Within the confines of Judges 9 is one of the most imaginative fables told by man. It reminds one of Aesop’s Fables in its vivid depictions and moral lessons. It is a wonderful example of the diversity of the Scriptures and their ability to connect with man on many different levels and through many different styles. It is the fable of Jotham, but before considering the fable, understand the background of it. Abimelech, the son of the great judge Gideon, sought to be the King of Shechem. When approached with the possibility, the men of Shechem were more than willing to provide him with the arrogantly desired crown (Judges 9:3-4). To secure his throne, Abimelech went and killed all 70 of his brothers, with the exception of Jotham who hid during the slaughter (vs. 5). When Abimelech formally became king, Jotham went to Mount Gerizim on the outskirts of Shechem and cried out to the men of Shechem: Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and …

Joshua called upon the people to “Choose you this day…” There are some good biblical examples of men and women who were faced with choices who made the right ones. Moses “came to years” in Egypt. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Moses chose to forsake all that Egypt was to him, and he chose to serve with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Joshua, in his farewell address, and after calling on the people to make their choices, stated, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” David had a choice to make. He, like Moses and Joshua, made the right one. In Psalm 119:30 he said, “I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.” Mary, the sister of Lazarus, made the right choice, and Jesus stated that this would not be taken away from her. In Luke 10:38-42 we read, “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. When Martha complained, Jesus said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” What choices are you making? Will they get you to heaven?

Jesus of Nazareth was not a mythical, fictional character created by men’s imagination. He was a real person like you and me. He was born about 4 B.C. and died about A.D. 29, according to the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used today. Was He merely an outstanding man? Or, was He more than a man? Consider the abundant evidence that Jesus was – and is – the Christ, the Son of God. I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, because of the prophecies. All of the Old Testament was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. It contains more than 300 prophecies about the coming “Messiah” (Hebrew language) or “Christ” (Greek), which means “anointed One.” It foretold things He would do and things His enemies would do to Him. When Jesus was on earth, there were copies of the Old Testament books in synagogues throughout the land of Israel. For example, the synagogue in Nazareth had a copy of Isaiah (Luke 4:16-21; Acts 8:28). Also, on a remote plateau near the Dead Sea, devout Jews at Qumran were busy preserving copies and making more copies of Old Testament books and other documents. Israel was literally full of copies of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. So, when Jesus came to earth, He did not need to carry a “passport.” The documents to show His identity had been sent on ahead! Between A.D. 1946 and 1956, hundreds of Old Testament scrolls were found in caves near …

When David faced the giant with only a sling and five smooth stones, what made him different than the other men of Israel? He was younger than most – true. He was a shepherd not a soldier like many of them – also true. He was not very large – seems to be true. He had fought and killed lions and bears – true as well. Yet, none of these were the major difference. The major difference between David and the rest of the men of Israel was attitude! Listen to the reaction of the army of Israel: First Samuel 17:10-11 reads, “And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” Now listen to the words of David, the young shepherd: First Samuel 17:32-37 says: And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his …

Why should we Christians in the 21st century worry about a section of the Bible that deals with the history, laws and promises of a nation that is no longer in existence? After all, one may say, the Old Testament passed away 20 centuries ago! “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law” (Hebrews 7:12). Even though it is true that the Old Law was taken out of the way, the New Testament gives us plenty of reasons and motives to study the Old Testament. We must look to those first 39 books of the Bible in order to have a better understanding of Jesus, a greater knowledge of the promises mentioned in the New Testament and to have a firmer grasp on New Testament teaching. The Old Testament can give us a better understanding of Who Jesus is and what His role is and was. Some premillennialists – such as Thomas Ice – do not openly teach (in fact, they deny the accusation) that Jesus’ death was “plan B,” but their writings concerning the purpose of His death and the church certainly give off that impression. Teachings like this come about by a misunderstanding of the Old Testament and the purpose of God’s eternal scheme of redemption. When we peer into the Old Testament Scriptures through the assistance of the New Testament, we see that it was God’s plan all along for Jesus to die in order that both Jews and …

Nobody knows how long he or she will live. Yet, we all set plans for what we are going to do in our lives. The Buddhist people have their basic principle of life. They say, “While you are young seek education, when you become mature in knowledge and physical seek wealth, and when you become old seek Dhama.” Dhama means the truth, but it simply means seek God. This is their purpose of life. Would this be right for Christians? Are we to seek God only when we are getting old? Are education and wealth more important than God? Many Christians claim that seeking God must be the purpose of our lives. They quote Matthew 6:33-34, which reads, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Yet, most of them misunderstand and practice this verse in a wrong way. Many people seem to think that they better seek God to get what they want. They put the second sentence first as God will provide you the things you want if you seek Him. From this, a false teaching that “Christians are supposed to be rich” came about. The Devil, though, changed the priority whether to seek spiritual or physical things first. Satan said in Matthew 4:9, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” If we seek first God and His righteousness, we will find the way to life, which will take …

We all need some sort of help from time to time. It’s pretty common to hear someone state that he or she will help and do what one can. There are limitations because of physical or mental capacities, though. The first thing that came into my mind concerning doing what we can is that the doing must have God-given standards and values. As a Christian, my guide regarding what is right or wrong is the Bible, the Word of God. A Few Simple and Easily UnderstoodScriptures Regarding Rightness “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jeremiah 6:16 KJV). “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalms 1:1). “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts” (Proverbs 21:2). “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Doing what we can must be guarded and guided by that which is right in the sight of God. Sometimes a child of God cannot do what he or she may be asked to do. Let me illustrate this by relating to …

Paul gives an admonition to Timothy that has special application for us today. In 2 Timothy 2:14 he said, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” Often when we find persons striving about words, we find that the statement in Jude 1:10 applies. “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.” By this we mean that very often when there is this sort of strife, those on one or both sides of the controversy speak evil of the other person, not understanding what he is saying, but assuming he means what he does not mean. It seems reasonably certain that the statement of 1 Timothy 1:7 applies to them. “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” Let us try to give some illustrations that may help us to see and to correct this problem. Suppose a person says, “The United States only has one ambassador to Germany.” Another person says, “Every American soldier in Germany can be an ambassador of good will to the Germans.” It should be easy to see that two persons could argue and fuss about that, although most of us can see that there is nothing about which to fuss, for they are using the word “ambassador” in a …

The key word in 2 Peter 3:8-14 is “look.” It describes an attitude of excitement and expectation as we wait for the Lord’s return. Since the world and its works will be dissolved and even the very elements will be disintegrated, we fix our hope, not on anything in this world, but on the Lord. Because we neither know the day nor the hour of His return, we must constantly be ready. The Christian who neglects the “blessed hope”(Titus 2:13) will gradually develop a cold heart, a worldly attitude and an unfaithful life. If he is not careful, he may even become like the scoffers and laugh at the promise of Christ’s return. Therefore, this expectant attitude ought to make a difference in our personal conduct (2 Peter 3:11). The word translated “manner” literally means, “out of this world, foreign.” Because we have “escaped the corruption that is in this world” (1:4), we must live differently from the people of this world. To the world, Christians behave like “foreigners.” Why? Because this world is not our home! We are “strangers and pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:1) headed for a better world, the eternal city of God. We are looking for “a city which hath foundations, whose builder and make is God, ”because, here we have “no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Hebrews 11:10; 13:14). Therefore, “what manner of person ought we to be?” We ought to be STEADFAST (1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Peter 5:8-9). We must maintain steadfastness in …

The care of believers for one another shines brightly in the assemblies of the saints. The writer to Hebrew Christians, who were evidently considering going back to serve God under the Law of Moses, gave specific directions concerning their assemblies. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Christian assemblies stir up love and good works through singing, which Paul saw as a great means of teaching. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). Christ’s followers can also be stirred to confess their trespasses while gathered together. Others of like faith can then pray for each other (James 5:16). Gathering around the Lord’s Table is a wonderful reminder of the unity Christ’s followers have in His one spiritual body, the church (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Hearing messages from God’s Word likewise challenges and provokes Christian growth. God’s Son came to earth focused on man’s need to conquer death (Philippians 2:6-8). His followers are enjoined to follow His example by focusing on one another. Jesus’ disciples should serve others. Christians should demonstrate love for one another as Jesus demonstrated love for us. Forgiveness is a natural outflow …

What is a pew? By definition, it’s a compartment in the auditorium of a church providing seats for several persons. More than just a place to sit, pews can be representative of those who sit in them, and those who don’t, during a time of Bible study or worship. When there are those who occupy a pew at these times, it shows hearts that are drawn to assemble together to learn more of God, to praise and glorify Him and to be blessed by the fellowship that comes from such time together. Unfortunately, in most congregations, while there are pews that are occupied, there are those that are empty. What does an empty pew say? An empty pew represents someone who could be there, who should be there, but who is absent. It may be due to illness, being out of town or something such as this, but it can also be due to lack of interest, allowing the world and the desires of the flesh to have a greater influence and control over a person than the love of God and of Christ have. It comes from putting oneself over the will of God and denying God His rightful place in our hearts. Scripture clearly reveals the majesty, splendor and awe that God possesses as God, and how we as His creation should recognize His authority over all creation, which includes ourselves. David wrote, “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord” …

Unbelievers and immature Christians both face the challenge of raising their thinking to loftier planes. “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1). It takes mental effort and resolve to dwell upon spiritual matters. Naturally, living in this physical world, it is easier to think in physical terms. Our Lord constantly challenged those He met to think of spiritual things. In his nighttime discussion with Nicodemus, Jesus spoke of one being “born anew” (John 3:3). The ruler’s mind immediately went to physical birth, so he missed the point. In confusion he asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4). Further explanation was needed. “Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Baptism is a spiritual birth requiring two elements: water (cf. Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:20, 21) and the Spirit (God’s working). In his noontime discussion with the Samaritan woman, the Lord spoke of “living water.” This “water” would so completely satisfy that one would “never thirst” (John 4:14). Not surprisingly, her mind went straight to relief from her daily trek to the well (John 4:15). Without running water available, she had to carry all water used for cooking and washing. Jesus has the words of spiritual life, to quench the thirsty soul. As Jesus prepared to journey to Judea, He …

Paul, an inspired apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, wrote, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 5:14 NKJV). Law and grace are being contrasted there. We are not under both, but under one of the two. Being under grace should not be confused with being under law. Another point of contrast is that under grace, sin does not have dominion over us, but it is implied that under law sin has dominion. It is a wonderful thing to be under grace where sin will not have the final say, so to speak, in our lives. In another place, the Scriptures read, “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17). John, another inspired apostle, also contrasted law and grace. John specified that the grace came through the Lord Jesus Christ, while the law was given through Moses. Again, we ought not to confuse the Law of Moses with the grace of Jesus Christ. It is not possible for anyone to be under Moses’ law and Christ’s grace at the same time. What is the Law of Moses? It is God’s commandments for Israel given at Mount Horeb (Malachi 4:4). Moses’ law included the Ten Commandments (Mark 7:10). However, Christ came to fulfill Moses’ law (Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 24:44), which included the coming of a prophet who is now …

Have you ever put something together wrong because you didn’t read the instructions? Have you ever failed an assignment because you didn’t read the syllabus? Have you ever lost a game because you didn’t know the rules: either you broke a rule or your opponent took advantage of a rule you didn’t know about? How many of life’s problems, big and little, could be solved if we just took the time to read the instructions? There might be times in this life when we can get away with not reading them, but in preparation for the next life we cannot. God has provided us a written revelation of His will for us and what we need to do to be in fellowship with Him. The only way we can know what it takes is for us to take the time and read His instruction book – the Bible.

Many years ago, scientists believed that the vertebrate with the shortest lifespan was the turquoise killifish. This fish is very small and lives in seasonal rain pools in equatorial Africa, and it must complete its lifecycle in 12 weeks before the pools evaporate for the year. Not much time for a life, is it? More recently, researchers from James Cook University in Australia discovered that the pygmy goby has a lifespan that is even shorter than that. You might say that this fish “lives fast and dies young.” This little fish (about the size of your thumbnail) lives in coral reefs for an average of almost 60 days. Fortunately, it has a rapid reproductive cycle that is designed to help it avoid extinction. Our lives seem to go by so fast. Even to those who live to be 100, it seems like childhood was just yesterday. One of the questions that philosophers of old asked was, “What is the point of a life that goes so fast and ends so quickly?” One of the wisest men who ever lived, Solomon, the third king of Israel, wandered from God. He became spiritually disoriented; Solomon lost his sense of direction and purpose in life. He looked upon all his many accomplishments and found them to be worthless, until he remembered God. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall …