The Encourager Newsletter
Toward Knowing God and Walking With Him
A FREE WEEKLY PUBLICATION with a BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW –Volume 5 Issue 3 – March 11, 2011
Dan Carr, Editor
Earthquakes and the Bible
The whole world is focused on the massive earthquake that has hit Japan this week. We are glued to our TV and computer screens, trying to make sense of this awesome thing we would like to dismiss as a bad dream. The ocean tsunami appears to be far more devastating than the shaking and destruction of buildings. The wall of water comes inland, sweeping everything in its path, and then it goes back into the ocean, sweeping everything—including people—into the ocean, carrying it for miles back into the sea. These pictures show damage and a world map of how far the damage has gone. (From www.vancouversun.com)
…the LORD was not in the earthquake: (1Kings 19:11b) The Lord does not cause every bad thing that happens on the earth, including all earthquakes. It is equally true that the Lord sometimes directs the weather and earthquakes as His messengers and instruments of judgment. Sometimes the Lord simply predicts what is going to happen. One guiding principle is this: God either causes or permits everything to happen that happens or He would not be God. But there is a world of difference between God causing something to happen and His permitting something to happen. He does have His way, regardless.
The LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (Nahum 1:3) The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. (v.5) Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. (Nahum 1:6)
Sometimes the Lord looks down to preserve His own in the day of calamity. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7) For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him… (2Chronicles 16:9).
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2Timothy 2:19).
Sometimes God predicts or causes things as a sign to the world. We have this straightforward warning from our Lord Jesus Christ: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers (different) places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows (the beginning of birth pangs) (Mark 13:8).
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1Thessalonians 5:2-4) Please read the entire chapter five of I Thessalonians. There are no signs for the rapture of the church. But there are plenty of signs for the coming of the Messiah to reign upon the throne of David in Jerusalem for a thousand years.
The reference to "a woman in birth pangs, travail" is used also by these: Psa_48:6; Isa_21:3; Jer_4:31, Jer_6:24, Jer_13:21, Jer_22:23; Hos_13:13; Mic_4:9-10. These references are hyperlinked for instant reading.
Caleb A Servant of the Lord—Barbara Carr
I have been doing some reading in the Bible about Caleb, a mighty warrior of great faith. We are people of faith and our roots go back many centuries ago. Getting Caleb's family tree figured out requires a little study. In America there's a revival of people searching government records, family Bibles and searching out cemeteries looking for ancestral roots.
Alex Haley got involved in that and 30 years ago released a best seller that was made into a popular movie: Roots. It tapped an inner yearning of millions of people to know who they are. The people of Bible faith also spend a lot of time searching who we are. Knowing something about Caleb is a worthwhile study.
Caleb was the son of Jephunneh, but we read in Chronicles 2 about a Caleb who was the son of Hezron and Hur. And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon. (1Chronicles 2:18)
These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjathjearim, (1Chronicles 2:50)
We know Caleb the scout had a daughter named Acsah (Joshua 15:16-17) and the Caleb of
1 Chronicles 2:49 also had a daughter named Achsa. I realize two men could have named their daughter Acsah, but after searching many commentaries, I came to the conclusion that he is the son of Jephunneh. Scripture uses "son of" often in reference to descendants.
Caleb was with the Israelites when they left Egypt. He saw first the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day that protected them. He saw all the miracles the Lord performed—the parting of the Red Sea, the water from a rock, manna from Heaven and witnessed Moses bringing the Ten Commandments down from Mount Sinai. He knew the power of the Lord; he trusted and believed God.
Caleb was a man who was willing to give up everything for the Lord. Read chapter thirteen of Numbers 13. Here the Lord told Moses to select twelve men to go spy out the land of Canaan. Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. (Numbers 13:6)
These men explored the land for forty days and returned to camp. They reported that the land was magnificent—a land flowing with milk and honey. However, some of the spies reported that the land was filled with giants and made them feel like grasshoppers.
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. (Numbers 13:30-31)
Two men, Caleb and Joshua, brought the same facts as the others. The difference is in their interpretation of the facts. These men believed God and therefore included God in their thinking. These people certainly needed God. Caleb and Joshua insisted that if God would delight in them, He would bring them into the land. But how can God delight in them unless they believe Him? They must trust Him. Caleb and Joshua shouted to the people:
If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. (Num 14:8-9)
Because the people were not willing to believe God, Moses turned the multitude around and headed them into the wilderness where they wandered for forty years. Some scholars say that there was a corpse for every step they took in their desert wandering. Caleb must have thought through this whole experience hundreds of times. He may have questioned the Lord many times. He was forty when they started out. He would be eighty by the time they arrived in Canaan. Yet, his belief and trust were strong.
God told Moses He was going to kill them all but Moses intervened and pleaded with God to let them live. God relented, but said all the people over twenty would die along the way—all the people except Caleb and Joshua. The people mourned because of God's decision. Nevertheless, Moses carried out the Lord's words.
Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD. (Num 32:11-12)
Numbers 17 begins with the death of Miriam and ends with the death of Aaron. This chapter marks the end to their wandering. They were back at the place they were before the unbelief at Kadesh. I hope you will read the complete book of Numbers. It is so interesting.
In chapter one of Deuteronomy Caleb is still with them and will enter the promised land to receive his portion. Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD. (Deu 1:35-36)
In Deuteronomy, we have the death of Moses. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. (Deu 34:7-8)
I don't believe you will be able to stop here and not continue a study on Caleb. He fought alongside Joshua and they conquered many lands. However, this group of people didn't remember all the mighty miracles God had performed. They had their land and were content to plow their fields and enjoy their families. I wonder if Caleb didn't try to remind them of the old stories.
They probably tried to show interest, but their hearts were elsewhere. Caleb probably wondered why they couldn't see that failing to trust the Lord and allowing other gods to come into their land would eventually bring tragedy to them . Caleb was a warrior and couldn't understand why the young men didn't want to drive God's enemies out of the land. Caleb's daughter, Acsah, will rise up to help deliver Israel.
This article can also be viewed at www.biblewalking.blogspot.com
To be removed from this mailing list, please click here. In the subject line type "remove." ●To subscribe to this and other Encourager
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and dan@dancarr.org. ●Thank you for accepting our mail and passing it on. Photo: Heinrich Holman 1890 - Wikipedia
The Encourager Newsletter
Toward Knowing God and Walking With Him
A FREE WEEKLY PUBLICATION with a BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW –Volume 5 Issue 3 – March 11, 2011
Dan Carr, Editor
Earthquakes and the Bible
The whole world is focused on the massive earthquake that has hit Japan this week. We are glued to our TV and computer screens, trying to make sense of this awesome thing we would like to dismiss as a bad dream. The ocean tsunami appears to be far more devastating than the shaking and destruction of buildings. The wall of water comes inland, sweeping everything in its path, and then it goes back into the ocean, sweeping everything—including people—into the ocean, carrying it for miles back into the sea. These pictures show damage and a world map of how far the damage has gone. (From www.vancouversun.com)
…the LORD was not in the earthquake: (1Kings 19:11b) The Lord does not cause every bad thing that happens on the earth, including all earthquakes. It is equally true that the Lord sometimes directs the weather and earthquakes as His messengers and instruments of judgment. Sometimes the Lord simply predicts what is going to happen. One guiding principle is this: God either causes or permits everything to happen that happens or He would not be God. But there is a world of difference between God causing something to happen and His permitting something to happen. He does have His way, regardless.
The LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (Nahum 1:3) The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. (v.5) Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. (Nahum 1:6)
Sometimes the Lord looks down to preserve His own in the day of calamity. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7) For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him… (2Chronicles 16:9).
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2Timothy 2:19).
Sometimes God predicts or causes things as a sign to the world. We have this straightforward warning from our Lord Jesus Christ: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers (different) places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows (the beginning of birth pangs) (Mark 13:8).
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1Thessalonians 5:2-4) Please read the entire chapter five of I Thessalonians. There are no signs for the rapture of the church. But there are plenty of signs for the coming of the Messiah to reign upon the throne of David in Jerusalem for a thousand years.
The reference to "a woman in birth pangs, travail" is used also by these: Psa_48:6; Isa_21:3; Jer_4:31, Jer_6:24, Jer_13:21, Jer_22:23; Hos_13:13; Mic_4:9-10. These references are hyperlinked for instant reading.
Caleb A Servant of the Lord—Barbara Carr
I have been doing some reading in the Bible about Caleb, a mighty warrior of great faith. We are people of faith and our roots go back many centuries ago. Getting Caleb's family tree figured out requires a little study. In America there's a revival of people searching government records, family Bibles and searching out cemeteries looking for ancestral roots.
Alex Haley got involved in that and 30 years ago released a best seller that was made into a popular movie: Roots. It tapped an inner yearning of millions of people to know who they are. The people of Bible faith also spend a lot of time searching who we are. Knowing something about Caleb is a worthwhile study.
Caleb was the son of Jephunneh, but we read in Chronicles 2 about a Caleb who was the son of Hezron and Hur. And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon. (1Chronicles 2:18)
These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjathjearim, (1Chronicles 2:50)
We know Caleb the scout had a daughter named Acsah (Joshua 15:16-17) and the Caleb of
1 Chronicles 2:49 also had a daughter named Achsa. I realize two men could have named their daughter Acsah, but after searching many commentaries, I came to the conclusion that he is the son of Jephunneh. Scripture uses "son of" often in reference to descendants.
Caleb was with the Israelites when they left Egypt. He saw first the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day that protected them. He saw all the miracles the Lord performed—the parting of the Red Sea, the water from a rock, manna from Heaven and witnessed Moses bringing the Ten Commandments down from Mount Sinai. He knew the power of the Lord; he trusted and believed God.
Caleb was a man who was willing to give up everything for the Lord. Read chapter thirteen of Numbers 13. Here the Lord told Moses to select twelve men to go spy out the land of Canaan. Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. (Numbers 13:6)
These men explored the land for forty days and returned to camp. They reported that the land was magnificent—a land flowing with milk and honey. However, some of the spies reported that the land was filled with giants and made them feel like grasshoppers.
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. (Numbers 13:30-31)
Two men, Caleb and Joshua, brought the same facts as the others. The difference is in their interpretation of the facts. These men believed God and therefore included God in their thinking. These people certainly needed God. Caleb and Joshua insisted that if God would delight in them, He would bring them into the land. But how can God delight in them unless they believe Him? They must trust Him. Caleb and Joshua shouted to the people:
If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. (Num 14:8-9)
Because the people were not willing to believe God, Moses turned the multitude around and headed them into the wilderness where they wandered for forty years. Some scholars say that there was a corpse for every step they took in their desert wandering. Caleb must have thought through this whole experience hundreds of times. He may have questioned the Lord many times. He was forty when they started out. He would be eighty by the time they arrived in Canaan. Yet, his belief and trust were strong.
God told Moses He was going to kill them all but Moses intervened and pleaded with God to let them live. God relented, but said all the people over twenty would die along the way—all the people except Caleb and Joshua. The people mourned because of God's decision. Nevertheless, Moses carried out the Lord's words.
Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD. (Num 32:11-12)
Numbers 17 begins with the death of Miriam and ends with the death of Aaron. This chapter marks the end to their wandering. They were back at the place they were before the unbelief at Kadesh. I hope you will read the complete book of Numbers. It is so interesting.
In chapter one of Deuteronomy Caleb is still with them and will enter the promised land to receive his portion. Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD. (Deu 1:35-36)
In Deuteronomy, we have the death of Moses. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. (Deu 34:7-8)
I don't believe you will be able to stop here and not continue a study on Caleb. He fought alongside Joshua and they conquered many lands. However, this group of people didn't remember all the mighty miracles God had performed. They had their land and were content to plow their fields and enjoy their families. I wonder if Caleb didn't try to remind them of the old stories.
They probably tried to show interest, but their hearts were elsewhere. Caleb probably wondered why they couldn't see that failing to trust the Lord and allowing other gods to come into their land would eventually bring tragedy to them . Caleb was a warrior and couldn't understand why the young men didn't want to drive God's enemies out of the land. Caleb's daughter, Acsah, will rise up to help deliver Israel.
This article can also be viewed at www.biblewalking.blogspot.com
To be removed from this mailing list, please click here. In the subject line type "remove." ●To subscribe to this and other Encourager
mailings, click here. In the subject line, type "AAAsubscribe." Also, please give your email name, email address, U.S. Mailing address, & phone number.. ●Please set your spam system (contact list) to accept encourager@biblewalking.com
and dan@dancarr.org. ●Thank you for accepting our mail and passing it on. Photo: Heinrich Holman 1890 - Wikipedia
