- Numbers 35:33-34
INTRODUCTION
The world is consumed with “saving the earth.” They have multiple
plans to purify the water, the air, the ground, the food, etc.
Unfortunately, they are ignorant of the green plan laid out in the
Bible. According to scripture, the land is polluted from the shedding of
blood. The Bible says in Numbers 35:33
that “blood . . . defileth the land.” This is not just any blood but
refers to the innocent blood shed by the hands of man or beast that has
not been properly avenged. All the innocent blood (babies, children, and
adults) pollutes a land and the land cannot be cleansed “but by the
blood of him that shed it” (Numbers 35:33). While men are concerned about the earth for selfish reasons, God concerns Himself with a particular defiling of the land (Numbers 35:34).
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): God hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16-17). It must be taken care of or the land becomes polluted (Psalm 106:38). God told men what to do even if the murderer was not known. The land still had to be cleansed (Deuteronomy 21:1-9).
- (For everyone): Read Genesis 4:10. What did the Lord tell Cain concerning the blood of Abel? How would that same truth be applicable in the world today? Read Revelation 6:10. What will God do in the future in order to avenge the blood of His martyrs?
- How is God’s green plan much more important than the world’s plans? Which one is going to be the demise of our planet?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Beg God to turn the heads toward God of those who would murder.
- Ask the Lord to help us better cleanse the land of blood.
- Psalm 127:3
INTRODUCTION
Far too often, the world views children as a burden. In fact, some
parents of larger families have been questioned for their strange or
foolish behaviour in birthing so many children into the world. God,
however, views children differently from that of the world. To the Lord,
children are a blessing. They are a reward given by God (Psalm 127:3) and are “as arrows in the hand of a mighty man” (Psalm 127:4).
Today, couples are made to feel ashamed for having larger families, but
the scriptures teach otherwise. Instead of shame for having children,
the Bible says, “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them” (Psalm 127:5).
Not only would this man experience personal happiness, but he would
gain such respect that he could “speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:5).
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): Psalm 128 says a man that fears the Lord will be happy. He will be blessed with lots of children. In Psalm 128:3, a fruitful vine is one that grows much fruit and olive plants have many branches. Jesus loved children (Mark 10:13-16).
- (For everyone): Has God allowed you to have any children? If
so, how do you view those children? Would they perceive that you view
them as a blessing or as a burden?
- Take some time to do a Bible study and see how many large
families you can find. What are some things these families have in
common? How did those families perceive children?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Thank God for the children in your life.
- Ask God to give you a proper perspective on children.
-Exodus 1:15-22
INTRODUCTION
The children of Israel were a thorn in the flesh to their Egyptian
masters. With each increase in affliction by the Egyptians, the
Israelites multiplied and grew stronger. In an effort to change this
pattern, Pharaoh demanded that the midwives kill all the Hebrew male
children at the time of birth. Yet the midwives feared God so they
refused to obey the command. What would have been the outcome had the
midwives simply obeyed Pharaoh and killed all the newborn males? We know
one thing that would have resulted. The next chapter of Exodus tells of
the birth of a baby boy. His parents hid him until he could no longer
be hid and finally had to be released into the care of Almighty God.
According to Pharaoh’s decree, this boy should have been killed. His
name was Moses (see Exodus 2:1-4).
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): Wicked king Herod had all the children two
years old and under in Bethlehem and all the coasts slain. He hoped to
kill the "King of the Jews" whom the wise men were seeking. Yet, God had
already warned Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:1-16). Where would we be without Him?
- (For everyone): How would things be different had Moses been
murdered at birth? What are some of the most prominent things God used
Moses to do?
- How would the world be different if you were murdered as a
baby? How would your life be different if one of your children had been
murdered as a baby?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Thank the Lord for the opportunity to live for Him.
- Ask God to show our leaders the value of life.
- Ezekiel 8:3
INTRODUCTION
The Lord permits no rivals. In Isaiah 43:11,
He said, “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”
Yet, there is a battle on the horizon that will bring all matters to a
head. The Antichrist will sit in the temple of God claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
He will torture the people of God (the Jews) and blaspheme the name of
God. He will set up his image and demand that the people worship him (Revelation 13:14-15).
This peak of idolatry and blasphemy will lead to the culmination of
God’s jealousy when He returns to judge the world (Revelation chapter
19).
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): There is no one like God (Isaiah 40:18, 25; Isaiah 45:18). When He returns, He will take vengeance on the lost (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Fortunately, before that event, the saved will be with God (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11).
- (For everyone): The saved will return with Christ when He comes to judge the world (see Revelation 19:11-14). How important is it to be on the right side when Christ returns in His glory?
- Write down some of the events that will take place in the
tribulation period. How will those things add up to stir the Lord’s
jealousy beyond any past time and event?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Thank God if you know that you will not be on the receiving end of His wrath.
- Ask the Lord to help you win your lost loved ones.
- Deuteronomy 32:21
INTRODUCTION
Every true and honest Bible student readily confesses that the Bible
identifies the Jewish people as the people of God. Unfortunately, the
Jews repeatedly provoked the Lord to jealousy. In judgment for their
indiscretions, the Lord promised to move the Jewish people to jealousy
as He showed His favour unto a people “which are not a people.”
According to the apostle Paul, this was fulfilled when the Lord turned
to the Gentiles offering them salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus
Christ (Romans 10:19; Romans 11:11).
This jealousy was not to be permanent. One day the Lord will again turn
back to the Jewish people after the Rapture of the church.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): God has always loved His chosen people and always will (1 Chronicles 17:21-22).
The Jews did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah and continued
following the Law. Before he got saved, Paul felt the same way (Acts 26:9-11).
- (For everyone): How did the Jewish people respond when the
apostles began to preach Jesus Christ to the Gentiles? How could things
have been different for the Jewish people?
- How should we respond to the Jewish people? Should we despise
them for rejecting Jesus Christ? Or should we preach the gospel to them
in hopes that they will repent and trust Christ?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask the Lord to give you a heart for the Jewish people.
- Thank the Lord for giving you an opportunity to be saved.
HYMN
ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME
- Proverbs 6:34
INTRODUCTION
The Bible likens jealousy to a weapon. Lives are spared when this
weapon rests in the bosom of someone with righteous motives. Yet, when
the foolish wield this weapon, jealousy leads to destructive outcomes.
The very thing that the Lord possesses to protect His people, His land,
and His name, can push the ungodly men into an uncontrollable rage.
God’s jealousy protects the righteous and consumes the guilty. Yet, the
jealousy of an unrighteous man has consumed the lives of many innocent
people. The Bible states that “jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals
thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame” (Song of Solomon 8:6). Misplaced jealousy is a most dangerous weapon.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): The Bible reveals many instances of man's
jealousy. In most cases, heartache and destruction are brought into the
lives of innocent people (Genesis 4:3-5, 8; Genesis 37:4, 11, 18; 1 Samuel 18:8-9; Esther 5:11-14; Esther 7:10; Esther 9:13-14; Daniel 6:1-4, 24).
- (For everyone): Jealousy in itself is not sinful, yet it can
be sinful when misplaced and misguided. What are some ways in which
jealousy generally turns evil?
- Has jealousy proven harmful to any in your family? What
happened to cause this harm? Do you know if the jealousy began with a
righteous motive?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask the Lord to protect you from misplaced jealousy.
- Ask God to show you the dangers of jealousy if misguided.
HYMN
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY
- 1 Kings 19:9-10
INTRODUCTION
Elijah was a good man who loved the Lord. He could not bear the
thought of the people of God rebelling against the Lord. Although
misguided into thinking that he was the only remaining person who cared
about the things of God, he certainly did care. Elijah took things
personally when the people forsook the Lord’s covenant, threw down His
altars, and killed His prophets. Elijah constantly pleaded with them to
make things right. The apostle Paul felt the same way, but his feelings
even extended to a jealousy over the people of God (2 Corinthians 11:2). Unfortunately, few people today seem to take such a personal interest in the Lord or His people.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): Although the word jealous is not found in the
following passages, it is obvious that the men's actions revealed a
jealousy for the Lord (2 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Chronicles 17:3-9; 2 Chronicles 34:1-7; 29-33). Thank God for those who teach us to do right through their words and their actions.
- (For everyone): Why was the work of God so important to
Elijah? How could these same reasons be a solid foundation to make the
work of God important to you?
- What did Paul’s jealousy for the saints drive him to do? How
did he labour to keep them sound in their doctrine and faith? How should
you do the same for believers today?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask the Lord to help you to be jealous for Him.
- Ask God to give you a deeper love for His work and for His people.
- Ezekiel 39:25
INTRODUCTION
There are certain areas where the Lord shows some of His greatest
care and concern. He takes great offence and moves swiftly in their
defence when men abuse these areas. For instance, the Bible says that
the Lord is jealous for His “holy name” (Ezekiel 39:25).
Perhaps, with this in mind, the Lord said, “Thou shalt not take the
name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him
guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). The Bible also says that God is jealous for Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:14; Zechariah 8:2), which is His land (Joel 2:18).
When people abuse His name or His land, God takes these things
particularly personally. Unfortunately, in these last days, men are
increasingly abusing both His name and His land.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): The Bible says that the Lord’s name is holy and reverend (Psalm 111:9c). To take His name in vain means to use it in a useless way. He does not take this lightly (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 24:10-16; Deuteronomy 5:11; 2 Chronicles 32:13-21).
- (For everyone): All the earth belongs to the Lord, but He
specifically claims Jerusalem as His land. How do people provoke the
Lord to jealousy concerning His land?
- What are some ways in which men take the name of the Lord in
vain? Do you ever use His name in any vain ways? How is this an attack
upon God’s name and upon His character?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Thank God for taking such care for His great name.
- Ask the Lord to help you become jealous over the things that make Him jealous.
- 1 Corinthians 10:22
INTRODUCTION
God is a jealous God, yet that jealousy is only manifested when men
provoke the Lord because of their unfaithfulness. Men can provoke the
Lord through various means, but ultimately, they all unite in the fact
that they place something or someone else ahead of the Lord. The Lord
does not want the leftovers of man’s time, love, money, and strength (Malachi 1:7-9).
Instead, He wants the first and greatest of man’s possessions. Anything
less is idolatrous and offensive to the God who gave man everything he
has. Each man must make a daily evaluation of his life to insure that he
is doing nothing to provoke the Lord to jealousy.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): Joshua challenged the people to serve
God alone. Sadly, they and the people after them did not keep their
commitment but instead provoked God to judgment (Judges 3:5-7; Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 2:27; Ezra 5:12; 2 Chronicles 36:15-20).
- (For everyone): Have you ever provoked the Lord to jealousy?
How did you do this? Who or what did you put ahead of the Lord? Have you
repented of this sin?
- What are some things that men commonly place ahead of the
Lord? What might the Lord do in order to solve this problem? How can you
avoid His chastening?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Thank the Lord for His grace and mercy.
- Ask God to help you live for Him and Him alone.
HYMN
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY
- Deuteronomy 4:24
INTRODUCTION
In the Bible, jealousy, similar to anger, is closely associated to a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 29:20; Psalm 79:5; Ezekiel 36:5; Ezekiel 38:19).
As man provokes the Lord to jealousy, the Lord responds with judgment.
At times, that judgment may be the consumption of the one who provoked
the Lord. At other times, that consumption may be directed toward the
very thing that the man put before the Lord. Either way, God’s jealousy
is a consuming fire (Zephaniah 1:18; Zephaniah 3:8). In one biblical instance, the zeal of a man named Phinehas stopped the consuming fire of God’s jealousy (Numbers 25:11). Men should wisely seek the Lord today in hopes of delaying the fire of God’s wrath and anger upon their nations and homes.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): In many Old Testament stories, God's jealousy was aroused and judgment came by fire (Numbers 11:1-2). Future judgment on earth will be with fire (2 Peter 3:10) and final judgment for the unsaved will also be with fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
- (For everyone): We live in an age that highlights the grace
of God. Should this cause us to forget or even deny the importance of
the fear of the Lord? How could His jealousy be the downfall of a
nation? What should we do as a nation to avoid the inevitability of this
approaching fire?
- How can God be a God of love and jealousy at the same time? How do the two work together?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask God to open the eyes of those in national leadership.
- Ask God to strengthen your desire to stay His hand of judgment.
- Exodus 34:14
INTRODUCTION
Biblically speaking, a man’s name is equal to his character (Proverbs 22:1).
This is why God’s character is often defined by His name. Faithful and
true are two words that describe the very nature of God, but they are
also names by which the Son of God will be called at His second advent (Revelation 19:11). Even the name Jesus was associated with the person and work of our Lord (Matthew 1:21).
These names, and many more like them, are well known to believers, but
few know that the Lord’s name is also said to be Jealous. Why? Because
that is who He is! He is the One true and living God who demands man’s
sole attention. Just as He is Faithful and True, God is also Jealous.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): God does not want us to put anything or anyone before Him. He is jealous of such things (2 Chronicles 16:7-9; 2 Kings 1:2-4). David knew to whom he should go (1 Chronicles 14:8-16) as did Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:14-16; 2 Kings 20:1-3).
- (For everyone): What are some ways in which you put other
things before the Lord? How can this happen with your time, strength,
and money? How would this provoke the Lord to jealousy?
- Why do men give more time and attention to names like
Faithful and True while neglecting the fact that the Lord’s name is
Jealous? What does this suggest about man?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask God to teach you the beauties of His name.
- Ask the Lord to help you live for His pleasure.
- Exodus 20:4-5
INTRODUCTION
The Bible consistently identifies the Lord as a jealous God. As the
Creator, He deserves man’s undivided allegiance. As the most High God,
He is worthy of man’s unadulterated worship. It is often in this vein
that the Bible speaks of God’s jealousy. He warned Israel not to make or
bow down to any graven images (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 5:8-9; Psalm 78:58) because He was a jealous God and would have no choice but to judge such infidelity. The same was true of any false god (Deuteronomy 32:16) or sin (1 Kings 14:22)
which man allowed to come between him and his Creator. God is perfectly
just in His jealousy since man was created for God’s pleasure (Revelation 4:11).
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): There is no doubt God is the Creator (Isaiah 42:5). Paul made this clear in Athens when he saw they worshipped many gods (Acts 17:16, 22-25, 28-29) that could do nothing (Psalm 115:4-7). God alone deserves worship (Psalm 86:8-10; Psalm 113:3-5).
- (For everyone): Is it a sin for God to be jealous? Why? What
separates the jealousy of God from the jealousy of man? Is it possible
for man’s jealousy to be sinful? Why?
- How can God’s jealousy be a good thing for man? How can that
jealousy be a cause for man to fear? Which is God’s jealousy for you at
this moment? Why?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Thank God for His jealousy over His people.
- Ask the Lord to guard you from provoking His jealousy.
HYMN
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
- Deuteronomy 32:16
INTRODUCTION
Historically, the word jealous is connected to the word zeal rather
than to envy. Unfortunately, the world has perverted man’s understanding
of jealousy by likening it to a detestable sin. The Bible student
recognizes that jealousy cannot always be sinful because God says that
He is a jealous God (Nahum 1:2)
and God does not sin. A scriptural study proves that jealousy can be
righteous, or it can be wicked depending upon the intent of the one in
whom this jealousy originates. In a very basic sense, jealousy is the
unwillingness to share or allow anything to rival the object of one’s
desire. Since man has sinful desires, jealously is often viewed as
sinful and can lead to other sinful practices. In the Lord’s case, His
righteous desire to be man’s only true and living God drives Him to just
judgment and godly jealousy.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): God will not share the glory or praise due to Him with anyone else (Isaiah 42:8).
When we want our own way, we place ourselves ahead of Him and tell Him
we are more worthy and important than He is. This is idolatry and should
be avoided at all costs (1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21).
- (For everyone): Why is it important to learn scriptural
definitions of words found within the Bible? How could it mislead you if
you accepted the common thinking on jealousy?
- Is God’s jealousy a just response? If so, why? Can man’s
jealousy be just? In what ways could jealousy be right and just in men?
How can one know the difference?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask God to give you a scriptural understanding of jealousy.
- Ask the Lord to teach you when it is acceptable to be jealous.
HYMN
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
Click on the link below to read the July '17 Edition of The StarLight News...
https://the-starlight-news.blogspot.com/
- 1 John 3:1-3
INTRODUCTION
A man who loses hope loses his primary motivation for doing right
and living holy. The Bible reveals what men do when they have no hope:
“let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32). If there is no hope in a resurrection, man sees no reason to cease to go after his strange gods (Jeremiah 2:25) or follow “the imagination of his evil heart” (Jeremiah 18:12).
If there is no judgment after death, or if the Lord is not soon
returning, then the greatest impetus for living the Christian life is
lost. Man needs a special motivation to help him to live a life of
purity. He should live in purity because He loves the Lord. Yet, the
answer lies in the fact that the Lord is coming soon, and man will stand
before Him to give an account, and all those who have this particular
hope will purify themselves, “even as he [Jesus] is pure.” Hope makes
all the difference!
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): Paul told Titus to teach the people to live right because the Lord is coming back (Titus 2:11-15). Peter warned of the same thing (2 Peter 3:3-4, 9-11, 14). We would not want to be ashamed when He comes (1 John 2:28).
- (For everyone): Have you given up on the Lord’s return? Are
you expecting Him to return today? How has your hope, or lack of hope,
changed how you live your life on a daily basis?
- What happened in Acts 27:20 when the people on the ship lost hope that their lives would be spared? How could this be applied spiritually to your own life?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask God to allow hope to purify your heart.
- Ask the Lord to strengthen your hope in His return.
HYMN
MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
