What Do You Really Want from God? Joyful Blessing or Curse? 

19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So, choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life Deuteronomy 30 (NASB) 

One might think that is a strange question.  What do you really want from God, Joyful blessing, or Curse?  Of course, I want joyful blessing, all would say.  But then how is it that we live so far from that?  We may blame the world around us, situations, and the devil.  But as you will see, Moses clearly taught the children of Israel what was necessary to find joyful blessings.  Yet, alas, they would fail once they entered the land.  Just as their parents had before them.   

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the Lords commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? Deuteronomy 10 (NASB) 

We want the joyful blessing, but we want it on our terms. Just give us the joyful blessing but to love you with all my heart would mean, I must remove myself from the throne of my own heart.  Your desires must supersede mine?  I would have to say like Jesus, Your will, not my own.   

So Why Would I Want His Will Over Mine? 

What else did Moses say? 

14 Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. 15 Yet the Lord set His affection on your fathers, to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, you over all the other peoples, as it is this day.  Deuteronomy 10 (NASB)  

6 “For you are a holy nation to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the nations on the earth, to be His own. 7 The Lord did not give you His love and choose you because you were more people than any of the nations. For the number of your people was less than all nations. 8 But it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the promise He made to your fathers. So the Lord brought you out by a strong hand. He set you free from the land where you were servants, and from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.   Deuteronomy 7 (NASB) 

He is God, there is no other.  Those chosen are loved, because it is his will and pleasure to love them.  No other reason.  Is that fair? 

What if 5 men stood trial for murder.  All were guilty.  Then, the judge upon sentencing chose to set 1 free and even pay the price himself?  We would cry out unjust because one went free.  Not because of the ones punished.  Is that not our case?  Are we not guilty as well? He chose to love them, not because of anything they had done.  That is how He chose me as well.  For that reason, I owe Him everything.  The older I get, the more I realize that 

Joyful blessing or curse 

9 Know then that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God. He keeps His promise and shows His loving-kindness to those who love Him and keep His Laws, even to a thousand family groups in the future. 10 But He destroys those who hate Him. He will not show kindness to the one who hates Him, but will punish him to his face. 11 So keep and obey all the Laws I am telling you today. Deuteronomy 7 (NASB). 

All deserve to die.  So why not end it now.  Send all away to judgement now.  There are a few we wish He would.  How horrific the atrocities that occur in the world.  Child trafficking.  The horrors of war.  Death, destruction, power hunger leaders who care only for themselves.  How horrific.  Why not end it all now? 

He could have.  As soon as Adam sinned, He could have said “Done.  Or in the days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, or now.  Yet, how often do they choose idol worship, pride, and seek to worship other gods.  After all that God has done for them?  But what about us, are we much different? 

Joyful Blessing or Curse from an All Powerful, Sovereign God. 

Oh, listen to this Song of Moses 

Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; 

And let the earth hear the words of my mouth. 

2 “Let my teaching drop as the rain, 

My speech distill as the dew, 

As the droplets on the fresh grass 

And as the showers on the herb. 

3 “For I proclaim the name of the Lord; 

Ascribe greatness to our God! 

4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, 

For all His ways are just; 

A God of faithfulness and without injustice, 

Righteous and upright is He. 

5 They have acted corruptly toward Him, 

They are not His children, because of their defect; 

But are a perverse and crooked generation. 

6 “Do you thus repay the Lord, 

O foolish and unwise people? 

Is not He your Father who has bought you? 

He has made you and established you.  Deuteronomy 32 

Accursed; yet, God steadies His hand of grace.  Yes, destruction, judgement is deserved and will come in the fullness of time. It is His will to continue to provide common grace to even these.  For until the moment they die, they are given the chance of turning to Jesus. 

Judgement will come swiftly 

 35 ‘Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, 

In due time their foot will slip; 

For the day of their calamity is near, 

And the impending things are hastening upon them.’ 

36 “For the Lord will vindicate His people, 

And will have compassion on His servants, 

When He sees that their strength is gone, 

And there is none remaining, bond or free. 

37 “And He will say, ‘Where are their gods, 

The rock in which they sought refuge? Deuteronomy 32 

They had searched to find strength in gods who do not even exist.  In our time, also such gods as success, fame, power, greed, and lust.  When they do fall, where are these gods to save them.  They are gone with the wind.  

Further description of their destitution. 

38 ‘Who ate the fat of their sacrifices, 

And drank the wine of their drink offering? 

Let them rise up and help you, 

Let them be your hiding place! 

39 ‘See now that I, I am He, 

And there is no god besides Me; 

It is I who put to death and give life. 

I have wounded and it is I who heal, 

And there is no one who can deliver from My hand. Deuteronomy 32 

Can all these desires of their heart save them in the end from hell and destruction?  

40 ‘Indeed, I lift up My hand to heaven, 

And say, as I live forever, 

41 If I sharpen My flashing sword, 

And My hand takes hold on justice, 

I will render vengeance on My adversaries, 

And I will repay those who hate Me. 

42 ‘I will make My arrows drunk with blood, 

And My sword will devour flesh, 

With the blood of the slain and the captives, 

From the long-haired leaders of the enemy.’ Deuteronomy 32 

But for those who love Him, Truly His own. 

43 “Rejoice, O nations, with His people; 

For He will avenge the blood of His servants, 

And will render vengeance on His adversaries, 

And will atone for His land and His people.” Deuteronomy 32 

Jesus in Deuteronomy 

Jesus took our curse upon Himself, so that we might have His Joyous Blessing.  Is that not why we should adore Him above everything else.  Cut away all the desires that go against Him.  So, what need we do?  Look to Jesus and in looking love Him more than anything else.  If we truly look upon Him, we will love Him.   

16 So circumcise your heart, and do not stiffen your neck any longer. 17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. 18 He executes justice for the orphan and the widow and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing. 

19 So show your love for the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. 21 He is your glory, and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. Deuteronomy 10 (NASB) 

But What then If We Fail? 

15 “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to be careful to follow all His commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:  

16 “Cursed will you be in the city, and cursed will you be in the [p]country. 

17 “Cursed will be your basket and your kneading bowl. 

18 “Cursed will be the [q]children of your womb, the [r]produce of your ground, the newborn of your herd, and the offspring of your flock. 

19 “Cursed will you be when you come in, and cursed will you be when you go out. 

20 “The Lord will send against you curses, panic, and rebuke, in [s]everything you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have abandoned Me.  Deuteronomy 28 

Why? 

45 “So all these curses shall come upon you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey the Lord your God by keeping His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 And they will become a sign and a wonder against you and your descendants forever. 

47 “Since you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a cheerful heart, in gratitude for the abundance of all things, 48 you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, thirst, nakedness, and devoid of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you. Deuteronomy 28 

And What then? 

“So it will be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have placed before you, and you call them to mind in all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you, 2 and you return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul in accordance with everything that I am commanding you today, you and your sons, 3 then the Lord your God will restore [c]you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. 4 If any of your scattered countrymen are at the ends of the earth, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you back. 5 The Lord your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will be good to you and make you more numerous than your fathers. 

God Will Do It–The Blessing

6 “Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, so that you may live. 7 And the Lord your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. 8 And you will again obey the Lord, and follow all His commandments which I am commanding you today. 9 Then the Lord your God will prosper you abundantly in every work of your hand, in the children of your womb, the offspring of your cattle, and in the produce of your ground, for the Lord will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers; 10 you obey the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. 

Blessing IS Not Too Hard with God’s Grace

11 “For this commandment which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you could say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us, and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you could say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us and get it for us and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’ 14 On the contrary, the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may  follow it.  Deuteronomy 30 

29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, so that we may [j]follow all the words of this Law. Deuteronomy 29:29 

OH FATHER, I LOVE THEE 

Oh, Father I came to you first in my youth 

Ready to run and tell of Your truth 

I studied and worked to make you so proud 

You’d see all I’d done- I’m not like the crowd 

Polished and shined Your Glory I’d show 

From mountaintops shout to the valleys below 

I knew I could do it-then you would see 

All of my beauty-then you’d love me 

Then came the years when all seemed so wrong 

I fell to the ground-crushed by the throng 

Though I struggled so hard with all of my might 

Nothing seemed good, nothing seemed right 

Oh Father, my Father; I don’t understand 

Weary and worn by the years in this land 

I’ve failed you so often, I’ve made Your heart sad 

When all that I wanted was to make your heart glad 

All of the struggles, the trials of life 

The sickness, the pain, the sorrow and strife 

I’m covered with scars, the battles I’ve lost 

While chasing vain dreams at such a high cost 

Then God said,  

“Dear Child, don’t you see it is all as I planned 

So, please, my dear child, come take my hand 

Your beauty will shine bright as the stars 

Aglow with my spirit covering the scars 

Your eyes are so tender, washed by a tear 

My Grace to reflect to all who draw near 

Your heart that was broken-stripped of your will 

A vessel now emptied- my spirit could fill 

Oh, how I do love you, my child don’t you see 

I’ve heard every whisper, I’ve heard every plea 

It was I who held you tight in the dark of the night 

I sang you love songs until the dawn’s light 

I’ve watched how you’ve grown, the love in your heart 

That sparkle of joy to strangers impart 

You could not become the person you are 

Were it not for the tears or occasional scar 

I’m so proud of you child, all you’ve become 

I’ll shout from the heavens, my child “Well Done” 

You’ve been faithful and true through all of your life 

Through the trials, the heart breaks, and even the strife 

Covered with righteousness bought by my son 

Redeemed you have been, your victory won 

You never were meant to win by your might 

The battle was mine, mine only to fight” 

Oh, Father, I love you with all of my heart 

My greatest treasure you’ve been from the start 

The Joy I know now, came from all those years 

A precious, rare gift you gave me through tears 

Effie Darlene Barba
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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Wonderful Jesus Alone Saves. What Do You Need do?  Look 

“Look to Me, and be saved, 
All you ends of the earth! 
For I am God, and there is no other. 

Isaiah 45 (NKJV)

Charles Spurgeon grew up with a knowledge of God.  He searched scripture but was not certain as to why; other than he was supposed to.  But he found himself miserable, much the way Martin Luther described.  Or C.S. Lewis for that matter.  Always believing it to be so impossible to be a Christian or to live this thing called faith.  Which it is utterly impossible of ones own strength!  It is no wonder so many would rather cast aside this whole idea of faith or religion.  All religions demand so much and we fall into despair even thinking about it. After all is said and done, “Do I really believe?”  Do I believe enough or love God enough?  Or is my faith too weak?  But what if all I had to do was look? 

Odd thought, but is that not what God has said?  It is not I that saves me but the one to whom I look, Jesus Christ.   It is gazing upon Him, seeing Him I am saved. If all I do is look upon Him, He performs the rest. 

Look to Jesus Who Delights Our Soul 

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, 
And delivered me from all my fears. 
5 They looked to Him and were radiant, 
And their faces were not ashamed. 
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, 
And saved him out of all his troubles. 
7 The [a]angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, 
And delivers them. 

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; 
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!  Psalm 34 (NKJV) 

Look to the Elect One of God—His Son 

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, 
My Elect One in whom My soul delights! 
I have put My Spirit upon Him; 
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 
2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, 
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 
3 A bruised reed He will not break, 
And smoking flax He will not quench; 
He will bring forth justice for truth. 
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, 
Till He has established justice in the earth; 
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” 

5 Thus says God the Lord, 
Who created the heavens and stretched them out, 
(And) Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, 
Who gives breath to the people on it, 
And spirit to those who walk on it: 
6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, 
And will hold Your hand; 
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, 
As a light to the Gentiles, 
7 To open blind eyes, 
To bring out prisoners from the prison, 
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 
8 I am the Lord, that is My name; 
And My glory I will not give to another, 

  Isaiah 42 (NKJV) 

We cannot even look unless our blinded eyes are opened by Him.  How often we look to leaders or others to save us from our trials here on earth. They cannot do anything apart from Him.   

Even those who curse Him will one day look 

31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.

34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”  John 19 (NKJV) 

But Even that Seems Futile at Times, How Can I Truly Look ?

John Newton wrote this hymn and I feel so often as he expressed here. 

Tis a Point I Long to Know. 

Tis a point I long to know, 
Oft it causes anxious thought; 
Do I love the Lord, or no? 
Am I His, or am I not? 

If I love, why am I thus? 
Why this dull and lifeless frame? 
Hardly, sure, can they be worse, 
Who have never heard His name! 

Could my heart so hard remain, 
Prayer a task and burden prove; 
Every trifle give me pain, 
If I knew a Savior’s love? 

When I turn my eyes within, 
All is dark, and vain, and wild; 
Filled with unbelief and sin, 
Can I deem myself a child? 

If I pray, or hear, or read, 
Sin is mixed with all I do; 
You that love the Lord indeed, 
Tell me: Is it thus with you? 

Yet I mourn my stubborn will, 
Find my sin a grief, and thrall; 
Should I grieve for what I feel, 
If I did not love at all? 

Could I joy His saints to meet, 
Choose the ways I once abhorred, 
Find, at times, the promise sweet, 
If I did not love the Lord? 

Lord, decide the doubtful case! 
Thou who art Thy people’s sun; 
Shine upon Thy work of grace, 
If it be indeed begun. 

Let me love Thee more and more, 
If I love at all, I pray; 
If I have not loved before, 
Help me to begin today. 

John Newton1 

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  Jude 1:20 (NKJV) 

But that is it, we must look for Mercy as did the Jewish nation in the book of Numbers. 

Look and be Saved 

4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” 6 So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 

8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.  Numbers 21 (NKJV) 

The people had not changed.  Filled with the serpent’s poison, just as we, all they had to do was look to live.  No cleaning themselves up.  Nor were they to crawl toward the mountain.   All they did was look.  We too are not able to transform ourselves.   

Jesus Told Nicodemus, All One Must Do is Look to Him 

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 

9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 

10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.  

Our Spirit is dead.  So even to look is an act of Grace by a merciful God.   

The Bronze Serpent on the Pole Represent Christ Death in Our Place 

Our sin.  All the poison of it was laid upon Him and nailed to the cross.  Unless we truly see our lack of righteousness, we will never be able to look on Him as our salvation.  We look within.  Thinking there is something within me that makes me worthy; but alas that is the dilemma that keeps us farthest from Him.   

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”  John 3 

When Did Spurgeon Decide to Look 

At the age of 16, Charles Spurgeon was struggling with the ideas of faith and his own lack despite searching for it.  Indeed, he toiled with the ideas of atheism or spiritualism much like C.S. Lewis.  Then one winter during a snowstorm, he ended up in a little church where he had never attended before.   

The minister did not come that morning; he was snowed up, I suppose. At last, a very thin-looking man,* a shoemaker, or tailor, or something of that sort, went up into the pulpit to preach. Now, it is well that preachers should be instructed; but this man was really stupid. He was obliged to stick to his text, for the simple reason that he had little else to say. The text was,— 

“LOOK UNTO ME, AND BE YE SAVED, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.” 
He did not even pronounce the words rightly, but that did not matter. There was, I thought, a glimpse of hope for me in that text. The preacher began thus—”My dear friends, this is a very simple text indeed. It says, ‘Look.’ Now lookin’ don’t take a deal of pains. It ain’t liftin’ your foot or your finger; it is just, ‘Look.’ Well, a man needn’t go to College to learn to look. You may be the biggest fool, and yet you can look. A man needn’t be worth a thousand a year to be able to look. Anyone can look; even a child can look. But then the text says, ‘Look unto Me.’ Ay!” said he, in broad Essex, “many on ye are lookin’ to yourselves, but it’s no use lookin’ there. You’ll never find any comfort in yourselves. Some look to God the Father. No, look to Him by-and-by. Jesus Christ says, ‘Look unto Me.’ Some on ye say, ‘We must wait for the Spirit’s workin’.’ You have no business with that just now. Look to Christ. The text says, ‘Look unto Me.'” 
 
Then the good man followed up his text in this way:—”Look unto Me; I am sweatin’ great drops of blood. Look unto Me; I am hangin’ on the cross. Look unto Me; I am dead and buried. Look unto Me; I rise again. Look unto Me; I ascend to Heaven. Look unto Me; I am sittin’ at the Father’s right hand. O poor sinner, look unto Me! look unto Me! 
 
When he had gone to about that length, and managed to spin out ten minutes or so, he was at the end of his tether. Then he looked at me under the gallery, and I daresay, with so few present, he knew me to be a stranger. Just fixing his eyes on me, as if he knew all my heart, he said, “Young man, you look very miserable.” Well, I did; but I had not been accustomed to have remarks made from the pulpit on my personal appearance before. However, it was a good blow, struck right home. He continued, “and you always will be miserable—miserable in life, and miserable in death,—if you don’t obey my text; but if you obey now, this moment, you will be saved.” Then, lifting up his hands, he shouted, as only a Primitive Methodist could do, “Young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look! Look! Look! You have nothin’ to do but to look and live.” I saw at once the way of salvation. I know not what else he said,—I did not take much notice of it,—I was so possessed with that one thought. Like as when the brazen serpent was lifted up, the people only looked and were healed, so it was with me. I had been waiting to do fifty things, but when I heard that word, “Look!” what a charming word it seemed to me! Oh! I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away. There and then the cloud was gone, the darkness had rolled away, and that moment I saw the sun; and I could have risen that instant, and sung with the most enthusiastic of them, of the precious blood of Christ, and the simple faith which looks alone to Him. Oh, that somebody had told me this before, “Trust Christ, and you shall be saved.” Yet it was, no doubt, all wisely ordered, and now I can say,—  

C. H. Spurgeon2 

A Thought of How Even We Look by Charles Spurgeon 

One weekend when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking about the preacher’s sermon, for I did not believe it. The thought struck me, How did you come to be a Christian? I sought the Lord. But how did you come to seek the Lord? The truth flashed across my mind in a moment — I should not have sought Him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek Him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that He was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, “I ascribe my change wholly to God.”‘ 

Charles Spurgeon3 

From Morning to Evening Devotional—Look to Christ 

It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, ‘Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.’ All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that ‘Christ is all in all.’ 

Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee. 

‘My hope is built on nothing less 

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness: 

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.’” 

– Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) 
From: Morning and Evening, Morning devotion for June 28.4 

1 ’Tis a Point I Long to Know | Tim Challies 

2 The Great Change – Conversion – Spurgeon Sermons with C.H. Spurgeon (oneplace.com) 

3 https://involutedgenealogies.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/spurgeon-on-gods-effectual-calling/ 

4 Look to Christ, Not to Self by C. H. Spurgeon | Monergism 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com

A Joyous Feast Celebrating the Lord Jesus is Coming. Are you ready? 

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 
2 Serve the Lord with jubilation; 
Come before Him with rejoicing. 
3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; 
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; 
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, 
And His courtyards with praise. 
Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 
5 For the Lord is good; 
His mercy is everlasting 
And His faithfulness is to all generations. Psalm 100

Who does not want to attend a joyous feast? Leviticus 23 is a perfect outline of God ordered feasts filled with joy, hope, redemption, and celebration. But what if I told you, these were all a typology of Jesus? It is so amazing how God has woven the scarlet threads of Jesus Christ and His life throughout every part of scripture. Also, He has woven those threads throughout every celebration He ordained. God intricately has woven Jesus Christ into every part of history. Additionally, He is the story yet to come. We, who know Him as Lord and Savior will be present at the greatest feast and celebration of all. Are you ready?  

The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘These are the Lord’s appointed times which you must proclaim as holy assemblies—my appointed times. Leviticus 23 (NET) 

Weekly Celebration in Worship of God

These feasts were to be held at the tabernacle with all attending. It began with a day of rest and remembrance to the Lord weekly. That was to be the Sabbath when all rested from labor. God established this as a day of rest, knowing that humanity needed a time to reflect, to be re-energized, and most importantly spend time with God Himself. The sabbath was a gift of God for his creatures. A time to spend with family, all worshiping Him. Nothing lifts a broken soul so much as worshiping God, remembering all He has provided. A joyous feast unto the Lord. A moment to remember that the Lord Jesus gave His all that I might have life abundant in Him.  

The Timeline of God on Earth 

4 “‘These are the Lord’s appointed times, holy assemblies, which you must proclaim at their appointed time. Leviticus 23: (NET) 

Notice the word MUST. This was God’s Calendar and remains His Calendar concerning both the Jewish nation and for all of creation. Each feast represented a moment in history and foreshadowing of the events yet to come. We have seen that often throughout the Bible where prophecies are for soon and then far away fulfillments. One would ask, “Is God commanding joy and worship?”  Well, yes, He is. He who created us, also knows He is the only true source of our joy. By commanding these festivals, He is guiding each of us to maintain our focus on Him.  

Furthermore, when we understand their significance and how Jesus did fulfill them and will fulfill the remaining, how can we do anything but rejoice. Each feast was also called the SABBATH—such as the Passover being the 14th Day of the Month of Nisan—it was honored by not working—gathering at the tabernacle.   

 Joyous Feast #1: The Passover: Day 14 of the Month of Nisan 

5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, is a Passover offering to the Lord. Leviticus 23:(NET) 

Now the details surrounding the Passover feast are not detailed in this chapter. However, those were outlined in Exodus 12. Following the Passover that happened in Egypt, they were to perform the same ritual every year. This was to be in their calendar as the 1st month of their year. The month was called Abib and later named Nisan. It corresponds to our March or April.  

The lamb was to be without blemish, maintained within their homes for 5 days and then slaughtered. They were to prepare the lamb and eat it as outlined by God. The blood was to be presented in the tabernacle to remember the time they were saved from the death angel in Egypt. It was eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.  

This was to be done in remembrance of their deliverance from slavery. It is also a picture of Christ who would be the perfect unblemished lamb. He came into Jerusalem 5 days before His death on the cross where He would be the final perfect sacrifice for our sins. There he would free us from the slavery of sin.  

ROMANS 12 (ESV) 

6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you since you are not under law but under grace. 

Joyous Feast #2:  the Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Days 15-21 of Nisan) 

This began the day after the Passover, as a memorial to the Jewish nation fleeing their bondage in Egypt. It signifies sanctification and justification.  

6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast affects the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough—you are, in fact, without yeast. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 So then, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of vice and evil, but with the bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. I Corinthians 5 (NET) 

We are to be removing the “leaven of sin, anger, and evil” as we are being sanctified. The Holy Spirit is about the work of sanctification. Sometimes it is about our yielding to the Baker’s hand easily or resisting all the way. Whatever, it takes those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be transformed. Then we will feast with immense joy, after the trials and sacrifices we face here on earth have completed their work within us.  

Joyous Feast #3:  The Day of First Fruits 

9 The Lord spoke to Moses: 10 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘When you enter the land that I am about to give to you and you gather in its harvest, then you must bring the sheaf of the first portion of your harvest  to the priest, 11 and he must wave the sheaf before the Lord to be accepted for your benefit —on the day after the Sabbath the priest is to wave it.

12 On the day you wave the sheaf you must also offer a flawless yearling lamb for a burnt offering to the Lord, 13 along with its grain offering, two-tenths of an ephah of choice wheat flour mixed with olive oil, as a gift to the Lord, a soothing aroma, and its drink offering, one-fourth of a Hin of wine.14 You must not eat bread, roasted grain, or fresh grain until this very day, until you bring the offering to your God. This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all the places where you live.   Leviticus 23 (NASB) 

Then and Now

Now for the Jewish nation this was to begin once they entered the land.  The feast of first fruits includes great dancing, music, and celebration.   It was to represent the faith in God providing plenty more. It represented a new beginning.  A resurrection of life.  Jesus resurrected from the dead on the day of First Fruits AD 33.  

20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man.  22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him. I Corinthians 15 (NET) 

A Joyous Feast—The Festival of Weeks (the Day of Pentacost-50 days) 

15 “‘You must count for yourselves seven weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day you bring the wave offering sheaf; they must be complete weeks. 16 You must count fifty days—until the day after the seventh Sabbath—and then you must present a new grain offering to the Lord. ….21 “On this very day you must proclaim an assembly; it is to be a holy assembly for you. You must not do any regular work. This is a perpetual statute in all the places where you live throughout your generations 22 When you gather in the harvest of your land, you must not completely harvest the corner of your field, and you must not gather up the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor and the resident foreigner I am the Lord your God.’”  Leviticus 23 (NET)   

This was to celebrate the harvest.  Specifically, it occurred exactly 50 days (about 1 and a half months) after the feast of the first fruits.  Tradition also says that this fell on the same day Moses received the law; but that is not proven.  However, Orthodox Jews stay up all night to study the TORAH all night to contrast with their ancestors whom they believed fell asleep.  

Also, here they bring two loaves of leavened bread.  It was on the day of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was given to the church.  Also, note two loaves were presented and may represent salvation for both jew and gentile.  Also, this feast included provision for the foreigner. 

Although Somber, yet a Joyous Feast—The feast of Trumpets 

23 The Lord spoke to Moses: 24 “Tell the Israelites, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you must have a complete rest, a memorial announced by loud horn blasts, a holy assembly. 25 You must not do any regular work, but you must present a gift to the Lord.’” Leviticus 23 (NET) 

This feast occurs on the 7th month—notice there have been many months between the earlier feasts and this one.  It is a day of feast to announce the day of atonement which is to occur in 10 days.  They begin the preparation toward the most solemn event of the year when they as a nation will be cleansed.  These are called the “days of awe.”   

Therefore, this trumpet corresponds to the trumpet that will call us forth in the rapture.  The rapture then ushers in the tribulation which is the cleansing of the Jewish nation as predicted by Daniel. 

12 At that time the Lord will shake the tree, from the Euphrates River to the Stream of Egypt. Then you will be gathered up one by one, O Israelites. 13 At that time a large trumpet will be blown, and the ones lost in the land of Assyria will come, as well as the refugees in the land of Egypt. They will worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.  Isaiah 27 (NET) 

There will be a time yet when Israel will be cleansed and will turn to God to be their Lord.  It will be during the awful tribulation that they are prepared for this day of Atonement.  

The Joyous Feast:  The Day of Atonement 

This is observed yearly 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks) after the feast of the trumpet.  I started thinking.  God is so exacting in days regarding every prediction, then would it be 10 years after the rapture for the completion of the 7-year tribulation.  Are we taken out 3 years ahead of the tribulation, so the final preparations are completed?  I do not know the answer, but this was a question I pondered upon this week. We did do a deeper discussion of the day of atonement sacrifices with the scape goat last week, so will not go too deep into this this week.  

26 The Lord spoke to Moses: 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement.  It is to be a holy assembly for you, and you must humble yourselves and present a gift to the Lord. 28 You must not do any work on this particular day, because it is a day of atonement to make atonement for yourselves before the Lord your God. 29 Indeed, any person who does not behave with humility on this particular day will be cut off from his people. Leviticus 23 

Though this is a time of fasting and not feasting until after the sins are removed.  Then there is a day of great feasting.  There will be a day of great mourning and sorrow.  A day of repentance.  

10 “I will pour out on the kingship of David and the population of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication so that they will look to me, the one they have pierced. They will lament for him as one laments for an only son, and there will be a bitter cry for him like the bitter cry for a firstborn. Zechariah 12 (NET) 

A Joyous Feast—the Feast of Booths 

They then have a feast of relocation celebration.  It is one in which they camp out in tents, celebrating God’s provision through the wilderness.  A reminder of their heritage.   

33 The Lord spoke to Moses: 34 “Tell the Israelites, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Feast of Shelters for seven days to the Lord. 35 On the first day is a holy assembly; you must do no regular work. 36 For seven days you must present a gift to the Lord. On the eighth day there is to be a holy assembly for you, and you must present a gift to the Lord. It is a solemn assembly day; you must not do any regular work. 

This will be fulfilled during the millennial reign of Christ.  

22 I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over them all. They will never again be two nations and never again be divided into two kingdoms. 23 They will not defile themselves with their idols, their detestable things, and all their rebellious deeds. I will save them from all their unfaithfulness by which they sinned. I will purify them; they will become my people, and I will become their God. 

24 “‘My servant David will be king over them; there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow my regulations and carefully observe my statutes. 25 They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, in which your fathers lived; they will live in it—they and their children and their grandchildren forever. David my servant will be prince over them forever. 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a perpetual covenant with them. I will establish them increase their numbers and place my sanctuary among them forever. 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28 Then, when my sanctuary is among them forever, the nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel.’”  Ezekiel 37 (NET) 

A Joyous Feast—Celebrating the Lord Jesus.  He is Coming Are you ready? 

Then after the millenial reign, 

24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be eliminated is death. 27 For he has put everything in subjection under his feet. But when it says “everything” has been put in subjection, it is clear that this does not include the one who put everything in subjection to him. 28 And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.  (I Corinthians 15 NET) 

Are you ready to meet Him at the joyous wedding feast yet to come?

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19-6-9 (ESV)

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com

How Absolutely Beautifully Glorious. Look and see Jesus in Leviticus 

We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. (Hebrews 8:1-6 BSB) 

The book of Leviticus is not the one we find easy to read. It seems so far away. We may think it too antiquated. No interesting stories, no joyous songs, and on surface appears only to relate to the Jewish nation in that time. Typically, people avoid reading the details of the sacrificial system, believing it irrelevant today. What if I told you that you can look and see Jesus in Leviticus. Then you would know just how absolutely beautifully glorious this book really is. Every detail from the types of sacrifice to the robes worn by the priests point to Jesus. He is the final and true priest as well as the final true Sacrifice. In Him we have full atonement for our sins. He is the final sacrifice. 

So, let us take a moment to look and see Jesus in the pages of this ancient book. Chapters one through seventeen are about redemption. The way to God is through Sacrifice. The Walk with God through sanctification is then the major theme of Leviticus 18-27. To understand the cost paid by Christ at Calvary for our redemption, we need to understand Leviticus. Furthermore, the book of Hebrews cannot be fully appreciated without an understanding of Leviticus. The book opens with the description of five major sacrifices. Each of these five provide a typological portrait of Christ on Calvary. So, let us look and see Jesus in each of these 5 Sacrifices. 

Look and See Jesus in the Burnt Offering 

When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock. If one’s offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. 

And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 

The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. Then Aaron’s sons the priests are to arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, atop the burning wood on the altar. The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 1:1-6 (BSB)

The burnt offering could be a bull, sheep, goat, or birds. This offering required that everything be burned up, symbolic of total dedication. Jesus was the perfect spotless sacrifice to give His all to the will of the Father in absolute obedience. Nothing left behind as the aroma of the sacrifice was a “sweet savor” to the Father. Furthermore, the sin and guilt of the one who came in faith was symbolically transferred to the sacrificed one. Just as our sin and guilt was laid upon Jesus.  

In the Meal Offering we can also Look and See Jesus 

When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering must consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it, and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar. An offering made by fire. A pleasing aroma to the LORD. The remainder of the grain offering shall belong to Aaron and his sons. It is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD. 

The meal offering was an act of worship to the Lord. It emphasized the balance, fragrance, and purity of the life of Christ that was presented on our behalf. This offering was not mandatory, but symbolic of dedication and consecration to the Lord. Jesus Christ was totally devoted to the Father’s purposes, regardless of the cost. This also symbolized the faith and recognition that God is the provider of all we need.  

Where Can we Look and See Jesus in the Peace Offering 

“If one’s offering is a peace offering and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar. 

From the peace offering he is to bring an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron’s sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD…This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.”

Leviticus 3:1-5, 17 (BSB)

“The sacrifice of the peace offering had as its essential feature the concept of fellowship.  This concept is indicated as part of the offering was laid on the altar and burned as a fit to the Lord, part was given to the priests, and the remainder was eaten by the worshiper.  This seems to have been the supreme significance for it expressed not only joy, peace, and gratitude, but also sharing joint participation, fellowship, and friendship…1 

Christ is Our Peace Offering–Look and See Jesus

. Christ is our Peace, our Peace-offering; for through him alone it is that we can obtain an answer of peace to our prayers. Or the peace-offering was offered by way of thanksgiving for some mercy received. We must offer to God the sacrifice of praise continually, by Christ our Peace; and then this shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock.2 

Certainly, we can Look and See Jesus in the Sin offering 

Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so, Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. Therefore, let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Hebrews 13:11-14 (BSB) 

The sin offering was not a voluntary sacrifice as it was with the first three spoken of.  This was compulsory for the priests, the congregation, the common individuals, and the rulers.  It made atonement for sins done through ignorance, negligence whether by omission or commission, unintentionally or inadvertently.  Those committed in blatant defiance did not have a means of atonement provided here.  

The sin offerings differed by degree and by the rank of the one committing the sin.  Priests and leaders were held to a higher standard because of the degree their sin would influence others to sin.  This sacrifice did have to be carried outside the camp to be burned.  Thus, it pointed to Jesus hung on the cross outside the city gate.  

The Trespass Offering (Guilt Offering) Points to Jesus Who Bore Our Guilt 

Then the LORD said to Moses, “If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel;c it is a guilt offering. Regarding any holy thing he has harmed, he must make restitution by adding a fifth of its value to it and giving it to the priest, who will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven. 

If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment. He is to bring to the priest an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the wrong he has committed in ignorance, and he will be forgiven. It is a guilt offering; he was certainly guilty before the LORD.”  Leviticus 5: 14-19 (BSB) 

Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ bore all our shame and guilt upon the cross because we had no hope otherwise. 

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  James 2:10 

But Thanks Be to Christ:  

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  Romans 8 

Look and See Jesus -Be clothed in His Righteousness

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  Romans 3 

Priestly Garments Point to Christ 

Certainly! The priestly garments in the Old Testament hold deep spiritual significance and point to Christ. Let us explore how these garments symbolize different aspects of our relationship with Him: 

  1. Tunic of Fine Woven Linen
  • The tunic represents Christ as our perfect righteousness. It is made of fine woven linen, signifying the covering of Christ’s righteousness in a humanity that has been processed and dealt with. 
  • In Revelation 19:8, we see that Christ’s humanity qualifies Him to be our perfect righteousness before God. 
  1. Turban of Fine Linen
  • The turban signifies Christ as the glory of perfect righteousness. When people meet us, they notice our head and what we are wearing on it. 
  • The turban represents Christ as our boast (Philippians 3:3, Romans 5:2, 1 Corinthians 1:31). Our only boast is in Christ, our righteousness! 
  1. Girding Sash
  • The sash, embroidered by the Spirit, symbolizes strengthening through the Spirit’s constituting work (Ephesians 3:16). 
  • We are being transformed by the Spirit’s fine needlework, constituting us with the Spirit’s strength to live Christ. 
  1. High Priest’s Robe, Ephod, and Breastplate
  • The high priest wore a robe, ephod, and breastplate. These represent Christ as our sanctification, transformation, and glorification
  • The gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads signify different aspects of Christ’s work and attributes. 
  • The stones on the breastplate shine with Christ’s glory, and they are built together in gold settings, signifying Christ as our building up. 
  1. Application for Us Today

In summary, the priestly garments foreshadowed Christ, and today, we magnify Him by wearing Christ as our spiritual attire. 

Bing COPILOT

How Absolutely Beautifully Glorious. Look and see Jesus Law of Atonement 

The law of atonement was established as a yearly event for the cleansing of the nation, beginning with the priest, his family, and the nation.  This is celebrated in the Jewish faith as Yom Kippur.  This was established as a National Day of Atonement as outlined in Leviticus 16. 

the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Placea behind the veil in front of the mercy seatb on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. 

This is how Aaron is to enter the Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them. And he shall take from the congregation of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering. 

Aaron is to present the bull for his sin offering and make atonement for himself and his household. Then he shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 

After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat, he shall present the goat chosen by lot for the LORD and sacrifice it as a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement by sending it into the wilderness as the scapegoat. 

Leviticus 16:3-10

The cloak of Aaron’s was symbolic of our being covered with the righteousness of Christ that we may go before God without fear of death.  

The Sin Offering

Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it.  So, he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them, because it is surrounded by their impurities. No one may be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he leaves, after he has made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole assembly of Israel. 

Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He is to take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. He is to sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites. 

Look and See Jesus–our Scape Goat

When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he is to bring forward the live goat.  Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their iniquities into a solitary place, and the man will release it into the wilderness. 

This symbolic of our sin being cast as far from us, for God to remember no more. 

A Yearly Atonement Becomes Eternal When We Look and See Jesus

Then Aaron is to enter the Tent of Meeting, take off the linen garments he put on before entering the Most Holy Place, and leave them there. He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people. He is also to burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar. 

This was established to be a yearly ritual.  Although Jesus died on Passover to be our Passover lamb, he also made atonement for our sins so that  

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, 

when I will make a new covenant 

with the house of Israel 

and with the house of Judah. 

It will not be like the covenant 

I made with their fathers 

when I took them by the hand 

to lead them out of the land of Egypt, 

because they did not abide by My covenant, 

and I disregarded them, declares the Lord. 

For this is the covenant I will make 

with the house of Israel 

after those days, 

declares the Lord. 

I will put My laws in their minds 

and inscribe them on their hearts. 

I will be their God, 

and they will be My people. 

No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, 

saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ 

because they will all know Me, 

from the least of them to the greatest. 

For I will forgive their iniquities 

and will remember their sins no more.” 

By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete, and aging will soon disappear.  Hebrews 8:8-13 and Jeremiah 31:26-40 (BSB) 

So, all of this to say with Paul 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 NKJV 

1 Falwell, Jerry; The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, Liberty University 1988, page 174 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com

How In the Hazardous Wilderness of Life Is Jesus Joyfully Found? 

In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. Israel camped in front of the mountain. 3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Exodus 19

God had taken the children of Israel out of bondage in a spectacular display of His power.  Each plague brought upon the Egyptians precisely performed to demoralize every one of their pagan gods.  God had shown Himself to be the one true God.  Just as the blood of Jesus redeems us from the bondage of sin, it was the sacrifice of the perfect lamb established during the Passover that both gave the people their life and their freedom from bondage.   God then led the people through the Hazardous Wilderness to the bottom of Mount Sinai that they might see Him, hear His Voice, and witness His Glory.  They found redemption.  All a picture of Jesus.  It was through the Hazardous Wilderness that they met God. How is Jesus Joyfully found in our lives?  Often it is through the hazardous wilderness of life that we find Jesus, Joy, and Life Eternal.    

He did not take them along the shortest route, nor the one well-trodden.  He took them through the wilderness, farther from their destination.  Why?  Because they needed to learn so much more before they would realize their need for Him and His Gracious love and provision for them. Isn’t that the case for us as well?  We believe we can do it on our own. We cry out to God only when everything falls apart.  Just like the Israelite, we say, “I can do everything you want.  Look how righteous, generous, and kind I am.  Aren’t you glad, God that you chose me to be your child?” That was me at age fifteen, right before I wandered into the hazardous wilderness where darkness, fear, and despair surrounded me.   

Jesus Joyfully Found Me 

In the wilderness, Jesus joyfully found me.  How could He have been so joyous?  Because He knew that only then could He truly transform my heart.  He comforted me, cradled me, and carried me out on Eagles wings.  Only in the hazardous wilderness could I learn to let go of pride and foolish desires.  There I learned to trust Him to swoop in and uphold me with His righteous right Hand.  Where is Jesus joyously found?  How many treacherous years filled with moments of fear, failure, and hopelessness woven intricately with brief moments of immense joy as I watched the mighty hand of God weave the threads of my life.  Jesus joyfully found me each time I strayed.  Because of His overwhelming love, I learned to find my joy in Him. 

 In my darkest nights, where loneliness overwhelmed me, He was there with me.  He was my strength when I faced the sudden loss of Pete.  After all, my life wrapped itself so much around him, his well-being, his needs.  I had to lean in hard to God for healing and for His healing of my sons.  So much they had faced, and I learned my love was not enough to heal anyone—only God could do that.    

In His Prescence

Again, this was true 4 years later as I battled chemotherapy and then the ulcerative colitis that awakened me with severe pain and bleeding every morning at 4 am.  I found myself searching for Him, seated in my recliner with my Bible in my lap.  My recliner I placed in my closet near the bathroom so as not to awaken my sons.  Those years I learned the importance of true worship and fellowship with God through Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit.  I learned I could not start any day without Him first. 

Jesus Joyfully Found and Healed Me 

How precious that truth was when my ileostomy bag would break every morning around 3 am.  Crawling out of bed, putting the pads into the wash, I would then shower and sit on the bed shivering cold and alone trying with all my might to clean and place a new bag before the gushing would begin.  One to two hours I would do this until finally completed, by then I would get ready for work.  How joyful I was to know my children were away at college and did not have to know any of this then.  Also, in the worst of times, I knew Mom would come over to help.  I only had to call.  

By then, the hazardous wilderness had become a companion in a sense.  Like a blanket in the coldest night, Jesus joyously found me, covered me, and drew me closer to Him.  Could I trust Him as I do were it not for the hazardous wilderness?  Only He knew how desperately I needed His healing. Oh, not so much from the illnesses, but from the wickedness lurking deep within my own heart.     That is why I understand the children of Israel and their struggles of heart to get it right and to believe. 

God Led Them Through the Hazardous Wilderness to Meet Him 

16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 

18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain quaked violently. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder. 20 Then the Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to stare, and many of them perish.  Exodus 19 (NASB) 

Although they had seen God’s wrath and judgement against the Egyptians and their gods, they were not truly prepared to meet God.  

Was Jesus Joyfully Found in the Hazardous Wilderness? 

Their most joyous moment appeared immediately after being saved.  Jesus is the deliverer and the Passover lamb, even if they did not fully comprehend yet.   They joyfully sang this song to their deliverer.  

I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; 
The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. 
2 The Lord is my strength and song, 
And He has become my salvation; 
This is my God, and I will praise Him; 
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him. 
3 The Lord is a warrior; 
The Lord is His name. 
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has thrown into the sea; 
And the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. 
5 The waters cover them; 
They went down into the depths like a stone. 
6 Your right hand, Lord, is majestic in power; 
Your right hand, Lord, destroys the enemy. 
7 And in the greatness of Your excellence  

You overthrow those who rise up against You; 
You send out Your burning anger, and it consumes them like chaff. 
8 At the blast of Your nostrils the waters were piled up, 
The flowing waters stood up like a heap; 
The depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 
9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoils; 
shall be satisfied against them; 
I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ 
10 You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; 
They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 
11 Who is like You among the gods, Lord? 
Who is like You, majestic in holiness, 
Awesome in praises, working wonders? 
12 You reached out with Your right hand, 
The earth swallowed them. 
13 In Your faithfulness You have led the people whom You have redeemed; 
In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation. 
14 The peoples have heard, they tremble; 
Anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. 
15 Then the chiefs of Edom were terrified; 
The leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; 
All the inhabitants of Canaan have despaired. 
16 Terror and dread fall upon them; 
By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone, 
Until Your people pass over, Lord, 
Until the people pass over whom You have purchased. 
17 You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, 
The place, Lord, which You have made as Your dwelling, 
The sanctuary, Lord, which Your hands have established. 
18 The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”  

Genesis 15 (NASB)

Yet, that joy quickly faded into the mundane life as always.  That is true of many of us as well.  We sometimes need a close encounter again to grow. Otherwise, we tend to forget how glorious His Salvation is.  

A Close Encounter with God’s Glory 

Although they realized God was Holy and Fiercely powerful, they did not expect to see His power to be displayed on the mountain so gloriously.  They were His chosen people and so different from their Egyptian masters, or were they?  Sounds a lot like society today when they speak of Jesus.  They want a baby meek and mild willing to sacrifice everything; but never display His wrath against the sin that destroys each of us from within and surrounds us.   

Those who accept Jesus are freed by His blood. Essentially, Mount Sinai is a symbol of our sin and a reminder of our need for a Savior. The people could not even touch the ground of the mountain because of the holiness of God and their unholiness in their sin. We are reminded at Mount Sinai of the seriousness of our sins and the division that they cause between us and our Heavenly Father. We are also given newfound gratitude that we no longer live under the law of sin, but the law of liberty through Christ Jesus. 

Mount Sinai is still applicable to the believer today because when we love God, we delight in obeying Him. We know that His ways are ultimately what are best for us and will bless us in the end. James 1:25 says, “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”1 

Jesus Joyously Found in the Song of Moses 

And Moses Sang: 

“Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; 
And let the earth hear the words of my mouth! 
2 May my teaching drip as the rain, 
My speech trickle as the dew, 
As droplets on the fresh grass, 
And as the showers on the vegetation. 
3 For I proclaim the name of the Lord; 
Ascribe greatness to our God! 
4 The Rock! His work is perfect, 
For all His ways are just; 
A God of faithfulness and without injustice, 
Righteous and just is He.  Deuteronomy 32 (NASB) 

Therefore, How Is Jesus Joyously Found in the Hazardous Wilderness? 

In the wilderness we come face to face with our own unrighteousness. That truth then magnifies the magnificence of His Grace.  Only then can we truly embrace and abide in His steadfast Love for us.  There only is Jesus Joyously found

18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.

20 For they could not cope with the command, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12: (NASB)

The Unshaken Kingdom 

25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12 (NASB)   

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Disclosures

1 Emma Danzay; What is Mount Sinai in the Bible; March 24, 2023; viewed 2/10/24; What Is Mount Sinai in the Bible – Location and Importance (biblestudytools.com) 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com