THESE THREE
(by brother Tarran Dookie)
ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB
Matt 22:31-32 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Even though Adam and Noah were before the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God is still referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was unto Abraham that God said 'in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed' Gen 22:18. Abraham is the father of faith. He represents the beginning of our spiritual pilgrimage. We must come to God by faith. When God told Abraham to leave his country and his kindred and go unto a land that He would show him, Abraham in faith departed. As believers we have no continuing city on this earth but God wants us to walk by faith unto Canaan's land. By faith Abraham offered up his son, reckoning that God was able to raise him from the dead. God wants us to have faith that would cause us to yield our best to Him.
God promised a son through Sarah. Isaac is the son of promise. The blessings of Abraham fell upon Isaac and he received the inheritance. God wants us to know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Eph 1:18). Isaac represents our rest in the Lord. Although Abraham journeyed much and Jacob also, it was not so with Isaac. Let us rest in the Lord Jesus for in Him all the promises of God are yes for He is the Amen of God.
Jacob was loved by God. 'As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated' (Rom 9:13). Even before they were born their mother Rebekah was told that the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). Jacob supplanted Esau of the birthright and the blessing of their father Isaac and although this was not commendable, God's election of Jacob was immutable. Jacob represents the perfecting of the elect. Chastening is necessary for the elect, 'for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth' (Heb 12:6). Though He would chasten us as He did Jacob yet because of His love for us He would draw us unto Himself. God named His chosen people after Israel (the name of Jacob) and they are called not Abrahamites, not Isaacites but Israelites. We who serve the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac will be perfected by God, for we are the elect, even the Israel of God (Gal 6:16), loved with an everlasting love by the God of Israel.
DAVID'S THREE MIGHTY MEN
2Sam 23:8-12 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
In the book of 2Samuel, chapter 23 we have the record of David's mighty men. Verses 8 to 12 tell us about the first three mighty men. Verses 18 to 23 tell us about Abishai and Benaiah who did exploits and had honourable names. However, in spite of the greatness of their exploits and the fact that they were mighty men yet they did not attain to the first three.
God is looking for mighty men today. He seeks those who will walk with Him and know Him and do exploits in His name. God wants to use us to scatter His enemies. Especially He is looking for men with the hearts of the first three mighty men, men who will not be afraid but who will break through the ranks of the Philistines. We will not be among the first three unless we are willing to serve our king. He who would be greatest among you shall be your servant. To attain to the first three we must deny ourselves, for he who hates his life shall gain it. We must not consider ourselves as having attained but we must press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God (Phil 3:10-14).
NOAH, DANIEL AND JOB
Ezek 14:12-14 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
Why are these three singled out? For their righteousness. They would be able to deliver their own souls by their righteousness. It was Noah who found grace in the eyes of the Lord when God saw the wickedness of men upon the earth. He sent a destroying flood but Noah and his family were saved and preserved in the ark. As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the Son of man. Men's hearts were charged with surfeiting and so is it now. Let us be sober and walk righteously before God.
Daniel chose not to defile himself with the portion of the king's meat in the land of captivity. He preferred to go into the lions' den than to pray to anyone but the living God. He was greatly beloved by God for in his righteousness he took a stand regardless of the consequences. Let us too make a stand for righteousness.
God held up Job before Satan as a jewel of righteousness. 'Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God , and escheweth evil?' (Job 1:8) He was tried but came forth as gold refined in the fire. Let us walk in perfection and in righteousness before our God, being circumspect that our souls would be delivered from this sinful and perverse generation.
PETER, JAMES AND JOHN
Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
Mark 9:1-2 And he saith unto them, Verily, I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
The Lord Jesus chose a circle of twelve apostles from among the disciples. But even from among these twelve the Lord had an inner circle of three: Peter, James and John. God is saving many souls but He delights in His chosen ones, the little flock. It is the Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom unto the little flock (Luke 12:32). Let us aspire to be numbered with the overcomers. God shall bring deliverance unto many through the few. He especially reveals Himself to the inner circle of believers and makes them pillars in His temple.
Matt 26:36-37 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Peter, James and John not only received a special revelation from the Lord on the mount of transfiguration but also they were chosen to witness and participate in His agony at Gethsemane. To enter God's glory we must bear the cross. We cannot know His delights and not His travail.
JESUS, MOSES AND ELIJAH
Matt 17:1-8 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Moses was the great man of God who led Israel out of Egypt. By his rod God wrought the plagues that humbled Pharaoh. He was the law-giver and through him came the commandments and ordinances of the old testament. God spoke face to face with Moses. He was specially buried by God Himself.
Elijah was a great prophet and did mighty signs in the time of king Ahab. He caused the rain to cease for three and a half years and brought down fire from above. He did not see death for God took him up by a whirlwind into heaven.
These two men appeared with Jesus when He was transfigured in the presence of Peter, James and John. The vision so awed Peter that he suggested that three tabernacles be built. But God did not want this and said of Jesus, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.' The disciples fell on their faces and when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. Moses represents the law and Elijah the prophets but Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. God spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets but in these last days He has spoken unto us by His Son. Today we are neither to hear nor see anyone but Jesus only. Let us fix our eyes on Him who is the author and finisher of our faith. Amen.
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