The Truth in Print Vol. 22 Issue 5, June 2016
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Memory #3
This is the
third part of a brief series on “Memory” (April, May and June 2016). You may
desire to read Memory #1 and #2 before reading this article.
Not using Memory to
Prevent Spiritual Danger and Destruction
In Numbers 11:1 it
says, “Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the
LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned
among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.” Then they
cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to God and the fire died out — the place
was named Taberah which means “a burning”.
Shortly having had some consumed by fire the “mixed
multitude” among them had greedy desires and the people in general wept again
saying, “Who will give us meat to eat?”
This compares of
course with a pattern already set of complaining. At the first complaints (Ex.
14:11-12), while in great fear as Pharaoh approached at the Red Sea there was
encouragement and the assurance of deliverance (Ex. 14:13-14). God brought them
through the Sea and killed Pharaoh and his army in the midst of the Sea. When
complaining of bitter water at Marah the waters were
cured (Ex. 15:23-25) —there God tested them telling them if they’d keep all of
His statutes they would not have the diseases He put on the Egyptians (Ex.
15:26). Their earlier grumblings against
God — that Moses and Aaron had led them into the wilderness that they might be
killed by starvation (Ex. 16:2-3) — was met with God’s test in giving them
“manna” and “quail” (Ex. 16:13-14). When grumbling again at Horeb
for water (Ex. 17:1-3) — all of these before they get to Mt. Sinai — it was the same type of complaint that they
had been brought out into the wilderness to be killed with thirst. Again they
questioned God’s presence among them (Ex. 17:7).
So, what happens to
them in Nu. 11 for their rejecting the Lord again? God
said this to them:
Num 11:19 You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor
five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days,
Num 11:20 but for a whole month, until it comes
out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised
the LORD who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, "Why did we
ever come up out of Egypt?"
And the plague follows:
Num 11:31 And there went forth a wind from the
LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it
were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other
side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the
earth.
Num 11:32 And the people stood up all that day,
and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that
gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for
themselves round about the camp.
Num 11:33 And while the flesh was yet between
their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the
people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.
Num 11:34 And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that
lusted.
Some Bible lessons teach us that when we get what we want but
with chastisement that is a sure sign that we are not learning.
Even Moses was Asked
this Question—when he did not believe (Nu. 11:23).
Num 11:21 And Moses said, The people, among whom
I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them
flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
Num 11:22 Shall the flocks and the herds be
slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish
of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?
Num 11:23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the
LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my
word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
Letting “greed”
overpower remembering God’s presence in times past.
The peoples’ greed
resulted in this plague. The one who gathered the least is said to have
gathered 10 homers — margin says “one homer = approx. 11 bushels. And one
definition gives 1 homer = 65 imperial gallons. The people went crazy! Ps.
106:13-15 recounts how they quickly forgot God’s works and paid the ultimate
penalties. What did it cost them to not remember His works?
Using memory to correct
one’s life
The “It’s Party Time
Son” used his memory to correct his own life.
Luk 15:17 "But when he came to himself, he
said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare,
and I perish with hunger!
Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and
will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
Luk 15:19 and I am no longer worthy to be called
your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."
He got this
right —first he said he had sinned against God and then before his father.
Notice how his memory led him to properly restore his father’s trust in him.
Being Reminded to be Ready for Every Good Work
Titus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities
and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers,
but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
1) “ready” means “prepared to act.”
Tit 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou
affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to
maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
1) “affirm” – teach confidently; Ant.: “to speak
against”; “talk one’s self out of”; “defend one’s self.”
2) “careful” – concentrate
upon; Ant.: “to neglect”; “to have little regard for”; “to avoid, shun.”
3) “maintain”
– care for, give attention to; Syn. “to lead”; Ant. “to follow.”
Knowing that it
needs to be done is not doing it! You don’t wait for someone else to do it —
else “every” good work is not done. Zeal and being ready implies the desire to
do it (Titus 2:14).
Tit 3:14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary
uses, that they be not unfruitful.
1) “necessary” refers to
meeting “urgent needs” (nasb).
I am unfruitful if I think it is not urgent when it is, or when
I wait for the one with the most to do it!
If you wait:
1. Then members never get their cars fixed or get cars
they need – in
most any church getting a poor member a means of transportation is really no
problem when brethren remember as they should.
2. Never get the medicines they need.
3. Children never get teachers and classes they need.
4. The church never gets the edification it needs – never
gets the rebukes it needs — never gets the application it needs.
5. All and every good work doesn’t get done!
What were brethren to
remember about Paul?
Col 4:18
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace
be with you. Amen.
Paul didn’t want it
hidden! He wanted brethren’s prayers and assistance — and often asked for such.
1) “as bound with them” (Heb. 13:3)
.
There has to be this
much concern and feeling for them. When you “forget” you neglect people in dire
circumstances and no longer care for them spiritually in prayer, or materially.
2) “as being yourselves also in the
body” (Heb. 13:3).
Remember that it can
happen to me too. Not remembering is just that selfish pride and deceit that
says it will never come to me. Never say, “It will never happen to me.”
3) “to do good, and to communicate (sharing) forget not” (Heb. 13:16).
a) “sharing”
– Syn. “compassion”, “beneficence”, “partnership.”
Carefully consider
the word “sharing” — when brethren are sharing things are good for all who are
worthy, and there’s no reason for any member to be overly anxious about material
things. Have I forgotten that the stated purpose in Eph. 4:28 for obtaining
means through work is to have something to share with one in need? Wanda and I
must remember the graciousness that has been shown to us over the years. Oh yes
— lest I forget — remember also that opportunities to do good in Gal. 6:10
applies to “all” men, i.e. non-Christians are included — this is not the mind that beats a path out of
the church building if there is the slightest indication a visitor may be here
to ask for some material help. That’s a very good time for me to remember all
God’s done for me.
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