Marching Forth!

During a Bible study last night we discussed how the words of Jesus are commonly rendered, "Turn the other cheek."  It is significant, however, that Jesus specifically mentioned the right cheek in  Matthew 5:38-40 :  " You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  39   But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  40   If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also ."  Our study leader has an Assyrian background, and he explained that to hit someone on the right cheek meant a backhand slap as the left hand was reserved for unclean tasks.  In the Middle East to slap someone with the back of the hand is a personal insult and was intended to shame and demean rather than wound.  If someone slapped your right cheek with their left hand, that may have been even more insulting than a backhand! ...

As I read of the line of king David in 1 Chronicles , there is a notable contrast between the consistency of David's sons reigning in Jerusalem and the upheaval in the northern kingdom.  While kings in the north and their many sons were snuffed out again and again for a new line to be established, David's sons ruled until the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and took Israel into captivity for 70 years.  Amazingly and according to God's promise, David's line continued even without a throne and went all the way to Jesus--where in a natural sense it ended because Jesus was never married and did not sire a son or daughter.  With eyes of faith we comprehend what Jesus did by the power of the Gospel, for He has innumerable progeny as  John 1:12-13 says:  "... But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  13  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of ...

When we read the Sermon on the Mount delivered by Jesus to His disciples, it ought to be deeply challenging to us Christians because it is not our natural way of living and thinking.  To people who grew up under the Law of Moses it was shocking how Jesus went beyond the letter of the Law and illuminated and emphasised matters of the heart.  It is important to recognise the teachings of Jesus were a monumental shift from allegiance from the Law of Moses and to Jesus Christ as the original lawgiver and present LORD.  In our day of grace it is possible to dismiss the Law because we are not "under it" but neglect to submit to Jesus our KING and sovereign.  The teachings of Jesus demonstrate all who call Him LORD ought to hear and do as He says. For instance, Jesus said in  Matthew 5:38-42 :   " You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  39   But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you o...

When the sin of God's people in Israel multiplied before the LORD, judgment by the hand of their enemies was the LORD's righteous remedy.  They sold themselves to rebellion, sin and idolatry, so God sold them as slaves into the hands Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.  It is ironic that Israel had been given the Law of Moses, had built the temple as God's dwelling place and had priests and Levites who conducted worship and corrupted themselves, yet it was Nebuchadnezzar who did God's will in destroying Jerusalem.  God had a good purpose and plan even in displacing the people and making the city a ruin, for He would refine them and cause them to return to Him (and the land He gave them as an inheritance) at His appointed time. Consider what is written in  Isaiah 10:20-23 :  " And it shall come to pass in that day t hat the remnant of Israel,  a nd such as have escaped of the house of Jacob,  w ill never again depend on him who defeated them,  b u...