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Jacob.
Grandson of Abraham
and Sarah;
the younger of twin sons born to Isaac and Rebekah. His
twin brother
was Esau.
Jacob in Hebrew is ya‛ăqôb (3290) (Gen. 25:26), a verbal pun on the noun
"heel," ʿāqēḇ (6119)
(Gen. 25:26), because Jacob came forth from the womb second, but
grabbing his brother's heel. "Jacob" means "heel-grabber." Later on
brother Esau
interpreted the name in a negative fashion, as in "supplanter"
(Gen. 27:36). Before the children were born Yahweh
predicted the older
would serve the younger (Gen. 25:21-23). Because of the fraudulence of
his uncle Laban, Jacob was forced into marrying two of his cousins,
Leah, whom he did not love, and Rachel,
whom he did love, and whom he had been granted permission to marry at
the dowry price of seven years' labor (Gen. 29:1-30).
These marriages and family were dysfunctional from the beginning. When
the
two wives were unable to bear children, they each gave their personal
maid in marriage to Jacob (Gen. 29:31-30:13). From the four women,
Leah, her maid Zilpah, Rachel,
and her maid, Bilhah, twelve sons were
born to Jacob.
God changed Jacob's name to Israel (Gen. 32:24-32). The new name means (NASBfootnote) “he who strives with God, or God strives.” This came about because a man wrestled with Jacob until daybreak. When he did not prevail, he dislocated Jacob's hip. The assailant asked Jacob to let him go because dawn was breaking. Jacob said he would not until the man blessed him. At that point the man changed Jacob's name to Israel because "you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed." Jacob asked for the man's name, but the man did not comply. Nevertheless he blessed Jacob. Jacob named the place "Peniel," which means, "Face of God." He explained, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved." In my estimation, Jacob, now Israel, was wrestling with the pre-incarnate Christ. Because Jacob was renamed "Israel," Jacob's twelve sons became heads of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. The twelve sons and the twelve tribes are frequently identified as the "sons of Israel." Jacob, however, had a problem with deceit, and he reaped a bitter harvest because of it. On the advice of his mother Rebekah, he deceived his blind father into thinking he was Isaac's favorite son, Esau (Gen. 27:1-29). He did this to receive the Abrahamic Blessing. In turn, Jacob was deceived by his uncle Laban, Rebekah's brother, into working an extra seven years as the price of marrying his wife of choice, Rachel (Gen. 29:1-30). Furthermore, his own sons deceived Jacob into thinking for years that his favorite son Joseph had been killed by wild animals (Gen. 37:12-36). Jacob is a graphic illustration that, in God's world people reap what they sow (Gal. 6:7). For additional information on Jacob, see the offsite article, "Who was Jacob in the Bible?" James, the Apostle. James was the brother of the Apostle John. They were sons of Zebedee (Matt. 10:2). Jesus nick-named them "Sons of Thunder," perhaps because of their impetuous nature (Mark 3:17). James and John were fishermen by trade. They worked with their father, Zebedee. Jesus saw that they were mending their nets by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus told them to come and follow him. They left their nets and did so (Matt. 4:21-22). Peter, James, and John had a privileged relationship with Jesus. He called the three of them to follow him up the "Mount of Transfiguration," where they saw him transfigured into the glorious state that will be His in His coming Kingdom upon Earth (Matt. 17:1-8). When Jesus was about to enter into agonizing prayer before His arrest and crucifixion, He asked Peter and the two sons of Zebedee to keep watch with Him and pray. Unfortunately, sleep prevented them from assisting Him in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-46). Out of political expediency, Herod Agrippa I placed the Apostle James in prison and had him beheaded (Acts 12:1-2). James thus became the first Apostle to undergo martyrdom. That pleased the Jewish anti-Christian Jewish faction, so he proceeded to arrest Peter with the same intent (Acts 12:3). Things did not go as he planned, however (Acts 12:4-19), and Peter and the Church had respite (Acts 12:24). God had the last word with Herod, however. He died from parasitic worms (Acts 12:20-23). James. The half-brother of Jesus, an acknowledged leader of the early church (Acts 12:17; 15:13-22; Gal. 1:19; 2:9, 12), and the most likely author of the letter that bears his name. James was one of four half-brothers of Jesus, the other three being Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). These five sons of Mary had two or more sisters, none of them named (Mark 6:3). Before Jesus' death and resurrection, none of his brothers, including James, believed in Him (John 7:3-5). After His resurrection, apparently all of them believed in Him (Acts 1:12-14). Two of those brothers, James and Judas, also known as Jude, wrote letters that appear in the New Testament. The Author of the Letter of James. There are four men named James in the NT: James, son of Zebedee, brother of John, both called as disciples of Jesus (Matt. 4:21; 10:2); James, son of Alphaeus (Matt. 10:3); James, father of Judas (Luke 6:16); and James, the brother of our Lord (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). James, son of Alphaeus and James, father of Judas are both unlikely candidates for authoring the book of James. James, son of Zebedee, and one of three disciples closest to Jesus (Matt. 17:1; 26:37), might have been a likely candidate had he not been martyred by Herod Agrippa I about 44 AD (Acts 12:1-2). That leaves as the most likely author James, the brother of Jesus, as he himself claims (James 1:1). He was, as we have seen, a recognized leader in the early church. The Message of James. The central theme is "Applied Christianity." The major topics include (1) Handling trials and temptations (James 1:1-18); (2) Using God's Word (James 1:19-27); (3) The sin of partiality (James 2:1-13); (4) Faith and works (James 2:14-26); (5) The tongue (James 3:1-12); (6) Wisdom (James 3:13-18); (7) Spiritual conflict (James 4:1-17); (8) Woe to the wealthy! (James 5:1-11); (9) Integrity (James 1:12); (10) Appropriate responses to circumstances (James 5:13-18). See also the author's Brief Outlines of James ; Analysis of James; and Annotated Outline of James. James T. Bartsch,
JTB. The author / editor / publisher of WordExplain.com.
Jehoiada. A Godly, courageous priest, who protected young Joash from the murderous Athaliah. He installed Joash as King of Judah with the aid of loyal priests and Levites, and executed Athaliah. The people tore down the house of Baal and all its images and altars, and resumed worship of the God of Israel (2 Chron. 22:10-23:21). Jehoram / Joram. Jehoram / Joram, King of Israel (852-841 BC).
Evil king of Israel, son of evil Ahab. He was not as evil as his
father, Ahab, and his mother, Jezebel, for he destroyed the sacred
pillar of Baal which his father had made (2 Kings 3:1-2). Nevertheless,
as did all the kings of Israel, he continued the sins of Jeroboam, son
of Nebat, who first constructed the golden calves at Bethel and Dan to
entice Israelis from worshiping the true God in the Temple at Jerusalem
(2 Kings 3:3).
After the death of Ahab, Meesha, King of Moab rebelled against Israel (2 Kings 3:4-5). Jehoram mustered troops, allied with King Jehoshaphat of Judah, along with the king of Edom, to fight against Moab (2 Kings 3:6-8). There was a disastrous shortfall of water (2 Kings 3:9-10), and the kings consulted Elisha, the prophet (2 Kings 3:11-12). Elisha rebuked Jehoram, but agreed to consult the LORD out of respect for respect for Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 3:13-14). Elisha predicted Yahweh would supply both water and victory (2 Kings 3:15-19), which He, indeed, did (2 Kings 3:20)! The Moabites completely misinterpreted what they saw and attacked the coalition (2 Kings 3:21-23). The coalition completely routed the Moabites (2 Kings 3:24-27)! The king of Aram was continually warring against Israel (2 Kings 6:8). But the prophet Elisha continually warned King Jehoram of the Aramean ambushes (2 Kings 6:8-10). When someone revealed that it was Elisha who was the culprit, the Aramean military surrounded Dothan at night time (2 Kings 6:11-14). Elisha's servant was terrified, but Elisha prayed and God showed His army of angels to the frightened servant (2 Kings 6:15-17). At Elisha's prayer, God blinded the Aramean army (2 Kings 6:18), and Elisha led them to Jehoram (2 Kings 6:19-20). At the advice of Elisha, Jehoram spared the Armean army (2 Kings 6:21-23). Subsequently, there was a horrible famine in Samaria, caused by the siege of Ben Hadad, king of Aram (2 Kings 6:24-29). King Jehoram vowed to kill Elisha (2 Kings 6:30-31). The king's messenger spoke of rebellion against the LORD (2 Kings 6:32-33). Elisha predicted relief from the famine by the hand of Yahweh (2 Kings 7:1). The royal officer expressed his disbelief, whereupon Elisha predicted he would see the relief of the famine, but not experience it (2 Kings 7:2). Four Israeli lepers sought mercy from the Arameans (2 Kings 7:3-4). They joyfully discovered food in the vacated Aramean camp (2 Kings 7:5-8), and reported it in Samaria (2 Kings 7:9-11). King Jehoram was skeptical (2 Kings 7:12), but Israeli scouts confirmed the windfall (2 Kings 7:13-15). There was prophecy-fulfilling relief from the famine, but the disbelieving officer was trampled to death by the horde of Israelis streaming out to get food, just as Elisha had prophesied (2 Kings 7:16-20). Jehoram appears to be the king who restored to the Shunammite woman her property after she had been absent for seven years (2 Kings 8:1-6). Later, Joram fought against the Arameans and was wounded in the battle (2 Kings 8:28-29). Meanwhile a prophet anointed Jehu king of Israel, telling him God wanted him to purge the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:1-10). Jehu obeyed instantly, and conspired to kill King Joram. He felled him with an arrow, and he sank down, dead, in his chariot (2 Kings 9:11-26). Jehoram / Joram, King of Judah (848-841 BC). The firstborn son of king Jehoshaphat of Judah (2 Chron. 21:1-3). He reigned with his father Jehoshaphat for four years and another eight years after his father died. He was 32 when he became king (2 Kings 8:16-17). He was an evil man. When he was sole king after the death of his father, he killed off his brothers (2 Chron. 21:4). He married evil Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and the sister of Ahab's son, Joram. He did evil in the sight of Yahweh (2 Chron. 21:6). He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as Ahab had done. He made high places in the mountains of Judah, causing Jerusalem and Judah to play the harlot (2 Chron. 21:11). However, Yahweh was not willing to destroy Judah for the sake of David His servant (2 Kings 8:18-19). As a discipline of God, Edom and Libnah revolted against Judah in his days (2 Kings 8:20-23; 2 Chron. 21:8-10). Elijah the prophet sent him a letter. Because of his evil, God would strike his people, his sons, and his wives with a great calamity, and Joram would suffer a horrendous bowel disease, causing his death (2 Chron. 21:12-15). Consequently, the Philistines and the Arabs invaded Judah and carried away all Joram's possessions along with his sons and wives. The only son left to him was the youngest, Jehoahaz. Then the LORD afflicted him with a painful bowel disease, and within two years, he died, to no one's regret (2 Chron. 21:16-20). Jehoshaphat (873-848 BC). A mostly Godly king of Judah, he was the fourth king of Judah under the divided monarchy. He was the son of Asa (1 Kings 15:24). Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king in Jerusalem, and he reigned twenty-five years (1 Kings 22:42). He walked in the ways of Asa his father, doing right in the sight of the LORD. However, the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places (1 Kings 22:43). He made peace with Ahab the king of Israel (1 Kings 22:44), but unfortunately, he did so by means of a political marriage. He arranged to have his son Joram marry Ahab's daughter, Athaliah (2 Chron. 18:1). This was horribly unwise. Athaliah turned out to be a murderous woman of pure evil. When Jehoshaphat became king, he strengthened himself and his country militarily (2 Chron. 17:1-2). Because he endeavored to obey God's laws, and did not seek to worship Baal, the LORD blessed him. He removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah (2 Chron 17:3-6). He sent officials along with Levites throughout the cities of Judah to teach the people from the book of the Law of the LORD (2 Chron. 17:7-9). Because the dread of the LORD was upon the kingdoms surrounding Judah, there was peace, and nations brought Jehoshaphat tribute (2 Chron. 17:10-19). Among these were the Philistines and the Arabians (2 Chron. 17:11). There is an extended incident in which Ahab sought the help of his ally, Jehoshaphat, in attacking Ramoth-Gilead, which had been captured by the Arameans (1 Kings 22:1-3). Jehoshaphat immediately complied (1 Kings 22:4),but then asked Ahab for a confirmation from a message from the LORD. Ahab gathered four hundred of his (false) prophets and inquired as to the will of God. To a man they agreed that Ahab should fight against the Arameans because God would give him victory (1 Kings 22:5-6). Not satisfied, Jehoshaphat asked for a (true) prophet of the LORD of whom they might inquire (1 Kings 22:7). Ahab replied that he knew of one, but did not like him because he always prophesied evil things against Ahab. But Jehoshaphat insisted (1 Kings 22:8). Micaiah, son of Imlah was summoned. All Ahab's prophets were prophesying victory (1 Kings 22:9-12). When Micaiah appeared, he predicted victory for Ahab (1 Kings 22:15). Ahab could see through what Micaiah was doing, so he insisted on the truth. Micaiah replied that he saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep with no shepherd. Yahweh said, "They have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace" (1 Kings 22:16-17). Ahab told Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you he would only say bad?" (1 Kings 22:18). Micaiah said further, "I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, surrounded by the angelic army. He asked who of them would entice Ahab to fall at Ramoth-Gilead. Finally a spirit stepped forward saying, 'I will entice him.' 'How?' asked the LORD? The spirit answered, 'By being a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.' God said, 'Go do it, and prevail.'" Micaiah concluded, "The LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets. He has proclaimed disaster upon you!" (1 Kings 22:19-23). Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah slapped Micaiah on the side of his face, snarling, "How did the Spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak to you?" (1 Kings 22:24). Ahab ordered Micaiah confined with bread and water in jail until he returned. To which Micaiah replied, "If you return, the LORD has not spoken by me" (1 Kings 22:25-28). In the battle Ahab told Jehoshaphat he was to wear his royal robes while Ahab would wear a disguise. The king of Aram commanded his 32 chariot captains to fight only with the king of Samaria. At first they proceeded to attack Jehoshaphat, who cried out in fear. When they saw he was not the king of Samaria, they withdrew. But a certain Aramean soldier shot his bow at random, and the arrow lodged in Ahab's body, piercing through a joint in his armor. Ahab watched the battle, but after losing so much blood, he died at evening. A cry passed throughout the Israeli army, "Every man to his city and his country!" (1 Kings 22:29-36). So the king died, and they washed his chariot in the pool of Samaria, and dogs licked up his blood fulfilling the Word of the LORD (1 Kings 22:37-40; compare 1 Kings 21:17-19). In another incident, the king of Moab rebelled against Jehoram, the king of Israel (2 Kings 3:4-6). Jehoram requested Jehoshaphat, his ally to go to war with him. Jehoshaphat agreed (2 Kings 3:7-8). They traveled by way of Edom and evidently convinced the king of Edom to join them.After a trek of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the cattle they were driving. The king of Israel was convinced that God had drawn these three allied kings into the trap of being defeated by Moab (2 Kings 3:9-10). Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet of the LORD. Someone spoke of the prophet Elisha. So the three kings traveled to meet Elisha (2 Kings 3:11-12). Elisha was dismissive of Jehoram. "Go and call the (false) prophets of your father and mother!" (2 Kings 3:13). Finally, he agreed to consult the LORD on account of the presence of the Godly Jehoshaphat. He told them the LORD was telling them to fill the valley with trenches. There would be no rain or storm, but the valley would be filled with water. Miraculously, this came to be! When the Moabites saw the water, it looked red as blood. They thought the three kings and begun fighting one another and attacked. When they came to the camp of the Israelites, the Israelis rose up and attacked them with a vengeance, and there was a great victory. Finally the three kings returned to their own land (2 Kings 3:14-27). The life of Jehoshaphat shows us examples of what may happen when a Godly person makes some unwise choices in his life. Jehoshaphat almost was killed in battle, and his son, Joram, who, with the blessing of his father, married the godless Athaliah, and turned out to be an evil king, undoubtedly influenced by his evil wife. Athaliah, after the death of her husband Joram, murdered all the royal offspring she could find so she could be queen, even though she was not a descendant of David. Jehu (841-814 BC). An Israeli army captain anointed to be king in place of Joram, King of Israel, best known for his Divinely-decreed extermination of the house of Ahab and his extermination of Baal worship in Israel. The narrative concerning Jehu actually begins after Elijah fled for his life from Jezebel, having killed the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19:1-8). God comforted the depressed prophet (1 Kings 19:9-14), then gave him a three-fold assignment: (1) He was to anoint Hazael king over Aram; (2) anoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; (3) and anoint Elisha, the son of Shaphat to be prophet in his place (1 Kings 19:15-18). Elijah did not actually anoint Jehu, but his successor made sure the assignment was completed. Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and told him to travel to Ramoth-gilead, search out Jehu ben Jehoshaphat ben Nimshi, take him to an inner room, and anoint him with oil. He was to say, "Thus says the LORD, 'I have anointed you king over Israel.'" Then he was to flee. The unnamed servant of Elisha did as he was told. He found Jehu, took him aside into the house, and anointed him with oil, saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.'" But he did not stop there, for evidently the LORD gave him further instructions. He continued, "You shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male person both bond and free in Israel. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her." Then he opened the door and fled (2 Kings 9:1-10). Jehu's soldiers immediately proclaimed him king (2 Kings 9:11-13). Jehu immediately conspired against Joram, who had returned from defending Ramoth-Gilead to Jezreel to be healed from wounds he had suffered while fighting the Arameans. Joram, king of Israel and Ahaziah, king of Judah, went out to meet Jehu in his chariot. Jehu drew his bow with all his strength and sent an arrow through Joram's heart. Jehu had his officer cast the body of Joram, son of Ahab, on to the property of Naboth the Jezreelite as a repayment to Ahab's consent to the murder of Naboth according to the word of the LORD (2 Kings 9:14-26). Jehu also arranged the death of Ahaziah, king of Judah (2 Kings 9:27-28). This was a judgment on Ahab because the mother of Ahaziah was Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Shortly thereafter, Jehu had Jezebel thrown down from the window. She died, and dogs ate her flesh according to the Word of the LORD (2 Kings 9:30-37). Subsequently, Jehu had all Ahab's sons, his great men, his acquaintances, and his priests killed (2 Kings 10:1-11, 15-17). He also killed relatives of Ahaziah, king of Judah (2 Kings 10:12-14). Jehu then destroyed the Baal worshipers in Israel (2 Kings 10:18-27). For that he received the blessing of the LORD (2 Kings 10:30). Unfortunately, however, he held fast to the false worship of the golden calves at Dan and Bethel begun by Jeroboam (2 Kings 10:29, 31). For that reason, his family line extended only to the fourth generation (2 Kings 10:30). Jeremiah (643-560 BC). The final prophet God sent to the crumbling kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah may have been born in 647 B.C. (RSB). His ministry extended over forty years, from 627 to 585 B.C. (RSB). Jeremiah is sometimes called the "weeping prophet" ( Jer. 9:1; 13:17; 14:17; the entire book of Lamentations, whose presumed author is Jeremiah; cf. Lam. 1:2, 16; 2:11, 18; 3:48-49). The book of Jeremiah is classified as being among the five major prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The term "major" simply refers to the length of the books. (Lamentations is not a long book, but it is included among the major prophets since Jeremiah probably wrote it. Hosea and Zechariah are almost as long as Daniel.)
Jeremiah prophesied to Jewish
people in Judea
and in captivity. He wrote about Judah and
the nations (Jer. 1:5, 9-10; 2:1-2). He prophesied during the reigns of
Josiah, Jehoahaz,
Jehoiakim,
Jehoiachin,
and Zedekiah
–
all kings of Judah (Jer. 1:1-3). The time frame of his ministry was
from 627-574. The historical background of his ministry is 2 Kings
22:1-25:38. (Credit to RSB for this
paragraph.)
Important passages in his book include his call to ministry (Jer. 1:4-10); the curse on Coniah (also called Jehoiachin) (Jer. 22:28-30); a prophecy of the Messiah (Jer. 23:5-6); the duration of the Babylonian captivity (Jer. 25:11); a profound prediction of and central passage on the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-37). (Credit for the material in this paragraph goes to RSB.) Topically, most of the book deals with prophecies concerning Judah and Jerusalem (Jer. 2:1-45:5; 52:1-34). The rest deals with prophecies against nations surrounding Judah (Jer. 46:1-51:64). The theme of Jeremiah is "God's Justice Forewarned and Experienced: The Fall of Jerusalem." See the author's Brief Outlines of Jeremiah. See also the author's Analysis of Jeremiah. Jeroboam I (931-910 BC). (1 Kings 11:9-14:20; 2 Chron. 10:1-11:3; 11:14-15; 13:1-20)The evil first king of the divided Northern Kingdom of Israel. The narrative of Jeroboam begins with King Solomon's disappointing departure from Yahweh. Even though Solomon was supremely blessed by God, he had a fatal weakness. He loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women from among the nations concerning which the LORD had warned the sons of Israel, "Do not associate with them ... for they shall surely turn your heart away after their gods" (1 Kings 11:1-2). Solomon pursued Ashtoreth of the Sidonians, Milcom of the Ammonites. He built a high place for Chemosh, the detestable idol of Moab, and for Molech, the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. He did this for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods (1 Kings 11:3-8). Consequently, God was angry with him. He told him He would tear the kingdom from him and give it to his servant. He would do this in the days of Solomon's son. Nevertheless he would leave one tribe in the hand of his son for the sake of David, his father and for the sake of God's chosen city, Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:9-13). Jeroboam was that servant. Jeroboam was a valiant warrior and an industrious person. Solomon placed him over the forced labor of the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:26-28). Once, when Jeroboam was outside of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite, wearing a new cloak, found Jeroboam on the road. He took off his cloak and tore it into twelve pieces. He told Jeroboam to take ten of the pieces. He quoted God as saying, "Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes, but he will have one tribe, for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, they city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel ... (1 Kings 11:26-32). The prophet continued to give God's reasons for the division of Israel, and encouraged Jeroboam to obey God always (1 Kings 11:33-39). Solomon's reaction to this news was to attempt to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt while Solomon was alive (1 Kings 11:40). After Solomon's death, Jeroboam and all Israel requested Rehoboam, next in line to be king, to lighten his father Solomon's load (1 Kings 12:1-4). Rehoboam foolishly followed bad advice, and refused (1 Kings 12:5-15). The people of Israel revolted against Rehoboam, and only Judah anointed him King (1 Kings 12:16-19). The rest of Israel anointed Jeroboam to be king (1 Kings 12:20). Not long after Jeroboam began his rule he became fearful that the people of Israel would go worship in the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem, their hearts would turn to Rehoboam and they would kill him (1 Kings 12:26-27). After consulting with his advisors, he made two golden calves, placing one at Bethel and the other at Dan. He told the people it was too hard to go to Jerusalem, and that these golden calves were the gods who had brought them out of Egypt (1 Kings 12:28-30). So, for political purposes, Jeroboam perverted the worship of the true God. Every king of Israel from that point onward retained the golden calves. There were twenty kings of Israel, and all twenty of them were evil, some worse than others. Jeroboam did not stop there. He made houses of worship in the high places. He made priests from among the people who were not of the sons of Levi. He duplicated in Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month the prescribed feast in Jerusalem. He went up to his false altar to sacrifice (1 Kings 12:31-33). An unnamed prophet came to Bethel and pronounced a judgment upon Jeroboam's altar. He predicted that a king named Josiah from the house of David would one day sacrifice on the altar the priests from the high places who burned incense on the altar, and human bones would be burned on the altar (1 Kings 13:1-5) cf. 2 Kings 23:15-16). Through the prophet Ahijah who lived in Shiloh God pronounced judgment on the house of Jeroboam. And ultimately Israel would be taken captive beyond the Euphrates River as a judgment for their idolatry (1 Kings 14:1-16). There was war between King Abijam of Judah and Jeroboam. The warriors of Judah relied upon the LORD and defeated the men of Israel (2 Chron. 13:1-19). Jeroboam did not recover from the defeat. Moreover, the LORD struck him and he died (2 Chron. 13:20). Jeroboam reigned 22 years and died. Nadab his son became king (1 Kings 14:17-20). Jeroboam II (793-753 BC). The evil king of Israel in Samaria who reigned 41 years from 794-753 BC (2 Kings 14:23). Though he had the same name as did Jeroboam I, the two were not related. Jeroboam II was the son of Joash, King of Israel. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin by placing golden calf idols in Bethel and Dan to prevent Israeli worshipers from traveling to Jerusalem (2 Kings 14:24). He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah according to the prophecy of Jonah, son of Amittai (2 Kings 14:25). This came about because God had compassion on His afflicted people (2 Kings 14:26-27). He even helped Jeroboam II regain control over Damascus and Hamath (2 Kings 14:28). When he died, his son Zechariah became King of Israel (2 Kings 14:29). Jerusalem. Since the days of David, the Capital City of Israel. (See a map locating Jerusalem; see a map of Ancient Jerusalem; another map of Old Jerusalem; see a map of modern Jerusalem.) We first hear of the city when Abram encountered Melchizedek, King -Priest of Salem, and gave him a tithe of all he had captured in his rescue of Lot and the people of Sodom (Gen. 14:18-24). The name "Jerusalem" first appears in Scripture in Joshua 10:5. David and his men captured the city, also called Zion, from the Jebusites. David made the fortress his home, calling it the "City of David," and built up the city around the citadel. Later, with the guidance of God, King Solomon, David's son and successor, built a beautiful temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1-7:51). In the seventh and eighth centuries A.D., Islam conquered the area and defiled the Temple Mount by building on it the Dome of the Rock shrine. When Israel was reconstituted as a viable state on May 14, 1948. Eleven minutes later, President Harry S. Truman was the first national leader to recognize the newly reconstituted nation. On December 5, 1949 Israel declared Jerusalem as its "eternal and sacred" capital. In December of 2017 President Donald Trump was the first U. S. President with the fortitude to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and began the process to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. One day, perhaps sooner than we think, Israel will build a temple to God on the Temple Mount, but the Antichrist, the "Man of Lawlessness," will defile it (Dan. 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:3-4). King Jesus will defeat all Israel's and Jerusalem's enemies when He returns (Zech. 14:1-5, 8-11, 16-19). He will reside in Jerusalem and the Millennial Temple, and people from all over the world will travel there to listen to His decrees and messages (Isa. 2:1-4). His kingdom will last a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6). Satan will be released from the Abyss at the end of the Millennium and will deceive multitudes to surround Jerusalem to destroy the King and His Administration and Followers (Rev. 20:7-10). They will be obliterated. God will destroy the existing universe (2 Pet. 3:7-12) and will create New Heavens and a New Earth (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1), the capital city of which will be New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2). That enormous city will be the eternal capital city of Israel and the home of the Church, the Bride of Christ (Rev. 19:7-9; 21:2, 9-11). Redeemed from among the nations will inhabit New Earth and have ready access to New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10-22:5), whose enormous and beautiful gates will be open around the clock. See an off-site discussion of Jerusalem, "What is the Significance of the City of Jerusalem?" Jerusalem Council. The all-important assembly of the leaders of the Church to determine whether or not the Church should compel Gentile believers to be circumcised according to the demands of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 17:1-14) and the Mosaic Law (Ex. 24:1-12). The decision was a firm NO. They did not place the Gentile believers under the Law, nor did they compel them to be circumcised. Instead they asked the Gentile believers to refrain from certain things that would be especially objectionable to Jewish people. This whole event is recorded in Acts 15:1-29. Jesus. The name "Yahweh is Salvation" assigned to the firstborn son of the virgin Mary by an unnamed messenger of the LORD who appeared to her betrothed, Joseph, a son of David, in a dream (Matt. 1:18-21). The Apostle John spoke of the Word of God (John 1:1), who was existing in the beginning (John 1:1), who was existing with God (John 1:1), and who was being God (John 1:1). "This One was existing in the beginning with God (John 1:2). All things came into existence through the agency of this Word of God, and without Him nothing came into existence that has come into existence (John 1:3). In this One was existing life, and the life was being the light of men" (John 1:4).... "And the Word became flesh and lived among us," John testified, "and we beheld His glory – glory as from the only-born from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).... "No one has seen God at any time. The only-born God, the One being in the bosom of the Father – that One explained Him" (John 1:18). The Scriptures reveal that this eternally pre-existing Word of God became flesh by being deposited by the Holy Spirit as an embryo in the womb of Mary, who gave birth to Him in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7) as predicted by the Scriptures (Matt. 2:1-6; Micah 5:2). Jesus grew to be a man of about thirty years of age, at which point he was baptized by John the Dipper in the Jordan River (Matt. 3:13-15). After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately out of the water. The heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and alighting upon Him. He also heard a voice from heaven which said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:16-17). This was God's official act of anointing Jesus with His Spirit, which marked out Jesus as being the Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah. After successfully and impeccably enduring Satan's temptation (Matt. 4:1-11), Jesus began His three-year ministry to Israel as God's Ultimate Anointed Prophet (Matt. 4:12-17; Matt. 4:18-25:46). Thereafter, preparations were made by the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus, unwittingly assisting in His being sacrificed as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (Matt. 26:1-27:66; John 1:29). But God raised Him from the dead (Matt. 28:1-10). He appeared to His disciples and instructed them to disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:16-20). Then He ascended to heaven (Luke 24:50-53), where He is seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1; Heb. 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22), serving now for 2,000 years as God's Ultimate High Priest, interceding for His followers (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:23-25). When He returns to this earth, He will rule for a thousand years in Jerusalem, Israel, reigning as God's Ultimate King (Zech. 14:1-5, 9, 16-19; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 19:11-20:6). Jesus Christ. The human name, Jesus (Iēsoûs, 2424), of God's eternal Word (lógos, 3056) (John 1:1-3, 14) combined with His missional title, Christ (Christós, 5547) the ultimate Anointed One, anointed supremely with and by God's Spirit to be the Ultimate Prophet, Ultimate Priest, and Ultimate King. Technically, a more accurate translation would be "Jesus, the Christ." Pilate correctly identified Jesus as the one who is called "Christ" (Matt. 27:17, 22). The name Jesus, (Iēsoûs, 2424), is the Greek equivalent of the OT name Joshua (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8), Yehôshûa‛ (3091). It means Jehovah (Yahweh) is Salvation" or "Yahweh Saves." A messenger from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife, for she was to give birth to a son, and Joseph was to call His name "Jesus," "for He will save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:20, 21). In the Gospel accounts He is most frequently identified as simply "Jesus." In the epistles, He is more frequently identified with the title "Christ," as in "Jesus Christ" (1 Tim. 1:16), or sometimes "Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 1:1, 14), and sometimes also with the title "Lord" kúrios (2962), "Lord, Master," as in "Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Tim. 6:3, 14), or "Christ Jesus, our Lord" (1 Tim. 1:2, 12). Jesse. A man of Bethlehem who was the father of David, who became, arguably, Israel's greatest reigning king to date. However, David is a long-term father of Israel's truly greatest King, Jesus, who has yet to sit upon David's throne. Jesus brought redemption and forgiveness at His first coming. At His second coming, He will bring conquest, judgment, and victory to the people of Israel. He will be accompanied in His Millennial Reign by His bride, the Church, composed of believing Gentiles and Jewish people. Jesse was the son of Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:16-22). God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse, the Bethlehemite, for He had selected a king for Himself among his sons (1 Sam. 16:1). Seven sons of Jesse passed before Samuel, but the LORD had not chosen any of them (1 Sam. 16:10). The seventh son, David, was herding sheep. When he arrived in the room, the LORD indicated this was the one He had chosen. Samuel anointed him, and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him from that day forward (1 Sam. 16:11-13). David was sometimes known as "the son of Jesse" (1 Sam. 17:58; 20:27, 30-31; 22:7-9, 13; 25:10; 2 Sam. 20:1; 23:1; 1 Kings 12:16, etc.). Isaiah predicted that a shoot would spring from the stem of Jesse (Isa. 11:1, 10). This is a prediction of Jesus of Nazareth, David's most important descendant. (December 20, 2024) Jew, Jewish. The preferred self-designation of sons and daughters of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob is the term Jewish. In the NT, both the term Jew and the term Jewish come from the noun Ioudaîos (2453). Jewish people consider the term "Jew" to be pejorative because of centuries of Anti-Semitism. It is not, technically, proper to call a Jewish person living abroad from Israel "Israeli." That term designates someone who has Israeli citizenship and, typically, is living within the State of Israel. However, from WordExplain's perspective, all Jewish people are really Israelis, theologically speaking. Jewishness is, for some Jewish people, merely a culture. They may or may not go to synagogue, but they definitely constitute a cultural and perhaps economic bloc. Many Jewish people in the United States associate with the Democratic political Party. That has never ceased to amaze me, for the Democratic party as a whole is no friend of the nation of Israel. An increasing number of Jewish people are emigrating to Israel and residing there. Theologically speaking, that will only increase, especially after the horrors of the Tribulation period. See, for example, the article entitled, "The Glory of Israel in the Millennium and Throughout Eternity." See the term Aliyah which describes the return of Jewish people to the land of Israel. Jezebel. Evil queen of Israel, wife of King Ahab, daughter of Ethbaal, King of the Sidonians (1 Kings 16:31). "Jezebel" means "dunghill." According to Constable, this must have been a name assigned to her by the Israelis. Ahab's marriage to Jezebel seems to have brought out the worst in Ahab. In fact, the Scriptures state that Jezebel incited Ahab to do evil (1 Kings 21:25). After his marriage to her, Ahab not only continued to walk in the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, but he deliberately chose to serve Baal and worship him (1 Kings 16:31). He built a temple for Baal in Samaria and erected an altar for Baal within the temple. Jezebel was so evil she ordered the murder of the prophets of Yahweh (1 Kings 18:4). A godly man named Obadiah secretly preserved alive 100 of them (1 Kings 18:13). So adamantly did Jezebel wage war against Yahweh that she subsidized at her table 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah (1 Kings 18:19). 450 prophets of Baal responded to Elijah's challenge, and when the God of Israel supernaturally defeated the prophets of Baal, Elijah ordered their deaths (1 Kings 18:20-40). Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah that she would have him killed (1 Kings 19:1-2). Elijah escaped. Later, Ahab desired the vineyard of Naboth of Jezreel. Naboth refused to sell it. Ahab sulked (1 Kings 21:1-4). Jezebel arranged false testimony against Naboth that resulted in his death (1 Kings 21:5-14). Then Jezebel told Ahab to take possession of Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21:15-16). God sent Elijah to reprimand Ahab in his ill-gotten vineyard. He predicted Ahab's demise and also prophesied, "The dogs will eat Jezebel in the district of Jezreel" (1 Kings 21:17-24). Later, the prophet Elisha called one of the sons of the prophets to anoint Jehu king over Israel. He did so, and prophesied to Jehu, "You shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel" (2 Kings 9:1-7). Then he prophesied, "The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her" (2 Kings 9:10). Jehu responded immediately, heading with a company of men toward Jezreel to meet King Joram. Joram asked Jehu if he came in peace. Jehu responded, "What peace, so long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?" (2 Kings 9:22). Jehu killed both Joram and Ahaziah, King of Judah (2 Kings 9:24, 27-28). When he arrived at Jezreel, Jezebel made herself pretty and looked out the window, accusing Jehu of murder. Jehu called for anyone on his side to throw her out the window. Two or three officials did so. When Jehu thought to bury her, they found nothing but her skull and her feet and the palms of her hands. Then Jehu remembered the prophecy against Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30-37). Joash, King of Judah (835-796 BC). The king of Judah who was saved from murder by his grandmother Athaliah and protected by the priest Jehoiada and his wife Jehoshabeath (aunt of Joash) for six years in the temple. At that time Jehoiada had Joash brought out of hiding, and with the protection of the Levites and leaders of the military anointed and crowned Joash as King of Judah. Murderous Athaliah was put to death at the command of Jehoiada. As long as Jehoiada was alive, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD under the tutelage of the priest (2 Kings 12:1-3). Joash, with the assistance of Jehoida, prodded the repair of the temple (1 Kings 12:4-16). Tragically, after Jehoiada died, Joash turned against God. He abandoned the temple, and he revived idol and Asherah worship in Judah. Consequently wrath came from the LORD upon Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chron. 24:17-18). Neither Joash nor the people listened to the prophets God sent (2 Chron. 24:19). The Spirit of God sent Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest to prophesy to the people. He asked why they transgressed God's commandments so that they were not prospering. Because they had forsaken Yahweh, Yahweh had forsaken them (2 Chron. 24:20)!Tragically, Joash ordered the murder of the son of the man who had saved his life (2 Chron. 24:21-22)! As Divine discipline / punishment, God sent the Arameans against Judah and Jerusalem. Though the Israeli army was much larger, God made sure the Arameans defeated the Israelis (2 Chron. 24:23-24)! Apparently, Joash bribed Hazael, King of Aram, to depart from Jerusalem by using gold and other treasures from the temple treasuries (1 Kings 12:17-18). After the Arameans departed, Joash was bedridden with injuries from the battle. His own servants conspired against him and killed him in his bed because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his stead. The question arises in one's mind: Was Joash ever truly a believer in God? He certainly followed God under the guidance of Jehoiada. But once Jehoiada was gone he followed the advice of Godless people and turned against God, worshiping Asherim, and even murdering the son of his former savior and mentor. It makes me wonder. But this we know: Jesus, the Judge of all the earth will make the final determination. Incidentally, we could ask the same question about Solomon. He certainly departed from the LORD, facilitating the worship of foreign gods. And he would have murdered Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to avoid being murdered. Joash, King of Israel (798-792 BC). We first encounter Jehoash (Joash), son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel in the Scriptures in 2 Kings 13:10-13. It is stated there that he became king in the 37th year of Joash, king of Judah, and that he reigned sixteen years (2 Kings 13:10). Sadly, he committed evil in the sight of the LORD, persisting in the false worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan begun by Jeroboam I (2 Kings 13:12). When the prophet Elisha fell ill with his final illness, Joash came to visit him and was overcome with emotion (2 Kings 13:14). Elisha told Joash to shoot an arrow out the window. When he did so Elisha announced it was the LORD's arrow of victory over the Arameans (2 Kings 13:15-17)! Elisha then commanded Joash to grab the remaining arrows and strike the ground. Joash evidently struck the ground half-heartedly only three times. Elisha was angry. "You should have struck the ground five or six times, for then you would have destroyed Aram completely! As it is, you will only defeat the Arameans three times (2 Kings 13:18-19). Later, Joash was challenged to a battle by Amaziah, king of Judah (2 Kings 14:8). Jehoash warned Amaziah not to attempt to fight (2 Kings 14:9-10). But Amaziah would not listen, so the two kings faced each other at Beth Shemesh of Judah (2 Kings 14:11). Israel routed Judah. Jehoash captured Amaziah, tore down the wall of Jerusalem, raided the valuables from the Temple and from the king's house, took hostages, and returned to Samaria (2 Kings 14:12-14). This was a judgment on Amaziah because after he had defeated the Edomites, he imported the gods of the sons of Seir, set them up as gods, and began to worship them (2 Chron. 25:14-16, 20). Finally, Joash slept with his fathers. His son, Jeroboam II sat on his throne, and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel (2 Kings 13:12-13). A lesson we learn from this king is that, if one serves the Lord half-heartedly, he will miss out on blessings and useful service. We glean this principle from Joash's encounter with the prophet Elisha. Job. A Godly saint who suffered a great deal at the hand of God and wondered why in the book that bears his name. He may have written the book of Job, but we are uncertain as to who the author was. We are perhaps more certain as to approximately when the book was written. One clue is the terminology for God. The generic Elohim (430) is used 17X in the book. The much more specific Yahweh (3068) is used 32X. This is the name especially revealed to Moses as the Israeli name for God (Exod. 3:13-16). However, long before Moses' conversation with God, that name appeared in the book of Genesis 165X. Ryrie has some good comments on the supposition that the time of the events of the book was during the patriarachal period: (1) Job lived more than 140 years
(Job 42:16), a not uncommon life span during the patriarchal period; (2)
the eonomy of Job's day, in which wealth was measured in terms of
livetock (Job 1:3), was the type that existed in this period; (3) like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
Job was the priest of his famly (Job 1:5); (4) the absence of any reference to
the nation Israel or the Mosaic Law suggests a pre-Mosaic date (before
1500 B.C.).
The theme of the Book of Job is "The Sovereignty of God in Human Suffering." The book wrestles with the subject of why good people suffer. The reader is told the reason for Job's suffering, but Job never was. God and Satan engaged in a sort of bet as to whether Satan could, through suffering, cause Job to turn his back on God and reject him. Satan inflicted enormous amounts of suffering upon Job by depriving him of all his children and virtually all of his possessions. Furthermore, God permitted Satan to inflict incalculable physical suffering on Job. Job's three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were convinced that God was punishing Job for some secret sin. Job protested his innocence. He wished he could argue with God face to face and was most concerned about vindicating his own character. In the end, God appeared to Job and emphasized His own wisdom and sovereignty, never once explaining why He had done what He had done. In the end, Job repented of his hasty words with God. God restored to him twice as much as he had before, and replaced his ten dead children with ten new children. The prophet Ezekiel describes Job as a real, historical figure who was righteous, and on a par with Noah and Daniel (Ezek. 14:14, 20). James holds up Job as a model of patient endurance, along with portraying God as exhibiting compassion and mercy (James 5:11). Joel. The son of Pethuel (Joel 1:1). Joel's name means "Yahweh is God." We know very little about Joel, other than that he was a prophet (one of the twelve Minor Prophets) to whom the word of the LORD came (Joel 1:1). Joel probably prophesied around 835 B.C. during the reign of the young King Jehoash (RSB). Alternatively, he may have prophesied during the reign of Joash's grandfather, King Jehoshaphat (872-848 B.C.) (Constable). Joel prophesied of calamities to come upon "all inhabitants of the land" (Joel 1:1, 14; 2:1) of Israel. He spoke five times of the nearness of "the day of the LORD" (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14), a time of terrible judgment to befall not only Israel, but all the world. The first disaster of which Joel spoke was an unprecedented plague of locusts that the nation had experienced (see the use of the perfect tenses), apparently recently (Joel 1:1-14). This locust plague was subsequently followed by drought and fire (Joel 1:15-20). This Joel terms "the day of the LORD" (Joel 1:15). In a second and third reference to "the day of the LORD" (Joel 2:1, 11), the prophet seems to picture a relentlessly invading human army (Joel 2:1-11) under the guise of the previously invading locust horde (Joel 1:1-14). Even so, the LORD pleads with Israel to return to Him with all their hearts (Joel 2:12-14). Let the people proclaim a fast to turn back to God (Joel 2:15-17). Yahweh promises He will restore the land of Israel to a state of plenty and productivity. Then they will know He is Yahweh their God, and they will never be put to shame (Joel 2:18-27). This will take place during the Millennial reign of the Messiah. During this time He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Israel's sons and daughters will prophesy. Dreams and visions will be commonplace (Joel 2:28-29). This was partially, but not completely fulfilled at the founding of the Church (Acts 2:17-21). Moreover, during the Tribulation prior to Christ's Kingdom, God "will display wonders in the sky and on the earth – blood, fire and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes." "And ... whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered" (Joel 2:30-32). When God restores the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 3:1), He will gather all nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat and enter into judgment with them. He will do so because they have scattered His people among the nations and have divided up the land of Israel, God's land (Joel 3:2-3). He will call the nations of the earth to the Battle of Armageddon, shedding their blood without mercy (Joel 3:9-14; cf. Rev. 14:14-20; 16:13-16). The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness as the LORD rescues the sons of Israel and dwells in Zion, His holy mountain (Joel 3:15-17). When Messiah reigns from Mount Zion, the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. The brooks of Judah will flow with water, and a spring will well up from the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem to water the valley of Shittim, a dry valley near the northern end of the Dead Sea (cf. Ezek. 47:1-12; Zech. 14:8). Egypt and Edom will become a waste and wilderness, but Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem for all generations. Yahweh will avenge the blood of His people, for He will dwell in Zion (Joel 3:18-21) (See the author's "Brief Outlines of Joel"; his "Analysis of Joel"; and his "Annotated Outline of Joel.") John the Apostle. One of the three inner circle of Jesus' closest disciples, and the author of John's Gospel, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and the book of Revelation. What we know about John is pieced together primarily from the gospels, from the book of Acts, and from John's writings. Part of the difficulty in this process is that not one of the gospel writers identified himself by name. This was customary in that day. However, the gospel writers were not hesitant to mention others by name. (See the author's Analytical Outlines: Gospel of John; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John; Revelation. See also the author's Expanded, Annotated Outlines of Gospel of John; 1 John; Revelation.) There are subtle hints about John's identity in the Gospel of John. More about that later. We gain explicit information about John, however, from the other gospel writers. Matthew identified John as the brother of James, "the one of Zebedee," both of whom were sons of their father Zebedee. All three participated in the family fishing business. Jesus called them (Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19), and immediately they left their boat and followed Him (Matt. 4:22; Mark 1:20). Later, Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal every kind of disease (Matt. 10:1). Since He would be sending them out on healing / preaching missions, they were identified as Apostles. The names of the twelve Apostles included James, son of Zebedee, and John his brother (Matt. 10:2; Luke 6:13-14). John, along with Peter and James, was one of the three inner circle (Luke 8:51) whom Jesus took along so they could witness His transfiguration, a preview of the yet coming Millennial kingdom (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:28-36). John and his brother James possessed an explosive element in their personalities (Luke 9:54). Perhaps this is why Jesus nick-named them "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). Later, John, along with James, Peter, and Andrew (Mark 13:3) requested a private explanation from Jesus about the future in what we now call the Olivet Discourse (Mark 13:1-36). Hours before His death, Jesus sent John and Peter to prepare the Passover (Luke 22:8). These two were often mentioned together (Acts 3:1, 3, 4, 11; 4:13, 19; 8:14). Shortly thereafter, John, along with his brother James and Peter, were among the three that Jesus took aside for special prayer support during His traumatic distress in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to His crucifixion (Mark 14:32-34). Now let us identify what we can learn about John from the Gospel that bears his name. There were two disciples of John the Immerser who heard John identify Jesus as "the Lamb of God" (John 1:35-36). These two disciples gained a private audience with Jesus (John 1:37-39). This is the only gospel that recorded this encounter. The writer identified one of the men as Andrew, Simon Peter's brother (John 1:40). The other remained unidentified. But it makes the most sense to identify this unnamed former disciple of John the Immerser who began to follow Jesus and later became His disciple as John the Apostle. Jesus evidently had a special affinity for John. As He was dying on the cross, Jesus gave the care and keeping of his mother into the hands of the disciple whom He loved (John 19:26-27). By the end of John's gospel, we can deduce the identity of that person – evidently the Apostle John. In the final chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus appeared to several disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1). Those present included Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (one of whom was John), and two unnamed disciples (John 21:2). After a miraculous catch of fish (John 21:4-6), the disciple whom Jesus loved told Peter it was the Lord (John 21:7). After Jesus' prediction of Peter's death (John 21:18-19), Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, and so he asked, "Lord, and what about this man?" (John 21:20-21). This man is also identified as the one who had leaned back on Jesus' bosom and had asked the identity of the betrayer (John 21:20; 13:23-25). Jesus told Peter not to worry about this man's destiny (John 21:22-23). This unnamed disciple, who by all evidence appears to be none other than John the Apostle, is the author of the book that bears his name (John 21:24). He claimed to have seen Jesus' glory (John 1:14), and personally encountered Jesus (1 John 1:1-4). After Jesus' ascension into heaven and the founding of the Church John was present with Peter at the latter's healing of the lame beggar at the gate of the temple called "Beautiful" (Acts 3:1-11; 4:13, 19). John later accompanied Peter to incorporate officially the believing Samaritans into the Church (Acts 8:14). The Apostle Paul recognized John as being one of the pillars of the Church (Gal. 2:9). The person who wrote 1 John does not identify himself. Church history identified the author as John. There is no reason to doubt the opinions of Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian. The person who wrote the letters of 2 John and 3 John identified himself simply as "The Elder" (2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1). This is a very fitting self-description for John who, likely was the last surviving Apostle. In humility he identified himself not as "the Apostle," but as "the Elder." Early church tradition cited the Apostle John as the author. There is no valid reason for contradicting that tradition. The author of the Book of Revelation identified himself as "John" (Rev. 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8), writing "to the seven churches that are in Asia" (Rev. 1:4). There is no valid reason for stating that this author was anyone other than John the Apostle. John witnessed the visions that culminated in this final book of the New Testament when he was on the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9). There follows here a quotation from Thomas Constable: Some
of the early church fathers (Clement of Alexandria, Eusebius, Irenaeus,
and Victorinus) wrote that the Apostle John
experienced exile on the
island of Patmos during Domitian's reign. They wrote that the
government allowed John to return to Ephesus after Emperor Domitian's
death in A.D. 96. Consequently many conservative interpreters date the
writing of this book near A.D. 95 or 96.
I accept this view as valid. See the Glossary entry for more information about the term "Apostle." John the Baptist, more accurately, John the Immerser. The herald or forerunner of Jesus the Messiah. A word of explanation is in order. This John is typically called "John the Baptist." But the translators have been less than forthcoming in their failure to translate this word. Why did they fail to translate it? Because the Church, at some point, began improperly baptizing infants, a practice nowhere supported in the NT. Few are going to immerse infants, so to ameliorate the inherent inappropriateness of immersing infants, the church elected to disguise the meaning of the word "immerse" by simply not translating. The Greek text refers to "John the Immerser" (Matt. 3:1), where "Immerser" actually translates literally the noun baptistês (910), referring to one who dips or immerses or submerges. This truth can more readily be illustrated by observing the lexical entry at Mark 1:4, where John is identified as "John, the one immersing," where "immersing" is the Nominative Masculine Singular Present Active Participle of the verb baptídzō (907), which means, "to dip or submerge." John is the one who, according to three gospel writers, was predicted by Isaiah the Prophet in Isa. 40:3-5. This prophecy consisted of a call to prepare the way for Messiah's advents (Isa. 40:3-5). (1) There would be a voice calling for the preparation of a highway for Yahweh in the wilderness (Isa. 40:3). (2) There would be a voice calling for the removal of impediments for Yahweh (Isa. 40:4). (3) There was a prediction of the revelation of the glory of Yahweh that would be seen by all humanity (Isa. 40:5). (This glory would be viewed in muted form in the Messiah's First Advent, but completely unveiled at His Second Advent (2 Thess. 1:9-10.) Matthew (Matt. 3:1-3), Mark (Mark 1:1-3), and Luke (Luke 3:2-6) all relate the prediction of the King's Herald to its fulfillment in John the Immerser (Matt. 3:1; Mark 1:4), though Luke does not give him that precise title. John had a most unusual birth, predicted by the angel Gabriel. He was to be born to a barren mother, Elizabeth and a skeptical, priestly father, Zacharias. Gabriel told Zacharias his son would be "great in the sight of the Lord." He would be filled with the Spirit even while yet in his mother's womb (Luke 1:14-15). He would turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God (Luke 1:16). He would go in advance before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). He would succeed in turning the hearts of the fathers back to the children (Luke 1:17; cf. Mal. 4:6), and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous (Luke 1:17), and to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17). John did just that, having come to the region bordering the Jordan River, announcing an immersion signifying a change of mind resulting in the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). John warned the crowd not merely to go through the motions of a professed change of mind, but to perform appropriate deeds. Otherwise they were in danger of fiery judgment (Luke 3:7-9). When pressed, he gave them examples of appropriate responses (Luke 3:10-14). The people were wondering whether or not he were the Christ (Luke 3:15). John responded, "I indeed immerse you with water. But there is one coming who is stronger than I, of whom I am not worthy to unloose the strap of his sandals. He will immerse you with the Holy Spirit and fire, whose winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clean his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with inextinguishable fire" (Luke 3:16-17, author's translation). John introduced two of his disciples to Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:35-36). In Jesus' estimation, there was no one born who was greater than John the Immerser (Matt. 11:11). Yet, the one least in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he (Matt. 11:11). What did Jesus mean? John was as great as any alive in his day. Yet the least important person to live in the still future kingdom of the heavens would be greater than he. This is true in that John did not labor and live in the kingdom of the heavens. He merely invited people to prepare for it. Even today, we in the Church Age, despite our great salvation, do not yet live in the kingdom of the heavens! It is still future. The greatness of living in that future kingdom here upon earth is unimaginable! Thus, John served to prepare a segment of the sons of Israel for spiritual purification, permitting them, eventually, to enter the kingdom of the heavens over which Jesus would eventually be the King. Jonah. God's greatest, but most reluctant, OT
missionary to the
Gentiles. Jonah, son of Amittai (Jon.
1:1), was a servant of Yahweh,
the God of Israel, a prophet
who hailed from the town of Gath-Hepher (2
Kings 14:25) in the territory allotted to the sons of Zebulun
(Josh.
19:10-13), about fifteen
miles due west of the Sea of Galilee. Jonah evidently
prophesied on God's behalf to the Northern Kingdom (Samaria)
during the
reign of Jeroboam II (793-753
B.C.) (2
Kings 14:23-25).
Yahweh commissioned Jonah to take a message of impending judgment to Nineveh (Jon. 1:1-2), a major city of the Assyrian Empire on the east bank of the Tigris River, some 550 miles northeast of Samaria. Jonah, however fled the opposite direction, sailing for Tarshish, 2500 miles west of Joppa (Jon. 1:3). Jonah's stated reason for disobeying was that He knew God is merciful, and that the Ninevites might well repent and be spared God's judgment (Jon. 4:1-2). It is difficult for Gentile readers today to fathom Jonah's motivation. My conjecture is that, as a prophet, Jonah knew that one day Assyria was destined to conquer and destroy his own people. If Nineveh itself were destroyed, Jonah reasoned, that future disaster for his own country would be averted. Yahweh impeded Jonah's flight, and he was hurled into the raging sea to save the lives of the mariners (Jon. 1:4-15). The immediately-becalmed sea resulted in the salvation of the mariners (Jon. 1:16). Meanwhile Yahweh had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, saving him from drowning (Jon. 1:17). In a psalm of prayer composed inside the fish's belly, Jonah described his near demise and prayer of repentance, and vowed to obey (Jon. 2:1-9). At this, the fish disgorged Jonah onto dry land (Jon. 2:10). True to his vow, Jonah delivered the message of impending judgment to the Ninevites. They miraculously repented, and God spared them from disastrous judgment (Jon. 3). Jonah was greatly displeased with Yahweh for sparing the lives of the Ninevites, and requested to die (Jon. 4:1-4). Jonah stationed himself outside the city to see what would happen (Jon 4:5). God prepared a plant that shaded Jonah, a blessing for which he was grateful (Jon. 4:6). But God also appointed a worm that killed the gourd, and Jonah lost his shade, once again requesting death (Jon. 4:7-8). God asked Jonah if he was justified in feeling angry about the plant (Jon. 4:9). Jonah said he had good reason to be angry about the loss of the plant. Then Yahweh pointed out Jonah's compassion for a mere plant that he had neither made nor caused to grow. If Jonah was justified in his compassion for the plant, was not Yahweh justified in having compassion on 120,000 children and even the animals of Nineveh (Jon. 4:10-12)? Jonah never answered Yahweh's question. But he he evidently internalized the message. He wrote the book. Cynical critics question the historicity of the book and the authorship of Jonah. Jesus did not, stating that Jonah's three days in the belly of the fish was a sign of His own impending death and resurrection (Matt. 12:38-41; 16:4; Luke 11:29-32). See the Condensed Outline of Jonah, the Outline of Jonah, and the Annotated Outline of Jonah. Jordan River. The river extending from above Lake Huleh southward to the Dead Sea. It "begins at the junction of four streams (the Bareighit, the Hasbany, the Leddan, and the Banias), in the upper part of the plain of Lake Huleh." Lake Huleh is but seven feet above sea level, while the Dead Sea is presently 1385 feet below sea level, the lowest place on earth. "The Jordan Valley is an element of a great rift which extends from Syria to the Red Sea and continues through a large portion of Eastern Africa." After Israel's conquest of the land promised her by God, the Jordan separated the 9 1/2 tribes on the west from the 2 1/2 tribes on the east side of the river, also termed "Transjordan." The Hashemite kingdom of Jordan now occupies the eastern side of the Jordan while the western side belongs to Israel. In the future Israel will control the east side of the Jordan (Zeph. 2:9-10). Naaman, a general in the Syrian Army, dipped seven times in the waters of the Jordan and was healed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-19). The Sea of Galilee, in the Jordan Valley, was frequented by Jesus during His lifetime (Matt. 4:18, 23). John the Baptist, the Herald of King Jesus, baptized in the Jordan (Mark 1:4-5). Jesus himself was baptized by John there (Mark 1:9). Joseph of Arimathea. A wealthy, but fearful disciple of Jesus from the Jewish town of Arimathea (Matt. 27:57). He was a respected member of the Sanhedrin, the Ruling Council of Israel (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50). He was waiting for the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:51). After the death of Jesus, Joseph gathered his courage and went to Pilate, asking to take possession of Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the centurion and inquired as to whether or not he was actually dead. Being assured that was the case, he granted Joseph permission. Joseph brought a linen shroud and, with the assistance of Nicodemus, wrapped the body, along with the burial spices Nicodemus had brought. Then they laid the body in Joseph's new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock. They rolled a large stone in the entrance of the tomb and departed. They had to hurry because sundown ushering in the Sabbath was approaching. The Scriptures which describe the actions of Joseph include Matt. 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42. After the departure of the men Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary"– "Mary, the mother of Joses" – remained sitting opposite the grave (Matt. 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:54-56). Joseph, husband of Mary. The presumed father of Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 3:23). Joseph lived in Nazareth, in Galilee (Luke 2:4). He was a man of the house of David (Luke 1:27) who was betrothed to be married to a virgin named Mary (Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:27), also a descendant of David (Rom. 1:3). When Joseph found that Mary, his intended, was pregnant, he was minded to terminate the relationship privately. He did not wish to shame Mary publicly because he was a righeous man (Matt. 1:19). However, an angel appeared to him by night reassured him, telling not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because what had been conceived within her was of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20). Awakening from sleep, Joseph obeyed the angel of the Lord and took Mary as his wife (Matt. 1:24). Joseph's alacrity in obeying the angel of the Lord turned out to be crucial. After the magi had departed Bethlehem, an angel appeared to him in a dream urging him to take the child and his mother to Egypt, because Herod was going to search for the child to kill him (Matt. 2:13). Joseph got up in the middle of the night and left for Egypt, remaining there until the death of Herod (Matt. 2:14-15). After Herod had died an angel again appeared to Joseph, instructing him to return to the land of Israel. He did so (Matt. 2:19-21). When he heard that Archelaus was reigning in the stead of his father, he was afraid to return to Bethlehem. Being warned by God in a dream, he left for Nazareth. This fulfilled the Scriptures (Matt. 2:22-23). Later on, when Jesus was twelve years old, the family were attending the Feast of Passover, as was their custom. After the Feast, the family began their trek home. The parents assumed Jesus was with his friends or relatives. That evening, they did not find him anywhere. Distraught, the parents returned to Jerusalem. All in all, it took them three days to find him! They found him in the temple, sitting and listening to the teachers, and asking them questions. All the scholars were amazed at his answers! But the parents were indignant. Mary asked him why he had treated them the way he had! Jesus asked, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house? He accompanied them and they returned to Nazareth. Joseph was evidently a carpenter, and Jesus was identified as "the carpenter's son" (Matt. 13:55). Joseph evidently had fulfilled God's plan for him to be a substitute human father to the Son of God. We do not hear of him again. Presumably he died before Jesus began His public ministry. Joseph, son of Jacob. The favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. Because Joseph was his favorite son, Jacob allotted Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, tribal portions in the promised land. Jacob, operating as a prophet, promoted the second-born son of Joseph, Ephraim, over the first-born, Manasseh. Joseph is one of the few people in the Scripture about which nothing evil is stated. Some will reply that Joseph was a spoiled brat, but I think that is misreading the evidence. Joseph may have been somewhat naive, but he faithfully promoted good-will and obedience toward his father, something his brothers did not do. Even though his brothers despised him and sold him as a slave to Egypt, never expecting to see him again, God had other plans. Joseph was promoted to top slave of his master Potiphar. When the latter's lustful wife dreamed up false charges against Joseph, Potiphar threw him into prison. While there Joseph was promoted to top prisoner under the warden. Displaying his God-given ability to interpret dreams, Joseph finally appeared before Pharaoh to interpret his bizarre dreams. He correctly predicted seven years of famine, followed by seven years of plenty. Not only that, God had given Joseph exceptional administrative skills. On the spot had outlined for Pharaoh a master plan for Egypt to survive the famine. Moved by God, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of everything. In the process, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph engineered a plan to test their loyalty to their father. They could all go free, but would be forced to leave their father's replacement favorite son, Benjamin, in Egypt. Led by Judah, the brothers demonstrated they had had a change of heart. After revealing their new character, Joseph was tearfully reunited with his brothers. The entire family moved to Egypt, and a place of safety, at least for awhile. As Joseph said to his brothers after the death of their father, Jacob, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones" (Gen. 50:19-21). Joshua. Personal aide to Moses; military general of Israel's army; leader of Israel after the death of Moses; presumed author of the book that bears his name. According to Constable, "The date of the Exodus was probably about 1446 B.C. (cf. 1 Kings 6:1). Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness (Exod. 16:35; Num. 14:33-34). Thus Israel crossed the Jordan and entered the land about 1406 B.C. The Book of Joshua, therefore, begins with events in or very close to the year 1406 B. C." We first meet Joshua, the son of Nun (Exod. 33:11) when Moses asked him to lead Israel's military to fight against Amalek (Exod. 17:8-16). Joshua is termed Moses' servant (Exod. 24:13), and he evidenced a strong fervor for God (Exod. 33:11). He was one of the twelve spies Moses sent out, at God's command, to assess the land of Canaan (Num. 13:1-16) (cf. Num. 13:8, 16). Tragically, ten of the spies repudiated God's ability to give Israel victory over the land's inhabitants, and the people repudiated Moses' leadership (Num. 13:25-33; 14:1-4). Only Caleb (Num. 13:30) and Joshua from among the spies lobbied for Israel's ability to conquer the inhabitants with God's help (Num. 14:5-10). Only Caleb and Joshua of that generation would enter the land (Num. 14:30). When Moses was about to die (Num. 27:12-14), God instructed him to appoint Joshua as the new leader (Num. 27:15-23). The Book of Joshua I have entitled, "The Arduous Task of Taking Possession of God's Gifts." The key verses are Joshua 1:1-9. I. Chapters 1-5 I have entitled "Preparations for Battle in the Land of Canaan." These preparations include espionage, the crossing of the Jordan (Josh. 3-4), and the spiritual reorientation of the nation (Josh. 5). II. Chapters 6-12 are "The Campaigns of Canaan." The Southern Campaign is covered in Josh. 6-10, the Northern Campaign in Josh. 11, and a Summary of the conquests in Josh. 12. III. Chapters 13-21 cover "The Tribal Distribution of the Conquered Land of Canaan." There was a physical description of the boundaries of the TransJordan territories for the 2 1/2 tribes (Josh. 13:8-33), followed by the apportionment in Canaan for the 9 1/2 tribes (Josh. 14:1-21:45). IV. The final segment, Chapters 22-24 is "The Departure to Settle the Land of Canaan." Joshua blessed the 2 1/2 tribes (Josh. 22:1-9). There was a resolution of the altar controversy (Josh. 22:10-34), and Joshua's final remarks to the newly situated nation (Josh. 23:1-24:33). For additional study, see the author's Brief Outlines of Joshua and Analysis of Joshua. Josiah (640-608 BC). An exceptionally good king of Judah, the last good king before Judah's Babylonian Exile. JTB. James T. Bartsch, the author / editor / publisher of WordExplain.com. Judah. Jacob and Leah's fourth son (Gen.29:35); later, the Tribe of Israel who were descendants of Jacob's son Judah (Num. 1:26, 27); still later, the Southern Kingdom of the nation of Israel after the division of the nation under Solomon's son, King Rehoboam; still later, Judea, the Southern Portion of the nation of Israel as opposed to the Northern Portion, Samaria. The OT proper noun is yehûdâh, 3063; in the NT, the proper noun is Ioúdas, 2455, more often translated "Judas." In Jacob's prophecy about his twelve sons, he predicted that the scepter would not depart from Judah (Gen. 49:10). This was partly fulfilled when Jesus, the Messiah, was born of the tribe of Judah (Matt. 1:1-3, 16). It will be more completely fulfilled when Jesus returns to reign over Israel and the world during the Millennium (Psa. 2:1-12; Zech. 14:9; Rev. 19:11-20:6). It will be most completely fulfilled when Jesus Christ and God the Father jointly rule over New Jerusalem and New Earth from their throne located in New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1-3). Judaism. The religion of Israel as defined in the Torah (the five books of Moses), amplified in the Neviʾim (The Prophets) and the Ketuvim (The Writings). The highlights of Biblical Judaism are the importance of circumcision, the Sabbath, love for God and for neighbor, the sacrificial system, the festivals, and the importance of the central sanctuary in Jerusalem. Obviously, since the Temple Mount is occupied by Palestinians and defiled by the Dome of the Rock shrine and the Al Aqsa Mosque, a Jewish Temple is presently untenable, and Israel's sacrificial system is non-functioning. Judaism also teaches of the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed deliverer, but tragically, Judaism abhorred her Messiah and had Him crucified. One day that animosity will vanish, the Messiah will return, and God will implement the New Covenant in the hearts and lives of Jewish people, who will stream back to Israel from all over the world. There are several subsets of Judaism, some of which less Biblical than others. Orthodox Judaism is the most inclined to follow the OT, but gives heavy credence to Rabbinic Judaism and especially the Talmud. Less conservative is Conservative Judaism, and even farther afield is Reform Judaism. Judas Iscariot. One of the Twelve Disciples / Apostles Christ chose, but also the one who betrayed Him (Matt. 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16; John 6:70-71). The name Iscariot may refer to Judas' origin from one of the two towns in southern Judea named Kerioth , or it may refer to his occupation, that of a dyer. A less-likely option is that the name is a transliteration of the Latin sicarius, a Zealot-like movement. It is amazing that Judas was one of those who spent three years with Jesus, who presumably was one of those who cast out demons and healed people (Matt. 10:1-8; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6). Yet, he was a man with a flawed character. He was the treasurer of the Twelve, yet he repeatedly pilfered from the funds donated to Jesus and His followers (John 12:4-6). Evidently, as opposition against Jesus by the wealthy and powerful ramped up in Jerusalem, Judas came up with the idea of turning Him over to them as a means of enriching himself. The event that put his plan into action was a woman's anointing Jesus with a vial of very costly perfume (Matt. 26:6-13). Immediately thereafter, Judas, always on the lookout for money, made a deal with the chief priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:9-11). When the appropriate night arrived, he betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Matt. 26:47-50). We do not know if he thought this through or not, but it may be that he justified himself by thinking Jesus would ultimately deliver Himself from death. At some point in the process, he realized what he had done, and that Jesus' death was inevitable. At that point he felt remorse for betraying innocent blood (Matt. 27:1-4). But the chief priests and elders were unmoved by his confession. They would not take back his money or stop their execution of Jesus. So in frustration, Judas threw the money into the temple sanctuary and went out and committed suicide (Matt. 27:4-5). Jesus had never been fooled by Judas. He called Judas a devil (diabolos, 1228) (John 6:70-71), and "the son of the destruction" (apoleia, 684) (John 17:12), who was himself being destroyed (apollumi, 622) (John 17:12). It was Satan himself who entered into Judas to perform his ghastly betrayal (John 13:2; Luke 22:3; John 13:26-27). Jesus said of Judas that it would have been better for him if he had never been born (Matt. 26:24) Judas is a warning. There are some who look all the world like Christians. They say the right things, do the right things, and keep the right company. But in their hearts, they are pretenders. They are not real followers of Jesus Christ. They have had many opportunities, but never really trusted in Jesus. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of the heavens, but he does the will of My Father in the heavens" (Matt. 7:21). Jude. The half-brother of our Lord, full brother of James, an esteemed early leader in the Church, and the author of the one-chapter epistle that bears his name, which epistle I have entitled, "Contending for the Faith." Judea. The "land of the Jews," and, in many respects, equivalent to the term Judah. Judah (yehûdâh, 3063) is far and away the more prominent term in the OT, while Judea (yehûd, 3061) is used sparingly (only in Ezra 5:1, 8; 7:14; Dan. 2:25; 5:13; 6:14). The noun Judea (Ioudaía, 2449) is very common in the NT (e.g., Matt. 2:1, 5), whereas the noun "Judah," more often translated "Judas" (Ioúdas, 2455), is much less common. Geographically, by the time we reach the Gospels in the life of Jesus, the territory once known in its entirety as the land of Israel was subdivided into three regions, Galilee in the North, Judea in the South, and Samaria in between (see the Bible map). Most of the exiles who returned to the land of Israel after the Babylonian exile were from the southern Kingdom of Judah, and in Graeco-Roman terminology, were called "Jews" (Ioudaîos, 2453), and their territory, Judea. Judge. From a theological point of view, one assigned by God to discern or assess or render a verdict on the moral and spiritual rectitude of a person's life and behavior. From an eschatological point of view, the Ultimate Judge will be Jesus Christ. To Him God has assigned all future judgment (John 5:19-30). He will judge righteously and fairly the poor and afflicted of the earth, slaying the wicked by a command (Isa. 11:1-5). As King, He will judge all the nations who survive the Tribulation period (Matt. 25:31-46). Jesus is the Judge who will evaluate all believers from the Church Age (Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10). I believe, based on John 5:19-30, that Jesus is the Judge who will sit on the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15). This appears to be the judgment of the wicked dead of all ages. Since their names are not found written in the Book of Life, they will have been resurrected to be cast bodily into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone forever. What a tragedy! Judgment, Judgments. God's calling to every person to give an account of the way he has lived his life. The scope of this glossary entry is primarily the eschatological uses of the words for Judgment. Many theologians assume there is one general judgment. But they ignore the details, which make that impossible. There actually are a series of judgments. There are several different words used in describing judgment. We will briefly examine the words, then at least list the various judgments that take place. The first word we will discuss is the noun krima (2917). NASB translators most frequently translate this word as "judgment" (15 X) and less often as "condemnation" (8 X). According to Friberg, (1) krima is an administrative decree which comes as a result of judging (krinô, to evaluate or judge 2919). It thus means a judgment, verdict, sentence (Luke 24:20). It is often used in an unfavorable sense and translated condemnation, punishment (2 Pet. 2:3). (2) It can also be used as the function of a judge -- authority to judge, judgment, judging (Rev. 20:4). (3) Finally, it can be used as a legal action or process -- a lawsuit (1 Cor. 6:7). Hebrews 6:2 is the only Scripture in the NT in which "judgment" (krima, 2917) is coupled together with "eternal" (aiônios, 166). Consequently Meaning (1) above is the most likely meaning, i.e. eternal punishment, i.e. the Lake of Fire in NT terms (Rev. 19:20; 20:11, 14-15). More often NT writers refer to "hell" (geenna, 1067, often designated Gehenna) (Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6). The related verb is (krinô, to evaluate or judge 2919). It comes "from a basic meaning divide out or separate off;" in the present context ..."(5) as a legal technical term ... (b) of God's judging judge, administer justice, with an obviously negative verdict condemn, punish (2 Thess. 2:12)" (excerpted from Friberg). In an eschatological sense, this verb is used in the following contexts: Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30; John 5:22; Acts 17:31; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; 2 Thess. 2:12; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 10:30; 13:4; 1 Pet. 4:5; Rev. 6:10; 11:18; Rev. 18:8, 20; 19:2, 11; 20:12, 13. Another word entirely is the noun bēma (968), "(1) as a distance measured by one stride, approximately 2.5 feet, less than 1 meter step, stride (Acts 7:5); (2) as an elevated platform ascended by steps; (a) judicial bench, tribunal, judge's seat (Matt. 27:19); as a seat for a king or high official rostrum, throne (Acts 12:21)" (Friberg). This noun is used only twice in an eschatological sense, in Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). There are several eschatological judgments outlined in Scripture. The following list is not necessarily exhaustive, and the precise sequence of these judgments is unknown:
Judgment Seat of
Christ. The
judgment of all Church Age
believers (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10-12). Salvation
is not an issue here, for these believers possess eternal life (John 3:16),
having been born into God’s family
(John 1:12),
and they do not enter into judgment
or condemnation (John 3:18; 3:36;
5:24; Rom. 8:1). Performance and motive is the issue. How well have these believers invested their
lives
for Jesus (Col. 3:17, 23-25)?
Every Christian is building on the
foundation that has been laid. He is building with materials that
survive the
fire of Christ’s judgment or that do not (1 Cor. 3:12-15).
If the Christian has done his work
for the Lord, it will survive, and he will be rewarded. If not, his
work will
not survive, yet he himself will (1 Cor. 3:15).
Faithful investing of one’s life
for the Lord will, I believe, result in greater opportunity to serve
Him later
(Luke 19:11-19).
This judgment will either take
place with each believer when he meets the Lord (1 John 3:2-3)
and / or else after the entire
Church is raptured
prior to the start of the Tribulation
period. By the time Christ returns to
Earth
(Rev. 19:11-21),
the Church will have been completely purified and will be
ready to return with Him to earth as His spotless bride (Rev. 19:7-9). See a more
extensive discussion of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Justification. The act of God whereby He declares the one who trusts in Jesus Christ to be righteous. The whole question of salvation impinges upon many areas, not the least of which is the integrity of God. How can a holy God, who cannot sin, bring to eternal salvation depraved sinners who are not righteous (Rom. 3:10), who do not seek God (Rom. 3:11), who do no good (Rom. 3:12), and who do not fear God (Rom. 3:18)? How can man become righteous when, by keeping the Law, he can never be justified (declared righteous, dikaioō, 1344) in God's sight (Rom. 3:20)? Romans 3:21-26
The answer is that God Himself has revealed a different kind of righteousness (Rom. 3:21). (1) It is a "without law" righteousness that comes from God (Rom. 3:21). (2) It is a righteousness that is attested both in the Law and in the Prophets (Rom. 3:21). (3) It is a righteousness that comes, without distinction, to every person who trusts in Jesus the Messiah (Rom. 3:22). (4) It is a righteousness that is granted without distinction to all who believe because all, without distinction, have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory, the standard of His goodness (Rom. 3:23). (5) It is a righteousness which God assigns to people as a gift, on the basis not of merit, but of grace (Rom. 3:24). (6) It is a righteousness made possible because Jesus the Messiah, through His sacrifice on the cross, has paid the full purchase price to rescue man from the clutches of Satan and from death, the consequence of sin (Rom. 3:24). (7) It is a righteousness in which the full penalty has been paid for all the sins of all the people in the world who believe. (8) It is a righteousness God secured by displaying Jesus publicly as the legal satisfaction (propitiation, hilastêrion, 2435) for sin. Jesus paid the full penalty for sin by paying for it with His own life's blood. The payment is secured for each individual person who believes in Jesus (Rom. 3:25). In sacrificing His own Son God demonstrated His own righteousness in passing over sins committed by people from the beginning of the history of the human race (Rom. 3:25). In providing Jesus as the all-time payment for sin, God was consistent with His Divine standard that the consequences of sin -- death -- must be fully paid. In this way He Himself could remain just, and yet justify (declare to be righteous) every person who exercised faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26). Romans 4:1-25
The Apostle Paul continued to discuss the doctrine of justification in the next chapter. He made several point: (1) Abraham was saved through faith, apart from any works (Rom. 4:1-5). (2) David affirmed that the man is blessed "to whom God credits righteousness apart from works" (Rom. 4:6-8). (3) Abraham's justification preceded his circumcision (Rom. 4:9-12). Thus Abraham is the father of all who believe, though uncircumcised (Rom. 4:11), and he is the father of all who, being circumcised, also believe (Rom. 4:12). (4) Abraham's justification was by faith in God's promise apart from the Law (Rom. 4:13-25). Romans 5:1-11
In this paragraph, Paul highlighted the incredible benefits of justification (declared righteousness). (1) First of all, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus (Rom. 5:1). (2) We stand in the place of God's blessing (Rom. 5:2). (3) We have a proud hope for the future glory of God (Rom. 5:2). (4) We can have pride in present hardship (Rom.5:3-5), for this creates perseverance (Rom. 5:3), proven character (Rom. 5:4), and hope (Rom. 5:4-5). (5) We are recipients of God's love (Rom. 5:5-8). (6) We have more assured protection from the future wrath of God (Rom. 5:9-10). (6) We have pride in God because of reconciliation (Rom 5:11). James 2:14-26
Paul made it clear (1) that no one can be justified (dikaioō, 1344) by virtue of his works of the Law (Rom. 3:20); (2) that God's attributed righteousness is on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22); (3) that justification (dikaioō, 1344) is awarded as a gift by grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24), accessed by faith (Rom. 3:25); (4) that God is just (dikaios, 1342) in justifying (dikaioō, 1344) the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26); (5) and that a man is justified (dikaioō, 1344) by faith apart from the works of the Law (Rom. 3:28). Yet, James, at least at face value, seems to contradict Paul. Of particular concern are three statements by James: (1) He gave an example by asking a question, "Was not Abraham our father justified (dikaioō, 1344) by reason of works, having offered Isaac his son upon the altar"? (James 2:21, author's translation). (2) He concluded, "You see that by reason of works a man is being justified (dikaioō, 1344), and not by reason of faith alone" (James 2:24, author's translation). (3) He gave a second example by asking another question, "In the same way, moreover, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified (dikaioō, 1344) by reason of works, having welcomed the messengers and having sent them out by another way?" (James 2:25, author's translation). Resolving the apparent
contradiction
So how do we handle this apparent clash between the Church's greatest theologian, Paul, and the very practical James, half-brother of our Lord and trusted voice at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-35)? I don't think they are contradicting one another. I think they are looking at salvation, or at least justification, from two different, but related perspectives. First Paul is looking at "How can I become righteous?" He is saying that there is nothing I can do by trying to keep the Law or by performing a good work in order for God to declare me righteous. It is a gift, and it comes by God's grace, not by human merit. Paul put it this way, "For by grace you exist, being saved through faith, and this not from yourselves - it is a gift from God; not by reason of works, in order that no one should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9, author's translation). Paul used the word dikaioō (1344) as a religious technical term in the sense of God imputing righteousness to my account simply on the basis of my having placed my trust in Jesus Christ. James, on the other hand, used the same word dikaioō (1344) in the nuance of vindicating the validity of my faith (see Friberg). They are both right. There is nothing I can do to contribute to my salvation. I simply trust in Jesus and God credits my account with righteousness as an act of grace. However, as Paul stated, "For we are His craftsmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works, which God prepared beforehand in order that in them (the good works) we should conduct our lives" (Eph. 2:10, author's translation). So Paul is saying (in Eph. 2:8-10) that good works can contribute nothing to our salvation. But if we are saved, we will inevitably produce good works. James is emphasizing the second part of that equation. You prove you are saved by performing good works. Otherwise, faith without works is dead and useless (James 2:14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 26). We are justified by faith apart from any good works (Paul). That is true. But our saving faith is vindicated, or demonstrated, by our good works (James). That is also true. If you have difficulty locating a file, please contact the Web Master Updated December 20, 2024 |
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