Joel Osteen and Hurrican Harvey 515-1 - 2 - 8

I've written before about false prophets/ teachers and had no intentions of doing so this week, however, Joel Osteen has been getting quite a bit of publicity over the question did he or did he not refuse shelter to victims of hurricane Harvey. One Facebook story reads that he cruised by in his luxurious yacht handing out copies of his various books. No doubt fake news. Other theories are that his church is under water and therefore could not accommodate anyone. Others say that he told people to have faith.

The reason I became interested in this discussion is that a California cousin wrote this, “Not true. Commie leftists have been trying to ruin Osteen for years.” My California cousin is a conservative but very much into the New Age; a good witnessing opportunity. I replied, “I would expect the left gives no thought to Joel Osteen. Kimberly, Jesus is quoted in Luke 9:23, "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Sadly, this is a far less comforting message than that of the prosperity televangelists who appeal to those Paul warned of in the last days, pretty much where we presently are: 2 Timothy 4:3-4, "3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." No reply from my cousin, however, she has not unfriended me on Facebook.

Joel Osteen and his ilk are 180 degrees away from denying oneself and taking up one’s cross. These are the many professing to be ambassadors for God who misrepresent His Word. The “name it and claim it” prosperity televangelists are leading thousand down the wide path that leads to destruction.”

I’ve shared this before but once more:

WATCH DEMONS WORK - LIVE IN CHURCH!

“Don't believe DEMONS are in the Church? Watch! 2 Cor 11:15; Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

This video is a montage of telemarketing hustle from April 28, 2013

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsxcaG4Myyk&list=RDIsxcaG4Myyk]

Many of the televangelism preachers have gone the “Way of Balaam”:

2 Peter 2:15, “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;” Very descriptive today’s mega-churches leaders.

In his following the way of Balaam, Joel Osteen’s has a net worth of 40 million.

[http://net-worths.org/joel-osteen-net-worth/]

Again, this is 180 degrees from the servant humility of Jesus. There is something of an equivalency between the victims of Hurricane Harvey and Luke 9:58, “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

Psalm 3, God has a shield about believers 515-1 - 2 - 1

Psalm 3 is a Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. His own son was campaigning against him and indeed, wanted his father dead. Like a 21th Century politician Absalom had promise King David’s subjects that things would be better under his rule.  King David fled his kingdom.

Psalm 3:1, “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.“ Here King David is in dark despair.

Psalm 3:2, “Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.” David seems concerned that his sin has removed him far from any help from God. Then David pauses, has a Selah moment, and perhaps remembers the Unconditional Davidic Covenant.  God promised David and Israel that the Messiah would come through the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah. The Messiah would establish His eternal kingdom. God did not/ does not place any conditions of obedience upon the fulfillment The Davidic Covenant.

Psalm 3:3, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”

“The mood of the Psalm changes in verse 3. David gets his eyes off his enemies and on the LORD, and that changes his whole outlook. Immediately he realizes that he has in Jehovah a shield, a source of glory, and the One who lifts up his head. As his shield, the Lord gives him complete protection from enemy assaults. As his glory, the Lord gives him honor, dignity and vindication in place of the shame, reproach and slander that were being heaped upon him. As the lifter of his head, the Lord encourages and exalts him.”

[Believer’s Bible Commentary]

I often play Praise and Worship/ Maranatha Music all night as I sleep. Many lyrics are taken from the Book of Psalms and a favorite is “A Shield About Me” based on Psalm 3:3. I’m reminded that God has a shield about me and if I need additional encouragement, there is the reminder in Ephesians 6:11 to, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” So, I’m doubly protected both by the shield God has around me and by the armour of God that is mine as a believer.

Psalm 3:6, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.” In these the last days we believers may find ourselves surrounded by the enemy’s minions but like David I sleep in the hollow of God’s hand.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciGNE97dMtI

Psalm 2, The kings of the earth set themselves 515-1 - 1 - 3

How foolish the “kings” of the earth must appear to God as they shake their collective fist at Him.

Psalm 2:1-4, “1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”

God lifts kings up and God puts them aside as happened to King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, that is until the reign of King Jesus during the Millennium. Ezekiel 12:13, “My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.” Sounds counterintuitive until you read Jeremiah 52:11, “Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.”

Daniel 2:21, "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."

Through his pride King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon spent seven years as a wild beast. Daniel 4:30-31, “30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.”

At the end of seven years the kingdom was restored the King and Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan king, actually wrote Daniel Chapter 4 ending with Daniel 4:37, “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” 

God raised up Cyrus to free His people from Babylon. Isaiah 44:28, "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."

Isaiah 45:1, "Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;" Foretelling of Daniel 5:6, “Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.” How very low did God bring the last King of Babylon.

This verse is worth repeating, Daniel 2:21, "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."

The Time of Jacob’s Troubles 526-1 - 12 - 6

The Time of Jacob’s Troubles is the final three and a half years of the seven year tribulation and is also known as the Great Tribulation.

Antiochus was prophetic of the Antichrist who will come to power in the 70th Week of Daniel. Half way through the seven year tribulation this coming prince will set up an image of himself to be worshipped in the Holy of Holies in the temple in Jerusalem. Just as Antiochus tried to wipe out everything Jewish, the antichrist will have contaminated the Holy of Holies and will kill and torture Jews ushering in the "Time of Jacob's Trouble."

Jesus warned of this coming "Time of Jacob's Trouble." Mark 13:14, “But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains.” This verse marks the middle of the Tribulation Period, the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

Deliverance of Israel on eagle wings is confirmed in the Old Testament in Exodus 19:4 and Isaiah 40:31. Throughout the Old Testament Israel is protected by God; Isaiah 26:20, God’s people were told to enter into a place of safety and to hide until the “indignation” be completed. “Indignation,” the time of Jacob’s Troubles.

Jeremiah 30:7, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” The prophet continues, Jeremiah 30:9, “But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.”

“Jeremiah 30:1-11 Both Israel and Judah will be regathered. First there will be the time of Jacob's trouble (the Great Tribulation), then God will break the power of the Gentiles over His people. The promise that God will raise up for them David their king is generally understood to mean the Lord Jesus, the seed of David.”

[Believer’s Bible Commentary]

Dr. Fruchtenbaum also writes of days of darkness, of cleaning and of refuge for “Faithful Remnant” of Israel in southern Jordan, the city now known as Petra. 

[Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G. Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology]

The following quote is from a book recently published, "Another reference to the descendants of Abraham comes in Revelation 12, when the text tells of a great sign in heaven about a woman with child. The term semeion (12:1) is the contextual signal to understanding a figurative interpretation of the woman. The connection of the woman’s description with Gen 37: 9 identifies her as national Israel. God will in the future provide a place of refuge for the nation from the animosity of the dragon."

[Brand, Chad O, et al. Perspectives on Israel and the Church: 4 Views]

The time of Jacob’s Troubles will be a period of horror for the Jewish people in which it has been predicted that two thirds will be killed. Nevertheless, God promises that there will be a remnant who will be sheltered likely in Petra.

Jerusalem is idiomatic of “cup of trembling,” 526-1 - 12 - 2

Jerusalem is idiomatic of “cup of trembling,” a cup is to wait at the threshold to be a doorkeeper as well as to drink from. When all the nations of the earth come against her, God will make Jerusalem a trodden stone that will cut in pieces those coming against her.

The Septuagint differs slightly from the KJV, nevertheless, both include “that day,” idiomatic of God’s wrath.

Zacharias 12:2-3, “Behold, I will make Jerusalem as trembling door-posts to all the nations round about, and in Judea there shall be a siege against Jerusalem. 3 And it shall come to pass in that day that I will make Jerusalem a trodden stone to all the nations: every one that tramples on it shall utterly mock at it, and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.”

[Brenton, Sir Lancelot C. L. English Translation of the Greek Septuagint, Including the Apocrypha]

Zechariah 12:2-3, “2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup (5592) of trembling (H7478) unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. ”

[KJV]

Cup, H5592, From H5605, in its original sense of containing; a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine): - bason, bowl, cup, door (post), gate, post, threshold. H5605, A primitive root; properly to snatch away, that is, terminate; but used only as denominative from H5592 (in the sense of a vestibule), to wait at the threshold: - be a doorkeeper.

Stone, H68, H1129, to build; a stone, H1129, A primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively): - (begin to) build, obtain children, make, repair, set up, surely.

Trembling, H7478. From H7477; a reeling (from intoxication): - trembling. H7477, A primitive root; to reel, that is, (figuratively) to brandish: - terribly shake.

Such trembling possibly points to Revelation 16:19-20, “19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup (G4221) of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath (G3709). 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.”

Cup, G4221, Neuter of a derivative of the alternate of G4095; a drinking vessel; by extension the contents thereof, that is, a cupful (draught); figuratively a lot or fate: - cup. G4095, occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe (literally or figuratively): to drink.

Wrath, G3709, properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment: - anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.

Jerusalem, and by extension Israel, has been a cup of trembling to counties, including the United States, who have harmed the Apple of God’s Eye.

The Good Shepherd, the Foolish Shepherd. %26-1 - 11 - 5

John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Pastors are often referred to as shepherds.

John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

“Again, the Lord speaks of Himself as the good shepherd. Good (Greek, kalos) here means “ideal, worthy, choice, excellent.” He is all of these. Then He speaks of the very intimate relationship that exists between Himself and His sheep. He knows His own, and His own know Him. This is a very wonderful truth.”

[Believer’s Bible Commentary]

John 10:12, “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.”

Jesus was speaking of the Pharisees of His day, however, was He looking down the corridors of time to the redacting of His Gospel by the Judaizers, the Roman Catholic Church and the failure of the Reformation? The foolish shepherds who twist the Word until there is no meat in it to support the laity during the coming tribulation.

As an aside, the Church Age is hidden between Zechariah 14 and 15.

Zechariah 11:14, “Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. “Here by cutting his “other staff” Zechariah is signifying that the union between Judah and Israel was broken.

Zechariah 11:15. “And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments (H3627) of a foolish (H196) shepherd.” 

Instruments, H3627, something prepared, that is, any apparatus implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon.

Foolish, H196, From H191; silly, foolish; hence (morally) impious: - foolish. H191, to be perverse); foolish man.

Perhaps I’m going too far out of the box to suggest that the foolish shepherd will be/ is the Pope and is also the false prophet. Isaiah 6:10, “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”

The current pope, the foolish shepherd is promoting works rather than faith as the road to salvation. Works also fill the Vatican coffers. He also is sanctioning a doctrine of climate change; a step to a OWG? The false prophet will be a lead-in to the coming Man of Sin, the Idol Shepherd.

As for me, my trust, my very life is in the hands of the Good Shepherd!

Many names are given to the Coming World Leader/ Antichrist - 526-1 - 11 - 4

With credit to Bible Prophecy News & Analysis with Erika Grey for he following names for the Coming World Leader AKA the Antichrist:

"Psalm 5-6, The Bloody and Deceitful Man

Psalm 10:2-4, The Wicked One

Psalm 10:18: The Man of the Earth

Psalm 52:1, The Mighty Man

Psalm 53:3, The Enemy

Psalm 74:8-10, The Adversary

Psalm 111:6, The Head of Many Countries

Psalm 140:1, The Violent Man

Isaiah 10:5-12, The Assyrian

Isaiah 14:2, The King of Babylon

Isaiah 14:12, The Sun of the Morning

Isaiah 16:4-5, The Spoiler

Jeremiah 6:26, The Spoiler

Isaiah 25:5, The Branch of the Terrible Ones

Isaiah 22:25, The Nail

Ezekiel 21:25-27, The Profane Wicked Prince of Israel

Daniel 7:8, The Little Horn

Daniel 9:26, The Prince That Shall Come

Daniel 11:121, The Vile Person

Daniel 11:36 The Willful King

Zechariah 11:16-17, The Idol Shepherd

Daniel 8:23, The King of Fierce Countenance

Daniel 9:27, The Desolator

Ezekiel 28:12, The King of Tyre

Jeremiah 4:6-7, The Lion

Jeremiah 4:6-7, The destroyer of the nations

Isaiah 14:12, Lucifer"

[http://www.erikagrey.com/2014/07/the-antichrist-has-over-30-names-in.html]

With a few exceptions, the above names seem appropriate. However, the "nail" is confusing as the term nail can refer to Jesus as is suggested in Isaiah 22:25, "In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it."

Through Jeremiah God warns the men of Judah and Jerusalem to throw away their idols. If they don't God will send the invader, Babylon as a lion, the destroyer. Jeremiah 4:6-7, "6 Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. 7 The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant." This of course happened thousands of years ago so is the Lion/ destroyer a type of Antichrist? There are several more mentions of both the Lion and the destroyer in the Book of Jeremiah.

Lucifer of Isaiah 14:12 is indicative of the Antichrist after he receives his head wound, is resurrected and indwelled by Satan.

Isaiah 25:5, "Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low." Branch is usually a Messianic term, perhaps this branch is of the evil one.

To the above I would add:

Genesis 3:15, the seed of Satan

Isaiah 27:1, leviathan the piercing serpent, leviathan that crooked serpent, the dragon that is in the sea.

Ezekiel 13:3, Foolish prophets - perhaps a stretch 

Ezekiel 34:2, shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves

Add to the above, from the New Testament:

Matthew 24:15, The Abomination of Desolation

John 5:43, Another Coming in His Own Name

2 Thessalonians 2:3, The Man of Sin

2 Thessalonians 2:3, The Son of Perdition

2 Thessalonians 2:8, The Lawless One

Whatever his name, he will bring great tribulation to those who are left behind when Jesus comes for His Church.

The last time I had a Selah moment 515-1 - 1 - 1

As most of my friends know I live off the power grid 6 months out of the year. I have a trailer that has a propane refrigerator that worked until about a month ago. Although I thankfully have an electric refrigerator in the shed supported by my solar panels it's a bother to have to run back and forth several times a day. Add to that nothing cold to drink in the trailer.

Yesterday I was shopping most of the day and when I got home I looked at a few bottles of Aloe Vera juice and thought wouldn't it be wonderful if the propane refrigerator in my trailer worked. So, I gave it one more try and centered myself before I again attempted to light it. Many is the time I had problem lighting it and I would call out to God rather loudly "A little help would be appreciated." Then I would whine and say please. This time I said “It is your will Lord” and it started.

It's been running now since yesterday and God willing it will continue to run. Having two working refrigerators when you're living off the power grid 28 miles from the nearest town is a blessing. That said, I love it here in God's quiet country, many opportunities for Selah moments.

This discussion question reminded me of an earlier response to a similar question in a class taken several years ago, Introduction to Spiritual Disciplines.

At that time, I was going through a very rough time emotionally. I had left my home in Arizona to help care for my mother in California. I found that I was very out of step with the majority the people from California who seem to be New Agers, Atheist, Agnostic, Catholic, or indifferent to faith. Mom and I talked about so many things but not Jesus. She had faith but would just say “It’s a mystery.” I felt I was starving spiritually.

The aforementioned discussion question concerned "Walking with God.” To me there seems to be an equivalency between spending time alone with God and walking with God. Both require daily/ hourly “Selah Moments.”

I count it as a great blessing that years ago I bought several Cd's by The Maranatha Singers. When overwhelmed I would put on a headphone and listened to these Praise and Worship Songs including Micah 6:8. Another much needed Selah Moment. I rested in the knowledge that God had planted me in California where he wanted me to be at that time.

The coming deception will include those of cosmic proportions 526-1 - 10 - 2

I’ve long argued that given the speed of light visitors traveling to earth was very unlikely. Except for our sun, the nearest star is more than four light years away. I added that what some call ETs are likely a bleed-through from another dimension.

I’ve updated my bleed-through theory to be more Biblically correct. We are told in Genesis 6:4 “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of the human beings and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” Legends of the offspring of these unholy unions are told throughout the planet.

So, these legends of gods impregnating the women of earth had basis in fact? Genesis 6:2, "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."

In addition to creating hybrid/ Nephilim I believe that the fallen angles manipulated human DNA as evidence by the strange gods of Egypt, a head of falcon, a head of a cow, a head of a lion and many others. In the time of Exodus God struck the Egyptians with plagues specific to the various gods.

References are made to the Rephaims in Genesis 14. And in Numbers 13:33, “We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” There are additional references in the Old Testament, enough to prove that they were still around after the flood.

As for abduction by ETs, I believe that people can open themselves to these evil beings and invite abduction. There are many rather consistence stories of abductions and being probed, again, the fallen ones experimenting with DNA?

The Ultimate Con 2 By Donna Wasson of Rapture Ready Website sounds the warning for the deception that will follow the Rapture. Donna has given me permission to post her very informative articles from the Rapture Ready website on my blog.

This is the second in a series of three that she has/ will be writing. A very good and much needed wake-up call for the unsaved who will be going through the seven-year tribulation.
Here Donna doesn't pull any punches and talks about such scary topics as fallen angels, Lucifer and more, scary that is to unbelievers.

"The NWO leaders will finally disclose the fact that mankind has been visited by alien races for thousands of years. They will most likely tell you that humans were ‘seeded’ on earth thousands of years ago by these benevolent extra terrestrials, and now they’ve come back to assist human beings in their next phase of evolution. You will no doubt see many UFO ships of various sizes and the “ET’s” will be introduced to the masses via satellite television. Listen up: It’s a truckload of baloney! It’s the ULTIMATE con, and they’ll expect you to buy it."

[http://sallycp-inthebeginninggod.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-ultimate-con-2-by-donna-wasson-of.html]

After the Rapture of the Church there will be great deception and those "Left behind" will likely fall for this sham unless they are forewarned. I have left breadcrumbs on the internet and flash drives loaded with information. I'm just one of thousands who have likely left paper trails behind for those who "hath ears to hear, let him hear."

An interesting article added later"

“Alien Abduction” Can be Stopped, and Terminated as a Life Pattern, in the Name and Authority of Jesus Christ Part 4

"THE RESEARCH:
Hypothesis: Christians are being abducted by Aliens.
The Data: Compiled through working with over 350 Alien Abduction Experiencers.
The Findings: Some professing Christians are claiming to have experienced the Alien Abduction experience. 

THE UNEXPECTED OUTCOME OF THE RESEARCH
Through the research into the case testimonies it was found that some of the experiencers were able to stop or terminate the experience. There was a recognized commonality in the method that was used among the Christian experiencers. The experience was shown to be able to be stopped or terminated by calling on the name and authority of JESUS CHRIST. Not as a magic word but by their allegiance to and personal relationship with Him."


[http://www.alienresistance.org/ufo-alien-deception/alienabductions-stop-in-the-name-jesus-christ/]

Enoch Chapter 6:2 "And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children.'"

Enoch 8:1-6 "1 And all the others together with them took unto themselves wives, and each chose for himself one, and they began to go in unto them and to defile themselves with them. 2 And they taught them charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with herbs. 3 And they became pregnant, and they bore great giants, whose height was three thousand ells: Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. 4 And when men could no longer sustain them, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. 5 And they began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to devour one another's flesh, and drink the blood. 6 Then the earth laid accusation against the lawless ones." 


[Shaver, Derek. The Books of Enoch, Jubilees, and Jasher]

David's Song of Deliverance 2 Samuel 22 510-2 - 16 - 3

David's Song of Deliverance

2 Samuel 22:1, “And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:”

“22:1-51 With the words of this song David praises the LORD for deliverance from his enemies and for the innumerable blessings which had been showered upon him. It was probably penned after David had firmly established himself on the throne. Saul was dead, the kingdom was united under his leadership, and Israel's foes were beaten back.

[Believer’s Bible Commentary]

2 Samuel 22:2, “And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;”

Rock, fortress, deliverer, Messianic terms.

2 Samuel 22:22, "For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly (H7561) departed from my God."

Psalm 18:21, "For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed (H7561) from my God."

Wickedly, H7561, Strong's, A primitive root; to be (causatively do or declare) wrong; by implication to disturb, violate: - condemn, make trouble, vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked (-ly, -ness).

Departed, H7561,Strong's, A primitive root; to be (causatively do or declare) wrong; by implication to disturb, violate: - condemn, make trouble, vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked (-ly, -ness).

In my opinion, the operative words are "wickedly" and “departed” and infer intent. King David had no such intention and “kept the ways of the Lord.” 2 Samuel 22:21, “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.”

God rewarded king David greatly even with his many flaws. When he sinned as with Bathsheba David repented and was forgiven but there often were consequences. David praised the Lord from the time he was a youth until he breathed his last.

"Faith comes through God's Word and through praise. Faith grows as you praise the lord."

[Wesley L. Duewel]

As an aside, through my many wanderings through reference material I found the following to be more descriptive:

Wickedly, H7561, A verb meaning to be in the wrong, to be guilty, to be wicked, to do wickedly, to condemn. In the simple stem, this verb means to be or to become guilty, to act wickedly. When God's people confessed that they acted wickedly, then the Lord forgave them (1Ki_8:47; Ecc_7:17; Dan_9:15); to depart from the Lord is an act of wickedness (2Sa_22:22; Psa_18:21 [22]).

In the causative stem, the word carries the idea of condemning others or doing wickedness; the people confessed that they had done wickedness (Neh_9:33; Psa_106:6; Dan_12:10). The verb also means to condemn. God declares who is guilty in cases of illegal possession (Exo_22:9 [8]; Deu_25:1); when a moral or ethical offense has occurred, the Lord will judge in order to declare the guilty (1Ki_8:32; Job_9:20).

[Word Study]

"Latter rains" is both symbolic and literal 526-1 - 10 - 1

I personally see "latter rains" as both symbolic and literal. Zechariah 10:1, "Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field."

However, some still thought idols were helpful. Zechariah 10:2, "For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd."

Not exactly on point, nevertheless, a fitting theme, Proverbs 25:14, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”

God promises a restoration to Israel in the later days. Joel 2:25, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”

“Joel 2:21-27, Then the LORD will be zealous for His land and pity His people. He will send them grain, new wine, and oil to their satisfaction, in addition to removing their reproach from among the nations. The land will be restored to fertility and productiveness. Abundant rain will result in vats overflowing and threshing floors . . . full of wheat. The people will be restored and will never again be put to shame. All the years that the swarming locust had eaten would be restored as well.”

[Believers Bible Commentary]

Not only a restoration, a rebirth of the Nation of Israel on May 14 1948. Isaiah 66:8, “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”

Israel is primarily a desert and water is of utmost important. Israel has used desalination for some time as well as is developing other leading-edge technologies.

Desalination Nation: How Israel Is Helping The World Fight Water Shortage

By Kirk D'Souza, NoCamels May 24, 2017

"In the hot and arid Middle East, clean water is liquid gold. Faced with limited rainfall and a grueling climate, Israel has increasingly relied on seawater since it built its first desalination plant in Eilat in the 1960s. Today, about 60 percent of Israel’s domestic water demand is met through desalination – the process by which salt and other impurities are removed from seawater to produce potable water."

[http://nocamels.com/2017/05/desalination-israel-drought-water-shortage/]

Extracting water from air, Israeli firm looks to quench global thirst

"After the biblical exodus from Egypt, Moses made water for the people of Israel in the desert by striking a stone. Now Water-Gen is striking water from air.

The technology, developed by Kohavi with the help of engineers, uses a series of filters to purify the air. After the air is sucked in and chilled to extract its humidity, the water that forms is treated and transformed into clean drinking water. The technology uses a plastic heat exchanger rather than an aluminum one, which helps reduce costs; it also includes a proprietary software that operates the devices"

[http://www.timesofisrael.com/extracting-water-from-air-israeli-firm-looks-to-quench-global-thirst/]

Closer to home is the WaterSeer project that I'm following.

[https://www.facebook.com/WaterSeer/]

Unfortunately, the claim made of 11 gallons a day from dry desert air was not fulfilled. Still, an interesting concept to follow. It is my belief that God provides everything we really need, if only we know how to access it.

As an aside, there is The Latter Rain, also known as the New Order or New Order of the Latter Rain. It was a post–World War II movement within Pentecostal Christianity which remains controversial to this day. Our winter Bible study was often attended by an evangelical speaker and author who was a proponent of the latter rain movement.

There is an interesting article concerning the Latter Rain at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latter_Rain_(post%E2%80%93World_War_II_movement)

Lots of evidence for the reliability of the Book of Daniel and his prophecies 526-1 - 9 - 3

Prophecy is history written in advance. 2 Peter 1:19-21, “19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

“The intertestamental period is the Protestant term and deuterocanonical period is the Catholic and Orthodox Christian term for the gap of time between the period covered by the Hebrew Bible and the period covered by the Christian New Testament.”

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertestamental_period]

Often this period of time is called the silent years.

It's astounding that many people will profess to be Christians and yet doubt the prophetic word of God. How often have these arrogant people said “I believe in most of the New Testament but the Old Testament is allegory?” People have long claimed that Daniel was written hundreds of years before the fulfillment of the events he prophesied and say “Surely the book of Daniel was written after the fact.” This argument falls apart when one takes the time to read the Septuagint Bible, the Old Testament written in the very concise language of the Greeks. The Septuagint Bible was commissioned by King Ptolemy Philadelphia and was completed nearly 300 years before the birth of Christ.

So many fulfilled prophecies including, Daniel’s visit by the angel Gabriel. Daniel was given a time-line from the rebuilding of Jerusalem until the time Jesus would ride into Jerusalem.  Daniel 9:25, “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

As prophesied, Jesus came riding into Jerusalem to the day of Daniel 9:25 in confirmation also of Zechariah 9:9, “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.”

King David returned to Israel not as a Conquering Hero but seeking the consent of the people and the nation's tribal leadership. 510-2 - 15 - 3

After the death and defeat of Absalom King David was humble enough to return to Israel not as a Conquering Hero but seeking the consent of the people and the nation's tribal leadership.

There had long been a hostility between the house of Saul and the House of David, the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. One of the Benjamites, Sheba, fomented a rebellion against David and led some of the Israelites to abandon the king. The rebellion was put down.

Israel was in a turmoil with the people quarreling among themselves. The self-appointed ruler Absalom, was dead. King David, who had saved them from the Philistines, was in exile so a movement thus began to restore David to his throne. Now at home the remnants of Absalom’s army was in quandary. The man they had rallied behind was dead. Many were questioning why the elders not bringing the King David.

When David heard that the ten tribes of Israel were talking about restoring him to the throne, he sent two priests to the elders of Judah, asking why they, of his tribe of Judah, were the last to bring him back as king. The elders had supported Absalom during in the rebellion, so likely some resentment as well as fear existed.

Lots of politics ensued. Perhaps out of political correctness and partly because Joab had killed Absalom David removed Joab as commander in chief and appointed Amasa to take Joab’s place. Amasa was a nephew of David but had only recently supported Absalom. This was rather like the king punished loyalty and rewarded rebellion, however, these moves won over the men of Judah over to David's side.

Shimei and Ziba proved to be politically expedience and helped David in his return. Recall that Shimei had cursed David previously and Ziba had slandered Mephibosheth. David promised Shimei amnesty but later ordered Solomon to with him.

The slandered Mephibosheth also came to meet the king. He had been truly loyal to the king but the crippled Mephibosheth was unable to accompanying the king into exile. David rather unfairly ruled that Ziba and Mephibosheth should divide the land between them that had been unfairly given to the lying Ziba.

Finally, a great procession had formed with all the people of Judah and half the men of the other tribes to bring the king back to Jerusalem.

As an aside, part of regaining his claim to the throne was in recovering King David’s harem. These women had been compromised by David's son Absalom and as a result were treated somewhat like wards of the state and pensioned as widows.

King David's Sin of Taking a Census 510-2 - 16 - 6

The taking of a national census is appropriate when God orders it. The operative word is that God ordered it, two examples include:

"Exodus 30:11-16. The Redemption Money (30:11-16)

God ordered every male Israelite twenty years old and above to pay half a shekel as a ransom for himself. This payment, the same for rich and poor, was levied whenever there was a census and was used to finance the service of the tabernacle. It guaranteed protection against plague (v. 12). At the outset it was used to make silver sockets to support the boards of the tabernacle. Silver speaks of redemption, which is the foundation of our faith. Redemption is needed by all and is available to all on the same terms.

Numbers 1:2, 3 The people of Israel were soon to begin their journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. It was essential that they be arranged as orderly marching armies, and for this purpose God commanded that a census should be taken. The census would include all men twenty years old and above—all who were able to go to war."

[Believer's Bible Commentary]

King David was not without fault and committed sins both of the flash and pride. The sin of pride in taking a census was not without consequences for his people. David’s immediate purpose likely was to assess his military strength, also, one of pride. The census suggested that King David was relying more on military capabilities than on God’s power. Not only was David taking pride in the numbers, he was trusting numbers instead of trusting God.

After the census was finished, King David was convicted of his sin and he cried out to God for forgiveness. God sent the prophet Gad to him, offering any one of three punishments:

1. Seven years of famine in the land

2. Three months of pursuit by his enemies

3. Three days of pestilence or plague.

King David chose the third punishment so as "to fall into the hand of the LORD, and not into man's."

Earlier examples of men of God having faith in His provision include:

Judges 7:5-6, "5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink." 6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water."

God reduced Gideon’s force to 300 men. Gideon had faith and the victory was his.

In 1 Samuel 14 Jonathan slipped away with his Armor bearer to attack the Philistines. Jonathan had faith in God to provide a great victory. 1 Samuel 14:6, "And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few."

Jonathan’s action resulted in a great victory. Meanwhile his father, King Saul, made a foolish vow that almost cost Jonathan his life. No good deed ever goes unpunished? However, King Saul’s men protected Jonathan.

King David and his son Absalom and the Throne 510-2 - 15 - 1

How very painful it must have been for King David to engage his son Absalom in a battle for the throne of Israel. I would imagine that he would be very conflicted as the king loved his son and had full knowledge that he, King David, had caused the dysfunctionality in his family by his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah.

2 Samuel 12:9-10, "9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife."

And the sword never departed from King David’s house. Incest, murder, power struggle, fratricide and more. Earlier there was a strained relationship between King David and his son Abalone due to the seemingly indifference of King David to the rape and rejection of Abalone's sister Tamar by her half-brother Amnon. It was two years before Abalone avenged his sister by orchestrating the murder of Amnon. Abalone fled only to return to court later. Abalone plotted with the grandfather of Bathsheba to capture the throne from his father. A dysfunctional family, absolutely.

Just as King David had to flee from King Saul, he felt the need to flee his son Absalom rather than exposing Jerusalem to a Siege as well as he was not certain how firmly entrenched were the loyalties of his people. That said, all the time that King Saul sought to kill David, David would not touch the anointed of God. Absalom felt no such restriction.

Abalone even took his father's concubines in a very public manner to give credence to his claim to the throne. Given all the outrageous actions of Abalone King David still mourned for his son. David's extreme bereavement for Abalone had a decremental effect on his men and the Israeli.

King David finally took back the personae of King. He had to win back nation’s tribal leadership and fend off other challenges to his throne such as from Saul’s descendants

The Septuagint 526-1 - 9 - 6

The Septuagint Translation (LXX) of Hebrew Bible was compiled from 285-270 B.C. by 72 scholars at Alexandria hence the name Septuagint. It is the primary text quoted in the New Testament. It is the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament.

There is a question if the whole Hebrew Bible was completed by 270 B.C. Some scholars theorize only the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. These books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The remaining books were translated in the next two centuries well before the birth of Jesus. Not having complete confidence in most Bible academics, I tend towards all of the Hebrew Bible being completed by 270 BC.

A Brief History of the Septuagint

"The Origins of the Septuagint

The very first translation of the Hebrew Bible was made into Greek, probably as early as the third century BC. This, the so-called Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek, is traditionally dated to the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt (285-246 BC).

It is commonly called the “Septuagint” version (from the Latin for “seventy”) because according to the traditional account of its origin, preserved in the so-called Letter of Aristeas, it had seventy-two translators. This letter tells how King Ptolemy II commissioned the royal librarian, Demetrius of Phaleron, to collect by purchase or by copying all the books in the world. He wrote a letter to Eleazar, the high priest at Jerusalem, requesting six elders of each tribe, in total seventy-two men, of exemplary life and learned in the Torah, to translate it into Greek."

The balance of this interesting article is at:

[http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2016/03/31/A-Brief-History-of-the-Septuagint.aspx#Article]

One fact I use as a witnessing tool is telling people that the Septuagint Bible was completed nearly 300 years before the birth of Jesus and that He fulfilled more than 100 prophecies found therein.

The following are direct comparisons of the KJV and the Septuagint both from the Pentateuch and the complete Hebrew Bible:

Genesis 3:15, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

Zecharias 11:12-13, "12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD."

[KJV]

Genesis 3:16, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed, he shall watch against thy head, and thou shalt watch against his heel."

Zacharias 12-13, "12 And I will say to them, If it be good in your eyes, give me my price, or refuse it. And they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the Lord said to me, Drop them into the furnace, and I will see if it is good metal, as I was proved for their sakes. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them into the furnace in the house of the Lord."

[Brenton, Sir Lancelot C. L.. English Translation of the Greek Septuagint, Including the Apocrypha]

When Jesus walked the earth, there was no New Testament. Jesus taught from either the Hebrew Bible or the Septuagint and most often from Deuteronomy. After the crucifixion and resurrection Jesus taught two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24:27, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.“

The Septuagint is indeed an excellent witnessing tool.

Comparing the counsel and motives of Hushai and Ahithophel as provided to King David. 510-2 - 14 - 4

Ahithophel had been a trusted adviser to King David, however, he also was the grandfather of Bathsheba. After King David fled the capital Ahithophel sided with Absalom likely to avenge the perceived disgrace David had brought upon Bathsheba and the murder of Bathsheba's husband Uriah.

King David had a friend Hushai who had asked to accompany him on his flight from Absalom. David recruited Hushai to undermine Ahithophel’s effectiveness with Absalom by returning to Jerusalem and attaching himself to Absalom’s court as a counselor. Hushai was to contradict the advice of Ahithophel and to report Absalom’s plans to Zadok and Abiathar whose sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz would then relay them to David.

Ahithophel gave Absalom good advice. The first advice from Ahithophel was for Absalom to lie with his father’s concubines, as evidence of his succession. Absalom did so in a very public manner.

Would the fact that the concubines were not King David's wives negate Leviticus 20:11, "And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Ultimately Absalom was killed after catching his hair in a tree limb and hanging midair, killed by the terrain, the hand of God? The 10 concubines were segregated in their own palace and lived as widows.

Ahithophel recommended that Absalom should delegate the responsibility of defeating David to him.  Ahithophel would pursue David, make a rapid conquest, kill David and bring David’s disheartened followers back to Jerusalem.

Hushai’s advice to Absalom was 180 degrees removed from that of Ahithophel. Hushai suggested that David and his men would be ready for battle and fight like “a cornered bear: like a wild bear whose cubs have been stolen, the king, Hushai said, would be enraged over the loss of his kingdom.” To move against David would be premature, rather Absalom should wait until he could assemble a huge army and then attack.

Hushai also warned David about Ahithophel’s advice to Absalom through the sons of Zadok and Abiathar advising David to hasten his flight.

The advice of Ahithophel was brilliant as David was only miles from Jerusalem with his forces in disarray and without food and ammunition. Thankfully, Absalom took Hushai’s advice.

Meanwhile, Hushai’s messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, were spotted on their way to warn David to hurry. A woman hid them in a well and when asked if she had seen them she said, “They be gone over the brook of water.” The men looking for Jonathan and Ahimaaz gave up the search and returned to Jerusalem. Rather reminiscent of Joshua and Caleb, once more the hand of God.

King David had an unconditional covenant with God so regardless of whose advice Absalom might take, God would protest him.