Who Are God's "Firstfruits"?

An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/ about the "Firstfruits of God." This follows this post about dangerous thoughts such as suicide.   For a free magazine subscription or to get the book shown  for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

Who Are God's "Firstfruits"?






article by Good News Editor





The firstfruits of God's plan are those who are called now, in this age, and are having their minds and attitudes changed to become like Jesus Christ through God's Spirit working within them.







Source: Photos.comThe apostle James noted that God has "brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [i.e., of those He's created]" (James 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.



See All...).



Paul well understood that those called and converted in this age between man's creation and Christ's second coming are the firstfruits of God's plan for the salvation of humanity. He referred to several first-century Christians as the firstfruits of God's calling in specific locations (Romans 16:5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.



See All...; 1 Corinthians 16:15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)



See All...). Looking ahead to the resurrection of those who remain faithful to their calling, he said, "We also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption [that is, full rights of sonship], the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.



See All...).



However, the firstfruits of God's plan, those who are called now, find themselves in a vastly different situation from that of those who will follow in the later spiritual harvest period.



Jesus said that those who are His followers in this age are not to be "of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.



See All...). They are called out of the world and are expected to develop the character of Christ, while the rest of mankind is deceived (Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.



See All...) and following values abhorrent to Christ (1 John 2:15-17 [15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.





See All...).



The present evil age

The firstfruits—God's people—are called and strive to obey God while living in "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:



See All...), of which Satan is the actual ruler (2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.



See All...). The harvest of firstfruits is small, for at this time relatively few will accept God's calling, repent, be converted and remain faithful to His way of life. That is why Jesus said, "Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.



See All...).



After Christ's return, which will usher in a new age, the world—society as a whole—will learn to live by the laws and values of God. In that age, God will bind Satan and no longer allow him to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:2-3 [2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.





See All...). Without Satan's influence, the world will at last come to know peace. Everyone will know the Lord (Hebrews 8:11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.



See All...).



Those who have not conformed to the world (Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.



See All...) will be those who assist Christ in bringing all nations to His truth (Revelation 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.



See All...). They will have overcome the world just as Jesus overcame the world, and Christ will use them in bringing all other people to serve Him (Revelation 2:26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:



See All...; Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.



See All...).



Gift of the Holy Spirit

God enables His people to fulfill His purpose for them. But how?



Significantly, God chose the Day of Pentecost to begin His Church in an important sense by sending the Holy Spirit to His few faithful disciples (Acts 1:15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)



See All...; Acts 2:1-4 [1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.





See All...). Many think of a church as a building. But the word translated "church" in the New Testament is ekklesia, meaning "called out (ones)." This Greek word was typically used to denote an assembly of people—those called out to meet together. The Church is the collective body of people who are called out of the world to serve God.



Through the Holy Spirit, which God gives to those who are part of His Church, members are empowered to overcome the world. It is through God's Holy Spirit that the Church can preach the gospel to the world and make disciples of all nations (Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.



See All...; Matthew 28:19-20 [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.





See All...). It is this Spirit that enables a person to belong to Jesus Christ and be a part of the Church (Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.



See All...). For the New Testament Church to exist, it was necessary for God to send His Holy Spirit.



The firstfruits of God's plan for salvation are those called to be in God's Church in this age. The Church, also spoken of as "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.



See All...), is made up of individuals in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. They have repented of their sins and turned to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They have committed themselves to obedience to His holy and righteous laws. They are willing to give up everything to remain faithful to Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.



See All...).



Firstfruits follow Jesus Christ

Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All... speaks of God's people who are "firstfruits to God and to the Lamb." The preceding and succeeding verses provide insight into the character of those who are the firstfruits and why they accompany Jesus Christ.



Why are they so valued by God? They are described as having the Father's name written in their foreheads (verse 1); God is foremost in their mind and thoughts. These have not been seduced by a false religious system (Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All...), which is depicted as an immoral woman seducing humanity (Revelation 2:20-22 [20] Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

[21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

[22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.





See All...; Revelation 17:1-6 [1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

[4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

[6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.





See All...).



The firstfruits have come out of and avoided the political and religious system that has dominated the world (see Revelation 17:1-6 [1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

[4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

[6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.





See All...). When they were called by Jesus Christ, they understood that they were to come out of this system (see Revelation 18:3-4 [3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.





See All...).



In addition, the firstfruits "follow the Lamb wherever he goes" (Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All...). They are faithfully devoted to Jesus Christ. They will allow nothing to entice them from their personal loyalty to Him. Since Jesus will use them to assist Him in teaching His ways to the world, it is vital that His firstfruits will forever be true to Him.



They "have been redeemed from among men" (same verse). They have been purchased by God with the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19 [18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:





See All...). Having been bought by God, they know that their lives no longer belong to them, but rather to Jesus Christ, whom they are to turn their lives over to completely, body and spirit (see Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.



See All...; 1 Corinthians 6:20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.



See All...).



Also, "in their mouth was found no deceit" (Revelation 14:5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.



See All...). They have learned to deal with the malice commonly found in the hearts of men. There is no deception, plotting or feigning in their actions or words. They have learned about the genuineness, sincerity and simplicity of Christ. They have, in short, come to grips with the deceit of their own hearts and have fully submitted to the pure and undefiled life of Christ dwelling in them. Forgiven of sins and having grown in godly character, "they are without fault before the throne of God" (verse 5).



Picturing the plan of God

This most important step in God's plan for the salvation of mankind is revealed in the observing of His Holy Days. Naturally, those who are of the firstfruits will be observing the very day that pictures the calling and harvest of the firstfruits of God's plan, the Day of Pentecost.



They will gratefully observe the very day that celebrates another milestone in God's great plan, the founding of the Church through the granting of God's Holy Spirit.



We now live in the age of the firstfruits, the time during which God is preparing a special, chosen people to reign with Christ in His Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:



See All...). Are you part of that group? You will be if you heed the counsel of the apostle Peter when he admonished us in 2 Peter 1:10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:



See All... to "be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure"!







[  Read the article: The Remarkable Lesson of God's Feast of Firstfruits  ]

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Profiles of Faith: Miriam - A Lifetime of Faith

An interesting article from www.ucg.org about the Biblical woman named Miriam, Moses' sister. This follows this post about  Ruth.  For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

Profiles of Faith: Miriam - A Lifetime of Faith






article by Jerold Aust





Although God inspired Moses to identify Miriam as a prophetess while she lived, she was still highly regarded in Scripture some 700 years after she died.



With cautious optimism and hope, Miriam crouched on the bank of the Nile River, watching intently as her baby brother Moses, lying in a waterproofed basket, floated among the reeds at river's edge.



She was anxious, and with good reason. Her mother, whom she loved and trusted, had instructed her to place the baby in this vulnerable position. Their hope was to save the infant, for the leader of mighty Egypt had just decreed that all Israelite baby boys be thrown in the river to drown.



Miriam and her mother knew that Pharaoh's daughter, accompanied by her maidens, came to the river to bathe. Will she come to the river today? she thought.



Miriam, the 7-year-old sister of Moses, realized that what she was doing was risky, because the tiny basket might break free from the protection of the reeds and get swept away in the river's forceful current . If caught, she might die herself for defying the ruler's order.



Then she heard muffled voices nearby. Women were walking toward the river, talking and laughing as they approached. One of them, Pharaoh's daughter, noticed the basket among the reeds.



Miriam's heart raced as the princess directed an assistant to retrieve the little ark and brought the baby boy to her. When the child began to cry, her heart was overwhelmed with compassion. She recognized him as a Hebrew child. It was at that moment that Miriam spontaneously hurried to the princess and offered to help. "I know of a Hebrew woman who could take care of this baby for you. Would you like her to nurse and care for him?"



The princess replied that she would, and Miriam rushed away to reunite her mother with her infant brother.



This rest is history, the remarkable story of a young girl, the older sister of Moses, who became a prophetess of God. Little could she imagine that some 80 years later, she and her sister Israelites would joyously proclaim their freedom from years of Egyptian bondage as she led them in praising God for His deliverance.



Life in Miriam's day

Let's get a glimpse of the setting, the backdrop of Miriam's day. Seven years Moses' senior, Miriam grew up a slave, the daughter of slaves. Assuming Moses was born around 1520 B.C. (Merrill Unger, Unger's Bible Dictionary , Moody Press, Chicago, 1988, p. 886), then Miriam was born around 1527.



Some 160 years earlier, a Hebrew family had fled drought in their homeland and arrived in Egypt as refugees. The patriarch of the family was Jacob, also named Israel. His estranged son Joseph had become chief assistant to the Pharaoh of that time. Under these circumstances the Hebrews were well treated and prospered as shepherds in the Nile delta. After the death of Israel and subsequently his son Joseph, "there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph" (Exodus 1:8Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.



See All...).



Recognizing how prolifically the Israelites had multiplied, this ruler began to fear the loss of Egyptian control of his own country. He knew too that the Israelites could ally with an enemy against the Egyptians. In an attempt to curb the Hebrew slaves, he pressed them into labor on major construction projects.



For years the Israelites toiled away in service to the Egyptians. But, in spite of the backbreaking work, the Hebrews continued to multiply—so much so that, by Miriam's day the Pharaoh took the drastic step of decreeing that all newborn Hebrew boys be thrown into the Nile to drown.



It's at this juncture that we find Miriam risking her life to save her little brother. Undoubtedly as Miriam lived and worked under this tyrant she learned lessons of faith in preparation for her role in the dramatic events that lay ahead for the children of Israel.



Faithful from childhood

Miriam helped save Moses from a sure death. She courageously defied the Egyptian ruler by placing Moses among the reeds by the river's edge (Exodus 2:3And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.



See All...). Knowing she could face death for her actions, she cautiously watched over him. Waiting for the Egyptian princess, she seized the opportunity when it presented itself.



The princess could easily have rejected Miriam's offer of Moses' own mother to nurse the infant. But, in fulfilling God's plan for Moses, the Egyptian princess welcomed Miriam's suggestion.



In all this Miriam showed faithfulness, loyalty and poise. Such character would have been commendable if she had been in her 20 or 30s. But she was only 7. Her courage in such trying times, when Hebrew babies were being slaughtered for merely being boys, gives us a glimpse into the kind of woman she was to become. Little wonder she is referred to in Scripture as a faithful servant and prophetess of God!



Accounts of loyalty and faithfulness like Miriam's were recorded for our sake (Romans 15:4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.



See All...). Her godly characteristics were much in evidence at the moment of Israel's triumph, on the other shore of the Red Sea. After Israel was delivered from the jaws of death through the parting and closing of the Red Sea, Miriam took her timbrel and, following Moses' own song, led the women of Israel in musical praise of God for His deliverance (Exodus 15:20-21 [20] And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron

, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

[21] And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.





See All...). It is in the recording of this incident that Moses, the author of the book of Exodus, identified his older sister as a prophetess, the first recorded in the Bible.



Although the Bible shows Miriam did not hold a position equal to that of Moses, she seems to have been viewed as a near equal to Aaron in importance. Exodus 15:20And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron

, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.



See All... refers to her as "Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron." In other scriptures she is mentioned along with Moses, the nation's leader, and Aaron, its high priest. Although her exact position isn't known, she was clearly held in high regard by Moses, Aaron and her people.



Scripture gives no indication that Miriam ever lost her attitude of loyalty and faithfulness. However, God in His Word records not only the strengths of His faithful servants, but their flaws, including their errors in judgment. One of Miriam's actions—specifically her criticism of Moses' marriage to a woman of whom she disapproved—disclosed what seems to have been hidden resentment. God inspired Moses himself to record the details of her error, which was a serious issue to God.



Envy and excuse

Numbers 12:1And Miriam and Aaron

spake against

Moses

because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.



See All... sets the scene for Miriam's open judgment of Moses: "Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, 'Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?' And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.) Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, 'Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!' So the three came out. Then the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward" (verses 1-5).



"Then He said, 'Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision, and I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?' So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed" (verses 5-9, emphasis added throughout).



Miriam and Aaron (who was also older than Moses; Exodus 7:7And

Moses

was fourscore years old, and Aaron

fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.



See All...) apparently chafed at Moses' preeminent calling and position. Since her name is mentioned first in their speaking against Moses (verse 1), perhaps Miriam initiated the criticism.



Their indignation over Moses taking a wife outside of Israel provided them the protection and credibility they sought—or so they thought. Miriam was searching for greater credibility; instead, she received the curse of leprosy. She and Aaron failed to acknowledge that it is God who sets up and removes leaders (Daniel 2:21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:



See All...).



God does not take rebellion lightly, especially when it comes from among His people and is directed against His authority. "So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed. And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow . . ." (Numbers 12:9-10 [9] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.

[10] And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron

looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.





See All...).



Since indications are that she had been the instigator of this criticism leveled at Moses, she apparently was the one singled out for punishment.



Living a lie is bad enough. Teaching wrong ways to God's people is worse. For example, Jeremiah warned the prophet Hananiah: "This year you shall die, because you have taught rebellion against the Lord' " (Jeremiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.



See All...). In that case, as with Miriam, God acted decisively against attempts to rebel against Him.



God's anger and forgiveness

God's anger was swift but not capricious. Consider this event's significance against the backdrop of some incredible miracles: God heard Israel's cries for deliverance. He remembered His promise to Abraham, and He delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:7-9 [7] And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

[8] And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

[9] Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.





See All...). He granted them freedom to worship and obey Him. God performed mighty miracles to free Israel: After the 10 plagues He poured on Egypt, He opened the Red Sea and allowed His people to escape over the dry sea bed. When Pharaoh's armies attempted to follow Israel, God dramatically buried them under tons of water.



Later, God fed, clothed and protected the Israelites during their wilderness travels for 40 long years, mercifully tolerating their human weaknesses. A careful study of those events can help us better understand Israel's trying nature and God's patient mercy for His people.



When Miriam set her hand against Moses, God reacted with justifiable anger. If her rebellious spirit were allowed to spread, rebellious attitudes and actions could affect others among the Israelites, they who were chosen to be a model nation to countries around them (Deuteronomy 4:5-8 [5] Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

[6] Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

[7] For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

[8] And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?





See All...; 2 Samuel 7:23-24 [23] And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

[24] For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.





See All...). God immediately inflicted Miriam with the dread disease of leprosy. Miriam was recognized as cursed, rebellious to God. She was exiled for a while from the Israelites' wilderness camp, a fate worse than death for some.



Aaron immediately cried out for Moses to help Miriam, begging him to ask God for forgiveness and the healing of their sister. All self-importance and presumption quickly vanished when they saw where their unwise actions had led them.



Moses responded quickly to Aaron's cry. He asked God to heal Miriam; God did. But He would not let the rebellion go unpunished: There was a penalty to be paid, lest others follow in her footsteps.



Even though He healed Miriam, God expressed His displeasure with Miriam's actions: "If her father had but spit in her face, would she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp seven days, and after that she may be received again" (Numbers 12:14And the LORD said unto

Moses

, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.



See All...).



The laws of health, hygiene and quarantine God had instituted for the well-being of the people directed that lepers live outside the camp (Leviticus 13:46All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.



See All...). God wanted everyone to know that He didn't take Miriam's rebellion lightly. Israel remained camped for one week, time enough for this spiritual lesson for Miriam and Israel to sink in (Numbers 12:15And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.



See All...). God was as quick to forgive as He was to anger.



The work of a prophetess

Although God inspired Moses to identify Miriam as a prophetess while she lived, she was still highly regarded in Scripture some 700 years after she died. God, speaking through the prophet Micah, reasoned with and chastised a backsliding Israel, reminding them how He had delivered them from Egyptian slavery. The three leaders mentioned who helped in this great deliverance included Miriam.



Micah, knowing how carnal Israel had become, attempted to persuade the Israelites by reminding them of these three courageous national heroes: "And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam" (Micah 6:4For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee

Moses

, Aaron

, and Miriam.



See All...). God honored Miriam by acknowledging that He chose her—along with Aaron—to assist Moses in serving His nation Israel. God listed her in such select company because she had set a faithful example for all Israelites in her time and all mankind forever.



Earlier, when Moses identified Miriam as a prophetess, he wrote how she had led the Israelite women in singing that served as a wholehearted answer to Moses' and Israel's praise to God. The context of her song (Exodus 15:21And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.



See All...) shows that she clearly understood that God and God alone delivered Israel from the Egyptian army.



Miriam led the women in singing and dancing with joy, for God had not just vanquished their enemy, He had done so gloriously! God vindicated Himself (Romans 12:19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.



See All...), delivering His people by drowning their enemies in the Red Sea. GN

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Treasure Digest: Ruth's Decision

An interesting article from www.ucg.org about the Biblical woman named Ruth. This follows this post about how religion affected a precious election. For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.


Treasure Digest: Ruth's Decision






article by Victoria E. Nelson





Does God give the stranger a "better" name because He knows how much more the stranger has to give up to follow Him (Isaiah 56:3-7 [3] Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

[4] For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

[5] Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

[6] Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

[7] Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.





See All...)?



Does God give the stranger a "better" name because He knows how much more the stranger has to give up to follow Him (Isaiah 56:3-7 [3] Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

[4] For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

[5] Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

[6] Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

[7] Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.





See All...)?



An excellent example of what the stranger has to give up is given in the book of Ruth. Ruth left her family, her native land and customs—everything that was familiar to her—and went with her mother-in-law to an unknown land to live among people whom she must have suspected would hate her (after all, she was a Moabite woman), all to follow God.



"'Look,' said Naomi, 'your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.' But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God'" (Ruth 1:15-16 [15] And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

[16] And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:





See All..., NIV).



I know everyone focuses on the words, "Where you go I will go," but what about the words, "Your people will be my people and your God my God"? We can see in verse 15 that the other sister-in-law had gone back to "her gods." But Ruth made, at some time, the decision to become a follower of the God of Israel.



Ruth put her faith in God, made her decision to turn her back on the land of Moab and followed a whole new path, wherever that would lead her, despite the hardships or tragedies and despite Naomi's bitterness of the moment.



God valued Ruth's decision and faith, so much so that Ruth, a Moabite woman, married Boaz and was counted in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ.

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