Category Archives: BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, CALVINISM, Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated?, Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated?

Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated?

“JACOB HAVE I LOVED, BUT ESAU HAVE I HATED?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

“As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Romans 9:13). Calvinists consider this a useful “proof text” to argue that God loves some people and that He hates others. They say that God chooses for heaven those He loves, and chooses for hell those He hates. He chooses those He loves for blessings, and He chooses those He hates for curses and judgment. Is this really what Romans 9:13 teaches? Or, are Calvinists reading things into the verse that do not belong? Friends, let us say it again and again and again. Context, context, context!

It is not wise to read Romans 9:13 alone. Romans 9:10-13 should be read together: “[10] And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”

When the Scriptures talk about “election,” it has nothing to do with being chosen by God unto soul salvation and eternal life. One easy verse to prove this is Isaiah 42:1, where Israel’s Messiah (Jesus) is called the “elect” of JEHOVAH God the Father. In fact, the whole verse reads: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.” What does “election” mean in the Bible? It means to be chosen to serve the God of the Bible! People in history who believe God’s Word to them, God then chooses them (as believers) to serve Him.

Look again at Romans 9:11-12 to see the Bible’s definition of “election”: “[11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.” Note how the Apostle Paul, like the Prophet Isaiah earlier, connected “election” with “service.” In the Bible, unlike in theology, both terms have nothing to do with people going to heaven or hell, but rather those who are justified before God, God has given them a role in which to function/serve as members of His family.

THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB

In the case of the Abrahamic Covenant, God promised to use Abraham and his seed to form a nation of people He would use to bless all the other families (nations) of the world. We read in Genesis 12:1-3: “[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

That covenant God made with Abraham was then passed on to his second son Isaac (rather than his firstborn son, Ishmael). Note Genesis chapter 17: “[18] And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! [19] And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. [20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. [21] But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”

By his wife Rebekah, Isaac had two sons, twins who were named Esau (firstborn) and Jacob. God’s words to Rebekah are Genesis 25:23: “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” Earlier, we read where Paul quoted this in Romans 9:12: “It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.”

We see now that the Abrahamic Covenant has moved from Abraham’s son Isaac to Isaac’s second son Jacob (rather than his firstborn, Esau). This was confirmed in Genesis chapter 28: “[13] And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; [14] And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. [15] And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. [16] And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.”

So, when the Bible uses the expression, “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” what it is really communicating is the extension of the Abrahamic Covenant to Abraham’s son (Isaac) and grandson (Jacob). Jacob later fathered 12 sons, and they became the 12 tribes of Israel, forming the nation God originally spoke of to Abraham in Genesis chapter 12. “And he [God] gave him [Abraham] the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs” (Acts 7:8).

Going back to Romans chapter 9 to summarize these Old Testament concepts: “[6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. [8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. [9] For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. [10] And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”

“JACOB HAVE I LOVED, BUT ESAU HAVE I HATED”

Okay, now we have gotten to the tricky verse, the difficult verse. When Paul wrote this in Romans 9:13, he was quoting Malachi 1:2-3: “[1] The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. [2] I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, [3] And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.”

The Prophet Malachi wrote about 400 B.C., over 1,000 years after Esau and Jacob had died. Malachi was not referring to the two men individually, but rather their descendants, the nations that originated in them. The context—in Malachi 1:2-3 or Romans 9:13—is not individuals but rather nations. Malachi is addressing Israel, a nation, God’s special nation. Go back to God’s words to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23: “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” This is talking about how Jacob’s nation (Israel) will rule over Esau’s nation (Edomites). God, as per the Abrahamic Covenant, has chosen Israel as His chief nation in the Earth. Israel is to be His channel of salvation and blessing to the nations of the world. If Esau’s descendants are to partake of the salvation and blessings of the God of creation, they must come to Him through His nation, Israel. The Edomites have to bless (serve, submit to) Israel if they are to be blessed of God.

CONCLUSION

The key to understanding Romans chapter 9 is to remember that it does not deal with the salvation of individuals, but rather nations (Israel versus Edomites/Gentiles). What Paul is arguing in the first half of this chapter is that not all of Abraham’s descendants are participants in God’s purpose and program in the Earth. The Old Testament covenants apply only to descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Contrary to Islam and the Qur’an, Ishmael and Esau are not part of God’s special nation and are not heirs of the Abrahamic Covenant. They are not God’s servants in the Earth. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their children will be God’s earthly servants. But, not only that. Only believing descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will become God’s special people. God does not consider every descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, a member of “Israel.” A true Jew is one who has both Abraham’s physical genes as well as Abraham’s (spiritual) faith. But, we must stop and save that for another study!

Also see:
» Does Acts 2:47 support Calvinism?
» How do God’s foreknowledge and our free will work together?
» Does Acts 13:48 support Calvinism?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Is Israel “cast away” or not? Has Israel “fallen” or not?, Is Israel “cast away” or not? Has Israel “fallen” or not?, Is Israel “cast away” or not? Has Israel “fallen” or not?, THE NATION ISRAEL

Is Israel “cast away,” or not? Has Israel “fallen,” or not?

IS ISRAEL “CAST AWAY,” OR NOT? HAS ISRAEL “FALLEN,” OR NOT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Many consider Romans chapters 9-11 the most difficult part of the book. Calvinists have so abused and confused chapter 9 that people fear reading and teaching it. The “sinner’s prayer” people have abused and confused chapter 10, making it harder for lost people to understand the Gospel of Grace. Those who believe that we have replaced Israel have abused and confused chapter 11, causing people to fight about it as well.

Amidst all the confusion surrounding these chapters, people struggle with so-called “contradictions” as well. For example, the conflicting ideas presented in Romans chapter 11—Israel’s casting away versus her not being cast away, and Israel’s fall versus Israel not falling—at the beginning of the chapter force people to stop attempting to understand it before they have even begun it. In this study, let me first show you exactly what verses they find troublesome. Then, I will share with you other Bible verses that shed light on these “problematic” verses.

ISRAEL—CAST AWAY OR NOT?

The Bible opens Romans chapter 11 with the following: “[1] I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying….” Now, verse 15 upsets the Bible reader: “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”

Did you notice the contrasting ideas in the above Scriptures? Verses 1 and 2 say God has not cast away His people Israel. Then, verse 15 says He has cast away His people Israel. Has Israel been cast away, or not? It sounds like double-talk but it is not.

Returning to the Romans 11:1-2: “Hath God cast away his people? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying….” The expression—God has not cast away Israel—has a twofold meaning.

Firstly, when Paul wrote the book of Romans (circa Acts chapter 20), there is a remnant of believing Jews still living. There is still Israel’s Little Flock, led by the 12 apostles (note verse 5)—these believers are “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16).

Secondly, during the Acts period, there are believing Jews outside of the nation Israel. Paul cites himself as an example (verse 1 of Romans chapter 11). This group of believing Jews belongs to the Church the Body of Christ. All these believing Jews—whether in the Little Flock or in the Body of Christ—prove that God has not cut off all contact with all Jews. The believing Jews in the Little Flock still have access to Him. The believing Jews in the Body of Christ have access to Him. Unbelieving Jews are being offered fellowship with Him, but they must believe Paul’s Gospel and join the Church the Body of Christ. Paul’s Gospel is “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Additionally, Israel’s Little Flock is the group of believers that God intended to form going all the way back to Abraham. God has not removed Israel from his program forever; He has not permanently rejected Israel. The triune God will deal with Israel yet future. Verse 12 of Romans chapter 11 speaks of Israel’s “fulness” (as opposed to her “diminishing”). Verse 15 discusses God “receiving” Israel (as opposed to God “casting [her] away,” or Him rejecting her). Verse 26 talks about “all Israel shall be saved” (as opposed to her spiritual blindness in our Dispensation of Grace).

When Romans 11:1-2 says that God has not cast away His people Israel, it simply means that they are not eternally out of God’s program. He still has a purpose and plan for them one day. Israel is simply “cast away” in the sense God has momentarily rejected them in order to deal with us Gentiles (verse 15). That God may deal with the whole world in His grace, He removed Israel from her privileged position. Since Israel was unwilling to reach Gentiles on God’s behalf, so worthy of His wrath, He temporarily set Israel aside so He could directly deal with all people (nations) in His longsuffering and kindness (including the unbelieving, rebellious Jews). “For God hath concluded all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all” (Romans 11:32). And, verse 15 in part again, “For if the casting away of them [Israel] be the reconciling of the world [Gentiles]….” This truth is also briefly mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:19: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

When Father God is finished forming the Church the Body of Christ (mystery), He will return to forming the nation Israel (prophecy). This leads us to our next section.

ISRAEL—FALLEN OR NOT?

The Bible says in Romans chapter 11: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?”

Did you notice the contrasting ideas in the above Scriptures? The first part of verse 11 says Israel did not fall. The rest of verse 11 and verse 12 say Israel has fallen. Did Israel fall, or not? It sounds like double-talk but it is not.

Returning to Romans 11:11-12: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” These two verses actually span a period of time rather than a single moment in time. Israel stumbled but did not fall. Later, Israel stumbled and did fall. Exactly what does this mean? We must look in the context for explanatory verses.

Israel’s “stumbling” loops back to what Paul wrote in Romans chapter 9. We read in its closing verses: “[31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; [33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

According to 1 Peter 2:5-8, the “stumblingstone and rock of offence” laid in Zion was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Specifically, this refers to His earthly ministry (Matthew through John). Israel stumbled in that she made the mistake of rejecting Jesus as her Messiah/King. While this occurred throughout the three years of Christ’s earthly ministry, Israel nationally and formally rejected Jesus during His trial before Pontius Pilate, at the end of His earthly ministry. Speaking on behalf of their nation, Israel’s religious leaders cried out, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). They officially rejected their birthright as the children of Abraham. They wanted no part in being God’s special people to bless all the families of the world (Genesis 12:1-3).

While Israel demanded Jesus’ crucifixion, God did not set them aside as a nation. Remember, Jesus pled from Calvary, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Father God indeed forgave Israel of the crucifixion of His beloved Son and their Messiah. He gave them a renewed opportunity of repentance in the opening chapters of the book of Acts. Israel had one year to change their minds about who Jesus was, and accept Him. Unfortunately, Israel again rejected that offer. After one year of trying to turn Israel around, with very few Jews converting, God finally set Israel aside. In Acts chapter 7, Israel nationally rejected the Holy Spirit (who had been speaking through Stephen and the others in the opening chapters of Acts). Unlike the blasphemy against Jesus Christ at Calvary that was forgiven, the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost could not be and was not forgiven of Israel (Matthew 12:31-32).

So Israel did stumble at Messiah Jesus during His earthly ministry, but she did not fall before God at the cross. However, Israel rejected the Holy Spirit in early Acts, and then she fell. Through Israel’s fall salvation is coming to us Gentiles. This is where Paul’s ministry comes into view. Romans chapter 11 again: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.” (A side-note: Verse 14 is Paul conducting his “special” ministry during Acts so as to entice the lost Jews to join the Body of Christ and avoid God’s wrath coming upon them.)

CONCLUSION

  1. Has God cast away Israel? “No,” Romans 11:1-2 says. In the Bible, there is still a believing remnant in Israel—that is, the Little Flock—whom God will use to accomplish His will in the earth one day (Luke 12:31-32; cf. Matthew 19:27-28; Romans 11:3-7). While that group of believing Jews does not exist today, it did exist during the Acts period (the time when Paul wrote the book of Romans). Nevertheless, Israel is not permanently rejected of God. After our Dispensation of Grace ends, she will be restored nationally so as to inherit all of God’s promises and blessings first guaranteed to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, et cetera (Romans 11:25-29).
  1. Has God cast away Israel? “Yes,” Romans 11:15 says. So God could deal with us Gentiles and form the Church the Body of Christ, He has momentarily rejected Israel. She is not His favored nation today. God considers all in unbelief—Jew and Gentile—that He might have mercy upon all (Romans 11:32). “As concerning the gospel, they [the Jews] are enemies for your sakes…” (verse 28). While Israel is not nationally converted to JEHOVAH God today, individual Jews can be saved today by believing Paul’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). These Jews can join the Body of Christ, and join God in His plan for the heavenly places.
  1. Did Israel fall? “No,” Romans 11:11 says. She stumbled (made a mistake) when she rejected Jesus as her Messiah/King during His earthly ministry. But, God did not set her aside at the cross of Calvary. She did not fall at Calvary. He continued to deal with her nationally during the first seven chapters of Acts. Peter continued to call all of Israel to repentance and Christ Jesus in Acts chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5. Stephen had a ministry attempting to convert Jerusalem in chapter 6. However, at the end of that year of preaching, in chapter 7, Stephen indicted Israel for her persistent unbelief. Please note there was no offer of repentance in chapter 7 but rather a warning of impending judgment from God. That was the pause of God’s dealings with national Israel, lest the whole world would have been consumed in God’s wrath.
  1. Did Israel fall? “Yes,” Romans 11:11-12 says. She fell when she refused to hear the testimony of the Holy Ghost speaking through the 12 apostles during early Acts. The culmination of her unbelief occurred in Acts chapter 7, when God finally set Israel aside and went to the Gentiles (through Paul) without Israel. For more information, please see the links below to our various related Bible studies.

Also see:
» Have we been “grafted into Israel?”
» Why did Jesus stand in Acts 7:55-56?
» Can you explain Peter and the 11’s ministry in Acts 7-15?
» Can you explain Matthew 21:43?
» What is Replacement Theology?
» Have I blasphemed against the Holy Spirit?
» Can you explain Paul’s first miracle?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Did Matthew mishandle Hosea 11:1?, Did Matthew mishandle Hosea 11:1?, THE NATION ISRAEL

Did Matthew mishandle Hosea 11:1?

DID MATTHEW MISHANDLE HOSEA 11:1?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Some have greatly criticized the book of Matthew because it uses Hosea 11:1 to apply to Jesus Christ. Originally, Hosea was talking about God calling Israel out of Egypt. Yet, Matthew adapted Hosea’s statement to say God called Jesus out of Egypt. Was Matthew wrong for doing this? To the Scriptures!

King Herod was willing to do anything and everything he could to prevent a young king (Jesus) from taking his throne. So, as many know, he purposed to kill Jesus (who was as much as two years old at the time). Many Jewish babies and young children were slaughtered in the process. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 2:13. God, having complete knowledge of the situation, instructed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. Now, we read Matthew 2:15: “And [young Jesus] was there [in Egypt] until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

Matthew was obviously citing Hosea 11:1, which reads: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” A difficulty has now arisen in the minds of some. How could this verse about the nation Israel also pertain to Jesus Christ as Matthew suggests? If we are skilled in the Scriptures, there is no “difficulty” here. In fact, that “strange” application of Hosea 11:1 enables us to see parallels between Israel and Christ both past and future. Rather than being ungrateful and lazy complainers, we can be studious Bible readers and actually learn something from God’s marvelous Book!

Read what Moses was instructed to tell Pharaoh, just before Israel’s deliverance from Egypt: “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn” (Exodus 4:22). Who is the nation Israel? Is not Israel God’s “son?” According to the Bible, yes. Now, see what God says of Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Is not Jesus God’s “Son?” Again, according to the Bible, yes. Even if we knew nothing else, even if we stopped right here, we can see the close affinity between Israel and Jesus Christ. But, let us take it a step further. More clarity could be—and will be—provided. Exactly what can we learn from all of this?

To begin, we ask a basic question. What is a “son” in Scripture? We find the Biblical definition of sonship in Galatians chapter 4: “[1] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; [2] But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. [3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: [4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. [7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Please understand that adoption in God’s Word is not used in the sense as we use it. It is not taking a child out of his or her biological family and placing him or her into a foreign family. In the Bible, the adopted son stays within his biological family: he receives a prominent position in his family. The father has ensured that son has been trained since he was a child. After that period of instruction, the son can join the father in doing what the father enjoys (like running a family business). In the Bible, an adopted son is someone whom the father declares to be an adult. That is, the adopted son is a mature individual capable of making wise decisions about matters related to the father’s interests. If the father is unavailable, he can trust his son to act sensibly in his stead.

By the way, we as members of the Church the Body of Christ, we are not “servants,” doing the Father’s will because we are obligated to do it. No, Galatians says we are “sons,” doing the Father’s will because we have freely decided to do it. Father God has not forced us to do it. Out of gratitude for what He has done for us at Calvary, we simply delight in doing what He wants accomplished. His word effectually works in us who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13). It is really His power that drives our Christian life. We will talk more about this later in reference to Jesus Christ.

Okay, back to the nation Israel. As per the Abrahamic Covenant, God wanted Israel to be His channel of salvation and blessing to the Gentiles (see Genesis 12:1-3). As with the case of sonship, Israel should have learned to trust God’s Word and depend on God’s works. Yet, once God delivered them from Egypt, they fumbled (see Hosea 11:1-4). They failed to learn the instruction that God had given them; consequently, they never did function as God’s “adopted-son” nation. So wrapped up in their own religious “goodness,” they never saw the goodness of His grace (what He wanted to do for them and with them). They had no idea what God was doing in the Earth, so they had no capability of working alongside God.

Exodus chapter 15, the Song of Moses, highlights what God had just done for Israel in destroying Pharaoh and his armies in the Red Sea: “[16] Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. [17] Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established. [18] The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.”

Look at what God is doing in the passage—“the greatness of thine arm,” “thou hast purchased,” “thou shalt bring them in,” “thou shalt plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance,” “in the place O LORD which thou hast made for thee to dwell in,” “the Sanctuary O LORD which thy hands have established,” “the LORD shall reign for ever and ever.” It is not about what Israel is doing and has done, but what God has done for her and wants to do with her! Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was a precursor to God coming down from heaven and dwelling with the Jews on Earth. They were to be His kingdom of priests, ready to tell the Gentiles all about their wonderful God! Alas, Israel failed. It was such a miserable disaster. They refused His Word and wanted works-religion instead. They wanted their works to be the issue. They could not function as God’s “son,” His co-worker. They had no idea what His Word was. They were in no condition to share it with the world. Israel should have been ready to be God’s people as soon as He delivered them from Egypt. They had been set free from Satanic bondage and had been heading to God’s Promised Land. Now, that had ended. They fell under God’s curse (because of their works), and are still awaiting His blessings (because of His grace).

Fast-forward 1,500 years, to our opening comments. Young Jesus has fled to Egypt, the same land in which Israel was in bondage many centuries earlier (Matthew 2:13-18). However, by the time of Matthew 2:19-23, Herod is dead, and Jesus can safely return to “the land of Israel” (note that expression in verse 21). Once He enters the Promised Land, Jesus is delighted to do the Father’s will. What Israel failed so miserably in doing, Jesus went on to do it. He was so faithful to Father God’s will, and, by doing so, He forced Israel to learn the lesson that God had been trying to teach them for centuries. They could never make themselves His people; He would make them His people. Only He had that power for sonship!

We find the writer of the book of Hebrews quoting Psalm 40:6-8. In fact, it is quoting what the Lord Jesus Christ said to His Heavenly Father at His incarnation in Mary’s womb. Note Hebrews chapter 10: “[5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. [7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. [8] Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; [9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

Not only did Jesus say that He came to do God’s will. If we look at the original quote, Psalm 40:8, it says, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Our Lord Jesus took great delight in doing His Father’s will because His Father’s Word had filled His heart (cf. John 2:17)! Earlier, we made the comment that Jesus was not so much a servant, or someone forced to do His master’s will. No, He decided to do His Father’s will because He delighted in doing His Father’s will. Note these few examples from the Scriptures that highlight Christ Jesus’ faithfulness:

  • “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).
  • “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).
  • “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me” (John 7:16).
  • “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (John 12:49-50).
  • “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:24).
  • “I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father” (John 8:38).
  • “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34).

In short, Jesus Christ showed us (and Israel) what sonship in its fullness is all about. He constantly depended upon His Father’s words to Him. He was not working out of fear or obligation, but out of love and delight. He was not working independently of His Father, doing whatever He wanted. He accomplished His Father’s will with joy unspeakable. He did every miracle He was sent to do. He preached every sermon He was meant to speak. Ultimately, He went to Calvary to die first and foremost for Israel’s sins, and secondarily, for our sins.

Notice the prayer our Lord Jesus spoke to His Heavenly Father just hours before His crucifixion. John 17:3-8: “[3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. [4] I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. [5] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. [6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. [7] Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. [8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”

That earthly life was over. Above all, Jesus Christ lived that sinless life in and among the nation Israel for 33 years. They saw just how high the bar of God’s righteousness was. His life was a constant reminder that they could never strive enough in religion and make themselves holy. They could never glorify His Father as He had done for those few short years on Earth. He had shown them that He was the way to the Father. The only way they could ever be God’s people was to trust Him to do the work for them.

CONCLUSION: “ISRAEL IN THE LORD”

With all of that said about Jesus Christ, and how faithful He was as God’s Son, and all of that said about how Israel was so disobedient to God, how will Israel ever function as “God’s son-nation?” Is not Israel a nation of sinners? How will mere mortal humans be able to fulfill God’s will as perfectly as Jesus Christ?

Isaiah chapter 45 predicts Israel’s future restoration to God: “[24] Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. [25] In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” The nation Israel will one day come to understand that their “justification” before God is not dependent upon their works in religion (Law of Moses). Rather, their right standing before God will be dependent on them being “in the LORD.” They must have God’s righteousness, God’s power, applied to them. God Himself will make them His people, imputing His righteousness to them and writing His law in their hearts so they will do His will. This is the purpose of the New Covenant, which will be given to Israel’s believing remnant at Christ’s Second Coming. For sake of brevity, we will cite the references without commenting—Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:25-28, Acts 3:19-21, Romans 11:25-29, Hebrews 8:8-13, and Hebrews chapter 10 (particularly verses 15-17).

Remember what Father God said at Jesus’ water baptism? “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). God will be pleased with Israel when Israel is in His Son, Jesus Christ (“in the LORD”). Jesus Christ will give them “power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). It will be only be Israel in Christ, that will be able to accomplish God’s will. He will bring them out of all the nations under heaven (pictured by their Egyptian deliverance), and bring them into His land so they can do His will forever in His glorious kingdom (pictured by Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry)!

Enjoy our Bible Q&A articles? You may donate securely to us here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux.

Also see:
» Are we “doom and gloom” Bible-prophecy believers?
» Why did Jesus select evil Judas Iscariot to be an apostle?
» Who is “the Israel of God” of Galatians 6:16?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Did Hosea 6:2 predict our Dispensation of Grace?

Did Hosea 6:2 predict our Dispensation of Grace?

DID HOSEA 6:2 PREDICT OUR DISPENSATION OF GRACE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

I am very well aware that some in dispensational circles believe and teach that Hosea 6:2 is an “Old Testament hint” of this our Dispensation of the Grace of God. “After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” Are these “two days” really a prediction of our 2,000-year-long dispensation that precedes Israel’s restoration? Let us consider that in this study.

While we will spare all the details here, suffice it to say that this verse is describing God’s return to Israel and Israel’s return to God. Observe the verse in its full context, Hosea 5:15–6:2: “[5:15] I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. [6:1] 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. [6:2] After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.”

Many years ago, I also viewed Hosea 6:2 as a reference to our Dispensation of Grace. Thus, I am familiar with the idea. There are some who teach that “two days” refers to a period of 2,000 years (the time that our Dispensation of Grace has been operating). Moreover, some will resort to 2 Peter 3:8 as an auxiliary verse (or at least, the piece of it that says, “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years….”). They say that after Israel is blinded for those 2,000 years, God restores them during the third 1,000-year period. They argue that “third day” is the Millennium, the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ on Earth. While clever, and somewhat interesting, it does not stand up to the test of Scripture. (Hence, I abandoned the idea some years ago.) When we start looking for verses in the “Old Testament” to find ourselves in the purpose and program of God, we demonstrate we really have not mastered the most basic division in God’s Word. To find “hints” of our Dispensation of Grace in the “Old Testament” simply adds to the pre-existing confusion in Christendom.

Peter preached in Acts 3:21: “[Jesus Christ] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Whereas Paul wrote in Romans 16:25-26: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest….”

If we look at Acts 3:21 and Romans 16:25, and let them say what they say, we will see a stark difference. On one hand, Peter preached about something God had made known since the world began. On the other hand, Paul wrote about something that God had kept secret since the world began. Thus, we do not find the Dispensation of Grace outside of Paul’s epistles and ministry—see Ephesians 3:2. There is no Dispensation of Grace to find in Hosea, or any other “Old Testament” book.

CONCLUSION

Dear friends, the safest interpretation of Hosea 6:2 is as follows. Firstly, it is prophecy rather than mystery. That is, it is God’s program for Israel and the Earth, not His program for us the Body of Christ and the Heavenly Places. Secondly, those “days” are literal days as we understand “days,” being just as literal as Jesus being dead “three days and three nights.” The only way for Hosea 6:2 to make sense is if the two days refer to the two days prior to Jesus Christ’s return to Earth (at His Second Coming). He will leave the third heaven on the first day, and He will arrive in the land of Israel on the third day. What happens during the two days prior to His literal, physical, and visible return to the planet Earth (land of Israel), is a fascinating study. One day, we will discuss it. For now, just know Hosea 6:2 is not about our program or us at all.

Also see:
» Should we “name and claim” Jeremiah 29:11?
» Is “divine right of kings” a Scriptural teaching?
» Is prophecy being fulfilled in the Dispensation of Grace?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, What swallowed Jonah—a fish or a whale?

What swallowed Jonah—a fish or a whale?

WHAT SWALLOWED JONAH—A FISH OR A WHALE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Have you ever wondered what swallowed Jonah? Was it a fish? Or, was it a whale? (In a word, “It was both!”)

As someone once said, Jonah is perhaps the most ridiculed Bible book. The critic argues that the Bible cannot be the “perfect” Word of God because it does not differentiate between a “whale” (a warm-blooded marine mammal) and a “fish” (a non-mammal that is usually cold-blooded). We can just hear their whine, “Contradiction!” They are especially critical of Jesus saying that “fish” (as named in Jonah) was a “whale” (Matthew 12:40). Everybody has a good laugh. (We can laugh, too, actually. The Bible knows more about the English language than they do!)

If you look in an English dictionary, you will notice that the word “fish” has for one of its definitions: “(loosely) any of various other aquatic animals.” To wit, “fish” is a general term for any type of animal that lives in the water. It is a less precise term, granted, and awkward when compared to the scientific classification system of naming life forms, but “fish” can include any and all types of marine animals. In fact, a whale is defined as a “marine mammal” and… horrors!!!… the dictionary says a whale has a “fishlike body.” It just gives us chills, friends. Whales and fish, while quite different, have similarities. Even lexicographers admit it.

We will now introduce a side-note to further prove the ridiculousness of the Bible critics. Before we throw a tantrum when the Bible uses “great fish” and “whale” interchangeably, we need to consider something very important. We English speakers are less precise when we speak our language on a daily basis. Consider the word “car.” Did you know that the word “car” can be used for more than as an opposite of the word “truck?” The word “car” simply means “automobile.” “Car” is a general term. And it does not necessarily have to roll on a normal roadway. Think of a streetcar or a railroad car. Even the part of the elevator that you ride in is known as a “car.” In British English, “car” can apply to “a farm cart or wagon.” The literary sense is “chariot.” And see, who gets angry with us when we are talking in terms of something other than a “car” opposite a truck? We can be saying “car” while really meaning a railroad boxcar, a chariot, a cart, an elevator, and so on. (We will come back to discussing “less precise English” later.)

See, the scoffers are not interested in reasoning and thoughtful discussion. No, they are just determined to rid themselves of the Bible. If they can find fault with it, they can dismiss it and ignore its claims against them. They want to discredit its testimony in whatever ways are convenient. They do not want to face accountability. If the Bible is wrong about “great fish” and “whale,” they assume it is wrong when it speaks against them and their sin. Anything to soften the Bible appeals to them. That is sin nature at its very best, friends!

Jonah 1:17 says, “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” When commenting on this, Jesus said in Matthew 12:40, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” The adjective “great” in “great fish” means it was a huge organism, a special creature that the LORD “had prepared.” Where it came from, if it was the only one of its kind, we do not know those details, and it really does not matter. What matters is that it existed especially for Jonah’s reformation. The term “whale” (Jesus’ word) highlighted the size of the creature while “fish” (Jonah’s word) emphasized its aquatic (underwater) habitat. So, what swallowed Jonah? A “fish?” Yes, it was an aquatic creature. A “whale?” Yes, it was a huge aquatic animal, as a large as a whale. Whether it was a “whale” as we know a “whale” makes no difference.

One final note worth mentioning. If we want to start nitpicking at the Bible for equating the terms “fish” and “whale,” then we must start correcting educated people when they refer to an animal known as a “whale shark.” Sharks are considered fish, but the name “whale shark” is a misnomer. It is certainly no whale—the name “whale shark” means this shark can grow to be the size of a whale. See, while not scientific, “whale” can be used in a non-whale’s name to describe the animal’s size. If scientific papers use “whale shark” without being ridiculed, the Bible should be permitted to say both a “fish” and a “whale” swallowed Jonah. If the Bible is disallowed from doing so, then we must disallow the other “nonscientific,” general names people use all the time in the English language. We could start complaining about the names “shellfish,” “crawfish,” and “jellyfish”—they are not fish!!!

Also see:
» Was Jonah alive or dead in the whale? (COMING SOON!)
» What was the Star of Bethlehem?
» Why does the Bible say Jesus was hanged on a “tree?”

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS, Whose “faith” is in Romans 3:25?, Whose “faith” is in Romans 3:25?

Whose “faith” is in Romans 3:25?

WHOSE “FAITH” IS IN ROMANS 3:25?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“I have another question that I would appreciate your counsel on; Romans 3:25; ‘Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.’ Some believe and teach that it is God the Father having faith in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as a propitiation instead of us having faith in His blood. I cannot get myself settled on this issue seeing blood and propitiation are God-ward. I guess it’s difficult to grasp God having to have faith in His own blood! I look forward to your response.”

Okay, Romans 3:25: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Your question is specifically about the phrase “through faith in his blood.” Whose faith is being discussed here? Good question!

Note, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.” If you look closely at this, the first part of the verse, we are really not in there so it cannot be our faith. We are absent from the verse. The subject is “God,” not us. God is performing the actions in the verse. God “set forth” (“placed before,” or “exhibited”) His Son to be “a propitiation” (fully-satisfying payment/sacrifice for sins). Why did God do this? Why did Father God offer Jesus Christ as a sacrifice? “Through faith in his blood.” Because God thought/believed His Son could pay for our sins in full, He offered Him. It is clear that it is God the Father’s faith in verse 25.

Sure, some might consider it strange, and at first glance, it is peculiar. However, when you think about it and remember what “faith” actually is, it really is not that odd that God would have faith. What exactly is “faith?” Is not faith simply “taking God at His Word?” Does not God believe His words to us? Why, sure He does! Does not God believe that His Son can take away our sins? Why, sure He does! That is the main point of Romans 3:25. God knew it would not be a waste of time to offer His Son, because His Son could get the job done and take care of our sin problem. The real question is, “Do we agree with what God believes about His Son’s blood?” Do we believe that Jesus Christ’s blood can pay for our sins in full? Do we have faith in what God has faith in? Or, like those in works-religion, do we have faith in ourselves, believing that we can play a part in atoning for our sins and making ourselves accepted of God? God does not rely on us to perform because He knows we cannot do it. His Son is reliable and dependable, and that is why we are urged to rely and depend on His Son just as He relies and depends on His Son.

If you read verse 26, immediately following, you can see our faith, and this loops back to God’s faith in verse 25. Our faith in verse 26: “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” When we “believe [trust] in Jesus,” we agree with God’s faith in verse 25. We are agreeing that we can be “just” (declared right/righteous in God’s sight) simply because Jesus Christ shed His blood and became our propitiation (fully-satisfying payment for our sins). Like God, we believe that our works do not factor into the equation. It is either—Jesus Christ did enough (and God believes He did), or Jesus Christ did not do enough and we have to do something too. We can agree with God, or we can disagree with Him. The choice is ours, but God has already made up His mind!

Also see:
» What is the “faith of Christ?” How could Jesus have “faith?” (COMING SOON!)
» Why did God reject Cain’s offering?
» Can Jews who believe in God, the Father, but who reject Jesus, be saved from eternal damnation?

“The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and Paul’s “mysteries”—same or different?, “The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and Paul’s “mysteries”—same or different?, “The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and Paul’s “mysteries”—same or different?, BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, THE NATION ISRAEL

“The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and Paul’s “mysteries”—same or different?

“THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN” AND PAUL’S “MYSTERIES”—SAME OR DIFFERENT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“I just want to know the difference between the Mystery which was revealed to Paul and the Mysteries of the Kingdom. And what are the mysteries of the Kingdom?”

Hello again, brother. Thanks for that question. Let us get to answering it. It can get a little complicated but I will keep it as simple as possible.

“THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”

The term “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” first appears in the Bible in Matthew chapter 13, when Jesus introduces parables. In verse 10, His disciples ask Him why He speaks to the multitudes in parables. He tells those disciples, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (verse 11). Was Jesus unfair to hide it from some? Not at all.

Firstly, the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” are actually all the parables that the Lord Jesus uttered during the latter half of His earthly ministry. Remember that He had spent approximately one to two years prior preaching to Israel in plain language. Most of Israel ignored Him, mocked Him, ridiculed Him, and so on. After Israel’s unbelief had reached a certain point, after they had rejected God’s Word to the limit, Jesus introduced parables to hide the truth from the masses who did not want to hear and believe. (Please see our study linked at the end of this article, “Why did Jesus forbid others from preaching that He was Christ?”)

Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds, but, later, in private, He explained those parables to His disciples (see Matthew 13:34-52). So, the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” referred to spiritual concepts that God hid from unbelieving Israel because they refused to learn what had been previously revealed to them in the Old Testament. All of these parables were various facets and principles that were true of Israel, her earthly kingdom hope, her covenants and promises, et cetera—prophecies whose beginnings can be found in Genesis through Malachi. Most of the Israelites of Jesus’ day had not been faithful in teaching their children to look for Messiah as found in the Old Testament. Some believed because they had passed down that sound doctrine, but most did not pass it down to the next generation and so there was great spiritual ignorance in Israel when Jesus showed up.

Note Psalm 78:1-4: “[1] Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. [2] I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: [3] Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. [4] We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.” (By Jesus telling the parables, He fulfilled verse 2, according to Matthew 13:34-35.)

Again, most of the Jews of Jesus’ day were in unbelief, so they did not see the Old Testament fulfilled in Jesus. The “kingdom of heaven” is a term used to describe Israel’s earthly kingdom. That is unrelated to Paul’s ministry and God’s heavenly kingdom.

By the way, if you want more details here, please see our related study, linked at the end of this article, that defines the term “kingdom of heaven” more fully.

THE MYSTERIES OF PAUL’S MINISTRY

The mystery and the mysteries associated with Paul’s ministry were not things descriptive of Israel and her kingdom program. These were truths that God had purposely withheld from everybody, until it was time to reveal them to the Apostle Paul. You can search Jesus’ parables to find nothing of the things the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul—Israel’s temporary fall, salvation by faith without the Mosaic Law, the formation of the Church the Body of Christ, a heavenly hope, salvation going to all Jews and Gentiles without distinction, the Rapture / coming of Christ for His Body, and so on (Romans 11:25; Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:25-27; Titus 1:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:4-7; et al.).

Remember, the “kingdom of heaven” was Israel’s earthly kingdom. In Israel’s program, there was a difference between Jew and Gentile. Israel was to be redeemed to minister to Gentiles. Paul preached no such thing as true today. Through Israel’s fall, without Israel’s kingdom, without redeemed Israel, salvation was going to Gentiles, and that salvation message was preached by Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:11-13). In stark contrast, the kingdom of heaven was (and is going to be) God’s way of using restored Israel to reach Gentiles in an earthly kingdom (Romans 11:25-29; Zechariah 8:20-23; Isaiah 60:1-3). Please read and study these passages in your Bible. We will not quote all them for time’s sake.

CONCLUSION

So, the “mysteries” of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the “mysteries” of Paul’s ministry are two different concepts. They should never be confused and conflated into one set of mysteries.

The “mysteries” of Christ’s earthly ministry were mysterious to Israel because she had ignored divine revelation previously given. Hence, Jesus introduced parables—to hide the truth from people who did not want to hear it and believe it anyway. Those who had hearts to believe, Jesus explained the parables to them in private. The “mysteries” of Christ’s earthly ministry were at least revealed to some people—Israel’s little flock of believers. Paul’s “mysteries,” however, were revealed to no one until Paul. The mysteries that Paul preached were secret in God’s mind until He revealed them to Paul in the book of Acts and onward, years after Christ’s earthly ministry in Matthew through John.

Paul’s “mysteries” were “hid in God” (Ephesians 3:9) because God had to let Calvary occur before He could reveal the mystery. Satan had to be caught by surprise (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Although Israel had crucified Messiah, and refused to repent and accept Jesus as Christ in early Acts, God would use Calvary to go to the Gentiles through Paul without Israel. That is what shocked Satan. Satan assumed he had defeated God at Calvary by keeping Israel from becoming a kingdom of priests to reach Gentiles.

Also see:
» What is the difference between “the Kingdom of God” and “the Kingdom of Heaven?”
» Who were the people who followed Jesus before Paul?
» Why did Jesus forbid others from preaching that He was Christ?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING, What does Romans 8:28 mean?, What does Romans 8:28 mean?

What does Romans 8:28 mean?

WHAT DOES ROMANS 8:28 MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” It is undoubtedly in the list of “the top 10” most-quoted Bible verses—along with John 3:16, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 10:9, and Hebrews 10:25. We hear and see Romans 8:28 very often in religious contexts, so much so that it is sickening. Despite its widespread usage, there is very little clarity as to what it actually teaches. Friends, if it is to be of faith, we must look at what the Holy Scriptures say. Otherwise, it is vain religion, useless in eternity. May we handle God’s Word with utmost respect, and let it say what it says in context.

I. ROMANS 8:28—ONE OF THE MOST WRESTED BIBLE VERSES

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Many good, well-meaning people have quoted, and still quote, this verse in a quick, careless manner. Let me be very honest with you, friend. Most have an extremely shallow grasp of the verse. We must guard against reading into the Bible text something that just is not there. Context is key to clarity. In other words, the context—surrounding verses, surrounding chapters, and/or surrounding books—is extremely critical to understanding the meaning of a particular verse. We should treat God’s eternal Word with utmost respect; remember we are dealing with people’s eternal souls!

The Apostle Peter spoke of false teachers who “wrested” (twisted, distorted) the Word of God, especially the Apostle Paul’s epistles, “unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Also, Paul himself affirmed, “[We] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2). And, we might as well as look at this verse also: “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17).

Let us re-read Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The common assumption is that this verse means that God manipulates our circumstances so that they turn out good. If someone was miraculously spared an automobile accident, survives a life-threatening illness, receives major financial relief, et cetera, Romans 8:28 is loosely quoted, “See, God works out all things in the end!” The following quote from a bygone commentator summarizes this view: “Thus, all that happens to us, if accepted and applied according to God’s Word, becomes beautiful, and ‘we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28).” Not long ago I read a book by another bygone Bible teacher who quoted Romans 8:28 several times in his book and used it in the same manner. It was like Romans 8:28 was the only verse the man knew to quote to comfort suffering people. He meant well, but his mishandling of the verse just made God’s Word more difficult to grasp.

Some will take a very extreme view of this verse. God allegedly works out every minute detail of our lives so that it fits into His prearranged plan for our lives. What specific foods He determined we were to eat at any given time, exactly what outfits we are to wear on what days, where we are to live and work and for how long, what unique problems we were to face for His glory, et cetera. These notions are borne out of Calvinism and the “sovereignty of God.” It is theology but not Bible. It is good religion but not good Bible. We contend that Romans 8:28 in no way supports the idea of a “pre-arranged life map” for each and every person.

Friend, you are free to believe whatever you like, but the best way to look at Romans 8:28 is to look at the previous and the succeeding verses. This is what the Bible student does instead of just inventing some meaning of the verse. It is better to let the Bible say what it says in context rather than making up an explanation so we do not appear foolish.

II. VERSES 1-13. THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US VICTORY OVER SIN

After discussing his misery of attempting to live the Christian life in vain (Romans chapter 7), Paul opened chapter 8 with some excellent news. Rather than struggling under the performance-based acceptance system of Law-keeping (“do good so God can be happy with you and you can have victory over sin”), we learn with Paul how God has replaced that legalistic system with the good news of grace. The first 13 verses describe how God the Holy Spirit will use God’s written Word to work in us as we study and believe it (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13). For space and time’s sake, we will quote these verses without commenting. Suffice it to say that the victorious Christian life is the work of the Holy Spirit, not the futile attempts of the Christian in religion!

Romans 8:1-13: “[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. [10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. [12] Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. [13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

III. VERSES 14-17. THE HOLY SPIRIT TESTIFIES THAT WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN, HEIRS OF GOD AND JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST

Let us keep reading in the chapter. Now, Romans 8:14-17: “[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

The Holy Spirit leads us, via sound Bible doctrine that we read, study, and believe, into God’s will. What lifestyle those Pauline epistles described, the Holy Spirit takes the verses and activates them in our lives, that the life of Jesus Christ be manifested in and through us. We can join Father God in doing what He is doing, just as a son would understand and delight in assisting his father in the family business. Just as a son would inherit everything his father owns, so we are “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.” As “we suffer with him,” “we may be also glorified together.” This glorification of Jesus Christ and us is explained in the following verses.

IV. VERSES 18-25. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUARANTEES OUR BODILY RESURRECTION AND GLORIFICATION

Proceeding onward in Roman chapter 8. Romans 8:18-25: “[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

In verse 18, Paul wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” The Holy Spirit through him proceeds to discuss the curse of sin placed on creation back in Genesis chapter 3. You can especially see that these verses, Romans 8:18-25, discussed our physical bodies being one day replaced with bodies that are “eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). This is the “redemption of our body” (verse 23)—that is, the resurrection, the Rapture, our gathering together unto Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:1). You may also see 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. Beloved, we are not trapped forever in these bodies that are prone to weakness, illness, pain, and death! At the resurrection, when the Lord Jesus calls His Body home to heaven’s glory, our bodies will be fashioned like unto Jesus Christ’s resurrection body. We can compare that to Philippians 3:20-21: “[20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

The Holy Spirit’s personal presence in us (Romans 8:23), His sealing of our inner man, guarantees us hope in that future resurrection. Reading Ephesians 4:30: “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” And Ephesians 1:13-14 to compare: “[13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

V. VERSES 26-27. THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR US IN OUR PRAYER LIFE

Another ministry of the Holy Spirit is that when we pray about God’s Word in light of our lives, He brings into our minds the applicable verses that we studied and believed. This is the meaning of Romans 8:26-27: “[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” We will forgo any further comments in order to get to our main text quicker.

VI. VERSES 28-30. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OUR VICTORY OVER ALL OPPOSITION

By the time we reach Romans 8:28, we have already read about how the Holy Spirit gives us daily victory over sin, how He bears witness that we are the children of God and heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, how He gives us hope in a future resurrection and heavenly glorification, and how He gives us enlightenment concerning God’s Word to and God’s will for us. Now we can read Romans 8:28, with its two following verses: “[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Friends, brethren, no matter what troubles we face in life, no matter what satanic opposition, no matter how we fail and give in to sin, no matter who accuses us, no matter who imprisons us or even kills us, Father God has a plan for us in Jesus Christ. Our destiny is fixed in Jesus Christ. Regardless of what happens to us in this life on earth, we can be sure that God has justified us (declared us righteous), and He will glorify us in heaven one day, that He glorify His Son Jesus Christ in and through us in those heavenly places. Our resurrection is sure, God’s will for us in eternity is certain.

Verses 31-39 (the rest of the chapter) explain how we should keep our minds focused on these Bible truths. Satan will use various tactics to discourage us, hinder us, that we forget God’s Word to us, thereby causing our Christian lives not to function properly. We must not let Satan distract us from the cross of Calvary and our identity in Jesus Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

VII. VERSES 31-39. THE HOLY SPIRIT ETERNALLY LINKS US TO THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD

We have now reached the last part of Romans chapter 8. Reading Romans 8:31-39: “[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Whether troubles, distresses, persecutions, famines, nakedness, perils, or swords (wars), we can be sure that, no matter our circumstances, nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Satan will use our difficulties to cause us to think God has abandoned us or that God does not care about us. However, we go by God’s Word, the Holy Bible, not by our circumstances. We keep our eyes focused on the Scriptures and not on our situations. In God’s Word, we see that He does care for us and He still is with us. He still has great plans for us in eternity future, so no matter what Satan or man may do to us, our destiny is completely secure in Christ (Romans 8:28)!

VIII. CONCLUSION

What does Romans 8:28 mean? Once you read it with its two succeeding verses, it becomes clear. The Bible says in Romans 8:28-30: “[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Romans 8:28 is very simple. No matter what happens to us in this life, regardless of the difficulties and heartaches, there is nothing but eternal glory waiting for us in Jesus Christ! As people who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ exclusively, we will share in His glorification in eternity future. God the Father will use us to exalt His Son forever in the heavenly places. That is the whole purpose of the Church the Body of Christ, the group of believers God “foreknew” because He purposed to form it before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:1-3). God has fixed our eternal destiny—we (as believers in Christ) will be “conformed to the image of his Son.” Notice our title in Romans 8:28. As members of the Body of Christ, we are “them that love God,” “them who are the called according to his purpose.” Our purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ in the heavenly places forever (Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 2:6-7; Colossians 1:16-23; 2 Timothy 4:18).

Beloved, this explanation is so much more glorious, so much richer, than religion’s cheap, carefree, superstitious, and mindless interpretation of Romans 8:28: “Oh, God will manipulate your circumstances to give you a job to solve your unemployment problem. God will heal you of your terminal cancer so you can have a nice, sweet life. God will work it all out so you can get rid of all your problems and escape all your dilemmas in life. He will give you a wonderful day today if you just claim it in Jesus’ name!” What we need to know is that, even on our bad days, even in our sickness, even in our weakness, even in our difficulties, God has given us grace to endure those troubles (2 Corinthians 12:7-11). Ultimately, that same grace will carry us on into eternity to carry out His will in the heavenly places!

Also see:
» What about Romans 10:9-10?
» Do the last 10 words of Romans 8:1 belong in our King James Bible? (COMING SOON!)
» Should we “name and claim” Jeremiah 29:11?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Is Matthew 2:23 a mistake?

Is Matthew 2:23 a mistake?

IS MATTHEW 2:23 A MISTAKE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” This has been—and still is—a very difficult verse for so many. For some time, this Scripture puzzled me as well. Thankfully, a friend in the ministry pointed out to me a very simple word. Again, dear friends, we need not complicate God’s Word. Just read the verse and believe it! But, by all means, read the verse first instead of the commentaries people have written about the verse. Chances are they have never thoughtfully read God’s precious words. They read the verse after being blinded by church tradition and “theological scholarship!”

One well-meaning Bible commentator proposed some very ridiculous “insight” into Matthew 2:23. He pointed out that Bible critics revel in this “erroneous verse.” (His reckless commentary on the subject just fueled their hatred for God’s Word, sadly). Firstly, he said that there is no corresponding Old Testament quote. He is correct. We can search Genesis through Malachi in vain and not find a single reference to the prophecy of Matthew 2:23. Secondly, Nazareth did not exist in in the times of the Old Testament prophets. As far as we know, he is again correct. So, what made his comments wrong?

The commentator picked apart the King James rendition of Zephaniah 1:14. He argued that this verse is very difficult for Old Testament scholars to translate in a “meaningful” way: “The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.” (Is that really that hard to understand, friends?! Call me crazy, but I think the King James translators had more sense about what the verse meant than the dear bellyaching brother! Let me proceed explaining.)

This commentator pointed out that the words “even” and “man” are not in the original Hebrew text, so they could be removed from the English translation. Additionally, he disliked the King James’ word “cry” and wanted to use “roar” instead. Then he rehashed typical scholastic nonsense: “A very slight change in the pointing of the Hebrew characters on the word translated ‘bitterly’ could then render a word close to the word ‘Nazarite,’ or ‘Nazarene,’ thereby ‘fulfilling’ Matthew 2:23.” This commentator, who was known for defending the integrity of the Bible, defending it from its critics, finally conceded that the ancient Hebrew copyists may have made a “slight error” in copying Zephaniah 1:14. The scholarly explanation he offered allegedly superseded the Holy-Spirit-filled copyists. And, let us read the slipshod translation he offered in conclusion: “a thunderous voice roaring on the day of the Lord: ‘The Nazarene is the mighty one!’” (And he had the gall to start off by saying Zephaniah 1:14 was “difficult?” How about now that he “made it clearer?!”)

Like I said, this brother meant well, but sincerity does not always equal verity. In this case, he removed the precious words of God and inserted his fallible ‘scholarly’ opinions. Quite frankly, he did not know what he was talking about. He should have just kept silent and studied his Bible more before giving ammunition to the critics. We will not stand before this man in judgment one day, or any other “scholar;” we will give an account to the Lord Jesus Christ according to the wording of the Bible text that He prefers (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:4-5). If we are going to be Bible believers, we had better believe the Bible and not fallible man!

Please re-read Matthew 2:23: “And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” Do you know the difference between “spoken” and “written?” I sure hope so, my friend! Matthew never said it was “written” in the Old Testament Scriptures. Actually, he said it was “spoken by” the Old Testament prophets. There were both writing prophets and preaching prophets in the Old Testament economy. Elijah and Elisha were two speaking prophets, though they never wrote any Scripture as best as we can tell. Daniel preached the Bible and wrote part of the Bible. So did Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Zechariah. If Matthew wrote “which was written in the prophets,” then that would be a mistake, and the Bible critic would finally have proven the Bible to be wrong. But, the Bible writer was meticulous and the Bible critic was careless. Some Old Testament preaching prophets spoke of Messiah being a Nazarene, coming out of Nazareth. That was the spoken word rather than the written word. (See our study at the end of this article about the so-called “mistake” of Matthew 27:9, another favorite of Bible critics and textual critics.)

COULD THE PROPHETS HAVE FOREKNOWN NAZARETH?

It is not hard to believe that the Old Testament prophets of the LORD God would prophesy of a place not yet in existence. They are prophets, men speaking on behalf of God, and He is the God who knows the future, yes? Furthermore, did not Isaiah predict King Cyrus’ name centuries before he was born (Isaiah 44:28–45:1)? Was not King Josiah’s name predicted many years before he was born (1 Kings 13:2)? And Jesus (Luke 1:31) and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13) were named before their births, right? There are various geographical places in the Bible that we cannot identify with certainty. It is not a testament to the Bible’s inaccuracy, but rather manifests the limits of present-day historical, archaeological, and geographical thought. Something to think about, my beloved readers! Just maybe give the Bible the benefit of the doubt before you toss it away to pick up a “scholar’s” commentary!

Also see:
» Is Matthew 27:9 a mistake?
» Do Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 contradict each other?
» Why does the Bible give two accounts of Judas’s death?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Is Matthew 27:9 a mistake?

Is Matthew 27:9 a mistake?

IS MATTHEW 27:9 A MISTAKE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Bible critic is always eager to find a “mistake” in Scripture. Take Matthew 27:9, for example: “[9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; [10] And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.” Immediately, the Bible critic says, “Matthew attributes the quote to Jeremiah when it was really Zechariah who wrote it!” It appears to be very embarrassing for the Bible believer indeed. But, if we look closely, it is the Bible critic, not the believer, who should be nervous. The Bible critic misread the verse!

* * *

AN INTERESTING STORY

A few years ago, I spoke with a seminary-trained Doctor-of-Philosophy pastor about his error-filled Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece (the Greek N.T. from which modern English versions are translated). He was quite startled that someone—half his age and half his education—had given him a friendly warning that his Greek Bible was unsound. I approached him in a very cordial manner. He was equally friendly… at first, anyway.

As our discussion moved from introductory remarks to “deeper things,” I took his Greek Bible and found Mark 1:2. While I did not know much Greek at the time, I was able to navigate through it and find what I needed. It claimed that Isaiah the prophet had written the quote. I told him that his so-called “bible” was not true. We could search Isaiah and not find that quote. Malachi the prophet had written the quote, so we could find that quote in Malachi. Mark 1:3 was from Isaiah, but verse 2 was from Malachi. Even the marginal notes supported my comments. I told him that we had two options: (1) The Holy Spirit had made a mistake when moving Mark to write his Gospel record, or (2) Our book of Isaiah was incomplete because it was missing the verse that Mark claimed Isaiah had written. Furthermore, I pointed out that the King James Bible—and its underlying Greek text (Majority Text / Textus Receptus)—had the correct reading for Mark 1:2—“the prophets” (as in Malachi and Isaiah).

His rebuttal was three-fold: (1) “So you are a ‘Textus Receptus / Majority Text’ man?,” (2) “We do not even have what Mark wrote anyway!”, and (3) “If Mark 1:2 is wrong, then Matthew 27:9 is wrong too!” (What else do we expect from someone who spent years in Bible cemetery being taught by unbelieving “scholars?”) Friends, his point was to make his Greek New Testament not seem so bad. Of course, I was not the least bit surprised that some “Jesus-loving, Bible-believing-and-preaching, Evangelical/Protestant, scholarly” (?) pastor was not open to correction. He had been so polluted by “higher education” that he cleverly attacked the very Book he claimed to honor and preach at his local church! Let us evaluate the claims of the “good doctor,” and see if he was, along with his other Bible critic friends, correct in condemning Matthew 27:9 as “a mistake.” (We will talk about Mark 1:2 later in this study.)

OUR CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF MATTHEW 27:9

Matthew chapter 27: “[5] And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. [6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. [7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. [8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. [9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; [10] And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.”

Like the seminary-trained preacher or Bible teacher, the unbelieving Bible critic will gleefully point out that “Jeremy” (Greek form of the Hebrew, Jeremiah) did not write anything like Matthew 27:9-10. In fact, the critic revels in the fact that the quote is really from the book of Zechariah. Certainly, Zechariah 11:12-13 reads similarly to Matthew 27:9-10. Certainly, nothing similar can be found in the book of Jeremiah. So why did Matthew credit Jeremiah (Jeremy) when it was really Zechariah wrote it? You do not need a theology degree to understand it, my friend!

Friend, let me ask you a question a small child could answer. Is there a difference between the word “speaking” and the word “writing?” Is talking in an audible voice the same as using a writing instrument to pen something on paper? Of course not! Bible critics do not use such common sense when evaluating the Bible. Matthew never claimed that Jeremiah (Jeremy) “wrote” the expression! Please read Matthew 27:9, this time very carefully: “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet,….” If this verse read, “written by Jeremy the prophet,” certainly the Bible would have a mistake. But, the verse said that Jeremy “spoke” the prophecy. Jeremiah lived over a half-century before Zechariah. Whatever God the Holy Spirit led Jeremiah to preach audibly, He did not lead Jeremiah to write in his book (Jeremiah). During Zechariah’s preaching and writing ministry years later, the Holy Spirit moved him to write in his book, Zechariah, the prophecy that Jeremiah preached audibly decades earlier. Zechariah actually put the prophecy down in writing. Jeremiah merely communicated it using his voice years earlier. Bear with me as I explain the logic behind this a bit further.

Re-reading Matthew 27:7-10: “[7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. [8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. [9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; [10] And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.”

The price for which Judas betrayed Jesus, was not written in Jeremiah’s day. Jeremiah audibly preached this prophecy about 600 B.C. but he did not write it down. Many decades later, the Holy Spirit moved Zechariah to write what Jeremiah had preached earlier. Hence, Matthew attributes the quote to Jeremiah rather than to Zechariah. In fact, a careful reading of Zechariah 11:12-13 shows us that it is not quoted word-for-word in Matthew 27:9-10. Matthew is really quoting the audible words of Jeremiah, which the Holy Spirit had brought to Matthew’s mind.

Let me show you Zechariah 11:12-13: “[12] And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. [13] And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” And, again, Matthew 27:9-10, for sake of comparison: “[9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; [10] And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.”

Zechariah 11:12-13 is JEHOVAH God speaking to Zechariah, that He later had Zechariah write. Matthew 27:9-10, however, is what Jeremiah preached audibly and the Holy Spirit did not move him to write it down.

THE READING OF MATTHEW 27:9 IN NO WAY JUSTIFIES THE ERRONEOUS READING OF NESTLE-ALAND IN MARK 1:2

For the modern-version users and their companion “Nestle-Aland-Greekophiles,” to flee to Matthew 27:9-10 to justify the error in Mark 1:2 in their manuscripts and versions, is futile. They are comparing two unrelated cases of handling Old Testament quotes. Their explanation is just as dishonest as their texts. They are comparing “apples to oranges.” Let me show you.

In both the King James Bible (and its underlying Textus Receptus) and the modern English versions (and their underlying Nestle-Aland Critical Text), the term in Mark 1:2 is “written.”

King James: “As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”

NIV: “as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’—”

The NIV, the other modern versions, and their underlying manuscripts claim that Isaiah did not merely speak that prophecy. They declare Isaiah “wrote” the prophecy. This is 100 percent wrong, no matter what language we speak or write. You can search the book of Isaiah in every language for the rest of eternity, and never—in the King James manuscripts or some other manuscript—find anything like Mark 1:2 in it. Isaiah never wrote, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”

Our “hard-to-read, archaic, unscholarly” King James Bible has the correct reading. Mark is quoting two prophets. Verse 2 is from Malachi (3:1) and verse 3 is from Isaiah (40:3). Tell me, my friend, does “Malachi + Isaiah = Isaiah?” Then why do the modern versions have this glaring error? Because they are looking at worthless manuscript readings, not so much interested in getting the right reading but rather the reading their unbelieving minds prefer. No lost person wants God’s Word to read correctly anyway. They want to discredit it, silence its condemning voice, ease their consciences, et cetera. They want to be their own authority so they plan on never submitting to a mere book, especially God’s Book!!!! (To use a little common sense and say “Malachi + Isaiah = the prophets” means admitting the King James Bible is proven superior with just one verse, and their “prestigious versions they translated” are manifested as completely worthless! These “scholars” have been touting their modern Alexandrian Critical Text as superior to the King James, and they have no interest in admitting they have been wrong for all these centuries. They have more modern versions to produce from that corrupt Greek New Testament so they can have more products to $ell the public.)

CONCLUSION

Since Zechariah 11:12-13 and Matthew 27:9-10 read differently, that demonstrates to me that Matthew was not actually quoting Zechariah’s writing but rather Jeremiah’s (audible) preaching. Other than Matthew 27:9-10, there is no authoritative record as to what the Prophet Jeremiah preached about the 30 pieces of silver and the potter’s field (predicting Jesus Christ’s betrayal). Matthew 27:9 is vindicated and the “scholarly” critic is found defenseless. He or she once again is forced to admit that Mark 1:2 is wrong in his or her Critical Text and modern perversions! The unbelieving lost Bible critics will just have to keep searching for “mistakes,” because Matthew 27:9 is not one of them!

Also see:
» Is Matthew 2:23 a mistake?
» Do Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 contradict each other?
» Why does the Bible give two accounts of Judas’s death?