Jesus was always God's plan A.

Footnotes

[1] 24:17 Hebrew corners [of the head]

Footnotes

[1] 7:7 Compare 1 Chronicles 17:6; Hebrew tribes
[2] 7:8 Or leader
[3] 7:16 Septuagint; Hebrew you

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning Becca! Many thanks for the huge blessings you and your family have been to Watermark for many years. Being raised the Deep South I know exactly what you mean about the ordering of spouse’s names. I don’t recall my mother getting mail in her name. Ever. The letters came addressed to “Mrs. Jack L. Stephenson”. Q1. My plan better? This is a HAHA question. 65 years of living have proved to me that my plan results in disaster. Every time. Q2. Whose house to build? Randy Alcorn has much to say about money. All of it great and insightful. He helped me understand God’s purposes regarding money I have but don’t need. Elder Kyle Thompson underlined Amy’s and my thoughts on this when he spoke a few months ago on the subject and pointed out that at a certain point it’s our job to “shrink the balance sheet”. Q3. Fully contemplated being a member of the House of God? Short answer yes. I don’t think my understanding is anywhere near complete. I know I’ll be there eventually. Q4. Household mission? Amy and I have as our mission on giving to continue leading discipleship ministries, (time), and to support evangelism locally and internationally, (treasure).

Hugh Stephenson

House, Kingdom, Throne. What the difference between them and “Star, Scepter, Branch”? (Don’t worry. I’m not doing another “Ode”. Even to Blake Holmes who certainly deserves many of them.) They are both prophecies/promises. The main difference to me is that God chose the wicked prophet Balaam as his speaker to deliver the prophecies in this passage of Numbers. Lots more on him here, https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-in-the-Bible.html This raises the question again as to how many promises are there in our Bible? School teacher Everett R. Storms counted the promises in the Bible and notes there are 7,487 of them, (https://www.journalreview.com/stories/the-promises-of-god,134463#:~:text=Storms%20of%20Kitchener%2C%20Ontario%2C%20Canada,the%20Almighty%20God%20to%20humans.) There are other figures higher and lower than that. The point is not now many there are but how sure are we that they are true. We can know they are true because every word is the Bible is true as it truly is God’s Word, (cue the tap tap clap song). Also see 2 Timothy 3:16. For searchers or skeptics check out Josh McDowell’s Bio Pic“Undaunted” or Lee Strobel’s “The Case for Christ”. Or former atheist C.S. Lewis. There are many, many more. The key is that God created us in His image and deeply desires an intimate relationship with us. We chose to worship self rather than Him. After that tragic decision God showed He still loved us and promised a Savior, (Genesis 3:15). Ever since then He has been communicating through and to the Biblical writers. For me, I love the prophecy of Jeremiah that we’re reading today. If he were in my high school crowd in the 1970s we would call him “Jerry the buzz killer”. In all seriousness…there are lots of his prophecies and they’re either fulfilled partially or will be completely. Many are like this passage and are uplifting. I like this one as it’s specifically Messianic. Here’s what I see- Fulfilled promise God will cause a Branch to spring up That branch will be righteous Its linked to David the humble shepherd and greatest King of Israel It promises the Messiah who will be the Great Shepherd and King of Kings The promise of justice will be fulfilled Righteousness will be in the land We will be saved We will dwell securely

Hugh Stephenson

From the notes- I really like Constable’s summary of the Jeremiah passage. Since we already have the other two in our studies this year I’ve copied and pasted the note on Jeremiah 33:14-16 below- The promise of a righteous King in a righteous city 33:14-16 This restoration oracle begins a small collection of messianic prophecies. 33:14 Future days would come, the LORD promised, when He would fulfill His promises concerning the restoration of all Israel. "The predicted restoration ('the days are coming') is not, however, to be looked for in the immediate time of the return from the Captivity. Only in a limited and preliminary way were these promises fulfilled in Zerubbabel and Sheshbazzar after the Captivity (cf. Ezra 1:8; 2:2; also 2:40-54; 8:15-20). Ultimately, they are combined in the highest sense in Christ (cf. Ps 110:4) and are yet to be fulfilled in the reign of Messiah on earth."[670] "Days are coming" (Heb. hinneh yamim ba'im) has appeared 16 times so far in Jeremiah referring to coming judgment on Judah and the surrounding nations. In the remaining nine occurrences of the phrase in the book, it points to a time of future blessing for Israel.[671] At that future time, Yahweh would cause a righteous Sprout from the Davidic line of kings to appear who would be a legitimate ruler. He would rule in justice and righteousness on the earth (not just in heaven; cf. 23:5-6). Other messianic passages in Jeremiah picture Him as: -the fountain of living waters (2:13), -the good Shepherd (23:4; 31:10), -the LORD our righteousness (23:6), -David the king (30:9), and -the Redeemer (50:34). Then Judah would enjoy salvation, and Jerusalem would dwell in safety. The name of the city would be "the LORD is our righteousness," which is what King Zedekiah's name ironically meant (cf. 23:6). But it will be the name of Jerusalem in the future (cf. Isa. 1:26; Ezek. 48:35). Righteous Messiah would bring righteousness to the city and make its people righteous.[672] "The inference is that Jerusalem would so manifest the qualities of justice and righteousness (in contrast to her past bad record) that she would be worthy of such a name and exemplify the divine order for all the cities and all the people in Israel."[673]

Michael Sisson

Re: Num 24:17 Num 24:17 (NASB) “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; >>>A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel<<<, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth. Rabbinic commentators interpret the star and scepter as referring to an earthly king. Rashi an Ibn Ezra say it points to king David. Whereas, Ramban says it’s speaking of Messiah. However, in the ancient near East iconography, a star denoted a god (e.g. Acts 7:43) and a scepter alluded to royalty. Clearly, Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus the Christ), G-d the Son, best fulfills both criteria. See Am 5:26; Mt 2:2; Mt 2:10-12; Rev 22:16. Re: Jer 33:14 Jer 33:14 (NASB) ‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when >>>I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.<<< Referring to the New Covenant (Jer 31:31). It is worth noting this “good word” did NOT directly apply to the nations (gentiles; Eph 2:11-12). The fate of the nations was a mystery later articulated by Paul (Rom 11:25,16:25-26; Eph 3:1-6). Re: 2Sam 7:11 2Sam 7:11 (NASB) even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also declares to you that >>>the LORD will make a house for you.<<< See 2Cor 5:1-4. Re: 2Sam 7:13 2Sam 7:13 (NASB) >>>“He shall build a house for My name,<<< and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. “Initially God’s presence was housed in the desert tabernacle, by God’s own initiative. Later, King David would build the temple for God, but this was David’s initiative, not God’s. However, that same Shekinah glory would later dwell in the earthly tent of flesh – flesh from the house of David, no less. David really did help make a suitable home for God in more ways than one.” —One For Israel https://www.oneforisrael.org/holidays/sukkot-jesus-tabernacled-and-paul-made-tents See Jer 33:17 Re: 2Sam 7:14 2Sam 7:14 (NASB) “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, See Ps 2:7;Heb 5:5 Re: 2Sam 7:16 2Sam 7:16 (NASB) “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me >>>forever;<<< your throne shall be established >>€forever.””’ <<< See also Jer 33:17-18. Re: 2Sam 7:17 See 1Kings 8:25 and following, and 1Chr 28:2and following.

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Becca! I was struck by God's promise to David, "but my steadfast love will not depart from [Solomon] as I took it from Saul . . ." How that must have encouraged his father's heart to learn that about his son! Then I smiled to realize this is also true of all of us Christ-followers. Jesus said to His Father in John 17:23 about us, "You have loved them just as You have loved Me." If the Father loves us the same way He loves the Son, that is a forever kind of covenant, loyal love. We NEVER have to fear we can do anything that will make God stop loving us. Or delighting in us, because that's how He loves His Son! What an encouragement!

Greg Jones

Excellent devotional. Loved this “Much like us striving to establish our household, I see a similar parallel with David. He sees the importance of a man's house and legacy and wanted so badly to carry this plan out for the Lord. David's desire came from a great place. He wanted his house to do something great for the Lord. But as usual, God flipped the script and made David's name and household great instead (Psalm 89:3-4, 20-29).” In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 33:15 The story of Esther is a in the meantime account. Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite Esther 2:5. Mordecai son Kish is from the family of Saul. A few years down stream from this prophecy around the time of the return of the exiles is the Esther setting. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’ Jeremiah 33:16 Nehemiah builds the wall of security in Jerusalem. The book of Esther has Judah being saved in Persia. Not a script flip-but interestingly, in the meantime while you wait for the righteous branch. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 2 Samuel 7:13-15 Above, Nathan is talking about Solomon a prototype of Jesus Christ. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men.” Here Nathan is talking about a future king Solomon, going further forward from there. First century BCE-CE Caesar the Roman emperor is claiming the name “son of god” for himself. So another script flip, the stripes of the Son of Man are the results of the iniquity of Caesar son of god. “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.” This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:61-64 “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.” That kind of adulation was reserved for royalty. Of course God is like a father to the son of God, a common person could conceive of that. “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”-I give you the Son of Man. God is like a father to non royalty, that is a new reality for the adopted common sons of God, the first followers of Jesus.

Michael Scaman

Jeremiah saying ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’ in the New Covenant is a wonderful promise "unless the LORD build the house they labor in vain in Psalm 127 in an 'of Solomon' Psalm applies to the temple, the church, David's lineage following, a family, a city, a nation

Amy Lowther

1. No, but I have had stages of “I’ve got it, I’ll be fine (without God).” None of it worked better than believing in God’s plan. It’s best to use God’s values and God’s guidance in taking care of myself and in living life. God’s plan is a great resource for my plan as it produces successful results. 2. I want to contribute to the Lord’s house. I also want the Lord’s help in building my house. 3. Yes. 4. Yes. I believe God appreciates when His words are read and applied in daily life in positive ways. I believe God also appreciates prayer. These ideas are daily practices for my friends and I as we live and experience God’s world. Becca - Thank you for sharing your ideas. David is a good example of a man who believed in himself and believed in the Lord. I wish you and your husband good wishes to help your house do great things for the Lord.