Humans reaching out to God
In the Old Testament
Abel’s Sacrifice
Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock to God. Gen.4:4
God accepted his offering.
God had respect unto Abel.
God offered the first sacrifice for the sin of Adam & Eve and “made coats of skins and clothed them”
God therefore established the sacrificial system for sinful man.
Abel complied with God’s instruction.
Cain brought fruit of the ground.
He did not comply with God’s instruction, therefore his sacrifice was not accepted by God.
Cain became angry (I will do it my way) and killed his younger brother
Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him
Enoch walking to God.
Gen. 5:24 Enoch walked with God and was not, for God took him. He walked hand-in-hand with God for 300 years. Enoch was the 7th from Adam. he lived in a very evil age and prophesied: The Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints to execute judgement…on the ungodly. (Jude vs 14-15)
The first human to escape death.
The other was the prophet Elijah.
These may be God’s Two Witnesses sent at the End Time that will “prophesy one thousand two hundred & threescore days clothed in sackcloth…and when they have finished their testimony, the beast from the bottomless pit will kill them. Rev. 11:1-14.
Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord..
Gen. 6:5-13
“Noah walked with God”.
The human race had become totally corrupt.
“The Lord said My Spirit shall not always strive with man…yet his days shall be 120 years.” Gen. 6:3.
Noah was a preacher of righteousness. 2 Peter 2:5.
Only Noah and his family survived the flood.
Righteous Job attacked by Satan
Godly man living before Abraham.
He was blessed by God with wisdom, family & wealth.
God allows Satan to cause Job to undeservedly fall on hard times: loss of wealth, all his children & his health. His wife & his friends turns on him.
Job’s amazing confession of faith: “I know my Redeemer liveth and shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and after worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” Ch. 19:25-26). He believed in bodily resurrection.
And The Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends and gave Job twice as much as he had before(Ch.42:10). Job fully restored.
God’s call of Abraham
Abram followed God’s call to leave Haran & go to the land of promise.
God’s promise of “I will make of thee a great nation and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed”-promise of the Redeemer. Gen.12:1-3.
The Lord appeared to Abram in Caanan said “unto thy seed will I give this land”. and Abram built an altar unto the Lord who appeared to him.
Jacob wrestling with the Angel
Gen. 32:22-32.
Jacob commanded by God to return from Haran to the land of promise (Gen.32:9).
Before entering Jacob sent his family over the brook. "He was left alone and there wrestled a man with him until the break of day ... I will not let thee go except thou bless me.
The Angel said thy name shall be called no more Jacob but Israel: for as a prince thou hast power with God & with man and hast prevailed.
The Angel blessed him there". Gen. 32:24-25.
This "man" was probably the pre-incarnate Christ.
God’s call of Moses.
Exodus Ch. 3:1-14
The Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire and said: I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham Isaac & Jacob.
I will send thee to Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring my pople out of Egypt.
Moses says “who am I to go to Pharaoh?” Sense of inadequacy. Reaches out to God.
God says “Certainly I will be with thee” vs. 12.
Moses’s feeling of inadequacy continues: “O my Lord, I am not adequate…I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”
God’s response: I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say. Ex. 4:10-12.
Ruth and Naomi
After Elimelech Naomi’s husband dies, and her 2 sons die in Moab, Naomi decides to return to the Land of Judah and says to her daughters-in-law return to your mother’s house “the Lord grant you that ye may find rest.”
Her daughter-in-law Oprah kisses Naomi goodby & returnes to her pagan people in Moab.
And Ruth said, “Intreat me not to leave thee…for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodges I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people and thy God my God.” Ruth 1:16.
Elimelech decides to leave his people, take his wife Naomi & 2 sons & go to Moab because of a famine.
Elimelech dies. His sons marry pagan women. Both of his sons die resulting in three widows.
Naomi a Godly woman decides to return to her people. She says farewell to her daughters-in-law.
Ruth insists on going with Naomi who has influenced her to seek the God of Israel and His people.
Ruth maries Boaz a man of God…her descendents include King David and Jesus Christ.
Elijah the Prophet
The Prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab & Queen Jezebel the most wicked king & Queen in the history of Israel. I kings chapter 17&18.
Elijah said to Ahab, as the Lord livith before whom I stand there shall be no dew or rain these years but according to my word, I Kings 17:1
Elijah escapes to Zeraphath, stays with a widow and her son who are out of bread & water. The bread & water never cease.
The son dies. Elijah pleads with God, stretches himself on the boy three times and the boy is revived.
Elijah goes to Heaven on a chariot of fire. II Kings 2:11
The Prophet Isaiah: Here am I, send me.
Lived in the 8th century BC Kingdom of Judah.
God’s revelation: Israel is a sinful nation. They have forsaken the Lord, they have angered their God.
“Come now let us reason together saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”Ch.1:18
I heard the voice of the Lord saying Whom shall I send? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Ch. 6:8
Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Redeemer: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given…His name shall be called wonderful, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Ch. 8:6.
Jeremiah the weeping Prophet
The word of the Lord came to me saying before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Then said I, Ah Lord God behold I cannot speak, for I am a child.
But the Lord said unto me, Say not I am a child for thou shalt go to all that I send thee and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Jer. 1:5-7.
Jeremiah reaches out to God & says Lord help me. God says you are empowered.
Key verses:
The heart is deceitful…desperately wicker, who can know it? Jer. 17:9.
Call to me & I will answer thee & show thee great & mighty things which thou knowest not. Jer. 33:3
Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever…Jer. 33:11
In the New testament
Woman hemorrhaging for 12 years
The woman suffering with hemorrhage for 12 years. Luke 8:43-48.
She was considered unclean. Could not go the temple to worship, could not touch anyone, etc. 12 years of isolation and misery.
When she saw Jesus she only touched the hem of His garment.
Why did Jesus asks "who touched me?" Did He not know?To bring her out of hiding and allow her to show her faith.
Jesus says: Daughter your faith has made you well; go in peace.
The crowd listening to Jesus speak.
The crowd listening to Jesus speak. Luke 6:17-19.
A great multitude of people out of Judae and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon came to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases.
And they that were vexed with unclean spirits were healed.
And the whole multitude sought to touch him for there went virtue out of Him, and be healed them all.
Zachaeus reaching out to Jesus. Luke 19:1-6
Zacchaeus was chief among the publicans who were tax collector for Rome-despised by the Jews.
He was short but wanted to see Jesus. Reached out for Jesus by climbing a tree..
Jesus sees him and says: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for today I must abide at thy house."
Zacchaeus made hast, came down, and received Him joyfully. Jesus, the knowing Son of God knew his name
Jesus says unto him: "this day is salvation is come to this house...”
Lazarus raise from the dead. John 4:1-45
raising of Lazarus
Lazarus and his sisters Mary & Martha were friends of Jesus. Their home was in Bethany.
Lazarus becomes ill.
Wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."
His sisters reach out to Jesus: They send a message to Jesus: "Lord behold he whom thou lovest is sick."
It was Mary that anointed Jesus with ointment and wiped His feet with her hair.
Jesus waited for 2 days then headed for Bethany.
Lazarus dies. Friends & neighbors come to comfort mary & Martha.
Jesus arrives. Martha says to Jesus:"if Thou hadst been here my brother would not havd died. I know whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."
Mary then came fell at Jesus’ feet weeping.
JESUS WEPT. The only record of Jesus weeping.
Why did Jesus weep? He knew He would be raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus shows His love for humanity.
Did He regret delaying His coming to Bethany? No. That was planned. He inteded to raise him from the dead.
Jesus says “take away the stone” Martha says “he stinketh having been dead 4 days”
Jesus prays: “Father I thank Thee that thou has heard me…because of the people that stand by I said it that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jesus then cries with a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth”. He that was dead came forth bound with graveclothes.
Jesus says unto them: “Loose him and let him go”
Many of the Jews which came believed on Him.
Below is the notes pdf