For who resists His will?, For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. 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. But sometimes we forget that when God ordains a particular end, he also ordains the means to that end. Solomon was given a mind like no one before and like none even after him (1 Kings 3:12). In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. Judas didnt know itand doesnt get any credit for itbut his dastardly deed actually fulfilled predictions given by the Holy Spirit hundreds of years before he was born. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. He uses believers and unbelievers. Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice. But the fact of the matter is it wasnt me! 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. 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. 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. In many cases without them even realizing that they were being used by God. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. But among the leaders of the nation, only a few followed Christand they became secret believers for fear of persecution by their brethren. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. All four gospel writers agree that three times Pilate rendered the same verdict regarding Jesus: I find no fault in him (John 19:6 NKJV). Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Egypt made his brother, Jehoiakim, the new king over the Jews. Though used of God to complete his plan, those who crucified our Lord were still personally wicked and godless in what they did. Questions? It is only as we look back that we see clearly that God was there all along, working behind the scenes for our good and his glory. Now relax your hand! And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. That doesnt make us anything more in Gods eyes. When God does something completely different and unexpected (Numb. Showing us that our God can and will use anyone even though they dont know Him. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne ( Psalm 47:8 ). That leads me to ask a simple question: Are you a professor or a possessor? Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). These lessons simply teach us that God can take that which is evil and use it for his own good purposes. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. We need to remember that God uses the foolish. The thing he values the most is dragging him down to eternal damnation. Here is my answer: He allowed Judas to betray Jesus so that Jesus could become the Savior of the world. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. Jump to Previous Understanding God in Troubled Times 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. Grace be with you. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. (see Acts 1:20). Psalm 69:25Reputation destroyed forever. Jump to Previous God didnt want to lead the people around the Red Sea by the way of the Philistines knowing they might get scared and run back to Egypt (Ex. 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. 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. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). A lesson worth considering, but not the main lesson I want to focus on, is that God often put us into situations where only He can deliver us. The 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. God scoffs at any attempt by me or you to prove our worthiness. "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. And that is okay. 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. Holman Old Testament Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah by Trent Butler. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. The Prophet Habakkuk wrote during the troubled times before Judahs captivity. He chooses to use sinners to accomplish His sovereign will, often in ways we dont even understand. God is still using unlikely people to accomplish His will on earth today. The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. The ungodly show the futility of their rebellion, the awful penalty of sin, and the just wrath of God. So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. Literal Standard Version. It was all the Lord. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 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! We need to be reminded again and again that we are like grass disposable, temporary, fleeting, momentary. The Israelites and the church did face some tough times and we may too. so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. Habakkuk learned that the material success of the ungodly is not a reliable measure of their true success. Herod the Great tried to kill him in Bethlehem. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). Fourth, Gods command seemed impossible to obey. A man who lived in a time in which only Jews served the one true God. I was not a cum laude graduate. Then we read this in Exodus 14:13-16: But Moses said to the people, Do not fear! Does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans (Habakkuk 1:5-11)? Eternity will reveal how your faithful service was used by the Lord in amazing ways. Gods covenant warned from the beginning that if Israel fell into sin God would use a foreign heathen nation to bring judgment upon them. Stating that the plans of men are many but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. We see this all the way through the Bible. Just as He did with Pharaoh who placed no faith in the God of Israel. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. 1:22). Moses was a by-product of the Egyptians attempts to hinder Gods blessing upon them, was placed in pitch covered basket and set adrift in the Nile, but rescued, weened by his own mother, adopted into Pharaohs house, and educated in all the learning of Egypt (Acts 7:22). Nothing that happened to Jesus that night or later on Good Friday made sense when it happened. 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. Will we show forth Gods glory in our obedience and in our receiving of His covenant blessing? God picks the scrawniest little girl to lead off on his kickball team. How does this truth apply to Judas? The book of proverbs also gives us insight into this. To put the matter that way raises several other questions: Was Judas predestined by God to betray Jesus? How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? Those who turn in humble trust to the Lord, who rest in His work of redemption, who seek to walk in his ways, and who turn in humble repentance when they fail, will receive His righteousness, and blessing forever. They do whatever they want. That doesnt lessen his guilt, but it does increase our appreciation of Gods sovereignty over the affairs of men. Causing him to not let the people go. But Moses said to the Lord, Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. The people of Israel, were backed up against the Red Sea with Pharaohs army charging at them. What does it mean that God came from Teman (Habakkuk 3:3). God Himself said that He used Pharaoh so that His name would be known on all the earth. Why did a holy God allow such evil to continue? 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. We see this all the way through the Bible. You have entered an incorrect email address! 1 John 5:14. Our accolades cannot merit us any greatness. Because God does miracles by His own power. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. Email Jack. Egypt and the Neo-Babylonians were competing for world dominance. Dont mistake temporary material victories for true success. Which is why they completely missed the Messiah when they stood right beside Him. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. It even included the price Judas would receive for his act of treachery30 pieces of silver. God then raised up Moses and his brother Aaron as instruments to deliver the people of Israel from cruel bondage. Verse Concepts. Paul used this verse from Habakkuk to warn the foolish despisers of the gospel. God didnt need to have Moses lift up his staff. Our accomplishments do not justify our existence. In 609 Judahs King Josiah was killed in battle against Egypt. Nothing is ever left to chance with God. Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. God could have had the earth swallow up the Amalekites. Two questions stand out: 1) Did Jesus actually descend into hell? Summary 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. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. The gospel writers record many Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. WebWhat if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. In heaven, each mans praise will come to him from God, and God will be glorified for sovereignly using sinners for His good purposes (I Cor. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? 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. The manner of the judgment would be unexpected. He even turns wicked hearts to serve his Sovereign purpose. He uses believers and unbelievers. Those who were rebelling against God had become apathetic. God has already determined the end from the beginning (Isa. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things! (Rom. And did not believe in His wonderful works. Their horses also are swifter than leopards, And more fierce than evening wolves. Judas professed Christ but he did not possess him, which is why he is in hell today. Steven Lee is the Pastor of Preaching & Vision at. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Do not begrudge your weakness. In our text, Ex. 55:8-9). Two verses later, in Rom. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. So continue to trust in Him and you wont be disappointed. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. Christianity is not about religion, its about a life-changing relationship with the Son of God. 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? In the time of the New Testament after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see the expansion of Gods Covenant to include Gentile believers drawn to the Savor by the Gospel. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. You are going to need it as we search the Scriptures to answer these two questions. even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. As Christians, we have nothing to fear or worry about because we know that God is in control. your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. The Neo-Babylonians were dominated by Chaldean kings. When we dont see the ungodly punished immediately, or when they seem to be successful in their evil ways, we should not assume that God is beaten or is pleased to turn His head. The repentant show Gods unmerited grace to undeserving sinners, and reveal the merciful blessing and goodness of God. He uses believers and unbelievers. In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. Their end will be most awful. I have not been named most influential, listed as most attractive, or voted most likely to succeed. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts He wants us to trust in Him, to rely on Him, to cry out to Him, and then give Him glory for delivering us. A God who can bring something good out of betrayal can be trusted to accomplish his work in your life. We when we dont know if something is Gods will, we pray, Yet not my will but yours be done (Mt. Jesus says much the same thing in his famous prayer just before Judas arrives: None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that the Scripture would be fulfilled (John17:12b). God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. Here we see that when believers are doing the will of God, obeying the Word of God, and serving even the least of the Saints, they are Gods instruments, doing Jesus will, ministering to Jesus people, His body, His bride. Moses didnt have any power to bring the ten plagues upon Egypt either. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. From the earliest days of Jesus life we find the Jewish leaders conspiring against him. They wanted him dead and used Judas as a convenient means to that ugly end. The gospels writers emphasize that although the Jewish leaders earnestly sought for witnesses who could testify against Christ, they found no one willing to come forward. But Habakkuks confusion was not doubt. They had fast horses and were more fierce (more alert, fierce, and sharp) than the hungry wolves that come out to hunt in the evening. 1:21). Get your Bible. C) God uses all eventsgood and badto accomplish his purposes. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. 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.. 1:8). 17:8-13). Before the Apostle Paul wrote his letter he was known as Saul. He told the people that Pharaohs army would be wiped out, though he did not know how. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. 13:17). WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. They had no weapons to fight Pharaohs army, no experience in war, no ability to defend themselves, and no way of escape. In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives. Everything was planned by God down to the tiniest detail. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. WebGod never does evil Himself. 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. Verse Concepts. God will surely judge all rebellion, secret and open. 1 And Saul approved of his execution. 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. That pagan nation was struggling against Egypt for dominance. We might make Jim Collins proud, but God yawns at our leadership abilities. Wisdom didnt guard him against a wandering heart. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. When Isaiah 53:1 speaks of the future coming of the Messiah, literally it says, who would have believed the thing reported? His birth as a baby who would grow up, suffer and die was most unexpected. Do not begrudge your weakness. It forces us to live by faith, which is how He wants us to live all the time because it gives Him glory. Thats generally the way life is for all of us. The people of Jacob were trapped. Lesson 7 The Interpretation of Scripture, Lesson 5a Boundaries of the Doctrine of Creation, Primeval Chronology by Dr. William Henry Green, Lesson 8 Gods Special Providence & Miracles, Lesson 10 Assurance of Grace and Salvation, Lesson 2 Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience, Lesson 3 The Regulative Principle of Worship, Lesson 4a The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 4b The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 1 An Overview of Special Eschatology, Lesson 2 -The Great Tribulation of Matthew 24, Lesson 3 The Millennium of Revelation 20, A Guide for Small Group Bible Study Leaders, Defending the Biblical Faith by what God Shows Us, Lessons in the Westminster Shorter Catechsim, The Inspiration of the Treasured Word of God, Summary of the 45th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, The Holy Spirit In the Ministry of the Word, The Necessity of Biblical Love in the Believers Life, Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (part 2), Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (Part 1). The story of Judas teaches us that nothing happens by accident. He fought against God and hoped to destroy the early church. His son Jehoahaz became king. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. Training for Preachers and Teachers of God's Word, Want to know what an RSS feed is and how it works? God himself had foreordained every detail surrounding the death of his Son. Why? Though Israel was many, only the remnant will be saved (Romans 9:27). This shows the mercy and compassion of God to help the Israelites. Zechariah 11:13Judas would give the money back. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. All rights reserved. Everyday Apostolic 2019 | All Rights Reserved, Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers, Canceling Church On Christmas Removes Christ From Christmas, Great Resources On Baptism In The Name Of Jesus, A Diluted Christianity: Oneness, Trinitarian, Or Is It All Just Irrelevant, Youre Not David Pastor Raymond Woodward, The Walking Bible Pastor Raymond Woodward, Wait On The Lord by James Wilson NAYC 2019, If I Shout/Lets Testify Medley FAC Sanctuary Choir. 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. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. God had not yet told Moses what He was going to do, but Moses knew the Lord did not redeem the Israelites from Egypt to have them slaughtered. 1 John 5:14. Moses didnt have any power to divide the Red Sea. We all understand that God intended that Jesus would die for the sins of the world. We should never presume to say to an unbeliever, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We cant know that. The Pharisees believed they were serving God but in reality, they didnt even know Him. In Jeremiah 13:20 it said, Lift up your eyes and see Those who come from the north . Jeremiah 25:32 says, Behold, disaster shall go forth From nation to nation, And a great whirlwind shall be raised up From the farthest parts of the earth., Habakkuk 1:6, For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? Though used by God for his purposes, the ungodly are still evil. He betrayed the Lord but ended up vindicating him. Here are some examples: Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. It doesnt mean everything will also go perfectly or the way we hope. I dont speak on any circuits, have given no TED talks, and have been the keynote speaker less than once. He could have rained fire and brimstone down on them. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. The evil ones believe pridefully that their own imagined gods have blessed them. The articles posted on this website are here to provide information about the Bible and specific topics related to the Reformed Faith along with it's application in our daily thoughts and activities. Judas didnt know it, and neither did the disciples, but Gods fingerprints were all over his act of betrayal. God is unimpressed by our collection of readers, likes, retweets, friends, connections, or admirers. Comments? Until that man turns from his sinwhich in his case means acknowledging his behavior as sinand runs to the Cross of Christ he cannot be saved. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. I have not written a New York Times Bestseller, and no one has publicly endorsed, recommended, or vouched for me. 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.. This warning was made clear in the ancient covenant revealed long before through Moses in Deuteronomy 28. In the process, we will also find an answer to a third question, Who are the sons of God in Gen. 6? If you like solving mysteries, you will love this, "Churches are going apostate inside their comfortable church buildings! God calls the autistic man to give the most profound articulation of his simple faith. In spite of our slownessand even sinGod will bless and use us to fulfill His purpose of blessing all nations through Christ, because of our relationship to the Father through the Son. But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. 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.. The way to heaven is only Jesus and Jesus only.. He had great trust in the truth of God. Click here. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, Why does this generation seek for a sign? 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?. A most astonishing way of fulfilling that prophesy. 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. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. God sees. God answered him. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. Isaiah 28:11 warned, For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people. Jeremiah 5:15 said, Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel, says the LORD. Recent events may not have gone how you hoped and the signs may seem bleak. First, we see the faith of Moses. God will bring ultimate and final judgment upon all ungodliness. That is what moving forward would require, or so it seemed. I answer yes. Many that people can plan to do much but is God that will always have the final say. Being a creative, innovative or highly effective leader is insufficient. But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.

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