faith

The LORD promises Abram a seed (Genesis 13:16)

OVERVIEW. A commentary on how Genesis 13:16 displays the physical seed and the spiritual seed of Abraham. Circumcision and baptism.

“I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered.” Genesis 13:16

In this verse, the LORD is speaking to Abram and is repeating and confirming the promise which He made to Abram in Gen. 12:2-3. Also note that, in the original Hebrew, “descendants” is literally “seed.”

EXEGESIS / COMMENTARY

The LORD promises Abram that his descendants (literally “seed”) will be as numerous as the dust of the earth. This is a repetition of the promise the LORD made in Gen. 12:2 when He promised Abram that He would make him a “great nation.”

PHYSICAL SEED. Certainly this refers to a promise of many physical descendants. (As a side note, consider that at this time, Abram had exactly zero descendants and his wife was barren. The LORD likes to act  in the face of impossible odds! This is also a testimony to Abram’s faith, for he believed that the LORD’s promise would be fulfilled even when there was no human possibility. Romans 4:18-22; etc.) The LORD was promising Abram a multitude of physical descendants, and the Scriptures attest that the LORD fulfilled that promise in the Old Testament nation of Israel. But we also see that promise fulfilled today, for the modern nation of Israel lives in the land of Canaan and is a testimony to the LORD’s fulfillment of His promise given to Abraham of a physical seed which would dwell in the land “forever” (Genesis 13:15).

SPIRITUAL SEED. But the LORD’s promise here is not only of a physical seed, but this promise to Abram is also of a spiritual seed. As we examine the New Testament, we read that “it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham” (Gal. 3:7) and “if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise” (3:29). Thus we see that all believers are Abraham’s spiritual seed by faith in Jesus. Paul’s argument in Romans 4:11-16 is that Abraham is the spiritual father of circumcised believers and uncircumcised believers because of their shared faith in Jesus. Thus in Genesis 13 the LORD is promising Abraham that he will be the father “of a great multitude which no one could count” (Rev. 7:9) of spiritual seed.

SIGNS. To prove that the LORD kept His promise of a physical seed, He gave Abraham the covenant sign of circumcision and commanded that all male descendants of Abraham receive the sign of circumcision (Gen. 17). Circumcision marks the physical seed of Abraham.

And to prove that He kept His promise to Abraham of a spiritual seed, the Lord Jesus commanded that all disciples must be baptized (Matt. 28:19). Baptism marks the spiritual seed.

Since, regarding the physical seed, Hebrew males who did not receive circumcision “shall be cut off from His people” (Gen. 17:14), it follows regarding the spiritual seed that those who do not receive biblical baptism shall likewise be cut off from Abraham’s spiritual people.

Soli Deo gloria            rmb                 5/20/2025                   #716

Luke 17:11-19 – Ten lepers healed, one leper saved

POST OVERVIEW. A post about Luke 17:11-19 where Jesus cleansed ten lepers of their leprosy. One of those ten lepers was also eternally saved.

In Luke 17:11-19, we read the story of our Lord healing ten lepers. While on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus enters a village and encounters ten leprous men who call Him by name and ask for mercy. As these men are going to the priests, all ten are miraculously cleansed of their leprosy. One of the ten returned, “fell on his face at Jesus’ feet,” and gave Him thanks for the healing. Jesus tells the man, “Your faith has made you well” (17:19).

THE MAN’S FAITH SAVED HIM

This story of the leprous men follows the same pattern as a number of other stories in the gospels, particularly in the gospel of Luke. A sinner encounters Jesus, the sinner believes in Jesus, often because of a miracle Jesus has performed, and Jesus announces that the sinner is saved by his or her faith. Thus in these encounters two miracles occur: Jesus performs a miracle and then a sinner repents and is saved so that there is joy in heaven (Luke 15:7, 10).

Salvation of a sinner is the issue in these stories. And because salvation is the issue, we need to correct the translation of Luke 17:19 (and others like it, including Luke 7:50*; 8:48; 18:42; Matt. 9:22; Mark 5:34; 10:52) to reflect the real focus of the story. (Translations considered are ESV and NASB.) [* Note that Luke 7:50 is correctly translated, “Your faith has saved you,” in both ESV and NASB.]

TECHNICAL DETAILS

The Greek phrase that is usually translated, “Your faith has made you well,” is:

ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε.

The verb in this phrase is σέσωκέν, which is the perfect indicative active form of the verb σῴζω, a verb ordinarily translated as “save” or “rescue.” This verb is among a group of New Testament words that are used to describe Christian salvation. “Savior” is the Greek word “σωτὴρ.” “Salvation” is “σωτηρία.” The adjective “saving” is the Greek word “σωτήριος.” Since σῴζω is the verb in this group of words about salvation, the word should be translated into English as “save” unless there is some compelling reason not to.

Returning to the Greek phrase above, the words would be literally translated as:

The faith of you has saved you, or

Your faith has saved you.

As we explore this passage further, we will see that this is exactly what is intended by our Savior. Jesus is telling the person that their personal faith in Him has rescued them from God’s condemnation and judgment and that they have now passed from death to life (John 5:24). With this as background, let’s go into the text.

EXPLORATION OF THE TEXT

In Luke 17:19, we first observe that the leper’s faith did not make him well. Jesus did. Jesus healed the leper that returned and thanked Him, but Jesus healed all ten lepers equally. They were healed whether they had faith or not because Jesus is Lord of all. So, Jesus was the one who made the leper well, not the leper’s faith.

But second, notice that the leper who returned displayed his faith in Jesus by turning back and “giving thanks to Him” (17:16). This one leper acknowledged that Jesus had healed him and he therefore submitted to Jesus as Lord. So we see that Jesus healed the leper by His divine power, but it was the leper’s faith in Jesus that saved him. Thus the correct translation of Luke 17:19 is, “Your faith has saved you.” Those without faith take whatever good things God provides and then go on without giving thanks to God or acknowledging the Lord’s mercy, but those with faith fall down before the Lord and give Him thanks. The faithful “glorify God with a loud voice” (17:15).

An examination of the other occurrences of “ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε” (see above for a list) will reveal that each instance should be translated, “Your faith has saved you.” In these events, Jesus (usually) heals the faithful and the unfaithful alike. Jesus performs these miracles of healing  to verify His identity as God the Son so that some of those who see the miracles will place their faith in Him and be saved. Thus it is the sinner’s response of faith in Jesus that saves the believing sinner. Jesus performed miracles of healing. This is objective fact. Ah, but those who saw the miracles and responded in faith were saved.

OBJECTIVE FACT AND SAVING FAITH IN THE GOSPEL

In many ways, the gospel is like Jesus’ miracles. The gospel is a message that contains facts that are objectively true for all people. The facts of the gospel are these: God is holy and will punish all sin. Man is not holy. Man is a rebel who willfully disobeys God’s commandments and is, therefore, under God’s wrath and judgment and in danger of eternal condemnation. From this objective danger all people must be rescued or they will eternally perish.

But the gospel goes on to declare that God, in His mercy, has provided a way for man to be rescued. Two thousand years ago, God sent His Son Jesus into the world to be our Savior. Unlike every other person, Jesus willfully obeyed every commandment of God for His entire lifetime. As we have seen in this story, Jesus also performed miracles that only God could perform. After living a sinless life, Jesus died on a Roman cross as God’s appointed sacrifice for sin. Then three days later, Jesus was raised from the dead to confirm that His sacrifice on the cross had been accepted by God as payment for sin. Now any sinner who repents of their sin and places their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior will be saved.

Those are the objective facts. You and I need to be saved from our sins and Jesus Christ has died and risen from the dead to provide the salvation we need. Now you and I must respond by placing our faith in Jesus as the Lord of our life.

But just as the nine lepers could be healed and yet not be saved, so you can know the objective facts about Jesus and the salvation that He offers and still not be saved. Like the lepers, we must believe in Jesus to be saved. Objective facts cannot save you. Only faith in Jesus will save you. “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Then on the last day you will hear the Lord say, “Your faith has saved you.”

Soli Deo gloria            rmb                 12/6/2023                   #681

Giant Enemies or Giant Grapes? (Number 13-14)

            Our world today is a place that bombards us with reasons to fear. I do not think there are many who would dispute that statement. Our own country, which used to be fairly insulated from the general worldwide chaos and disintegration, is no longer a safe haven, and we who have spent many years enjoying America’s restful bubble are now adjusting to a country where most of what we have always held dear is being discarded or demolished. Stability and security are fading memories and the future is anything but bright. As a result, the fuel for fear is bearing down upon us and we fight for joy.

            Despite this situation, for followers of Jesus, the mission has not changed. We are still charged to “Fear not” (Isaiah 41:10; 43:1; etc.) and to “Rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16; Phil. 4:4) and to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Since that is the case, the question becomes, “How do I do that?” How do we continue to see the world through the eyes of faith and not succumb to the pressures of fear?

            This study will look at the narrative from Numbers 13-14 to draw out answers to these questions. In this story, the children of Israel have made their exodus from Egypt, have crossed the Red Sea, and have traveled to Kadesh Barnea at the southern end of the land of Canaan. From there, Moses sends twelve spies into the land of Canaan to give him a report of the nature of the land. When the spies come back, there is a sharp disagreement about the nature of the land. Some of the spies have faith and some do not and that makes all the difference in how they respond to the call to invade the land. This, then, is a study in contrasts. It is a study of FEAR and of FAITH. At the conclusion, we will try to learn some lessons from their challenges that we can apply to our own increasingly shaky environment.

SETTING THE STAGE

            Before we begin to look at the spies, it is important to notice that the LORD had decided to give the children of Israel the land before the spies went in. In Numbers 13:2, the LORD commands that the men be sent to spy out Canaan, “which I am giving to the sons of Israel.” Since the LORD has given the land already, the only correct response was to go in, for victory was assured. To add to this case, when Moses sent the twelve spies into the land, he did not ask them to decide whether the rest of the people should go in. He gave them ZERO executive authority. Moses wanted a report and some fruit (13:17-20). That was the extent of their assignment. So, again, they had no authority to persuade the rest to refuse to go in and to decide to head back to Egypt.

            When the spies go into the land of Canaan, they go up and down the whole length of the land from north to south. They also see the people of the land and the fruit of the land. Two verses are key, 13:22 and 13:23. In Numbers 13:22, the Bible tells us that “the spies came to Hebron, where the descendants of Anak were.” The Anakim were giants, men of great height and strength. (It is likely that Goliath (1 Samuel 17) was a descendant of Anak.) Even from spying distance, it was obvious to all twelve spies that these giant men would make scary enemies. Numbers 13:22 is all about fear. Then in Number 13:23, we read about the fruit of the land of Canaan. There in the valley of Eshcol, the spies find a single cluster of grapes that is so large that it must be carried on a pole between two of the men. This giant cluster of grapes is a testimony to the goodness and provision of the LORD, that He is giving them a very fruitful land. Numbers 13:23 is all about faith. Thus, the twelve spies return to the camp of Israel in Kadesh.

THE TWO REPORTS

(For simplicity, I am going to refer to the ten unfaithful spies as either TEN or as FEAR. I will refer to the two faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb, as TWO or as FAITH.)

            The TEN spies give their report first. After a brief mention of the land and its fruit (13:27), they go on to say, “Nevertheless (which is a word that effectively negates what was said before), the people who live in the land are strong (13:28).” Their report quickly descends into a terrified account of people who are all enormous and of cities that are large and fortified and of a land that “devours its inhabitants.” Basically, they describe a death trap and imply that all the people are doomed.

            Caleb interrupts the TEN with his own account of their reconnaissance of the land, saying, “Let us go up at once and occupy the land, for we will surely overcome it (13:30).” How can two reports be so vastly far apart?

            Despite Caleb’s FAITH, the TEN hold sway and succeed in striking FEAR into the heart of the entire congregation. The people lament their leadership, they blame the LORD for their imagined desperate situation, and they want to find a new leader to take them back to Egypt (14:1-4). This is all specific rebellion and wicked disobedience.

            The TWO once again gain the floor and try to speak sense and FAITH into the people. The land is “an exceedingly good land (14:7; contrary to the brief mention of 13:27).” The LORD will bring us into this land that “flows with milk and honey.” “Do not rebel against the LORD and do not FEAR the people of the land. The LORD is with us, so do not FEAR them (14:9).”

            Finally, the LORD Himself brings down the verdict. “How long will this people despise Me and how long will they not believe in Me, in spite of all the signs I have done among them (14:11)?”

OBSERVATIONS OF FEAR AND FAITH

  • The LORD was giving the land to the sons of Israel (13:2). FAITH accepts the LORD’s gift and prepares to go into the land. FEAR is all doubt and uncertainty and keeps retreat as the preferred option.
  • FEAR fixes our gaze upon the threat (13:22) or the enemy and dreads the coming disaster, but FAITH fixes our gaze upon the LORD (14:9) and anticipates His power being displayed. (Hebrews 12:2)
  • FEAR magnifies and multiplies the adversaries (13:28-29, 31-33), but FAITH trusts the LORD to vanquish my adversaries (14:9).
  • A spark of FEAR can quickly grow into an inferno (13:31-33), so snuff it out quickly.
  • FEAR causes a person to project evil upon the LORD (14:3), a grievous sin, when the LORD is always and only good.
  • To act out of FEAR is “to rebel against the LORD (14:9).” This is no minor offense but is calling into question the very trustworthiness of the LORD. The LORD has declared and demonstrated that He is trustworthy. Therefore, we must not FEAR.
  • FAITH exhorts people with the words, “do not FEAR (14:9).” FEAR discourages the people to have no FAITH (14:1-4).
  • FEAR is a word of the devil and of the world and of the once-born. FAITH is word of the LORD and of the fellowship of believers and of the born-again.
  • To not trust the LORD is to “despise” the LORD (14:11). Again, we may imagine that not trusting the LORD is just a small chink in my discipleship armor, but the LORD views this lack of trust as “despising” Him.
  • To not trust the LORD is the same thing as not believing in the LORD (14:11). This is sobering, indeed, for if we do not believe in the LORD by the LORD’s own assessment, are we not ‘unbelievers?’ To not trust the LORD is a serious thing.
  • FAITH commits to the course and, thus, eliminates options of retreat.
  • When Joshua and Caleb went to spy out the land, they were inspecting their new home. By contrast, the TEN were visiting a strange land to see if it was safe.
  • Joshua and Caleb spied out the land as conquerors. On the other hand, the TEN spies went in as tourists.
  • Joshua and Caleb spied out the land with the LORD at their side (14:9). The TEN went into the land under their own strength (13:31-33).

APPLICATIONS AND LESSONS

            Going through this list of observations about faith and fear (above) can be instructional as we evaluate our own attitudes toward threats. It is certain that our natural response to threats and instability is fear. This is a result of the sin of Adam in the Garden and the Fall that followed. Therefore, the natural man always responds to threats with fear. But it is also true that the “old man” and the “flesh” within the follower of Jesus still draws us toward fear. Because that is the case, the disciple of Jesus must intentionally learn to resist and to reject fear and instead to respond to threats with faith, regardless of the nature of the threat.  In this light, I have several thoughts about ways we can move away from fear and move toward faith.

  • Always consciously CHOOSE to trust the LORD. This is the habit that Caleb had developed. He certainly saw the same Anakim (giants) that the other spies saw, but he CHOSE to let his thoughts dwell on the LORD and His power. Just so, when we are confronted with something that threatens us (job loss, COVID-19, widespread violence and anarchy, serious illness, relationship turmoil, persecution, personal loss, etc.), our first act must be to CHOOSE to turn to the Lord and trust the Lord and seek the Lord.
  • Ask the question, “What would be the OBEDIENT thing to do?” In the face of threat, the person of faith strives to continue to obey the Lord. Ideally, all actions are obedient actions.
  • Ask the question, “How would the Lord want me to act in this situation?” Consider examples of heroes from Scripture. How would they respond? Or what would be a response that would be pleasing to the Lord? Go, and do likewise.
  • Develop strong habits of prayer, especially during seasons of relative calm, so that the weapon of prayer will be available when the battle is joined. Therefore, pray:
    • To remind myself of the Lord’s faithfulness in the past. (Psalm 42:4, 6 “remember”)
    • So that I remember His love for me and His delight in me (Psalm 147:9-10; 149:4; Romans 8:31)
    • That the Lord would clarify the task in front of me so that I know the right path (Psalm 119:105)
    • That the Lord would give me the resolve to take action, when He has made known to me the path
    • To request the Lord’s help and to ask for His power
  • Be aware of my thinking and recognize when I am allowing my mind to dwell on fear or to drift into areas of spiritual unpreparedness.
  • When fear begins to well up, arrest those thoughts and turn my mind to obedient thoughts, like 1 Thess. 5:16-18; Psalm 131; 46; 56:3; 27:14; 34:4-6
  • Maintain the attitude of a soldier and be on the alert and be battle-ready (2 Timothy 2:3-4; Nehemiah 4:17; Ephesians 6:10ff; 1 Peter 5:8)

Caleb and Joshua saw all the same obstacles and threats in the land of Canaan that the other ten spies saw, but because they were men of faith, they chose to fix their eyes on the Lord and to act in faithful obedience to the Lord. Like these two heroes, we, too, see that same obstacles and threats that the rest of our world sees. Yes, there is no argument that the sources of potential fear and discouragement are many, but because we are people of faith, we can choose to trust our great God and we can continue to joyfully live out the mission that our risen King has given us. SDG                 rmb                 7/9/2020