Effie Darlene Barba

Isaiah and Habakuk foretold of Babylon being brought down to overthrow Israel.  Isaiah also told of the fall of Babylon.  But as we read Isaiah 13 and 14, we will see that God revealed the nearer predictions of Babylon as well as that yet to come.  But you might say is Babylon still a prominent city?  No, but the spirit of Babylon is alive and well.  All these predictions of Babylon occurred before Babylon even had risen to power.  Indeed, its initial fall was at least 150 years after these predictions of Isaiah.  It helped to give Daniel hope and faith amid his captivity.  Also, Isaiah even foretold of Cyrus, the Persian (way before he was even born). Therefore, Babylon’s Fall, declares the Sovereignty of God Almighty.  

Furthermore, just as the former fall of Babylon came to be, so will the future fall of Babylonian thought.  What is the greatest sin leading to Babylon’s failures?  Is it not the same as Satan’s greatest sin?  Pride.  Pride causes humanity to believe oneself to be greater than God.  Oh, one might say, “I would never believe myself greater than God.”  But do we not each time we are sad believing our life oppressed?  If we really believe He is good and all that He desires for His redeemed is their sanctification and their joy, then would it not be pride that causes us to be saddened by any circumstances? A pride that destroys faith is believing we know better than God what is best for us.   

So, let’s look at some of this prophecy and evaluate how it declares why we must not fear.   

The Sovereignty of God speaks to Cyrus before he is born.   

5 “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, 
To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—                             
To subdue nations before him 
And loose the armor of kings, 
To open before him the double doors, 
So that the gates will not be shut: 
² ‘I will go before you 
And make the crooked places straight; 
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze 
And cut the bars of iron.  Isaiah 45 (NKJV) 

Think of this, God is foretelling through Isaiah the strength of Cyrus from Persia.  Cyrus the Great was the Persian King who developed the massive Achaemenian Empire.  He was born somewhere around 590-580 BC.  Isaiah died somewhere between 690-680 BC.  What did God’s word say to Cyrus? 
 

³ I will give you the treasures of darkness 
And hidden riches of secret places, 
That you may know that I, the Lord, 
Who call you by your name, 
Am the God of Israel. 
⁴ For Jacob My servant’s sake, 
And Israel My elect, 
I have even called you by your name; 
I have named you, though you have not known Me. Isaiah 45 (NKJV) 

This was the message from God, that later Daniel would read to Cyrus the Great.  He then released the Jewish people to return and rebuild Jerusalem.  Furthermore, he gave them materials to do so.   

Amazing Truth, the Sovereignty of God Almighty 

⁵ I am the Lord, and there is no other; 
There is no God besides Me. 
I will gird you, though you have not known Me, 
⁶ That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting 
That there is none besides Me. 
I am the Lord, and there is no other; 
⁷ I form the light and create darkness, 
I make peace and create calamity; 
I, the Lord, do all these things.’ Isaiah 45 (NKJV) 

It was the Sovereignty of God Almighty and His strength that gave Cyrus the Great his success in conquering huge portions of land.  It was in 539 BC that Cyrus the great conquered Babylon.   

⁸ “Rain down, you heavens, from above, 
And let the skies pour down righteousness; 
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, 
And let righteousness spring up together. 
I, the Lord, have created it. 

   Isaiah 45 (NKJV) 

And therefore, we can believe this truth, righteousness will one day overtake the world when Jesus Christ returns in all His Glory to reign upon earth. Only God can create righteousness on earth.  It is part of His essence.   

The Sovereignty of God Almighty in the Fall of Babylon 

The pronouncement concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw: 

² Lift up a flag on the bare hill, 
Raise your voice to them, 
Wave the hand that they may enter the doors of the nobles. 
³ I have commanded My consecrated ones, 
I have also called for My warriors 
Who boast in My eminence, 
To execute My anger.  Isaiah 13 (NASB) 

Consecrated is defined as to Make or Declare—God had declared Cyrus to overthrow Babylon, but who in the future destruction of Babylon? I guarantee God has someone already declared though they may not have yet been born..   

⁴ A sound of a roar on the mountains, 
Like that of many people! 
A sound of an uproar of kingdoms, 
Of nations gathered together! 
The Lord of armies is mustering the army for battle. 
⁵ They are coming from a distant country, 
From the farthest horizons, 
The Lord and the weapons of His indignation, 
To destroy the whole land.  Isaiah 13 (NASB)  

Who is leading this great ultimate overthrow of the mysterious Babylon?  Jesus Christ for He is the Lord of God’s Army.   

The Day of the Lord is Coming 

I love the way that God can speak of today in the same moment He speaks of tomorrow.  For He is outside of time and space.  Yet, He fulfills all of His prophecies as they are then and again as they are yet to come. 

Wail, for the day of the Lord is near! 
It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 
⁷ Therefore all hands will fall limp, 
And every human heart will melt. 
⁸ They will be terrified, 
Pains and anguish will take hold of them; 
They will writhe like a woman in labor, 
They will look at one another in astonishment, 
Their faces aflame.  Isaiah 13 (NASB) 

In the Day of the Lord when judgement comes upon all the evil of this world.  But why do I think pride is a part of sin itself? 

Well let’s look at some of the Kings of Judah. 

Pride that comes before a fall—King Uzziah 

Throughout the recorded history of the Kings, we saw evil kings over Israel (some worse than others) while some good and some bad in Judah.  One that was good, turned upside down was King Uzziah. 

  ³ Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. ⁴ And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. ⁵ He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.  2 Chronicles 26 (NKJV) 

He won great battles against the Philistines.  But then what happened? 

¹⁶ But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. ¹⁷ So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord—valiant men. ¹⁸ And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.”  2 Chronicles 26 

When Pride Steps In and the Sovereignty of God is questioned 

¹⁹ Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar. ²⁰ And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him. 

²¹ King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. 2 Chronicles 26 (NKJV) 

One example of why not to become proud.  After all, God is all powerful and He is about the work of transforming me into the image of Christ.  So, whatever it takes, He will do.   

King Ahaz and God’s Plan 

So you can read in 2 Chronicles 28 about King Ahaz, who was so bad God sent Syria to shake him up a bit as they took many captives.  To make it worse, then Israel fought against Judah and took many captives.  This demonstrates the ultimate in pride that could not be broken as we see what King Ahaz does.  God did intervene and have Israel return their captives. 

⁹ But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them: “Look, because the Lord God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand; but you have killed them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. ¹⁰ And now you propose to force the children of Judah and Jerusalem to be your male and female slaves; but are you not also guilty before the Lord your God? ¹¹ Now hear me, therefore, and return the captives, whom you have taken captive from your brethren, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.” 2 Chronicles 28 (NKJV) 

Despite seeing God’s intervening in every case, King Ahaz doubled down on being evil.  Indeed, he determined to worship the gods of Syria, believing they had given the Syrians strength.  He never recognizes the hand of God in it all.  He even closed the doors on the house of the Lord, took many of its articles and built altars to false gods.   

When the Sovereignty of God Almighty Puts an End to Pride 

God has spoken concerning the Day of the Lord 

 So I will punish the world for its evil 
And the wicked for their wrongdoing; 
I will also put an end to the audacity of the proud 
And humiliate the arrogance of the tyrants. Isaiah 13 (NASB) 

God speaks of the coming destruction of Babylon.  There was a former overthrow of Babylon as well we know, but there is one to come with final destruction. 

And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, 
Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 
²⁰ It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; 
Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, 
Nor will shepherds allow their flocks to lie down there.  Isaiah 13 (NASB)  

The Sovereignty of God Almighty Keeps His Covenants always 

For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. ² Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the Lord; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors.  Isaiah 14 (NKJV) 

He now goes back to the DAY of the Lord which is to come and says the King of Babylon will be destroyed.   

³ It shall come to pass in the day the Lord gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve, ⁴ that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: 

“How the oppressor has ceased, 
The golden^[a] city ceased! 
⁵ The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, 
The scepter of the rulers; 
⁶ He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, 
He who ruled the nations in anger, 
Is persecuted and no one hinders. 
⁷ The whole earth is at rest and quiet; 
They break forth into singing.  Isaiah 14 (NKJV) 

But then we are told, who is the true King of the Spirit of Babylon that invades us even today. 

PRIDE

¹² “How you are fallen from heaven, 
O Lucifer, son of the morning! 
How you are cut down to the ground, 
You who weakened the nations! 
¹³ For you have said in your heart: 
‘I will ascend into heaven, 
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; 
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation 
On the farthest sides of the north; 
¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, 
I will be like the Most High.’ 
¹⁵ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, 
To the lowest depths of the Pit.  Isaiah 14 (NKJV) 

So, what was the thing that led Satan to rebel? Pride! And what is the Spirit of Babylon even today?  The Pride of humanity believing they have a better answer for life than God does.  So let us pray for God to reveal in our hearts the threads of pride we may or may not be aware of so we might always point the world to Jesus Christ, our only hope and our salvation.  And let us always trust in the Sovereignty of God Almighty to lead us along the paths of life.

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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Will We Ever See True Justice and What Will That Look Like? 

©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
 

As I read these verses found in this week’s reading, I paused to consider my heart.  Oh, I long for the rapture, desiring to go home.  So many sorrows and trials here on this earth.  Yet, consider this.  When the rapture comes, what of all those who are left behind?  Yes, we long for true justice and righteousness to reign.  But do we remember that judgement will fall upon all the earth.  Calamity such as never known before. 

While we long for Christ’s return, we must be ever diligent to proclaim his name to all we meet along this path.  Should there not be a heaviness of heart for those whom we know that do not know him?  Or a broken heart for all those drowning in their anti God ideologies. True Justice can only occur through judgement.   And true justice should demand my penalty as well were it not for the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ who paid my penalty.   

⁹ The Lord is not slow concerning his promise as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare.  2 Peter 3 (NET) 

True Justice Will Come 

This was the message of Amos to the northern tribes of Israel as well as the message Isaiah and Micah brought to primarily Judah.  Amos began his ministry a little earlier than Isaiah.  Isaiah and Micah were prophets during the same period, albeit Micah’s ministry was for a brief period compared to Isaiah.  They all served during the days leading up to the Assyrian invasion of Israel and the Babylonian invasion that overtook the empire of Assyria and all engulfed all of Judah.   

These prophets were tasked with an impossible mission. They were to awaken the people to what true justice would look like. We have the same edit to awaken the people to the truth: true justice will come. They pleaded with the people to listen and to take heed to what true justice would look like.  They were guiltier than those surrounding them, if that were possible because they had been given so much grace through the years   Yet, instead of seeing that grace as an undeserved gift from God, they rather saw it as if they were entitled to it.   

Entitlement syndrome is always a sin and leads to destruction.  We see it all too prevalent in our modern society and in our children.  Yet it was there from the beginning when Eve saw the fruit and thought she deserved it.  Or when Cain killed his brother in a jealous rage because he thought himself entitled to worship God his way and not God’s way.   

The United States having been given so much also, owes its allegiance to God for all He has bountifully given of grace.

True Justice Will Come- Woe to those who Disregard God’s Grace 

This is the message of these three prophets. 

The Lord God has sworn by Himself, 
The Lord God of hosts says: 
“I abhor the pride of Jacob, 
And hate his palaces; 
Therefore I will deliver up the city 
And all that is in it.”  Amos 6 (NKJV) 

And Isaiah? 

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! 
For the Lord has spoken: 
“I have nourished and brought up children, 
And they have rebelled against Me; 
³ The ox knows its owner 
And the donkey its master’s crib; 
But Israel does not know, 
My people do not consider.” 

⁴ Alas, sinful nation, 
A people laden with iniquity, 
A brood of evildoers, 
Children who are corrupters! 
They have forsaken the Lord, 
They have provoked to anger 
The Holy One of Israel, 
They have turned away backward. Isaiah 1 (NKJV) 

Echoed by Micah 

² Hear, all you peoples! 
Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! 
Let the Lord God be a witness against you, 
The Lord from His holy temple. 

³ For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; 
He will come down 
And tread on the high places of the earth. 
⁴ The mountains will melt under Him, 
And the valleys will split 
Like wax before the fire, 
Like waters poured down a steep place. 
⁵ All this is for the transgression of Jacob 
And for the sins of the house of Israel.  Micah 1 (NKJV) 

Because God is perfect righteousness, then He must one day judge.  Yet, in His Sovereignty, He provided an escape for all who would believe.  That escape also involved, saving a remnant of the Jewish Nation always to bring about the birth of His Son so He could provide the atonement for our sins. This is also foretold by these prophets. 

Grace for all Who Accept God’s Gift When True Justice comes 

There is a day coming when True Justice will Reign.  On that day, all the nations and leaders who denied God’s rule will be swallowed up just as foretold by Obadiah.  

¹⁵ “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; 
As you have done, it shall be done to you; 
Your reprisal shall return upon your own head. 
¹⁶ For as you drank on My holy mountain, 
So shall all the nations drink continually; 
Yes, they shall drink, and swallow, 
And they shall be as though they had never been.  Obadiah 1 (NKJV) 

The years of the tribulation are to complete God’s cleansing work among the Jewish nation.  Out of it will come a multitude of believers known as the martyrs.  They will be just as He foretold in Daniel and Revelation as well as the many prophets.   

⁴ I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; 
They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; 
And) They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; 
They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. 
¹⁵ I will plant them in their land, 
And no longer shall they be pulled up 
From the land I have given them,” 
Says the Lord your God.  Amos 9 (NKJV) 

One day, when Jesus Reigns on earth. 

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days 
That the mountain of the Lord’s house 
Shall be established on the top of the mountains, 
And shall be exalted above the hills; 
And all nations shall flow to it. 
³ Many people shall come and say, 
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, 
To the house of the God of Jacob; 
He will teach us His ways, 
And we shall walk in His paths.” 
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, 
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 
⁴ He shall judge between the nations, 
And rebuke many people; 
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, 
And their spears into pruning hooks; 
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, 
Neither shall they learn war anymore.  Isaiah 2 

Micah mimics also speaks these words in chapter 4 plus these: 

⁶“In that day,” says the Lord, 
“I will assemble the lame, 
I will gather the outcast 
And those whom I have afflicted; 
⁷ I will make the lame a remnant, 
And the outcast a strong nation; 
So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion 
From now on, even forever.  Micah 4 (NKJV)  

But How Can That Be?  Do we not all deserve wrath when true justice reigns?  

This is the truth that is evident in all the messages of the prophets.  Yet all point toward a Savior as has all scripture throughout the Bible.  Such a perfect picture of Christ told through all the ages of the scriptures, pointing us to the veracity of it all.  Amos foretold of the Lion of Judah. 

If an alarm sounds in a city, do people not fear? 
If disaster overtakes a city, is the Lord not responsible? 
⁷ Certainly the Sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. 
⁸ A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? 
The Sovereign Lord has spoken. Who can refuse to prophesy? Amos 3(NKJV)  

Amos also spoke of the Gentiles who would be saved.   

¹¹ “On that day I will raise up 
The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, 
And repair its damages; 
I will raise up its ruins, 
And rebuild it as in the days of old; 
¹² That they may possess the remnant of Edom 
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” 
Says the Lord who does this thing.  Amos 9 (NKJV) 

Isaiah spoke often of Jesus 

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. ² Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one cried to another and said: 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; 
The whole earth is full of His glory!”  Isaiah 6 (NKJV) 

Whenever a prophet saw the Lord, it was the pre-incarnate Jesus as we learned from Moses, no one could see the face of God and live.  Only Moses saw His afterglow.   

¹³ Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel Isaiah 7 (NKJV) 

Furthermore, Isaiah spoke of Jesus 

For unto us a Child is born, 
Unto us a Son is given; 
And the government will be upon His shoulder. 
And His name will be called 
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace 
There will be no end, 
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, 
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice 
From that time forward, even forever. 
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9 (NKJV) 

Micah also Wrote of Jesus 

Beyond writing a lot about Jesus’ future reign as Lord, Micah also foretold of his birth.   

² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, 
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me 
The One to be Ruler in Israel, 
Whose goings forth are from of old, 
From everlasting.”  Micah 5 (NKJV) 

But until true justice reigns, what can we expect. 

Just as we were told, the days will wax worse and worse.   

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, 
“That I will send a famine on the land, 
Not a famine of bread, 
Nor a thirst for water, 
But of hearing the words of the Lord. 
¹² They shall wander from sea to sea, 
And from north to east; 
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, 
But shall not find it.  Amos 8 

Why? Because that is what broken people in a broken world do when given choice.  

You have turned justice into a poisonous plant, 
and the fruit of righteous actions into a bitter plant.  Amos 6 (NKJV) 

Yet there is no excuse for humanities choices 

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  Romans 1 (NKJV) 

His righteousness has been known since creation 

²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.   Romans 1 (NKJV) 

This is true of every individual.   

²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1 (NKJV) 

Thereby worshiping the creature rather than the creator.  

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  Romans 1 (NKJV) 

In other words, he allowed them to chase after whatever pursuits and this led to humanity chasing after new and different pleasures.  This is no different than in the days of Noah or Sodom and Gomorrah.  Unbridled passions seeking to find pleasure however it could be found. Although never finding and never being satisfied.  Therefore, when left unchecked, no true justice is found in the hearts of humanity. 

²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.  Romans 1 (NKJV) 

Could there have been true justice without choice? 

Then we would be puppets and marionettes if there were no choice.  Or perhaps like the angels, there is no idea of grace.  They either fell with Satan, or they remained true to God.  No chance of salvation by grace.  But we are given the hope of repentance and salvation from the doom that true justice would bring.  We can recognize our sinful state, believe the truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that when we turn to Him in humility, repentant of our sin we can be saved.  We can be accounted as righteous because of His righteousness.   

With what shall I come before the Lord, 
And bow myself before the High God? 
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, 
With calves a year old? 
⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, 
Ten thousand rivers of oil? 
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, 
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 

⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good; 
And what does the Lord require of you 
But to do justly, 
To love mercy, 
And to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6 (NKJV) 

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

How to Await the Final Judgement of God with Joy not Fear 

©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

Throughout scripture there are references to the The Day of the Lord with great anticipation.  It is a day referring to the final judgement of this earth.  For the Jewish nation it stands for a day when they are finally free from attack from other nations.  They anticipate it with Joy, not fear; however, it involves their cleansing as well.  It will be through the tribulation that they are ultimately cleansed and become a people who love the Lord with His laws written on their hearts.  So, why in our studies do I bring this now?  Well as we look at Obadiah, we recognize this truth.  It is like looking through a progressive lens which sees near, mid-range, and distance.  It is the same for nearly all of the prophets.  They see near, a bit farther in the distance, and then in the far distance.   

Joy, not fear because God has Ordained All that We See

It is glimpse into what Asaph saw in the distance as God judges all the rules and judges of this earth.  Not much is known as to the time of the writing of Obadiah, but I tend to believe it was referring first to the battle between the Edomites and Judah.  Furthermore, it does describe what will be the final judgement completed by Jesus Christ.  None of this can complete the Jewish nation however without the seven years of tribulation occurring to as Daniel reports to us.   

²⁴ Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  Daniel 9 (NKJV)  

The tribulation is the final week of years to complete Israel preparing them that God will redeem them and write His laws upon their hearts. 

Why the Edomites for final judgement? 

Now the Edomites are the descendants of Esau.  He was Jacob’s Older Twin Brother who nonchalantly sold his birthright for some red porridge.  Then he was tricked out of the blessing by his brother Jacob.  So, was Jacob a better person?  No, except in this one thing—he worshipped God.  On the other hand, Esau had no regard for God.  He had gone off and married Hittite women to the dismay of his Isaac and Rebecca.  Furthermore, it is believed by tradition that he worshipped idols.  At any rate he had no regard for seeking God.  Yet, it is noted then when the Israelite people were crossing the desert after their 400 years in Egypt the King of Edom would not allow them to cross his land.  They were both nations descendants of Isaac.  

We have an interesting turn of events when the Edomites join forces with Judah and Israel to defeat the Moabites in 2 Kings 3.  The land of Edom was north of Israel where lay red mountain ranges.  So, the story was that God told the Kings after assembling that they would win.  He had them build large ditches in the valley.  Then when the Moabites came for battle.  

2 Kings 3 (NKJV)–Joy, Not Fear Because God IS

²⁰ Now it happened in the morning, when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water. 

²¹ And when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to bear arms and older were gathered; and they stood at the border. ²² Then they rose up early in the morning, and the sun was shining on the water; and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood. ²³ And they said, “This is blood; the kings have surely struck swords and have killed one another; now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!” 

²⁴ So when they came to the camp of Israel, Israel rose up and attacked the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they entered their land, killing the Moabites. ²⁵ Then they destroyed the cities, and each man threw a stone on every good piece of land and filled it; and they stopped up all the springs of water and cut down all the good trees. But they left the stones of Kir Haraseth intact. However the slingers surrounded and attacked it. 

²⁶ And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him seven hundred men who drew swords, to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not. ²⁷ Then he took his eldest son who would have reigned in his place, and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall; and there was great indignation against Israel. So they departed from him and returned to their own land. 

So, why the judgement on Edom? 

John McArthur wrote this in his Study Bible as part of the introduction to Obadiah 

The date of writing is equally difficult to determine, though we know it is tied to the Edomite assault on Jerusalem described in vv. 10–14. Obadiah apparently wrote shortly after the attack. There were 4 significant invasions of Jerusalem in OT history: 1) by Shishak, king of Egypt, ca. 925 B.C. during the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kin. 14:25, 26; 2 Chr. 12); 2) by the Philistines and Arabians between 848–841 B.C. during the reign of Jehoram of Judah (2 Chr. 21:8–20); 3) by Jehoash, king of Israel, ca. 790 B.C. (2 Kin. 14; 2 Chr. 25); and 4) by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Of these 4, only the second and the fourth are possible fits with historical data. Number two is preferable, since Obadiah’s description does not indicate the total destruction of the city, which took place under Nebuchadnezzar’s attack. Also, although the Edomites were involved in Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem (Ps. 137; Lam. 4:21), it is significant that Obadiah does not mention the Babylonians by name (as with all the other prophets who wrote about Jerusalem’s fall), nor is there any reference to the destruction of the temple or the deportation of the people; in fact, the captives appear to have been taken to the SW, not E to Babylon (cf. v. 20).² 

Edom was later controlled by Assyria and Babylon; and in the fifth century B.C. the Edomites were forced by the Nabateans to leave their territory. They moved to the area of southern Israel and became known as Idumeans. Herod the Great, an Idumean, became king of Judea under Rome in 37 B.C. In a sense, the enmity between Esau and Jacob was continued in Herod’s attempt to murder Jesus. The Idumeans participated in the rebellion of Jerusalem against Rome and were defeated along with the Jews by Titus in A.D. 70. Ironically, the Edomites applauded the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (cf. Ps. 137:7) but died trying to defend it in A.D. 70. After that time they were never heard of again.³ 

Obadiah Speaks of Final Judgement against EDOM 

As Obadiah does speak of even a final coming judgement my guess is they are still around or at least their spirit.  Perhaps that is part of the reason several nations around Israel hate them so much today.   Whatever happens, we know that God is ruling Supreme. Therefore, we can face any storm with Joy, not fear.

¹ The vision of Obadiah. 

Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom 
(We have heard a report from the Lord, 
And a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying, 
“Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”): 

² “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; 
You shall be greatly despised. 
³ The pride of your heart has deceived you, 
You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, 
Whose habitation is high; 
You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ 
⁴ Though you ascend as high as the eagle, 
And though you set your nest among the stars, 
From there I will bring you down,” says the Lord.  Obadiah (NKJV)

He goes on to enumerate all the reasons for that judgement to come including their hatred of the brothers, their failure to help, and their mockery when Israel is defeated.  

¹⁵ “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; 
As you have done, it shall be done to you; 
Your reprisal shall return upon your own head. 
¹⁶ For as you drank on My holy mountain, 
So shall all the nations drink continually; 
Yes, they shall drink, and swallow, 
And they shall be as though they had never been. 

¹⁸“But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, 
And there shall be holiness;  Obadiah (NKJV) 

At the final judgement, we will know Joy Not Fear 

For all who are written in the Lamb’s book of life, we only know joy and not fear.  We will be gone, raptured home, before the tribulation.  This is a time to revive Israel as a people who truly know God and embrace their Savior.  Then will come the time when Jesus judges all the nations.  The final judgment is a time of joy, not fear as God establishes justice and destroys evil once and for all in the power of the risen Lamb.   

 Sing aloud to God our strength; 
Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. 
² Raise a song and strike the timbrel, 
The pleasant harp with the lute.  Psalm 81 (NKJV)  

¹ Living Bible (TLB) The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

² John McArthur Study Bible, NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition Copyright © 1997, 2006, 2019 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. 

³ IBID

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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How to Make the Right Choices to Honor God Always  ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba (myglorytoglory.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.

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

As we saw in the case of King Solomon, he chose well at the beginning and was blessed with many riches, power, peace, and wisdom to rule the people.  However, despite all this, he became complacent and allowed his devotion to God waiver.  God did not abandon him, but the consequences of his actions were devastating.  His sons split the nation into two parts, just as God told him they would.  The did not make the right choices to Honor God always as the younger Solomon advised in Proverbs and the older broken-hearted Solomon concluded in Ecclesiastes.  How much more powerful are our actions than our words? 

To Make Right Choices: Be Careful of Your Counsel 

When Rehoboam took over his father’s throne, many of the people from Israel traveled to Jerusalem to ask he be less of a task master concerning taxes than had King Solomon.  He first consulted the elders who had surrounded his father. 

⁷ And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” 1 Kings 12 (NKJV) 

This was wise counsel, but he chose to reject it and then turned to the young men who had grown up around him.  Growing up around Rehoboam, they too would have been accustomed to affluence.  Thereby, they were among the elitists who could not understand the plight of the common people.   

¹⁰ Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist! ¹¹ And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’ ” I Kings 12 (NKJV) 

His own arrogance allowed him to choose the unwise counsel, rather than that which could have held his kingdom.  Furthermore, he chose the counsel of men and not God.  We have a wise counselor indwelling us whom we may ask for guidance.  Also, when we seek human counsel, we must seek those who have proven themselves tried and true in their faith.   

To Make Right Choices—Listen Carefully to God’s Call 

³⁰ Then Ahijah ….³¹ said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you ³² (but he shall have one tribe for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),  I Kings 11 

God then explains why this is so. 

³³ because they have forsaken Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments, as did his father David. ³⁴ However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, because I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of My servant David, whom I chose because he kept My commandments and My statutes. 

Notice God in telling Jeroboam the reason for His actions, God is also providing a warning.  Logically, if He would tear a part of the Kingdom from the whole, then certainly He can destroy those whom He has separated.  

To Make Right Choices—Never Forget the Conditional Promises of God 

There are both conditional and unconditional promises. This we must remember. Thank God for the unconditional promises of His Salvation for all those who by faith receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Also, I thank God that He has promised to transform my regenerate heart to one day look like HIS Son, Jesus.  Which means, yes, I must walk through many refining fires and storms while being transformed. Yet, there are conditional promises as well. Below is an example of a conditional promise—the one God gave Jeroboam.  

³⁷ So I will take you, and you shall reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over Israel. ³⁸ Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you. ³⁹ And I will afflict the descendants of David because of this, but not forever.’” 

But alas, God kept His promise.  Jeroboam failed to carry out the conditions for this to stand. God made Jeroboam King over the Northern 10 tribes of Israel. Yet, Jeroboam did not trust God fully, nor follow the conditions God had commanded.  Instead, He feared the people would leave his rule if they traveled to Jerusalem to worship God as God desired.  So, King Jeroboam built two Golden Calves to establish worship in Bethel.  Guess he forgot the Golden Calf was a bad idea in the desert and a bad idea now.  Hence, the Kings in Israel were evil and went against God throughout the years that Israel remained a separate state.   

To Make Right Choices—You Must Be Willing to Stand Against Evil 

As Kings of Israel came and went, the evilest of all was King Ahab, who married Jezebel. 

³⁰Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. ³¹ And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. ³² Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.  1 Kings 16 (NKJV) 

So, God sent Elijah to Confront the King.  

And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 (NKJV) 

There is a lot to write about Elijah, but he was truly a man of God who stood up against evil.  God provided for Elijah throughout the years of draught.  He protected him while allowing so many miracles to touch others such as the Gentile widow whom he blessed with God’s provisions of food and restored the life of her son.  This made Elijah one of the earliest missionaries to the gentiles.  but I digress.  Ultimately, Elijah returns to confront King Ahab who wanted him dead.  It is then God displays His power to all of Israel on the top of Mount Carmal.   I urge you to read I Kings 18: 20-40.  It is a fascinating display of God’s power and His judgment.  

And What About Us? 

How do we fight evil?  In the power of God, putting on the whole armor of God as outlined in Ephesians.  

¹³ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.¹⁸ With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, Ephesians 6 (NASB). 

Make the Right Choices to Honor God—Seek God First 

Although the Kings over Israel were all evil since King Jeroboam failed to keep God’s Command; the Kings of Judah were some good and some bad.  This was because of God’s Unconditional promise that the true King and Messiah would come through the lineage of David.  Therefore, the grace of God would carry on through Judah.  That made the individuals no less responsible; but, it does speak of God’s amazing grace throughout the ages. 

So, among those kings of Judah that honored God, Josiah stands out as one of the greatest.  

Josiah was eight years old when he became king… ² And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 

When he was 26 years old, he sent priests to secure the money and restore the temple.   

⁴ “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money which has been brought into the house of the Lord, which the doorkeepers have gathered from the people. ⁵ And let them deliver it into the hand of those doing the work, who are the overseers in the house of the Lord; let them give it to those who are in the house of the Lord doing the work, to repair the damages of the house— ⁶ to carpenters and builders and masons—and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.   

Did he know the treasure they would find?  Perhaps not.  But he felt compelled to seek God through this act of service in repairing the hours of the Lord.  Sometimes it is that way when one first seeks God, unaware of all the truths.  Just drawn by a thought.  

Make the Right Choices to Honor God—Know His Word 

Well, that act led to the next.  

Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. ⁹ So Shaphan the scribe went to the king…. ¹⁰ Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. ¹¹ Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.   2 Kings 22 (NKJV) 

There before the truth of God’s righteousness, King Josiah knew the depth of his own unworthiness before a Holy God. Truly, he understood that all he and the nation deserved was God’s wrath for their wickedness.  He knew he needed to fall before him in sorrow and repentance, that he might receive mercy and grace through the sacrifice of innocent animals.  These being the portrait of the true Messiah to come: Jesus Christ.  

Understand the Truth of Your Sin to make Right Choices 

¹² Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, ¹³ “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” 2 Kings 22 (NKJV) 

So they went to Huldah the prophetess 

¹⁵ Then she said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, ¹⁶ “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read— ¹⁷ because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore, My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched.’”  2 Kings 22 (NKJV) 

There is no atonement for sin unless one first understands the wrath of God against sin.  Walking an aisle and praying a prayer does nothing without a heart of true repentance.  Only when we like every Old Testament prophet fall Prostrate in utter despair before the feet of Jesus, we cannot be saved.  Without the knowledge of sin, there is no way one can truly accept the gift of salvation. 

What Do I Mean by that? 

So often, the invitations are:  “Do you want to be healed?  Then come to the healer.  Do you want your marriage to turn around?  Come to Jesus who can restore your marriage.”  All that is true, but too many come for the gifts then and not the Giver of the Gifts.  Without a true knowledge of God’s wrath and the penalty of sin, salvation is impossible.  Yet, King Josiah understood and hence this was the message to him 

¹⁸ But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard— ¹⁹ because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord. ²⁰ “Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.”’ So, they brought back word to the king. 2Kings 22 (NKJV) 

Make the Right Choices: Remember Judgement is Coming 

The Year of Our Lord is yet to come.  He came to pay the price for sin to all who bow before Him in humble repentance for their sin.  It is only through the precious blood of Christ that we can be redeemed when we acknowledge and repent of our sins, accepting His gift of salvation, knowing we cannot earn it ourselves.   

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ….⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  Matthew 25 (ESV) 

Make the Right Choices to Honor God:  Worship Him 

Love the Lord Your God with All Your Heart.  If you do this then you will always seek Him, pray unceasingly, read His Word, and desire to always please Him.  When He becomes truly the Love of Your Life you will spend your time in His presence to worship Him always.   

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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What Really Are the True Treasures of Joy One Can Find?

©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

King Solomon was blessed with great wisdom to judge his people. During his reign, God blessed him also with wealth, a peaceful kingdom, and all the treasures one could possess. His name was known everywhere. Even the Queen of Sheba came to see him, wanting to know if what she had heard was true. When she found it to be the case, she came to worship the one true God. But was it all the stuff that made up the true treasures of joy? Or was it God himself who is that treasure? This King Solomon knew, at least he did know at one time in his life. And although it faded for a time in his life, he returned to understanding this once again at the end of the day. 

There are times when I too feel the weight of this world. The more I have seen, the more futile it all seems. This week alone, I have felt the sorrow of two dear friends’ loss as they watched their father pass away. A patient came who could barely walk, his neck twisted to the side, braces on his legs and arms. Racked with pain, he told me how he was the caregiver for his wife who was bedridden. Another patient with probable ovarian cancer, young and filled with so many traumas of life, from losing her babies shortly after birth to suffering rape. Fears surrounding her mind and life. Some having given so much to serve their country, filled with a mixture of sorrow and faith. Some clinging tight, hoping that grace is real and wondering if God could really love them despite all they have done.

True Treasures of Joy—Where are they now?

10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright words of truth. Ecclesiastes 12 (NKJV)

The book of Ecclesiastes portrayed one man’s search for meaning in life. Written in the later days of King Solomon’s life, he went back to tell of his search for meaning and truth. His conclusion took him back to the beginning, long before all the temptations of life had drawn him away from the only true treasure of joy. This is what he found.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. Ecclesiastes 12.

Two instruments used by any shepherd are the rod that goad the sheep into submission, driven away from danger and the nails driven into the fence to hedge them in. But for humanity there is only one Shepherd who can provide this as justly, righteously needed. That one Shepherd is no other than Jesus Christ, the very son of God. He will drive us who believe in Him to obedience and righteousness because he knows our truest treasure of joy is found only in a relationship with God our creator.

Prosperity Can Taint Even a King’s Heart to forsake the true treasures

King Solomon had let prosperity taint his heart for a time, but in the end, he realized how foolish this had been. He knew there were no treasures of joy to be found under the sun. Hence, he wrote Ecclesiastes as an honest depiction of the foolish of the world. He concluded his search with this.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.
 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12. (NKJV)

Can the true treasures of joy Be Found Under the Sun?                                                                     

God blessed King Solomon with wisdom to judge his people rightly. Additionally, God orchestrated a time of peace within the kingdom and with all the surrounding nations. The nation of Israel was exalted and highly favored for their cultural, architectural, literary, and musical advancements. King Solomon, blessed with bountiful riches and wisdom, was honored by the kings and queens of his day. Having everything, one might think, King Solomon would without fail worship God perfectly. At least. We want to believe that, because we want to believe that if God would give us everything, we think we desire, then we would bow before Him always, obeying His every Command. But that is not the case with human nature. Sometimes the more we have, the more we think we deserve.

King Solomon built the temple and assembled the people, just as a preacher would. He prayed for them, acknowledging the weakness of the people, fearing they would sin against God. Deep within, perhaps he knew that he also could sin too easily. Overwhelmed by the grace of God he dedicated the temple with great humility and instruction. He wrote over 3000 proverbs to guide the people toward righteousness and over 1000 worship songs of praise to God.

Vanity of Vanities Where are the True Treasures

Yet, as the years passed, content with all he had; he slipped away from seeing God’s absolute righteousness. And when one forgets God’s absolute righteousness and His wrath against sin, the wonder of grace slips away. What is then left behind is an empty vapor or whisper of truth.

² “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”  Ecclesiastes 1 (NKJV)

Vanity is translated from the Hebrew word הָֽבֶל׃ hā·ḇel  meaning futile, a fleeting breath, like a vapor here and then gone. That is what all the treasures of this world are—fleeting breath. Joy for a moment, whisked away like a wind that falls into the depths of sorrows. The longer I live the more I realize how nothing here on this earth endures. King Solomon came to realize this only after he had allowed his heart to betray him. He drew away from God to worship other Gods. This after God had appeared to him twice, once in Gibeon when Solomon asked for wisdom and the second time after King Solomon had dedicated the temple to God. All this before King Solomon’s heart faded away. How did it happen? Had God not warned him?

Foolishness Can Cost One the True Treasures of Joy for a Time

²the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. ³ And the Lord said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea which you have offered before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built, by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there always. I Kings 9

This was the promise, but it was followed by this warning.

⁶if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have placed before you, but you go and serve other gods and worship them, ⁷ then I will cut Israel off from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will expel from My sight. I Kings 9.

And we know that this is what happened. The kingdom was divided into two, torn asunder. Yet, both kingdoms waxed and waned in their worship of the Lord. Then, God sent the Babylonians to conquer Judah and destroy the temple.

Yet, amid all this, God continued to fulfill His promise to both Abraham and to King David. Each time, God showed grace upon a remnant of His people. Jesus was born from the line of David and Solomon to be the final forever, King. He also fulfilled His Promise to King David that His spirit would not leave Solomon. Hence why at the end of the day, King Solomon turned his heart back to God Alone, with great sorrow and repentance as displayed in this book.

So, What Happened?

In all his prosperity, power, wealth, and peace, King Solomon allowed his heart to become complacent. Since life was so easy and his fame so great, King Solomon became nonchalant about worshipping God. Instead, he busied himself with the things of this world. He strayed away from the very truth that had made him great, his humility and trust in God Alone. Then his journey led him into deep despair as he chased after the wind in this world. He found that there was no peace or joy to be found in the pleasures of this world apart from God’s presence in them. By breaching the command of God, he no longer felt the joy of God’s presence in his life. With God, we may enjoy all the beauties and pleasures of this world. Yet, when we seek them apart from God, they are empty and futile. Vanity of vanities, a vapor that quickly disappears leaving only sadness behind.

This is the book of Ecclesiastes. The teacher wants us to know the truths of true wisdom only comes from a proper view of God as supreme righteousness. It is seeing God through our brokenness and realizing that God Alone is Majesty and Righteousness.

It is learning as had David.

³ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon, and the stars, which You have ordained,
⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
⁵ For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8 (NKJV)

How could it be that God would love someone like me?

⁶ You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
⁷ All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
⁸ The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.  Psalm 8

And, yet how often we fail in this very thing. Do we honor Him in all He has given us? Each day we choose today whether our hearts remain true to Him or do we chase after the things of this world. Do we love God with all our heart and soul? Are we willing to lay it all aside for the good of the kingdom and trust Him no matter what this world may bring?

⁹ O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8 (NKJV)

True Treasures of Joy that Overcome the Sorrows of Life

In contrast we have Jeremiah whom God called to prophesy to the people of God. God told him no one would listen. And even his family turned their backs on him for the message God gave him.

²⁷ “Therefore, you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you.  Jeremiah 7: (NKJV)

Furthermore, Jeremiah was forbidden to marry or to have children. He was jailed, and beaten, living in dire poverty. His was a message of judgement. God’s wrath would be poured out upon the nation because they had forsaken the command of God to seek after other idols. Yet, despite his seeing only despair around him, Jeremiah preached God’s word to the people. And then what were his words?

I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
² He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
³ Surely, He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.

¹⁹ Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the gall.
²⁰ My soul still remembers
And sinks within me. Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

He felt the weight of sorrow and even more because no one listened to his pleas. He knew what would happen and felt all he did failed. How have you ever felt that way? I have. The task seems too great and my strength too little.

But that is when Jeremiah remembered the real Treasures of Joy

²¹ This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

²² Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

I too deserve nothing of His blessing, but He is faithful in pouring forth grace and mercy toward me.

²⁵ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
²⁶ It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

So, what should we do?

³⁹ Why should a living man complain,
A man for the punishment of his sins? Lamentations 3

Do I not deserve the chastisement of the Lord? Yet, He so mercifully has saved me. Therefore, let me never forget daily to seek Him and place Him upon the throne of my heart.

⁴⁰ Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;
⁴¹ Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven. Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

And so it was that Jeremiah saw God’s goodness amid all the sorrows that surrounded him. He understood that God’s grace far exceeded what anyone deserves. Why should a living man every complain, knowing what our sin truly deserves is God’s wrath? When we keep a right view of God’s righteousness, then we keep a truer view of grace.

In A World of Futility, Let Us Seek to Follow the Command of God

¹³ The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. ¹⁴ For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12: (NKJV)

Concluding Thoughts

We sometimes think that we know what would make us happy but do we.  Many want to preach a gospel that has no brokenness, a feel-good prosperity gospel that does not really address our sin. We whitewash it all with God’s mercy and grace. Oh, yes were it not for His mercy and grace, I would have no hope. It is that if I forget His goodness despite my sin. I wish I could forget the brokenness of my life, forget the sins of my past. But to do so would cause me not to see the magnificence of His grace that has carried me thus far.

So, this is what Solomon meant by these words: “¹¹ The words of the wise are like goads, and masters of these collections are like driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.” 

One Shepherd who truly bore the nails of wrath from God that I deserved. The words remind me of my own failures, but also of His magnificent grace toward me. His mercies are new every morning. And one day, He will return to set every justice right and I shall ride beside Him on that day, not because of my own righteousness, but his. That is what Solomon had learned in the end of His days. God’s spirit never departed from Him, even during the dark days in which his own life led him to utter despair.

Jesus is Coming Again to Righteously Judge–Never Forget

¹¹ Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

He is our true treasure of Joy I will ride behind Him clothed in the clean white linen of His Righteousness.

¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

Are you ready for His Return?

Let Me Remain

How often Lord, my heart doth moan

I long to see You on Your Throne

This life so burdened with despair

I faint beneath the weight of care

And so, I come to you once more

To ask You guide this ship to shore

Though tossing raging winds surround

Your arms of love make joy abound

Within this heart so broken Lord

I trust Your hand to guide me toward

The way you wish my heart to go

And lay aside each evil foe

That draws my mind away from You

Oh, let me not vain thoughts pursue

I pray dear Lord, you guide my heart

That from your will I dare not part

Though hard the race I cannot lose

For you are all my heart doth choose

And you will bring me safely home

Because of Grace I cannot roam

Oh, pull me tight against your chest

Within your arms I find my rest

Let me remain faithful and true

Until that day I am with You

Give me Your strength that I might stand

A beacon of Your Love so Grand

That all of whom I chance to meet

Will come to bow before your feet

No greater gift have I to give

Than for you Lord, my life to live

In such a way I die to me

That You might shine, this is my plea

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

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Why Is a Healthy Heart Core to Finding Hope, Peace, and Joy? 

How To Know Hope and Joy in Life Through Seeking Wisdom 

©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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