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The Mandate!?

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2 Kings 19:35 And it all came to pass, for that night the Angel of the Lord went forth and slew 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when [the living] arose early in the morning, behold, all these were dead bodies.

One angel of the Lord killed 185,000 men – single-handedly! But this wasn’t just any “angel.” He is designated as the Angel of the Lord. Many scholars believe He is the same Angel mentioned in Joshua 5:13-14 When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up, and behold, a Man stood near him with His drawn sword in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, Are you for us or for our adversaries? 14 And He said, No [neither], but as Prince of the Lord’s host have I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, What says my Lord to His servant? Now let me ask a silly question: Why would an “Angel” that can kill 185,000 men invite Joshua and the army of Israel to join Him and other angel warriors in “attacking” Jericho?

Part of the answer to that question is found in the original mandate given to Adam and Eve: Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth. Genesis 2:15 And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. Thus, God was leading Israel back to the original mandate: subdue, tend, guard, and keep. 

Mandate is defined as an official order or commission to do something; and the authority to carry out a policy or course of action; A mandate is the power granted to a person or body to exercise authority on various matters affecting a jurisdiction or populace. Thus, the original mandate given to mankind was to be involved in the specifics mentioned above. Through the Captain of the Lord’s Hosts, Joshua was being led to co-partner with the Armies of Heaven in the advancement of God’s Kingdom on earth. (Sound familiar?)

Ultimately, the Angel of the Lord and angelic armies did not “need” the assistance of Joshua and the armies of Israel. From the beginning of creation God had planned a partnership between Heaven and earth; between the “son’s” of Heaven and the “son’s and “daughters” of earth. What was God’s long range goal? Rom. 8:19, 23 For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].…And not only the creation, but we ourselves too, who have and enjoy the firstfruits of the [Holy] Spirit [a foretaste of the blissful things to come] groan inwardly as we wait for the redemption of our bodies [from sensuality and the grave, which will reveal] our adoption (our manifestation as God’s sons). The “warfare,” trials, tribulations, and obstacles are what God, the Father, uses to mold us into our final destination: co-reigning and ruling with Jesus.

Several years ago I was doing a study of the Beatitudes and came upon the third beatitude: “blessed are the meek for they shall in merit the earth.” That week I saw Psalm 37 in a new light. Five times it repeats this promise: Psalm 37:9 ...but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:11 …But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth….Psalm 37:22 For such as are blessed of God shall [in the end] inherit the earth…Psalm 37:29 [Then] the [consistently] righteous shall inherit the land….Psalm 37:34 Wait for and expect the Lord and keep and heed His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land…

Exasperated I remarked to the Lord, I am not wanting to inherit the earth. I just want to be with You. His reply? In the last days where am I going to be? Startled, I replied, On the earth! Followed by, I want to inherit the earth and be with You! God gives us the “Jericho’s” to make us into sons and daughters who will co-reign with Jesus. Hebrews 5:8-9 states: though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,…Jesus learned? Jesus was perfected? If Jesus had to go through these things should we expect anything less?

Some questions to ponder: Are you learning? Are you being perfected becoming like Jesus? Are you obeying while you are suffering? Will you be with Jesus when He returns to earth to rule and reign?

Small Things

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2 Samuel 1:14-15 David said to him, Why were you not afraid to stretch forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed? 15 David called one of the young men and said, Go near and fall upon him. And he smote him so that he died.

Throughout Scripture from the fall of Adam and Eve to the crucifixion of Christ, from the writings of Paul to the end of the Book of Revelation – one fact remains: the wages of sin is death! The Amalekites had proven themselves enemies of God since the Exodus as described by Moses in the Book of Exodus: And the Lord said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in the book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.…And he said, Because [theirs] is a hand against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. (Exodus 17:14,16) On the surface David’s response against this messenger of doom seems to be a little extreme. But underneath this narrative lies a larger monster that hides beneath the shadows lurking along the edges like a ravenous wolf ready to pounce upon its prey. First of all, this Amalekite is lying. He did not slay King Saul. Saul had taken his own life. Secondly, the messenger had looted what belonged to King Saul and the people of Israel – Saul’s kingly crown, and the bracelet on his arm. Thirdly, this man exposed his greed and lust for more. It wasn’t enough that he had plundered the crown jewels. His plot was much more twisted and devious. He had reasoned that there must be an even greater reward for the one who would kill Saul. Rather than taking the crown and bracelet and cashing in on his prize. He chose to up the ante. Finally, this man failed to realize that David was God’s man – God’s anointed – and God’s enemies were his enemies. But there is an even greater story unfolding before our eyes and Exodus 17:14,16 gives us the clue: I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.…And he said, Because [theirs] is a hand against the throne of the Lord…

Did you catch that last part? The Amalekites had not simply lifted their hand to destroy God’s people. They had actually lifted their hand against God Himself. Against His Throne, Kingdom, and Reign. Consciously or unconsciously, this Amalekite was participating in the sins of his fathers and mothers. Ultimately, he was reflecting the heart of his spiritual father – Satan himself. For you see, the Amalekites, and their descendants could be traced all the way to King Herod himself, an Idumean (a descendant of the Edomites from which Amalek had come). Amalek had come from Esau’s son who had married a descendant of the Horites – and they were descendants of the demonic hybrid of the Nephilim (half-demon, half human. Think Goliath)

King Herod sought to kill Jesus – God’s Anointed King of Israel. Why had God said that He would personally fight against Amalek? Because they represented an Anti-Christ spirit. An anti-Christ agenda.

But how does all of this apply? Romans 8:7 states the carnal mind is at enmity with God. The carnal mind being our soulish mind or our propensity to rely more on our thinking, will, emotions, and personality or temperament to have things our way. This way of doing things is an enemy to God and the things of God because it hearkens back to the Garden of Eden, and you shall be gods. In other words having it our way is not doing it God’s Way. God’s Way obviously being Jesus Himself – The Way. But rest easy: the Lord will have war with (it) from generation to generation.

In Mark 8 Jesus warns of the leaven or yeast of the Pharisees, Herod, and the Herodians. (Matthew 16 adds the Sadducees). Leaven is a small thing – but it’s the small things that lead either to the anti-Christ rising in our lives or Jesus, the Bread of Life. Question is, Are we utilizing the yeast of the Kingdom of God or the yeast of satan himself? Remember it’s the small things that make all the difference in the outcome of what’s reigning in your life. What we sow into will determine the “rain” that falls in our lives.

Milk and Meat of God’s Promised Land

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Judges 1:1-3 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them? 2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up; behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.3 And Judah [the tribe] said to [the tribe of] Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my allotted territory, so that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your territory. So Simeon went with him.

There are several ways to interpret the writings found in the Bible. Some are literal, like commands, instructions, and teachings. Others are inferred, like following the examples set before you. Still others are historically, and literally true, yet there is an allegorical, or symbolic meaning behind their narrative. For example when you read the parables of Jesus, or the Book of Revelation, most are not to be read literally, but symbolically. Participants in the New Covenant, primarily get their spiritual “milk” (a metaphor for the Word of God) from the New Testament. We can read and ascertain clearly what we are to do and not do. (which explains why most New Testament readers scratch their heads in confusion when they read the Parables of Jesus or the Book of Revelation). Unfortunately, or fortunately, when it comes to reading the Old Testament you will need to come prepared to read most of it allegorically, or symbolically (although it is literally, and historically true). You will need to see the message behind the message.

The passage in Judges 1:1-3 is just such an example. You can read it literally, and historically but it doesn’t make for much of an in-depth Bible study. As a pastor-teacher I could make the obvious point (which we all know and need to be reminded of) that when it comes to conquering our enemies we can’t do it alone. We need to call on others to help us achieve our goals. Which is a nice devotional thought – what the Apostle Peter, Paul, and the writer of Hebrews would call spiritual milk. But if you want some spiritual meat added to the meal you would need to ask for revelation from the Holy Spirit. He would reveal the message behind the message. You could begin with the Hebraic meanings of the words for the two tribes that partnered together: Judah, and Simeon. Judah means to praise, or give thanks, which is a form of worship (serving or ministering to the Lord). Simeon, on the other hand, means he who hears or a man of listening; or one who hears and accepts what is heard. Now, what’s the application? When I, or the church, partners in praise, thanksgiving, and worship (serving and ministering to the Lord) – with hearing and listening (to God) – accepting what has been heard – I, or the church, can defeat enemies. Not only can you defeat your enemies you are empowered to possess the manifestation of His Promised Inheritance. The real challenge comes when you ask, Is He calling you to partner with another – to see the manifestation of His Inherited Promises – in your life and theirs? Another thought, even more challenging, would be to ask, Do you want me to lay down the promises You’ve specifically given; the inheritance you have prophesied was mine; the dreams, and prophetic words You have given – so another can inherit theirs? Now, all of that taken together has enough milk, to wash down the meat at the table He has prepared for those who are spiritually hungry. But that table has only been prepared for those who have made the Lord their Shepherd.

Is Ignorance Innocence?

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Robert Browning once wrote “Ignorance is not innocence but sin.“

In the book of Nehemiah an incident is recorded regarding the ignorance of the children of Israel and the Feast of Tabernacles. A remnant of Jews had returned to the Promised Land of Israel after being in Babylonian captivity only to discover that they had ignored the commandments, instructions, and teachings of the Lord. Once Ezra, the priest, began reading from the Law – the first five books of Moses (meaning instruction, or teaching) – and its hearers understood, they immediately responded in compliance and obedience. Ignorance did not imply innocence, nor excuse their guilt and sin. The good news was that 70 years of exile had done its work in changing the way they thought about sin. The bad news? Many died in Babylonian captivity never having changed their minds, or lifestyle.

Nehemiah 8:13-18 Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law. And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim. So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.

In a song titled “The Lumber Song,” by Eli, the lyrics describe a man who had lived his life in ignorance finally dying and arriving in Heaven for his eternal reward. Peter guides the newly arrived citizen of heaven to his “mansion” only to discover it is a shack. The man replies, “How can this be?” and Peter replies, “That’s all the lumber you sent.”

The symbolic meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles is clear, What materials are you using that are of eternal value? Ignorance is not innocence – it is sin (missing the mark). Is your life missing the mark or are you learning to fix your mind on things above, not on the things of this earth?

The Pharaoh, Akhenaten, led Egypt in Religious revolution, when he proposed there was only one God. During his spiritual reform he wrote: True wisdom is less presuming than folly. The wise man doubteth often, and changeth his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubteth not; he knoweth all things but his own ignorance.