THE SON OF GOD IN THE WORD OF GOD

“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son He made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God's own glory, and everything about Him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command. After He died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, He sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven” Hebrews 1:1-3 (New Living Translation).

Every love relationship thrives on the wheel of intimacy. A Word of affection, assurance, encouragement, caution and rebuke is constantly and regularly extended in any relationship to maintain closer ties. This is done through writing or by the word of mouth.

God created man for relationship and intimacy and provided the platform for man to know Him better, but we lost this awesome opportunity after sin in the Garden of Eden. However, God covenanted to restore to Himself us through His Word (Jesus Christ) John 12:13. Through the Son of God (Jesus Christ) our hearts are comforted and knitted together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father

…. And in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Colossians 2:2-3.

This week, we are pleased to remind and re-assure you that Jesus Christ (the Son of God) is the only One who through whom we will know God the Father. He is the embodiment of the Word of God and is revealed in all the chapters of the Bible. We trust that you will grow in greater knowledge of Him as the:

o Genesis 3:15; 49:10: Seed of the woman and Shiloh - He will do anything he can to get us to follow his evil, deadly path. The phrase “you will strike his heel” refers to Satan's repeated attempts to defeat Christ during his life on earth. “He will crush your feet” foreshadows Satan's defeat when Christ rose from the dead. A strike on the heel is not deadly, but a crushing blow to the head is. Already God was revealing His plan to defeat Satan and offer salvation to the world through His Son, Jesus Christ. Shiloh may be another name for the Messiah, because its literal meaning is “sent.” Shiloh might also refer to the Tent of Meeting set up at the city of Shiloh (Joshua 18:1).

o Exodus 12:3 - Passover Lamb o Leviticus 8:7-9 - Anointed High Priest o Numbers 21:8; 4:17 - Star of Jacob and brazen serpent o Deut. 18:15; 324 - Prophet like Moses and Great Rock o Joshua 5:14: Captain of the Lord's Host – This was an angel of superior rank, the commander of the Lord's army. Some say he was an appearance of God in human form. As a sign of respect, Joshua took off his sandals. Although Joshua was Israel's leader, he was still subordinate to God, the absolute Leader. Awe and respect are the responses due to our holy God. How can we show respect for God? By our attitudes and actions. We should recognise God's power, authority, and deep love, and our actions must model our attitudes before others. Respect for God is just as important today as it was in Joshua's day, even though removing shoes is no longer our cultural way of showing it.

o Judges 2:1 - Messenger of Jehovah o Ruth 2:10 - Kinsman-Redeemer o 1 Samuel 2:10 - Great Judge o 2 Samuel 7:13 - Seed of David o 1 Kings 8: 15,26 - Lord God of Israel o 2 Kings 19:15 - God of the Cherubim o 1 Chronicles 16:35 - God of our salvation o 2 Chronicles 20:6: God of our fathers – Jehoshapaht's prayer had several essential ingredients (1) He committed the situation to God, acknowledge that only God could save the nation. (2) He sought God's favour because his people were God's people (3) He acknowledged God's sovereignty over the current situation. (4) He praised God's glory and took comfort in His promises. (5) He professed complete dependence on God, not himself, for deliverance. To be God's kind of leader today, follow Jehoshaphat's example – focus entirely on God's power rather than your own.

o Ezra 1:2: Lord of Heaven and Earth – Cyrus was not a Jew, but God worked through him to return the exiled Jews to their homeland. Cyrus gave the proclamation allowing their return, and He gave them protection, money, and the temple articles taken by Nebuchadnezzar. When you face difficult situations and feel surrounded, outnumbered, overpowered,, or outclassed, remember that God's power is not limited to your resources. He is able to use anyone to carry out his plans.

o Nehemiah 1:5 - Covenant-keeping God o Esther - The God of Providence o Job 19:25 - Risen and returning Redeemer o Psalm 2:1,7, 12; 16:10; 23:1; 24:7-10 - The anointed Son, the Holy one, The Good Shepherd, and the King of Glory o Proverbs 8: The wisdom of God – Wisdom's call is contrasted to the call of the adulteress in chapter 7. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman (8:1-13) and makes us succeed (8:14-21). Wisdom was present at the creation and works with the Creator (8:22-31). God approves of those who listen to wisdom's counsel (8:32-35). Those who hate wisdom love death (8:36). Wisdom should affect every aspect of our life, form beginning to end. Be sure to open all corners of your life to God's direction and guidance.

o Ecclesiastes - The one above the sun o Song of Solomon 5:10; 16 - Chiefest among 10,000 and altogether lovely o Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 52:13; 53:3: Virgin-born Immanuel; Child and Son, Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Righteous Servant, and Man of Sorrows – Isaiah uses four names to describe the Messiah. These names have special meaning to us. Wonderful Counselor – He is exceptional, distinguished, and without peer, the one who gives right advice. Mighty God – He is God himself. Everlasting Father - He is timeless; He is God our Father. Prince of Peace – He government is one of justice and peace.

o Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16 - The Lord our Righteousness o Lamentation 3:22, 23, 23,31-33 - The faithful and compassionate God o Ezekiel - The Lord is there o Daniel - 2:34; 3:25; 7:1 - Smiting Stone, Son of God, Son of man o Hosea 13:9; 14 - King of the resurrection o Joel 2:28-32; 2:11; 3:2,9-17: God of the battle and giver of the Spirit – The outpouring of the Spirit predicted by Joel occurred on the day of Pentecost. While in the past, God's Spirit seemed available to kings, prophets, and judges, Joel envisioned a time when the Spirit would be available to every believer. Ezekiel also spoke of an outpouring of the Spirit (Ezekiel 39:28, 29). God's Spirit is available now to anyone who calls on the Lord (2:32).

o Amos 4:13; 7:9 - God of hosts and the plumbline o Obadiah 1:8; 15 - Destroyer of the proud o Jonah 2:10; 3:1;4:9-11 - The risen Prophet, God of second choice, the Long-suffering one o Micah 4:1-5; 5:2; 7:18,19 - God of Jacob, the Bethlehemite, and the pardoning God o Nahum 1;2, 15 - The avenging God and bringer of good tidings o Habakkuk 1:12; 13; 2:14; 3:13: The everlasting pure, glorious, and anointed one o Zephaniah 3:14 - The Kings of Israel o Haggai 2:7 - Desire of all Nations o Zechariah 3:8; 6:12; 6:13; 9:9; 12:10; 14:9 - Branch, builder of temple, King of triumphal entry, pierced one, King of the earth o Malachi 3:16: Lord of remembrance –The point is that God will remember those who remain faithful to Him, and who love, fear, honour, and respect Him.

PRAYER May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you His favour and give you peace – Numbers 6:24-26. Please remember to join us on Sunny – Tuesdays 5:30am; Asempa – Sundays 5:30am & Unique – Saturdays 7:30pm for our radio Bible study. Stay Blessed