Many built altars for the Lord. And these tribes were no different. From the book of Joshua.
22:10 When they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a large altar in appearance.
22:34 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar {Witness;} "For," {they said,} "it is a witness between us that the LORD is God."
"We have an altar." Hebrews 13: 10.
In olden time an altar was the usual way of approach to God. It might be simply connected with calling on the name of the Lord, as we find in Abraham; or it might be for offering sacrifices, as was done by Noah and others.
The altar had a central place among the children of Israel; for whole burnt-offerings, meat-offerings, peace-offerings, and sin-offerings were there presented to God. Blood too was put upon the horns of the altar, sprinkled upon it, round about it, and poured out at the bottom of the altar. The altar of burnt-offering was thus a connecting-link between the people and Jehovah; that which was done in service with it, while it was blessedly typical and instructive to us, was of a kind suited to a people who were outside the veil - a people in the flesh, with an earthly calling and hope, and outside the holiest of all, the place of God's presence.
The people were so identified with the altar that certain parts of some of the offerings thus presented to God were to be eaten. Hence we read, "Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?" (1 Cor. 10: 18.) This was their altar, and their jealousy was properly stirred if anything seemed to interfere with THE ALTAR for all Israel; for they knew that by it they were remarkably connected with Jehovah. When on one occasion the other tribes heard that the Reubenites had built an altar on the borders of Jordan - "a great altar to see to" - they were greatly alarmed, and severely censured them, because it appeared to be divisive of the one nation, and to rival the one altar which was for all the people who formed the one family of Israel; and they were only satisfied by the Reubenites assuring them that they had not built an altar by Jordan for offering sacrifices thereon, but for a witness. They said, "God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn this day from following the Lord, to build an altar for burnt-offerings, for meat-offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before His tabernacle." (Joshua 22: 29.) It is clear then that Israel had an altar, and that altar was the altar of Jehovah their God, with whom they were in covenant relationship.
From HH Snell
But Israel's altar was associated with many and oft-repeated offerings which could never "take away sins." There was, therefore, the bringing of sins continually to remembrance, without giving remission, so that the conscience was not purged. The worshippers too, even Aaron's sons, the priests, could not draw near, could not enter into the holiest of all, because the veil was up, to show that no one even of those who were connected with the altar and partakers of the sacrifices could enter into God's presence. They were thus at a distance from God. These sons of Aaron, with all their privileges, notwithstanding the exalted office they held, the garments for glory and for beauty divinely given them, and all the grandeur of the ritual system in which they occupied so important a position, could not with all have a purged conscience, or have access into the place of God's presence. The high priest only, and that not without blood and incense, could go there and live, and that only once in a whole year. This ritual system of altar, sacrifices, and priests, with its worldly sanctuary, though of divine origin, was of an earthly order, and shadowed good things to come. The many and oft-repeated sacrifices could not give a perfect conscience, because they could not take away sins. The veil standing, and an order of priesthood between God and the people, showed, as well as their altar with many and oft-repeated sacrifices, that the people were at a distance from God, and had not "access with confidence."
But we Christians have an altar, and our altar is very different from Israel's. Those who are outside the veil have no authority to eat at the altar we have. It is impossible that it should be so; for it is for those who know that the veil has been rent from the top to the bottom, and that the Forerunner has for us entered, after having appeared here to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, so that now we have liberty by faith to be inside the veil in the very presence of God, without a fear, by the blood of Jesus, and that for communion and worship. "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle." Our altar then is inside the veil; it is our way of approach to God. As the blood upon the mercy-seat typically set forth that sins had been judged, that all the propitiatory value of the sacrifice was always before God, as well as the merits of Christ in the perfume of the sweet incense, so He both invites and welcomes us there where He is, who entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Our altar then is not seen, but blessedly known to faith. It is connected only with one sacrifice, which was offered once for all, and because of its everlasting value need never to be repeated. Its eternal efficacy is ever before God; by it the believer's conscience is purged, so that he can be in God's presence as a purged worshipper. Wondrous privilege! By this one offering he is sanctified or set apart for God, and "perfected for ever." The infinite value of this one sacrifice for sins is also known by the fact that the One who offered it is sitting down in perpetuity on the right hand of God. "There remaineth therefore no more sacrifice for sins."
The presence of the Saviour now in the glory of God, who was once the Sin-bearer on the cross, plainly proves that our sins have been taken away for ever. God, whose holiness demanded that the Sin-bearer should be forsaken, and who unsparingly poured out upon Him the judgment due for our sins, not only raised Him from among the dead for our justification, but gave Him the highest place in glory at His own right hand as alone adequate for what He had done as having glorified God in the earth, and having finished the work which He gave Him to do. The rending of the veil was also God's way of showing us His perfect satisfaction with the work of atonement, and that distance between Himself and the believer had been judicially removed, and for ever.
Our altar then is founded on the precious fact that our sins have been judged, and that we have a purged conscience; for God hath said, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." We draw near therefore in the consciousness of this, and the presence of Him there, who went into heaven itself by His own blood, is our unquestionable title to be there, so that we enter in with "boldness."
Do we enjoy this blessed way of approach to God? Have we known what it is thus to "draw near," being assured of God's welcoming us on the ground of the precious blood of His own Son? If so, what can be our employ when there but praise and thanksgiving? In the consciousness of the eternal efficacy of the blood of Jesus, how can we hesitate to take our place inside the veil as purged worshippers who have "no more conscience of sins"? Consciousness of sin in us - a sinful nature - we shall have; and it may be the sorrowful consciousness of having sinned as God's children, and calling us to self-judgment and confession in answer to the advocacy of Christ Jesus with the Father, before forgiveness is realized and our communion restored. But we are told that "the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins;" that is, the believer's conscience has been purged by the blood of Christ, and he is perfected for ever by that one offering, though he may yet fail, and sin, and be greatly distressed on account of it; but he can never be a sinner in his sins again under the burden, and guilt, and condemnation which his conscience once knew. Being perfected for ever by that one offering, and having God's assurance in His own word that He will no more remember his sins and iniquities, he can happily take his place before God inside the veil as knowing forgiveness of sins, having a purged conscience, and being a purged worshipper. How rich and marvellous is this blessedness! How could a Jew, however godly, know such happy nearness to God? Is it any wonder then that it is said that "we have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle"? The word of the Spirit therefore to us is, "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually."
But if our approach now is so near to God that we are able to come by faith where Jesus is as purged worshippers, what must be our place necessarily on earth? If we have now access with confidence where Christ is, surely no other place can suit us on earth but what suits Him. He certainly finds a spot on earth where He can be, and where He is; and where is that? Is it everywhere? The Lord Jesus being a divine Person, He cannot but be in every place beholding the evil and the good; but He graciously gives His own presence, and takes His place in the midst of two or three who are gathered together in His name. There may be in Christendom a loud profession of Christianity, largely organized systems to which the Saviour's name is attached to give them credit; they may bear the stamp of antiquity, boast of hereditary and successional claims, and, like the Jews, speak of some things among them having had a divine origin, be zealous also in observing ordinances, and yet be so far from subjection to the Lord Jesus, and so indifferent as to care for the truth of God as to become a "camp," which the faithful are enjoined to leave. On earth, as in heaven, the Holy Spirit presents to us CHRIST, not men; CHRIST, not tradition, as the central Object of gathering. (Matt. 18: 20.) As to our place on earth, we have, amidst all the confusion, to find out the spot where the Lord Jesus Christ is in the midst, around whom are those who "call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Tim. 2: 22.)
Having found our true place at our "altar" inside the veil, it is then said, "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." Observe here the question is not one of separation from the world, right as that is, but it is to go "outside the camp" of religiousness to the Lord Jesus in this time of His rejection, and suffer the reproach that may be connected with this faithful step. It is remarkable that the inspired writer quotes the sin-offering on the day of atonement for instruction as to this; for the blood of some of their sacrifices was carried inside the veil to the presence of God, and put upon the mercy-seat, and before the mercy-seat; and afterwards the body was burned outside the camp; and the reference to Jesus having died without the gate of the city as the antitype makes it clear that "the camp" was in those days the religious system of the Jews who had rejected Christ. The temple was then standing, and as there was a disposition in the Hebrew Christians to go back to Judaism, the inspired writer shows them that the path of faith is outside it all with Christ, bearing His reproach. No doubt Christendom has taken the place of Judaism, by reducing the heavenly principles of the Church of God to an earthly, successional, and established religion on earth, and setting up again an earthly order of priesthood to accredit it, and also to give it a visible and permanent footing in the world which knew not Christ. The true believer, however, may say that "Here" (not only as to the world, but as to any established religiousness in it) "we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come;" and knows that the Lord is coming quickly.
It is important also to perceive in this epistle that there is no exhortation to go to Christ outside the camp until believers are brought as purged worshippers inside the veil. No doubt the order is divine. We cannot learn our true place on earth, but by first taking possession of our true place in the heavenlies where the Lord Jesus is. The blood was first carried into the holy place before the victim was burnt without the camp. First, it is said, "Let us draw near by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;" and after this it is said, "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." (Heb. 10: 20-22; 13: 13.) Then walk follows.
But the Israelite had frequently to offer sacrifices; and have we no sacrifices to offer? Yes, indeed we have, and that "continually," as we have before observed. But what are they? They are "spiritual sacrifices" of praise and thanksgiving, and they are temporal sacrifices to those who need. But although our approach is so very near, and our blessings heavenly and eternal, all founded on the atoning death of Christ, and all secured for us by Him who is gone into heaven itself by His own blood, and now appears before the face of God for us, we are again reminded that it is "by Him" that our sacrifices are acceptable to God" By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." H. H. Snell.
III. Possible Methods That May Be Used.
1. Paragraph Bible study. Rather than read a whole chapter at a time which may be quite long and hard to retain, do just a paragraph a day. Let all the members of the family suggest a title to the paragraph according to its content. Let each one list some things they observe in the paragraph such as places, people, things, special words, etc. This can be great fun for the children and a real challenge to all. It is like observing things in a room or in an automobile ride. When you have gone through the paragraph like that, then investigate spiritual lessons that may be learned. Let each one make it personal and tell what they have learned for themselves.
2. Read Bible stories from the Bible. They supply answers to different family needs and give a challenge to spiritual living.
3. Go through the miracles of Christ. You could do one a night and learn something about Christ from each miracles and especially let each one learn something for himself. Study the miracle as to where it was, the occasion, what happened, who was involved, and then personal lessons.
4. Study Bible characters. This can be good for a different kind of study for the sake of variety. Read about the character in the Bible and study his weak and strong points and discuss how you may learn something from him or her. You can see yourself in Bible characters and learn many precious lessons.
5. Study Bible doctrine. Everyone should know the basic doctrines of the Bible. All the family should be grounded in the truth. You could follow the doctrine by means of a good concordance or perhaps taken from a book on basic doctrines of the Bible.
6. Bible book study. This might be more difficult and might be better for older ones rather than children. Take one Bible book at a time and find out its theme, major divisions, lessons, key chapters and ideas, etc.
7. Great chapters of the Bible may be used. If not done this way, one can go through a Bible book chapter by chapter. To read a chapter a day could well be done if the children are not too young so they can comprehend. Learn the key verse in the chapter, get the key word, study any special promises, see how Christ is seen, look at the important doctrine in the chapter, break the chapter down into its paragraph parts if you can to get the structure of the chapter, study what sins should be avoided and what things a person should do and what lessons can be learned.
8. Devotional books for various age levels. You can buy such books in a local Christian book store or send for some from a Christian publishing house. They are written for various age levels. Children enjoy these and find them very interesting. There are books for primaries, juniors, teens, etc. [Discernment needs to be used in selecting titles.]
9. Major verses. This is a good method for variety. Just take a verse a night for a period of time and scrutinize it as to what it means for each one. For example, you might take a series of verses on great promises in the Bible such as on prayer, salvation, victorious living, Christ's second coming. Try to memorize the verse.
10. Bible games. This can be very interesting and add challenge to the family altar and can be very appealing to the young folks and keep the family altar time from being boring. Use Bible games that teach a lesson and from which you may learn something helpful for Christian living. [see Bible Challenges]
11. Have a map study. After all, salvation is also geographical and children might learn where certain countries, rivers, and mountains are and what happened there such as the law on Mt. Sinai, crossing the Red Sea, and Christ walking on the water. Show them where it took place and draw some lessons from it.
12. Use pictures. This is a wonderful way to interest children. Many Bible story books have many pictures in them that tell a story for the child.
13. Object lessons. Visual aids of all kinds can be used. Be creative and use whatever object you may have handy to teach a Bible truth. Christ readily used object lessons such as the sheep and goats, the rock, water in the well of Samaria, etc. There is no end to object lessons.
14. [Read short biographies of godly servants of the Lord Jesus: missionaries, evangelists, pastors, etc. Good sources are the Christian Biography Resources.]
15. [Listen to biographical dramatizations of godly servants of the Lord Jesus. Stories of Great Christians available from Moody Audio, MP3 CDs. The following are recommended for all ages: James Chalmers, Franny Crosby, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moffat, D. L. Moody, George Mueller, Billy Sunday, William Tyndale. Recommended for young adult and older: John Bunyan, John Newton, Charles H. Spurgeon.]
16. [Read wholesome short stories. Let each member of the family who can read take a turn reading.]
17. [Have a Scripture memorization program during the summer months. Even a 3-4 year old can learn ten verses during the summer if you select the right verses, and by the time a child is five years old, he can learn Psalm 23. Try it, make it fun, and you will be amazed at what your family can accomplish!]
18. Use songs [Eph. 5:19.] You should always sing if possible. [Have a hymnal for each member of the family. Learn the great hymns of the faith.] You can also teach from the songs that are sung and there are stories behind the hymns if you investigate them [for example, 101 Hymn Stories and 101 More Hymn Stories.]
19. [Listen to sermons ofpreachers/evangelists/teachers on CD's. The Lord can use His preached Word in the lives of each family member.]
20. [Read God's Word together. Select a book of the Bible appropriate for your children's ages and have each family member read 2-3 verses as you go around the room. You can read anywhere from 1-2 chapters to an entire epistle such as Philippians each night. Let the children help choose what book of the Bible to read.]
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Altars and Joshua
As we continue on, in our study of altars and facts behind them, we come to Joshua.
From Deuteronomy
27:4 "So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up on Mount Ebal, these stones, as I am commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime.
Mount Ebal means a place of cursing. A high place, the Lord was asking that Joshua take it back for Him. In the midst of all the bad stuff (cursing) God is asking us to establish a place for Him. He goes on to tell him to use stones that will be coated with lime or the dust of bones.
27:5 "Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron {tool} on them.
27:6 "You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God;
As the Lord moves Joshua further ahead, he asks of uncut stones, natural stones to be used. Nothing "man made about them."
27:7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, and rejoice before the LORD your God.
And then again in Joshua.
8:30 Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal,
8:31 just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron {tool;} and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
8:32 He wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel.
We see that even in the midst of darkness and "cursing" God has called people of God to arise and establish a place for Him. Your family altar or time of devotion may seem impossible or not able to change any thing, but God tells us the "fervent prayers of a righteous person avail much." Your righteousness is in Jesus.
We are working hard here to help you as you move in your desire to be with God.
Here is a list of practical Suggestions That May Be of Help.
1. Search out methods that will appeal to all age levels in the family. Different ages have different interests and what may appeal to one will not appeal to another.
2. Vary the methods so as to keep family time from being boring and from being cold routine. Interest for all should be maintained so monotony does not kill it.
3. Do not make it a time of forced listening to the Bible, of bitter participation, or unhappy endurance while you drone through whole chapters of the Bible beyond family comprehension and then drag the family through a long dry, routine prayer. If they participate in bitterness, they will abhor the family altar time.
4. Make it a delightful, happy, interesting time filled with enthusiasm so that the whole family looks forward to it with real expectancy.
5. Do not make it so long that the children despise the time it takes. Better have it short and sweet, vital and satisfying, so their appetites hunger for more.
6. Let all participate and become involved. Those that can read should take turns in reading as well as in prayer. Even the little tots can say a few words in prayer even if they cannot read. They can be taught songs in which all can take part.
7. Take time for discussion, answering questions, solving problems, and for self expression. All have some. Children especially are inquisitive and want to know.
8. Do not spend time in criticizing or gossiping. There is nothing that will sour the whole thing more than engaging in tearing something or someone apart. This is not time to air church problems unless for a matter of prayer. Make sure that you do not have roast preacher. Remember it is a worship time.
9. Let the children that are old enough conduct the family worship time some time either in the whole or in part. Let them do it their way and express themselves. It will create interest in it for them. This is also a good way to develop them spiritually and in self confidence. They should be encouraged in what they do or say and not be belittled.
10. Have the family altar when it is most convenient for all. Supper time is usually best for all before the various activities of the evening begin.
From Deuteronomy
27:4 "So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up on Mount Ebal, these stones, as I am commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime.
Mount Ebal means a place of cursing. A high place, the Lord was asking that Joshua take it back for Him. In the midst of all the bad stuff (cursing) God is asking us to establish a place for Him. He goes on to tell him to use stones that will be coated with lime or the dust of bones.
27:5 "Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron {tool} on them.
27:6 "You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God;
As the Lord moves Joshua further ahead, he asks of uncut stones, natural stones to be used. Nothing "man made about them."
27:7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, and rejoice before the LORD your God.
And then again in Joshua.
8:30 Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal,
8:31 just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron {tool;} and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
8:32 He wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel.
We see that even in the midst of darkness and "cursing" God has called people of God to arise and establish a place for Him. Your family altar or time of devotion may seem impossible or not able to change any thing, but God tells us the "fervent prayers of a righteous person avail much." Your righteousness is in Jesus.
We are working hard here to help you as you move in your desire to be with God.
Here is a list of practical Suggestions That May Be of Help.
1. Search out methods that will appeal to all age levels in the family. Different ages have different interests and what may appeal to one will not appeal to another.
2. Vary the methods so as to keep family time from being boring and from being cold routine. Interest for all should be maintained so monotony does not kill it.
3. Do not make it a time of forced listening to the Bible, of bitter participation, or unhappy endurance while you drone through whole chapters of the Bible beyond family comprehension and then drag the family through a long dry, routine prayer. If they participate in bitterness, they will abhor the family altar time.
4. Make it a delightful, happy, interesting time filled with enthusiasm so that the whole family looks forward to it with real expectancy.
5. Do not make it so long that the children despise the time it takes. Better have it short and sweet, vital and satisfying, so their appetites hunger for more.
6. Let all participate and become involved. Those that can read should take turns in reading as well as in prayer. Even the little tots can say a few words in prayer even if they cannot read. They can be taught songs in which all can take part.
7. Take time for discussion, answering questions, solving problems, and for self expression. All have some. Children especially are inquisitive and want to know.
8. Do not spend time in criticizing or gossiping. There is nothing that will sour the whole thing more than engaging in tearing something or someone apart. This is not time to air church problems unless for a matter of prayer. Make sure that you do not have roast preacher. Remember it is a worship time.
9. Let the children that are old enough conduct the family worship time some time either in the whole or in part. Let them do it their way and express themselves. It will create interest in it for them. This is also a good way to develop them spiritually and in self confidence. They should be encouraged in what they do or say and not be belittled.
10. Have the family altar when it is most convenient for all. Supper time is usually best for all before the various activities of the evening begin.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Altars and Balaam
Today we talk little about Balaam.
Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars--Balak, being a heathen, would naturally suppose these altars were erected in honor of Baal, the patron deity of his country. It is evident, from Numbers 23:4 that they were prepared for the worship of the true God; although in choosing the high places of Baal as their site and rearing a number of altars (2 Kings 18:22, Isaiah 17:8, Jeremiah 11:13, Hosea 8:11, 10:1), instead of one only, as God had appointed, Balaam blended his own superstitions with the divine worship. The heathen, both in ancient and modern times, attached a mysterious virtue to the number seven; and Balaam, in ordering the preparation of so many altars, designed to mystify and delude the king.
23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here."
23:14 So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on {each} altar.
23:29 Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here."
This is perhaps one of the places where reading the chapter can give you a fullness of what God was doing. God was reaching Balaam. Verse 4 tells us that. Now the field described in verse 14, some translate as a cultivated field, and others show it as the field of sentinels.
One of our desires for this altar is that we worship the one true God. That while we all from time to time operate in error, or mix truth with tradition, God meets us. He is not deterred by our sin or our failings. He is the one who created us and has great love for us. How much? Beyond what we can imagine. and so, we pray for the families who buy our altars. We pray for each altar to be a meeting place for people and God. We pray that this nation's families are restored to truth, mercy and love.
And as you develop devotions and study for you and your family, you will find your elf drawn to praying for others.
To pray and intercede for others such as the pastor, missionaries, sick folk, unsaved loved ones, the neighbors, fellow believers in need, the church, our president, the shut-ins, those who are in trial or going through persecutions. Children who can learn to pray openly at home will have no problem praying publicly in the church weekly prayer meetings as they grow.
And this came in from my friend Morgan. Some of the results we see when God is moving.
STAND UP!
Are you familiar with the slightly dated term “stand up guy”? It used to describe the teacher who was fair with discipline, and enthusiastic about his students and subjects. The coach that made sure his athletes had good grades, good manners and good counsel about nutrition, sleep and personal hygiene. The Dad that came home after working hard and played catch or soccer with his kids, as well as half the neighborhood’s kids until it was time for supper. The pastor who would answer the phone or open the door at 2:00 AM to talk a kid through a crisis. The cop who cared enough to earn respect with his character, not his weapons. The employer who would hire the rough kids, just to give them that chance to succeed. Do you sometimes think that “stand up guys” are an endangered species? The answer is NO!!!
Schools from kindergarten thru post graduate colleges are full of teachers who stand up for excellence. We all know some of these educators. The vast majority of coaches and the athletes they train are deserving of respect and “Role model” status. They support charities, give their time to inspiring young people and love their families. If you look around town, you can see Dads all over playing with their Little Leaguers or cheering at soccer or basketball or mentoring a club or Scout troop. Just name the pastor, and I bet you have a dedicated, devoted listener, trained and willing to love you through hard times. Most police officers will never use their weapon during their entire career, but they will use courage, good judgment, restraint and empathy EVERY day! And if we are really honest, a good many of us would not be where we are if someone hadn’t taken a chance employing us back when we knew it all.
Now I want to go on record as thanking God for the Stand Up Guys (male and female) that shaped my life. A few that stand out are: Teacher Steve Aardal who spent nights and weekends helping me pull my teen life together; Coach Jim Lincoln who gave me physical goals and confidence; My Dad who worked long hours in his own business and still had time and energy to prove, without a doubt, that he loved us unconditionally; Pastor Roger Brooks, a man’s man (Marine Corps) with a loving heart for God, not afraid to cry or hug or stand tough as required; Ernest “Chieffy” Thoin, police chief in Marlborough in the 1970’s, walked into tough situations without his gun, because he cared so much for his fellow townspeople, he would risk personal injury rather than provoke an incident. He kept criminal thoughts from becoming crimes with his calm, caring voice, and set a good many potential “hooligans” (myself included) on a better life course; Restaurateur Hector Dionne, who could be really tough or kind, (sometimes in the same sentence) and taught me that hard work and good service were often their own reward. And builder Ray Schnyer, who hired me out of high school and gave me a love for building homes that I have follow for nearly my whole working life.
So, I want to challenge you to look around. Don’t allow all the Bad News to overshadow the heroes among us. Folks like Graham Gitchell, chemistry teacher at Keene High; Jason Dumaine, youth pastor at Christian Life Fellowship or Mark Sanchez, pastor at Village Church; My brother Keith, Superdad; ANY city, state or town police officer or fireman; Community action programs like Southwestern Community Services,
Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars--Balak, being a heathen, would naturally suppose these altars were erected in honor of Baal, the patron deity of his country. It is evident, from Numbers 23:4 that they were prepared for the worship of the true God; although in choosing the high places of Baal as their site and rearing a number of altars (2 Kings 18:22, Isaiah 17:8, Jeremiah 11:13, Hosea 8:11, 10:1), instead of one only, as God had appointed, Balaam blended his own superstitions with the divine worship. The heathen, both in ancient and modern times, attached a mysterious virtue to the number seven; and Balaam, in ordering the preparation of so many altars, designed to mystify and delude the king.
23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here."
23:14 So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on {each} altar.
23:29 Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here."
This is perhaps one of the places where reading the chapter can give you a fullness of what God was doing. God was reaching Balaam. Verse 4 tells us that. Now the field described in verse 14, some translate as a cultivated field, and others show it as the field of sentinels.
One of our desires for this altar is that we worship the one true God. That while we all from time to time operate in error, or mix truth with tradition, God meets us. He is not deterred by our sin or our failings. He is the one who created us and has great love for us. How much? Beyond what we can imagine. and so, we pray for the families who buy our altars. We pray for each altar to be a meeting place for people and God. We pray that this nation's families are restored to truth, mercy and love.
And as you develop devotions and study for you and your family, you will find your elf drawn to praying for others.
To pray and intercede for others such as the pastor, missionaries, sick folk, unsaved loved ones, the neighbors, fellow believers in need, the church, our president, the shut-ins, those who are in trial or going through persecutions. Children who can learn to pray openly at home will have no problem praying publicly in the church weekly prayer meetings as they grow.
And this came in from my friend Morgan. Some of the results we see when God is moving.
STAND UP!
Are you familiar with the slightly dated term “stand up guy”? It used to describe the teacher who was fair with discipline, and enthusiastic about his students and subjects. The coach that made sure his athletes had good grades, good manners and good counsel about nutrition, sleep and personal hygiene. The Dad that came home after working hard and played catch or soccer with his kids, as well as half the neighborhood’s kids until it was time for supper. The pastor who would answer the phone or open the door at 2:00 AM to talk a kid through a crisis. The cop who cared enough to earn respect with his character, not his weapons. The employer who would hire the rough kids, just to give them that chance to succeed. Do you sometimes think that “stand up guys” are an endangered species? The answer is NO!!!
Schools from kindergarten thru post graduate colleges are full of teachers who stand up for excellence. We all know some of these educators. The vast majority of coaches and the athletes they train are deserving of respect and “Role model” status. They support charities, give their time to inspiring young people and love their families. If you look around town, you can see Dads all over playing with their Little Leaguers or cheering at soccer or basketball or mentoring a club or Scout troop. Just name the pastor, and I bet you have a dedicated, devoted listener, trained and willing to love you through hard times. Most police officers will never use their weapon during their entire career, but they will use courage, good judgment, restraint and empathy EVERY day! And if we are really honest, a good many of us would not be where we are if someone hadn’t taken a chance employing us back when we knew it all.
Now I want to go on record as thanking God for the Stand Up Guys (male and female) that shaped my life. A few that stand out are: Teacher Steve Aardal who spent nights and weekends helping me pull my teen life together; Coach Jim Lincoln who gave me physical goals and confidence; My Dad who worked long hours in his own business and still had time and energy to prove, without a doubt, that he loved us unconditionally; Pastor Roger Brooks, a man’s man (Marine Corps) with a loving heart for God, not afraid to cry or hug or stand tough as required; Ernest “Chieffy” Thoin, police chief in Marlborough in the 1970’s, walked into tough situations without his gun, because he cared so much for his fellow townspeople, he would risk personal injury rather than provoke an incident. He kept criminal thoughts from becoming crimes with his calm, caring voice, and set a good many potential “hooligans” (myself included) on a better life course; Restaurateur Hector Dionne, who could be really tough or kind, (sometimes in the same sentence) and taught me that hard work and good service were often their own reward. And builder Ray Schnyer, who hired me out of high school and gave me a love for building homes that I have follow for nearly my whole working life.
So, I want to challenge you to look around. Don’t allow all the Bad News to overshadow the heroes among us. Folks like Graham Gitchell, chemistry teacher at Keene High; Jason Dumaine, youth pastor at Christian Life Fellowship or Mark Sanchez, pastor at Village Church; My brother Keith, Superdad; ANY city, state or town police officer or fireman; Community action programs like Southwestern Community Services,
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Altars and Moses
We continue on our journey of altars. Today we are talking about Moses. Our text comes from Exodus
17:15 Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner;
Moses named the altar Jehovah Nissi.
I quote Darby here.
I dare say many of us have thought, when we have seen the necessity of dependence on the Lord, that one good battle with Satan, and all will be over; but no such thing, we have security and the certainty of victory, but no promise of cessation from conflict whilst in the wilderness. God has promised that He "will bruise Satan under our feet shortly"; as He said to Israel that He would "utterly put out the name of Amalek from under heaven"; but still "Jehovah will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." Till Christ comes, and Satan will be bound, and we shall have the full result of victory, we must reckon on conflict (not on slavery to Pharaoh, but on war with Amalek), but with the comfort of knowing that it is Jehovah who makes war, though it is through Israel, and Israel therefore has to fight. It is the Lord's battle against Satan - there is our comfort. but still a battle which we have to carry on; hence we are kept in an unceasing state of dependence. The moment it was not so, Israel were put to the worse.
And yet the value of the Lord being our banner is huge. If we bow at the altar of the Lord and reminded that He goes before us, it inspires confidence and faith as we remember He goes before us.
We must always remember that we, too, have an “altar” which is the center for all God's people, namely the Person of Christ;
24:4 Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
An altar is a representative of ALL MEN. We pray and seek the Lord on behalf of all men. Less talk (With men)and more prayer. Can we believe that nation would change? That community would change? That the prodigal would return? I met with a prodigal yesterday. 2 months ago shooting coke with another believer. Man's life is changed by prayer.
Our family altars remind us of those that have gone before us and those that are about us.
Why a family altar?
To pray over family problems and needs, burdens the children may have, and that they may have confidence in the God that answers prayer in the everyday things of life. All the members of the family have personal needs. It would be good if they could learn to share them openly and take them before the Lord together. There are school needs, boy and girl friend problems, problems with play mates, character problems such as timidity and fears of all kinds, questions about amusements, finances. Teenagers have deep needs and hate to express them for fear of being misunderstood or embarrassed. Their problems are big problems to them and must be considered. Mom and Dad have needs of all kinds. Financial needs, Dad's work needs, the car, moving, and all kinds of things can be prayed through with God. All the family needs to know they can have confidence in Him and that He will hear and answer prayer.
17:15 Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner;
Moses named the altar Jehovah Nissi.
I quote Darby here.
I dare say many of us have thought, when we have seen the necessity of dependence on the Lord, that one good battle with Satan, and all will be over; but no such thing, we have security and the certainty of victory, but no promise of cessation from conflict whilst in the wilderness. God has promised that He "will bruise Satan under our feet shortly"; as He said to Israel that He would "utterly put out the name of Amalek from under heaven"; but still "Jehovah will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." Till Christ comes, and Satan will be bound, and we shall have the full result of victory, we must reckon on conflict (not on slavery to Pharaoh, but on war with Amalek), but with the comfort of knowing that it is Jehovah who makes war, though it is through Israel, and Israel therefore has to fight. It is the Lord's battle against Satan - there is our comfort. but still a battle which we have to carry on; hence we are kept in an unceasing state of dependence. The moment it was not so, Israel were put to the worse.
And yet the value of the Lord being our banner is huge. If we bow at the altar of the Lord and reminded that He goes before us, it inspires confidence and faith as we remember He goes before us.
We must always remember that we, too, have an “altar” which is the center for all God's people, namely the Person of Christ;
24:4 Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
An altar is a representative of ALL MEN. We pray and seek the Lord on behalf of all men. Less talk (With men)and more prayer. Can we believe that nation would change? That community would change? That the prodigal would return? I met with a prodigal yesterday. 2 months ago shooting coke with another believer. Man's life is changed by prayer.
Our family altars remind us of those that have gone before us and those that are about us.
Why a family altar?
To pray over family problems and needs, burdens the children may have, and that they may have confidence in the God that answers prayer in the everyday things of life. All the members of the family have personal needs. It would be good if they could learn to share them openly and take them before the Lord together. There are school needs, boy and girl friend problems, problems with play mates, character problems such as timidity and fears of all kinds, questions about amusements, finances. Teenagers have deep needs and hate to express them for fear of being misunderstood or embarrassed. Their problems are big problems to them and must be considered. Mom and Dad have needs of all kinds. Financial needs, Dad's work needs, the car, moving, and all kinds of things can be prayed through with God. All the family needs to know they can have confidence in Him and that He will hear and answer prayer.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Jacob and Altars
I have a heart for Jacob. So many, including myself have tried to take the easy way to God, sometimes with manipulations and lies, only to find out God is not deceived, and perhaps even laughs at our efforts to get away with things.
The history of Jacob is the history of one in the favour of God, but disciplined in a failing walk, and through failure, the faithfulness of God being evidenced throughout all his failures and wanderings in his attempts to bring about the blessing in a carnal way. Just the result of this is seen in his interview with Pharaoh. (Gen. 47) He goes into the presence of the great potentate of the world, and, without any hesitation, blesses him, whilst at the same time giving a very sorrowful history of his own life. There is most evident superiority in the presence of the world; but, putting himself in comparison with other saints, his own life has been a sad one - few and evil his days. The moment a saint is put in contrast with the highest potentate in the world, he is the superior. It is very lovely to see this lowliness, the result of his "few and evil" days. The saint may have to confess before the world, to his own shame, yet there cannot but be, where the soul is in communion with God, the consciousness of blessing.
The following scripture shows that Jacob built an altar and called it "the mighty God of Israel." This was after getting to where he was headed(Shechem)safely. It also followed the restorative reunion between him and Esau.
As to Jacob's character, he was most assuredly a believer, and, what is more, a believer who valued God's promises. Esau, was not. (Scripture speaks of him as a "profane person.") Jacob valued the promises. Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. But we do not find in Jacob this character of faith - confidence in God to bring about the promises. Therefore, whilst he values the promises, he uses fleshly means to obtain them; he reckons upon human policy, instead of reckoning upon God. There is blessing in the end; but God could not approve his conduct; and, in the dealing of God's government with him, with the measure with which he has meted, it is measured to him again; he is himself continually the object of similar deceit. He tells Laban, "In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times." (Gen. 31.) Cheated about his wife, wronged as to his wages, a wanderer from his father's house, and slave to Laban, through acting in a deceitful way, instead of leaving the accomplishment of the blessing to God: in all this we discern actual discipline because of evil.
We will now consider another altar - that raised by Jacob, on his recall to Beth-el, and a little compare this with God's wrestling with him, when be came out of Padan-aram. There was no altar there.
Genesis 33:20 Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.
The significance of that altar was place of thanking God for his deliverance from enemies.
A while later the Lord comes to Jacob and asks him to return to Bethel, the house of God, to erect an altar in the place where he met with him after he had run from Esau.
Genesis 35:1 Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, R901 who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau."
35:2 So Jacob said to his household R903 and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify R905 yourselves and change your garments;
35:3 and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone."
35:4 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.
35:5 As they journeyed, there was a great terror upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
35:6 So Jacob came to Luz(that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.
35:7 He built an altar there, and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed Himself to him when he fled from his brother.
As you can see altars define times and seasons in our lives. Perhaps the altar you receive represents a restoration to your first love of Jesus. Or a reminder of time where God delivered you from the hands of evil, as He did Jacob.
The purpose of an altar is not that you "idolize" the altar, for the altar has no sacred power. It is a reminder or a symbol perhaps of something God has done. Much like when I see a cross or a the sign of "the fish" it reminds me that there are others and who I serve. I do not give power to the symbol.
A reason for developing a family altar with devotions is...
To establish the family in the faith, personal convictions, and doctrine. Children and young people need convictions to stand up against their peers. They must understand their faith and know something of good Bible doctrine so they know what they believe and why. The home makes a good Bible school where the children can be grounded as they face the humanistic, evolutionary philosophy of [our modern society].
It is our desire here to see people come back to the Lord. As you read what is written, it is our hope that you will catch the flavor of what we pray. That people would see restoration in the family and in their community. An altar is one of those "outward signs of inner workings." People see it and ask.
Tomorrow I will
The history of Jacob is the history of one in the favour of God, but disciplined in a failing walk, and through failure, the faithfulness of God being evidenced throughout all his failures and wanderings in his attempts to bring about the blessing in a carnal way. Just the result of this is seen in his interview with Pharaoh. (Gen. 47) He goes into the presence of the great potentate of the world, and, without any hesitation, blesses him, whilst at the same time giving a very sorrowful history of his own life. There is most evident superiority in the presence of the world; but, putting himself in comparison with other saints, his own life has been a sad one - few and evil his days. The moment a saint is put in contrast with the highest potentate in the world, he is the superior. It is very lovely to see this lowliness, the result of his "few and evil" days. The saint may have to confess before the world, to his own shame, yet there cannot but be, where the soul is in communion with God, the consciousness of blessing.
The following scripture shows that Jacob built an altar and called it "the mighty God of Israel." This was after getting to where he was headed(Shechem)safely. It also followed the restorative reunion between him and Esau.
As to Jacob's character, he was most assuredly a believer, and, what is more, a believer who valued God's promises. Esau, was not. (Scripture speaks of him as a "profane person.") Jacob valued the promises. Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. But we do not find in Jacob this character of faith - confidence in God to bring about the promises. Therefore, whilst he values the promises, he uses fleshly means to obtain them; he reckons upon human policy, instead of reckoning upon God. There is blessing in the end; but God could not approve his conduct; and, in the dealing of God's government with him, with the measure with which he has meted, it is measured to him again; he is himself continually the object of similar deceit. He tells Laban, "In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times." (Gen. 31.) Cheated about his wife, wronged as to his wages, a wanderer from his father's house, and slave to Laban, through acting in a deceitful way, instead of leaving the accomplishment of the blessing to God: in all this we discern actual discipline because of evil.
We will now consider another altar - that raised by Jacob, on his recall to Beth-el, and a little compare this with God's wrestling with him, when be came out of Padan-aram. There was no altar there.
Genesis 33:20 Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.
The significance of that altar was place of thanking God for his deliverance from enemies.
A while later the Lord comes to Jacob and asks him to return to Bethel, the house of God, to erect an altar in the place where he met with him after he had run from Esau.
Genesis 35:1 Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, R901 who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau."
35:2 So Jacob said to his household R903 and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify R905 yourselves and change your garments;
35:3 and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone."
35:4 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.
35:5 As they journeyed, there was a great terror upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
35:6 So Jacob came to Luz(that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.
35:7 He built an altar there, and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed Himself to him when he fled from his brother.
As you can see altars define times and seasons in our lives. Perhaps the altar you receive represents a restoration to your first love of Jesus. Or a reminder of time where God delivered you from the hands of evil, as He did Jacob.
The purpose of an altar is not that you "idolize" the altar, for the altar has no sacred power. It is a reminder or a symbol perhaps of something God has done. Much like when I see a cross or a the sign of "the fish" it reminds me that there are others and who I serve. I do not give power to the symbol.
A reason for developing a family altar with devotions is...
To establish the family in the faith, personal convictions, and doctrine. Children and young people need convictions to stand up against their peers. They must understand their faith and know something of good Bible doctrine so they know what they believe and why. The home makes a good Bible school where the children can be grounded as they face the humanistic, evolutionary philosophy of [our modern society].
It is our desire here to see people come back to the Lord. As you read what is written, it is our hope that you will catch the flavor of what we pray. That people would see restoration in the family and in their community. An altar is one of those "outward signs of inner workings." People see it and ask.
Tomorrow I will
Monday, March 2, 2009
Altars and Isaac
Genesis 26:25 -
So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well.
Isaac understood as one who had been a sacrifice the need for calling upon the Lord. will we call upon the Lord for our families and friends? Altars are a reminder to call upon Him and see that He will do great and mighty things. In Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. One of the purposes of being in prayer is to see what God has for you and others. Do you believe He heals? Delivers? Loves?
One of the keys of Family Altars is that
To honor God's Word, develop respect for it, and to live by it. James says, "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22). Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Home is a good place to practice the exhortation, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:16). In these days when we have put the Bible out of our schools, we need to put it back in our homes and teach our children from it.
And I want to share a recent letter to us.
Hi Lee-
I came across your new endeavor to produce altars for individuals and
families. I just had to keep reading. I was really transfixed.
Thank you!
I wanted to know if I could put in a special order, or sorts. I would
like to have a child size altar that fits on a tabletop. Its just for
me but somehow I feel like my altar would be "bigger," more
magnanimous somehow if it just fit into a room discretely and easily,
but was always there. I also found myself thinking about how I had
NEVER prayed as a child, how I never even knew what the word "prayer"
meant. I feel as if it would be most beneficial for me to start from
the ground up, so to speak. And I know that the prayers inside of me
as a child were more the "real deal," and I want to connect to all of
it.
The altars are beautifully finished and crafted, no doubt about it! If
it were possible, I would like to have one that is made of unfinished
wood (not stained). Do you use different woods, are there decisions
that can be made there? I like unfinished wood very much. I used to
work a lot with old barns in Vermont, brokering them at no cost in
exchange for salvaging the barn and building a new structure from it.
I loved the untouched, natural, even weathered wood.
(We are working on this! Answers this week!)
What I would like boils down to a much simpler structure, which fits
for me. Let me know what you think.
I am recovering from an accidental poisoning which has caused some
permanent disability, but I have plans to
transform much of these! Somehow, in my heart, I know I need to be
praying with myself, my soul, must me and God, etc.
I need guidance but all of it is work I have to do. So, having a
private piece for prayer really fits rather than seeking a group of
people, for example, to pray for me.
Tell me, if you wouldn't mind, how you saw the oil?
I live in the White River Jct. area. Write back when you can. In my
view, you needn't portray so much worry that you can't make this idea
work. Nothing important unfolds quickly, so from that you might want
to feel more confident that you are on the right track! And I suspect
that whatever personalization could be added to them will help
immensely.
(There is more of personal nature, but we sure are encouraged!)
So, let me respond to some of this. Colors are being contemplated and we should have a stain color selection this week. Other woods are being considered. We are working on the personalization which will include plaques, wood burning and art work. Some of the writers other suggestions included selling these at fairs and crafts shows.
Who knows where this is going?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Altars and Abraham
Genesis
12:7 -
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.
12:8 -
Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD.
Ai means "heap of ruins." Bethel means "house of God." Perhaps it is true that the altar means a bridge of sorts, (Perhaps a shadow of things to come in Christ Jesus.)between the house of God and the place of ruins. How to get from a place of loss to a place of goodness.
This altar was memorial of promise to Abraham to his him and his family.
13:18 -
Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.
The word Hebron means "association." It is where Abraham met with the Lord.
Mamre speaks of fatness or strength. The Lord God is our strength. Fatness in this context speaks of provision.
22:9 -
Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
This altar for Abraham is where he met the Lord of provision. The supply came to him through Jehovah Jireh.
Through out the life of Abraham, he had memorials to the greatness of the Lord. In one, a receipt of the promise, another a place between two worlds and another for provision.
It is our hope as we pursue the family altar project that we provide you with meaningful insight and practical hands on applications.
Here is one of our first.
I. What Is the Purpose of the Family Altar?
1. To worship God together and learn more of His ways. What could be a better purpose. Children should learn to worship God in their early years that they might have respect for Him in the later years. They need to learn how to regard Him and to realize that He is the Creator, Holy, and to be honored in all that we say and do.
This is a critical step in our leaving a legacy.
12:7 -
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.
12:8 -
Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD.
Ai means "heap of ruins." Bethel means "house of God." Perhaps it is true that the altar means a bridge of sorts, (Perhaps a shadow of things to come in Christ Jesus.)between the house of God and the place of ruins. How to get from a place of loss to a place of goodness.
This altar was memorial of promise to Abraham to his him and his family.
13:18 -
Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.
The word Hebron means "association." It is where Abraham met with the Lord.
Mamre speaks of fatness or strength. The Lord God is our strength. Fatness in this context speaks of provision.
22:9 -
Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
This altar for Abraham is where he met the Lord of provision. The supply came to him through Jehovah Jireh.
Through out the life of Abraham, he had memorials to the greatness of the Lord. In one, a receipt of the promise, another a place between two worlds and another for provision.
It is our hope as we pursue the family altar project that we provide you with meaningful insight and practical hands on applications.
Here is one of our first.
I. What Is the Purpose of the Family Altar?
1. To worship God together and learn more of His ways. What could be a better purpose. Children should learn to worship God in their early years that they might have respect for Him in the later years. They need to learn how to regard Him and to realize that He is the Creator, Holy, and to be honored in all that we say and do.
This is a critical step in our leaving a legacy.
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