Bible Study I Don't Get It

[HeIsRisen2018]

Well it is the Bible study forum. But it did make me giggle.

It's your call. You're in charge. However, let me point out for the record that I don't think that technically we're supposed to be posting cute little animal videos here either.

 

[Razeontherock]

.looking up to the brass serpent on the pole is a prophetic symbol of looking to Jesus on the cross to be saved and healed

the donkey talking was God's way of showing balaam that going to curse israel was dangerous to his health - a lesson to not curse people whom God blesses

abused animals is a sad situation - very hard to see on commercials and news reports

April, you know John 3:16. This story is the backdrop to it, meaning you can't really understand John 3:16 without understanding the brazen serpent in Moses. That the snake was made of brass (which has copper in it but is not at all pure copper) is very significant to the whole story: brass speaks of Judgment throughout Scripture, Judgment being capitalized to denote the Divine.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

April, you know John 3:16. This story is the backdrop to it, meaning you can't really understand John 3:16 without understanding the brazen serpent in Moses. That the snake was made of brass (which has copper in it but is not at all pure copper) is very significant to the whole story: brass speaks of Judgment throughout Scripture, Judgment being capitalized to denote the Divine.

Actually since Truthfrees really put it in perspective for me I do understand the part about the snake now. But although we have joked about it I'm still not a hundred percent clear on the part about the donkey and why God would only give (verbal) speech to that particular abused animal when there are so many animals in the world today that could use it too.

 

[WIP]

I was just reading a bit of the OT in my Message Bible tonight and I was reading the part about the fiery copper snake and the talking donkey. First of all, apparently according to the Lord if anybody was bitten by the deadly snake they could save themselves just by looking at it. Although it didn't really go into more details of why. And about the talking donkey that was beaten, if God decided to give speech to that particular animal to question his master, then why doesn't He do that to all of the abused animals in the world today?

I think you may be a little inaccurate about what the story of the serpent on the pole is really saying. It doesn't say the people could save themselves by looking at it. It says that if they are bitten and then looked at it they would not die. AS mentioned earlier I believe this is pointing to Jesus and how those who look to Him with faith and trust will live for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall have life eternal. God does the saving.

Numbers 21:4-9 ESV
4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

 

[WIP]

Oops, I see that Raseontherock had already shown the reference to John 3:16.

 

[Truthfrees]

Actually since Truthfrees really put it in perspective for me I do understand the part about the snake now. But although we have joked about it I'm still not a hundred percent clear on the part about the donkey and why God would only give (verbal) speech to that particular abused animal when there are so many animals in the world today that could use it too.

i think the difference is that an angel with a sword was standing in front of the donkey to kill balaam

so this donkey was saving balaam's life by refusing to move forward

iow i think the miracle of speech was to warn balaam - and God wanted to warn balaam - otherwise why would He have let the donkey even see the angel - balaam didn't see the angel - so it could also be a biblical message that there are things going on in the unseen world - and for us all to remember that - that the seen world is not the only world we live in - we are actually a part of the unseen world - and prayer is an unseen power that works in the unseen world to affect the seen world

why does God not allow abused animals a voice? - i like Papa Zoom 's post about you can see how they feel in their eyes and faces and body language and hear their cries and yelps - although it would be nice to scare abusers straight by allowing animals to momentarily talk - but then it would be nice if all bad people were scared straight the moment they did anything awful to anyone - human or animal

would you say the big question then is why does God not stop atrocities at the time or before they happen?

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

i think the difference is that an angel with a sword was standing in front of the donkey to kill balaam

so this donkey was saving balaam's life by refusing to move forward

iow i think the miracle of speech was to warn balaam - and God wanted to warn balaam - otherwise why would He have let the donkey even see the angel - balaam didn't see the angel - so it could also be a biblical message that there are things going on in the unseen world - and for us all to remember that - that the seen world is not the only world we live in - we are actually a part of the unseen world - and prayer is an unseen power that works in the unseen world to affect the seen world

why does God not allow abused animals a voice? - i like Papa Zoom 's post about you can see how they feel in their eyes and faces and body language and hear their cries and yelps - although it would be nice to scare abusers straight by allowing animals to momentarily talk - but then it would be nice if all bad people were scared straight the moment they did anything awful to anyone - human or animal

would you say the big question then is why does God not stop atrocities at the time or before they happen?

Yeah that's always been my question too. I always assumed before it was because God gave mankind free will whether or not they wanted to obey Him. However, upon seeing all the wicked that's going on in the world today I'm not so sure anymore what the answer to that question is. I really know that it isn't God's fault, but I would be lying to you if I told you that I didn't question Him and get upset with Him from time to time. Of course when I do get angry with Him and start pointing a finger at Him I never actually mean what I say either and I do believe that He knows that. I just look at the events of 911 and the recent Florida shooting and I'm sort of wondering where He was when all of that occurred. Even though the situation that I'm in with my fiancée being incarcerated for a crime that he did not commit makes me believe His absence is with me at times rather than Him and I feel Him so far away from me when all I long for more than anything in the world is to be close to Him and to actually feel His presence even though deep down I know that He loves me and is always there with me. Is any of this making any sense at all? Is it normal that I feel like this because it seems a lot like sinful behavior to feel this way towards Him.

 

[Truthfrees]

Yeah that's always been my question too. I always assumed before it was because God gave mankind free will whether or not they wanted to obey Him. However, upon seeing all the wicked that's going on in the world today I'm not so sure anymore what the answer to that question is. I really know that it isn't God's fault, but I would be lying to you if I told you that I didn't question Him and get upset with Him from time to time. Of course when I do get angry with Him and start pointing a finger at Him I never actually mean what I say either and I do believe that He knows that. I just look at the events of 911 and the recent Florida shooting and I'm sort of wondering where He was when all of that occurred. Even though the situation that I'm in with my fiancée being incarcerated for a crime that he did not commit makes me believe His absence is with me at times rather than Him and I feel Him so far away from me when all I long for more than anything in the world is to be close to Him and to actually feel His presence even though deep down I know that He loves me and is always there with me. Is any of this making any sense at all? Is it normal that I feel like this because it seems a lot like sinful behavior to feel this way towards Him.

i went through this too - same kind of issues that happened to me and happen to innocents

this is a hugely important issue

basically there are 2 types of theology on this issue
1. everything that happens is God's will - so peace comes by accepting that God's ways may be mysterious but they are correct
2. the devil steals kills destroys - but Jesus came to give abundant life - so we must walk as Jesus walked by using our God given authority to command and or pray change into situations while resisting the devil and his evil activity

depending on which one of these 2 theologies gives you a sense of peace we can explore the one that you choose

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

i went through this too - same kind of issues that happened to me and happen to innocents

this is a hugely important issue

basically there are 2 types of theology on this issue
1. everything that happens is God's will - so peace comes by accepting that God's ways may be mysterious but they are correct
2. the devil steals kills destroys - but Jesus came to give abundant life - so we must walk as Jesus walked by using our God given authority to command and or pray change into situations while resisting the devil and his evil activity

depending on which one of these 2 theologies gives you a sense of peace we can explore the one that you choose

Number two makes more sense to me actually considering that I believe that all of the evil in the world must be a work of the devil. It's still all very sad and tragic though.

 

[Truthfrees]

Number two makes more sense to me actually considering that I believe that all of the evil in the world must be a work of the devil. It's still all very sad and tragic though.

amen - i agree with #2 also

1. the beginning principles are if we resist the devil he will flee

so how do we resist the devil?

2. we have thoughts - feelings - beliefs - imaginations - words

when we do something with our whole heart and being we get the best results

3. to see things change we must first find out what God's will is

scripture is full of promises and facts

we get God's help to find a scripture promise or fact (fulfilled promise) to know for sure what God says and then we

4. talk to God about that promise or fact - asking what is our part to receive this promise/fact

this point takes focus and committment

5. when we hear or receive instructions from God we do them and keep checking back with Him on how we are doing and what more we can do or believe

6. often times subsequent instructions are aids to help us get our thoughts - emotions - beliefs - imaginations - words in synchronicity - iow if we say what scripture says but our imagination sees failure - we are not in whole hearted agreement with God's will

is this our fault? - not in my experience - we often have reasons why one part of us agrees with God and another part of us is scared or unbelieving

imo this is the great work God helps us with - getting all parts of us agreeing with what God's promises and facts declare

7. as we grow in synchronistic whole-being agreement with what God says we experience greater successful results - this is an ongoing experience for all of us - we are all growing in this area

as we grow in this we can actually affect situations of all kinds for ourselves and others - wind and waves - crowds of people - health issues - social issues - etc

8. we start where we are at and keep working with God to get stronger and better at applying His truth and promises to all situations that are not right - to the point that we can do what Jesus did - and He said we would do GREATER than what He did - wow doesn't that show us how much we need to grow to get to that point? - but it is all possible because Jesus says so - and HE means everything HE says

9. so we have an exciting adventure in store for us - lots of room for growth - and God's promise to help us get to this awesome place in Christ

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

amen - i agree with #2 also

1. the beginning principles are if we resist the devil he will flee

so how do we resist the devil?

2. we have thoughts - feelings - beliefs - imaginations - words

when we do something with our whole heart and being we get the best results

3. to see things change we must first find out what God's will is

scripture is full of promises and facts

we get God's help to find a scripture promise or fact (fulfilled promise) to know for sure what God says and then we

4. talk to God about that promise or fact - asking what is our part to receive this promise/fact

this point takes focus and committment

5. when we hear or receive instructions from God we do them and keep checking back with Him on how we are doing and what more we can do or believe

6. often times subsequent instructions are aids to help us get our thoughts - emotions - beliefs - imaginations - words in synchronicity - iow if we say what scripture says but our imagination sees failure - we are not in whole hearted agreement with God's will

is this our fault? - not in my experience - we often have reasons why one part of us agrees with God and another part of us is scared or unbelieving

imo this is the great work God helps us with - getting all parts of us agreeing with what God's promises and facts declare

7. as we grow in synchronistic whole-being agreement with what God says we experience greater successful results - this is an ongoing experience for all of us - we are all growing in this area

as we grow in this we can actually affect situations of all kinds for ourselves and others - wind and waves - crowds of people - health issues - social issues - etc

8. we start where we are at and keep working with God to get stronger and better at applying His truth and promises to all situations that are not right - to the point that we can do what Jesus did - and He said we would do GREATER than what He did - wow doesn't that show us how much we need to grow to get to that point? - but it is all possible because Jesus says so - and HE means everything HE says

9. so we have an exciting adventure in store for us - lots of room for growth - and God's promise to help us get to this awesome place in Christ

By the way, now that I finally have a chance to sit down and write this, I found that in spite of all of the evil. I can't wait until this day.




Revelation 20:10 "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." :woot

 

[Truthfrees]

By the way, now that I finally have a chance to sit down and write this, I found that in spite of all of the evil. I can't wait until this day.




Revelation 20:10 "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." :woot

amen - and we have all kinds of little victories now as we grow in this

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

amen - and we have all kinds of little victories as we grow in this

But yes I meant to say that I found that verse very comforting in spite of all the evil but I forgot to add that part in. Long live King Jesus! One day Satan will be destroyed forever and he won't be able to hurt us anymore!

 

[Truthfrees]

But yes I meant to say that I found that verse very comforting in spite of all the evil but I forgot to add that part in. Long live King Jesus! One day Satan will be destroyed forever and he won't be able to hurt us anymore!

amen amen amen

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

But before that day comes since we have been made new in Jesus, at least we will be in a place with no more sorrow, pain, and suffering someday. And we'll be with Him forever and ever be perfect and holy and sing His praises for all of eternity.

 

[Razeontherock]

amen - i agree with #2 also

1. the beginning principles are if we resist the devil he will flee

so how do we resist the devil?

2. we have thoughts - feelings - beliefs - imaginations - words

when we do something with our whole heart and being we get the best results

3. to see things change we must first find out what God's will is

scripture is full of promises and facts

we get God's help to find a scripture promise or fact (fulfilled promise) to know for sure what God says and then we

4. talk to God about that promise or fact - asking what is our part to receive this promise/fact

this point takes focus and committment

5. when we hear or receive instructions from God we do them and keep checking back with Him on how we are doing and what more we can do or believe

6. often times subsequent instructions are aids to help us get our thoughts - emotions - beliefs - imaginations - words in synchronicity - iow if we say what scripture says but our imagination sees failure - we are not in whole hearted agreement with God's will

is this our fault? - not in my experience - we often have reasons why one part of us agrees with God and another part of us is scared or unbelieving

imo this is the great work God helps us with - getting all parts of us agreeing with what God's promises and facts declare

7. as we grow in synchronistic whole-being agreement with what God says we experience greater successful results - this is an ongoing experience for all of us - we are all growing in this area

as we grow in this we can actually affect situations of all kinds for ourselves and others - wind and waves - crowds of people - health issues - social issues - etc

8. we start where we are at and keep working with God to get stronger and better at applying His truth and promises to all situations that are not right - to the point that we can do what Jesus did - and He said we would do GREATER than what He did - wow doesn't that show us how much we need to grow to get to that point? - but it is all possible because Jesus says so - and HE means everything HE says

9. so we have an exciting adventure in store for us - lots of room for growth - and God's promise to help us get to this awesome place in Christ

He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:6

April, this post is why we are eager to learn, and to share with you deeper Truths such as how the OT stories you've been reading tie in to Christ.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

I am very eager to learn myself. (in case you didn't notice)

 

[Razeontherock]

Good! Try this one on for size:

1 John 4:17 "as He is, so are we in this world."

This is such a strong statement that you could write stories about it as though it were fiction! Ponder the ramifications of what this means, (reading a larger portion of the text to get context, of course) and how such good things flow into our lives via the Holy Spirit. Then re-read Truthfree's post #30 in the context of him describing his own personal experience with this same thing ...

 

[Truthfrees]

He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:6

April, this post is why we are eager to learn, and to share with you deeper Truths such as how the OT stories you've been reading tie in to Christ.

God is amazing and His words are so life-changing

I am very eager to learn myself. (in case you didn't notice)

me too - it just gets better each day - sometimes the things i learn get me jumping with extreme joy - God is amazing - God is amazing - God is amazing

Good! Try this one on for size:

1 John 4:17 "as He is, so are we in this world."

This is such a strong statement that you could write stories about it as though it were fiction! Ponder the ramifications of what this means, (reading a larger portion of the text to get context, of course) and how such good things flow into our lives via the Holy Spirit. Then re-read Truthfree's post #30 in the context of him describing his own personal experience with this same thing ...

awesome scripture - just that one alone can sort out many issues we face - God Bless you both - you are awesome friends in Christ

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

God is amazing and His words are so life-changing
me too - it just gets better each day - sometimes the things i learn get me jumping with extreme joy - God is amazing - God is amazing - God is amazing
awesome scripture - just that one alone can sort out many issues we face - God Bless you both - you are awesome friends in Christ

And you are just one big gigantic sweetheart. Thank you and God bless you too.