A comfort verse from the Old testament Book of Exodus?

Yes indeed!

Exodus 3:7, in fact.

“And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”

Those last few words, “FOR I KNOW THEIR SORROWS.”

What a load, what a burden, this single fact can dispel!

“He knows!”

By the way, He not only KNOWS, He CARES too!

The noun used in today’s verse for “sorrows” is the Hebrew “makob.” It is only found 16 times in the entire Bible, a rarity in itself! And 2 of these times it is translated “pain.” He knows when we hurt … physically or emotionally I might add! And then 2 more times it is rendered (in the King James Version) as “grief.” He knows when our hearts hurt! When we mourn!

Wow!

Remember that by the graveside of His friend Lazarus, John 11:35 succinctly tells us “Jesus wept!” Let me place right by that verse our Fragment today: “For I know their sorrows.”

Yes, at times God may seem to be absent. Ask Job! One may at times wonder, “Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?” Psalm 77:9

But we all know the real answer to those questions … “Lo, I (Jesus) am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:28

Again He speaks in Hebrews 13:5 … “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Never!

As you hurt today, from whatever source, remember that our great God long ago said of our hard situations: “I know their sorrows.”

There’s help here, Holy Ghost comfort.

He knows!

“Praise” Him … even when you can’t “see” Him!

Selah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, the next verse after our Text, Exodus 3:8 adds: “For I know their sorrows … and I am come down TO DELIVER THEM out of the hand of the Egyptians, and TO BRING THEM UP out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Amen!

 

Yes, Isaiah 32:2.

I don’t know why this verse has not been on my “radar” when troublesome times come!

But over the weekend this Text (empowered by the Holy Spirit), personally spoke to my heart. Burdened my heart, then lifted that burden … thereby refreshing my soul!

And now the verse! Again, Isaiah 32:2 …

“And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”

The “man” in view here could be none Other than the Lord Jesus Christ! In present day grammar the “m” in “Man” would be capitalized, “Man.” Who Else could offer such genuine refuge, rest, protection? In one of the Gospels Jesus Himself invited us: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30, not a bad “encouragement” paragraph within itself!

But Isaiah 32:2 might not have as much impact on an individual life unless that man (or woman) is in a place of: dangerous winds blowing, a fierce storm raging, a “desert” of a pilgrimage, and a “weak, exhausted” frame of mind, condition of heart!

Then, if things are that bad …

1. Jesus is the true “Hiding Place” (meaning “out of danger”) from the wind!

2. And “covert” (shelter) from the tempest!

3. And “waters” in the bleak desert, a virtual Oasis! No, it’s even better … as “rivers” (plural) of water in those dry places! Canals, channels, of water! A Mississippi of Refreshment, when we need Him the most!

4. And Jesus is also likened to a “shadow” (also translated “defence” 3 times in the Old Testament) when one is parching in that hot, dry land! A great Rock under which one can rest!

What a string of word pictures!

Meeting practically the greatest needs of all life’s situations!

Ponder this little jewel today!

“And a Man (our Lord) shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”

Now … enjoy your Saviour!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Hallelujah!

 

This is my final Article/Lesson concerning the Old Testament Book of Ezra.

Remember, his name means “help!” Based on this fact: “ezer” (you can easily see Ezra embedded in this little word) in Hebrew means “to help, to succor.” And the Latin verb “succurrere” means “to run,” indicating God can speedily come to our side … especially in times of need!)

Ezra (the Book) consists of 10 chapters, 280 verses, which equate to 27,441 words!

Ezra shows how God kept His promise … by allowing the Jews (who chose to do so) to return from Babylon to Judea after 70 years of captivity!

Ezra chronologically follows the Book of Second Chronicles, with the ending of Chronicles matching the beginning of Ezra. Look in your Bibles at this linkage! It’s unique.

This return from Babylon has at times been called Israel’s “Second Exodus!”

Now get this! Of the two to three million Jews estimated to have been living in Babylon (now called Persia) … only about 50,000 of them returned to Israel! They had become that “lukewarm!” Just a remnant!

This fact shows how very important it was that the godly line (blood line) be maintained in all purity (in anticipation of Jesus’ Virgin Birth) … with so few Jews heartily dedicated to God!

Between Ezra chapter 6 and chapter 7 (recording the works of both Zerubbabel and Ezra, two distinctive leaders) a time period of 50-60 years lapsed!

Historically speaking, while Ezra ministered in Israel (Judah) other so-called (but inferior) world leaders were born and lived: Buddha in India! Confucius in China! And Socrates in Greece!

Then if it helps … it took 21 years to build the Temple … after the  little handful returned! Why so long? Because of a 14 year delay in the project, due to opposition! So, the actual work time was 7 years! It was called Zerubbabel’s Temple by many.

And finally this. The Persian King whose heart God “touched” … who allowed the Jews to be set free from captivity … Cyrus by name … was mentioned by Isaiah 200 years before such a release occurred! Isaiah 44:24, 28 … “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself … THAT SAITH OF CYRUS, he is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.” Wow, a miracle indeed!

More could be written, but enough has been said to declare Ezra an absolutely amazing Book of Scripture! One from which I plan (the Lord willing) to preach in days ahead!

Hallelujah!

Or maybe better yet, Selah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Essentially the Book of Ezra records (in some detail) the account (accounts, plural, really) of how the Jews who had been in Babylon for 70 years … were released from their captivity … and chose to return “home” to Israel, to Judah specifically.

In Ezra chapter 2 a sizeable group returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel.

Then again in Ezra chapter 7 another band came back to the Holy Land, basically under the leadership of the Book’s namesake, Ezra the Priest and Scribe.

People who loved the Land of their Fathers, the Promised Land, enough to uproot (after 70 long years, remember) their families and MOVE BACK to the Country God had long ago promised Abraham and his seed!

But alas, many Jews were NOT willing to relocate, pull up all the established ties!

They did NOT love their homeland that much!

Was God very well-pleased with that “lukewarm” crowd?

There is evidence that the answer to this question is, “Maybe not!”

We at least know this. The Book of Esther (its events) occurred after the first wave of Jews had gone back to Israel. The Jews whose very existence was threatened during the days of Haman were those who did not go home, when they had the opportunity!  (After Esther’s day, more Jews may have returned, but that does not affect the point of my Lesson today, not at all.)

And this fact is certain about the Book of Esther. God’s Name is NOT ONCE specifically used in the Book’s entirety! Not in all ten chapters!

Could this be saying, although perhaps faintly, that God’s Favor was not heavily resting upon that crowd? That even His Name was not allowed to be used (written) during that time, because the Jews then and there would not go back “home” then they had good opportunity?

In other words, those who chose to live in the “world” (to stay in Babylon/Persia) rather than in the “Holy Land” … were not given the privilege of having God’s Ineffable Holy Name identified (openly) with them!

Wow!

I want to live the kind of life so that God is not ashamed of me!

And He may have been a little ashamed of the Jews who stayed in their comfortable surroundings! On whom He did not clearly and repeatedly pronounced His Name!

Hebrews 11:16 comes to mind, spoken of the faithful … “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore GOD IS NOT ASHAMED TO BE CALLED THEIR GOD: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Wow again!

Oh, to please God in our lives!

To love the things God loves!

To abhor the things God abhors!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“But without faith it is impossible TO PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

 

Hundreds of Jews, who (yes) had made a mistake, committed a grave sin, failure to separate themselves from the heathen inhabitants who had infiltrated the land of Judah … have now repented and rectified the situation! Best they could, anyway.

In summary: “Separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.” Ezra 10:11-12

“Separate yourselves,” as in “divorce,” send back home … those idol worshipping wives!

And the offending men said: “So must we do.”

In order to stay “in fellowship” with their brethren!

In order to “avoid chastening” at the Hand of God!

In order to “live clean lives” according to the Law of Moses!

Thus Ezra chapter 10 is a list, a compilation of around 110 men who officially “separated themselves” from wives who had refused to follow the God of Abraham!

Fully understand this drastic act or not … we all must admit that they (these Jews, these “husbands” and in many cases “fathers”) paid a steep price for their Nation’s welfare. For continued harmony with their neighbors!

Many of these (no doubt) loved their wives!

And adored their little children!

YET THEY OBEYED EZRA AND THE OTHER LEADERS OF THAT DAY! THEY INDEED SEVERED THEIR MARRIAGE TIES! THEY BADE FAREWELL TO THEIR BOYS AND GIRLS!

Stunning!

I am wondering today, “Can anything GOOD be said about this crowd?”

Yes, I believe maybe so.

They (although erring, sinning when they married these unbelieving women in the first place) “gave up” their home lives for the sake of following their God, the True God!

And years later, Jesus the Messiah (the One Who came through the godly line these Jews were preserving) said to His Disciples: “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or WIFE, or CHILDREN, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but HE SHALL RECEIVE AN HUNDREDFOLD now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30

Jesus made this promise specifically to Peter who had just asked: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Quoting from Matthew’s account of the same incident, Matthew 19:27.

The man who “hath left” (even) his wife … shall receive an hundredfold reward!

Folks, in Heaven (New Jerusalem) some day we shall meet these men who so shockingly followed God’s Word in Ezra 10 … and likely be amazed (based on Jesus’ Words in the Gospels) at their “rewards!”

What a gracious Lord we serve!

Oh, by the way, God will reward YOU too … for all you’ve “given” for His Name’s Sake!

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9, King James Version.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Wow, I stand amazed!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell