The book of Psalms written by David, Asaph and Ethan the Ezratite, somewhere we see the maskil (Psalm 32, 34), ascents, dedication of the temple (Psalm 30), wedding songs (Psalm 45), Mik tam (Psalm 57) contains both stories like in Psalm (2, 18) which tells of his escape from Absalom, a prayer (Psalm 86, 90), we see praise (Psalm 100), he talks about who God is from Aleph to Taw Psalm 119. As a director of music (Psalm 64, 65, 66, 67, 77) using stringed instruments. He writes about his circumstances, situation, praise, prayer using pipe and stringed instruments (Psalm 6), he makes a petition (Psalm 38), circumstances (Psalm 51), Sabbath (Psalm 92) and more? What picture does this give us? It shows us the PICTURE of the vision David had in his heart.
The songs of David – we worship in the house of the lord; the prayer of David – we pray in the house of the Lord, circumstances of David – the church is a place we bring our problems to; we have ministers like Asaph and Ethan in the house of God, Instruments in the house of God, Director of music in the house of God (David). We share testimonies and praise God. Most of all David prayer all through his circumstances reveals his relationship with Elohim, hence is why Jesus calls his father’s house a house of Prayer.
Thus, 1 Chronicles 28: 2 David first had the picture of the first CHURCH (House of Prayer): saying I had it in my heart to build a HOUSE as a place of REST for the ARK of the covenant of the LORD, a footstool of our God = Build a house for my name (House of God).
We have a new covenant in Christ Jesus, who gives us rest from all our troubles; The house of God is like its owner; where we praise, make petition, where God is to hear his testimony at the footstool of Elohim.
Summary
The book of Psalms, authored by David, Asaph, and Ethan the Ezratite, encompasses a rich variety of themes and forms. It includes the maskil (Psalm 32, 34), songs of ascent, temple dedications (Psalm 30), wedding songs (Psalm 45), and Mik tam (Psalm 57), each weaving narratives such as David’s escape from Absalom (Psalm 2, 18), prayers (Psalm 86, 90), praises (Psalm 100), and an extensive exploration of God’s attributes from Aleph to Taw in Psalm 119.
David, serving as a director of music (Psalm 64, 65, 66, 67, 77) using stringed instruments, explores his circumstances, offering praise, prayers with pipe and stringed instruments (Psalm 6), petitions (Psalm 38), repentance (Psalm 51), and reflections on the Sabbath (Psalm 92).
These Psalms collectively depict David’s spiritual journey and vision. They portray worship and prayer in the house of the Lord, where believers bring their troubles (Psalm 6), share testimonies, and offer praises. Ministers like Asaph and Ethan serve alongside David, directing music and praising God. David’s prayers throughout his trials reveal his deep relationship with Elohim, reflecting Jesus’ declaration of the temple as a house of prayer.
In 1 Chronicles 28:2, David’s vision to build the first house of prayer underscores his desire to provide a place of rest for the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God’s presence.
Under the new covenant in Christ, believers find rest and redemption. The house of God embodies its owner’s character, a sanctuary for worship, petitions, and testimony at the footstool of Elohim.
A healer of men and the wounded (wounded one) at the cross
Poor and yet Rich: 2 Cor 8:9. Philippians 4: 12-13
Lion of Judah and the savior of the whole word.
died and yet still alive
our high priest and yet a Judge
the savior of the Jews and the gentiles
Temple builder and destroyer
Had no sin and yet took our sins
the way (the father), truth (Jesus) and life giver (the Holy spirit)
Suffering and yet Praying
high and mighty and yet is a friend
We became:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
After Jesus speaks ‘about the little children belonging to the Kingdom of heaven”. He starts to talk about the kingdom of God. A man comes to meet Jesus and asked him, ‘Teacher, what good things must I do to get eternal life?”
Jesus answered, “there is only one who is GOOD, and that’s Elohim the father. this was his answer to the “GOOD” question.
Thy kingdom of God is brought here on earth, how? “Our father who is in heaven thy kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it in heaven”. Gods will, is for us to keep his commands, so Jesus fulfilled all his commands thereby bringing the heavenly kingdom on earth.
Jesus further elucidates that to enter life, he needs to keep the commandments. The young man tells Jesus he has kept all the commands. Then, Jesus now asks a different question, if you want to be perfect (as the Law) go and sell your belonging.
Jesus answered 3 questions 1) who is Good? 2) how to enter the kingdom of God 3) how to be perfect (holy) as Elohim.
For one to enter into the kingdom of God, one must recognize only God as good only, to enter to life one must keep the commands of God, be perfecting their faith to be perfect as our heavenly father is. The young man walked away, as Jesus saw this, he said it will be HARD for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God, but not impossible, he likens to a Camel going through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.
Apparently being God is the only one who is good and once we recognize this, is the kingdom of God near to us. Apparently, the young man thought keeping the commands made him good and could recognize God as good only. The most a man can be is righteous, blameless but no one is good. However, the young man thought because he kept the commands, he was a good person, but to enter the kingdom of God one is supposed to repent (see their sin and have a change of heart) and see they were not good. A thing the young man could not see.
The disciples then asked then asked Jesus, WHO CAN BE SAVED; Jesus answered, God is able to make all things POSSIBLE (through himself), but with an it is IMPOSSIBLE. We are saved not because of our ability but because of God mercy (Jesus). We are saved not of ourselves; it is the free gift of God (Jesus) lest any of us should boast. Ephesians 2: 8- 22.
Jesus then tells the disciples that they would judge the 12 tribes of Israel, as there are 12 thrones (except Judas). Jesus says everyone that leaves houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother or wife or children or fields for his sake will receive a hundred times as much and inherit eternal life (see the beatitudes, Matthew 10:37-39, God is a jealous God, place no other above him).
Take away deductions – 1 timothy 6: 16
when Jesus said it is HARD FOR a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, do you know why? First, Timothy begins some can be eager for wealth or money and pierce themselves with many sorrows. I timothy 6: 10. Proverbs 10:22. Godly wealth maketh rich and adds no sorrow to it. Suffering for Christ is different from Sorrow. So, there are riches that bring pain. Timothy further says that many who want to get rich fall into temptations and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people to ruin. 1 timothy 6: 9.
So, how do people know their desires are not right? I Timothy 6 vs 11 when it is not godly, founded in what is right in the sight of God (righteousness), love, faith (not fear), endurance and gentleness.
How this affects people who go after riches with sorrow:
From 1 timothy 6 vs 17 – 20
They become arrogant because of their riches, the put their hope in wealth (much like young man above), instead of placing their hope in God. (This is why Jesus said it will be HARD for a rich man to make heaven). He then commands them that are rich to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share. This is why Jesus asked the young man to give all his wealth. He meant that by giving all his wealth, he would lay up treasures for a firm foundation in the coming age. So, they can take hold of life that is truly life. Asking us to guard against godless chatter (talks that does not bring godliness), opposing the ideas of what is FALSE called knowledge that has caused some to depart from the faith. So, apparently in verse 4, these conceited people have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that cause constant friction leading to a corrupt mind bringing suspicions, malice and strife.
Excerpts
The grace of Jesus has been given to us before the beginning of time and is revealed to us, through Jesus Christ who brings us to life. 2 timothy 1 vs 9
we are brought to life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 timothy 1: 10)
May the lord show us mercy, as we fan the flame of the gift God has given us, through his spirit. As we suffer for the gospel, he has saved us and is calling us to a holy life in his son, so, he (Yeshua) must increase as we decrease.
Indeed, Narrow is the way that leads to life and there be very few that find it. Matthew 7: 14.
In the previous writings, we talked about Jesus’ foundation for marriage. And we look at one such marriage with SAMSON. Mene Mene Teke uparsin is the phrase from Daniel which points to the weight of ones/our sins being weighed, counted as the economist would say reaching a time to maturity, and then being judged (found wanting or not). In Judges 14:4-5, we see samson has a wife (a betrothed) whom it was written:
3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”
But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” 4 (His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)
God allowed samson to fall in love his wife (not Delilah), who was a philistine, so he could seek an occasion to confront the philistines. But his parents did not accept this as they did not know it was the will of God. Therefore, Samson started to see his wife (an unnamed woman not delilah), whom his parents did not have a liking to. On a trip with his parent he killed a lion, and wanted to use the skin of the lion as a reward for his wife by giving them(the Phillistine) a riddle to solve in 7 days; when his wife(his betrothed) understood they-the Phillistine could not solve the riddle, she cried for 7 days and continued to press Samson to tell her, which of course he did.
Notice God will as we mentioned in the kingdom of God series of Matthew 19: was that samson would confront the philistines using his wife. Not fight or anything, just confront, which he was already doing.
Back to the scripture: When Samson, would go to Ashkelon to fight, at this point, his father and mother gave his wife(not delilah) to Samsons companion.
1st mistake: A betrothed woman was given to another man (possibly adultery).
Chapter 15: Samson returns and begins to look for his wife and his father and mother knowing what they did began to ask samson if he was angry, they gave out his wife to his companion, suggesting samson take the MORE attractive looking younger sister.
Findings:
Much of Samsons problem started with his parents.
1) He was to leave mother and father to be joined to his wife.
2) Judges 14 vs 4 God had made samson take liking to the phillistine, so his will would be done but his parent had no understanding of this.
3) The parents made it worse by giving samsons wife (not delilah) to samsons companion. Yet the samson still feeling she was the right one for him could not stop,
Hence, in anger samson used foxes to burn up the farms and houses of the phillistine. This was no longer a confrontation it was an attack. God asked samson to confront the phillistine and his allibi was to be his wife attacking them was not in Gods plan for samson.
Deduction:
Samson refused to see his parent part in what happened to him. The phillistine only accepted the person who came for his wife.
In Judges 15 vs 6, when samson burned up the phillistine farmland and houses, the phillistine would avenge by burning up his wife and her father to death. What was to be a simple confrontation resulted in this.
And Samson entered RAGE mode ( anger + revenge), and wanted to kill all the phillistine claiming he had killed 1,000 men. The men of Judah had to step to capture samson from making worse mistakes. why?
1) The men of Judah understood, God will better, they knew the phillistine were rulers over them – see Judges 15 vs 11.
2) No one opposed the authority given from God.
The men of Judah suppressed samson with 2 ropes, but when the spirit of Elohim entered samson again, he broke the ropes and used donkeys jaw bone to kill 1,000 phillistine.
For 20 years, Samson troubled the phillistine (whether it was because his soul was troubled and could not find rest, one things for sure, bitterness and anger grew from the death of his wife). In Chapter 16, we see samson spending a night with a prostitute, (as the bible called it under the law, fornication or eating unclean things). It showed samson already had ungodly desires which further made him accessible to the phillistine, this why oppression for 20 years made the phillistine use delilah (deception against him).
Excerpts
Samson did not get blind when he was captured, he was already blind when he decided to REVENGE, God help us, else, he would not have been succeptible to deception, if he had forgiven them.
God will for Samson was to confront them, he had not yet told samson to attack them.
It is important that parents know the will of God, for their childrens life not merely theirs.
Vengeance is mine saith the Lord, I will repay. To avenge oneself is to make one blind to their own faults as with samson and this gives a breeding ground to unclean spirit, hence samsons desires became ungodly, then he started going after prostitutes and thus delilah finally led him to his final blindness.
Much of samsons problems started with his parents, but he tried to put all the blame on the philistines, leading to the death of his wife.
Harmless as a dove, sometimes God wants us to be harmless as a dove. So, he can be our strength, the giver of strength is the lord. SAMSON used his strength to pull down the Phillistine than confront first, them as God intended.
May God help us take away every root of sin in our lives, so when we are weighed, counted and judged we won’t be found wanting.
Started with some Pharisees who asked him, if it is LAWFUL for a man to divorce his WIFE for any and every REASON! Jesus then summarizes his explanation that: 1) In the beginning of creation, God make THEM male and female (he made them in pairs – Male and Female). 2) A man will leave his father and mother, be JOINED to his wife (because that is how God made them). If you observe the 2nd sentence explains the first, so, a man will leave his mother & father and joined to his wife because that is how God created them in the beginning right. 3) Two will become one flesh (oneness in Gods eyes). 4) they are no longer two but one flesh because two has become one flesh/. 5) Since, God has made 2 into 1 by joining them together no one should separate. So, the man is not supposed to leave his mother and father until he is to be joined to a woman. Maybe because they bring him care or something. Since what God joins has become one.
Then the pharisees went on to ask why MOSES then permitted a man to give a certificate of divorce and send her away? 1) Jesus said divorce is permitted because THEIR HEARTS were hardened. But it was not this way in the beginning. Adam didn’t divorce EVE and sent her away. He blamed her for his fall out with God. 2) Jesus then says that if ANYONE, DIVORCES his WIFE, except for Sexual immorality and MARRIES another woman commit ADULTERY. His disciples then drew their conclusion: That if this is the case between a man and a woman, it better not to marry; Paul buttresses this point in 1 Corinthians as well. 1 Corinthians 7:38 LITV. Jesus replied that not everyone can accept what the disciples were saying except those whom the words are given. 1) There are people who can accept the words the disciples suggested as well as Paul, that men and women should not get married if they will DIVORCE. 2) There are eunuchs who were born that way (disability or illness). 3) Eunuchs that are made Eunuchs by others and choose to live as Eunuchs – Daniel, Priests etc. So, there are 3 categories of people who can accept it, Jesus said. Then Jesus begins to talk about the fruit of marriage (output) which are CHILDREN. He says suffer not the little children to come to me for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Not the Kingdom of God (The kingdom of God is come Matthew 6:9-13, thy will be done as it is in heaven. Gods will is his command, and Jesus fulfilled these commands and Law becoming a new kingdom of God here on earth, hence his body is still here on earth). Little Children = “Kingdom of Heaven” and “the Kingdom of God” is Jesus.
To back up of the first side of this chapter, we will go to the story of Samson in Judges 14, 15.
Even as I write I am more in awe of God. He can give gifts he would not take away, but still the best gifts in man, can be destroyed if we don’t tame ourselves. So, I pray God will strike a blow to the writer’s body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I Cor 9: 27
In one of my discipleship classes, we read about Abigail in 1 Samuel 25 vs 23 “When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 25 Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent.”
So, our pastor was saying Abigail was sounding patronizing to David and making herself available to David. In my mind, I said I see nothing wrong with that. He went on to say Abigail called her husband a fool. And I am like we all think he is wicked as for the fool it is arguable that he is, you can’t take care of pasture and you hire someone stronger to handle it for you then start insulting him. Arguably, you are FOOL. And a fool is seldom wicked. Let’s not forget Abigail was Bethrowed to Nabal as an arranged marriage, more like Ned and Regina. She now sees another man whose destiny is better than Abigail says “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. 29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. 30 When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing, he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, 31 my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”
And men are upset, I’m like why? if it’s you, will you stay married to a rich, wicked fool. It was probably condition that forced her into the marriage. As far as honor is concerned, you can’t honor someone you don’t love, why do you think the pharisees where calling Jesus, the lord of Beelzebub, if they can’t honor God is it man they will honor. Another thing is above, here from 29 – 30. Where Abigail was hailing David, calling the sugar in my tea, the lord brings you success and praying for him and all. You think she was stupid, if I want something from you wouldn’t I be nice, I Samuel 25: 2 the bible didn’t call her intelligent and beautiful woman for nothing, plus David did not correct her not to call her husband a FOOL, he was eyeing her too. Another thing is if Nabal could provoke a righteous man like David to anger imagine what Abigail had been dealing with all this while. Someone who could protect his pasture. In all ramifications, if a man cannot tolerate his fellow man, why should a woman tolerate it? Is it fair. So, when Abigail saw Davids’s destiny, she laid up her plan and it’s not like David resisted it, because he knew Abigails husband at this time was very much alive.
Yet David coveted. In life it takes two to tangle. Even Potiphar’s wife when she saw Josephs destiny, she was being nice to him, come to my room and all. Was because she saw his glory and star was good, you think women are stupid. When a man cannot help me spiritually what is his use to me. But David did his play on advantage.
Matthew 15: 11 -20
It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth; this makes a man unclean and defiles [him].
So, things we eat can be unclean or defiled but:
Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
Jeremiah ate the word of God. So, back to David and Nabal’s wife story. When Abigail knew she didn’t obey her husband, she went on to tell him the truth, when he was drunk, which consequently led to his death see verse 36 – 38
36 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So, she told him nothing at all until daybreak. 37 Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him, and he became like a stone. 38 About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.
And this man said Abigail killed Nabal to be with David. I am like why put it on the woman’s head, since when is telling the truth a SIN. Anyway, he called for Nabal’s wife after Nabal’s death. see verse 39 – 40 and she came and married him. Happily, ever after you would think? But Abigail was joined to a wicked man, who was unmerciful and became joined to man, who was potentially covetous but righteous and the lord hand was on.
So, David this time repeat what Abigail did to Nabal on Uriah and Bathsheba. It almost, seem like the nature of Abigail was transferred to David. He was already covetous but didn’t harm Nabal. But this time, he harms Uriah. The pastor says it’s probably because Abigail killed Nabal. So, it’s only fair to think David could harm Uriah being joined to a woman like Abigail in marriage has its pecks it seems.
So, what we eat can be Gods word, food, the kind of women we choose, the kinds of people we meet and it’s not just an apple in the garden of Eden, that is good or evil, it is when we go against Gods command in our hearts. whether Nabal’s wrongdoing was on his own head as the scriptures suggest. There are things better left unsaid. But you can’t ask a woman to stay with a man who has sold his destiny. When you as a man cannot stand that same man as a man. A woman in distress is a damsel in distress, but a woman married to man she thinks is a fool and everyone knows is a fool, is even more dangerous. Money doesn’t buy honor. It’s on the grounds of love marriage is formed and honor breaks out from there.
But God reward every man according to his way, if a man defiles another man’s wife or looks at a woman adulterously in Jesus voice it is sin. So, every man mouth will be shut he brings us all to humility. It’s what David in Abigail that consumed him. And we think Adam is the biggest fool who ate wrongly.
So, its whatever a man decides to call unclean that becomes unclean to him, David decided to call Nabal’s wife clean and even it defiled him later, his faith could carry it, Afterall he was righteous in the sight of God. But Joseph, would not let Potiphar defile him, his faith could not take it. So, he did not eat. One thing is for sure, the eye of man is never satisfied. Proverbs 27: 20. Deductively, it could be argued that Nabal being a wicked man transferred his wicked nature to his wife after all the two have become one flesh. And she wanted someone more noble than him, David imparted his righteousness to her and well, we can’t say but he chooses. Abraham gave Melchizedek and
Genesis 14: 18 – 20
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
So, Abigail gave David and preserved him from murder. It’s only fair she shows kindness to one the lord favors… the way of this world is not straight afterall.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1: 30
As I breeze through the scriptures, and then study them – One of the big things in writings is you see the struggles of the writer even without the writer specifically telling us about them.
Solomon, it seems struggled with adulterous women, his writings are full of advice on this as well as fornication see his writings Proverbs 2: 16, Proverb 5, Proverb 6: 20 – 35, Prov 7: 5, 10 -27. It mostly dealt with Solomon it seems.
With Paul, it clear that through his writings he had issues with conceit, hence the scripture to keep him from being in pride a messenger of satan was given to him to keep him from being boastful. 2 Corinthian 12 vs 1, 5, 6. He was very cautious of boasting like it afflicted him 2 Cor 12 vs 7, 9. 2 Corinthians 11 vs 16, 17; 2 Cor 10 vs 8, 14, 15, 2 Corinthians 9: 2, 2 Cor 8: 24, 2 Cor 7: 14, 2 Cor 5 vs 12, 1 Cor 15: 3. In general, Paul struggled with conceit, and it was all over his writings, both good and bad boasting, pride, he was aware of it seems and tried to be cautious since it was his weakness. Daniel, it seems had weak faith around the things given to foreigners and given to him, he had presumptuous sins (See Daniel for more details), he was also cautious of it.
Reading these writing made me realize, David though he had many wives, didn’t have issues with adulterous women except Bathsheba, and Solomon was born from an adulterous woman; and struggled with adultery and fornication. No matter the advice, his mother given to him by his mother; it seems that Solomon could not help himself and sin begat sin, till he died spiritually. God ceased to speak with Solomon. Where sin gives birth to sin, it multiplies sadly.
Elizabeth and Zechariah were priestly, yet during Elizabeth pregnancy Zechariah could not speak, because he wanted to speak unbelief and so he became dumb for a while. Despite, having a priestly heritage, he still had the same doubt as his father, when he asked Jesus are you the savior who is to come. Matthew 11: 3. He baptized Jesus, preached the kingdom of God and still doubted Jesus was the Saviour. The same doubt and unbelief his father showed upon his conception. THE LAW IS HARD.
We are under grace, but we are lost without God. Even hopeless, because the law is perfect and reveals our weaknesses.
Job 28: 28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’
Proverbs 8: 13 to fear the lord is to HATE what is evil.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding has all they that do his commandments: his praise endure forever.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 3: 3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you. bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
The writing on the wall
“The writing on the wall“, or “the handwriting on the wall”, or “the writing is on the wall” or “Mene Mene“, is an idiom for “the future is predetermined” and is generally implied that a bad event is imminent.
Sometimes, people think I post because I like to stress myself to write, am I that selfless? If not for the love of God, would I write, so, I would take my time to write for free and give free knowledge because of popularity, or fame? an irony. The natural me, does not care if you are ignorant forever. 1) Because people hate the truth and 2) you are judging me right now saying how can God use you and how can you say that? so, you are no better than me. So, judge its God judgement I fear not yours. If God tells me feed my sheep, you think it’s because of fame, I am writing. I know very well that I am not ok and there’s is madness in my heart according to Solomon.
In 1 Corinthians 9 vs 13
Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
Paul right to discharge the truth required a reward as his right but he did not insist on it. I Corinthians 9 vs 19, 23
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
So as the spirit says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 1 Timothy 4: 1-3.
So as people abandon their faith, and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. They forbid people to marry by causing them to abstain from certain food (like I said uncleanliness is ascribed to food and people see 1 Acts 10: 13- 17) when it is said ” For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. ” But under the law there are:
Psalm 51:17 what the lord requires: the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
1 Corinthians 9 vs 1
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely, I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Before, the church there was fellowship, evangelism, and when the COVID vaccine 19 came where the majority of the church agreed to comply with the government commands to close the church. Some religious churches were more concerned about the buildings closing than the people getting their spiritual means met. When Jesus was chased out of the synagogue, he started preaching at the mountain. (So, gathering is fulfilled). When the COVID 19 came and they told ministers to not open, my pastor told people to sit out in open space and preached like a crusade. If you worry about building being closed than people being fed the purpose is defeated.
Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit 31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. 32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. 33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. – Luke 4: 31 – 34
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Matthew 10: 1
We see hear Jesus had Authority over anything that was not clean as he was. Over unclean spirits.
We see this Authority given back to Man at first (not power, he returns power to govern self-back to man when he died).
Paul further states “He assures them that he’s not ashamed of the authority the Lord gave him to build them up, not tear them down. Paul warns against those who commend themselves and measure themselves by one another, labelling such behavior as lacking understanding.” – 2 Corinthians 10:7-12
So most, time when we see authority we see cleanliness next. Romans 13 talks about authority and submission to government, then Romans 14 talks about what make us weak and strong from the standpoint of what we eat i.e. what we consider clean or unclean. Romans 14: 14.
Acts 10:13-17 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has [ a] cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times.
Daniel 1:8But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
So, things that are unclean can be food, people or things that are presumptuous from our culture, traditions or laws. The main thing is that anything your faith does not carry then do not pick it up. SIMPLE.
So, when a government, may tell people to take COVID and some people may not have faith to take the vaccine; taking them will make them weak in faith and may cause them to stumble. So, why take it when you fear? After all perfect love casts out fear, when Daniel had resolved eating the king’s meat would defile him, the officials had compassion on him. Compassion is a form or expression of Love in Kindness. Again, a rule of law came from the king (Authority) told them to eat food from the kings table, but Daniel taught it would defile him (Unclean).
So, this is my judgement according to, 2 Corinthians 9 vs 3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas[a]? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?
11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?
But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
So here we see Paul demanding for his right to get paid for preaching, but because demanding his right will hinder the gospel or cause others to stumble; he doesn’t insist on it. 1 Corinthians 9 vs 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? 8 Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing?
So, I am more concerned about individual rights than church rights. I am more concerned about the freedom in Christ being preserved in the gospel, than the merger with government house. Church came from Fellowship and fellowship from discipleship, but it is the people that make up the church that makes Christianity what it is.
Scepter (Authority), Law giver (God) and his gift with tranquility comes with obedience of his people through Yeshua.
Songs
Don Moen – God has given us Authority
The Authority Jesus had was he came as a man to take back the authority Adam lost, by receiving a judgement that was unjust, so he could be condemned to hades (underground); where demons were to make a show of them, to get back the keys of life and death to restore man from death back to LIFE in Christ; to put in chains demons. Thats, how far Jesus’s love goes for us is, he stripped himself of his authority and power to RESTORE US back to God. Now he stands as an intercessor i.e. both as God and man making intercession to give life to us (a lost and dying world). He bore death through crucifixion for all who want to come to him. No one cometh to the father except through me. John 14: 6
Sometimes, when we have not sacrificed something for God, we may never understand his love.
