The Wars We Fight
This booklet is written with the idea of providing a means to
get started in this study. It is by no means an effort to answer every question
or give you all the proof you need. To truly understand, you need to do some
research on your own. Most of the Scriptures quoted are from The Interlinear
Bible, by Jay P. Green, Sr., as general editor and translator.
Introduction
In today's world we see so much unhappiness, fighting, heartache, broken
homes and lives and wars. Why? Of course, there is no one answer for every
situation, but it came to mind one day that the most frequent cause had to do
with jealousy. After a little exploration, there are several words that can be
part of this cause: covetousness, envy, jealousy, lust, vain and vanity. Maybe
you don't agree that this is at the bottom of just about all our problems? Then
let's look closer.
Covetousness
Webster's Columbia Concise Dictionary, page 172, defines covet "to
desire or wish for with eagerness; to desire earnestly to obtain or possess; to
desire inordinately; to desire with a greedy or envious longing; to long for; to
hanker after."
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, volume 2, page
733, says -
"Covetousness is a very grave sin; indeed, so heinous is it that the
Scripture classes it among the very gravest and grossest crimes (Eph 5:3). In
Col. 3:5 it is 'idolatry', while in I Cor 6:10 it is set forth as excluding a
man from heaven. Its heinousness, doubtless, is accounted for by its being in
a very real sense the root of so many other forms of sin, e.g. departure from
the faith (I Tim 6:9-10); lying (2 Ki 5:22-25); theft (Josh 7:21); domestic
trouble (Prov 15:27); murder (Ezk 22:12); indeed, it leads to 'many foolish
and hurtful lusts' (I Tim 6:9). Covetousness has always been a very serious
menace to mankind, whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament period.
It was one of the first sins that broke out after Israel had entered into the
promised land (Achan, Josh 7); and also in the early Christian church
immediately after its founding (A & S, Acts 5); hence so many warnings
against it. A careful reading of the Old Testament will reveal the fact that a
very great part of the Jewish law - such as its enactments and regulations
regarding duties toward the poor, toward servants, concerning gleaning, usury,
pledges, gold and silver taken during war - was introduced and intended to
counteract the spirit of covetousness."
From the Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, Herbert Lockyer, Sr,
editor, page 260 -
"Covetousness - an intense desire to possess something (or someone)
that belongs to another person. The Ten Commandments prohibits this attitude
(Ex 20:17; Deut 5:21). Covetousness springs from a greedy self-centeredness
and an arrogant disregard of God's law. The Bible repeatedly warns against
this sin (Josh 7:21; Romans 7:7; 2 Peter 2:10)."
The Ten Commandments by Dr Laura Schlessinger and Rabbi Stewart
Vogel says -
From page 297
"This is a most interesting commandment. Unlike murdering, stealing,
or perjuring, which are concrete acts or behaviors, this commandment concerns
the arena of the mind: thoughts, desires, and feelings."
From page 300
"Why at the end of a list of 'dos and don'ts' would there be a
prohibition against what goes on in our minds? Isn't it more relevant what we
actually do to one another? The answer is that the actual 'doing' of a
forbidden, immoral, unjust, or unkind act doesn't begin with the act. It
begins in the mind and heart with a sequence of feelings, thoughts, and
planning that can and often do lead to the breaking of the first nine
commandments. In this commandment, God is reminding us that our evil actions
don't emanate from our hands alone but from unpleasantness or petty ugliness
from our hearts."
From page 301
"This commandment involves wanting something at someone else's
expense - not simply just wanting something. We feel that the goal of this
commandment is to stop us from thinking excessively about things that do not
belong to us, as well as from loving earthly things in lieu of godliness. When
we become obsessed with possessing things, and specifically, others' things,
it influences our ability to create a balanced life of meaning and may lead to
evil in order to obtain our desire.
From page 302
"Too much thinking about things generally involves obsessing and
misery. When thought exceeds the bounds of what is necessary or good, when
your actions are determined only by what you ultimately acquire and possess,
then you know you're over the edge."
Exodus 20:17
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your
neighbor's wife, or his male slave, or his slave-girl, or his ox, or his ass,
or anything which belongs to your neighbor."
Mark 7:21-22
"For from within, out of the heart of men, pass out the evil
thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
thefts, greedy desires, iniquities, deceits, lustful desires, a wicked eye,
blasphemy, pride, foolishness."
In other versions of the Scriptures, the words "greedy desires" are
translated as covetousness.
In Luke 12:15, Yahshua is talking -
"And He said to them, Beware, and keep back from covetousness; for
one's life is not in the abundance of things which are to him."
What about the end result?
Ephesians 5:5
"For be knowing this, that every fornicator, or unclean one, or
covetous one, who is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah
and of Elohim."
Note that in this last verse, it connects covetousness with idolatry.
Idolatry is something that comes between you and your Savior; something that is
so important that you will go to any lengths to get it.
Envy
In Webster's Columbia Concise Dictionary, page 252, envy is defined as
"pain, uneasiness, mortification, or discontent excited by the sight of
another's superiority or success; a feeling that makes a person begrudge another
his good fortune; malice."
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, volume 2, page 955, says
" 'Envy,' from Latin in, 'against,' and video, 'to look,' 'to look with
ill-will,' etc, toward another, is an evil strongly condemned in both the Old
Testament and the New Testament. It is to be distinguished from jealousy. 'We
are jealous of our own; we are envious of another man's possessions. Jealousy
fears to lose what it has; envy is pained at seeing another have' (Crabb's Eng.
Synonyms)."
From the Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, page 342 -
"Envy - a feeling of resentment and jealousy toward another person
because of his possessions or good qualities. James linked envy with
self-seeking (James 3:14, 16; selfish ambition, RSV). Christians are warned to
guard against the sin of envy (Rom 13:13; 1 Peter 2:1)."
Proverbs 14:30
"A healthy heart is the life of the flesh; but envy is the rottenness
of the bones."
I Corinthians 13:4
"Love has patience, is kind; love is not envious; love is not vain,
is not puffed up."
Galatians 5:26
"Let us not become glory-seeking ones, provoking one another, envying
one another."
Jealousy
Jealous is defined in Webster's Columbia Concise Dictionary, page 396, as
"uneasy through fear of, or on account of, preference given to another;
suspicious in love; apprehensive of rivalry; zealous." Jealousy is defined
as "the quality of being jealous; uneasiness from fear of being, or on
account of being, supplanted by a rival earnest solicitude."
In The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, volume 3, page
1572, we find -
"Doubtless, the root idea of both the Greek and Hebrew translated
'jealousy' is 'warmth,' 'heat.' Both are used in a good and a bad sense - to
represent right and wrong passion.
"When jealousy is attributed to God, the word is used in a good sense.
The language is, of course, anthropomorphic; and it is based upon the feeling
in a husband of exclusive right in his wife. God is conceived as having wedded
Israel to Himself, and as claiming, therefore, exclusive devotion. Disloyalty
on the part of Israel is represented as adultery, and as provoking God to
jealousy.
"When jealousy is attributed to man, the sense is sometimes good, and
sometimes bad. In the good sense, it refers to an ardent concern for God's
honor.
"The 'law of jealousy' is given in Numbers 5:11-31. It provided that,
when a man suspected his wife of conjugal infidelity, an offering should be
brought to the priest, and the question of her guilt or innocence should be
subjected to a test there carefully prescribed. The test was intended to be an
appeal to God to decide the question at issue."
Proverbs 27:4
"Fury is fierce, and anger overflows; but who can stand before
jealousy?"
James 3:16
"For where jealousy and contention are, there is confusion and every
foul deed."
Jealousy Of Yahweh
There is one sense of being jealous that is not wrong at times. It is when
the word is defined as zealous. If we were zealous for Yahweh in our efforts to
obey Him, we would come much closer to pleasing Him and living in the way we
should.
He tells us that He is a jealous El. He had created us and all things in the
world. He insists that we are to serve Him and Him only.
Exodus 20:5
"You shall not bow to them (referring to other gods), and you shall
not serve them; for I am Yahweh your Elohim, a jealous Elohim, visiting the
iniquity of fathers on children, on the third and fourth generation, to those
that hate Me."
Exodus 34:14
"For you shall not bow to another god; for Yahweh's name is Jealous;
He is a jealous El."
Deuteronomy 4:24
"For Yahweh your Elohim is a consuming fire; He is a jealous
El."
Deuteronomy 6:14-15
"You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who
are around you.
For Yahweh your Elohim is a jealous El in your midst, lest the anger of Yahweh
your Elohim burn against you, and He destroy you from off the face of the
earth."
Nahum 1:2
"El is jealous, and Yahweh is avenging; Yahweh is avenging, and is a
possessor of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance against His foes, and He keeps
wrath against His enemies."
Lust
Webster's Columbia Concise Dictionary, page 433, defines lust as
"longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; depraved affection or
desire; more especially, sexual appetite; unlawful desire of sexual pleasure;
concupiscence."
From The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, volume 3,
page 1941, we read -
"It probably means at first a strong desire, a craving, abnormal
appetite, not only for physical but for spiritual satisfaction. It has come,
however, to be confined in its use almost entirely to the bad sense."
In the Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, page 660, we find that lust
is
"a desire for what is forbidden; an obsessive sexual craving. Although
there are legitimate desires for which God makes provisions (Deut 12:15,
20-21), lust refers to the desire for things that are contrary to the will of
God. The 'lust after evil things' (I Cor 10:6) of the Israelites in the
wilderness serves as an example of the lusts that should be avoided by
Christians.
"Christians are able to resist through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The flesh, with its passions and lusts, is to be crucified (Gal 5:24; Titus
2:12)."
Matthew 5:27-28
"You have heard that it was said to the ancients; Do not commit
adultery.
But I say to you, Everyone looking at a woman to lust after her has already
committed adultery with her in his heart."
Romans 6:12
"Therefore, do not let sin rule in your mortal body, to obey it in
its lusts."
Galatians 5:16, 24
"But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of
the flesh.
But the ones belonging to Messiah crucified the flesh with its passions and
lusts."
Titus 2:11-12
"For the grace of Elohim which brings salvation appeared to all men.
instructing us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live discreetly and righteously and godly in the present age."
James 1:13-15
"Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from Elohim. For Elohim
is not tempted by evils, and He tempts no one.
But each one is tempted by his lusts, having been drawn out and having been
seduced by them.
Then being conceived lust brings forth sin. And sin being fully formed brings
forth death."
Vain / Vanity
From Webster's Columbia Concise Dictionary, page 799 - "Vain -
having no real value or importance; unsubstantial; empty; idle; worthless;
unsatisfying; producing no good result; fruitless; ineffectual; light-minded;
foolish; silly; proud of petty things or of trifling attainments; having a
foolish craving for the admiration or applause of others; puffed up; inflated;
conceited."
On the next page of that dictionary, vanity is defined as "the quality
or state of being vain; worthlessness; falsity; unrealness; want of substance to
satisfy desire; the desire of indiscriminate admiration; empty pride, inspired
by an overweening conceit of one's personal attainments or decorations;
ambitious display; anything empty, visionary, or unsubstantial."
In The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, volume 4, page
3044, under the heading vain, it says,
" 'Vainglory' is the translation of kenodoxia, 'empty glory' or
'pride,' nearly akin to vanity in the modern sense.
" 'Pride is applicable to every object, good or bad, high or low,
small or great, vanity is applicable only to small objects, pride is therefore
good or bad; vanity is always bad; it is always emptiness or nothingness' (Crabb,
English Synonymes)."
From the Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, page 1086 -
"Vanity - emptiness, worthlessness, or futility. The word occurs about
37 times in the Old Testament (NKJV), most frequently in Ecclesiastes. The
word vanity as used in the Bible does not mean conceit or a 'superiority
complex,' like a modern meaning of the term. When applied to persons, it means
emptiness or futility of natural human life (Job 7:3; Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:1,
4:4; 1:10).
"When applied to things, vanity is especially used to describe idols,
because there is no spiritual reality to them (Isa 41:29). Believers are urged
to stay away from vain things and to live their lives in the reality of their
relationship to Christ. Anything short of God Himself which a person trusts to
meet his deepest needs is vain (Eph 4:17-24)."
Exodus 20:7
"You shall not take the name of Yahweh your Elohim in vain; for
Yahweh will not leave unpunished the one who takes His name in vain."
Job 15:31
"Let not he being deceived trust in vanity; for his reward shall be
vanity."
Job 35:13
"Surely, Elohim will not hear vanity, nor will the Almighty look upon
it."
Psalms 60:11
"Give us help against our foe, for vain is the deliverance of
man."
Psalms 94:11
"Yahweh knows the hearts of men, that they are vain."
Psalms 144:4, 11
"Man is like to vanity; his days are like a shadow that passes.
Rescue me from the foreigner's sons, those whose mouths have spoken vanity;
and their right hand is a right hand of lies."
Proverbs 31:30
"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears
Yahweh, she shall be praised."
Ecclesiastes 2:11, 22-26
"Then I faced on all my works that my hands had done, and on the
labor that I had labored to do. And, lo, all is vanity and striving after
wind, and there is no profit under the sun.
For what is there for man in all his labor, and in striving of his heart,
which he has labored under the sun?
For all his days are pains, and his task is grief; his heart does not even
take rest in the night. Even this also is vanity.
Is it not good that he should eat and drink and make his soul see good in his
labor? This I also saw, that it was from the hand of Elohim.
For who can eat, or who can enjoy, apart from me?
For Elohim gives wisdom, and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His
sight. But to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and collecting, to
give to him who is good before Elohim. This also is vanity and striving after
wind."
Isaiah 59:4
"No one calls for righteousness; and not one judges with truth.
Trusting emptiness, and speaking vanity, they conceive mischief, and give
birth to evil."
Jeremiah 23:16
"So says Yahweh of hosts, do not listen to the words of the prophets
who prophesy to you; they make you vain; they speak a vision of their own
heart, not out of the mouth of Yahweh."
Matthew 6:7
"But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations, for
they think that they shall be heard in their much speaking."
Matthew 15:9
"But in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the ordinances of
men."
Romans 1:21
"Because knowing Elohim, they did not glorify Him as Elohim, nor were
thankful; but became vain in their reasonings, and their undiscerning heart
was darkened."
James 1:26
"If anyone thinks to be religious among you, yet not bridling his
tongue, but deceiving the heart, this one's religion is vain."
Examples
Okay. Still think I'm reaching for these points? Do you think the answers to
our troubles has to be deeper or more complicated than these characteristics?
Are Yahweh's followers "above" all this? Well, let's look at some
Scriptural examples - and remember that some of these people are listed in
Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. On these, I will only give a few pertinent
verses. If you wish more information, you can go to the Scriptures and read all
the story for yourself.
Lucifer
Who was the first one guilty of these attitudes? It isn't recorded in Genesis
in detail, but it was Lucifer - Satan the devil.
Isaiah 14:12-14
"O shining star, son of the morning (the KJV says 'Lucifer'), how you
have fallen from the heavens! You weakening the nations, you are cut down to
the ground.
For you have said in your heart, I will go up to the heavens; I will raise my
throne above the stars of El, and I will sit in the mount of meeting, in the
sides of the north.
I will rise over the heights of the clouds; I will be compared to the Most
High."
Ezekiel 28:14-15, 17
"You were the anointed cherub that covers, and I had put you in the
holy height of Elohim, where you were. You walked up and down in the midst of
the stones of fire.
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, until iniquity
was found in you.
Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom
because of your splendor. I have cast you to the ground. I will put you before
kings, that they may see you."
Luke 10:18
"And He said to them, I saw Satan falling out of heaven as
lightning!"
At one time, he had quite a high position - as an archangel alongside Gabriel
and Michael. But that wasn't enough for him. He was not satisfied. He wanted -
coveted - Yahweh's place. But he lost the battle and was cast down.
Then Yahweh created mankind. And it did not take long for them to succumb
either.
Adam And Eve
Genesis 3:4-6
"And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die.
For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes shall be opened, and
you shall be as Elohim, knowing good and evil.
And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to
the eyes, and the tree desirable to make one wise. And she took of its fruit
and ate. And she also gave to her husband with her, and he ate."
Why? They had everything they needed - it was all supplied by Yahweh. He had
given them a place to live, food to eat, and a relationship with Him. But Eve
coveted the fruit and the idea of being like Elohim, so she stole what was not
hers to take. The result? They were thrown out of the garden, had to fend for
themselves, and eventually did die.
Cain And Abel
The first children born on earth fared no better than their parents. Cain was
a farmer and Abel a shepherd. They each made an offering to Yahweh, but Yahweh
was not pleased with Cain's. We aren't exactly told why in scripture. Did envy
play a part in Cain's reaction?
Genesis 4:5, 8
"And He did not look to Cain and to his offering. And Cain glowed
greatly with anger and his face fell.
And Cain talked with his brother Abel, and as they were in the field, Cain
rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him."
Abraham, Sarah And Hagar
Abram and Sarai were advanced in years and had no children. Yahweh promised
Abram a son and generations to follow. But Sarai was past childbearing age. She
offered Hagar as a surrogate mother. Could it work? No, the attitudes of
jealousy and resentment crept in.
Genesis 16:4-6
"And he went in to Hagar and she conceived; and she saw that she had
conceived, and her mistress was despised in her eyes.
And Sarai said to Abram, My injury be upon you; I gave my slave-girl into your
bosom, and she saw that she had conceived, and I was despised in her eyes. Let
Yahweh judge between me and you.
But Abram said to Sarai, See, your slave-girl is in your hand. Do to her what
is good in your eyes. And Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from
before her."
Genesis 21:9-10
"And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, he whom she had borne
to Abraham, mocking.
And she said to Abraham, Drive away this slave girl and her son, for the son
of this slave girl shall not inherit with my son, with Isaac."
Isaac And Ishmael
Of course, the resentment carried into the next generation. Though Ishmael
was born first, Yahweh did not intend that the birthright go to him. The
conflict is still visible in the Mid-East today. The Jews claim that the temple
mount is where Abraham was told to offer Isaac and they insist it is holy ground
to them. But Islam teaches that the sacrifice was to have been Ishmael, not
Isaac, and that they have a right to the land. Jealousy or covetousness and
feuds can continue for generations.
Genesis 17:20-21
"And as to Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him and
will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall father
twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
And I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at
this time next year."
Jacob And Esau
Another generation. These two men were twins, but very different. Throughout
their childhood there were probably a lot of envy and jealousy due to the
actions of the parents. Isaac showed partiality to Esau and Jacob was the
favorite of Rebekah. In this story, these attitudes led to theft, chicanery and
hatred to plan murder.
Genesis 25:23
"And Yahweh said to her, two nations are in your womb; yea, two
peoples shall break from your body. And one people shall be stronger than the
other people; and the elder shall serve the younger."
Genesis 27:41
"And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father
had blessed him. And Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my
father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
The jealousies of Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel) continued.
Numbers 20:18-21
"And Edom said to him, You shall not pass through me, lest I come out
with the sword against you.
And the sons of Israel said to him, We shall go in the highway; and if we
drink of your waters, our cattle or us, then I shall give their price. Only
let me pass through on my feet; there shall be no harm.
And he said, You shall not pass through. And Edom came out against him with
many people, and with a strong hand.
And Edom refused to allow Israel to pass over through his border. And Israel
turned, away from him."
These instances between these two groups of people continue even today. And
what will be the outcome in the future? Read the book of Obadiah - it's only one
chapter long.
Leah And Rachel
After he ran away from home, Jacob faced more problems. Due to some chicanery
by Laban, Jacob ended up married to two sisters. Leah produced four sons in
quick succession, but Rachel was barren. Did she resign herself to Yahweh's
will? No.
Genesis 30:1-3, 8
"And Rachel saw that she did not bear to Jacob, and Rachel was
jealous of her sister. And she said to Jacob, Give me sons; and if there is
none, I shall die.
And Jacob's anger glowed against Rachel, and he said, Am I in Elohim's place
who has kept back from you the fruit of the womb?
And she said, Behold, my servant Bilhah! Go in to her and let her bear on my
knees; yea, let me be build up from her, me also.
And Rachel said, with struggles of Elohim I have struggled with my sister;
yea, I have been able and she called his name Naphtali."
Rachel was jealous because Leah had children easily. So she tried the same
thing Sarah did and offered her servant. But that didn't really satisfy her. Can
you imagine the bickering that must have gone on in this household? Just think
of the example that was set for the children. With so much competition between
the two mothers, how much competition and jealousies went on among the children?
Joseph And His Brothers
Finally Rachel had two sons, the second one resulting in her death. The first
one, Joseph, was the "apple of his daddy's eye." Jacob copied the
example of his parents and showed favoritism on that son. How did that play out?
Genesis 37:3-4, 8, 11, 18, 23-24, 28
"And Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was a son
of old age to him. And he made a robe reaching to the feet.
And his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers,
and they hated him. And they were not able to speak peaceably to him.
And his brothers said to him, Shall you indeed reign over us, or shall you
really rule over us? And they hated him still more because of his dreams, and
because of his words.
And his brothers were jealous of him. But his father paid attention to the
word.
And they saw him from a distance. And before he came near to them, they
plotted against him, to kill him.
And when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped his long coat from Joseph,
the long coat on him, reaching to his feet.
And they took him and threw him into the pit, the pit being empty, no water in
it.
And men, Midianites, traders, came by. And they drew up Joseph and took him
out of the pit, and they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of
silver. And they brought Joseph to Egypt."
Acts 7:9
"And being jealous of Joseph, the patriarchs gave him over into
Egypt."
The jealousy and competition led the brothers to hatred; to a willingness to
murder; to selling their brother and lying to their father.
Maybe we could say that it worked out okay in the end as Joseph, in a high
position, was able to feed the family when famine struck. But what did it do to
the character of all those involved in the meantime?
Moses, Miriam And Aaron
After four hundred plus years in Egypt, Yahweh called His people out. He
chose Moses to lead those people and personally gave him the authority. Did
everyone easily accept that? Of course not!
Numbers 12:1-2, 9
"And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, because of the Cushite
woman whom he had taken. For he had taken a Cushite woman.
And they said, Has Yahweh spoken only by Moses? Has He not also spoken by us?
And Yahweh heard.
And the anger of Yahweh glowed against them, and He left."
Miriam and Aaron were jealous of Moses being in control or in charge all the
time. They felt that they had as much right to that position as Moses did. But
Yahweh didn't agree. He struck Miriam with leprosy, but healed her at their
repentance.
Moses And Korah
Later Korah tried to take over. He was a Levite and had been given a position
and a job, but he coveted more. He really wanted the job of the high priest. Or
maybe he wanted the job of Moses - to be the one in charge.
Numbers 16:1-3, 8-10
"And Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi,
took both Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, the
son of Reuben.
And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the sons of Israel, two hundred
and fifty rulers of the congregation, elect men of the assembly, men of name.
And they were assembled against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, You
take too much! For all the congregation, all of them are holy, and Yahweh is
among them. Why then do you lift up yourselves above the assembly of Yahweh?
And Moses said to Korah, Hear now, you sons of Levi.
Is it but a small thing to you that the El of Israel has separated you from
the congregation of Israel to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of
the tabernacle of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister to
them?
Yes, He has brought you near, and all your brothers, the sons of Levi, with
you. And will you seek the priesthood also?"
And what happened to presumptuous Korah and his men and their families? Did
they get the jobs they wanted? No. They all died. The earth opened, swallowed
them, and closed up again. That almost sounds like something from a movie
script, doesn't it?
King Saul And David
Saul became the first king of Israel. What an opportunity! But he did not
obey Yahweh and Yahweh planned his replacement. When David slew Goliath and was
successful in battle, the people praised him. And Saul became jealous and
envious.
I Samuel 18:8-12
"And it very much burned Saul, and this thing was evil in his eyes.
And he said, They have given myriads to David, and to me they have given
thousands. And is there more to him, except the kingdom?
And from that day forward Saul was watching David.
And on the next day it happened that the evil spirit from Elohim came on Saul.
And he prophesied in the midst of the house, and David was playing with his
hand, as he did day by day. And Saul's spear was in his hand.
And Saul threw the spear, and said, I will strike David, even to the wall. And
David twice drew back from his presence.
And Saul feared David, because Yahweh was with him, and had departed from
Saul.
I Samuel 19:1
And Saul spoke to his son Jonathan, and to all his servants, to kill
David."
Saul became more and more paranoid and tried numerous times to kill David.
But his days were numbered as king as Samuel had already anointed the next king.
David And Bathsheba
After Saul's death, David did become king. David had everything a man could
want. But it still wasn't enough. He coveted another man's wife.
2 Samuel 11:3-4
"And David sent and asked about the woman. And one said, Is this not
Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
And David sent messengers and took her. And she came to him, and he lay with
her. And she purified herself from uncleanness, and she returned to her house.
2 Samuel 12:9-12
Why have you despised the word of Yahweh, to do the evil in His eyes? You
have stricken Uriah the Hittite by the sword, and you have taken his wife to
yourself for a wife. And you have killed him by the sword of the sons of Ammon.
And now the sword shall not turn aside from your house continually, because
you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be a
wife to you.
So says Yahweh, Behold, I shall raise up evil against you out of your house,
and shall take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor. And
he shall like with your wives in the sight of the sun.
For you acted in secret, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before
the sun."
David was charged as guilty of the murder of Uriah, though he did not
personally carry out the deed. The results of this sin? The death of the child;
wars continued in David's kingdom; even one of his sons took his concubines
openly.
Ahab And Naboth
I Kings 21:1-4
"And it happened after these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a
vineyard in Jezreel, near the palace of Ahab the king of Samaria.
And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard, and it shall be a
garden of green herbs for me; for it is near my house. And I will give to you
in its place a better vineyard than it. If it is good in your eyes, I will
give silver to you, the price of this one.
And Naboth said to Ahab, Far be it from me, by Yahweh, that I should give the
inheritance of my fathers to you.
And Ahab came into his house sullen and angry over the word which Naboth the
Jezreelite spoke to him. For he had said, I will not give the inheritance of
my fathers to you. And he lay on his bed and turned away his face, and would
not eat food."
Sounds like a pouting child, doesn't it? He was envious of what Naboth had
and coveted it for himself. So what happened? His wife Jezebel set up false
witnesses against Naboth and had him stoned! Then Ahab went and took the
vineyard for himself.
Haman And Morcecai
Esther 3:5-6
"And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or worship him, then
Haman was filled with fury.
And it was light in his eyes to reach forth a hand against Mordecai alone; for
they had revealed to him Mordecai's people.
Esther 5:9-12
And Haman went out that day joyful and with a good feeling. But when Haman
saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he did not stand up or move for him, he
was full of fury against Mordecai.
But Haman held himself in, and came to his house, and sent for and brought in
his friends, and his wife Zeresh.
And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and his many sons, and all to
which the king had promoted him, and how he lifted him up above the princes
and the servants of the king.
And Haman said, Also, Esther the queen did not let anyone come in with the
king to the banquet that she had prepared, except me. And also tomorrow I am
called to it with the king."
Haman was really full of himself, wasn't he? He coveted the accolades of
people and wanted them to recognize him and always reassure him how important
they thought he was by showing deference to him. But Mordecai did not. Haman
plotted the murder of hundreds of Jews because of this, but ended up caught in
his own trap and executed.
Antiochus Epiphanes
Daniel 11:36-37
"And the king shall do according to his will. And he shall exalt and
magnify himself above every god; he shall even speak marvelous things against
the El of gods, and shall prosper until the fury is fulfilled. For that which
is decreed shall be done.
He shall not regard the El of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor love
any god. For he shall magnify himself above all."
Most historians agree that this was fulfilled in the personage of Antiochus
Epiphanes around 165 BCE. But if you study into it, you will find that most
prophecy is dual. So could it happen again?
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
"Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because that day will not
come unless first comes the falling away, and the man of sin is revealed, the
son of perdition.
The one opposing and exalting himself over everything being called God, or
object of worship, so as for him to sit in the temple of Elohim as Elohim,
showing himself that he is a god."
Yashua HaMashiach
Though our Messiah was perfect and did not portray these human, carnal
characteristics, the same character flaws helped bring about His testing and His
death.
Luke 4:5-7
"And leading Him up into a high mountain, the devil showed Him all
the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said to Him, I will give all this authority and their glory to
You, because it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Then if You worship before me, all will be Yours."
Ego was showing, wasn't it? Satan was so envious because Yahshua was to
inherit everything. He knew exactly who Yahshua was. Satan didn't want to accept
that this lowly carpenter could be "above" him. He coveted everything
and wanted it all under his control. He'd already proved that when he rebelled
against Yahweh in the beginning.
Matthew 27:18
"For He knew they delivered Him up through envy."
Mark 15:10
"For He knew that the chief priests had delivered Him up through
envy."
Annanias And Sapphira
Soon after Pentecost of 30 CE, the people were trying to help the truth of
the Messiah to advance. Food, lodging, and such were constant necessities and
there were needs to be met. Some of the people were selling properties and
turning the money over to the apostles. Annanias and his wife Sapphira were
among the followers. They coveted the appearance of righteously giving all, but
still coveted the money for themselves. So they held back some of the money,
while professing that they gave it all. It cost both of them their lives.
Acts 5:1-3, 9
"But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a
property.
And secretly kept back from the price, his wife also aware of it; and bringing
a certain part, he placed it at the feet of the apostles.
But Peter said, Annanias, why did Satan fill your heart for you to lie to the
Set-apart Spirit, and to secretly keep back from the price of the land?
And Peter said to her, Why was it that it was agreed with you to tempt the
Spirit of the Master? Behold the feet of those burying your husband at the
door! Yes, they will carry you out."
As soon as Peter challenged Annanias, the man fell dead and was buried. His
wife was not present at that time and did not know what happened. She also died
immediately.
Simon Magus
Simon Magus was a magician traveling around the countryside and making money.
He was really impressed with the fame and the adulation he was receiving. But
when he saw what the apostles had to offer, he wanted that as well. We can
wonder if he wanted it to help people and to provide them the Spirit from
Yahweh, or was it another way of making money? That seemed to be the most
important thing to him. Peter told him to repent.
Acts 8:9-11, 18-19
"But a certain man named Simon had long been conjuring in the city,
and amazing the nation of Samaria, claiming himself to be some great one.
All were paying attention to him, from small to great, saying, This one is the
great power of God.
And they were paying attention to him, because for a long time he had amazed
them with his conjuring.
But Simon seeing that the Set-apart Spirit is given through the laying on of
the hands of the apostles, he offered them money.
Saying, Also give me this authority, that on whomever I may lay on the hands,
he may receive the Set-apart Spirit."
The Jews And Paul
Paul had no possessions for others to covet, but he had a relationship with
Yahweh and he had a message to preach. The Jews became jealous of his following!
Maybe attendance at their meetings was shrinking.
Acts 9:22-24
"But Saul was more filled with power, and confounded the Jews living
in Damascus, proving that this one is the Messiah.
And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews plotted together to do away with
him.
But their plot was known to Saul, and they carefully watched the gates both by
day and by night, so that they might do away with him."
Acts 13:45
"And the Jews seeing the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and
contradicted the things being spoken by Paul, contradicting and
blaspheming."
Acts 17:5
"But becoming jealous, and having taken aside some wicked men of the
market-loafers, and gathering a crowd, the disobeying Jews set the city into
turmoil. And coming on the house of Jason, they sought to bring them on to the
mob."
Congregation Members
Can this affect the congregations of Yahweh? Of course it does! We're human,
aren't we? If it could affect some of the great patriarchs of the Scriptures,
why not us? We are no different and no better than they. The question of
"Who is in charge?" is one that plagues all kinds of organizations,
including churches. Positions and offices and influence can be coveted just as
easily as objects or people.
I Corinthians 1:10-13
"Now, I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Master Messiah
that you all say the same thing, and there not be divisions among you; but you
be united in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For, my brothers, concerning you it was shown to me by those of Chloe that
there are strifes among you.
But I say this, that each of you says, Truly I am of Paul, and I of Apollos,
and I of Cephas, and I of Messiah.
Has Messiah been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized
into the name of Paul?"
Each person has a place in the congregation - read Ephesians 4 and I
Corinthians 12. Yahweh is the One who places each person into the niche He has
made for them. Don't be busy envying someone else's place or trying to influence
others to gain adulation or a "political base". Just do the job Yahweh
has for you.
James
These characteristics of human nature are something that we all have to fight
- every day of our lives. In the book of James, we find a section that sums all
this up rather well.
James 4:1-10
"From where do wars and fightings among you come? Is it not from
this, from your lusts warring in your members?
You desire and do not have. You murder, and are jealous, and are not able to
obtain. You fight and you war, and you do not have, because you do not ask
Elohim.
You ask, and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order that you may
spend on your lusts.
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world
is enmity with Elohim? Whoever, then, purposes to be a friend of the world is
shown to be an enemy of Elohim.
Or do you think that vainly the Scripture says, The Spirit which has dwelt in
us yearns with envy?
But He gives greater grace. Because of this it says, Elohim sets Himself
against proud ones; but He gives grace to humble ones.
Then be subject to Elohim. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to Elohim, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands,
sinners! And purify your hearts, double minded ones!
Be distressed, and mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning,
and your joy into shame.
Be humbled before the Master, and He will exalt you."
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