Twins—formed together in the womb of their mother, and then brought up together in the home of their parents—are indeed in a very special relationship. Can such nearness be broken or spoiled? Yes! Such is the case with Esau and Jacob. Their history is well traced even down to this present time and there are lessons for us to learn from them.
Because of the present-day situation in the area from Israel and Lebanon eastward to the Persian Gulf, we mention one verse to show where some of the hatred began. "And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob." Gen. 27:41.
Earlier in the history it says in Gen. 25:34, "Esau despised his birthright." That means that he despised the promise of God. In 1 Sam. 2:30 it says, "Them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed." Surely we should always value the Word of God and His promises.
All of the Psalms are prophetic. They especially take up the feelings of the godly remnant after the
Church has been caught up to heaven. This godly remnant will believe the gospel of the kingdom. They will suffer along with the ungodly during the tribulation period of 7 years. In the 83rd Psalm, many enemies of Israel are listed, of which Esau, which is Edom, is the first. The children of Lot are mentioned later. What these enemies of Israel say is very interesting to notice in light of what these tribes in the same area are saying now.
“They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against Thee." Psa. 83:4, 5. Already the nations in the Middle East seem to be poised for the great conflicts to take place during the tribulation period.
What will happen to Israel? Will she be "cut... off from being a nation"? Jer. 30:7 tells us the answer. "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." This is confirmed in Rom. 9:27, 28. "Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: for He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”
Now the question arises: What about Iraq? Where will she be at the end of those 7 years of judgments which God brings down upon this world? The judgments will fall not only upon Israel, but upon the nations of this world and particularly those around Israel. One thing sure about Iraq is that at the end of those sore years of God's judgments, Iraq will not possess the land she now occupies. That territory is all promised to Israel. In Gen. 28:13 the Lord says to Jacob, "I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.”
In the days of Joshua, the extent of that land of promise is described in this way: "From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast." Josh. 1:4.
A further prophecy of promise from God that applies at that time is found in Deut. 4:30,31: "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers, which He sware unto them.”
So we see that Jacob (Israel) shall inherit the promises. They are unconditional. Because of deceit and selfishness, Jacob inherited what he personally had through much trouble. Such is the history of the whole nation of Israel these 3500 years. Yet the promises of God never fail. Israel shall be blessed under the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, the true Seed for the 1000-year kingdom period that follows the tribulation.
C. Buchanan
Young Men in the Book of Acts
by W. Brockmeier
Teaching us by their example
The book of The Acts teaches us more by example than by commandment. It does not so much set forth precepts to obey as patterns to follow. It is one thing to be correct in doctrine; it is quite another to be correct in our walk, although these two should never be separated.
We may notice things in Scripture, enjoy them, and even speak of them, yet their real impact and force is usually not realized until there is a practical testing with regard to them. Perhaps young men are more prone to observe certain truths and take them up in an intellectual way than others. But in the book of Acts we find several young men who gained valuable instruction, not by theorems but by experience. The benefit of any experience is in measure to our having God's thoughts about it. Experience should never be given greater weight than the revealed truth of God, but it is through experience the truth of God is practically learned. With respect to the young men in the book of Acts, we observe very important moral lessons being taught.
Hypocrisy
Ananias and Sapphira were exposed by Peter as having lied to the Holy Spirit. Outwardly their devotion was greater than it was inwardly. In a word, they were guilty of hypocrisy. Who of us can plead exemption from this? We must walk in self-judgment because of our subtle, treacherous hearts. God unmistakably expressed His mind with respect to this evil among the people of God. There were young men present who were eye-witnesses of God's solemn judgment upon the two who were guilty of the leaven of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1).
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.... Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Acts 5:5-11.
In a day when the saints of God are encouraged to speak of themselves and their involvement in the Lord's service, may we take heed to the sobering lesson of Ananias and Sapphira who were smitten by God for their pretense of doing and giving more than they actually were. No doubt these young men never forgot this experience. What a preserving effect this incident should have on us when tempted to exaggerate or call attention to our feeble efforts to serve the Lord. "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory." John 7:18.
These young men had firsthand experience in the Lord's work—burying two hypocrites. This was needful work and it is still needful today to bury our pretensions to any level of spirituality or achievement. If we are filled with a sense of accomplishment because of our service, we have little understood the Lord's words, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Luke 17:10.
Zeal without Knowledge
Another danger young men are perhaps more vulnerable to is that of having "zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." Rom. 10:2. The Apostle Paul in his unconverted days, known then as Saul of Tarsus, was a very zealous young man (Acts 22:3; Phil. 3:6). As a young man, he stood by at the stoning of Stephen. "The witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." Acts 7:58. Perhaps he threw no stones, yet he approved of Stephen's murder.
The Jews had run out of options with respect to Stephen. He assailed their consciences, convicting them by the Spirit of their guilt and rebellion. Also the spirit in which he spoke was without defect. "They were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Acts 6:10. Often among ourselves today the truth of God is discounted because of blemishes in the spirit, or failures in the walk, of those who present it. The Jews did not have this escape clause. All they could do was repent or get rid of the one who faithfully showed them their proper position before God.
The last words of Stephen must have resounded in Paul's ears for his entire life. Stephen cried out, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Acts 7:60. At the end of Paul's life, when referring to the time when no man stood by him during Alexander's opposition, he almost echoed Stephen's words, "I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.”
2 Tim. 4:16. How like their Master were Stephen and Paul. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34.
We need to learn that a right spirit is of more value than zeal. Nothing is said of Stephen's zeal, though obviously he was zealous for the Lord's glory. The last recorded words of Paul are, "The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." 2 Tim. 4:22.
Indifference
In reference to Saul of Tarsus, we see a young man antagonistic to the truth of God. In Acts 20 we see a young man indifferent to the truth of God, specifically Paul's ministry which sets forth our Christian blessings, privileges, and responsibilities, both individually and collectively.
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. Acts 20:7-12.
While this passage is full of instruction for us, there are some obvious points we may overlook in searching for deeper thoughts. Eutychus fell away from Paul's ministry. Paul recovered Eutychus and he recovered him to the place where he could once again hear Paul's ministry.
It is one thing to talk about restoration, but how blessed to know the sweetness of it in our own souls. How often we have "fallen" after becoming indifferent to Paul's ministry. Yet it is often that same ministry we have ignored that is used in our restoration to a state of soul in which we can again enjoy Paul's doctrine. True restoration does not stop short of the third loft. We might well question the professed restoration of one who has little interest in the ministry of the Scriptures. Here was a young man who knew what it was to be restored in a very meaningful way. No doubt Eutychus had a fresh appreciation for Paul after his recovery.
Appreciation for Paul's Doctrine
Paul had a nephew who also valued him. How encouraging to see a young man in the midst of religious opposition who valued Paul. The Jews were not content in restricting Paul, they wanted to exterminate him.
And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.... And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee. Acts 23:12-18.
It is only natural for young men to want to be popular, or at least, to be accepted. Paul's nephew realized as a young man that Paul's heavenly ministry was not appreciated. Likewise, it will bring us into direct conflict with religious flesh. Additionally, Paul's nephew entered into practical knowledge of
Paul the prisoner. Paul "the apostle" sets forth his authority, but the thought of "the prisoner" brings out his rejection and restriction.
The castle Paul was in may be a little picture of the house of God in its present condition being likened to a great house (2 Tim. 2:20). In this, Paul was a prisoner. So today, Paul's doctrine is often restricted within the confines of Christendom. The fullness of his teaching is not wanted in many Christian places and is attacked and undermined in others.
Despite his imprisonment, Paul was preserved in these conditions. The manner in which he was kept from the Jews is most interesting, but as far as the young man was concerned, his only responsibility was to follow Paul's instruction. If the body of truth Paul unfolded is to be preserved, we must follow his direction. We cannot alter circumstances-that is God's prerogative-but we can obey.
Paul in writing to the Thessalonians, a youthful assembly assaulted by bad teaching, encourages them to "stand fast, and hold the traditions [instructions] which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle [letter]." 2 Thess. 2:15. Following Paul's instructions will preserve us and maintain us when clever and plausible but wrong concepts are introduced.
To learn experimentally that religious man is opposed to Paul's doctrine, to recognize Paul as a prisoner, and realize that following his instructions is the only means of maintaining his doctrine and resultant testimony are all vital lessons. Paul's nephew did not take up his cause by warfare and confrontation, but by submission to the conditions in which he was placed.
These four incidents regarding young men in the book of Acts would impress upon us the need of understanding practically God's demand for reality, the moral power that comes in having a right spirit, and the importance of valuing Paul's ministry and following his instructions while submitting to present conditions.