11-11-07
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 (Gen 32:10) I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff [a type of God (Jesus Christ – the Branch)] I passed over this Jordan [a type of the Holy Spirit, separating the saved from the unsaved]; and now I am become two bands [encampments (of travellers or troops); hence two armies]. Commentary: This could easily develop into a wonderful in-depth study, but briefly and generally, the comparative differences between God’s sheep who are herbivores, and God’s shepherds who are carnivores, is that sheep lack an aggressive disposition, lack self-initiative, and lack combat training, whereas shepherds possess an aggressive disposition (are leaders), possess self-initiative (are self-starters), and possess combat training (are students of the Word of God, are military students of the “twoedged sword” of God: Heb 4:12 logos & Eph 6:17 rhema). Essentially, sheep are passive and shepherds are aggressive. Thus the Army of God is functionally divided into “two bands,” that are perhaps closely proportional to Gideon’s army of 9,700 support troops and 300 combat troops. (The primary Hebrew meaning of Jerusalem is “dual”). We may note that sheep (herbivores) do not eat meat, but that shepherds (carnivores) do eat meat. 1. (Heb 5:13,14) For every one that useth milk is unskilful [inexperienced, ignorant] in the word of righteousness [which is also “the word of God” Heb 4:12; Eph 6:17, the “twoedged sword”]: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age [are matured, and bring forth fruit, i.e. correct doctrine], even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised [COMBAT TRAINING] to discern both good and evil. SIT (present – basic training) (2 Tim 2:15) Study [study what?] to show thyself approved unto God, a workman [a toiler; fig. a teacher: labourer] that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1. rightly dividing = to make a straight cut, i.e. (fig.) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message). (Gen 9:1-3) And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. STAND (present) (Eph 6:10-18) Finally, my brethren, be strong [empowered: enabled, increased in strength] in the Lord, and in the power [(great) vigor] of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [travesties, trickery] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word [rhema] of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication [petitions: prayers, requests] in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance [persistency] and supplication for all saints; 1. (James 4:7) Submit [subordinate; obey: be under, be in subjection to] yourselves therefore to God. Resist [to stand against, oppose: withstand] the devil, and he will flee from you. 2. (Heb 4:12) For the word [logos] of God is quick [alive], and powerful [active, operative], and sharper [(to cut, as if by a single stroke versus repeated blows, like hacking): more keen] than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 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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(Gen 32:10) I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff [a type of God (Jesus Christ – the Branch)] I passed over this Jordan [a type of the Holy Spirit, separating the saved from the unsaved]; and now I am become two bands [encampments (of travellers or troops); hence two armies].
Commentary: This could easily develop into a wonderful in-depth study, but briefly and generally, the comparative differences between God’s sheep who are herbivores, and God’s shepherds who are carnivores, is that sheep lack an aggressive disposition, lack self-initiative, and lack combat training, whereas shepherds possess an aggressive disposition (are leaders), possess self-initiative (are self-starters), and possess combat training (are students of the Word of God, are military students of the “twoedged sword” of God: Heb 4:12 logos & Eph 6:17 rhema). Essentially, sheep are passive and shepherds are aggressive. Thus the Army of God is functionally divided into “two bands,” that are perhaps closely proportional to Gideon’s army of 9,700 support troops and 300 combat troops. (The primary Hebrew meaning of Jerusalem is “dual”). We may note that sheep (herbivores) do not eat meat, but that shepherds (carnivores) do eat meat.
1. (Heb 5:13,14) For every one that useth milk is unskilful [inexperienced, ignorant] in the word of righteousness [which is also “the word of God” Heb 4:12; Eph 6:17, the “twoedged sword”]: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age [are matured, and bring forth fruit, i.e. correct doctrine], even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised [COMBAT TRAINING] to discern both good and evil.
SIT (present – basic training)
(2 Tim 2:15) Study [study what?] to show thyself approved unto God, a workman [a toiler; fig. a teacher: labourer] that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1. rightly dividing = to make a straight cut, i.e. (fig.) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message).
(Gen 9:1-3) And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
STAND (present)
(Eph 6:10-18) Finally, my brethren, be strong [empowered: enabled, increased in strength] in the Lord, and in the power [(great) vigor] of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [travesties, trickery] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word [rhema] of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication [petitions: prayers, requests] in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance [persistency] and supplication for all saints;
1. (James 4:7) Submit [subordinate; obey: be under, be in subjection to] yourselves therefore to God. Resist [to stand against, oppose: withstand] the devil, and he will flee from you.
2. (Heb 4:12) For the word [logos] of God is quick [alive], and powerful [active, operative], and sharper [(to cut, as if by a single stroke versus repeated blows, like hacking): more keen] than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Amen
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