(This podcast was previously recorded and published on December 9, 2020)
Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney ...
In both the Old and New Testament we have strong warning about the misuse of the Word of God.
God gave very specific instruction concerning the building of the ark of the covenant. It was to be made from specific wood and covered inside and outside with pure gold. For the ark was to contain the most precious thing of all things on this entire earth. What did they carry in the ark? rubies, gold, diamonds?
No that which they carried was far more precious than the most precious things of this world.
God said: "And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee."
And only select men could carry the ark. When a man who was not appointed to touch the ark, reached up and steadied the ark when the oxen stumbled, God struck this man dead.
II Samuel 6:1-7 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
Uzzah was not one of the men who was appointed by God to touch the ark, the Bible.
Paul explains to us that because men use the Bible unworthily, many are weak and sickly and many die.
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In the New Testament, Paul says, I Corinthians 11:27-31 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (die).
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
(In this scripture, Paul is speaking of the way we use the Bible.)
Using the Bible is a very serious matter. The examples of the Old Testament show how precious the Word of God is and how it must be handled carefully. This is confirmed in the New Testament.
Jesus, The Word of God, is above rubies and all other things to see or desire.
Because of the misuse of the Word of God, many today are weak and sickly and many die.
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* For writings on additional subjects, click here: Jesus Ministries Exhortations Blog