Angels 3                                                                         211017

Where did angels come from? When did they appear on the scene? There is no clear account in the Bible to answer these questions. Genesis 1:31a tells us, “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Now, what does that have to do with angels? We can assume that the angels were created at some point during those first six days. And everything that he had made was very good! That being true, indicates that all of the angels were included in that description. Everything that God made was very good! The angels are not named as part of creation but they must have been included in the word “everything”! The serpent, when introduced in the Garden of Eden, would hardly be considered “very good”! I will go out on a limb and apply the words found in Revelation 12:7-9, Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, ⁸ but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. ⁹ And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world — “he was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him.” This must have happened between Genesis 1:31 and Genesis 3:1 putting an end to the time of everything being “very good”.

But can we be any more specific? There may be a hint at the creation of angelic beings during the first 6 days of creation when we read that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1, and then immediately after we read that “the earth was without form and void”, Genesis 1:2a, but with no mention of the heavens in this second verse. This may suggest that the uninhabitable state of the earth is in contrast with the heavens where, perhaps, God had already created angelic beings and assigned them various ranks and roles. This is made more plausible when we read Job 38:6–7 that “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” at the time when God laid the “cornerstone” of the earth and sunk its “bases” in the process of forming or founding it,. If the angels “the sons of God” shouted for joy when God was making the earth inhabitable, this could imply that God created the angelic beings early in the first 6 days of creation. That would allow time to develop the angelic rebellion led by Satan.

However, since we have only hints in Scripture, we must remain content with the fact that God has not given us much information about the time of the creation of the angels. We must remember that God is under no obligation to answer our curious questions. Further speculation, apart from clear scriptural data, would seem to be useless. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” Deuteronomy 29:29.

Sometime before Satan tempted Eve in the garden an unknown number of angels sinned and rebelled against God. Jude 6, “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day”.

We are not told how much time passed between Adam being placed in the Garden and the confrontation with the serpent. Genesis chapter 1 gives us the outline of creation on a day-to-day basis. Genesis chapter 2 files in the details. After God ceased creation on the seventh day. No, he wasn’t tired and in need of rest. One problem that people raise is Adam being created in chapter 1 and Eve appearing in chapter 2. Genesis 1:27 concludes with, “male and female he created them.” I believe it’s a very simple matter to know that when Adam was created Eve existed in him. Wherever Adam went Eve was present inside him. The discovery of DNA makes the process more sensible. A period of time passed after the six days. Many things happened during that time. Among the “happenings” was Adam naming all the created beings. During this naming exercise it became clear that it was not good for him to be alone. Anyone with even a little common sense and a little observational skill knows that it is never been good to leave men alone. Therefore the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and took something from his side. It wasn’t a rib. When he woke the Father God presented him with what had always been inside him. I suggest we do not have a complete record of the event. Adam must’ve had some response before he spoke the little poem. I think his response might have been something like, “Wow”! Then he could have said: “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman (ishshah), because she was taken out of Man (ish).” Scripture gives no more information on the creation of angels. We are told that there are many angels with names, or titles that probably represent different ranks, or orders of angelic beings. Gabriel, is named in Daniel 8:16. He also names himself when he speaks to Zechariah, the soon to be father of John the Baptist, and a little while later in speaking to Mary about the soon to be conception of Jesus in her.

Michael is the only named archangel. In Daniel 10:13, Michael is called “one of the chief princes” and in Jude verse nine he is called an “archangel”.

In Isaiah 6:1-3 the prophet is confronted in the temple by “the Lord” seated on a throne. Above this magnificent Lord were the Seraphim. They were described as having six wings. “with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.” They were praising the Lord. We are not told how many Seraphim were there. Since this is the only biblical reference to these exotic creatures about them. Apparently they are designated to praise God. I have heard many teachers refer to this appearance as Isaiah seeing God. In the original language, Aramaic, the word used is not Yahweh it is “adonay”. That word does not point to God but to an honored being. Perhaps the Lord Jesus, I know, He is God, but he does take on human form. And may show himself as human throughout the Old Testament. Maybe not.

An amazing warrior appears to Joshua when it is time to take over the Promised Land. This event is recorded in Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua does not ask his name instead he asks, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” Joshua refers to him as a man. The warrior identified himself as the commander of the army of the Lord with no commitment as to being for or against Israel.

Angels are sent to help us. We need understanding of the spiritual world around us.

When Elijah was waiting out the drought before he would confront Ahab the king. God did something that is very interesting to me.

It is found in 1 Kings 17:2-6. “And the word of the Lord came to him: ³ “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. ⁴ You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” ⁵ So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. ⁶ And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”

I have a vivid imagination. As I read this passage I can see Elijah camped out by the brook. Morning and evening I see ravens passing through the king’s residence and picking bread and meat off the table and dropping them at the prophet’s camp in obedience to God’s directions. As you can see there are many examples of God caring for his people through an intermediary.

We have seen how God sent an army of spirit beings to protect Elisha and his servant against the army of Syria. The event is recorded in 2 Kings 6:15-17.  When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” ¹⁶ He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

 

 

 

Now, I would like to share with you another event from the life of Peter.

The account begins as the church is facing stiff opposition. Herod the King began the process of arresting Christians. He had James, the apostle John’s brother, arrested and killed with a sword. James became the first martyr among the apostles. It seems his place in leadership was taken by James, half-brother to our Lord Jesus. The event was recorded in Acts 12:1-18.

Peter was put in the public prison. His defense team gathered in Mary’s upper room. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. ⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. ⁸ And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” ⁹ And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. ¹¹ When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” ¹² When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John.

I want you to think about the scene. James has been killed and Peter was chained to two guards in prison. The church was gathered to pray for Peter. Peter, realizing there was nothing he could do to help himself, was asleep. The angel woke Peter up to find the room filled with light. The chains he was bound with fell off him! The angel said “get dressed” and “follow me”. Remember, the two guards sleeping on either side of him. Peter could not believe this is really happening. They passed by two more guards and the iron gate swung open to let them out onto the street. The angel led him some distance away from the jail and left him.

A few minutes before Peter could not believe this was happening now, he could not deny it. He hurries to Mary’s house to report to the church that their prayers had been answered.

When he arrived there he pounded on the gate and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she heard Peter’s voice which she knew very well she turned and rushed in where the church was gathered praying for Peter’s rescue. They must’ve been Baptist because they could not believe he was really at the gate. Goodness! This is what they were praying for and they were surprised? Peter had to keep knocking to shake them out of their disbelief and get someone to come to the gate. The church saw him and were amazed. Peter gave them some instructions and went into hiding.

That’s one example of angels at work. Now, let’s look at an example from the life of Paul. He had spent two years in confinement. He had shared his testimony more than once to governors and kings as well as the common soldiers who guarded him. In order to prevent him being taken before the Jewish leaders, who were determined to execute him, he appealed to the Emperor, Nero. He could do this because he was a Roman citizen.

He had been all over the eastern portion of the Roman Empire. He had planted churches and had encouraged them to grow. Now it was time to go to Rome. It certainly looked as if he was going to be drowned rather than executed. He and his guards, as well as other prisoners, had taken ship across the eastern Mediterranean rather than walking the many miles to Rome. Now they had been many days in a storm. When it looked as if there was no hope at all an angel appeared to Paul. Read Paul’s record of the message. “For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, ²⁴ and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.”  Now he had something to report to the ship’s company. He stood up and said, “I told you so”! He had confidence in the words of the angel because he had been given a promise by the Lord Jesus Himself. When he was first arrested he must have begun to doubt he would live to do the trip to Rome. In his disappointment at being arrested in Jerusalem after his arrest The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Acts 23:11. He had God’s promise he would go to Rome. No ship wreck or snake bite would prevent him.

 

 

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2016. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

211024 Angels 4

 Angels 4                                                                         211024

Prior to this series of sermons I have never done an in-depth study of angels. I innocently opened with Hebrews 13:2, Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Since then I have dug into what the Bible has to offer on the subject. I make every effort to keep every comment based on scripture. If not I will admit what I am sharing is an opinion not necessarily a fact. I do not pretend to know all there is to know.

During the process of creation the angels came into being. So far as I can tell God has not chosen to enlighten us concerning the process of creation outside the earth. We have Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The words “created the heavens” are filled with mystery. We can look around us and see for ourselves the earthly creation. In the deep dark of a moonless night we can see the planets and stars. Genesis 1:31 tells us, And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. So, without doubt the angels came into being at some point between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:31. Also, the angels were part of a “very good” creation. Genesis 3:1 introduces “the serpent” who is clearly evil and is in rebellion against the God who created him.

How much time passed between the “very good” creation and the serpent entering the Garden? There is no way to answer that question. We can look at the genealogy in Genesis 5 that tells us Adam lived 130 years before Seth was born. Now, I assume those years included the time spent in the Garden of Eden, the births of Cain and Abel, the murder of Abel and Cain’s departure to begin his rebellious nation. So far as we know Adam did not keep a chronology. God gives us all we need to know. Some events occur, according to Genesis chapter two. Those events required passage of time. Weeks? Months? Years? No way to tell. In Revelation 12 we are told about a war in heaven. A war between Michael the archangel and his angels with the dragon and his angels. The dragon is described as being “that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan”. Obviously, God knew how much time passed and he did not see fit to enlighten us on the subject and many, many more subjects. Subjects we spend too much time guessing about. Listen to the Apostle paul, Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, (Colossians 2:18).

So let’s not get too far off the pursuit of angels. In the period between Adam and Noah angels were unnecessary because Godly people (the sons of God) had direct contact with God. There is no mention of angels until the time of Abram the man who became God’s friend. The first mention of the term “angel” is in relation to Hagar, Abram and Sarai. Hagar was a servant of Abram and Sarai his wife. She had been impregnated by Abram in order to provide a male heir. Hagar ran away after Sarai became jealous.

The record is found in Genesis 16 beginning in the middle of verse 6. Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. ⁷ The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. ⁸ And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” ⁹ The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.” ¹⁰ The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” ¹¹ And the angel of the Lord said to her, “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction.

Thirteen years later, when Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him. The story is recorded in Genesis17. God is identified as “Yahweh” and then God calls himself “El Shaddai”. During that meeting God establishes the covenant of circumcision and promises a son who should be named Isaac. God changed Abram’s name to “Abraham” which means “father of a multitude”.

Then again in chapter 18 the “Lord” appeared to Abraham and revealed his intentions with regard to Sodom and Gomorrah. But first an amazing revelation. Three men came to Abraham’s tent at the Oaks of Mamre. Abraham showed the hospitality of a meal to them and They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. ¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh”. (Genesis 18:9-15)

Do you remember three men who broke bread with Abraham? Yet when the men arrived in Sodom there would only be two! One stayed behind to discuss what was about to happen and that one is identified as Yahweh! The two who went on to Sodom are called angels. This is the second event where the word “angel” appears in the Bible.

The first time was when the angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar when she ran away. There is a real difference between the two events. The difference is not obvious in the English language.

Several passages of Scripture speak of the angel of the Lord in a way that suggests that he is God himself taking on a human form to appear briefly to various people in the Old Testament.

In some passages “the angel of the Lord” (not “an angel of the Lord”) is spoken of as the Lord himself. So “the angel of the Lord” who found Hagar in the wilderness promises her, “I will so greatly multiply your descendants that they cannot be numbered for multitude” (Genesis 16:10), and Hagar responds by calling “the name of the Lord who spoke to her “You are a God of seeing” ’ (Genesis 16:13). Similarly, when Abraham is about to sacrifice his son Isaac, “the angel of the Lord” calls to him from heaven and says, “Now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me” (Genesis 22:12). When “the angel of God” appeared to Jacob in a dream, he said, “I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me” (Genesis 31:11, 13). Again, when “the angel of the Lord” appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush, he then said, “I am the God of your father the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:2, 6). These are clear instances of the angel of the Lord or the angel of God appearing as God himself, perhaps more specifically as God the Son taking on a human body for a short time in order to appear to human beings.

These events, and many more found in the Old Testament, seem to contradict God’s command that we cannot look at God and live. In Exodus 33:20 God tells Moses “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

At the same time Moses was meeting with the Lord face to face as a man speaks to his friend. (Exodus 33:11). How can this be? I believe the answer is found in the existence of God as three natures, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When the men came to the tent of Abraham they had all three taken on human bodies. This allowed them to interact with human society. This action is not the same as Jesus appearing as a man. Every instance of temporary incarnation came to an end except for Jesus’ incarnation.

In order for Jesus to become man he first had to have a human mother. Then his body developed from 2 cells until he was delivered into his humanity in a stable in Bethlehem. Then he had to grow up through all the stages of human development. Then in the end of life he suffered for our sin. This made him like us. In Hebrews 2:14-18 we find this explanation. Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus became man in order for us to understand, because we do not want to say that Jesus acquired additional knowledge or information by becoming man: certainly as omniscient God he knew every fact there was to know about the experience of human suffering. But the book of Hebrews 2:18 does say, “Because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted”, and we must insist that that statement is true—there is a relationship between Jesus’ suffering and his ability to sympathize with us and help us in temptation. Apparently the author is speaking not of any additional factual or intellectual knowledge, but of an ability to recall a personal experience that he had himself gone through, an ability he would not have if he had not had that personal experience.

Some faint parallel to this might be seen in the fact that a man who is a medical doctor, and has perhaps even written a textbook on obstetrics, might know far more information about childbirth than any of his patients. Yet, because he is a man, he will never share in that actual experience. A woman who has herself had a baby (or, to give a closer parallel, a woman physician who first writes a textbook and then has a baby herself) can sympathize much more fully with other women who are having babies.

 

Ellis Crum wrote a song many years ago that goes like this:

He paid a debt he did not owe
I owed a debt I could not pay
I needed someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand new song, “Amazing Grace” all day long.
Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.

 

He paid that debt at Calvary
He cleansed my soul and set me free
I’m glad that Jesus did all my sins erase;
I now can sing a brand new song, “Amazing Grace” all day long.
Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.

 

One day he’s coming back for me
To live with him eternally
Won’t it be glory to see him on that day!
I then will sing a brand new song, “Amazing Grace” all day long.
Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.
Yes, Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.

 

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2016. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

 

2110010 Angels

 Angels 2                                                                                         211010

Last week we saw how God protects his people. He sent an army of angels to protect Elisha and his servant while they slept. We are reminded of promises in the Book of Psalms. One promise was found in Psalm 34:7, The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Elisha’s servant could not see the angels until the prophet prayed. Then he saw that the mountain was filled with previously unseen horses and chariots of fire.

During the 1920s there were several incidences of angelic protection in the life of, Marie Monsen. A Norwegian missionary in China. These are recorded in her book, A Present Help. One incidence recounts a time when the missionaries were in a town surrounded by a rebel army. After the first night of trouble she tells her story: 

“All our neighbors had kept their doors locked that night until they were forced to open them by the roars of the soldiers and their thundering knocks. But now and again they had opened their doors to peep out and see if there was a fire anywhere near. That was when they had seen our “protectors.” Three soldiers stood on guard up on the high roof of the Gospel Hall, one at each end and one in the middle. A fourth had been seated on the porch over the main gate. These soldiers had kept watch in every direction. (Here is a conversational exchange with one of the neighbors. It begins with Marie Munson asking a question)

“Who did you think it was?”

“Soldiers the General had sent to protect you.”

“Did they look like the General’s soldiers?”

“They were taller than any soldiers we had seen.”

“Were they armed?”

“We didn’t see that, we only saw their silhouettes, we didn’t dare take time to look at them carefully.”

“Could you see their faces?”

“We saw them best of all.”

“How was that?”

“They shone.”

“Who were they like?”

“They were foreigners.” (i.e. not Chinese.)

Later in the day a Christian woman brought in a heathen man. She was bursting to speak and dancing from one foot to the other in her eagerness. She said to the man: “Now, you can ask yourself.”

(the man asked)

“Who were standing out on the east verandah all last night?”

(Marie replied) “There was no one there. I locked the door to the verandah myself and all who were in the house were downstairs.”

(Man said ) “No, there were many people there each time I opened my door to see if there was a fire anywhere near us. I couldn’t understand it, because everyone else wanted to be under cover on such a night.”

“It must have been angels on guard.”

“There, listen to that,” the woman said, “now you have heard it yourself, that is just what I said too.”

The heathen saw them, it was a testimony to them, but they were invisible to us. It came powerfully to me and showed me how little we reckon with “The Lord, the God of hosts,” who sends forth His angels, mighty in strength, “to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14 RV). From that time, Psalms 84:12 was a word I learned to abide in consciously by faith for the rest of my time in China: “O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” This special protection was given for the sake of the three who were so unfit just then to face the grim things happening in the city; and the rest of us on the compound were included in it. Monsen, Marie. A Present Help . Kingsley Press

A Psalm was quoted by Satan in the temptation of Jesus following his baptism. Jesus used scripture in his response so the tempter did likewise. Satan quoted from Psalm 91:11-12, For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Satan ignored the fact that all 16 verses of Psalm 91 promise protection to the people of God, not just the Son of God. God uses even satanic tempting to serve His sovereign purposes. Christ was tempted in all points, Hebrews 4:15. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 1 John 2:16, For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

The test was to lead future followers of Jesus to be encouraged to call for help from spiritual forces other than God himself. Jesus was called on to satisfy his hunger for food, prove that the angels care for him and subject himself to Satan.

I would like to pause a few minutes and see what we can learn from Jesus’ temptation. First, we need to recall that Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit after his baptism not by the tempter. There was no thought of his being ambushed by the tempter. Quite the other way around. The tempter was walking into a trap. The very purpose of that trip was just so he could be tempted by the devil. Not to see what Jesus would do or if he would give in but to give the devil a chance to fail.

Jesus’ life of ministry was bracketed by temptation. In neither temptation was there any chance Jesus would fall. In both events there were angels. Not to prevent what was happening to him but to care for his human needs after his divine nature won the battle. After the defeat of the tempter -- Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Matthew 4:11.

After Jesus prayed, in the garden, Luke tells us, “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.” Luke 22:43.

When Jesus faced his greatest test in the garden of Gethsemane before his arrest one of his disciples drew a sword to protect him. Jesus said, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53. Just as there were many angels protecting Elisha and his servant there were many angels caring for Jesus’ human needs. Certainly not a false assumption to say that there are many angels caring for his people today. Remember, I began with that idea in last Sunday’s message. Let’s look back at that.

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Nowhere in scripture are we instructed, or even encouraged, to seek angels to minister to us. However, angels are often reveled as being present in our time of need. We often use the term, “you’re an angel”. To thank someone for a kindness done. That is especially true when we hardly know the person or do not know them at all and they minister to our need.

Last week we looked at the appearances of angels when the Creator of the universe was born in a stable in Bethlehem. We also saw angelic support in beginning the mission of taking the good news to places so diverse as Samaria and Ethiopia. Let’s look at angelic involvement in taking the good news of Jesus to other people groups.

There was, of course, deep animosity between the Jews and the Romans. The Romans ruled their empire with an iron fist. However, there are instances of individual Romans coming to Christ and being influenced by angels.

The first example is found in chapter 5. In this case we find Peter and some of the other apostles arrested and waiting for charges to be brought against them. The apostles were charged with leading the people astray by preaching the gospel and healing people. This could not be tolerated by the Jewish leadership. Let’s look at the story.

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy ¹⁸ they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” ²¹ And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

We find the second story in chapters 10 and 11. There was a Roman centurion who was a God fearing man! One day at about the ninth hour (that would be 3 PM) Cornelius saw an angel of God. Let’s look at that passage of Scripture.

Acts 10:3-8, About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” ⁴ And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” ⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, ⁸ and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

The first thing that I notice about this exchange is the angel knew his name! That should not be a surprise. More than once the word of God tells us that he knows our names. This man is a commander in what was, at the time, the strongest military power on earth. When he came face-to-face with the angel he stared at the angel in terror. We are reminded that angels are very frightening beings to meet! Most accounts of human-angel contact includes the human being afraid at least in the beginning. The angel gives him assurance God is pleased with him.

Now is the time for Gentiles to be brought into the kingdom. It is very surprising that Peter was chosen. I believe Peter was the most Jewish of the apostles. The interchange with the angel proves that. In order to prepare him for the visit God had given Peter a vision. it is found in Acts10:9-16. The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

In order to prepare Peter for the coming encounter with Romans the Spirit of God gave him a “show and tell”. First, God waited until Peter was hungry. Then he prompted Peter go up on the housetop and pray while he was hungry and would be alone. While he was praying he went to sleep. He did that in the garden of Gethsemane! Then he saw a great sheet descending out of heaven. On the sheet were all kinds of animals. They were not kosher! As Peter was looking at the sheet he heard a voice saying, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Now a person must be pretty legalistic to think that he can answer God the way Peter did. He said, “by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times! I submit to you if you can say “by no means” to God you can’t say, “Lord” and have any meaning in what you say. 

Now that God has prepared his heart and mind the men arrive at the gate.

Acts 10:19-20 “And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

Peter brought them into the house, ate with them and the next day left with them to go to Jerusalem. Before the vision he would not have done any of these things. Peter now understood, at least intellectually, that in every nation anyone who comes to God can be saved. Let’s continue to read Luke’s story…

…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

As he was speaking the Holy Spirit filled the Gentiles just as he did the Jews on the day of Pentecost. So Peter asked, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.” (Acts 10:47-48).

Bad news. All have sinned. The wages of sin is spiritual death.

Good news. God showed us his love “for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Great News! If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2016. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

211003 Angels

 Angels                                                                                    211003

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Nowhere in scripture are we instructed, or even encouraged, to seek angels to minister to us. However angels are often reveled as being present in our time of need.

Elisha’s servant was not aware of the presence of a vast army of the heavenly hosts. The king of Syria realized that there was a spy in the midst of his advisers. So he sent some of his fighting men to find Elisha. When they found him the king sent a very large army to take Elisha and his servant. The story is in 2 Kings 6. The army of Syria came by night and surrounded the prophet’s location. In the morning when Elisha’s servant went outside he saw a great army and rushed in to tell his master about the danger they were in. 2 Kings 6:15b-17, And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” ¹⁶ He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The prophet took command of the situation through prayer to God not by commanding the angelic army. He knew they were there and asked that his servant be given sight of them. Then he followed God’s direction and defeated God’s enemies.

What can we learn from this event about angels?

They are usually invisible there are so many of them we would certainly be distracted by their presence.  Elisha’s servant could not see them until the prophet prayed. Then he saw that the mountain was filled with unseen horses and chariots of fire. We learn that there are millions of angels. In fact, according to John’s vision in Revelation 5:11, Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

There is a vast number of angels and they have different jobs or ranks. Scripture indicates that there is rank and order among the angels. One angel, Michael, is called an “archangel” in Jude 9, a title that indicates rule or authority over other angels. He is called “one of the chief princes” in Daniel 10:13. Michael also appears to be a leader in the angelic army: “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated” (Revelation 12:7–8). And Paul tells us that the Lord will return from heaven “with the voice of an archangel” (1 Thessalonians. 4:16). Whether this refers to Michael as the only archangel, or whether there are other archangels, Scripture does not tell us.

We can consider the appearance of “the commander of the Lord’s army”, who met with Joshua, as being an archangel or a pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son. He allowed Joshua to worship him. (Joshua 5:13-15).  There is no reference to an angel accepting worship. For example, When John attempted to worship the angel who had shown him the visions, (Revelation 22:9) he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

As we see from these two examples angels can become visible. Let’s look at other examples from the Gospels and the Book of Acts.

Of course, the birth narratives would be first. Matthew 1:18-21, tells us about the promise of Jesus’ birth. An angel directed Joseph in a dream how to protect the baby Jesus. (Matthew 2:13; 19-20). After Jesus was baptized he went into the wilderness. After 40 days of prayer and fasting he was tempted by the devil as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11. Angels ministered to him. I assume the angels who ministered to Jesus were visable. Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

There was the meeting with the women at the empty tomb found in Matthew 28:2-6. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴ And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

In Luke we find an angel instructing Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Zechariah was going through the temple routine. When he saw the angel he was told, Luke 1:13-17, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹⁴ And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. ¹⁶ And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, ¹⁷ and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” The man was amazed and afraid. In his confusion he asked how he could know the angel spoke truth. First, the angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.” I sense a rebuke in Gabriel’s words. After all, did he have to name himself and affirm his job that placed him in God’s presence as a priest? Good news? His prayer has been heard! Oh yes, for the first 20 years he and Elizabeth prayed daily for a son. Then they passed childbearing age. Now they could be content with nephews and nieces. Remember, Zach was an old man and Lizzy was advanced in years. He might be “old” but he would never use that word for her. Smart man!! I can imagine the confusion in this couple’s emotions. The firstborn male baby sanctified the womb!

This blessing from God had apparently been kept from them all those years. They did not understand. Why would God hold them back from a blessed child? You might remember Lazarus whose sisters had asked Jesus to come and bring healing to their sick brother. Instead of coming immediately Jesus waited. When he arrived at the grave Lazarus had been there four days. Both Martha and Mary had the same question. “Why? If you had come, Jesus, you could have healed him.” In their mind Jesus was four days late. The story is found in the Gospel of John chapter 10 and 11. Jesus wasn’t late! He was right on time! That was proven out when he said, “Lazarus, come forth”! Often times we think that God has failed to meet the deadline. Jesus had said to his disciples that Lazarus’ sickness would not end in death but it would be for God’s glory.

Let’s go back to the angels and Jesus’ birth narrative.

Six months later, the same angel was sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee to meet a young woman named Mary. She was betrothed to Joseph, a man of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” Luke 1:27-28

 I doubt there has ever been anyone more confused than Mary might’ve been. We have no instruction as to her true age. Some say she was about 13 years old. Others believe she was a little older and Joseph was a little younger making them about same age. Let’s say 17 years old. I don’t know why we think we have to know. It makes little difference in the outcome of their life story. Apparently Joseph was old enough to be off the scene when Jesus’ ministry began about 30 years later. Nonetheless Mary was confronted by a man who turned out to be an angel. Not just any angel but Gabriel who seems to be the deliveryman for God’s messages to people. But there is not any real truth to back up that statement.

Luke picks up the story when the King of the universe was born in a stable. Luke 2:8-15 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,     ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

If the appearance of the angels was a common event at that time in history we have no record of it happening in this manner in any other literature.

Like Matthew, Luke has little mention of angels after Jesus’ ministry begins. There is so much we can include — time will not allow!

Jesus knew he was facing the end of his life on earth. The last few weeks have been very busy and he was exhausted. After observing the Passover Jesus led his disciples to the Mount of Olives. It was his custom to go there for times of prayer and rest. He encouraged his disciples to rest while he prayed. Luke 22:41-43 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” ⁴³ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

We have no way of knowing how much Jesus was really involved with angels. It seems to me that his times of prayer away from the crowds might have been a time when the angels might have asked questions.

It is very obvious that the angels had spent time observing what was going on in Jesus’ ministry. I suppose that will need to wait on another message.

We do know that angels were present when he entered the world and when he left! His disciples had traveled with him for some 40 days after his resurrection. They were with him according to Luke, who is the author of Acts, the disciples still had questions for Jesus up to the very end. After he had stated the promise of the Holy Spirit and the expansion of their ministry they were left standing — gazing into heaven — as Jesus was lifted up. I can just imagine the bewilderment of the angels. They lived in obedience to the FATHER. Jesus had just given direction to his disciples and departed the scene on the clouds. Now, instead of going they were standing! Things haven’t changed much over the past 2000 years. Luke’s record of their lack of obedience is found in, Acts 1:9-11. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

They finally got organized and began to share the good news that Jesus whom they had seen die was ALIVE. That’s basically the gospel — the good news!

Their next encounter with angels, so far as we know, occurred at the jail. The high priest and his crowd was very angry at the expansion of the Christian church. Luke records the fact that thousands came for salvation and healing. They had gotten rid of Jesus only to be surrounded by huge crowds that bore his name. So they rounded up the apostles.

Acts 5:17-20 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy ¹⁸ they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” ²¹ And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

 

One of the first deacons became the first missionary to Samaria. He had a very successful ministry there but God had more work for him to do. Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.

Today, there might have been some debate as to whether or not Philip should go. His ministry was very successful! Now he was ordered, by an angel, to go to a desert place. Remember what the consequence of that trip was? He left the crowds to find himself looking at a very fancy chariot with a man sitting in it reading from a scroll. That one man was the treasurer of Ethiopia! He was reading from the scroll of Isaiah and he came to faith in Christ as Philip provided the direction. He was baptized, Philip was taken out of the scene and set down many miles away to resume his ministry in Samaria.

 

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2016. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society..

210910 Ruth 6

 Ruth 6                                                                                             210919

The story of Ruth begins as a growing tragedy and moves forward to an amazing triumph.

A quick review:

A famine drove the family of Naomi and Elimelech to leave their home town of Bethlehem and go to Moab. This must have been a hard decision because Moab had been an enemy of Israel for 100’s of years.

After arriving in Moab their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, took Moabite wives. During their residency of about 10 years the three men died leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law without husbands or children. Naomi heard that the famine had ended in Israel. As she was setting out she urged her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab. There they could remarry with Moabite men. One of them, Orpah, decided to stay where she had grown up. Ruth choose to go with Naomi. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi is one of the most moving speeches I know of. It is found in Ruth 1:16-17.  But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” This settled the matter for Ruth and Naomi accepted it without comment.

The two of them came to Bethlehem where the people had not seen Naomi for 10+ years. They were the talk of the town, And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” to which she replied, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. ²¹ I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” “Naomi” means “Pleasant” while “Mara” means “Bitter”. She seems to have lost her faith in Yahweh, the Great “I AM”! She had witnessed her husband who trusted God, went to Moab and died there leaving her in a serious mess. Naomi’s depth of faith is very common. Many people have found themselves in a negative situation and, though they had prayed and planned, they had everything fall around them. She said, “the almighty has brought calamity upon me.”

Isn’t it interesting how God is at fault when our plans don’t work out? She should have looked at her situation in faith. True, her husband and two sons had died. But she was left with the most loving and generous daughter-in-law possible. The testimony of the women the town was Ruth was better than seven sons. Also there was at least one relative of her dead husband who could serve as a redeemer. That fact could not have escaped Naomi’s awareness. She, and Ruth, arrived at the beginning of barley harvest allowing a means of support while they got settled in. Naomi could not see the positives in her situation. Perhaps she was not content that, though the sons were married, she was not a grandmother. Of course, God gives children and grandchildren at the right time to his people. Ruth was much more available than she would have been if she had children. God had a plan for Ruth’s offspring. And it wasn’t being the wife of a Moabite. No disrespect intended. I accept her first husband as an upright individual. He had a handicap that could not be overcome. He was not Boaz!

We are not told the name of the other possible redeemer. His name really did not matter. God set the plan in action and man cannot stop him!

For whatever reason what’s his name could not see a path that would allow him to be the redeemer. Probably the property was all he was interested in. The ten man jury heard his affirmation and saw the exchange of a sandal.

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. ¹⁰ Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” (Ruth 4:9-10)

Boaz fulfilled an important role in the history of the land that was Elimelech’s. The continuation of the family name was as important as the recovery of the land.

There was rejoicing in Bethlehem that day. The broken family relationship would be restored for the land and the line of family inheritance would be assured.

Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, ¹² and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:11-12)

Ruth had been kept from conception because God had plans for her. She had become a follower of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Now she would take her place in the genetic line that would bring an anointed messiah into the world to be the kinsman redeemer of all who will put their faith in him.

 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. ¹⁴ Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! ¹⁵ He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” ¹⁶ Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. ¹⁷ And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:13-17).

A shortened genealogy was included to show future generations what this story is really all about.

Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, ¹⁹ Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, ²⁰ Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, ²¹ Salmon fathered

Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, ²² Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. (Ruth 4:18-22). This record made clear the qualifications of a kinsman redeemer had been fulfilled. The settlement that day was a very agreeable experience. Let’s look to the Old Testament for the rule they would follow.

It is recorded in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. ⁶ And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. ⁷ And if the man does not wish to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ ⁸ Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’ ⁹ then his brother’s wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ ¹⁰ And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.” 

The law of Moses assumed a hostile setting where there was no willing kinsman redeemer. The name of the closer redeemer was never revealed by the writer. We do not know his name or his relationship. I suspect he was a first-cousin and Boaz was at least one step removed. Boaz immediately pressed his claim and made clear his intention regarding the property of Elimelech and his direct heirs. The most important part of the transaction was this -- along with the property he would take the widow. The first boy baby would be recorded as the son of Mahlon and would then inherit the property that would have been held in trust for him.

 

You might ask, “What does this mean to me?” it is an interesting story. If you are a romantic you might see it as a well written love story. But it happened a long time ago. It could be a case study in property ownership many years later. For whatever reason this story is important to us. The story of Ruth teaches us that God does not discriminate against women or against other races. Let’s look at the qualifications of a kinsman redeemer and apply them to Jesus. Thus showing that Jesus became our kinsman redeemer.

Old Testament qualifications and Jesus’ meeting them for us.

First, it is necessary that the one who would serve as a redeemer have a blood relationship. What does the New Testament tell us about Jesus?

Galatians 4:3- 5; In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. ⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And, Hebrews 2:17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

The redeemer must have the resources. At least in the recovery of the land. 1 Peter 1:17--19 ,  And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, ¹⁸ knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

The redeemer had to be willing to redeem the property and marry the widow. John 10:15-18 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Boaz personifies Jesus who, “had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17), Jesus redeemed those who were slaves to sin. “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶ Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, ¹⁸ and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:15–18)  Jesus redeemed those who had lost all earthly privilege in the Fall in the Garden of Eden and had been alienated from God by sin. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:18–21).

Boaz stands in the direct line of Christ. This turn of events marks the point where Naomi’s human emptiness (Ruth 1:21) begins to be refilled by the Lord. Her night of earthly doubt has been broken by the dawning of new hope.

Have you recognized your need for a redeemer? One who can buy you back from the fields of this age and allow you to work alongside those who are servants of the King of the Universe? See how a citizen of a foreign nation can become a member of the people of God? Have you trusted Jesus as your Lord?

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2016. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society..

210912 Ruth 5

 Ruth 5                                                                                             210912

The story of Ruth begins as a growing tragedy and moves forward to an amazing triumph. Within 10 years Elimelech, Malon and Chilion died leaving the widows without a man. One day Naomi heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had restored Israel.

 This period in history was extremely hard. The record of the Judges concludes by telling us, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25). Prejudice is a malicious social disease that destroys any opportunity to build a strong community.

Naomi was in no mood to trust God in her situation. She had been on hand when Elimelech had trusted God, moved to Moab, and died!

Ruth was determined to be loyal to Naomi. She said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” (Ruth 1:16-17). This testimony shows her conversion to the family of the living God, Yahweh!

When the two women arrived in Bethlehem they were the talk of the town! In reply to the question, “Is this Naomi?” She answered, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. ²¹ I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:21).

“Naomi” means “Pleasant” and “Mara” means “Bitter”.

Ruth’s confession of faith had included a rejection of the Moabite god, chemosh! Ruth surrendered her life to Naomi and the one true God, “Yahweh”.

Naomi was in so much pain that she could not imagine Ruth as an asset. God is often blamed when things seem to go “wrong”. Man takes the credit when things seem to go “right”!

Chapter one ends with a hint of how they might survive, “And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.” (Ruth1:22b) There were two things Naomi and Ruth had to have in order to survive: food and family. They had gleaned for food in the fields of Moab. So they knew how to “get by” for food but there was certainly no future in that.

Chapter two begins with, “Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. (Ruth 2:1) Ruth and Naomi may have discussed their closest relatives but they would not have known which relatives had survived.

Naomi’s comment, “I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty,” (Ruth 1:20) certainly indicates she could not see anything positive in their situation. Yahweh Himself was Ruth’s and Naomi’s only real asset. But Naomi did not give Ruth any consideration. Apparently she did not trust Yahweh! So Ruth takes it upon herself to provide for their needs. She asked Naomi’s permission before she went out to gather what grain she could. God’s unseen hand reached out.

Ruth just “happened” to come to the field being harvested by Boaz, one of their kinsman redeemers!

Now I don’t believe in chance or luck. I do believe in providence!

God had provided for gleaning in the Law of Moses. One of the laws of compassion allow for the poor to glean after the harvesters. “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 24:19).

When she set out that morning Ruth was not looking for Boaz’s field she was just looking for food for her and her beloved Naomi. I do not think Ruth planned to arrive in Boaz’s field. I believe God guided her there. This was not a scheme by the two widows to trap a man. It was part of a long-term plan arranged by God with a specific goal. Look at the evidence of Boaz and his crew showing their common faith. Ruth arrived just as, “Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.” (Ruth 2:4) It just happened that Boaz arrived while Ruth was gleaning in his field. I believe God’s unseen hand guided her to family, food and a future all wrapped up in one package. A package named Boaz. When he arrived on the scene he did not ask, “Who is the young woman?” He asked, “Whose young woman is this?” The difference is subtle. Boaz did not want to know who she was as much as he wanted to know if she was free and if not who did she belong to. 

Boaz checked in with his crew and gave them instructions then he approached Ruth. Boaz had instructed his crew, male and female, to keep Ruth from harm and to make sure she had all she needed. He also told the young men to leave plenty of grain for her to gather. She was to be allowed to drink from the workers’ water jars. She knew that this was not common practice. And she was bold enough to ask, “Why”?

Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (Ruth 2:11-12) Ruth’s loyalty had paid off in real dividends. She could see that she was being treated like one of his servants and not like a poor foreigner.

Boaz went a step further. At the end of the day he and his crew ate together. He invited Ruth to join in the meal. He even served her with his own hands. At the end of the day Ruth beat out the grain she had gathered. Naomi was excited about the size of Ruth’s harvest. Obviously, someone had blessed her. I am not sure Naomi was ready to recognize God’s hand. But we know that God was her benefactor. Just as Boaz had said, “The Lord repay you for what you have done.”(Ruth 2:12) Barley harvest usually began about mid-April and wheat harvest extended to mid-June—a period of intense labor for about two months. This generally coincided with the seven weeks between Passover and Pentecost.

For a couple of months Ruth had worked in the fields of Boaz alongside his young women. During that time her reputation was growing. Later, Boaz would call her a worthy woman. That same phrase is used to describe the excellent wife beginning in Proverbs 31:10. No doubt he was smitten by her and did not know exactly what to do about it. I believe he was older than she and had likely given up on having a wife and family. He may have been too busy bringing his business through the famine. This may have been one explanation of why he was not already married.

Of course he was not married! God was holding him in reserve to become the great-grandfather of David the King. Meanwhile, “She lived with her mother-in-law.”  (Ruth 2:23b) As soon as Naomi heard the name, “Boaz” she knew what to say and do. “Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. ³ Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. ⁴ But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” ⁵ And she replied, “All that you say I will do.” (Ruth 3:2-5).

The scene was set. Most of the servants of Boaz would have the day, or certainly the evening, off. Winnowing was a man’s job. The female servants brought in the harvest and the men would have separated the grain from the chaff. The fact that Boaz was there working alongside of his crew in doing the work speaks well of him.

Ruth had bathed and put on perfume. I expect she had, up till then, been dressed in the clothes of a widow. She would have put the “widows weeds” aside and, with her clothing, shown that she was ready to lay aside the past and get on with life. She went to the winnowing floor and let the darkness protect her identity. Following Naomi’s instructions she watched Boaz very carefully. She did not want to approach the wrong man when she moved into action. She watched where he lay down and waited until she was certain he was sound asleep.

Then she softly moved to his feet and turned his robe back and lay down. In our world that would have been a very provocative act. In their world this was acceptable. I believe at least one of Boaz’s servants was awake and aware of what was happening. That servant would have been very loyal to his good master. His duties would have included maintaining a fire and watching over the gathered grain. He would have also known Ruth was worthy and to be trusted.

That would have been who Boaz spoke to when he said, ““Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” (Ruth 3:14)

In the middle of the night Boaz was awakened and he uncovered Ruth. He asked, “Who are you?” Her reply would have settled all of his doubts about her and their future.

The word she used for covering might be translated “wings”, “skirt”, or “hem”. It was the same word Boaz used when referring to her relationship with the God of Israel. Ruth was serious about her relationship with Boaz. She said, “Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” ¹⁰ And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. ¹¹ And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.

(Ruth 3:9b-11). Then Boaz revealed that he had been considering exactly what Ruth proposed. He had done his research but he had kept quiet about what he knew.

He said, “And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. ¹³ Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.” (Ruth 3:10-13), Ruth wanted there to be no doubt in Boaz’s mind. Naomi had given her instruction to let Boaz discover her and then follow his directions. “But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” (Ruth 3:7). Ruth did not stop with the unveiling she added to Naomi’s words.  “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

(Ruth 3:9b) Boaz was a man of honor. He would make sure Ruth’s reputation was secure. He would also make sure there was no time for the “closer redeemer” to hear about the scene at the threshing floor.

At the same time, he would protect her physically by having her stay until morning twilight to go home. Also he gave her an abundance of grain so Naomi could no longer say God brought her back empty. Then he promised to settle the matter immediately. He must not let too much time pass. The whole community would have known what was going on soon enough. If the nearer redeemer had time to work out the nuances of Ruth and the property she represented he would have found a way to make it work. So, Boaz is ready to strike while the iron is hot! Before his cousin (at least I think they were cousins) realized there would be a way to add to his land, father a male heir, and still keep his estate separate. ********

 

In the meantime, Ruth came to their apartment in the city with a story to tell and a large supply of barley. Naomi assured Ruth, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.” (Ruth 3:18).

In his excitement Boaz hurried to the city gate. He had, had little sleep and lots of anticipation. I believe he knew what time each day what’s his name would pass through that gate. I expect Boaz had watched what’s his name going through his daily routines long enough to act on the information he had gathered. When the unnamed redeemer arrived at the gate he found Boaz ready to close the trap.

Boaz quickly organized a 10 man quorum (I believe he had already “packed the court”) and now he presented his case.

Boaz began with a simple statement of facts. Notice, he did not begin with a mention of Ruth. He began with Naomi. She would have been the person having ownership. When Elimelech took his family to Moab he did not sell his land. In fact he could not sell it because he really didn’t own it. God did! Land was very important! God had laid down property law based on Leviticus 25:23-24, “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the country you possess, you shall allow a redemption of the land.” God intended to maintain ownership of the land forever. The people were simply leaseholders.

Besides all that, there would not have been a market for land in a time of famine. I believe there would have been a hut on their plot of land and nothing else. Aside from the unseen direction of God’s hand, Elimelech’s land would have been nearby. The land plan of God was to keep families and clans together. That would maintain a safe and secure community.

Boaz reports to what’s his name that Naomi wanted to turn her inherited land into cash. Now that he had the kinsman’s attention, “he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. ⁴ So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” (Ruth 4:3-4).

Without thought, the kinsman immediately said, “I will redeem it.”

Now was the time for Boaz to toss in a little complication. “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” (Ruth 4:5). I believe there would have been legal ways to unravel the complications raised by bringing Ruth into his household. Boaz had taken the time to research the possibilities. What’s his name would not have done the research and may not have been aware of Ruth. Perhaps Boaz could have married Ruth some other way. Whatever the complications may have been they were enough to stop the deal with the unnamed kinsman.

Upon hearing about the marriage inheritance part of the deal he said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. ⁸ So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. (Ruth 4:6-8)

For whatever reason what’s his name could not see a path that would allow him to be the redeemer. Probably the property was all he was interested in. The ten man jury heard his affirmation and saw the exchange of a sandal.

This was a very agreeable experience. We will look at the record of what might have been. It is recorded in Deuteronomy 25:5-10.

⁵ “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. ⁶ And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. ⁷ And if the man does not wish to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ ⁸ Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’ ⁹ then his brother’s wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ ¹⁰ And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.”  

The record of law assumed a hostile setting where there was no willing kinsman redeemer. What’s his name was never revealed by the writer. We do not know his name or his relationship. I suspect he was a first-cousin and Boaz was at least one step removed. Boaz immediately pressed his claim and made clear his intention regarding the property of Elimelech and his direct heirs. The most important part of the transaction was this along with the property he would take the widow. The first boy baby would be recorded as the son of Mahlon and would then inherit the property that would have been held in trust for him.

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. ¹⁰ Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” (Ruth 4:9-10)

Boaz fulfilled an important role in the history of the land that was Elimelech’s. The perpetuation of the family name was as important as the recovery of the land.

There was rejoicing in Bethlehem that day. The broken family relationship would be restored for the land and the inheritance assured.

Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, ¹² and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:11-12)

Ruth had been kept from conception because God had plans for her. She had become a follower of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Now she would take her place in the genetic line that would bring an anointed messiah into the world to be the kinsman redeemer of all who will put their faith in him.

 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. ¹⁴ Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! ¹⁵ He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” ¹⁶ Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. ¹⁷ And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:13-17).

The shortened genealogy was included to show future generations what this story is really all about.

Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, ¹⁹ Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, ²⁰ Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, ²¹ Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, ²² Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. (Ruth 4:18-22).

 

Boaz personifies Jesus who, “had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17), Jesus redeemed those who were slaves to sin. “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶ Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, ¹⁸ and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:15–18)  Jesus redeemed those who had lost all earthly privilege in the Fall and had been alienated by sin from God. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:18–21).

Boaz stands in the direct line of Christ. This turn of events marks the point where Naomi’s human emptiness (Ruth 1:21) begins to be refilled by the Lord. Her night of earthly doubt has been broken by the dawning of new hope.

Have you recognized your need for a redeemer? One who can buy you back from the fields of this age and allow you to work alongside those who are servants of the King of the Universe? See how a citizen of a foreign nation can become a member of the people of God? Have you trusted Jesus as your Lord?

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2016. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society..