Dear Student of the Word,
Some people have said that the word leader doesn't appear in the Bible, that pastors as we know them today are unheard of in the Bible. I don't agree and see leadership concepts through the Old and New Testament that are specifically addressed to leaders. This week we study what Jesus said to the Pharisees and leaders of Israel in Matthew 23 in which Jesus delivered His seven "Woe to you Pharisees" condemnations.
Here is what I wrote on Day Six of this week's seven daily studies, which you can download below:
v. 34 – Here we see Matthew writing about what Luke also reported. God’s plan to expose these Pharisees was to send them His prophets whom the leaders would flog and kill. Isn’t it interesting that God could choose to send some of His servants into situations where He knew they would be mistreated? He did this and gave those He sent no say in the matter. God did not apologize for sending them into a bad situation in which they would be mistreated. God can send His servants anywhere He chooses to have them treated however He wishes and never apologize. Some may even lose their lives and have to wait for vindication.
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:9-10).
When you say to God that you will do His will, are you serious? Can He send you to a bad situation? Can you be mistreated and see that is God’s will for you? Can you rejoice in that?
v. 35 – God can use you to reveal the hearts of other people, even if it reveals their wickedness. So can you pray the prayer that Isaiah prayed?
With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said, "Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving” (Isaiah 6:7-9).
v. 36 – There it is again. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth!” The Pharisees and the people could never have imagined that what Jesus was saying would come true. They thought they were on good terms with God, but Jesus was telling them otherwise. And their spiritual condition was going to lead to the downfall of life as they knew it in Jerusalem and Israel. This was unimaginable, I’m sure, so Jesus had to affirm that He was indeed telling the truth.
As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.
Plus a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies, along with the unpublished Faith Files, can be found on my website in the archives.
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PROVERBS:
My most popular book is my daily devotional from the book of Proverbs.
If you would like a sample of September's devotional, you can download
it below.
COMING TO THE UK? I have a ministry who would like to bring me over to the UK for October 20-November 3, but they need partners to help, whether churches or individuals. If you would be interested in utilizing my ministry services while I am there, please write me this week and let me know.
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