Eyes on the Prize!

 Dear Dad’s (Randall Hartinger! Teaching for today. YES!

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08/13 Daily (Heb.3:13;10:25;Matt.6:11;Luke 11:3) Exhortation. 

For this 8/13, here is an 8:13 “Construction for Instruction” (2 Tim. 3:16)…

In context: 

Ho 8:11 Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.

Ho 8:12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

**Ho 8:13** They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.**

Ho 8:14 For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.

In Bible Numerics, 8 is for NEW BEGINNING and 13 represents REBELLION. 

I EXHORT you, Brethren, that today, 8/13, NOT be a NEW BEGINNING OF REBELLION. 

The passage is aimed square dead at rebellious Israel, but as the “Israel of God,” the church needs to consider the double application. This modern church has made “many altars” which are “sin.” Folks not only bow down to sin, but use pseudo-altars in church buildings (foreign concept in scripture by the way) to justify sin. In some superstitious fashion, folks think if they could get to a different piece of real estate (so-called “altar”) then all will be fine. Knowing that God can reap where He hasn’t sown and gather where He hasn’t strawed (Matt. 25), I don’t doubt that ignorant Christians have met with God at those stairs called “altars.” In my formative years as a young Christian, I prayed at them. However, the more one gets away from the Primary will of God outlined in scripture, the more the dynamic of deception. 

The “great things” of God’s law (vs. 12) are “strange” to folks. This is why Christians are called pilgrims and strangers over and over. If the world doesn’t think you to be odd, you are NOT walking with God (1 Pet. 4:4)… When folks are more TRADITION-ORIENTED than TRUTH-ORIENTED, the Bible becomes quite strange to them. 

This causes a new beginning (8) of rebellion (13). In our focus passage, God is not accepting their sacrifices. Why? Iniquity which is basically lawlessness or doing whatever YOU want. To illustrate, note that iniquity has 3 I’s in it. It is doing what you jolly well please rather than what pleases Jesus. God says He will not accept our prayers if we regard iniquity in our hearts (Ps. 66:18)...

But look at the final end: “…THEY SHALL RETURN TO EGYPT.” Egypt typifies the world under Satan’s temporary (though quite limited) control. It is bondage. What some think is “freedom” is cleverly disguised bondage. 

Verse 14 warns of forgetting the Maker, and launching into building temples (note the plural). There was only one bonafide temple at a time in history. Jesus prophesied of the destruction of the temple (70 AD). The new and living way was that GOD HIMSELF would indwell us making US the temple of the Holy Ghost. God answers this matter with the fires of judgment. When Jesus sets up His reign, all man-made organizations will be destroyed, all Pharisaical, institutionalized religion will be put down, all wood/hay/stubble "ministry turned industry" will be judged. It is not the Christian’s job to enforce this. We are to pray for the powers that be, honour the king, and honour THE KING, and look forward to when God sets up His Kingdom. 

Will you STAND AGAINST the scourge of rebellion which is of monumental proportions? How about a new beginning of allegiance and loyalty to the Almighty Lord, Jesus Christ?

Instead of offering up a fleshly sacrifice of carnal ordinances, trust the Living God to quicken in you a newfound love and adoration for the LORD JESUS CHRIST and the organism (not organization) or His body, His church. Church means “called out ones.” We are CALLED OUT OF EGYPT, not to return back there. Remember Lot’s wife. Put your hand to the plow, and don’t look back. Press forward, not froward, TOWARD, and not of this untoward generation. 

1 Peter 2:5 sums it up nicely: “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 

EYES ON THE PRIZE (looking unto Jesus) & resisting the rebellion, -r <3