The Proclaimer
PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD

Edited and Published by Jack Critchfield

In This Issue:
The Hope Of Israel
What Does The Lord Require?
When A Good Relationship With God ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH!
"Thou Shalt Not Steal"

The Hope Of Israel
Jack Critchfield

The apostle Paul wrote, " For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain" (Acts 28:20). The most prevalent doctrine today is the false doctrine of premillennialism. And because of the teaching that is done under the guise of truth by those espousing this doctrine, every now and then, we need to clarify what or who is the hope of Israel. Many people today believe that Jesus will return and will establish His kingdom in Israel (the physical landmass). They have been told that this is what the scriptures teach, but have not studied the context for themselves, nor do they allow the bible to be it own best commentary by taking all that the bible has to say on the subject into consideration.

Without going through all the explanation of the land promise to Abraham, which is what this false concept is based upon, Genesis 15:18-21 records the promise and specifies the exact location and boundaries for this promise. In Joshua 21:43-4, 23:14 and Neh 9:7-8, we find the confirmation that this promise has indeed been fulfilled. We also note that Jesus, in His conversation with the woman at the well (John 4:23-24), made it clear that no earthly ground was holy anymore.

The physical nation of Israel was but a precursor to the spiritual nation that was to come. Paul, being guided by the Holy Spirit, made that very plain when He said, "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God" (Romans 2:28-29) and "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but 'In Isaac your seed shall be called'" (Romans 9:1-7). These passages show emphatically that it is not some outward, fleshly, physical tie with Abraham that makes one a part of Israel, but it is the spiritual commitment to God through Jesus Christ.

This misconception that is held by so many today is not new. No one who has studied the history of the Jew would deny that they were expecting a king to come that would free them from the oppression of the Romans. They had no concept of being freed from the oppression of the sin with which they lived. That is why they were disappointed in and turned away from Jesus when He showed them His kingdom was to be spiritual (John 6; 18:36). The Jew was desirous of temporal power such as they enjoyed under the rule of Solomon and David, but Jesus established a spiritual reign in the hearts of men (Gal 2:20). According to Old Testament Prophecy, and New Testament fulfillment, "the hope of Israel" was:

1. The Lord, our righteousness (Jer. 23:6)
2. A Redeemer, come out of Zion (Isa. 59:20)
3. A fountain for cleansing (Zech. 13:1)
4. A New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34)
5. The suffering servant (Isa. 53:1-12)
6. An immovable kingdom (Dan. 2:44)
7. Precious cornerstone (Isa. 28:16)
8. Prince of peace (Isa 9:6)
9. Humble king (Zech 6:12; 9:9).

Loyal children of God waited for Him (Isa. 25:9; Lk. 2:23-32) and suddenly the Lord came to His temple (Mal. 3:1). Luke chapter records Simeon as calling Jesus "the consolation of Israel" (v. 25) and "a light to the Gentiles" (v. 32).

Jesus was and is "the hope of Israel." The consummation of the glorious longing of the faithful is, not to have a home in Israel (the physical landmass) but, to walk the golden strand of bliss with Him forever.
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"Buy the truth, and do not sell it,"

(Prov 23:23)

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What Does The Lord Require?
Tom L. Merritt

"With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:6-8)

The question the prophet Micah poses in this passage has always intrigued me. It is one that probably all of us, at one time or another, has asked. How can we properly approach God? How can we give Him the respect, the adoration, the praise of which He alone is worthy? Do we treat Him as political entities acknowledge heads of state? What gift or offering is appropriate? What sacrifice will please Him? Would the burnt offering of my most precious material possessions be fitting? Would my children be the proper gift? NO! Absolutely not, says the prophet. "He has showed you, O man, what is good." God has already communicated the correct approach to Him and it does not consist of offering only things, or sacrificing others to appease Him.

God says there are three things that are appropriate in order to come to Him: "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." The answer given requires daily living in harmony with God. Act justly, and you are offering the sacrifice God requires. When we uphold the righteousness of God we carry out the type of behavior that is pleasing to God. Notice that Micah does not say that others must act justly but rather that you are to act justly. That means self-examination, judging our own acts and measuring our own deeds to see that we do "act justly." We must be just if we desire God's approval.

Micah tells us to "love mercy." We all love mercy for ourselves, but that is not what Micah means. He wants us to love being merciful. To be eager to be merciful. We claim justice in regard to our own behavior, but we must also be merciful to others. Love mercy! Examine your conduct toward others and grant mercy to them. Offer this as your sacrifice to God for your entrance to His presence.

"Walk humbly with your God." The first two sacrifices concern our actions toward others. This sacrifice is our God-directed sacrifice, meaning we learn what it is to walk humbly. Humble does not mean having a bad self-image, nor is it about a positive self-esteem. It is about an honest appraisal of relative goodness. Relative to God's goodness, we ought to be humbled! He is good, as Jesus said, God alone is good. This is our final sacrifice, the giving up of ourselves to the glory of God, for He alone is worthy. "What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
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"Truth is one forever, absolute; but opinion is truth filtered through the moods, the blood, the disposition of the spectator."

(Wendell Phillips, "Against Idolatry")

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When A Good Relationship With God
ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH!
Joe Fitch

Adam was created by the hand of God. He was God's special handiwork. He had a good relationship with God - it was unmarred. However, Adam's good relationship with God was not enough! Imaginary? - Adam's poor evaluation? No! God saw something lacking - "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him" (Gen. 2:18). And he did! From a rib, God made -and gave Adam a mate. You see, even in Eden, God did not replace man's need for a companion - a mate. It is bad news when any man thinks otherwise -God's wisdom says so! "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD" (Prov. 18:22) "Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD" (Prov 19:14).

For any one of a number of reasons, people may choose not to marry. That is their choice! - their rightful choice! Paul chose to not marry - and even advised the unmarried to remain single because of a "distress" (1Cor. 7:25-). A single person may even be in position to serve the Lord in a special way - an undistracted way.

However, ordinarily a mate fills a very important place in a person's life. A mate often meets a strong physical need. "...because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband (1 Cor. 7:2). Also, a mate defends against being alone -a widow's tragedy - "...who is really a widow, and left alone" (1 Tim. 5:5). Life expectancy is shortened by the death of a mate - even when there is a good relationship with God.

Furthermore, a mate also is expected to contribute something valuable spiritually - possibly the difference between being saved and lost. "For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?" (1 Cor. 7:16). The ideal is that they become "heirs together of the grace of life" with their "prayers not ... hindered" (1 Pet. 3:7). Thus, a good relationship with God does not replace a good marriage companionship - is not even expected to do so.

Though people have a good relationship with God, they usually feel a strong need for children. Nothing wrong there! God is not slighted! No law requires people to have children; none is usually needed. Yet children fill a special niche - not filled by God. People need children for more than money or help in old age - or to carry on the family name. There is a need for someone to love and care for - and who will respond in love. It is a normally ingrained need that no other relationship can replace - not even a good relationship with God!

A good church - a clan of Christians also fills a special need. It is a real need even for those who have a good relationship with God. Of course, people are saved as individuals - and not by churches. A Christian could find himself isolated from every other Christian - and still be acceptable to God - be saved in the last day. It is not the ideal! Some claim to need no one - no need for a congregation - no need to assemble. "I can do just fine on my own." God knew better! Even when people are devout - even with a really good relationship toward God, saints need other saints. There is a need for help in time of trouble - a need for encouragement in pursuits of right - a need for comfort in suffering - a need for edification in spiritual matters - a need for training so all develop the image of Jesus. Christians all need help! - even though they have a good relationship with God. God recognized this need just as he saw that Adam needed a mate. The local church is God's answer to that need; "...the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies...causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:16).

You doubt the need? - the practical value of a church? Ask a Christian in some remote place where there are no other Christians: "Would other Christians be helpful?" "Do you need other Christians?" "Do you miss them?" He can obey God without anyone else! He can please God standing alone! He can go to heaven though no one stands beside him! But it will not be easy! Never discredit the value of a good church relationship. Never say, "Well, I have a good relationship with God and that is all I need." Such an idea could easily cost you your soul!

Via BIBLE COMMENT Issue #57

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"Thou Shalt Not Steal"
Richie Thetford

The eighth commandment, "Thou Shalt Not Steal" (Exod 20:15), is a very short and to the point command, but one which is often broken by man. The word "Stealing" is the Hebrew word ganabh meaning "to thieve" (literal or figurative); by implication, "to deceive," "carry away," "secretly bring," "steal away." Webster's New World Dictionary defines the word steal as: "to take (another's property, etc.) dishonestly, especially in a secret manner." The holiness of God has set man against robbery in the command "thou shalt not steal." God has forbidden man from meddling in and stealing another man's property. In the court system, civil lawyers define theft or stealing to be "the laying of hands unjustly on that which is another's; the invading of another's right." When the Ten Commandments were given to the children of Israel, they had already seen first hand that God had allowed them to take spoil from the Egyptians in a way of just reprisal. Here in the command "thou shalt not steal," God is letting His children know that He did not intend that stealing should be drawn into a precedent and that they be allowed to take from one another. All theft is forbidden by this important precept of the Law to include national and commercial wrongs as well as petty larceny, highway robberies, and private stealing: even the taking advantage of a seller's or buyer's ignorance, to give one less and make the other pay more for a commodity than it is worth, is a breach of this sacred law of God.

Why Steal?
The question we might ask is why would one steal? When asking this question we will more than likely get many answers, all of which are excuses (I prefer to call them "symptoms") of the real problem. Internally man reasons, because of unbelief in God, that since he doesn't believe God will really provide for his needs, then he will provide for himself, but it will be at another man's cost. The Psalmist wrote: "Yes, they spoke against God: they said, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?" When a man questions God, then he will do whatever he wants to please himself, even if that means taking something that does not belong to him. One sin usually leads to another for those that don't believe or trust in God. When one is covetous, he is wanting more than his own things. The Greek word for covetousness signifies "an immoderate desire of getting"; which is at the root of most stealing. The Bible example of Achan shows us how one man's covetousness made him steal things which he was commanded not to take and it cost him his soul (Josh 7:21).

Externally man is solicited to steal by Satan. The devil is a master thief, he robbed man of his coat of innocence in the garden of Eden through deceit and he continues to persuade man to take up his trade of deceit, lying, and stealing today. That is why we need to be careful whom we choose to be our friends. It is easy to get ensnared to do evil when we surround ourselves with those who practice evil. Paul wrote: "Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." Those that steal would love to have you join them in their quest for evil. Wise Solomon wrote concerning this fact when he said, "We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; Cast in your lot among us, let us all have one purse"__My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path." (Prov 1:13-15).

Modern Day Violations of the Command
There are numerous violations of the command "thou shalt not steal" today. Before I touch on some of the violations in the secular realm, let me first touch on a few in the spiritual realm. We have all been blessed with various talents from God and He fully expects us to use those talents in His service. When we do not give back to God, using those talents that He gave us, we are in a sense stealing from Him. The Israelites were commanded to "Keep the Sabbath Day Holy." Not a part of the day, but the whole day needed to be dedicated to God. Today we are told "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together..." (Heb 10:25), yet there are those who steal from God by not being in the assembly and by not using their talents for His service. When we are not at the services, we rob God of our offerings as we are commanded to "lay something aside..." (1 Cor 16:2). The children of God were guilty of robbing from him in this way (Mal 3:8). Before we become quick to condemn someone for the sin of stealing, let's first make sure that we are not stealing from God.

In today's world the sin of stealing is found in the unauthorized use of licensed software, or the one who borrows money from others with no intent of ever paying it back. Stealing is especially prevalent among our young people today. I have seen some statistics recently that suggested that most shoplifters are in their very early teens and some even younger. In most cases when the children have been caught, they had enough money on them to purchase the product that they took. Like any sin, stealing can become a habit. Some people steal just because it is an adventure to them, daring for someone to catch them. Sadly, some stealing is even encouraged by older people that should know better. David Riggs preached a sermon where he touched on the sin of stealing and gave this example: "I once heard a father explain how he managed to steal an expensive chain hoist from the company where he worked. He said he wrapped the hoist in burlap to give an appearance of a root ball of a small tree. He then cut a small tree and extended it from the ball he had made. He was then able to walk past the gate guard who was thinking he was only carrying out a small tree that he had bought or someone had given him." The man was asked the question: "What would this do to the children who listened to such stories?" His answer: "Always be clever enough to never get caught." When we approach any sin, to include the sin of stealing, with such an attitude, then we along with others that we influence will be led down the path of unrighteousness and our souls will be lost.

"Steal No Longer"
Long ago God's children were told "thou shalt not steal," and so are we today. Ephesians 4:28 says: "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." We need to live in such a way as to make our "call and election sure..." (2 Pet 1:10). We can't stand idle and give the devil opportunity to take over our life. We must meditate on the good things (Phil 4:8) and learn to be content in the state that God has given us. The Hebrew writer says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." We must trust that the condition God carved out for us is the best. Develop a satisfied state in wanting to do God's will, storing up our treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19-21). May we always remember the inspired words of the apostle Paul as he wrote in 1 Timothy 6:6-9: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." Let's all strive to keep God's eighth commandment "thou shalt not steal" as part of our life today!

Via Clarksville Beacon
September 10, 2000

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Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

(John 14:6)

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Jack Critchfield, Editor & Publisher
403 Coit Way, Salinas, Ca. 93907
jcritch@jps.net