The Beatitudes
A. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. B. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. B. Blessed are the meek (humble and submissive), for they will inherit the earth (land). C. 1. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. C. 2. Blessed are the merciful (forgiving and compassionate), for they will be shown mercy. D. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. D. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. A. 2. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. As: Poor (in spirit) ~to~ Rich (Great Reward in Heaven); both receive the kingdom of heaven Bs: Loss (grieving involves loss) ~to~ Gain (inheritance) Cs: Wanting (righteousness) and Receiving ~to~ Giving (mercy) and Receiving Ds: Recognize God (see God) ~to~ being recognized by God (called His children) A1C1: Impoverished (Recognition of needing God) ~to~ Filled with Righteousness A2C2: Given mercy by God ~to~ Given no mercy by the world (persecuted) Bs: Loss to Gain. Mourning occurs when a loss is experienced, whether over a universal consequence of sin like death, or a disconnection from God due to our trespasses that need to be forgiven. Humility and submission is required in order to ask forgiveness: God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. The meek are those who have humbled themselves in submission to God and have been given grace throughout their lives, so that it is now a character trait, something automatic that defines the soul rather than a onetime act; it is continual submission to God's authority. These meek inherit the earth/land. This reminds me of Israel gone into captivity; they are humbled by God after they are taken out of the land that was promised to them if only they upheld God's laws; they mourn (see Lamentations for instance) in the land of Babylon for the losses they have experienced. But the children of Zion that return to the promise land are the meek, humbled to the point of renewed obedience, and inheriting the land again upon their release from captivity. Inheriting is a gain, so it goes from mourning (a loss) to being comforted and gaining the earth/land, the good which was promised by God when we obey His word. A1 C1: Impoverished to Filled The poor in spirit are those that recognize their great need for God, that without Him their lives would be impoverished, lacking substance and meaning. Those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, that desire what only God can give them, and thereby rejecting the excess of the desires of the flesh, are filled instead with the Spirit, which produces righteousness: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth The poor in spirit are those who mourn, those that are humble and submissive toward God, those that hunger and thirst and desire to be filled. It is interesting to note the progression of the first half of these beatitudes: It starts with the poverty of spirit, a recognition of something lacking, which is God's Spirit, which brings fruits of righteousness. Then it moves to mourning, sorrow over a sin committed and sin's consequences, then humility, submission to God's authority, then hungering for righteousness, God's Holy Spirit to fill, instead of filling up with wine and sinful desires. The first half is completed. The second half begins with having forgiveness and compassion on others, a quality that we fully possess when we experience how much we have been loved and forgiven by God; and if we refuse to forgive others, God will use that same measure against us. The heart becomes pure following mercy, loving others so well, and it is easier to see God at that point, being closer to Him; God desires mercy not sacrifice, not empty ritual but love. Then we become peacemakers, able to help others with their burdens and calling them to serve God as well, and having peace with God upon a declaration of their faith; we are recognized as being part of the family of God, because that is what we are called to do by God as brothers and sisters: to go the extra mile, and make disciples who will also become peacemakers in the world. The final stage is a great test for those that are of the family of God, persecution. Those that that stand firm in the faith in the face of such a test have flesh in the game, and reason to rejoice, for though the natural response of persecution and suffering might be to feel poor, reviled and mournful, there is great reward for those that have suffered with Christ and the prophets. More simply said: First comes the recognition of our impoverished state Which leads to mourning our state, which means Coming before God in humility, in submission and obedience, To seek and be filled with His Spirit of righteousness. We then are better able to give mercy to others as we have been given mercy, Which creates in us a pure heart and closeness to God; God recognizes us as children as we get closer to Him, and charges us To make disciples, that others may have peace with God having been justified by faith, And to such an extent that we would share in the sufferings of His son, Christ Jesus, for no servant is greater than His master.
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1. Strong Wind: The wind here is a destructive force, crumbling mountains and rocks (symbols of kingdoms); Winds are associated with rain, see 1 Kings 18:45, 2 Kings 3:17, Psalms 135:7, Proverbs 25:14 for examples. Drought can damage a kingdom; and it did not rain for three years in Northern Israel until Elijah said so. 2. Earthquake: The earth is associated with the realm of death, sheol; this abode of death (called hell in KJV) is below or beneath. See Ezekiel 31:16, Isaiah 14:9, Isaiah 14:15, Proverbs 7:27, Psalms 86:13. An earthquake is directly associated with resurrection. Many graves were opened after Christ resurrected; see Matthew 27:51-53. Elijah resurrects the widow’s dead son. 3. Fire: Fire is called down from heaven to consume the sacrifice that Elijah prepared in the show down between God’s prophet and Baal’s prophets. All three miracles are performed by Elijah before he goes to Mt. Horeb to speak with God. It is interesting to note that God provides for Elijah in a similar way that God provided for Israel in the wilderness; bread and flesh was given to him by ravens, just like manna and quail is provided by God to Israel. The brook Elijah is dwelling by dries up and he must move on; in a similar fashion Israel finds themselves without water to drink in the wilderness on several occasions. Then God uses a still small voice. Soothing and comforting. The word for small here is also used to describe manna and sweet incense in other instances. The word for still is used only two other times; once to describe a storm over the waves of the sea being calmed, and the other time is in Job; Job hears a spirit’s (wind or angel?) voice speak of the justice and purity of God. At some point, the storm will need to be calmed, and the power of God will be used in other ways. In this case, Elijah was commissioned by God to anoint two kings, Jehu being one who will destroy Baal worship in Northern Israel and cleanse the temple; the other is Hazael, who reigns over Syria, turning it into a great kingdom, and who will be used by God to punish both Northern Israel and Judah. And Elisha will be anointed to continue the work of Elijah. All three displays of God's might are there when Elijah ascends: 1. Elijah ascends to heaven in a whirlwind. 2. Elijah does not die, but ascends from the earth. 3. The chariot of fire separates him from Elisha before his ascension. |
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