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| Tom Yam Fried Rice by Mummy |
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Why Was The Book of Proverbs Written?
In my own words:
The book of Proverbs was written to instruct the future King of Israel in the ways of God's wisdom and understanding. Written from the viewpoint of a wise father and also a mother, it is useful for God's children of all times, for them to understand the unsearchable and wonderful ways of God, to know His wisdom which passes understanding, to understand His concepts and truths, and to have His knowledge. Seeing life from the perspective of the creator is infinitely above and beyond seeing life from the viewpoint of the finite, and small, little, creature.
The Ten Virgins
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (NKJV)
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming;[a] go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour[b] in which the Son of Man is coming.
At prayer retreat in Glory Place last weekend, Aunty Phyllo (however you spell her name) shared with our church the parable on the ten virgins... here's a brief summary of what I remember from it.
10 virgins - all good girls... all were virgins...
5 were wise, 5 foolish.
Both also "slumbered Return to list of postsand slept" waiting for the bridegroom.
Both were awakened by the Watchman - "a cry was heard"
Meditations on Faith vs. the Carnal Mind
Hebrews 11 (New King James Version)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for. You could even say, faith is thesubstantiation of things hoped for. Faith supplies... IS the evidence for things that we do not see, but are promised by God. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Without Faith, it is imposible to please God.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
We did not see the world created, framed by the Word of God, but Faith subtantiates and is the evidence for it! Faith! Faith is the evidence, Faith, never reasoning. We cannot reason and prove in our minds because that is not faith. Faith comes by hearing the word of God!
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”;[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him,for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker isGod.
11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as manyas the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,[c] embraced themand confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind thatcountry from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”[d] 19concluding that God wasable to raise himup, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaningon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they sawhe was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsookEgypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls ofJericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,[f] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, indens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”;[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him,for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker isGod.
11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as manyas the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,[c] embraced themand confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind thatcountry from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”[d] 19concluding that God wasable to raise himup, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaningon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they sawhe was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsookEgypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls ofJericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,[f] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, indens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
Gratefulness
In the past year and more, Aunty Dorothy has been teaching us the Characters of Attentiveness, Obedience, Truthfulness, Gratefulness, and Generosity. I would like to share some of what she taught us.
Thou hast given so much to us. Give one thing more, A grateful heart. Amen - George Herbert 1593 – 1683.
“The more I realize how indebted I am to God and deserving nothing but eternal judgement the grateful I am to Him.”
1) The servant of God is nothing in Himself, he is merely someone so totally surrendered to God and His will that the All-powerful God can use Him to do great wonders.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they sawhe was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsookEgypt
29 By faith they passed through theRed Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsook
29 By faith they passed through the
Exodus 3 – 4
Moses was not a mighty man of God, he was a man of a might GOD! In himself, he had unbelief, a speech problem, and thought himself terribly unsuited for the task of bringing the people out of Egypt Egypt
In Chp 4, we see Moses worried that the people would not believe him, his word, or his divine mission, he was looking to himself. Pestering God with questions of our unworthiness is not legitimate, since God knows that we are nothing but wretched human beings and cannot do anything in ourselves. Rather, we are His instrument, His ministers, and the power and ability to do the work of God never comes from us but from Him! It is not by the works of the flesh, but of faith!
Moses' Excuses | God's Answers |
Who am I? ( | Certainly I will be with thee. ( |
What shall I say unto them? ( | I AM hath sent me unto you. ( |
They will not believe me. (4:1) | What is that in thine hand? (4:2) |
I am not eloquent. ( | I will teach thee what thou shalt say. (4:11-12; 14-15) |
God doesn't need you to serve Him, it is only to your blessing that you choose too. Too often we think that we serve should God with our talents, and with our abilities, and with our ability – but it is not so – we have to surrender our will, die to our talents and goals, and submit our ability to the will of God. Moses himself tried to save Israel
If God wills, he can use a donkey. He often chose to use people that other people will not choose. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His ways higher than our ways. (Isa 55)
Why Uzzah Died
2 Samuel 6:7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
David had a heart that sought YHWH and wanted to bring the presence of YHWH into Jerusalem. His motive was right, but his attempt failed for three reasons, namely,
1) David did not use the God-instructed method of moving the ark, that is, that the ark was to be borne on the shoulders of four anointed priests of the sons of Aaron, but instead (probably ignorantly), he used the Philistine's method of transporting it, in a cart drawn by cows. God's ways are better than man's ways, and the Philistines got away with it because they were ignorant, and were not God's people, but God required His people to whom He had revealed His law to follow His ordinances. David, as a king, was required by YHWH (Deut 17) to copy out the entire Law of Moses, to learn it and know it.
2) The Ark of the Covenant carried the very holy presence of God. The box was nothing special, but because God's presence dwelt in it, it must be treated with reverential fear. God Himself was probably not revered by the people in the way He should be, owing to years of backsliding as a nation, and the irreverent, apostate priesthood as shown in Eli and his sons. David perhaps did not realize just how much God was, is, and is to be feared and how holy and pure He is.
David had not only failed to fully follow God’s commands and to realize the severity of God’s holiness, but he failed to instruct the men transporting it and impart to them the right principles and attitudes with regard to it. Uzzah was the son of Aminadab, and the ark of the covenant had been in his father’s house for quite a time. Uzzah had good intentions, to keep the Ark from falling. However, proper preparation of heart, mind, and body, were needed for such an important task. This was a hard lesson David learned. The next time, he with utmost care and precision, in most reverent of fears, followed God’s way of bringing the ark in Jerusalem.
Vanity
“ Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
The word "vanity" means "in vain" - in a state of uselessness, purposeless, to have no meaning, to be be in a state of "naught and the ability to not be able to do anything more than "naught", to not be able to produce anything. The vanity of life, of culture, of power, of money, of everything tangible is related by Solomon, the man who had everything he could ever want. Yet in the end he said - yes, it was all vanity, vanity, and more vanity. It all was meaningless. It has no more purpose than and produces no more results than an attempt to grasp and catch the wind - the wind comes and goes, the sun rises and sets - neither you nor I can do anything about it nor affect it in any way. All that life had to offer, for Solomon, who had, all that life had to offer, to him is was worthless.Vi
Hallowed Be Thy Name
יהוה
By Ps. Lee Shaw Ming
This Name was not meant to be forgotten!
Did you know that the Heavenly Father has a name? The surprising truth is that the Name of the Creator, יהוה is found 6,823 times in the original Hebrew Old Testament or Tanakh, more frequent than any other word, yet it was translated away and concealed by translators (translated to ‘LORD’, some translations like ASV 1901 uses Jehovah) who believed it was too holy to use. However, many names of the gods of the heathens were transliterated and preserved in the Old Testament (eg. Baal, Dagon, Moloch, Molech, Meni, etc …). Bear in mind that although translations of the original God-inspired Scriptures into many languages help to bring the word of God to the whole world, yet the translations and translators themselves are not considered God-inspired in the level of the original authors and Scriptures.
How important is it to know and to use the correct name?
Scripture leaves no doubt as to the importance of our Heavenly Father’s Name!
Note: The Hebrew letters for the Heavenly Father’s name יהוה (YHWH) known as the Tetragrammaton and transliterated as YHWH (generally pronounced as 'Yahweh', 'Jehovah' or 'Yehovah'), have been used throughout the original Old Testament in Hebrew. The Hebrew word יהושע (Elohim) has been translated into the English word 'God'. The Hebrew word 'Elohim' means 'Mighty One' or 'Most High'.
Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know it? (Proverbs 30:4)
The following Scripture references speak for themselves...
I am יהוה (YHWH) that is My name: and My honour will I not give to another (name), neither My praise to graven images (Isaiah 42:8)
Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to His name: extol Him that rides upon the heavens by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him (Psalm 68:4)
You shall not take the name of יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim in vain, for יהוה will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain (Exodus 20: 7, This is the Third Commandment.)
Thy Name O YHWH, endureth forever; Thy memorial, O YHWH, throughout all generations (Psalm 135:13)
I will take the names of the Baalim out of her mouth and they shall no more be remembered by their name (Hosea 2:17 . 'Baalim' is the plural of Baal. Baalim = Lords)
I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I sing praise unto Thee (Psalm 22:22 . cf. Hebrews 2:12)
And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the Name of יהוה (YHWH) shall be saved (Acts 2:21 and Joel 2:32)
Therefore, behold, I will cause them to know, this once will I cause them to know my hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is יהוה (Jer 16:21)
who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams…, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal (Jer 23:27)
And there is no one who calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities (Isaiah 64:7: 7)
And from the New Testament...
I have manifested (revealed) Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world…John 17:26 And I have declared unto them Thy Name and will declare it (John 17:6)
'Hallowed be Thy Name' Matthew 6:9
• The Hebrew Name of the Messiah, יהושע, Yeshua is the only Name by which He was known to His disciples.
What is His name and what is His Son's Name, if thou canst tell? (Proverbs 30:4)
• The name יהושע (Yeshua) literally means “יהוה (YHWH) is salvation”.
John 5:43 I am come in My Father's Name and ye receive Me not, if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive…John 12:13 Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of יהושע…John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ask anything in My Name I will do it.
...for there is none other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12)
And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am יהושע (Yeshua), whom you are persecuting (Acts 26:14-16)
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name (Rev 3:12)
Editor: Let us remember the name of our God and remember that He is the God of Israel, knowing that the Jewish nation is still the Israel of God. For יהוה hates divorce (Mal 2:16) hence 'God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew' (Rom 11:2) and 'But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people' (Rom 10:21) and continue to do so till this day.
More information and a longer article, found at: http://thekingdompeople.blogspot.com/
By Ps. Lee Shaw Ming
This Name was not meant to be forgotten!
Did you know that the Heavenly Father has a name? The surprising truth is that the Name of the Creator, יהוה is found 6,823 times in the original Hebrew Old Testament or Tanakh, more frequent than any other word, yet it was translated away and concealed by translators (translated to ‘LORD’, some translations like ASV 1901 uses Jehovah) who believed it was too holy to use. However, many names of the gods of the heathens were transliterated and preserved in the Old Testament (eg. Baal, Dagon, Moloch, Molech, Meni, etc …). Bear in mind that although translations of the original God-inspired Scriptures into many languages help to bring the word of God to the whole world, yet the translations and translators themselves are not considered God-inspired in the level of the original authors and Scriptures.
How important is it to know and to use the correct name?
Scripture leaves no doubt as to the importance of our Heavenly Father’s Name!
Note: The Hebrew letters for the Heavenly Father’s name יהוה (YHWH) known as the Tetragrammaton and transliterated as YHWH (generally pronounced as 'Yahweh', 'Jehovah' or 'Yehovah'), have been used throughout the original Old Testament in Hebrew. The Hebrew word יהושע (Elohim) has been translated into the English word 'God'. The Hebrew word 'Elohim' means 'Mighty One' or 'Most High'.
Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know it? (Proverbs 30:4)
The following Scripture references speak for themselves...
I am יהוה (YHWH) that is My name: and My honour will I not give to another (name), neither My praise to graven images (Isaiah 42:8)
Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to His name: extol Him that rides upon the heavens by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him (Psalm 68:4)
You shall not take the name of יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim in vain, for יהוה will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain (Exodus 20: 7, This is the Third Commandment.)
Thy Name O YHWH, endureth forever; Thy memorial, O YHWH, throughout all generations (Psalm 135:13)
I will take the names of the Baalim out of her mouth and they shall no more be remembered by their name (Hosea 2:17 . 'Baalim' is the plural of Baal. Baalim = Lords)
I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I sing praise unto Thee (Psalm 22:22 . cf. Hebrews 2:12)
And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the Name of יהוה (YHWH) shall be saved (Acts 2:21 and Joel 2:32)
Therefore, behold, I will cause them to know, this once will I cause them to know my hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is יהוה (Jer 16:21)
who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams…, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal (Jer 23:27)
And there is no one who calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities (Isaiah 64:7: 7)
And from the New Testament...
I have manifested (revealed) Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world…John 17:26 And I have declared unto them Thy Name and will declare it (John 17:6)
'Hallowed be Thy Name' Matthew 6:9
• The Hebrew Name of the Messiah, יהושע, Yeshua is the only Name by which He was known to His disciples.
What is His name and what is His Son's Name, if thou canst tell? (Proverbs 30:4)
• The name יהושע (Yeshua) literally means “יהוה (YHWH) is salvation”.
John 5:43 I am come in My Father's Name and ye receive Me not, if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive…John 12:13 Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of יהושע…John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ask anything in My Name I will do it.
...for there is none other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12)
And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am יהושע (Yeshua), whom you are persecuting (Acts 26:14-16)
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name (Rev 3:12)
Editor: Let us remember the name of our God and remember that He is the God of Israel, knowing that the Jewish nation is still the Israel of God. For יהוה hates divorce (Mal 2:16) hence 'God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew' (Rom 11:2) and 'But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people' (Rom 10:21) and continue to do so till this day.
More information and a longer article, found at: http://thekingdompeople.blogspot.com/
YHWH is God
"And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. (1 Kings 18:39)"
Having seen the manifestation of the one true God, by the prophet Elijah, in a dramatic turn of events, above and beyond all reason and worthless human effort, the people were suddenly struck with the reality of YHWH. Their idols, the works of their own hands, having failed them, were proved useless and powerless beyond measure. All hope is Baal was in vain. Their faith in Baal was devastated.
Then YHWH showed Himself to them. In an act of uncontestable sovereignty and power He poured out His fire from heaven and consumed all the sacrifice on the altar. This was unrivaled, unequaled, totally sovereign power. The water-soaked altar made no difference. YHWH had proved Himself, again to His stubborn and contrary people who needed constant reminders. The God of their Fathers, who had to deal with their problematic ancestors and their constant regression, out of His great love for His people, revealed a small portion of His awesomeness and might to His people. Why should He? For His name’s sake, for His glory, and because of His unreasonably immense love for His people. He had to stoop down, and show a little of His power, enough to instill into His people the reverence and fear for Him.
What could they do? YHWH was supreme, sovereign, and all mighty. With a start, they realized what they had done. They had turned to false gods and worthless idols. With a start, they had a revelation of YHWH. In a moment, YHWH’s reality slapped them in the face. What could they do but cry out, “YHWH, he is God; YHWH he is God!”
It was for most part of their lives that they had called Baal “lord” and “god”, but today they knew WHO was God, and God alone, YHWH. They knew how to call on Him, to acknowledge Him and to declare Him, YHWH, as THE GOD.
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