[1 Pet. 2:11] Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
[12] Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify G-d in the day of visitation.
Strangers means, properly, one dwelling near, neighboring; then a by-dweller, a sojourner, one without the rights of citizenship, as distinguished from a citizen; and it means here that Believers are not properly citizens of this world, but that their citizenship is in heaven, and that they are here mere sojourners.
Pilgrims is one who travels to a distance from his own country to visit a holy place, or to pay his devotion to some holy object; then a traveler, a wanderer. The meaning here is, that Believers have no permanent home on earth; their citizenship is not here; they are mere sojourners, and they are passing on to their eternal home in the heavens. They should, therefore, act as become such persons as sojourners and travelers do.
Even while engaged here in the necessary callings of life--their studies, their farming, and their merchandize--their thoughts and affections should be on other things. One in a strange land thinks much of his country and home; a pilgrim, much of the land to which he goes; and even while his time and attention may be necessarily occupied by the arrangements needful for the journey, his thoughts and affections will be far away.
We should not burden ourselves with much of this world's goods. Many professed Believers get so many worldly things around them, that it is impossible for them to make a journey to heaven. They burden themselves as no traveler would, and they make no progress. A traveler takes along as few things as possible; and a staff is often all that a pilgrim has. We make the most rapid progress in our journey to our final home when we are least encumbered with the things of this world.
To be a Believer means to fight against the lusts of the flesh, and the battle continues as long as we live in this flesh. It is easy for us to see how the pursuit of fleshly lusts can destroy our body physically. Just ask the alcoholic dying of liver disease, or ask the sexually immoral person with AIDS or one of the 350,000 people on this earth who contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Disease and death of the inner man is a penalty that no one given over to the flesh escapes.
The meaning is that indulgence in these things makes war against the nobler faculties of the soul against the conscience, the understanding, the memory, the judgment, the exercise of a pure imagination. There is not a faculty of the mind, however brilliant in itself, which will not be ultimately ruined by indulgence in the carnal propensities of our nature.
A good walk does not make us pious, but we must first be pious and believe before we attempt to lead a good course. Faith first receives from God, and then love gives to our neighbor.
The heathen by whom you are surrounded, and who will certainly observe your conduct. This kind of godly living makes our conduct honorable among those who don't know G-d yet. Though we can expect that they will speak against you as evildoers, they can still be brought to glorify G-d by seeing our godly conduct.
Gentiles shall behold in Greek means, "they shall be eye-witnesses of"; "shall behold on close inspection"; as opposed to their "ignorance" of the true character of Believers, by judging on mere hearsay."
Glorify is forming a high estimate of the G-d whom Believers worship, from the exemplary conduct of Believers themselves. We must do well, not with a view to our own glory, but to the glory of G-d.
The day of visitation in G-d's grace; when G-d shall visit them in mercy.
So what did we learn while passing through this land?
1. Purify your souls:
(a) As strangers on earth who must not allow yourselves to be kept back by earthly lusts,
(b) Because these lusts war against the soul's salvation.
2. Walk piously among unbelievers:
(a) So that they may cease to calumniate Believers,
(b) May themselves be converted to Messiah.
(c) Remember we are only passing through.
Is not the pure and holy walk of Believers an occasion of His bending His footsteps down to earth to bless dying sinners, and to scatter spiritual blessings with a liberal hand?
Gentiles Grafted In
[1 Pet. 2:7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:
[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of G-d: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Gentiles are brought into a condition where we can appreciate His worth. To see the value of food, we must be hungry; of clothing, we must be exposed to the winter's blast; of home, we must be wanderers without a dwelling-place; of medicine, we must be sick; of competence, we must be poor. So, to see the value of the Savior, we must see that we are poor, helpless, dying sinners; that the soul is of inestimable worth; that we have no merit of our own; and that unless some one interpose, we must perish. Every one who becomes a true Believer is brought to this condition; and in this state, he can appreciate the worth of the Savior.
We have had benefactors who have done us good, but none who have done us such good as He has. We have had parents, teachers, kind friends, who have provided for us, taught us, relieved us; but all that they have done for us is slight, compared with what He has done. The fruit of their kindness, for the most part, pertains to the present world; and they have not laid down their lives for us. What He has done pertains to our welfare to all eternity; it is the fruit of the sacrifice of His own life. How precious should the name and memory of one be who has laid down His own life to save us!
We have no hope of salvation but in Him. Take that away and blot out the name and the work of the Redeemer we will see no way, in which we could be saved; we have no prospect of being saved. As our hope of heaven, therefore, is valuable to us; as it supports us in trial; as it comforts us in the hour of death, so is the Savior precious: and the estimate which we form of Him is in proportion to the value of such a hope.
In His character, abstractedly considered, there was more to attract, to interest, to love, than in that of any other one who ever lived in our world. There was more purity, more compassion more that was great in trying circumstances, more that was generous and self-denying, more that resembled G-d, than in any other one who ever appeared on earth. In the moral firmament, the character of Messiah sustains a pre-eminence above all others who have lived, as great as the glory of the sun is superior to the feeble lights, though so numerous, which glimmer at midnight. With such views of him, it is not to be wondered at, that, however he may be estimated by the world, "to them who believe he is precious!"
The same is made the head of the corner. That is, though it is rejected by the mass of men, yet G-d has in fact made it the corner stone on which the whole spiritual temple rests
Peter's message is nonetheless wonderful: "You didn't used to belong, but now you belong to G-d and among G-d's people." The Gentiles being grafted in and the purpose for these high privileges are not so we can grow proud, but so that we can proclaim the praises of Him who has done such great things for us. We did not replace the Israelites but joined heirs with them, the Father meant us to be one and work along side each other.
It was G-d's pure mercy, not our merits, which made the blessed change in our state, a thought which ought to kindle our lively gratitude, to be shown with our life, as well as our lips.
[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of G-d: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Gentiles are brought into a condition where we can appreciate His worth. To see the value of food, we must be hungry; of clothing, we must be exposed to the winter's blast; of home, we must be wanderers without a dwelling-place; of medicine, we must be sick; of competence, we must be poor. So, to see the value of the Savior, we must see that we are poor, helpless, dying sinners; that the soul is of inestimable worth; that we have no merit of our own; and that unless some one interpose, we must perish. Every one who becomes a true Believer is brought to this condition; and in this state, he can appreciate the worth of the Savior.
We have had benefactors who have done us good, but none who have done us such good as He has. We have had parents, teachers, kind friends, who have provided for us, taught us, relieved us; but all that they have done for us is slight, compared with what He has done. The fruit of their kindness, for the most part, pertains to the present world; and they have not laid down their lives for us. What He has done pertains to our welfare to all eternity; it is the fruit of the sacrifice of His own life. How precious should the name and memory of one be who has laid down His own life to save us!
We have no hope of salvation but in Him. Take that away and blot out the name and the work of the Redeemer we will see no way, in which we could be saved; we have no prospect of being saved. As our hope of heaven, therefore, is valuable to us; as it supports us in trial; as it comforts us in the hour of death, so is the Savior precious: and the estimate which we form of Him is in proportion to the value of such a hope.
In His character, abstractedly considered, there was more to attract, to interest, to love, than in that of any other one who ever lived in our world. There was more purity, more compassion more that was great in trying circumstances, more that was generous and self-denying, more that resembled G-d, than in any other one who ever appeared on earth. In the moral firmament, the character of Messiah sustains a pre-eminence above all others who have lived, as great as the glory of the sun is superior to the feeble lights, though so numerous, which glimmer at midnight. With such views of him, it is not to be wondered at, that, however he may be estimated by the world, "to them who believe he is precious!"
The same is made the head of the corner. That is, though it is rejected by the mass of men, yet G-d has in fact made it the corner stone on which the whole spiritual temple rests
Peter's message is nonetheless wonderful: "You didn't used to belong, but now you belong to G-d and among G-d's people." The Gentiles being grafted in and the purpose for these high privileges are not so we can grow proud, but so that we can proclaim the praises of Him who has done such great things for us. We did not replace the Israelites but joined heirs with them, the Father meant us to be one and work along side each other.
It was G-d's pure mercy, not our merits, which made the blessed change in our state, a thought which ought to kindle our lively gratitude, to be shown with our life, as well as our lips.
Brotherly Love
[1 Pet. 2:1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the L-rd is gracious.
Wherefore resumes the exhortation begun in 1:22. Seeing that you are born again of an incorruptible seed, is not again entangled in evil, which "has no substantial being, but is acting in contrariety to the being formed in us.
Laying aside once for all: so the Greek aorist expresses as a garment put off. The exhortation applies to Christians alone, for in none else is the new nature existing which, as "the inward man" (Eph 3:16) can cast off the old as an outward thing, so that the Christian, through the continual renewal of his inward man, can also exhibit himself externally as a new man. But to unbelievers the demand is addressed, that inwardly, in regard to the mind, they must become changed, re-pent.
Malice is utterly inconsistent with the ‘love of the brethren,’ unto which ye have ‘purified your souls’. The vices here are those which offend against the Brotherly Love inculcated above. Each succeeding one springs out of that which immediately proceeds, so as to form a genealogy of the sins against love. Out of malice springs guile; out of guile, hypocrises (pretending to be what we are not, and not showing what we really are; the opposite of ‘love unfeigned’, and ‘without dissimulation’); out of hypocrisies, envies of those to whom we think ourselves obliged to play the hypocrite; out of envies, evil-speaking, malicious, envious detraction of others. Guile is the permanent disposition; hypocrisies the acts flowing from it. The guileless knows no envy 2:2, ‘sincere’, Greek, ‘guileless’. ‘Malice delights in another's hurt; envy pines at another's good; guile imparts duplicity to the heart; hypocrisy (flattery) imparts duplicity to the tongue; evil-speaking wound the character of another’.
Evil speaking, this ancient Greek word has more the idea of spicy, hurtful gossip than the idea of profane speech.
Newborn babes altogether without "guile" (2:1), as long as we are here, we are "babes," in a especially tender relation to G-d (Isa 40:11). The childlike spirit is indispensable if we would enter heaven. Milk is here not elementary truths in contradistinction to more advanced Christian truths, as in 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb 5:12, 13; but in contrast to ‘guile, hypocrisies’. The simplicity of Christian doctrine in general is to the childlike spirit. The same ‘word of grace’ which is the instrument in regeneration, is the instrument also of building up. The mother of the child is also its natural nurse. The babe, instead of chemically analyzing, instinctively desires and feeds on the milk; so our part is not self-sufficient rationalizing and questioning, but simply receiving the truth in the love of it (Matt. 11:25).
Desire, Greek, ‘have a yearning desire for,’ or ‘longing after,’ a natural impulse to the regenerate, for as no one needs to teach new-born babes what food to take, knowing instinctively that a table is provided for them in their mother's breast, so the believer of himself thirsts after the Word of G-d (Ps 119:1-176). A healthy new baby has an instinctive yearning for its mother's milk before they can handle stronger nourishment. As newborn babes, we desire the pure milk of the Word.
Sincere, Greek, guileless, ‘laying aside guile." Don’t mix chalk with the milk, with the well-known pure milk, there is no other pure, unadulterated doctrine; it alone can make us guileless.
Of the word in light of what G-d's Word is to us, we should receive the Word, and receive it with a particular heart.
Grow the oldest manuscripts and versions read grow unto salvation. The end to which growth leads is perfected salvation. Growth is the measure of the fullness of that, not only rescue from destruction, but positive blessedness, which is implied in salvation. We are not meant to remain ‘babies’ forever.
Religion reproduces the traits of character of children in those whom it influences and they ought to regard themselves as newborn babes, and seek that kind of spiritual nutriment which is adapted to their condition as such.
However, to grow by the word, we must receive it with a certain attitude of heart: laying aside all malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. This is a humble, honest, heart, willing to do what the Word of G-d says.
Thereby, Greek, in it; fed on it; in its strength (Act 11:14). The word is to be desired with appetite as the cause of life, to be swallowed in the hearing, to be chewed as cud is by rumination with the understanding, and to be digested by faith and grow to adulthood.
If we have received from G-d, if we have tasted (personally experienced) that the L-rd is gracious, then we have all the more reason and responsibility to receive the word in the enthusiastic way that babies receive their milk.
Peter alludes to Ps 34:8. The first "tastes" of G-d's goodness are afterwards followed by fuller and happier experiences. A taste whets the appetite.
Gracious as G-d is revealed to us in Messiah, ‘the L-rd’ (2:4), we who are born again ought so to be good and kind to the brethren (1:22). ‘Whosoever has not tasted the Word to him it is not sweet it has not reached the heart; but to them who have experienced it, who with the heart believe, 'Messiah has been sent for me and is become my own: my miseries are His and His life mine,' it tastes sweet.
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the L-rd is gracious.
Wherefore resumes the exhortation begun in 1:22. Seeing that you are born again of an incorruptible seed, is not again entangled in evil, which "has no substantial being, but is acting in contrariety to the being formed in us.
Laying aside once for all: so the Greek aorist expresses as a garment put off. The exhortation applies to Christians alone, for in none else is the new nature existing which, as "the inward man" (Eph 3:16) can cast off the old as an outward thing, so that the Christian, through the continual renewal of his inward man, can also exhibit himself externally as a new man. But to unbelievers the demand is addressed, that inwardly, in regard to the mind, they must become changed, re-pent.
Malice is utterly inconsistent with the ‘love of the brethren,’ unto which ye have ‘purified your souls’. The vices here are those which offend against the Brotherly Love inculcated above. Each succeeding one springs out of that which immediately proceeds, so as to form a genealogy of the sins against love. Out of malice springs guile; out of guile, hypocrises (pretending to be what we are not, and not showing what we really are; the opposite of ‘love unfeigned’, and ‘without dissimulation’); out of hypocrisies, envies of those to whom we think ourselves obliged to play the hypocrite; out of envies, evil-speaking, malicious, envious detraction of others. Guile is the permanent disposition; hypocrisies the acts flowing from it. The guileless knows no envy 2:2, ‘sincere’, Greek, ‘guileless’. ‘Malice delights in another's hurt; envy pines at another's good; guile imparts duplicity to the heart; hypocrisy (flattery) imparts duplicity to the tongue; evil-speaking wound the character of another’.
Evil speaking, this ancient Greek word has more the idea of spicy, hurtful gossip than the idea of profane speech.
Newborn babes altogether without "guile" (2:1), as long as we are here, we are "babes," in a especially tender relation to G-d (Isa 40:11). The childlike spirit is indispensable if we would enter heaven. Milk is here not elementary truths in contradistinction to more advanced Christian truths, as in 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb 5:12, 13; but in contrast to ‘guile, hypocrisies’. The simplicity of Christian doctrine in general is to the childlike spirit. The same ‘word of grace’ which is the instrument in regeneration, is the instrument also of building up. The mother of the child is also its natural nurse. The babe, instead of chemically analyzing, instinctively desires and feeds on the milk; so our part is not self-sufficient rationalizing and questioning, but simply receiving the truth in the love of it (Matt. 11:25).
Desire, Greek, ‘have a yearning desire for,’ or ‘longing after,’ a natural impulse to the regenerate, for as no one needs to teach new-born babes what food to take, knowing instinctively that a table is provided for them in their mother's breast, so the believer of himself thirsts after the Word of G-d (Ps 119:1-176). A healthy new baby has an instinctive yearning for its mother's milk before they can handle stronger nourishment. As newborn babes, we desire the pure milk of the Word.
Sincere, Greek, guileless, ‘laying aside guile." Don’t mix chalk with the milk, with the well-known pure milk, there is no other pure, unadulterated doctrine; it alone can make us guileless.
Of the word in light of what G-d's Word is to us, we should receive the Word, and receive it with a particular heart.
Grow the oldest manuscripts and versions read grow unto salvation. The end to which growth leads is perfected salvation. Growth is the measure of the fullness of that, not only rescue from destruction, but positive blessedness, which is implied in salvation. We are not meant to remain ‘babies’ forever.
Religion reproduces the traits of character of children in those whom it influences and they ought to regard themselves as newborn babes, and seek that kind of spiritual nutriment which is adapted to their condition as such.
However, to grow by the word, we must receive it with a certain attitude of heart: laying aside all malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. This is a humble, honest, heart, willing to do what the Word of G-d says.
Thereby, Greek, in it; fed on it; in its strength (Act 11:14). The word is to be desired with appetite as the cause of life, to be swallowed in the hearing, to be chewed as cud is by rumination with the understanding, and to be digested by faith and grow to adulthood.
If we have received from G-d, if we have tasted (personally experienced) that the L-rd is gracious, then we have all the more reason and responsibility to receive the word in the enthusiastic way that babies receive their milk.
Peter alludes to Ps 34:8. The first "tastes" of G-d's goodness are afterwards followed by fuller and happier experiences. A taste whets the appetite.
Gracious as G-d is revealed to us in Messiah, ‘the L-rd’ (2:4), we who are born again ought so to be good and kind to the brethren (1:22). ‘Whosoever has not tasted the Word to him it is not sweet it has not reached the heart; but to them who have experienced it, who with the heart believe, 'Messiah has been sent for me and is become my own: my miseries are His and His life mine,' it tastes sweet.
Honoring your children above Me
[2 Sam. 227] And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
Eli was chosen by G-d to be His priest, to serve as a mediator between G-d and His people; but in this calling Eli and his house failed. Consequently, words of judgment came upon them. Election, according to the O.T. is not for privilege but for responsibility. Failure to fulfill one’s responsibility makes one doubly accountable to G-d (Amos 3:2).
A man of G-d probably refers to a prophet. Samuel appears to be the natural successor; subsequently other members of Eli’s house have also been functioning in different locations – Ahijah (14:3) and Abithar (22:20). Eventually Abiathar was exiled, and thus Eli’s line came to an end. Zadok then became the head of the priestly order.
[28] And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
House of your father is a reference to Levi, to the Aaronite line in particular. A promise by G-d cannot stand unless there is corresponding obedience because G-d deals with humans who possess free will.
[29] Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
Eli exercises his responsibility as father in warning his children against their evil practices in the Temple. How he is charged for not restraining his sons.
Eli reproved his sons too gently, and did not threaten them as he should, and therefore G-d sent a prophet to him to reprove him sharply, and to threaten him, because, by his indulgence of them, he had strengthened their hands in their wickedness. If good men be wanting in their duty, and by their carelessness and remissness contribute any thing to the sin of sinners, they must expect both to hear of it and to smart for it.
His children did wickedly, and he connived at it, and thereby involved himself in the guilt; the indictment therefore runs against them all.
[30] Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
The promise carried its own condition along with it: “They shall walk before me forever, that is, "they shall have the honor, provided they faithfully do the service." Walking before G-d is the great condition of the covenant, Genesis 17:1.
[31] Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
Eli’s posterity will be cut off. Israelites seem to have believed in some kind of an ongoing existence remembrance through their posterity, through male progeny. That is why they saw the need for the levirate marriage system, which covered the case of a man dying without issue. To have one’s posterity cut off was considered to be a great curse and a terrible misfortune. By the withdrawal of the high priesthood from Eleazar, the elder of Aaron's two sons (after Nadab and Abihu were destroyed, (Numbers 3:4), that dignity had been conferred on the family of Ithamar, to which Eli belonged, and now that his descendants had forfeited the honor, it was to be taken from them and restored to the elder branch.
To die in old age was a sign of G-d’s blessings in Israel, but to die prematurely was considered to be a curse. So much importance has always, in the East, been attached to old age, that it would be felt to be a great calamity, and sensibly, to lower the respectability of any family which could boast of few or no old men. The prediction of this prophet was fully confirmed by the afflictions, degradation, poverty, and many untimely deaths because he honored his sons above G-d.
The message is sent to Eli himself, because G-d would bring him to repentance and save him; not to his sons, whom he had determined to destroy. And it might have been a means of awakening him to do his duty at last, and so to have prevented the judgment, but we do not find it had any great effect upon him.
The distinguishing favors we have received from G-d, are great aggravations of sin, and will be remembered against us in the day of account, if we profane our crown and betray our trusts, Deuteronomy 32:6, 2 Sam. 12:7, 8.
[3:13] For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
[1 Cor. 5:9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
[10] Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
[11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
[12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
[13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
He tells them that if any man called a brother, any one professing Christianity, and being a member of a Christian church, were a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, that they should not keep company with him, nor so much as eat with such a one. They were to avoid all familiarity with him; they were to have no commerce with him; they were to have no commerce with him: but, that they might shame him, and bring him to repentance, must disclaim and shun him. Christians are to avoid the familiar conversation of fellow-Christians that are notoriously wicked, and under just censure for their flagitious practices. Such disgrace the Christian name. They may call themselves brethren in Christ, but they are not Christian brethren. They are only fit companions for the brethren in iniquity; and to such company they should be left, till they mend their ways and doings.
How he limits this advice. He does not forbid the Christians the like commerce with scandalously wicked heathens. He does not forbid their eating nor conversing with the fornicators of this world. They know no better. They profess no better. The idols they serve, and the worship they render to many of them, countenance such wickedness. "You must needs go out of the world if you will have no conversation with such men. Your Gentile neighbors are generally vicious and profane; and it is impossible, as long as you are in the world, and have any worldly business to do, but you must fall into their company. This cannot be wholly avoided." Note, Christians may and ought to testify more respect to loose worldlings than to loose Christians. This seems a paradox. Why should we shun the company of a profane or loose Christian, rather than that of a profane or loose heathen?
G-d can and will preserve them from contagion. Besides, they carry an antidote against the infection of their bad example, and are naturally upon their guard. They are apt to have a horror at their wicked practices. But the dread of sin wears off by familiar converse with wicked Christians. Our own safety and preservation are a reason of this difference. But, besides, heathens were such as Christians had nothing to do to judge and censure, and avoid upon a censure passed; for they are without, and must be left to G-d's judgment. But, as to members of the church, they are within, are professedly bound by the Laws and rules of Christianity, and not only liable to the judgment of G-d, but to the censures of those who are set over them, and the fellow-members of the same body, when they transgress those rules. Every Christian is bound to judge them unfit for communion and familiar converse. They are to be punished, by having this mark of disgrace put upon them, that they may be shamed, and, if possible, reclaimed thereby: and the more because the sins of such much more dishonor G-d than the sins of the openly wicked and profane can do. The church therefore is obliged to clear herself from all confederacy with them, or connivance at them, and to bear testimony against their wicked practices. Though the church has nothing to do with those without, it must endeavor to keep clear of the guilt and reproach of those within. Cast him out of your fellowship, and avoid his conversation.
Eli was not cast out of the body because of the sins of his children, he was the believer not his children, his curse was caused because he honored his children in his house above G-d, by his indulgence of them.
Eli was chosen by G-d to be His priest, to serve as a mediator between G-d and His people; but in this calling Eli and his house failed. Consequently, words of judgment came upon them. Election, according to the O.T. is not for privilege but for responsibility. Failure to fulfill one’s responsibility makes one doubly accountable to G-d (Amos 3:2).
A man of G-d probably refers to a prophet. Samuel appears to be the natural successor; subsequently other members of Eli’s house have also been functioning in different locations – Ahijah (14:3) and Abithar (22:20). Eventually Abiathar was exiled, and thus Eli’s line came to an end. Zadok then became the head of the priestly order.
[28] And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
House of your father is a reference to Levi, to the Aaronite line in particular. A promise by G-d cannot stand unless there is corresponding obedience because G-d deals with humans who possess free will.
[29] Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
Eli exercises his responsibility as father in warning his children against their evil practices in the Temple. How he is charged for not restraining his sons.
Eli reproved his sons too gently, and did not threaten them as he should, and therefore G-d sent a prophet to him to reprove him sharply, and to threaten him, because, by his indulgence of them, he had strengthened their hands in their wickedness. If good men be wanting in their duty, and by their carelessness and remissness contribute any thing to the sin of sinners, they must expect both to hear of it and to smart for it.
His children did wickedly, and he connived at it, and thereby involved himself in the guilt; the indictment therefore runs against them all.
[30] Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
The promise carried its own condition along with it: “They shall walk before me forever, that is, "they shall have the honor, provided they faithfully do the service." Walking before G-d is the great condition of the covenant, Genesis 17:1.
[31] Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
Eli’s posterity will be cut off. Israelites seem to have believed in some kind of an ongoing existence remembrance through their posterity, through male progeny. That is why they saw the need for the levirate marriage system, which covered the case of a man dying without issue. To have one’s posterity cut off was considered to be a great curse and a terrible misfortune. By the withdrawal of the high priesthood from Eleazar, the elder of Aaron's two sons (after Nadab and Abihu were destroyed, (Numbers 3:4), that dignity had been conferred on the family of Ithamar, to which Eli belonged, and now that his descendants had forfeited the honor, it was to be taken from them and restored to the elder branch.
To die in old age was a sign of G-d’s blessings in Israel, but to die prematurely was considered to be a curse. So much importance has always, in the East, been attached to old age, that it would be felt to be a great calamity, and sensibly, to lower the respectability of any family which could boast of few or no old men. The prediction of this prophet was fully confirmed by the afflictions, degradation, poverty, and many untimely deaths because he honored his sons above G-d.
The message is sent to Eli himself, because G-d would bring him to repentance and save him; not to his sons, whom he had determined to destroy. And it might have been a means of awakening him to do his duty at last, and so to have prevented the judgment, but we do not find it had any great effect upon him.
The distinguishing favors we have received from G-d, are great aggravations of sin, and will be remembered against us in the day of account, if we profane our crown and betray our trusts, Deuteronomy 32:6, 2 Sam. 12:7, 8.
[3:13] For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
[1 Cor. 5:9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
[10] Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
[11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
[12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
[13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
He tells them that if any man called a brother, any one professing Christianity, and being a member of a Christian church, were a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, that they should not keep company with him, nor so much as eat with such a one. They were to avoid all familiarity with him; they were to have no commerce with him; they were to have no commerce with him: but, that they might shame him, and bring him to repentance, must disclaim and shun him. Christians are to avoid the familiar conversation of fellow-Christians that are notoriously wicked, and under just censure for their flagitious practices. Such disgrace the Christian name. They may call themselves brethren in Christ, but they are not Christian brethren. They are only fit companions for the brethren in iniquity; and to such company they should be left, till they mend their ways and doings.
How he limits this advice. He does not forbid the Christians the like commerce with scandalously wicked heathens. He does not forbid their eating nor conversing with the fornicators of this world. They know no better. They profess no better. The idols they serve, and the worship they render to many of them, countenance such wickedness. "You must needs go out of the world if you will have no conversation with such men. Your Gentile neighbors are generally vicious and profane; and it is impossible, as long as you are in the world, and have any worldly business to do, but you must fall into their company. This cannot be wholly avoided." Note, Christians may and ought to testify more respect to loose worldlings than to loose Christians. This seems a paradox. Why should we shun the company of a profane or loose Christian, rather than that of a profane or loose heathen?
G-d can and will preserve them from contagion. Besides, they carry an antidote against the infection of their bad example, and are naturally upon their guard. They are apt to have a horror at their wicked practices. But the dread of sin wears off by familiar converse with wicked Christians. Our own safety and preservation are a reason of this difference. But, besides, heathens were such as Christians had nothing to do to judge and censure, and avoid upon a censure passed; for they are without, and must be left to G-d's judgment. But, as to members of the church, they are within, are professedly bound by the Laws and rules of Christianity, and not only liable to the judgment of G-d, but to the censures of those who are set over them, and the fellow-members of the same body, when they transgress those rules. Every Christian is bound to judge them unfit for communion and familiar converse. They are to be punished, by having this mark of disgrace put upon them, that they may be shamed, and, if possible, reclaimed thereby: and the more because the sins of such much more dishonor G-d than the sins of the openly wicked and profane can do. The church therefore is obliged to clear herself from all confederacy with them, or connivance at them, and to bear testimony against their wicked practices. Though the church has nothing to do with those without, it must endeavor to keep clear of the guilt and reproach of those within. Cast him out of your fellowship, and avoid his conversation.
Eli was not cast out of the body because of the sins of his children, he was the believer not his children, his curse was caused because he honored his children in his house above G-d, by his indulgence of them.
Sottish Children
[Jer. 4:18] Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
[19] My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
[22] For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
It was not a false step or two that did you this mischief, but your way and course of living were bad. Sin is the procuring cause of all our troubles. Those that go on in sin while they are endeavoring to ward off mischief with one hand are at the same time pulling them upon their own heads with the other.
The fruit of your wickedness has been the cause of bringing such a bitter enemy against you, which has reached unto your very heart.
Here begins the complaint of the prophet. At my very heart - Hebrew, "at the walls of my heart"; the muscles round the heart. There is a climax, the "bowels," the pericardium, the "heart.”
Makes a noise, moaned itself is disturbed within me through the tumult of my spirits, and I cannot hold my peace. The grievance and the grief sometimes may be such that the most prudent patient man cannot forbear complaining. It is not for himself or any affliction in his family that he grieves thus; but it is purely upon the public account, it is his people's case that he lays to heart.
I have heard in the spirit of prophecy; it is as certain, as if I now heard the trumpet sounding. Alarm of war is the battle shout. He does not say, you hast heard, O my ear! but, O my soul! Because the event was yet future, and it is by the spirit of prophecy that he see it and receives the impression of it. His soul heard it from the words of G-d, and therefore he was as well assured of it, and as much affected with it, as if he had heard it with his bodily ears. It becomes us to tremble at the thought of the misery that sinners are running themselves into to awaken them to a holy fear, and so to a care to prevent so great a judgment by a true and timely repentance. Those that would affect other with the word of G-d should evidence that they are themselves affected with it.
My people are foolish. G-d calls them His people, though they are foolish. They have cast Him off, but He has not cast them off, Romans 11:1. "They are My people, whom I have been in covenant with, and still have mercy in store for. They are foolish, for they have not known Me." Those are foolish indeed that have not known G-d, especially that call themselves His people, and have the advantages of coming into acquaintance with Him, and yet have not known Him. They are sottish children, stupid and senseless, and have no understanding. They cannot distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil; they cannot discern the mind of G-d either in His word or in His providence; they do not understand what their true interest is, nor on which side it lies. They are wise to do evil, to plot mischief against the quiet in the land, wise to contrive the gratification of their lusts, and then to conceal and palliate them. But to do good they have no knowledge, no contrivance, no application of mind; they know not how to make a good use either of the ordinances or of the providences of G-d, nor how to bring about any design for the good of their country. Contrary to this should be our character. Romans 16:19, I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Sottish is strongs number H5530 which means fool – foolish.
Children is number H1121 means:
1) son, grandson, child, member of a group
a) son, male child
b) grandson
c) children (pl. - male and female)
d) youth, young men (pl.)
e) young (of animals)
f) sons (as characterisation, i.e. sons of injustice [for un- righteous men] or sons of God [for angels]
g) people (of a nation) (pl.)
h) of lifeless things, i.e. sparks, stars, arrows (fig.)
i) a member of a guild, order, class
G-d's replies they cannot be otherwise than miserable, since they persevere in sin. The repetition of clauses gives greater force to the sentiment.
[19] My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
[22] For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
It was not a false step or two that did you this mischief, but your way and course of living were bad. Sin is the procuring cause of all our troubles. Those that go on in sin while they are endeavoring to ward off mischief with one hand are at the same time pulling them upon their own heads with the other.
The fruit of your wickedness has been the cause of bringing such a bitter enemy against you, which has reached unto your very heart.
Here begins the complaint of the prophet. At my very heart - Hebrew, "at the walls of my heart"; the muscles round the heart. There is a climax, the "bowels," the pericardium, the "heart.”
Makes a noise, moaned itself is disturbed within me through the tumult of my spirits, and I cannot hold my peace. The grievance and the grief sometimes may be such that the most prudent patient man cannot forbear complaining. It is not for himself or any affliction in his family that he grieves thus; but it is purely upon the public account, it is his people's case that he lays to heart.
I have heard in the spirit of prophecy; it is as certain, as if I now heard the trumpet sounding. Alarm of war is the battle shout. He does not say, you hast heard, O my ear! but, O my soul! Because the event was yet future, and it is by the spirit of prophecy that he see it and receives the impression of it. His soul heard it from the words of G-d, and therefore he was as well assured of it, and as much affected with it, as if he had heard it with his bodily ears. It becomes us to tremble at the thought of the misery that sinners are running themselves into to awaken them to a holy fear, and so to a care to prevent so great a judgment by a true and timely repentance. Those that would affect other with the word of G-d should evidence that they are themselves affected with it.
My people are foolish. G-d calls them His people, though they are foolish. They have cast Him off, but He has not cast them off, Romans 11:1. "They are My people, whom I have been in covenant with, and still have mercy in store for. They are foolish, for they have not known Me." Those are foolish indeed that have not known G-d, especially that call themselves His people, and have the advantages of coming into acquaintance with Him, and yet have not known Him. They are sottish children, stupid and senseless, and have no understanding. They cannot distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil; they cannot discern the mind of G-d either in His word or in His providence; they do not understand what their true interest is, nor on which side it lies. They are wise to do evil, to plot mischief against the quiet in the land, wise to contrive the gratification of their lusts, and then to conceal and palliate them. But to do good they have no knowledge, no contrivance, no application of mind; they know not how to make a good use either of the ordinances or of the providences of G-d, nor how to bring about any design for the good of their country. Contrary to this should be our character. Romans 16:19, I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Sottish is strongs number H5530 which means fool – foolish.
Children is number H1121 means:
1) son, grandson, child, member of a group
a) son, male child
b) grandson
c) children (pl. - male and female)
d) youth, young men (pl.)
e) young (of animals)
f) sons (as characterisation, i.e. sons of injustice [for un- righteous men] or sons of God [for angels]
g) people (of a nation) (pl.)
h) of lifeless things, i.e. sparks, stars, arrows (fig.)
i) a member of a guild, order, class
G-d's replies they cannot be otherwise than miserable, since they persevere in sin. The repetition of clauses gives greater force to the sentiment.
Peace! Peace?
[Jer. 4:10 ….. Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.]
"And I said, Receive my supplication, O L-rd G-d; for, behold, the false prophets deceive this people and the inhabitants, saying, you shall have peace." The prophet could not reconcile this devastation of the country with the promises already made; and he appears to ask the question, Have you not then deceived this people in saying there shall be peace and prosperity?
The false prophets foretold "peace," and the people believed them; G-d overruled this to His purposes. When the sword is at the door, not only ready to take away the comforts of life, but even life itself, “the people being generally destroyed speaking in martial language, warning them of the nature of their approaching judgment.
There shall be tidings brought both to the country and city. A drying blasting wind, a parching scorching wind, which spoils the fruits of the earth and withers them, not a wind which brings rain, but such as comes out of the north, which drives away rain (Proverbs 25:23), but brings something worse instead of it; such shall this evil out of the north be to people, a black freezing wind, which they can neither fence against nor flee from, but, wherever they go, it shall surround and pursue them; and they cannot see it before it comes, but, when it comes, they shall feel it. It is a wind of the high places in the wilderness, or plain, that beats upon the tops of the hills or that carries all before it in the plain, where there is no shelter, but the ground is all champaign. It shall come in its full force towards the daughters of My people, that have been brought up so tenderly and delicately that they could not endure to have the wind blow upon them. Now this fierce wind shall come against them, not to fan, nor cleanse them, not such a gentle wind as is used in winnowing corn, but a full wind, a strong and violent wind, blowing full upon them. It is in vain to think either of opposing them or of outrunning them. This shall come to Me, or rather for Me; it shall come with commission from G-d and shall accomplish that for which He sends it; for this, as other stormy winds, fulfills His word.
Ill news flies apace; and an impenitent people, that hates to be reformed, can expect no other that ill news.
The lamentable cause of this judgment.
They sinned against G-d; it was all owing to themselves: She has been rebellious against Me, said the L-rd, your way and your doings have procured these things unto you, your evil way and your doings that have not been good. Those that go on in sin while they are endeavoring to ward off mischief with one hand are at the same time pulling them upon their own heads with the other.
In men's anger against us, and the violence of that, we must see and own G-d's anger and the power of that. If that were turned back from us, our enemies could not come forward against us.
In His just and holy anger He condemned them to this dreadful punishment: and we are sure that the judgment of G-d is according to the truth, and the execution of that judgment.
The false prophets, who had cried peace to them, shall be put into the greatest amazement imaginable, seeing their own guilty blood ready to be shed by that sword which they had often told the people there was no danger of. G-d's judgments come with the greatest terror upon those that have been most secure. Our Savior foretells that at the last destruction men's hearts should fail them for fear, Luke 21:26. And it is common for those who have cheated and flattered people into a carnal security not only to fail them, but to discourage them, when the trouble comes.
"And I said, Receive my supplication, O L-rd G-d; for, behold, the false prophets deceive this people and the inhabitants, saying, you shall have peace." The prophet could not reconcile this devastation of the country with the promises already made; and he appears to ask the question, Have you not then deceived this people in saying there shall be peace and prosperity?
The false prophets foretold "peace," and the people believed them; G-d overruled this to His purposes. When the sword is at the door, not only ready to take away the comforts of life, but even life itself, “the people being generally destroyed speaking in martial language, warning them of the nature of their approaching judgment.
There shall be tidings brought both to the country and city. A drying blasting wind, a parching scorching wind, which spoils the fruits of the earth and withers them, not a wind which brings rain, but such as comes out of the north, which drives away rain (Proverbs 25:23), but brings something worse instead of it; such shall this evil out of the north be to people, a black freezing wind, which they can neither fence against nor flee from, but, wherever they go, it shall surround and pursue them; and they cannot see it before it comes, but, when it comes, they shall feel it. It is a wind of the high places in the wilderness, or plain, that beats upon the tops of the hills or that carries all before it in the plain, where there is no shelter, but the ground is all champaign. It shall come in its full force towards the daughters of My people, that have been brought up so tenderly and delicately that they could not endure to have the wind blow upon them. Now this fierce wind shall come against them, not to fan, nor cleanse them, not such a gentle wind as is used in winnowing corn, but a full wind, a strong and violent wind, blowing full upon them. It is in vain to think either of opposing them or of outrunning them. This shall come to Me, or rather for Me; it shall come with commission from G-d and shall accomplish that for which He sends it; for this, as other stormy winds, fulfills His word.
Ill news flies apace; and an impenitent people, that hates to be reformed, can expect no other that ill news.
The lamentable cause of this judgment.
They sinned against G-d; it was all owing to themselves: She has been rebellious against Me, said the L-rd, your way and your doings have procured these things unto you, your evil way and your doings that have not been good. Those that go on in sin while they are endeavoring to ward off mischief with one hand are at the same time pulling them upon their own heads with the other.
In men's anger against us, and the violence of that, we must see and own G-d's anger and the power of that. If that were turned back from us, our enemies could not come forward against us.
In His just and holy anger He condemned them to this dreadful punishment: and we are sure that the judgment of G-d is according to the truth, and the execution of that judgment.
The false prophets, who had cried peace to them, shall be put into the greatest amazement imaginable, seeing their own guilty blood ready to be shed by that sword which they had often told the people there was no danger of. G-d's judgments come with the greatest terror upon those that have been most secure. Our Savior foretells that at the last destruction men's hearts should fail them for fear, Luke 21:26. And it is common for those who have cheated and flattered people into a carnal security not only to fail them, but to discourage them, when the trouble comes.
Single Parenting
Life has many chooses but eternity has only two.
I hear people (straight & alternate life style) saying “We are in a ‘new generation’ from when the Good Book has written”.
Which means what? A license to life as they please because sin runs ramped and it is acceptable?
What part of ‘G-d is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow’ do they not understand?
His Words and His Laws have never been recalled just because they choose to satisfy their fleshly desires above all else.
Women particularly have choose in the last 10 years to place their own flesh and blood offspring in second place giving first place to a ‘mate’s’ attention, if we checking saticites it is a fact the children deal with depression, and suicide thoughts as a way out of their unbearable situations.
Taking in the situation of the children is this the best environment for the children, who did not ask to be born?
I have been told by many: “Well, don’t I deserve to be happy and make a life for myself?”
Many women are not learning from their mistakes, today many children are born out of wedlock, lust runs ramped.
As a mother our first responsibility is to our children, they are priority not self. Children are innocent for a short period of time and need their mother’s support and understanding and time to be there to walk them through any experience.
Many times when they are involved with significant other the child seems lost in the process.
I have seen many single parents for many years choose to put their children first, train them, educate them, support them, and walk through life with them. When they are old enough and the responsibility is release they seek a mate.
Children deserve a good happy life not to be concern by other situations growing up pier pressure is enough within itself.
Life has many choices so please count the cost and choose wisely.
We will all stand at the door of eternity so think about the choices you make.
The L-rd loves all mankind and does not want one not to spend eternity with Him.
I hear people (straight & alternate life style) saying “We are in a ‘new generation’ from when the Good Book has written”.
Which means what? A license to life as they please because sin runs ramped and it is acceptable?
What part of ‘G-d is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow’ do they not understand?
His Words and His Laws have never been recalled just because they choose to satisfy their fleshly desires above all else.
Women particularly have choose in the last 10 years to place their own flesh and blood offspring in second place giving first place to a ‘mate’s’ attention, if we checking saticites it is a fact the children deal with depression, and suicide thoughts as a way out of their unbearable situations.
Taking in the situation of the children is this the best environment for the children, who did not ask to be born?
I have been told by many: “Well, don’t I deserve to be happy and make a life for myself?”
Many women are not learning from their mistakes, today many children are born out of wedlock, lust runs ramped.
As a mother our first responsibility is to our children, they are priority not self. Children are innocent for a short period of time and need their mother’s support and understanding and time to be there to walk them through any experience.
Many times when they are involved with significant other the child seems lost in the process.
I have seen many single parents for many years choose to put their children first, train them, educate them, support them, and walk through life with them. When they are old enough and the responsibility is release they seek a mate.
Children deserve a good happy life not to be concern by other situations growing up pier pressure is enough within itself.
Life has many choices so please count the cost and choose wisely.
We will all stand at the door of eternity so think about the choices you make.
The L-rd loves all mankind and does not want one not to spend eternity with Him.
Lost Faith?
“For I walk through the cities of this Earth where you so your deal-making. And it is as I pas you by, beloved, that My cheeks are hot with tears shed for you. For, indeed, has it not been I who was beside you even from when you were a child? Has it not been My presence that was with you in the travail of your soul you cried out? And in the valley of the shadow when none knew your agony of heart, was I not beside you, child? Was it not strange that those coincidences that delivered you from events that could have destroyed the course of your life where in parallel to those nights when you cried out to Me?
But as you grew in years, in the knowledge of worldly things, your heart once tender and open to Me became hardened and your conscience scared. And so as you grew in the ways of a perverse and thankless generation, you rejected faith as you knew it. And you threw Me aside as a childish thing.
Yes still in your times of greatest pain you would all out to Me. And in great compassion I would come to you, and you would know My comfort. But then the morning light would dawn, and memories of Me would fade. And so you grew in your own self-sufficiency.
And so it came, that through the passage of time you started to look upon Me and Mine with cynicism. And your heart became jaded and filled with unbelief. And so it was that your rationalized that you indeed put away childish things, and so you embraced the atheism of a perverse generation and rejected Me.
But still I was there as an onlooker, weeping for you, calling you tenderly until you closed the door to your heart completely. I watch over the years as you strove to find your way alone through the ruthlessness of life around you.
Your tentatively reached out to love, and then learned that risk hurt you. And so the first of your barriers was erected and then the second and the third, until love was a disregarded ideal, until you became as much the abuser as the abused.
And still I watched you, as you rose up the ranks of society and learned the fine are of disguise. And how well you wore your masks. And I watched as you mastered the lies until truth became so distorted that even the lies seemed like truth and the truth was despised.
And so now, My child, held in such high esteem by a renegade generation – you hold your position – you have achieved many desires, and many goals have been accomplished. And so you say in your heart: I have lost faith. And you scoff behind their backs at those few who still hold on to the vestiges of faith amidst the masses filled with cynicism and unbelief.
Yes, still some nights, I enter your household, and silently, unnoticed by you, I stand by your bedside. And I watch the hardness on your face ease as weariness enfolds you and the stresses and strains of all that encompasses your life today dissolved away in sleep’s deep respite. And I too remember a time when in your tender years you held out your heart to Me in wonder and in innocence. And it is as I remember one so esteemed by the society who does your bidding…
It is as I remember that the tears course down My face for you.
For you see, my child, you did not lose faith …. You have lost Me”.
‘The Unknown Prophet’.
But as you grew in years, in the knowledge of worldly things, your heart once tender and open to Me became hardened and your conscience scared. And so as you grew in the ways of a perverse and thankless generation, you rejected faith as you knew it. And you threw Me aside as a childish thing.
Yes still in your times of greatest pain you would all out to Me. And in great compassion I would come to you, and you would know My comfort. But then the morning light would dawn, and memories of Me would fade. And so you grew in your own self-sufficiency.
And so it came, that through the passage of time you started to look upon Me and Mine with cynicism. And your heart became jaded and filled with unbelief. And so it was that your rationalized that you indeed put away childish things, and so you embraced the atheism of a perverse generation and rejected Me.
But still I was there as an onlooker, weeping for you, calling you tenderly until you closed the door to your heart completely. I watch over the years as you strove to find your way alone through the ruthlessness of life around you.
Your tentatively reached out to love, and then learned that risk hurt you. And so the first of your barriers was erected and then the second and the third, until love was a disregarded ideal, until you became as much the abuser as the abused.
And still I watched you, as you rose up the ranks of society and learned the fine are of disguise. And how well you wore your masks. And I watched as you mastered the lies until truth became so distorted that even the lies seemed like truth and the truth was despised.
And so now, My child, held in such high esteem by a renegade generation – you hold your position – you have achieved many desires, and many goals have been accomplished. And so you say in your heart: I have lost faith. And you scoff behind their backs at those few who still hold on to the vestiges of faith amidst the masses filled with cynicism and unbelief.
Yes, still some nights, I enter your household, and silently, unnoticed by you, I stand by your bedside. And I watch the hardness on your face ease as weariness enfolds you and the stresses and strains of all that encompasses your life today dissolved away in sleep’s deep respite. And I too remember a time when in your tender years you held out your heart to Me in wonder and in innocence. And it is as I remember one so esteemed by the society who does your bidding…
It is as I remember that the tears course down My face for you.
For you see, my child, you did not lose faith …. You have lost Me”.
‘The Unknown Prophet’.
Homosexual Lifestyle
“Beloved, do you not know? Do you not see? As you seek to find love, it is really Me you are looking for. I tell you that although My church has upheld the principles of Scripture, so they often have not done with a true reflection of My heart and My grace.
I stand before you with My arms out-stretched, not in judgment but in mercy, and I stand before you at this moment, not in condemnation but with mercy and with a love that would relentlessly purse you.
I was there at the first abuse of you body. I was there when you were mocked and rejected by your peers, and a searing came to your sensitive heart, as the father of lies whispered to you and you embraced the lies. You indeed drew to yourself others ensnared and battling the same, and so the lie took root and the lifestyle was born.
I know the breaches in your soul. I was there when your heart was scarred and bruised where others did not understand.
Forgive My church. Forgive those who judged you who follow Me. For surely, though they know My Word, they hearken not to the breath of My Spirit. My voice is quiet, full of tenderness, full of mercy.
I weep as I see you bring that which cannot be revoked down upon yourself. For the consequence of breaking the eternal Law cannot be revoked. And My judgment upon you is My mercy. Take heed, beloved, take heed and hear My voice.
In no other upon Heaven and Earth shall you find the rest for your aching soul, call upon me for forgiveness and I will answer.”
Modified from the 'Unknown Prophet'
I stand before you with My arms out-stretched, not in judgment but in mercy, and I stand before you at this moment, not in condemnation but with mercy and with a love that would relentlessly purse you.
I was there at the first abuse of you body. I was there when you were mocked and rejected by your peers, and a searing came to your sensitive heart, as the father of lies whispered to you and you embraced the lies. You indeed drew to yourself others ensnared and battling the same, and so the lie took root and the lifestyle was born.
I know the breaches in your soul. I was there when your heart was scarred and bruised where others did not understand.
Forgive My church. Forgive those who judged you who follow Me. For surely, though they know My Word, they hearken not to the breath of My Spirit. My voice is quiet, full of tenderness, full of mercy.
I weep as I see you bring that which cannot be revoked down upon yourself. For the consequence of breaking the eternal Law cannot be revoked. And My judgment upon you is My mercy. Take heed, beloved, take heed and hear My voice.
In no other upon Heaven and Earth shall you find the rest for your aching soul, call upon me for forgiveness and I will answer.”
Modified from the 'Unknown Prophet'
God's Church
“Teach my church that they maybe one, feed My church with the Word. My Church is weak and oppressed, many think they thrive but they know not My presence where they prostrate before Me.
Feed My poor, for many of My poor have My presence. Many of My poor know My face, yet they perish: they cry out to Me for mercy, but My church turns their face. My church does not heal; for My church has become a place of trade, a place of merchandise.
Purify My church that it may be fit for the Bridegroom, that it may be fit for the harvest.
Many of My ministers have been out of step with Me in this past church age, out of time with My Spirit. The religious spirit has so dominated the Charismatic body and left My church so complacent. Their faces are set like flint.
My church will not heed the voice of the system or the politics and manipulations of man or minister. They shall not need or require man’s favor or reward, for they are a strange and wonderful breed dedicated and holy unto Me. They are neither bribable nor corruptible. Their master is neither mammon nor fame, nor favor. But their master is the mighty Holy One of Israel. They shall come forth with a fierce countenance for they do not listen to the voice of man and they have been trained in the desert place and the wilderness. They have been raised on misunderstanding and rejection. They have walked being despised and passed over and have been measured by the judgments of man, many have been rejected by the churches, cast out and not sought after. But they will come forth and shine like gold for they can be bought by no man, no ministry, no pastor or elder.
They are Mine that were refined by fire, they hold only to Me. They speak only My words. They do only My deeds and they will raise their voices in judgment against the false systems of My church. And they shall raise their hand even as Elijah, and My signs and My judgments shall come forth. The fear and conviction of My Father shall fall upon them and they shall know that that they are His, His alone.
My hand be stayed against this disobedient generation of My church. Watch well and see this people, for I tell you that even at this hour they rise in your midst. Take care and discern correctly that you may not be found having despised these strange ones, they are the prophets of the Most High.
Western churches heed what lays ahead – the persecutions, the sufferings, the martyrdoms. You who have tended to shy away from the subject of suffering, teach the people to learn to walk equipped to endure. Only a few isolated territories of My people have suffered in My name. Their lives and the lives of their loved ones have truly been laid down for the sake of My Words. A time of suffering draws nigh unto you if you don’t change your ways. Embrace My ways. Take little stock in your reputation, but take great stock in Mine. Take little stock in your buildings, but take great stock in Mine. For My building is My people, and you have neglected My people. Yet My children are of infinite value to Me!
It is a privilege to suffer for My sake and for the sake of My Scriptures. For up until now many of you, called by Me, have paid the price for your call but now you shall learn to suffer for My Word, and it is a much higher thing to suffer than to
do great exploits. Gird yourselves up for war for what starts as satanic onslaughts in the spirit realm will swiftly cross into the realm of the natural. I tell you that where you now walk in peace and where you walk in freedom of speech, there is yet coming a time, there yet comes a season, where even to speak My name will bring such persecution that many of you - even those who are leaders - will count the cost and not endure.
Prepare your congregations as for war, for they have little endurance, they have not been taught to endure in hardship, they have not been taught to persevere. You have taught them to prosper, to eat the finest wheat and build your fine buildings, but you have fed them that which is milk, that which will not sustain them in these coming days.
Teach them to suffer hardships for My name’s sake, teach them to endure, that they might be of no reputation. They will not stand in the time to come, many of My people take stock in their possessions, in what they own, in what they posses. They will be found lacking, for I tell you, that there comes a release of wickedness, there comes a time of such darkness upon the church that all that is temporal shall in a day perish. Teach them to proclaim My name that will draw all men unto Me instead of themselves.
I weep for how far removed My church has grown from My true Word. How I weep for how far removed My church is from the message that My sent ones preached, but I tell you that a shaking comes. Many will count the cost, some shall even lose their lives for My name’s sake.
I am coming for a Body where each man and woman and son and daughter laid their life down for the proclamation of My word. Where the cost is counted and embraced that My name might be glorified, that all may be one, that to suffer for My sake is the pearl of great price.
My hand is removed from all of those who seek the signs, and wonders or the anointing. To those who alone seek only Me and not my gifts, it is to those whose lives are laid down for Me, to these beloved ones I shall pour My Spirit out upon them.
The pastors and the leaders shall weep and shall wail for the omissions and the failures of My ministers; for they have done those things that they ought not to have done. And they have omitted those things that were required of them. And this they have done in My name.
I am calling for a greater degree of holiness in this hour. I am calling for the greater degree of separation and of holiness and of consecration in this hour. That My church shall come out of the world and no longer be counted with her. For too long now, My Father’s House had been contaminated by the world! Many leaders are there by their own hand by manipulation, by unsanctified ambition chose to do it thier own way, not My way. You will be held accountable for the innocent blood you have shed. You did not mete out mercy and comfort of My Spirit to My little ones, to My sheep that have been rejected and cast aside by the body they term as the church today. This is the time of reckoning, a time of examination. A time to take stock, a time to call back those you have cast out of your midst and a time of account as I prepare to rain judgment on the church.
Turn away from your works, works that build your kingdom, works that glorify not Me but the empires you cling to so avidly. Turn away from the approval of men around you, the prosperity and the trappings that you voiced to be for the Kingdom but are merely to serve your own ends. Ministers have drawn men and women to themselves and have neglected to point them to Me.
Take heed you minister whose security rests with your database, your monthly letters, your fund-raising schemes and not with the Lord of Hosts, for I will shake and examine your motives. You have ignored My sheep and fawned upon those in your congregations with power and sway, leaving them oppressed, defenseless and ignored. Examine yourself, pastor, the Spirit issues a warning for I do not put stock in your aggressive building plans while My people are left weak, despised, oppressed and passed over in your congregations. My people are My buildings and the cries of My people have risen up to Me.
You have taught your people to sit as judges of the brethren. Their conversations have risen up to me and they are as a stench in My nostrils, and I will call them to account for I will no longer tolerate this! You have criticized My people as you have judged, but your judgments have been short-sighted, and they have been shallow judgments and your judgments shall rise up against you. You have pointed a finger at those you consider unworthy and of no repute. I tell you of idle words you have proved yourself unfaithful, for even though your ways and thoughts are cleverly disguised, your measures are the measures of man.
I see you feed on idle gossip and propagate it, in the name of prayer. I see you flatter, and then I watch you despise in your heart the hurting, the oppressed, the brokenhearted and the struggling to find their way to Me. Come down from that pedestal and repent that I may grant you a heart of flesh for your heart of stone. Your measures of judgment are not My measures. My measures of My sons and My daughters is upon the motive and intent of their hearts. You see in part but I see the whole picture, judgment is to be left up to Me!
My glory shall shine through these bruised ones, through these overlooked of righteousness, did I not say those of you without sin cast the first stone, have you found yourself pure? The spirit of ‘treachery’ is that most violent of all manifest against My people. Innocent blood has dripped from your hands in My name. It is better you had no knowledge of aught to do with My name than what you have done, for I will spewed you out of My mouth. My church has been so embroiled in self-righteousness that if one of
My children has cried for help in a area of failure, may times they have been ostracized, isolated and had their confidence betrayed. But I tell you that those little ones loved us and who have hungered for Our presence who have often been the most damaged in their past – and now you have allowed satan to use you to target the damaged places in their lives. Did you not know I love them? That I am at work in their lives? Do not cause more damage to what is already applied.
I see My church caught up not in things that count for eternity but so ensnared and entangled in the temporal things of this world’s system. It is the pride of life that keeps My ministers from entering into everything destined and ordained for them. Their treasures of brick and mortar and their programs and activities of ministry, but I say My heart grieves, for their heart is based upon the things that fade away, with the things that do not come from the Father but come from the world itself. You have your business programs and you teach your men to invest and to plan, and that is good, and it is beneficial. But as I pass by the congregations, I see each man uses his faith for his own, for his house and his car, for his stocks and his shares, for the finest. Take heed minister and teach your people, for My prosperity is a prosperity to bless the poor and the lame, to feed the Third World nations, and to help those less fortunate. The same stocks and shares that caused you such rejoicing and caused such an elitist spirit shall cause you to weep. And you shall weep and wail on the day of judgment on the monetary systems of this world.”
Pieced together from the ‘Unknown Prophet’
Feed My poor, for many of My poor have My presence. Many of My poor know My face, yet they perish: they cry out to Me for mercy, but My church turns their face. My church does not heal; for My church has become a place of trade, a place of merchandise.
Purify My church that it may be fit for the Bridegroom, that it may be fit for the harvest.
Many of My ministers have been out of step with Me in this past church age, out of time with My Spirit. The religious spirit has so dominated the Charismatic body and left My church so complacent. Their faces are set like flint.
My church will not heed the voice of the system or the politics and manipulations of man or minister. They shall not need or require man’s favor or reward, for they are a strange and wonderful breed dedicated and holy unto Me. They are neither bribable nor corruptible. Their master is neither mammon nor fame, nor favor. But their master is the mighty Holy One of Israel. They shall come forth with a fierce countenance for they do not listen to the voice of man and they have been trained in the desert place and the wilderness. They have been raised on misunderstanding and rejection. They have walked being despised and passed over and have been measured by the judgments of man, many have been rejected by the churches, cast out and not sought after. But they will come forth and shine like gold for they can be bought by no man, no ministry, no pastor or elder.
They are Mine that were refined by fire, they hold only to Me. They speak only My words. They do only My deeds and they will raise their voices in judgment against the false systems of My church. And they shall raise their hand even as Elijah, and My signs and My judgments shall come forth. The fear and conviction of My Father shall fall upon them and they shall know that that they are His, His alone.
My hand be stayed against this disobedient generation of My church. Watch well and see this people, for I tell you that even at this hour they rise in your midst. Take care and discern correctly that you may not be found having despised these strange ones, they are the prophets of the Most High.
Western churches heed what lays ahead – the persecutions, the sufferings, the martyrdoms. You who have tended to shy away from the subject of suffering, teach the people to learn to walk equipped to endure. Only a few isolated territories of My people have suffered in My name. Their lives and the lives of their loved ones have truly been laid down for the sake of My Words. A time of suffering draws nigh unto you if you don’t change your ways. Embrace My ways. Take little stock in your reputation, but take great stock in Mine. Take little stock in your buildings, but take great stock in Mine. For My building is My people, and you have neglected My people. Yet My children are of infinite value to Me!
It is a privilege to suffer for My sake and for the sake of My Scriptures. For up until now many of you, called by Me, have paid the price for your call but now you shall learn to suffer for My Word, and it is a much higher thing to suffer than to
do great exploits. Gird yourselves up for war for what starts as satanic onslaughts in the spirit realm will swiftly cross into the realm of the natural. I tell you that where you now walk in peace and where you walk in freedom of speech, there is yet coming a time, there yet comes a season, where even to speak My name will bring such persecution that many of you - even those who are leaders - will count the cost and not endure.
Prepare your congregations as for war, for they have little endurance, they have not been taught to endure in hardship, they have not been taught to persevere. You have taught them to prosper, to eat the finest wheat and build your fine buildings, but you have fed them that which is milk, that which will not sustain them in these coming days.
Teach them to suffer hardships for My name’s sake, teach them to endure, that they might be of no reputation. They will not stand in the time to come, many of My people take stock in their possessions, in what they own, in what they posses. They will be found lacking, for I tell you, that there comes a release of wickedness, there comes a time of such darkness upon the church that all that is temporal shall in a day perish. Teach them to proclaim My name that will draw all men unto Me instead of themselves.
I weep for how far removed My church has grown from My true Word. How I weep for how far removed My church is from the message that My sent ones preached, but I tell you that a shaking comes. Many will count the cost, some shall even lose their lives for My name’s sake.
I am coming for a Body where each man and woman and son and daughter laid their life down for the proclamation of My word. Where the cost is counted and embraced that My name might be glorified, that all may be one, that to suffer for My sake is the pearl of great price.
My hand is removed from all of those who seek the signs, and wonders or the anointing. To those who alone seek only Me and not my gifts, it is to those whose lives are laid down for Me, to these beloved ones I shall pour My Spirit out upon them.
The pastors and the leaders shall weep and shall wail for the omissions and the failures of My ministers; for they have done those things that they ought not to have done. And they have omitted those things that were required of them. And this they have done in My name.
I am calling for a greater degree of holiness in this hour. I am calling for the greater degree of separation and of holiness and of consecration in this hour. That My church shall come out of the world and no longer be counted with her. For too long now, My Father’s House had been contaminated by the world! Many leaders are there by their own hand by manipulation, by unsanctified ambition chose to do it thier own way, not My way. You will be held accountable for the innocent blood you have shed. You did not mete out mercy and comfort of My Spirit to My little ones, to My sheep that have been rejected and cast aside by the body they term as the church today. This is the time of reckoning, a time of examination. A time to take stock, a time to call back those you have cast out of your midst and a time of account as I prepare to rain judgment on the church.
Turn away from your works, works that build your kingdom, works that glorify not Me but the empires you cling to so avidly. Turn away from the approval of men around you, the prosperity and the trappings that you voiced to be for the Kingdom but are merely to serve your own ends. Ministers have drawn men and women to themselves and have neglected to point them to Me.
Take heed you minister whose security rests with your database, your monthly letters, your fund-raising schemes and not with the Lord of Hosts, for I will shake and examine your motives. You have ignored My sheep and fawned upon those in your congregations with power and sway, leaving them oppressed, defenseless and ignored. Examine yourself, pastor, the Spirit issues a warning for I do not put stock in your aggressive building plans while My people are left weak, despised, oppressed and passed over in your congregations. My people are My buildings and the cries of My people have risen up to Me.
You have taught your people to sit as judges of the brethren. Their conversations have risen up to me and they are as a stench in My nostrils, and I will call them to account for I will no longer tolerate this! You have criticized My people as you have judged, but your judgments have been short-sighted, and they have been shallow judgments and your judgments shall rise up against you. You have pointed a finger at those you consider unworthy and of no repute. I tell you of idle words you have proved yourself unfaithful, for even though your ways and thoughts are cleverly disguised, your measures are the measures of man.
I see you feed on idle gossip and propagate it, in the name of prayer. I see you flatter, and then I watch you despise in your heart the hurting, the oppressed, the brokenhearted and the struggling to find their way to Me. Come down from that pedestal and repent that I may grant you a heart of flesh for your heart of stone. Your measures of judgment are not My measures. My measures of My sons and My daughters is upon the motive and intent of their hearts. You see in part but I see the whole picture, judgment is to be left up to Me!
My glory shall shine through these bruised ones, through these overlooked of righteousness, did I not say those of you without sin cast the first stone, have you found yourself pure? The spirit of ‘treachery’ is that most violent of all manifest against My people. Innocent blood has dripped from your hands in My name. It is better you had no knowledge of aught to do with My name than what you have done, for I will spewed you out of My mouth. My church has been so embroiled in self-righteousness that if one of
My children has cried for help in a area of failure, may times they have been ostracized, isolated and had their confidence betrayed. But I tell you that those little ones loved us and who have hungered for Our presence who have often been the most damaged in their past – and now you have allowed satan to use you to target the damaged places in their lives. Did you not know I love them? That I am at work in their lives? Do not cause more damage to what is already applied.
I see My church caught up not in things that count for eternity but so ensnared and entangled in the temporal things of this world’s system. It is the pride of life that keeps My ministers from entering into everything destined and ordained for them. Their treasures of brick and mortar and their programs and activities of ministry, but I say My heart grieves, for their heart is based upon the things that fade away, with the things that do not come from the Father but come from the world itself. You have your business programs and you teach your men to invest and to plan, and that is good, and it is beneficial. But as I pass by the congregations, I see each man uses his faith for his own, for his house and his car, for his stocks and his shares, for the finest. Take heed minister and teach your people, for My prosperity is a prosperity to bless the poor and the lame, to feed the Third World nations, and to help those less fortunate. The same stocks and shares that caused you such rejoicing and caused such an elitist spirit shall cause you to weep. And you shall weep and wail on the day of judgment on the monetary systems of this world.”
Pieced together from the ‘Unknown Prophet’
Pearl Of Great Price
"The pearls of great price are those who seek Me, My presents not the signs and wonders. Ones whom holds Me more dear than their own ministries.
I will shake people like never before it is time for My conviction cross over the body. Separate from the world for you will get contaminated by it. Cleans yourself and My people, weeding out the wheat from the tier. Your tears and supplications shall rise to Me and My angels shall arise to the wars in the heavenly until My people will be called ‘the land of the Rison Son.’
A time of persecution will be coming upon you; it shall come swiftly after the season of grace and before the rule of iron has started. Persecution like you have never seen before is coming in your land! Prepare My people, for what you have whispered in secret shall be shouted out. But those who stand for Me unto death, these are the pearls of great price, laying down their own lives for My name sake.
I will find the ones who long for Me and we will manifest ourselves to them. I will grant them favor to speak and declare the Scriptures as never before. Yours is for the taking – will you step out in times of trouble for Me? Liken on to the woodpecker will you continue to peck away at the ignorance and disobedience of the people?
This is a wake up call to the stiff neck of My chosen people, and I am calling you to stand with them for My hand is still on them and the blinders will fall from their eyes. My Covenant with them is continued from generation to generation.
Michel has fought against the principles in defense of My people. My eyes are upon Israel and I call you to stand along side them.
Live as in peace but always be prepared for war, be in-season at all times. Keep inquiring of Me that I may hear your cries and prayers as I gather you into My arms like a hen gathers her chicks that I may truly be your Messiah.
Take heed and do not be found wanting.
The prophetic will bring around mercy as well as judgments, signs and wonders. Now is the time to seek great discernment as to what is spoken from Me and what was spoken from the false prophets. Whose kingdom are they serving? Look to your house and if it is found in ruin let your hands and heart be found in praise.
Look at My house is there buying and selling in My house? My heart breaks as I see what is happing that My house has been turned into a market place. Open your eyes and ears and do not be a part of it!
I am looking for the pearls of great price, ones who will not condone the system and the politics found there. How is it they have gotten strayed from the Scriptures and work for their own advantages and in their own territories?
I purge to cleans and prune that you can be found as the pearl of great price! My eyes run to and fro to those we shall reveal ourselves to. We seek worshipers in spirit and in truth. We seek those who hunger of Our fellowship. I will gather the pearls that are beyond value as a great treasure that is priceless".
Mortified from ‘The Journey of the Unknown Prophet’by Wendy Alec
Water Pollution
I divided the firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters to make room for mankind.
One of My first gifts to you was cool, clean water that covered over 70% of the earth’s surface and is a very important resource for My people and the environment. But you have ignored My gift and have taken it for granted.
You have polluted it by dumping your waist in it then tiring to fix it by adding chemicals.
Water pollution affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans all over this planet. This consequently harms human health and the natural environment.
Did you not know it housed many of My creatures?
Do you not care for other life forms I have created?
I made room for you and ignored to care!
All nature cries out to Me and I tell you the day will come when you will have to scrounge around for fresh water!
Why do you insist on learning appreciation the hard way?
I wish for the best for you and you take the least.
I chastise you because I love you.
Does not My word tell you about what happens to disobedient children.
Why do you keep challenging Me to raise My hand?
I am not only a loving Father but also a disciplining Father.
Repent and turn from your wicked ways and I will forgive you!
Take the time to appreciate and care for the gifts I have blessed you with and show holy fear and reverence of Me.
When you can’t find the time for reflection of My goodness towards you, you will not find the time for Me and judgment will fall.
Water is the basis of life and the survival of most of the planet’s species, including your own! There is but little time left My children, see the global warnings, for were you stand is from the chooses you make.
. Abba
One of My first gifts to you was cool, clean water that covered over 70% of the earth’s surface and is a very important resource for My people and the environment. But you have ignored My gift and have taken it for granted.
You have polluted it by dumping your waist in it then tiring to fix it by adding chemicals.
Water pollution affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans all over this planet. This consequently harms human health and the natural environment.
Did you not know it housed many of My creatures?
Do you not care for other life forms I have created?
I made room for you and ignored to care!
All nature cries out to Me and I tell you the day will come when you will have to scrounge around for fresh water!
Why do you insist on learning appreciation the hard way?
I wish for the best for you and you take the least.
I chastise you because I love you.
Does not My word tell you about what happens to disobedient children.
Why do you keep challenging Me to raise My hand?
I am not only a loving Father but also a disciplining Father.
Repent and turn from your wicked ways and I will forgive you!
Take the time to appreciate and care for the gifts I have blessed you with and show holy fear and reverence of Me.
When you can’t find the time for reflection of My goodness towards you, you will not find the time for Me and judgment will fall.
Water is the basis of life and the survival of most of the planet’s species, including your own! There is but little time left My children, see the global warnings, for were you stand is from the chooses you make.
. Abba
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