THINGS PERTAINING TO THE KINGDOM
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Christ’s Kingdom
The Gospel Kingdom is the end of all kingdoms! Rev. 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
For the Lord, as the Sower that sowed, (Matt. 13), has planted his elect in all the kingdoms of the world, throughout history. Rev. 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Therefore he has sent his gospel soldiers into every nation to gather out of them all that will believe their report into his spiritual kingdom! And he has promised to be with them in doing so through every national campaign, until time shall end! Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Lord chose to raise up the explorers, migrants, discoverers, and wars in order to progress mankind into the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord! (Acts 17:26-27). Therefore the increment of gospel evangelism has always been the individual nations. (See verse 19 of the Matthew 28 passage listed above! Go – and teach all nations! And take note of the Revelation 5:9 verse, also listed above! … out of every…nation;)
And the end of time is based, not upon national Israel, but upon the preaching of the spiritual church as it is raised up in its appointed times within the nations! Matt. 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
And the last nation, as well as the last kingdom is the church! Matt. 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: THE only ‘nation’ bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit is the spiritual church! And we are not speaking of the organization of religion, but of the organism of the Body of Christ!
Christ’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom within a physical and natural world, which requires a second birth by the Holy Spirit within the natural body! Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
And the Lord Jesus Christ being now the King of all kings, with the only world wide rule since Nebuchadnezzar of the Chaldeans, Darius of the Persians, Alexander of the Greeks, and Caesar of the Romans, comes now to instruct concerning the Things Pertaining To The Kingdom! For his kingdom is the domain of his Sovereign rule! Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God’s Prophet – The kingdom must know that it is to be ruled by the Supreme Commander – The Lord Christ! Here he is! The Prophet of which Moses spake which God should raise up “like unto me!” (Deuteronomy 18:15). And he showed himself alive after his sufferings (passion)! Satan had done his worst! Sin had exacted its penalty! Death and Hell had coupled together to swallow him up! But here he stands, speaking to them! Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Listen to Peter preaching on Solomon’s porch after the healing of the lame man: Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
God’s Promise – One of the next things which the King relates concerning his kingdom is the source of its power and direction! He tells them in verse four to wait for the promise of the Father! For his kingdom shall not be directed by man’s might, nor by human power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts! (Zechariah 4:6).
He will relieve them of the committee’s vote, the individual’s preferences, and the administration’s platform! Peter must lose his sword! Zebedee’s son’s must lose their ambition! Judas must lose his soul! The religious Pharisees must lose their prejudices! And the harlots and publicans must lose their sin and condemnation! For the King of Glory is now to rule by the promise of the Father – the Blessed Holy Spirit!
And we have certain assurance that Christ is presently reigning and is the world-wide ruling Lord by the receiving of the Holy Spirit. For the Spirit’s coming down is only upon the event of the Lord’s going up! Listen at Peter preach on Pentecost concerning David’s prophesy of Christ! Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Settle it! Do we have the Holy Spirit? Then Christ is presently reigning Lord! For it is only as Christ is presently reigning that the Holy Spirit is sent!
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Are our sins forgiven? Is the Father satisfied (Isaiah 53:11), with the atonement? Then Christ is presently reigning Lord! Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Dear soul, Christ will present himself as ruling and reigning Lord only by the Holy Spirit! John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
God’s Power – We didn’t list verses seven and eight of Acts chapter one in our above listed verses, but it is good to notice that Christ, the Supreme Commander, instructs that there are some things in the Father’s power that his disciples cannot know. But then in the first of verse eight he instructs that there is a power exclusive to them for their work! So our Sovereign is informing us that to get along with the purpose of the Holy Spirit in His kingdom, we must know both our limitations and our abilities. For both are set forth by Him!
Dear friend, God has not done all he could! He has only done all he would! He has restrained all things except those which accompany salvation! Paul was not allowed to publish among men the glories he saw in the third heaven! (2 Cor. 12:4). And John was not allowed to publish all the marvelous things the Lord did in his earthly ministry! But there is a restraint in God’s effectual revelation for the purpose of bringing the elect to God! John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. It will then be a very beneficial blessing for us to learn to do as the Apostle Paul and determine not to know certain things! Too many preachers want you to know that they know more than you do. They wish to display themselves and their intellect in the pulpit. But that is not what the pulpit is for!
1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
If only we were content to work in the power alloted to us, leaving all else aside, maybe our churches wouldn’t stand only in a faith in men! God have mercy!
Pastor Gene Breed

HE THAT IS FEEBLE

Zechariah 12:7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. 8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
We have previously looked at The Tents of Judah in verse seven, so we come now to look at the eighth verse. And we would be reminded that these things are issues designated to happen In that day! That is, these things are spiritual properties of the then, coming church age! These shall happen after the Lamb of God has finished the transgression and established his Lordship over all the world! (Daniel 9:24; Hebrews 1:3).
In the first part of verse eight we find that the Lord shall triumph FOR them! This is also carried forth in verse nine. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Psalm 41:11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. The Lord designed the sheep to represent his people, for it has no claws like the bear, biting poison like the serpent, striking tails like the scorpion, nor crushing jaw like the lion! The only protection for the sheep is their shepherd! His determination to protect them, seen in the very experiences of their lives, is of great assurance of his favor.
Then in the latter part of verse eight we find that the Lord will triumph IN them! And this is also extended in verse ten! And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
And both of these are works of the Holy Spirit! For he is said to be both with, to protect, and in the individual believers, to purge, cleanse and guide! John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Now the King James Bible uses a word of translation that doesn’t give the strength of the next statement from the LORD, concerning his dealings with them in this church age. For it reads, and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; It’s that Hebrew word, here translated feeble to which we refer. For it is first mentioned in our Bibles in Leviticus 26:37, and translated as, and they shall fall. Then in 1 Samuel 2:4 we find it in English as, and they that stumbled.
Therefore we do not find the meaning to be, “Your weak guys shall be as strong as David!” That would be as if David was the image into which we all should be formed! And that would imply that David was strong in himself!
But since we see it not as just feeble, but as those who stumble, we find it to really have meaning of the wonderful and gracious forgiveness and cleansing of sin by the Lord, as when David fell! The spiritual kingdom of Lord Christ shall provide a perfect redemption, by his blood, that the bloods of bulls and goats could never sustain! Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
For in Christ there is not merely forgiveness, but cleansing! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. For the atonement having then been accomplished, shall to them all be applied! And it includes the imputing to God their sin, and the imputing to them of the very righteousness of God Himself! 2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
But why should they be allowed to stumble if they are the Lord’s elect? Listen to Daniel 11:35, which uses that exact same Hebrew word, which we will underline for you. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
Dear Reader, make no mistake about it; sin is used of God to cause grace to abound! Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: Sin is, of itself damning, and destroys! Sin, of itself, is not good! But the Sovereign Lord causes it to work together for good! (Rom. 8:28).
For the ability to stumble causes the necessity of God’s chastisement! And that chastisement is of great evidence of the love of the Father! Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Listen to the Psalmist after he sees the benefit of his chastisements. Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Read also Psalm 32.)
Now we come in our verse to read, the house of David shall be as God! The Lord Jesus Christ is said to be the son of David (Matt. 1:1). That is, he was born of woman. He is as much the Son of man as he is the Son of God! Therefore the LORD is revealing to the Prophet Zechariah that in the new kingdom there shall not only be stumbling sinners given the benefits of forgiveness like David, but there shall also be a human, in the line of David, that actually shall be God Himself!
Consider these verses: John 10:30 I and my Father are one.14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Phil. 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Jesus Christ is very man and very God! And he is as the angel of the LORD before them. He is God manifested in the flesh! And that angel of the LORD was seen to rule over all in Zechariah 1:11. He was seen to intercede in Zechariah 1:12. He was seen to rebuke Satan and cloth his people in righteousness in Zechariah 3:1-5.
The Apostle Paul reveals that the angel of the LORD is none other than Christ Jesus! Galatians 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Revelation 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Pastor Gene Breed
June 17, 2011

THY KING COMETH

Zechariah 9:8 And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. 10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
The Christian has much to cause him to Rejoice greatly! He is like unto no other religionist in the entire universe! His God actually dwells within him! His very body is the temple for his God’s habitation! His God’s Incarnation is a proof of his own regeneration! All other religionists must have their paintings, their religious jewelry, their visible symbols and idols to strive, in vain, to keep their god in their minds. But the Christian has his God, by the Holy Spirit, dwelling within him!
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Notice the personal reason our Lord God gives as the sole cause of this joyous worship! In verse eight we are told by His own mouth, I will encamp about mine house! And then he gives the understanding that He has set loose the Greek Gentile King (Alexander the Great), to destroy the Medes and the Persian kingdom as he clearly prophesied in the Book of Daniel.
Daniel 8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
But he instructs his people, who are at this time clearing away the rubble and rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, that this scourge will not come nigh them. Psalm 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. His personal presence and protection shall be theirs through all that then occurs on earth!
Not An Army!
Notice that he does not say, “I will raise you up an army for your protection!” That would be a cause of rejoicing! But he shall only send them one man! And that one man shall be lowly, and riding upon an ass! – One man! That’s all they get! But that one man is God Himself! To see him is to see the Father! For he and the Father are one! (John 10:30).
To begin the population of the entire world, God created one man – Adam! To deliver his people from the power of Egyptian bondage, God raised up one man – Moses! And to deliver the church from it’s sin, God came himself, as one man – the man Christ Jesus!
NOT an army! But God came Himself! Zech. 2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zephaniah 3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
The church in every age must come to see that it is one body, but made up of individual members. (1 Corin. 12:12,20.) And none of those other members was able to redeem them, (Psa. 49:7), nor to grant them the life they enjoy among the body as a whole. They must all learn that they can relate one to the other only as they first relate to the Head, even Christ! Our God is a jealous God! In fact, his name is Jealous! (Exod. 34:14). And every individual believer will, at some time in their lives, be isolated to that God without other human distraction! He will exclusively provide Himself as the reason for rejoicing greatly!
Not Even the Destruction of the Enemy!
The cause of great rejoicing before the Lord is not only that God is providing himself, and not an army. But the source of this great rejoicing is also not to be found in the destruction of their enemies! In verse five of this chapter we read, the king shall perish from Gaza, Israel’s enemy! But that is not set forth as the reason for this great rejoicing!
The disciples fell into this trap, provided, not by the Spirit, but only by their inordinate affections! Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
And in the very next verse Jesus properly rejoices! Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. God coming in effectual revelation to his elect people is the cause of great rejoicing! Notice: THY King cometh unto THEE! A personal God coming personally in individual salvation to his people!!!
His Kingdom Character
The Lord instructs us in Book of Daniel that there were four Gentile kingdoms – the Assyrians, under Nebuchadnezzar; the Medes/Persians, under Darius & Cyrus; the Greeks, under Alexander the Great; and the Romans under the Caesars – then there would come in during the Roman reign a kingdom which would never, ever, ever be conquered, nor replaced! – the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ! His is a spiritual, gospel, eternal kingdom, set forth by his illustrious death as the final sacrifice!
Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (the Roman Empire) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 28 Hitherto is the end of the matter.
Daniel 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
But because men cannot SEE this kingdom, unless being born by the Spirit (John 3:3,5), they erroneously imagine with their unregenerate spirit that it has not come! Unconverted religionists have unmercifully chopped up the scriptures in every unbelievable attempt to prevent anyone from believing Christ is the presently reigning Lord! They utterly refuse to quote verse eighteen of Matthew twenty eight as they drive their poor members to “Go into all the world, and get us some more tithers!” For verse 18 clearly states, from the mouth of the King Himself, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Amazing! They allow Caesar and Alexander a sovereign control, but not the Lord Christ! And they still claim to be “Christ-ians!”
And we clearly read that at the time of his completing the atonement he sat down in the position of honor and rule! Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
As before stated, they will allow Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus, Alexander, and Caesar to have been world rulers, but not Christ! Settle it! If the Lord Jesus cast out devils by the Holy Spirit, then the kingdom of God was already here at that time! Matt. 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
The kingdom of Christ on earth shall END with the gospel having been preached to all the world! But most say it will then only be beginning! What did Christ say? Matt. 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The American church, like the apostate Jews want a fanciful, flashy, political king! But God sent a king who is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. His sword is the spirit of the word of God! (Eph. 6:17). He did not come to make America great! He came to make some Americans holy! But we are a proud, greedy people, who will not bow to admitting that we own a king on a donkey! We want a king on a grand white stallion!
But in verse ten of our above listed text we find that we shall have to resist his rule for us to have such, for since the king sets the personality of the kingdom by his own personality, he will not allow the grand stallions for anyone! He will cut asunder all those on their high horses, acting in the energy of human might! He will destroy humanly contrived chariots and battle bows!
Haggai 2:21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; 22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. 12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
Dear ones, trade in your soul damning high horse, and bow to your donkey ride, for the Lord hates a proud look! (Prov. 6:16,17). Pastor Gene Breed
February 24, 2011

UZZA

1 Chronicles 13:6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. 7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. 8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. 9  And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. 11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

The name, “Uzza,” is the same word “might” in verse eight of this chapter. It is also translated, “strength” in chapter 16 and verse eleven. He is a personal type of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

The Scriptures declare Christ to be our strength! Psalm 81:1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. And to him alone is strength ascribed! Rev. 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

1. It was written that he died also due to the people’s sin! 1Chr. 15:2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. 12 And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

You will notice that in these verses as King David communes with the Levites concerning the ‘breach’ of wrath God made, Uzza’s name is nowhere mentioned! In fact David said, “our God made a breach upon US!” Even so, the death of Christ, our Strength, was due to OUR sin! He was wounded for OUR transgressions! He was bruised for OUR iniquity! (Isa. 53:5).

John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

One of the reasons we do not understand the event of God’s killing Uzza is due to the fact that we do not understand what sin is! Sin is a coming short of the glory of God! (Rom. 3:23). All Israel agreed to leave the ark uncovered, and to transport it on a new cart as the Philistines had done! (1 Sam. 6:7). They came short of the glory and sanctity of the ark’s meaning and purpose.

Listen to what God commanded concerning the ark’s handling. Num. 4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. The Kohathites were not even to look upon the uncovered ark, let alone touch it before Aaron and his sons covered it!

The sin was David’s and all Israel’s, but God in his mercy only killed Uzza for his part in the matter. He was guilty, but He whom his life was but the shadow and type, had to be “made” sin for us! For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corin. 5:2).

2. And nowhere in the Scriptures does it state that Uzza’s soul was cut off from before the Lord! He was not reprobated and consigned to eternal darkness. He was physically killed and brought on home to be with the Lord!

Christ died in the stead of spiritual Israel, and not for his own sin! Heb. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Uzza got out of bed that morning delighted to have been chosen by the king to be one of the cart’s drivers! He had no intention of tempting God! But he fell to his death that day being encased in an erroneous religious system!

The Lord Jesus Christ came to do his Father’s will, in which he delighted. But as he involved himself in our sinful state before God, it took his life! Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Unlike Christ, Uzza was not innocent. Nor was his death in any way redemptive. But you must agree that his life, like all else “written in  the law of Moses, and in the prophets,” concerned Christ!

3. Uzza died at a threshing floor! 1Chron. 13:9

The threshingfloor was a place of great mourning for the death of one of God’s servants. – Genesis 50:7-11. Christ is mourned for by his believers for his death on Mt. Calvary, which is Mt. Moriah in the Old Testament, the site of Ornan’s threshingfloor!

2 Chron. 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. It was the place on Mount Moriah where Solomon built the temple. This is the place where Christ, the most glorious Servant of God died!

The threshingfloor was also the place where a maiden, (Ruth), representing Christ’s Bride came into oneness with one who was in the lineage of Messiah (Boaz)! (Ruth 3:1-4).

To prepare for this union Ruth was instructed to wash herself – We must remain under the spiritually preached gospel – the washing of water by the Word! (Eph. 5:26).

She was told to anoint herself. We must have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, for none can call Christ Lord except by the Spirit! (1Cor 12:3).

And she was told to put on her proper raiment! The only raiment the saint has is the imputed righteousness of Christ! (Rev. 19:8). We must divest ourselves of all works righteousness! We must never think ourselves right before God due to any self accomplishment!

Then she was told to await the finishing of his eating and drinking before presenting herself unto him. (Ruth 3:3). The communion of the Bride of Christ with Christ is afforded to us only after he drank his bitter cup! (Matt. 20:22). Now he drinks it new with us, as one with him in the kingdom! (Matt. 26:22).

And lastly, Christ, with his threshingfloor fan, is now dealing with both chaff and wheat, separating them according to their relationship to his Lordship!  Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

4. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: This is not as correct a rendering by the King James translators as the text reveals. For the words, “And … was displeased,” in verse 11, are the exact same Greek word translated in verse ten as, “And … was kindled!” So David was more than “displeased!”

The Literal Bible reads, “And it burned to David!” This was a personal experience with David! He did not die physically! But he felt himself under the breach as well!

And the wrath of God falling on the dear Savior at Calvary has to be a personal experience to us today! For those who only know Calvary as a historical matter, have not salvation. For the fact of Christ’s crucifixion is well known by the demons in hell! But that bare knowledge also does them no good in any redemptive experience!

The Apostle states that our experience in Christ’s death must be like being buried with him. It is like being planted in the likeness of his death! We must experience the death of our former selves, and walk in newness of spiritual life! Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

The experience of the cross is so vivid in the  life of the believer, it is like his own crucifixion! Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

5. There was a stumbling associated with his death! In 1 Chronicles 13:9, listed above it states, “for the oxen stumbled.” And of the Jews relation to the Lord Jesus Christ we read, Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Those are still stumbling today who attempt to approach Christ by the practice of religious traditions, and by works of self justification!

Then there was the sanctified stumbling which God ordained to bring individual Jews back to God as they saw the Gentiles going into the kingdom before them. Rom. 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

For it appears to be David’s jealousy of God’s blessing the house of Obededom, a Gittite like the giant Goliath (2 Sam. 21:19), that caused him to renew his intent to bring the ark into Jerusalem! For it was written, And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had. (1 Chron. 13:14).

Pastor Gene Breed

David Smote the Philistines

2 Samuel 8:1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.

Our Admonition

What possible difference could it make to us today as to what some Israelite King did several thousand years ago? How could that help me face my daily spiritual battles? – Great question! Here’s the Bible’s answer: 1Cor. 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The scriptures teach us that all things are predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. (Eph. 1:11). So these lives and events were laid out by God in order to aid in our daily walk for the same “purposes” of the same Lord! The examples of their lives are said to be for our admonition, even though we live in the ages know to God as, “the ends of the world!” And that word,”admonition,” according to the Amplified Bible, means that they are to “fit us for right action by good instruction.” Let us see if we can find their ‘good instruction.’

Preparation for War

The Christian life is a call to war! 2 Tim. 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. So we CAN relate to David and his warfare against the enemies of the Lord! His was an outward, physical warfare against human enemies. Ours is an internal, spiritual warfare against principalities and invisible powers! Ephes. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Corin. 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

You will notice that our passage begins with the words, “And after this.” And as we look back we can readily see three things, in chapter seven that prepared David for this warfare.

First there was Rest! – 2Sam. 7:1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

For no one can competently fight the enemies of the faith without completely relying on, and resting in the Lord! Is. 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

No labor shall be successful without this! Matt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Secondly, there was the Word of God! – 2Sam. 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. Not one step should be taken in spiritual warfare without the only offensive weapon listed in the saint’s armor – the revelation of God’s word! Ephes. 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Without God’s word the spiritual warrior wouldn’t even know how to proceed in this dark world! Psa. 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

And thirdly, there was Prayer! - 2 Sam. 7:18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

At the end of the listing out of the Christian’s armor, we find this verse: Ephes. 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; For none will be successful in public warfare who has not learned to be often in this private exercise! The great Apostle Paul requested it of the church in order for his labor in preaching to be effectual! Col. 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Subduing the Enemy

We come now to our above listed passage and to the subduing of the enemies of the Lord. And we first note: The Previous Aggressor.

It is twice written in 2 Samuel chapter five that the Philistines came up against David. (verses 17 & 22). They made the first move against David and his forces! And so it is with the Christian warrior! He is first attacked by Satan and the forces of darkness, prior to his regeneration by grace! Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But in our passage we also note: The Present Aggressor! For now we read it is David who smote the Philistines and the Moabites! Armed with his resting in the Lord, his complete submission to God, and being directed by the word of God and prayer, he now takes the initiative for the Lord!

Ephes. 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; In this “learning of Christ,” the believer-soldier fitted with the helmut of salvation to cover his mind, must conquer his every thought to bring them all into the obedience of Christ! He is commanded to “think not” concerning many things, and to transform himself by “the renewing of his mind!” (Rom. 12:2). He must aggressively attack his old nature, with it’s lustful imagination and bring it into spiritual submission to his Lord!

And now we come to see what David’s Aggression involved. “…to put to death!” The Apostle Paul said that he must die daily! (1 Cor 15:31). Therefore we see that dying in the natural man is our daily responsibility! In fact, it is to be our daily, aggressive pursuit!

The songwriter proclaims, “Dying with Jesus through death reckoned mine; Living with Jesus a new life divine,”

The apostle again says, 2 Cor. 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

Most think that Christianity is just a matter of joining with a religious social club for human companionship! But that’s just the Harlot Church! True Christianity is far more radical! It requires a constant killing out of inordinate affections by abiding daily on a cross designed to destroy all Adam’s tendencies, so that only Christ’s image may remain! Can you imagine the fear and trembling that the third line of Moabites must have felt as they lay their on the ground as David and his forces executed two thirds of their fellow captives? But does not the Lord command us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling? (Phil. 2:12). We are told to correct out inordinate fear of man, by fearing Him who can cast both body and soul into Hell! (Matt. 10:28).

And the Lord did command that should our eye offend us, we are to “pluck it out” and cast it from us! That’s pretty radical! He didn’t say we are just to trim our eyelashes, but to rip out the eyeball! And he didn’t say we should just trim our fingernails, if our hand offends us! He said we are to chop that entire hand off! (Matt. 5:29,30). For he says it is far better to go into heaven maimed, then to fall into hell complete!

Moabites Cannot Enter

We are instructed in Deuteronomy 23:3,4 (and in Nehemiah 13:1-3), that Moabites are forbidden to enter into the congregation of the Lord forever! The reason given was that they didn’t nourish Israel with bread and water in their journey from Egyptian bondage! And make no mistake about it, your flesh will never provide you with spiritual nourishment as you journey from the bondage of sin towards the freedom of your promised place in Christ.

And flesh and blood, like the Moabites,  are clearly said to be kept out of the kingdom of Christ! John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 1Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Those who would enter into worship with the True God, must do so in spirit and in truth, not just in affections and emotions! (John 4:24).

The Kinsman Redeemer

There was a Moabite who was in the physical lineage of the Messiah, however! She was called Ruth the Moabitess. (Ruth 1:22). Her mother-in-law was Rahab the harlot. And her son was David’s grandad. (Matt. 1:5).

She does not represent just the carnal nature of the believer, but the elect believer himself, coming from out of the race of Adam. For the Lord has chosen that which is base, weak, despised, and foolish (1 Cor. 1:26-28). And as Ruth could not enter into God’s congregation due to her birth, she was brought in by a near kinsman’s willingness to marry her!

But her nearest kinsman would not do so! Ruth 4:6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Our nearest kinsman, Adam, left us locked out of the presence of God by his transgression. But as Ruth had Boaz, so we have Christ, our heavenly Husband to bring us in!

Ruth’s nearest kinsman had to remove his shoe to show he was not able to walk aright in this situation. Ruth 4:7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

But Christ, our Redeemer did recover us, so his shoe could not be removed! John 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. For Christ has redeemed us, not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13).

Pastor Gene Breed

ASHAMED AMBASSADORS

2 Samuel 10:1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? 4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. 6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

Christian Ambassadors

Ephesians 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. The Apostle Paul had been asking for prayer that he might make known the mystery of the gospel. And in this verse he adds two descriptive words concerning that responsibility. And those two words are, “in bonds.” He was to do that which his master bid him do, whether it brought shame, or praise upon him! THAT is certainly not the expectation of today’s gospel minister!

But listen to the list of things that the apostle reveals by which a true ambassador of the gospel of Christ will be approved: 2 Corin. 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

What a list! And who would put himself through such things, except that he was a slave, a servant of Jesus Christ? Those who are the called of the Spirit into the ambassadorship of the gospel, are called into the fellowship of His sufferings! (Phil. 3:10). And these ambassadors of King David reveal  to us that which true servants shall have afflicted upon them, for simply attempting to show kindness, and to bring comfort from their Sovereign!

The Origin of Their Shame

In verses three and four of our above listed passage, we find how this shame was forced upon them. There was a suspicion within the hearts of King Hanun’s counsellors against King David. Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. Out of the abundance of their defiled hearts came the vile council of their mouths! But the worse thing is revealed in the, “Wherefore” of verse four. – Hanun put their vileness of heart into a vile action! For it is not but a little way from the  suspicion of heart to the disdaining of the customs of David’s ambassador’s!

David had previously experienced this in his dealings with King Saul. 1Sam. 24:9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Here was that dishonour and evil report of which the Apostle wrote in the 2 Corinthians 6 passage, listed above!

Our Lord Jesus faced this also! He faced it not only from his enemies, but also from his friends. John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? Philip and Saul should have known the Lord Jesus and David by the expression of their character! But some people had rather climb a tree to believe a lie against a good man, than just stand on the ground and believe the truth!

Beards and Skirts

The two areas attacked are most interesting. One half of their beards were cut off, and their garments were cut off in the middle. For these are the items of anointing as listed in Psalm 133. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

The anointing oil, representing the Holy Spirit is connected with the dew from heaven, representing the distilling of the word of God, (Deut. 32:2), which is here said to be the command of God for life evermore! Satan and his forces are still doing all within their alloted power to cut these off from men!

The beard being cut off is used in the Scriptures to indicate judgment! Isaiah 7:20 In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.

Ezekiel 5:1 And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber’s razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair. 2 Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them. 3 Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts. 4 Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel. 8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.

It is also used as a sign of great sorrow! Jeremiah 48:37 For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. 38 There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.

It was not in the cutting of of the beard, but in the determination not to keep his beard trimmed by which Mephibosheth revealed to David his sorrow of heart at the kings absence! 2 Samuel 19:24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

David’s Experience

One of the most notable differences between hypocrites and the true believer is found in the response to their experiences. The hypocrite is revealed, not by his mental relation to the Bible, but by his rhetoric not being seen in his character and actions! Matt. 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

But the true believer, having the Holy Spirit within forming the character of Christ to be his own, are doers of the word! James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

And David had been personally involved in the matter of cutting off skirts. Therefore he knew that the Ammonite’s reaction to their terrible deed was not the same reaction he had experienced by the Spirit of God within! 1Samuel 24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. 5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

The Ammonites reaction was nothing like this, for there was not the Spirit of God dwelling within them. They reacted from an external source! For in verse 6 of our passage listed above, it states that they saw that they stank before David, NOT before God! Therefore their reaction was not like David’s in spiritual and inner conviction and repentance! Instead of repentance, we read that they went to the Syrians and hired an army to help protect them against what they knew was coming! Their violence begat more violence!

Saul had also been involved in the tearing off of the edge of a garment that belonged to the Prophet Samuel! And it did not end very well with him either! 1Sam. 15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. 27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. 28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

The spreading of the skirt is listed in Ruth as the consummation of the union between Ruth and Boaz. Ruth 3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. It is also used of the Lord to show the union of Himself with his Bride, the church. Ezekiel 16:8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. My, how Satan and those willing to be used of him, do all possible to cut off the skirt to hinder anyone from entering into the oneness of spirit with the Lord! Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

But thanks be to God for his sovereign power that no creature can hinder in Christ’s granting the covering robe to all the elect without exception! Rev. 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

None brought to Christ shall be without this garment! Luke 8:27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Pastor Gene Breed

AMBASSADORS AND COUNSELLORS

2 Samuel 10:1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? 4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. 6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

Ambassadors

Ambassadors are official representatives of a king, or a nation. They are bound to set forth only those things authorized by the one who chose them to be their representative! As here, David’s servants were to go into Ammon at this time of the king’s death to show kindness to his son. And this is what they did!

Christ’s ambassadors are now to do the very same. They are now authorized to go forth at the time of their dead king, Adam, (for he once had dominion over all creation), in order to comfort his son’s with everything that is  found in the Holy Scriptures! 2 Cor. 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

And they were only authorized to tell what they had personally experienced! Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Ambassador In Bonds

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The Apostle Paul here asks twice for prayer that he might might speak boldly in order to make known the mystery of the gospel. Why is he so urgent as to ask twice for this? He tells us that it is because he is an ambassador! But he also adds two words of description – in bonds! For he knew that he was not a volunteer in this King’s realm, (as no Christian is – see John 15:16), but he had been chosen by the Sovereign to lose his former personal life, and count all his achievements as dung in order to fulfill his calling as Christ’s ambassador! 1 Cor. 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Listen to his crucified attitude as Christ’s ambassador! 2 Cor. 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Phil. 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

True gospel ambassadors are never lords over God’s heritage (1 Peter 5:3), but are always helpers of their joy! For all who are in religious leadership will reflect but one of two personalities! They will either have the submissive, crucified attitude of Christ, as did Paul, to serve the soul’s of the Lord’s people. Or they will have the attitude of vain glory and pride, as did the angel who refused his calling to be the anointed cherub that covereth, and thereby became the Devil! The origin of sin and iniquity can be traced to his pride filled heart, (Ezek. 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.), at the moment of his decision not to cover these dust-made sons of God with his out stretched celestial wings, like those on the mercy seat! Heb. 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? The very instant he determined not to submit to aiding the Church, the glorious angel became the Devil!

Counsellors

We find also in this passage, not only the ambassadors of King David, but also the counsellors of King Hanun, the Ammonite. They, unlike an ambassador, are not require to give strict and official representation for the king! But they are responsible to give personal opinions for personal guidance to the king! And what wicked and harmful counsellors they proved to be! For many thousands of lives were lost as King Hanun’s “Wherefore” is brought forth! For in verse four of our above listed passage we find that due to their suspicious and prejudicial council against the true kindness of David, it is recorded of their entire nation that “they stank before David!”

It is a precious thing to have the council of a sanctified conscience to receive the goodness and kindness of the Lord! For it helps us in gaining access for the heart into the presence of glory! Heb. 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

For a sanctified conscience is worth rejoicing over! 2 Cor. 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Blessed Counsellors

Isaiah 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: 26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. 27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

In this passage we see that it is of the Lord’s initiative to provide edifying counsellors! He alone can undertake to “turn his hand upon us,” purge us of inward pollution, purifying our hearts in order that we may benefit from God-given counsellors.

Regeneration is utterly essential for benefit from the Holy Scriptures! Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. And the indwelling Holy Spirit as our guide is above price to guide us! John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

And along with the Holy Spirit is our greatest Counsellor, the Lord Jesus Christ! Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Rev. 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

We would do well to adhere to their councils! Prov. 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Prov. 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Evil Counsellors

1 Kings 12:12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. 13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; 14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Just like some of our day who go around “preacher shopping” until they can find one whose council will justify them in their sinful intents, Jeroboam went on from the older and wiser counsellors to the inexperienced youth who told him what he wanted to hear. The wise older men had told him to be a servant unto this people, and they will be thy servants forever! (1K. 12:7). But he had not the servant’s heart, and therefore, not the servant’s ear! The result was that God split the kingdom of Israel!

And notice: for the cause was from the LORD! Be sure that you seek the Lord for a pure heart and submissive spirit in order to serve his people, or you could wind up as the means used of the Lord to destroy spiritual unity from your generation!

Acts 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Let us be careful to fortify our hearts and minds against the evil council, both of human and spiritual forces, and seek the council of the Holy Spirit!

Pastor Gene Breed