The Italian Memorandum

“In him we have redemption”

(Ephesians 1:7)

The story is told of a young boy who made a boat, sailed it down a stream, and subsequently lost it. Sometime afterwards he was walking among the local shops, when, to his surprise and delight, he spied in the window of one of the shops the very boat which he had lost. He entered the shop and made his case that the boat belonged to him. “That may be,” said the man, “but you’ll not have it until you’ve paid the price.” So, the boy scratched together the monies necessary to acquire the boat. And, as he carried it back home, he said to the boat, “Now you’re twice mine: first, I made you; and then I bought you!”

The story of the boy and his beloved boat points out a fundamental concept about Biblical Redemption. Redemption is about economics. The price paid underscores the price due. Leon Morris wrote, “All these words [synonyms of redemption] go back ultimately to lutron, and in all there is to be discerned the fundamental idea of a process involving release by payment of a ransom price.” The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (p. 10). The term redemption, from lutron, goes back to the verb luo, to loose. “The –tron suffix denotes basically the means whereby an action is performed” (Morris, p. 9). The idea of redemption involves a purchase-price, stemming from such passages as: Numbers 3:51 and Jeremiah 32:6-15.

But, a fascinating feature about the redemption under Christ Jesus comes from Isaiah 52:3, “…you shall be redeemed without money” (See Eph. 1:7,14; 1 Pet. 1:18; Rev. 5:9). The power to deliver (Isa. 50:2) resides with God (Isa. 60:16). Yes, the Christian is “twice mine:” once by the Creation, and second, by the Redemption which is in Christ. “Let the redeemed say so” (Ps. 107:2!).

-Robert M. Housby

banal – commonplace; trivial; trite; hackneyed.

(Webster’s New Universal Dictionary, Unabridged, p. 145)

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High / Possessor of heaven and earth; and bless God Most High…”

(Genesis 14:19,20)

On the subject of blessings, David wrote: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, Bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…Bless the Lord, all his work, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:1,2,22). Blessings are meant to be acknowledged:

1. Theologically – “Bless the LORD” (Ps. 103:1)

2. Personally – “my soul” (Ps. 103:1,2)

3. Emotionally – “O my soul” (Ps. 103:1,2,22)

4. Completely – “and all that is within me” (Ps. 103:1)

5. Invitational – “in all places of his dominion” (Ps. 103:22)

In Genesis 12:1-3, we find The Seven Blessings of Abram. Notice the phrase: “I will…” throughout this passage. This is the God of Abram; and these “I will” statements are the avowed course of action of this God. And, the greatest of these is the gospel interjection: “In you shall all the nations be blessed” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:8,9,26).

There is no banality in the gospel. Dismiss your slang blahs today!

-Robert M. Housby

“…dip… the living bird in the blood…

and let the living bird loose in the open field”

(Leviticus 14:6,7, NKJV)

“[Jesus] who was delivered up for our trespasses

and was raised for our justification”

(Romans 4:25, ASV)

The Bible explains human sin by associating it with the terrible skin disease of leprosy; including, possibly, Hansen’s disease, caused by the microorganism, Mycobacterium leprae. In Leviticus 13, the Bible outlines diagnostics for identification and procedural guidelines for the treatment of leprosy. These hygienic measures are in agreement with modern concepts of communicable disease control: especially running water and isolation of the patient. Lepers were required to live outside the camp or city (Lev. 13:46). They were also required to warn passers-by by crying out: “Unclean, Unclean!” (Lev. 13:45).

“The Law of the Leper” (Lev. 14:1; Lk. 5:14; 24:44) involved the Jewish priest; two birds; and, a plan. One bird would be killed in fresh water (Lev. 13:5). The other bird would be dipped in the blood of the dead bird (Lev. 13:6). The leper would be sprinkled seven times with this blood, cedar-wood, scarlet and hyssop (Lev. 13:7). Then, the bird would be set free in the open country (Lev. 13:7b).

“In Christ,” the red-bird is set free! And, “in Christ,” Christians are cleansed and loosed (Rom. 4:25; 6:3-11; 8:2; Rev. 1:5; Gen. 1:20)!

– Robert M. Housby

How Samson Prefigures Christ

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

(Philippians 4:13)

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice …”

(Hebrews 11:32,33)

The Hebrew scholar, Dr. John Willis, entitles Judges 13-16, “The True Source of Strength” (The Message of Old Testament History, Vol. 2, p. 81). This is the story of Samson. While Samson does not prefigure Christ in all ways, there are some remarkable Messianic similarities:

1. Both were men of faith (Hebrews 3:2,5; 11:32,33).
2. Both received angelic birth announcements (Judg. 13:3,6,7; Lk. 1:30,31).
3. Both men were empowered by “the Spirit of the Lord” (13:25; 14:6,19; 15:14; Matt. 3:16).
4. Both men were deliverers (Judg. 13:5; Matt. 1:21).
5. Both men were mocked in their last hours (Judg. 16:23,25,27; Lk. 18:32; 23:35-38).
6. Both men died between two verticals, left and right (Judg. 16:25; Lk. 23:32, 33).
7. Both men died in victory (Judg. 16:28-30; Col. 2:15).

The story of Samson, as the story of Christ, mingles tragedy with triumph.

-Robert M. Housby

Our 2005 Fall Semester Theme …

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

(Hebrews 12:28)

The French have had a long standing concept in their culture, stemming from the saying, Laissez faire, laissez passer – “No interference, and complete freedom of movement.” Though this is traceable to Francois Quesnay’s 18th century view against governmental interference, it is by no means limited to government or French culture. Mankind, in general, when strayed from the God that made them, have invariably taken on this attitude of non-interference and come what may. The Bible is full of examples which verify this statement, from Cain to Diotrephes (1 John 3:12; 3 John 9).
But, the Hebrew writer does not allow this “leave me alone!” attitude to be applied merely to bad people. Oh no, he is careful to warn the entire church against this uncooperative and independent spirit which virtually banishes the Lord God and his church. Hebrews 12:25 reads: “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.”
God does not want to leave us alone (compare Hebrews 13:5). Get the fear of God in your life. Begin with fear, and end with fear (Prov. 1:7; Eccl. 12:13). And, then, you will have no fear; by the living word of him who said, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isa. 41:10; Ps. 23:4; 27:1; 2 Tim. 1;7; 1 Jn. 4:18; Rev. 2:10).

-Robert M. Housby

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”

(John 4:23)

There are central concepts to Christian worship, as indicated on the pages of the Bible. But, these central concepts have been marginalized. In other words, marginal notes and human ideas have become more important than the text of the Bible. For example, in John 4:20-26 we learn just how far moderns have actually strayed from the original will of God regarding Christian worship:

A. Note, the text says, “true worshipers” (Jn. 4:23). But, in modern religious thinking there are only “worshipers.” What happened to the word “true”?! Furthermore, John 4:24 says, “in spirit and truth;” not just in spirit.

B. John 4:24 reads, “… and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (emphasis mine, RMH). But, in modern religious thinking there is no “must.” What happened to the word “must”?

Jesus’ remarks in John 4 should not be surprising; for, they reflect the monotheistic principles of Deuteronomy 12:

1. There is a way to worship, and a way not to worship (Deut. 12:4,5).
2. Privatized and pluralistic religion is not the way to worship (Deut. 12:8).
3. Popular opinion is not the way to worship (Deut. 12:29,30).
4. Worship carries with it these warnings: “Take care…” and “Be careful…” (Deut. 12:13,28,32).

The pagan garage sale is an option, but not for “the true worshipers” of God!

-Robert M. Housby

THE LAST WEEK IN THE LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH

with Special Emphasis on the Gospel of John

__________________________________________________

[Brother Robert Housby is preparing a Study-Guide to be used in the Sunday Morning Bible
Class. This class will take a look at the last week in the life of Christ. It is entitled, The Last
Call, and will begin in September, 2005]

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away.”

(Hosea 11:1,2)

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod.
This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, Out of Egypt I called my son.”

(Matthew 2:13-15)

Jesus was called by God (Matt. 2:15). That call had purpose (Isaiah 42:6). By John 13:1, Jesus’ call is in its final stages. It is associated theologically with the Passover; and with an appointed Hour; and, with the investment of agape Love. The Last Call will take us to the threshold of Calvary and beyond. You, too, are now called to participate (Romans 1:1,6,7; 8:28,30; 9:24; Phil. 3:14).

-Robert M. Housby

“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

(Numbers 11:4-6)

God was not pleased with most of the children of Israel in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:5). Moses observed, “And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled” (Numbers 11:1). We are told in Scripture that, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Ps. 103:8). So, what was Israel’s real problem, after all, God had blessed this people with unimaginable blessings? Numbers 11 and Psalm 106 contain information about what really happened in the wilderness:

1. They complained despite the provisions of God (Numb. 11:1).
2. They preferred the delicacies of Egypt (Numb. 11:6).
3. They forgot what God had done for them (Ps. 106:7,13, 21).

The melons and cucumbers of Egypt are but symbols of what was most important to the Israelites. Their legacy is an example of rebellion (Hebrews 3:8). Their rebellion was religious rebellion: for they rejected Moses, the chosen (Ps. 106:16,23); they rejected true worship (Ps. 106:19); and, ultimately, they rejected their God (Ex. 16:8; 1 Sam. 8:7,8; 10:18,19).

Christians, too, must take care not to complain, prefer the world, or forget.

-Robert M. Housby

“And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth”

(Genesis 7:10)

The Jew, Philo of Alexandria, Egypt (c. 20 B.C. – 50 A.D.), asked this question: “Why, after the entrance of Noah into the ark, did seven days elapse, after which the deluge [flood, RMH] came?” (Questions and Answers on Genesis II (13), from The Works of Philo: Complete and Unabridged, New Updated Edition, translated by C.D. Yonge (Hendrickson Publishers: Peabody, Massachusetts, 1993), p. 819.
We offer several reasons for the relative delay. First, according to Genesis 7:4- 9, these days may have been given for the marching of the animals into the ark. For, Genesis 7:10 seems to intimate that once Noah and the animals had entered the ark, there was a space of seven days. Genesis 7:16 indicates that God, himself, shut the door of the ark. Perhaps, God spared Noah of this sorrow-laden action, namely, the closing of the door of hope. Second, Philo offers the possibility that this may have been a reflection of the seven days of creation, except in reverse. A third possibility is that this delay was yet another opportunity for man to express his remorse and acknowledgment of God the Father; not that he would be admitted into the ark, but that his faith would be duly noted. 1 Peter 3:20 reads, “…while God’s patience waited in the days of Noah;” and again, “…not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).
It is written, after those seven days, “… all the fountains of the great deep
burst forth” (Gen. 7:11). “But God remembered Noah” (Gen. 8:1).

-Robert M. Housby

“…That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers”

(Hebrews 2:11)

The doctrine of “brethren” is a very important study. It is vital to the development of every Christian coming into the body of Christ to understand this concept. It is a term found plentifully throughout the Bible, and especially within the New Testament (adelphos). It is the term typically used to express relationship.

1. A genetic relationship, that is, siblings (Acts 1:14). The Hebrew is ah. The term for tribe is the plural ahim (compare Judges 1:3).
2. A cultural relationship, that is, Hebrew (Acts 1:16; 13:26a; Ex. 2:11).
3. A religious relationship, that is Jewish (Acts 1:29,37). Further indication of their Jewish religiousness may be seen in Acts 2:14, 22. There is over-lapping between cultural heritage and religious heritage. Carefully notice, also, that although this group was indeed religious, they were not as of yet forgiven; nor recipients of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38,41). Polite address seems evident in Acts 2:37 (see Gen. 29:4).
4. A relationship of Christian Sonship (Hebrews 2:10-13,17). Sonship is a relationship between the believer and God entered into through Christian baptism; that is by being born-anew (John 3:5; Tit. 3:5).
5. A relationship of love, as meaningful and mandatory (1 Jn 4:19-21).

To neglect this prime-time doctrine of “brethren” will lead to a failed relationship with Christ, with the church, and even with oneself (1 Jn. 3:10).

-Robert Housby