Who Is Amalek???

We read yesterday in Exodus 17 that Amalek came and fought against Israel.  Your question may have been....ok, but who in the world is Amalek??  I'm sure you remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  You may also remember Jacob had a brother named Esau.  Esau had a son named Eliphaz who had a son named Amalek.  That makes Amalek Esau's grandson and a direct descendant of Isaac.  And now you're thinking.....ok, but what in the world does that have to do with me???

Think about it this way. Remember that I told you that some consider Amalek to be a picture of the flesh.  Keep that in mind and read Numbers 24:20.  Amalek was the "first of the nations", which means that the Amalekites were the first nation to trouble Israel.  When we read about Israel leaving Egypt, crossing the Red Sea and drinking water from a rock, the first enemy they had to deal with was Amalek (Exodus 17).  Look also at Deuteronomy 25:17-19.  So think of Amalek as the first - and constant - enemy of Israel.  Could that not also be said of the flesh?  Is it not our first and constant enemy?  Look at Galatians 5:16-17 to see what Paul has to say about that.

God had something to say to King Saul about how to deal with the enemy, and His instructions to King Saul offer some valuable principles for us to follow.  Read 1 Samuel 15:1-23 and then consider the following questions:

• List exactly what the Lord of hosts told Saul to do.
• Who/what did Saul spare and why?
• How did Saul respond when confronted with his disobedience?
• What did Saul lose as a consequence?
• What can you learn from this to apply to your own life?

Think about that today, and we'll continue tomorrow.

My Banner

In Exodus 17:8-15, we read of a battle between Israel and Amalek.  It is in the account of this battle that we first encounter the name Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord My Banner.

Let's think first about a banner, which in ancient times, in the time of the Bible, was not exactly what we may picture today.  According to The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, a banner was a standard "carried at the head of a military band or body, to indicate the line of march or the rallying point. A banner was not necessarily a flag such as we might use today, but was often a bare pole with a bright shining ornament which glittered in the sun."
 
Think about that today.  Consider the passage in Exodus 17 carefully.  Some say that Amalek is a picture of the flesh and that God has a practical lesson for our lives in this historical event.  What do you think that lesson is?  Don't stretch your imagination or add to what God is saying.  Just consider the facts.  (Remember those questions....who, what, when, where, why, how!)  Meditate on that today, and we'll continue tomorrow.  Feel free to share your thoughts or insights in the comments section.  I would love to hear from you!

Even When I Don't Understand

We've spent the last few days examining the name Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals.  We have read a lot of Scripture.  We have seen that Jehovah-Rapha heals physical, emotional, and spiritual sickness.  We have seen that there can be a correlation between sin and sickness.  We also learned that all sickness is not due to personal sin.  What we have not touched on yet, and a point I think is important to note, is that God does not always heal in the way we would like Him to.

I'm sure we all know people who suffer from disease and continue to suffer rather than being healed. Maybe you are one of those people.  Does this alter the truths we have learned?  Not at all.  The truth is that Jehovah-Rapha is the Lord who heals.  The truth is that Jehovah-Rapha is also El Elyon, God Most High, sovereign over all.  The truth is that He has a plan and purpose for every situation of life.  The truth is that His way is best.  The truth is that He knows what He is doing.  The truth is that we won't always understand it.  But the truth is also that we can trust Him.  Even when we don't understand.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Here's What We Know.......

We know that "The name of the LORD is a strong tower" (Proverbs 18:10).
We know that the name of the Lord is Elohim - Creator.
We know that the name of the Lord is El Elyon - the Most High God, sovereign over all.
We know that the name of the Lord is Adonai - Master.
We know that the name of the Lord is El Roi - the God who sees.
We know that the name of the Lord is El Shaddai - God Almighty, all-sufficient.
We know that the name of the Lord is Jehovah - the Self-Existent One, the Great I AM.
We know that the name of the Lord is Jehovah-Jireh - the LORD will provide.
We know that the name of the Lord is Jehovah-Rapha - the LORD who heals.

Let's think back over what we have learned about the name Jehovah-Rapha in the last few days.  What kind of disease does Jehovah-Rapha heal?  Let's answer that question by looking at a (very) brief overview of the more than 60 uses of the Hebrew word "rapha" (and its Greek equivalent in the New Testament).

The first use of the word "rapha" refers to physical healing (see Genesis 20:17).  The next use is translated "physicians" (see Genesis 50:2). Marah's bitter waters were healed in Exodus 15.  Elijah "repaired" (rapha) the altar in 1 Kings 18:30.  Elisha purified (rapha) water in 2 Kings 2:21.  So, it seems clear that "rapha" conveys the idea of restoring something to its normal or useful state.

Look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, the well-known promise to heal the land from sin and idolatry.  Look also at
2 Chronicles 30:20.....Hezekiah prayed, Jehovah heard and healed the people.  In these contexts, the reference is clearly to spiritual healing.  Look also at Psalm 41:4, another reference to spiritual healing.

Psalm 147 shows the compassion of Jehovah-Rapha who "heals the brokenhearted", which can be seen as a reference to emotional healing.

So, to summarize, the healing of Jehovah-Rapha can be physical, spiritual or emotional.

Here are some truths to remember:

• Sripture shows a correlation between sin and sickness.
• Although in a sense all illness is the consequence of sin entering the world, not all disease is directly related to personal sin.
• The Cross is the source of healing for sin.  (See Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24).
• Jehovah-Rapha is the Great Physician.

To dig deeper into this topic, review the Scriptures we have looked at this week as well as using your word study tools to find other references.  We have just scratched the surface!!  But here's the bottom line......knowing all this, what are you going to do with it?  Where will you turn when you are in need of healing?

"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; He sent out His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction."  (Psalm 107:19-20 ESV)

Putting It All Together

And as you read that title, please don't assume that I have it all together!!!  That having been said, let's think about our journey this week.  We've looked at a lot of different Scriptures over the last several days as we have explored the name Jehovah-Rapha.  Now it's time to attempt to tie all of that together.  Here are some questions to guide your thinking and review of what we've learned so far:

• What does the name Jehovah-Rapha mean?
• From the Scriptures you have studied, what can you conclude about the type of healing that Jehovah-Rapha provides?
• What, if any, correlation did you discover between sin and sickness?
• How does the truth that "the name of the LORD is a strong tower" connect with this name?

Review the Scriptures we have examined in connection with this name, ponder these questions - and any others that come to mind, and we'll wind it all up tomorrow.

Looking for Answers

Yesterday morning my husband and I went to a friend's funeral.  In all the years we knew him, he battled the disease that eventually took his life.  He was never healed of that disease, although I'm sure he would have been glad to have been free of it.  However, he now has the "ultimate" healing in heaven, free of all sickness and pain.

What do we mean when we talk about healing?  It's a word we seem to throw around a lot.  It's a word we associate with diseases like cancer and diabetes.  We use it in connection with sin in general, or with specific sins.  We talk about healing in reference to addictions.  We even sometimes use the word in reference to inanimate objects, like computers for example.  (This is a fresh example to me as there was no "healing" for my laptop this week and it has now been replaced!)

What do the Scriptures teach us about healing?  That's our topic as we examine the name Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals.  We're continuing to search the Word of God for answers to our questions.

Let's begin today by reviewing last week's lesson.  What did you learn from the Scriptures you examined in our last lesson?  Jehovah-Rapha heals, but what does He heal?  Write a summary statement on what you learned.

Today I'm going to give you another list of Scriptures to examine, to analyze.  Again the assignment is to ask questions of the text, to see what you learn about who or what is healed, when, why, how, etc.  We'll put it all together in the next few days.

• Exodus 15:26
• 1 Chronicles 21:10-14
• Numbers 12:9-13
• Psalm 38:1-3
• Isaiah 1:4-6
• John 9:1-3
• John 5:5-8, 14
• 1 Corinthians 11:27-32
• Philippians 2:25-30
• 1 Timothy 5:22-25
• James 5:14-16

Keep in mind that we are on a journey together.  The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.  We may not get all the answers we're looking for in one day, but day by day, little by little, "precept upon precept", it will all come together.  I'm thrilled to be taking this journey with you, and I would love to hear back from you about insights you have gained on our journey!

The Best Laid Plans....

Even if you are not a poetry buff, or even if you are not a fan of the Scottish poet Robert Burns, or even if you are not of Scottish descent and fascinated by all things Scottish, you are probably familiar with at least one line written by Robert Burns....."the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry." And so it has been with me for the past several days!  More than once I have planned to sit at the computer and post the next installment of our study of the names of God.  Obviously that never happened!  I've been spending time with one of my grandsons this week.  If you have spent time with a four year old lately, you understand what I mean!  Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to making a plan! 

We have been looking at some of the "compound" names of God.  Most recently we examined the name Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord provides.  Today we move to another compound name.....Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals.  Do you have any area in which you need healing today?  In what ways does the Lord heal?  Does this refer only to physical healing?  Or to healing from sin?  Or to emotional healing?  Or mental healing?  As we begin to think about all these areas, let me share with you a thought I came across on Facebook yesterday, posted by Proverbs 31 Ministries....."It may not be easy, and it will probably take time. But emotional healing is possible. After all, the One who conquered death, can certainly mend our brokenness."  Keep that thought in the back of your mind as we begin.

Today I'm going to give you a list of Scriptures to begin examining.  As you read these Scriptures, look for answers to this question....what does this passage teach me about Jehovah-Rapha?  Ask the 5Ws/H to see what the passage says about the Lord who heals......who does He heal?  How does He heal?  Why does He heal?  Etc. Etc.  We'll start putting it all together and drawing conclusions and making application as we return to the topic next week.

• Exodus 15:22-27
• Deuteronomy 32:39
• Isaiah 45:6-7
• 2 Kings 20:1-5
• 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Isaiah 53:5
• Jeremiah 30:15-17
• Psalm 147:3
• Psalm 103:1-3
• Matthew 8:16-17
• Luke 4:18
• 1 Peter 2:24-25
• Jeremiah 17:14

That's quite a long list, isn't it?!  Study well, dear friend, and we'll be putting it all together next week.

Reflections

I was hoping to think of some really creative title for today's post, but so far that hasn't happened.  If it were Monday, I might call it "Monday Musings", or on a Tuesday, it could be "Tuesday's Thoughts", or something like that.  But so far, I'm at a loss to find anything that works for Friday.

Today is my birthday.  It's one of those significant ones with a zero in it.  So I find myself looking back on previous birthdays, previous years, all the blessings I've enjoyed in my life so far......all that my Jehovah-Jireh has provided for me.  (This really is going to tie in to our topic......it's not just a post about me!!!)  While I'm also looking forward to what is in store for my remaining years in this life, today is more about reflecting back.  It might not be your birthday today, but you might want to join me in this challenge.......let's think today about all the blessings our Jehovah-Jireh has provided for us.  It might be a good time to dust off that journal and make a list.

I'm thankful today for so many things......for my salvation and the certainty of an eternity in Heaven with my Savior; I'm thankful for my husband.....for our love for the Lord and for each other, for the wonderful relationship we share......for our sons, the ones doctors said we would never have.....for our grandsons and the joy they are!  I had no idea I would love being a grandmother so much!!  I'm so thankful for my parents.....what a blessing they were and how I miss them!!

I could go on and on and on.......and I will, in my journal and in my prayers, as the day progresses.  My goal here is not for you to read my list of blessings, but for you to make your own list.......for you to give some time today to reflecting on how much Jehovah-Jireh has provided for you.

I'm blessed that you have taken time to read this post.  I pray it will be a blessing to you as well, as we continue to journey together toward getting to know our God better.  Thank you for journeying with me!

Is That All?

Yesterday we pondered the truth that our Jehovah-Jireh has provided for us the most important thing we will ever need......He has provided Himself the Lamb in the person of Christ Jesus who sacrificed Himself for our sins.  So here's the question of the day.....is that all that Jehovah-Jireh provides?  As I ask that question, I realize that it seems almost disrespectful.  To say "is that all?" in relation to salvation..........how can I even ask such a question.  Please understand that I mean no disrespect at all.  If our relationship with Jesus is "all" that we have, it is enough!!!!!

But the truth remains that not only does Jehovah-Jireh provide for us in the spiritual realm, providing all that we need in the person of Jesus, but He also provides for us on a practical level!  And that's where we are focusing our attention today.  I don't think I remembered to tell you yesterday that in the Old Testament, the word jireh means "to see".  So how does "provider" come from that?  Kay Arthur explains it this way, "Since He is God, when He sees, He foresees."  In the Genesis passage we have been focusing on, when Abraham said "God will provide for Himself the lamb," he was literally saying "God will see for Himself the lamb."  In the language of the Old Testament, he was saying that God would see the need and provide for it.  Because of that, Abraham named that place "The LORD will provide" (Jehovah-Jireh).  But what does that mean for you and me as we go about life today?

Check out the following Scripture passages.  What do you learn?  Make a list.  Then, as you review the list of what you learn, spend some time in worship.  Give thanks and praise to Jehovah-Jireh, YOUR provider, for ALL that He provides!

• Matthew 6:7-8
• Romans 8:32
• 1 Corinthians 10:13
• John 3:36
• Philippian 4:19

My Provider....continued....

What did you learn yesterday?  As I write that question, I'm reminded of a friend we knew some years ago when we lived in another state who always greeted everyone with a question...."what is God doing in your life today?" or "what is God teaching you?".  That's probably a good way for each of us to begin every day......to stop and consider what God is doing, what He is teaching us.

When we consider the name Jehovah-Jireh, we often think of having our physical needs met.  I was reminded of this last evening as much-needed rain fell here on our mountain.  I  found myself saying thank you to my Jehovah-Jireh for providing what was needed.  But as we consider the passage in Genesis, the event in Abraham's life that we began examining yesterday, wouldn't you agree that Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide, relates to much more than just physical needs?  Let's consider that today.  And so I ask you again, what did you learn yesterday?  As you read Genesis 22, what insights did you gain about God's provision, about obedience, about love, about worship?  You can share those insights with the rest of us by leaving a comment.

Here are some things for us to think about today:

• Look at Genesis 22:2...."take now".  Take when?  Now, not later!  When God speaks, obey now!!
• Genesis 22:2....."offer as a burnt offering".  A burnt offering was always voluntary (see Leviticus chapter 1).  And when a burnt offering was offered, nothing was held back.  What is the principle here?  I think there are two things to consider......first, does God require us to obey or do we obey because we choose to?  Secondly, what are we holding back?
• Here's an interesting point to consider.....Abraham did not choose what the offering/sacrifice would be.  But would you not agree that Isaac, the long-awaited son God had promised, was very precious to Abraham?  Yet that is the very thing God told him to offer up!  And did God Himself not also offer up the very same for us....His only Son!  How does this principle apply to us?
• As we continue this thought, add this into the mix........some years ago Steven Curtis Chapman recorded a song with this line, "I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting, but I will hold on to Jesus for life."  What are you, what am I, holding on to too tightly today?  Have we placed our all on the altar as the old hymn says?  What are we holding back?
• Genesis 22:8...."God will provide for Himself the lamb."  Some translations read "God will provide Himself the lamb."  Leaving out that little preposition gives us an important insight, doesn't it?  Isn't this what it really means that God is our Jehovah-Jireh?  That He has provided Himself!
• Genesis 22:13-14.....Most conservative sources feel that 2000 years later, Mt Moriah, if not identical, was at least in the same mountain range north of Jerusalem, on which stood a lonely hill named Golgotha ["Skull"] where God the Father offered up His Son, His only begotten Son Whom He loved, as a substitute for all who would one day by faith enter into the Abrahamic Covenant and by extension into the New Covenant in the precious blood as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ, our "Jehovah Jireh".  Ponder that thought today!

This has been some heavy thinking today, hasn't it?!  Thank you for digging deeper with me as we get to know our God better by knowing His names! 

He's My Provider

As we have journeyed together through this study of the names of God, we have learned that the name of the Lord is a strong tower.  We have spent time with the name Elohim - our Creator God; El Elyon - God Most High; El Roi - God Who Sees; El Shaddai - All Sufficient; and Jehovah - the Great I AM, the self-existent one.  Today we continue the journey as we begin to study the name Jehovah-Jireh.

In her book Lord, I Want to Know You, Kay Arthur writes, "As the self-existent one, He desires to meet the needs of those He created in His own image.  Thus, He becomes Jehovah our provider......He reaches beyond Himself because it is His character to do so.  As you and I take on His character more and more, we will reach out beyond ourselves to manifest to others what He is to us."  Does that excite you as much as it does me?  Does it challenge you as it does me?  Let's dig in together and see what we can learn and how we can put it into practice in our own lives.

We are going to be spending some time in Genesis today, looking at the life of Abraham and how this name, Jehovah-Jireh, was very significant in his life.  I'm going to give you some assignments today, and tomorrow we will examine what we learn through these assignments.  So study well, dear friend!

Begin by reading Genesis 22:1-19 (after you have prayed, of course!).  Look for the phrase the Lord will provide.  You might want to underline that phrase or mark it in some significant way.  Also look for the words love, obeyed and worship and mark them in some way.  This is the first time these words have been used in Scripture.  The principle of first mention (that's a "technical" Bible study term!) means that when a signficant word is mentioned for the first time in Scripture, the principles connected with the word at that point will hold true for the rest of Scripture.  So it's important to note what you learn about these words in this context.  You might want to make a list!

And here's another thing you might want to think about today:  in the way these words are used in this chapter, do you get a picture of Jesus Christ and of His work on your behalf.  Think about that!

If you need some help organizing your thoughts, remember the 5 Ws/H.....who, what, when, where, why, how.  Here are a few questions that may help guide your study:

• Why was Abraham going to offer up his son?
• Where was he going to make the sacrifice?  In what land?
• Where in that land would the sacrifice be made?
• Why did Abraham name that place "The Lord Will Provide"?

See you tomorrow!

Random Reflections on a Monday Morning

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name."  This verse has been resonating with me since it first came to my mind this morning as Molly (the dog) and I were taking our morning walk.  As I was enjoying the cool mountain morning, the beautiful view before me, the birds and butterflies, I could not help but feel so blessed.

The last few days have been challenging ones for me.  I'm back at home after a little more than two weeks away.....wonderful weeks in Florida with family and friends.  But the long drive back home in 100+ degree heat after spending much of my previous weeks looking after a 3 year old (a precious child, yet very energetic....and not exactly what I'm used to on a daily basis!!) coupled with a flare up of my arthritis have made these days particularly trying.  Yet in spite of that......Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I had a wonderful opportunity over the last few weeks to reconnect with family and friends, many of whom I had not seen for quite some time.  Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I'm back at home safely.....quite an accomplishment considering how many miles I have driven and the number of really bad drivers on the road!  Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I'm making preparations now for a Bible study here in my home which will begin in a couple of weeks.  I'm looking forward to getting back to our study of the names of God here on this blog.  I'm about halfway through a challenge to read the Bible through in 90 days.  Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I'm looking forward to seeing our younger son and his family this weekend, and to spending some time with them next week before AJ's school starts.  Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I'm excited to hear of so many who are joining in prayer for our nation.....who are part of the 140 days of prayer challenge.....and I'm looking forward to how God will answer our prayers.  Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I'm challenged today to try to get my "routines" back.  Being away from home for such an extended period means lots of "stuff" needs catching up.  I'm having some trouble prioritizing all the tasks.  Even so.....Bless the LORD, O my soul!

If you have followed this blog and been part of our study of the names of God, you will recall that LORD is the transliteration of the name "Jehovah", the name that speaks to God's nature, His essence.  It is the name that shows us that God is self-existent, that He has no beginning or end.  It is the name that shows us that He is the eternal I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the same yesterday, today and forever.  All of life is contained in Him.  He is all we need.  Bless the LORD!  Bless Jehovah, O my soul!

Tomorrow we will continue our journey and will begin looking at the "compound names" of God, the names used in combination with Jehovah which will reveal different aspects of His character and His ways.  Tomorrow's name is Jehovah-Jireh, the LORD will provide.  Reflect on that truth today.  And bless the LORD!