Powerful and aggressive neighbors still surrounded the weak remnant. He defeated Darius at the battle of Issus and then marched south, sending one of his commanders to Damascus, while he moved unhindered toward the Phoenician cities. The Qurans Ar-Rad 13:11 reads: Indeed Allah will not change the conditions of a population until they change what is in themselves. Hannah's Story of Pain in the Bible. He promises to give us victory over powerful enemies (9:13-15). And, again, Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him (Rev. It took him seven months, during which time his army took the rubble from the original city and built a causeway to the island city. He knew the Creator would help him in His own time and way, and would be sufficient for his need. 7-8). Verse two has likely been quoted by many Christians as they encounter trials or confusing difficulties. Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all." Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will . Gods help is not limited to physical needs and troubles but extends to spiritual matters as well. Since I am afflicted and needy,Let the Lord be mindful of me.You are my help and my deliverer;Do not delay, O my God. In fact, the Bible says and teaches the exact opposite! For example, God helped David when he was pursued by King Saul (1 Samuel 23:14-29) and helped Daniel when he was thrown into the lions den (Daniel 6:16-23). not even one. (Romans 3:1012). It is not a biblical concept. These verses describe Gods judgment on Israels neighbors while Israel itself is spared. The closest we could come in English is to say, Tyre built herself a tower. Zechariah is tongue-in-cheek saying, Tyre thinks she is tough. It was a mighty city, situated on an island about 700 yards off the coast from the original city. All rights reserved. (1) She . THE FOUNDING OF THE FAMILY, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE NON-PARADISIACAL LIFE. God loves you and wants to help you and be your friend every day of your life. In the context of Zechariah 9, the prophet is showing that the Messiah would come in humility and lowliness, not in a display of human might. We have two other difficult concepts to understand about God. Other religions (both monotheistic and polytheistic) run into a couple of theological issues. By the way, as with many biblical prophecies, verse 8 spans the centuries. Another example of God helping an individual in the Bible is the story of Joshua. God didnt need Creation to fill a loneliness in his heart. One of the most familiar verses in the Bible is, "God helps those who help themselves." The problem is, that "verse" is not in the Bible! What Are Some Examples Of Pride In The Bible? The Bible is the holy scripture of the Christian religion, purporting to tell the history of the Earth from its earliest creation to the spread of Christianity in the first century A.D. This was directed to the Jews who still believed in the God of Abraham, but who had not yet returned to Israel from the captivity. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him (Rev. He convicts of sin, and as believers are in fellowship and partnership with Him, He produces good fruit in their lives (John 16:8; Galatians 5:22-23). And if God is dependent on something, that means we need to worship something greater than him. (Romans 5:6,8). You may wonder, But what about Gods people who have been tortured or slaughtered? Of course, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, as explained here by Live Science, shows the universe has a limited amount of energy and is therefore finite. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. A soldier often carried his shield in his left hand, and the right side was exposed and vulnerable. Because of his infinite nature, he is not reliant on anything for his existence. of It is significant that in Revelation, when God throws down wicked Babylon that has killed the prophets and saints, we read, Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her (Rev. The blood from their mouth refers either to their pagan sacrifices or to their prey in battle (9:7). A remnant of the Israelites had returned 70. Gods help is always available to those who call on Him in times of trouble. Everyone has troubles. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. He cares for all creation and values us greatly (Matthew 6:26). For example, the Old Testament book of Proverbs teaches that relying on ourselves, rather than on the wisdom of God, is foolhardy: Those who trust in themselves are fools, On his way back north, Alexander had a score to settle with Jerusalem. We, his creation, are his children. Zechariah is now an old man. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. The Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, narrates the history of the people of Israel over about a millennium, beginning with God's creation of the world and humankind, and contains the stories,. 2023 BGEA While proud, mighty Tyres impressive fortifications failed, Israels invisible stronghold, the Lord God, delivered them from the fierce conqueror. He said, "After all the Bible says, God helps those who help themselves." First:Hes all powerful (Omnipotent, Job 42:2). God had no beginning (just as He will have no end); He has always existed, and He always will. It is an important period of biblical history because both the captivity/exile and the return and restoration of the Jewish nation were fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies. The real origin of the motto probably lies in ancient Greece, when the storyteller Aesop wove the proverb into one of his tales: A WAGGONER was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. Or when did God begin? Babylonian Captivity, also called Babylonian Exile, the forced detention of Jews in Babylonia following the latter's conquest of the kingdom of Judah in 598/7 and 587/6 bce. The word tends to mean rulers, judges, or divine ones. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the prophets argued that the exile happened because the people failed to follow God's instructions. To learn more, please visit our affiliate information page here. --In this chapter we have the history of the founding of the family of Cain, a race godless and wanton, but who, nevertheless, far outstripped the descendants of Seth in the arts of civilisation.To tillage and a pastoral life they added metallurgy and music; and the knowledge . Through Moses, God delivered the Israelites from slavery and led them to the Promised Land. Thus says the Lord who made youAnd formed you from the womb, who will help you,Do not fear, O Jacob My servant;And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen. 19:5). For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name (Ps. He repopulated the city with people from the neighboring areas, thus fulfilling verses 5 & 6. He thus fulfilled literally the prophecy of Ezekiel 26:12, 14, where God says that He will throw Tyres stones and timbers into the water and that the city will never be rebuilt. I know thats hard for us to understand, because everything we see around us had a beginning. Time needs space and matter to exist, and neither existed until God created them. After all, Creation started at a set point in time, and God, being eternal, is outside of time. To goof off all semester and then ask God to get you through a test is not a wise plan! But God never changes; as the Bible says, I the Lord do not change (Malachi 3:6). According to the Jewish historian Josephus (The Antiquities of the Jews [Baker reprint], 11:8:3-5), when the high priest heard that Alexander was moving north toward Jerusalem, he entreated the Jews to offer sacrifices and pray. Throughout the Bible, there are countless examples of God helping and intervening in the lives of individuals, groups, and nations. And what does the Bible say instead? It consists of two burdens. The first burden (chap. When people sing, Hes got the whole world in His hands, what theyre saying is, the Maker is in control, and He has unlimited power and resources to help. Its tempting to think that we might be able to help ourselves out of even this predicament, but the Bible clearly teaches that theres nothing we can do on our own to find salvation. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. I don't know your problems, troubles . Blessings, Your Sister Amy Connect with Me: https://www.bethechurchministry.com Facebook Sisterhood: Women's Bible Study - Transformation Mind, Body, & Soul . These verses should encourage us because they show that God prepares deliverances for His people years before we even know that we need them. This article will endeavor to discuss the origins of the word God, answer the question of who created God or where he came from, cover Gods omnipotence and omniscience, and how we can know God is really there. Such prophetic events (or people) are centuries apart, although the prophecy doesnt specify that fact. Answer The Babylonian captivity or exile refers to the time period in Israel's history when Jews were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. . by Rick Barry on June 25, 2023. Albert Mohler. The analogy breaks down in that it would be unhealthy to be totally dependent on a spouse. The answer is that God has always been there, and no one created him. Home The Bible's history goes back a long way. He had an eternal plan (John 17:24) before Creation. God existed long before the mountains were formed (Psalm 90:2). Powerful kings did not ride to battle on donkeys, especially not on the foal of a donkey! Solicitation Disclosure Statement Again, that question can run into a number of problems. What Happens When Christians Don't Know Ecclesiology? 11:11), was beheaded because of the stupid promise of a drunken, lustful king. God told the priest in a dream to open the city gates, dress his fellow priests in white robes and put on his own priestly garments, and to march out to meet Alexander. We can see verses about Gods fatherhood throughout the Old and New Testament. Dawn Wilsonhas served in revival ministry and missions for more than 50 years. The writer of Hebrews said, " By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.'. One of the most common questions an atheist may try to pose to a Christian is, where did God come from? In other words, who created God? Why does God allow trials, worries, anxieties, and difficulties? Psalm 121, especially the first two verses, is a good example of the God who helps His own. Verse 3 has a Hebrew pun. The series of beings creating the next being would go on ad infinitem. This story of spiritual strength is found in 1 Samuel 1. 7 Short but Mighty Lessons from the Book of James, When it Comes to Miracles, God Does it His Way. The Jews in Jesus day were expecting a powerful political Messiah who would deliver Israel from Rome. Zechariah predicts that God will judge all of these powerful neighbors, but God will protect Israel from the army that passes by and returns (9:8). Revelation 6:9-11 pictures many martyred saints in heaven, waiting the day of their vindication. So the next time you hear someone say God helps those who help themselves, remind them what the Bible says instead: God helps those who cant help themselves. So if its not in the Bible, whered it come from? I know it because God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to show us His love. Hadrach (9:1) and Hamath (9:2) were cities near Damascus, north of Israel. Many treasures will come forth as we go verse by verse through the book of Ruth. Receive the help of others in the family of God. He graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1976 in Bible exposition) and Califo More, o tolerance for our boasting in anything that we do. However, God loved us so much that He sent His only son Jesus to die for our sins and rise again (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). We need strength, endurance, and patience. Time didnt exist until God declared it to exist. Zechariah 9 illustrates a principle that runs all through Scripture and is essential for you to understand and apply: God brings down the proud, but He helps those who are helpless, who depend on His deliverance. You do not see that in other religions. All of creation points to a Creator (Psalm 19:1-4). In all circumstances, we can trust in Gods word that says, I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! A Song. On a logical standpoint, we have to consider how the universe came into existence in the first place. What if they tear down the temple we worked so hard to rebuild? there is no one who seeks God. Note the assurances that He gives to encourage us to trust Him: We are in a blood covenant relationship with Him (9:11). Our soul waits for the Lord;He is our help and our shield. Just in time, Christ will return and cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and will reign over all the earth (9:10). He would deal with their enemies through the coming Messiah-King and would fulfill His promises to bless His people in His appointed time. God said that he would prevent anyone from killing Cain with impunity. He argued that the Bible was a record of God's search for human beings and the human search for God; the cardinal sin in reading the Bible, said Heschel, was "literal-mindedness." Finally, some argue that the Bible is sacred, as the scriptures of other people are sacred, as the human chronicle of a search for the divine. Christ Himself is our stronghold. So as He approached Jerusalem on that final Sunday, Jesus acted out a public demonstration to show the rulers, the people, and His disciples that He was their Messiah. Instead, we are saved by the passionate, undeserved love of God. 33:16, 18-21). How do I know this? The Old Testament often calls God "My help" and other similar names in the context of His defense from enemies. Answer It is accurate to say that God wrote the Bible. Contact Us. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Eph. One of the most familiar verses in the Bible is, God helps those who help themselves. The problem is, that verse is not in the Bible! So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; for He says,At the acceptable time I listened to you,And on the day of salvation I helped you.Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation. With no time to waste, he looked up and shouted, Is there anybody up there that can help me? Just then, the clouds parted and a deep voice boomed out of the sky, Have faith, Ill catch you. Historians agree that several deportations took place (each the result . John Gill. If there are many gods, then there is no one true powerful being, and therefore, they are finite in power. A Psalm of David. Ancient deism, an unbiblical belief, taught that God made the entire universe, and then left it to function on its own. Alexander, who was about 21, set out with an army of 35,000 men, moving west through modern-day Turkey, which was then under Persian rule. Nothing is too hard for you (Jeremiah 32:17). The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). For by grace you have been saved through. This means that the Lord has prepared deliverances for situations that you may encounter this week, later this year, and for the rest of your life. Are all trials the result of sin committed by the one who suffers? Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,And Your right hand upholds me;And Your gentleness makes me great. People are all helpless when it comes to salvation, but God provided the help that is needed. One of the most important ways God helps us is through salvation. The captivity formally ended in 538 bce, when the Persian conqueror of Babylonia, Cyrus the Great, gave the Jews permission to return to Palestine. In fact, its the exact opposite of biblical teaching! God is also our Father as well as Creator. Even the universethe stars, the galaxies, even the atoms you cant see that make up everything in the worldall had a beginning. My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). Journey with us this month as we explore the theme, "God's Saving Word . Also, we do have to keep in mind that God wasnt alone. King David had lots of experience of God helping him in practical ways. David saw God as the One who would provide a protective shade another shield against potential harm. Psalm 109:26 Help me, O Lord my God; Save me according to Your lovingkindness. Relatable Bible Stories for Everyday Life, 5 Examples of Confidence in the Bible and Their Significance, A Heart of Gold: 4 Bible Examples of Kindness and Goodness, Unveiling Prophetic Wonders: Insights into 2 Kings 6, Unveiling Hidden Gems: An Analytical Exploration of 2 Kings 5, Unveiling Miracles: Exploring 2 Kings 4 Commentary, Dynamic Kingdoms Unveiled: A Remarkable Analysis of 2 Kings 3, Whispers of Legacy: Unveiling the Epic Schemes in 2 Kings 2, The Fiery Conundrum Unveiled: Analyzing 2 Kings Ch. God also protected the Israelites from their enemies, such as the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13) and the Canaanites (Joshua 6:1-21). The last part, that no oppressor will pass over Jerusalem any more, remains to be fulfilled when Israels Messiah returns in power and glory (Merrill Unger, Zechariah: Prophet of Messiahs Glory [Zondervan], p. 159). But the most important truth I can tell you about God is that He loves you, and He wants you to know Him and be His friend. How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,Whose hope is in the Lord his God. God wants us all to see that deliverance by any human source or scheme is in vain (Ps. Why are you in despair, O my soul?And why have you become disturbed within me?Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,The help of my countenance and my God. However, the people began to partake in . He gives peace of mind, guidance, rest, joy, encouragement, and so much more. But God used Alexander to bring the city down. God helped Israel defeat the powerful armies of the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:10-11) and the Assyrians (Isaiah 37:36). 60:11). The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength; Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. In desperation, he looked down and yelled, Is there anybody down there that can help me? Total silence. The question itself is actually misleading because of Gods eternal nature. Joshua trusted in Gods promise and led the Israelites to conquer the land of Canaan (Joshua 11:16-23). To these people Zechariah delivers the message of chapters 9-14, which prophesy of Israels future. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation. there is no one who understands; Yes, the Bible offers hope for survivors of incest. When it comes to the matter of deliverance from Gods judgment (salvation), the Bible allows no tolerance for our boasting in anything that we do. At that time, the multitude in heaven cries out, Hallelujah! David looked to Jehovah Ezer, the Guardian of Israel. This is one of the great Old Testament Messianic prophecies. The entire church age fits between verses 9 & 10. The Bible, in fact, teaches the opposite! 20 Bible Verses about God Help! Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Christology, Prophecy/Revelation, Rewards, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. The Israelites recognized how blessed they were to have the powerful LORD as their shield and helper (Deuteronomy 33:29). When Zechariah prophesied, it would be almost 200 years before Greece would pose a threat, and 300 years before the Maccabean revolt. Therefore, I have set My face like flint. 7 Beautiful Ways We Can Reflect on God During a Commute, Surround Yourself with the Right Team to Weather Lifes Storms. so that we confidently say,The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.What will man do to me?. O Israel, trust in the Lord;He is their help and their shield. This made him angry with the king of Gaza, so Alexander put thongs through the kings feet and dragged him through the city until he was dead. Honesty is more than "the best policy.". How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob. Thus when Revelation 11 predicts that two powerful witnesses will prophesy just prior to the Lords coming, many believe that one of these will be Elijah himself, the ultimate fulfillment of Malachis prophecy. Answer The Lord is God of the physically healthy and the mentally strong, but He is also the God of the physically disabled and the mentally handicapped. Behold, God is my helper;The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. First: He's all powerful (Omnipotent, Job 42:2) Second: He's all knowing (Omniscient) These two play into his eternal nature because if he wasn't either, he would be finite. Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world. All things were made by Him, culminating in His creation of man and woman. Viral Believer sometimes participates in different affiliate programs, including the Amazon Associates program. Still, we shouldnt assume God was doing nothing, as stated in this article by Don Stewart. Though this catchy slogan sounds like something from the Bibles book of Proverbs, its origin is likely in Aesops fables (or in ancient proverbs that inspired them). In the rest of Psalm 121, David shares more information about how God helps His people. Christianity.com Editorial Staff. This was the only time that the Jews fought against the Greeks (9:13). Everyone! But God also helps believers in their daily lives. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for helper ("ezer") became the Greek word "boethos.". In the middle of the conversation, I distinctly remember him making this statement. There is a story of a guy who was fixing the TV antenna on his roof when he slipped and slid toward the edge. While the phrase may align with certain biblical principles, it does not directly originate from . Most of the apostles died martyrs deaths. Salem Media Group. Can troubles and suffering actually make us better people? In this passage, the Quran expects a person to help himself by changing his own attitude and behavior before God will come to his aid. Psalm 12:1 Verse Concepts For the choir director; upon an eight-stringed lyre. So if God is everlasting, where did he come from? That would make the god dependent on his creation. Third, the indwelling Holy Spirit is the believers helperteacher, comforter, advocate, and counselor. The Lord declared that if anyone imitated Cain, they would be punished even more severely. ( Genesis 3:4 ). Christs death is the solution to the problem of sin and death that we cant solve on our own. For example, Malachi 4:5 predicts that God would send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. In Matthew 11:14, Jesus explained that John the Baptist was that Elijah to come. From Moses and Joshua to the Israelites to David and Daniel, Gods help and guidance can be found throughout the Bible. This isnt something we work for; and theres certainly nothing we can change about ourselves to make us worthy of Gods help. The other was named Eliezer, for he said, The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.. Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. God, in His wisdom, allows humans to exercise free will within certain cultural boundaries, including polygamy. - Who hath made man's mouth! Why do the deaths of Gods saints at the hands of the wicked not undermine Gods promised deliverance. But God had no beginning. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint" ( Isaiah 40:28-31 ). a shelter from the storm Amazingly, Zechariah outlines Alexander the Greats invasion of Palestine, which took place about 150 years after Zechariah wrote! Because of the second law of thermodynamics, the universe is finite. As believers today study the life of Christ, they are helped by His example. The forerunner, John the Baptist, whom Jesus called the greatest among men (Matt. Jul 07, 2020 I recall a conversation with a friend when I was in college (don't ask me how long ago that was). 1. Oftentimes, sharing one's struggles within a supportive faith community can be a significant source of healing. We come to know God the Father through our relationship with Jesus (John 14:6), and our Father is everlasting (Isaiah 9:6). God was with Joshua and gave him the strength and wisdom he needed to lead the Israelites. God also provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, such as giving them manna to eat and water to drink (Exodus 16:13-21; 17:1-7). Being God means that he cannot repent. If the Lord had not been my help,My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, the Bible tells us: There is no one righteous, not even one; Romans 8:28 teaches that God can bring about good for His beloved ones from any situation. 1:30-31). So we can ask where did God come from, or who created God? The believer may never understand this side of eternity the countless tragedies, like a childs murder, genocide, or painful disease leading to death. God did this not because he was granting the murderer a favor, but for the sake of posterity, in order to preserve human life. "But God has put together all the parts of the body. One of the most well-known examples of God helping an individual in the Bible is the story of Moses. When we experience Gods deliverance, whether it is the minor deliverances of day to day trials and temptations, or the final deliverance of His victory over all the forces of evil, praise and glory to God are the result. Those who delight in Him may stumble, but they will not fall without remedy, because they are upheld by His strong hand (Psalm 37:23-24). Tagged as aesop, benjamin franklin, bible sayings, god helps those who can't help themselves, grace, proverbs, sin. God does not save the mighty, who just need a little boost from Him. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 of For the breath of the ruthless Again, Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him (Rev. Although you cant use a text as definitive proof of someones existence, it certainly bolsters the possibility. He is the believers' safe place, always ready to strengthen them when they feel weak or afraid. No. How Do I Use a Study Bible? As you know, on what we call Palm Sunday, just before His crucifixion, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in precise fulfillment of this prophecy (Matt.
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who did god help in the bible
