Jonah brought the truth regarding repentance and salvation to the Ninevites, so too does Jesus. We cannot hide from God. What He wishes to accomplish through us will come to pass, despite all our objections and foot-dragging. Ephesians 2:10, 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. God’s plans for us and his will is to see to it that we conform to those plans. How much easier it would be if we, unlike Jonah, would submit to Him without delay!God’s love manifests itself in His accessibility to all, regardless of our reputation, nationality or race. The free offer of the Gospel is for people of every, culture, creed, nationality, age and gender. The story ends with Jonah arguing with God about why Nineveh was spared. Our biological Father would probably have shrugged Jonah off in disgust and find someone else more willing to take his message to Nineveh, but God. If God has a purpose for someone he will make sure that its’ fulfilled through that person. Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. I love what the Amplified Version of Romans 11:29 For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] The Message Bible in Romans 11:29 God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.
Jonah prophesy to NinevehJonah 3:4-10 Jonah prophesied that Nineveh would be destroyed within forty days because of their wickedness. When people will change, God reveals HIS will toward that people change. This prophesied destruction was due to their not repenting of their wickedness. It is implicitly conditioned on their non-repentance. When they decided to repent, God did not see the need to destroy Assyria at this time. Likewise, when God prophesies destruction, the judgment will be delayed or removed if the people repent. This principle, of allowing repentance in the face of judgment, is spelled out in Jeremiah 18:7-8, 7At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 8If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
While it cannot be proved that Jonah came during either of these two years, he came at approximately that time, and Jonah’s preaching is a good illustration for why a whole nation of career soldiers chose not to fight for two years. Later the Assyrians went back to their old ways, and they were destroyed in, Nahum 2:1-3:9 and Zephaniah 2:13-15. Since we now have an understanding of how Jonah prophesy to Nineveh, let’s focus on how God will take you to the location that He has for you to do an assignment according to Jonah 4:4-11. When you have an assignment God will take you there himself if he has to: Even though Jonah did not want to fulfill his assignment he still had to do it. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to go and do the work God has for you, God will make sure that it’s done by you because there are certain people that only you can reach that others cannot. Although Jonah had wanted to die after he had fulfilled his assignment, God made preparation for him: In Jonah 4:1 He was displeased ‘yara` /yaw-rah’ (tremble quiver, grieved) and exceedingly (disagreeable, malignant, bad, unpleasant) angry ‘charah /khaw-raw' (burn, displease, wroth, distress. Because he was displeased, he waited as mentioned in verses five to see what would become of Nineveh.
Next week has we conclude this lesson, we will focus on the four things that God provided for Jonah and how God can also provided for us as we are going through the process for an assignment. I pray that before the end of this searies of lessons that you will know, what’s your assignment?
_ You have an assignment (Part-1) Jonah 4:4-11Every Christian has an assignment in the kingdom of God. Some may find out what their assignment is at an early stage of their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and for some it may take a long time. In spite of the time it may take, this call or gift will be identified eventually. Our assignment in the kingdom of God, calls for complete commitment, submission and dedication to the Lord. And once an assignment is given to an individual God will make sure it is completed by that individual to whom HE has assigned it too. God will not give you an assignment and expect your friend, sibling or follow saints to complete it. It doesn’t matter the amount of time you take nor the excuses you make, God will make sure, that HE use you for that particular task that HE has for you.
We will look at the life of Jonah and the assignment that God has placed for him to complete. This will be a three part lesson, so I encourage you to check in for the next three weeks as we deal with the assignment that Jonah had and how this can also apply to us.
Jonah is not part of the collection of the prophet’s oracles but primarily a story about a man, named Jonah. The name Jonah means “Dove.”, which synonymous with peace or purity. The author is mentioned in 1:1 and specifically identifies the Prophet Jonah as the author of the Book of Jonah. Throughout the book of Jonah, Jonah is referred to in the third person.
The Book of Jonah is the work of the Minor Prophets. Unlike the other prophetic books, it is not only a book written by a prophet but is a story about a prophet. The book was probably written during the 4th century before Christ. I would describe the book of Jonah as a missionary book because Jonah had to evangelize the nation of Nineveh. And we will learn why Jonah refused to go to Nineveh.
We will also find that the Ninevites had ‘believed God’ but didn’t 'believe in God', in 3:5 “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.” There is a big difference between believing in God and believing God, because when you believe something it shows that you are confident of what you see but when you don’t believe in something you know what you see but not necessary accept what you have seen. But when you believe in something or believe in God, it shows that there is a relationship, or faith. Because the Hebrew word believed is 'a-man/ aw-man', and means, to support, confirm, be faithful, stand firm, trust. And the Nineveites did not believe in God but believed God.
So he had a task ahead of him, in that we find that Jonah’s story is a short, fast-moving story that’s opens with God instructing Jonah to go east from Israel to Assyria to "cry out", the word Cry out in Hebrew is ‘qara’ or 'kaw-raw', and means, call out, recite, read, proclaim, invited and or preach, and Jonah had to cry out against wickedness in the city of Nineveh.
Back ground history
Let’s review the history of Jonah, this servant of God that had to cry out. He was different than the other prophets because it is not full of prophecies by the prophet; it is instead, about the life of the prophet. Little attention is given to what he actually said. But it does start off with the phrase, “And the word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai, saying.” In 1:1 He was the earliest of the prophets and close behind Elisha in his place in the Old Testament. The story is Jonah is short (just 48 verses) yet powerful. The prophet Jonah served as an advisor to King Jeroboam II, in II-Kings 14:23-25, even though no king is mentioned by name but, “king of Nineveh” in 3:6. Jonah was the one who prophesied God would restore Israel’s boundaries in the reign of King Jeroboam II, in II-Kings 14:25He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher. We know that (Hamath is also known as the principal city of upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes) as far as the Dead Sea, it is also the place that king Solomon built cities, in II Chronicles 8:4”and he built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath. It is also mentioned in (II Kings 14:25). Jonah’s home was Gath-hepherand his name was first introduced right there in II-Kings 14:25. The city Gat-hepheris a town on the boundary of Zebulun according to Joshua 19:10-13. And Gat-hepher was about two miles from Nazareth the home of Jesus of whom Jonah was a ‘sign’.
In contrast to all other prophets of the OT his ministry was directed to the heathen inhabitants of Nineveh and not to the people of Israel. His father name was Ammittai a native from Gat-hepher. Jonah is mentioned in Matthew12:38-41 and Luke11:29-32. Jesus made reference to Jonah when he was asked for a miraculous sign by the Phariseesand teachers of the Law. Jonah's restoration after three days inside the great whale prefigured the Resurrection of Jesus Christ after three days. He lived in the same time period as did the prophets Amos (Amos was a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam. The Book of Amos is set in a time when the people of Israel have reached a low point in their devotion to God. Jonah also live during the time of Hosea (the prophet who God told to take a wife of whoredom for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from God Hosea 1:1 during the time of Josiah). Also in the time ofIsaiah (Isaiah has been called "the evangelical prophet" since he says so much about the Messiah and His redemptive work, son of Amoz) and Joel (the son of Pethuel from Judah). The only prophetic message that Jonah announced was the one about the coming judgment over Nineveh (Jonah 1:2; 3:2, 4). Jonah therefore is the only prophet of the OT revealing the grace of God towards the heathen. He was most likely an elderly man at the time we read of him in the book of Jonah, because he was an advisor of king Jeroboam II. While most of the other prophets prophesied to Israel and Judah, Jonah’s task was to go to Ninevah and prophesy to them. He was to preach the message to Nineveh: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”, that was his message.
In this we see that, the book of Jonah is first proof of God’s unlimited grace and mercy. But Israel has been kept as Jonah was kept in a miraculous. We see that Jonah’s call is like a type of Christ. In Matt. 12:39-40 “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the great fish’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” I see that this book contains very practical lessons for every reader.
Purpose & Message of Jonah
The purpose of the book is to give us an example of disobedience and revival. The prophetic significance of this book not only lies in the short message in Nineveh but also in the entire history of Jonah described in his book. And we find that chapter three provides the main event of the book after the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time.
The primary message of the Book of Jonah is that God will have compassion on whomever he will, because it of the sovereignty, his ability to deliver and his great mercy. Jonah showed God's sovereignty because he is the creator of everything 1:9. God’s deliverance in 2:6 & 9. God's mercy, because God showed mercy every to the animals 4:11 and God's righteousness in 1:17 and we see this in chapters four.
Next week has we continue this lesson we will see the history of Nineveh, also how Jonah prophesy to Nineveh and how God placed Jonah into the city that he refused to go and prophesy. Even if we don’t want to fulfill the assignment that God has for us he will certainly make sure that he take you to that place on the right time to carry out HIS will. What’s your assignment?
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