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01 Jan 2020 WSU

09 July 2019 WSU

18 Oct 2019 WSU

Something or Nothing?

When we really do

not have anything,

We would like to

have some sort of a thing.

 

We say, “Something is

better than nothing,”

But ‘Nothing’ is

better than a wrong thing.

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09 July 2019 b WSU

14 July 2019 WSU

Jesus Is The Messiah Predicted In The Old Testament

[I wrote this condensed essay 5 years ago (to be specific on 2^nd February 2015). One can write a thick book on it, but I attempted to prove it within just 1300 words. I decided to let the Scripture convince you by these many references. I hope this will be a good resource for anyone who wants to think through this issue. And for my blog readers, remember to visit this post again, when you have a question about it; or when you hear people talking about Jesus and OT; Christianity and Judaism.]

A SHORT CONDENSED ESSAY ON:

“JESUS IS THE MESSIAH PREDICTED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT”

Judaism and Christianity believe that the Old Testament is Scripture that comes from God. We believe that God is the God of the Old Testament. We believe what it says, what it teaches and what it prophesies. We believe that the Old Testament reveals clearly about Messiah (such as in Daniel 9:25-26). Judaism believes that Messiah had never come yet, and is waiting for His coming. Christianity, on the other hand, believes that Jesus is the Messiah who had walked on the earth 2000 years ago. He came as the fulfillment of the OT prophecies, and ascended to heaven, and will come back for His people. Therefore, Christians, too are waiting for the second advent of Christ. The 1^st Century Judaism fails to recognize the Messiah in spite of His bodily appearance and His claims. The present Judaism still fails to search the Old Testament in the light of the Christian New Testament. Having said this, even many Christian fail to see Christ in the Old Testament. So this short essay will prove that Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament.

WHO AND WHAT MESSIAH IS: Messiah in Hebrew is “mashiyach” (Ps. 132: 17) which means “the anointed”. In Septuagint, it is translated as “Christos” which the New Testament recognizes Jesus as Christos (or Christ, in English). The Old Testament portrays Messiah as the extraordinary king (Jer. 23:5), as the son of man (Daniel 7: 13; Isaiah 7:14), as God (Isaiah 9:6), as Son of God (Ps. 2:7), as Savior (Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12). Thus Messiah is the God-Man (also in Psalm 110). The New Testament understanding of the Messiah is exactly the same (John 12:13; John 1:51; John 8:58; Matt. 14:33; Luke 2:11; John 10:30) and is fulfilled in Lord Jesus Christ. He is the second Person of the Triune-God, whom Christians worship, and He is the God of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments.

GENEALOGICALLY: Messiah would be the descendant of ABRAHAM (Gen 22:18). Here, the seed is the Messiah, through whom the nations of the world shall be blessed. In the New Testament, Gal. 3:16 proves that as Jesus Christ. It is also seen in Matt. 1:1. Messiah would be the descendant of ISAAC (Gen.21:12; 17:19). Isaac is not the only son of Abraham, yet God chose Isaac to be the line of the coming Messiah. The everlasting covenant is possible because Messiah is the everlasting Lord. Matthew 1:2 proves that Jesus is the descendant of Isaac. Messiah would be the descendant of JACOB (Num24:17). He would be a deliverer, protector, a scepter of Israel. Jacob (not Esau) was chosen from the womb (Gen 25: 23). Matt. 1:2 proves Jesus again. He would be from the tribe of JUDAH (Gen. 49:10). Shiloh is the Messiah to whom the peoples shall obey. Luke 3:33 proves that Jesus is from the tribe of Judah.  Messiah would be the descendant of DAVID (Ps. 89:35-36). He would be the heir of David’s throne, for David’s throne to last forever. Matt. 1:1 proves that Jesus is the descendant of David.

GEOGRAPHICALLY: Messiah would come from BETHLEHEM (Micah5:2). He would be the Ruler from everlasting to everlasting. No human comes from everlasting, only God-Man, the Messiah. Luke 2:4-7 tells that Jesus was born at Bethlehem. Messiah would come to JERUSALEM riding in a donkey (Zech. 9:9). Jesus made a triumphant entry to Jerusalem according to John 12:12-15. Messiah would come to the TEMPLE (Malachi 3:1). Jesus went into the temple in Matthew 21:12. Messiah shall be in the GALILEE (Isaiah 9:1, 2). Jesus began His ministry in Galilee (Matt. 4:18-25).

CHRONOLOGICALLY: The Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15) promised in the Eden Garden is the expected Messiah. Adam and Eve in their holy condition cannot stand against Satan’s temptation, nor would any of their children stand in their fallenness. A perfect man, the Messiah can and has to fulfill the promise. Jesus was born of a woman conceived by the Holy Spirit in Matthew 1:20. He was born at the right time according to Gal. 4:4. Jesus is the promised Seed of the woman because He is the Son of God. Shem, the son of Noah was blessed, and God is adored by Noah as the God of Shem. Noah and his family were the only survivors of the flood. Luke 3:36 traces Jesus as the descendant of Shem, not of Ham or Japheth. God chose Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) for the lineage of the Messiah. All the nations shall be blessed through him. Before the Israelite enter the Promised Land, Moses talked about the future prophet, whom they must listen (Deut. 18:18-19). The Israelite knew Moses as a deliverer, so the Messiah too will be the deliverer. As the revelation progresses, the prophets spoke that the deliverance is a spiritual one. Then God chose David to be the lineage of the Messiah. Then Davidic throne (Jer. 23:5), Jeremiah prophesied about the coming king, Messiah. Jesus is recognized by the people of His times as the Son of David (Matt. 20:30; 22:42). Messiah was promised right from the Eden garden through His Birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:15).

THROUGH HIS BIRTH AND NATURE: The Messiah would be born of the virgin woman (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus was born of Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-35; 2:7-11). Messiah is God (Ps 110:1; Matt 22:44; 26:64) since there is only one God, therefore, Jesus is God, the Messiah of the Old Testament’s promise. The coming of the Messiah would be preceded by a messenger (Isaiah 40: 3-5). Jesus was preceded by John the Baptist (Luke 7:24, 27). Moses predicted the coming Prophet in Deut. 18:18-19, who is the Messiah. Jesus was recognized by the people of His days as Prophet (Luke 7:16). The Messiah would be the Priest forever (Ps. 110:4). Jesus has become the High Priest forever (Heb. 7:14-18).

THROUGH HIS MINISTRY AND WORKS: The Spirit of the LORD will be upon the Messiah (Isaiah 11:1; 42:1). Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16; John 1:32). Messiah will heal the broken-hearted (Isaiah 61:1, 2). Jesus proves Himself to be the Messiah in Luke 4:14-22. Messiah will perform miracles (Isa. 35:4-6; 53:4-5). Jesus performed miracles (Matt. 9:35; John 11:47). Messiah will speak to people in a parable (Ps. 78:2). Jesus came speaking in parables (Matt13:34). Messiah will be betrayed by His friend (Ps. 41:9). Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:48). Messiah will not defend Himself (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus spoke no words when He was accused (Matt. 27:12). Messiah will be pierced (Zech. 12:10). Jesus’s side was pierced (John 19:34). Messiah will be numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus was crucified with robbers (Matt. 27: 38). Messiah will have a rich tomb (Isaiah 53:9). Jesus was buried in a rich man’s tomb (Matt. 27:57-60). Messiah will be resurrected (Ps. 16: 8-11; Hosea 6:2). Jesus got resurrected (Acts 2:25-35). Messiah will be ascended unto heaven (Ps. 68:18). Jesus was ascended unto heaven (Luke 24:51).

There are still many more proofs in the Bible that I have left out to show Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament. Lord Jesus Christ will come back very soon. Christians, Jews, Non-Christians, Atheist, everyone will see that He is the Messiah, Lord, and God of all creations. And every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. Why not confess today and be saved?

Image Scripture: Proverbs 1:5, 22, 25-26, 28-29

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

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07 April 19 b WSU

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12 June 19 WSU

Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  – Jeremiah 29:11

Last night I was reading through the book of Jeremiah. Some particular verses stood out to me as if I had never seen before. I was tempted to open my laptop and make Image Scriptures out of them, but I had decided to keep on reading until I complete a certain portion of Scripture as a part of spiritual discipline. When I reached Jeremiah 29:11, I couldn’t keep myself going. I remembered how many times I had heard people around me using that verse for all kinds of exhortations in all kinds of settings: birthdays, exam times, graduations, farewells, partings, fresher’s meet, home fellowships, and even in churches. I decided to write a blog post about it. I remembered a professor in a seminary who instructed us to maintain our Title in a positive tone as often as possible. Well, I believe in this case a negative tone that too in an imperative mood serves us much better. So, “Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!”

As I set out to write a short article, it occurred to me to see if or how many article(s) on it are available on the internet, because I did not want to waste my time telling the same thing if many have written about it. Lo and behold! There were lots of articles on it by some reputed personalities. I skimmed through some of the articles and found some to be very short and some others to be of in-depth treatment. I was hard-pressed to write a new blog post or to put it away, but my mind was still not relaxed, because of all those misuses I had heard in the past. Consequently, I decided to publish a blog post online for anyone to see it about my concern regarding those misuses. Someday, when I hear people misusing or when people ask me about its misuse, I can just send a link of this page, “Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!”

Well, you can surmise the reason why I used the strong word “stop,” it’s because every now and then people keep on misusing this verse. There are lots of other scripture portions for anyone to use for exhortatory texts. Come on, why default to Jeremiah 29:11, which is very common to the point that it has no more effect on the hearers, and also almost always wrong every time we hear it? Of course, Jeremiah 29:11 can be used as a text of exhortation as it can be of any text of Scripture, but it has to be done in its context. As Steve Lawson would say, “You can eulogize even the devil; he is consistent!” We can always come up with good words or exhortation from any passage of the scripture. The principle here is, if you aren’t sure of what it means, go for other texts of scripture that you are sure of. Or else, just don’t! Please stop!

Why do we often use Jeremiah 29:11? I think it’s because of its contents. It has soothing words. It has promise. It has a direct assurance from God. It has a personal effect on the hearer. It is very clear in its promises by the way of contrast. Its promises encompass both the present and the future – of hope and peace. Wow! A perfect message you would like to tell others in their birthdays, graduations, farewells, any occasions. The message is perfect, inerrant, and true, but is it for you, us, or anybody? Are you (or we) the perfect people to get this perfect message? There lies the line!

How do we know which verse is for us and which is not? Well, each and every verse in the Bible is for us. The question here is, how do we understand a particular verse and apply it to our life? Take for an example from the preceding chapter, Jeremiah 28:16 “Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will cast you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die . . .” Try this one for a birthday or farewell speech! What is the basis for not choosing this text? If and since everything that the Bible says is infallible and sure, it means this is true too. Some may argue, “Well, this isn’t appropriate for a birthday” and I would press on, “What if this is the most appropriate one, for he may die today?” No matter what your intention, feeling, desire, or prayer is if it’s the truth it is. You can sip a bottle of poison thinking it as a fruit juice, believing it will give you good health, but if you drink, you are dead! It doesn’t matter what may seem appropriate or not appropriate, we must be certain what is appropriate, and to be certain we must have a basis or a standard to find out its appropriateness.

How do we find out the appropriateness of any passage in the scripture? Well, we have to read the context: a few verses or chapters before and after any passage we seek to know. That’s not something of insight; that’s just normal and plain to us. We do that in each of our conversations, when we listen to the news, or when we read any letters or text messages on our phone. Don’t you remember yourself asking, “what did he say before that?” or “what did he say after that?” when you missed some part of news reporting on the television? We read anything, listen to anything, evaluate anything, and apply anything based on the fuller version of anything, not just in a few words of our choice for our indulgence. That’s often called “out of context” or “proof text” or “pretext,” and is negative in its connotation.

I want to remind you that this blog post is about to Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text, please don’t expect me to devote a section on how to use this verse as an exhortatory text. Weighing the issue at hand, it’s better off without that section. And, mind you, the title is not even “What is the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11?” but I am sure you will find out the answer to this question as you keep reading. Before we read verse 11, we must read v.10. “For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.” Verses 10-13 are in the future tenses, “will,” that will happen only after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. The “you” here refers to the people of Judah (v.1, 4). Actually, most of the hearers of this news would not survive for 70 years to see the promises of v.11-13. It is for their children, being still the people of Judah, who will live to see it. For the original audience, their life will be hard and rough and die eventually (v.4-9)!

Now we see, this is for the people of Judah; we are not. This is also not even for all the people of Judah, it is only for those who survive the 70 years in Babylon; we’ve not been to Babylon. It is only for the good figs, for those are chosen by God as we see two types of people of Judah in Jeremiah 24 – the good figs and the bad figs; we are neither the good figs nor the bad figs of Jeremiah’s vision. And no matter who they are and how they live, this is a promise which will be fulfilled not in the lifetime of its hearers.

The people and timeline of Chapter 29 are the same as in chapter 24 and chapter 21. What is applicable in chapter 29 is applicable in chapter 24 and chapter 21. The only difference is those who are in Babylon and those who aren’t. Let’s see for those who aren’t in Babylon in Jeremiah 21:10 ““For I have set My face against this city for adversity and not for good,” says the LORD. “It shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.””Also in Jeremiah 24:9-10  ““I will deliver them to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.””

You see! You aren’t in Babylon. You aren’t their children. You aren’t the people of Judah. You aren’t even reading properly the context of Jeremiah 29:11. Please Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!

"Context is Queen!"

Image Scripture: Proverbs 5:21-22

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Biblical Principles for Discipline and Corporal Punishment

I believe every parent faces difficulty in bringing up their children to adults. To bring them up in godly ways is indeed difficult but it is not impossible because God has given us the right methods in the Bible. I grow up in a society where a parent who did not spank or discipline his children is seen as a selfish parent. Today, modern philosophy gave the impression that those who spank their children are very unloving and senseless parents. Now, parents are confused.

I realized, it is because parents do not examine the Scriptural teaching. They either followed the traditions of the past (by which they were brought up by their own parents) or by the trends of the present time (which is just a surrender to pressure without conviction, an abdication of responsibility). However, Parents must have experienced already that neither “all-permissive” nor “all-authoritative” parenting works. There must be some form of discipline and corporal punishment. Ephesians 6: 4 says clearly: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” The Bible teaches that physical discipline is appropriate, beneficial, and necessary. Here are some of the Principles for Discipline and Corporal Punishment:

1.      Chastening and love go hand in hand in Scripture. God, the ultimate Parent, chastens those He loves when one goes astray. We should also do the same with our own children. Hebrews 12:6 “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

2.      Spanking must be painful and timely (Hebrews 12:6). We don't pretend that certain aspects of discipline don't hurt. The word 'chastise' is very strong and indicates that at times, chastisement needs to be very painful to accomplish its goals. It has the idea of flogging.

3.      When spanking, we must avoid these two things: 1) spanking out of frustration or anger, and 2) the tendency to spank for every type of offense. God has not said that you must spank for every type of offense, nor has He specified which offenses require spanking. That’s what Proverbs 13:24 implies. “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”

4.      Discipline must be consistent. Parents must spank it on the basis of clearly defined rules, not on the feelings at that particular moment. Like police officers, we can choose to enforce God’s Moral Law on them. Proverbs 19:18 ​“Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.”

5.      A clear explanation for spanking must be made known to Children or the reason for the punishment, and your expectations for their future behavior. The discomfort of swift consequences helps a young child associate the offense and the painful result. Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Prov. 13:15 “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”

6.      Focus on positive behavior rather than directing negative attitudes toward children. The end goal is to produce children that love and respect God and others. The doctrine of depravity tells us that they do not need help developing more self-esteem! They need encouragement to grow in humility and servanthood. Since as sinners, we’re all rebellious at heart, kids need to learn submission to proper authority as a part of godliness. Ephesians 4:24 “and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

7.      Disciplining should never lead to actual physical damage. It should not cause lasting pain or permanent scar. The rod is just one part of the correction process. We can use other tactics like a restriction of liberties, rebuking, distraction, and other things to work in conjunction with using the rod. Proverbs 23:13 “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.”

8.      Start disciplining early on. Settling the authority issue with the small child can prevent many problems later. Corporal Punishment helps develop respect for authorities and self-control so that the child can reach their full potential as a human being. Without this discipline, the child will become a victim of his own evil tendencies. Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are given fully to evil.”

9.      It should not be excessive. It should be balanced with instruction. Spanking should never be the objective of Christian parenting; it is one of many tools with which to achieve biblical principles in bringing up the child. Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

10. Spanking or Corporal Punishment should not be avoided. If a parent hesitates to discipline his child, he also has a problem with God. Because God chastises whom he loves. This displays His interest in our well-being. The parent shows love in doing so. Proverbs 23:13-14 “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.” Hebrews 12:11 says, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Also, Deuteronomy 8:5-6 says, “Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.”

In Conclusion: Parents need to learn from God, our Father, how to discipline. If children are precious, then parents need to consistently follow these principles. Parents should also continually build close relationships with children. Parents need to remove all the things that become barriers between parents and children in order to imitate our heavenly Father who exercises both His authority and love.

Block Diagramming: Ephesians 6:10-12