The Word for Today with Ray

Monday, December 3, 2018

Stoned, Sawn Asunder, Tempted and Slain Hebrews 11:37

The Hebrew writer gave examples of some people who had “faith” in God and yet suffered “cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.” In chapter eleven and verse thirty-seven of Hebrews, the writer shared how other people of “faith” “were stoned, were sawn asunder, were tempted” and “were slain with the sword” where we read:

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

The verse begins, “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword:”. The writer began with the words, “They were stoned” which means “these people of faith were overwhelmed or pelted with stones in order to wound or kill them” “they were sawn asunder” or “sawed in two”, “were tempted” which means “tried as to whether a thing can be done, made trial of and tested for the purpose of ascertaining its quality, or what they think or how they will behave”, “were slain” or “killed or murdered by violent means” “with the sword” or “with a large knife, small sword, curved sword used for cutting or thrusting”. People who believed in God were “stoned, sawed in two, tested and killed by the sword”.

The verse continues, “they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;”. The writer added the words, “they wandered about” or “they strolled, vacillated and veered like vagabonds” “in sheepskins” which means “in outer robes or mantles which where made with the skin of sheep” “and goatskins” or “and the skins, hyde or leather of goats”; “being destitute” which means “coming behind, too late or tardily like those who are left behind in a race and fail to reach the goal and end of the race”, “afflicted” or “the pressed, compressed, troubled and distressed”, “tormented” which means “ill-treated, oppressed and plagued”. In addition to the troubles of the previously mentioned people of “faith”, there were other who “were as vagabonds with animal clothing as they were left behind, distressed and oppressed”.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see how these people of “faith” suffered for their belief in God. Sometimes we have the idea that all who believe in God should never have to suffer in this life or the next, but it just isn't so. These people were “stoned, sawed in two, tried and tested, killed with the sword and wandered in animal clothing like vagabonds who were “destitute, afflicted” and “tormented”. God desires for us to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and not all who do shall have an easy time in this life. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Regardless of what our circumstances and situations may be, we can have “faith” in God that He will eternally “overcome” them all. We may suffer as these referred to by the Hebrew writer, but in the life to come, we shall be saved.

Next time the writer shares how “the world was not worthy” of these people of “faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Trial of Cruel Mockings and Scourgings Hebrews 11:36

In sharing with his readers, the writer of Hebrews gave many examples of people who had “faith” in God. Some of the women among them “received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection”. In chapter eleven and verse twenty-seven of Hebrews the writer shares how some people of “faith” “had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings” “the walls of Jericho fell down” where we read:

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

The verse begins, “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings,...”. The writer began with the words, “And others” which means “and a number of people opposed to the ones the writer formally mentioned” “had trial” or “were experienced, tested, tried and learned” “of cruel mockings” which means “of scoffing and derision” “and scourgings” or “whippings and plagues”. Other people of “faith” were “tested” by “scoffing and whippings”.

The verse goes on to say, “...yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:”. The writer continued with the word, “yes” or “yet, so, moreover and nevertheless” “moreover” which means “still, further and yet longer” “of bonds” or “bands, chains and strings which cause an impediment or disability” “and imprisonment” which refers to “keeping watch over or guarding as sentinels”. The writer included those who suffered “capture and prison” for their “faith” in God.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see how not all who have “faith” in God receive what we view as “good things” in their lives. Some believers suffered “scoffing”, and others were put in prisons because of their “faith”. Jesus Christ came to offer “eternal salvation” for all who believe in the fact that He came to die for their sins, rose from the grave and is at the right hand of God in heaven today. This in no way guarantees that everything will be easy in this life. Those who believe may be “scoffed at”, perhaps “whipped” or worse and may even suffer “death” in this life, however, eternally, they can be assured, God will provide them with blessings forever. Jesus came to provide “eternal salvation”, and though we suffer in this life, we shall forever live with Him if we believe.

Next time the writer shares how other people of “faith” were “stoned, sawn asunder, tempted and slain with the sword”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

More Exploits of the Faithful Hebrews 11:35

The writer of Hebrews shared many of the conquests of people who exercised “faith” such as, “quenching the violence of fire, escaping the edge of the sword, being strong in weakness, valiant in flight and turning to flight the armies of the aliens” . In chapter eleven and verse thirty-five of Hebrews the writer shares more conquests of those who exercised “faith” where we read:

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured,

not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

The verse begins, “Women received their dead raised to life again:”. The writer began with the words, “Women” which means “females of any age, whether a virgin, married or a widow” “received” or “claimed, procured, laid hold of and possessed” “their dead” which means “those who breathed their last who were lifeless, deceased, departed and inanimate” “raised to life again” or “restored, resurrected and made to live again”. “Women” who had “faith” laid hold of their loved ones who were raised to life again.

The verse goes on to say, “and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:”. The writer continued with the words, “and others” or “other people” “were tortured” which means “beat with the drum, timbrel, tympanum or instrument of punishment”, “not accepting” or “not receiving or getting access to” “deliverance” which means “release effected by payment of ransom, redemption or liberation”; “that they might obtain” or “so they would hit the mark, reach, attain, get or become master of” “a better” which means “a more useful, serviceable, advantageous and excellent” “resurrection” or “raising up or rising”. These people of “faith” referred to by the writer of Hebrews did not receive immediate blessings but were “tortured” without “escape” because they knew there would be a “more serviceable and advantageous” “resurrection” afforded them.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we notice on the one hand huge immediate “blessing” - women receiving their “dead raised to life again”, but on the other hand, others were “tortured” for their “faith”. Unless we have an “eternal” perspective, we will think this unfair or at the lease wonder what the difference was for the believers. God is sovereign, and He decides what shall happen to everyone. Our “faith” is to be in Him regardless of the results, and that is very difficult for many people. Jesus Christ came into this world to offer salvation and eternal life to all who will believe, and this belief has cost many their lives.

Next time the writer shares how ”others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

More Conquest of the Faithful Hebrews 11:34

The writer of Hebrews felt that he would not have enough time to share concerning all the people who exercised “faith” to “subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises and stop the mouths of lions”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirty-four of Hebrews the writer shares how the writer's examples had “more great conquests” where we read:

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

The verse begins, “Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong,...”. The writer began with the word, “Quenched” which means “extinguished, suppressed, stifled and put out” “the violence” or “strength, power and ability” “of fire” which refers to “literally fire especially lightning”, “escaped” or “fled away or vanished to safety from something abhorrent” “the edge” which refers to “the sharp front or side” “of the sword” or “of a large knife, curved or straight sword for cutting or thrusting”, “out of weakness” which means “in infirmity, frailty or feebleness of health or sickness” “were made strong” or “were endued with strength and power”. The examples of “faith” referred to by the writer “put out fires, fled from sharp swords and when they were known to be “weak”, they were “made strong”.

The verse continues, “...waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”. The writer added the word, “waxed” or “became and happened as” “valiant” which means “mighty, forcible, firm and sure” “in fight” or “in wars, battles, disputes, strifes and quarrels”, “turned to flight” which means “caused to fall back and wore away” “the armies” which refers to “the encampments, castles and camps” “of the aliens” which means “of the foreigners, strangers, enemies and those not of their own family”. In addition to “quenching fires, escaping the edge of the sword” and being “made strong” “out of weakness”, these people of “faith” were mighty in battles who made “foreign armies” retreat and run.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see more examples of the conquests of those who had “faith” in God. God brought them through many difficulties, trials and troubles, and yet, they overcame difficulties time and time again. Jesus desires that we believe in Him, trust Him, rely upon Him and cling to Him, and as we do, we shall overcome great difficulties in our lives. “Faith” is the key component that must be kept within our lives, and as we trust the Lord Jesus, no matter what we face, we shall be victorious.

Next time the writer shares more of the conquests of those who exercised “faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Conquests Through Faith Hebrews 11:33

“Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets” were among the examples employed by the writer of Hebrews to demonstrate how “faith” was used in their lives. In chapter eleven and verse thirty-three of Hebrews the writer continued to share how “through faith” his examples made many conquests where we read:

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,

obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

The verse begins, “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,...”. The writer began with the word, “Who” or “those to whom the writer referred” “through faith” which means “the conviction of the truth of anything and belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ which springs from trust in the same” “subdued” or “struggled against and overcame” “kingdoms” which means “royal power, kingships, dominions and rules” “wrought” or “worked, labored, exercised, performed, committed and produced” “righteousness” which means “the state of him who is as he ought to be and the condition acceptable to God”. The writer referred to those in the past who had “conquered dominions” and worked “righteous acts” before God.

The verse goes on to say, “...obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,”. The writer continued with the word, “obtained” or “chanced upon and attained” “promises” which means “announcements of good or blessing”, “stopped” or “fenced in, blocked, closed and put to silence” “the mouths” which refers to “the front or edge of the face where language and eating takes place” “of lions” which means “brave and mighty lions”. Those who had “faith” “attained promises” and some of them, such as Daniel, “closed” the “mouths of lions”.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see more of the benefits that were given to those who had “faith”. God desires for us to believe Him, and the writer of Hebrews has been extensive in his examples to inspire us to do so. Jesus Christ came to die for our sins, and we are to have “faith” that He did. These “conquests” by the faithful may come in different fashion for us but are nonetheless available to all who “believe” in Jesus. The greatest “conquest” available to us is over “death” which Jesus defeated by His death and resurrection, and now we may enjoy the blessing of “everlasting life” when we simply “believe” in Him. May all who read understand and have “faith”.

Next time the writer shares how his examples ”by faith” “quenched the violence of fire” and more, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel Hebrews 11:32

As the writer of Hebrews continued to share about people who exercised “faith”, he included “Rahab the harlot” who did not “perish” “with them that believed not” because “she had received the spies with peace” . In chapter eleven and verse thirty-two of Hebrews the writer shares about “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel” where we read:

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

The verse begins, “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah;...”. The writer began with the words, “And what shall I more say” which means “what else can the writer speak, affirm, maintain, advise, command or direct”? “for the time” or “because the space which denotes a particular period” “would fail me” which means “would not allow for the purpose of an end” “to tell” or “to lead or carry a narration through to the end, recount, set forth, relate in full or describe” “of Gideon” whose name means “the cutter down” and was “a of the judge of Israel who delivered them from the Midianites”, “and of Barak” whose name means “lightning” and was “a commander of the Israelites”, “and of Samson” whose name means “like the sun” and was “a famous judge of Israel renowned for his physical strength”, “and of Jephthah” or “Jephthah” whose name means “whom God sets free” and was “son of Gilead, and a judge in Israel”. The Hebrew writer felt that he could not gain enough time to share about the “faith” of “Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah” who also exercised great belief in God.

The verse goes on to say, “...of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:”. The writer continued with the words, “of David also” whose name means “beloved” and was “second king of Israel, and ancestor of Jesus Christ” “and Samuel” which means “his name is of God” and was “the son of Elkanah and Hannah, who was the last of the judges, a distinguished prophet and a founder of the prophetic order who gave the Jews there first kings, Saul and David”, “and of the prophets” or “who were interpreters of oracles or of other hidden things of God who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman to solemnly declare to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation ”. The writer continued with his list of others who exhibited “faith in God” as he listed David, Samuel and the prophets as his examples.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we notice the common characteristic between all these people was “faith”. They believed God, and regardless of what situations or circumstances in which they found themselves, they trusted that God would follow through for them. God desires that we trust Him in the same manner, and when He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and to promise us “everlasting life”, He desired that we simply ask Him for forgiveness, turn from our sins and look for Him to fulfill the promise He has made. Let us see these people who trusted and obeyed that what God said He would do,and realize that He will do the same for all who believe in His Son Jesus.

Next time the writer shares how his examples ”through faith” “subdued kingdoms” and more, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

By Faith Rahab the Harlot did not Perish Hebrews 11:31

The writer of Hebrews included several examples of people who exercised “faith” in their lives. Among them were the children of Israel as they “by faith” walked around the walls of Jericho until they “fell down”. In chapter eleven and verse thirty-one of Hebrews the writer shares how “by faith” “the harlot Rahab perished not” where we read:

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not,

when she had received the spies with peace.

The verse begins, “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not,...”. The writer began with the words, “By faith” which means “the conviction of the truth of anything and belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ which springs from trust in the same” “the harlot” or “the whore or prostitute who yields herself to defilement for the sake of gain or lust” “Rahab” which means “wide” and was “a harlot of Jericho” “perished not” or “was not destroyed or slain” “with them” which refers to “the other people in Jericho” “that believed not” which means “refused or did not allow themselves to believe, obey or be persuaded”. “Rahab the harlot” was an unlikely person to exercise “faith” in God, however, because she obeyed the directives of the Hebrew “spies”, she was saved while others were perishing. (See Joshua 6)

The verse continues, “...when she had received the spies with peace.” The writer added the words, “when she had received” or “at the time Rahab took in, granted access and gave hospitality to” “the spies” which means “the reconnoiterers or inspectors in the sense of watchers” “with peace” or “with tranquility, harmony, concord, safety, security, prosperity and felicity”. “Rahab” “took in” the Hebrew “spies” and hid them from those who would have killed them, and this act became the impetus for her and her family being saved.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see how “Rahab”, the unlikely citizen of Jericho, was saved by her “faith” and trust concerning the words of the Hebrews “spies”. She hid the “spies” from the killers in Jericho and obeyed their directive to keep the scarlet cord hanging from her window. She had no proof that these things would ever “save her” as well as every person she convinced to come into her house, and yet, she “believed” and acted upon her belief. Jesus Christ came into the world to provide “salvation and peace” to all who will receive His words and obey them, and as “Rahab” believed without seeing her final results, so must those who put their trust and “faith” in the Lord Jesus believe. Let us consider the “faith” of “Rahab” as proof that even the most unlikely person, with unusual trust and obedience, can be afforded “salvation and peace” from God.

Next time the writer shares how “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets” could also be noted for their “faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.