MIME-Version: 1.0 Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1996 08:44:24 +-200 Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel From: Teus Benschop Subject: ChrExp, The Scriptures opened, 81 To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP Contents ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Leviticus 24:11-14,23 - The blasphemer stoned 2. Song of Solomon 1:3,4 - God draws people 3. Matthew 11:28 - Christ's rest 1. Leviticus 24:11-14,23 - The blasphemer stoned ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Weekly reading: Leviticus 21 - 24 Leviticus 24:11-14,23 11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses. [...] 12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. 13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. [...] 23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses. The man, in his madness, blasphemed the NAME. That is, he blasphemed the Name of the LORD. What we have translated with "he blasphemed", actually means "he pierced", or "he injured". The man, with his terrible words, as far as was in his power, pierced the Name of the LORD. They brought the criminal to Moses, and put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be showed them. Moses asks the LORD, and the divine answer is that the blasphemer should be stoned by all the congregation. And those that have heard the curse, should lay their hands upon his head. By this ceremony, they testify that he indeed has blasphemed; that their accusation was true. The sin of blasphemy is very great. Stoning is the commanded punishment thereof. All of us that ever did likewise, should understand what reward they deserve. The piercing through of the Name of God should be punished by the same: the piercing through of the person that did so. One that curses the Name of God - let his own name be a curse for always. The word we have translated with "to curse" means "to esteem light". This man esteemed the Name of the LORD so light, that he dared blaspheme Him. This light estimation of God's Name is possible when the fear of the LORD is lacking. The fear of the LORD saves us from many sins. When this fear is lacking, we sin more easily. Because of the fear of the LORD, we dare not sin. We think of the high God; he is so high and righteous and majestic and fearful, that we dare not sin whenever we think of the consequences it will have for us. Therefore, when we are not restrained by this fear, we will blaspheme Him without fright. This is what David says us: "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes." Ps 36:1. And elsewhere we read: "The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." Prov 14:27. This verse means that we, because of the fear of the LORD, depart from sins; that is, we depart from the snares of death. And again: "By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil." Prov 16:6. Let's therefore not blaspheme the LORD, as this man did and was stoned. Maybe we are not stoned while in this life, but our reward will once be given us by God Himself. Let the fear of this LORD make you depart from the snares of death. When you curse God in your heart, no human will hear it, but God knows the inner parts of your heart and your thoughts. Nothing is hid from Him. "Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death". 2. Song of Solomon 1:3,4 - God draws people ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Song 1:3,4 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Draw me, we will run after thee. The servants of God bring forth a very good report of their God and Father in heaven. Through their preaching, they elevate and praise God's Name. Their sermons smell good because of the good report of God's virtues they give to their hearers. Their speech is like the savour of good ointments. Whenever you hear them, you smell the goodness of God in their words. As soon as they open their mouth, they produce pleasant and sweet words about their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Son of God. They represent Him so lovely and good, that several hearers are impressed by it. They then say with the bride in Songs: "Because of the savour of Thy good ointments, Thy Name is as ointment poured forth". They fall in love with that good God. Such a good God and Father, and such a lovely Son, would they not fall in love with them? Because of the savour of God's good ointments, His Name is as ointment poured forth: "therefore do the virgins love thee". Yes, those that have not given their promise to the world, are virgins. They have no man. But as soon as they hear the good report, they love Him. Many love the world, and play the harlot with it. But those that are spiritually pure, the virgins, as soon as they hear of the eternal love of God in Christ, it is said of them: "therefore do the virgins love Thee". "Draw me, we will run after thee." The virgins are drawn after Christ. They feel themselves inwardly bound with Him. By the sweet smelling Person of Christ, they feel themselves drawn. As soon as they come in His presence, or when they hear Him speak in the Word and the ordinances, they feel themselves drawn. "Draw me", they say, and "we will run after Thee". The virgins love Christ. There is none on earth that is more fair in their eyes. He is fairer than the other men. Christ, Who gave His life for those that love Him, is better and more pleasant than other men. Draw me, and we will run after Thee. As often as Christ is preached in the gospel, the virgins will run after him. As often as He is represented in the Lord's supper, His bride, the church, again experiences His sweetness. They are drawn, and will always follow Him. They follow Christ, because they have heard His voice: "come, take up the cross, and follow me." Mark 10:21. 3. Matthew 11:28 - Christ's rest ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Who is so busy with all kinds of things, that he never has rest? Who has wearied himself in seeking to enter heaven through works? Who is there, that has opened eyes, so as to see and feel the heavy pack of sins on his back? "Come unto Me", says Jesus, "all ye that labour and are heavy laden; and I will give you rest". For those that labour, and never succeed, there is rest. It is gratis, because Christ will not sell it, but give it you, freely, out of His grace. He gives rest for no price. He gives rest to all those that labour and are heavy laden. Who is restless? Who is persecuted by his own vices? Who has satan as a ceaseless pursuer? Who is driven forth by his own desires, and never can fully satisfy them? Who is kept in prison by satan? Come unto Jesus, all you that are restless, and He will give you rest. And His rest will be pleasant and very good. Then those that are weary may rest. They may lay off the burden of sin and vice. The heavy load will be taken from them. Come unto your Messiah, o restless people. People that seek salvation by performing the works of the law, come to Christ and He will give you rest. The law is very cruel. It gives nothing, unless you fully and perfectly perform it. If not, then your only reward is death. Are you still labouring under the unbearable yoke of the law? That cruel thing, which requires of you what Adam was able to do, but you aren't? Come unto Christ, and be clothed with His perfect righteousness and fulfilment of the law. You are restless at present, but as soon as you come to Christ, you will be given rest. Have your fathers told you, being misled themselves, that you should keep those human laws of your tradition? Are you trying it, and labouring under them? Come unto Christ, and He will give you rest. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." Isa 55:1-3. "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." Isa 45:22. Come unto God, all ye that labour! Your labour will die with you, it will take both your strength and life; come unto God, you that are heavy laden, and Christ will give you rest. Many are there that have their days filled. In the morning, they arise, wash themselves, take breakfast, and go to work. The whole day they are busy with several things, and at the end of this day, their head buzzes of all what they have heard, said and thought. They go home again, and there they eat, give their attention to their family, do some necessary duties, go to bed and fall asleep. This goes on, day after day, week after week, year after year. Rest? No; they spend their life without God. They care not for God. But they know not that they not live, but are lived. Serving God? No. They labour day and night, without rest. And at the end they die. Their bodies rest in the grave, but they will arise again, and be condemned because they haven't served God in their life, nor obeyed and loved Him. Therefore, if you will have life, come to Christ, and He will give you rest. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- chr-exp@nic.surfnet.nl "A Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel" Institute Practical Bible-education http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/ipbe-home.html Written by Teus Benschop -- t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl ---------------------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/so: s-open-081.txt .