Jehovah Ra-ah – The Lord is My Shepherd

This name of The LORD is the last one of those combined with Jehovah. The rest have been organized by when they are introduced in Scripture, this one was saved for last.

Psalm 23 begins with some of the most loved words in all of Scripture:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

This wonderful psalm goes on to describe the care of Jehovah for His sheep, the people He takes care of so well.

In his commentary on this Psalm Warren Wiersbe writes:

“The Lord” is Jehovah God, the covenant making God of Israel. The compound names of Jehovah in the Old Testament reflect the contents of this psalm.
“I shall not want”—Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide” (Gen. 22:14)
“still waters”- Jehovah-Shalom, “the Lord our peace” (Judg. 6:24)
“restores my soul”—Jehovah-Rophe, “the Lord who heals” (Ex. 15:26)
“paths of righteousness”—Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “the Lord our righteousness” (Jer. 33:16)
“you are with me”—Jehovah-Shammah, “the Lord is there” (Ezek. 48:35)
“presence of my enemies”—“Jehovah-Nissi, “the Lord our banner” (Ex. 17:15)
“anoint my head”—Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, “the Lord who sanctifies” (Lev. 20:8)”^1⁠1

In the words of this psalm it is impossible to miss how much God cares for His people.

The LORD is My Shepherd

Jehovah as we’ve seen before means: “self-Existent or Eternal” (And really the full meaning is beyond human comprehension)

“Shepherd” here is the Hebrew word “Ra-ah” which has the idea of tending a flock, ruling, or even associating with someone.

David no doubt remembered the long hours he spent with his father’s sheep as he penned this psalm. He would have known them by name, noted what their strengths and weaknesses were, and learned patience through their idiosyncrasies.

“Ra-ah” is used largely in contexts of caring for sheep or where a mental picture of caring for sheep is being painted, but is also used a few times talking about association or friendship: Proverbs 22:24

“Make no friendship with an angry man; 
And with a furious man thou shalt not go:”

Here it’s translated “friendship”, showing that the Hebrew speaking person when hearing this word understood the connotations of friendship and association and not just shepherd.

Our Shepherd

“The LORD is my Shepherd”

As we read this psalm it’s more than just a beautiful expression about how David felt about God. It’s words directly apply us. “How?” you might ask… “this is an Old Testament passage.” While that’s true, I would assert that we, as believers, have an even closer association with our shepherd. This becomes clear as we turn to look at John 10.

In John 10:10-15 Jesus makes a couple of statements that relate to this discussion:

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” 
John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
John 10:14

So we see, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. But who are His sheep? In this conversation He is talking to a group of Jewish believers, but in verse 16 He says:

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
John 10:16

Jews, as the people of God, have a claim to being part of God’s flock first, but Praise the Lord, Jesus has other sheep that are welcomed by His grace into the fold of His care! He is our shepherd. We (all believers) have the awesome opportunity to say “The LORD is my Shepherd” and our Good Shepherd has proven His care by giving His life for us.

Praying to Our Shepherd

When we are praying to God as “The LORD our Shepherd” don’t miss His desire to know you and to be known by you. He is willing to associate with You. There can be no doubt in our minds that our Good Shepherd cares about our needs and the needs of others that we present to Him.

Our Good Shepherd gave His life for us, proving His care. He did this before we were even His sheep.

He leads us and provides for our needs all the while patiently enduring our particular idiosyncrasies. And even though we are stuck on the needs and issues right in front of us, He is preparing for our eternal good.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” 
Psalm 23:6

Studying and Application:

When was the last time you listed all the ways God has blessed and provided for you? Make a gratitude list now… Don’t stop with just the first 2 or 3 things that come to mind think carefully and be thorough.
What are some of your fears that show you that you need comfort from the Good Shepherd? List a few of these and pray casting these cares on the Lord. (1 Peter 5:7)
Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

¹Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be worshipful (1st ed., pp. 94–95). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.

Who’s the Pastor? (Part 2)

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Last week we looked at the desire for ministry and the needed character of a pastor. Today we’re going to carry that on into how that desire and character are applied and evidenced in their family, maturity, and testimony.

Family Life

A pastors family life shows just how well his character is lining up with the characteristics Paul gave in verses 2 and 3. Here’s what he says about the Pastor and his family:

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 
1 Timothy 3:4–5

I am blest to be a PK. As a kid, I knew my dad wasn’t caught up in seeking his own glory. He always worked to lead us, my family and my church, to a real walk with God. This meant that we talked about the Bible like it was real and practical at home, and we heard the same thing from the pulpit every time the church doors were open.

How a pastor leads his family will show how he is leading the church. A man who doesn’t have his own house in order probably isn’t the best choice to lead a church.

Pastor, don’t lose track of how you are leading your family. This is one of the greatest ministries you have.

Maturity

A pastor cannot properly lead a church if he is a novice.

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 
1 Timothy 3:6

A novice is a new christian. There is NOTHING wrong with being a new christian! In fact I think some of us who have been saved a while could learn from the zeal of the newly saved. But that zeal isn’t always accompanied by the maturity needed to lead a church.

In this Paul is calling on the spiritually mature to pastor. The new Christian should learn and grow and be encouraged in his desire to be a pastor, but appointing him to that role before he is ready would lead to his own destruction and the harm of that local church.

Testimony

A pastors character, family life and maturity must be seen by the world outside the church.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 
1 Timothy 3:7

This refers to the reputation that a pastor has in a community, among unsaved people. How does he conduct business? Is he kind? Fair? What skeletons do they see in his closet that are hidden from those in his church?

Why does this matter?

Why would the opinions and perspectives of the unsaved world matter in a case like this?

Let me answer that with some questions. Would you go to a church pastored by a man who was given to road rage? who frequently broke “minor” laws to get what he wanted? Or, who had addictions he was unwilling to deal with?

My unsaved friends see all of these kinds of things in pastors as reasons to not trust churches and christians.

In short: Testimony matters.

Your Turn

Are you a pastor?

Pay attention to the needs of your family. They are a precious responsibility from God.

Let your family and the world around you see you walk with God for real. Be the example of character and maturity that our world needs.

Are you called to be a pastor?

Grow in your spiritual maturity. Read God’s word daily, memorize, meditate on it and apply it to the world around you. Make yourself accountable to a trusted friend, your pastor or others to growth and maturity.

Maybe you are neither of the people mentioned so far.

Pray for your pastor. Your pastor needs your prayer and support.

Be your pastor’s encourager. Too often we criticize without any attempt to encourage. Don’t fall into this trap. As we go along there will be instruction for how to approach your pastor with concerns, and there may be a place for these, but in it all be an encourager.

Jehovah Sabaoth – The LORD of Hosts

Israel was in the land, she had been there for some time, but things weren’t as great as expected. This was to be a place of blessing and peace, but Israel had known years and years of famine and oppression. They had sinned against God over and over again, but then God would raise up judges who usually with the backing of one or two tribes would deliver them and lead them in the way of the LORD for a time, but after the death of the judge they would fall back into their sinful ways.

What if they had a leader who would command their armies, who’s house would lead Israel even after the king’s death? What if they could look to this leader for the military prominence needed to keep them out of trouble.

It’s at this time in Israel’s history when we see a name of God come to the foreground: “The LORD of Hosts.”

The Name

“The LORD of Hosts” is made up of two Hebrew words Jehovah – “self-Existent or Eternal” and “Sabaoth” meaning “vast amount, usually alluding an army or military force.” When this name of God is used it should bring to mind the innumerable multitude of God’s servants both angelic and human.

“Lord of Host” is used in scripture 259 times in the Old Testament. Beginning in 1 Samuel, seeing especially heavy use in the Samuels, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah and some of the other prophets. We are familiar with a few of these usages including some in the Psalms, Psalm 46:7 and 11 are well known for saying:

“The Lord of hosts is with us; 
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

For our study we’ll focus on the first usage of this name of God in the Bible. The first two times this expression is used are in 1 Samuel 1, 1 Samuel 1:3 and 1 Samuel 1:11.

The Story

1 Samuel 1 gives the story leading up to Samuels birth. His father (Elkanah) and mother (Hannah) and his fathers other wife went to Shiloh as they did every year.

“And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.” 
1 Samuel 1:3

This visit however Hannah was particularly upset by the fact that she had no children. Peninnah, the other wife, provoked her about not being able to have children to the point that Hannah couldn’t eat. She went to the tabernacle to pray…

“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.” 
1 Samuel 1:11

Eli the priest saw her praying quietly and tried to chase her away thinking she was drunk, but when she told him about her request he said that God would grant it.

Her prayer was answered and she fulfilled her vow, giving Samuel to be a servant in the Temple. Samuel grew up to be a prophet, judge and priest in Israel.

Samuel would go on to crown Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David. He would see the nation go through military victories and defeats.

Application

While all of the names of God point to His ultimate authority, the contexts of this name seem to be where people are aware of the authority that God holds because of all that He commands.

This name of God is used beginning in the times of the kings. One of the key roles of kings is to be the ultimate commander of the army. God is the Ultimate Commander of the Ultimate Army.

Angels

The number of the angels loyal to God are impossible to comprehend.

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” 
Hebrews 12:22

Jesus said in Matthew 26:53:

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Jesus could have an army of angels with a prayer. This army wasn’t just a figure of speech either it had fought battles before. (See 2 Kings 6:17)

His servants

Once in a while, we can get tunnel vision and only see the relatively few believers that we have the privilege of meeting with in our local church. But remember, zoom out, God commands the actions of every believer in all places of this world and has for all of time. This is a vast army of volunteers who exercise themselves with faith and courage daily for the cause of their beloved king.

We fit into the larger plan of our Great Omniscient Commander in Chief. The armies of heaven and earth are at His beck and call.

As we pray we can appeal to God with the knowledge that His authority is infinite. We are checking in with the Commander in Chief of all the universe.

Studying and Application:

Pray for missionaries and churches you know overseas. They need prayer and praying for them will help you maintain a focus of God’s wide influence and broad-reaching plan.
Does being part of the “host” God commands change how you ought to pray? Read Ephesians 6:10-20 and look for instruction in your prayer plan.
Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

Who’s the Pastor? (Part 1)

1 Timothy 3:1-7

When you think of a Pastor, what are some of the first thoughts that come to mind? (Take a minute and put these in the comment section below.)

Following some general instruction for Timothy about church meetings, Paul goes on to explain the offices of Church Leadership. These offices are Pastor (Bishop) and Deacon.

Bishop is one of the office names for a Pastor used in scripture. We most commonly use the more personal term “Pastor” these days, so that’s how we’ll be referring to this office in the paragraphs that follow.

What are the qualifications of a pastor?

The Desire to Be a Pastor

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” 
1 Timothy 3:1

The words “desire” and “desireth” carry the idea of something that you long for and are reaching after. God places that desire to be a pastor in the hearts of some. This should be encouraged.

Let me repeat this: The desire to be a pastor is a good thing! Looking after God’s people is a “good work.” This is an effort that is pleasing to God.

I was challenged about my call to pastor just after I turned 19. I was eating a meal with an older pastor and was asking questions trying to learn from his experience and wisdom. He must have caught on, he stopped the conversation and very curtly asked me, “How do you know that you’re called to be a pastor? Lots of people start on this without actually being called. Are you REALLY called to it? Don’t tell people you are then quit later.”

I was blown away.

I can understand this man’s reason for concern, I’m sure many men have been pastors who weren’t called.

The Ministry leader I was with took me aside later and showed me 1 Timothy 3:1, he told me that if God had given me this desire I was after a good work. I walked away from this experience more sure of my calling than I ever before.

Wanting something isn’t enough, without the Personal Character, Family life, Maturity, and Testimony to carry it out.

Personal Character

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Timothy 3:2–3

Following desire a pastor must have a high degree of personal character.

For brevities sake, I’ll summarize these. I highly recommend that you take the time to do a personal study on these characteristics.

A pastor must be:

Blameless: above reproach
The husband of one wife: a one-woman man
Vigilant: Will keep his head when things are out of wack, alert to the dangers surrounding the flock
Sober: He isn’t controlled by his own emotions
Of good behavior: has established order in his own life.
Given to hospitality: willing to open his home to strangers.
Apt to teach: simply able to teach, this includes knowledge and wisdom to apply truth to the needs of the church.
Not given to wine: he doesn’t allow for misuse of alcohol. The simplest way to accomplish this is to not consume alcohol at all.
No Striker: He isn’t ready to attack others.
Not greedy of filthy lucre: His goal isn’t money.
Patient: He is gracious and patient in interactions.
Not a brawler: A peacemaker not a fight-starter. Not quick to anger, or violent in self-defense.
Not Covetous: He isn’t primarily after personal gain in any form. This selflessness of character allows him to put God and others first.

So much application could be made on each of these points. In fact, I’m sure as you read them you thought of pastors that were examples of these things in either a positive or negative way.

Your Character

God hasn’t called everyone in every church to be a pastor, but imagine how it would benefit a church if every member strove for this character.

Reread that list, how does your character line up? Maybe you struggle in a couple of these areas. I know some of these points are not natural for me. Seek God’s help to have this quality of character.

Your Turn

Are you a pastor?

Reconnect with the desire that God put in you heart to minister to His church.

Meditate through this list again, and seek to grow even more in your personal character, family life, maturity and testimony.

Are you called to be a pastor?

Has God given you the desire to pastor?

Talk to your pastor about it. Then study through this set of qualifications and seek God’s help in being a person of character.

Maybe you are neither of the people mentioned so far.

This a challenge to grow in this personal character.

Be a support to your pastor in prayer and encouragement. He is a human being. He’s going to struggle and it’s probably harder for him to have real friends than you know.

We’ll look at the rest of the passage next week.

Jehovah Shammah – The LORD is There

One of the most comforting truths of scripture is the promise of God’s presence. This promise has been given to several people and groups in scripture. In the Old Testament it was given to Isaac (Gen 26:3), Jacob (Gen 31:3), Moses (Ex 3:12), and Joshua (Josh 1:5) among others.

God was with the children of Israel in the Exodus from Egypt and He traveled with them and led them in the wilderness. God’s glory was in the tabernacle and later the Temple.

God Left

But in Ezekiel’s visions we see the presence of the glory of the Lord “moving out” (see chpts 10-11). God’s presence would be leaving because of the sins of the people of Judah, the glory of God would no longer be with them as He was before.

This would have been a huge blow to the captives that Ezekiel preached to. Though they were far from home they hoped for a quick return. Which God had told them wasn’t going to happen.

The LORD is There

This section of the book of Ezekiel describes the temple and it’s service during the millennial reign of Christ.

While a lot of details are given, the most important detail is the last one mentioned and is the last verse of the book.

“It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.” 
Ezekiel 48:35

It’s so subtle you might have missed it. Let me re-emphasize it “…the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.” This name is the promise of God of His presence with them again.

Judah had sinned against God. They had rebelled and were now living in the punishment that was promised for that sin. But, in a future time in a future place they are assured of the presence of the Lord with them again, and His full glory.

The LORD is There or Jehovah Shammah is a name for Jerusalem. The meaning is pretty well expressed in the translation. It is a confident statement of a fact: “Jehovah is There” this is the place of Jehovah. This is God’s place of residence.

Where is God now?

In this future time, at this future place they could be sure of God’s presence. What about us? Where is God now? Is He hidden away in Heaven until this time comes to be? The New Testament tells a different story.

Jesus, God the Son, came to earth God was with man again and walked the streets of Jerusalem. But He gave His life, paying the price of the sin of all mankind, and three days later rose again. Then we read that He ascended back to heaven. But we aren’t truly left without Him.

“5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” 
Hebrews 13:5–6

We have Jesus with us. Think about the fullness of this blessing. Let’s look at just a couple of the implications of this truth.

Jesus’ Presence

Jesus’ Presence prompts: Contentment

In Heb 13:5 Jesus’ presence is the answer to covetousness, believers are to be “content with such things as ye have” because Jesus will never leave us.

Our greatest need is provided in Jesus’ presence with us.

He is the creator, sustainer and king of the universe. With Him right with us, what will we lack?

With our every need provided there isn’t any room left for lust or covetousness. As James 4:3 says, we can’t be praying out of lust and hope to get an answer.

Jesus’ Presence prompts: Courage

With the knowledge that Jesus is with us, we can have great courage in all that God would have us do.

As the creator, sustainer and king of all the universe Jesus can easily defend us from anything men can do to us. This frees us to only consider what God thinks about what we are called to do or say. If it’s pleasing to Him then it doesn’t really matter what another human may think of it.

This can inspire great courage in the spread of the gospel.

Matthew 28:18-20 The great commission is bookended with the facts of Jesus’ power over all things and His presence with us. There is nothing to fear. We charge boldly straight ahead.

Jesus Presence when we Pray

What’s more is the amazing promise Jesus’ gave us about when we pray.

“19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” 
Matthew 18:19-20

What a motivation to pray with our fellow believers! We not only have their agreement and comfort in prayer, but we also have a promise of the very presence of Jesus with us as we pray together.

Conclusion:

Let’s pray with our eyes open to the significance of God’s presence with us. Live in the conscious awareness of His presence. Let it produce in you the contentment, courage and power in prayer that God’s word says it can.

Studying and Application:

1. Where are you discontent in your life?

What are some things that you feel like God should give you, but that He hasn’t given you so far?
Pray through these things for God’s help in trusting Him for them, or for contentment to live without them.

2. Read Matthew 18:19-20 again, how can you better take advantage of these promises?

If your church has a prayer meeting purpose to be there, if they don’t begin planning a time to meet with fellow believers in prayer.

3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

Women in Church

Roles in Church (Part 2)

1 Timothy 2:9-15

Everyone should be in church. Men, women, and children should be active in church. But not everyone will be active in the same ways.

Paul continues his teaching on church meetings with instruction for women in church.

Women, be an Example of Christian Character

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” 
1 Timothy 2:9

This is the instruction to women while in church meetings. The “Church Service” or “Worship Time.” How each person takes their place in church meetings communicates to others their willingness to follow God’s way in worship.

Women are to be examples in:

1. Appropriateness

Verse nine could be summed up with the the word “appropriateness.”

Clothing

The ideas of the greek words behind “adorn” and “modest” are more about order and appropriateness than modesty. We often use the word “modest” meaning the opposite of “immodest”. And that thought would be included in this, but the main point of the verse is to wear things are fitting for church meetings.

Sure! There’s a place for hiking clothes. But is that place at a church meeting? Usually not. Paul seems to be making the point that even the fanciest outfits might not be the best fit for church meetings.

Women can and should be a vital example of appropriateness to the church and the world outside the church.

Persona

How a woman carries herself is part of this appropriateness. “Shamefacedness and sobriety” aren’t used here to mean that a women is an underling, or that she can’t smile in church.

The woman Paul has in mind will be conscious of how her persona, the way she acts and lives reflect on her, her church, and most importantly her Savior.

2. Good works

“But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
1 Timothy 2:10

At some point do a Bible search for the phrase “good works.”

You’ll find that: God created us “unto good works” (Eph 2:10), Paul prayed that the church at Colossi would be “fruitful in every good work” (Col 1:10), that we are to look for ways to encourage our fellow believers to “good works” (Heb 10:24), along with many other things.

In this passage we see Paul simply encouraging women to be an example of good works. These good works will be becoming. Though you shouldn’t flaunt them, others will see them.

Some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned about service are from the women God has placed in my life. The grace and joy they show as they serve God, are very pleasing to Him. These good works also reflect well on these wonderful women.

3. Submission

“11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
1 Timothy 2:11–15

The word “subjection” is from a word family meaning to rank under. This is often seen in military contexts, one person submits to the orders of another, not because he or she is less intelligent or capable, but because they are of a different rank.

Again, in a church meeting context this means two things: the women are to learn in silence, and to submit to the authority of church leaders. Paul also gives a couple reasons for this.

Learning Quietly

The greek word has a broader meaning that “silence” as we usually think of it (absence of noise). You could also think of this as “active listening.” To maintain order women are to learn quietly.

Submitting

Women aren’t to teach men, or to usurp authority over men. This is a demonstration of order not as a value indicator of women.

There are times in my church where women speak in church meetings, this isn’t a usurpation of authority, they are acting under the authority of our pastor (as are all the men that speak in church).

Reasons

Paul gives to main reasons for this order: Adam was created before Eve (v.13), and Eve was deceived by the serpent and Adam wasn’t (v.14).

You are An Example!

So much more could be said about this passage but I don’t want to lose our main point, a point that Paul brings the conversation back to in the last verse of this chapter.

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
1 Timothy 2:15

Women, you are an example. You teach through how you live. You change the world by how you care for the youngest and most impressionable of us. Many times women work in children’s ministries in churches, don’t ever view this as a second-rate job. The future of the spread of the Gospel is sitting in those nurseries and classrooms.

Your Turn

I recommend doing word studies in this passage. Pray through how to apply it.

Consider what kind of an example your Appropriateness, Good works, and Submission are to those around you.

Seek out an older woman to give you counsel and instruction as you apply these truths (Titus 2:3-5).

Jehovah Tsidkenu – The LORD our Righteousness – Part 2

It was the curse of the white van. It seemed that every time a ministry team or missionary would come through town and went to see the Gateway Arch, they would park on the same stretch of street near the Arch and someone would break into their van. One time a missionary family had their van stolen from this spot other times the personal items of ministry team members would be stollen.

This stretch of street was bad enough to get people to start recommending that groups skip their planned visits to this national monument. And who could blame them.

Since then the parking arrangement in this part of downtown has improved a lot and criminal activity has gone down, but the reputation has stuck.

Jeremiah was the prophet of God in a time when there was a stunning amount of unrighteous and corrupt leadership, but he also preached for God in a land consumed by this unrighteousness, a land known for this unrighteousness.

The depth of this sin caused God’s judgement to come on them and to send them from this land into captivity in a strange land. But He wasn’t done with them.

God would bring them back from captivity. He talks about this return in Jeremiah 33:8-9:

“8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. 
9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.” 
Jeremiah 33:8–9

Judah and Jerusalem wouldn’t be stuck with the curse of this bad name. They would be known from this time forward for the LORD’s Righteousness. Let’s take a step back and see this in the outline of this chapter.

Righteous Place

The land would be re-inhabited – Jer 33:1-13

God would bring the people back. He would restore health (v.6), joy, and gladness (v.11).

The land would be named for The Lord’s Righteousness – Jer 33:14-22

God would bring them back to the land and the once wicked city would be called “The LORD our Righteousness”

In this place the leadership of David’s line and the ministry of Levitical priests would as surely be maintained as day and night would continue to follow each other.

The ultimate fulfillment of these promises will be seen in the Millennial reign of Jesus in Jerusalem. Revelation 20:1-10 tells about the 1000 year reign of Christ, though the prophets give many more details. Satan will be bound and mankind will be ruled by The Perfect King. But men will still rebel against God, proving our sin nature. Satan will be loosed and the final battle will be fought. Revelation 21:1-5 gives the conclusion of this battle telling of Jesus’ Final victory.

The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, Jesus Christ (see the previous article) will win this final battle and rule the new creation in perfect righteousness for eternity.

How does this affect how we pray?

We look for and long for a place of perfect righteousness under leadership that is perfectly righteous. The time for that hasn’t come, but hope isn’t lost.

We won’t find the answer to this hope in human government or even permanently in this world, but this is where we are in now. God chooses to use corrupt human governments to accomplish His will, in places with bad reputations.

We are not defined by the level of justice of the nations in which we live. We have the opportunity like Jeremiah did to call on God and to intercede for our nation and for others in the world.

While Jeremiah was left to rot in prison God gave Jeremiah one of the great prayer promises of the Bible.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” 
Jeremiah 33:3

God wanted Jeremiah and by extension the people of Judah to pray beyond what they thought was possible. He promised to answer them, and to show them the answer beyond what they could imagine.

We may never know in this life the impact of our prayer on the lands where God has placed us. Never lose hope. Never stop praying for your authorities or for your neighbors. God, Who is perfectly just, is able to change their hearts or use them in His perfect purpose. God is able to change the reputation of a place, to heal the broken, to make the worthless priceless. This can feel impossible, but the invitation from God to prayer includes the impossible.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” 
Jeremiah 33:3

Studying and Application:

1. What is the “reputation” of the place you live in? Can you think of a few ways that you could pray for your area? (Suggestions: That God’s work and will would go forward. That people would receive the message of the gospel and be saved. That law enforcement would be effective in responding to and preventing crime.)

2. List a few neighbors, acquaintances, or co-workers that you know need to be saved. Pray for an opportunity to witness to them. (Be ready for God to answer this request.)

3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

Men in Church

Roles in Church (Part 1)

1 Timothy 2:8

Ever get done with a training time just to realize the resulting action wasn’t clear? You know there is something for you there, you’re just not sure what it was. This passages jumps straight from teaching on prayer right into how the family works in church.

Let’s not forget how practical God’s Word really is. Teaching is given in this passage for both men and women in church (we’ll look at the part for women next week).

Men, Pray!

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” 
1 Timothy 2:8

Here again we see the word “therefore”. This is pointing us back to the previous passage, this thought build on that one.

In verses 1-7 Paul makes the case for Prayer in church, now he’s going to give some instruction for this to happen.

Men are to pray.

Some of this instruction is good whether you’re a man or woman. I think there is a reason that Paul focused this to men, and I’ll try to address that as we work through this verse.

Pray Everywhere

This phrase as it would naturally seem means: “Pray wherever you are.”

Wherever you are, men should pray

In the context of church meetings this is instruction for men to pray.

Men need to pray in church. Men need to pray in their homes. This is a NEED.

I don’t personally see that this excludes women from praying in church meetings, but there may be cultural contexts where that is necessary. This passage is calling out men to lead in church (more on this is as we progress through the epistle).

Pray Lifting up Holy Hands

Lifting Hands

The outstretched arm is an instinctive expression of trust, a child won’t reach out to someone they don’t trust. Prayer is reaching out to God in trust. It calls out to His strength and waits on Him for a response.

From what I read raising hands in prayer was culturally normal is some of these regions, as it is in some places even now. However we pray: with hands raised, without them raised, our hearts must be reaching for God. We must know that we have reached the end of ourselves, and wait on Him for His perfect strength.

Lifting Holy Hands

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me: 
19 But verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his mercy from me. 
Psalm 66:18–20

God is interested in our holiness. So much is said about this in scripture (see Isa 6:1-8, 1 Pet 1:15-16 and others).

When we regard iniquity in our hearts our prayers are only surface deep. We are bringing God just the words of this prayer, not our devotion. Our hands are the main way we act on things. How we use them is a direct expression of out intentions and priorities.

Think through how you’ve used your hands today. Are they able to be lifted to God as Holy?

God is very merciful and will forgive sin as His children confess it to Him. (1 John 1:9)

Pray without Wrath

In the movie “Inside Out” the character, Anger, was male. This wasn’t random. Men are known for greater external indications of anger.

Do you find yourself naturally drawn to prayer when you’re deep in an anger fit? I don’t! Are you able to genuinely pray for someone that you are plotting revenge against? I’m not!

Anger is human. What you do with that anger is where there is a potential for sin (Eph 4:26-27). Don’t harbor that anger when you come to God in prayer.

Pray without Doubting

Doubt is the enemy of Faith. Think back to the Garden of Eden, the serpent brought doubt into Eves mind with the simple phrase “hath God said” (Gen 3:1).

Later in the New Testament James warns against doubt (James 1:6-7).

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James 1:6–7

We cannot expect God to answer the prayer we don’t believe in Him to answer.

Your Turn

Pray.

Volunteer to pray, help start prayer teams, and grow in your personal pray life.

Men, take this challenge and lead in prayer.

Pray through the items listed in this verse.

Ask God to show you any sin you’re regarding in your heart, ask Him to show you any anger or doubt.