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FATHERS, SONS, AND SINS

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Who’s sins are they anyway?

By Ken Blue

“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:5.

This passage is repeated three other times in the Pentateuch: Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18, and Deuteronomy 5:9. It is always associated with Israel and their Law. It was national rather than personal.

The warning was against the idolatry in the land of Canaan and the sins associated with it. For that list, read Leviticus 18:1-30. We need not think that God’s judgment would cease after the fourth generation if future generations continued their evil idolatrous practices. In other words, God’s wrath would continue as long as their sinful behavior continued. If one repented, he would find God to be a merciful God.

Another possible interpretation is seen in the case of Achan, who had stolen items forbidden for Israel to take. Yet, his entire family and all he had were executed. See Joshua 7:24. It was not uncommon for families of three or four generations to live in one tent or house. Sin brought judgment on the entire family. The execution of the whole family was not always carried out, and it will be eliminated under Israel’s new covenant. See Jer. 31:29, 30; Eze. 18:2.

Occasionally, we meet believers who think they are being punished because of the sins of their great, great, great grandfathers. This is not the case, nor is that the intent of the text. It is sad to see many parents who think sickness, deformity or the death of their child is their fault. In some case, it may be, but usually, it is not. These parents spend the rest of their life in guilt and self-abasement. But, we must understand that each person makes up his or her own mind to rebel or live for God.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Many of God’s choice servants have descended from the worst of parents, and many of the most wicked men and women have had godly parents.[/perfectpullquote]

We are told clearly that it was not the sins of the parents that caused the blindness of the man in John’s gospel. “ And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” John 9:1-3. Still, the nation was under the heel of Rome.

The facts are that many of God’s choice servants have descended from the worst of parents, and many of the most wicked men and women have had godly parents. If anyone turns out to be a vessel God can and will use, it is only by His grace!

Raise your children the best you can under the influence of godly people and a good church. Then pray that they will listen and live for the Lord. But, don’t beat yourself up, blaming yourself, or your great grandfather for your behavior of that of your children. We all have a free will, and we make our own choices. Let us pray that they will be the right ones.

PASTORS, BEWARE!

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By Ken Blue

In the early years of my ministry, I invited guest evangelist, singers, missionaries, and pastors to our church on a regular basis. We always took love offerings for them and attempted to give generously. Most of the time I instructed our people to makes their checks to the church, and then we would write one check to our guest.

I remember one speaker requesting to copy the checks written for him so he could send a “thank you” note to each giver. I was naive and saw no problem in allowing him to do it.

Evangelist would invite church member to give their name and address on a card or signup sheet, in order to receive their monthly News Letters. Many missionaries did the same thing so the members could be updated on their ministry and know their prayer needs.

However, as the years passed, I discovered that many of these guests were compiling a mailing list and were directly or indirectly requesting funds from individual church members. Not only were these guests receiving a love offering from our church, and in some cases monthly support; they were also requesting money “on the side.” I have seen sales people and business owners attempt to get the membership mailing list for personal gain.

I am thankful that our church always saw to it that my needs were met while I was pastor. However, it would have been unethical and wicked for me to attempt to solicit funds from them while receiving a monthly salary. That is one reason I never ask our people to pray for our physical needs. I knew some would respond with money; and using prayer request as a means of getting money from people is as low as you can get.

Now, what is the solution? Instruct all missionaries, singers and evangelist to mail one letter only, and it must be sent to the church. The pastor can then read it and edit it as he sees fit. Most churches have a mission display were letters can be posted for members to read. If money is needed, the pastor should be the one to make the decision, if special funds are sent.

Most guest speakers are ethical and will respect your instructions. I, for one, would not allow any guest speaker, or church member, to build a mailing list of our members. If you do, you are asking for the flock to be fleeced. So, Pastor, beware!

IS IT OK TO BE JEALOUS

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By Ken Blue

“…I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…” Exodus 20:5.

There is a human jealousy that is competitive and therefore selfish and wicked. This is how most people understand the use of the word, and consequently have a problem with the idea that God could be jealous. Vine says, “At the interhuman level qānā has a strongly competitive sense. In its most positive sense the word means “to be filled with righteous zeal or jealousy.” —Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.

The problem lies in the failure to recognize that there is a jealousy that is good and righteous. I am reminded of a story that will illustrate the point. It is said that Napoleon was a masterful soldier and tactician. He was obsessed with every detail of his army. On a particular day, all soldiers were in line for review. Napoleon moved from soldier to soldier, inspecting each one from head to foot. He came to a youth who was not up to standard. The young soldier had a slight grin on his face. Napoleon stood before him and ask; “What is your name?” He responded, “Napoleon.” Napoleon stiffened and asks again, “What is your name?” The youth said, “Napoleon, Sir!” Napoleon took the youth by the shirt and threw him to the ground. Standing over him, he said, “Soldier, change your name, or change your conduct!”

The lesson is simple; Napoleon did not want anyone in his army or with his name that did not properly represent him. In other words, he was jealous for his name and his army. This is how the word is used in Scripture. God is jealous for His name and for His people. Does your name mean anything to you?

Elijah was Jealous for the Lord. “And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 1 Kings 19:14. Jealousy can also be interpreted, to be zealous. Elijah was zealous to protect the name of God. Notice, he was not jealous of God, but jealous for Him”

You and I should be jealous for God, the Bible, the church, our family, and our name. We should not be jealous of any person.

ISRAEL’S FIVE SUCCESSIONS OF PUNISHMENT-COURSE #1

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By Ken Blue

In a recent article I pointed out that Leviticus 26:14-39 gives a list of the five curses Israel would face if they did not obey God. The record shows that they failed miserably and that God kept His word. The first is in verses 14-17, and reads as follows. “But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.” Leviticus 26:14-17.

Not long after the death of Joshua Israel’s apostasy began. The first session continued from the time of the Judges to 1 Kings Chapter 12. The books that cover that terrible period are Judges, Ruth, 1& 2 Samuel and 1 Kings 1-12.

There are nine apostasies and seven servitudes in the book of Judges. Here is how it ends. “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25. Of course there was a King for Israel, but they said, is essence, “we will not have Him to reign over us.”

The famine and the sad condition of Israel’s first order of curses are also recorded in the book of Ruth. It was under these same conditions that Samuel the prophet, a judge in Israel, came on the scene.

In I Samuel we see Israel’s continued rebellion in demanding a king, so they could be like the other nations. They were given wicked Saul. The corruption of the priesthood is illustrated in Eli the priest. The Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines. Saul dies a disgraceful failure. His death is recorded in chapter 31. David is anointed king by Samuel, but spends much of his life fleeing from Saul.

Second Samuel records David’s rise to power, and his fall. The rest of his life is plagued with family failures and civil strife. He begins his life fleeing from Saul and ends it fleeing from his son Absalom.

First Kings chronicles the last day of David and the reign of Solomon. Although the first years of Solomon are golden and a type of Israel’s coming kingdom under Christ, his reign ends with him bringing the nation into complete rebellion and idolatry. His death is recorded in Chapter 11.

This ends the first of the five sessions of Israel’s rebellion and God’s curse upon them. The record is easy to follow. Satan was at work 24/7 to ensure that the Kingdom of Heaven would not become a reality through the chosen people. If God’s plan succeeds, Satan will lose his kingdom, and he will be banished to hell. This is the first course of the battle of the ages.

EXCUSE ME WHILE I PUKE

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THE MARXIST DALI LAMA

marxistBy Ken Blue

This is the man who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in the winter of 1989! Do you think our leaders were ignorant of his political position? Listen to what he says of himself: “I’m a Marxist’…”

From correspondents in New York From: AFP May 21, 2010 8:42 AM

TIBETAN spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says he’s a Marxist, yet credits capitalism for bringing new freedoms to China, the communist country that exiled him.

“Still I am a Marxist,” the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader said in New York, where he arrived today with an entourage of robed monks and a heavy security detail to give a series of paid public lectures.

“(Marxism has) moral ethics, whereas capitalism is only how to make profits,” the Dalai Lama, 74, said.

However, he credited China’s embrace of market economics for breaking communism’s grip over the world’s most populous country and forcing the ruling Communist Party to “represent all sorts of classes”. “(Capitalism) brought a lot of positive to China. Millions of people’s living standards improved,” he said.

Anti-war movements,… and the election of Barack Obama as the first black president in a once deeply racist US are “clear signs of human beings being more mature”, he said.

The Chinese Government, he said, seeks harmony, “but harmony must come out of the heart, not out of fear. So far, methods to bring harmony mostly rely on use of force.”

Asked why tickets to his lectures are selling for as much as hundreds of dollars, the Dalai Lama said none of the money went to him personally. “You should ask the organizer. I have no connection.” He said he was “always asking the organizer: tickets must be cheap. For myself, I’ve never accepted a single dollar like that.” Some of the money goes to charities, such as hunger relief, he said. (end).

Is this man a fool or a wolf in sheep’s clothing? I believe both are true. Do you really believe that “(Marxism has) moral ethics…”? You would have to be a liar or ignorant to talk about the “moral ethics” of Marxism.

It is impossible to calculate the number of men, women and children who were imprisoned, forced into slavery, and the millions murdered under the Marxist regime; and the Dalai Lama is a Marxist.

Don’t be fooled. Every Socialist, Marxist, and Communist leader aspires to become a Capitalist. The only difference is, they don’t work for their capital. They rob and steal it from those who have earned it. Of course the capital stolen from the people helped a percentage of people in China. Guess who those people are? Give up? They are the faithful members of the Communist Party. Their goal is to steal the wealth of others in the name of “sharing the wealth.”

Excuse me, I need to puke again.