DOCSLIB.ORG

The Story of the Bible, That Only a Few in Israel Remained Truly Loyal to Their Loving Heavenly Father, Who Had Delivered Them from Slavery and Death

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Story of the Bible, That Only a Few in Israel Remained Truly Loyal to Their Loving Heavenly Father, Who Had Delivered Them from Slavery and Death Whe Story the Bible We wish to express our deep appreciation to volunteers who have rendered great help in proof reading the manuscripts in preparation for printing; and to Sis. D. Essex for the onginal drawings contained in this volume. Printed for LOGOS PUBLICATIONS, 9 WEST BEACH ROAD, WEST BEACH, SA 5024 by Eureka Press Pty. Ltd. 9 West Beach Road, West Beach, South Australia 5024. he Story of the Bible A detailed exposition of the Bible discussed within the family circle. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips settle down with their children for daily reading of the Bible. Stntroductjon The First volume of our Story of the Bible covered the 2,500 years of history that stretched from the cre- ation of Adam and Eve to the time when God, through Moses, delivered the Children of Israel from Egyptian slavery and the wrath of Pharaoh, by opening for them a way of escape through the Red Sea. In this second volume, our progress, in point of time, will be much slower, for God has recorded in much greater detail the things we will consider. He has done so because there are important lessons for us to learn in the incidents set down, and He desires that we should study them carefully with understand- ing. Once Moses had led the Children of Israel out of Egypt, he may have expected that his worst troubles were over, and that from thenceforth he would spend his time in guiding and teaching a humbled and obe- dient people. Not so. Though the terrible oppressions that the Israelites had suffered in Egypt had caused them to turn to God and cry for help, now, as they were tested by trial and adversity in the wilderness, they showed how lacking they were in faith and loyalty towards Yahweh. Murmuring broke out among them. They turned on Moses (and on God), bitterly com- plaining of their lot, and claiming they were better off in Egypt. They forgot the goodness of Yahweh in de- 5 livering them from slavery, and did not pause to con- sider that their present troubles were only temporary until they reached the ease and plenty of the Prom- ised Land. If only they had manifested the faith to keep their minds on that which God had promised in the land to which He was leading them, all would have been well. For in the prospects of the joy to come they would have seen beyond the difficulties of the mo- ment. But they failed to do that, and, as their trials in- creased, their minds turned back to Egypt, instead of forward to their promised inheritance. This testimony of history reminds us that it is only "through much tribulation that we will enter the Kingdom of God"; but Israel did not learn that lesson. It is, of course, a hard lesson for any one to learn. Men are ever ready, with greedy hands, to grasp all that God has provided, without a thought for the Giver of all these things. They accept the beauty and benefits of creation, the food, the raiment, and shelter with which they are so bountifully supplied, particularly in this age of afflu- ence, caring nothing for the Creator of it all. When times of drought or difficulty arise, they might pray for help (Isa. 26:16), but in times of plenty, they tend to forget Yahweh. Israel proved no different from the rest of humanity in that regard, for when God tested the people, He found them wanting. Why did Yahweh extend Himself to deliver Israel from Egypt? It was to fulfil His promise to Abraham, of course. But it is important to bear in mind that in order to save the people, He had to make them worth sav- ing. To do that He had to reveal His glory in them (Deut. 4:6-8; 28:9-10). They were called upon to build into their lives the divine qualities revealed in God's name. He desired them to be a holy people unto Him. He wanted them to so live as to cause other people and nations to be drawn to Him through them. There- fore He extended Himself to save them from Egypt, that they might be "unto Him for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory; but (adds the prophet sorrowfully) they would not hear" (Jer. 13:11). With that purpose in view, Yahweh chose the Chil- dren of Israel, separated them unto Himself, guided them, educated them, revealed His will unto them, in order that they might reflect His glory, and so pass on to others the message of His plan. But the tragedy of Israel's history is captured in the lament of the prophet: "They would not hear". Because of that, God punished them, and when they remained stubborn and disobedient, He scattered them among the na- tions, there to learn the folly of their ways, until the time came under their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, when they would become "a great nation" in the land (Gen. 12:1-2; Ezek. 36:22-27). In the meanwhile, God has arranged for the mes- sage of His plan to be proclaimed among the Gen- tiles. Through His word, He is calling people to Him for the same purpose as when He called Israel out of Egypt. The Bible says that "God is taking out of the Gentiles a people for His name" (Acts 15:14). These people, like Israel, are expected to be so motivated by the Truth they have espoused that they reflect Yahweh's glory in their lives. Accordingly, when dif- ficulties or trials arise they are exhorted to recall the lesson of Israel's failure, and in faith look beyond such things to "the joy set before them" (Heb. 12:1 -2). We shall see, in this volume of the Story of the Bible, that only a few in Israel remained truly loyal to their loving Heavenly Father, who had delivered them from slavery and death. The majority succumbed to the trials they experienced, and so perished in the wil- derness. And because their trials typified those ex- perienced by Gentile believers today it is important that such should try to understand this part of the Bible, that they may avoid similar mistakes. We invite you, therefore, to come with us to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips where these matters are under discussion. The evening meal has been con- cluded, and the four children are gathered with their Parents in the book-lined study to which Mr. Phillips loves to retire on such occasions. The Israelites stumbled over broad areas of parched and cracked surfaces, dur- ing their years of wandering;. Yet their raiment waxed not old, neither did their feet swell (Deut. 8:4), foreshadowing the durable clothing of Christ (Gal. 3:27; Eph. 6:15). Wandering in the Wilderness The Tabernacle in the Wilderness. FROM SINAI TO THE BORDERS OF THE PROMISED LAND Chapter One ISRAEL LEAVES SINAI The family completed reading Numbers 10 and Mr. Phillips, with characteristic enthusiasm, outlined the chapter. "We now commence our journey with the Children of Israel as they joyfully leave Mt. Sinai for the Promised Land" he declared. "They are a different nation from the one that left Egypt, for now they are at one with God, having entered into Covenant agree- ment to serve Him as His people. Having been accepted by Him as the nucleus of His Kingdom on earth, it was required that they submit to His requirements, and cheerfully bear with the prob- lems of the way. But only a few days later we find the people com- plaining. They should have been filled with joy for the Land of Promise was immediately ahead, and they had access to a Power capable of conquering all their difficulties. Instead they began to murmur, bringing upon themselves the wrath of God. Complain- ing led some to compare the aridness of the wilderness to the good things they had left behind in Egypt. This added to their murmuring and the general dissatisfaction until even Moses be- came discouraged. The growing discontent involved even Moses' own brother and sister so that they commenced to question his leadership (Num. 12). Little wonder it is, therefore, that when at last, the twelve tribes of Israel reached the Promised Land, and spies were sent forth to search it out, they returned with a dis- couraging report. In fact, grumbling had become habitual to the people, and they had become completely negative in their at- titude. At last God's patience came to an end, and He con- demned the generation of murmuring, complaining, disobedient people to wander through the wilderness until death claimed them. This continued for thirty-eight years until all the adults 11 over twenty years of age when they left Egypt perished in the wil- derness. But Yahweh's purpose did not fail, for the next genera- tion did enter the Land". "This is a very important section of the Bible" continued Mr. Phillips. "It reveals some of the evils of grumbling and complain- ing. We may look upon such evils as little sins, but in fact, they cause great sorrow of heart and loss of initiative. That was the case with Israel. Little by little the nation slipped back because of the sin of complaining. Grumbling is an evil thing, for it fails to take into account the blessings of life we receive. Some feel that they are badly treated, because of matters of no real importance, and moan to themselves until little difficulties appear great prob- lems as difficult to surmount as mighty mountains.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Castle and the Virgin in Medieval
    I 1+ M. Vox THE CASTLE AND THE VIRGIN IN MEDIEVAL AND EARLY RENAISSANCE DRAMA John H. Meagher III A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate School of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December, 1976 Approved by Doctoral Committee BOWLING GREEN UN1V. LIBRARY 13 © 1977 JOHN HENRY MEAGHER III ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 11 ABSTRACT This study examined architectural metaphor and setting in civic pageantry, religious processions, and selected re­ ligious plays of the middle ages and renaissance. A review of critical works revealed the use of an architectural setting and metaphor in classical Greek literature that continued in Roman and medieval literature. Related examples were the Palace of Venus, the House of Fortune, and the temple or castle of the Virgin. The study then explained the devotion to the Virgin Mother in the middle ages and renaissance. The study showed that two doctrines, the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary, were illustrated in art, literature, and drama, show­ ing Mary as an active interceding figure. In civic pageantry from 1377 to 1556, the study found that the architectural metaphor and setting was symbolic of a heaven or structure which housed virgins personifying virtues, symbolically protective of royal genealogy. Pro­ tection of the royal line was associated with Mary, because she was a link in the royal line from David and Solomon to Jesus. As architecture was symbolic in civic pageantry of a protective place for the royal line, so architecture in religious drama was symbolic of, or associated with the Virgin Mother.
    [Show full text]
  • The Book of Paul A. Henderson P.O. Box 430 Bowie, Texas 76230
    The Book of Paul A. Henderson P.O. Box 430 Bowie, Texas 76230 © 2000 THE BOOK OF GENESIS By Moses CHAPTER 1. Creation and Re-Creation. 2. Summary of God’s Provisions for Man. 3. Sin Enters the World - First Promise of a Savior. 4. The Beginning of Worship - The First Murder. 5. The Family of Seth - The Spiritual Seed. 6. First World Crisis - Noah Builds the Ark. 7. Noah Enters the Ark - The Flood Begins. 8. The Flood Ends - The Rainbow - Noah Leaves the Ark. 9. The New World - Noah’s. Sin - Ham Cursed. 10. The Beginning of the Nations. 11. Beginning of Languages - Confusion at Babel. 12. Abram. 13. Abram and Lot Separate. 14. First War - Abram’s Victory - Abram’s Tithe. 15. Abrahamic Covenant Confirmed and Sealed by a Vision. 16. The Birth of Ishmael. 17. Abram’s Name Changed - Isaac is Promised. 18. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Foretold. 19. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - Lot Escapes. 20. Abraham Denies Sarah as Wife to Abimelech. 21. Isaac is Born. 22. Abraham offers Isaac on Altar. 23. The Death and Burial of Sarah. 24. A Bride for Isaac. 25. Death of Abraham - Esau and Jacob - The Birthright Stolen. 26. Isaac the Well Digger. 27. Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing - Jacob Leaves Home. 28. Jacob’s Vision At Bethel - Jacob’s Vow. 29. Jacob Meets Rachel, Marries Leah - Four Sons Born. 30. Jacob’s Domestic Strife - 7 Sons Born - Becomes Rich. 31. Jacob and His Family Leave Aram in Secret. 32. Jacob’s Name Changed to Israel. 33.
    [Show full text]
  • Homo Perfidus: an Antipathology Sagi Cohen
    Homo Perfidus: An Antipathology by Sagi Cohen BA, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, 2006 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Political Science and for the Cultural, Social, and Political Thought Program (CSPT) Sagi Cohen, 2009 University of Victoria All nights reserved. This thesis may not be reproducted in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the pernission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee Homo Perfidus: An Antipathology by Sagi Cohen BA, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, 2006 Supervisory Committee Dr. Arthur Kroker, Department of Political Science Supervisor Dr. Bradley Bryan, Department of Political Science Departmental Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. Arthur Kroker, Department of Political Science Supervisor Dr. Bradley Bryan, Department of Political Science Departmental Member This thesis explores the notion of betrayal through a sustained examination of two politically abject types – ‘the corpse/body’ and ‘the dilettante’. By expounding on what is here termed an ‘antipathology’, it performs a phenomenology of these types, not so much enclosing them as totalities, or consistent concepts/essences, as taking them in their discursive import, “at their word”. The argument unfolds via readings of Friedrich Nietzsche and Emmanuel Lévinas – both serving as each other’s readers and interpreters – taken to share the project of critiquing morality in the name of what I term, after Lévinas, ‘ethics’. This antipathology of treason aims at evoking the mechanisms of political ‘abjection’ – a concept borrowed from Julia Kristeva – employed in the traitor’s expulsion from the political. It will thus probe into the ethical implications of this expulsion, insofar as it is taken here to be inscribed deep within prevalent ethico-political discourses, part-and-parcel of their sustaining inertia.
    [Show full text]
  • Jose Saramago
    jose saramago 1.bölüm Zeki Z. Kırmızı 2015 Saramago, Jose; Çatıdaki Pencere, (Claraboia, 1940-50; 2011), Çev. Pınar Savaş, Kırmızı Kedi Yayınları, Birinci Basım, Eylül 2012, İstanbul, 306 s. Zaman İçinde Kaybolan ve Bulunan Kitap, Pilar del Rio, s 9-14 * Saramago, Jose; Ressamın El Kitabı, (Manual de Pintura e Caligrafia, 1977), İng. Çev. Şemsa Yeğin, Can Yayınları, Birinci Basım, 2001, İstanbul, 275 s. * Saramago, Jose; Kısırdöngü, (Objecto Quase, 1978), Çev. Soner Bilgiç, Türkiye İş Bankası Yayınları, Birinci Basım, Ağustos 2001, İstanbul, 146 s. * Saramago, Jose; Umut Tarlaları, (Levantado do Chão, 1980), Çev. Ayça Sabuncuoğlu, Can Yayınları, Birinci Basım, 1999, İstanbul, 315 s. * Saramago, Jose; Baltasar ile Blimunda, (Memorial de Convento, 1982), Çev. Işık Ergüden, Kırmızı Kedi Yayınları, Birinci Basım, Eylül 2013, İstanbul, 364 s. * Saramago, Jose; Ricardo Reis’in Öldüğü Yıl, (O ano da morte de Ricardo Reis, 1984), Çev. Saadet Özen, Can Yayınları, Birinci Basım, Eylül 2003, İstanbul, 407 s. Sunuş Bu fotoğrafı oraya koydum. Adam Jose Saramago, Portekizli. 1922‟de doğdu. Artık yaşamıyor. Kadının adı Pilar del Rio. 1950 doğumlu, İspanyol. Gazeteci. Dünyayı kenara koyabilen bir sevgi gibi görünüyor. Sevgi gibi görünüyor. Gibisi fazla. Çünkü öyle demek geliyor içimden. Belli bir tarihten sonra (tanışma: 1986, evlilik: 1988) Saramago yazdığı her şeyi (sanırım) 2010 yılındaki ölümüne dek ona sunuyor: Pilar del Rio‟ya… Ben de bu yazımı (nasıl bir yazı olacak, bir şeye benzer mi bilemesem de) Saramago‟nun kadınına, Pilar del Rio‟ya sunuyorum. * Saramago toplu okuması. 20 dolayında kitabı hem de başarıyla Türkçemize katılmış. Evet, araya sıkışmış bir Nobel Yazın Ödülü var (1998). Poetik dünyasını sınıflandırabilmiş, tanımlayabilmiş değilim.
    [Show full text]
  • HUMAN NATURE Is, by Definition, a Talkative One, Imprudent
    LEM Notes: Skylight by Jose Saramago 1 Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa – Book Club: Oct 10, 2017 at Joan’s Human nature is, by definition, a talkative one, imprudent, indiscreet, gossipy, incapable of closing its mouth and keeping it closed. Skylight, José Saramago The Cave, José Saramago In all souls, as in all houses, beyond the façade lies a hidden interior. — Raul Brandao LEM Notes: Skylight by Jose Saramago 2 Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa – Book Club: Oct 10, 2017 at Joan’s From the Foreword by Pilar del Río, President, José Saramago Foundation “a novel of characters – set in Lisbon of the early 1950s when the Second World War has ended, but not the Salazar dictatorship which hangs over everything like a shadow or a silence” “It is not a political novel, and we should not, therefore, necessarily conclude that the reason it remained unpublished was because it fell victim to the censors. And yet, given the prudish times in which it was written, its content must have had some bearing on that decision not to publish.” “The novel rejects established values: the family is not a symbol of hearth and home, but of hell; appearances count for more than reality; apparently praiseworthy utopian dreams are revealed for the hollow things they really are” “It is a novel that explicitly condemns the mistreatment of women, but treats love between two people of the same sex as natural, albeit, in the circumstances, anguishing.” “ a gift …that [provides] context for reading his other novels in the light of what he was writing as a young man” My thoughts Thank you for this selection! Coincidence, serendipity, ‘Lady Luck’ at work—whatever force was in play this could not have come at a better time for me freshly home from Portugal and still under the spell of Lisbon’s considerable charms.
    [Show full text]
  • A Commentary on the Book of Leviticus
    A COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS By ANDREW BONAR 1852 by James Nisbet and Company Digitally prepared and posted on the web by Ted Hildebrandt (2004) Public Domain. Please report any errors to: [email protected] PREFACE SOME years ago, while perusing the Book of Leviticus in the course of his daily study of the Scriptures, the author was arrested amid the shadows of a past dispensation, and led to write short notes as he went along. Not long after, another perusal of this inspired book--conducted in a similar way, and with much prayer for the teaching of the Spirit of truth--refreshed his own soul yet more, and led him on to inquire what others had gleaned in the same field. Some friends who, in this age of activity and bustle, find time to delight themselves in the law of the Lord, saw the notes, and urged their publication. There are few critical difficulties in the book; its chief obscurity arises from its enigmatical ceremonies. The author fears he may not always have succeeded in discovering the precise view of truth intended to be exhi- bited in these symbolic rites; but he has made the attempt, not thinking it irreverent to examine both sides of the veil, now that it has been rent. The Holy Spirit PREFACE surely wishes us to inquire into what He has written; and the unhealthy tone of many true Christians may be accounted for by the too plain fact that they do not meditate much on the whole counsel of God. Expe- rience, as well as the Word itself (Ps.
    [Show full text]
  • Lessons and Discourses
    List of Discourses By Michael R. Nekora Atonement in Leviticus 9 (1999) Law Covenant (2000) Baptismal Discourse (1994) Lazarus, the Rich Man and (1977) Be Not Weary in Well Doing (1998) Levites (2002) Be Ye Perfect (1971) Man of Integrity (2000) Becoming a Disciple of Christ (1995) Mercy (1988) Blind Spot (1992) New Creature (2003) Blood (2005) Nicodemus (2001) Circumcision of Christ (2002) Peter's Last Letter (1991) Deborah (1999) Propitiation (1971) Earthen Vessels (1996) Psalms, the Book of (1993) Exodus (1982) Rahab (1997) Faith and Gold (2001) Resurrection of the Dead (2000) Faith and Works (1995) Revelation 12: The Woman and the Dragon (1963) Figs - Olives - Vines (2004) Sacrifice (1994) Forty, The Number of Probation (1999) Salt (2002) Gospels [Matthew/Mark/Luke/John— Four talks] Seed of the Woman (1987) (1990) Smiting of the Image (1992) Habakkuk (1985) Stephen (1983) Hardening of the Arteries (1993) The Dead (1975) Hearing Ears (2003) Two Resurrections (1997) Israel (1991) Two Views of Atonement (1980) Jacob, Lessons from the Life of (2004) Vision of Present Truth (1998) Joel, Lessons from the Book of (1975) What Must I Do to be Saved (1994) Jude, the Book of (1991) Who Shall be Greatest (1979) Wine (1982) Atonement in Leviticus 9 Opening Hymn: #187 — “Jesus Paid It All” The Hebrew word #3722 appears in 92 verses of the Old Testament. More than half those verses are in Exodus and Leviticus where in nearly all cases in the KJV it is translated atonement (the three exceptions are reconcile/reconciling/reconciliation). In other Old Testament books this Hebrew word is sometimes translated: cleanse, merciful, purge, pardon, forgive, disannul, put it off, pacify.
    [Show full text]
  • The Treasury of Sacred Song by Francis Turner Palgrave, 1824-1897 About the Treasury of Sacred Song by F
    The Treasury of Sacred Song by Francis Turner Palgrave, 1824-1897 About The Treasury of Sacred Song by F. T. Palgrave Title: The Treasury of Sacred Song URL: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/palgrave/sacredsong.html Author(s): Palgrave, Francis Turner Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: Anthology of sacred poetry selected from the English lyrical poetry of four centuries "for poetry©s sake," with notes. First Published: 1889 Publication History: Unknown Print Basis: London: Henry Frowde, 1890 Source: London: Henry Frowde. 1890 Rights: Public domain. Date Created: 2006-04 Editorial Comments: ·ThML markup. · Contributor(s): Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders (Transcriber) Stephen Hutcheson (Formatter) LC Call no: PR1191 .P2 1890 The Treasury of Sacred Song Francis Turner Palgrave, 1824-1897 Table of Contents About This Book . p. ii Title Page . p. 1 Preface . p. 2 Now gladdeth every living creáture . p. 6 When I look back, and in myself behold . p. 8 The pleasant years that seem, so swift that run . p. 10 Love, lift me up upon thy golden wings . p. 11 Leave me, O Love, which reachest but to dust . p. 20 Poor Soul, the centre of my sinful earth . p. 21 O mighty God, Which for us men . p. 22 Here is the spring where waters flow . p. 23 Sweet Music, sweeter far . p. 24 As I in hoary Winter©s night stood shivering in the snow . p. 26 Let folly praise thatthat, what fancy loves, I praise and love that Child . p. 27 O Gracious God, O Saviour sweet . p. 28 Heavenly Messias, (sweet anointed King .
    [Show full text]