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Betrayed Part 1 Series
Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 15, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: A study of chapter 16 verses 1 through 12
Our Lord has saved the child and us from wallowing in our own blood. He is the One Who has had compassion when no one else would or could. Look at this verse in the Gospel of Luke chapter 19, “10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Our Holy Father gave His Command twice – ‘to live’. He only spoke once to Lazarus to come out of the grave. How much more Is His Heart stirred to command not just once but twice. His command is the same for us. These Scriptures take on more meaning;
John 3: 16. “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 6: 47, “47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
If God has come to you and you have responded to Him in faith then He causes you to live because He gave His Blood for you. A Blood transfusion from Him gives you everlasting life.
“7 I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you were naked and bare.”
Our Holy Lord could have used any example to explain His Blessings upon the Jews yet He used the example of flowers. He planted them in the land that He selected. They grew into a plant [nation] that was beautiful to behold. People would come from all over the world just to see this people who had a God that was alive and very active in human interaction.
Our Almighty Sovereign Ruler also selected a special city – Jerusalem. He looked upon it as a young woman that had matured [ your breast were formed ] and that it was beautiful. Yet, without His Presence the city was nothing [ naked and bare ]. It was just like any other city.
The idea of nakedness not only suggests need but also purity. In Genesis 2 we find the first mention of ‘nakedness’, “25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” As we see from this passage before sin entered the picture the couple were pure and had nothing to be ashamed about. Such was the view that our Holy Father had of His people the Jews at first.
8 “When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD.”
As the Holy Yahweh observed the maturity of His elect people He desired a deeper relationship. Just as a young woman comes into maturity and is ready for marriage, so our Holy Lord compared His people with this example of deep love. This act began after He freed them from the bondage in Egypt. He had led them to Mount Sinai as described for us in the book of Exodus chapter 19, “1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”