zechariah

SPRING

Posted on May 3, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

The idea of spring brings pleasant thoughts to most of our minds … new growth, fresh flowers, enjoyable temperatures, smiles for the delightful season and sometimes even a lift in one’s human emotion and attitude. In Zechariah 10:1, Judah and Ephraim are instructed to ask the Lord for rain in the season of spring (translated “latter rain” in NKJV and KJV). Perhaps April showers truly do bring May flowers! The scripture goes on in this verse to declare,

… the Lord who makes the storm clouds; and He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to every man.

Certainly if one lives in an agricultural community, rain is absolutely essential. Even for those that don’t, the ground must be watered if fruits, vegetables, and grains are to be planted, grown, harvested, and distributed for food. It’s interesting to note that they weren’t instructed to sow seed or remove weed. That’s a given, but they were directed to seek the ONE who makes the storm clouds for the rain needed to water all they had planted, the actual works of their hands. These showers not only were critical for their crops’ development, but also an indispensible benefit/blessing for the entire society. The well-being of the people is in play here, and God’s mercy is needed — in fact categorically and undeniably expected. Here we see human dependence in its simplest form, and God’s trusted design and creation bringing provision and prosperity to His people.

See, all was ready on God’s part, “ask and ye shall receive!” (See Matthew 21:22, John 16:24) God’s blessings are usually both temporal and spiritual, but in this case the people of God were to call upon their ONE, TRUE, EVERLASTING, LOVING, OMNIPOTENT, IMMUTABLE Lord in order to fully receive His promised blessing. Why call upon the teraphim or a diviner, as they had done in the past according to Zachariah 10:2-3? (See Hosea 2:1-13, Jeremiah 44:15-28) Instead, ask Him who had made a covenant and promise like that found in Deuteronomy 11:13-15.

It shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul, that He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, that you may gather in your grain and your new wine and your oil. He will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

Does the Lord want us, His followers, to simply ask? Perhaps God’s blessings are given not to supersede prayer, but rather to encourage and stimulate believers’ prayer. Consider this concept in relation to II Corinthians 6:18:

And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.

Doesn’t a father take great delight in fulfilling the request of his son or daughter when it’s exactly lined up with what’s good and right for his children? Recall the teachings of Jesus on prayer in Luke 1:1-13 when Christ’s disciples desired to learn about prayer, stating that John the Baptist taught his followers to pray. Consider the instructions Jesus Himself offered in verses 9-12:

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

Certainly as believers, we understand that the Lord knows our needs even before we ask. (See Matthew 6:8) In the same manner, spring is guaranteed to come around once a year, every year. Nonetheless, our Lord told His people to seek Him for the spring rain anyway! There is definitely a spiritual connection between prayer and promise … In this case, prayer and the process of nature put in place by the Creator, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired writers of the Old and New Testament scriptures find no difficulty connecting prayer and the process of nature, spiritual impact, and/or the miraculous works of God’s Holy Spirit throughout history. This includes all Old and New Testament believers, Christ Himself, and those called according to His purpose(s). Do we suppose that when God promises or when He begins to bless abundantly, that we may then relax our prayers or cease in our efforts to please Him (bring Him glory through our words and deeds) 24/7 ?

Without question, the former rain did it’s work, all it was intended to do, but now the spring rain is needed. Perhaps this stimulates our sanctification, sweetens our fruit. Shouldn’t we ask of the Lord who brings greenness, who gives growth, healing, maturity, wisdom, and strength to all who ask? Matthew 7:11 reminds us:

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

John Osorius, a Spanish post-medieval preacher once stated, “He (Christ) exhorts all frequently to ask for the dew of the divine grace, that what had sprung up in a heart from the seed of the Word of God, might attain to full ripeness.” What a great thought for spring … may the showers of God’s promises and blessings bring forth much fruit!

Now, let’s consider the prayers of the saints (all true believers) as they come up before the throne of God. Are they not more significant than the seasons? The natural laws that govern our universe were set in place, and in motion, (study Psalm 104:13-35) by the same Lord who hears our requests and brings answers to bear. Sometimes those answers are even contrary to the laws of nature and the natural processes that He, in His immeasurable wisdom, divinely established! Just think … can you imagine … the God who gives rain to earth attends to human (believers’) prayer. In the eyes of God, is humankind greater than anything material? For us, as faithful followers of Christ, a cry to the Almighty, in celebration or distress, in joy or when encompassed by trouble, is the instinctual reaction of our soul/spirit — thanks to our spiritually acquired divine nature! Instead of interfering with nature’s law, prayer is the law of our new nature in Christ Jesus. While prayer for the spring rain, or anything else is an expression of our dependence, the act of asking our Lord is something much more. A precious privilege, an unsurpassed, sacred, incumbent duty for all His sons and daughters! (See John 9:31) – Pastor Frank

MIGHT & POWER VS. SPIRIT

Posted on May 2, 2022May 2, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

When Solomon built the first Hebrew temple which the Babylonians destroyed (586 BC – See 2 Kings 25:8–10), he had almost unlimited resources at his disposal since his father, King David, had fought many battles and collected huge spoils of war to be used in building God’s original temple. (See 1 Chronicles 26:20, 27-28) King Solomon was a powerful monarch with a vast kingdom, even ruling over some Gentile populated regions, but the Jews in the days of Zerubbabel and the prophet Zechariah had no such power, authority, or wealth!

In 538 BC, Zerubbabel, a leader from the tribe of Judah, was allowed to return to Jerusalem with other Jewish captives. (See Ezra 1:1-4) The Persian king appointed Zerubbabel as governor of Judah (See Haggai 1:1), and he began rebuilding the temple with the help of Jeshua, the high priest. (See Ezra 3:2-3, 8)

It took Zerubbabel two years to rebuild the Temple’s foundation. Construction was then delayed due to hostile opposition (See Ezra 4:1–5) and as a result, Persia withdrew its support. For seventeen years the temple construction remained unfinished. (See Ezra 4:21)

Nonetheless, while undoubtedly many had given up on the project, our Lord had a different / superior plan for His temple. God then spoke to the remnant of His people in Jerusalem through His prophet in Zechariah 4:6-7:

This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”

Here in this text, the word “might” is referring to military strength, what people can do together as an army … but the remnant had no soldiers. “Power” refers to the strength of a commanding individual, but Zerubbabel’s abilities were no doubt limited, nothing like that of King Solomon! The idea of not being discouraged and trusting the Lord was at the heart of the prophet’s message. Is it possible that the Spirit of God would enable them to accomplish something even in their apparent weakness?

There are three ways we can attempt to do the work of God:

1) We can trust our own strength and wisdom.
2) We can borrow the resources of the world.
3) We can depend on the power of God, the Almighty (omnipotent).

The first two approaches may usually appear to succeed, but the true work of the Lord is not accomplished in that manner! Only work done through the power of God’s Holy Spirit will glorify Him and endure the fires of His judgment. (See 1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

With limited resources, completing the temple looked to those Jews as impossible as moving a mountain! However, God told Zerubbabel that he would, by the power of God’s Spirit, level the mountain and make it a plain! In a similar manner, Jesus told His disciples that simple faith like a mustard seed (small but alive) could move mountains. (See Matthew 17:20; 21:21).

How often do we say that we are depending on God’s Holy Spirit? Revivalist Vance Havner (1901-1986), in commenting in that context on the methods of the modern-day church, stated:

But actually we are so wired up with our own devices that if the fire does not fall from heaven, we can turn on a switch and produce false fire of our own. If there is no sound of a rushing mighty wind, we have the furnace all set to blow hot air instead. God save us from a synthetic Pentecost!

God finishes His work! (See Zechariah 4:7b-10) God assured Zerubbabel that he would complete the rebuilding of the temple and the people would rejoice. The Lord gave a clear promise that Zerubbabel would complete the temple! (See Zechariah 4:9)

Shouldn’t this remind us of God’s promise and the true working of His Holy Spirit in us?

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (See Philippians 1:6)

Are you serving and living in the strength our Lord supplies through the presence of His Holy Spirit? (See I Peter 4:11)

Think about it, pray about it!

His & Yours, PF

EYE

Posted on November 4, 2020 by West Oaks Fellowship

In our Old Testament scriptures, the word “eye” is translated from the Hebrew word ‘ayin, generally speaking, literally, of the physical organ of sight, which is one of the chief channels of information for human beings. David is described as having beautiful eyes (1 Samuel 16:12), and in Canticles (Song of Songs or Song of Solomons), the lovers describe each other as having eyes like doves (1:15; 4:1; 5:12) and comparable to the pools in Heshbon (7:4). You may also recall from Genesis 29:17, that Leah (Jacob’s first wife) had “weak” eyes, although the meaning of the Hebrew word in this passage could mean faint as well as soft, delicate, or tender hearted.

A very cruel, fully-sanctioned custom among heathen nations was gouging out the eyes of one’s enemies or rivals because this significantly and effectively shattered their power (Judges 16:21; 2 Kings 25:7; Jeremiah 39:7). The judgmental blinding or putting out of the “right eye” was also considered a deep form of societal humiliation, robbing the victim of beauty, and making one unfit or ineligible for military service (1 Samuel 11:2; Zechariah 11:17).

In Deuteronomy 7:16, the Israelites were instructed by Moses, in the execution of Yahweh’s judgment upon nations and wrongdoers (Deuteronomy 19:13,21; 25:12), that their “eye shall not pity,” … therefore not deflected from the dictates of God’s laws by feelings of sympathy. In a similar way, God, in Ezekiel 5:11 warned, “My eye will have no pity and I will not spare” the execution of judgment upon those who, “defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and with all your abominations!” Even the Hebrew laws, “lex talionis” (law of retribution or retaliation), at times demanded … “life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21). By the way, genuine believers are enlisted by a different calling and standard in Matthew 5:38-48 … check it out!

The New Testament generally uses the Greek root word, ophthalmos for “eye” which is akin to opis, commonly translated as “sight” in English Bibles. When Christ restores the sight of two blind men alongside the road while leaving Jericho, this Greek root word is referring to the eye as the physical organ, which clearly demonstrated His power over eyesight, proving His Messiahship according to the Luke 4:18-19!

Our Bibles also use the word “eye” figuratively to beautifully illustrate the intimate relationship (in Hebrew thought) between spiritual and physical realities. The brightness of eyes is a sign of well-being (Psalm 19:8 compared to Psalm 38:10). In addition, eyes provide a path of expression for a variety of emotions and/or mental attitudes – grief (Psalm 6:7); tears (Psalm 119:136); expressions of mockery and or hatred (Psalm 35:19; Proverbs 10:10, 30:17), haughtiness (Psalm 18:27; Proverbs 6:18), evil sexual desires/lusts (2 Peter 2:14; Matthew 5:29).

Next, to “lift up the eyes” is an important phrase found in the scriptures. Largely, it means looking around for information, direction, and sometimes for help. To “close the eyes” or “hide the eyes” indicates carelessness or lacking sympathy as in Matthew 13:15. Proverbs 28:27 declares, “He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.” Setting or fixing one’s “eyes upon,” means focusing attention to something or toward a particular individual(s). In Psalm 119:6 the focus is turned to all the Lord’s commandments, and in Luke 4:20 all the eyes of those in the synagogue are fixed upon Christ as He reads about Himself from Isaiah 61 and declares, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Biblically speaking, often the eye(s) represents the total process of perception and understanding … the organs of spiritual cognizance that may be enlightened, awakened, or opened as is the request found in Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.” This action is accomplished by the Word (Psalm 19:8) and/or by the works of God’s Holy Spirit within believers (Ephesians 1:18-19). Sadly, a person’s eyes may also be “darkened” and/or “blinded” as found in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

Undoubtedly, in this very moment/hour, it’s essential that we, as believers carefully consider the admonition of our Lord, Jesus Christ from Matthew 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Also see/study Luke 11:34-36)

Please take time to study these many verses, and as Hebrew 12:2 states, fix your eyes upon Jesus, “the author and perfector of faith!”

His & Yours,