AaronEberline.com » Messiah http://www.aaroneberline.com Ruminations on faith, hope, and life while journeying through the Bible and life. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:00:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 The proliferation of hope to a broken world: Isaiah 9 and 10 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/05/the-proliferation-of-hope-to-a-broken-world-isaiah-9-and-10/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/05/the-proliferation-of-hope-to-a-broken-world-isaiah-9-and-10/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 15:00:43 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=5146 “For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:4-7  What did the promised Messiah mean to the people of Israel? Did the Israelites look upon the promise of God hope of carte blanche retaliation on all their oppressors and a restoration of the glory of Israel? What was offered when God promised a renewal of the kingdom of Israel.

The promise that God gave in Isaiah was not to only meet the physical needs of the people of Israel. God’s knowledge of the human condition goes much deeper into the heart of mankind. He knows the deep sorrow and turmoil in the hearts of man because of the curse of sin. God purposed to heal the inherent brokenness within the hearts of mankind. The coming Messiah would shatter all perceptions of authority and and hope by releasing mankind from the shackles of sin. How often do you think of your life like the Israelites viewed the promise of God? Is your vision for life only on the physical needs you have? God knows you completely and he knows that the need you have goes to the heart of your existence. We were created to be in fellowship with God. God loved you so much that He sent Jesus Christ into the world to bring you back to him. The plethora of worldly desires and wants we perceive do not come close to our unforeseen rampant thirst for God. You need a Savior. His name is Jesus Christ. Nothing else matters for your life but knowing Jesus Christ. Will you call upon the name of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/05/the-proliferation-of-hope-to-a-broken-world-isaiah-9-and-10/feed/ 0 The imminent return of the Messiah to restore creation: Psalm 110 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/01/the-imminent-return-of-the-messiah-to-restore-creation-psalm-110/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/01/the-imminent-return-of-the-messiah-to-restore-creation-psalm-110/#comments Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:00:55 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=4716 As you meditate upon the coming second advent of Jesus Christ what do you envision happening? In Psalm 110 we are given a foreshadowing by David of the coming return of the Messiah. Did David think about the coming Messiah when he wrote this psalm? The story of mankind’s redemption by God is woven throughout creation. We can never know what God has planned but He is always moving toward the moment of the second advent. Do you find peace and comfort knowing that God is consistently working towards redeeming mankind? As you wait for the return of the Messiah will you tell others about the wonderful truth the Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world?

What will the Messiah do upon His arrival? “The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head.” Psalm 110:5-7  The return of Jesus Christ will be an amazing and dreadful moment for all creation. His return will be an amazing blessing to those who have placed their whole trust in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation; the dread and terror of Jesus Christ’s return will overwhelm everyone who has not placed their trust in Him.

Everyone throughout all of creation will be humbled before the returning Messiah. When the second advent of Jesus Christ occurs how will you view His return? Will you be filled with joy or terror? Choose today who you will serve, you can serve Jesus Christ here on earth and follow Him or you can choose to follow the lust of your flesh. Will you submit to the grace of God? Will you trust Jesus Christ?

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/01/the-imminent-return-of-the-messiah-to-restore-creation-psalm-110/feed/ 0 Standing out among nations by following God: Deuteronomy 21 and 22 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2010/04/standing-out-among-nations-by-following-god-deuteronomy-21-and-22/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2010/04/standing-out-among-nations-by-following-god-deuteronomy-21-and-22/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:00:45 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=1755 As I read about the laws that God’s commanded the Israelites to follow it becomes a little bit overwhelming. In the first half of Deuteronomy 21 we find out what happens when a man is found struck dead in the middle of nowhere. It never crossed my mind to wonder what happens in this instance. I find it interesting that the city that is closest to the body is the one who makes atonement for the innocent blood that was shed. All of the necessary sacrifice is overwhelming to think about and it makes me thankful for Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Did the people of Israel long for a better way? I wonder if prophets were already foretelling of a coming Messiah.

So I have a question about the rest of chapter 21. Why does the woman who is taken captive in battle have shave her head and cut her nails as she mourns the loss of her mother and father before she is taken as a wife? It seems a little weird to look at someone being taken into slavery and then taken for a wife. Was this normal? Is the head shaving and nail trimming a sign of submission to the people of Israel? Does this signify the woman leaving her past and taking a new future?

Common sense sundry and morality laws are repeated by Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 22. It is true what Jesus Christ said that the law can be summed up by loving God and loving people. If the people loved God and love their neighbor they would adhere to the laws given you would seek to help those in need around you. The morality laws God has Moses repeat in chapter 22 concern men and women having sex outside of marriage. Many different cases are given but it all comes down to purging the evil out of the people. God desired for the Israelites to be set apart from the inhabitants around them and when they obey God’s commands they will show their love for God.

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2010/04/standing-out-among-nations-by-following-god-deuteronomy-21-and-22/feed/ 0 Dedication of the Tabernacle and foreshadowing of the Messiah: Numbers 7 and 8 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2009/11/dedication-of-the-tabernacle-and-foreshadowing-of-the-messiah-numbers-7-and-8/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2009/11/dedication-of-the-tabernacle-and-foreshadowing-of-the-messiah-numbers-7-and-8/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:36:58 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=1440 030_114I wonder what the energy level of the Israelites was like on the day that Moses had finished setting up the Tabernacle? Was there an awe and reverence of God? Were the millions of men, women, and children pressing in to see just a glimpse of the Tabernacle? In Numbers chapters 7 we get a little of the feeling of what took place when the Tabernacle was completed. What blessing God bestowed upon Moses. Moses was within the Tabernacle anointing and consecrating the walls, furnishings, and utensils. Moses was declaring that the Tabernacle and all with in it was Holy and God’s. God commanded the leaders of Israel to come forth one day at a time to present their offerings for the dedication of the altar: Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah; Nethanel the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar; Eliab the son of Helon, leader of the sons of Zebulun; Elizur the son of Shedeur, leader of the sons of Reuben; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, leader of the children of Simeon; Eliasaph the son of Deuel, leader of the sons of Gad; Elishama the son of Ammihud, leader of the sons of Ephraim; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, leader of the sons of Manasseh; Abidan the son of Gideoni, leader of the sons of Benjamin; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, leader of the sons of Dan; Pagiel the son of Ochran, leader of the sons of Asher; and Ahira the son of Enan, leader of the sons of Naphtali. All twelve of these leader came to the temple one a day for twelve days. They all brought the same offering to dedicate the alter. I wonder if all the people of these leaders followed their offering to the Tabernacle? Was it a joyous day like a parade where everyone wore their best clothing?

Then the story in Numbers gets even more incredible. Moses enters the tent of meeting and God speaks with him from above the mercy seat between the two cherubim upon the Ark of the Testimony. How did Moses feel by now? He had spoken with God frequently and most notably at a burning bush. I don’t know if I could ever take it lightly to come before God’s presence. It makes me look upon my own life and how I approach God. Do I come to God in prayer with awe and wonder? Do I thirst for time in His presence?

Numbers chapter 8 we have all of the Levites cleansed and taken into the service of the Tabernacle. The Levites were presented as a wave offering before the Lord from the Israelites. The Israelites were instructed to place their hands upon the Levites. This must have been an incredibly solemn and personal moment between the Israelites and the Levites. It was no animal that was being offered to God it was the Levites being presented to be worthy of service. It is interesting looking back at the laws laid down in Leviticus about sacrifices. When an offering was made it became holy and the possession of the priests and used by God. The Levites were given as a gift from God to Aaron and his sons to perform service. I do not know if I can convey my amazement about how this truly amazes me. The Levites were an offering! Not and offering like the pagans who offered people as blood sacrifices these Levites were set apart in service to God. Looking forward to the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, He also served humanity in love by dying on the cross.

I am throughly enjoying taking this time to read through the Bible and blog about it as I read. I pray that you too find this an encouragement and may you be spurred to know God in a more personal way through reading through the Bible.

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2009/11/dedication-of-the-tabernacle-and-foreshadowing-of-the-messiah-numbers-7-and-8/feed/ 0