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Purpose
As you may know, when we read scripture God will reveal something new to us as we are prepared to hear it. I have since my own salvation written some of these Words down on various scraps of paper scattered throughout my home.
I though it would be nice to include different things God reveals to me during my readings here.
Should any of you wish to send me Words that God has spoken to you through scripture, I will be happy to include a reader submission section on this page.
Please keep in mind that anything included on this page are things God through His Word is teaching me. They do not necessary apply to you or have meaning to the world in general.
God's Words to me through His Book
Jonah 3:1-10
1 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 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. 4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. 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. 6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
As I read this passage, I was reminded of my country, America. You often hear preachers ask the people to pray for the nation. Yet I have rarely done so. I have in the back of my mind that it's too late. We've gone too far away from the Lord, what's the point of praying.
Yet I see here a great city that was evil to it's core. It was so evil that Jonah didn't want to go to preach repentance to them. He even became angry when the Lord was merciful after they repented.
I see the impossible happen in this passage, an evil nation repents. Yes, it is impossible for the nation of America to be brought back to God. Fortunately, the impossible is what God specializes in! Things we can hardly imagine are simply a word spoken by God.
So when I am reminded to pray for my country either by a pastor or by God. I will do so with all sincerity, knowing that if it is God's will for repentance to sweep across the land then it will come to pass. When I pray, I will ask for the impossible knowing that impossible does not exist in the Kingdom of God.
Hosea 6:1-2
1Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.
These versus are written to the nation Israel. First I see the people saying let's return to the Lord. In Revelation it also states that the people will return to the Lord. It describes how the Nation was torn apart but that it would be healed by Jesus.
This is the part that struck me. It says after two days He will revive us. Keeping in mind that a day is like a thousand years, I see that AFTER two days or 2000 years Jesus will revive the Jewish nation. Then on the third day (sometime after 2000 years but before 3000 years end) Jesus will bring glory to the Nation once again they will live in His sight. Could this passage be referring to His reign here on earth? The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) is on September 31st (1 Tishrei 5761). Many scholars believe this will mark the beginning of the 3rd day.
I have seen the 2000 year theory many times, but it never really it home like it did today as I read this passage. In very simple terms the 2000 year theory has to do with the creation of the earth. Six days God created all that is on the 7th day He rested. From the time of (Tohu) Desolation (Adam) to the time of (Torah) instruction/Law was 2000 years. From the time of the Law to Jesus (Yemot Mashiach) Days of Messiah again was 2000 years. From the time of Jesus to (Athid Lavo) the future coming is expected to be 2000 years.
From Jesus to September 30th you have 2000 years (so scholars believe) which equals 6000 years or 6 days. So the 7th day or in the 7000th year(s) you have rest. The return of Jesus.
I pray that the Lord will guide me as I read scripture so that I can divide His Word correctly and understand what He's telling me.
Isaiah 42:1-12
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. 10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. 11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
As I read this, the isles (Islands) keeps jumping out at me. In this chapter God is talking about the Gentiles. Might the isles refer to the church. As you look around, you can see that Christians do seem to be small groups within the nations. Like little islands in the sea. As you may know the sea is used in scripture as a representation of people of the earth. It would make sense then to refer to the Church as isles (Islands) is the sea of people.
Proverbs 7:7-27
7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgement. 8He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house 9at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of the night set in. 10Then out came a women to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. 11(She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) 13She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. 15So I came out to meet you; I look for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18Come, let us drink deep of love! 19My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon."
21With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. 22All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose 23till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
24Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
I see here that the youth starts out by walking towards the woman's house. This calls to mind how we can casually head in the direction of sin. This youth is walking not running, it is a step by step progression towards the woman. I also noticed the time, it was twilight with darkness setting in. With each step he took, it became darker, the light was fading away. Like our souls, with each step we take towards sin, the darkness gets darker and covers the light.
Finally when the youth gets close enough the woman comes out and entices him. She comes out boldly, knowing the youth can not see the danger because he's walked to far in the dark. The women tells the youth that she has been looking for him, as sin/Satan looks for us.
Then she makes evil look good by presenting it in a pretty package of luxury. Fine linens, perfumes, and the promise of love. She then convinces him that there will be no consequences to their sin because her husband is away.
The youth is duped, the darkness has overwhelmed him. He is tricked into walking into the pit of death. We are then warned to beware the woman, which is sin.
I also was struck by the similarity between this chapter and the woman in the book of Revelation. The woman in revelation is beautiful in appearance with luxury all around her. The similarity between the Proverbs woman's husband being away and Jesus, our husband being away preparing a place for us.
The woman in Revelation also leads many astray directly into the pits of hell.
The warning to me is to watch my step. There are situations that occur in life where I might do something that's not quite right and yet not quite a sin. That can easily turn into a first step which can lead to a second and then a third, and so on it goes.
This can be easy in todays world. We see so much evil that it can be hard at times to see it. We become so accustomed to the world that what should shock or offend us becomes a non-issue. So, I see here that I must take extra care that I don't stroll into danger.
Job 1:13-22
13Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house;14and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15"when the Sabeans raided them and took them away-indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"17While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"18While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19"and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"20Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
21 And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord."
22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
There was Job living a righteous life. He had everything he could desire, children, wealth, servants, etc. Yet in one day it was all gone. I was amazed by the fact that when he heard of all the disasters that befell him the first thing he did was worship God. I could understand the loss of his money, but I stumble over the loss of his children.
Would I be able to praise God through the death of my children? I can see over time as some kind of healing takes place, but could I do it the moment I received the news? I think back to the times when things didn't go my way. I find that many of those times I complained to God. That's a far cry from praising Him. Yes, I have even been angry at God for not doing what I wanted even though I was in a great deal of emotional pain.
Now it's my prayer the God would continue to mold me and that He would give me a spirit of thanksgiving even when I travel through though difficult life situations.
I Kings
There isn't a particular verse or chapter, rather the repetition of the same theme. The King does evil against God, and for the most part something bad occurs. Either there are many wars or the King is killed, a child or family dies, etc.
I had always been rather puzzled by the types of things that happened to these men. However, I cam to realize by the grace of God, that God didn't cause these things to occur rather He allowed them to happen.
For instance you may have an enemy of a King living for years, and after the King sins against God, suddenly they get this idea to kill the King. Why not before?
I have come to feel it is because God prevents evil things from happening to us. It makes me wonder how many times in our lives does God intercede for us when Satan lays a trap or plots some evil demise for us.
I realize there is a time for God's judgement, both in the past, present, and certainly in the future. But when we examine our lives and evil or bad things occur, it is either because we have sinned against God, "forcing" Him to withdraw some of His protection, so that we will learn and grow closer to Him, or so that someone else might see the light of Jesus through our suffering.
Numbers 11:4-5;20
4Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: "Who will give us meat to eat? 5"We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic;
20"but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the Lord who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, "Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?"
I had always wondered why God became angry with Israel when they cried out that they didn't have enough food to eat or water to drink. However upon reading this again, I see that God was not angry because they wanted something else to eat, rather because they longed for the life they had in Egypt.
I was saved as an adult and lived a worldly life prior to my salvation. I have to wonder about those times when I looked back at something and remembered the "fun" I had. While I have no desire to turn back to the life I once lived, occasionally, a twinge of desire for some particular activity will surface. Do I look to God when my Egypt comes to remembrance? Or what about looking at my marriage and thinking before I accepted Christ, it was so much easier. Now my relationship with God comes between us.
I pray that the Lord will take all of my Egypt's out of my heart, and that I will be grateful for the time He leads me through the wilderness in order to do that!
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