Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”

Choosing rather to suffer.

What a choice!  Who is so foolish as to choose suffering?  Could it be possible?

Suffering.  Since the fall of man into sin, suffering has been the portion of the human race.  Daily, man lives in the awareness that death is a lurking enemy.  Sickness and disease frequently interrupt his long laid down plans.  Accidental injuries frequently maim and disfigure.  Psychological suffering can mean experiencing the scorn and ridicule of even friends.  Who can begin to measure the suffering each of us has had to bear in our own lifetime.  And how would one measure it–what standard would we use?

All of us know from experience what it means to suffer.  God’s heavy hand has had its humbling effect on each of us.

Suffering?  Yes, but surely not by choice.  We do all in our power to avoid suffering at all cost.  Not one of us enjoys being sick, and surely we would not choose to be sick or to face any other form of suffering.

Yet here we read of Moses “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God.”

Moses had to make a decision.  He had two choices.

As the son of Pharaoh’s daughter by adoption, the whole land of Egypt was his for the asking.  Its riches were at his disposal.  Thoroughly versed in the wisdom of Egypt, and mighty in words and in deeds, a high and honorable office in the government was no doubt a distinct possibility.  No one in all Egypt had a future as bright as Moses.

On the other hand, he could return to the people of his parents.  A people who were afflicted by cruel taskmasters and forced to work for the Egyptians.  They were slaves, and suffered the oppression of slavery.  They were a people who were not about to follow the lead of an Egyptian prince.  When they saw Moses, they were probably envious of him and certainly suspicious of him.  So much so, that when Moses takes their part, they reject him and turn against him.

That’s the choice.  The pleasures, the honor, the glory of Egypt or the reproach of a despised and cruelly treated nation of slaves.

Humanly speaking, the decision was a foregone conclusion.  No one in his right mind would reject the Egyptian connection.  And to even consider choosing the  Hebrew alternative surely bordered on insanity.

And yet, Moses does exactly this.  Moses’ choice is the choice of faith.  By faith he chose to suffer affliction with God’s people.  Faith makes such an unseemly choice possible.

The man of faith is indeed a very strange man.  He’s a man who is moved by God’s grace to make the proper choice.  It doesn’t make sense.  But when faith–which is a gift of God–is active, it doesn’t have to make sense.  This faith values the friendship of God above all else.  This faith will bring into subjection all of life to the service of Him who gives it.

The man of faith has a different value system.  At the top, and of greatest importance, appears the name of our God.  Second on the list is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Thirdly, we have our fellow saints in the world.  Here we have the Grand Triumvirate of the Covenant.  The man of faith counts it all joy to suffer for the sake of God, his son Jesus Christ, and fellow saints.

Moses saw with eyes of faith beyond the present reproach and affliction of Israel.  He was given eyes to see the glories of God’s kingdom–a kingdom far greater than that of Egypt.

The choice was the choice of faith.

Moses’ choice must be our choice today.  We live in a world of luxuries.  The danger is real.  We can so easily be distracted by our desires for these material goods that we make unwise choices.  But, like Moses, we must choose the despised way, the way of God’s kingdom.  Because, like Moses, we must see that the reproach we bear as followers of Christ is far greater than the treasures we can lay up for ourselves in (modern-day) Egypt.

John Kalsbeek

The historical account given us of Joseph is filled with pathos.

He is led by God in the paths of righteousness, but those paths indeed included much sorrow and woe.  He is hated of his brothers and sold by them into slavery.  To be cast into slavery was a cruel blow, but the knowledge that his own brothers did must have been almost unbearable.

As a type of Christ he, like Christ, came unto his own, and his own received him not.  Rather, they sold him into a life of bondage.

He was unjustly condemned to life as a prisoner on the word of a jealous, vindictive, godless woman.  Things seemed to be improving.  But in the matter of a few hours, events go from bad to worse.  There seems to be no rhyme or reason for this turn of events.

As a type of Christ, he too, was, despised and rejected of men.  Joseph, too, was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.  Patiently he bore the trials and afflictions sent to him by a loving God.

Through it all, the dreams of his youth must have been called back to his memory and been a sense of comfort to him.  God was working out His purpose, and that purpose was the good of Joseph, the good of his brothers, the good of his father, and the good of God’s covenant.

Joseph didn’t understand but he did trust that God was for him, and not against him.  God in the deep way of trouble is preparing Joseph for the important work of ruling over the mighty country of Egypt and of bringing about the confession of sin and repentance of his brothers.

As Christ was first among his brethren and was the way of salvation for his people, so Joseph was first among the sons of Jacob and led them out of the deep morass of sin into which they had fallen.

As Christ loved his own even unto death, even so Joseph the type loved his brethren and sought their spiritual welfare.

Joseph’s seemingly cruel treatment of his brothers was rather an act of tenderest love.  Vindictive?  A seeker of vengeance?  Then why did he flee from their presence to weep and cry for them?  A cruel monster determined to get revenge?  Then why did his bowels yearn for them?  Instead, Joseph is an instrument used by God to bring his brothers to the knowledge and confession of their sin.  For seventeen years their lives must have been conscience-stricken.  God gave them no peace.  Just the mention of Egypt causes them to look at one another in such a way that Jacob wonders what is going on.  When Joseph talks roughly to them they all think back to that terrible sin they committed years before.  God has given them no peace.  And now Joseph their brother is about to take that heavy burden from off them.

It was love that moved Joseph.  It was love that made him turn from them and weep.  It was love that put their money back in their sacks.  It was love, not revenge that governed all of Joseph’s actions toward his brothers.

Rough sandpaper makes a smooth surface.  When God uses rough sandpaper on us, we must not pray that he will change it for smooth silk and soft satin.

When we are led in ways of hardship and trial, God is using His sandpaper to smooth out our lives.  God has His purpose in each of our lives.  When He leads us into difficulties, pray that we may patiently endure and also grow spiritually in truth and righteousness.

The paths of righteousness also include hardships, sorrows, affliction, rejection, and bitter depression, besides the joy and happiness, peace and comfort also given to God’s people.

Let us remember that both the good and the (seemingly) bad work for our salvation.

John Kalsbeek

Genesis 37:18-20, 23-27 “And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.  And they said one to another, Behold this dreamer cometh.  Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams….And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.  And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.  And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?  Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh.  And his brethren were content.”

Proverbs 11:17 “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”

Sometimes acts of cruelty are carried out by one person against another, but usually it’s an act of a group over against a single, defenseless person.  Such was the case in a particular instance during my teaching career.  On the school bus, four students passed notes  to a fifth student, calling her names.  From what I was able to determine, she had done nothing deserving of this treatment.  And even if she had, cruelty is never permissible or acceptable.

According to the Websters New Collegiate Dictionary, the word “cruel” means “Disposed to give pain to others; inhuman; merciless.”

Sometimes, to give pain and suffering results in good.  A doctor may, in an operation, cause his patient much suffering, but the end result is for the well-being of the patient.  Such treatment, though in a sense merciless, is not cruel.  Sometimes a parent may have to wield the rod of discipline to cause physical pain to his child.  But again, the motive is to purify the child and cast out the evil.  In such cases, the pain and suffering is a result of the love of the parent for the child.

Acts of cruelty, however, are never motivated by love, but always arise out of anger, wrath, hatred, envy, and jealousy.

Such was the case with Joseph’s ten older brothers.  Because their father was determined to give Joseph the birthright and plainly favored him over and above themselves, they were envious and jealous.  And because Joseph revealed himself to be more spiritually-minded than themselves, they hated him and could not speak a civil word to him.  The sons of Leah despised him because his father preferred him above their brother Reuben, who they though should receive the birthright and blessing.  The sons of Bilhah and Zilpah hated him because Joseph told his father about the evil things they did. (see verse 2 of Genesis 37)  And finally, all of them were jealous because he had received dreams and they had not (verse 11).

The results were an urge to hurt their brother and to kill him.  And now the opportunity came for them to vent their wrath and anger.  Joseph, the object of their hatred, was coming, blissfully unaware of their intentions.  Some were of a mind to slay him, but cooler heads suggested instead that they cast him into a pit.  Later, he was sold as a slave to a passing band of Ishmaelites.  Now to cover their cruel actions, they lied to Jacob their father and deceived him so that he though Joseph was killed by a wild beast.

Cruelty is a weapon often used by the wicked, but it is also sometimes used by God’s people.  Because of the depravity of their natures, they, too, use cruel devices out of hatred for others.

We often say that “children can be so cruel.”  And there is a lot of truth in that statement.  But grown-ups, too, are often cruel–and they should know better.

I believe almost every sin against someone else is an act of cruelty.  Every time we gossip and backbite, we are being cruel to an unknowing victim.  Every time we lie to protect our own interests and someone else receives the blame, we are being cruel.  It’s not just that torturing, or persecuting, or killing someone is cruel.  Cruelty is also found and seen in name calling, ostracizing others, and evil words.

We and our children need to be constantly and repeatedly warned against being cruel to each other.

The Bible tells us that “he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” (Prov. 11:17)  Such was the case with Joseph’s ten brothers.  For some ten to fifteen years, they were troubled with the consequences of their cruelty.  Day after day, year after year, they observed the deep sorrow of their father, Jacob.  Their consciences were repeatedly pushed to the quick.  Finally, after unknowingly meeting Joseph, the ruler of Egypt, and experiencing his apparent wrath and cruelty, they openly admit to each other, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother” (Gen. 42:21).

And so it is to all who use the weapon of cruelty.  God troubles them.  They lose their sleep at night.  They are restless and discontent.  God no longer favors them with the blessings of peace.

John Kalsbeek

Genesis 32: 9-12 and 24-30: “And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred; and I will deal well with thee:  I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.  Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.  And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. … And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.  And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.  And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh.  And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.  And he said unto him, What is thy name?  And he said, Jacob.  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men and hast prevailed.  And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name?  And he blessed him there.  And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have see God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

God in scripture has told us a great deal about the life of His servant Jacob.  There are many incidents in the life of Jacob that we could profitably consider for devotional purposes.  It would no doubt be possible to prepare a whole series of devotions pertaining to the life of Jacob.

Though such a series is possible and would no doubt be profitable, I’d like to direct your attention to but one incident in Jacob’s long and illustrious life.  That is that period in his life when he wrestles with God on the banks of the brook Jabbok.

Three words stand out and strike our attention: alone, wrestling, and blessing.

Jacob is alone.  His wife, children, servants, flocks, and herds have passed over the stream.  Jacob is alone with his fears of his brother Esau who is coming to meet him with 400 armed men.

Earlier, he had unburdened himself in prayer and begged God to deliver him.  But he didn’t have much confidence that God had heard him, and if He did, that He would deliver him.  For Jacob had decided to try to appease Esau with presents and to divide his family into segments in case there was a need to escape.

Alone at night–in the darkness–a time of meditation, devotion, self-examination.

Sleep, the blessed sleep of the righteous, has fled from him.  A guilt-ridden conscience, agonized groans and sighs, hot tears of anguish are Jacob’s portion on this fear-filled night.

Alone, but not alone.  Someone else is there.  Someone whose presence provides a foretaste of heaven.  Someone who can be trusted.  Someone who cares.  Someone able to deliver.  Someone able to bless.

Jacob had prayed the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous man and now that prayer was to be answered with a wrestling match.

Jacob’s mind is in a turmoil.  His past behavior, his past deeds and actions are paraded before his seared conscience.  The wrestling is both physical and spiritual.

God wrestles with Jacob to teach what a poor, worthless, despicable creature he’s been throughout his whole life.  He had always relied on his own cunning and craftiness, on his own strength.  He buys a birthright that was already his for the price of a bowl of soup.  He takes advantage of an aged, blind father and through deceit gains the blessing that God had promised him before he was even born.

The wrestling continues through the night.  Neither gains the upper hand.  But then as streaks of light on the eastern horizon announce the new day, Jacob’s strength is taken away.  A touch by the stranger makes him a cripple for life.  It was a touch that also affected Jacob’s heart.  Jacob is changed.  Jacob is brought to his knees and now instead of fighting, he wraps his arms around his adversary in a death-lock grip, and refuses to let go.  In that moment, he realizes who he is fighting.  He becomes aware that his prayer is answered.  He need not be afraid–God will deliver him from Esau.  Clinging to God, he asks for and receives a blessing.

All of God’s people, ourselves included, are wrestlers like Jacob.  God exercises us with various kinds of conflicts and difficulties.  He forces us again and again to consider carefully our life and walk so that we see how worthless we are.  By nature we wrestle against God every day when we sin against Him and violate His just and righteous laws.  By nature we set up our own earthly goals.  We have our own materialistic aspirations.  Often times these are contrary to our calling to live a life of sanctification.

We too need the touch of God that opens our eyes to see things in the spiritual light of His Word.  Through His work in our lives we, too, are changed. Instead of contending against God, we now contend with Him and for Him.

John Kalsbeek

What a remarkable woman Rebekah was.  Certainly she was a prime example of the virtuous woman held up for our reverent gaze by Lemuel in Proverbs 31.

She was industrious–going for water herself instead of sending a servant.  She was polite–addressing Abraham’s servant, a complete stranger, as “lord.”  She was gracious, quickly giving him the drink he asked for.  She was self-sacrificing, drawing large amounts of water to quench the thirst of his ten camels.  (How much could ten thirsty camels drink?  Twenty-five gallons each?)

She was lively–running to do the work and not at all dragging her feet.

If the daughters of Zion today need an example to guide them – and they do – Rebekah should be at the top of the list.

And her mother and her brother asked her, “Wilt thou go with this man?”  And Rebekah answered and said, “I will go.”

What a world of meaning is contained in these three little words.  Does Rebekah really know what she is saying?

“I will go” means that she will go to a strange land a great distance away with strangers–a man and his servants she has known for less than one day–to marry a man who is a stranger to her.

“I will go” means that she will leave behind her father and her mother and her siblings and her friends.  She can never expect to see them again.  She will leave behind any plans or aspirations she may have had.

At a moment’s notice, her “I will go” will bring unknown and drastic changes to her life.

She will go and learn to love a man she has never seen or met.

Her “I will go” includes future implications.  She is willing to become a mother of the covenant.  Her “I will go” means that the promised seed will be born.

How is it possible for such a young maiden to give such an answer?  Does she really know what she says?

I think the answer is “no,” she really didn’t understand all the implications of her response.

But that really didn’t matter to her.  She had heard the Lord speak to her through the lips of Eliezer.  She had listened attentively to his amazing message and heard God’s call to her.  Years earlier her Uncle Abraham had heard a similar call and had obediently left all behind.  Now the call had come to her.  She could in no way disregard that call.  It was plain–she had to go to Canaan.  With implicit faith in God that He knows what’s best for her, she will go.  Her “I will go” is the speech of obedience to God’s will for her.

When I considered the complete submission of Rebekah to the Lord’s will, I could not help myself from thinking about another mother in Israel, Mary, the mother of our Lord.  After Gabriel gave her the message that she should “conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus” she responded “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”  Oh, the blessedness of their “I will go’s.”

The Old Testament is the time of types and shadows.  I don’t recall anywhere in the Old Testament where a woman is a type of Christ; but Rebekah’s “I will go” certainly prefigures in a sense the response of Christ himself–her descendant–to His calling.  Christ said “I will go.”  I will go the way of the cross and bear the hellish torment meant for my people.  I will go my Father’s will to do.  I will die the accursed death of the cross in order to redeem those given me by the Father.

And what about us?  How often is our response, “I will go” or “I will do” thy will, O Lord?  Are we ready to give up everything for the sake of Christ?  Are we really so eager to see Christ come again on the clouds to call us to Himself?  As teachers, are we ready to be servants of God and to serve Him by serving His covenant seed and each other?  Or are our goals selfish goals to serve selfish ends?  Selfishness on the part of Rebekah, Mary, and Christ would have disqualified them.

By grace, we too, when He calls us, say “I will go.”  And we go because He irresistibly draws us with cords of tender love.

John Kalsbeek

Gen. 26:17-31 “And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.  And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.  And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.  And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is our’s: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.  And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.  And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.  And he went up from thence to Beer-sheba.  And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with they, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.  And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.  Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.  And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?  And they said, We saw certainly that the Lord was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the Lord.  And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.  And they arose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.”

What do we learn about Isaac’s character as it is revealed to us in his relationship with Abimelech and the Philistines?

Is he a weak personality or a strong one?

From a human point of view one might be inclined to think that he was not a spiritually strong person.  He does not seem to stand firm in the faith.  He utters not one word of protest when Abimelech violates the covenant he (or probably his father) made with Abraham in Genesis 21:30-32.  Isaac appears to be submissive–not one to always demand his rights; willing to yield ground before the injustice of the wicked.

And yet, could not these apparent weaknesses be just the opposite?

His patient suffering at the hands of the Philistines makes Isaac a type of Christ who was “reviled and reviled not again.”  He, like Christ, but in a little different way, was led as a lamb to the slaughter and opened not his mouth.  He was oppressed and he was afflicted and uttered not a word of protest.

Not once in all of his troubles with Abimelech did Isaac meet violence with violence.  The naming of the two wells later stopped up by the Philistines shows us that he was not insensible to the wrongdoing.  The name of the first, “Esek,” means “to strive.”  The name of hte second, “Sitrah,” means “adversary.”

Instead of striking out in holy anger, he takes his injury patiently and leaves the scene of strife.

He could have demanded his rights and no doubt backed it up with force since even Abimelech is forced to acknowledge that “thou art mightier than we.” (vs. 16)  But, no, Isaac backs away.  He will not engage with the wicked in warfare for the possession of the earth.

He allows himself to be despitefully used and in the end receives vindication and God’s blessing.

Later Abimelech and a couple of his mighty men surprise Isaac with a visit.  They make no apologies for past behavior.  Rather, they cover up and try to claim kindness in their past dealings with Isaac.  They come to Isaac to make a covenant with him.  They desire peace with the man who has always shown himself peaceful.

Isaac is a person of remarkable gentleness, a most lovable and patient saint.  He is of the meek who inherit the earth.  His forbearance and restraint are, humanly speaking, unnatural.

This outward apparent weakness in Isaac is really the strength to endure patiently the bitter experiences that come ultimately from the hand of a loving God and Father.

I’m ashamed to admit it, but I find little of Isaac’s character in myself.  How quickly I can take offense.  How readily I defend my own honor.

And when I look upon my students how few of them are Isaacs.  How few of them can patiently endure the reproach of others.  How many of them will back off and retreat from strife rather than lash out with worlds or knuckle sandwiches?

This is an aspect of Isaac’s character often ignored and unstressed.  We dwell on his sins and conveniently pass over his patience and meekness, his forbearance and his restraint.

Here is an Isaac we ought to pay attention to.  Here is an Isaac that all too often puts us to shame.  Here is an Isaac worthy to be our example.

John Kalsbeek

Genesis 19:12-17 “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou any here besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:  For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.  And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said,  Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city.  But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.  And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.  And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; and the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.  And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.”

II Peter 2:6-9a “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the ungodly out of temptations…”

When we go through the list of saints in Hebrews 11 we are not surprised to find Lot’s name missing from this cloud of witnesses.

Those listed in Hebrews 11 are examples we should emulate and follow.  Lot, referred to by Peter as “just Lot,” however, is an example of the type of life that we should avoid.

In the passage above, his whole character is summarized in two little words–”he lingered.”  Let us consider Lot and his ways and be wise.

“Lot was a true believer, a real child of God, a converted person, a justified soul, a righteous man.” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, pg. 93)  Peter calls him a righteous man.  Lot was vexed by the wickedness he saw in Sodom.  It grieved him; it pained him.  This grief at the sight of sin was because he had the grace of God in his heart.  ”He vexed his soul from day to day.”  He didn’t become insensitive to sin, as so often happens.

But we read the amazing and astounding words “he lingered.”  He knew the awful wickedness of the city, yet “he lingered.”  He knew that awful judgment was about to destroy Sodom, yet “he lingered.”  Lot believed the angels for he hurried to warn his sons-in-law and still “he lingered.”  He heard the urgent voices of the angels, “Arise, take thy wife and thy two daughters which are here, lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city,” and still he refused to hurry.

It seems incredible.  ”He was slow when he should have been quick, backward instead of forward, loitering rather than hurrying, cold when he should have been hot.” (Ryle, 94)  Strange behavior for a righteous man.

How often are we not like righteous Lot?  We believe in heaven but how strongly do we yearn for it?  We experience the comforts of this world and would like to stay awhile to enjoy them.  We know the truth and have it, but often times are hesitant to take a stand for it.  We know we have a calling to be pleasing before God but are more concerned about pleasing our friends and acquaintances.  We know it’s our duty to live righteous lives but are reluctant to give up besetting sins, whether they be pride, sloth, selfishness, ill-temper, complaining, etc.

We are so often brothers and sisters of Lot.  We linger in our sins.  We prefer the dregs of an empty cup rather than the joys of a full cup.  Such lingering destroys happiness.  Such lingering makes inner peace impossible.

Why is it that righteous Lot lingered?  Surely he knew better.  Why is it that we so often find ourselves in the family of Lot?  Surely we know better.

One reason for Lot lingering was that he had made a wrong choice early in life.  When Abraham gave him a choice as to where he would live and feed his flocks and herds, he chose the rich plains of Sodom and Gomorrah.  The land was rich and suited his needs–no matter that the people living there were exceedingly wicked.  It was a bad beginning.  He thought of worldly profit and forgot about the solemn business of the life to come.

At first he pitched his tent toward Sodom, but soon we find him actually living in Sodom.  He had no good cause or reason for living there.  His flocks were scattered abroad in the countryside.  That’s where he should have been.  He made bad choices.

We have this scriptural account of Lot’s choices as a warning to ourselves.

We are admonished to seek first the kingdom of heaven.  Only when we do this will we thrive spiritually and be at peace with God.

Lot’s lingering did no good for anyone.  The inhabitants of Sodom all died.  His wife became a pillar of salt.  His family was lost.  His posterity became the enemies of the church.

And scripture draws a veil across his later years.  His was no doubt a gloomy deathbed.  Lingering behaviors reap what they sow.  In heaven–no doubt.  But by weakness and tears, darkness and storm, without peace, but saved as by fire.

John Kalsbeek

I Peter 3:1-6 “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God a great price.  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:  Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”

In our day and age I cannot think of a more important idea to drill into the minds and hearts of the daughters of the covenant than that of being godly wives and mothers.

The church needs women who are willing to devote themselves entirely to their husbands and children.

To be a virtuous wife and mother is a high and lofty calling that comes from God Himself.

The world in its foolishness tries its hardest to denigrate the woman’s rightful place.  To be a wife and to have children is scorned and ridiculed by many women today.  The National Organization for Women (NOW) is a very vocal advocate for women’s rights to have abortions, to rule and have authority over men, to carry on homosexual relationships, etc.

The daughters of a queenly race that we sing about in Psalter 393 are constantly bombarded with the evil philosophy of the ungodly.  Women’s lib ideas encourage them to become career girls, to seek a life wrapped up in themselves.

Over against this let us as parents and teachers direct then to the godly examples of the Sarahs, the Rebeccas, the Ruths in Scripture.  This can and should be done already at an early age.  Speak out for the godly wife and mother whenever possible, whenever the opportunity arises.  This in my mind cannot be overdone.

In the church of Christ men and women are equals.  Paul speaks of the fact that men and women are fellow heirs of the grace of life.  Salvation puts men and women in the church on an equal basis.  Women, too, are believers.  They, too, have the anointing of the Spirit.

But on this earth, in order that there might be an orderly society, God put man in a position of authority and the woman in a subservient position.  To have two heads just wouldn’t work.  That does not make man better than the woman.

To be a wife and mother in Israel is a noble and exalted calling.  Prof. Hanko in his little pamphlet on Pheobe writes, “and I speak to you now from the depths of my heart–there has got to be a special place in heaven for godly and pious and virtuous mothers, who are content to take that place which God has given them in their homes…”  It is, I think, a work that man cannot do.  I marvel at the patience of my wife as she deals with our children.

Sarah as the wife of Abraham submits to God’s ordinances in her submission to her husband.  Sarah seeks her satisfaction in obedience to the command to submit herself wholly and completely to her husband.  In the passage we read, she is held up as a paragon of virtue in that she “obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.”  When Abraham was called to leave the Chaldees, she willingly traveled with him to a strange land.  When the three strangers came to Abraham, she received his guests and “entertained angels unawares.”

By occupying her rightful position she exalted the dignity of the woman.  She puts that position on its highest and noblest plane.

In I Peter 3 wives are admonished to follow the example of Sarah.

When the godly mothers in the church today follow the example of Sarah there  are tremendous benefits which the church and our schools receive.  The strength of the church often rests in the strength and godly piety of its mothers.

Let’s impress upon the covenant children entrusted to our care the wonderful calling and position God has given mothers in the church.  For someday, in the not too distant future, they will be the mothers of God’s covenant seed.

John Kalsbeek

Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith, according to the writer of Hebrews, regards not present things or things of this life but things to come.  Faith is the act of laying hold on God’s promises, God’s works, God’s blessings, as they are revealed in His word. Faith is the foundation of hope.

Faith is the spiritual bond of living fellowship with our God.  Faith is the certain knowledge and trust in God and a hearty confidence that God knows what’s best for me.  By faith the child of God believes God’s promises and submits to His will.  Faith is the exclusive possession of the child of God because God works this faith only in His people.

Now Abraham was a man of faith.  Throughout his entire life he manifested that living faith.

Because of his faith, he obeyed God and traveled to a faraway unknown land to which God called him.  It was a land that he in his generations would receive as an inheritance.  Abraham believed that God’s promise would come true.  He believed that God would not only give him the land but that God would also give him children to inherit the land of promise.  And above and beyond the earthly, physical land of Canaan, Abraham “desired a better country, that is, an heavenly,” of which the earthly was but a picture.

Abraham shows his faith in his dealings with his nephew Lot.  When Satan disrupts their peaceful co-existence in the land of Canaan, it’s Abraham who suggests separation.  He gives Lot the opportunity to choose the region he wants, even though the promise was that the whole land would become the inheritance of his seed.  He trusted that God would bring about His promise even with Lot in the land.

Again, Abraham’s faith is demonstrated for us in the offering up of his son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah.  He offered up Isaac believing that God would somehow or other raise him up again.  Up until that time it had never happened that anyone had ever arisen from the dead.  And yet, Abraham’s faith, on the evidence of things not seen, accounted “that God was able to raise him (Isaac) up, even from the dead.”

As strong as Abraham’s faith was, it comes as somewhat of a surprise when we see in a couple of instances his lack of faith.

How could it be that Abraham would leave the land of promise because of a famine?  How could he possibly dishonor his wife, Sarah, and himself by denying that she was his wife, and thus allow her to be taken in to the house of a stranger?  And then, to think that he did this not only once, but twice! How could he even consider giving God a helping hand in taking Hagar to wife, and in that way bring forth the promised seed?

The glaring incongruities in Abraham’s life and walk show to us the sinful nature that often plays a dominant part in our own life.  He that thinks he stands must beware lest he fall.  These same incongruities plague my life and yours.  At times our faith is strong and at other time times it is very weak. There are times when we are swept along on the fair winds of faith and trust and other times when we are are caught in the doldrums of sin.  Abraham’s life in very truth is in many ways a picture of our own lives.

Let us then live by faith, embrace the promises, and walk as pilgrims and strangers on this earth.

May the life of faith we live be a living testimony to our students here at school.  May we being living witnesses of the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.

John Kalsbeek

Genesis 6:1-8 “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.  And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.  There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.  And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Over against the awesome darkness of sin in the days before the flood we have this brilliant flash of light–”but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Sin had reached the zenith of its power.  Satan seemed to be in control.  Wickedness was so great that God was determined to destroy man and every beast that He had created.  He was sorry that He had made them.

“But.”  And what a big “but” this is.  There is one redeeming quality that helps to determine God’s further action.  It’s a “but” that seemingly moderates God’s judgment.  Because of this “but” God will not destroy man and beast completely.  Because of this “but” He will save some of those who deserve to die.  Because of that “but” God throughout the ages of time, even to the end of time, save for His name’s honor and glory a people to Himself.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”  What was true of Noah is true of every child of God.  Each has “found grace.”  Was Noah more deserving of this grace than all the others who lived before the flood?  Certainly not.  Are we more deserving than the masses steeped in sin today?  Certainly not.  Grace–God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense–is meted out at His discretion according to His sovereign good pleasure.  ”It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.” (Romans 9:16)

The child of God finds grace in the eyes of the Lord all the days of his life.  But there are special times when this grace is more apparent in our lives, more needed and more blessed.

One of these times is in times of distress, affliction, and loneliness.

Noah, the preacher of righteousness, lived at a time when wickedness abounded.  He and the few believers who remained no doubt suffered ridicule and scorn.  They were hated for Christ’s sake.  The future of God’s church look very bleak indeed.  At that moment, Noah “found grace.”  Didn’t he have it before?  Yes he did.  But in a special way Noah found this grace at this time.  At this particular moment in history God picked Noah out for special treatment.  Noah and his family would not be destroyed by would be saved.

All of us can recall to mind certain times in our lives when this wonderful grace of our God was more real to us.  When I spent weeks in the hospital, and when my mother was killed in an automobile smashup were special moments in my life.  God brings upon us these afflictions and distresses so that He can also make known to us the wonder of His grace.

Another occasion when this grace is found more abundantly is at a time when we confess sin and receive the Lord’s forgiveness.

Noah was a man “subject to like passions as we are.”  Later in his life “the preacher of righteousness” indulged in some intemperate behavior.  He drank too much wine and became a drunken sot–dishonoring the temple of the Lord, and thus the Lord Himself.

We too, if we are not careful to live holy lives, can very easily fall into the sin of intemperate living.  Maybe it’s not wine and alcoholic beverages, but there are many other ways to commit the same sin.  We can be intemperate in the way we redeem the time.  We can waste time.  We can use it frivolously for selfish reasons.  We can live intemperately by overextending ourselves financially, or by gratifying our every desire and whim to the exclusion sometimes of God’s causes.  We can do this in our recreational activities.  So many times and in so many ways we find ourselves overindulging and living intemperately.

But here, too, we find grace.  It’s God’s grace that convicts us of our sin and brings about confession.  But for the grace of God, we would be no different from the wicked destined for eternal damnation.

John Kalsbeek