Author: Art Davison

A PECULIAR TREASURE–EXODUS 19:1-8

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A PECULIAR TREASURE
Exodus 19:1-8

Key verses: 5-6, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”
Introduction:
Israel spent 400 years in Egypt. Many of those years were good years, but a new monarch to over and Israel became a threat to them. Bondage followed and Israel suffered at the hands of the Egyptians. They also grew to be a very numerous people.
God saw their suffering and remembered His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through His love He redeems His people out of their bondage and makes them His Peculiar Treasure.

I. PECULIAR TREASURE = PERSONAL POSSESSION

Psalm 135:4, “For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.”

A. The Lord redeemed Israel.
1. He reminds them of what he had done for them, v. 4, “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.”
2. This is an example of the tender way that God deals with His people, Deuteronomy 32:11-12, “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.”
3. God redeemed them with great ease and with the strength of an eagle, Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
B. Solely because He loved her, Isaiah 63:9, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”
1. The Lord did not love them because they were a large people, Deuteronomy 7:7, “The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:”
2. God would keep His word with their fathers, Deuteronomy 7:8, “But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
C. The glory of their deliverance is compared to ours in Christ, 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
 II. THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD

Malachi 3:16, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

A. A book of remembrance was written, Malachi 3:16, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”
1. For those that feared Him, Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.”
a. The Sun of Righteousness, Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
b. He brought great benefits, Psalm 103:2-5, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3-Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4-Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5-Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
2. For those that thought upon His name, Psalm 48:9-10, “We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. 10-According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.”
B. For the Lord’s people are His Peculiar Treasure, Deuteronomy 7:6, “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”

III. HIS PURCHASED POSSESSION

Psalm 74:2, “Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.”
A. God’s redeemed people, Deuteronomy 9:29, “Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.”
1. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, 1 Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
2. Redeemed to God, Revelation 5:9, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
B. A Chosen Generation, 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”


CONCLUSION

God calls His people “ a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, and a peculiar people.” What make us different from all others? HIS HOLINESS! Examine yourselves to see if you are in that generation. Have you trusted Christ? If so, is your life a testimony of His Grace in your life?

PUT THAT ON MY ACCOUNT–PHILEMON 18

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PUT THAT ON MY ACCOUNT

Philemon 18, “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;”

Introduction:

This is the story of a slave called Onesimus, whose owner was a Christian named Philemon, a member of the church at Colosse in Asia Minor. It appears that the Colossian Church met in his home.

The Apostle Paul become involved in this story when he encounters Onesimus in Rome after he had fled from his master in Colosse. The Lord uses the Apostle to bring about a happy ending to the story.

I. ONESIMUS FLEES IN REBELLION

A. Onesimus was a servant (slave).

1. He represents man as a slave to sin, Romans 7:14, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”

2. He does not know how to do good, Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

B. Onesimus was a rebel and unfaithful, Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1. He was unprofitable, Philemon 11, “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:”

2. He was suspected to have stolen something, Philemon 18a, “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought,”

II. ONESIMUS RECEIVES CHRIST

A. Onesimus flees to Rome

1. There he encountered the Apostle Paul.

2. There he heard the gospel of Christ, perhaps for the second or third time for Paul knew his master.

B. Onesimus was converted to Jesus Christ under the Apostle Paul, Philemon 10, “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:”

1. Paul refers to him a “my son” confirming Onesimus’ conversion to Christ.

2. Paul declares that it took place in Rome where he was in prison.

C. Paul sends the young man back to his master, Philemon, with a letter, Philemon 11-12, “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:”

1. He was unprofitable in the past, but now he is a new creature in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

2. Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus as if he would be receiving the Apostle, Philemon 12, “Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:”

III. IF HE OWES YOU ANYTHING…

A. He was a sinner, Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

1. Thief? It appears that he took something.

2. Rebel? He refused to obey his master, Romans 11:32, “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.”

3. He was an unprofitable servant, Romans 3:12, “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

B. Put that on my account, Philemon 18, “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;”

1. Paul was so impressed with this young man that he was ready to take on his debt.

2. That is what Jesus did for you and I on the cross. He took our sin-debt to the cross and paid for it in his own blood, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

3. He paid our debt, Matthew 18:27, “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.”

C. Onesimus becomes a profitable servant, v. 11, “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:”

1. Now he is more than a servant, v. 16, “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

2. Now he is more than a servant, he is a brother beloved, v. 16, “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”

CONCLUSION

Onesimus had caused his master a lot of trouble as a rebellious servant. He had fled seeking freedom only to run into the arms of a loving servant of the Lord in the Apostle Paul.

Paul won this young man to the Lord and sent him back to his master not only to be a faithful servant, but as beloved brother in the Lord.

What is your situation with your master today? Are you unprofitable, angry, and rebellious? What you may need it to receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour. He can change your life as he did the life of Onesimus.

UNLEAVEN BREAD–EXODUS 12:14-15

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UNLEAVEN BREAD
EXODUS 12:14-15
Introduction:

The Lord took the elements used in the Lord’s Supper from the Feast of the Passover. Jesus had just celebrated the Passover with His disciples and then instituted the Lord’s Supper using the wine and the unleavened bread of the Passover.

1) The Passover bread was without yeast or leaven, v. 15, “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.”

2) Leaven is a type of sin in the Scriptures,

a. The leaven of the Pharisees, Matthew 16:11-12, “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Leaven was never used in offerings or observances relating redemption.

b. Paul warned about leaven as a type of sin, 1 Corinthians 5:6, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

3) Leavened bread is the subject of many Scriptures relating to suffering or sin.

I. THE SHEW-BREAD (UNLEAVENED)

A. The shew-bread consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread prepared and presented hot on the golden table every Sabbath. They were square or oblong, and represented the twelve tribes of Israel.

B. The old loaves were removed every Sabbath, and were to be eaten only by the priests in the court of the sanctuary, Exodus 25:30, “And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.”

C. David was allowed to eat the shewbread when he was fleeing from King Saul, 1 Samuel 21:1–6.

II. OTHER BREADS MENTIONED

A. The Bread of Sorrows (grief and pain), Psalm 127:2, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”

B. The Bread of Tears, sorrow and tears are like one’s daily bread, they form so great a part in life, Psalm 80:5, “Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.”

C. The Bread of Wickedness (violence or crime), Proverbs 4:17, “For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.”

D. The Bread of Deceit (lying or falsehood), denotes in like manner that wickedness and deceit are a part of the daily life, Proverbs 20:17, “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”

III. “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.”

A. With this Bread you will never hunger, John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

B. This is eternal bread, life giving Bread, John 6:48-50, “I am that bread of life. 49Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.”

CONCLUSION

This bread, unleavened bread represents the Bread of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not His body, but only represents it. That body of His never knew sin. However, He bore our sin on the cross that we might be free from sin.

THE BOOK OF ISAIAH–OUTLINE

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The Book of Isaiah

Introduction:

“This book is called, in the New Testament, sometimes “the Book of the Words of the Prophet Esaias,” Luke 3:4, sometimes only the “Prophet Esaias,” Acts 8:28, 30, and sometimes, as here, the “Book of the Prophet Esaias,” Luke 4:17.

It stands first of all the prophets; though the order of the prophets, according to the Jews, is, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and the twelve. But it is here placed first, not because Isaiah prophesied before the other prophets; for Joel, Jonah, Hosea, and Amos, begun before him, namely, in or before the days of Jeroboam the Second; but because of the excellency of the matter contained in it.

It is that no one writes so fully and clearly of the person, offices, grace, and kingdom of Christ; of his incarnation and birth of a virgin; of his sufferings and death, and the glory that should follow, as he does. John, the forerunner of Christ, began his ministry with a passage out of him concerning himself, Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23.

Our Lord preached his first sermon at Nazareth out of this book, Luke 4:17-21 and it was in this the eunuch was reading when Philip came up to him, who from the same Scripture preached to him Christ, Acts 8:28-35. — John Gill’s Expositor.

The Prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, (not Amos,) was one of the most distinguished of the Hebrew prophets. He began to prophesy at Jerusalem towards the close of the reign of Uzziah, about the year 759 B. C., and exercised the prophetical office some sixty years, under the three following monarchs, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, Isaiah 1:1.

His Call and Anointing: Isaiah 6:1-8.

His Family: Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 8:3-4.

Isaiah is generally regarded as the Greatest of the Old Testament Prophets:

1) Because he is preeminently the Prophet of Redemption.

2) Many of the passages in his book are among the finest in literature. Some modern scholars have studied this poetical prophecy as a botanist studies flowers, dissecting and analyzing them. By the use of this scientific method the beauty and unity of the book, like that of the rose, is almost forgotten as the different parts are pulled to pieces for examination.

A Brief Summary of the Book:

Section 1: Refers chiefly to events leading up to the Captivity, Isaiah 1:1–39:8.

1) Exhortations and warnings of Divine Judgments mingled with predictions of better days and the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah 1:1-12:6.

2) Prophecies respecting surrounding nations, -Assyria, Babylonia, Moab, Egypt, Philistia, Syria, Edom, and Tyre, etc., Isaiah 13:1–23:18.

3) Writings concerning the sins and misery of the people, promises of salvation, a song of Confidence in God, and his care over his vineyard, Isaiah 24:1-27:13.

4) Chiefly woes pronounced upon Ephraim (name often used for the northern kingdom of Israel, Isaiah 11:13; Jeremiah 31:6; 50:19.) and Jerusalem (southern Kingdom of Judah and Benjamin), especially for trusting in foreign alliances, Isaiah 28:1-31:9.

5) Promises of a Righteous King, and the outpouring of the Spirit, the exaltation of the Righteous, and the turning of the wilderness into a Garden of the Lord, Isaiah 32:1-35:10.

6) Hezekiah’s deliverance from the Assyrians, and the lengthening of his life, Isaiah 36:1-39:8.

Section 2:

The second part of the book contains Predictions, Warnings, and Promises which refer to events beyond the Captivity, and reach on down the centuries through the Christian Dispensation. This portion of the prophecy is especially rich in Messianic references.

Key Word: “Salvation.” “Isaiah” means, “Salvation of Jehovah.”

Salvation:

1) Wells of, Isaiah 12:3.

2) Joy of, Isaiah 25:9.

3) Walls of, Isaiah 26:1.

4) Everlasting, Isaiah 45:17.

5) Day of, Isaiah 49:8.

6) Feet of the heralds of, Isaiah 52:7.

7) Spread of, Isaiah 52:10.

8) Arm of, Isaiah 59:16.

9) Helmet of, Isaiah 59:17.

10) Garments of, Isaiah 61:10.

11) Light of, Isaiah 62:1.

Seven Everlasting things Mentioned:

1) Strength, Isaiah 26:4.

2) Judgments, Isaiah 33:14.

3) Joy, Isaiah 35:10.

4) Salvation, Isaiah 45:17.

5) Kindness, Isaiah 54:8.

6) Covenant, Isaiah 55:3.

7) Light, Isaiah 60:19.

THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL–OUTLINE

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The Book of Ezekiel
Introduction:

“Ezekiel was carried away to Babylon between the first and final deportation of Judah (2 Kings 24:11-16). Like Daniel and the Apostle John, he prophesied out of the land, and his prophecy, like theirs, follows the method of symbol and vision. Unlike the pre-exilic prophets, whose ministry was primarily to either Judah or the ten-tribe kingdom, Ezekiel is the voice of Jehovah to “the whole house of Israel.”

Speaking broadly, the Purpose of his ministry is to keep before the generation born in exile the national sins which had brought Israel so low (e.g. Ezekiel 14:23);

? To sustain the faith of the exiles by predictions of national restoration,

? Of the execution of justice upon their oppressors,

? And of national glory under the Davidic monarchy.

Ezekiel is in seven great prophetic strains indicated by the expression, “The hand of the Lord was upon me.” Ezekiel 1:3; 3:14, 22; 8:1; 33:22; 37:1; 40:1.” —Scofield.

This prophet was a priest, Ezekiel 1:3, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

“The visions he saw are very abstruse and difficult of interpretation, especially the vision of the living creatures and wheels. This book, in general, contains various visions the prophet saw; several threatenings against the people of the Jews; and prophecies against other nations; and an abundance of comfortable promises of the Messiah, and of blessings of grace by him; and of the state and condition of the Gospel church, and the worship of it.” — John Gill’s Expositor.

A Brief Summary of the Book:

I. The preparation and Call of the Prophet, Ezekiel 1:1-3:27.

1) A priest, Ezekiel 1:3.

2) Carried away captive to Babylon, Ezekiel 1:1; 2 Kings 24:11-16.

3) His vision of God, Ezekiel 1.

4) His Call, Ezekiel 1:3.

5) His Commission and Endowment, Ezekiel 2:1–3:27.

6) Spiritual Food, the roll of the Word of God, Ezekiel 3:1-3; cf. Revelation 10:10. The common form of ancient books.

7) His Task, a Spiritual Watchman, Ezekiel 3:4-11, 17-21.

8) Ezekiel claims the highest degree of Inspiration. The words “Thus saith Jehovah” are reiterated over and over again throughout the entire book.

Key Note: “I am Jehovah.”

II. A portrayal of the apostate condition of Judah before the captivity.

1) Largely visions, warnings and predictions concerning the guilt of the people and the coming destruction of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 4:1–24:27.

2) Divine judgments upon the Seven Surrounding Nations, Ezekiel 25:1–32:32.

III. Chiefly Predictions and Promises concerning the means by which the glory of the nations is to be restored, Ezekiel 33:1–48:35.

1) By Heeding the Warnings of the Spiritual Watchmen, and repenting of Sin, Ezekiel 33.

2) By displacing the False Shepherds, and the coming of the Good Shepherd, who will feed the flock, Ezekiel 34.

3) By a National Revival, and a Spiritual Resurrection in the Valley of Dry Bones, Ezekiel 36:1–37:28.

4) By the Overthrow of the Enemies of the Nation, Ezekiel 38:1–39:29.

5) By the Building of a New Sanctuary, Ezekiel 40:1–42:20.

6) By the returning of the Glory of the Lord, Ezekiel 43:4-5; 44:4.

7) By the Ministry of a Loyal Priesthood, Ezekiel 44:9-31.

8) By Life-giving Waters issuing from the Sanctuary, Ezekiel 47; cf. Revelation 22:1-2, And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

IV. Outstanding Events in the book

1) The Departure of the Glory of the Lord from the Temple, Ezekiel 10:16-18; 11:23.

2) The Fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 33:21.

3) The Return of the Shekinah Prophesied, Ezekiel 44:4.

Choice Selections:

1) The New Heart, Ezekiel 11:19, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” Ezekiel 36:25-28.

2) Personal Responsibility, Ezekiel 18:20-32.

3) Untempered Mortar, Ezekiel 13:10-15. See John Gill’s Expositor.

4) The Search for a Man of Integrity, Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Compare Jeremiah 5:1, Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it

5) Sentimental Hearers, Ezekiel 33:30-32.

6) Chapters for Ministers:

a. Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, Ezekiel 13;

b. Warn the people, Ezekiel 33;

c. Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ezekiel 34.

7) Revival Chapter, Ezekiel 37.

NOTE: This chapter contains a prophecy of the Jews’ return from captivity to their own land; of the union of the each tribes with one another; and of the glorious kingdom of Christ among them. Their restoration is represented by a vision of dry bones made alive; the place in which they were; the condition they were in; and the manner in which they were made to live, are described, vv. 1-10.