How To Handle the Attack - Spriritual Warfare

Job 1:20 - 22
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Many are the times in this life when the adversary will attack. He comes in many forms using people we love, people we have to work with, and people we hardly even know. He'll use complete strangers if possible to attack us whether legally or illegally. A legal attack comes with sin. Now, as much as it pains us, we know that if we do things God has warned us against we're in for a trial. On a regular basis human beings do what the Lord has already told us not to then we get upset when bad situations stem from our choices. If one is dating someone who doesn't know God and they do horrible things in the course of the relationship why ask why God is letting it happen? When one lies or has a lack of integrity in dealings why look at God to get out of the consequences that result? If adultery or fornication are being committed and then ominous circumstances are the result why expect God to rescue from the evil that goes with it? We can most assuredly expect negative outcomes from negative behavior. Trials do make us stronger, but one opens the door to them through poor life choices.

Illegal attacks come when we're pressing in and pursuing God with fervor and undivided focus and then the enemy comes to hurt us in some way. These are the times when it's confusing. Now there's a temptation to look at God and ask why He's doing this. We end up blaming Him somehow for this situation. The dialogue between the adversary and the Lord in Job might encourage this idea that God is responsible and He can block the enemy easily or stop him from doing these awful things that he does. Not so fast. God is always good and no darkness can be found in Him. His promises are yes and amen. He does not lie or break covenant with His people. So, what's happening in this illegal attack? No, this type is not authorized in the spiritual or physical laws.

Matthew 18:18
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Correct translation actually means in the high places, not heaven. You are binding demonic spirits working against you. They don't dwell in God's kingdom. You are loosing their hold and attachment to you or whatever or whomever you're praying for.)

In each of these cases you are at war. In the first instance where your sin has given the enemy an open door, you must repent. Yes, the standard word from most teachers and leaders out there is that you don't need to if you already accepted Jesus, that's it. You never have to feel any remorse again. This is absurd. When Jesus begins to judge the churches in the book of revelation He tells them all to repent for their trespasses or deal with horrific consequences. Repentance is mentioned so many times in the New Testament it's difficult to count. It's a requirement. After repenting it's war time. Begin to call out spirits by their function then bind them and loose their attachments and connections to you spiritually. They came in through your sin so they had a legal right. Now that you have repented (a heart change causing one to turn away from the sin never to repeat it again), you have access to the blood of Jesus and this is your authority over these enemy influences in your life. Slay them in the spirit by binding them, loosing them, and casting them out repeatedly. Do it for as long as it takes until they are gone. All the while praise God for what He's doing. Thank Him for the blood of Jesus, thank Him for His saving grace. Go forward speaking His truth and do not be entangled again with the yoke of that bondage which was the sin that got you into this in the first place. Keep blaming God out of your purview - He is not the source of the problem.

In the other case you have to immediately go on the attack and pursue the enemy in the spirit. Begin by rebuking him and speaking God's word over the situation. Speak God's promises, His truth, what He says about it, and speak His law. He said that when you are faithful over a few things he'll make you a ruler over many. If you've been faithful and an attack comes to take away what you've been faithful in doing, fight back. He said that when you tithe he will rebuke the devourer so if the devourer is coming to take money away that belongs to you as you've been a faithful tither, fight back in the spirit. This is all spiritual and has nothing to do with human beings. When the enemy uses a human being to attack they are just a vessel and often times have no understanding of the depth of the evil they are committing. Do not take it personally. Get in the spirit and fight. Bind, loose, and cast out the demons working to bring this calamity on you. Praise God for His work in the fight. Call on Him to send angels into the fight. Then wait on the Lord. Keep honoring Him in everything not looking at the situation, but at His promises. Don't make the mistake of blaming God. If you do, repent and move forward with the warfare. These bad things are not God's work. Sickness, disease, violence, poverty, etc. are all works from the enemy. Stand up and fight against him using the weapons God gave you.

2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Well, of course Job has a tough go of it. These are unimaginable circumstances that are so difficult that even the most courageous and faithful of us would be challenged. Job actually begins to lose it. He curses the day he was born and spends chapters saying woe is me that this awful thing has come. He admits to the sin of fear, having had it all along being afraid that something like this would happen. (open door) He never blames God directly, but makes the statement, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Oops, that's blame. The Lord was not slaying him. In fact, the adversary was responsible for all the calamity in the first place. In the end Job comes to the conclusion that in all these things what he's going to do is give God honor, praise, and thanks for being Who He is. He repents of his sin and always maintains his faith in Him. He fortifies it with his words of honor to God. Then it is all returned to him - in double portions. The adversary has to give back what he takes from God's people illegally. Though the people of Job's era were not aware of spiritual warfare, his repentance and speaking truth ended the siege. (Job 41 - 43)

Be ready to go to war against the enemy and rulers of darkness in high places. Wear your armor at all times (Ephesians 6:10) and keep a tight watch over your thoughts, words, and actions being sure they please the Lord at all times. Say only what He says and keep His word in your heart. (Psalm 119:11)

The Table

1 Corinthians 10:21
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

The movie The Matrix is one of my all time favorites. There's this provocative secret about our world - the revelation that it's illusory and temporary. Of course, the Bible has exposed this for generations, but this was pop culture, Hollywood, exposing a colossally mind-bending notion, "Hey folks, there's more than meets the eye in the world where we live."

Well, there is a real life matrix and it is our physical world. What we see around us seems so real, but what we don't see is the eternal and permanent presence of a spirit led world that is more real. Unlike the movie, we don't have to be chosen to see it clearly. All that is needed is to open our eyes and hearts, seek, and we will simply become aware that it exists.

Now, much like the concept of the matrix, on earth we are living in two worlds in which there are three tables where everyone is sitting. While we don't physically see them, they are what we do every day. Much in the way a wedding with open seating is set up, we walk in, see what is pleasing to us and then choose. No one leaves the wedding without choosing. There's the table of the Lord, the table of demons, and our own table. No, they have not been planned for us like they are at some weddings. We just go through life, come of age, and choose where we want to be. Our status, race, age, popularity, and gender are not at issue, we just openly choose our seats.

The first table is the Lord's. At this table on earth to the untrained eye it would seem this is the "boring" table. The people who sit here have chosen to let go of their own pursuits, opened their hearts and gotten excited about what the Host will do. They've decided that here they will open their minds to the Host's leading and just let Him entertain them and show them what there is to do. They have done away with what pleases them and their own agenda to see what the Lord has to offer and get full from His feast. They revel in the light of His love. This table is not the most popular or crowded. In fact, on any given day people actually get up and leave to sit at a different table since in the physical world it is difficult to surrender yourself to another entity and allow them carte blanche to have you do their will instead of your own. That's really tough so few choose this table. In contrast, in the spirit world this is the most coveted table of all three. Every spirit to ever come into being who is solely spirit now wishes they had the opportunity to just sit even in the corner. At this table all love, light, hope, peace, and joy is held. None of these attributes inhabit the other tables in the contrasting spirit world.

The next table is the one demons operate. Whether we see it or not these hideous, putrid creatures are right under our noses enticing all manner of evil. But what we see physically is people having a "good" time. There are alcohol spirits, drug spirits, materialism spirits, music spirits, sex spirits, idol spirits, and tons of entertainment and revelry. People are smiling and cavorting, trying everything they desire to try. Earth holds many temptations that demons encourage us to embrace. In our physical world it is popular and right to sit at this table. If you are not sitting here there are countless souls that will tell you to step over. Religious people are sitting here too. Pastors, teachers, bishops, priests, deacons, elders, ushers, of every religious order, many of them still sit here fully aware of the difference between the tables, some not. They will discourage some of the behaviors at the table, but for the most part they don't mind being there. Pride of life and self-righteousness also feel really good to the human soul, so they sit at this table content to live out their days believing they can be as good as God. In the physical they seem to be having a good go of it. In the spirit world these same lives are sitting with tired, sunken eyes, disheveled appearance, and utter confusion of the heart and minds. Demons are satisfied to see their guests at the height of misery. They hate all things and all people and the more miserable the better. In this life attendees have access to the presence of God, as He dwells infinitely in the physical realm so they still feel happiness through hope.

The other table is one that humans have built themselves. The people sitting here stand out because they don't delight in the norms. Revelry, meanness, in some cases materialism, and exaltation of any human being is frowned upon. They don't need a religion. In their opinion they don't need any gods at all. They feel free to live peaceably and intelligently on their own, not accepting any pop culture idea, but embracing themselves as great and good enough. They even ridicule people sitting at the other tables and chide them for not sitting at their table. Again, with access to the presence of God they still experience forms of peace and hope. What they don't understand is this table does not exist in the spirit world or in eternity and they'll be forced to sit at the demons' table anyway. Still, in the physical world the people sitting here seem to be getting by just fine. Demons can see the same lack of definition and desperation as those at their own table and they do well to just leave them alone, lest they begin to seek out truth.

In the movie The Matrix when people realize what they've always known has been a lie there's a crisis of conscience. At the revelation they are not only dumbfounded, but angry that they've been duped. This is what happens at the end of our days. Never mind the apocalypse. We know destruction is coming, but when is a big question mark. Current statistics suggest that close to 1 billion people have left earth for their eternity since 2001. Eternity is longer than this. Our lives on earth are a vapor in the big picture. We choose our tables now in the physical to live for all of eternity. At which table do you sit? I know it's cliche, but anyone who reads this is challenged to choose the Lord's table. This plea does not regard religion, but lifestyle.

In the spirit realm there is no human table since we become spirit. The table with demons disappears. It sheds its skin like a venomous snake. You see the bare bones of it as it translates into utter darkness, heart-wrenching screams, excruciating pain and anguish, and the total absence of the presence of God. There are no ranks, no drugs to numb pain, no alcohol, no relationships. Hope is gone, love does not exist, and fear is constant. It is pure evil without end. No one wants to be here and everyone is suffering all the time.

When the Lord's table is removed and the veil is lifted there is the complete presence of the One we call God. Unadulterated love, joy, and peace. A most beautiful light unlike any we've ever experienced in all our days. There is a lifting of every weight. Tears won't be shed anymore, depression is non-existent, and pain is a fluttering, distant memory. Goodness and mercy, truth and justice, love and compassion all dwell here in the I AM. The people sitting at this table fit right in. They belong there because they've been practicing this on earth.

The surface world we see every day is not what it seems. Another world is hidden in plain sight. In science we learn that matter never ceases to exist. It changes forms, but never ends. We are matter and this is true of us as well. We don't end, we change and become solely spirit and take a place in the eternal realm we chose while on earth. Trust in Jesus. He's the Way, He's the Truth, and He's the Life. No one will get to the Father except by Him - John 14:6. Everyone has an open, free invitation while here on earth to sit wherever they like. We all have to choose eventually. Believe Him, as there is no other Way and whether you believe it or not, it will still be.

The Lord's Side

1 Corinthians 6:9
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.

Paul addresses the church at Corinth with this message. When Paul visited Corinth it was a city known for certain things. It was luxurious, it was modern, and... it was full of lasciviousness and demonic behavior. Envision Las Vegas and you have the city of Corinth. Temples built for Greek gods and goddesses dotted the area and the citizens willingly participated in worshiping these entities, including but not limited to, Aphrodite. With it being recognized as a place to go for vice and sin, it's no wonder that Paul writes the letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians with grave warnings against specific behaviors that would have been the norm there. He warns in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom. He describes in specific detail the types of acts that will cut a person off from being able to be a part of God's kingdom; fornication (sex outside marriage), idolatry (putting anything before God), adulterers (lusting after someone other than your spouse, being with someone other than your spouse), effeminate men (men behaving like women), homosexuals (same gender sexual relationships), thieves, drunkards (in Corinth people drank for fun, like in Las Vegas, social drunkenness was the norm), revilers (those who are abusive in their speech), or swindlers (scammers taking unsuspecting people's money without regard). He has to point out that salvation, though given to us by the grace of God and through the blood of Jesus Christ, is not guaranteed simply because one says they believe it's true. He warned that unrighteous people will not be included in the inheritance of the kingdom.

There is a deep, stark contrast between the kingdom of God and satan's world.

Many Christian churches teach a different theme today. Teachers and leaders won't mention repentance or sin or living holy. They even say that once you are saved you don't have to repent for anything. They say that once you're saved you're always going to be saved no matter what you do. This is not biblical teaching, but sin is uncomfortable to discuss in today's world. It's rampant and it's the culture. Television, songs, movies, magazines, books all include obvious defiance of God's expectations of His people. Walking and doing what He says are requirements. The old testament law was fulfilled in Jesus, yes. So, we're not out sacrificing things to forgive our sins. We're asking for forgiveness from them based on the sacrificial blood of Jesus. He is faithful to forgive us, but we are expected to lead blameless lives and to do our best to stay away from the things He has said are cursed and sinful. That's for our own good, as satan is constantly seeking to devour and sin is exactly the open door he needs to bring sickness, disease, calamity, frustration, confusion, and poverty. God warns us against it to protect us from the results of it.

What about you? Have you made up your mind to follow Jesus and stand on the Lord's side? Ask yourself throughout the day would Jesus sit next to me and participate in what I'm doing? Would the Light in whom there is no darkness be willing to come alongside me and bear with my thoughts and actions? The church really has to come clean. He said "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sins, and heal the land." We need healing. Let the church repent and seek Him now while it's still day.

All the Single Ladies...of the Bible: Part 3

So far we've been exploring the world of romance GOD's way. We heard all about Rebekah's life and times and how she was chosen since she was born into the family of GOD and had kept herself pure, an important aspect of being for the men and women of GOD.  Then there was Rachel, the real life love at first sight story that didn't mention anything about her character except that she had a career and was doing her job when she met her husband. Honestly, reading about Jacob and Rachel is better than any soap opera or steamy drama Hollywood has ever produced. GOD's writing even offers the benefit of wisdom, it's so awesome.

Now, for Part 3 let's get to know Ruth. This is a pretty short book squeezed in between Joshua and Judges. It's a highlighted excerpt from the time of the Judges in Israel, before they reached out to GOD for a king. During that time there was a famine in their land so Elimelech packed up and moved to another area called Moab. Interestingly enough he dies and both his sons die while there. There's no mention of why they died, but doing some soft research doesn't really garner much information on this either. It has been suggested that they were judged by GOD since they moved to a foreign nation, but there are many others whose lives led them to other lands and they didn't die from it so I'm not sure that works. Then, some say the brothers died while one was trying to break the other out of prison. No reference was given for that explanation so I don't know how much stock to put in it. Nonetheless, their wives, Ruth and Orpah, were left alone with Naomi to fend for themselves.

The law in Hebrew culture was that when a woman was widowed, the man's brother was then supposed to take the widow as a wife so that the blood line would not be cut off. Both brothers were gone now and all that was left of them was their mom, Naomi. She told her daughters in law she heard the famine had ended and she was going home. She said for them to move on since she didn't have anymore sons and if she could they'd be way too young for them anyway. Orpah, although she loved Naomi, left to move on with her life. We don't hear about her again. But Ruth stayed with Naomi. She was a faithful friend willing to give up all she knew just to stay and take care of Naomi. Again, no explanation is given for this, but she converts completely. She decides to follow Naomi's GOD and customs and live among her people.

Ruth 1:15-17 (New American Standard verrsion)

15 Then she said, "Behold, your sister in law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister in law." 16 But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your GOD, my GOD.17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."

She had made up her mind, sold out in a sense to say that this was her new life and that was that. She would not look back to her old life, but fully embrace this new one with Naomi. As the story goes she begins to work to help Naomi survive. She ends up working in the field of her late husband's relative, Boaz. In humility she finds favor with him and ends up working through the barley and wheat harvests, which seem to add up to about 2 months during that time. She is left alone to do her work and gleans enough wheat for herself and for Naomi. Where the harvest period ends the love story begins. Naomi tells Ruth to use discretion in going to Boaz to secure a future. In those days women needed to have a man around to survive. It's just the way it was. So, she gave her some solid advice. Ruth followed it and then Boaz maintained her purity, even protected it.

Ruth 3:6 -15

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother in law had commanded her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative." Then he said, "May you be blessed of the Lord my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better that the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. 12 Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning." 14 So she lay at his feet until morning and rose up before one could recognize another; and he said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." 15 Again he said, "Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it." So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.

This is a profoundly sweet encounter. First, Naomi directs Ruth to do this, as she knew the customs of her own people while Ruth did not. Ruth follows her directions and ends up wooing a prominent businessman who respected her and treated her like royalty. This is phenomenal. If you read it again you can see how it parallels the story of the new believer in Jesus Christ and how He is our redeemer that will come for His bride when the harvest is over. But, for the purpose of this entry let's look at some key concepts from their encounter that become nuggets of wisdom.

1.) Be faithful. Stick with your commitments and see them through. GOD is watching us keep or break promises and really expects that when we make an oath we actually see it through to the end.

2.) Be diligent. (a theme that all these single ladies' stories have in common) Work smart, work well, and be excellent in all your dealings. This does not go unnoticed.

3.) Maintain your reputation. Don't waste your time on knuckleheads. Keep yourself from engaging with men who you know don't have the character you're looking for and / or who you know don't fear GOD. It's a waste of time and energy and compromises your witness in Christ.

4.) Watch to be sure that the person you are courting is also focused on maintaining purity. This is a two way street. A man who will go too far with you physically has not determined to treat you like royalty. Nor has he made the kind of solid commitment to GOD that he needs to maintain purity in a marriage relationship. Take this as a signal to their character and stop it from proceeding. Ruth was no  virgin. Remember, she'd already been married. She was also from Moab where they served  their gods in a different way. But, when she chose to walk with the true and living GOD she put on a garment of purity and kept herself. Boaz did not make her compromise. If you'll notice he even goes so far as to say don't let anyone know a woman came here overnight. He had her get up after not touching her all night and leave before anyone could recognize who she was. 

5.) Expect a man to respect you without compromising yourself. He sent her off with more sustenance for herself and Naomi. Not being completely sure he would be the one who would be given the privilege to take care of her, he still met her needs. He gave a strong indication that he would wait for her to be sure that his actions in taking her as his wife was going to be on the up and up according to GOD's law and the expectations of the culture. Men like this are rare, but if you really live for GOD, HE will prepare him for you and bring him your way, just be diligent and wait.

Take the time to go back and read the entire text for yourself. Pray and ask for insights that will help you see the parallels between Ruth and you / Jesus and Boaz. Also, pray for the wisdom and integrity to wait for Prince Honorable and Courageous (charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting so don't be fooled by those guys). 

This concludes our walk through the single ladies. There are many more, Zipporah, Esther, the Queen of Sheba, etc. But, these stories parallel many themes where we need GOD's guidance today so this is the reason for bringing them out. When reading GOD's word it is so powerful and its themes are full of wisdom for all of life's circumstances. This is the excitement of reading it for application to life.

All the Single Ladies...of the Bible: Part 2

Part 1 of this series was all about Rebekah and how her experiences could be translated into our lives today as practical advice for women of GOD to be prepared for a man of GOD. Six useful tips closed the post, which I hope are helpful.

Now, on to Rachel. Rachel's narrative is a bit different. While Rebekah was sort of born to privilege, Rachel was not so bad off either, but she had a career. Rachel was a shepherdess. In fact, that is where she meets her husband...while at work.

Genesis 29:9 (Common English Bible translation)

9 While he (Jacob) was still talking to them, Rachel came with her father's flock since she was its shepherd.

The custom in Haran where Rachel lived seems to be that all the shepherds gather at the well to water their sheep together. Jacob was there at just the right moment and Rachel was on her way to perform an aspect of her job right on time. Well, that was all that was needed. He saw Rachel and it appears to be love at first sight. He becomes overjoyed with the fact that he's found what he was looking for. So much so that he actually waters the flock for her and then kisses her and weeps out loud. Now that's really something.

Genesis 29:10

10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his uncle, and the flock of Laban, Jacob came up, rolled the stone from the well's opening, and watered the flock of his uncle Laban. 11 Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.

How awesome would that be? Today that might be too weird. Between women's liberation, the feminist movement, and strong themes of female emancipation from any male dominance, this wouldn't play out the same way. Even in the church women feel free from having to submit to anyone simply because they're a man. No, in this age a situation like this would have to involve the Holy Spirit, big time, for a woman not to deck a guy. Notwithstanding, they eventually got married. Jacob worked 7 years to have Rachel be his wife (since her dad was somewhat shady he even had to put in another 7 beyond that), but to him it was like a few days since he loved her so much.

Genesis 29:20

20 Jacob worked for Rachel for seven years, but it seemed like a few days because he loved her.

Yes, GOD writes wonderful romance! So, here's some wisdom to glean from the story:

1.) Be diligent in your work. Show up on time, use your time wisely: don't take longer lunches than necessary, don't leave things for someone else to do if you can do it yourself, be pleasant, and do the work with excellence, not to make your boss happy, but to please GOD. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. HE's the ultimate boss.

We'll move on to Ruth next...her story is like a fairy tale, a real rags to riches account of love worth waiting for!

All The Single Ladies...of the Bible: Part 1

There are some outstanding stories in the Word, but really when I think of the headlines I read today they really don't seem as improbable as I hear some people say. In fact, they mirror what happens in our world every day. There's nothing new under the sun - Ecclesiastes 1:9. This is why when I read about Ruth the other day I thought, now this is really something. She ended up meeting and getting married just by being really thoughtful and selfless. Then I remembered other single ladies, namely Rebekah and Rachel. And I realized there are some key similarities in their chance encounters that could be helpful to handmaidens in waiting. Let's bring those out.

Rebekah - became Isaac's wife after his servant was given the task of finding a certain type of woman to marry him

In those days and times many marriages were arranged by the parents. This was the case here. Abraham sent his servant back home asking him to promise that he would find a wife for Isaac who was befitting for the role (from the family's homeland). Wanting to make good on his promise, the servant went and asked GOD to give him a sure fire way to know who the right woman was. 

Genesis 24:12

12 He said, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. 13 "Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;14 now may it be that the girl to whom I say, `Please let down your jar so that I may drink,' and who answers, `Drink, and I will water your camels also'--may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master."

So, before he even finished praying, here comes Rebekah. Mind you, her family is fairly wealthy. And, I'm not sure, but it would seem there could have been a maid coming out to draw the water rather than she, but here she was employing her servant's heart to go and draw water.

Genesis 24:15

15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah,  the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder.16 The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up.17 Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar." 18 She said, "Drink, my lord"; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking." 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels. 

GOD was quick answering this prayer. She followed through as expected. I would like to highlight some themes here. First, she was being useful at the well (drawing water when she did not have to), kind (serving the servant...and TEN camels when she did not have to), and humble (she was already pretty well-off, but still saw no problem with meeting this stranger's needs). Well, in simply being productive she showed that she was the perfect wife for Isaac. Also, she was a virgin and had not even courted anyone. I know, that's very uncommon today. Sexual relationships are a part of dating in some cross-sections of American culture. But, note that purity was a factor in the narrative. It was deliberately highlighted and I believe that's symbolic in many ways. But, for the purpose of this discussion, it goes to show that men are looking for women whose hearts can belong solely to them, who haven't been compromised by many suitors and / or promiscuity. They were built to desire a woman who was made just for them and they don't want to feel like they've already had to share. It sounds crude, but it's true. It's the design. There was Adam and then came Eve and that was that. She was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh and that was all she wrote. Eve's loyalties had not been divided when they got married. And so here it was that Rebekah was being chosen with that aspect of her life being clear and ready to fully embrace Isaac without hindrance or distraction. So, if you are a GOD-fearing, Bible loving lady in waiting here are some tips from Rebekah:

1.) Use your gifts and talents, focus your energy, and perform them well. Women who have purpose stand out to men who also have it and that's what you're looking for.

2.) Be productive. Sitting around watching mind-numbing hours of useless television is not the way you were meant to spend your time. GOD has given you many resources, you have something to offer. Get busy with that.

3.) Employ your servant's heart. If you are a believer who has confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you already have this. It may need to be cultivated and grown, but you got it when you received His Spirit, so the next time you get a chance to do so, use it.

4.) Be humble. This is a strong biblical theme, and a spiritual necessity. In fact, it's one of the ways that you would be known to be a follower of Christ. Laying down your "sista' girl" can be quite powerful in getting a closer walk with the Father, not to mention it clears away one obstacle a man of GOD would have in approaching you.

5.) Make sure they are definitely all the way in GOD's family. That servant traveled miles with his caravan to get to a place where the people knew who GOD was. Missionary dating is NOT going to render the results you're looking for. If they don't have a personal relationship with GOD and you do, they are NOT the one. Don't even compromise your heart...leave them alone and wait. (Single ladies only...if you're married you're in it to win it, 1 Corinthians 7:12-16)

6.) Just do your thing and GOD will bring them to you. You don't have to look, you don't need to "put yourself out there". Delight yourself in the LORD and HE will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4.

Stay tuned for Part 2 where we'll dish on Rachel's situation and glean more understanding.

David And the Census

2 Samuel 24:1 

And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and He moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

2 Samuel 24:10 

And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done foolishly.

This seems like a direct contradiction. In verse 1 Yahweh moves David to number the people. Then later David says it's sin and repents for it. You know it is sin because after he addresses GOD, HE gives David a choice between three judgements for his sin.

The question for us as people who seek HIM and want to follow HIS precepts and live in a way that's pleasing to HIM is, huh? How can GOD move David to do something wrong? Then the question is why does HE then punish HIM for it? It doesn't make sense because it's not what actually took place.

We know some things about the LORD that are immutable. One is that HE is good. 

Revelation 4:8
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Isaiah 6:3

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

I Peter 1:16 
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

I John 1:5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Psalm 98:1
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Psalm 145:17
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

How would it be possible for a righteous, holy GOD in Whom there is no darkness to move any human being to sin? This doesn't work. The reason for that is that something was left out of the translation. Upon reading this contradiction to GOD's nature I decided to search many versions of the Bible and try looking in the original text. I do not know Hebrew, or Greek for that matter, however through some solid teaching I have learned to search through literal translations. In Young's Literal Translation you find what really took place.

2 Samuel 24:1

1 And the anger of Jehovah addeth to burn against Israel, and [an adversary] moveth David about them, saying, `Go, number Israel and Judah.'

The YLT caught the differentiation. GOD's anger burned against Israel because they sinned against GOD and there was no repentance. This opened the door to the the adversary and his imps to come in and influence their hearts. He influenced David to number the people. This was not HIS will, it was the enemy's. Why it was sin is not clear to me at this time, but I am continuing to research it. One thing that is obvious though, is that he numbered the people with a heart that was intent on doing it, knowing it was wrong. Joab even asked him why he was set to do it, reminding him and attempting to reason with him as to why not to do it.

2 Samuel 24

2 And the king saith unto Joab, head of the host that [is] with him, `Go to and fro, I pray thee, through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even unto Beer-Sheba, and inspect ye the people -- and I have known the number of the people.' 3 And Joab saith unto the king, `Yea, Jehovah thy God doth add unto the people, as they are, a hundred times, and the eyes of my lord the king are seeing; and my lord the king, why is he desirous of this thing?' 4 And the word of the king is severe towards Joab, and against the heads of the force, and Joab goeth out, and the heads of the force, [from] before the king to inspect the people, even Israel;

He still went ahead and numbered the people. This was not a move of GOD. HE moves people to do what is right, as there is no evil found in HIM. We can rest assured that OUR GOD is always good.

I often use studylight.org to complete studies, as there is access to many versions of the Bible, as well as to Greek translations.