God's Time Matrix Series

5. David Guzik writes, “It is significant that in these closing words of the Old Testament, God makes reference to both Moses and Elijah. They both met God at Mount Sinai (Exodus 3:1; 1 Kings 19:8-18). They also both met Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-5). They are probably the two witnesses of Revelation 11.”

6. For more about this and other related subjects, please log onto: www.highlandpc.com/studies/parafulf.php

D. The idea of restoration seen in the year of Jubilee

-----The concept of “restoration of hearts ---

1. The Jubilee Year

"Some critics have scorned the concept of a Jubilee year as being impossible to implement, however archaeologists have found records of deeds from the late biblical period containing references to it being in operation.

The first Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Kook, taught that the basis for the Jubilee, Yovel, was spiritual rather than economical. God intended that it should restore a sense of unity to Israel, in the understanding that all are equal in His sight. Thus people would be encouraged to value and respect one another. Also, it would restore self-respect to the person who had sunk into poverty.

Just as the weekly Shabbat offers the opportunity to re-orientate oneself and see oneself in non-economic terms, so the Shmi’tah every seven years and the Jubilee year every fifty (after 7x7) would enable the entire society to put aside economic competition in order to realize the true inner value of each person." (Keren Hannah Pryor)

2. The tensions between fathers and sons are particularly notable; God wants the bond between them to be unhindered and cleared; this can be difficult because we men do not understand how we hurt our sons. They appear to be tough, but our discouraging and critical words alienate them from us.

3. God here is telling us that we must check this in ourselves, apologize and make changes when we do this. It is part of a truly repentant heart.

E. The Curse: The destruction of Israel until the end times because they did not adequately respond to the ministry of John the Baptist (the Elijah drop-in)

CONCLUSION

1. Our lives have End Times. Sometimes our ministries have End Times. Our parenting responsibilities have End Times.

2. But God is Sovereign.

3. Just as He is in control of world history, so He is in control of your history.

4. And He takes the details of your life to weave them into His complex tapestry.

5. As the Psalmist said in Psalm 31:15, “My times are in your hands.” Do you believe that?