- araratchurch
- Sep 17, 2022
- 6 min read
40 Days in the
“Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.””
Joshua 4:21-24 NKJV
OK…So today, you’re going to think I have taken leave of my senses. I have not.
I am reminded today of the host of “willingly ignorant” people who are out there purveying ridiculous “revelations” about the word of God. Full disclosure: I did not originally employ the term “willingly ignorant,” but rather a possibly offensive word to describe these people. I understand that I probably should be above that; but here we are.
In The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Jesus references those who think they have “deeper truths,” but are actually purveying demonic doctrine.
“But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you”
Revelation 2:24 NLT
So, what new and “deeper truths” were being taught at Thyatira? Well, a certain “Jezebel” (either her actual name or a reference to the spirit in which she was operating), was leading the people into sexual sin and idolatry.
“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.”
Revelation 2:20-23 NLT
The Lord had been patient with this evil sway; but He is warning that the time for patience is about to be over.
Sadly, even today we have the torturing of scripture to make it condone all sorts of sin, including—but certainly not limited to—sexual sin, and what I would call, “subtle idolatry.” Subtle idolatry, can be found in the teaching which—in the name of “inclusivity”—allows that there are many “ways” to God. Whereas we are to love all people, and are not to abuse anyone, we must be clear in our own mind and hearts, and by the words of our mouth, that we believe what Jesus said: that He is the only way.
Of course, I can offer any number of additional examples of heretical doctrine being fed from the spoon of “deeper revelation,” but—for now—it will suffice for me to spotlight one of the biggest piles of refuse currently being served up: the castigation of those of us who believe that Jesus will actually return to earth to rule and reign. And, those of us who believe that Jesus will return soon, are dismissed as some kind of robe-wearing, sky-gazing, backward, legalistic, people who desperately cling to the hope of “escape,” as an excuse to do nothing.
Remember what I said about the “willingly ignorant”? The Apostle Peter uses this terminology in referencing the Last Days naysayers who scoff at those who still look for Jesus’ return.
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”
2 Peter 3:3-12 KJV
Now, I hope you didn’t skip reading that passage; it’s important for you to read and reread it. Indeed, we are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy—not just coming from the world system—but also from within the ranks of those who call themselves Christians!
Of all the egregious “Twister” games played with scripture, I recently came across one that takes the cake (or at least is in the final four). But first, let’s look at the scripture:
“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:11-14 NKJV
The person commenting on this scripture contended that Jesus was referencing Rome as “all the world” and “the end” as the end of the Old Covenant. I’m sorry, but that’s a stupid pot with no handle; I don’t know even know where to begin with it. In order for that interpretation to be true, you would just have to make the giant leap of taking their word for knowing what Jesus meant. And I’m sorry (not sorry), I am not willing to take that leap with them; I don’t think their landing is going to be a soft one. Additionally, it’s more likely that when Jesus cited, “…scoffers, walking after their own lusts…,” He was referencing the purveyors of the above tortured rendering of scripture.
So, how did I get to all of this today from the scripture with which we opened? Note, as we referenced yesterday, when the next generations would ask what the memorial stones were about, they were to explain the miracles that God had brought to pass for their forefathers. Notice, the scripture says, “…the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea…”
The reason the rereading of this passage produced the exhortation you have been reading, is that I remembered that some “sage” critics contend that the parting of the Red Sea and the parting of the Jordan are actually the telling of one event—or should I say, one “metaphor.” But first, in terms of these describing the same event, it is very clear here that one miracle: the parting of the Jordan, was done just as the Lord did with a previous miracle: the parting of the Red Sea. These were two discrete events.
Additionally, whereas these events have great symbolic meaning, these were real events, not metaphors, as some want to make them.
Given, the word of God is full of symbolic language, and yes, even metaphors. We know that Jesus employed parables to present greater truths. But, I will remind you, the parables He used referenced real life experiences. That is the reason the parables are so poignant: we understand the truth because we have seen the behavior used to convey the truth. I may have just lost you there, but what I’m trying to say is, if you decide that everything is only symbolic, with nothing being based on a point of fact, then you are going to possibly be taking scripture where it was never meant to be taken, or falling short of taking it where it was definitely intended to go!
I don’t even pretend to know all there is to know about the word of God. But I do know heresy when I see and hear it. I will no longer endure talking heads minimizing—no, discounting—the need for our expectation of the coming of our Lord and King. So, Jesus is coming, get ready for Him!
Now I’ll take a deep breath…
For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:
Don’t be “willingly ignorant.”
- araratchurch
- Sep 13, 2022
- 3 min read
“And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’ ”
Joshua 4:1-3 NKJV
The places where I have lived have all been peppered with historic markers. Actually, historic markers are ubiquitous for many areas in the south because of the events associated with the Civil War.
I was surprised to learn that The United States National Historic Landmark Program was not formally inaugurated until 1960. This program has the purpose of recognizing and honoring the historical and cultural heritage of the United States. In addition to the thousands of national historic markers, each state has its own system for historic markers.
In areas around me now, historic markers describing particular battles in the Civil War, can be easily found. It’s surreal to stand in another place in time and cast your imagination back to a time of war, right where you are standing. Indeed, without these markers, you might have never heard the rich stories some places have to tell.
Yes, historic markers are important. After all, history forms who we are, for better or for worse. Additionally, reflecting back on historic events allows us an opportunity to learn from the past as well as honoring those involved.
Today we find the Lord telling Joshua to assemble what would basically be an historic marker.
The people are passing through the river Jordan by yet another water miracle from the Lord. In this case, the Lord dammed up the water on one side until they safely crossed over.
“and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.””
Joshua 4:5-7 NKJV
We see that the stones were to form an historic marker commentating the miracle God had performed there. And—when the next generation would ask as to the meaning of the rocks—opportunity was afforded to tell the great things the Lord had done.
Indeed, we can observe throughout the Bible, people being instructed to leave a form of historic marker to inform those who would come after concerning the goodness of the Lord.
Interestingly, Joshua also set up an historic marker in the middle of the Jordan where the priests had stood with the Ark of the Covenant.
“Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.”
Joshua 4:9 NKJV
It’s very easy to allow the busyness of life to keep us from being intentional about making sure those who come after us will know about the goodness of the Lord in our own lives. Whether we document the miracles in our life in a family Bible, a personal journal, or even by word of mouth, we must let those who will follow know the great things the Lord has done for us!
For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:
Don’t forget to leave historic markers.
- araratchurch
- Sep 12, 2022
- 3 min read
Day 30: Know when to speak and when to hold your peace.
“Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!”
Joshua 6:10, 16 NKJV
We’ve all experienced it; but I’ve never really heard anybody else describe it. You know: you say something, and somehow or another, the last word or words you said, seem to be “echoing” in the room. Now, it’s really just echoing in your head; but it seems like it’s also echoing in the hearers’ heads. (Please don’t tell me this has never happened to you…See, now, THAT is “echoing” in my head!) Well, that phenomenon—as unsettling as it may be on its own—is even more unsettling when you have just said something you really wish you had not said.
As I mentioned to you before, when my sons were growing up, I often reminded them that you can always SAY something; but you can never UN-SAY something.
In a court of law, one of the tactics used by attorneys is to have something said in front of the jury that is not admissible. Then, when the opposing side objects, and their objection is sustained, the judge will instruct the jury that this will be stricken from the record and that they are not to take it into account when rendering a verdict. Now, how many think that really works? I mean, even if you—as a conscientious juror—are trying not to let what you’ve heard affect your judgment, the fact is, it was said and you can’t un-hear it. Your deliberations, past that point, will necessarily be filtered through what you have heard.
“Loose lips sink ships,” was a slogan used by the United States Office of War Information during World War II. As a matter of fact, several other countries had their own version of this slogan during that time. I would translate the slogan to mean, “words can be weapons.” The bottom line is, it was meant to discourage any kind of rumor spreading or information sharing that might hurt the war effort. Now, whereas they certainly didn’t want the enemy getting secrets from our people, the slogan was also meant to prevent morale-destroying talk.
Speaking of words, did you know this was in the Bible?
“Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.”
Proverbs 18:6-7 NLT
And then there’s this:
“Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.”
Proverbs 26:4 NLT
But here’s my personal favorite in terms of the words of fools:
“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”
Proverbs 17:28 NLT
Let me give you the “Janet” interpretation of that proverb:
“They were thought to be a fool until they opened their mouth and dispelled all doubt.”
Yes, words are important. But sometimes—more important than the words themselves—is to know when to say something and when to keep your mouth shut.
I often like to reference the story of Hezekiah. At one point, King Sennacherib (Assyria) sent the Rabshakeh (the King’s representative) to threaten Hezekiah and the people, saying that the Assyrians were going to overrun their city and destroy it. Interestingly, when the Rabshakeh was speaking to the people trying to gin up fear, the people remained silent and did not answer him back.
“But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.””
Isaiah 36:21 NKJV
Today we see Joshua instructing the people to keep their mouths shut until he gave the order to shout. Imagine, for six days they walked around the walls of Jericho, completely silent. The only sound was that of the trumpets (shofars). But on the seventh day, when it was time, they shouted and the walls were brought down by the mighty hand of God.
Remember: our words can lead to victory or to defeat. Therefore, it’s important that we ask the Lord to put a watch over our mouths!
For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:
Know when to speak and when to hold your peace.