Colossians 4:1-18: www.seachord.org

Colossians 4:1-18                                                  April 25, 2020



The Epistle to the Colossians was written in Rome during Paul’s first imprisonment.  Colosse, about 100 miles from Ephesus.  Colossians is a 3 city group of Colosse, Laodicean and Herapolis.  The city had never been visited by the apostle.  People had come to Colosse who taught a dangerous teachings known as Gnostic Understanding.  

·       Gnostics (Greek: Gnosis = knowledge). A mixture of mysticism, Eastern speculations and Jewish legalism.

·       Gnostics held that Jesus did not have a real human body, but only a phantom body.

·       He was, in fact, an aeon and had no real humanity.

·       They held that Jesus was only spiritual, not material;

·       Gnostics admitted the humanity of the man Jesus, but claimed that  Christ was an aeon that came on Jesus at his baptism in the form of a dove and left him on the Cross so that only the man Jesus died.

·       They were worship of angels as mediators to God, and higher than Jesus.

Colossians 4:1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

This verse should have ended Chapter 3.

Paul gives instructions to the owner / employers of servants.  He said justice and fair required that they should have proper food, proper raiment, due rest, and no more than moderate work

Paul does not concern himself only with servants or employees. Employers also have a duty not to take advantage of employees. Instead they should offer a just wage, proper benefits, and adequate rest.

As a side, Greeks and Romans slaves had no rights and they could appeal to no law; and they could neither expect justice nor equity. 

Paul gives further instructions to the Saints; In Christian witness

Colossians 4:2  Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert and thankful when you pray.

Just saying, don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God’s answers,

We need to devote ourselves to prayer

The biggest lack in the Christian walk is prayer. Not a casual luxury; it is essential and should become a habit.  To continue is hard with difficulties and is labor intensity. 

Luke 18:1 Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray all the time and never give up.

We need to keep praying until the answer comes. Have we given up in prayers because the answer has not been given to us.

Thankful for whatever we find ourselves in:  for everything, whether joyful, or sorrowful, physical and spiritual, national, family, and/or as an individual

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (16) Always be joyful. (17) Always keep on praying. (18) In everything be thankful, because this is God's will for you in the Messiah Jesus.

Guess what our prayers are like and where they go:

Revelation 5:8 When the lamb had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders bowed down in front of him. Each held a harp and a gold bowl full of incense, the prayers of the saints.

Without prayer, neither wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, nor masters, could fulfill the duties which God has place in us at this point of life. 

When we pray we have a promise from the all mighty, powerful God to provide our needs.

Matthew 7:7-8 "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you. (8) Because everyone who keeps asking will receive, and the person who keeps searching will find, and the person who keeps knocking will have the door opened.

Paul tells us Prayer is the heavy artillery of the Armor of God 

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request. Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the saints.

Colossians 4:3 At the same time also pray for us--that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about the Messiah, for which I have been imprisoned.

Colossians 4:3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

Paul was is still in a prison cell. Paul did not ask for the prison doors to be opened, ease, comfort or even safety, but only that the doors of ministry be opened and to preach Jesus.

Paul just wanted us to pray that give Paul many chances to preach the Good News of Christ for which I am here in jail

Colossians 1:26 Paul tells us this secret or mystery was hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints,  That is us, you and me

The mystery of Christ is basically the Good News of Salvation for all which can be known and experienced only through Christ.

Colossians 4:4 Pray that I may reveal it as clearly, as I should.

Paul’s chief concern is to make the message clear and plain to the Romans.

Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, so that, when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel, (20) for whose sake I am an ambassador in chains, desiring to declare the gospel as boldly as I should.

Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Outsiders are those outside the family of God and has not come to salvation. There are some things that are best confined to those who are of the faith and possess the essential background to understand

Let our conduct be of righteousness.  We are not provoke persecution.  Using every opportunity and seeking time to do the outsiders good. Therefore be the more on your guard in your actions with the outsiders, and not be responsible lest you be a stumbling-block to their conversion.

Just as today, Christians then were often viewed with suspicion, distrust and disdain. They were considered atheists and unpatriotic they would not worship the gods of Rome and Greece because they would not burn incense before the image of the emperor.  Orgies, cannibals (ate/drink blood of the body of Jesus)

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Paul is telling us to use courteous speech, calculated to attract rather than to repel individuals.

Let the speech be so seasoned by "grace" that it will not be strongly rejected or dislike, as food is with salt.

Not far from Colosse, in Phrygia, there was a salt lake, which gives to the image here the more appropriateness.

So that your answer to every person may be such as we adapt the message to the situation. The idea is to always say what is important and best for the occasion to each and every person.

1 Peter 3:15 Instead, exalt the Messiah" as Lord in your lives. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have.

Closing Personal Salutations or final greetings

Paul made many friends: over 100 different Christians (some named and unnamed) are referenced in Acts.

Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

Ephesians 6:21 So that you may know what has happened to me and how I am doing, Tychicus, our dear brother and a faithful minister in service to the Lord, will tell you everything.

Acts 20:4 He was accompanied by Sopater (the son of Pyrrhus) from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.

Tychicus was an Asian by birth and his names signifies fortunate and he was one of the men with Paul to carry offering to Jerusalem.   Acts 20:4   

It has been reported that he was one of the seventy disciples, and was afterwards bishop of Chalcedon.

He was to inform the Church Paul condition, how it was with him, as that he was in prison at Rome for the sake of the Gospel.

He is known forever in the Scriptures in whom Paul had complete confidence: beloved and faithful. How different. How rare it is to find someone who is both faithful to the truth, and yet caring.

Colossians 4:8  I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.

He not only to carry letters, but to update the status of the churches, and to instruct and comfort them. He was sent as an evangelist to encourage them. 

He was sent to discuss with them Paul’s current situation and was probably the one who read the letter to the churches, and answered questions about Paul’s condition in prison.

Colossians 4:9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.  {Rome}

Onesiums: Also, a faithful and was beloved. Remember, he was a dishonest, runaway slave who had robbed his master.  He met Paul and was converted and become a dedicated helper to Paul.   He has been suggested as the collector of the Paul many letters.

The Epistle to Philemon was about taking him back as a brother.  Tradition at this time that Tychicus bore the letter to Philemon about Onesimus.

According to tradition, he was afterwards bishop of Beyrhoea; and some say he suffered martyrdom under Domitian;

With 2 of them going to Colosse is the proper number to bear testimony and which they should be received by the church.  Remember, Jesus sent his disciples out by 2.

Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may established. 

Colossians 4:10  My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin {or nephew}  of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Interesting, greetings from 3 of Paul’s faithful Jewish friends, only Jews among His co-workers.

“Aristarchus”: A “fellow-prisoner,” a Thessalonian who accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey. Acts 27:2

Acts 27:2 After boarding a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to the ports on the coast of Asia, we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us.

Aristarchus seems an interesting habit of being with Paul in hard times.  Some scholars suggest he make himself Paul’s slave so that he travel with him on his journey to Rome.  Fellow-prisoner.

Mark became a trusted companion and like a son to Peter

1 Peter 5:13 Your sister church in Babylon, chosen along with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, whom I regard as a son.

That Paul endorsed him here implies that the Colossian Christians knew who Barnabas was and that there were some that still had doubts about Mark. 

This verse kind of infers that Barnabas was dead {probably around 62 AD}.

Acts 15:37-38 Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark, (38) but Paul did not think it was right to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and who had not gone with them into the work.

These churches knew that at one time Paul had refused to have Mark in his company, and hence would not have received him happy without such a letter from Paul 

Colossians 4:11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.

We only know of this man that, like Mark, he was a Jewish Christian, of the circumcision, and highly commended by Paul.

Justus means righteous, a common name among the Jews.  All the helpers that were there, were Jews.  Mark and Justus.  The rest were Gentiles. Peter was not in Rome at this time otherwise he would have been mentioned. 

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

“Epaphras”: , a preacher of the Gospel, It was his efforts that founded the church at Colossae, and it was Epaphras’ visit and status report that prompted this letter.  It is also significant that he was a prayer warrior.

The church were no longer being babes, but grown up to the measure of  the will of God, otherwise, the full maturity of a Christian.

Colossians 4:13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

Laodicea: All three churches were his burden. They were only a few miles apart across the valley of the Lycus.

Colossians 4:14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

Luke”: Historian, Physician, Evangelist, Author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts:  He was not mentioned among the three that “were of the circumcision.” He seems to have been a Gentile

When Paul first mentioned Demas, he called him a fellow worker. Here he simply says, “and Demas”; this may indicate that Paul isn’t really sure about him at this time. Demas and Luke seem to have been intimately associated as they are bound together here. 

2 Timothy 4:10 because Demas, having fallen in love with this present world, has abandoned me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

However, upon Paul’s second imprisonment we learn that the love the world had been too much for Demas and had forsaken or abandon Paul.  He is Forever mention in the Scriptures for deserting Paul.

It is interesting to find the 2nd and 3^rd evangelists in one small group around Paul, Mark and Luke. 

Luke preaches in many cities after the death of Paul and died a martyr, in Achaia, near the end of century.  He must have been a young man.

The six people who greeted the Colossians were connected with Paul in Rome, during the time of his house arrest and custody before appearing in the trial before Caesar. This shows that during this imprisonment - unlike the later one described in 2 Timothy - Paul, though chained, enjoyed at least the occasional the company of many friends and associates.

Colossians 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his {or her} house.

His or Her house, who really knows.  His in the old version, Hers in the latest version and the best authority is, their house.  Who knows.    Remember, no church building existed at this time and they met in private houses.  Special church building started around the 3^rd century. 

The apostle’s great warmth and true appreciation for his beloved coworkers comes through in these few verses. This should remind us that no one is an island. We all need the support of each other in the work of God.

The apostle’s salutation is a three-fold one;  


1. to the brethren that are in Laodicea;

2. that is to the whole of the Christian community in that city; and

3. to Nymphas, and to the church in his house. 


Nymphas would be a person both of Christian character and of generous feeling, and of some amount of wealth. Nothing more is known regarding him or her, as this is the only passage in which he or she is named.

Colossians 4:16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

Apostolic letters were circulated. This was done usually by copying and keeping the original. There are numerous theories as to the identity of the Laodicean letter mentioned in this verse.  No one really knows.

Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

That you may fulfill it: That you keep on filling to the full, discharge fully. This is a lifetime job. God does not discharge His servants.

Archippus: Take heed to the ministry”: possibly his son and the pastor of the church that met in his home.  Was he Philemon’s son?  Pastor of the church at Laodicea.  No way to know this for certain.

Paul just told the members to speak to him.

He is named in Philemon 1:2. He had some important work, and was no doubt a minister and a preacher. 

Colossians 4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul dictated his letters to a secretary, but it was his custom to give a special mark greeting in his own handwriting at the end of each letters 

2 Thessalonians 3:17 (17) I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine. It is the way I write.

This served to personalize and make this letter as real from him.  Remember, his eye sight was bad.

Three times in this chapter Paul mention his chains. The thought is, "Be willing to suffer for the gospel even as I do." Colossians 4:3,10,18

This served to personalize and make this letter as real from him.  Remember, his eye sight was bad.

Galatians 4:15 What, then, happened to your positive attitude? For I testify that if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

You can hear the clank of his chains, reminding us that he wrote from Rome as a prisoner, greeting in his own hand due to Paul’s eye problem.

General understanding, Paul died sometime after this letter.

Deborah, Judge and Prophetess, www.seachord.org

Deborah, Judge and Prophetess                              February 18, 2017

Go to www.seachord.org for pictures

Story:  the Israel people sinned and suffered by enduring twenty years of Canaanite rule.

Deborah, the Judge and Prophetess lived during the 12 Century B.C. 

She was a person who moral authority was regarded as inspired by the Lord, and was therefore accepted in the settlement of disputes.  

She was known to set under a tree between Bethel and Ramah, north of Jerusalem where the people of Israel came up to her for Judgment.

Judges 4:1 When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD.  

The land had rest for 80 years, the longest period of peace recorded in the Book of Judges, then the leadership of Ehud came to an end by his death.

Israel enjoyed peace, plenty, and prosperity and then forget God.  Then what followed was idolatry, worshipping Baalism, and the gods of the nations about them; 

After Ehud dies, the Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor defeats Israel with his nine hundred iron chariots and rules for twenty years. His commander, the General, Sisera, 

Judges 4:2  So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim.  

The Lord allowed Israel to be into the hands of the Canaanites as punishment for their sins. Canaan was made up a number of city-states, each ruled by a king. 

Hazor was the primary stronghold, about 8 ½ miles north of the Sea of Galilee.  “Jabin” was the name (or a royal title) of the King of Hazor.  He was also called “King of Canaan,” which suggests that he was the head of a group of kings. 

Joshua had burned Hazor, but the Canaanites had rebuilt it and occupied it.

Sisera’s base, located by the narrow gorge where the Kishon River enters the Plain of Acre about 10 miles NW of Megiddo.

This picture shows where they lived. 

Judges 4:3  And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel.  

With his large army and 900 chariots of iron, with iron knives projecting from the axle on each side, Jabin was securely in control of the land. 

From the text you can get the idea that Sisera, captain of Jabin’s army, was the real power in the land.  

The chariot was an iron chariot that could have knives from the axle with 2 horses.

Deborah said not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel

Jabin isn’t even mentioned in Deborah’s song in Judges 5.

Jabin is a royal title, not a name.  Jos 11:10. 

Once again, Israel cried out to God—not to forgive their sins, but to relieve their suffering.   20 years was a long time to wait for help.

Judges 4:4  Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 

No information about her husband

Deborah: means bee.  The Introduction of Deborah.  She called herself a mother in Israel.

Deborah became the spirit of the government and discharged all the special duties of a judge, except that of military leader. She seem to have had direct communications from God, either of knowledge or power, or both

Judges 4:5  And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.  

For judgment: to have her advice and counsel in matters of difficulty, and to have problems between contending parties heard and decided by her, so that she might be truly reckoned among the judges.  She would seat in open air, under the shadow or canopy of the palm tree.

It is common to plant trees in the names of themselves and their friends.

But she saw herself as a mother of her people.

Deborah’s court, located about 9  miles N of Jerusalem

Judges 4:6  Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, 'Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun;  

Deborah appointed Barak to be general of the armies on this occasion; which shows that she possessed the supreme power in the state.

Barak name signifies lightning, an appropriate name for a warrior.

She sent and called Barak Around 1250 b.c.

We see where Barak lived at Kedesh on the map

We locate Mt. Tabor

We can locate the Kishon River

Mount Tabor rises to about 1,865 ft. above the sea, and its broad top of nearly a mile in circumference afforded a strong position, out of reach of Canaanite chariots and from which to launch an attack on the enemy below.

If we look towards Mount Tabor, the land is flat and the fields are cover with many different flowers of many types.  This flat land with flowers is where the Canaanite camps were set up for their tents and war-chariots.

The soldiers were to gather at Mt. Tabor.  The battle would be fought along the River Kishon, which flows northwest into the Mediterranean, south of Mt. Tabor.   

Judges 4:7  and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand'?" 

God revealed to Deborah that Barak was to assemble and help the Israelite army and draw Sistera’s troops into a trap near Mount Tabor, and there the Lord would defeat them.

Deliver him:  not his person only, but his army, and his nine hundred chariots.

The brook or stream, River Kishon so called from its winding course is normally dry could swell very suddenly and dangerously, to overflow its banks with heavy rains.

Judges 4:8  And Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!"  

Barak was not a “judge”, but Military Leader; he got his orders from Deborah, who was Spiritual leader in the land, Deborah.  

Paul put Barak among the heroes for faith, Hebrews 11:32-33

Barak showed the high opinion he had of Deborah as a judge of Israel, and prophetess of the Lord; being desirous that he might have her with him,

thinking it might help them to fight better.

But why:

·      to pray to God for him,

·      to give him advice and counsel on any emergency,

·      being as the oracle God

·      testified his regard to the Lord, and to his presence,

·      might be to prevail upon the people to go with him,

·      he might fear would not believe him, or

·      pay any regard to his words, and

·      be in dread of engaging with the enemy, unless she was present; which he

·      supposed would satisfy them as to the mind of God in it

·      give the army heart and spirit.

Judges 4:9  So she said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. 

Deborah or was it God that was somewhat upset with Barak about this.

This prophecy what will happen probably did understand at the time.

Normally, the general of an army receives glory, but Barak will not.

Judges 4:10  And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; he went up with ten thousand men under his command, and Deborah went up with him. 

The Israel army was all footmen, since they did not have a cavalry.  According to Josephus, they had 10,000 horses.

Later, volunteers from the tribes of Benjamin, Ephraim, joined Deborah.

Reuben, Dan, Gilead, Asher, refused to come. {Jug 5:16,17}

What Deborah and Barak did was an act of faith; they were depending upon His promise

·      Josephus said the king’s commander met them,

·      pitched his camp not far from the enemy;

·      the Israelites were so afraid at the large number of enemies,

·      they were going to leave

·      Deborah kept them there and commanded them to fight the enemy that very day.

Judges 4:11  Now Heber the Kenite had left the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses' brother-in-law, and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh.

They were distant relatives of Moses.

Judges 4:12  And they reported to Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor.  

It was Heber and his family that first warned Canaanites General that the Israelites were going to rebel.   

Judges 4:13  So Sisera gathered together all his chariots, nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth Hagoyim to the River Kishon. 

See where Canaanite Forces are

The Canaanites depended on 900 iron chariots. The Israelites were depending upon the Lord.  Josephus said there were 3000 chariots.

The Canaanites probably had three hundred thousand foot soldiers, and ten thousand horses, besides the iron chariots: brought with them.

Canaanite General chose this area as the battlefield

Judges 4:14  Then Deborah said to Barak, "Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. 

Deborah, who was fully assured of it, and therefore it became Barak and his men, and great encouragement they had, to follow, since as the Lord went before them, they might be sure of victory

Deborah told Barak the precise time in which he was to make the attack

Judges 5:19-23 "Kings came to fight, then battled the kings of Canaan at Taanach near the waters of Megiddo. They took no silver as the spoils of war. (20) The stars fought from heaven; they fought against Sisera from their orbits. (21) The current of the Kishon River swept them downstream, that ancient current, the Kishon's current! March on strongly, my soul! (22) Then loud was the beat of the horses' hooves--from the galloping, galloping war steeds! (23) "'Meroz is cursed!' declared the angel of the LORD. 'Utterly and totally cursed are its inhabitants, because they never came to the aid of the LORD, to the aid of the LORD against the valiant warriors!'"

Josephus wrote:  So the battle began, a great storm, vast quantity of rain and hail, and the wind blew rain in the face of the Canaanites so they could not use their weapons, and to the backs of the Israelites.  The Canaanites 900 iron chariots are bogged down when heavy rain falls on the low-lying land beneath the steep slopes, mud, and they are swept away by the overflowing River, Kishon.

Judges 4:15  And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot.  

The Lord and His angels were involved in the battle.

The Israelite's rushed down those slopes of Mount Tabor, boldly attacked the Canaanite camps became sitting targets for the Israelites army charging down the mountainside and won a glorious victory

His chariot would betray the rank of its rider and was caught in mud, his only chance of escape was on foot.

The Lord sent a fierce rainstorm that would make the Kishon River overflow and turn the battlefield into a sea of mud (Judge 5:20-22).  In addition to the storm, they were thrown into panic and total confusion.

Judges 5:20-21 NIV  From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera.  (21)  The river Kishon swept them away, the age-old river, the river Kishon. March on, my soul; be strong!

·      What helped to confuse and frighten the Canaanites was the sudden appearance of heavy rains during the traditional dry season (June –Sept). 

·      He would not have taken his chariots to the fields if there was any hint of bad weather. 

·      When you remember, that to them, Baal was the god of storms, you can imagine how this impacted the superstitious Canaanites.

·      Josephus says there was heavy rain and hail,

·      and the wind blew the rain in their faces,

·      which so blinded their eyes,

·      that their slings and arrows were of no use to them; and t

·      hey that bore armor were so benumbed,

·      that they could not hold their swords.

Judges 4:16  But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth Hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.  

No one escaped except for Sisera.  Reported  that nine hundred and ninety seven thousands of His army were slain.

Main body of the army fled northward; others were forced into the Kishon River and drowned

The commander of the Canaanites, fled on foot across the plain

Judges 4:17  However, Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 

Women had their tents apart from their husbands.

He might think himself safer in a tent than in a town; and especially in the tent of a woman, where he might imagine no search would be made; for women of note, in those times, had separate tents,

He managed to get near the oak of Zaanannim, on the border of Naphatali (Josh 19:33), about six miles east of Mt. Tabor, and the site of the tents of Heber. 

Sisera knew that Heber and his family were friendly toward King Jabin, and regarded it as a safe house.

Judges 4:18  And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, "Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; do not fear." And when he had turned aside with her into the tent, she covered him with a blanket. 

In this culture, nobody would dare enter a wife’s tent except her husband; entering into a woman’s tent, itself, brought them under the death penalty.

She covered him with a blanket: Either to hide him, should any search be made for him, or it may be to keep him from catching cold, being in a sweat through his flight, and being also perhaps inclined to sleep through tiredness

Judges 4:19  Then he said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." So she opened a jug of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him.  

(Probably buttermilk)  Sisera had no reason to suspect danger: Heber’s clan was friendly; Jael had shown hospitality and kindness; no pursuing Israelite soldier would force his way into a woman’s tent. He was now confident that he had found a dependable ally and where he could rest in peace.

Judges 4:20 "Stand in the doorway of the tent," he told her. "If someone comes by and asks you, 'Is anyone in there?' say 'No.'"

He makes the mistake of asking her to lie if anyone asked for him. 

She then realizes that the battle was lost, the grip of the Canaanites was broken, and he was “on the run.”  

If she protected Him, she’d be in trouble with the Israelites, her own relatives. 

Anyone chasing Him wouldn’t be satisfied until the captain was dead.

Judges 4:21  Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.  

In the eastern cultures, the women put up and took down the tents; she knew how to use a hammer with iron nail.  What Sisera didn’t know was that God had promised that a woman would take his life.

So he died; not in the field of battle, but in a tent; not by the sword, but by a nail; not by the hand of a man, but of a woman, as Deborah foretold and prophesied, 

Judges 4:22  And then, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, "Come, I will show you the man whom you seek." And when he went into her tent, there lay Sisera, dead with the peg in his temple.  
So Barak saw that a woman had the honor of victory, as Deborah prophesied

What impression this made on the victorious Barak is not said: it could not give him much pleasure, especially when he learned the circumstances of his death.

This victory gained by a woman, as Deborah had foretold and prophesied. 

Judges 5:24-26  "Blessed above all women is Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite; most blessed is she among women who live in tents! (25) Sisera asked for water--she gave him milk. In a magnificent bowl she brought him yogurt! (26) She reached out one hand for the tent peg, and her other for the workman's mallet. Then she struck Sisera, smashing his head, shattering and piercing his temple.

Judges 4:23  So on that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan in the presence of the children of Israel.  

Judges 4:24  And the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

Josephus says, that as Barak went towards Hazor, he met Jabin, and slew him; and took his cities, and destroyed the inhabitants of them and was the commander of the Israelites for forty years, of rest.

Let’s take one more look at the battle between the Lord, Deborah, Barak and Jabin and Sisera.

·       This is a Google Earth Pro Map aerial of the lay of the land around Mount Tabor.

·       We see the location of the Kishon River going through the flat land.

·       Can see on them where both Israel and Canaanite forces gather before the battle.

·       We see on the map where Israel forces won the battle and victory.

·       Then the area where Sisera was killed with a tent peg through his head.

Judge 5:1-31    Deborah and Barak rejoice and sang in victory.

Israel will be at peace for almost forty years.

Grave of Deborah or Barak, but to guess, probably Barak, since he is from Kadesh.

3 Days – 3 Nights, is this true

3 Days – 3 Nights, is this true                                  April 11, 2020


Resurrection and Ascension, what is the difference

The Jewish leadership wanted a sign from Jesus.  

Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You."

They asked Jesus to show them a sign, which is a miracle or they will not believe.

Matthew 12:39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Did Jesus pause when He said this.  Were they wondering what Jonah has anything to do with a sign.

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Did they wonder, what did Jesus really mean about the 3 days -3 nights

Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

Matthew 12:42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 16:1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.

They just wanted to test Jesus’ claim of being the Messiah by asking him to show them some great demonstrations in the skies.

Matthew 16:4 This evil, unbelieving nation is asking for some strange sign in the heavens, but no further proof will be given except the miracle that happened to Jonah.” Then Jesus walked out on them.

Luke 11:16  Others asked for something to happen in the sky to prove his claim of being the Messiah.

This is the reason for proof the Jewish leaders wanted that Jesus is the Messiah.

Luke 11:29-30 And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, "This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. (30) For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation.

To prove I am the Messiah, but the only proof I will give them is a miracle like that of Jonah, will prove that God has sent me to these people. 

Luke 11:32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

Jesus just said, He is far greater than Jonah is here, now, among them, but this nation/people won’t listen

Just a side note:  for those who say the story of Jonah is untrue and just legend, Jesus doesn’t agree with them.

There is another important feast day that is not a High Sabbath day, the Feast of Firstfruits.  Interestingly enough, is this the day of Resurrection and or Ascension.  

As we know there are two High Sabbath Days during the Feast of Unleavened Bread and a weekly Sabbath fall in-between the High Sabbaths.  

When did Jesus die. 

Mark 15:25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.

Area where Jesus was crucified was in Darkness from Noon until 3 pm

Mark 15:33-34 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. (34) At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, eloi, lema sabachthani?", which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Jesus last words and died around 3 in the afternoon

Matthew 27:46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?").

Matthew 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

Mark 15:37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

Jesus died before sunset, that means after 3 days – 3 nights, Jesus was raised from the dead just before sunset on the weekly Sabbath. 

This Sabbath, is the day, we are celebrating, now.

·      Jesus died at about 3 PM on a Wednesday and was laid in a new tomb.  

·      On the weekly Sabbath, Saturday, exactly three days and 3 nights after His burial,

·      Then God the Father resurrected His Son to eternal life.

How do we know these times are correct?  Do we believe this statement?

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

The words and deeds of Jesus was recorded in the Scriptures about His death and resurrection in the four gospels.

Even Pharisees and high priests remembered Jesus said what His sign was, when they said this to Pilate:

Matthew 27:63  and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said while he was still alive, 'After three days I will be raised.'

Matthew 27:57-66 Later that evening, a rich man arrived from Arimathea. His name was Joseph, and he had become a disciple of Jesus. (58) He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered it to be done. (59) So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. 

(60) Then he placed it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out of the rock. After rolling a large stone across the door of the tomb, he left, (61) but Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained there, sitting in front of the tomb. (62) The following day (that is, after the Day of Preparation), the high priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate 

(63) and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said while he was still alive, 'After three days I will be raised.' (64) Therefore, order the tomb to be secured until the third day, or his disciples may go and steal him and then tell the people, 'He has been raised from the dead.' Then the last deception would be worse than the first one." (65) Pilate told them, "You have a military guard. Go and make the tomb as secure as you know how." (66) So they went and secured the tomb by putting a seal on the stone in the presence of the guards.

Did Jesus explain what constitutes a "day" and a "night”?

John 11:9,10 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. (10) But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

·      The plain meaning is that Jesus said there are twelve hours of daylight to form a "day," and the corresponding twelve hours of darkness Jesus called "night."

·      Thus three days and three nights would be made up of six twelve-hour periods or 72 hours.

Jesus was buried and His body was prepared before sundown by His disciples

·      After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus and was granted the body to Joseph. 

·      Joseph then wrapped Jesus body in fine linen and laid Him in a tomb. 

·      Joseph only had about 3 hours before sunset, when the 1^st Day of Unleavened Bread will start.

·      Jewish law required all dead bodies to be buried before a Sabbath. 

Mark 15:42,46 It was the Day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath. Since it was already evening, (43) Joseph of Arimathea, a highly respected member of the Council, who was waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (44) Pilate was amazed to hear that Jesus had already died, so he summoned the centurion to ask him if he was in fact dead. 

(45) When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he let Joseph have the corpse. (46) Joseph bought some linen cloth, took the body down, wrapped it in the cloth, laid it in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.

Matthew 27:59,60 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  (60)  and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

John 19:31 The Jewish leaders didn’t want the victims hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath at that, for it was the Passover), so they asked Pilate to order the legs of the men broken to hasten death; then their bodies could be taken down.

They place the body of Jesus in a new tomb, never used before, because the Sabbath was on them.

John 19:41,42 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. (42) So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

He was buried for exactly 72 hours, He was also resurrected at sunset—not at dawn!

Jesus fulfilled another Old Testament festival upon being resurrected, the Feast of Firstfruits. 

Leviticus 23:9 The LORD spoke to Moses,

Leviticus 23:10,11 "Tell the Israelis that when you enter the land that I'm about to give you and gather its produce, you are to bring a sheaf from the first portion of your harvest to the priest, who will offer the sheaf in the LORD's presence for your acceptance. The priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.

Leviticus 23:12,13  "On the day you wave the sheaf, you are to offer a one year old male lamb without defect for a burnt offering in the LORD's presence.  Also present a meal offering of two tenths of a measure of fine flour mixed with olive oil as an offering made by fire to the LORD, a pleasing aroma. "Now as to a drink offering, you are to present a fourth of a hin of wine.

Leviticus 23:14 You are not to eat bread, parched grain, or fresh grain until that day when you've brought the offering of your God. This is to be an eternal ordinance throughout your generations, wherever you live."

This festival, in which a priest waved "a sheaf of the firstfruits of harvest" before the Lord, was held each year on the day after the weekly Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

Thus, a priest would have conducted this wave sheaf ceremony on the day after Christ's resurrection.   On the Day of Jesus ascension to the Father for His approval. 

During this period, according to the Mishnah, the sheaf to be waved in the ceremony was taken from the field as the Sabbath ended and Sunday began. 

This is on the Sabbath at evening, when the 1^st Day of the week start, Sunday.  So, at dusk at the end of the Sabbath, the priest "put the sickle to the grain"

Deuteronomy 16:9 "You shall count seven weeks for yourself; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain.

This is how we are to count from this Feast Day when Pentecost is observed.  Counted from the sickle to the grain.

When was the sheaf waved? Histories of the time show that it was waved about the same time as the daily morning sacrifice, that is, about 9 am on Sunday.

·      The reaping and waving of the sheaf symbolized Israel giving the first and best of the harvest to God and is acceptance by Him.

·      It is exactly this symbolism that Jesus fulfilled! 

As the weekly Sabbath was ending, exactly 72 hours from His burial, God resurrected Him from the dead! God "reaped" the first and best of His spiritual harvest

1 Corinthians 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.

Now, are we saying, Jesus resurrection, no, I do not think so, but it is Jesus accession to the Father Sunday morning.  We will look at this a little closer.

We know Mary was at the tomb early Sunday morning, what did Jesus tell her.

Matthew 28:1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

John 20:14-16 After she had said this, she turned around and noticed Jesus standing there, without realizing that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus asked her, "Dear lady, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she told him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him away." 

(16) Jesus told her, "Mary!" She turned around and told him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means "Teacher").

John 20:17 Jesus told her, "Don't hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

·      Notice Jesus was resurrected or brought back to life, what 6 to 12 hours before Sunday morning,

·      He had not ascended to the Father yet, to be accepted as in the Feast of Firstfruits.  

John 20:18 So Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" She also told them what he had told her.

Wonder why the long time between resurrection and ascension. 

As a Side, very difficult Scripture, pure guess.   Warning: Could this be it, a hint.

1 Peter 3:18,19 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (19) by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,    {Could this be where Jesus went during this time period}

·      As the firstfruits of God's Family, Jesus had not yet appeared before the Father for acceptance as our Savior and High Priest!

·      He had not yet been "waved"!

·      The context of John 20 shows that it was still early in the morning, and most likely, shortly after Mary returned to the disciples,

·      Jesus ascended to His Father's throne in heaven to be accepted as our Redeemer; at about the same time the priest waved the sheaf before God in the Temple.

·      God fulfills His Word to the letter!

As a Side, very difficult Scripture, pure guess. 

The words of the angel to the women, "He is risen!"

Matthew 28:5,6 Responding to the women, the angel said, "Stop being frightened! I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified. (6) He is not here. He has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying.

Mark 16:6 But he told them, "Stop being astonished! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He is not here. Look at the place where they laid him.

These Scriptures show Jesus did ascent to the Father sometime around Sunday morning and was resurrected before sunset on the Sabbath.

Resurrection and Ascension are two different events.

It is an amazing true fact; Jesus gave Himself to be crucified to pay the penalty of our sins.  Yes, yours and mine sins.

Paul tells us, as we wait eagerly for Jesus to return to the earth for us:

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Our Future Glory as we wait for His second appearance.

Romans 8:18,19 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  (19)  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

What we are told that just as Christ rose from the dead, so will His faithful disciples {that is us} when He returns. 

On this Paul writes,

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus God will bring those who have died with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18  With a shout of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of God's trumpet, the Lord himself will come down from heaven, and the dead who belong to the Messiah will rise first. (17) Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (18) So then, encourage one another with these words.

Jesus is our elder Brother, we will be as He is.  What a wonderful gift we will be given.

Jesus has given us the potential to share eternal life with Him in the Kingdom of God! 

What a tremendous hope we have.  What a wonderful God!