Reflections on Bethlehem: In the Fields of Fulfillment

Reflections on Bethlehem:  In the Fields of Fulfillment

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." (Micah 5:2)

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Biblical Ruth, but few realize that the story took place in Bethlehem during the period of the Judges when, as scripture relates, “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25).  

The major theme of the Book of Ruth is agape love, the kind of love and faithfulness that God pours out upon us. It describes the faithfulness of God to both a person, Naomi, and a nation, Israel, that no longer walked consistently in covenant with him. 

The book brings together some interesting and divergent people.  We meet Naomi, the widow who, driven by sorrow and poverty, returns from Moab to her ancestral home.  Traveling with her was her widowed daughter-in-law, the Moabite Ruth, descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and one of his daughters.  Ruth met and married Boaz, a relative of Naomi and the son of Rahab the harlot who had been rescued from the battle of Jericho and who had later married Salmon, a member of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1).   
  
 Naomi represents the nation of Israel returning to her covenant with Jehovah.  Rahab and Ruth represent the Church, rescued from sin and entering into covenant with God through the sacrifice of Jesus who is a descendent of both. 

Naomi and Ruth most likely had traveled from Moab to Bethlehem with other pilgrims during the festival of Pentecost which occurs during the wheat harvest.  Boaz, a man of compassion and obedience not only allowed Ruth to glean his fields but arranged for Ruth to glean in abundance.  Boaz, the great-grandfather of David and ancestor of Jesus, is a personification of John10:10b:    “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10 (NKJV).

It was in those same fields that, centuries later, the shepherds watching their flocks by night, met the army of heaven and learned of the fulfillment of covenant in the miraculous birth of the Christ child.  In His earthly ministry, Jesus declared to the disciple Thomas, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” John 14:6 (NKJV) . 

John also wrote, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4 (NKJV). And that life is abundant.

In the fields that Ruth had gleaned, Warfare in the heavenlies was taking place the night Jesus was born.  God sent a multitude of the heavenly host protecting the Child and declaring the purpose of God in the incarnation, that in Jesus Christ, we have peace and good will.

The angels who declared the glory of God to the shepherds were not a choir of lovely females with halos and harps.  They were the heavenly host, the army of God poised in strength, power and authority.  Throughout scripture, the host of angels refers to the mighty army of God.  The Hebrew word used is “Sabaoth” and refers to a large army.  Most descriptions of angels in the Bible describe them in military terms, such as encampment (Gen.32:1-2), command structure (Ps.91:11-12; Matt.13:41; Rev.7:2), and combat (Jdg.5:20; Job 19:12; Rev.12:7).

“We don’t often see angels pictured as the army of God. We have hidden the epic, heroic force of heaven under the cloak of the Celtic fairyland.  Most of our modern day pictures of angels are taken from fairy stories and not from descriptions from the Word of God.  Cinderella has a fairy godmother.  God has an angelic army, and that army stood guard over the birth of His son in the fields once owned by Boaz."  [i] 

 God’s army is greater than all the forces of Hell.  His army stands guard over the Church, the body of Christ today. Just like the powerful, influential Boaz stood guard over Ruth.  

 Boaz provided, Ruth gleaned, shepherds watched their flocks and angels stood battle-ready, all in the fields of Bethlehem, the house of the Bread of God. All part of God’s plan to bring us the bread of life in Jesus Christ.

---

[i]  Crowe, Lonnie C. , “The Empowering Epic of the Birth of Jesus—Part  2”

Reflections on Bethlehem: Little among the Thousands of Judah

Reflections on Bethlehem:  Little among the Thousands of Judah

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." (Micah 5:2)

Bethlehem, in Hebrew, means “House of the Bread of God.”  It is no coincidence that Jesus, the Bread of Life, was born there.

Bethlehem, a little, seemingly unimportant, village a few miles from Jerusalem pictures God’s use of little, seemingly unimportant, people and incidents to bring forth His plans and His purposes.  We often overlook the ancient history of Bethlehem.  Yet from the book of Genesis on, significant events have taken place in that tiny hamlet.

One such event occurred as Jacob journeyed back to the Promised Land with his wives and children:  “Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Do not fear; you will have this son also." And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni (son of my sorrow); but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand or strength). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day” (Genesis 35:16-20 NKJV).

The gospel writer Matthew referred to Rachel and a prophecy of the prophet Jeremiah when he related the Massacre of the Innocents after the Magi visited King Herod “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:  "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more." Matthew 2:16-18 (NKJV).

Several years ago, I visited Bethlehem and then went on to Jerusalem to the Holocaust Museum.  Part of that museum complex is The Children’s memorial.  This unique memorial, hollowed out from an underground cavern, is a tribute to the approximately 1.5 million Jewish children who died during the Holocaust.  Memorial candles are reflected infinitely in a dark, somber space, creating the impression of millions of stars shining in the heavens.  Visitors hear, in the background, the names, ages and countries of the murdered children. 

My heart cried out, not only for the children lost in the Holocaust, but for all children who have been hurt, neglected, and aborted.  I felt led by the Holy Spirit to write the following poem.

Rachel Weeps

And Rachel still weeps for her children

For those little candles crushed in the crucible of cruelty.

Rachel, Rachel, sound forth your anguish against

All the bruising, bloody Herods of all the darkening ages.

Rachel, find your comfort in the Christ

Born near your tomb in Bethlehem

Find comfort in the One who says,

“Bring the children to me.”

“Bring the children to me.”

“Bring the children to me.”

Today, all of Bethlehem, except the Tomb of Rachel, is under Palestinian authority.  A mosque, across from the Church of the Nativity, calls Muslims to prayer five times each day.  Christmas décor is seen year around. Cheap souvenirs are ubiquitous.  Yet, the presence of God is still manifest in Bethlehem.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.

---Phillip Brooks.

Overcoming the Don Quixote Spirit: Waging the Right War with the Right Weapons

Overcoming the Don Quixote Spirit:  Waging the Right War with the Right Weapons

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NKJV)

 
^“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God,that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Paul expresses two important principles in the above passage:

1.     Our enemy is spiritual rather than flesh and blood.

2.    Therefore, to win the battles, we must fight with spiritual armor and spiritual weapons.

The fiery dart most often used against us is fear. It was the fear that God was not honest in His relationship with man that compelled first the woman and then the man to eat of the tree that brought death rather than life.  It is fear that God is not going to provide for us that drives us to vote for governmental programs that promise to meet our needs but, in reality, both fail to meet those needs and simply exacerbate our fear.  It is that same fear that provokes its victims to lie, steal and cheat.  It is fear that lifestyles might be inconvenienced that prompt some to take the lives of preborn children.   It is fear of loneliness, rejection and lack that cause many to engage in relationships and lifestyles that are far from ideal. 

Likewise, the global stage is one fraught with fear centered in the Middle East and purposed on the destruction of the people of God.  The first empire to be established in that area was the Hittite Empire.  The Hittites are descendents of Heth, the son of Canaan who was the son of Ham  (Genesis 10).  Canaan means “shame.”  Heth means great fear or terror.  The Hittite empire was built on shame and terror.  That terrorist spirit is still in operation in the area. 

While we need physical armies engaged in combat to protect lives and land from the terror of ISIS, we also must engage in spiritual combat over that fear and other fears as well.  Scripture tells us that the just shall live by faith not by fear (Romans 1:17).  “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16 NKJV).  Faith in the promises of God is a shield.

▪ Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

▪ Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

We are to gird our waists with truth.  In the armor of the Roman soldier, all the smaller hand weapons hung from the belt.  We fight a winning battle when our weapons are girded with truth. Our plumb line for truth must always be the word of God.  

Our spiritual vital organs are protected by the breastplate of righteousness just as the vital organs of the Roman soldier were protected by his breastplate. Righteousness is thinking the right thoughts, making the right decisions and doing the right things. 

We are to walk in the gospel of the peace of God, the peace that is not as the world gives.  ^“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27 NKJV).  

Rick Joyner of Morningstar Ministries has written, “One of the most powerful spiritual weapons that have been given to God’s people is peace. We may think that peace is not a weapon, but it is such a weapon. Paul did not write that it was the Lord of hosts, or the Lord of armies, who would rush the enemy, but that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20),

God’s peace indeed passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

The helmet of salvation is a protection for our minds.  The word translated as salvation means “deliverance, health and safety.”  Salvation is more than being saved to eternity with the Lord.  It is protection in this life a well.  Our thoughts must rest on the power of God to protect us, not necessarily from, but through the trials of this life.  

Christians, lay down the rusty armor of the past, stop riding that worn out nag, and throw that broken spear into the dumpster.  Put on His armor and go forth to do battle in the strength of the Lord’s authority and promises.

Fear Not Little Flock by Paul Rader

Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne, From death into life He went for His own; All power in earth, all power above, Is given to Him for the flock of His love. Only believe, only believe; All things are possible, only believe; Only believe, only believe; All things are possible, only believe.

Overcoming the Don Quixote Spirit: Avoiding Foolish and Ignorant Disputes

Overcoming the Don Quixote Spirit:  Avoiding Foolish and Ignorant Disputes

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

2 Timothy 2:23 (NKJV)
²³  But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

Titus 3:9 (NKJV)
⁹  But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

We become engaged in foolish and ignorant disputes because we are tilting at windmills and using the wrong strategies.  We often argue against the leaves of the tree rather than laying the axe to the roots.  

We find the root of much sin and discontent in Romans 1.  The book of Romans is considered by many jurists as one of the greatest legal briefs ever written.  Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, laid the groundwork for presenting the biblical mindset without falling into the snare of foolish and ignorant disputes.

Romans 1:20-22 (NKJV)

²⁰  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
²¹  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
²²  Professing to be wise, they became fools. 

Verse 21 is the root.  God has manifested Himself in all that He has created, but professing to be wise, people became fools by ignoring the evidence. If the problem is that unbelievers have ignored the glory of God that is clearly seen in the creation, the answer is to help them see that glory.  For instance, an evolutionist must recognize the glory of God before he will accept the tenets of creationism. 

The question is, “How do we do that without engaging in foolish arguments?”  Perhaps the following scene will be helpful.

Once upon a time, while waiting in line at Starbucks, an evolutionist and a creationist struck up a conversation.

Evolutionist:  Because no one can prove the existence of God, evolutionism is the only logical interpretation of the scientific data.  The universe simply evolved from the nothingness that existed in primal chaos. Even the ancient Greeks believed that.

Creationist:  Aristotle believed in a primary cause or mover in the creation. Doesn’t that suggest that some force, perhaps God, was the impetus?

Evolutionist:  Aristotle, hmmm.  Well, perhaps.  I haven’t really resolved that issue.  What do you think about the Big Bang Theory?

Creationist:  I can accept that.

Evolutionist:  A creationist who accepts the Big Bang Theory!  That’s a good one.

Creationist:  Here’s how I think it came about:  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  Then God, in a voice with the sound of many waters said,

“LIGHT BE!”  

BANG!

And light is.  Isn’t it interesting that first came sound, the voice of God, and then came light.  Scientists believe that the universe is in constant vibration.  Sound always results from vibration and those sound waves hold the universe together.  My God is an awesome God.

 

Hey, can I buy you a cup of coffee?