Guiding our world whether we are able to see it or not. Embrace your weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon you to reveal Gods surpassing greatness (2 Corinthians 12:9). God was rejecting their national privilege, and turning to the Gentiles to populate his Covenant Nation on Earth. Gods plan included the time of Jesus deathPassover, the placeJerusalem, the opposition by the Jewish leaders, and the betrayal by Judas. He told the people that Pharaohs army would be wiped out, though he did not know how. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. They were the ones who asked for valuables from the people of Egypt, who were so fearful and stricken with grief that they gave the departing Israelites their riches, literally paying the Jews to leave Egypt (Ex. Paul also made this clear in Romans 9-11. Who would have had his own beliefs and gods that contradicted much of the Bible. They will be held guilty. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. Verse Concepts. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts If youd like an interesting Bible study, take a look at the trials of Jesus. In Acts 1:16 Peter declared that the Scripture had to be fulfilled. He meant that the Old Testament predictions (he cites Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8) regarding Judas were bound to come true. But we learn that over time a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph or respect what Joseph had done (Ex. Many that people can plan to do much but is God that will always have the final say. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son for those who believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. 1:21). Israel as a nation had rejected the promises of Moses and the Prophets culminating in the demand for the death of Jesus, Gods Messiah. And did not believe in His wonderful works. And He *said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. An unlikely person to be used by God. They were in an impossible situation with no way out. How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? 4:5). God ordains the means and the ends of life. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. He could have just caused them to drop dead. Moses didnt have any power to bring the ten plagues upon Egypt either. They probably said things like, See, God isnt doing anything no body ever gets punished, it cant be very serious. They had forgotten the longsuffering of the True God who made all things, and who rules as King over all kings. His purpose in creation will stand. They all come for violence; Their faces are set like the east wind. Even Jesus cannot save a man who claims his sin is not really sinful. "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. They have no respect for the leaders of other nations. Nothing that happened to Jesus that night or later on Good Friday made sense when it happened. They live as if there was no Creator, no moral law, no accountability. Email Jack. All of it happened according to Gods plan. God blesses those in whom he stirs to obedience, and judges disobedience. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience sake. No, its a mystery. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, Why does this generation seek for a sign? 46:10). The repentant show Gods unmerited grace to undeserving sinners, and reveal the merciful blessing and goodness of God. Matthew 26:3-5 informs us that the leaders of the Jews were looking for an opportunity to arrest Jesus and put him to death. Going to church wont make you a Christian any more than sleeping in a garage makes you a caror going to a donut shop makes you a cop. The very first verse my daughter ever memorized was Isaiah 40:8, The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. It seemed like an odd one to begin with, but now in retrospect it might have been the best one. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, We see, your sin remains. (see Matthew 27:5). Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). The fact that we cant conceive of free choice coexisting with Gods predestination simply reminds us once again that he is God and we are not. WebGod also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Literal Standard Version. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 B) We entrust our lives to the God who cares for us. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. Being a creative, innovative or highly effective leader is insufficient. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. A prophecy we can imagine would have seemed quite improbable to those who heard. First, we see the faith of Moses. This seems to be one of the reasons God had Moses lift up his staff and hands to divide the Red Sea. Those who were rebelling against God had become apathetic. The Prophet Habakkuk wrote during the troubled times before Judahs captivity. To say it another way, there is a man in hell today who has been there for 2000 years even though what he did advanced Gods plan to save the world. We are here and gone again. WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. You have entered an incorrect email address! God has already determined the end from the beginning (Isa. I dont have any letters after my name. If your rsum is sparse, your intellect feeble, your skills unimpressive, and your wisdom just average, fret not. They move ahead as a determined army spreading violence. Scripture even points to the fact that God used Cyrus even though he didnt know God. But through the lens of the New Testament, he is seen as a wicked man. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. Though used of God to complete his plan, those who crucified our Lord were still personally wicked and godless in what they did. Moses give the Israelites specific instruction and visible representation from the invisible God. Pharaohs heart was hardened again. God will bring ultimate and final judgment upon all ungodliness. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). Literal Standard Version. When Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter impulsively grabbed his sword and started swinging. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. By his treachery he established the very cause he set out to destroy. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. Through one mans treachery, Jesus proves himself a man of peacenot a man of war. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Now relax your hand! And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. They intend to be their own god. God uses the overwhelmed and disheveled mother to nurture her children into spiritual giants. Verse Concepts. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. Do not begrudge your weakness. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. If we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it (James 1:5). Stating that the plans of men are many but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, It is enough! The evil ones believe pridefully that their own imagined gods have blessed them. I am a preacher and Bible teacher. God has sinners pray and answers the prayers of sinners that are according to His will, getting glory for himself. (Video #2), Lesson 2: Gods Use of the Ungodly Habakkuk 1:5-11. After God redeemed Israel from Egypt through a series of ten miraculous plagues, he had Moses lead the people of Israel out of Egypt near the shore of the Red Sea. Jesus waved him off by declaring, All this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled (Matthew 26:56). Really, its just fine. But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. Yet, God used him to rebuild the temple and allow Jews to return to their land. Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Were they to voluntarily all drown? I was not a cum laude graduate. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. Everything else in the story fits into Gods plan: The crown of thorns, the scourging, the trials, Pilates testimony, his verdict of death, a man to help carry the cross, the place of deathGolgotha, and the moment of death3 PM, the time when the Passover lambs were sacrificed at the Temple. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. But our God is mightier than any office or country. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. They had no weapons to fight Pharaohs army, no experience in war, no ability to defend themselves, and no way of escape. That doesnt lessen his guilt, but it does increase our appreciation of Gods sovereignty over the affairs of men. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Jump to Previous 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. One swing of his sword whacked off the ear of Malchus, servant to the High Priest. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Judas served Gods purposes even though what he did was wrong and he ended up in hell. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? He is working all things after the counsel of His will (Eph. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. We turn now to consider how the sin of Judas served many good purposesnone of which were seen that night and none of which diminish his true moral guilt. Jesus point is clear, The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.. Fourth, Gods command seemed impossible to obey. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, Why does this generation seek for a sign? God was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. 1 John 5:14. I didnt attend an Ivy League school. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts We might be a life-hacking, productivity guru. For this reason God purposefully led the wondering multitude to a place where there was no possible way of escape from Pharaoh and his army, humanly speaking. Later Pilate gave in to pressure and ordered Jesus crucified. Its okay to be a nobody, if in all you do, you serve Somebody. Gods Prophet Jeremiah warned of Gods judgment. And, "Who Are The Sons of God in Genesis 6? Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. When God determines where we will end up, he also determines how we will get there. 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This was Moses advice to the people of Israel when facing the imminent threat of death, and it is true for us as well when facing any trial. He used sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. Remember my imprisonment. He sent His son to pay a most costly price for the sin of His people, for those who trust in Him. In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. The way of the wicked is like darkness;They do not know over what they stumble. The Lord said to Moses, How long will this people spurn Me? Im not a founder, innovator, CEO, or visionary of any company. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? They sweep through like the strong winds from the East gathering up captives that number like the grains of sand. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Be encouraged Christian, God intends to use you in all your multifaceted weakness and obscurity for his glory. Jump to Previous It is not our responsibility to determine how God will use us, but it is our responsibility to be faithful to obey the Word of God. During this period, foreign powers invaded Israel again and again, and inside the nation known as Gods people, evil and immorality raged. also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,But He does according to His will in the host of heavenAnd among the inhabitants of earth;And no one can ward off His handOr say to Him, What have You done?. If so, did he have a choice? One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. As far as Pilate was concerned, he was ordering an innocent man put to deathwhich is why he tried to wash his hands of the whole affair. This warning was made clear in the ancient covenant revealed long before through Moses in Deuteronomy 28. Habakkuk 1:7-11, They are terrible and dreadful; Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. Anxiety, worry, anger, never help remedy the situation, they are emotions that compound our trials and betray that in our hearts we dont believe God, dont trust God, and dont think He is good. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; Immediately the boys father cried out and said, I do believe; help my unbelief.. Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. Because God does miracles by His own power. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. Get your Bible. God is unimpressed. He uses believers and unbelievers. It can be fairly said that the common people by and large respected Jesus and responded positively to his message. Another unlikely person used by God was King Cyrus of Persia. Able to do exceedingly and abundantly using unlikely people to further His plans. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask They were afraid. I run into people in different countries or am contacted by those from different countries who have been blessed by my preaching. Holman Old Testament Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah by Trent Butler. That pagan nation was struggling against Egypt for dominance. 1:15-16), later to be thrown in the Nile (Ex. Eventually, Pharaoh decided to use the Jews for slave labor. I cant charge an exorbitant hourly fee for my time. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask It doesnt mean everything will also go perfectly or the way we hope. A third reason God had Moses raise his staff and hands before dividing the Red Sea is that God delights to use sinners to accomplish His sovereign will.
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