FRIEND 2 Chronicles 20:7 refers to , "... the seed of Abraham, Thy friend forever.", and again, Isaiah 41:8 says, "But thou, Israel, (art) My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, My friend..." The concept of friendship has an endearing quality that conjures up an array of usually very positive; pleasant and fun-filled memories, but there are deeper associations with the word, especially when it relates to being a "friend" of God. These scripture ref

2 Chronicles 20:7 says, " (Are) not You our God, (who) did drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people, Israel, and gave it to the seed of Abraham, Your friend, forever? " This concept of "friend", though expressing intimacy, especially in relation to Abraham, (see He Breathes After You), has a specific context within the confines of a covenant relationship. Jehoshaphat had just been rebuked by the prophet for his alliance [covenant] with Ahab (2 Chr. 19:2),

Exodus 33:11 says, "... the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend..." SHEPHERDING This Hebrew word for "friend", is derived from a root word meaning "shepherding", or "watching over" sheep. The meaning is then expanded to "watching over" or "shepherding" people; and therefore the imagery of a "ruler" or king emerges. WATCHING OVER A secondary meaning, that is derived from this primary definition, is that of "watching over" an individual. We wo

Matthew 13:4 says, "... and when he sowed, some (of the seeds) fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them." THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER This portion of scripture, known as the parable of the Sower, or more aptly, the parable of the different kinds of soil, is repeated 3 times in scripture (Matthew 13; Mark 4; and Luke 8). There seems to be a principle in scripture, that when something is repeated more than once, it is because it is very significant to God (Gen.

Matthew 13:19 says, "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and understands (it) not, then comes the wicked (one), and catches away that which was sown in his heart." [This verse parallels Mark 4:15, and Luke 8:12, where a different Greek word is used to translate the English phrase "takes away".] CATCHES AWAY This verb is used 13 times in the NT with the underlying sense of "to take by force". It is, in fact, the word that is used in several references, to convey the

SPIRITUAL CHANGE There definitely needs to be a shift; a change; a renewing of the mind, to the spiritual and scriptural concept of the (ekklesia). [see Fulfilling Purpose]. The defensive, drawn back from the world, understanding of, and function of the overwhelming majority of "churches", has left the impression that the term is specifically those who are "called out" from society; separate and apart; or, mistakenly protected or reserved for something exclusive, but differen

Luke 8:5 says, "A Sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it." TRAMPLED Luke is the only writer that makes a specific reference to the "seed" being "trodden" or "trampled" down. The term is used only 5 times in the NT. 1) Four of the five times, the term is used in a literal sense. (Matt. 5:13; 7:6; Lk. 8:5; 12:1) 2) Once it is used in a figurative sense. (Heb. 10:29). In 4

Matthew 13:19 says, "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside." SIGNIFICANT FACTOR Matthew is the only one that mentions the fact that "understanding" is a significant factor in this "soil" not producing fruit. [It must be noted too, that despite this being a parable to be reflected on for meaning, the people at that time did

Mark 11:23 says, "... whoever shall say to this mountain, 'Be removed, and be cast into the sea', and shall not doubt in their heart, but shall believe that those things which they say shall come to pass, they shall have whatever they say." CREATION ACCOUNT What is significant about this verse, other than the obvious declaration of authority, to those who believe, is the historical aspect of the illustration that Jesus used. Many ancient Eastern people groups, including I

Matthew 13:19 says, "When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands (it) not, then comes the wicked (one), and catches away that which was sown in his heart..." TITLES Three different words are used to describe the devil, in the three different accounts of the parable of the seed and the soils. [ The Wicked One (Matt.13:19); Satan (Mk. 4:15); and the Devil (Lk. 8:12) ]. THE WICKED ONE This first reference to Satan, as the Wicked One, or more properly, the Evi

[Looking at the parables of the seed and the different types of soil, there are three terms that are used to describe our enemy, "the wicked one" (Matt.13:19); "satan" (Mk. 4:15); and "the devil" (Lk. 8:12)]. THE WICKED ONE This term finds it's personification in our enemy, and is better translated "evil". It is not only that which is evil, but that which produces evil in others. It is like a cancerous growth that does not limit itself to one area of infection, and is not

Matthew 13:20 says, "But he that received the seed in stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it..." The most important factor about these parables, is that what is constant, is the "seed". The word of God is the same, and has the same powerful potential to produce a favorable harvest. The life-giving attributes, of the seed, of the word of God, remain the same, but the results are determined by the soil that receives the seed.

Matthew 13:20 says, (speaking of the seed scattered on the rock), that the person "... hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it..." [This study is focused, not so much on the specific context of this passage of scripture, but the word "joy" that is used within this passage.] Words change significantly in meaning with the passage of time, however, words that are rooted in scripture, maintain the foundation of their original meaning, that color every aspect of t

Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith (it is) impossible to please (Him); for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and (that) He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (KJV) PARAPHRASE To paraphrase this verse, and yet convey the original meaning found in the richness of these words, it could be stated that; "Apart from, or in the absence of, faith, we are, for all time, powerless to receive any commendation from Him, or to be of any use to Him, in the

Matthew 13:6 says, "... and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away." Some words seem insignificant, and almost trivial to the point of wondering why they even exist in the scriptural text. Yet, some of these seemingly insignificant words contain often powerful principles in visual imagery. The picture here is of the seed that was sown on "rock" and immediately sprung up, but when the sun came up, it was "scorched", and wi

Matthew 13:21 says, "... yet has he not root in himself, but endures for awhile; for when tribulation or persecution arise for the word, immediately he is offended." ENDURES for AWHILE The focus of this study, is the compound Greek word, found in the English phrase, "... endures for awhile..." [This same phrase is repeated in its compound form, in Mark 4:17, and in the individual words, in Luke 8:13]. There is no true English translation of this compound, that accuratel

Matthew 13:21 says, "... yet has he no root in himself, but endures for a while; for when tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, immediately he is offended." OFFENDED This study focuses on the various uses and meanings of the word "offend". First of all, the word "offend" is much too weak a translation, as this word conveys a much stronger image than simply hurt feelings. The idea, as in the case of the Pharisees with Jesus, (Matt. 15:12), is more adequat

Luke 8:13 says, "They on the rock (are they) who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of testing fall away." FALL AWAY The words "fall away" are one word in the Greek, and parallel the word "offended" in Matthew 13:21, and Mark 4:17. The word is used 15 times in the NT, and mostly in the writings of Luke. (10 times in Luke and Acts collectively). This word is where the English word "apostasy", is derived

Matthew 13:21 says, "... tribulation or persecution arise because of the word..." FIRST First, of all, the reason that we have tribulation or persecution in our lives, is because of the word, and the stronger that the word is in us, lived through us, the more opposition that we will face. SECOND Secondly, in all the Greek and Hebrew context of these words, the dominant meanings have to do with outside pressures from individuals or groups of people, exerted upon us, not si

Matthew 13:21 says, "... tribulation or persecution arise because of the word..." BECAUSE OF THE WORD In a previous study, of these related words, [see "Crushed" ], the fact is stated, that these animosities, or attacks against us are "because of the word". These are not because of bad behavior nor are the terms specifically related to sickness or disease. These words deal specifically with aggression against the Christian because of the Word, preached and lived in our live