Barnabas Ministries UK

Rev. E. Anderson

THINGS LEARNED IN CRISIS

JONAH 2

It is at this point in the career of Jonah, when plunged into extenuating circumstances, that he discovers things of note. He is allowed to encounter this demanding situation where his life was truly threatened in order to reveal factors of supreme worth. Though he was disobedient and a fugitive, the Lord was still prepared to have dealings with him and to work most amazingly on his behalf. It was the Lord who had sent the storm and prepared the fish and it was in the divine purpose that these arrangements had been made. He was responsible for the crisis and out of it other things were to develop.

1/. THERE CAME THE EXPRESSION OF PRAYER – v1

Prayer has been made through the centuries of time in some strange places; here we have a man praying from inside a fish. He knew he was in crisis and there was no way out without divine intervention. The Lord could both see and hear him from this situation. He may be hidden from natural view but not from God.

2/. THERE WAS AN AWARENESS OF THE HAND OF GOD – v3

Jonah knew without any doubt that he was in this plight by reason of the action of God. His own inner conviction and outward conditions were both a testimony and he confessed the facts and honesty of everything. God’s hand was in all these matters and only His hand could amend the same.

3/. THERE WAS A FRESH NEED TO LOOK TO GOD – v4

His predicament was awful but amidst it he would give his mind and heart towards thinking and looking heavenward. He had to get rid of his personal pride and bias and face the facts: He needed to t look again to the Lord. The Lord was giving him this renewed opportunity and he needed to seize it.

4/. THERE WAS THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S GRACE – v7

In remembering the Lord, it was with a deep sense of His grace. Thankfully, the Lord was not like Jonah. He was conscious of the compassion and kindness of the Lord and this was a factor he had problems with!

5/. THERE WAS A READINESS FOR FRESH COMMITMENT – v9

He is brought to the realisation that the Lord expected something from him: thanksgiving and re-dedication. He was cornered and it was time to do the right thing before the Lord. Nothing pleases the Lord more than our renewal.

6/. THERE WAS THE BLESSING OF A MIRACLE – v10

The great thing was, the Lord had arranged for the fish to transport him to the right place and vomit him on shore. He not only survived, he was put on course.

Rev. E. Anderson

RESTORATION IN ITS FULNESS

Joel 1-3

This servant of the Lord was called to be the prophet of restoration. His first task was to announce and foretell what was to occur of a serious order in terms of judgement but then came with an assured word in terms of divine renewal and restoration. What he first predicted would not be welcome news but, thankfully, it was to be followed up with the assurance that the Lord would not leave His people or situation in an awful condition. The latter state would reflect His immeasurable grace, goodness and glory.

1/. DEVASTAION -1:1-1 – 2:11

The disclosure here is quite descriptive as the prophet declares a seemingly unparalleled state of ruin of historic significance as he calls all to listen and take note. He says: “In all your history has anything like this happened before?” The nation is to be threatened and destroyed by an invading host and it is detailed in v4. All before them looks like the garden of Eden but after they have been on the scene there is absolutely nothing. They leave behind a. . trail of ruin and devastation that places His people in a very vulnerable position. They are stripped of everything and there is nothing around to sustain them.

2/. SUPPLICATION-2:12-17

The summons and call in the wake of such is to wake up and to humble themselves before the Lord and cry out to Him especially in repentance. The reason for this whole evil condition is due to the wickedness in the people and land. The leadership is called upon to give a lead in prayer, fasting and humiliation before the Lord. It has not to be mere outward show but a genuine brokenness expressed before the Lord and the will to get things properly sorted out with Him. It was time to throw themselves as a people on the mercy and grace of the Lord. It does show the potency and power of genuine intercession and supplication. 

3/. RESTORATION – 2:18-27

What an assurance to know that His ear is attentive and that He will respond in miraculous fashion. There comes the word that he will turn this tragic state all round and there will be a tremendous transformation take place. Whatever has taken place negatively, He is able to work positively to renew and restore. The army will be removed and everything will again flourish.

4/. BENEDICTION-2:28-32

The crowning blessing will be in the outpouring of His Holy Spirit that will effect choice renewal amongst His people. This was to be realised in greater detail in Acts 2 followed by great works of salvation. 

CONCLUSION

The final chapter deals with the ultimate re-Israel and world history. There is still something of major note to take place among the nations and for God’s people.

Rev. E. Anderson

THE GREAT RECOGNITONS

Hosea 14

This final section finishes up on a very promising note. It unveils in a most definite manner and measure the right attitudes of God’s people after all that they had passed through. At last they come to recognise some essential things that they needed to do before God. It broke upon their consciousness that there were things that required remedying with regard to Him and as they took the right course of action they would set in motion some glorious positives from the Lord. He would be moved to recognise their right and wholesome spiritual procedures and respond in significant ways. There are principles here that stand for all time and are intended to benefit the whole of Christendom and mankind.

1/. RECOGNITION FROM GOD’S PEOPLE – vv 1-3

Certain things are mentioned and identified as to what should actually take place in the hearts and actions of God’s elect.

•     The will to return to the Lord.

•     The readiness to express true prayer.

•     The spirit of repentance and asking for mercy.

•     The sense to acknowledge the Lord in praise.

•     The awareness that they cannot save themselves.

•     The conviction that idols are worthless factors.

•     The deep-seated assurance of God’s mercy. 

2/. RECOGNITION FROM THE LORD – vv 4-9

As soon as the true spiritual sense prevails the Lord not only sees and hears, He is quick to make His wonderful and gracious response. There is no lack of interest, desire or will on His part and He is prepared to give assurance all round. 

•     There is to be the purging of idolatry and faithlessness

•     There is to be no limits to the demonstration of His love.

•     There is to be the complete removal of His anger.

•     There is to be the manifestation of great refreshing.

•     There is to be the restoration to the land.

•     There is to be evidence of abundant blessing.

•     There is to be a total realisation of Him.

CONCLUSION

Nothing could be better between the Lord and His own. The thing he had desired now comes to glorious fruition. All’s well that ends well and here is a case in point. The prophecy terminates with some sound instruction that must be recognised. (1) Wisdom in noting the need of these particular factors in listening, discerning and understanding. (2) The recognition of divine righteousness and the sense and will to walk in God’s ways and reject sin. (3) The result of sin means that God’s best is missed and ends in an absolute mess and shambles.

Rev. E. Anderson

A LOST POSITION

Hosea 13

Israel, the northern kingdom, had surrendered and lost a great deal over the past and was in a very bad condition before God and others. What she had been and possessed had been completely forfeited and now she stood in a robbed state, denuded of the things that really mattered. In this chapter there is indication of those things that meant elevation and satisfaction but now they appear condemned in their terrible situation.

1/. THEY HAD LOST THEIR LEADERSHIP AND RESPECT – v1

It seemed that Ephraim had been a leading tribe and the rest of the tribes gave them utmost regard. It affirms he was ‘the most fruitful of ail the brothers.’ The prophecy of Jacob over Joseph’s son had surely come to pass so that there had been no failure on His part to bring to pass His word and make the tribe most blessed. They had known and enjoyed an outstanding growth and standing amongst the nation because of God’s goodness but now they are reduced to nothing. Whatever could have been boasted of in the past was now gone and they were brought down to nothing. They had been able to give a lead to their brethren and point the way for the good of all but this was now lost. How often this occurs, even in Christendom!

2/. THEY HAD LOST THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD – v6

Unfortunately their prosperity worked an evil amongst them, the acceptance of other gods and the rejection of Jehovah. Baal had taken the prominent ground whilst the One who had brought them to prominence and blessing was completely forgotten. This is the charge that is levelled against her. They were more taken up with worshipping of idols (the breaking of the divine commandment) than the keeping of Jehovah as head and respecting Him. They had lost out on a dynamic accord with Him and so were in the state they were because of it.

3/. THEY HAD LOST THEIR STANDARD OF LIFE – vv1,2,12

Sin had become prevalent and dominant. There was now no worthy behaviour or standard of noble conduct amongst them. There was loose manner of living that was against all the pure and true laws that God had given that should have made them different and safeguarded their lives and future and given just credibility to the nations around.

4/. THEY WERE TO LOSE THEIR LAND AND IDENTITY – w15,16

Because of what had been lost they were to suffer further loss and it is described in vv3, 7, 8 etc. They would have to experience judgement and punishment and be reduced to the lowest possible state. This is what happens because of the other losses. It could have been so different if only!

Rev. E. Anderson

A LESSON FROM HISTORY                                                   

Hosea 12

It is time to address another section of His people, Judahv2. He can foresee the path that it is treading and so foretells of coming disaster. They are on the slippery slope that will inevitably bring about their downfall. Inherent within them and evident without was a deceitful nature and ways. They were crafty in a sinful way with God and with one another and it was essential that this be sorted and sifted out from among them. He could point to their forefather in history, Jacob, and show that He had successfully affected a divine change in him and it was not too late for a miracle of this nature to occur in them.

1/. A STRUGGLE HAD TAKEN PLACE AT BIRTH – v3

It is known that in the womb of Rebekah there was a great conflict and that at the time she was in difficulty and dilemma. She was wondering what was taking place as she was to be a bearer of twins and there was a wrestling occurring within her Genesis 25: 19-26. A spirit of rivalry was existent and especially in the one to be born last, Jacob. There was something amiss even before he appeared on the scene. The boys were not conscious of it but it would become evident in a real way and have to be divinely dealt with.

2/. A STRUGGLE TOOK PLACE IN LIFE – v3

Within the context of the domestic scene this struggle became obvious and Jacob expressed a real twist and bent in his nature. He was some manipulator. He had a way with him whereby he could secure his own ends and not be too worried about it. There was something fundamentally wrong with him as in the case of Judah at this time. There was the deceiving of Esau on two occasions and later this was to be manifest further in his dealings with Laban. Jacob was the sort of person that could not be trusted but the Lord loved him and desired to see him utterly transformed.

3/. A STRUGGLE TOOK PLACE OF A GREATER ORDER – vv4,5

History showed and proved that the Lord was not happy with this state of affairs and on one occasion dramatically and dynamically moved in on man. He was to have a personal confrontation so that he would never be the same again. The bents and the twists had to go and so the divine wrestling match occurred where Jacob was weakened and there came the birth of a new man with a new nature and name – ‘Israel’ – ‘prince with God.’ Bethel and Peniel became two historic places for this man where God met, challenged and changed him so that he might fulfil divine destiny. He came forth from these experiences with a pure and true relationship with God and also the blessing of God. This was to be a reminder to the nation that what had happened historically to one man needed to happen to the whole nation. It was time for a fresh meeting with God and for a change to take place.

CONCLUSION

Just as God spoke to the forefather through the prophetic, so to the descendants. He desired to lead the nation into a radical transformation that would transform the inward nature and outward future.

Rev. E. Anderson

A DECLARATION OF LOVE                             

Hosea 11

This is quite some chapter that makes in no uncertain way and terms the immense and intense love of Jehovah for His own people. At the outset, Hosea is called upon to love and demonstrate love for a woman in quite an amazing manner, illustrating His love. Here, the Lord discloses the tremendous affection that He has borne and still bears to His elect Household. God’s people are summoned to reflect upon and recognise the depth of desire and love that their God has towards them. The knowledge of this should have impacted their beings and brought about a fundamental and essential spiritual change in them.

1/. IT HAD BEEN REVEALED AT THEIR BEGINNINGS – v1

From the earliest moment He had set His affections upon them. He had clearly and dearly loved them when they were they were small and when they were in unfavourable circumstances in Egypt. He was not put off but in the time of espousal, whilst young and small, He had made them the apple of His eye, His choice possession. He could look back to the start without embarrassment and affirm, they had fixed themselves in His heart.

2/. IT HAD BEEN MANIFESTED IN HIS CALLINGS – v2

Throughout their history, amidst all their sin and indifference, there had been no want of love on His part and this was reflected in the way He had used many good messengers to speak to His own. They were words from His heart and they should have appealed in a strong and personal way to them. The call overall was the call of love.

3/. IT HAD BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN HIS UNTOLD CARE – v3

There is the disclosure that throughout He had been watching over them diligently, taking them by the hand in their infancy and seeking to bless them in every way. He was jealous of their good and development. They had been able to take their place in the world of nations because of His intervention, goodness and love. He went to great lengths to see them advanced.

4/. IT HAD BEEN IN HIS UTTER CONSISTENCY – v8

Though they had miserably failed and fallen short and brought much trouble on themselves, He could and would not ‘give them up.’ His love was tested to the hilt but did not breakdown. His love endured and persisted in spite of all the way they had treated Him. He is bound to them in an eternal manner.

5/. IT WILL BE EXPRESSED IN THE ULTIMATE – vv10,11

Although they are to be reduced to great straits and seemingly written off, His love could not be written off, so they would be renewed and their future would be restored. His love would come shining through and be recognised at last. The love of Jehovah is a profound message that must be meditated upon and its effect should be dynamically manifested in the hearts of His elect people.

Rev. E. Anderson

A DECLARATION OF LOVE                              

Hosea 11

This is quite some chapter that makes in no uncertain way and terms the immense and intense love of Jehovah for His own people. At the outset, Hosea is called upon to love and demonstrate love for a woman in quite an amazing manner, illustrating His love. Here, the Lord discloses the tremendous affection that He has borne and still bears to His elect Household. God’s people are summoned to reflect upon and recognise the depth of desire and love that their God has towards them. The knowledge of this should have impacted their beings and brought about a fundamental and essential spiritual change in them.

1/. IT HAD BEEN REVEALED AT THEIR BEGINNINGS – v1

From the earliest moment He had set His affections upon them. He had clearly and dearly loved them when they were they were small and when they were in unfavourable circumstances in Egypt. He was not put off but in the time of espousal, whilst young and small, He had made them the apple of His eye, His choice possession. He could look back to the start without embarrassment and affirm, they had fixed themselves in His heart.

2/. IT HAD BEEN MANIFESTED IN HIS CALLINGS – v2

Throughout their history, amidst all their sin and indifference, there had been no want of love on His part and this was reflected in the way He had used many good messengers to speak to His own. They were words from His heart and they should have appealed in a strong and personal way to them. The call overall was the call of love.

3/. IT HAD BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN HIS UNTOLD CARE – v3

There is the disclosure that throughout He had been watching over them diligently, taking them by the hand in their infancy and seeking to bless them in every way. He was jealous of their good and development. They had been able to take their place in the world of nations because of His intervention, goodness and love. He went to great lengths to see them advanced.

4/. IT HAD BEEN IN HIS UTTER CONSISTENCY – v8

Though they had miserably failed and fallen short and brought much trouble on themselves, He could and would not ‘give them up.’ His love was tested to the hilt but did not breakdown. His love endured and persisted in spite of all the way they had treated Him. He is bound to them in an eternal manner.

5/. IT WILL BE EXPRESSED IN THE ULTIMATE – vv10,11

Although they are to be reduced to great straits and seemingly written off, His love could not be written off, so they would be renewed and their future would be restored. His love would come shining through and be recognised at last. The love of Jehovah is a profound message that must be meditated upon and its effect should be dynamically manifested in the hearts of His elect people.

Rev. E. Anderson

AN APPROPRIATE HOUR   

Hosea 10

Even though the messenger of the Lord is called upon to affirm the true situation that Israel was in because of her sinful creed and conduct, it would seem that the Lord is emphasising to Judah the possibility of avoiding the same fate if it will take remedial action – vv11,12. There could come a reprieve and stay of judgement if she will adopt some sound and sensible doings of a right, spiritual order. It was an apt moment to get through to the southern kingdom and it was an appropriate hour for them to sit up and take notice and introduce the necessary reforms. There was something it could do from going down the same track and finishing up in a dreadful state. The summons indicates that

1/. THERE WAS TO BE THE PLOUGHING UP OF THEIR HARD HEARTS -W11.12

It is called in the AV ‘fallow ground.’ This means land that had been left unattended and had become hardened, unproductive and in a state of utter barrenness. It was essential first of all that the cutting edge of the plough share penetrate and break up this condition of heart. Hardness of heart speaks of lack of responsiveness and yieldedness to God but now it was time for the breakthrough by God through His Spirit and Word to turn them over. A softening up procedure towards the Lord needed to occur. Brokenness was to precede blessedness.

2/. THERE   WAS    TO    BE   THE    SOWING    OF    THE    SEEDS    OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – v12

The fallow could become the fertile and the fruitful if there was the readiness to receive and have the right seeds sown and the best plants planted. It was needful to have not only the right disposition but to make sure that there was a divine intake of choice sowing of the good and right kind. A miraculous change could take place providing the divine way of life was introduced and adhered to. A new and further opportunity was with them to amend what was being begotten into their hearts and lives.

3/. THERE WAS TO BE EXPERIENCING OF THE SHOWERS OF GOD’S BLESSING-v12

If they attended to the ploughing and sowing then there would fall in accord divine showers that would cause the seed to germinate, grow and become a healthy and wholesome crop. God would certainly fulfil His part if they truly did theirs. The whole situation would be changed by these showers.

4/. THERE WAS TO BE THE REAPING OF THE BEST KIND OF HARVEST

The end result would be a divine harvest that would satisfy the Lord and would bring complete enjoyment to God’s people. The reaping would herald all that was good and ensure the future of all. It can be seen that it was in their interests to rise at this opportune time to act out what was required of them. They could not afford to be indifferent to God.

Rev. E. Anderson

WANDERERS                                                                                                  

Hosea 9

Here is a prophecy of what Israel was to become as a nation because of their flagrant and blatant sinning. They were to be reduced in status as a people and become a ‘wanderer.’ Not a very wonderful ascription or position to be in as a people in this world. They were now to be relegated and suffer by reason of it. It was to be a totally disadvantage people and the situation would reveal quite a number of factors of disadvantage.

1/. A PEOPLE WITHOUT IDENTITY

The loss was quite considerable in this particular area because the nations around regarded them as a finished unit with no further contribution to life as a whole. They were not to be regarded as a people. They were to be mere nobodies hardly to be reckoned with in the equation of life. It looked as if they were just a problem people with no name or noble ascription. Certainly not Israel, ‘prince, ruler with God.’

2/. A PEOPLE WITHOUT RELATIVITY

It signified the fact that they had no relationship of any kind with anyone, with God or man. They were truly in no man’s land as far as having any vital connections. Wandering means they had no reference or foundation point and so were at the mercy of anyone and everything. A senselessness and emptiness would prevail.

3/. A PEOPLE WITHOUT PROSPERITY

Once they had known abundance and a tremendous amount of material blessings and advantages but now they were to be subjected to real want and need. It would now be a case of eking out and existence to keep life going. All that had once been enjoyed would be forgotten in the face of hardship and difficulty. It was to be a case of trying to make ends meet under very strained conditions. They had nothing really to call their own.

4/. A PEOPLE WITHOUT SECURITY

They were exposed to all kinds of threats, dangers and uncertainties. Who could they trust? Where could they place their confidence? It would be a period of untold wondering, doubt and fear as they moved around. This God-forsaken state would put them into all kind of perilous situations. All the future would be reduced to the hopeful mercy of others and circumstances.

5/. A PEOPLE WITHOUT DESTINY

As to their future, there seemed to be none. The prospects from a natural  standpoint looked grim and foreboding. Thankfully, the Lord gave some stars of hope in the dark sky in terms of sacred promise regarding renewal.  But wandering was to be an aimless way of life for this divine people.

CONCLUSION

If there is no walking with and living for God this is what happens now in a spiritual sense. Better be a pilgrim or rule with God than a wanderer.

Rev. E. Anderson

REAPING THE WHIRLWIND

This is a simple outline for you to think about and meditate on. The introduction, main thoughts and conclusion need further material to be added. It is an outline for you to expand, develop more fully and fill in to spiritual profit and inspiration.

Hosea 8

Here there is the facing up of God’s people with the consequences of their evil doings. The end result is quite violent and vicious as envisaged in the words of the prophet in v7 “You have sown the wind, you have reaped the whirlwind.” This declaration alone gives a great insight into the end product of evil and it is vital to give it some consideration. Implicit in this expression are the following truths and facts.

1/.  SIN DOES ULTIMATELY YIELD A HARVEST

There is no getting away from the fact that the principle of evil if allowed to be sown does bring forth its fruit. It has that within it to produce quite a telling harvest. Its life and nature makes sure that as it is allowed its role and function, it achieve results. Man is the possessor of the power and bias of evil in his being and if not dealt with is sure to bring a state of reaping and harvest that is not profitable.. The New Testament reminds of the fact that “whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reaping” – Galatians 6:7. All are involved in sowing and all will be involved in a production one way or another. Giving freedom to sin means there will sure to be the coming of an inevitable bad harvest. People are sowing with their lives and deeds either that which is good or bad and this has to be recognised.

2/.  SIN DOES PRODUCE MUCH MORE THAN IS REALISED

The words strongly indicate here that sin has a way of prolifically multiplying and bringing in a bumper harvest of the wrong sort. It is quite a lesson to learn that sin is like a weed or virus that possesses a phenomenal rate of reproduction and in the end is of an overwhelming quantity. There appears to be no limit to which it can corrupt, debase and yield abundantly. The wind turns into a whirlwind. That which appears to be in a measure controllable turns out to be uncontrollable. It moves on in its wake and turns into a monstrous size that no one can handle. It completely takes over and masters the life. It is like a garden that becomes overrun and overgrown with weeds etc.

3/.  SIN DOES EFFECT THAT WHICH BRINGS UTTER RUINATION

The idea that comes over very forcibly as represented in the whirlwind is that it leaves in its wake a terrible state of devastation. This kind of wind is so angry and violent that it shows no mercy and brings about a sad conclusion. God makes it clear that the ‘idols and idolatrous system will be smashed to bits – v6.’ The country will be put into a state of ruin and the people themselves will be completely devastated. There will be no one capable of rescuing them from the tyranny of this enormous wind. The sin that has been rampant will introduce a rampant force that will cause dismay, terror and death. This is what sin brings into being.

CONCLUSION

From this affirmation alone it should become obvious that there should be no compromise made with evil. If allowed in and permitted to take over, there is only one end – a terrible harvest of judgement! It must be avoided -10:12.