CRISIS

“And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD" (Isa. 37:1 NKJV).

In our verse, Hezekiah, one of the best kings ever to reign over the Israelites, faced a great crisis. The Assyrian army threatened to attack Judah. It was a crisis because the Assyrian army greatly outnumbered the army of Judah. Our verse speaks of the informing of Hezekiah, the inflicting of Hezekiah, and the inquiring by Hezekiah.

Informing of Hezekiah – “It came to pass, when King Hezekiah heard it.” Hezekiah was informed about the Assyrian plans to attack Judah; this was bad news. However, Hezekiah is not alone when it comes to hearing bad news. We all have had our share of bad news. Because we live in a sinful world, bad news is a large part of our experience. In fact hardly a day goes by that we have not had to face bad news. We should not be surprised when bad news comes. It is part of life.

Inflicting of Hezekiah – “He rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth.” By renting his clothes, Hezekiah was showing that he was sorrowful. In those days people showed that they in mourning and sorrowful by tearing their clothes and wearing sackcloth. The bad news brought great sorrow to King Hezekiah.

Inquiring by Hezekiah – “Went into the house of the Lord.” In this crisis, Hezekiah did more than just tear his clothes and wear sackcloth, he also went to the house of God to inquire of the Lord. Many folk will tear their clothes and wear sackcloth but will not go to God for help in their crisis. It is not wrong to be sorrowful when bad news comes. But if we only show sorrow and do not seek God’s help in a time of crisis, our problems will never be solved. As with Hezekiah, God brought relief to Hezekiah, so He will also bring us relief when we seek Him in our time of crisis. Our God is a great help in trouble.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The Christian finds safety, not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God!”

Anonymous Word Study

Dishonest (disgraceful)

In Titus 1:11 we read, “Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain” (NKJV).

Dishonest (disgraceful) is the Greek word aischros (αἰσχρός = ahee-skhros'). The word refers to that which is indecent, dishonorable, ugly, socially or morally unacceptable, shameful or base. In classical Greek aischros is anything that causes shame or disgrace. This can be either a physical appearance or a moral condition.

In the Septuagint aischros is used in the same general sense as classical Greek. It is used of the disgrace a wayward son might bring his parents. The word not only applies to the shame of the individual, but to the shameful act or object which results in judgment. In the New Testament aischros is always used to refer to the shame associated with sexual perversion and to the shame of money. While there is no evidence that this was money that had been acquired in an illegal manner, it seems to refer to monies acquired by those who preached the Word of God for their own profit.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah will restore Israel (Isa. 49:6)

New Testament Fulfillment – Acts 3:19-21; 15:16-17

Did You Know…

In the Bible, it states that Jesus gives eternal life (John 10:28; 5:40)

Bible Quiz

To escape from King Herod, the angel of the Lord told Jesus’ family to leave and go where?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Who wrestled with God by the Jabbok River? Jacob (Gen. 32:22-24)

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“There is a time and place for everything”

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven!” (Ecc. 3:1 NKJV).

“There is a time and place for everything” - The expression "there is a time and place for everything” carries the idea of that there is a set time for all activity. God by His providence governs the world, and has determined particular things and operations to particular times. In those times such things may be done with propriety and success; but if we neglect the appointed seasons, we sin and become the authors of our own distresses. Here we see a recognition of God’s sovereignty, complemented by man’s freedom and ability to adjust his life to the requirements of God.

Did You Know – Christian History

Around 35 AD, a man named Thomas had come to India from the west and was preaching a new religion. It was a strange and foolish cult because its hero was a crucified criminal, whom Thomas claimed was raised to life. However, people will believe anything, and thousands were being drawn over to this new teaching. The Brahmin priests were furious as their mind control and incomes were in jeopardy. They had to come up with a way to get rid of Thomas!

So, who was Thomas? Thomas was one of the Lord Jesus’ twelve apostles. His name is mentioned by all four gospel writers, some of whom call him “the Twin,” but the apostle John is the only one who tells us anything that Thomas said or did.

When we first hear Thomas speak, the Lord Jesus has just learned of the death of Lazarus. He declares He will go to visit Mary and Martha, but the other disciples protested. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem had just tried to kill Him! Thomas, however takes his master’s side and heroically says, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” (John 11:16). He would prove his bravery again and again in his later career.

Thomas next spoke up at the Last Supper. When the Lord Jesus said He must go to the Father, Thomas admitted his ignorance. “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). In reply, the Lord Jesus uttered one of the great “I AM” statements: “Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).

Finally, after the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, He showed himself to the disciples. Thomas missed that meeting. When the other disciples reported that the Lord Jesus had appeared to them, Thomas said he would not believe unless he saw the nail prints in His hands and touched His wounded side. Later, the Lord Jesus did appear to Thomas and showed him those wounds.

Thomas immediately understood the implications. God the Father, by raising the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, proved that the Lord Jesus was all He claimed to be. Thomas fell before the Lord Jesus declaring Him “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). This is one of the most triumphant testimonies of faith in the Bible.

After the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, Thomas carried the gospel eastward. Strong traditions link his name with Iran and India. All agree that he was martyred. Thomas probably died in India, at Mylapore near Madras (Chennai). According to the best record we have, an angry pagan priest drove a spear through his body while he knelt in prayer.

A Little Humor

Theresa, living in Nebraska, USA, decides to mail the old family Bible to her brother in Maine. The postal worker enquires as to whether there is anything breakable in the parcel. “Only the Ten Commandments,” Theresa replies with a smile.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Every saint has a past - every sinner has a future!”