To be such a significant word, I am surprised that twelve full New Testament chapters have lapsed prior to its first use!

We're, the Lord willing, going to spend a few days studying the "Parables of Scripture."

Likely we shall concentrate on the seven "Kingdom Parables" of Jesus, the Matthew 13 locus.

But Jesus illustrated with many more of these interesting little stories than those seminal seven! I'd like us to at least notice them too.

Also the Old Testament has its share of them, parables. Many of which are tremendously interesting and informative and encouraging.

But for today let's just analyze our little "parable" noun. "Parabole" is a blended word. It begins with a preposition, "para," obviously its prefix. "Para" means "alongside, beside," that idea. Then its stem consists of "bole," a noun derived from the key verb "ballo." Meaning "to throw," or as a noun "something thrown."

"Parabole" thus means a bit of truth, a little illustration, a short narrative that "is thrown" down "beside" some great Sermon ... to help illustrate it!

See it?

Jesus is preaching and teaching. But to make His point more lucid, or to keep certain folks from understanding any more of that point ... our Lord "throws down beside" His Speech a story to further explain it!

"Parabole!"

Many will remember some Beginner or Primary Sunday School teacher in years past saying, "A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning!" Still a pretty good definition!

Let us invite you back tomorrow.

We will begin watching the Holy Spirit toss these little parables in our path ... to help us comprehend the great Principles of God!

Anyone interested?

Anyone hungry?

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, THE BIBLE AND PARABLES:

The number of parables in Scripture is surprising. I've located at least seventy-five, counting both Old and New Testaments!

Twenty-nine in the Old Testament, certainly a conservative number. And at least forty-six in the New Testament.

So I think I'll say that the type literature we call "parabolic" is an integral part of Scripture. The parables represent a valid genre of the Word of God.

Yes, the Bible is a vast Book! Psalm 119:96 says that "God's commandment, His Word, is exceeding broad."

Let me talk again about the Old Testament parables. The Prophets, as one would suspect, are our main teachers here. Jeremiah has two classic parables, the "linen cloth" and the "potter." And Ezekiel gives us even more, five. And these first seven are just the "enacted" parables.

Then we must list the "spoken" parables as well. The Book of Judges lists two, including Samson's "riddle."

The Books of History, Samuel and Kings, both quoting several different sources, add five more to our total.

Proverbs contributes at least a couple more.

Ecclesiastes a real good one, a classic, the "poor wise man."

Isaiah preaches two, God's "vineyard" in chapter five and "the farmer" in chapter twenty-eight.

The Ezekiel "verbally" adds nine more.

With Zechariah concluding the list, giving his story about "the true and false shepherds."

That's a lot of Scripture to study!

Every one of them, each parable, is divinely inspired too!

Tomorrow, Lord willing, let's pick one and look at it more closely.

Anyone interested?

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, JEREMIAH'S GIRDLE PARABLE:

Jeremiah the Prophet gave us one of the most interesting parables of Scripture. With few words, too! Mostly this is an "acted" parable.

Our Text, Jeremiah 13:1-7, is graphic. "Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins. And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock. So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me. And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there. Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing."

The command is clear. Jeremiah was to go purchase an undergarment, the piece of clothing worn closest to his body. It must be made of linen, the typical cloth worn by the priests of Israel according to passages like Leviticus 16:4. Jeremiah obeyed the Lord and apparently wore the girdle for quite some time.

Next God asked Jeremiah to take the girdle to the banks of the Euphrates River, several hundred miles away, and "hide" or "bury" it there, in a hole in some rock.

After that trip Jeremiah apparently returned home to Judah. For "many days" he remained in Israel, no doubt still preaching messages given directly by God, speaking to a backslidden people.

Then "many days" later God again asked Jeremiah to travel back to the same place, to the same River and the same rock and the same hole in which he had encased the girdle!

Of course Jeremiah obeyed.

But once he reclaimed the girdle, it was dirty and rotten and unusable. "Marred" is the Bible word, good for nothing!

Folks, this is a Bible parable. An earthly story ... with a heavenly meaning! But what is that meaning?

Jeremiah 13 continues: "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing." Verses 8-10

The girdle "pictures" the nation of Judah. They were created to be a "priestly" people, reflecting the Glory of God. See Exodus 19:6.

But Israel neglected herself spiritually and became soiled. No water of cleansing "touched" her. Smelly and vile in the eyes of God!

That's when God "sent" her to the Euphrates, a strong Babylonian "influence" clearly being indicated. This may represent the fact that Judah followed the gods and goddesses of the heathen world around her, Babylon being its leader.

Such a lifestyle would have led Judah into more and more sin. Meanwhile she was "on the shelf," better yet "in a hole," as far as God being able to use her for His Cause.

But graciously the Lord sends Jeremiah back to His now sequestered linen girdle. They are reclaimed ... and sadly "behold!" They to God, until repentance sets in anyway, are more dirty than ever ... "good for nothing!"

Wow!

God's people, including Christians today, can become so tainted with sin and the world and the flesh, influences of Satan ... to the point we "stink" in God's nostrils! Dirty and useless before Him!

And apart from the forgiveness available through the Grace of God ... many of us would remain inactive before our Heavenly Father, unclean!

Disqualified!

Reader here today, do not be a vile girdle! Stay away from the deceptive ways of the wicked world system that's all around us!

Keep yourself clean!

Dedicated to God.

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

This little Old Testament "parable" might really "preach" to the people of our day, living so close to Babylon like we too often do.

LESSON 4, JEREMIAH'S "POTTER'S HOUSE" PARABLE:

Today we return to the prophecies of Jeremiah to study another of Scripture's Old Testament parables. This one, like the "girdle" story in chapter thirteen, is not so much a "preached" parable as an "enacted" one, a spiritual demonstration of truth. Though of course the Lord certainly does "apply" it to His people.

"The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel." Jeremiah 18:1-6

A field trip?

The "potter" was a common sight in the ancient world, an established profession. The Hebrew word is "yatzsar," meaning a "manufacturer, one who makes or frames or fashions" a work of art.

The "work" this craftsman wrought is, in Hebrew, "melakah," a noun with an interesting background. It's derived from the Hebrew root word meaning "messenger, ambassador," even "angel" 111 times in the Old Testament. This piece of pottery, be it vase or bowl or cup, is a "sermon" to the Jewish people! What a thought, one's work or profession being his or her message to the world!

Now that's sacred labor, if I've ever seen it!

But something is wrong with the clay, it apparently being hard to shape or full of rocks or stones or filth, whatever. "Behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter."

The word "marred" is "shachath" and just means "corrupted, ruined, rotted, wasted." This is a picture no doubt of sinful, heard-hearted, rebellious Judah of Jeremiah's day!

And of us today who refuse to willingly respond to the Hand of our great Heavenly Potter too!

So, what does the craftsman here do?

Throw the clay outside, in the back yard, to be trampled underfoot?

No!

But, praise the Lord: "The vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

The verb for "made" is "asah," also meaning "to fashion, accomplish, execute." And "again" is placed in our text because of the word "shub" in the Hebrew, meaning "to turn" or even "to recover."

The potter had a secondary plan!

"He made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

"Seemed good" translates "ayin" and "yashar," when blended meaning "in God's eyes straight, right, proper."

The lesson today?

Due to its stubborn and unyielding nature the clay was unable to become what the potter first intended. But still, another, even if less significant, item was made from the little lump, rather than it being discarded completely!

Wow!

Give yourself to God, all the way!

Any hesitancy here could lead to diminished potential in His service.

Oh yes, He might still use us, likely so, but not the the degree once possible.

What a parable of the patience and goodness and grace of God!

And what a parable of the danger of sin, even in the life of a believer!

What's a parable again?

Simply stated, "An earthly story with a heavenly meaning."

A trip to the potter's shop.

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, EZEKIEL'S BRICK TILE:

Parables are not always "verbal" stories, not in Scripture. They can, at times anyway, be "acted" stories as well! Of course there is usually a bit of commentary accompanying the act, to help in its interpretation.

A good example of this is found in Ezekiel's writings. This Prophet of God is "loaded" with parables. He is in some ways a "symbolic" preacher.

"Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem. And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about. Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel." Ezekiel 4:1-3

What a strange command God has just given!

"Son of man" is the Lord's favorite "name" for Ezekiel. ninety-three times he is so addressed, by count. This term emphasizes the Prophet's "humanity." And Jesus loves it so much He adopts the name for Himself during His earthly Ministry.

"Tile" is the Hebrew noun for a "brick," here obviously a longer and wider one than usual. It can be associated with the word for "pavement," if that helps any. To "pourtray" means "to write, inscribe, engrave" on that hard, dried piece of brick. Draw a picture, Ezekiel!

This piece of "artwork" now looks like the City of Jerusalem. A place God loves dearly.

Next God instructs His man to act like the miniature "city" he just built ... is under attack! Under enemy attack!

And all of this means?

God only says ... "This shall be a sign to the house of Israel." Ezekiel 4:3, end of the verse.

Jerusalem!

Jews!

Your sins will bring to you judgment!

Attack from a foreign power!

Some of that chaos had already occurred to Jerusalem, but nothing like what was still coming ... if she did not repent!

In other words ... to word it as Moses did in Numbers 32:23, "Be sure your sin will find you out."

Wow!

What a parable!

Looks like Ezekiel is "playing," but instead he is "preaching!"

And precisely what was predicted in that parable did happen, a few years later to God's Chosen City.

In persistent in sin, such could happen to any city on earth yet today!

Let's pray for our Nation, folks.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, EZEKIEL AGAIN:

We are studying the Parables of the Bible. In Ezekiel 5:1-5 a classic little Story is presented to the people of Judah, in parabolic form nonetheless. It is both a warning and, sadly, a prophecy.

Let's let the Prophet himself relate the event. The Lord is the Speaker. "And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair. Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them. Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts. Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel."

What a haircut! God to Ezekiel: "And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard." I find it interesting to see here clear Bible proof that Ezekiel had a beard. Or did anyway!

Then a Preacher needing scales? "Then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair."

Let's keep watching and listening! "Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind." Three parts, each predicting future calamity for the rebellious, constantly sinning people of God! Some will be burned to death, a military attack no doubt. Some slain with swords, another painful way to die. Then many will be scattered to the four corners of the earth, the "dispersion" historians now call it.

Wow!

But looks like God plans to save a small "remnant" of Judah! "Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts." God always "saves" a few for His Glory, though all could have been spared had they obeyed the Truth.

But then ... surprise ... even of the remnant, some will be destroyed, due to even their apostasy, departing from the faith. "Of those few, then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire."

Now we're down to an extremely small fraction of Jews "saved" from death! Only a percent or so ... stayed true to God and His Word!

That too may be the condition spiritually when Jesus returns to earth some day! Our Lord Himself even asked, "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

What a parable!

Thank you, Ezekiel.

Thank You, Lord.

Any preacher or teacher can take this little word picture and use it to admonish and encourage the Lord's followers in the twenty-first century to remain faithful to our dear Saviour! If not, there are consequences!

Biblical Parables, they are amazing!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, ISAIAH AND HIS PARABLES:

Today I'd like to share with you a parable from the pen of Isaiah the Prophet. He was preaching to a Nation who had drifted far away from her God. And God was about to "punish" little Israel for her sins. Yet even in God's times of chastening, one can see little hints of kindness and grace in His actions!

"Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place? For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen. This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working." Isaiah 28:23-29

The "story" Isaiah is using here is taken from the "farm," Israel basically having an agricultural economy.

The horticulturalist, the man plowing, has prepared his ground carefully. "Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? Doth he open and break the clods of his ground? When he hath made plain the face thereof ..." Perfect!

Next he sows the seed. "When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?" Sounds like a good variety of produce on the way! An assortment of seeds.

And where does the farmer, for that matter any worker or manufacturer or craftsman, learn his trade? Acquire the basic "common sense" to ply their careers? Isaiah has that answer too: "For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him." God-given aptitude!

Then of course in the farming cycle "harvest time" soon comes! And our laborer here still knows how to pick and prepare his crops! The Prophet here describes the "milling" process. What's done on the farmer's "threshing floor" really. "For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen. Here's the real "heart" of the parable I think!

The harvester does not crush the "little seeds, the very small crops" with too heavy a threshing instrument! You do not trample very small "fitches" with great big ox feet! Or run over them with the wheels of your ox cart! You merely "whip" them a little bit with a "staff" or "rod," thereby spilling their little nuggets of nourishment, separating them from their husks. Such mild action is however a far cry from what the coarser grains like corn meal or wheat or oats need! The larger tools are here required!

Knowing the appropriate measure of "grinding" to apply to which grains ... is absolutely essential to bringing the crops to market! Or to one's kitchen shelves!

And where did the farmer learn this, I ask again. "This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working."

Wow!

Now here is the lesson I take home from this amazing parable. Our all-wise God, like the intelligent farmer, knows just how much "pressure" to put on us when we are being prepared for our life purpose!

Or even when God is disciplining us! He knows just how much "weight" we can bear! He does not "put on us that which would ruin us," or "that which would negate our very purpose for life!"

He knows how much we can bear, He being our Creator!

What a Lesson this is!

God will "winnow" each us us in time. Otherwise we would be no good for ministry to others.

But He will treat us according to His design for our lives!

Little "fitches" reading here today, our great God will never run you over with a giant packing machine! He will simply use one of His little "branches or switches" to do the job, in accordance to how He made us!

What peace this brings!

What Wisdom it reveals!

What love in our hearts it should generate to our Heavenly Father!

Even when he "winnows" us ... He does so with "tenderness."

Praise His Name!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, JESUS' PARABLES OF THE TREASURE AND THE PEARL:

I'm excited about today's parable. Really a "set" of parables. If astronomers can admire "binary" stars ... so can we glory in "double" parables.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46

These two are part of Jesus' great seven-story "series" known as the Kingdom Parables, all appearing in Matthew chapter thirteen.

Dispensationalists, the old time fundamentalists of yesteryear, taught us that Jesus likely here has two different groups in mind. Verse 44 --- the "treasure" being "Israel!" And verses 45-46 --- the "pearl" being the Church!

Either way, Jesus is the Businessman, the Financier, the One Who pays the Price to acquire His desired possession!

And either way, the price is great! It took Jesus' Blood to redeem lost sinners, whether Jews or Gentiles!

And either way, the Purchaser is successful in His Endeavors! Jesus' Death on the Cross is God's powerful and effective means of saving the lost!

Let's keep these two little stories in mind today. Then let's pray for the salvation of Israel ... and the continuing up-building of the New Testament Church!

Treasures ... and pearls!

How valuable "people" are to our Saviour!

What a time of rejoicing lies ahead throughout eternity.

Aren't you glad you're saved?

And if you are not ... "Verily, verily, I (Jesus) say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24

Amen.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, SAMSON'S RIDDLE:

I want us today to study one of the shortest parables in the Bible. It is found in the Book of Judges. In the life and ministry of Samson.

Our protagonist is now grown and is looking for a wife! But Samson does not care for the Jewish girls of his day, an unwise decision. He rather has fallen in love with a young Philistine lady. He's marrying into the people who are very antagonistic to Israel, the enemy!

One day as Samson and his family travel to Timnath where the future bride lives, Samson encounters a lion. But our strong man readily kills the lion, a young one, and leaves its body along the roadside.

Well, wedding plans are made, and Samson and his folks go back home. But of course they have to make a return trip when the big day approaches. And on this second journey Samson again notices the lion, its carcass anyway. Judges 14:8-9 tell us: "He turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion."

Well, in time the wedding occurs with a great and lengthy feast to follow. Then during a conversation with thirty young Philistine men, obviously guests of the bride's family, Samson made a little "bet." Thirty changes of garments, thirty suits, a whole wardrobe was at stake!

The riddle, which is really a Bible parable too ... "And Samson said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." Judges 14:14

There's a lot more to this little historical episode than I have related. But today's point is the "parable" itself.

"Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness."

Easily seen is Samson's reference to his recent "lion" experience. He killed it. It lay decomposing. Then a swarm of bees came and set up a honey-making enterprise! Thus, the "parable!"

Out of a wild lion came forth something to eat. And this strong thing yielded, surprisingly, something sweet, honey!

No one could have guessed the "answer" to Samson's little "riddle." In Hebrew "chiydah" means "a hard question." But it's translated "proverb" once in the King James Bible.

"Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness."

But is there a deeper meaning to these words? Besides the obvious historical connotation?

I think so.

Out of a lion comes forth "meat." I want to think a second about the real Lion of Scripture. "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah" is one of Jesus' many lovely titles, names. It's used of Him in Revelation 5:5. And truly out of that "Lion," our dear Saviour, has come "meat!" Meat to us who are hungry anyway! The noun for "meat" here is "maakal," meaning "food" of course, but also "fruit," nourishing sustenance!

Yes, Jesus is the One Who feeds us day by day. He is the Bread of Life! We partake of Him and His Word and grow regularly in His Grace!

But then also ... "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness" ... there's something "sweet" here too.

The truly "Strong" One of Scripture is again, our dear Lord! The He is The Stronger Man who overcame Satan, according to Matthew 12:29 and Mark 3:27, both parables told by Jesus Himself. Here the Hebrew "strong" is spelled "az," just meaning "fierce, rough, mighty, hard, one who prevails!" It's a battle term, soldier language! Yes, Jesus is our "Man of War." Yet this being so, Jesus is also the Giver of "sweet" things in our lives!

Here "sweetness" is "mathoq," meaning all twelve times it appears in the Bible "that which is sweet." In this sense, "pleasant, delightful to the taste." Indeed, anyone agree, Jesus is "sweeter than honey in the honeycomb?"

Wow!

What a little parable!

Told incidentally by Samson.

Yet, a little commentary on our great Lion and the food He gives us. Including the amazing sweetness of the Christian life!

One parable may indeed be worth a thousand words!

Think about it today, rather ... think about Him today.

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, A PARABLE FROM ECCLESIASTES:

A "parable" in the Book of Ecclesiastes?

Yes!

Read it with me. "There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man." Ecclesiastes 9:14-15

The story of the "poor wise man."

Notice the "setting," the "context," of the Passage. A little town, apparently defenseless. And a huge army attacks it! The siege lasts for a while, no doubt causing food and water to become scarce.

Death is imminent, for everybody!

Then comes a savior!

Notice that he is a "man."

And he is "poor."

Also he is "wise."

Furthermore, perhaps most important of all, he is a "deliverer!" The city is set free by his skills!

Then, surprise to us all, nobody honors the gallant man! No one person remembers him!

Oh yes, this is truly another "earthly story with a heavenly meaning." And it is a "picture" of Jesus I think.

The world was lost!

Deep in sin!

An enemy, Satan and his hordes, had besieged the whole planet. Death, not just physical but spiritual, will be the result!

Then comes a "man." He is really the God/Man! He is 100% God and His is 100% perfect man! Jesus was virgin-born miraculously to make this a matter of fact.

But this is a "poor" man too. Jesus, the Son of God? Yes! "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." Paul's words about Jesus in Second Corinthians 8:9.

Thirdly, this poor man is "wise!" All-wise, "omniscient" they say. And through His Wisdom He died on the Cross, shedding His Blood for lost sinners!

Yes, Jesus is the "Deliverer." The "Redeemer!" The true "Saviour," the "Shepherd" of His sheep!

And lastly, regretfully, sadly ... Jesus too, like the poor wise man in our Parable ... has largely been "forgotten!"

The world for whom He has provided salvation ... ignores Him. Some in it even curse Him.

Only a few honor Him!

Does anyone reading here today love this Jesus?

Is anyone thankful He delivered us?

Do we appreciate Him enough, His saving Grace, to live for Him the rest of our lives?

Is anyone determined not to forget Him?

Oh, blessed be the sweet Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our little poor rich Man!

Amen.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, A SEA MONSTER AS A PARABLE:

Ezekiel chapter 32 tells an interesting story about a wicked nation. That nation, according to the times in which the Prophet lived, was Egypt. God is predicting judgment upon these people. And our Heavenly Father uses a metaphor to do so, a little "parable" really.

Here it is. "The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net. Then will I leave thee upon the land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee. And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height. I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee." Ezekiel 32:1-6

The Leader of Egypt, Pharaoh, is compared to a "whale in the seas." And God Himself is at war with this creature, because of mounting wickedness.

God "fighting" a sea creature!

God is using a net to capture it! Then He drags it on the land, letting it die and rot! Then come vultures and scavengers, with all the stench and loathsomeness they involve!

God wins, triumphing in righteousness.

Pharaoh loses, representing Satan and his ungodly company.

Yes, this is a parable.

One of many word pictures in Scripture where God battles a "sea monster" of some kind.

A parallel "system" of parables, each pointing in some way to the end days when our great God victoriously controls all creation.

Here's another example, perhaps the fullest in all the Bible. Job 41 begins this way, introducing a sea "dragon" of some kind: "Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?" And for thirty-two more verses this sea "beast" is described in supernatural terms, a picture of Satan again, no doubt!

But guess what?

This animal, whatever it was, lives no more. They are extinct! A typical and symbolic way of indicating that some day sin will no longer rule the earth!

God never looses!

Satan never, in the long run, wins!

And Ezekiel's whale and Job's leviathan are proof!

Anyone reading here today on the "winning side?' Through Jesus Christ the Lord!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, THE MUSTARD SEED:

Today let's study another of Jesus' short parables, one of His seven most famous "kingdom parables" found in Matthew 13.

"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." Matthew 13:31-32

A man sows a small seed in his field, on his farm. In time his little planting had sprouted, bushed, grown taller and become a tree! Then, loaded with symbolic meaning, "birds" immediately come and lodge in the recesses of that great tree!

A short story indeed!

The "seed" is apparently a "picture" of the many today who have heard the Word and profess Christianity. Yes, that's the way I'd like to say it. They are members of Christendom, though not necessarily born-again children of God! People can be church-members without really being saved!

And the massive growth of the seed here is likely a picture of the explosive advancement the organized church has made. From a group of twelve to untold numbers today, most in some way expressing affinity to Jesus.

Then, Jesus taught, come the birds! They lodge in the limbs of the tree! And these "birds" represent what? Previously in this same chapter, in the parable of the sower, "birds" are "enemy intruders" who raid the farmer's field and "steal" the good seed so germination cannot occur! In other words, the "birds" are the dirty enemies of the cause of Christ!

That's the picture Jesus is drawing, almost without doubt. The "professing" church has grown exponentially. But it has also attracted and accepted, even housed, many a vile teacher and damnable doctrine, symbolized by these birds!

To our readers here today.

Be sure you are not just in the tree, the tree which sprang from the mustard seed. Be sure you are washed in the Blood of Jesus! And if you are in a part of the "church" that condones and supports vile practices ... leave that apostate outfit right now!

"Come out from among them and be separate," commanded the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.

Maybe the religious system called Christianity today has grown too much! Addition without contrition! And for sure we've driven away no wicked birds of compromise and denial and doubt lately!

True?

Or false?

These are the two questions we will be evaluating until Jesus comes again, to take Home His Own genuine followers!

Are you one of them?

Are you ready?

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, DANIEL 2, NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM IMAGE:

I wondered, are there no parables in the Book of Daniel? Some Textbooks say "no," others "yes." So the definition of a parable, precisely anyway, is a bit "flexible," open to interpretation.

Nonetheless one of the older Preachers, Herbert Lockyer by name, includes Daniel as an Old Testament source of parabolic material. By the way, his Book "All The Parables Of The Bible" is a classic. Worth being in any Bible student's library. Maybe not to read all the way through, but certainly for reference purposes.

In Daniel chapter 2 is one of the most crucial Bible prophecies in all Scripture. The whole doctrine of eschatology, the teaching of "last things" prophetically, hinges on Daniel's "parable" there!

The King of Babylon has dreamed a dream. Ends up that Daniel is the only person who can interpret the Monarch's vision.

Here's the text, the heart of it anyway: "Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king." Daniel 2:31-36

A statue, an image!

It various pieces, its members, are composed of descending qualities of building materials. The head is gold. The breast and arms, silver. The stomach and thighs were brass. Legs, crafted of iron. And finally the toes, made of a composite, iron and clay.

It's an earthly dream, a practical story ... with a spiritual application, a godly meaning. And that folks, is essentially a parable.

But what is meant here?

Future world history is displayed clearly for Nebuchadnezzar! For Daniel too! For everyone who reads, believes and devours the Bible as well!

From Daniel's time, every world ruler or group of rulers is mentioned! Symbolically, but clearly enough to identify them!

The head of gold, Babylon who was ruling the world when Daniel lived.

The arms of silver, the Medes and Persians who defeated Babylon and ruled earth, this event occurring in Daniel chapter five right before our eyes!

The belly of brass, Greece and her exploits particularly under the leadership of Alexander the Great.

And the legs of iron typify Rome and her might.

And history indeed gives testimony to the accuracy of this dream vision and its interpretation.

But those toes, clay or dirt mixed with iron? Who are they? Some sort of revived Roman entity! A resurrection of the old Roman System incorporated into a modern mindset!

This last one is yet to come as of the year 2013, but its shadow may already be faintly visible!

Then, as we earlier read, one more world-wide government is to come! "Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth." Daniel 2:34-35

This giant Stone that consumes all the previous and inferior governments is the coming Kingdom of God!

Our dear Lord's future millennial rule on earth, literally and gloriously and victoriously!

Jesus' government "filling the whole earth!"

What a vast parable!

What a truth!

What a Bible!

In this way it's more up-to-date than tomorrow morning's newspaper! More up to date, truly, that next year's paper!

Praise the Lord.

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, LUKE 3:4-5, JOHN THE BAPTIST AND JESUS:

If our Text today is not a parable, it's certainly close to being one! Some textbooks include it, others do not. Either way, it's the Word of God.

Luke has John the Baptist saying, about the coming Lord Jesus, about preparing for His Arrival: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth. And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Luke 3:4-6

The symbolism is obvious, though a literal fulfillment is quite accurate as well, especially in light of Jesus' Second Coming! Indeed, when Christ comes back to earth, after the Rapture, after the Tribulation ... when He rides that White Horse of Revelation 19 back to this planet ... geography, topography as we know it will be altered! Zechariah chapter 14 gives more information, the maps will be rewritten!

And on that wonderful Day, I'm pretty sure that actually ... "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth." And positively so then ... "All flesh shall see the salvation of God."

What a Day that will be!

But now I'd like to talk more about the possible spiritual application of these words.  "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth." I think they may picture the way God prepares a soul for salvation! For belief in Jesus, faith in His Name!

The "lowly" who are like valleys must be convinced Jesus surely did die for them! They are that "important" to the Son of God! They then must be "filled" with the assurance that salvation is possible ... through Jesus alone!

The proud, conceited "mountains" of people who think they have no need of Jesus ... must be "brought low," graded down to humility, willing to trust Christ as Saviour!

And the "crooked?" Of course they must be "made straight," willing to repent and trust Jesus as Redeemer!

What about the "rough," the downright mean and contemptible? They will be changed too, Jesus can do even that! God has "smoothed" many an old sinner, transforming ruffians into gentlemen or ladies for the rest of their lives!

Wow!

Why has God made plans to do all this? Why has He invested in the Holy Spirit such an office of conviction and transformation? That ... "all flesh can see the salvation of the Lord."

Amen!

This God can "change" anybody!

He can save even the hardest of sinners!

Even today ... that lost soul nearest Hell!

Praise His Name, our Lord God Almighty!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, ACTS 2, PETER'S SERMON:

To me it's a little parable, though very short. At times it's difficult to tell the difference between a true parable and a simple "word picture." Really that's what a parable is essentially, a picture drawn in words.

I wanted to find a parable in the Book of Acts, if for no other reason just to share with you readers here on our Website. Let's try this short one today, from Acts chapter 2, Peter's Sermon on the Day of Pentecost.

"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words ... " Acts 2:14

Peter then continues, powerfully preaching Jesus, His Death and Burial and Resurrection! Here are his exact words: "Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." Acts 2:22-24, bold!

Then comes his Old Testament illustration, using that little parable. "For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:25-35, all about our dear Saviour!

The last few words Peter just preached are expository, nearly quoting word for word the second Psalm, David's pen under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I have capitalized them and printed them in red, for easy identification. "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool."

Here's the word picture! Here's the parable, according to some of the experts anyway. "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool."

God the Father in Heaven making Jesus' enemies "His footstool" is very picturesque! The Greek noun "footstool" is "hupopodion," simply meaning "under one's feet!"

What a wonderful thought!

All the rebels of earth, including the devil and his cohorts ... "under the feet"of Jesus! Conquered foes!

In Biblical times a soldier, once slaying his nemesis, would place his foot on top of the dead man's body. Joshua 10:24 gives an example.

Yes, Jesus is coming back to earth!

To reign supremely!

As King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

With all His foes as His "footstool!"

Praise the Lord!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, MATTHEW 13 AGAIN, THE NET CAST INTO THE SEA:

A parable teaches, Biblically speaking, general truths. One cannot "push" a parable too far, yet still remembering that it's a valid way of presenting the Ways of God. And today's parable is a good example.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:47-50

This is one of the seven "kingdom parables" Jesus taught in Matthew 13, the most parable-centered chapter in all the Bible.

Its basic truths are easy to follow. In Matthew the "kingdom of heaven" is at least this, not a picture of the "true, all born-again, every-one-Blood-washed" family of God! It is more like a picture of the "professing" church, those masses who "say" they know Jesus.

So "Christendom," as some teachers have named it, is like the "net" in Jesus' story here. The "sea" is undoubtedly a symbol of the whole world, the total population of humanity. And folks have been garnered into the "net." Lots of people today, tons of them, are "religious." But not all religious people are "saved!"

The organized "church" today in its very many geographical locations is full of "fish" all right, but some "good" and some "bad!" Just like our parable tells us.

But judgment is coming, the "end of the world" or "the end of the age," at which time a sorting will occur! A separation, good from bad!

This means that every time we go to church ... we may be worshipping with many true Believers ... and some false ones too!

It also means now is not the best time to "strip away" the false from the true, we oftentimes not having enough information to tell the difference. We shall wait on the Lord.

And the "wicked" shall be cast into Hell!

And the good go into the Master's "vessels," eternally to enjoy His Presence!

Now ... what does the parable not tell?

Absent here is any teaching about the Rapture, when the "good" will be separated from the "bad" in clear-cut fashion.

About the glories of our Lord's plan for his "good" fishes.

Again, parables do not tell everything! They can't. They're just too short. They simply are not designed for full, detailed doctrinal discourse.

But indeed present here is critical truth needed for the very hour in which Jesus was teaching! When the religious Pharisees and Sadducees and their cohorts were claiming special relationship with God based on their good works!

Religion can be dangerous, deadly!

And the local church today, a precious place to be ... is not perfect yet. One must be sure that he or she is saved!

Then we must trust God's Will for everything else.

Wow!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16, AN EVIL SPIRIT:

Let's look into Luke's Gospel to find today's parable. Actually Matthew has a parallel to this story as well. Both are exceptionally adept writers, and both labor under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." Luke 11:24-26

The little illustration Jesus is giving here is pretty straightforward. A "demon" has inhabited a man. But for some reason that vile creature decides to leave! Is Jesus telling us indirectly that even the devils have free will?

Look what this "evil spirit" is seeking! "Rest," a little Greek noun spelled "anapausis," meaning "a pause from tension, a cessation from frustration, a repose from labor." The very devils ... restless! No wonder Isaiah compares the ungodly to a heaving, tossing sea, never at peace.

The poor person who "hosted" this evil spirit, an unwise human in this parable, swept and decorated ... but still left his dwelling empty! The demon even still calls it ... "my house!" Bad mistake here! The inhabitant should have filled his house, his body, with good things ... not leaving a spiritual "vacuum" for this soon-to-return evil spirit! Christian friend, if you expel some sin from your life ... replace it immediately with a good trait, a new and clean hobby, a virtuous activity! Do not leave your life empty and purposeless!

I think via this parable one might also conclude that evil spirits can fellowship with each other! This one has chosen seven friends ... and is bringing them "home" to the person he had earlier left! This is an insight into the ways of the devil his methods. Could you say here's proof that "Misery loves company?"

And this time when these eight evil spirits enter the man, the person, they do not leave again! They "dwell" there, with "katoikeo" meaning "to house down, to settle in, to reside!"

Note this too. There are degrees of iniquity even among the demons! The restless evil spirit here brought back home "seven other spirits more wicked than himself!

The end result?

This man is worse in his last state than in his first situation!

The Lesson here, apart from observing several of the "wiles" of the devil, his very "devices," we have learned the critical importance of keeping one's life and heart and mind and soul and thoughts "filled" with right things! With elements of life that please Almighty God!

Like this: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8, this is indeed a full mind, to the Glory of God!

What a parable!

Let's take heed!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 17, MARK'S UNIQUE PARABLE:

The Gospel of Mark presents a unique little parable, from the lips of our Lord Jesus at that! Also, this little story is "unique" to Mark, not being told by any other Gospel writer.

"And Jesus said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." Mark 4:26-29

This parable, unlike those in Matthew 13 for example, use the term "kingdom of God" as opposed to "kingdom of heaven." I think there's a difference between the two. The "kingdom of heaven" is all of professing Christianity, it seems. There are in that kingdom true and false members, saved and lost folks together. But in the "kingdom of God" it is otherwise. Here are found only genuine born-again people! At least this distinction seems to hold true throughout the New Testament.

So, Jesus in Mark is telling us about the true "planting" of God! These are the "good seed" which Matthew's "Sower" planted, those who have survived the birds and briars and hard, rocky soil! They are in good, fertile ground!

The point of today's parable is this, "good seed" will sprout! God sending the sunshine and rain and breezes ... "fruit" is on the way!

Look at the stages of growth here, "blade, ear, full corn!" What a symbolic description of spiritual development!

Then the harvest, where we go to God's great "barn" and spend all eternity with our Heavenly Father!

All this happens, being created by God to do so, without the farmer really "knowing" the depths of the miracles occurring out in his field!

Wow!

Good seed or bad?

Which are you?

If good, you are indeed going to grow and mature and bear fruit in the field where you are planted!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 18, JOHN'S PARABLES:

The normal New Testament word for "parable" is "parabole," an illustration "thrown down alongside" a lesson to help illuminate the truth being emphasized. That's right, "parabole" translates as "to throw alongside."

And the New Testament is loaded with such parables, the first three Gospels, the "Synoptics" they're often called, being the primary vehicles.

But John, that Gospel and its parables?

Surprisingly, He does not repeat a single "standard" synoptic parable!

In fact, John doesn't even use the noun "parabole" once! The single occasion where our King James Bible has the word "parable" in John, the word is quite different! "Paroimia" means "to suppose or think two things are alike." Comparing two things that "appear" to be "parallel" in meaning or thought. Yes, John 10:6 uses the second word, "paraoimia" for parable. "This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them."

The fourth Gospel also uses "paroimia" twice more. But there our translators have opted for the word "proverb." John 16:25 and 29 respectively: "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father." Then: "His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb."

Wow!

Furthermore, and these are merely interesting facts that I thought some of you might enjoy, each concerning John's Biography of Jesus as the Divine Son of God. John technically only seems to fully describe about twenty days of our Lord's entire Life! Truthfully, the last week of Jesus' Life in John takes up about 40 percent of the Book! Nine chapters, one week!

John only relates eight miracles of Jesus as well! And he never calls them by their normal Greek name either, "dunamis." They are always "semeion," a "sign" pointing to some great Fact about Jesus! His being the Son of God, His being the Sufficient Saviour to meet the needs of His people, His sheep!

And even the Sermons of Jesus that John gives us, again eight in total, are each clustered about one of Jesus' eight astounding "I am" statements!

Now, do not misunderstand me. John is not contradicting Matthew and Mark and Luke, not at all. He accepts all they have told us about Jesus ... then adds to that body of information further data to help us better know and love our Lord!

Lots of exclamation points in here today, but that's how excited I am, how I really feel!

What a Saviour!

What a Bible!

John, what a Gospel!

By the way, the illustration John shares that is labeled a "parable" in our Bibles, John 10:1-9, explains to us that Jesus is "The Door" to the sheepfold! Sure am glad we know the Door, aren't you?

He is the Way to Eternal Life!

Really, He is Eternal Life.

         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 19, A PARABLE FROM ZECHARIAH:

The Book of Zechariah, one of the Old Testament's twelve little Minor Prophets, has a number of beautiful "parables."

Today I'd like to show you one. It's found in the first chapter of that little-studied Book of Scripture.

Now expect a word picture please. "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. And the LORD shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it." Zechariah 1:18-19

The Man of God here, under the control of the Holy Spirit, sees four "horns!" The Hebrew noun "qeren" means an "animal's horn" literally. Then in time it could mean a "musical instrument" as well. Then a "container" for holding liquid, such as olive "oil." But symbolically, especially with this being a parable, these "horns" represent someone or a group of people who wish "to gore, to stab, to pierce," fully intending harm ... anyone they despise! "Horns" as symbols of power and destruction.

As you can tell from the context of the parable, that's precisely what's happening here. Four foreign "nations," powerful and deadly as bulls' "horns" ... scattering and persecuting God's people. Zechariah's congregation, the Israelites.

Based on the times in which Zechariah lived, these four "horns" likely are Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, all bitter enemies of the Jews.

Oh how that little Nation has suffered over the years of her existence. Anti-Semitism is not a new thing!

But watch our parable again, "Then LORD shewed me four carpenters." Oh yes, our Almighty God has on hand also ... four "carpenters!" This word is "charash" and means "craftsman, workman, engraver," as well as "carpenter." But get this. The noun is based on a Hebrew verb meaning "to cut, to plough," words indicating suffering and pain!

Four "horns" have tried to persecute Israel. And they did so, effectively!

But God eventually raises up four "carpenters" ... with saws and hammers and knives and drills ... to punish and judge and repay these predators for their ungodliness and vengeance and hatred of Israel! Israel whom God several times calls "the apple of Mine Eye!"

These carpenters then dutifully "fray" the four horns, using the very same verb Zechariah does, our parable does. And "charad" means "to cause to tremble, quake, be terrified, discomfited!"

Wow!

God raised up protectors.

Avengers, even.

To keep His earthly heritage safe.

In fact, He is still taking care of His Own people.

Israel can claim this verse, so can we who are saved. "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17

Amen!

Pray for Israel today.

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

History does record the fulfillment of this parable too! Against the "horn" of Babylon God brought the "carpenter" of Persia. Later against the "horn" of Persia, who eventually turned against the Jews ... God brought the "carpenter" of Greece! And then in time against the "horn" of Greece, who eventually began to hate Israel, God brought the "carpenter" of Rome. And against the "horn" of Rome, who soon murdered countless Jews ... God brought the "carpenter" people known as the Gauls.

Praise the Name of the Lord!

He cares for His little children, those who believe in Him and His only begotten Son!

LESSON 20, A PARABLE ABOUT OLIVE TREES:

Still in Zechariah today, we're looking at another of his interesting little "parables." The Preacher tells a story about a candlestick. With a reservoir or "bowl" on its top, apparently a storage tank for future oil needs. Obviously the seven lamps, their wicks, burn olive oil. So a lot of light is going to be generated here! A well-stocked candlestick!

But get this! In addition to its storage vault for oil, that "bowl" Zechariah mentions, there stand by this candlestick two great olive trees! Which have prophetical significance no doubt, but just as easily can represent the Holy Spirit, God's Real Source of Light! "Oil" in both Testaments typify or represent the sweet Spirit of God!

Miraculously, these olive trees have "pipes" that also supply the burning lamps! Wow, now we indeed have an inexhaustible provision of oil. This light may never go out, never be extinguished!

Oh, what a blessing this little story is! "And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof." Zechariah 4:1-3

It is saying to us, among other things, that as Believers in Christ, as lights in this dark, cold world ... we too have an empowering "Source" of brightness, of fuel, of warmth, of witnessing power!

And our "supply," our very "oil" is none other than the precious Holy Spirit as well! He indwells us, similar to the "bowl" on top of the candlestick here, and He abides by us, omnipresently, like the olive trees surrounding the lampstand in Zechariah here.

Wow!

Jesus enjoyed such Power of the Spirit! John 3:34 says God gave Him the Holy Spirit without measure!

We too, according to Paul in Philippians 1:19, have the "supply" of the Spirit in each of our lives!

Saved friends, enjoy that Oil today. Relish in the Presence of the Holy Spirit! Bask in His Light and Warmth!

And worship God for the sheer fact that He is all-sufficient! Never ending! And He can always provide much more than we can ever "ask or think!"

Hallelujah!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 21, THE FORGIVING CREDITOR:

We go to the Gospel of Luke today, in our search for the parables of Scripture. This is a short one, embedded in a mealtime story. One in which Jesus is both criticized and worshipped, by different folks of course.

"There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged." Luke 7:41-43

A man had loaned money to two different people. One man only needed fifty "pence," a New Testament term virtually synonymous with a "day's wages." The other signed for ten times that much, five hundred "denarion."

But both "clients" were unable to repay their amounts! "Bankrupt" would be our word for this situation.

Then the wealthy lender did a gracious thing, "He frankly forgave them both," erased the debt! Now it's ... balance due, "zero."

Then Jesus asks a general question. Our Lord wanted to know which debtor would most appreciate the kind deed? Which would "love" him the most?

What's your answer to that question?

In some cases, I guess, neither would be especially grateful, that hard-hearted and calloused.

In an ideal situation, both would be eternally thankful!

But at least, surely so, the person of whom most had been forgiven would most honor the banker for his mercy and forgiveness!

Wow!

If you are reading here today and feel that you never did much wrong, that you always were among the "best of the best" morally or spiritually ... it's likely that you do not properly honor the Lord for saving your lost soul! After all, you weren't doing that much wrong!

But, on the other hand, if you were deep in sin, lost and blind and undone without Christ, on your way to Hell and deserving it ... no telling how much you will love Jesus! And praise Him and live for Him and worship Him!

Yes, God has propitiated and justified and cleansed every Christian who believes in His Son Jesus. But those who are most aware of the vileness of his or her sin ... will generally be most reverent and adoring of our Heavenly Father!

Anyone really love Him today?

Has He brought anyone a long way ... from the pits of sin to a firm position on the Solid Rock?

If so, let's love Him indeed. Let's all love Him indeed! He is worthy. In fact, one unforgiven sin, without Jesus as Saviour, will put a man or woman in Hell for all eternity!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 22, A PARABLE ABOUT JESUS COMING AGAIN:

In Mark 13:34-36 we find today's little "parable." Let's read it, and note its beauty. "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning. Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping."

The Son of Man, no doubt, is our Lord Jesus Christ. He has taken a far journey. He ascended to Heaven, forty days after His Death, Burial and Resurrection, and has since sat there at the Father's Right hand, praying for us.

But clearly, Jesus in this little story is coming back again! That's why we are told to be "watching!"

But look further. Jesus gave "authority" to His servants, each of us who is saved by the Power of His Blood! He has given us "work" to do. Let's be busy for Him ... until He returns!

Then there is a person called a "porter." The Greek word is essentially their noun for "door." This man is a "doorkeeper." He's a picture of the preachers and missionaries and evangelists and others who proclaim the Word and give invitations ... coaxing sinners to the Saviour!

What a beautiful little illustration!

And folks, it is "heavy" with Truth. Jesus is far away ... right now. We have been commissioned to be busy for His Name's Sake. Preachers everywhere are to be "watching," to be "alert, aroused" for spiritual realities!

Then some day ... perhaps even soon ... our Lord will appear! "Suddenly" our Text says, without advance warning!

Let's serve Him this week. He may be back to get us any minute! Luke 19:13 has it, the very words of Jesus ... "Occupy till I come."

Amen.

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 23, A PRAYER PARABLE:

I must include in our series on parables a lesson about prayer. And Luke chapter 18 begins with a pretty example, verses 1-8. Here they are:

"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man. Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

The first line is worth the whole paragraph! It suggests that if we pray ... we shall not be as prone to faint! Jesus just taught us that praying often, as a lifestyle, strengthens us in our daily walk with God.

Then comes the story about the judge who was not initially inclined to help a poor widow lady. One who was under attack! But she kept asking, incessantly. She, the Greek says, "kept on reaching forth" to the judge, pleading for relief! She, in English, "troubled" him. And eventually, her constancy of petition brought the desired answer!

Then the Lord applied the parable. God will indeed "defend" His Own children! But, unlike the irreligious judge in our parable, the Lord will move on our behalf "speedily!" And "tachos" means with "quickness, swiftness."

The truth being emphasized?

If we know our cause is right, keep on praying! Regularly, often, earnestly, fervently ... and God will grant our safety!

Amen!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 24, A "TRIO" OF PARABLES THAT FIT TOGETHER:

One morning last week, as I studied the "parables" of Scripture, an author mentioned how some of those lovely little stories seemed to "fit together" so well! That they "belonged" to each other.

I've pondered that thought a bit. And while I am still searching for more ... the Lord has shown me a "threesome," a little "trio" of parables that I'm convinced are meant to fit side by side.

We center today on Luke chapter 15. It has three distinct parts. Most Bible teachers believe it consists of three different parables. Dr. Scofield says so, too. The parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son.

Here's the beauty of the whole unit. Watch carefully now, the organizational capability of the Author of Scripture will be clearly seen, the Holy Spirit of God.

In the parable of the lost son, the prodigal son, as much emphasis is placed on the father as on the wayward boy! Dad loves that child, allows him to leave, even gives him his fortune! Then he waits patiently for the boy's return! And upon the least semblance of repentance the father forgives! And restores! And rejoices! HE IS UNDOUBTEDLY A PICTURE OF GOD THE FATHER! THE ONE WHO CREATED US, LOVED US EVEN WHEN WE REBELLED, WAS PATIENT WITH US AND WAITED ON US WHILE WE WERE IN SIN! THE ONE WHO SAW US COMING HOME, MET US AND FORGAVE US AND HAS BEEN GIVING TO US EVER SINCE!

In the parable of the lost sheep we meet a good shepherd! And he goes to great length to find one little lost lamb, even though he already has many more sheep in his possession! Eventually he brings them all, every member of his flock, home safely! HE IS A PICTURE OF GOD THE SON, OF JESUS! WHO CAME TO EARTH TO SEEK AND SAVE LOST SHEEP, LIKE YOU AND ME! WHO WENT, AND IS STILL GOING, TO GREAT EXTREMES TO REDEEM EVEN ONE LITTLE MISPLACED, UNIMPORTANT-TO-THE-WORLD, EWE OR RAM!

Then in the parable of the lost coin we have, surprisingly, a lady! And she is looking for a piece of money! She light candles, sweeps floors, works endlessly ... until she finds it too! SHE IS A PICTURE OF THE CHURCH I THINK, ALWAYS FEMININE IN SCRIPTURES, LOOKING FOR LOST SOULS! BUT WHO MOTIVATES THE CHURCH TO DO THIS? WHO EMPOWERS HER IN HER SOUL-WINNING EFFORTS? THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD! HE IS ALWAYS QUIETLY, IN THE BACKGROUND SO TO SPEAK, ENCOURAGING US TO SEEK THE LOST!

Do you all see this?

Three little parables, one about THE FATHER, one about THE SON, and one about THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Surely, they "fit" together!

And what was the ugly "charge" the Pharisees and Scribes brought against Jesus that day, that prompted His telling of these three little stories? "This Man receiveth sinners!" Luke 15:2

So Jesus teaches us just how true that remark is!

God the Father receiveth sinners!

God the Son receiveth sinners!

And God the Holy Spirit receiveth sinners!

Hallelujah!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 25, THREE SONS:

Matthew 21:28-31 records another of Jesus' skillfully crafted parables. Let's study it a few minutes.

"But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you."

The story is relatively simple. A father asked his older son to go work in the family vineyard. The boy said "no," but later reconsidered and obeyed his Dad. Then the father asked his younger son to do the same, work. This boy said "yes," but did not go at all!

Which best followed his father's wishes? That what Jesus wanted to know. And our Lord is teaching quite a lesson by this whole scenario.

The son who ultimately worked, he is the obedient one. That's a rather obvious answer, isn't it?

Now for the application ... stated clearly by Jesus in our Text.

Look, the Pharisees and Scribes and Sadducees all acted like they were saying "yes" to God's Will. When in fact they were plotting Jesus' Death that very moment! They never truly worked for God or his Son.

And the common sinners of our Lord's Day, the turn-coats and harlots, they seemed to have said "no" to Jesus and His Way of Life ... but then they got "saved" and subsequently served in God's vineyard the rest of their lives!

Wow!

A story full of surprises!

Only God knows our hearts ... and our deeds!

Both sons were, of course, less than ideal.

Then yesterday I thought of a Third Son! Jesus! He is the only begotten Son of God! He is God come in human flesh! He is sinless Deity clothed in flesh and blood!

And this Son ... was perfect!

He said "yes" to His Father ... as a lifestyle!

And He also "worked" for His Father ... pleasing Him in every detail!

His greatest Work? The Cross of Calvary where He died, shedding His priceless Blood, that sinners might be saved!

Thank God today for That Son!

Amen.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 26, PARABLES ABOUT CARELESSNESS, AND THE CONCLUSION OF THIS SERIES:

Three parables, or at least parts of parables, Jesus taught have a very similar meaning. It's almost as if they can be grouped together. Their particular "theme" was apparently on Jesus' Mind quite often.

I'll call them the "Making light of the things of God" parables! God, His Word, and His Will ... the greatest and most important Issues on earth! In all the universe really!

In Matthew 22:1-5 we find a parable of extreme carelessness. A "don't care" attitude if one ever existed! "And Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it ..." The Greek verb "made light of" is "ameleo," meaning they just "did not care!" Acting this way to the King!

Then later in this same paragraph, Matthew 22:11-13, a man does come to the wedding feast, but clearly unprepared! "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Again, the King's Honor was just not that important!

Then in Luke 14:16-24 another similar story is related. This time it's not a wedding, just a great banquet. "Then said Jesus unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many. And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come." Excuses, excuses, excuses! None of which would legitimately have kept any interested person away from the lavish feast!

The first group just did not care!

The second situation, a man without a wedding garment, shows blatant lethargy. Again, unconcern.

And the third vignette, trivial so-called "reasons" are used to refuse a certain host, ignoring his invitation to a great supper!

There they are.

A three-fold warning against "making light" of the things God bids us do.

May we all take note!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell