Cultivate Faithfulness (part 3)

The Unfaithful Children Of God; From Savior To Enemy

Isaiah 63:7-10 – The children of Israel grieving the Holy Spirit after “He became their Savior… He redeemed them…” Because of their rebellion during their journey to the Promised Land, God then “turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them.” Would He do the same today against those of His children who continue in rebellion against His leading? Yes, we too will not finish the race set before us, we will not enter in.

7 I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.

8 For He said, "Surely, they are My people, Sons who will not deal falsely [8266]." So He became their Savior [3467- “to save, to be saved, to be delivered, to be victorious”].

9 In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved [3467] them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.

10 But they rebelled and grieved [6087] His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them. 

NASU

OT:8266 shaqar (shaw-kar')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

a primitive root; to cheat, i.e. be untrue (usually in words):

KJV - fail, deal falsely, lie.

(Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)

to do falsely, to deal falsely, to be false, to trick, to cheat

a)   (Piel) to deal falsely

b)   (Qal) to deal falsely

OT:6087 `atsab (aw-tsab')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

a primitive root; properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or anger:

KJV - displease, grieve, hurt, make, be sorry, vex, worship, wrest.

(Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)

1)   to hurt, to pain, to grieve, to displease, to vex, to wrest

   a)   (Qal) to hurt, to pain

   b)   (Niphal) to be in pain, to be pained, to be grieved

   c)   (Piel) to vex, to torture

   d)   (Hiphil) to cause pain

   e)   (Hithpael) to feel grieved, to be vexed

2)   to shape, to fashion, to make, to form, to stretch into shape, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament: worship

   a)   (Piel) to shape, to form

   b)   (Hiphil) to form, to copy, to fashion

Numbers 14:26-34 – Because of their unfaithfulness/rebellion, not believing that the land of Canaan was theirs for the taking as God said it was, they would learn what it was like to have Him turn against them as their enemy. In fact, in verse 28 the Lord said, “just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me.” The NIV says, “I will do to you the very things I heard you say: In this desert your bodies will fall…” They grumbled and complained against the Lord, saying they were going to die, so they did. Lord, help us to guard our mouths from speaking against Your leading while on our way to the Promised Land of Your inheritance.

26 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,

27 "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? [see 1 Cor. 10:10] I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me.

28 "Say to them, 'As I live,' says the Lord, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; [NIV- “‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will do to you the very things I heard you say: In this desert your bodies will fall…’”]

29 your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me.

30 'Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

31 'Your children, however, whom you said would become a prey — I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected.

32 'But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness.

33 'Your sons shall be shepherds [7462- see def. in Psalm 37:3 above] for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness [2184], until your corpses lie in the wilderness.

34 'According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition [8569].

NASU

Numbers 14:34

34 For forty years — one year for each of the forty days you explored the land — you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you [8569].'

NIV

Numbers 14:34

34 According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection [8569].

NKJV

OT:2184 zenuwth (zen-ooth')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from OT:2181; adultery, i.e. (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry:

KJV - whoredom.

(Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)

fornication, harlotry

OT:8569 tenuw'ah (ten-oo-aw')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from OT:5106; alienation; by implication, enmity:

KJV - breach of promise, occasion.

(Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)

opposition, alienation, enmity

Numbers 33:55-56 – The Lord spoke to Moses in this passage (v.50-56) right before Israel crossed over into Canaan, giving them His law for possessing the land. Verses 50-54 give instructions for driving out the current inhabitants in order to take possession of the land. These last two verses warn them what will occur if they do not listen and obey. The Lord says that He will do to Israel what He said He would do to their enemies, which means He would drive them back out instead.

55 'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live.

56 'And as I plan to do to them, so I will do to you.'"

NASU

Romans 8:6-8 – A mind set on the flesh, on pleasing the desires of the flesh which fight God’s will, is “hostile” toward God. To be “hostile” is by definition to have “a reason for opposition,” which, as Paul declares, can be God’s opposition against us.

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile [2189] toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [See the Bible study Well Pleased.]

NASU

NT:2189 echthra (ekh'-thrah)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

feminine of NT:2190; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition:

KJV - enmity, hatred.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

enmity (Luke 23:12)

James 4:4-6 – Friendship with the world is another “reason for opposition” from God.

4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility [2189- def. above] toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 

5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?

6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

NASU

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 – Paul says that “the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction” will oppose God and exalt themselves. Self-exaltation is to sit on the throne of God within us, His temple, revealing ourselves as God by our attitudes and actions. We assume the lead, apart from His will.

1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,

2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

4 who opposes [480] and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

NASU

NT:480 antikeimai (an-tik'-i-mahee)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:473 and NT:2749; to lie opposite, i.e. be adverse (figuratively, repugnant) to:

KJV - adversary, be contrary, oppose.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

1.   to be set over against, lie opposite to,

2.   to oppose, be adverse to, withstand: tini (Luke 13:17)

Galatians 5:16-17 – The Spirit and the flesh are in opposition to one another.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition [480] to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

NASU

Colossians 1:21

21 Once you were alienated [526] from God and were enemies [2190] in your minds because of your evil behavior.

NIV

NT:526 apallotrioo (ap-al-lot-ree-o'-o)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:575 and a derivative of NT:245; to estrange away, i.e. (passively and figuratively) to be non-participant:

KJV - alienate, be alien.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

to alienate, estrange to be shut out from one's fellowship and intimacy (Eph. 2:12)

NT:2190 echthros (ech-thros')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from a primary echtho (to hate); hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan):

KJV - enemy, foe.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

a hater

1.   passively, hated, odious, hateful

2.   actively, hostile, hating and opposing another (1 Cor. 15:25; 2 Thess. 3:15)

Daniel 8:23-25 – In Daniel’s prophecy of the last days, a certain “king” will arise with great power that will destroy mighty men and the holy people (i.e. Christians) who are “are at ease” with a false sense of security.

23 "In the latter period of their rule, when the transgressors have run their course, a king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue.

24 "His power will be mighty, but not by his own power, and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will; He will destroy mighty men and the holy people.

25 "And through his shrewdness He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; and he will magnify himself in his heart [self-exaltation, seated on the throne of his heart, 2 Thess. 2:4 above], and he will destroy many while they are at ease [7962- “security (genuine or false), quietness, ease, prosperity”; a false sense of security]. He will even oppose [5975- “to take one’s stand, to hold one’s ground”] the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency.

NASU

OT:7962 shalvah (shal-vaw')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from OT:7951; security (genuine or false)

KJV - abundance, peace (-ably), prosperity, quietness.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

quietness, ease, prosperity

Isaiah 26:10-11 – The wicked, even when shown the favor and kindness of the Lord, will still not learn to do righteousness. They have no idea that the fire of God will destroy them. Again, the enemies of God are also found among His own children. He is so merciful towards us, but we dare not toy with Him, in particular at the end of this age. Let us fall before Him in humility, crying out to Him with a repentant heart while we still can. God, help us!

10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, and does not perceive the majesty of the Lord.

11 O Lord, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame; Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.

NASU

Hebrews 10:26-31 – See the note below.

26 If we deliberately [“voluntarily, willingly”] keep on sinning after we have received [“to take unto oneself, lay hold upon, take possession”] the knowledge [“recognition, precise and correct knowledge”] of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,

27 but only a fearful expectation [“the act or manner of receiving from”] of judgment and of raging fire [see Matthew 3:12] that will consume the enemies [5227] of God. 

28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled [2662] the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted [1796] the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."

31 It is a dreadful [5398] thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

NIV

NT:5227 hupenantios (hoop-en-an-tee'-os)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:5259 and NT:1727; under (covertly) contrary to, i.e. opposed or (as noun) an opponent:

KJV - adversary, against.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

a.   opposite to; set over against:

b.   tropically, opposed to, contrary to: tina (Col. 2:14)

NT:2662 katapateo (kat-ap-at-eh'-o)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:2596 and NT:3961; to trample down; figuratively, to reject with disdain [Disdain means “the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect, to look upon or treat with contempt, to regard as unworthy or inferior, to treat as beneath one’s notice or dignity” In a legal sense, willful disobedience to or open disrespect for the rules or orders of a court or legislative body is referred to as “Contempt of Court.”]:

KJV - trample, tread (down, underfoot).

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

to tread down trample under foot (Matthew 5:13)

to treat with rudeness and insult; to spurn [spurn means “to reject with disdain, to treat with contempt, despise, to kick or trample with the foot”], treat with insulting neglect

NT:1796 enubrizo (en-oo-brid'-zo)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:1722 and NT:5195; to insult:

KJV - do despite unto.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

to treat with contumely (Hebrews 10:29)

enubrizo [NT:1796] - "to treat insultingly, with contumely [“harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt, insulting display of contempt in words or actions”]" (en, intensive, hubrizo, "to insult"; some connect it with huper, "above, over," Lat. super, which suggests the insulting disdain of one who considers himself superior), is translated "hath done despite" in Hebrews 10:29.

Notes:

(1) Hubrizo, "to insult, act with insolence," is translated "to use despitefully" in Acts 14:5, KJV; RV, "to entreat... shamefully." See (ENTREAT) SHAMEFULLY, (ENTREAT) SPITEFULLY, REPROACH, B, No. 2.

(2) The noun hubristes, "a violent man," is translated "despiteful" in Romans 1:30, KJV; RV, "insolent"; in 1 Timothy 1:13, "injurious."

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

NT:5398 phoberos (fob-er-os')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:5401; frightful, i.e. (objectively) formidable:

KJV - fearful, terrible.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

1.   (actively) inspiring fear, terrible, formidable

2.   (passively) affected with fear, timid (Hebrews 10:27, 31)

   It’s amazing how many in the church miss the warning of truth from this passage which was explicitly written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for Christians, not an unbeliever (see the Bible study Unbelieving Believers). The reason being the acceptance as truth of the “once saved always saved” doctrine that blinds them. Those ministers who circulate this lie will have a lot of blood on their hands when standing before the Judge of us all.

   Verses 26-27 state that “If we deliberately [“voluntarily, willingly”] keep on sinning after we have received [“to take unto oneself, lay hold upon, take possession”] the knowledge [“recognition, precise and correct knowledge”] of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation [“the act or manner of receiving from”] of judgment and of raging fire [see Matthew 3:12] that will consume the enemies of God.” Remember that above in James 4:4-6 he says that “friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ‘He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us?’” After receiving the knowledge of the truth, who is Jesus (John 14:6), a Christian, through being a “friend of the world,” can after turning to Christ, then turn away, without repentance, and become His enemy.

   Also, verse 29 makes it even clearer who is being warned when it refers to those who have “treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace.” Because of their rejection of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, an unbeliever could never be described as one who has been sanctified through the blood of Jesus.

   The definition for the Greek word we interpreted into English as “insulted” is “to treat insultingly, with contumely [“harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt, insulting display of contempt in words or actions”].”

   The Greek for “trampled” is katapateo (kat-ap-at-eh'-o). It’s defined as “to treat with rudeness and insulting neglect, to disdain.” Disdain is defined as “‘the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect, to look upon or treat with contempt, to regard as unworthy or inferior, to treat as beneath one’s notice or dignity.’ In a legal sense, willful disobedience to or open disrespect for the rules or orders of a court or legislative body is referred to as ‘Contempt of Court.’”

   Through these inspired words we see that the writer of Hebrews is without doubt warning those of us who have received Christ to be careful not to continue in deliberate, willful sin against the Lord. If we do there is nothing left “but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”

Hebrews 4:1-6 – See the note below.

1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.

2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS";

5 and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST."

6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience [543]

NASU

NT:543 apeitheia (ap-i'-thi-ah)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:545; disbelief (obstinate and rebellious):

KJV - disobedience, unbelief.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

disobedience, obstinacy, obstinate opposition to the divine will (Romans 11:30, 32)

   In this passage, the writer of Hebrews warns us using the example of the children of Israel. Because of their disobedience/unbelief/unfaithfulness during their wilderness journey to the Promised Land (i.e. the Christian’s journey), they were not able to enter into the rest of God which, by definition, refers to His abode, or dwelling. It is a picture of entering into eternal life through Him.

   The Hebrew for “disobedience” is apeitheia (ap-i'-thi-ah). It’s defined as “disbelief (obstinate and rebellious), obstinate opposition to the divine will.” Continued opposition to God’s will along our journey to the Promised Land of eternal life in Christ will, like the Israelites in the wilderness, keep a Christian from entering in. This is why we should “fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.”

   Later in his book, the author of Hebrews says, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” (Hebrews 10:36-39/NIV) Doing the will of God results in eternal life. You may say that sounds like works for salvation. Regarding that subject, see the Works Bible Study, and the accompanying book Works And Salvation.

Romans 10:20-21 – The Lord reached out His hand to Israel but they were disobedient and obstinate, unwilling to grab onto His offer of repentance. (See chapter forty four, Extending His Hand, in my book The Resurrected Bride.)

20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME."

21 But as for Israel He says, "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE [483] PEOPLE." [These are the “sons of destruction” among God’s people]

NASU

NT:483 antilego (an-til'-eg-o)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:473 and NT:3004; to dispute, refuse:

KJV - answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay (-er), speak against.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

to speak against, gainsay, contradict; absolutely (Acts 13:45)

to oppose oneself to one, decline to obey him, declare oneself against him, refuse to have anything to do with him

Psalm 37:18-20 – It was this Psalm of David that began this study. The “blameless” of the Lord are, like Noah (see Genesis 6:9 and the Bible study Noah; A Sign Of The End) whose name means “rest.” They will become “complete, whole, entire, sound” and will enter into His eternal inheritance. They are the faithful ones who, having put on the Lord Jesus Christ through obedience, are without blemish and will gain the glory of the Lord. This is “the fullness” Paul spoke of in Romans 11:25. It is our completion/perfection in Christ at the end of this age.

   The unfaithful/disobedient children of God who through continued obstinate opposition to the Divine will (i.e. unbelief) have turned against the Lord, thereby becoming His enemy, will perish (Romans 11:22; see Deuteronomy 4:1-4 above). So then, “do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches [Israel] He will not spare you either.” (Romans 11:20-21)

18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless [8549], and their inheritance will be forever.

19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, and in the days of famine they will have abundance [7646- “to be satisfied, to be sated, to be fulfilled, to be filled”]

20 But the wicked will perish; and the enemies of the Lord will be like the glory of the pastures, They vanish — like smoke they vanish away.

NASU

OT:8549 tamiym (taw-meem')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from OT:8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth:

KJV - without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.

(Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)

complete, whole, entire, sound

a)   complete, whole, entire

b)   whole, sound, healthful

c)   complete, entire (used of time)

d)   sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

e)   what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adjective/substantive)

tamim [OT:8549] – “perfect; blameless; sincerity; entire; whole; complete; full.”

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

Romans 1:28-32 – In this passage Paul is describing those who knew God but did not honor Him as God. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and were then given over to their sin. One of their characteristics that he describes is that they were “untrustworthy.” Part of the definition of the Greek for this is “covenant-breaking, faithless.” By this we can see that those who have proven themselves to be untrustworthy in the body of Christ are the faithless, covenant breakers among us. (See my book Profaning The Covenant.)

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,

30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

31 without understanding, untrustworthy [802], unloving, unmerciful;

32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

NASU

NT:802 asunthetos (as-oon'-thet-os)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of NT:4934; properly, not agreed, i.e. treacherous to compacts:

KJV - covenant-breaker.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

1.   uncompounded, simple

2.   covenant-breaking, faithless (Romans 1:31)

Nehemiah 1:8-9 – After hearing the terrible situation of the remnant of Jews in Jerusalem, Nehemiah was deeply moved and began to pray. During a part of the recorded prayer, he spoke to the Lord about what He had declared to Moses. If the Israelites were ever unfaithful as His people, He would scatter them among the peoples of the world. But if they repented, He would regather them in the place of His choosing.

8 "Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful [“to cover up, to act covertly, to act treacherously”] I will scatter [“to dash in pieces (see Luke 12:35-48 and Matthew 24:45-51 below), to be dispersed”] you among the peoples;

9 but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.'

NASU