Manna? What Is It?

     Friends, for today's bible study, Brother Bob will explain how the manna that came down from heaven represented our Lord Jesus who was the bread of God which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world. The hebrew definition of manna is What is it? The manna that came down from heaven to feed the children of Israel was mysterious and puzzling to the people, making them say What is it? When Jesus as the bread of life came down from heaven, Jesus also was mysterious and puzzling to the people, making them say Who is this? What is this?

     The story about the above picture of how God provided manna to feed the children of Israel can be found at Exodus 16:13 and says And it came to pass that at even the quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing as small as the hoarfrost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna, for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat. Exodus 16:31 goes on to say And the house of Israel called the name thereof manna; and it was like coriander (defined as a striped grain representing the stripes of Jesus) seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

     Jesus proclaimed that He was the manna or bread of life that cometh down from heaven at John 6:32 that says Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto Him, Lord evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

     OK, Brother Bob is going to give you several pictures proving that when Jesus came down from heaven, Jesus like the manna, was mysterious and puzzling, making people say Who is this? What is this? For our first example pictured above, notice that after Jesus said peace be still, calming the storm, the disciples were puzzled and said What manner of man is this? Mark 4:41 states And they feared exceedingly and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?

     Today, Jesus like the manna is still puzzling and mysterious to many people. Today, the world listens to us preach about Jesus, the salt of the earth, the light of the world, the resurrection, the life, the Alpha, the Omega, the first, the last, the beginning, the ending, the Son of the living God who was dead three days and was raised again, born of a virgin, and is gone to God's right hand, and will come again to receive us to Himself and take us to a place called heaven and they say Who is this? What is this?

     Friend reading this anywhere, God makes Jesus mysterious so we can all get saved by faith. Ephesians 5:31 defines Jesus as a great mystery and says For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 1 Timothy 3:16 also defines Jesus as a great mystery and says And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God (Jesus) was manifest in the flesh.

     Friend, today accept and believe the great mystery Jesus with your heart, not your mind, and confess Jesus as God, believing Jesus died for you on the cross, rose again, and get saved. Don't try to figure out Jesus with your mind; just accept Jesus as God by faith with your heart, believing God's Word. Hebrews 11:6 tells us But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Romans 10:10 also tells us For with the heart (not the mind) man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

     Friend believe and accept the above Word of God by faith and not man's ways or thoughts because the prophet Isaiah said that God proclaimed at Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

     Another example where Jesus like manna was mysterious and puzzling to the people occurred when Jesus pictured above asked his disciples Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? Jesus' disciples were confounded and didn't know who Jesus was or what He was. Some of the disciples thought Jesus was John the Baptist, Jeremiah, or Elijah. Only Peter recognized Jesus as God and was blessed with the keys of the kingdom. The disciples never met anybody like Jesus. Jesus was as one they never seen or heard of before.

     The story about the above picture can be found at Matthew 16:13 and says When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? And they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist; some Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Friend reading this anywhere, Brother Bob prays in Jesus name we all can be like Peter and recognize mysterious Jesus as the Christ (defined as God or Messiah) and be saved, as we all believe that Jesus died for us on the cross and rose again.

     Listed below are two more examples of people who were puzzled at Jesus, the true manna, saying Who is this? What is this? When Simon the Pharisee and his friends saw Jesus forgive the sinful woman that washed His feet with her tears, Luke 7:49 records And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? Also, the officers who tried to arrest Jesus were astonished when they met Jesus and John 7:45 says Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them; Why have ye not brought Him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived.? Wow, the officers that tried to arrest Jesus got saved and were blessed by the words of Jesus.

     For our next picture we see four men getting ready to lower their friend through a roof to be healed by Jesus, causing the religious people to be amazed at mysterious Jesus, the true manna, and say We never saw it on this fashion. The story is seen at Mark 2:10 where Jesus says But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins, He saith to the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

     When Jesus walked before the people, Jesus touched the blind, their eyes would open, He touched the deaf, their ears would open, He touched the dumb, their tongue would speak, He touched the lame, they'd leap and carry beds on their back and shout for God's glory; He touched the withered hand and it would stretch forth; He cast legions of devils out of people; He cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalene; He had power over the demons, devils, sicknesses, and all manner of diseases. He healed people and called Himself God and the people said What is this? Who is this? We've never seen anything like this before.

     Friends, as you look at the above picture, we see yet another example of how Jesus, like the manna, was mysterious, as he walked through the midst of the Pharisees, and did not allow them to throw Him headlong off a brow or cliff. Luke 4:28 tells us And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath and rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow (cliff) of a the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. But He passing through the midst of them went His way.

     Another time after Jesus proclaimed to the Pharisees that He was God, saying Before Abraham was I am, mysterious Jesus walked through the midst of the Pharisees, and did not allow them to cast stones at Him. John 8:58 says Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was I am. Then took they up stones to cast at Him, but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

     The people just couldn't do anything to Jesus. They couldn't throw a rock at Jesus. They couldn't throw Jesus off of a cliff. Jesus was mysterious like manna, making one say Who is this? What is this? Friend, the reason no one could kill Jesus was because Jesus loved you and gave His own life on the cross for you so you could live. Jesus came to this earth to die on the cross for all sinners, and no man could prevent Jesus as God from dying on the cross.

     People tried to kill Jesus before the cross unsuccessfully. Man tried to poison Jesus with vinegar, but Jesus tasted the vinegar and did not swallow the vinegar, staying alive. The Roman soldiers did not break the legs of Jesus and kill Jesus at the cross because Jesus had already given up the ghost and layed down His life for all sinners. Before the cross, no man could kill Jesus even if they strapped dynamite to Jesus. It was God's plan to save sinners by having the Lord Jesus give His own life at the cross of Calvary.

     To end up today's bible study, look at the above picture and let's study how the manna that the children of Israel ate was mysterious, making the people say What is it? When the children of Israel woke up one summer morning, they saw snowflakes of manna, like little biscuits, wafers, and flakes of cookies, tasting like honey. The people said What is it? How can it rain bread or snow biscuits? How can cookies fall out of heaven? Did an airplane have a crash and bust open and drop its cargo?

     As you look at the little girl above eating a small, white, round flake of manna, we can see symbols of Jesus represented by the manna. The small manna was symbolic of Christ's humbleness and humility. The manna was round, little round wafers, biscuits, like cookies with honeycomb taste, an emblem and symbol of Christ's eternity, without beginning, without ending, just a continuous circle. The manna was white, representing Christ's purity, His holiness, and His cleanliness. King David called the manna angels' food and said at Psalm 78:24  And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels' food; He sent them meat to the full.

     Moses instructed the children of Israel to daily gather the manna and not gather two days storage of manna. If the people gathered more that one day's supply of manna before the sabbath, that manna would spoil. The only day the people could gather a two day supply of manna was before the sabbath day because God provided no manna on the sabbath as God rested. Jesus is like this manna that we need daily to survive. Unfortunately, a lot of people try Jesus like a six month's dose, or a two day revival, or a six week escapade, or turn over a new leaf, or get a new lease on life, or we'll try to live a better life; No, Jesus is an everyday, day by day necessity; you must have Jesus daily to survive; In the wilderness of the world, we must daily eat the true manna Jesus by faith, as we daily meditate on the Word of God that is Jesus.

     As always, it has been a blessing writing this bible study and give the gift of Jesus to my many friends in the many nations. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. I pray in Jesus name that these bible studies bless all my friends everywhere greatly. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.

What'll It Be? Wages Or Gift?

GOD SAYS

YOU SIN, I PAY, YOU DIE

GOD ALSO SAYS

I GIVE, YOU RECEIVE, YOU LIVE

     Friends, today Brother Bob asks you to receive eternal life and Jesus Christ who is the gift of God. Take time to study Romans 6:23 that says For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Brother Bob can simplify this bible verse by telling you God says you sin, I pay, you die; but God also says I give, you receive, you live. Brother Bob says friend reading this What'll it be? Wages or Gift?

     Remember, God will pay on time, and payday will occur for a sinner with wages of death unless that sinner repents, accepts the gift Jesus, and receives eternal life. A boss on a job might not pay someone their wages, but if a sinner rejects Jesus, God will pay that sinner with the wages of death. God says you sin, I pay, you die. Friend reading this anywhere avoid the wages of death, and today receive the gift Jesus and eternal life. God also says I give, you receive, you live. Brother Bob says to the little man pictured above avoid death and the wages of sin by choosing the gift Jesus and eternal life.

    John 3:16 listed above proves that Jesus is God's gift to us and says For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus is God's present to us all. Jesus also proclaimed that He was our reward and gift at Revelation 22:12 saying And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

      Friend reading this anywhere, to get the gift Jesus, just receive Jesus. Receive Jesus by confessing Jesus as God and believe in your heart that Jesus died for you on the cross and rose again. John 1:11 tells us the benefits of receiving the gift Jesus and says He came unto His own and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.

     Notice in the scriptures above the key words gave and received to help you understand how to receive the gift Jesus and eternal life. God gave Jesus as the gift. When believers received the gift Jesus, believers received power and became the sons of God. Friends everywhere we have no excuses and we should all receive Jesus as Lord and our gift today. The bible says that even a wayfaring fool can find Jesus. Isaiah 35:8 says The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

     Brother Bob encourages my friends to be like the little girl pictured above and receive the gift Jesus. The following scriptures prove that when we receive Jesus as our gift, we all receive eternal life. John 3:36 says He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. 1 John 5:11 says And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and He that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

     You might say Brother Bob it is not fair for God to pay sinners with death. Friend, God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and is longsuffering, wanting all sinners to repent, accept Jesus as Lord , and receive eternal life. The prophet Ezekial said at Ezekial 33:11 Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God; I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

     After a person receives the gift Jesus, the bible promises that this person will become born again. John 1:12-13 says But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Which were born, not of blood, nor or the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. You see one becomes born of God, or born again when they believe on the name of Jesus. Jesus said a man must be born again to see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 says Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:7 goes on to say Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

     Notice if you are born twice, (a natural birth and born again when you receive Jesus as God), you shall never see death, but if you are only born once and stay an unrepentent sinner without Jesus, you will die two times, (a physical death and an eternal death in the lake of fire). The following scriptures prove the two deaths a sinner experiences without Jesus. Ephesians 2:1 says And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Revelation 20:13 says And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire; This is the second death. Friend reading this anywhere, avoid the second death by receiving the gift Jesus and eternal life where you shall never see death.

     Friends, as you look at the above picture say 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Jesus showed Brother Bob that as we look daily at the Word of God, we are looking at Jesus in a mirror, and the more we see Jesus, the more we are blessed. This is proven by James 1:25 that says But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty (the Word of God), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

     Take time to read the following two scriptures below that prove that Christ in you is the hope of glory and you in Christ have become a new creature. Christ in you, the hope of glory; you in Christ, a new creature. Colossians 1:27 says To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

     For my final picture today, Brother Bob gives you a picture of a soldier who was a hero and died saving his best friend. Take time to read this story and remember after you finish reading this story share it with others and tell them if they have the gift Jesus, they have everything they need.

     Here's the blessed story: There was a man who had a son, his wife died, and the son became very close to his dad, inseparable, and they invested in paintings because they both liked paintings. As a result, they had many beautiful and expensive paintings by well known artists, along with antique paintings. The son went to the army and got killed while saving his best friend who was wounded on the battlefield. The father got a letter that his son was killed in action but that he died a hero rescuing his wounded comrade. The father lost interest in the paintings after his son died. Without his son, the paintings were worthless to him.

     A few weeks later, the friend whose life was spared went to meet the father with a big painting under his arm. He said thank you for raising such a fine son that was willing to spare his life and save my life. A week before your son was killed, he told me he loved paintings and since I'm an artist, one week before he died, I told him I'd paint his protrait, and I want to give his portrait to you. The father looked at the painting and began to weep.

     The father went to the fireplace and took down the most expensive painting and set it in the corner and replaced it with his son's portrait. Instead of looking at the expensive paintings, he spent all day looking at his son in his uniform who was a hero. But, the father died, and an auctioneer came to auction off all the father's property.

     The auctioneer opened up his briefcase, took all his papers out, took his gavel, and said I'm gonna do exactly by law what this father wished to do. I'm gonna sell everything he has, house, expensive paintings, and everything he has. Now the first thing we're gonna auction off is the picture of his son. Everyone said Naw, boo, we don't want that, get to the good stuff, get to the expensive paintings first.

     The auctioneer said, No, the father told me to auction off the picture of his son first. They said Alright go ahead. The auctioneer said what is the bid for this beautiful picture of this fine handsome son who was killed on the battlefield rescuing his wounded comrade. Who will bid, who will bid, give me a bid, any kind of bid. Nobody said a word; But then, a little old man who used to be a friend of the son bid $5 just to get things going.

     The auctioneer said $5, who will bid $10. Nobody moved. Going once, going twice, three times. $5 sold. Then the auctioneer started putting everything in his briefcase, shutting it up, and getting ready to leave. The people said, wait, wait, what about the rest of these expensive paintings, what about the house, what about the farm, what about the cars; Aren't you gonna sell them. The auctioneer said my orders were, he that gets the Son, gets it all. That old boy who didn't have nothing; He got the Son, and that got him everything. Now Brother Bob says after you read this story leap for joy and praise Jesus because if you have Jesus the Son you are blessed and have everything you need in life.

     It is always is a blessing to write these bible studies. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin 2233 Pinetree Lane Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name. 

Naaman Wanted Two Mules Carrying Holy Dirt

     Friends, take time to read this special bible study about how Naaman got healed of leprosy and requested two mules carrying holy dirt from the prophet Elisha. Pictured above we see a little maid encouraging Naaman to go meet the prophet Elisha in Israel to receive healing and cure his leprosy. The bible records that even though Naaman was rich, lived in a castle, was a captain of a great army, was a great man of valour that many people bowed down to, he was a leper. Naaman said I'd give away all this fame and fortune if I could just be cured of this leprosy.

     The story about the above picture is at 2 Kings 5:1 and says Now Naaman captain of the host of the king of Syria was a great man with his master; and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria; he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid, and she waited on Naaman's wife. (note the little maid that blessed Naaman was a slave taken captive by Naaman). And she said unto her mistress, would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

     The bible goes on to say at 2 Kings 5:4 And one went in and told his lord, saying Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed and took with him 10 talents of silver, and 6000 pieces of gold, and 10 changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel saying Now when this letter is come unto thee behold I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.

     When the king of Israel received the letter from the king of Syria requesting that he heal Naaman, he was fearful and thought the king of Syria was seeking a quarrel. But, the prophet Elisha came to the rescue and told the king of Israel to send Naaman to his house for a healing. 2 Kings 5:7 records And it came to pass when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? Wherefore, consider I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. And it was so when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.

     Pictured above we see that Naaman listened to the advice of the little maid and visited the house of Elisha to be healed of leprosy. We all need to be like Naaman and when we need our problems fixed, go to meet the man of God whose prayers can heal you. Naaman thought the prophet Elisha would come out of the house to pray for him, and got angry when Elisha stayed inside his house, and had his servant Gehazi tell Naaman to go jump in the Jordan river seven times to be cured of leprosy. Naaman probably said I don't want to have anything to do with that prophet Elisha anymore. This preacher Elisha won't even come out to meet me or even shake my hand. How dare that Elisha tell me, a great and powerful leader, to go jump in the river.

     2 Kings 5:9 records what happened when Naaman visited Elisha and says So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth and went away and said, Behold, I thought he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near and spake unto him and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee, do some great thing wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he sayeth to thee wash and be clean.

     Note that God's instruction to Naaman was to jump in the Jordan river (not the Abana or the Pharpar rivers) seven times to be healed of leprosy. Naaman had to learn that he should just do things God's way because there is no other way. As Naaman left Elisha's house in a rage, one of Naaman's servants said, Master Naaman if Elisha told you to do some great thing you would have done it. If he told you to kill a bear, you would have killed a bear. If he told you to fight a lion, you would have fought a lion, but all he said was go dip yourself in the Jordan river seven times. Is that too hard? After Naaman pondered what his servant said, I could see Naaman saying Well I did come a long way, I'll try it.

     Pictured above we see that as Naaman obeyed God's instructions from Elisha to dip himself seven times in the Jordan river, Naaman's flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child and he was healed of leprosy. 2 Kings 5:14 says Then went he down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan according to the saying of the man of God, and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child and he was clean.

     My good friend Pastor Sonny Mull described Naaman's healing and said so Naaman went down to Jordan and dunked himself one time and washed himself off. Then he dunked himself again and said I feel kind of silly, here I am a captain in the army, I'm the king's armorbearerer, the king leans on my hand when he worships, I'm his bodyguard, when the king has his eyes closed praying, I'm watching for the enemy, I'm the greatest man in Syria. Here I am up here with these bunch of Samaritans up here in Samaria jumping in the river.

     Then Naaman said well I'll dip again which is the fourth time and as he got frustrated, Naaman said What's the use; Same old skin. After the fifth dip, Naaman said I'm wasting my time, same old skin. After the sixth dip, Naaman said again same old skin. But, when Naaman dipped the seventh time in the Jordan, when he came up his skin was restored like a baby's skin. There ain't nothing as soft and cuddly as baby's skin. To all women reading this bible study, if God told you to jump in a river seven times to receive baby skin, wouldn't you do it.

     The reason Naaman got baby skin was because Naaman got born again, experienced a change, and got saved. Naaman truly was a new man and experienced 2 Corinthians 5:17 that says Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. Now, instead of worshipping the idols of Syria, Naaman wanted to only praise and worship the true God of Israel.

     Remember, God's instructions in the Word is the answer and there is no other way. Praise you Lord Jesus, like Naaman, if you tell us to jump in a river, bless God, lets all jump in a river. It's not whether we want to or not, it's what God says do. Naaman said I'll do it my way, I'll go down and dip in Abana and Pharpar. No that won't work. God said dip in Jordan. When God says something, that's what God means. There wasn't any power in Pharpar, Abana, or even Jordan, the power was in doing what God said do.

     OK, you all might say why is Brother Bob posting a picture of two mules above? The reason for this is to display the two mules that Naaman requested from Elisha burden of earth (defined as carrying the holy ground of Israel) after Naaman was healed of leprosy. You see after Naaman got healed, got right with God, and saved, he wanted to bless Elisha with a gift. After Elisha refused Naaman's gift, Naaman requested two mules burden of earth from Elisha. The reason Naaman wanted two mules carrying holy dirt was because Naaman wanted to take a little piece of Israel home with him to Syria. Naaman said when I get home in Syria, I'll dump the holy dirt carried by the two mules in my backyard, stand on the holy ground of Israel, and worship the true God of Israel.

     You see Naaman remembered that in the days of Moses, people would make altars of earth, and when a person stood on holy ground offering a sacrifice of praise to Jesus, a blessing would occur. Naaman wanted to make his own altar of earth in his Syrian backyard to receive the blessings of the God of Israel. Exodus 20:24 speaks about building altars of earth to receive God's blessings and says An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen; in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

     The bible records Naaman's request for two mules burden of earth at 2 Kings 5:15 and says And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company and came and stood before him and he said. Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant; But, he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none; And he urged him to take it, but he refused.

     2 Kings 5:17 goes on to say And Naaman said, shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden (defined as carrying) of earth (defined as holy ground), for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing.

     Now take some time to read this anointed story of how Pastor Sonny Mull described what Naaman did with his two mules carrying holy dirt. As Naaman headed home to Syria with his two mule loads of holy dirt, as he passed the Abana and Pharpar rivers, he pulled those two mules into his backyard and unloaded the holy dirt in his backyard behind his house. Praise God, Naaman dumped that holy dirt in his backyard and got on top of it and he began to lift up holy hands and he began to thank and praise God.

     As Naaman's neighbors peeped over the fence, they said well what got into Naaman. Something done happened to Naaman. He ain't the same old Naaman he was when he left here. Praise God, when you get right with God Almighty, your neighbors will notice a great change in your life. As Naaman stood on the holy dirt praising God in his backyard, his neighbors watched him, and the CIA, FBI, and the FBA (Fathers Band Of Angels) watched him. The king of Syria and his wife also watched Naaman praising God.

     As the little maid saw Naaman praising God, the little maid said glory to God, glory to God. Now Naaman had to call the little maid sister. He couldn't say to the little maid, Come here punk, come here slave, come here you brat; Naaman was changed and now showed the love of God to the little maid and called her sister. When God saves you friend reading this, you'll call people brother and sister that you used to think were nothing. When you stand on holy ground, people you used to think were dirt will be glittering gold in your life.

     To end up today's bible study, we see a picture of Zacchaeus who like Naaman after he got saved wanted to bless the poor and was no longer selfish. After Naaman got saved and healed, he wanted to bless Elisha with gold, silver, and clothes. Elisha said I don't need any new clothes, I don't need any gold, I don't need any silver, just keep your presents. I'm just glad to have God. Elisha told Naaman you just take your gifts on home with you son and live for the Lord. Friend reading this anywhere, a sign to know you are saved is when you have a desire to bless the poor and no longer be selfish like Zacchaeus and Naaman.

     Pictured above we see Zacchaeus who climbed up a sycomore tree to see Jesus. Zacchaeus was up in a sycomore tree grinning like a possum waiting for Jesus to come. And Jesus came down the road a preaching. All of a sudden, Jesus got underneath that sycomore tree and stopped. And Zacchaeus said Oh no He has me treed. Zacchaeus couldn't get down that sycomore tree without going by Jesus. I'm so glad that one day in 1982 like Zacchaeus, Jesus treed and saved Brother Bob. I pray in Jesus name all my friends reading this can say I've been treed by Jesus and the only way I can be free is to go with Jesus and by the way of the cross.

     Jesus stopped and looked at the sycomore tree and said Zacchaeus come down for I must eat at thy house to day. And Zacchaeus shimmied quickly down that slick bark of that sycomore tree joyfully to be with Jesus. Zacchaeus ran down that sycomore tree like a flash when Jesus called and took Jesus home with him. Then Zacchaeus said not 10%, but half of everything I own I'm gonna give to the poor, and if I took anything from a man by false accusation, I'll restore fourfold. Jesus then said This day is salvation come to this house. Note, according to Jesus after a man gets saved, that man will have a desire to bless the poor.

     The story about Zacchaeus pictured above is recorded at Luke 19 and says And behold there was a man named Zacchaeus which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see Him, for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said unto him Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully.

     Luke 19:8 goes on to say And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold; And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

     As always, it is a great blessing to write these bible studies that I pray will bless all my friends everywhere. Feel free to contact Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.