The Horns of the Altar

Posted on by Shannon

The Old Testament tabernacle was plain compared to Solomon’s temple centuries later, but it was still a magnificent structure. The items inside were overlaid with pure gold, as were the wooden planks that comprised the walls. The curtain that separated its two rooms were made of linen and decorated with purple and scarlet fabrics. Every item was portable, carried by poles inserted in rings made of gold. But one of the most curious pieces was the bronze altar that stood in the courtyard.

 The altar was made for burning sacrifices every day, all day, so it was made of bronze. Square in shape, it was made for heavy work. Each of the four top corners featured a bronze horn. Archaeologists have discovered a similar Canaanite altar near the town of Megiddo, decorated with four horns. Why was the Israelite altar decorated this way? Horns were symbols of strength. The horns of animals were the strongest part of their bodies. Ram’s horns were fashioned into trumpets and treated with respect. On the altar they symbolized the strength and stability of God, that He could be depended upon to deal with their sins through the sacrifices offered there.

 They also offered refuge when someone was accused of a crime. In 1 Kings 1:50-53, David’s son Adonijah fled to the temple and took hold of the horns of the alter. His bid to become the king had failed and he was afraid Solomon would execute him. Here he found temporary safety in hopes his case would be examined more closely. Solomon granted him mercy. But in the next chapter, Joab, the former commander of David’s army, found no mercy when he grabbed the same horns of the altar. He was guilty of throwing his weight behind Adonijah’s grab for power, and he was also a murderer. His case was reviewed, but he was found guilty and executed on the spot. It seemed that Adonijah repented, but Joab did not.

In Hebrews 4:16 we’re told we have “fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.” While the statement may refer to the Jewish cities of refuge, the way the author phrased it makes us think of the horns of the altar. When we come to Jesus, guilty of our sins, we appeal to His grace and forgiveness. We’re much like the Jews who fled into the tabernacle and laid hold of its horns. We must repent and rely on the strength and grace of God to forgive us. And He will. The sacrifice of Jesus is better than any animal sacrifice ever was. Remember that when you approach Him for grace and help.

– Tim Johnson

A Book of Hope

Posted on by Shannon

The Bible is full of hope. Every person within it who pleased God was somebody full of hope. They were not this way because life was easy and care-free. All of them faced impossible odds, crippling troubles, great dangers, and huge challenges. Yet they had hope.

At age 75, Abraham was promised a son. In fact, all of God’s promises of a great nation depended on it. Over two decades went by and Abraham’s hope didn’t waver, and at 100 years old he witnessed the birth of Isaac. Paul later explained, “In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations” (Rom.4:18). The idea is hope beyond hope. The world would have thought him unreasonable, but Abraham was a man of faith, which gave him hope.

Later in Romans it says, “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (Rom.8:24-25) Someone said hope is the air Christians breathe. We were saved with hope in mind, and we live through life’s trials knowing great things exist ahead. It doesn’t matter if we struggle through discouragements and pain, we know marvelous reward is coming. We look forward to it. We CAN look forward to it. It’s built on Jesus who lived, died, and lived again.

People often say, “There’s always hope.” And they’re right. But what they often mean is there’s nothing else left, so we might as well practice a blind sort of hope – maybe relief will come, maybe it won’t. That’s not the kind of hope the Bible expounds. It’s based on a savior who beat all the odds, conquered the impossible, and promises the indescribable.

Right now, the world is suffering, and people are worried. Everything seems to be turned up-side-down. Yet we can have hope. God offers it.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom.15:13)

What a Saviour! What a book! What a hope!

– Tim Johnson

Is The Word “No” Defunct?

Posted on by Shannon

Some thoughts from Charles Hodge

One of the first words a baby hears, learns and hates is “no.” He must learn there are things he must never do. Tragically, some never learn. The jail houses people who refuse to say “no.” Eve never learned it; she could not say “no” to Satan or to herself. Adam never learned it; he could not say “no” to Eve. Both sinned and were cast out of Eden.

We need to childproof our own lives by learning to say “no.” We live misspent and wasted lives. Jesus asked, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mt.16:26). Prior to this He told His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. They needed to say no to themselves.

In our society, debt is one gigantic problem. Why? We couldn’t say “no.” We bought things we didn’t need with money we didn’t have to fool people we don’t like! Our failure has caught up with us. The only way out is to say “no” to our unnecessary wants. The word for this is maturity. Only grown-ups can say “no.”

You must say “no” before you can say “yes.” This explains most of the world’s problems. We tend to say “yes” without saying “no.” We try to say “yes” to God without first saying “no” to ourselves. Christianity is saying “no” to self and “yes” to God. Why is it easier to say “no” to God than Satan?

“No” is an answer. “No” is even a compete sentence. “No” is a decision and a lifestyle. Learn to say “no” to sin, self, Satan, and silliness. The foundation of a pure Christian life is the ability to know where, when, with whom, and why to say “no.”

Learn to say “YES!” It’s hard to say “no.” But the more difficult word is “yes.” Why is it hard to say “yes” to God? Many attend worship for years never obeying the gospel. Why? They cannot say “yes” to God. They cannot die to self. They cannot admit need. They are good with “no” but not with the commitment of “yes.” The majority of the world is saying “no” to God. Most don’t know it; most deny it.

We all say “no” to something. But what? We all say “yes” to something. But what? When temptation comes, just say “no.” This still works. It will never be defunct.

– Excerpts from Charles Hodge

(A retired preacher for a Texas congregation)

A Cup of Cold Water

Posted on by Shannon

God made the His church to be a group of people who serve together and encourage one another. It’s nice to serve God where we are appreciated. But sometimes we must serve Him alone, without anyone noticing. It is a test of character to do our duty without attention or praise.

Ananias and Saphira donated money, but they were greedy for praise and lied to get it (Acts 5). Peter said, “Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart?” Would they have given at all if no one noticed?

Jeremiah didn’t have an easy preaching job. Day after day he spoke God’s word, but no one cared. Everyone treated him disrespectfully. He complained to God about this but kept on working for 40 years. He confessed, “Because of Thy hand upon me I sat alone” (Jer.15:17). This great prophet refused to give up just because nobody would pat him on the back.

Philip was used to being in the thick of things. Made a special servant of the church in Acts 6, he gained people’s respect. In chapter 8 he bravely preached in Samaria and the crowds were amazed with his miracles and preaching. What a great harvest in that old rebellious city. But then the Spirit sent him to the middle of nowhere to intercept the eunuch from Ethiopia. Nobody was there to congratulate the preacher as he baptized him. Soon after, God sent him to Caesarea; an important town, but certainly not Jerusalem. About 20 years later, Paul stayed with Philip as he traveled through to Jerusalem. Philip had been preaching in Caesarea faithfully for at least two decades, out of the limelight. He served God with little attention or praise.

People like Jeremiah and Philip are heroes to us. I’m sure they were eventually recognized for their service, but they didn’t work under those conditions just to get attention.

Serve the Lord because you love Him. Don’t insist on a crowd of admirers. Much of what we must do for Christ goes unnoticed by others. Offer that to Him with humility. He notices and you will be rewarded in the future.

“Whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he shall not lose his reward” (Matt.10:42).

– Tim Johnson

The God Of The Lowly

Posted on by Shannon

One of the biggest things that hinders people is a feeling of inadequacy. “I’m uneducated, unsophisticated, don’t have much money. What can I offer God?” Must we all be public speakers? Must we be scholars? Can’t we serve the Lord with what we have?

In 2 Kings 7, Samaria was surrounded by invading Syrians. King Jehoram desperately wanted a victory. It came when God scared the invaders off, leaving all their goods and equipment behind. Nobody knew the danger was over until two hungry men, both suffering with leprosy, stumbled across the abandoned campground. They rushed back to Samaria and announced Israel’s God-given victory. Ungodly Jehoram was denied the glory. Two homeless lepers had brought the great news. Aren’t we like that? Few of us are great in the world, but God can use us anyway.

Some people feel they are too old to do much for the Lord. When the baby Jesus was brought by his parents to the temple there were no welcome bands, no public speeches, no dignitaries. Simeon and Anna, both seniors, got the job of official greeters. Their insightful words are recorded in Luke 2. The world would have presented Jesus with an elaborate ceremony. God used seniors. Are you in the final half of life? He can still use you.

Did you know that one of the most effective preachers Jesus sent out was not one of the twelve apostles? The man was once a recluse living in a graveyard, mentally unstable and injured. Jesus healed him and said, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you” (Mk.5:19-20). He did, and “everyone marveled.” Even today the people who bring others to the Lord are often untrained, simple people who appreciate what Jesus has done for them. They want their friends and families to hear about it.

God works with the lowly; He sent Jesus to do the same. Never forget: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” (Lk.6:20-21).

Don’t worry about who you are not. Think of who you are in the Lord. He makes all the difference.

– Tim Johnson