The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

God in the Flesh: The Incarnation

At Christmastime we celebrate how the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  John 1 speaks of this Word through whom the world and everything was created.  The significance of Christmas is how this Word entered the world.  In the fullness of time, God tabernacled in human flesh, took on human flesh.  In the wilderness He made His presence known to Israel in the tabernacle, now He takes on human flesh, preparing to rescue humanity from sin and death.  

The song: What Child is This (instrumental version).

The Photo: Shepherd Field Chapel, Palestine.  Author of photo: Dennis G. Jarvis https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palestine-06398_-_Chapel_(34769897192).jpg

God in the Temple

The descendants of Israel settled in the Promised Land, and their King, David, wanted to build a house for God.  Did God need a house to dwell in?  No.  But God dwelled among His people.  Someday God would visit His people and walk among them again.  

Hymn: Silent Night (public domain).  

The Photo: Shepherd Field Chapel, Palestine.  Author of photo: Dennis G. Jarvis https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palestine-06398_-_Chapel_(34769897192).jpg

 

God in the Tabernacle

Sometime after the Flood, God revealed himself to Abram and said that the nations would be blessed through him. After this Abram’s descendants were brought out of slavery in Egypt, God would set himself in their midst.

 

Hymn: What Child is This?  (Public domain).

The drawing: "Moses Stands in Front of the Ark of the Covenant" by Jan Luyken between 1703-5, in the Rijksmuseum.  (Public domain)

 

For anyone who is interested, I am including a link to a free download of several favorite Christmas and Advent hymns I have recorded.  Hope you enjoy them: 

https://christruelsenpresents.com/songs-of-advent-songs-of-christmas

 

God in the Garden

Humanity was created to have a relationship with our loving God, but was separated from Him by sin and a deceiver. The separation from God in the Fall brought death and decay, but even though humanity was sent from God’s presence in the Garden, God had plans to cover mankind’s sin and shame. Adam was able to talk with God in a personal way-after those early times man would call upon the Lord in prayer (Genesis 4:26).

The painting: Expulsion from the Garden of Eden by Thomas Cole (public domain) 

The hymn: The People that in Darkness Sat (public domain).  

Divine Comedy?

Text for discussion: Numbers 11

 

The struggles of Israel in the wilderness were no laughing matter, yet when we talk about Scripture, sometimes there is parody and satire, sarcasm, irony, puns-things that may be humorous to us-or not always so humorous.  Humor can strike us all in different ways.  

The ultimate purpose of the wilderness and the scope of history is the refining of God's people, to bring forth an important seed, an heirloom seed that would spring forth in the fullness of time.  

Hymns: Be Still My Soul; Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.  (Public domain).

The painting: Moses Strikes Water from the Stone by Krzysztof Lubieniecki.  1714.  (public domain).  

Remember Us In Your Kingdom and Teach Us to Pray, Revisited

Text for discussion: Luke 11. 

This podcast was first published November 17, 2023.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

The way of operating in the world is different from the kingdom to come.  

In the world we see the pain and perils of Fallenness, the brokenness of society.  In this dark and difficult situation, God hears our prayers, and answers them, and when this life is over, promises to bring us to Himself.  

This week’s hymns: 

Eternal Father, Strong to Save
God Himself is Present

Fight the Good Fight
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
We Praise You, O God  (All are public domain)

Painting: Jesus Goes Up Alone onto a Mountain to Pray (by James Tissot, between 1886-1894, public domain).

 

Of Time and Trumpets

Text for discussion: Numbers 10.  

God had the Israelites fashion two silver trumpets for calling the assembly and sounding the alarm.  Where are we in history at this point, and exactly where are we?  

The photo:  attributed to Steerpike (talk) Arc-de-Triumph.  

Description: Roman Triumphal arch panel showing spoils of the Jerusalem Temple from about 81 AD.  NOTE THE TWO TRUMPETS TO BE SEEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PANEL.  

The author has permitted people to generally use the work with a link to the license:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arch_of_Titus_Menorah.png

Hymns: Savior, Again, to Thy Dear Name We Raise; The Day Thou Gavest; Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven; Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us; We Praise You, O God.  (All public domain).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cloud and Fire

Text for discussion: Numbers 9.  

In Numbers 9 we find the first celebration of the Passover after the actual event.  It is amazing to think that the intricate work of the making of the Tabernacle is complete.  Now, they are led in the wilderness by God.  These are unique events in history, but like golden threads, they can be tied to earlier Scriptural events, and events to come . . . .

The art: The Jewish tabernacle and priesthood, 1874, by George Needham, from an old catalog.  Public domain.  

The hymn: Be Still My Soul. (Public domain.)

More Precious Than Gold

Text for discussion: Numbers 8.

Numbers 8 is a story of plunder and transference.  God plundered the Egyptians (and their gods), carrying their wealth out with the Israelites in the Exodus.  The finely crafted lamp stand, made of gold, provides light in a dark sanctuary that was made without windows for natural light.  

The Israelites transfer their sins and transgressions to the priests, who in turn transfer the sins to the sacrifices, but something bigger, much bigger is going on here.  It is a foreshadowing of how God plunders the old evil foe, and a demonstration of how you, to God, are far more precious than gold.  

Hymns: What Wondrous Love is This, Eternal Father Strong to Save.  (public domain)

Photo: In the Darkness, copyright Redpipi, shared for free use on Wikimedia Commons.  Author's description: "It shows the way a fire can light up the darkness."

Who Would Buy That?

Text for discussion: Numbers 7.  

The Israelites consecrated the tabernacle and offered various kinds of offerings for acceptance by God and the forgiveness of sins.  To enter into God's presence they had to be made new again, made whole.  They, like we, were imperfect.  Who would purchase something like that?  Blemished, imperfect, even sometimes on its last legs?  

The hymn:  For All the Saints.  (Public domain).  (One of the best of all my hymn recordings).

The artwork: Adam and Eve Expelled from Paradise by Auguste Rodin, 1887 (public domain).