Moses was sent by the Lord multiple times to Pharaoh asking for the release of the Hebrews. Eventually, Pharaoh decided to use the Jews for slave labor. In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. Here we see that when believers are doing the will of God, obeying the Word of God, and serving even the least of the Saints, they are Gods instruments, doing Jesus will, ministering to Jesus people, His body, His bride. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. Are we becoming more like Jesus by the power of the Spirit? Jesus, in the Olivet Discourse, gave the parable of the sheep and the goats. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Judas solved their problem by volunteering to betray the Lord. When he went before Pilate, the Roman governor received an urgent message from his wife: Dont have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him (Matthew 27:19). So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. He told the people that Pharaohs army would be wiped out, though he did not know how. In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. They live as if there was no Creator, no moral law, no accountability. This week I ate lunch with a man who has recently become an acquaintance through an e-mail correspondence. When Isaiah 53:1 speaks of the future coming of the Messiah, literally it says, who would have believed the thing reported? His birth as a baby who would grow up, suffer and die was most unexpected. And he was an exalted and successful king. In the providence of God, the betrayal by Judas actually advanced Gods purpose in the world. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. In the time of the New Testament after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see the expansion of Gods Covenant to include Gentile believers drawn to the Savor by the Gospel. 16:30), when he uses you or others, delivering you from your trials, be sure to praise, thank, and give Him all the glory for sovereignly using sinners. ", Writing & Teaching Inductive Bible Studies. Judas professed Christ but he did not possess him, which is why he is in hell today. The Bible says, God was well pleased through the message preached to save those who believe (I Cor. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). But it does mean everything will happen as God sees fit. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. I have received no honorary doctorates. Pharaohs heart was hardened again. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, Why does this generation seek for a sign? There are so many amazing things in these few verses. We pray because we believe God, because we want to trust in God, praise God, ask God for things we cant do ourselves. WebGod also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. Paul, in writing to Corinth, corrected the Churchs misuse of speaking in foreign tongues. Training for Preachers and Teachers of God's Word, Want to know what an RSS feed is and how it works? This truth about Judas illustrates Gods control of every event in the universe. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. 46:10). I cant charge an exorbitant hourly fee for my time. Do not begrudge your weakness. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.. Compared to you or me, King Solomon had it all wisdom, wealth, fame, power. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. Third, it is necessary for us to remain silent, to not fret, grumble, or complain, while we wait for the Lord to deliver us from whatever trial we are suffering. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. Today, the weapons of force have improved, yet all the more they take whatever they want, and give only when it serves their purpose. Why? God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. He reminded Peter that he could call for 12 legions of angels72,000 highly trained, heavily armed members of the Angelic Defense Leagueto come to his rescue at any moment. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. He is the preeminent insider who knew Jesus as well as anyone has ever known himyet in the end never really knew him at all. Eternity will reveal how your faithful service was used by the Lord in amazing ways. Before the Apostle Paul wrote his letter he was known as Saul. I dont have any letters after my name. He uses believers and unbelievers. God asks us to do things we cant do, because it makes us trust IN HIM, not ourselves. Jesus point is clear, The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.. Being a creative, innovative or highly effective leader is insufficient. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. Email Jack. But all of them come from the hand of the Lord. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. In the eyes of the Jews, Saul would be seen as a warrior of the faith. Zechariah 11:1230 pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:15). But we need to grow in faith and obedience. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts But we can find hope in knowing that God is in control, He works all things for our God, and no suffering we face know will even be able to cast a shadow on the glory we will receive in Heaven. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. First, the people of Israel were for the most part leaderless. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. He sent His son to pay a most costly price for the sin of His people, for those who trust in Him. But most of the time we wont see it fully until we finally arrive in heaven. Everything else in the story fits into Gods plan: The crown of thorns, the scourging, the trials, Pilates testimony, his verdict of death, a man to help carry the cross, the place of deathGolgotha, and the moment of death3 PM, the time when the Passover lambs were sacrificed at the Temple. (1 Corinthians 1:2629). Second, the proper response to any trial or danger is to not fear but stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. How many times do we fret and worry and then see the Lord deliver us and realize that all of our anxiety and fretting was for naught, that it accomplished nothing, but was an expression of our sinful doubt? I answer yes. But He is unique and who can turn Him?And what His soul desires, that He does. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. The trials that were meant to establish his guilt ended up establishing his innocence for all the world to see. But he chose instead to allow himself to be arrested, knowing that this would fulfill Gods plan. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. Though Israel was many, only the remnant will be saved (Romans 9:27). In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives. His son Jehoahaz became king. Dont get me wrong, wisdom is important. We should never presume to say to an unbeliever, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We cant know that. They thank me for posting my sermons on the internet. Im not a founder, innovator, CEO, or visionary of any company. Grace be with you. But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. When Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter impulsively grabbed his sword and started swinging. For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son for those who believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.. The terms Neo-Babylons and Chaldeans are used interchangeably for the people of that Empire. Though there were still many who had remained faithful, others no longer followed the words of the Prophets. We concluded that the Bible doesnt give us a final answer regarding why Judas betrayed Jesus Christ. God will deal with them according to his plan, but first, He will use them for His own covenant judgment. He clings to his sin like a drowning man to an iron life preserver. The manner of the judgment would be unexpected. Having all the wisdom in the world didnt guarantee fidelity. Thats generally the way life is for all of us. Psalm 109:8Replaced by another manMatthias (see Acts 1:20). God chooses the custodian with a heavy accent to share the gospel and save lives. One final point is in order. This brings us face to face with the doctrine of Gods providence, which means, A) God has a plan that includes everything that happens in the universe, and, B) Gods plan extends to the tiniest details of life, and. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. God Himself said that He used Pharaoh so that His name would be known on all the earth. Then God, in His sovereign power and will, takes our weak and fallible service, and accomplishes His will, like parting the Red Sea. 10:17 Paul writes, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. When we preach the gospel to someone and they come to saving faith, we dont boast that we have saved them but that God has saved them, though we were the instruments of Gods saving work. Judas didnt know it, and neither did the disciples, but Gods fingerprints were all over his act of betrayal. This is the grace of God as revealed in His merciful covenant. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask God will use it even if you do not understand how. (see Acts 1:20). God could by-pass us and do everything himself, but He does not. 6:10). It only made sense on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead. Strategically, this appeared to be a very unwise move, unless you are God. Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. Habakkuk 1:5, Look among the nations and watch Be utterly astounded! God had not yet told Moses what He was going to do, but Moses knew the Lord did not redeem the Israelites from Egypt to have them slaughtered. Our accolades cannot merit us any greatness. God was rejecting their national privilege, and turning to the Gentiles to populate his Covenant Nation on Earth. First, we see the faith of Moses. A God who can bring something good out of betrayal can be trusted to accomplish his work in your life. Verse Concepts. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. 2:11). God will bring ultimate and final judgment upon all ungodliness. 1 John 5:14. 1:8). He mustered his army and went after the Jews in hot pursuit. A) We bow in submission before the mysterious ways of God. Do not lament your insufficiency. Nothing is ever left to chance with God. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). God ordains the means and the ends of life. and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. Rejoice that Christ is all-sufficient and always dependable. International Standard Version. Just as He did with Pharaoh who placed no faith in the God of Israel. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. WebGod never does evil Himself. The articles posted on this website are here to provide information about the Bible and specific topics related to the Reformed Faith along with it's application in our daily thoughts and activities. They wanted him dead and used Judas as a convenient means to that ugly end. Do not begrudge your weakness. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. We return now to the original question: Why did God allow Judas to betray Jesus? International Standard Version. 1:37). In Acts 13:41 he said, Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. And He *said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. Verse Concepts. WebJohn 3:16. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. After God redeemed Israel from Egypt through a series of ten miraculous plagues, he had Moses lead the people of Israel out of Egypt near the shore of the Red Sea. The evil nations God was raising up to judge his rebellious people were self-centered. Fourth, Gods command seemed impossible to obey. The way to heaven is only Jesus and Jesus only.. We pray because God is sovereign and all powerful. I am sure God has many reasons for doing the things He does in the way and timing of His choosing, but lets consider some likely reasons He used Moses, a sinner, to be the instrument of His sovereign, miraculous work of dividing the Red Sea. Jesus responded to the false testimony by saying nothing at all. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. They have no respect for the leaders of other nations. Until finally it came to the Red Sea where the Egyptian army was destroyed and the tale spread across the world to the glory of God. He uses believers and unbelievers. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. The Lord said to Moses, How long will this people spurn Me? Literal Standard Version. This was Moses advice to the people of Israel when facing the imminent threat of death, and it is true for us as well when facing any trial. God is unimpressed. And Jesus said, For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind. Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, We are not blind too, are we? Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, We see, your sin remains. 28:49, The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand. But Habakkuks confusion was not doubt. We need to be reminded again and again that we are like grass disposable, temporary, fleeting, momentary. Understanding God in Troubled Times God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. I might preach to 100 people on Sunday morning in my own little church, but I preach to thousands over the internet. He recognized what was evil because he believed Gods law. We might be a life-hacking, productivity guru. Habakkuk learned that the material success of the ungodly is not a reliable measure of their true success. He dealt with his doubts and confusion in the right way, he turned to God, not to his own understanding. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 4:5). You are going to need it as we search the Scriptures to answer these two questions. In spite of our slownessand even sinGod will bless and use us to fulfill His purpose of blessing all nations through Christ, because of our relationship to the Father through the Son. for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Because they did not believe in GodAnd did not trust in His salvation. Here are five specific prophecies that were fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus: Psalm 41:9Close friend will betray Christ (see John 13:18). But God gave the command, Moses obeyed the command, and in a sense Moses divided the Sea, as the Lord commanded, and in a more ultimate sense God did the miracle and divided the Red Sea. I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But our God is mightier than any office or country. For this reason God purposefully led the wondering multitude to a place where there was no possible way of escape from Pharaoh and his army, humanly speaking. God knew that Pharaoh would change his mind about letting the people of Israel go and that he would pursue them to bring them back to Egypt. Did Jesus Descend Into Hell? But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He uses believers and unbelievers. God didnt want to lead the people around the Red Sea by the way of the Philistines knowing they might get scared and run back to Egypt (Ex. God was revealing that He was going to use this ungodly power for judgment upon his own straying people. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. A second reason, related to the first reason, is that God knew that by doing His miracles through Moses, Moses would then in turn give glory to God. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne ( Psalm 47:8 ). When God desires to save someone, He raises up Christians to preach the gospel. They deride every stronghold, For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 It was the tech team, the web master, the secretary, or whoever posted my sermon on line. They have heard that You, O. God even gave prophecy through Isaiah that this very thing would take place. I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. Jesus said the unbelievers failed to give him food, drink, nurse him in His sickness, or visit Him in prison. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. A man who lived in a time in which only Jews served the one true God. (see Matthew 27:5). For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. Moses didnt have any power to divide the Red Sea. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. God often reveals himself in most unexpected ways. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things! (Rom. 28:25, The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. A nation would come to judge them speaking in a language they did not understand (Deuteronomy 28:49). He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. Embrace your weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon you to reveal Gods surpassing greatness (2 Corinthians 12:9). In this period of Judahs last kings, the Prophets warned of the fulfillment of this covenant promise. His covenant is always enforced. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. 2) If Jesus did descend into hell, why? Those who turn in humble trust to the Lord, who rest in His work of redemption, who seek to walk in his ways, and who turn in humble repentance when they fail, will receive His righteousness, and blessing forever. Another unlikely person used by God was King Cyrus of Persia. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. When Judas actually betrayed Jesus in the Garden, Peter immediately sprang to his defense. Prayer is one of the means God uses to accomplish His sovereign will and get glory for himself. WebJohn 3:16. In the healthiest churches, we find a holy conspiracy between pastors who gladly care for the sheep, and sheep who do what they can so that the pastors might serve joyfully. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts He used sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. I am not a rising star in any field, industry, or arena. 5:14). Summary WebGod never does evil Himself. He wants us to trust in Him, to rely on Him, to cry out to Him, and then give Him glory for delivering us. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). Do not begrudge your weakness. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). As Christians, we have nothing to fear or worry about because we know that God is in control. Your children, however, whom you said would become a preyI will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. In 605 Egypt was defeated by the Neo-Babylonians at Carchemish. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 We live most of our days in Good Fridayenduring confusion, opposition, disappointment and the many tragedies of life. The way of the wicked is like darkness;They do not know over what they stumble. Were they to march into the sea holding their little ones, driving their cattle, and pushing their elderly? In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. Its something we can clearly see within the pages of our Bible. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. 1 And Saul approved of his execution. Two verses later, in Rom. He does this for obvious reasons. Our prayers do not alter Gods eternal decree. He even turns wicked hearts to serve his Sovereign purpose. We might make Jim Collins proud, but God yawns at our leadership abilities. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. That leads me to ask a simple question: Are you a professor or a possessor? Judas didnt know itand doesnt get any credit for itbut his dastardly deed actually fulfilled predictions given by the Holy Spirit hundreds of years before he was born. His silence spoke more loudly than the foolish claims of his lying accusers. Visit Justins personal website Here. I have not been named most influential, listed as most attractive, or voted most likely to succeed. How can I believe in the goodness of God when there is so much evil in the world? A complete answer is impossible for who has known the mind of the Lord (Isa. Who would have had his own beliefs and gods that contradicted much of the Bible. His purpose in creation will stand. We see the same thing after the Israelites cross the Red Sea and are attacked by the Amalekites (Ex. They will be held guilty. It becomes all the more bold in lawlessness. The total number of prophecies is well over 100. As a place to begin, consider three verses dealing with Judas. They were afraid. Causing a sacrifice to take place that would open salvation up to all people. Remember my imprisonment. God wanted the people of Israel to look to Moses as their God appointed human leader and deliverer.