Psalm 129:1-5:
1 MANY A time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up -- let Israel now say -- 2 Many a time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows. 4 The LORD is [uncompromisingly] righteous,; He has cut asunder the thick cords by which the wicked [enslaved us]. 5 Let them all be put to shame and turned backward who hate Zion.
There have always been people and nations who have come out against Israel and the Jewish people. God even used some of these nations to discipline His people when they went contrary to Him. But WOE to those nations that actually hurt Israel! They, and we of the Church of Jesus of Nazareth, are God's FAVORITES! We are free to walk in love and forgiveness because the One, True God WILL repay those who hurt us! Look at these verses from the Message Bible:
1 "They've kicked me around ever since I was young" - this is how Israel tells it - 2 "They've kicked me around ever since I was young, but they never could keep me down. 3 Their plowmen plowed long furrows up and down my back; 4 Then GOD ripped the harnesses of the evil plowmen to shreds." 5 Oh, let all those who hate Zion grovel in humiliation;
Remember that God claims vengeance as His own personal work (Romans 12:19)! Continue to walk in love with all mankind on a personal level and allow the God of the Bible to work in your favor! He does a MUCH better job than we would do! AMEN!
John 6:63:
63 It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that i have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life.
This is Jesus speaking to the people who were following Him in order to see miracles that benefited them, and to His disciples. His Word was the most important thing that He was giving them, and many did not want it and were unable to receive and understand it. Many turned away at this time. Verse 66:
66 After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him.
Then we see this in verses 67-69:
67 Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me?] 68 Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life. 69 And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God.
We know that even the Twelve had doubts and questions at times, but they were wise enough to notice the difference between the religious leaders who SHOULD have known their God, and Jesus of Nazareth Who proved that He did! Where do YOU fall in this? Do YOU dare to believe all that the Word of God declares about Jesus AND about you? Be a true disciple and keep digging the wonderful TRUTH out of His Word! Enjoy Hillsong singing "With Us":
Ezekiel 25 begins the judgment against the nations. The nations around Israel were delighted at the fall of the nation and looked at it as a failure of the Jewish people and their One God! Actually, they began to laugh when the Jews turned to the false and powerless idols of these foreign countries over the One, True God Who had ALWAYS defeated them! The destruction of Jerusalem should have served as a warning to these nations! Proverbs 11:31 says "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed on earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!" Their judgement would include what He had promised would happen to those who would curse Israel (Genesis 12:1-3)!
Ezekiel 29 reveals God's judgment on Egypt. Egypt had witnessed first-hand the miracle working God of the Hebrews! Not only was this judgment against Egypt, but is was also so that God's people would cease to turn to Egypt for help, and would instead, turn to HIM again! Verse 16:
16 And never again shall Egypt have the confidence and be the reliance of the house of Israel; their iniquity will be brought to remembrance whenever [Israel] looks toward them [for help]. They shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord GOD [Who demands loyalty and obedient service].
There will come a day, in the not too distant future, when Israel will have only the One True God to rely on! After the Church of Jesus Christ is taken away into Heaven, there will be no nation that will stand with Israel against their oppressors. In THAT day, they will truly see the complete and awesome Salvation of their GOD! And WE will be watching it all because we will be returning WITH HIM to see it all take place! Soon and very soon! Are YOU ready?
Shalom in Him!
