CHAPTER - 8
సాక్ష్యం 26.
MOSES, THE SERVANT OF GOD
The word "Moshe" is taken from Hebrew language. In English it is Moses which means 'drawn from water'. Until he reached the age of forty years, he was brought up in the royal family. Just at that time, he happened to go out of his palace, and came to know that he belonged to a Hebrew slave family and accidentally killed an Egyptian also, when no one was there. The next day, he went out and saw two Hebrews were quarrelling. He said to the man who was actually wrong "why do you strike your own fellow?" For that he replied in angry tone, "who made you ruler and judge over us?" and also added "do you mean to kill me as you killed an Egyptian?" Moses was afraid of the remarks made by a Hebrew and thought if that news would go to the notice of Pharaoh he might kill him.
Immediately, Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and went to the land of Median. He sat by the well of Median. Just at that time came to that well the seven daughters of Jethro a priest to draw water for their sheep. Those ladies some how liked Moses and took him to their house. He finally married Zipporah the eldest daughter of that Median priest. He got a son also and his name was Gershom. But Moses felt he was an alien in a foreign land.
It is said the middle life of a person would be between forty and sixty five years. Same is the case with Moses also. When people reach that age some cherished dreams become untrue. In a sense middle age is the foreteller of death and death is the ultimate close of doors. It is no wonder so many people at mid-life age begin a kind of fanatic grasping for life and fulfillment. In that middle age, it is really funny if a woman begins to dress like a teenaged girl. It is also the man of that age buying a new car and participate in car racing like a twenty year old man.
Every human being has middle life crisis. So Moses too had such problem in his middle age. He was born to a family of Jewish slaves and it was certain his life would be also the Moses, the Servant of God same because all his people were slaves for four hundred and thirty years. But only with the providence of God, he was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, when he was three months old. It was not an ordinary family that adopted him. But it was the family of king Pharaoh. He enjoyed the best of everything in that palace. But the Bible says 'there came a time when he had grown up'.
But the writer of Exodus did not say sufficiently, how much old Moses was, only in the later period, we found in the book of Acts "that Moses was forty years old" (Acts 7.23)
Moses went out of the palace to see what was happening to his ancestral people the Jews. Then he firmly decided to stay with them, as they were working as forced labourers. Moses was restless enough, to be susceptible to an idealism that had been buried for years. Moses in his earlier stage preoccupied with wealth and power, but in his mid life he began to wander and questioned himself, whether wealth and power were worth his life. If any one becomes a victim to his inner crisis and when he comes to the mid life, it is naturally a kind of uncontrollable period.
It is said, "Moses, God's law giver is dead or Moses, God's miracle worker is dead or Moses, God's statesman is dead, or Moses, the God's Judge of the Israel is dead" When God himself wrote the "Epitaph" of Moses he said "Moses my servant is dead" (Joshua
1.2). "And Moses was very faithful in all his house as a servant" (Hebrew 3.5). God's words to Joshua were very valuable to him. At the end of his life he called all the leaders of Israel and gave them all needful information regarding the administration. This was needed because many of them were worshipping heathen gods of the land from which 'Jehovah' had brought them.
God did not look for great Evangelists or preachers, or teachers or businessmen, but he looked for men and women who must be good servants. Whose lives would be like a clay in the potters hands, Moses had all required qualifications, and God fastened him for His own purposes. The first forty years of Moses life were spent at the backside of the desert and yet, they were not wasted years. He learnt discipline, how to obey to the elders. As God was going to select him for a purpose, he could have the necessary qualifications. The lesson he learnt was never diminished, during the wilderness, wanderings in the next 40 years. The spectacle Moses behind was the bush that was burning but not consuming.
The sanctity of the occasion was quite abnormal. Out of that burning bush, the voice of God was heard calling, "Moses! Moses! put off thy shoes, from off thy feet, for the place whomever thou standest is holy ground!! Here, we have a beautiful comparison. On one hand the bush was burning, but the flames were not consumed. On the other, the Hebrew race was enslaved in Egypt. The timing of the revelation was quite perfect. The Hebrews not yet became a nation and in this context Moses must have understood three basic facts.
Quest for the Living God
1)The people to whom God was sending Moses, wherein he would face the fiery burning
flames of affliction.
2)The Hebrews must be miraculously preserved.
3)God would speak out of that nation to the people of the world.
Moses was hesitating about his capabilities of great importance. So, he said who am I that I should go unto pharaoh that I should bring forth children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodies 3.11). But God knew about Moses and his worth and so He reprimanded him and said "I will be with thee' I have sent thee - Moses was to be a servant".
He called all the Hebrews and told them The God of your fathers sent me, His name is " I am that I am." The meaning of those words is God is self exist and He can provide everything that His children need. That was a noted departure of Israel from the Egyptian worship of many gods.
Among the Egyptian deities, "hhamam" was the god of "Nile's", "hapi" and "hegt" were the goddesses of frogs related to fertility. "Seb" was the god of earth, "alatchat" was the god of "fly", "serpia" was the god of the protector of the people from locusts. They had gods associated with bulls and cows, gods for healing, moon gods, agricultur gods and even Pharoah was worshipped as a god. So, to that kind of invironment, Moses was sent to bring the children of Israel to worship one true and living God.
The Polytheism of Egypt was defeated and that was the first thing God said to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. "Thou shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). The caravan that took the travel towards east from Egypt would take three roads to canaan. From the three the most direct road was the "via Moris" called "the way of the sea", the second route was called "the way of Sheer", which would cross the Sinai peninsula to Southern Canaan, and connect with the route that would go to north through Beersheba and Hebron to Jerusalem. The third route would cross the peninsula from the Gulf of Sueze to Ezion Geber located at the head of the gulf of Aqaba.
But Moses chose none of these routes because of too many people. He selected the way that led towards the sea of Reeds (Red Sea) crossing of the Sea of Reeds was a salvation to the Israel. We have to sympathise with king Pharoah, because he underestimated the capacity of Moses and the power of God. At the same time, he over estimated his power and followed Israel with 600 chariots and able charioteers, but the sea of Reeds swallowed all of them.
The Israel were quite safe on the other side of the sea, and understood the redeeming power of God. It is really interesting and more fascinating to note here for the first 2000 years of human history there are no references to singing anywhere in its scripture. Instead Moses, the Servant of God of in words, the Israelites expressed their gratitude by singing a song in praise of God. It was only the children of God, can sing such a song. It was the song of the soul "that is set free." The total number of men, women and children that came out of Egypt were estimated about (1.5 million). They were slaves and mixed multitude. They knew only immorality and idolatery of Egypt.
They did not know about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They had to be educated about the God that redeemed them. All these points made God to give them the Ten Commandments (meaning ten words in Hebrew) on the mount of Sinai. Those laws became the foundation of Israelis, moral, spiritual and social conditions. Since their liberation from Slavery God had been faithful to them; He guided them and provided them their needs. He even brought them to the threshold of the land of canaan.
But Moses pained much, when God told him, that he should not enter the promised land. The reason for that was, when God asked him to speak with the rock, so that, water would come out of it, Moses hit the rock hard twice. This incident made God angry with Moses.
Did that warrant God's harsh punishment? God was justified in punishing Moses, because the rock Moses hit hard twice was no other than Christ himself (1 Corinthians 10:4)
Moses through anger, as the Israel had irrelated him at every stage, and violated the divine symbolism.
Moses tried for all human beings in changing the direction of human history. Christ suffered only once for the sins of the world. His death was infinite, which will never be repeated. And Moses must have been due to anger violated the Divine Symbolism. His angry mood must have made him to strike at the rock twice. The result of that was God did not allow him to enter the promised land of his forefathers. Moses knew, that the Lord was a covenant keeping God.
But Moses reached the pinnacle in changing the direction of human history. He was frequently misunderstood and often abused. He died before reaching his dream. He proved his great love for his own people. He penned the first five books of the Old Testament. He was neither a president, a king, nor a military general, but only a humble servant of God. He knew the popular saying from Psalms."
I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my Lord (God) than to dwell in the tent of wilderness (Psalms 84:10).
Now it is quite evident Moses was a man of mountains. Mount Sinai and the mount Nebo were his climbed mountains. So he was a mountain of a man.
"What can we learn from the character of Moses?"
Quest for the Living God
It is our responsibility and privilege to be the servants of our eternal God - who was a creator and sustainner of the universe. Let us have the privilege of doing something for the glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
MOSES HAD FIVE EXCUSES
Moses had reached the pinnacle by his extraordinary performance of bringing the Israel from bondage in Egypt and for that wonderful work God called him "Moses is my servant." This achievement made him to remain in History as well as in the Bible as one of the top most characters. Inspite of all that he had five excuses in his character.
They are - (1) Identity, (2) Ignorance, (3) Unbelief, (4) Inadequate, (5) Non-availability.
Moses spent first 40 years as a prince in the royal palace of Pharaoh and the next 40 years with a Median priest Jethro. He married his eldest daughter also and spent his time in herding the sheep of Jethro his father-in-law.
One day while he was feeding the sheep in the wilderness, he saw a burning bush which was not common because the bushes sometimes catch fire by lightning strike of spontaneous combustion from extreme heat. But the most uncommon thing in this bush appeared to be burning but not consuming. This unusual sight made Moses curious to go to that place and find out what it might have been. The most significant thing from that bush was God happened to speak with Moses some important matter. But Moses had problem, he had five excuses.
1.His Identity:
To start with, Moses did not know who he was, except a shepherd-man. When he was asked to bring Israelites from Egypt who were in bondage, he said 'who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?" Forty years earlier every one knew who he was. He was a prince. He remained in the palace of Pharaoh first forty years. One day, he came out of the palace, killed an Egyptian by accident and fled from that place and spent his second forty years period with Jethro his father-in-law by feeding his sheep at the backside of the wilderness as a common man. But after killing the Egyptian he thought, he would be the deliverer of Israel from bondage. So when God asked him to go and meet Pharaoh to free Israel, he doubted his value and his ability. This feeling of inability prompted him to ask God, "Who am I to do such things?"
For that question, God answered, He was not bothered, who he was, but he would be with him. That was the main point of the burning bush which was not consuming. There is something special about the bush God wanted to show Moses, that any bush or instrument or person can be the supernatural when God is in it one must have confidence on one's own self regarding his abilities and values. That is the main point and it is no problem as Moses, the Servant of God long as God is with us.
2.His Ignorance:
First Moses had an identity problem "who am I" and next he had an ignorance problem. "Who are you?" If we look into the Biblical history God had been silent for 430 years, and Israel were exposed to many Gods in Egypt under such circumstances Moses was sent to them. He told them he was sent by their God. Immediately the Israel questioned Moses "which God?" So Moses requested God to show Himself to Israel "who He was." Ignorance is not a serious and difficult problem if we have a teachable spirit.
Then God responded to the request of Moses and revealed Himself, His identity to Moses by saying "I am that I am and I am that sent you to them" when God said "I am that I am" the answer to that expression is God, is anything and everything we need. The Lord continued to tell Moses, His saying "I am" means He would provide His people. We are lucky and fortunate enough as the God who spoke with Moses is the same God that He will speak with us also whenever we want. So, if we are in difficulties or problems this "I am" certainly would come to our rescue. The ignorance of Moses, regarding the power of God, can be forced on certain occasions in the Bible.
3.His Unbelief:
Moses said to God that the Israelites would not listen to him at all. This complaint against them showed that Moses did not have belief in the words, power and greatness of God. It is said even unbelief is not a problem to God if we are open and have a desire in our minds to believe. Then, so as to strengthen the faith of Moses, God happened to put a number of questions before him. One of his commands was to throw the "rod" to the ground so that it would become a snake and this incident strengthened the faith of Moses. When God asked him to change water into blood with the help of the rod, his faith was confirmed. Therefore, unbelief is not a problem to God, if we are openly responsive to the truth and God will build our faith.
4)His Inadequacy:
This inadequacy can be found in Moses when he had a speech about impediment. So, he felt inadequate. Who would listen and take seriously a man who suffered then and God responded with immense patience. In this connection we had again the incident of the burning bush with a reference to it God says "any old bush will do as long as I am in it".
But God told Moses, he would be always with him. So, his speech problem is no problem to God.
5.Non-Availability:
Quest for the Living God
This non-availability is sometimes an unexpectable thing that happens without our knowledge. Moses asked God to send some one instead of himself to Pharaoh to bring the Israelites to the promised land. The request of Moses made God angry. In the first four excuses God was patient enough. But when Moses said "I am not available" it made God angry.
God advised Moses to use his brother Aaron, but still Moses was given all responsibilities and he was the sole agent. God wanted to receive glory in Egypt through Moses. The only requirement God wants from us is our availability that means, we must be always ready to attend the command of God.
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సాక్ష్యం 27.
PROPHET NEHEMIAH
A LEADER FOR AGES
Nehemiah was called a leader, the right man at the right place and at the right time, who might be useful either to a group of people or to a nation. His services were badly needed in Judah, so he was called for that to help and guide people. The main help was construction of the wall around the city Jerusalem. He was also requested to mend the social and economic conditions of the nation.
Before going to the story, we must know the historical background of Judah. When Solomon was the king of Israel, the curse of God came upon him for his sins and the kingdom was divided into Northern Kingdom with 10 tribes and Southern Kingdom with two tribes. This division took place in 922 BC.
Then in 722 B.C. a vast area of the northern kingdom was captured by the Assyrians and many Israelites were taken from those places never to return.
The southern kingdom of Judah was also attacked by the king of Babylon and the people from Jerusalem and other places, were taken as exiles in three groups. In 606, the first group was taken. In 597, the second group and in 586 the third group. After about 50 years later a good number of exiled people returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel. He took the initiative for the reconstruction of the temple on the same foundation. But, there was some opposition for that among the Jews and only after 23 years, the contradiction was started. At that time Nehemiah was sent by the king of Medo-Persian empire. Again in 456 BC the second group of exiles returned to Jerusalem. This second group took the initiative for constructing to wall around the city of Jerusalem. But politically and spiritually there was none to take the responsibility. Added to that the returned exiles were facing some failures in their routine life and at every stage.
In such circumstances in 444 BC the Medo-Persian king Artaxerexes who was residing in his winter palace in Shushan happened to depute Nehemiah to Jerusalem to look after
Quest for the Living God the affairs. At that time Nehemiah was working under the Persian King. He was visited in the city by a group of people from Judah led by his brother Hanani. He immediately enquired about the returned exiles and the condition of Jerusalem. The remaining Israelites were also not happy. In addition to that the city wall was also broken into pieces and the gates were set on fire.
Nehemiah patiently heard the story of Jerusalem and wept for sometime. He continued mourning for some days, then fasted and finally prayed to God of Heaven. Nehemiah's zeal, his broken heartedness and enthusiasm, set for national repentance. Then he petitioned to the Lord with his humble prayer which was filled with depth, greatness and humility. His compassionate prayer was a master piece with intercession and confession. With intercession and confession, submission and solicitation he finished his prayer by asking God to grant him mercy in the presence of the King.
It was not recorded any where what had actually happened. But Nehemiah knows why a group of people came to him from Judah to see him. He was summoned by God for certain purpose, that is to be fulfilled by him only. He was a man of honour. He was the kings cup bearer. In the ancient days the position of a cup bearer was a lofty one. He would taste the food of the king also. Added to that the cup bearer must be a man of honesty and up-rightness. He was hundred percent honest and sincere in his work and character.
The pathetic news of the Holy City Jerusalem made him unhappy. In such helpless condition Nehemiah was deputed by God Himself to look into the affairs of Jerusalem. But he was an employee under the king of Persia as cup bearer. One day Nehemiah was found unhappy by the iing with down east face and looked sorrow. Immediately the king asked him the reason for his sorrow. He became bold and explained to the king the miserable condition of Jerusalem in full details.
Nehemiah prayed to God briefly before he answered to the king. He requested the permission of the king to go to Jerusalem in order to help the people there. After acquiring a few more details the king gave permission to his most faithful servant Nehemiah with the designation of Governor to Judah. So, he set off to Judah with some army and horse-men.
Now we are introduced to some knew faces who caused troubles to Nehemiah in every stage. They were Sanballat the 'Horonite' and Tobiah, the 'Ammonite'. They would later be joined by 'Yeshem' the 'Arabian', who heard that some one had come to rebuild Jerusalem, who made them extremely upset. Those three people seemed to be constant threat to Nehemiah's work.
Finally with the guidance of God Nehemiah arrived at Jerusalem and spent three days for thorough examination of the loss and damages done to the city. He took maximum care to supervising and assessing the condition. At the same time, he knew he was an outsider to Prophet Nehemiah - A Leader for Ages Jerusalem and to the people. So, he could not boldy say "I am God's man, listen to me". Instead of that he used his examination time also for prayer and formulated a specific plan to the people.
Nehemiah was ready after three days. First he wished to introduce himself to the people, and then encouraged them to build the wall. He assured Israel that the hand of God was upon him. He also said even the blessings of the heathen King of Persia and his moral support for rebuilding was there for Jerusalem. When the programme of rebuilding started the so called opposition members entered the fray. Samballat, Tobiah and Yesham laughed at them, stoned them even dispised them. Such hostility and discouragement was great concern. He realized about scaffers and rebuffs and told them "The God of Heaven, He will prosper us". With the blessing of God and with faith the first crisis was somehow averted.
It was certainly God's hand that prompted to take part in the construction of the wall and a good number of Israelites took part in it. Nehemiah was really commissioned for rebuilding of the wall. The Jews also participated in the work as they felt it their moral binding. It seemed the Jewish people who participated got inspiration from God.
The opposition parties came again followed by the army of Samaria and Sanballat associated with that. Unfortunately, it was not a small gathering. This time the "Modus Operande" was reduced. They said "What do these feeble Jews". The operation began rediculing them, and it seemed rediculing became fashion of the day and every servant of God must have to face that one day or other.
But Nehemiah did not like that kind of aggression or insult to go unchecked. Nehemiah looked at their looks, then at their faces and finally at the wall and prayed at God. He thought for a while, how to handle that kind of opposition and he came to a conclusion that such things could be "handled with prayer only". His opinion was that any problem could be solved through prayer and one could get the answer from Him. So, Nehemiah, leaders encouraged the builders of the wall, not to be afraid of the enemies, because God was with them and they should remember God. He reminded them time and again that God would fight on their behalf.
In such conditions, Israel suffered from plague and shortage of food. They borrowed money from Jewish brethren for high rate of interest. Nehemiah scolded the church members because they were not walking with God, because of the heathens that were with them, who were their enemies. His opinion was that if God was with Isreal (Judah) and with their minds, then all the selfish people with their motives would flee. He told the people that they had enough headache from the unbelievers, why because of our own grief.
Nehemiah's logic and influence was quite different. The people at last wholeheartedly rejected their injustice towards his noble task. Then he began to advise all the spiritual leaders as what they had to do and follow. He came to know that the people were harshly treated
Quest for the Living God by the previous Governors and troubled them also. But Nehemiah as the Governor of Judah did not want to tax like that because he feared God. Why he became so generous and gracious towards the people was due to his reference to God Almighty.
Now Nehemiah did something remarkable to the Jewish community. But with this his problems were not lessened. The construction of the wall completed. But the three enemies Sanballat, Tobiah and Yeshem started troubling him. The fiendish three were trying to use new kind of tactics on the Jewish Governor (Nehemiah). They had some croocked plan against him. They insulted him also and called him to meet them. But he replied, he was doing some useful work and so it was not possible to come. They threatened a good number of times. He did not surrender to their threats. He went on doing his work without caring them because God was with him and guiding him in his noble work.
Along with these enemies another person by name "Shemaiah" who did not open his mouth all those days came out suddenly. He called for Nehemiah to meet him in the Temple. We don't have any information bout him also, who he was. But it seemed he possessed some power even over the Governors. It is quite but natural the spiritual leaders had been put to suffering in all ages sometimes even by his own trusted people.
Nehemiah was doing his best to the Jewish community. He could complete the construction of the wall in 52 days. It appeared some business people were also supporting the opposition members like Tobiah. Nehemiah even received threatening letters. But he made sacrifices, cried and even prayed for the people. They in return instead of thanking Nehemiah and extending their hands they put him in troubles. So, he had to completely depend upon God for the solution.
The wall and gates were also completed and now the issue of security problem again they had. So Nehemiah appointed two persons for the security purpose. They were one was his brother Hananes and the second one was the ruler of the place "Hananiah". He was also faithful and God fearing man.
About his brother, we need not doubt, because he was his brother (Nehemiah) for honesty and sincerity. Then he picked up some more men to watch the city and to keep it always in guard. The church leaders were also going in wrong track because of the bad company they moved with.
In his routine work, the next step he wanted to take was to fill Jerusalem city with people because it had no population. And Nehemiah was very particular about the purity of the people. So he wished only Jewish race to be invited to the city, the descendants of Jewish ancestors. Some new buildings were constructed for spiritual activities among people. The leaders of the nation called the people to hear the law of Moses from Ezra who was a scribe and priest.
It is really surprising to note that the leaders were able to gather 50 thousand people at Prophet Nehemiah - A Leader for Ages a time and then Ezra the priest would stand on a high platform. First he thanked God for His blessings and then read out the law of Moses. The Israel could understand the solemnity of the moment and "bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground".
At the time of reading the law, Nehemiah graciously stepped aside and allowed Ezra to continue his work. As soon as it was done Nehemiah as the Governor would go to the platform and address the people. While addressing the Israel, he found some of them weeping. He thought they must have realized and repented for their long absence from God's kindness. But according to Nehemiah that day was a day to rejoice but not to weep. He also said "This day is Holy unto the Lord your God, mourn not, nor weep". He encouraged and asked the people to go and eat and enjoy. After encouraging and uplifting of Israel, Nehemiah became a "leader for the ages". Then gave them and to the world a verse for the ages "For the joy of the Lord is your strength." What a magnificent message for eternity?
The believers strength, hope, encouragement and consolidation were all derived from our joy of the Lord. We need nothing else. This inspiring proclamation of Nehemiah had resounded brilliantly through the corridors of time, encouraging and fortifying believers for centuries.
People gathered everyday and heard the Law of Moses. Further reading of the law books revealed "The Feast of Tabernacle" (or booths) was drawing nearer and Israel wanted to enjoy that holiday wholeheartedly and make the necessary preparations. To speak the truth, that celebration was a landmark in Israel's history, because since the days of Joshua, the son of a Nun, unto that day the children of Israel had not enjoyed such a function.
The gap was about 950 years. It was due to strong leadership of both Nehemiah and Ezra, who completely filled themselves to do according to the will of God. With that, they brought about an amazing accomplishment on His behalf.
Nehemiah had done wonderful things to his people as he was a master to do things according to the circumstances and he changed Israel a lot. Spiritually, one can say undoubtedly under the able leadership of Nehemiah, Israel were no doubt in extreme happiness. On 24th day of the month, being the day of festival - Israel gathered together this time with fasting - and with sack clothes and earth upon them. Then the people started mourning with action. Those who married foreigners have separated themselves. They believed that inter-marriages were a huge and destructive issue.
According to the book of law, the day would be divided into four parts, and each part allotted to certain work. The fourth part was allotted to confession and worship of the Lord their God. At the time of confession there were about eight Levitical priests, who performed their duty like controlling the gathering at the time of prayers. For them the prayers were 'fitting' chronicles of God's creation of the world selecting Israel as His people, then preserving
Quest for the Living God them in Egypt, giving of the law and sustaining them in the wilderness.
The Levites after the confession and prayer, recounted God's building of the people into a nation, only to have been into disobedience. After the wall was built, Jerusalem city looked more beautiful and ready for inhabitation. Nehemiah gave some more details about the settlement of the people. Then he gave a long list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And the name of Jerusalem was heard far and near Nehemiah really led his people from the depth of dispair into the heights of exaltation and that was a rare and wonderful moment.
It seemed Nehemiah lived in Jerusalem only for 12 years and did wonderful things to the city and left it for some time. But within a short time of his departure the old enemies took the control of the Temple. The Levites were not given their share, and everything was crumbled. Then Nehemiah came to know all this somehow. He returned to Jerusalem again and took charge of it and the Temple matters. First of all he removed Tabiah from his position. As a second step he made the rooms of the temple clean and purified. The third step, he started worship in the Temple. And the fourth step he reinstated the Levite priests. Nehemiah did not work for his name and fame, but to save Israel from falling into sin. He did everything to the best of his ability for betterment of Israel. and proved himself as the worthy leader for the second time.
During the absence of Nehemiah the Israel violated two things at some places. They did not observe the Sabbath day. They began to marry heathen women and given their daughters to them. Then Nehemiah told them that violation of Sabbath was nothing but destruction of Sabbath that would cause Israel for the judgement. He reminded Israel how their fathers were punished for their insincerity and violation of Laws.
He took oath from them that they would not give their daughters in marriage to heathens and marry their daughters for their sons. He finally advised them not to follow king Solomon regarding marriage to have many wives like him, which is called 'Polygamy'. To keep Israel in right track Nehemiah appointed extra priests and Levites to take care of them. So, Nehemiah stood not only as the supreme leader of Israel, at the right time and at the right place, but also he was "a leader for Ages."
సాక్ష్యం 28.
THE STORY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
In the days of king Herod, there was a priest in “Ein Karem” as small town four miles away from Jerusalem. His name was Zacharias of the course of Abias and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elisabeth. They were close relatives to Mary’s family. They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord and they were blameless. They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and they both were stricken now in years (Luke 1:5-7).
1.AN ASSIGNMENT FOR AGES
“They are two humble people;
they are two righteous people.”
Their hopes of ever getting children seemed to be an impossibility because of their age. They could never imagine that they had to play an important and most crucial role among the stories in the Bible as one of the unbelievable in the life of both of them.
At that time Herod became king of Judah appointed by the Roman authorities. It is said he was a very cruel king. But the faithfulness of both of them could be seen in their rich priestly heritage. At that time Israel was in a crossroads because the Greeks and Romans influence distributed the nations cultural existence. The Jewish nation was totally disturbed. There was the unimaginable growth of pagan population and increase in their influence. The Holy land had been occupied by the pagans. They might have spread their ethics and their gods. At the same time the Jewish religion was trying to maintain its unique character in the middle of heathen influence had splintered into conflicting and warning factors.
The Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes, all these were waging wars to win the hearts and souls of the Jewish people and each group was claiming to be the keeper of God’s truth. But the common Israel in the mean time were looking for nothing more than a genuine path to God, a way to worship Him in spirit and in truth. It was no doubt a crucial time that
Quest for the Living God the nation badly needed a spiritual deliverer.
According to prophesies, someone was coming and before His coming God would send a messenger and before the Lord would do that he must select the parents of that messenger and they were Zacharias and Elizabeth. They were going to receive Divine Assignment that would change the course of history.
2.DIVINE APPOINTMENT
When we are introduced to Zacharias we can immediately understand that he was the priest of the course of Abia (Abijah) in a small town of Ein Karem. During the reign of king David the priest were divided by him into 24 courses or divisions. And each division had to serve in the Temple for a week at a time and twice a year. The priests of Abijah were the eighth one (division: 1 Chronicles 24:10).
Next we are introduced to Zacharias wife who was of the daughters of Aaron and Aaron was the brother of Moses who was the first Priest. So, the couple was treated as the highest priesthood and the scripture tells us they wee the most righteous before God, walking in all commandments and ordinances of the Lord and above all they were blameless and it was called the outstanding couple. But they had a problem, the Bible says they had no child; because Elizabeth was a barren and both ewer now stricken in years.
Barrenness in Israel was a social scourge; people in those days were under the impression that barrenness was a sign of God’s judgment. But God had reason to withholding children from the couple. According to the Biblical story the time had come for Zacharias to perform priestly duties as he was chosen by many leaders to burn the incense (symbolic of the people’s prayers raising to heaven) which is the highest act a priest that can perform. That act would put him directly in front of the altar right side in the holy place of the temple. Then it must be noticed that God Himself would determine the lot, and it is He who appointed Zcharias to be at that place at the exact time.
3..DIVINE VISIT
It seemed the burning of incense was the high light of Zacharias ministry. But he could never imagine, what was going to happen to him. Just at that time, “And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord”. When we come across an angel our immediate reaction is as usual. There might not be much disturbance in our minds. But when Zacharias looked at the angel fear fell upon him. But the angel came with happy news that was really encouraging and glorious news.
Then the angel finally told Zacharias “they prayer is heard and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear a son and they shall call his name John.” What is the importance in this connection was the mention of the couple’s humble prayers. They were praying for a son and it is justified in the case of the ageing couple for their humble and constant prayers.. The Story of John the Baptist
The angel also told Zacharias that the child would bring joy and happiness not only to his parents but to many people in his birth. Thus he could have a special place among the children of Israel and he would become great in the sight of God. He would be filled with the Holy ghost from his birth. While growing he would turn many children of Israel towards God and make them ready for Gods kingdom.
4.DIVINE REPRIMAND
The Power of the message was s astonishing , so lofty, and so joyful that it appeared to be beyond belief for aged people like Zacharias. He was stumbled at the wonderful news He forgot that the message came from God through the angel called Gabriel. First he wrongly looked at his face then he particularly looked at the ageing body of his wife.
He questioned himself, “how can this be? We were old”. Actually it was the wrong question at the wrong time to the wrong being. And the angel while answering him, “I am Gabriel that stood in the presence of God and am sent to speak unto thee these glad tidings. Gabriel like Michael was the most prominent Angel who used to go with messages. The same angel was sent by God to Daniel the prophetic visions (Daniel 8:16: 9:21). The same Gabriel angel delivered (announced the message to Mary about the birth of Jesus Christ).
For his momentary lapse of faith in the message of God, Zacharias received a divine reprimand from Gabriel “and behold, thou shall be dumb and not able to speak until the day, that these things shall be performed because thou believeth not my words”. As far as wecan understand faithfulness has its own rewards and faithless ness has its own penalties. Even for the righteous men like Zacharias. As a result of his faithlessness Zacharias would remain not only mute but also deaf. For him this kind of dumbness is a punishment.
5.DIVINE SIGN.
Though Zacharias was doubtful earlier, he proved himself faithful for nine more months what all he was asked to do he observed that carefully. When the time has come for the action he did it wonderfully and improved the initial preparations so as to name his son John, but not Zacharias. Just at that moment he obeyed God and immediately his mouth opened and also his tongue loosed.
Now the story is well known to all the Bible readers. Zacharias had been questioned by the angel who made a great and wonderful praise and promise became true. Zacharias had to be freed from his infirmities and it was nothing but the work of God only. He and his wife understood that they were filled with joy. It was really a miracle done by God to his family.
Generally news of this importance would be spread easily towards the hill country of Judah and those who heard abut the family of Zacharias kept themselves in their hearts, by
Quest for the Living God saying what kind of child he must have been. After understanding all the events that occurred in the family all the attention of the people turned towards the child (John). He was the one the Lord wanted the people to focus on.
6.DIVINE CONCEPTION
Elisabeth’s conception should not be compared with Mary’s because Mary’s was the miracle of the highest order and therefore unique in all human history. But Elisabeth was the natural by product of a physical union with her blessed husband. However, the reality of her conception was the Lord’s work and it was miraculous. The child that was going to be born was God’s chosen messenger and the parents who would raise him up were God’s chosen special and blessed vessels.
Before we return to the narrative let us have a glance at the house of Zacharias and breaking the news to his wife. It was no doubt she experience a Gamut of enthusiasm from shock to joy, the doubt to worry, then back to joy again fun. Elisabeth conceived and hid herself five months. She whole heartedly prayed to God and thanked Him for that blessing.
7.DIVINE BIRTH
In Luke chapter 1 the story turns to Gabriels proclamation to Mary and then her visit to her cousin Elezabeth was important. When her neighbours heard abut her pregnancy, they talked among themselves how God showed mercy upon her and all rejoiced at this happy news. The couple’s age and no doubt their popularity made the birth a cause of great celebration and rejoicing. Even the Lord must have laughed at both Zacharias and Elizabeth for their happiness.
As Zacharias could not speak Elizabeth needed to take the initiative regarding the name and she made it clear the boy should be called John. But the leadership objected and looked for the confirmation from Zacharias. But the priest was deaf and dumb. Then they made some signs to him how his son should be called. For nine months he lived in a silent world. But still that was with the joy of God’s promises, love graciousness and abundant blessing. Immediately he requested for a tablet and wrote the name of his son as John.
8.DIVINE FEAR
Though he was doubtful and questioned himself first he was faithful for nine months. Whatever he was asked to do he did it with dignity and resolve. He did things so perfectly and told the priests that his sons’ name would be John but not Zacharias. At that very moment he obeyed God’s command, his mouth was opened immediately and his tongue loosed. God delivered him and kept His promise. The Story of John the Baptist
9.DIVINE DELIVERER
Now Zacharias was a changed man. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He started glorious discourses and even prophesied. His speech of adoration was marked by the common Jewish Messianic terms of redemption and salvation. As a priest he used to sing “blessed be the God of Israel, for He had visited and redeemed His people”.
When the Lord the God visited Israel we don’t have any authentic record or reference but according to Zacharias he must be referring to John’s birth as the actual beginning process of the magnificent work God was about to do; and also in Johns birth. But Zacharias had already seen the starting point of redemption work to occur in his mind soon.
The priest Zacharias had taken a Messianic turn, when he spoke of an horn of Salvation in the house of His servant David. It had been long ago prophesied that Messiah hood came from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10 and also 2nd Samuel 12:13). Zacharias now confirmed that the time of the final fulfillment was at hand. He confidently said his child (John) would not be the Messiah but the Messiah’s forerunner and his son would signify the fact that the Messiahs’ appearance was getting close.
It is very interesting to say Zacharias as prophesy was focused on Israelis physical salvation as opposed to spiritual salvation. He said through prophesy that Israel would be saved from the enemies and from all people that hate them. He also said, as they were delivered from the enemies, they might serve God without fear.
10.DIVINE MESSENGER
Zacharias now turned his attention towards his new born son and his words were wonderful. He said, “And thou child shall be called prophet of the highest, for thou shall go before the face of Lord to prepare His ways” This prophesy confirmed that John would be the fulfillment of the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness prepares ye the way of the Lord make strait in the desert a high way for our God.” This Messiah will come soon and John would be His messenger providing the way for His ministry (Malachi 3:1). And the same sentiment echoed “Behold, I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way for me.”
Zacharias now presented the significance of Jesus first coming to this world. Then the Messiah would give the knowledge of salvation unto His people for the remission of their sins. But it is not like that. The Messiah of His first coming would not overthrow the heathen government that was ruling Israel. Instead of that he would cleanse His people of their sin that infected their inner souls. Before dealing with the nation as a whole Jesus would deal with sin and purify His people from the inside out.
For the people see bountiful blessings would come. ”Through the tender mercy of our
Quest for the Living God God whereby the day spring from an high path visit us.” Again the Messiah’s first visit would be marked not by physical strength or brutal force. But by tenderness, mercy love and compassion. John would not be preparing the way for physical conqueror but for a spiritual one, who would battle with the powers of sin and death.
John was really the first one who proclaimed the coming of one who would give light to them that set in darkness, and in the shadow at death to guide us into the way of peace. The coming kingdom of God would be one of lights where the darkness of sin lifted. It would be lifted from all those who accepted His free gift of salvation, which was brought by Christ by shedding His blood.
11.DIVINE FULFILLMENT
In Luke we are told that the hand of the Lord was with Jesus. That was necessary for Him in order to prepare Him for the unique purpose for which He was born. The wonderful, at the same time the responsible assignment he was given was never given to any other person. It was only John alone who would be granted the task of preparing the way for the soon coming Messiah. The end of Luke chapter 1 puts an exclamation point on the early life of John.
The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit. He was wandering in the desert till the day of his showing himself to Israel. John’s childhood and early life were unusual close walk with God. It was a walk that saw the Lord till, John with the power of Holy Spirit.
John was just six month older than Jesus Christ, who was his cousin and we know Christ began His ministry at the age of thirty years. And he did His ministry only for three and half years. John left his parents and lived in the desert. His food was wild honey and locusts. His ministry was near the dead sea where the scrolls were found at the Qumran caves. God was in the heart of John and came to him in the wilderness. Then he moved into the country side near the river Jordan. There he preached about baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
The preaching of John was so powerful that the people who heard his speech took it for granted that he himself was the Messiah. With emotion he used to say “I indeed baptize you with water but one mightier than I cometh the lachet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose.” (Luke 3:16). John never thought of his glory but only his aim was to prepare the way of the One who would come after him deserved all the glory. In John the divine fulfillment of the great promise made thirty years earlier to Zacharias had been accomplished. The messenger (John) was assigned to prepare the way to the coming Messiah (Jesus Christ).