In the Bible, there are a group of Psalms known as the “Messianic Psalms” that are not only predictive of Jesus Christ but were also heavily quoted by the early Church.  In fact, the Book of Psalms is quoted more in the New Testament than the remainder of the Old Testament.  Jesus also stated that the psalms spoke about Him in Luke 24:44.

There are some today that have difficulty in reconciling the “One God” of the Old Testament with the three “Persons” of the New Testament Trinity.  Why?  Although we acknowledge that our God is singular we also know that the New Testament proclaims a three-person Godhead.    But, the fact is we actually begin to see the “Trinity” first in the Old Testament and not the New, and this is not predicated upon speculation.

From the very first verse of Genesis we have the Hebrew word Elohim for “God” which is a plural noun used with a singular verb.  We also see Elohim in Genesis 1:26, 3:22, and 11:7 in the same manner.  If you examine Ecclesiastes 12:1 we learn that in the Hebrew text it is plural.  In the English it reads “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…”   But in the source text you will find it translates, “Remember now thy Creator(s) in the days of thy youth…”

There are other examples that can also be found in the Old Testament but I want to highlight a very unique portion of Scripture in which the voices of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit can clearly be seen in Psalm 2, one of the most provocative of the  “Messianic Psalms.”  There is also a “fourth” voice.

Let’s break this Psalm down in a sort of diagram whereby you will actually see four voices, including the trialogue of the Trinity:

Psalm 2

Voice of the Nations (verses 1-3)

1. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the ruler take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

In these first three verses we have the world saying in effect, “we have no king but Caesar.”  The “heathen” would be a reference to the Gentile nations and they align themselves against God.  Note that the “rulers take counsel together” in this effort.  “Anointed” in the Hebrew is “Messiah” and in the Greek translates as “Christ.”  What are the “bands asunder” and “cords?”   This would be God’s appointed order and examples of this would include the bonds of marriage, the Ten Commandments, and the rule of law, etc.   The worst outcome in the modern world is not necessarily to break the law but to not have any laws!   One day this will come to pass in a climactic ending and the Bible describes a “man of lawlessness”  who will rule the world for a brief time.

Voice of the Father (verses 4-6) 

4.”He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6.^.Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.”

Here we find that God the Father shall laugh at this affront.  The word “derision” means “contemptuous ridicule” or “mockery.”  Furthermore, He will be provoked one day to anger which will lead to His wrath and which will bring great distress to the nations.   Nonetheless, God the Father says that He will set “my king upon my holy hill of Zion.”   This has not happened yet and can only be fulfilled when the Lord Jesus Christ will sit on the throne of David during His Millennial Reign on earth in Jerusalem.  For the Bible tells us that Jesus first suffered for us as the Lamb of God but that He will one day return gloriously as our reigning King.

Voice of the Son (verses 7-9)

7.” I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for they possession.

9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Jesus speaks what the Father has spoken.  We are reminded that Jesus is the “only begotten Son” from John 3:16 and that at the Transfiguration God says, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen…” (Luke 9:35).  Jesus is the Son of God and He will return for His church which was purchased by His shed blood for us on the cross.  The Church is known as “the bride of Christ” and will be composed primarily of Gentiles.  At His Second Coming Jesus will destroy the nations that are arrayed against Him with a “rod of iron” that is referenced in Revelation 2:27, 12:5, and 19:15-16. 

Voice of the Spirit (verses 10-12)

10.”Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a  little.  Blessed are they that put their trust in him.”

The voice of the Holy Spirit says to the Mind in verse 10, “Be wise, and be instructed.”  In verse 11 to the Heart, “serve Him.”  And in verse 12 to the Will, “Kiss the Son!” and be reconciled by the Cross.  It is clearly evident that here we have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit speaking in Psalm 2.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ did not take God by surprise for it was prophesied long ago.  Likewise, today we can be assured that God is sovereign and despite the chaos and insanity we see in the world today, He is in control.  As Christian believers we are called into a “royal priesthood” and to bear witness to Jesus our Lord and we do not know what that may yet include.  But be assured that as verse 12 reminds, “Blessed are they that put their trust in him.”

 

It has been said that sound Biblical doctrine is obtained in much the same manner as making a quilt.  Many years ago, I can remember my mother and grandmother laboring weeks and months over the design and sewing of a beautiful quilt.  Here are some tips for quilt making: “Be precise to ensure points and seams match perfectly.  Use tools wisely, especially when rotary cutting.  You must cut correctly, sew accurately and press precisely.”  One cannot help but recall that Paul was also a tentmaker and must have employed many of the same techniques.

In fact, it may have been from this background that he uses the word “orthotomeo” in 2^nd Timothy.  The word appears nowhere else in the New Testament and is only used twice in the Greek Septuagint (Old Testament) for the Hebrew “vashar” which means to be right, or straight.

In his second imprisonment in Rome, Paul writes 2^nd Timothy to his beloved disciple and protégé, in what is believed to be his last epistle.  It is his “last will and testament” written from a dungeon.  He is in chains, is being treated as a criminal, and he knows that his end is coming.  But remarkably Paul writes this as a letter of encouragement to Timothy to carry on the ministry.

Within this final letter Paul emphasizes in the four chapters the theme of loyalty: loyalty in suffering, loyalty in service, loyalty in apostasy, and the Lord’s loyalty to His servants in persecution.  It is last communication to us and it has the overtone of triumph.  It is within this context that we find this verse:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2^nd Timothy 2:15 KJV). “Orthotomeo” is Greek for “rightly dividing.”  It means to cut in a straight line, and the fact is we cannot cut without dividing.  To divide belongs to the very nature of the act of cutting.  It would be a word commonly used by a tentmaker.  The NIV translates as “correctly handles the word” but this dilutes the original meaning of “orthotomeo.”

Not only is this verse a command of the Lord, but within the context of verses 14-19 it is also a warning.  For if you can “rightly divide” the Word then you can also wrongly divide it.  If you do not obey this verse, then you can fall into doctrinal error much like Hymanaeus and Philetus did in verses 17 and 18 whereby they departed from the truth.  Not to go back and analyze, but their teaching was described as a “canker” or a gangrenous infection in the church that led to the destruction of faith in some.   (Read 1^st Timothy 1:20).  False doctrine is certainly dangerous and it can multiply itself.

To “study” means to be diligent and zealous.  To be a “workman” comes the reminder that the Word is a treasure that the Christian steward must guard and invest.  It is for this reason that the Berean Church was commended for zealously searching the Scriptures to confirm a teaching. (Acts 17:11)

The Bible is a well organized integral whole and that is why it must be studied in its entirety.  You must know your Bible, not just your favorite epistle.   We must keep the whole Bible in view to interpret it correctly.  According to this passage in 2nd Timothy, we do this before God to whom we will stand or fall.  It is not to gain the approval of other people.

Taking a verse out of context, ignoring grammar or the meaning of words, or distorting the meaning of a verse altogether undermines the authority of the Bible.

Dispensations are critical and the Bible is to be taken literally.  Dispensation today makes a lot of people unnecessarily nervous but Paul uses the word “dispensation” (Greek “oikonomia”) four times and today we are under the administration of grace or the “age of grace.”

To put this in perspective, Abel and Abraham brought a small lamb to sacrifice unto the Lord.  Did you take a small lamb to church this past Sunday?  Of course not.  We live under a different dispensation today, the dispensation of grace.

As students of the Bible, we learn that the rightly divided Word must fit from Genesis to Revelation.  This means that it cannot have any contradictions.  We learn that the Word harmonizes and fits together precisely much like the making of a quilt or tent.  The Word interprets itself in the verse, in context, and as it has been used before.

We wrap ourselves in an entire blanket or quilt, not a portion of it.  And a tent with gaping holes in it will not keep you warm or dry.  Likewise, we are to embrace the entire Bible and not discard or discount portions of it as being “allegorical” simply to be ignored.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2^nd Timothy 3:16-17)

Here in the United States we rarely hear or use the term “widows and orphans.”   But, in sub-Saharan Africa virtually everyone has widows and orphans in their lives.   In Zambia alone it is estimated there are 1.4 million orphans living within a population of 16.5 million, or 8.5% of the total.

Widows, orphans and foreigners have long represented  a vulnerable demographic in both ancient and modern times.  After the death of their husbands, Zambian widows can often face the loss of property and children, especially those whose husbands died of AIDs or are themselves infected with HIV.  Those more fortunate are supported by extended family which is emphasized in Zambian culture.

Widows and orphans are vulnerable to abuse, sexual exploitation, poverty, malnutrition and disease.  We believe in so many ways that God’s heart begins with them.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5)  What we learn from the Bible is that God keeps a careful eye on the widow and is profoundly concerned for her.  He is also the great protector and loving Father of all children living as orphans.  God promises protection and help for those who cannot protect themselves, and He redeems injustice with his mighty love.  “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him good and clothing.”  (Deuteronomy 10:18)

But God also calls us to engage and play a part.  The words of the Bible call God’s people to actively pursue the needs of widows and children living as orphans.  “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this:  to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27)

At Sons of Thunder, we are dedicated to uplifting this vulnerable group and meeting their needs in multiple ways and points of entry.

Since buying the 10,000 acre Farm in 1996 there have always been widows living on the land and Sons of Thunder has always cared for them.  As an example, Miss Patricia is a widow.  She is quite elderly now and unable to work a job but she has worked at various chores on the Farm throughout the years.   We provide her housing and food and a small monthly stipend as she cares for a number of grandchildren (orphans) who live with her.  These children go to church and the Sons of Thunder School and two of them are being financially sponsored for secondary education and training.

At the Sons of Thunder Medical Clinic and Jessica’s Hope Maternity Ward many babies and mothers are saved with prenatal care and good deliveries either at the clinic or in 24/7 house calls in the bush.  This is literally orphan prevention in practice.  If either the mother or father is HIV positive, we give them proper treatment and medication.  If the baby is positive, we start treatment immediately  and give infant formula where breast-feeding is insufficient.  Moreover, they are monitored and helped along the way until they are able to care for themselves.  We pray with them and share the gospel of Jesus Christ including the teaching of good morals, appropriate sexual behavior and proper family relationships.

Through both the Church and the Clinic’s medical outreach, Sons of Thunder regularly provides food and clothing  to those both on the farm and in nearby villages.   Often these are widows and orphans that are in greatest need.  The SOT Clinic also provides much needed medical and nutrition education to enhance their quality of life and bring about proper nutrition.

Through teaching Farming God’s Way, Sons of Thunder helps promote non-till agricultural techniques that have proven to be essential in the enhancement of crop production to combat local malnutrition.  We praise God for the benefits of this patented process that has helped reduce planting costs and increased quality yields.  In every way this is helping feed the widows and orphans of Africa “physically and spiritually.”

We invite you to join us in this work.  As you consider how God may be calling you to care for widows and children living as orphans be encouraged that God is faithful.   If you wish to contribute directly to this ministry you can designate your donations specifically to Widow and Orphan Care on the Sons of Thunder website or on the subject line of your mailed personal check.  We are grateful for your prayerful support.

“For the God who calls you is faithful, and He can be trusted to make it so.” (1st Thessalonians 5:24)

 

 

“And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Leviticus 16:7)

For most Christians there is universal acceptance of the fact that the appointed Jewish spring feasts were perfectly fulfilled through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.   In fact, Paul describes these feasts as “a shadow of things to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Colossians 2:17)  Many believe that the fall feasts will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of our Lord.  But, did Jesus not fulfill a portion of the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur,  two thousand years ago?

The appointed feasts of the Lord are found in the book of Leviticus and in chapter 16 are specific instructions for the Jewish high priest to be conducted on the “Day of Atonement” (Yom Kippur), the holiest day of the year that occurs each fall in which all of Israel would mourn for its sins.  On this day and only this day, the High Priest would enter the Most Holy of Holies in the Temple to offer blood sacrifices for himself and the people of Israel.   Then, the Day of Atonement included a ceremony that involved the expulsion of a living animal bearing the “sins of the people.”

Two nearly identical he-goats were chosen from the congregation of the people and presented to the High Priest.  He would “cast lots” to determine which was “for the Lord” and which was “the scapegoat.”  One goat was selected for sacrifice in the Temple and the other “for Azazel” in the Hebrew which means “the goat who departs.”

“And Aaron (High Priest) shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness.” (Leviticus 16:21)  It was led away and not slain.  In practice, the goat would have a red cord placed on its head depicting sin and would then be led to a cliff with sharp rocks below.  It was not to be killed beforehand but to be pushed down the cliff to ensure its miserable death.

When Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane he was first taken to appear before Caiaphas the High Priest and the Sanhedrin for purposes of finding false evidence to justify putting him to death.   Caiaphas asked Jesus if he is the Messiah, the Son of God.  “Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. ” (Matthew 26:64) At this instant, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin erupt with anger charging Him with blasphemy and they began beating Jesus with their fists and slapped Him.

But in the King James Version it states, “Then they did spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,” (verse 67).  The word “buffet” comes from the Greek word ‘kolaphizo’ which means “to beat with fists.”  To smite someone means to slap in a heavy manner but in a direct and personal act.

In pronouncing judgment on Jesus and then by striking and smiting Him with the palms of their hands, they were fulfilling Leviticus 16 by placing their hands on His head.  Unbeknownst  to them they pronounced their iniquity upon Him and He became their sin offering.

Jesus was then led before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.  Pilate did not want to intervene in the matter but members of the Sanhedrin reasoned saying, “we are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (John 18:31)  It was the custom at this time for the Roman governor to offer the release of one prisoner during the Passover and in this case both Jesus and a prisoner by the name of Barabbas were presented to the people in the courtyard to select.  According to the Bible, the priests whipped the crowd into a frenzy to pardon Barabbas and shout for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Just as two identical he-goats would be presented it is interesting to note that these two men were presented in like manner.  One was Jesus, the Son of the Father.  And the other was Barabbas whose name in Greek translates, “son of the father.”

Just as the sins of the people were pronounced on the head of the goat to be led away, so were the sins of all people placed on Jesus Christ, and by taking them away, freeing us from the guilt of our sins.

Just as the scapegoat was not to be slain but ensured a miserable death, so Jesus was not slain by the hands of Jews but by the hands of Romans in a brutal and miserable crucifixion.

Just as a red cord was placed on the head of the scapegoat representing sin, so the Son of God had a blood-soaked head from a crown of thorns forced on His.

Just as Barabbas was a pardoned thief, insurrectionist and murderer, so we too were pardoned of our sins, all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

It is the fulfillment of Leviticus 16.

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us….How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:12,14)