Peace in Babylon

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)

To most of us, this is a very familiar verse. It is one which comforts us with the reminder of God’s loving attributes toward His children. It consoles us, it lets us know that God has a purpose for our lives. One thing that many people fail to realize is the circumstances surrounding this prophecy. It was given during a time of great confusion, great fear, great horror–a time when the people of God were unsure about their future. What was going to become of them, their children, their nation? Most of them had been carried away into a foreign land; they were taken from everything they had ever known, and everything they had ever know was taken from them. They were now servants in a strange land called Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:4-14
4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; 5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. 8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. 10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

v 4- God proclaims that He is the cause of their captivity. The meaning of Babylon is "confusion (by mixing)". This is very relevant because when God’s people try to combine their lives with the influence of the world, confusion is sure to invade. God is causing them to be taken from a place of "teaching of peace" (Jerusalem) to a place of "confusion caused by mixing" (Babylon).

v 5-6- God is instructing them to prepare themselves for their captivity. He instructs them to build houses to dwell in, to prepare ways of sustaining their lives, and to continue to increase. When we find ourselves in a place that should bring us absolute misery, we should still desire to live and bring forth fruit. When all logical reasoning says that we will be destroyed, we should
defy the fear of peril and rise up in the strength of His promise. We are more than conquerers through Him and we will continue to live and increase no matter what threat our circumstances might declare!

v 7- God tells them to pray for peace in the city of their dwelling, because if there is peace in the city, then they will dwell in peace. No matter what our surroundings, we can have peace in the midst of our problems. If we pray, God will cause us to dwell in peace. Jesus instructs us not to let our heart be troubled nor afraid because He promised that He would give His peace to us and leave it with us. (John 14:27)

v 8-9- God warns them not to be deceived by the false prophets in their midst. He even discouraged them from trusting in their own dreams! Perhaps the message of the deceivers had influenced their thoughts to the point of even corrupting their dreams. It is very important that we judge the message being preached. We should never take the word of a self-proclaimed prophet over the message of Christ. Let God be true, but every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)

v 10-11- God has warned them against the message of the false prophets and now He is reminding them of His message. The message that, although He has caused them to be in an unpleasant situation, His thoughts toward them are peaceful, not evil. Their situation is only temporary and God’s ultimate plan is to do them good, to fulfill His promise concerning them.

v 12-13- God is revealing to them why He has done this. He wants them to turn their hearts back to Him. The reason God caused their captivity was because of their idolatry. God used Babylon to turn their hearts back to Him. God is going to reconcile His children to Himself, no matter what it requires. He proved this through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.(see Romans 5:8)

v 14- God promises them that when they turn back to Him, He will hear them and He will bring them back to their intended home. He promises to restore them to their original place of dwelling.

Conclusion

Although we may find ourselves in unpleasant situations, we can rest in the assurance of God’s faithfulness. God has promised that He will never leave us and never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God will not allow His covenant people to remain in error; He will punish us when it is necessary, but it is always for our correction. In verse 14, God says that He "will be found" of them, but the truth is that God was never lost, nor will He ever be. God was there all the time, waiting for His people to turn back to Him; and when they did, He was ready to "be found". When we end up in a land of confusion, it is usually because we are "mixed up", but thank God that He is right there to bring us back into our peaceful city.

—John Burkett

Fully Persuaded

Several weeks ago we studied the subject of "Tearing Down Strongholds." In that study we learned that most of our struggles are fought on the battleground of our mind. Our fears, our doubts, our desires, our emotions, our concerns–these are things we often cradle in the depths of our mind–a place in which we are the only ones who have the key to unlock them. We store them away, trying to keep them safe from anyone who might find opportunity to use them against us. Often times, satan will use these as weapons to try and steal our faith and destroy our hope. He will try to convince us that our shortcomings will ultimately lead to our demise. This is why we must realize that our strength is in Jesus Christ, not in ourselves. Something we must do is to arm ourselves with a sound mind. We must cast off our former ways of thinking and trust in God’s word. We must be fully persuaded that God is true and the final authority over every thought, every conviction, and every philosophy. Through the teachings of the apostle Paul, we will look at 3 areas where we can strengthen ourselves in Christ if we will allow ourselves to be "fully persuaded".

We must be persuaded of God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promise. (Romans 4:18-22)
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Even though hope had abandoned Abraham, he still believed the promise of God. He was "strong in faith" and was fully persuaded that God was going to perform what He had promised. Because he believed God, Abraham was accounted as righteous.

We must be persuaded that nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:33-39)
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When the enemy tries to bring charges against us, we can be sure that God is a righteous judge and He is the only authority we should be concerned with. Through Jesus, we can overcome any thought, any fear, any doubt, or any false accusation that is contrary to God’s promises. We are justified with God through the blood of Jesus, not because we did anything to deserve it, but because He loves us. God testified to His love by giving His only Son for our sins, even though we were undeserving of it (Rom 5:5-9). We should be fully persuaded that, if Jesus loved us that much, there is nothing that can separate us from Him.

We must be persuaded that God is able to keep us. (2 Timothy 1:9-12)
1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

God called us, we did not just decide to serve Him one day. If He called us, I’m quite confident that He has a plan for us and that He will take us to the completion of that plan. We should stand as boldly as Paul and proclaim, "I am not ashamed of who I am, for I know whom I have believed, and I am fully persuaded that He is able to keep me, no matter what may happen to me or where I may find myself. I know God is the One who called me and that He is able to take me to the fulfillment of His purpose."

Conclusion
The word persuaded is defined in different ways in the Strong’s Concordance. One of the ways it is defined is to mean: to rely (by inward certainty). I believe this best describes the concept of this message. If we will learn to truly rely on God with an inward certainty and believe that He is faithful to fulfill His promises, that He loves us and nothing can ever take us from His hand, and that He is able to keep us until we have ran the course He has planned for us, then we will walk more confidently as His children. The enemy will no longer have any influence over us, because we will find our strength in Christ and know that His grace is sufficient for us.
--John Burkett

The Mind of Christ

Philippians 2:1-8

2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2:2 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

vs 1-2 In the previous verses (1:28-30), there is an exhortation to be mindful that the privilege of bearing the name of Jesus brings the reward of tribulation. If we, as the Children of God, find our consolation in Him, if we are comforted by His love, if we know the fellowship of His Spirit, and if we experience deep affection and great mercy because of His compassion, we should share this same joy with one another. Paul even proclaimed that this type of unity among the believers would have made his joy complete (fulfilled).

vs 3 Don’t do anything for selfish ambition or to exalt yourself above others; we should humble ourselves before one another and delight in seeing the success of others–even above our own promotions.

vs 4 We shouldn’t be so consumed with our own needs, but should be mindful of the needs of others. If we are God’s Children, we should realize we are not going to lack anything that we need. We should have a heart for the needs of those less fortunate than us. All of our efforts shouldn’t be so self-centered that we don’t have compassion for those who are truly in need.

vs 5 Let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus. This is something we must choose to do. We must desire to have the mind of Christ.

v 6-8 What mind was (is) in Jesus?–Jesus, who is the fulness of all that God ever has been or ever will be, did not come to earth as a great ruler or dignitary, but He took upon Him the form of a servant, made in the likeness of man–the Creator took upon Himself the role of the creature. He humbled Himself–He, as a man, had to take complete control of His human nature–all the wants, fears, doubts, desires, etc. that a human experiences–and bring them under subjection to the obedience of God’s will. Even to the point of the gruesome death of the cross for a world that did not want Him.

Paul instructs us to have this same mind, this same willingness to deny ourselves for the benefit of others.

Colossians 3:12-15
3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

v 12 We must put on these things. This is another exhortation for us to make the choice to be changed in our mind and attitude. We must put on the mind of Christ and let the peace of God rule in our hearts (v15).

v 13 Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. If we have the mind of Christ, we will do the works of Christ. Just as Jesus was willing to overlook our faults to give us the opportunity for forgiveness, we should also be willing to show mercy instead of judgement.

v 14 Put on charity. The power of love is the only thing that can keep us in perfect adhesion. Willing to overlook failures, willing to help one another with burdens, being kind to one another, humbling ourselves toward one another, being patient with one another, forgiving our brother’s trespasses against us–doing these things are what will keep the body of Christ in unity.

v 15 We must let the peace of God rule our hearts. When we delight in God’s Word, we will allow it to be the governing authority of our heart and mind. As we become more aware of His ways and His thoughts, we will realize that our ways and our thoughts are foolish. We will realize that we have been “called out” of the world and translated into His Kingdom. And be ye thankful!

I can only imagine the expression on the faces of the self-righteous Pharisees when they proclaimed to Jesus, “Abraham is our father” and Jesus replied, “If you were the children of Abraham, ye would do the works of Abraham.”(John 8:39) How that word must have cut to the quick of their heart. They could not avoid judging within their own minds to see if their lives could size up to the example set forth by Abraham. This same challenge is given to us as the seed of Christ. Of course, we can never be the perfect example that He is because everyone of us have already fallen short, but we can judge our heart against His Word. If our actions and our conversations reflect those of Jesus, we can be sure that we are well on our way to having the mind of Christ.

John Burkett

The Faith Delivered unto the Saints

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Definition of contend: (Webster’s Dictionary)
▸ to strive in combat; fight
▸ to strive in debate; argue
▸ to hold to be a fact

What is the faith which was once delivered unto the saints?
▸ 1Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:
▸ Galatians 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Our faith lies in this:
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of a virgin into this world, gave Himself to be crucified on the cross as a sacrifice for our sin, was buried, and on the third day was raised from the dead. He ascended into heaven and will physically return again to restore all things to His chosen people and eternally condemn those who, according to 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, “received not the truth that they might be saved, those who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness”and those “that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

This is the message that we must contend for–we must hold to be a fact. There is no other message that can bring hope for a world lost in sin. There are no programs of religion, no traditions of men, no accomplishments of effort or any such thing that can deliver us from the strength of sin–only Jesus and His cross! All else is futile and can only give false hope. This is the message that the saints of God have always professed and held to be true. This is what we preach and the only thing we will put our hope in–Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

1Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;1 Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God...
1Co 1:30 ...But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Paul goes on to say in the second chapter of 1 Corinthians that no man’s eye has ever seen, no man’s ear has ever heard, nor has any man’s heart has ever received anything from God unless God revealed it. The only way man can understand the deep truths about God is by the Holy Spirit. Man can attain a glib understanding of thoughts and historical facts from the Bible, and may dimly paint a picture in his mind of a superficial creator–God character, but he can never come to a true understanding of God unless he cleanses the thoughts of humanity with the blood of Jesus Christ. Unto them which are called, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, all that we ever thought of as wise suddenly becomes foolish. The cross becomes our hope and our glory and our boasting, we realize that all of our past efforts have been for nought.

– John Burkett

A More Excellent Way

Matt 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
Matt 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mark 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins...
Mark 1:7 ...And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

Matt 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
Matt 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

There are 3 things I want us to take note of from these passages:

• Mark tells us the ministry of John is the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• John baptized Jesus–Jesus came up out of the water, leaving John standing in the Jordan River
• Jesus began to preach after John was put in prison

What do these signify?

• John, as the last prophet under the law, signifies the passing away of the Old Covenant
• Jesus, as the Son of God, is bringing in the New Covenant

What was John’s ministry?

• He baptized with water–this was an outward work which left them waiting for something more. (just as the Old Covenant did)
• He was a voice crying, “prepare ye the way of the Lord”– much in the same way the Old Testament provoked them to examine the sin in their lives (and they tried to cover it).
• He pointed to Jesus–John told the Pharisees & Sadducees (the religious elite) that there righteousness wasn’t good enough, that there was one coming after him whose fan was in His hand, and He would purge His floor and separate the wheat from the chaff.(Matt 3:11-12) Throughout the Old Testament, The Law and the Prophets reveal the sinful nature of man and man’s need of a Savior.

What was Jesus’ ministry?

• He said He came to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19)
• He made the appeal--"come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."(Matt 11:28)
• And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.(Mark 1:17)

John the Baptist and Jesus both came onto the scene with the message, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” John’s message was “it’s coming” and Jesus’ message was “it’s here and I’m it! ” John’s ministry, like the Old Covenant, was one which pointed to Jesus–it could do nothing more than reveal sin and point to the Savior. John ministered the outward service of water baptism but promised something better; in like manner, the Old Covenant taught people the outward motions of religion, but prophesied of something better to come–JESUS. Jesus' ministry is one that does what the Law could not do–He changes the inward nature of man. Only the blood of Jesus can make us holy and right in the sight of God, not our own efforts.

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect...10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins...10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all...10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more...10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching...

The work of Christ is:

• The shedding of His blood as the sacrifice for sinful man (the just for the unjust)
• The reconciliation of man to God through His sacrifice
• To change the nature of sinful man by putting His laws into our minds and hearts

The first two were done through His shed blood at Calvary, the third is done by the Holy Ghost. What John (Old Covenant) could not do through an outward work, Jesus does through an inward work. Jesus said, “except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John3:3) We must all be “born again”, this is not a natural, outward work that can be done by man, it can only be done by the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18:
5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Paul also said we should covet earnestly the best gifts, but yet, he said, “I will show unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). He then goes on to tell us in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 what that “more excellent way” is–it's charity (love). True charity (love) only comes from God through Jesus. Only the Spirit of God can change our selfish nature and cause us to care about others–even our enemies. We know this because it’s not in us to love those who don’t do good to us, only God has that kind of love– Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. John Burkett

Choosing Wise Company

Choosing Wise Company

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

The definition for "seducing" given to us in the Strong’s Concordance is: roving (as a tramp), that is, (by implication) an imposter or misleader–deceiver, seducer. Jesus tells us to "take heed that no man deceive you" (Matt 24:4). Paul warns his young disciple Timothy that "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; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim 4:3-4). There are many warnings given to us concerning false prophets and, as the children of God, it is very important that we do not give heed to seducing spirits that can draw us from the truth of Jesus Christ. In this short study, we will see the contrast between the spirit of wisdom and the spirit of seduction by comparing "Lady Wisdom" of Provervbs, Chapter 8, and the "strange woman" in Provervbs, Chapter 7.

Read Proverbs 7:4-27
v7. We can see that the young man is void of understanding.
v9. The scene takes place in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.
v10. The seductress is wearing the attire of a harlot (which would be very appealing to a young man, void of understanding, in the "dark night") and has a subtil (crafty) heart.
v12. She is lying in wait for the simple young man who is void of understanding.
v13. She caught him, kissed him, and had an impudent (shameless, bold) face.
v14. She has her share of a peace offering. She is under the guise of serving God. The peace offering had to be eaten on the same day it was offered. She is inviting him to share her part of the peace offering. She is doing this with an impudent face. (No shame)
v15. She is looking for this young man in particular (or one like him–void of understanding).
v16-17.Her bed is adorned to be attractive to the young man. She is deliberately trying to appeal to the thing he is desiring most.
v18. She is not only enticing the young man with what he is physically wanting, but also with the offer of finding solace(an easing of grief, loneliness, etc.) in one another.
v19-20.She is stating that the "goodman of the house is gone and will not be back until the time appointed. (Jesus said "Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord doth come"–Matt.24:42)
v21. She causes him to yield with much fair speech and with the flattering of her lips.
v22-23.Just as an ox is unknowingly led to the slaughter by the one who feeds him, so is the simple young man led to his own death by the "strange woman". Just as a bird may be tempted to enter into a snare by the lure of the bait, so is the young man tempted by the deceiver, not knowing that his life is in danger.
v24-27.Wisdom sends a warning against the perils of the harlot, but often she is ignored. She warns that the way of the seducer is the way to hell! Let not your heart decline to her way, go not astray in her paths. She has cast down many wounded and slain many strong men. (see also James 1:14-15)

Read Proverbs 8:1-14
v1-3. Wisdom cries aloud, puts forth her voice. She is where everyone can plainly see her as she makes her appeal.v3–She is even making herself known to the wisest and chief men of the city. This is in contrast to the "strange woman" who made her appeal at night in the shadows.
v4-5. She is calling to all men, encouraging the simple and foolish to get understanding. Obviously, all men are simple and foolish until they get wisdom. The "strange woman" is described as one who "lies in wait" and "comes forth diligently seeking." She does not want the simple young man to get understanding, she wants him to remain vulnerable.
v6-9. Wisdom speaks excellent things, right things, truth–speaking wickedness is an abomination to her lips; all her words are in righteousness with nothing froward (contrary or unsavory) or perverse in them. They are plain to him who has understanding and right to them that find knowledge. The "strange woman" speaks with flattering lips and fair speech. Her purpose is to seduce, Lady Wisdom wants to instruct for edification and correction.
v10-11.Wisdom proclaims that instruction is better that silver and knowledge is better than choice gold. She esteems wisdom to be better than rubies and nothing that a man could desire is comparable to it. The "strange woman" adorns her bed with beautiful things so it will be more desirable to the young simpleton.
v12. Wisdom dwells with prudence. Prudence is the ability to exercise sound judgement in practical matters. Someone who is prudent is cautious in conduct and sensible. The companion of the seductress is impudence; meaning that she is shameless, bold, loud, arrogant, and has no respect for others.
v13-14.We can see that Lady Wisdom reveals the fear of the Lord; the "strange woman"
exemplifies those things which are contrary to wisdom, showing no respect or fear of the Lord and finding pleasure in deceiving those who are simple and unwise. She even uses the facade of serving God as a tool of seduction–the peace offering.

Conclusion
As we read the contrast between the two "women", we can see wisdom crying out to warn the simple and the seductress trying to deceive him so she can satisfy her appetite at the expense of his life. One thing I want to emphasize from this study is the fact that "Lady Wisdom" makes her appeal to all men. By taking note of this, we must realize that the wisdom of men is not the same as the wisdom of God. It is only by the impartation of revelation given to us from God that we can know anything about God; because the nature of God is a mystery to the nature of man and no man can know Him unless He reveals himself (I Corinthians 2:6-16). There is only one way to understand the wisdom of God–that is the revelation of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:23-24, Paul said, " But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews an Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." So no matter how much knowledge we obtain or how much work we do, if it is not rooted in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and grounded on the Word of God, all of our efforts will ultimately come to an end. We may store up treasures on earth, but they will only become corrupted; this world is temporal and one day all of its glory will come to nought.

John Burkett

Necessity of Suffering

Necessity of Suffering

II Chronicles 12:1-8
2Ch 12:1 And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
2Ch 12:2 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,
2Ch 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.
2Ch 12:4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
2Ch 12:5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
2Ch 12:6 Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.
2Ch 12:7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
2Ch 12:8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

Discussion Questions

1. In verse 1, what 3 things did Rehoboam do?
Established the kingdom, strengthened himself, forsook the law of the LORD. When we establish our own kingdom and find strength in ourselves, most often we forget the goodness of God and we forsake HIS ways to follow our ways.

2. Why did Shishak come against Jerusalem?
Because they forsook the Law of the LORD. Shishak, the king of Egypt, was the instrument God used to afflict His own people. YES!! GOD did it!!!


3. What was God’s purpose in allowing Shishak to attack Jerusalem?
(v8) So that Rehoboam and all of Judah would know His service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. God wants us to realize what He offers in comparison to the world. The yoke of the world is heavy–always trying to please everyone, always trying to fit into the status quo, always trying to "compete with the Jones" if you will–man is not easy to please. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matt 11: 28-30).

4. How was God’s wrath diverted from Jerusalem?
(vv6-7) Because they humbled themselves before the LORD. We have to come to the realization that we need the strength of the LORD; that we are men who can only achieve things in our capacity. We need to depend on the mind of Christ to help us establish things and understand things. Things that we would never even be able to conceive in our minds without Him revealing them to us. Jesus said without Him we could do nothing (John 15:5).

I Corinthians 11:31-32
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the best way to avoid chastisement from God?
If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. We need to examine ourselves to see if we are outside the parameters of God’s Word and, if we are, we need to take whatever means are necessary to try to step back within those boundaries. I’ve found that this always consists of humbling ourselves before God and acknowledging our shortcomings–realizing that we cannot walk by our own strength.

2. Why does God chasten us?
So we will not be condemned with the world!! God causes us to go through things in order to bring us to a place of realization and revelation–realization of who we are and revelation of who Jesus is. He’s going to perfect us, no matter what He has to do to accomplish it. If we don’t judge ourselves, God will judge us. If we belong to Him, He will weigh us in the balances; and if we are found lacking, some adjustments are going to have to be made. Do it LORD!! No matter what it takes!!

Conclusion

Last week in our study, we discussed the fact that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). As creatures of habit and comfort, we expect things in life to go exactly how we want and when we want it. Just like Rehoboam, many times we are trying to establish our kingdom and trying to find our own strength. Instead, we should be trying to establish God’s Kingdom and finding our strength in Christ. When we lean on our own understanding and our own strength, we will always fall short in the will of God. Hebrews 5:7-9 says this concerning Jesus:

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Now if Jesus had to learn obedience through the things which He suffered, how much more do we need to be brought under the subjection of trials for the perfecting of our faith? (James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7). Jesus said, "In this world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). That’s a promise we aren’t always willing to hold onto. If our master had to endure things which were contrary to what His flesh desired, we should be comforted in our trials, knowing that every gift from God is good and that every gift from God is perfect–even when we don’t think so.

I Peter 2:19-25
1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.