Study of David- The Wages of Sin Part 2:

David, Bathsheba & Uriah-

And it came to pass, 

after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle,

that David sent Joab, 

and his servants with him, and all Israel; 

and they destroyed the children of Ammon,

and besieged Rabbah.

-But David tarried still at Jerusalem. 

"You start on the path of sin when you neglect duty. David was in more danger in Jerusalem than with his army on the battlefield. He laid aside armor."

Ephesians 6:11-13

Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.

The Evil Day-

James 1:14

Continued-

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, 

that David arose from off his bed,

and walked upon the roof of the king's house: 

Question-

Walked upon the roof of his house, Why?

"Yea, though I walk through the valley (roof top) of the shadow of death..."

Psalms 23:4

"Behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat."

Luke 22:31

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

1 Peter 5:8

Continued-

and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; 

and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 

"He allowed his eyes to wander..."

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." 

Matthew 5:27, 28

Continued-

"And David sent messengers, and took her."

Took/Take:

-to get into one's hold or possession by voluntary action:

"to take a cigarette out of a box; to take a pen and begin to write."

-to hold, grasp, or grip: 

"to take a book in one's hand; to take a child by the hand."

-to get into one's hands, possession, control, etc., by force or artifice: 

"to take a bone from a snarling dog."

-to seize or capture: 

"to take an enemy town; to take a prisoner."

Continued-

and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; 

for she was purified from her uncleanness: 

Purified-

•to free from guilt or evil.

•to clear or purge.

•to make clean for ceremonial or ritual use.

Cleansed-

•to make clean.

to remove by or as if by cleaning: 

"to cleanse sin from the soul."

She would not be cleansing herself of impurities if she had not known it was not pure.

She recognized her sin- and attempted to rid of it herself. 

How come she did not cry out to God?

Confess her sin?

Ask for forgiveness?

Repent?

She was guilty!

Q) Who can wash away my sins?

A) "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus."

(NKJV) "for she was cleansed from her impurity." 

(ASV) "for she was purified from her uncleanness"

(NET) "Now at that time she was in the process of purifying herself from her menstrual uncleanness."

- I do not believe this translation:

-If an egg is fertilized by a sperm, pregnancy begins...

...If egg is not fertilized by a sperm, the menstruation cycle begins.

-The egg is developing in the ovary during the cycle-hence; the mature egg can only be fertilized after leaving the ovary.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cycle

Example of immaculate conception (Mary was a virgin):

"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: 

and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David."

Luke 1:30-32

God is sovereign- He is in control:

-For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 

-But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, 

and he of the freewoman through promise.

Galatians 4:22, 23 

-As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird— No birth, no pregnancy, and no conception! 

Hosea 9:11

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

"When I was made in secret" 

Psalms 139:15

-Then, when desire has conceived,

 it gives birth to sin; 

and sin, when it is full-grown, 

brings forth death.

 James 1:15

Continued-

and she returned unto her house. 

2 Samuel 11:1, 2, 4

"...and lust took over."

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

James 1:12-17 

Continued-

2 Samuel 11:3 

So David sent someone to inquire about the woman. 

The messenger said, "Isn't this 

•Bathsheba, 

•the daughter of Eliam, 

•the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"

Inquire:

to seek information by questioning; ask: 

"to inquire about a person."

-David sent and inquired about the woman (3a)

-The wife of Uriah (3b)

David sent messengers- Why?

A) Disobedience:

"Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, 

that his heart turn not away."

Deuteronomy 17:17

-Polygamy:

the practice or condition of having more than one spouse, especially wife, at one time. 

Exodus 20:14 

"You shall not commit adultery.

17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. 

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Proverbs 9:17

"Stolen waters are sweet, and food obtained in secret is pleasant!"

To be continued...

Study of David- The Family of David Part 1:

The Family of David-

Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron;

•the firstborn Amnon,

 of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

•the second Daniel,

 of Abigail the Carmelitess: 

•The third, Absalom 

the son of Maachah 

the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: •the fourth, Adonijah 

the son of Haggith:

•The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: 

•the sixth, Ithream

by Eglah his wife. 

These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: 

and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.

And these were born unto him in Jerusalem;

Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath–shua the daughter of Ammiel:

Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.

 These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister. (1 Chronicles 3:1-9 KJV)

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ-

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,

which was the son of Heli,

Which was the son of Matthat,

which was the son of Levi,

which was the son of Melchi, 

which was the son of Janna,

which was the son of Joseph,

Which was the son of Mattathias, 

which was the son of Amos, 

which was the son of Naum, 

which was the son of Esli, 

which was the son of Naggai, 

Which was the son of Maath, 

which was the son of Mattathias, 

which was the son of Semei, 

which was the son of Joseph,

which was the son of Juda, 

Which was the son of Joanna, 

which was the son of Rhesa,

which was the son of Zorobabel,

which was the son of Salathiel, 

which was the son of Neri, 

Which was the son of Melchi, 

which was the son of Addi,

which was the son of Cosam, 

which was the son of Elmodam, 

which was the son of Er, 

Which was the son of Jose, 

which was the son of Eliezer, 

which was the son of Jorim, 

which was the son of Matthat, 

which was the son of Levi,

Which was the son of Simeon, 

which was the son of Juda, 

which was the son of Joseph, 

which was the son of Jonan, 

which was the son of Eliakim, 

Which was the son of Melea,

which was the son of Menan,

which was the son of Mattatha, 

which was the son of Nathan, 

*which was the son of David, 

Which was the son of Jesse,

which was the son of Obed, 

which was the son of Booz, 

which was the son of Salmon,

which was the son of Naasson, 

Which was the son of Aminadab, 

which was the son of Aram,

which was the son of Esrom, 

which was the son of Phares, 

which was the son of Juda, 

Which was the son of Jacob, 

which was the son of Isaac, 

which was the son of Abraham, 

which was the son of Thara, 

which was the son of Nachor, 

Which was the son of Saruch,

which was the son of Ragau, 

which was the son of Phalec, 

which was the son of Heber, 

which was the son of Sala, 

Which was the son of Cainan, 

which was the son of Arphaxad, 

which was the son of Shem, 

which was the son of Noe, 

which was the son of Lamech, 

Which was the son of Mathusala, 

which was the son of Enoch, 

which was the son of Jared, 

which was the son of Maleleel, 

which was the son of Cainan, 

Which was the son of Enos, 

which was the son of Seth, 

which was the son of Adam, 

which was the son of God.

(Luke 3:23-38 KJV)

History- 

The Genealogy (23-38), is Mary's- whose Father was Heli. 

Joseph was not the biological Father of Jesus, though others assumed that:

-Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. (John 1:45 KJV)

-And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? (John 6:42 KJV)

The Genealogy of Joseph is found in Matthew 1.

The Living Sacrifice- Part 1:

II Corinthians 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

He became the very nature of our sinful flesh upon that cross. Suffering a slow death to fulfill the will of a loving Father who longed to be at peace with us and reconciled with His very creation. 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." 
John 3:16-18

God has planned the best for all of us; The lost would be found. Jesus became that sinner who never sinned. He had become weak (fragile) in His flesh because He was bearing the burden of our sin. His strength was not of His own- and that very strength (God) left (forsaken) Him, so that He could feel affected and conscious of that sin. 

He was crushed & broken- 
Isaiah 53:4-5, 7, 10:
Surely [He HAS borne OUR griefs And carried OUR sorrows]; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He WAS [wounded] for OUR transgressions, He WAS [bruised] for OUR iniquities; [The chastisement] for OUR peace was upon Him, And [by His stripes] WE ARE healed. He WAS [oppressed] and He WAS [afflicted], Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to [the slaughter], And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to [bruise Him]; He has put Him to grief. 
[When You make His soul an offering for sin], *He shall see His seed, *He shall prolong His days, And *the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

He who knew absolutely NO sin, was accused of sin (sin that never even existed in Him) and began to carry the burden and weight that was not of His own. Jesus took the punishment for us. 
Imagine Atlas carrying the world upon his shoulders. Now view Jesus doing this...
Never sinning- ALL the temptation weighing (Pressuring Him, never giving in) on Him & The sins of the world placed on Him. Heavy load, is it not?
He can sympathize with us- but we can not emphasize with Him. For He drank of our judgement & suffered for us.

Can you imagine being perfect (never sinning) and then suddenly enduring a penalty as if you had lived imperfectly?

Another way of seeing this is looking at a "Super Hero" & watching him fight crime with no powers. He would inevitably become vulnerable.

When we sin or willfully sin- Does not that guilt weigh heavy or destroy your conscience?
When we give into sin, we feel guilty! Immediately we ask for forgiveness! Jesus did not need to seek forgiveness from the Father. 

To ponder Jesus' death and consider dying knowing you had no guilty conscience of your own (He was always obedient), but to have one's (the elected saved souls to come) iniquity placed upon you. To feel guilty without guilt; to know sin, without sinning; to feel wrath upon you as if you were the wicked one...

Proverbs 24:10 NKJV
If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

Jesus may have appeared weak/faint, hanging on that tree to those who put Him there, but The Father put Him there to save the very one's who crucified Him. It was the Father's power that delivered strength to Jesus that led Him there to it. If you have the strength of God- you are no longer weak! For He strengthens you where it lacks; in your flesh.

Questions:
Can you imagine how much our sin must weigh? 
Can you imagine how heavy the entire sin of humankind that existed then (past time) and that would exist (present and future), would weigh?

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

"My burden" is light 
vs. 
"Our burden" was heavy
We can take upon His burden in exchange for eternal life.

He drank from the cup of suffering. 
It's no wonder our sin has been thrown into the sea- that it may swallow it and be no more.

Isaiah 43:25- “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.
Micah 7:19- He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.
Hebrews 8:12- For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Could you image the pressure of temptation, But imagine it in a way where you were incapable of giving into it?

Matthew 4:1-11 NKJV
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Taking the place of Barabbas: 
Will continue into Chapter 2 of "The living sacrifice."

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. (Psalms 3:1-8 KJV)

The Word of God- History of Hearts: Part 2

The Word of God- History Part 2: "The Hardened History of Hearts"

*Miraculous signs for Pharaoh: Exodus 4

*The First Encounter with Pharaoh: Exodus 5

*Israel's Deliverance Assured: 

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel,

"I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: 

and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 

And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which [I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage]: I am the Lord." 

And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: 

but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, 

"Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?"

Exodus 6:6-9, 12

*The Ten Plagues: 

Exodus 7:14-12:30

1) Waters became blood- 7:22 "Pharaoh's heart grew hard"

2) Frogs- 8:15 "He hardened his heart"

3) Lice- 8:19 "Pharaoh's heart grew hard"

4) Flies- 8:32 "Pharaoh hardened his heart"

5) Livestock Diseased- 9:7 "But the heart of Pharaoh became hard"

6) Boils- 9:12 "The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh"

7) Hail- 9:34,35 "He hardened his heart, 

So the heart of Pharaoh was hard."

8) Locusts- 10:20 "But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart"

9) Darkness- 10:27 "But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart"

10) Death of the first born- 

"And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said."

"All God has to do to harden Pharaoh's heart, or to harden our heart, is to withhold His own Grace." 

- R.C. Sproul

"Today if you hear His voice..." Do not harden your heart! Great Grace has fallen upon your ears- Freely receive it! - Jem

Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: While it is said, "To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."

Hebrews 3:8, 15

Continued-

•take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.

•the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, "We be all dead men."

•And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses.

•And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. 

•And they spoiled the Egyptians. 

•And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 

-Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 

•And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.

* It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt:

* this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. 

Exodus 12:31-37, 40-42

Hard hearts throughout scripture in the New Testament:

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Matthew 13:14-15 

For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

Mark 6:52 

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, 

"Why doth this generation seek after a sign?"

*verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, 

"Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? 

perceive ye not yet, neither understand? 

have ye your heart yet hardened? 

Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?" 

Mark 8:12, 17, 18

Old Testament- 

*bitter waters made sweet *bread from heaven

*water from the rock Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-37; 17:1-7

*the Lord sends quail 

Num. 11:31-35

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Ephesians 4:18

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their [conscience seared with a hot iron].

1 Timothy 4:1, 2

"Now, I hold no man's faith to be sure faith unless he knows what he believes."

- Charles Spurgeon 

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may *hear when I speak with thee, and *believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord."

Exodus 19:9

To be continued...

The Word Of God- History Part 1:

"He brought us out... That He might bring us in... -Deuteronomy 6:23

Confirmation-

*Promises to Abram:

" I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing." Genesis 12

*God's Covenant with Abram:

"After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." Genesis 15

*Abraham's Faith Confirmed:

God did tempt Abraham- And he said, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 

By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 

That in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; 

and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

[because thou hast obeyed my voice]." Genesis 22

*The previous Command to enter Canaan:

These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab. And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the Lord had given him in commandment unto them; On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying, Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.

Deuteronomy 1:1, 3, 5, 8

vs. 1- "These are The Words"

Note:

The 11 day journey took 38 years, 8 months and 20 days.

-Long Term Rebellion (Refusal to believe God).

*Josiah Reigns in Judah:

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. 

*Hilkiah Finds The Book of The Law:

And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan (the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam), the scribe, to the house of the Lord, saying, 

"Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:

And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord : 

and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the Lord, to repair the breaches of the house, Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house."

Howbeit [there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.]

*Dealt Faithfully verses Unfaithfully:

"This he said (Judas), not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."

"For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor." John 12:6; 13:29

-Continued

And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe,

"I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord." 

And [Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it].

And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said,

"Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord." 

And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, "Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book."

And [Shaphan read it before the king.] And it came to pass, when [the king had *heard the words of the book of the law], that he rent his clothes. 

"Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, [concerning the words of this book that is found]: for great is [the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book], to do according unto all that which is written concerning us." 2 Kings 22:1-11, 13

To be continued...

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8 KJV)

The Living Sacrifice- Part 2:

Isaiah 53:10

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

The crowd chooses Barabbas:

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 

Prisoner-

1. A person held in custody, captivity, or a condition of forcible restraint, especially while on trial or serving a prison sentence.

2. One deprived of freedom of expression or action

"For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles." Ephesians 3:1

"Since these children are people with physical bodies, Jesus himself became like them. He did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil."

Hebrews 2:14

"Freedom"

Freedom to Sin or Freedom from Sin?!?

Freedom to struggle or struggling to be Free? 

Freedom in Christ or Freedom in Choice?

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Galatians 5:1 

And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 

So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them,

“Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 

For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, 

"Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 

The governor again said to them, 

“Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”

And they said,

“Barabbas.” 

Pilate said to them, 

“Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” 

They all said,

“Let him be crucified!” 

And he said,

“Why, what evil has he done?”

But they shouted all the more,

“Let him be crucified!” 

Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9; 11:29

Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified:

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying,

“I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 

And all the people answered,

“His blood be on us and on our children!” 

Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. 

-Pilate ended up condemning an innocent Man and releasing a guilty man. Jesus took his place on the cross. 

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Peter 2:24-25 KJV)

The crucifixion:

As they went out, they found a man of *Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 

(Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to *Cyrene and visitors from Rome-Acts 2:10)

Research:

"The prisoner then usually had to carry the horizontal beam (patibulum in Latin) to the place of execution, not necessarily the whole cross. Crucifixion was typically carried out by specialized teams, consisting of a commanding centurion and four soldiers. When it was done in an established place of execution, the vertical beam (stipes) was sometimes permanently embedded in the ground."

http://www.thenazareneway.com/details_history_of_crucifixion.htm

Simon of Cyrene and The Cross:

-Questions-

Was Simon of Cyrene in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover?

Or to fulfill a Will and to carry The Lamb of God's cross?

Was he converted? 

Did Simon lead his sons to faith in Christ?

"And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross." Mk. 15:21

Carried our sorrows- Isaiah 53:4

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:34-37 KJV)

-Furthur study in scripture pertaining to "Simon of Cyrene"

Acts 6:9; 11:20, 26; Luke 22:26; Romans 16:13

Definition: The word crucifixion comes from the Latin "crucifixio," or "crucifixus," meaning "fixed to a cross."

The Romans chastisement of crucifixion wasn't exercised by the Jews. The Jewish people distinguished crucifixion as one of the ultimate gruesome customs of death (Deuteronomy 21:23). 

The Romans used this approach of punishment as a system of jurisdiction and predomination over society.

"Leave out the cross, and you have killed the religion of Jesus. Atonement by the blood of Jesus is not an arm of Christian truth; it is the heart of it."

- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

God is Sovereign- Satan attacks Job's character: Part 2

The character of Job:

"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil."
vs. 1

So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.
vs.5

Romans 12:1---
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 
vs. 8

The Lord Himself speaks of Job His servant- "There is none like him on the earth."
What a marvelous statement! The Lord's servant Job being supported by his God with such high esteem toward him. What great characteristics Job has! The Lords confidence in Job is astounding. What a honor to have the Lord refer to you this way. 

Question:

Now if we were able to hear of something like this from the Lord, do you not believe we may begin to become egotistical a bit? 
Thinking to highly of ourselves?
Boasting of oneself?
Do we sometimes let the praises of others, feed our prideful hearts and minds?

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord , and Satan also came among them. 
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered *My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have *blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has [is] in *your power; only *do not lay a hand on his person. ”
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord .
Job 1:6-12

*My servant- This is such a wonderful reminder of who's children we are! He speaks of Job as "His servant" and Job is a faithful servant. A call of obedience and Job was obedient- "even unto death." 
Matthew 26:38---
"My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death."
(Type of Jesus?) 

Consider Satan tempts Jesus-
(Mt. 4:1-11)

Romans 14:4, 7-8---The Law of Liberty:
Who are you to judge another’s servant? 
To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 
Romans 15:1, 3-4---Bearing others' burdens:
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 
For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
I John 4:4- The Spirit of Truth and The Spirit of Error:
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

God [is] ALL KNOWING:
Psalms 139:1, 4-5, 11, 14, 23-24

O Lord , [You have searched me and known me.]
For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord , [You know it altogether.]
You have [hedged] me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 
If I say, 
[“Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”] Even the night shall be light about me; [I will praise You], for I am [fearfully] and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works, 
And that my soul [knows] very well. Search me, O God, and know my heart; ["Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting."] 

vs. 23-24 Try me...
That is exactly what God did to Job; He tried him!

Loving God under trials:
James 1:12-18

Qualities needed in trials: 
vs. 19-20

To be continued- 
"Job Loses..." Job 1:13-22