<BrethrenVoice> <SUNDAY-GLEANINGS> <26 August 2002> Contents: --------- (1) <Devotional> "Treasury of David - Psalm 84:3"- C.H.Spurgeon (2) <Bible-Study> "Exposition of the Levitical offerings" (Pt-3)-C.E.Wigg (3) <Doctrinal> "Instrumental music in worship..." (Pt-2)- C.H.Brown (4) <Bible-Study> "Synopsis to the Book of Daniel" Ch 12 - J.N.Darby (5) <Biography> "William Carey, the Missionary to India" (6) <Hymn> "For a thousand tongue!" - Charles Wesley (1) <DEVOTIONAL> TREASURY OF DAVID - PSALM 84:3 C. H. Spurgeon Exposition ---------- Ver. 3. "Yea, the sparrow hath found an house" - He envied the sparrows which lived around the house of God, and picked up the stray crumbs in the courts thereof; he only wished that he, too, could frequent the solemn assemblies and bear away a little of the heavenly food. And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young. He envied also the swallows whose nests were built under the eaves of the priest's houses, who there found a place for their young, as well as for themselves. We rejoice not only in our personal religious opportunities, but in the great blessing of taking our children with us to the sanctuary. The church of God is a house for us and a nest for our little ones. "Even thine altars, O Lord of hosts" - To the very altars these free birds drew near, none could restrain them nor would have wished to do so, and David wished to come and go as freely as they did. Mark how he repeats the blessed name of Jehovah of Hosts; he found in it a sweetness which helped him to bear his inward hunger. Probably David himself was with the host, and, therefore, he dwelt with emphasis upon the title which taught him that the Lord was in the tented field as well as within the holy curtains. "My King and my God" - Here he utters his loyalty from afar. If he may not tread the courts, yet he loves the King. If an exile, he is not a rebel. When we cannot occupy a seat in God's house, he shall have a seat in our memories and a throne in our hearts. The double "my" is very precious; he lays hold upon his God with both his hands, as one resolved not to let him go till the favour requested be at length accorded. _______________________________________________________________________ (2) <BIBLE-STUDY> THE BREAD OF GOD - AN EXPOSITION OF SOME OF THE LEVITICAL OFFERINGS (PART-3) Charles E. Wigg .... Please note that this is not optional, we are not to say that our way of doing things is better than what is taught in the Bible, nor are we to have an attitude that says anything is good enough for God, as long as it has meaning for me. For in so doing, we imply that we are wiser than God, and offend against his word. If we persist in this attitude, we grieve the Holy Spirit, who inspired the word of God, and through it guides us into all truth. In these pages we are going to see that there are six different offerings in the first eight chapters of Leviticus, and that these offerings find their counterpart or fulfillment in the person, work and sacrifice of Christ, and in .the teachings of the Gospels and the New Testament Epistles In the final chapters of the book we will also look at the sacrifices offered on the Great Day of Atonement, in Leviticus chapter 16, and the sacrifice of the red heifer in Numbers chapter 19. Briefly then we will see the connection between the Levitical offerings, and the different books of the New Testament which are as follows: THE BURNT OFFERING; corresponds with John's Gospel, and the particular way that he presents to us the glories of the person of Christ, and the facts concerning his sufferings. THE OBLATION: (or cereal offering) with the Gospel of Luke. THE SIN OFFERING: with Mark's Gospel. THE TRESPASS OFFERING; with Matthew's Gospel. THE PEACE OFFERING: (which was the only offering that was eaten by the offerer, his family and friends, and from which the priest and his family also received their portion), finds it's New Testament fulfillment in the epistles of Paul to the Corinthians. THE CONSECRATION OFFERING: corresponds with the teaching of Paul in his letter to the Romans. I will explain my reasons for making these assertions when we come to consider each offering. THE BURNT OFFERING: As mentioned earlier, the Burnt Offering which is presented in Leviticus chapter 1, corresponds with John's presentation of the person and glory of Christ, his worth that was brought out in his life, his sufferings and his death. In Lev. chapter one, there is no mention of sin, although atonement is mentioned in verse 4. What is in view in this offering is to emphasize, ( in the type,) the worth and excellence of the person of Christ, and in particular, the worshipper's appreciation of that worth. This also is the theme of John's Gospel, it begins with the presentation of Christ as the Eternal Word, who is the exact and perfect revelation of the mind, wisdom and will of God. The miracles of John's Gospel are called signs, and we know that a sign points to something, or makes one aware of something. There are seven signs in John's Gospel, eight if you include the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and all of these point to the fact that the Lord Jesus was, and is, the Only Begotten Son of God. In John's presentation of the sufferings and crucifixion of Christ, he does not emphasize the horrible guilt and cruelty of wicked men, in all that they did to the Lord Jesus, but rather the perfection of the patient sufferer who offered himself. Jesus said in chapter 10, verses 17 & 18 of that Gospel, that no man would (or could,) take his life from him, but that he would lay it down of himself, which he did in perfect obedience to the command of the Father, and in so doing, he gave the Father another reason for loving him. When the band came to arrest him in the garden, though they were armed with weapons,, yet when he proclaimed himself as the Great I AM, they went backward and fell to the ground, unable to stand in his presence. (John 18;1-9.) In doing this, he demonstrated his complete superiority over his enemies, but still he allowed them to bind him and lead him away. When rebuked by Pilate who claimed to have the power to do as he willed with him, Jesus replied that he had no power at all, unless given to him from above. It is only John who tells us that Jesus was brought out twice and made to stand before the crowd, while Pilate exclaimed, "Behold the man", and "Behold your King". I believe that these exclamations were in mockery, just as the purple robe was a mockery, and the crown of thorns. Pilate had no appreciation of the worth of the person who stood there, yet those words still move the hearts of those who love Christ. John tells us nothing about another being made to bear the cross of Jesus, but shows us the Son of God going forth bearing his cross to the place of the skull. This does not mean that there is any discrepancy in the different accounts of the gospel writers, for all agree, but John emphasizes the strength and dignity of the Son of God. John tells us no details of the thieves or what they said, but instead focuses our gaze on the one on the middle cross, "Jesus in the midst". Neither does he tell us anything about the three hours of darkness, or the agony of the abandoned cry. This is because John is not occupied with man's depravity and vileness, nor with his guilt and sin and it's punishment. Instead John draws attention to the perfection of the person of Christ, the true "Burnt Offering", and occupies us with his worth, perfection. and excellence. All this helps us to understand the beautiful type of Christ that is presented to us in the Burnt Offering [To be concluded] _______________________________________________________________________ (3) <DOCTRINAL> INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP AND TESTIMONY (PART-2) C. H. Brown .... When we go on to the epistles we find the same utter silence as to the use of any mechanical helps to Christian worship or testimony. Let us here list every occurrence in the New Testament epistles of may mention of music or singing. Romans 15:9: "As it is written, For this cause I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name." (This is a direct quotation from the LXX of Psalm 18:49). 1 Corinthians 14:15: "I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." Ephesians. 5:19: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Colossians 3:16:"Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Hebrews 2:12: "In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." (This is a direct quotation from the LXX of Psalm 22:22) James 6:13: "Is any merry? let him sing psalms." Now we submit, that nothing in any one of these six references carries with it the slightest suggestion of musical accompaniment. The "melody" mentioned is distinctly stated to be that "in your heart". Surely if God intended musical instruments to have a place in the Church would He not have made known to us somewhere, either in the twenty-eight chapters of the Acts, or within the body of the fourteen epistles of Paul, the three of John, the two of Peter, or those of James and of Jude, His sanction of the same? How striking is the fact that that which now bulks so large in the thought and practice of present day Christianity, should have no mention in these twenty-two communications, written by six different servants of the Lord, and covering a period of approximately seventy years. What about the last book in the New Testament? We should not be surprised that we find frequent mention of singing in this book of heavenly triumph after the sufferings and trials of earth's pilgrimage. Nor is it the song of angels that greets our ear in this apocalyptic book. It is worthy of note that there is no Biblical record of angels' singing. They are not redeemed. "Clad in this robe, how bright I shine! Angels possess not such a dress; Angels have not a robe like mine Jesus the Lord's my righteousness. 'Though angels praise the heavenly King, And Him their Lord adoring own, We can with exultation sing, He wears our nature on the throne." The first mention of singing in Revelation is in Rev 5:8-9: "The four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song." The company portrayed under the similitude of the twenty-four elders, are unquestionably the glorified saints. In J. N. Darby's "Synopsis on Revelation"he says, "Around it (the throne) those who represent the saints received at Christ's coming, the kings and priests, are sitting on thrones." p. 519. Here we encounter a company equipped with harps, and golden bowls full of incense. What bearing does this have upon our investigation? In the first place, we cannot take this heavenly scene as a pattern of earthly worship and testimony. It is not the Church functioning in worship and testimony here below. If such were the case, we would surely have had something resembling this scene mentioned somewhere in the Acts or the epistles. So it must be that the scene is meant to depict, not the pattern of earthly worship, but something of a new order. In the second place, we must ever keep in mind in reading the Apocalypse that it is a book full of symbols. Dr. A. H. Burton in his pamphlet, "The Symbols of the Apocalypse Briefly Defined" lists no less than two hundred different symbols in this book of the Revelation. Logically then, one must not put too much emphasis on the literality of what we meet in this most remarkable unveiling of the future. For instance, though we readily acknowledge the fact that the twenty-four elders symbolize the glorified saints, we would never for a moment take the number twenty-four literally. Actually, we believe their number will be beyond our computation. If we have no difficulty in seeing the symbolical significance of the number twenty-four, why should we hesitate to regard the harps as wholly symbolical? Dr. Burton in his book above referred to, lists the "harps" as "symbolic of the choral service of praise (Psalm 98:5). Furthermore, if we be disposed to press for a literal meaning in the heavenly harps, then we must also accept the accompanying figures in their literality. If we must add harps (instruments of music) to our assembly worship and testimony because we find harps in heaven, then let us be consistent and add also the golden bowls and the incense, the golden altar, and the crowns upon the head! No, brethren, we shall go far astray from the simplicity of the redeemed company of Acts 2:42 if we try to annex the material symbols of Revelation. How blessedly simple the pattern is: "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." If the reader cares to weigh further the references in the Revelation to singing or musical instruments, we list them here for his convenience. Rev. 5:8-9; 14:2-3; 15:2-3. In these last two references we are again faced with heavenly harps and harpers, but the remarks above made would apply equally here. We know there will be no literal "sea of glass mingled with fire". Why then should we literalize the "harps of God"? In conclusion, may we not say with the assurance of the revealed will ofGod as found in New Testament doctrine and practice, that instrumental musichad no place in the apostolic Church. [To be concluded] _______________________________________________________________________ (4) <BIBLE-STUDY> SYNOPSIS TO THE BOOK OF DANIEL CH. 12 John Nelson Darby .... Chapter 12 gives us more of Israel's own history. In the midst of all these events Michael, the archangel, stands up in behalf of the people of Daniel. There is a time of trouble, such as never has been nor will be. Nevertheless the people shall be delivered, that is to say, those who are written in the book (the remnant belonging to God). Jeremiah has already spoken to us of th is period, and of the deliverance (chap. 30: 7). The Lord speaks of it also in Matthew 24, drawing the attention of His disciples to the abomination of desolation here mentioned, shewing clearly that He speaks of Jerusalem, the Jews, and the last days, when the Jews shall be delivered. He also points out the way in which the faithful are to escape, while the tribulation continues. Taking these passages together makes it easy to understand them both. The second verse extends beyond the land of Israel, which had been the scene of the prophecy until this. But their condition is stated in a way not to own the countries of their dispersion. Many of the race of Israel arise from their long abasement, some to everlasting life, but others to everlasting shame. They that understand shall shine as the firmament. They who have instructed the many in righteousness shall shine as the stars (compare the host of heaven and stars, chap. 8). God will clothe with the brightness of His favour those who will have been faithful during this period of rebellion and distress. After this one of God's messengers inquires of the man clothed in linen, who was upon the waters of the river, how long it should be to the end of the wonders (that is, of the tribulation) by the intervention of God in deliverance for Israel. The answer is, three years and a half, or 1260 days; and that, when God should have put an end to the dispersion of the holy people, all these things should be finished. Daniel asks for a fuller revelation with respect to the end; but the oracle is sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be tried and purified and made white, but the wicked shall do wickedly. Alas! this must be expected. None of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand-these "maschilim," whom the Spirit of God has mentioned. Now, from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be 1290 days. But the accomplishment of 1335 (-21-) days has still to be waited for; there shall be full blessing to him that waits and arrives at their fulfilment. Daniel himself shall have his part in this time of glory. (-21-)I have thought it possible that this computation may arise from this. An intercalary month to the 1260 days, or three years and a half, and then 45 days, if the years were ecclesiastical years, would bring up to the feast of tabernacles: but I offer no judgment on it. At any rate, the statement is clear that then the sanctuary of God will be cleansed in Jerusalem. It is to be observed, that Daniel never describes the period that succeeds to the times of the Gentiles. He gives the history of those monarchies, the oppressors and seducers of the Jews in the latter days, and the deliverance of the people; but there he stops. He is the prophet of the times of the Gentiles until the deliverance. _______________________________________________________________________ (5) <BIOGRAPHY> WILLIAM CAREY "Shoemaker by trade, but scholar, linguist and missionary by God's training," William Carey was one of God's giants in the history of evangelism! Carey was born in a small thatched cottage in Paulerspury, a typical Northamptonshire village in England, August 17, 1761, of a weaver's family. When about eighteen he left the Church of England to "follow Christ" and to "...go forth unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." At first he joined the Congregational church at Hackleton where he was an apprentice shoemaker. It was there he married in 1791. And it was in Hackleton he began making five-mile walks to Olney in his quest for more spiritual truth. Olney was a stronghold of the Particular Baptists, the group that Carey cast his lot with after his baptism, October 5, 1783. Two years later he moved to Moulton to become a schoolmaster - and a year later he became pastor of the small Baptist congregation there. It was in Moulton that Carey heard the missionary call. In his own words he cried, "My attention to missions was first awakened after I was at Moulton, by reading the Last Voyage of Captain Cook." To many, Cook's Journal was a thrilling story of adventure, but to Carey it was a revelation of human need! He then began to read every book that had any bearing on the subject. (This, along with his language study - for at twenty-one years of age Carey had mastered Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Italian, and was turning to Dutch and French. One well called his shoemaker's cottage "Carey's College," for as he cobbled shoes along with his preaching he never sat at his bench without some kind of a book before him.) The more he read and studied, the more convinced he was "the peoples of the world need Christ." He read, he made notes, he made a great leather globe of the world and, one day, in the quietness of his cobbler's shop - not in some enthusiastic missionary conference - Carey heard the call: "If it be the duty of all men to believe the Gospel ... then it be the duty of those who are entrusted with the Gospel to endeavor to make it known among all nations." And Carey sobbed out, "Here am I; send me!" To surrender was one thing - to get to the field was quite another problem. There were no missionary societies and there was no real missionary interest. When Carey propounded this subject for discussion at a ministers' meeting, "Whether the command given to the apostles to teach all nations was not obligatory on all succeeding ministers to the end of the world, seeing that the accompanying promise was of equal extent," Dr. Ryland shouted, "Young man, sit down: when God pleases to covert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine." Andrew Fuller added his feelings as resembling the unbelieving captain of Israel, who said, "If the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be!" But Carey persisted. he later said of his ministry, "I can plod!" And he was a man who "always resolutely determined never to give up on any point or particle of anything on which his mind was set until he had arrived at a clear knowledge of his subject." Thus Carey wrote his famed Enquiry Into the Obligations of the Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathen. In this masterpiece on missions Carey answered arguments, surveyed the history of missions from apostolic times, surveyed the entire known world as to countries, size, population and religions, and dealt with the practical application of how to reach the world for Christ! And he prayed. And he pled. And he plodded. And he persisted. And he preached - especially his epoch-producing message, "EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM GOD. ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD." The result of that message preached at Nottingham, May 30, 1792 - and all the other missionary ministries of Carey - produced the particular Baptist Missionary Society, formed that Fall at Kettering on October 2, 1792. A subscription was started and, ironically, Carey could not contribute any money toward it except the pledge of the profit from his book, The Enquiry. It was in 1793 that Carey went to India. At first his wife was reluctant to go - so Carey set off to go nevertheless, but after two returns from the docks to persuade her again, Dorothy and his children accompanied him. They arrived with a Dr. Thomas at the mouth of the Hooghly in India in November, 1793. There were years of discouragement (no Indian convert for seven years), debt, disease, deterioration of his wife's mind, death, but by the grace of God - and by the power of the Word - Carey continued and conquered for Christ! When he died at 73 (1834), he had seen the Scriptures translated and printed into forty languages, he had been a college professor, and had founded a college at Serampore. He had seen India open its doors to missionaries, he had seen the edict passed prohibiting sati (burning widows on the funeral pyres of their dead husbands), and he had seen converts for Christ. _______________________________________________________________________ (6) <HYMN> "FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES!" Charles Wesley O for a Thousand Tongues O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread thru all the earth abroad The honors of Thy name. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease, 'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 'Tis life and health and peace. He breaks the pow'r of canceled sin, He sets the pris'ner free, His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me. Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Saviour come; And leap, ye lame, for joy. ____________________________<BrethrenVoice>____________________________ [which seeks to be guided solely by the New Testament Biblical pattern, facilitates free flow of Christian information. To God be the glory!] Contact Moderator/Gleaner, eMail: <brethrenvoice-owner@...> Subscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-subscribe@...> Unsubscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> FAQs & Statement of Faith, eMail:<brethrenvoice-faq@...> "BrethrenVoice" Home: http://associate.com/digests/brethrenvoice/ eFellowship Home: http://groups.msn.com/BrethrenChristiansForum/ ["Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith." 2 Cor 13:5] ["You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Jn 8:32] _______________________________________________________________________