05-27-07
Sorry, you must have Windows Media Player 9 or higher. This is a large file which may take a few seconds to start Windows Media Real Audio MP3 (Exo 19:10,11) And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. (Hosea 6:1,2) Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days [two thousand years] will he revive us [quicken, restore to life]: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. (1 Ki 16:30,31) And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal [with Baal; Ethbaal, a Phoenician king] king of the Zidonians [in the sense of catching fish; fishery], and went and served Baal [a Phoenician deity], and worshipped him. 1. The Nelson Study Bible: Ahab’s marriage to the Phoenician princess Jezebel was politically important and produced tragic results. Jezebel was an exceedingly competent, highly gifted, powerful person – and she was exceedingly evil. She could influence Ahab to be wicked. Her father was both king and priest of Baal in Sidon; similarly, Jezebel was princess and priestess of Baal. Her Phoenician name was Abizebel, meaning, “My Father (Baal) Is Noble.” The Hebrew scribes deliberately dropped a letter from her name. Thus she would be known forever as Jezebel, a dishonorable name meaning “Lacking Honor.” 2. Commentary: The people of the Phoenician city of Sidon were experts at felling trees “there is not among us any that can skill to hew [cut down] timber like unto the Sidonians” (1 Ki 5:6c). Jezebel was mainly responsible for introducing the worship of pagan gods into Israel. (1 Ki 18:17-20) And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 1. Baalim = Heb: a Phoenician deity:--Baal, [plur.] Baalim. 2. Carmel = Heb: fruitful (plentiful) field, (place) /// a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by impl. garden produce:--full (green) ears (of corn), fruitful field (place), plentiful (field). 3. groves = Heb: happy; Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess [of fertility called the “great mother” and especially honored in Sidon]; also an image of the same. (1 Ki 18:21) And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 1. The Full Life Study Bible: Elijah challenged the people to make a definitive choice between following God or following Baal. Israel believed they could worship both deities at the same time. They were guilty of a divided heart that tried to serve two masters. Christ Himself warned against this fatal attitude. 2. (Mat 6:24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 3. The Living Bible: Elijah challenged the people to take a stand, to follow whoever was the true God. Why did so many people waver between the two choices? Perhaps some were not sure. Many, however, knew that the Lord was God, but they enjoyed the sinful pleasures and other benefits that came with following Ahab and his idolatrous worship. It is important to take a stand for the Lord. If we just drift along with whatever is pleasant and easy, we will someday discover that we have been worshiping a false god – ourselves. (Mat 13:33) Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven [yeast, symbolic of false doctrine], which a woman took, and hid [to conceal] in three measures of meal [flour], till the whole [complete: altogether, every whit, throughout] was leavened. 1. took = Gk: to take (to get hold of):--accept, have, hold, receive. (Rev 2:18,19) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write [a city in western Turkey]; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity [love], and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. (Rev 2:20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest [permit, allow] that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce [with false doctrine] my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 1. (Gen 3:16) Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 2. (1 Tim 2:12-14) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 3. (1 Pet 3:7) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 4. seduce = Gk: to cause to roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):--go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way /// obj. fraudulence; subj. a straying from orthodoxy or piety:--deceit, to deceive, delusion, error. 5. fornication = Gk: porneuo, porn-yoo'-o; to act the harlot, i.e. (lit.) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (fig.) practice idolatry:--commit (fornication) /// a strumpet; fig. an idolater:--harlot, whore.. (Rev 2:21-23) And I gave her space to repent [to think differently] of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery [gross idolatry] with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children [hybrids, evil doctrinal mutations] with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins [(fig.) the mind] and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 1. Commentary: the word “adultery” specifically points to a married person who commits the sinful act of betrayal to their lawful partner by joining themself (becoming one) physically (sexually) and emotionally with another, whereas “fornication” is a more general but equally applicable term. We Christians are married to the Lord Jesus. 2. (1 Chr 28:9) And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. 3. (Psa 7:9) Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. 4. (Jer 17:10) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Rev 2:29) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Amen Previous Chapter Table Of Contents Next Chapter Click here to download a printable version of this message Click here to download a DOC version of this message
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(Exo 19:10,11) And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
(Hosea 6:1,2) Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days [two thousand years] will he revive us [quicken, restore to life]: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
(1 Ki 16:30,31) And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal [with Baal; Ethbaal, a Phoenician king] king of the Zidonians [in the sense of catching fish; fishery], and went and served Baal [a Phoenician deity], and worshipped him.
1. The Nelson Study Bible: Ahab’s marriage to the Phoenician princess Jezebel was politically important and produced tragic results. Jezebel was an exceedingly competent, highly gifted, powerful person – and she was exceedingly evil. She could influence Ahab to be wicked. Her father was both king and priest of Baal in Sidon; similarly, Jezebel was princess and priestess of Baal. Her Phoenician name was Abizebel, meaning, “My Father (Baal) Is Noble.” The Hebrew scribes deliberately dropped a letter from her name. Thus she would be known forever as Jezebel, a dishonorable name meaning “Lacking Honor.”
2. Commentary: The people of the Phoenician city of Sidon were experts at felling trees “there is not among us any that can skill to hew [cut down] timber like unto the Sidonians” (1 Ki 5:6c). Jezebel was mainly responsible for introducing the worship of pagan gods into Israel.
(1 Ki 18:17-20) And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
1. Baalim = Heb: a Phoenician deity:--Baal, [plur.] Baalim.
2. Carmel = Heb: fruitful (plentiful) field, (place) /// a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by impl. garden produce:--full (green) ears (of corn), fruitful field (place), plentiful (field).
3. groves = Heb: happy; Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess [of fertility called the “great mother” and especially honored in Sidon]; also an image of the same.
(1 Ki 18:21) And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
1. The Full Life Study Bible: Elijah challenged the people to make a definitive choice between following God or following Baal. Israel believed they could worship both deities at the same time. They were guilty of a divided heart that tried to serve two masters. Christ Himself warned against this fatal attitude.
2. (Mat 6:24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
3. The Living Bible: Elijah challenged the people to take a stand, to follow whoever was the true God. Why did so many people waver between the two choices? Perhaps some were not sure. Many, however, knew that the Lord was God, but they enjoyed the sinful pleasures and other benefits that came with following Ahab and his idolatrous worship. It is important to take a stand for the Lord. If we just drift along with whatever is pleasant and easy, we will someday discover that we have been worshiping a false god – ourselves.
(Mat 13:33) Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven [yeast, symbolic of false doctrine], which a woman took, and hid [to conceal] in three measures of meal [flour], till the whole [complete: altogether, every whit, throughout] was leavened.
1. took = Gk: to take (to get hold of):--accept, have, hold, receive.
(Rev 2:18,19) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write [a city in western Turkey]; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity [love], and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
(Rev 2:20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest [permit, allow] that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce [with false doctrine] my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
1. (Gen 3:16) Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
2. (1 Tim 2:12-14) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
3. (1 Pet 3:7) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
4. seduce = Gk: to cause to roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):--go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way /// obj. fraudulence; subj. a straying from orthodoxy or piety:--deceit, to deceive, delusion, error.
5. fornication = Gk: porneuo, porn-yoo'-o; to act the harlot, i.e. (lit.) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (fig.) practice idolatry:--commit (fornication) /// a strumpet; fig. an idolater:--harlot, whore..
(Rev 2:21-23) And I gave her space to repent [to think differently] of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery [gross idolatry] with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children [hybrids, evil doctrinal mutations] with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins [(fig.) the mind] and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
1. Commentary: the word “adultery” specifically points to a married person who commits the sinful act of betrayal to their lawful partner by joining themself (becoming one) physically (sexually) and emotionally with another, whereas “fornication” is a more general but equally applicable term. We Christians are married to the Lord Jesus.
2. (1 Chr 28:9) And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
3. (Psa 7:9) Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
4. (Jer 17:10) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
(Rev 2:29) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Amen
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