Ruler of All Nature

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33)

In modern language we would say, “The dice are rolled on the table, and every play is decided by God.”

In other words, there are no events so small that he does not rule them for his purposes. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” Jesus said. “And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:29–30).

Every roll of the dice in Las Vegas, every tiny bird that falls dead in a thousand forests — all of this is God’s command.

In the book of Jonah, God commands a fish to swallow a man (1:17), he commands a plant to grow for shade (4:6), and he commands a worm to kill it (4:7).

And far above the life of fish and worms, the stars take their place and hold their place at God’s command.

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. (Isaiah 40:26)

How much more, then, the natural events of this world — from weather to disasters to disease to disability to death.

His law he enforces;

the stars in their courses

and sun in its orbit obediently shine;

the hills and the mountains,

the rivers and fountains,

the deeps of the ocean

proclaim him divine.

(“Let All Things Now Living,” Katherine Davis)

Let us therefore stand in awe and be at peace, knowing that no natural event is outside of God’s wise and good purposes, and perfect control.

John Piper 

August 8

Luke 15:11-32

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

[11] And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. [12] And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. [13] Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. [14] And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. [16] And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

[17] “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ [20] And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. [21] And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ [22] But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. [23] And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. [24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

[25] “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. [27] And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ [28] But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, [29] but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ [31] And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. [32] It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

1 Timothy 5:16-25

[16] If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

[17] Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. [18] For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” [19] Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. [20] As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. [21] In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. [22] Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. [23] (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) [24] The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. [25] So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Proverbs 8

The Blessings of Wisdom

    [1] Does not wisdom call?

        Does not understanding raise her voice? 

    [2] On the heights beside the way,

        at the crossroads she takes her stand; 

    [3] beside the gates in front of the town,

        at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: 

    [4] “To you, O men, I call,

        and my cry is to the children of man. 

    [5] O simple ones, learn prudence;

        O fools, learn sense. 

    [6] Hear, for I will speak noble things,

        and from my lips will come what is right, 

    [7] for my mouth will utter truth;

        wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 

    [8] All the words of my mouth are righteous;

        there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 

    [9] They are all straight to him who understands,

        and right to those who find knowledge. 

    [10] Take my instruction instead of silver,

        and knowledge rather than choice gold, 

    [11] for wisdom is better than jewels,

        and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

    [12] “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

        and I find knowledge and discretion. 

    [13] The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

    Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

        and perverted speech I hate. 

    [14] I have counsel and sound wisdom;

        I have insight; I have strength. 

    [15] By me kings reign,

        and rulers decree what is just; 

    [16] by me princes rule,

        and nobles, all who govern justly. 

    [17] I love those who love me,

        and those who seek me diligently find me. 

    [18] Riches and honor are with me,

        enduring wealth and righteousness. 

    [19] My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

        and my yield than choice silver. 

    [20] I walk in the way of righteousness,

        in the paths of justice, 

    [21] granting an inheritance to those who love me,

        and filling their treasuries.

    [22] “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work,

        the first of his acts of old. 

    [23] Ages ago I was set up,

        at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 

    [24] When there were no depths I was brought forth,

        when there were no springs abounding with water. 

    [25] Before the mountains had been shaped,

        before the hills, I was brought forth, 

    [26] before he had made the earth with its fields,

        or the first of the dust of the world. 

    [27] When he established the heavens, I was there;

        when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 

    [28] when he made firm the skies above,

        when he established the fountains of the deep, 

    [29] when he assigned to the sea its limit,

        so that the waters might not transgress his command,

    when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 

    [30]     then I was beside him, like a master workman,

    and I was daily his delight,

        rejoicing before him always, 

    [31] rejoicing in his inhabited world

        and delighting in the children of man.

    [32] “And now, O sons, listen to me:

        blessed are those who keep my ways. 

    [33] Hear instruction and be wise,

        and do not neglect it. 

    [34] Blessed is the one who listens to me,

        watching daily at my gates,

        waiting beside my doors. 

    [35] For whoever finds me finds life

        and obtains favor from the LORD, 

    [36] but he who fails to find me injures himself;

        all who hate me love death.”

Ezra 10

The People Confess Their Sin

[1] While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. [2] And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. [3] Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. [4] Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” [5] Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath.

[6] Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib, where he spent the night, neither eating bread nor drinking water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles. [7] And a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem, [8] and that if anyone did not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all his property should be forfeited, and he himself banned from the congregation of the exiles.

[9] Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. And all the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. [10] And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have broken faith and married foreign women, and so increased the guilt of Israel. [11] Now then make confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.” [12] Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, “It is so; we must do as you have said. [13] But the people are many, and it is a time of heavy rain; we cannot stand in the open. Nor is this a task for one day or for two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter. [14] Let our officials stand for the whole assembly. Let all in our cities who have taken foreign wives come at appointed times, and with them the elders and judges of every city, until the fierce wrath of our God over this matter is turned away from us.” [15] Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them.

[16] Then the returned exiles did so. Ezra the priest selected men, heads of fathers’ houses, according to their fathers’ houses, each of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to examine the matter; [17] and by the first day of the first month they had come to the end of all the men who had married foreign women.

Those Guilty of Intermarriage

[18] Now there were found some of the sons of the priests who had married foreign women: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah, some of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers. [19] They pledged themselves to put away their wives, and their guilt offering was a ram of the flock for their guilt. [20] Of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. [21] Of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. [22] Of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.

[23] Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. [24] Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.

[25] And of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah, and Benaiah. [26] Of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. [27] Of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. [28] Of the sons of Bebai were Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. [29] Of the sons of Bani were Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth. [30] Of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh. [31] Of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, [32] Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. [33] Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. [34] Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, [35] Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, [36] Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, [37] Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu. [38] Of the sons of Binnui: Shimei, [39] Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, [40] Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, [41] Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, [42] Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. [43] Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. [44] All these had married foreign women, and some of the women had even borne children.

Are You Doing Something for God?

PRAY OVER THIS

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 1:27-28

 

PONDER THIS

When I was a young Christian, I started out to do many things for the Lord, but it was a great day when I discovered God didn’t want me to do anything for Him. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t do anything for Him. You may say, “That’s confusing. I thought you were supposed to serve the Lord?”

Yes, but we don’t serve on our own. The Christian life is not difficult; the Christian life is totally impossible. None of us can live the Christian life. There’s only one person who ever lived the Christian life—Jesus! If the Christian life is lived where you live, it will be Jesus living in and through you.

Now, we all know we’re not saved by our own works. We all know salvation is a miracle. And we know the Christian life commences with a miracle, and we know it’s going to conclude with a miracle when we’re caught up to meet our Lord in the air. Not only does it commence with a miracle and conclude with a miracle, but it also continues with a miracle.

When was a time you felt like you were “doing something” for God?

Why is it important to rely on Christ as we live out our faith and serve God?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk with a Christian friend about how to rely on Christ and live out faith.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Not By Chance But Planned

From the OT to the NT God told of the coming Hope which is His Son, Christ the Lord.

We know God had no beginning and no end.

We know He is sovereign.

Psalm 34:8

    [8] Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!

        Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

John 1:1-5

The Word Became Flesh

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Isaiah 55:3-4

    [3] Incline your ear, and come to me;

        hear, that your soul may live;

    and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,

        my steadfast, sure love for David. 

    [4] Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,

        a leader and commander for the peoples.

Ezekiel 37:24

[24] “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes.

Proverbs 30:4

    [4] Who has ascended to heaven and come down?

        Who has gathered the wind in his fists?

    Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?

        Who has established all the ends of the earth?

    What is his name, and what is his son’s name?

        Surely you know!

Psalm 22:27

    [27] All the ends of the earth shall remember

        and turn to the LORD,

    and all the families of the nations

        shall worship before you.

John 3:13

[13] No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

Colossians 2:6-10

Alive in Christ

[6] Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7] rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

[8] See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. [9] For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, [10] and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Hebrews 1

The Supremacy of God’s Son

[1] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, [4] having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

[5] For to which of the angels did God ever say, 

    “You are my Son,

        today I have begotten you”?

    Or again, 

    “I will be to him a father,

        and he shall be to me a son”?

    [6] And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 

    “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

    [7] Of the angels he says, 

    “He makes his angels winds,

        and his ministers a flame of fire.”

    [8] But of the Son he says, 

    “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,

        the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 

    [9] You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

    therefore God, your God, has anointed you

        with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

    [10] And, 

    “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

        and the heavens are the work of your hands; 

    [11] they will perish, but you remain;

        they will all wear out like a garment, 

    [12] like a robe you will roll them up,

        like a garment they will be changed.

    But you are the same,

        and your years will have no end.”

    [13] And to which of the angels has he ever said, 

    “Sit at my right hand

        until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

    [14] Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

The Point of Creation

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

God made humans in his image so that the world would be filled with reflectors of God. Images of God. Seven billion statues of God. So that nobody would miss the point of creation.

Nobody (unless they are stone blind) could miss the point of humanity, namely, God — knowing, loving, showing God. The angels cry in Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” It is full of billions of human image-bearers. Glorious ruins.

But not only humans. Also nature! Why such a breathtaking world for us to live in? Why such a vast universe?

I once read that there are more stars in the universe than there are words and sounds that all humans of all time have ever spoken. Why are there so many? So large? So bright? At such unimaginable distances? The Bible is crystal clear about this: “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).

If someone asks, “If earth is the only inhabited planet and man the only rational inhabitant among the stars, why such a large and empty universe?” The answer is: It’s not about us. It’s about God. And it’s an understatement. He is more glorious. Greater in power. Greater in scope. Greater brightness. Than all the galaxies combined. One wise man said, the universe is like a peanut that God carries around in his pocket.

God created us to know him and love him and show him. And then he gave us a hint of what he is like: the universe.

John Piper 

August 7

Luke 15:1-10

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

[1] Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. [2] And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

[3] So he told them this parable: [4] “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ [7] Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

[8] “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

1 Timothy 5:1-15

Instructions for the Church

[1] Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, [2] older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

[3] Honor widows who are truly widows. [4] But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. [5] She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, [6] but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. [7] Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. [8] But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

[9] Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, [10] and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. [11] But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry [12] and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. [13] Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. [14] So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. [15] For some have already strayed after Satan.

Proverbs 7

Warning Against the Adulteress

    [1] My son, keep my words

        and treasure up my commandments with you; 

    [2] keep my commandments and live;

        keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; 

    [3] bind them on your fingers;

        write them on the tablet of your heart. 

    [4] Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

        and call insight your intimate friend, 

    [5] to keep you from the forbidden woman,

        from the adulteress with her smooth words.

    [6] For at the window of my house

        I have looked out through my lattice, 

    [7] and I have seen among the simple,

        I have perceived among the youths,

        a young man lacking sense, 

    [8] passing along the street near her corner,

        taking the road to her house 

    [9] in the twilight, in the evening,

        at the time of night and darkness.

    [10] And behold, the woman meets him,

        dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. 

    [11] She is loud and wayward;

        her feet do not stay at home; 

    [12] now in the street, now in the market,

        and at every corner she lies in wait. 

    [13] She seizes him and kisses him,

        and with bold face she says to him, 

    [14] “I had to offer sacrifices,

        and today I have paid my vows; 

    [15] so now I have come out to meet you,

        to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. 

    [16] I have spread my couch with coverings,

        colored linens from Egyptian linen; 

    [17] I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,

        aloes, and cinnamon. 

    [18] Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;

        let us delight ourselves with love. 

    [19] For my husband is not at home;

        he has gone on a long journey; 

    [20] he took a bag of money with him;

        at full moon he will come home.”

    [21] With much seductive speech she persuades him;

        with her smooth talk she compels him. 

    [22] All at once he follows her,

        as an ox goes to the slaughter,

    or as a stag is caught fast 

    [23]     till an arrow pierces its liver;

    as a bird rushes into a snare;

        he does not know that it will cost him his life.

    [24] And now, O sons, listen to me,

        and be attentive to the words of my mouth. 

    [25] Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;

        do not stray into her paths, 

    [26] for many a victim has she laid low,

        and all her slain are a mighty throng. 

    [27] Her house is the way to Sheol,

        going down to the chambers of death.

Ezra 9

Ezra Prays About Intermarriage

[1] After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. [2] For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” [3] As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. [4] Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. [5] And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God, [6] saying: 

“O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.  [7] From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt. And for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as it is today. [8] But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery. [9] For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.

[10] “And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, [11] which you commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land that you are entering, to take possession of it, is a land impure with the impurity of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations that have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness. [12] Therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.’ [13] And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this, [14] shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be angry with us until you consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape? [15] O LORD, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.”

How Did Jesus Fulfill Prophecy?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

Matthew 5:17-18

 

PONDER THIS

Joyce and I have a son named David who lives in Spain. When I want to call David, I pick up the phone and dial a specific number, and he’s on the other end.

But think of how the mathematical situation works out. When I pick up the phone, I eliminate everybody who doesn’t have a telephone. When I start to dial the number, I dial the country code and begin to narrow down exactly who I am calling. I dial the area code. Then I eliminate everybody in that country, who doesn’t have that area code. And then I dial his personal number. When I dial the first number, I eliminate everybody whose phone number doesn’t begin with that number. And then the second number, we eliminate everybody whose phone number doesn’t begin with those two numbers, and on and on until the phone rings and I hear His voice on the line.

From the time of the Old Testament, the prophecies of the Messiah began to narrow down His identity. Jesus fulfills the Old Testament in prediction at every level from the tribe He would come from to the family lineage He would have. He isn’t a random man who lived a perfect life. He is the one God chose at every level to be our Savior.

What are some prophecies you know from the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled?

How do these connections help build faith in Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Praise God for the different ways He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies through Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers