The Supremacy and Preeminence of Jesus Christ: Lessons from Hebrews 1:1-4

THE SUPREMACY AND PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST: LESSONS FROM HEBREWS 1:1-4

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

Reading through Hebrews 1:1-4 this morning, I was able to learn the following truths concerning Jesus Christ. 

1) The Prophetic office of Jesus Christ (1:1). 

Jesus is revealed as the final prophet of God. He speaks the mind of God to us in these last days through the word of God and by His Spirit (cf. Revelation 2-3). This implies that the office of prophet was sealed by Christ and that no person can purport to exercise the functions of this office in the church age apart from Jesus Christ. Any minister who proclaims the mind of God to a congregation of God's people should be governed by the revelation and authority of Scripture. 

2) The Divine Heritage of Jesus Christ as King (1:2). 

The writer of the Book of Hebrews reveals that God appointed Jesus as heir over all things. He has the ultimate stewardship over all creation, dominions and resources of this world. This reminds us that our stewardship over God's resources is subject to Christ's. Whatever gifts or resources that we have received from God should be applied in a manner that glorifies God. 

3) The Agency of Jesus Christ in Creation (1:2). 

We learn that God created all things through Christ (cf. Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-5). This underscores His divinity as God the Son and His role in the creation of the universe. It also attests to His inextricable divine unity and essence with God the Father. Jesus' humanity should be understood within its theological context in the incarnation. His incarnation did not debase or lower His divine essence. 

4) The Glory and Majesty of God in Jesus Christ (1:3-4).

The writer teaches that Jesus upholds all things by the word of His power. This text reveals His divine essence and omnipotence as God the Son who put on human flesh in His incarnation. The writer further proclaims that Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (God the Father) and therefore reigns in heaven (cf. Colossians 1:15-18). Elsewhere in Scripture we learn that Jesus will return to the Earth at God's appointed time and reign with the redeemed saints from Jerusalem for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6). 

5) The Redemption works of Jesus Christ (1:3). 

Jesus came to purge our sins through His atoning death (cf. Philippians 2:5-11). This atonement is that foundation upon which God's offer of redemption of sinners was anchored. Elsewhere in Scripture, Apostle John proclaims that Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus voluntarily submitted His will to that of the Father in order to accomplish God's divine purposes for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (NKJV). 

6) The Preeminence of Jesus Christ (1:4). 

Jesus is described in in Hebrews 1:4 as better than angels. This is in the context of the heavenly hierarchy. He ranks above all created beings including angels and archangels since He Himself is eternal. This again is an affirmation of His Majesty and divinity as God the Son and His exalted office in heaven. 

Jesus' prophetic and priestly offices; His divine glory and majesty; His eternity and omnipotence as well as His supremacy and preeminence are outlined in this passage. He shares full and equal divinity with God the Father and with God the Holy Spirit.  

Have a Blessed Day

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2023

Why Did the Old Prophet Lie to the Man of God, Causing His Death?

 

WHY DID THE OLD PROPHET LIE TO THE MAN OF GOD CAUSING HIS DEATH? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

INTRODUCTION 

In 1 Kings 13:18 we learn that the old prophet deceived the man of God from Judah into disobedience after God had warned the man of God never to eat food on his journey to Israel or return using the same way he had traveled. 

The passage context of this story lies in 1 Kings 13:1-32. 

This passage has always puzzled many because of what appears to be a contradiction of sorts in its narrative. It can be classified as a difficult passage.

THE DECEPTION OF THE OLD PROPHET 

The Bible teaches that the old prophet deliberately deceived the man of God from Judah, leading him to disobey the express prohibitions that God had given him regarding eating or drinking and returning the same way he had traveled. 

This prohibition is first mentioned by the man of God in his conversation with king Jeroboam of Israel and later repeated when he engaged the old prophet. 

On the first temptation with King Jeroboam, the  young prophet passed his test. He obeyed the voice of God and respectfully declined the royal dinner.

The second test was too tough for him. He fell in for the confidence trickery of the old prophet. Notice the enticing words...

First the old prophet affirmed his spiritual authority saying "I too am a prophet as you are!" (1 Kings 13:18)

We must bear in mind that the claim to prophetic authority is no guarantee that one is a true prophet or that they speak the mind of God! Notice that the two men had never met before and were therefore strangers to each other. Scripture does not reveal the identity of this witty old prophet.

Just because someone claims that they are a prophet, bishop, apostle or MOG does not imply that God sent them or that they speak the mind of God. They must be subjected to spiritual and moral scrutiny in accordance with the teachings of Scripture (cf. 1 John 4:1-4).

Back to our story....

It is inconceivable to argue that the old prophet was a false prophet. If indeed he was, how come God finally spoke through him and passed judgment on the young prophet? God could not have spoken through a false prophet!

Again there is a second catch...

If the old prophet initially spoke his mind and not the mind of God, why did he apparently lie to the young prophet who spoke the truth? Did God send him?

Is this not a question of moral contradictions for a prophet of God? 

Was God testing the integrity of the young prophet and if so why would He subject His servant to such tragedy yet he had faithfully served him?

Is it possible that the young prophet overlooked some prophetic etiquette by disclosing to strangers the instructions that God intended exclusively for him?

It is undeniable that this story is mystically strange and is undoubtedly one of its kind that leaves many questions unanswered! 

While we might not fully comprehend every aspect of this passage, we can however deduce from the passage a number of moral truths as follows: 

1) That the old prophet had obviously not spoken the mind of God when he initially claimed that an angel had spoken to him regarding the young prophet being permitted to eat food. He had simply deceived the man of God!

An angel had no authority to circumvent the voice of God neither do prophets receive instructions from angels! They are under God's direct command. The young prophet should have confirmed with his Master if indeed He had spoken through the stranger! This was a giveaway test that the young prophet flatly failed.

2) We learn from the second prophecy of the old prophet recorded in 1 Kings 13:21-22 that he was now speaking the mind of God given the tragic consequences that followed shortly thereafter. God was sorely displeased by the disobedience of the man of God for giving in to deception! 

DID GOD PERMIT THIS DECEPTION? 

I must admit that this is a difficult question to answer! 

Since we know that God is sovereign over all things, we can only presume that He permitted the test for His higher purposes. However, it is apparent that God could not have instructed the old prophet to lie for that would be inconsistent with His moral nature! 

God is not a man that He should lie. He is the Father of lights and in Him is no darkness at all (cf. Numbers 23:19; James 1:17; 1 John 1:4-10). Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).

Again we can learn from Scripture that God proves His servants. We note from other passages of Scripture that God permitted Job's affliction to prove that he was loyal to God and that His assessment of Job's moral integrity was perfect.

The question then begs: Why was the old prophet not punished for his initial lie? Did God absolve his moral liability?

We cannot entirely rule out the fact that God would hold the old prophet to account for his role in deceiving the young prophet. 

However, since we have no answers from the passage, it is safe to leave that inquiry to divine resolution! There is a theological rule which provides that we should not allow Scripture to speak out of silence!

We should however appreciate that in the context of this passage, the young prophet is actually the subject of the author's inquiry and that the old prophet was simply an instrument that God used to test the young prophet. 

My view is that the young prophet is the principal character of the narrator whose conduct captures the gist of the passage idea and from whose disobedience we learn important moral lessons. Every Scripture  passage holds important truths for our instruction and that fact should not escape our attention!

MORAL LESSONS FROM THE PASSAGE

There are several moral lessons that we can draw from this strange incident.

First, we learn that the young prophet who had been mightily used of God in Judah failed his obedience test in Israel when he trusted the voice of a man rather than the voice of God! He failed to discern the mind of God in circumstances that He should have done better. God's people face many hurdles....

Secondly, we learn that no prophet or church leader is immune from error or poor judgement. No one under the sun is infallible no matter what spiritual authority they posses in the church. We must all watch our standing before God because the enemy will test our spiritual integrity at diverse times and in diverse ways! 

Jesus passed this test in Matthew 4:1-11 because He stood by the word of God and was led by the Holy Spirit.

Thirdly, we should double check any prophecy against the written word of God in the Bible. It matters not who makes the prophetic proclamation in the church. If such proclamation is inconsistent with the truths of the word of God, we should flatly reject such prophecy and expose the false teacher. We should also walk away from the authority of false prophets. It is that simple.

In our above context, it was God, rather than the old prophet, who was the true Master of the young prophet. There must be clear limits and boundaries to our spiritual loyalties. We must ignore ungodly instructions or opinions of others where they cross the red line drawn by the word of God! There must be a point at which we shall walk a lonely journey but with God on our side.

Fourthly, we must remember that no authority, not even an angel from heaven, can take the place of God's word! Scripture is absolute and infallible. We must therefore resolve all matters of our convictions solely on the basis of the principles of the word of God. 

Fifthly, the old prophet was merely a divine instrument that God chose to use to test the prophetic and spiritual integrity of the young prophet for His higher purposes. These purposes were painfully achieved. 

This is a test which God in diverse times and in diverse ways administers upon us who love Him. Job sat this test and passed it and so did other men of God including Christ Himself. 

We should therefore test every spirit or prophecy to see if it is from God (1 John 4:1-2). Not every person who claims to speak the mind of God is necessarily from God. Do not be deceived by the charisma, theatrics or flamboyance of a preacher! Test his message and moral standing against the word of God.

Some people who pass for spiritual leaders may be agents of Satan, who are keen on destroying our faith and leading us away from the path of obedience and into spiritual and moral ruin. There are many such antichrists today who propagate a counterfeit religion in the name of God. Be warned! 

Jesus rebuked Peter openly when he tried to stand in the way of the cross of Calvary  by dissuading Him from obeying God. Jesus correctly discerned that Satan spoke through Peter (Matthew 16:23). Peter did not speak the mind of God in this instance even though he was a key disciple and confidant of Jesus Christ. 

Sixthly, we need to appreciate the moral nature of our God in that He does not change His nature or purposes to suit our specific circumstances, neither does He contradict Himself (James 1:17). 

God means what He says and says what He means. Scripture declares in Numbers 23:19 that "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" 

This is not to suggest that when we earnestly petition God He will not change His mind and forgive. We know that He is full of compassion and mercy to those who trust Him. 

He changed His mind on the destruction of Israel after Moses successfully pleaded with Him to spare the stiff-necked people (Exodus 33:17). 

He showed mercy to King Hezekiah after declaring that he would not recover from his illness. Hezekiah made a passionate plea that touched the heart of God and God changed His mind (Isaiah 38:1-4). We should however never forget that God will have mercy on whom He wills.

Seventh, we need to distinguish God's voice from the din and clutter around us that complete for our attention. 

Prophet Samuel learnt this hard lesson early in life. It took the experienced hands of Eli the Priest to help him clearly distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of man and his prophetic ministry was powerfully established (1 Samuel 3). Samuel lived on to become one of the greatest prophets in Israel. We learn that understanding the mind of God is a lifelong experience. 

We should daily rely on God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to discern His will for us in any given set of circumstances. It does not always come easy because God does not operate in a template manner. It takes spiritual discipline and a close walk with God to consistently discern His mind. 

Finally, we learn that God punishes disobedience no matter how high we operate from. No man is exempt from God's chastisement. If we willfully disobey God and do not repent then the consequences will be tragic (cf. Acts 5:1-11 on Ananias and Sapphira).

There is no evidence from the above passage that the young prophet repented of his disobedience after God rebuked him.

Scripture reveals that God is gracious to restore us to the path of truth and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we earnestly and sincerely repent (1 John 1:8-10). It is not God's will that any one may perish in their disobedience but that we may turn to him and receive pardon. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2023

The Three Dimensions of Priesthood in the Church

THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF PRIESTHOOD IN THE CHURCH

By Ezekiel Kimosop

I came across a statement on social media that suggested that there is no priesthood in the church other than the priesthood of believers. My view is that there are in fact three levels of church priesthood revealed in the Bible. I will outline them below. 

A) THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD OF JESUS CHRIST 

Jesus Christ is revealed in Hebrews 4:14-16 and in several other passages of the Letter of Hebrews as a High Priest that is distinct from the Levitical priesthood. Jesus’ lineage can be traced to the tribe of Judah. This implies that he could not be a priest in the order of Aaron because he was not a Levite. His priesthood is identified with the priesthood of Melchizedek because of its uniqueness. Unlike the Levitical order, Jesus’ priesthood is devoid of the unbroken succession identified with the Levitical priesthood. 

Jesus is our High Priest who intercedes for us before the Father in heaven. His humanity offered Him a unique blending in that He understands our human frailty. He too was tempted in every way as we are but he overcame. Scripture proclaims in Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all ways tempted as we are, yet without sin” (NKJV). 

Paul also describes Jesus as a Mediator between God and men, thus underscoring Jesus’ High Priesthood (1 Timothy 2:5). This mediatorial role encompasses the priesthood function and His atoning death at the cross of Calvary. His uniqueness lies in His being the exclusive sacrifice; the Lamb of God that was delivered for the cleansing of our sin and the High Priest of God in interceding for us before the Father. These two features of Jesus' Priesthood are inextricably intertwined. 

B) THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHURCH MINISTERS AND ELDERS 

The second dimension of church priesthood is the priesthood of church ministers. This classification consists of pastors, overseers and elders in their collective and individual contexts (see Acts 6:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-7). 

Church elders/overseers on their part are required to exercise their priesthood over their church congregations. They are to admonish the people in the way of Christ and speak the mind of God to His people. This includes instruction and edification of God’s people through the teaching of Scripture (1 Timothy 3:2) and praying for the sick and attending to the needy within the church (James 1:27, 5:1-13). 

A church minister is a steward of God's grace (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). He cannot usurp the authority of Christ as the Chief Shepherd over His people (1 Peter 5:1-4). He should submit to Christ's High Priesthood.  

C) THE PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS 

The third dimension of biblical priesthood is the priesthood of all believers collectively and singly, in accordance with 1 Peter 2:9 and other relevant passages of Scripture. Believers are the body of Christ, a royal priesthood that ministers before God as His covenant witnesses and heralds of God’s kingdom on Earth (Matthew 10:32). 

Believers can intercede for themselves and for others either collectively or singly. In so doing, they exercise their priestly roles as God’s covenant people who stand before God.  This priesthood is further highlighted in 1 John 1:8-10 and James 5:16. 

My view is that the Roman Catholic confession box system is unbiblical in so far as it does not recognize the priesthood of believers and elevates the priestly role of the clergy above the confines of Scripture. 

Sin should be confessed by believers either within the community or fellowship of God's people or directly to God through Jesus Christ, as the context demands. God alone has the power to forgive sin. Jesus Christ is our mediator who exclusively stands between God and men.  No human being, not even Mary the mother of Jesus, a Pope, apostle or prophet has power to exercise this mediatorial function (see 1 Timothy 2:1-6). It is exclusive to Jesus Christ and is non-transferable. 

I am further persuaded by the view that there were no direct successors to apostle Peter or to any of the rest of the apostles. Apostle Peter, James, the brother of the Lord (not to be confused with Apostle James who was martyred in Acts 12:1-2), and Apostle John were the three key men who led the Jerusalem Church. Paul was the apostle to the Gentile church. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2023

Will Adam and Eve be in Heaven?

WILL ADAM AND EVE BE IN HEAVEN? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

Put differently, this question asks: will Adam and Eve be among the redeemed of God who will participate in the resurrections described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Revelation 20:11-15? If so, what justifies their inclusion in view of their disobedience recorded in Genesis 3? When and how was their transgression atoned, if ever? 

I must admit at the outset that this is a fairly difficult theological question. I will primarily attempt it on the basis of my discernment of Scripture. I will also consider and interact with what others have said on the question. 

The Bible records that Adam and Eve fell into disobedience in the Garden of Eden after Satan deceived the woman into eating the forbidden fruit and sharing it with her husband (Genesis 3:1-6). God judged them for their disobedience (Genesis 3:14-19) and expelled them from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-24). 

Bible scholars say that Genesis 3:15 is a futuristic statement that concerns the coming of Christ and His redemption work. Some have also argued that the statement of Genesis 3:21 presupposes that God sacrificed an animal to cover Adam's sin and the use of the animal skin is evidence of God's atonement or cleansing. 

This statement does not conclusively affirm this claim. My view is that there would have been no reason to expell Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden if their sin had been atoned by God at this point. Their state of purity and innocence would perhaps have been restored. Besides, Scripture would have explicitly reported on the remission of their sin. 

The implications of God's warning in Genesis 2:16-17 are plain. Adam's disobedience resulted in his spiritual death on the very day that he ate of the forbidden fruit. Eve's response to the serpent in Genesis 3:1-6 confirms that she too was aware of God's prohibition and the consequences of her disobedience are similar to Adam's.

Adam went on to live for 930 years but the penalty for his disobedience was served on him and on his offspring under God's condemnation and nothing in Scripture indicates or suggests that this transgression was atoned before the coming of Christ. The Bible proclaims that in Adam all were separated from God until the redemption work of Christ. 

The mention of Adam and Eve in New Testament Scripture majorly relates to their transgression and what Christ accomplished in providing atonement for this sin (cf. Romans 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 2:8-14; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10). 

After the fall of Adam and Eve, Scripture reveals that God continued to relate with the couple and their sons in some ways. There is evidence of God's blessing of their children (Genesis 4:1) and individual worship and sacrifice by their sons, Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-5). The stain of Adam's sin however continued to mutate in Adam's sons resulting in the first murder incident (Genesis 4). 

The subsequent generations of Adam's offspring continued to demonstrate evidence of wickedness resulting in the first communal condemnation and judgment by flood during the time of Noah (Genesis 6-8). 

Now back to our question...

Is it possible that Adam and Eve received God's pardon for their transgression and that they would be admitted into heaven on that score? Were the two justified by faith in the manner that Abraham and other heroes of faith were? Why were Adam and Eve not mentioned in the list of heroes in Hebrews 11? Was this omission by inadvertence or design? 

Scottish theologian Thomas Boston (1676-1732) argued that Adam and Eve will be in heaven. He posits in his famous sermon that "... Adam and Eve will be coming home... Only they will have lived on three Earths - one unfallen, one fallen and one redeemed" [Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, p. 154]. 

This assertion by Thomas Boston is however difficult to reconcile with Scripture. No passage of Scripture affirms or contradicts it.

Some have also argued that Adam and Eve may have been among the heroes of faith who were omitted by the writer of Hebrews since the writer's statement in Hebrews 11:32 suggests that the list of Old Testament heroes of faith was not exhaustive. It is however instructive that righteous saints such as Abel, Enoch, and Abraham are among those listed in the "hall of fame" but the omission of Adam and Eve is telling. Why were the founding family of the human race missing from this list if not for the implications of their transgression? Do you also notice that Cain is missing from the list? 

My view is that Adam and Eve were possibly not justified by God in the manner in which the Old Testament heroes were because of the import of their primary transgression in the Garden of Eden. This does not however imply that God did not preserve their souls by grace or that their souls will be consigned to damnation in hell! 

The fact that no specific authority in Scripture on Adam's redemption is available only serves to outline the theological obscurity surrounding the issue. Besides, the statement in Genesis 3:15 appears to be futuristic in scope and only concerned the offspring rather than Adam and Eve per se. 

Again, the notion that God's act of covering the couple with "tunics of skin" in Genesis 3:21 was evidence of God's atonement of their sin is difficult to affirm from Scripture. Their expulsion from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:22-24 appears to refute the notion of prior atonement. 

It is therefore difficult, if not impossible, to draw a firm conclusion on the above question because Scripture is obscure on the eternal destiny of Adam and Eve. There is no passage of Scripture that conclusively addresses the question. 

Some have suggested that 1 Peter 3:18-19 contemplated a final opportunity for the redemption of Adam and Eve from the place of the dead or Sheol and that the couple could not have forfeited that chance. Again this assumption is difficult to reconcile with Scripture. Hebrews 9:27 appears to refute it. There is no opportunity for redemption or justification after death.  

My view is that it is impossible to tell with certainty from any passage of Scripture if Adam and Eve will or will not be in heaven. We however hope that they will, by God's immeasurable grace and mercy, make it to heaven. The question remains the subject of a theological mystery that should perhaps be left to divine resolution. I believe that God has concealed from us the answer to this question until we appear before Him. 

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:9-10: "For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (NKJV).

Again 1 John 3:2-3 says" Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (NKJV).

Shalom 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2023

Jephthah - Disinherited by Family yet Chosen by God: Lessons from Judges 11:1-33

JEPHTHAH - DISINHERITED BY FAMILY YET CHOSEN BY GOD: LESSONS FROM JUDGES 11:1-33

We shall today pick up on our devotional study series through the Book of Judges. We shall examine the passage of Judges 11:1-33 that is dedicated to a Bible character called Jephthah. As noted in our previous study series, we should bear in mind one overarching theological principle that relates to the period of the judges - that Israel was under moral apostasy. The society was spiritually and morally fallen. 

In Judges 11:1, we are introduced to Jephthah who is described as "a mighty man of valor" and "the son of a harlot". He was the son of Gilead by a strange woman - a prostitute. Some Bible scholars have argued that the name "Gilead" as applied in this passage could not specifically describe a Jewish family since it was a clan name. They claim that the name was suggestive of the  implications of the obscurity associated with Jephthah's parentage. They insist that Jephthah's paternity was impossible to determine and that he could have been sired by any Gileadite male. The passage context however suggests that his father and family could be identified. It is therefore safe to assume that Jephthah's father bore the name Gilead. 

The writer of the Book of Judges reports that the sons of Gilead's lawful wife bid their time until they were grown and at that point they resolved to chase away Jephthah from their midst. They ganged up and kicked him out of the family and in so doing, they denied him their father's inheritance. 

Jephthah took refuge in the land of Tob. Little is known about this region in Scripture. It is mentioned four times in the Old Testament Scriptures (Judges 11:3, 5; 2 Samuel 10:6, 8). The mention of Ish-Tob (Hebrew for "men of Tob") in connection with an Ammonite battle conscription suggests that it was an established territory during the days of the judges and was possibly a section of the wider Assyrian kingdom. Bible scholars say that it was located south east of the Sea of Galilee. This confirms that it was part of Gentile territory. 

Jephthah never fought back. He chose to move on with his life as he sought refuge in the land of Tob. Perhaps his half brothers outnumbered him militarily. Having been dispossessed of legitimate means of living, Jephthah gathered for himself a raiding band consisting of some outlaws, here described as "worthless men" (Judges 11:3, NKJV). His ungodly activities are consistent with the moral decline in Israel during the period of the judges (see Judges 17:6, 18:1, 21:25). 

After the lapse of time, perhaps after a number of years, the people of Ammon made war against Israel. Ammonites are descendants of Ben Ammi, the second son of Lot by incest (Genesis 19:30-38). They were idolators and were completely separated from God's covenant people (Ezekiel 25:1-7). 

It is instructive that the people of Israel sought Jephthah at this point. The man who had been estranged from them was now the man of the moment. None of his brothers could match the skills and abilities that Israel sought in a leader at this time of crisis except Jephthah! Besides, Jephthah was possibly more familiar with the Ammonite warfare at this point, given his experience in the Gentile territory!  

This reminds us of the circumstances of desperation that drove the sons of Jacob to seek grain in Egypt during a period of famine. God took them through a humiliating experience.  They were utterly shocked when they discovered that their brother whom they had sold to slave traders and lied to their father about it was now the second in command in Egypt. The man they had demeaned and rejected was now their ruler! 

Jephthah's reaction in Judges 11:7 is instructive of the broken relationship between the two sides. He asks "Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?” 

The elders of Israel must have been utterly ashamed at this point. Nonetheless, they took a vow pledging to make Jephthah head over them if he successfully leads them to war. This confirmed his elevation to the position of military leader and judge in Israel after Tola and Jair, respectively (see Judges 10:1-5). This move undoubtedly reinstated Jephthah's status as a legitimate son of Gilead. It also restored his family inheritance. The account on his death and burial in the cities of Gilead after his six year reign attests to this fact (see Judges 12:7).  

Judges 11:11 indicates that the people of Israel crowned Jephthah as head and commander over them. The mention of Mizpah suggests that he possibly gathered a solemn assembly of God's people at Mizpah in order to seek divine intervention on the crisis and to reaffirm their covenant relationship with God in the same manner that Samuel would later do (see 1 Samuel, 7:7-17). This demonstrates that the people of Israel were in a desperate situation. 

In Judges 11:12-28, the writer records the exchange between Jephthah and the king of Ammon. Jephthah underscores the historical legitimacy behind Israel's claim to the territory under dispute which is described in Judges 11:22 as "the territory of the Amorites, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the wilderness to the Jordan." 

Judges 11:28-29 describes Jephthah's military advance as he headed to Ammon to take on the enemies of Israel. He was possibly consolidating the battle conscription through the cities or regions mentioned.

Judges 11:30-31 conveys Jephthah's vow to God. He undertook to sacrifice anything that comes out of the doors of his house as a burnt offering if God shall grant him victory against the Ammonites. This text is a prelude to a theological controversy relating to the interpretation of the succeeding passage of Judges 11:34-40 which we shall examine under our next study.  

To the glory of God, Jephthah resoundingly defeated the Ammonites in battle. The victory proclamation is relayed in Judges 11:33 as thus: "And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim, with a very great slaughter. Thus the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel." 

MORAL LESSONS

1). God is not a respecter of persons. Jephthah was a mighty man of valor, a mighty warrior in Israel, yet he bore a disgraceful tag; a social disadvantage as a son of a harlot. Worse even, he was rejected and disowned by the very people whose identity he treasured - his family of Gilead! 

Thankfully, his stigmatization and expulsion by his family did not amount to God's rejection of him. There are great people today that grew up from humble or difficult family or societal backgrounds yet God graciously used them to lead nations and societies. Do not give up on God under your circumstances of disadvantage. 

2). Our true heritage in God cannot be snatched from us. We learn from this passage that God restored the dignity of Jephthah after he was fraudulently dispossessed by his evil half brothers. He finally ruled over them in the end! 

3). We should not judge people by their circumstances of disadvantage. God can radically transform their future at His appointed time. He lifted Joseph from prison to the palace; He raised Daniel from the lion's den to the royal corridors of power and elevated Esther from orphan to queen. God alone writes the closing chapter of the biography of His covenant people. 

Psalm 75:6-7 says "For exaltation comes neither from the east

Nor from the west nor from the south.

7 But God is the Judge:

He puts down one,

And exalts another." 

King David, himself a person of family disadvantage, proclaims: "I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread" (Psalm 37:25). 

4). God never forsakes His covenant people. Our family, relatives, neighbours, employers or even society may deprive us of what is legitimately due to us because of some social disadvantage or stigma tag in our lives but God will never forsake us. He preserves and honors those who faithfully observe their covenant relationship with Him. There are countless people who lost jobs and business opportunities because of their racial or ethnic tags but God came in for them later in their lives. 

5). We should seek the Lord at all times, not just during our moments of distress.  Keeping a covenant relationship with God is what ultimately counts. Turning to God is the godly thing that we can do when confronted with the burdens of life. This is what Jephthah and the elders of Israel did and God gave them victory. Israel was at one of its lowest moral ebbs during the period of the judges but God graciously preserved them for His divine purposes. There is no society that is beyond redemption. 

6). Victory belongs to God. No matter how much arsenal, skills or resources may be at our disposal, we shall never succeed in life without the hand of God. The fact that the Spirit of God came upon Jephthah is evidence of God's divine approval and empowerment. He overcame because God was with him. We too shall overcome when we faithfully walk with God. 

Elsewhere in Scripture, we learn that God strengthened Jehoshaphat during the period of siege over Jerusalem, The writer of Scripture proclaims, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s" (2 Chronicles 20:15). 

Where is your trust anchored? (Read Psalm 20:7-8; 121).  

7). Vengeance belongs to God.  Jephthah did not revenge against his brothers when he took over Israel's leadership. He could have completely wiped them out in revenge but he chose to treat bygones as bygones and opted for reconciliation even as God lifted him up and honored him.  We should not carry  bitterness against our offenders for years on end. Let us lift our pains and afflictions to God and leave them to him. The Bible says  "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord" (Romans 12:19). 

CONCLUSION

Have you ever been dispossessed, prejudiced or abused in life? No matter what tag or stigma society has assigned you, never give up on God. Every person, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender or social class is important before the eyes of God. Never despise the skills and opportunities that God has placed at your disposal. God can use you for his glory in His own ways if you remain steadfast in Christ.  Only be courageous and submit to Him and do not carry bitterness against your persecutors. Leave the pains and afflictions of the past to the Lord and serve Him with dedication. He will come for you at His appointed time and restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten (Joel 2:25). 

Finally, and in context of the redemption works of Christ, we can proclaim that there is no greater bondage, alienation, and abuse that one can suffer than being under Satan's control. We should turn to Christ for the redemption and restoration of our lives from sinful disobedience. 

Similarly, there is no greater restoration that one can receive in this world than the forgiveness and cleansing of sin and reconciliation with God. Jesus suffered shame and affliction in order to restore our relationship with God that was broken in Adam.  

God is faithful to preserve His people in all circumstances, pleasant or unpleasant. This truth was affirmed concerning Jephthah. God's dealing with us in this life and in the life to come is founded on this truth. The Bible proclaims in Romans 8:37-39:

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who 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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Keep it Christ! 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2023

Prosperity Gospel is a Counterfeit Religion

  PROSPERITY GOSPEL IS A COUNTERFEIT RELIGION

By Ezekiel Kimosop

The Prosperity Gospel is one of the fastest growing religions in contemporary Christianity. It was initially identified with a section of Pentecostal Christianity but it has since mutated into a class of its own, complete with its set of popular televangelists and mega church preachers. One prominent section of the prosperity theology group is the Word of Faith movement.

This brand of Christianity claims, among other things, that God desires that believers should enjoy unlimited material prosperity and that they should not experience suffering of any description. The doctrine is hinged on the view that Jesus Christ suffered on the cross to free his followers from poverty, disease and suffering.

They further argue that all that is required to access God's bountiful blessings is the exercise of faith in prayer by an "anointed" apostolic preacher who is believed to possess special mystical powers granted to them by God. At its worst, prosperity theology presupposes that the deitified "man of God" can cause things to happen at his command. In this context, man is elevated to deity as God is reduced to an ATM dispenser at the disposal of the superman preacher! A number of proof texts such as Psalm 82:6 are often quoted in defense of this religion.

Is this doctrine taught or implied in Scripture? Does God empower a specific set of preachers with special miracle powers to the exclusion of others? Is Christian suffering not contemplated in Scripture? How should we understand the words of Jesus where he says that anyone who desires to be His disciple must pick up his cross and follow him? (see Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23, 14:27).

I am persuaded that the prosperity gospel is inconsistent with the the teaching of Scripture. Christian suffering is an ordinary experience that is contemplated and taught in Scripture. Jesus taught that the poor will always be part of human society.

A Christian community will therefore consist of the rich and the poor members of society. Those that are "materially disadvantaged" in a Christian community are part of God's household in Christ Jesus and should be treated with dignity [see James 2:1-13). The needy among believers and even in the society should be supported by those who are materially blessed (James 1:27).

Besides, any endowments of spiritual gifts or resources are primarily intended for the advancement of the body of Christ. They are never meant to enrich a class of individuals at the expense of the rest of the congregation or community of believers.

Some prosperity teachers are known to take advantage of vulnerable Christians by demanding financial gifts in exchange for "miracle" prayers. This phenomenon is common with Christian communities that are not adequately instructed in Biblical truth and could be lacking in discernment (cf. Ephesians 4:11-16). 

I once attended a youth conference at an Evangelical church in Nairobi where a prosperity preacher was concluding his preaching. He had been invited by the youth leaders of the church.

The man made a strange request at the close of his preaching. He asked the youth to remove from their pockets and lift up with their right hands whatever money they had so that he may pray for God's blessings over them.

Most of the youth unsuspectingly removed all the money they had, including perhaps their bus fare!

The charismatic preacher, who went by the title Apostle X [name withheld], then asked them to put the money on the podium. The youth obeyed him and dropped dozens of banknotes and coins next to the preacher's feet.

The man then proclaimed that the money was "seed money" and that God would perform miracles and multiply His blessings to those who parted with it by faith! Never mind that his intentions in collecting the money were not revealed in advanced! He then declared that those who were unemployed would receive jobs while others would receive different sets of miracles. He even told them to take his phone number so that they would contact him whenever God answered the prayers!

As the man stepped down from the podium, I could read the disappointment on his face as he collected the money. The "seed money" turned out to be a paltry sum, perhaps no more than $10. He perhaps expected much more money but the gathering majorly consisted of unemployed and college youth from poor neighborhoods. 

The preacher pocketed the cash and hastily left the church hall, perhaps heading for another "apostolic" assignment. He even forgot to bid farewell to the gathering.

If that was not daily robbery, tell me what is!

There are countless other tales of false teachers whose only purpose in Christianity is self enrichment. They are not keen on preaching Christ crucified or proclaiming God's mind to His people.

These preachers openly steal from their unsuspecting followers in the name of God and shamelessly enrich themselves. My view is that these preachers are daylight robbers who hide behind the guise of religion.

Millions of Christians today have been brainwashed by false teachers into regularly sending money to them in the hope of receiving instant miracles but nothing happens in return. They are then reminded by the false teachers that they either did not have enough faith or that they never gave enough seed. The poverty cycle continues in the pews as the prosperity preachers reap in millions of dollars, fly private jets, drive top of the range limousines and live in leafy suburbs of their cities.

This is not to suggest that believers or preachers should take a vow of poverty or that God cannot bless Christians with material riches or that being rich is unchristian or ungodly. There are several rich godly people who are mentioned in Scripture including Abraham, Job, and Jacob. These men did not allow the trappings of riches to cloud their religious or moral worldview.

They faithfully served and honored God with their increase. Job's statement in Job 1:20 underscores his humility and modesty on earthly riches yet he was by any standards perhaps a billionaire of his day. At his lowest moment of affliction, Job proclaims:

"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord"

We learn from Scripture that King Solomon, who is reputed as the richest royal in his day wasted his youthful years in opulence and avarice. Thankfully, Solomon is his sunset years, admitted that his dalliance with riches and pleasure was vanity of vanities (see Solomon's reflection of life in Ecclesiastes 1-2). He had learnt critical lessons from his imprudence. 

The Bible conveys the moral etiquette and principles for Christian contentment that should govern the management of church ministries. Preachers should demonstrate accountability and moderation in the stewardship of church resources and in their moral prudence and lifestyles (cf. Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:35-48, 16:1-13; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 8-9).

Concerning believers, God has promised to answer our prayers touching on our needs according to His divine will for us (Matthew 6:33). We ought therefore to pray for our needs in accordance with the teaching of Scripture (see the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:9-15).  Scripture further exhorts us to present our petitions to God from a godly motive that is free from greed and covetousness (James 4:3). We should also submit to God's will even as we petition Him. Jesus warns in Luke 12:15 "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."

His concluding statement under the parable of the Rich Fool is equally profound: He sums up the moral of the story, saying, "...So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

CONCLUSION

The prosperity gospel is increasingly turning into the face of Christianity, given its global appeal. It is however part of the religion of Mammon that Jesus condemned in Matthew 6:24. It is motivated by material greed and subverts the very purpose for which Jesus came. It focuses on material prosperity at the expense of the gospel. It is a counterfeit religion, in my view. It should be condemned by Bible believing Christian communities for its moral excesses.

The coming of false teachers is foretold in several passages of Scripture including Acts 20:28-30; 2 Peter 2 and Jude 1:16-19.

A Bible centered Christian community should therefore reject false teachers and contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

A Bible believing Christian on his part should carefully discern and identify these teachers from the admonition of Scripture and keep away from their pews. They should refrain from giving in to their manipulation and deception and submit to the purity and authority of God's word in Scripture.

God's people should engage their skills, talents and abilities in working for a living rather than looking out for freebies. Paul warned the Thessalonians against busybodies among them who went from house to house living on others in the name of God.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 says "But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us." (NKJV).

Notice the modesty conveyed by Paul in the above passage. He had chosen to forfeit some of the apostolic privileges that some of contemporaries relished (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:1-8). Paul engaged his tentmaking trade skills in raising his support as a Christian missionary yet he could have relied on the churches for support. Only in exceptional circumstances did Paul appeal for support from some churches. God's people should not wait for manna from heaven but should work to earn their keep. 

The prosperity gospel is founded on a total misrepresentation of the revelation and authority of Scripture. It is a counterfeit religion. 

We should flee from the tentacles of this false religion and stick to Biblical truth! 

Shalom 

Recommended readings:

https://www.9marks.org/article/journalnine-marks-prosperity-gospel-church/

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-errors-of-the-prosperity-gospel/

https://www.gafcon.org/resources/the-prosperity-gospel-its-concise-theology-challenges-and-opportunities

https://bible.org/article/bankruptcy-prosperity-gospel-exercise-biblical-and-theological-ethics

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2023

Should Christians Observe Jewish Ritual Circumcision, Sabbath and Dietary Laws?

 

SHOULD CHRISTIANS OBSERVE JEWISH RITUAL CIRCUMCISION, SABBATH  AND DIETARY LAWS?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

This question has always propped up in Christian conversations or forums, especially during the season of festivities. Should Christians observe each set of Jewish religious law to the letter? Should we for instance observe the Jewish Sabbath and if so, why do some worship on Sunday? What about the dietary laws observed by Jews? Are these laws binding on Christians and if so, to what extent? 

My view is that Christians have been freed from the bondage of Jewish ritual laws. They are however bound to observe the moral laws that God prescribed for His people and whose value is timeless. 

Christians are however not bound by Jewish circumcision law or the Sabbath worship or dietary laws, except as outlined below. 

I am persuaded from my study of New Testament Scripture that there is no legal or religious obligation for Christians:

1. To worship on the seventh day or on any other day of the week including Saturday or Sunday (Colossians 2:11-23). A Christian community is at liberty to choose a day of worship that is convenient for them.  Whether we worship on Saturday or Sunday is immaterial in my view. What is significant for us is the focus of our worship. 

2. To perform or submit to ritual circumcision. Gentile believers are not bound by Jewish circumcision law. They are spiritually complete in the eyes of God without being circumcised. Paul rebuked the Galatians for giving in to the whims of radical Jews on ritual circumcision (Galatians 3). Ethnic Galatians never circumcised their males. 

I must however place a caveat at this point. It is not my intention to teach that African Christians or any other society that culturally observes male ritual circumcision should avoid the rite altogether! Male circumcision is not repugnant per se. Believers should modify aspects of the traditional rite in order to exclude anything that offends our Christian faith.

Believers from communities that do not practice the circumcision rite are not bound to observe it either. 

3. To observe ritual dietary laws. Gentile believers are not bound by the extensive Jewish dietary laws. They are however forbidden from knowingly consuming food offered to idols and eating ritual blood. This was affirmed under the resolutions of the Jerusalem Council that involved Jewish and Gentile Christian leaders (see Acts 15:22-29). 

Christians are therefore at liberty to consume whatever food is appropriate for their nutrition and health. Any foods or substances that are harmful to our bodies are forbidden. God places high premium on our souls and our bodies and so should we (see 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). 

Finally, believers should abstain from any secular rituals or revelries or celebrations that do not glorify God and have the potential of negatively impacting on their Christian witness and moral standing. Wisdom is required here. Believers, and particularly Christian young men and women, should refrain from secular "End-of-Year" bashes or celebrations that can lead them into moral disobedience. 

God has called us out from this sinful world so that we may glorify Him in our lives (1 Peter 2:9). The Bible exhorts "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, NKJV).

We cannot live as the world does without dimming our gospel light. We are the salt and the light of the world; the bearers of moral etiquette in Christ Jesus wherever we are (Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Peter 3:1-7). 

We have been purchased by Christ through His sinless blood that He shed at Calvary for our redemption. We are His Bride, betrothed and set apart for Him until the day of His coming (Acts 20:28-29; Titus 2:11-14). 

We should therefore keep our garments free from moral stains. 

Shalom. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2022