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You Shall Not Go Very Far Away - Part Four

Feb 07, 2021 by: John Herbert | Series: You Shall Not Go Very Far Away

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Ex 8:27 We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us.”

We will continue top look at the 3 days' journey from a Christian perspective.

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Sunday February 7th 2021
You Shall Not Go Very Far Away
Part 4

Ex 8:27 We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away………

As we have seen in previous weeks, the 3 days’ journey is symbolic of the complete separation from the world and the things in the world, Satan’s kingdom, that must be made by those who will one day rule with Christ in the stead of Satan and his fallen angels.
	a). Such a separation has been laid out in foundation through Abraham, the one man to whom the promises were given, the one man who is the father of those who are of the faith – Ga 3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

We see given to Abraham God’s clear instruction as to what he must do to receive the promises – Ge 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.

Not only was there to be a separation from everything connected to Abraham’s first birth within the kingdom of Satan, pictured through getting out of his country, his family and his father’s house, but also an eventual separation from Lot who began the journey with him, but whose life was motivated by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life – Ge 13:8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.

And as Lot provides a type for the Christian whose focus is not on Christ’s Kingdom but on the world and the things in the world, we will also see here the inevitable separation between those seeking His Kingdom and righteousness first and those Christians whose focus is elsewhere.
	b). We see this same truth, also in connection with a journey, through the type given in Rebekah, the faithful Christian taken from the family – Ge 24:55 But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.”
56 And he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.” 57 So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.” 58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”

And we can see here that Rebekah’s mother and brothers did not want her to go very far away. They wanted her to stay with them, ‘at least ten days’, they did not want her to make ‘the 3 days’ journey’ that would result in marriage to Isaac.
	c). As Rebekah is a picture of the faithful Christian, then her family, her mother and brothers, must picture the family of God, other Christians. And as we have just seen with Lot, there will be a separation between the Christian seeking first His Kingdom and righteousness and those Christians whose eyes are on the world and the things in the world even in the context of the Church – Mt 15:8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
And as with Abraham, Rebekah must get out of her country, her family and her father’s house if she is to receive the promise of marriage to Isaac.
	d). There must be separation from all that is connected with Rebekah’s first birth within the kingdom of Satan and from religious endeavor within that kingdom if her journey is to be complete.
	e). Abraham was to be taken to the land that God would show him, and Rebekah had to follow the oldest servant, both types forming the picture of being led by the Spirit, just as Israel would be led by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, to the land of their inheritance.

Ru 1:16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

The same truth we have seen given through the experience of Abraham and Rebekah, is also seen through Ruth, who gives us the type of the faithful Christian taken from the Gentiles.
	g). Immediately before the verses we have just read, Orpah, a member of the same Jewish family as Ruth, has just gone back to her people and to her gods, Orpah did not go very far away. Although she began with Ruth and Naomi, she chose not to complete the journey to Bethlehem, another picture of the 3 days’ journey, but instead chose to go back to the familiar, to remain within the confines of her first birth within the kingdom of Satan. In Orpah we again see Lot and Rebekah’s family; those Christians who choose not to pursue the 3 days’ journey, those who continue to allow the flesh, the old man, to have dominion.
	h). And just as with Abraham was taken to the land by God and Rebekah was taken to Isaac by the oldest servant, so Ruth was taken to Bethlehem by Naomi, the one who pictures the Word of God written by Jewish hands.
	i). And at the end of Ruth’s journey what do we find? – Ru 2:11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. 12 The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

Ruth was commended by Boaz because she got out of her country, her family and her father’s house, she had made the 3 days’ journey, the complete separation from everything connected with her first birth within Satan’s kingdom and the separation from those who would not make the journey with her.
j). And she was commended because she was faithfully obedient to Naomi during the course of her journey. And as a result, the promise was given that the Lord God of Israel would repay her work and give her a full reward.
k). The lesson we are to learn from Abraham, Rebekah and Ruth really needs no explanation. However, let’s keep in mind that all 3 made a journey, pictured in the 3 days’ journey, and it was not until the end of that journey that they received what was promised.
l). As we said to begin today, the 3 days’ journey is symbolic of the complete separation from the world and the things in the world, the complete separation from Satan’s kingdom.
m). From our own perspective then, the separation we are to make is an ongoing process, with the complete separation we are striving for only to be realized at the Judgment Seat as our soul is saved, bringing the complete separation from the old man, the flesh, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
n). And being recipients of the separation that comes with the salvation of the soul, will inevitably bring the complete separation from Satan’s kingdom as he and his fallen angels are replaced by Christ and His co-heirs in the Millennial Kingdom. And it is also at the Judgment Seat that a separation will be made between faithful and unfaithful Christians, with Millennial consequences.
o). The point is, that the complete separation seen in the 3 days’ journey will only be realized in the 3rd Day, the Kingdom Age, not now. Now, we are to be engaged in the continual process of separation, day by day, week by week, year by year, which must never stop if that complete separation is to be realized and the goal of our faith received.

2). With this ongoing process of separation in mind there is another part of Ruth’s experience that must be seen in conjunction with her journey, that we will draw our attention to – Ru 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley……………23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

We will remember from our study of the Book of Ruth, that Ruth had worked in Boaz’s field from morning until evening, showing a complete period of time and that the barley harvest spoke of resurrection through its association with the Feast of Firstfruits and that the wheat harvest spoke of death and burial – Jn 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

And by putting the 2 together we see that Ruth’s experience of working in Boaz’s field has to do with death, burial and resurrection. And as the ephah of grain that Ruth beats out is shown to be barley, we will realize that it is only work done in connection with resurrection that produces fruit – Mt 13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word [of the Kingdom] and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

And this of course is something that God has declared from the beginning through the events of the 3rd day in Genesis Chapter 1.
	a). Now, to state something that is so obvious we might overlook it, that which is done in resurrection necessitates death first. Death and burial must precede resurrection.
	b). Our ‘old man’, our flesh, which finds itself in complete opposition to God through its connection with Satan’s kingdom is under sentence of death and this sentence cannot be avoided – there will be no reprieve or act of clemency. We can either choose to carry out that death sentence now or it will be implemented at the Judgment Seat.
	c). And we don’t have to be that smart to work out which is the best option here. We can either choose to put off concerning our former conduct, our ‘old man’ now, as an on-going process, the process of separation, the process of beating out the grain, or we will experience death, separation from God’s purpose for us, at the Judgment Seat that will be Millennial in length – Jn 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal [age lasting] life.

Ro 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

As always, we have a choice – and the downside of having a choice is that we can make the wrong one.
	d). At the risk of being repetitive let’s say this one more time so that we can grasp the reality and certainty of this – we can either choose to die now, to separate ourselves from our old man, to beat out the grain to produce our ephah of barley, or we will experience ‘death’ for the 1000 years of the Millennial Kingdom. One way or the other ‘death’ cannot be avoided. Please don’t let the residue of the doctrine of Balaam, ‘You shall not surely die’, filter out the truth. 
e). In that Day we will be judged by the Word in accordance with the Word – and all without partiality - 1Pe 1:17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear…..

There will be no extenuating circumstances and no plea bargains. And because of the certainty of this judgment the Lord warns us, through the pen of Peter, to conduct ourselves during the time of our stay here in fear.
	f). This is the same admonition that is given by Jesus in – 
Mt 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [Gehenna].

And let’s not forget - Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

And with Ruth’s work in Boaz’s field in mind let’s remember - Ga 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting [age lasting] life.

Ru 3:15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.

The 6 ephas of barley given to Ruth by Boaz plus the one beaten out by Ruth gives a total of 7 – the complete work in association with resurrection, spirit, soul and body. And that which is sown to the Spirit, the death of the flesh, the death of the old man, reaps an abundant harvest exponentially greater than that which was sown. The grain of wheat that dies produces ‘much grain.’ – Ro 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

3). Our flesh, on the one hand, must be seen as our enemy – 
1Pe 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul…….
	
And then on the other hand, our flesh must be seen as the sacrifice, the death of the firstborn, a sacrifice which we should willingly present to God - Ro 12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Whichever way we come at this the Scripture is clear on the action we are to take so that our flesh will not have the ascendancy and be able to take our crown – Re 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

Ga 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Ro 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Again, our scripture here is very plain – if we allow our flesh to live now and thereby choose to walk according to its lusts, then ‘death’ awaits us in that Day – Mt 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it……..
	
If, however, we put to death the deeds of the body, separate ourselves from them now, by the Spirit, then we shall have life in that Day – 
Mt 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

This is the simple message of the cross, which is foolishness to those who are perishing, those who desire to save their life now, but for those in the process of being saved, who are making the 3 days’ journey, who are choosing to lose their life now as they beat out the grain, it is the power of God -  Col 3:5 ¶ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

Once more we see that we have the responsibility to choose to ‘put to death’ our members which are on the earth – and the wrath of God is coming upon those who are disobedient to this command and don’t do it, who seek to save their life now – Ga 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

So then putting to death the deeds of the body and putting to death our members which are on the earth, which are two ways of saying the same thing, is accomplished by a work of the Spirit as we choose to walk in the Spirit.
	a). What then does it look like to put to death the deeds of the body and to walk in the Spirit?
	b). Simply this - Joh 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

It will be no great surprise to us to realize that it is our faithful obedience to the Word of God that will put to death the deeds of the body, bring about the separation, as we choose to walk in the Spirit. It is the choice we make to be holy, the process of separation from the lusts that are in the world, clinging to the truth of Scripture, just as Ruth clung to Naomi.
	c). And this is just what we have seen pictured for us at the beginning of Genesis. It was God’s Word, ‘let there be light’ that brought light into the darkness on day 1. And it is the same Word, who became flesh and dwelt amongst us, who is the light of the world, who was sent into the world in the person of Jesus the Christ, who is the same Living Word, the same light, that we have in written form, which is alive, who now makes a division between the soul, our darkness, and our spirit, our light - 2Co 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Walking in the light and walking in the Spirit would picture one and the same thing. And if we would do this, then according to the Scripture, we will have fellowship with the Lord and ‘the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.’
	d). In simple practical terms this brings us again to the choice to conduct our lives in accordance with the Scriptures, faithful obedience, on a day-to-day basis. And in so doing our ‘old man’ will be the sacrifice tied firmly to the horns of the altar in the outer court of the Tabernacle and our hands will be cleansed by the washing of water by the word as we enter the Holy place where the light will be found - Ps 24:3 ¶ Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Having clean hands and a pure heart and not having lifted up our soul to an idol would be synonymous with making the 3 days’ journey to its conclusion. It would be the conclusion of working in the field from morning to evening and separating the grain from the chaff as we do so. Choosing to give up our life now so as to let the Lord’s will be done in our life as we are led by the Spirit, our faithful obedience to the Scriptures, resulting in receiving blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of our salvation – Jas 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

One more Scripture to end this week – Php 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the out-resurrection from the dead.

More next time – If the Lord is willing.

You Shall Not Go Very Far Away - Part Four

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You Shall Not Go Very Far Away - Part Four

Feb 07, 2021

Speaker: John Herbert

Series: You Shall Not Go Very Far Away

Category: Sunday Morning

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