Most preaching that we hear today
is based on the notion that we need to present God in a light
which makes Him appealing to men. To this end, He is set forth
as a doting, grandfatherly-like figure who loves all of His creation
with the same love and would never do anything which is not
considered as fair to them. The thought that he would perform
his exact will and purpose in the earth and the creation of
some men unto destruction, while manifesting his specific love
to his elect, which he created as objects of his mercy, does
not fit this stereotypical notion of a grandfatherly deity. Yet
the scripture clearly states not only his prerogative to do
so, but the fact that he has none so. Paul writes to the Romans
in a seldom read and inconvenient passage, as it is written, Jacob
have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there
unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses,
I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion
on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that
willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom
he will, he hardeneth. Paul understood the natural reasoning
of men and foresaw their objections, saying, Nay, but, O man, who
art thou that replyest against God? Shall the thing formed say
to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hast not the
potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel
unto honor and another unto dishonor? It is completely unnecessary
for men to defend God's actions or to make excuses for Him. He
makes none for Himself as He declares who He is and what He
does. I am the Lord, and there is none else. There is no God
beside Me. I girded thee, though thou hast
not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun and
from the west that there is none beside Me. I am the Lord, and
there is none else. I form the light and create darkness.
I make peace and create evil. I, the Lord, do all these things.
See now that I, even I am he, and there is no God with me.
I kill and I make alive. I wound and I heal. Neither is
there any that can deliver out of my hand. If the Lord was seeking
to win friends and influence people, he would perhaps have
hired a PR firm akin to the modern day gospel hucksters that roam
the countryside. He would not have clearly and
definitively set forth his character and purpose as he has in the
scriptures. He would not have told Moses that he was a jealous
God, and that he would not share his glory with any. But he does
not direct men to soften his image, but rather to declare
his majesty, power, and purpose in the earth, so that men might
tremble in fear before him. The proclamation of the gospel,
which is indeed good news to sinners deep in debt and bereft
of any help from themselves or other men, is set against the
backdrop of God's unfailing purpose to save these unworthy wretches.
That which gives a man hope of a true salvation is found in
the fact that Christ is both the power and the will to save
weak and helpless sinners who have despaired of finding salvation
through their own will or power. The Lord prepares the ground
that he is pleased to possess, and does cause the hearts of
his elect to tremble at the mention of his name. It is these bruised
reeds which he will not break, for weeping may endure for a
night, but joy cometh in the morning, as he is pleased to
manifest his perfect redemption in Christ. We read in the second
Psalm the declaration of his purpose to establish the kingdom
of his dear son and redeem his people out from every kindred,
tribe, and tongue. Ask of me, and I shall give thee
the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the
earth for thy possession. The Moabites were spitten by
David, and he divided them into two lines. one lie in which he
slew, and the other he made to be the servants of his kingdom.
This is a picture of the electing grace of God, who said, Jacob
have I loved, and Esau have I hated. Who is sufficient for these things?
The inhabitants of Edom were the descendants of Esau. The
Lord hated Esau, but laid claim to many of his children. His
salvation is not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor
of the will of man, but of God. The casting of a shoe was a practice
in ancient times which sealed the deal for the purchase of
a possession. Thus he says, over Edom have I cast my shoe. This
is a picture of the redemption of that people which the Lord
loved with an everlasting love and purchased with his own blood,
as of a lamb without blemish or spot. The Philistines were
pagans who worshiped the god Dagon. Yet the Lord said, over
Philistia will I triumph. Here are broken and humiliated
people, sitting in darkness or brought to the light. This is
a picture of those who were made to triumph in the victory of
the Lamb. He led captivity captive and
gave gifts unto men. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.