before the sun goes down
"Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in His sight" (I Chronicles 19:13).
When you think of the tribes of Israel, which names come to mind first?
Judah?
Levi?
Benjamin?
If so, you are like most people--these are probably the most well known tribes in the Bible.
But in total there were 12: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Benjamin.
Manasseh and Ephraim are the double tribe from Joseph, so that actually only makes eleven.
The tribe I haven't mentioned yet, and the one that most likely would NOT be the first to come to mind--in fact, if I didn't mentioned this name, most Christians reading may never have never missed it--Zebulun.
The tribe of Zebulun are those descended from Leah's sixth son. The name Zebulon means "to dwell" or "habitation".
I believe it would be edifying for Christians who are dwelling in this present world, to dwell upon this tribe for a bit.
It is one of my greatest joys to study Bible people that are often overlooked.
A long time could be spent on learning about the history, heroes, victories and failures of the tribe of Zebulun, as with any other tribe or family in the Scriptures!
Instead, I will just take a few instances (snapshots, if you will) from the life of this tribe from two periods of Isreal's History--The Judges and The Kings--and use them as examples for our edification today!
"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (I Corinthians 10:11).
I. During the time of the Judges
A. In Barak's day (Judges 5), the people were under the cruel oppression of Jabin the king of Canaan and his infamous Captain, Sisera, who boasted a mighty host and 900 chariots of iron.
Let me say it again: boasted 900 CHARIOTS OF IRON.
Nine hundred "tanks" of that time.
It was a dark day. They had cried unto God, and turned from their sin, and He raised up Deborah and Barak.
It was a day when Godly manhood was in short supply. It was a day for heroes to come out of the shadows and stand for righteousness and for the name of their God.
When Barak (of Naphtali) finally rose to obey God, and called for men to rise and join him at Mount Tabor, men of Zebulun and Naphtali (and some others) were rallied to also obey. In the song that Barak and Deborah sing in the next chapter (Judges 6), we find some interesting details about the brave men from Zebulun who arose to meet the challenge...
Judges 5:14 "Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer."
I find it fascinating that the men of Zebulun who joined to battle alongside Barak were recorded as those "that handle the pen of the writer".
Gifted men who's skill was the written word not the handling of bow and spear!
It would have seemed natural for the scribes to have could have answered Barak's call to arms with,
"We are glad that you feel you must rise and fight Sisera'a host, but that is not our specific calling. We are not warriors. We hold the pen, not the sword. We have all been givien different gifts and varying roles by God--we will do that which what we feel comfortable with! So grateful God gave you such a vision and the strength to meet it! Hope you all are successful! We will be praying for you! And when the battle is over, we will write your obituary or your praise!"
"...And in doing so, pretend as if we were fighting alongside of you at all times!"
Indeed, there were other tribes and regions of that day who did not heed the call to fight the adversary! Those in Gilead, Dan, and Asher (Judges 5:17) stayed right where they were. Others talked it over, considered the ramifications, had "great thoughts of heart", but never put their "great searchings" into action. Such was the tribe of Reuben (Judges 5:15,16).
In fact, most of the tribes of Israel did not take part in the battle!
What a testimony that Zebulun did not follow the indifference and inaction of the popular opinion. The tribes of both Zebulun and Naphtali did not stoop to follow the crowd but went forward in hazard to their lives to fight against King Jabin's Canaanites and those 900 CHARIOTS OF IRON.
Judges 5:18 "Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field."
Others from Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir (of Manasseh) joined valiantly with their brothers.
They put their lives on the line to defend their land, their homes, their families, and their neighbors (who had stayed at home).
B. And we find again that in Gideon's day, Zebulun again came to join the conflict:
Judges 6:35 "And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them." Zebulun went up to join Gideon.
II. During the time of Kings
The tribes were coming together to make David king over all the nation of Israel. This is recorded in the twelfth chapter of I Chronicles--a chapter full of great insights and lessons for warfare in the spiritual realm today!
I love to see what God wanted us to know about the various men and tribes right there.
In David's day:
I Chronicles 12:23,33 "And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD...Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart."
The men of Zebulun were...
- such as went forth to battle
- expert in war
- skilled and armed with all instruments of war
- could keep rank
- not of double heart
Let US be as the men of Zebulun, who came to see David, the true king of Israel, crowned and honored--and his kingdom established.
Notice again how Zebulun was described.
A. They were "such as went forth to battle"
Let us ALL be those who are actively contending for the faith in our generation! Let us reject the "but that's not my calling" excuse and be like Job in searching out the cause we know not! Let us serve our God on more than one front: training our young, ministering to the poor and the homeless, rescuing the weak, snatching prey out of the mouths of lions, preaching in the open air, witnessing one on one to those who are lost--willing to go where the Lord leads (whether that be stateside, internationally, or just down the street at the local altar of Molech).
"Some want to live within sound of church and chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell." C.T. Studd.
B. They were "expert in war"
Let us become "expert in war" by training, by exercise in the Scriptures, and by EXPERIENCE through actual engagement in public and private venues. Bringing the culture into conflict with the gospel of Jesus Christ on many fronts--the debate of creation vs. evolution, apologetics, evangelism, the holocaust of the preborn, etc. The only way to become a seasoned veteran in any battle is to venture forth as a rookie and keep going--learn by hearing, seeing, and doing.
C. They were skilled and armed "with all instruments of war"
Let us arm ourselves "with ALL instruments of war", and take advantage of various facets and parts of service:
Whether it be on our knees in our closet weeping with our God,
standing at the murder mill preaching and pleading,
providing resources and information to those in need,
provoking the public in the streets,
dropping truth and tracts everywhere we go,
exhorting our brethren at church, around the table, and on social media,
provoke the people by your bumper magnets and stickers, signs, shirts, hats, and literature,
Studying and wielding the Sword of the LORD (the Bible),
being ready always to give an answer on what God's truth says concerning salvation, creation, dinosaurs, child sacrifice, abolition, marriage, sexuality, children, discipline, forgiveness, friendship, habits, finances, work ethic, authority, manhood, womanhood, government, justice, liberty, pornography, bondage, victory, evangelism, discipleship, prayer, martyrdom etc.
Learning basics of Biblical apologetics and gathering resources on various subjects to utilize and share.
Brothers and Sisters, let us wear the whole armor of God and bear the weapons of our warfare, which are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.
D. They "could keep rank"
Let us "keep rank"--seeking to be orderly and effective in our labor, united with others in Christ for the task, intentional in our objective, and righteous in our steps to see the end accomplished to the redounding of the glory of our King!
E. They "were not of double heart"
Let us not be of double heart, but be constrained by the unfeigned love of Christ in all that we do. We must be impassioned in our zeal and harnessed by truth.
May we who have been "brought nigh" already ourselves be obedient and represent our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, as ambassadors for His kingdom, faithful in a selfish culture that has rebelled against the Creator (denying His very existence and at peace with the murder of the preborn).
Let us be seeking souls to be saved and the abolition of child sacrifice to the praise of the glory of Jesus Christ, the true King!
Abortion must be abolished.
Imagine a group of hens watching a chicken in a rotisserie oven, thinking they are watching TV.
Here are some thoughts that came to mind when I first saw this image...
Fry-Day Night Feature Film. Now for some of the best parts. Thought I'd "wing it" and make a few poultry (paltry) remarks. When you come a breast of the situation, most of you will thigh a heavy sigh.
Notice those viewers flocked to see it. You know, to get a bird's eye view.
You know that one of those hens knows this is no yokeing matter and is mentally crying fowl, while another thinks she's in line for the tanning booth, musing "Can't wait till I'm a lovely golden brown too."
Another chicken is thinking that it is all a stunt by some brave rooster to prove he's not chicken. She's probably saying, "Well, for someone who doesn't have any guts, you gotta admit he's got pluck!"
Yet another of those hens has got to be a reporter, waiting for an interview. She can't wait to grill him with questions, and get the scoop. She's dreaming even now of maybe winning the Pulletzer Prize. When asked if she wrote the article, she'll probably say "I wrote it, yessirree (rotisserie).
Of course some featherbrained hen doesn't have eggscellent eyesight, and so her vision is a little skewered. She'd likely to say, "We know him, don't we? That's got to be Bobby" isn't our Bobby cute? He always was a great dancer. Look at him turn and turn without getting dizzy. Mother always said he was the spitting image of Fried Astaire!"
This post will likely ruffle some feathers. Some may cackle, others might crow. Some may say that I am just a dumb cluck.
But now is when I take a couple drumsticks and go "Ba-dum-chicken!"
Abortion must be abolished.
Proverbs 28:15 "As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people."
Imagine with me, if you would, a sheep that was asked who he was planning of voting in as the next leader and protector for the flock: the Lion or the Bear.
Pressure is on from all the other sheep as they believe very strongly that it is better to vote for the bear.
Yes, both the Lion and the Bear are predators, but, as they reason, the Bear's diet also includes fruit, honey, and insects, therefore, it would not always see the need to consume members of the the flock like the Lion would be prone to do.
Fewer lambs would be ripped to shreds. Probably.
Sure the bear was overbearing in personality, but it wasn't always lying when it opened it's mouth like the Lion does in her pride.
And the Bear--well, it would stand most forcefully against the wolves, or so he claimed. And isn't that the mane thing after all?
"We can't let the Lion be in charge!"
"We must vote for the Bear!"
But the young ram foresaw trouble bruin and refused to give in to the pressure.
"I will not support those who countenance the massacre of any of my kind. I will vote for the Sheepdog and cry out to the Shepherd to rescue us! The sheep dog may not win but I will not be found throwing support for an adversary of the sheep..."
"Of two evils, choose neither." Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Abortion must be abolished.
Who was the greatest naval hero from the Revolutionary War? I propose that it would be Captain John Paul Jones.
He was instrumental in establishing the traditions of courage and tenacity that were followed by many American seamen for generations. This indomitable figure on the waters of war was born in a gardener's cottage in Scotland. While still a youth, he went to sea, and by the age of 21, was a merchant ship master. Years later he was residing in Virginia, and took up the patriot's cause.
Volunteering early to serve in his adopted country's virgin navy in the War for Independence, it was his hands that raised the Continental colors on board the flagship of the first fleet of the American Navy.
This Naval officer is remembered for his determination and unwillingness to consider surrender when the slightest glimmer of hope for victory still burned. Though taking the battle to an overwhelming foe, outmanned and outgunned, he was not one to shun danger or risk, as is demonstrated by this declaration of his: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I fully intend to go into harm's way."
Jones commanded a number of vessels in his time of service, including PROVIDENCE, ALFRED, RANGER, ARIEL, ALLIANCE and most famously, BONHOMME RICHARD.
In fact, it was on this date, the 23rd of September, back in 1778, that John Paul Jones had his most renowned sea battle. He was embroiled in conflict against the British warship H.M.S. SERAPIS. After the BONHOMME RICHARD began to take on water, and fires broke out on board, the British commander asked Jones if he had struck his colours. Jones replied with a shout, "I have not yet begun to fight!"
Three hours later, it was the British commander who surrendered to HIM.
September 23rd is also my birthdate,
There is a statement that has become very dear to my soul in the warfare in which we are engaged. I desire to embody its truth through the grace of my Redeemer and Lord of Hosts, Jesus Christ.
I also yearn that my Christian brethren would take heart and be of good courage in THIS generation, remembering why we are here. That same statement hearkens back to the mindset of Captain Jones.
It carries the same thrust and zeal as "I have not yet begun to fight!"
What is the statement?
"There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down."
Have you struck your colours? Is your courage and commitment flagging? Look to the Captain of our Salvation, and renew your strength in Him!
ABORTION MUST BE ABOLISHED.
"Why don't you get a job?"
This is a common statement shouted at Christians who bring the Gospel into conflict with the evil of abortion. I have heard it from people going into the child sacrifice center, and also from out of car windows from those who are just passing by!
Somehow, folks seem to think it is a clever way to really tell a person off, though it is in reality incompetent, illogical, and irrelevant to the subject at hand.
I have heard motorists call it out as I stood on a street corner with an abolitionist sign, and I look at my sign, wondering, "Can they not read? Do they think my sign says:
'Need money...wife and two cars to feed; anything helps'?"
I heard it once on a street corner on a Saturday afternoon, as I and other fellow Christians brought Truth to the Streets, with signs and preaching. A guy who was obviously agitated by our presence screamed, "Get a job!" I was like, "You are aware that millions of Americans who have jobs are off on Saturdays?"
I remember a specific conversation years ago, outside of an abortion mill, with a man who had brought his friend to kill her baby.
Him: "Get a job!"
I asked: "What gives you the idea that I don't have a job?"
Him: "You're here aren't you?"
Me: "If that's you're reasoning, why don't you get a job?"
Him: "What makes you think that I don't have a job?"
Me: "You are here, aren't you?"
Him: "I took time off to come here."
Me: "I took time off to come here too. But I came to rescue people, not to lead them to their murder..."
and continued calling him to repent.
BY THE WAY...
preaching the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15),
as ambassadors of Christ (I Corinthians 5:20),
being salt and light (Matthew 5;13-16; Ephesians 5:8-16; Philippians 2:15),
declaring truth in the open air (Proverbs 1:20-21; 8:1-3; Isaiah 58:1; Acts 17:17),
loving neighbors in word AND deed (Luke 10:27; James 2:8; I John 3:18),
exposing the evil of sin, warning the wicked (Ezekiel 3 & 33; 22:2; Ephesians 5:11),
pleading for the fatherless (Proverbs 24:11-12; James 1:27), and
seeking equal justice (Proverbs 31:8-9; Isaiah 1:16-17; Amos 5:14-15; Micah 6:8),
is the job of every Christian.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, you have a job.
Do your Job!
I Corinthians 15:34
"Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame." We don't want to be workmen that have reason to be ashamed.
It is a shame upon
the body of Christ if we are not contending for the abolition of the great evil
of abortion due to cowardice, callousness, complacency, convenience,
complicity, or compromise.
The primary means God has ordained to display His manifold wisdom to the world is through His people (Titus 2:11-14). Abolition is an obligation of the church. It is a mandatory ministry to fulfill her ordained purpose—to be salt and light in this sin-sick culture of decay. The church was specifically commissioned to bring the Gospel into conflict with every dark deed of man! It's a job for sure. But it is our job!
And consider Job, whose actions in this regard are found in Job 29:12-13, 15-17:
"...Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy...I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth."
Let us not only do our job, but let us be like Job in this generation.
Even it is the Job nobody wants.
Abortion must be abolished.
I remember well an incident some years ago, when a woman stopped where we were standing outside the gates of death in Kansas City...
She approached me and said, "I know that they do abortions here, but the doctor in there is a really good person. He tries to talk all the mothers out of having abortions."
I said, "First, I cannot say that I believe you. I know Ronald Yeomans. I do not accept that he tries to do any such thing. However, let's pretend that you are correct. How would that make him a good person?" Then I gave her this basic illustration.
"Let's say there is this assassin for hire. He has murdered thousands of people for pay. But this killer is known for one thing that is strange in his trade.
Whenever someone approaches to hire him, he tries to talk the prospective client out of it. He says, "Maybe you should think this through."
"She is your wife, maybe you should forgive her."
"Don't you think that it may be a good idea to just ask your neighbor to turn their music down before going to such drastic measures?"
"Perhaps you are being hasty. You don't know that Murphy is planning to spill the beans to the cops."
"The Prime Minister's polls are going down, and the election is next week. Couldn't you just wait for him to lose, and then have someone knock him off if he wins again?"
So he tries to give options and voices concerns, but if the client is still determined, he goes out and shoots, stabs, strangles, or poisons the one he is hired to kill. He still murders for money.
Would that make him a good person?"
She admitted that he would not be good person.
"And the abortionist is not a good person either. No matter what he may say, he still commits murder for pay."
God says it this way in Deuteronomy 27:25
"Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen."
So we must preach the word to abortionists and call them to repent, and call for justice and equity in the land that permits him to target the most innocent and the most vulnerable. We must do the same for those who hire them.
Abortion must be abolished.
I was once asked what was the most valuable item I have ever lost.
Here is my answer, starting with three verses from one of my favorite psalms (I only have 150 favorite psalms).
Psalm 119:
14 "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches."
72 "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver."
127 "Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold."
My Most Valuable Lost Item:
My faithful old Bible of 15 years use, filled with hand written notes, sermon outlines, illustrations, and a collection of quotes of missionaries, preachers, statesmen, presidents, translators, martyrs, Indian chiefs, soldiers, patriots, kings, grandparents, and one leper (scrawled on the margins of the pages, the concordance, blank pages, so forth).
It was the first Bible I read all the way through, and I read it through over 20 times. It was the Book read, studied, and memorized, and meditated on.
I traveled back and forth across the nation with it to Israel, Turkey, and Greece with it, taught and preached out of it in churches, at camps, in Bible Studies, at homes and in schools and libraries, in jails and prisons, outside abortion mills, on street corners, across the street from sodomite bars, at Dinosaur Adventure Land. I carried it just about everywhere I went.
It was the Book in my hand when I testified of the truth of God with a Mormon child at a 5 Day Club, a Jehovah's Witness a the Corn Palace Fair, a Jew beside the Western Wall, a stewardess on a cruise ship in the Aegean Sea, and a Muslim seated beside me on a plane flight. It was what I held as I shared the Gospel and saw individual children, teens, grownup, college students, and convicts bow the knee to Jesus Christ.
On the pages are actual drops of my blood, sweat, and tears, for the simple reason that it was with me when I bled, cried, and perspired.
I named it Alethia, meaning "Truth". I took it from John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth [aletheia]."
Throughout my single years, it was my most valuable possession, and I often said that if I could carry one item from a burning building, I would without hesitation grab that Book.
It was misplaced years ago, and still tears sting my eyes whenever I think of it. I wanted to leave it to one of my children when I passed on, and had actually started another preaching Bible, Alethia II. It contained the quote of John Bunyan's that I share now:
"Then said he, 'I am going to my Father's; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble have been to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles Who now will be my rewarder.' ...So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side."
I love Alethia II, which I used much the same as the first Alethia for 8 years, until August of 2018, when it flew from the roof of my vehicle on the highway on the way home from the abortion mill. I found that Bible an hour later after much backtracking and a desperate search, thank God! It was much damaged, but I still am blessed to have it, though soon afterwards, I started on Alethia III, which I presently study and wield.
But I love my old Sword, and precious lessons I learned from it. How I would love for it to show up again! I pray that if I never see it any more, that someone else will come across it, be encouraged by it, be convicted through it, read it, and find the true and living God Who gave His word to make mankind wise unto salvation, and will come to love and follow the precepts therein.
II Timothy 3:15 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Abortion must be abolished.
