Part 1 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
The Old Testament is actually a library of 39 books written over a period of 1000 years with most of it covering 2000 years of history before Christ. David Pawson shows how they fit together. With teaching on any one topic scattered all over the Bible, every text is in the context of the book, and every book is in the context of history. God speaks into particular situations, so the time and place give the text its meaning. It features the struggle between the two world powers in the ancient Middle East. The first 5 books are on God’s law and are the most important books in the Old Testament as they are the foundation of the Bible and help us to understand the rest of it.
Part 2 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says, the first book in the bible, Genesis, is the foundational book for the whole Bible - the key that unlocks the rest of the Bible. Jesus was constantly endorsing it. Genesis tells us exactly what has gone wrong with our world and the rest of the Bible tells us how God is going to put it right. Only God could solve a problem the size of our world. Genesis is about the Creator, not creation. It shows us that God is personal, powerful, uncreated, creative, 3-in-1, good, loving, living, speaking, like us - but unlike us. Most of Genesis is made up of hero stories and family trees so it is obviously a compilation of memories that Moses picked up from the slaves in Egypt that had been passed down through the generations in spoken form. Genesis 1v1 - 2v3 must have been dictated to Moses by God. The style is very different and has all the hallmarks of having come directly from God. The word Genesis means origin and the book contains the origin of the universe and everything in it. It also deals with many ultimate questions that can’t be answered by any human being as no one was there to either observe or record how it happened. Is Genesis the result of human imagination or divine inspiration? A series of guesses from human speculation - or the answer from the Person who was there and indeed was responsible for it?
Part 3 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says God wanted the story of creation to reach everybody in every time and in every place, so he made it utterly simple. So Genesis 1 was not written in scientific language but in simplistic language. It takes a genius to be that simple. The structure is beautifully put together, so orderly and mathematical. There are 3 ways of handling the problem of science vs scripture - repudiate, segregate or integrate. God is Creator and Redeemer. Physical and spiritual belong together. Scripture and science are overlapping circles - they are dealing with some things that are the same and therefore there are apparent contradictions between them. We need to remember 2 important things, science changes its views. What was once thought of as scientific fact, is no longer. And traditional interpretations of scripture change. Each of the 7 days in which God created everything, can be looked at in different ways: 24 hours, an era, a myth, a day on which Moses was taught by God part of what he created, or a God day (i.e. time is relative).
Part 4 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson notes a radical shift in style, content and viewpoint from Genesis chapter 1 to chapter 2. In chapter 1, God was the centre and everything was from His perspective. Chapter 2, man is the centre. There are 3 dimensions to our relationships which every human needs – with God above, with creatures below and with other people. When sin comes in, all these relationships are spoiled. There is an affinity with God that humans have and animals don’t, because we were made in his image. We are like God and yet not like God. We need to keep that balance to have a good relationship with Him. God retains moral authority over us. He has the right to tell us what is good for us. Science poses two questions in relation to creation. Where does prehistoric man fit in? and Is man directly and physically related to the animal world? David gives answers. Nothing has yet been found that is half ape, half man. Mutations deform and cause species to die out. Inter-breeding usually causes sterility. The effect of the evolution theory on humans is devastating suffering. Fascism, capitalism, communism and early colonialism all wiped people out in the name of progress and “survival of the fittest”. This idea when applied to human beings, has caused more suffering than any other idea. It has also faced us with two huge choices, a mental choice as to what we believe and a moral choice, what we do.
Part 5 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says, when God finished creating our world, He said that’s very good. Genesis 3 tells us what went wrong and when. Satan went for Eve as women are generally more trusting. There are 3 ways in which people misquote the word of God - by addition, by subtraction, and by alteration. Satan knows his Bible very well and did all 3 to God’s command. Satan’s strategy always uses 3 devices, to get us to doubt with our mind, desire with our heart and disobey with our will. We should have learned from Eve’s situation. In chapter 3 God’s holiness comes out clearly. He hates sin and must deal with it. If He’s really a good God, then He can’t let people get away with badness. God gets angry with Adam and Eve because of their disobedience and punishes Adam in relation to work and Eve in relation to family. There was a ripple effect caused by their sin that went down through the generations and out through the nations. Chapters 4-11 cover many centuries, but God picks out the events that most affected Him and His purpose. Three events that mattered most to Him for the next many centuries were Cain and the weapons of mass destruction that came from Cain’s line; Noah and his ark; Nimrod and his tower. God shows His justice and His mercy in these events.
Part 6 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
Looking at Genesis, David Pawson says, the God of the Jews is the God of the Universe - The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Bible is not God’s answer to our problems, but God’s answer to His problem – what to do with a race that doesn’t want to know you, love you or obey you? God created humans because He wanted a bigger family. The God of the entire universe makes a friend called Abraham. God freely initiated the relationship. God would rather have a believing man than a good man. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had faith. Ishmael is the father of the Arab nations today. Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel were all very beautiful and had the lasting beauty of inner character. God began creation with one man and began redemption with one man. A covenant is made by one party to bless the other. God makes covenants and He keeps them. He promised Abraham a place to live, descendants, and that He would use them to bless or curse every nation. The calling of the Jews is to share God with everybody. In return, God expected that every male Jew would be circumcised, as a sign that they were born into that covenant, and that Abraham would obey God. They were all commended for their faith yet none of them received what was promised to them.
Part 7 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson, looking into Genesis, notes that Joseph is the 4th generation - great-grandson of Abraham. There is a clear pattern. The natural heir does not get the blessing. God never calls himself the God of Joseph; angels never appeared to Joseph; his brothers are not rejected. God reveals things in dreams to Joseph and gives him their interpretation. There are 4 levels to Joseph’s story - the human level, God’s angle, as a study of Joseph’s character, and Joseph as a picture of Jesus. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are models of our faith in God; Joseph is a model of God’s response to that faith. The genealogies of Genesis are the genealogies of Jesus. You see Jesus not only in Joseph but in Isaac. He submitted to being put on the altar, but an alternative sacrifice was provided, a ram with its head caught in thorns. King and priest, Melchizedek, brought out bread and wine to refresh Abraham and his troops and Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils. Jesus implies He is Jacob’s ladder, i.e. the link between Heaven and Earth. God says to the serpent in Eden, the seed of the woman will bruise your head, even while you bruise his heel, implying Jesus would deal Satan a fatal blow someday. In Romans 5, Paul says, “as one man’s disobedience brought death, so one man’s obedience brought life.” Jesus was involved in the creation of and is the reason why for the whole universe. It was made for Him, through Him and by Him.
Part 8 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson finds Exodus is the story of the biggest escape in history. Over 2 million Hebrew slaves escape from one of the most highly fortified nations in the world. It was a series of miracles. Moses saw more miracles than Abraham, Isaac and Jacob put together. Exodus has national and spiritual significance. In Exodus the people are told God’s name and when we know someone’s name, the relationship becomes more intimate and personal. In Exodus, the Creator of everything becomes the redeemer of a few people. Exodus begins Moses’ lifetime. The first half of Exodus is about what God did on their behalf. The second half is about what God said, and how they were to live now that they were free. The first half demonstrates God’s grace towards them in getting them out of their problems, so the second half expects them to show their gratitude by living His way. We are redeemed first and then taught to live right. The people of Israel are set free to serve God. We are also set free to serve God, not to do our own thing. The plagues showed that the God of the Hebrew slaves was much more powerful than the Egyptian gods. God only hardened Pharaoh’s heart after Pharaoh had repeatedly hardened his own heart. If we persistently choose the wrong way, God will help us along that route to demonstrate His judgement - if we refuse to be a demonstration of His mercy.
Part 9 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that the book of Exodus is central to the old testament. All the books after Exodus look back to Exodus as the redemption on which everything else is based. The cross is central to the New Testament. All the Ten Commandments are based on three principles. The first is the principle of respect - respect for God and respect for people. A healthy, holy society is built on respect. We can see in our society what happens when respect disappears. Loss of respect for God leads to idolatry and loss of respect for people leads to immorality and injustice. Most of the Ten Commandments are about words and deeds but the last is about feelings – don’t be greedy, don’t want what you haven’t got. The second principle is that of responsibility. The law of God says you are accountable for your actions and it holds us responsible to live right before God. The third principle is retribution. There are sanctions in this law, one of them is capital punishment. The death penalty is applied to 18 different sins towards God in the law of Moses.
Part 10 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson concedes that Leviticus is difficult to read as it lacks narrative and features a different and unfamiliar culture; but there is more of the word of God than in any other book. The first half of the book is about the way to God and the second half about the walk with God. Leviticus focusses in on the most important month in the most important place and the most important tribe. The whole of the law of Moses hangs on this. The book of Leviticus is about everything that goes on in God’s tent and everything that should go on in the people’s tents. It is the rules and regulations for both. God expects something in return for what He has done for us. Exodus talks about how God saved His people. Leviticus talks about how they are to serve Him. There is only one God and the Israelites were His only people on Earth and therefore there was a special relationship between them. God was going to be everything they needed and in return, He expected them to live right. He said, “Be holy for I am holy” - You are to reflect my character and let people see what I am like by what you are like. If God saves you, He expects you to be like Him. There are two types of offering, one to show gratitude to God, and the other to make atonement for sin. The Jews had a calendar of feasts to remind them of things they would forget.
Part 11 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
The most important things for Christians to read in Leviticus as they keep reappearing in the New Testament, are: “Be holy for I am holy” and “Love your neighbour as yourself”. There are over ninety references to Leviticus in the New Testament. God didn’t give reasons for all His rules. If you will only obey a command when you see the sense of it, you are not obedient and do not trust the one who gave you the command. God knows best. He has very good reasons for His commands. Modern man wants to know the point of it. God wants obedient, trusting children. God does give punishments for disobedience. There are rewards for obedience, blessings for those who trust and obey, but a curse on those who disobey. You could lose your home, your citizenship or even your life. God is saying the only way to be really happy is to be really holy. The sinfulness of man is not just in polluting clean things but in profaning holy things. There is a shift from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Holiness is moved from material things to moral things. Jesus said, “It’s not what goes into your mouth now that makes you unclean, but what comes out”. The other shift is that rewards and punishments are moved from this life to the next. This life is only the preparation for a much longer life elsewhere.
Part 12 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
The book of Numbers starts and ends with a census of all the men over 20. There were about 600,000 both times. God was not blessing them because when God blesses, numbers multiply. At that time the life expectancy was about 60 so after 40 years, all but 2 of the men who had been over 20 at the beginning, had died. Only Joshua and Caleb survived. Two thirds of the book of Numbers should never have happened, they were not part of God’s purpose. God deliberately delayed their journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land because of their disobedience, so that a whole generation spent their entire adult life doing nothing and died before they reached the Promised Land. Numbers is important because if you don’t study history, you’re condemned to repeat it. God spoke to Moses eighty times face to face. When God camped among the people, there was a danger they would become over-familiar with Him, so God gave them the legislation in the book of Numbers to prevent that. There were three types of legislation - carefulness, cleanliness and costliness. You had to be careful how you approached God, you had to be clean when you came to Him and it is costly not to be holy yourself.
Part 13 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson looks at the narrative part of numbers which turns from the divine word to the human deeds, from what the Hebrews should do to what they actually did do. Israel did not pass the test of the difficulties of the wilderness. After Sinai they are in a covenant relationship with God and there are now punishments for their sins. They made a promise to obey Him. Obedience would bring blessing; disobedience, curse. God’s law showed them what is right; the limitation is that they can’t do it and the law can’t help them to live right. Without supernatural help we are unable to live right which is why the Spirit was given later at Pentecost. Moses got impatient with the people and didn’t listen carefully to what God told him to do. For this reason, God said Moses would not enter the Promised Land. All 3 leaders failed. Leadership of God’s people is a big responsibility, do it God’s way. The major failure of the people was they grumbled - about lack of water and lack of variety in food. The first huge crisis and the worst was when the people sent 12 spies to check out the land God was going to give them and 10 came back saying, we can’t do it, there are giants living there. So the people decided not to trust God and for that God made them wander the wilderness for 40 years.
Part 14 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson explains that in Deuteronomy God’s law had to be repeated for a new generation as almost every adult who had come out of Egypt had died. They had to enter into the covenant with God as their parents had. 2 key phrases are repeated time & again. One is “the land the Lord your God gives you”. They are reminded that this land is an undeserved gift. The other is “go in and possess the land”. Everything you receive from God is a gift, but you must go in and take it otherwise you won’t get it. The message of Deuteronomy is simple, you can keep the land as long as you keep My law, but if you don’t keep it, even though you own the land, you won’t be free to live in it and enjoy it. Ownership is unconditional, occupation is conditional. The covenant linked the land and the law of God. The Israelites were not given the land because of their righteousness but because of the current inhabitants’ wickedness. Everything God tells the Israelites not to do is what was happening already in the Promised Land with its current occupants. Deuteronomy is made up of 3 long speeches, Moses talking to the people in the last week of his life. He speaks to them like a dying father to his children. It is warm, expressive and emotional and yet very well written.
Part 15 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson examines Moses’ speeches to his people in Deuteronomy before they enter the Promised Land. Their parents’ lack of faith had delayed their journey almost 40 years. God had been faithful to them, now they are warned, don’t be like your parents; keep your faith and you’ll keep the land. Moses tells them how they are to live if they want to keep their land. The Ten Commandments are all about respect. The quickest way to destroy society is to destroy respect. The laws given to Moses cover the whole of life, from your toilet arrangements to the way you worship, from your clothes to your cooking. The laws weren’t written to restrict people, but so that it may be well with them. The last speech tells the people that when they get in they must announce the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience and the people must say amen. Deuteronomy is the most fundamental book to the whole of the Old Testament. It’s the key to the whole history of Israel because when they went in to the Promised Land, they followed the practices of the evil inhabitants instead of ousting them. Prophet after prophet told them, go on like this and God will keep His promise to curse you. Every prophet appeals back to Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy plays a big part in the New Testament too. To love is to obey because in God’s sight, love is loyalty.
Part 16 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson looks at Joshua, the 6th book in the Old Testament which seems to follow directly on from Deuteronomy but for Jews there is a profound difference: No laws in the book of Joshua. The first five books are the basic Constitution of the people of Israel. The rest of the Old Testament is how it all works out. The next six books are what we call history, but the Jews call them prophecy. The first five books are the foundation of Judaism, and they call them The Torah which means instruction. The first five show God’s promises to them, the next six show the fulfillment of those promises, cause and effect. The book of Joshua covers his life, from the age of 80 to 120. It details how they took the land that God had promised them. After that, how they divided the land between the tribes. The book begins with Joshua’s commission by God and the people and ends with his final sermon, death and burial. God promised Joshua He would never leave him and that he would prosper and be successful in what he did for the Lord. Joshua’s courage and the people’s morale would be what won them the battle. Morale and morality are what God requires in a leader. God drying up the Jordan was a repetition of the parting of the Red Sea for a new generation to show them the God of their fathers was with them too.
Part 17 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
Looking at the book of Joshua, David Pawson points out that the first two towns the Israelites came to are written about a lot because of their significance. Jericho was a great victory, Ai, a great loss. God told them not to loot Jericho as it was the firstfruits. They made 2 errors. One was over-confidence because of their first victory. The second was that one man did loot from Jericho. One man’s sin caused the people of God to fail. Joshua preaches his final sermon. He didn’t appoint a successor like Moses because from now on, one man couldn’t do the job alone. So each tribe had its own elders, a very significant move. It actually failed as the people wanted one-man leadership again and demanded a king. But it wasn’t God’s will. Joshua made the people swear an oath of loyalty to God. Through Joshua, God says, I have done all of this for you. I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities which you did not build, and you live in them, and you eat from vineyards and olive groves you did not plant. Out of gratitude Joshua says, ‘so fear the Lord and be faithful to Him and throw away all other gods. As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.’ As long as Joshua’s generation lived, the people were faithful to God, but then, things went badly wrong. Each generation has to rediscover God for themselves.
Part 18 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson makes history interesting. Looking at the books of Judges and Ruth, he shows that there are 4 levels of studying history. 1) Important people; 2) Nations, political; 3) Patterns/cycles – rise and fall of civilisations; 4) Purpose/plot. While people often see no purpose in history, David shows that God is moving history to His planned ending. History is HIS-story and He’s writing it. In Judges, people had gone away from God and life became cyclical and things just happened again and again. In Ruth the line becomes the main thing and it ends with a royal line that is fulfilling God’s purpose. Redemption gets you off the roundabout and onto a line that’s going somewhere and you’re part of a purpose that’s being worked out in history. Originally Judges and Ruth were one book and still are in the Hebrew Bible. That’s important because they belong together. Many of the characters in Judges are weak but God uses them. Their weakness was matched by God’s strength. The people in this book weren’t actual Judges. They each saved the nation from a very bad situation. The Judge was God, operating through people. There was no King in Israel in those days. Every man did what was right in his own eyes. Because they didn’t clean wickedness from the land it was a constant problem to them.
Part 19 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In the book of Judges, David Pawson observes that God is very prominent even though the people are in a downward spiral. He heard their prayers and sent them someone to rescue. God delivers to evil as well as from evil. A whole generation grew up who did not know the Lord and what He had done for Israel. They weren’t grateful for their salvation. Because there was no king, there was no continuity of leadership. The people wanted a visible king, not just their heavenly King. God was going to provide a king and the book of Ruth tells us where he was going to come from. The book of Ruth is a romance and is the answer to the book of Judges. Ruth made the right choice at the right time and went down in history as an ancestor of Jesus Christ. She not only chose to stay with Naomi, she chose Naomi’s people and Naomi’s God. Loyalty is a very precious quality to the Lord. Love without loyalty isn’t real love. The family tree of Jesus contains some unlikely people. Individual Christians can learn a great deal from the characters in the book of Judges. We’ve got a King, and if we all did what is right in His eyes, the church would be united tomorrow, but we are following men instead. The marriage of Ruth and Boaz is a perfect picture of Christ and His Gentile bride.
Part 20 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In this first talk by David Pawson on 1 and 2 Samuel, David gives us an overview so that we know the ‘shape’ of the story and how it develops. The two books really belong together as one, but were later divided because of their length. It covers 150 years of history in the form of narrative and includes only what is important and significant to God. This is prophetic history, named after the prophet who dominates the story. This book is set in the last century and a half of the rise of Israel to peace and prosperity. David shows that Israel had been led successively by patriarchs, prophets, kings then priests, each for 500 years. Samuel was the last of the prophets. King David dominates the stories though Saul was the first king. The stories of the book deal with various interesting relationships. David Pawson says whenever Israel disobeyed God an enemy would come and defeat them and whenever they repented they defeated the enemy and got the land back. A difference between Israel’s first and second kings was that David could honour those who succeeded but Saul was jealous of them. But David’s sin heralded the downward slide of Israel from its peak.
Part 21 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson, in this 2nd talk on Samuel, points out that there are 6 different levels at which you can read Bible stories and it’s important that we should choose the right one. They are: 1. Anecdotal, just an interesting story; 2. Devotional, hoping to find a personal word; 3. Character Studies including the character of women, which can be inspirational (Hannah & Abigail for instance); 4. History of Israel – how it developed, and King David’s leadership is worth studying; 5. Critical – and higher critical study sadly has infected the whole world; 6. The Theological – finding out about God. He’s having an influence on history and is the major player in these stories. God is the living God. King David wanted to build a temple for God but was forbidden as he had blood on his hands. Jerusalem means city of peace and Solomon, a man of peace, did the building. But God made a covenant with David that his house (family line) and kingdom would endure forever. A thousand years later, this covenant was fulfilled, and the promise kept, and Jesus was born who was often called “Son of David” and was of his family line.
Part 22 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says other history may be interesting, but the history of Israel is vital for the whole of mankind. From the height of success, the times of the kings headed downhill. First the land was split between 10 tribes in the north and 2 in the south and eventually the 10 were deported to Assyria. While there were a few good kings it was not enough to stem the downward trend and the 2 tribes were taken away to Babylon. God had warned them that they would suffer a similar fate, but they disobeyed. David says one of the main reasons for reading the books of Kings is that it can happen to the church as well. Though their descendants returned to the land under priests, they were then occupied by the Egyptians, the Syrians, the Greeks and finally the Romans which was the situation when Jesus was born. For a Hebrew, a kingdom is about authority, not a place. Thus the kingdom of God is not a place but a power. The kings were judged as good or bad according to whether they honoured God or not. This is history from God’s point of view. Understanding history saves us from repeating the mistakes of the past. David says God is still in charge of history. The two significant prophets in Kings are Elijah and Elisha.
Part 23 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson observes that the book of Kings begins with King Solomon who began well by asking for wisdom, so God gave him everything he didn’t ask for as well: wealth, fame and power. Solomon wanted to share his wisdom. Unfortunately, he only had wisdom for everybody else, none for himself though he wrote three books and did many good things. He built a temple for the Lord with the materials and the plans from his father, David. All the northern kings were evil. In the south, some were good. The south survived a hundred and forty years longer than the north because good kings reigned longer. They had two very good kings called Hezekiah and Josiah, but another, Manasseh, even got into Satan worship. He ordered the death of Isaiah the prophet. We see in the book of Kings the dangers of becoming mixed up in other religions, other ways of life and other moralities. And it’s happening. But the God who is the king of the universe is also our judge and sooner or later we will lose what He’s given to us unless we wake up. That’s the lesson from the book of Kings. The Bible is able to make us ‘wise unto salvation’ and avoid the terrible mistakes that God’s people of old made.
Part 24 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson explains that, though there is much repetition in the books of Kings and Chronicles, one is viewed as a prophetic book and the other not, by the Jews. Jews have grouped the books of the Old Testament entirely differently from Christians, and thereby we have misunderstood some important matters. And if we skip Chronicles because it seems to be like Kings, we will miss the unique message it brings. As with the Gospels, these books are written from different angles, one from a prophetic viewpoint and the other from a priestly viewpoint. And Chronicles covers a much longer period, omits much included in Samuel and Kings, and is looking at the kings of Judah only. In fact, the writer is concerned only with kings in the royal line of David and their attitudes to two spiritual matters. David Pawson brings clarity to this study on Chronicles. He says that the author is writing for the sake of the Jews returning to the land from a long exile, and wants to give them Roots (that they had a line that God had been controlling all the way down), Royalty (they had their own royal line) and Religion (the purpose for which they existed) again.
Part 25 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In looking at Ezra and Nehemiah, David Pawson gives the background of the 3 deportations which Israel had suffered under Assyria and Babylon, and the 3 returns to the land. Years earlier, Isaiah had prophesied that a man named Cyrus would release Israel from their captors and Cyrus, of Babylon, did just that though he did it for his own agenda. Apparently both being written by Ezra, these books record the rebuilding of the social life, of the religious life and of the physical wall and buildings, though the latter suffered threats and interruptions. Zerubbabel, of the Hebrew royal line, led the first return. Now Ezra, a priest, led the second and Nehemiah, a few years later, led the third. Each made an impact on a different aspect of Israeli life. Both books look at how the leaders went about rebuilding the state and reforming the people. The tragedy was that, though the earlier sin of the people had been the catalyst for losing their land, when they got back, they went back into sin. We see that Ezra was a “Bible man” – he studied it, he lived it and he taught it. What an example.
Part 26 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In this talk, David Pawson gives more emphasis to the book of Nehemiah – the story of the man of prayer and faith given permission to return to Jerusalem to organize the rebuilding. Despite opposition, he encouraged the returned exiles to do the work while armed to ward off attack. They completed the repair of ancient Jerusalem’s wall in 52 days because ‘the people had a will to work’. Nehemiah had to deal with internal economic and moral woes as well as external threats and conspiracy. Ezra arranged the public reading of God’s Word so that the people would have an understanding, and had the people renew their Covenant with the Lord. David Pawson compares the two leaders, Ezra and Nehemiah, and says we need both types of men. He says if Ezra was the Bible man, Nehemiah was the prayer man, but he was also practical and didn’t mind putting his hand to cementing. David says he thinks we should be inspired by Scriptural characters, emulating what’s good in them and avoiding their mistakes if we can. Overall, we are looking at the story of God and his people. And God kept his promises to both punish their wrongdoing and to bless their repentance. David reveals the thread of Scripture.
Part 27 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says there are few books of the Bible set outside the Promised Land, Esther being one. They tell us how Jews behaved when they were in Gentile society. We can learn from some of them how to interact in non-Christian society without compromise. David looks at Daniel alongside Esther as both record events during the Jewish exile to Babylon. Both rose to positions where they were able to help their people, Esther being queen. The story of Esther is quite a romantic one with all the ingredients of a great drama and archaeology has shown it is a true story. And though God is not overtly mentioned, it is through the prayers and fasting of the Jews when under threat of death that they were rescued by the intervention of Queen Esther. But to do so meant she had to reveal her secret – that she herself was Jewish. Even a dream of the king was involved in the drama. What David brings out is that this drama played out so long ago, had it gone the wrong way, would have meant the annihilation of the Jewish race and meant that Jesus could not have come to earth. This story reveals the strategies of both Satan and God.
Part 28 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson warns against quoting verses out of context because, in a book such as Job, you may be quoting one of Job’s friends when they were wrong about what they said. God eventually showed that they were wrong. “That’s why it’s so important to know a whole book”, says David. This is an unusual book and David looks at the possibilities of how it came to be recorded. Job is indeed a factual person, known about outside the scriptures and the land of Israel. David believes that the author has taken the true story of Job and written it up in poetic form, bringing out the real issues he was facing. This book presents an answer to some of life’s biggest questions: Why is there pain and suffering? Why do good people endure it, and bad people escape it? Does God care about it? This is one of the books that reveals what is happening in heavenly realms so that we can make sense of what happens on earth. We can learn some valuable lessons from Job. David says, “It’s not finding the answers to your questions, it’s getting to the point in your relationship to God where you don’t need them.”
Part 29 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that the book of Job consists largely of two debates, one in heaven and one on earth. As in any particular case of suffering, nobody knows the whole picture. David says the real question is not about undeserved suffering, but whether you can go on believing in a good God when everything is going wrong. He says that Job’s real pain was that through the suffering he lost touch with God. Several friends came and sat with Job which was good – until they opened their mouths and gave him their own human wisdom – and some of their arguments are still being used today. They all saw that Job could not be innocent since he was suffering so much. Each man was trying to force Job’s situation into their own preconceived ideas; this is bigotry. Job responds to each of his friends by acknowledging that God has visited this suffering upon him, but he can’t repent because he is not aware of any sin. He calls upon God to visit him so he can argue his case with him. When God finally responds, he shows that Job had been discrediting him to justify himself. Job repents of this arrogance, he is at last back in touch with the Lord, and the Lord blessed Job amazingly.
Part 30 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
Why is it important to have a Bible which shows the difference between poetry and prose? Because, as Hebrew poetry differs from English poetry, it would be easy for us to miss it. Prose is written from margin to margin while poetry is spaced out more. David Pawson says, when God speaks in prose, he is communicating thoughts from his mind to ours, but when he speaks in poetry he is communicating his feelings from his heart to our heart. We should recognize that we actually affect God’s feelings every day. What we feel about God is not nearly as important as what he feels about us. Poetry reaches the parts of us that prose cannot. Also it stays in the memory longer. As well as touching your heart, it can go deeper into the will and challenge you – to change your way of life. It is meant to be read aloud. Poetry has Rhyme, Rhythm and Repetition. Hebrew poetry does not use rhyme but has rhythm and especially repetition. It often relies on two statements that belong together – couplets – which echo each other, with the 2nd line usually taking the thought a step further or presenting the opposite thought. An interesting study which helps us to appreciate the different form of poetry which God used.
Part 31 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that, though the Psalms were written over a period of a thousand years, and two and a half thousand years ago, they speak to us as though written yesterday. They were really the Jewish hymn book, divided into 5 sections. And David points out that when we praise or pray we are doing so as part of the Body of believers. However, there are personal psalms as well. They cover almost everything you could possibly want to say to God and express 3 particular attitudes: Pleas, Thanks and Sorry. They range in feelings from deep grief to anger, frustration and great joy. It is the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament. Over half the psalms were penned by King David and his life story can be traced through the psalms. One group of psalms – 22 to 24 – should be taken together and present us with the Lord who is first of all Saviour, then Shepherd and then Sovereign. David says, until you’ve been to the cross and found him as your Saviour, you have no right whatever to regard him as your Shepherd. This follows on to recognize that he is also the King of Glory who is coming as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Part 32 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In this talk, David Pawson looks at groups of psalms which should be taken together. Psalms 96 to 99 have the theme: God is King; 113 to 118 are sung together at the Passover. The word ‘hosanna’ from 118 is actually a demand for freedom – ‘save us’. The Songs of Ascent 120 to 134 were to be sung as the Jews travelled up to Jerusalem. The final group is 146 to 150 which are all Hallelujah songs. From groups, David moves on to types of psalms – Pleas – a cry from the heart; Thank you – gratitude for deliverance; and Sorry psalms – penitence – which all have a particular form or pattern. David points out that there are 4 categories of psalms. #1 Royal Psalms written by King David which deal with reigning from his personal perspective. #2 Messianic Psalms which prophesy about the coming Messiah. #3 Wisdom Psalms – the result of quiet meditation, full of practical wisdom for handling life. #4 Imprecatory Psalms (calling down vengeance on enemies) – David reminds us that they didn’t have the knowledge that we have of Jesus’ teaching or the afterlife. At least, they were honest; and they left vengeance to God himself. One day God will avenge those who’ve been wronged.
Part 33 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says, when you first read the book of Proverbs, it seems to be a jumble of folk sayings or just common sense - except that sense isn’t all that common. Solomon collected most of the proverbs, some of them Arabic and some Egyptian which he put in a context of God, as well as many he wrote himself. They don’t deal with spirituality, but they focus on day to day life and many of them are still used today though people often don’t realize where they originated. The key to reading these proverbs is to recognize yourself in them. The book is really saying godliness is worked out in real life – it’s not just something you do on Sundays in church. As David Pawson says, there is nothing secular except sin in God’s sight. Every job is sacred to God whether you’re a computer operator, taxi driver or preacher. David sees this book as ‘the key to the good life’. The Bible talks about the good life in moral terms rather than material terms. Proverbs is about what we are saved for, not what we are saved by. Salvation is a process - God is saving us to be sensible people who can make the most of life and be useful to him again. A proverb is not a promise.
Part 34 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David discusses the decisions we have to make in life and the advice given in Proverbs relates to making wise choices in the large and small aspects of everyday life. David says, wisdom is what’s best for you, not what’s profitable. It’s based on knowledge of God, not knowledge of the world. Proverbs deals with subjects such as laziness, the company you keep, being faithful, relating to neighbours, even taking out loans. Being a good wife is also discussed, though the book as a whole is addressed to a young man from his father. There are over 70 proverbs on what a fool is like and they seem to describe some modern people. Another key subject is the tongue and the danger it can be. Relationships, family and otherwise, are discussed. Proverbs shows how to be a good friend. David says that the Bible view is that we are basically bad and can do good things in contrast to the humanist view that we are basically good and can do bad things. Unfortunately, the Israelis did not follow the wisdom of King Solomon and Israel spiraled downwards. David points out that the word ‘wisdom’ goes right through the New Testament and Proverbs is frequently quoted. ‘Christ has become for us wisdom from God.’
Part 35 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
We disagree with some of Ecclesiastes as the author has reached the end of his life and is disappointed, disillusioned and depressed. It doesn’t mean that God has the same attitudes. Solomon had been in a position to have or do anything he wanted. Now he felt that everything had been pointless. Some pastimes are acceptable but if they are the main focus in life, they will not satisfy, they will not interpret life for you. This book is old but it speaks to the modern person who is ever seeking something to stimulate him/her. If we find meaning to life first, then we are ready to enjoy other experiences. Solomon observed multiple situations ‘under the sun’, and David Pawson says that life can’t be lived under the sun – you need a much higher perspective to see what life is all about. Solomon’s other limitation was that he looked only at this life. He never mentions the next. It is only when you see life in light of heaven’s perspective and this world in light of the next that you begin to see what life is all about. In 2 chapters, Solomon mentions God and becomes positive in outlook. God is weaving a pattern out of your life. Fear God and obey him. People are foolish to leave the Maker’s instructions on the shelf. Life can be worthwhile.
Part 36 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson explores the reasons for the Song of Songs being in our Bibles. It has no mention of God or anything of a particularly spiritual nature, yet rabbis treat it as very holy. David says, for Hebrews there is one God who made the physical and the spiritual and physical is good - whereas in the West we have been influenced by Greek thinking which separates the two. “Here in the Bible, God is affirming love between a man and woman.” David says the Bible is a story of how God went looking for a bride for his Son; it is a love letter to us. It is a love story from beginning to end. Song of Songs was written by Solomon and David Pawson fits the pieces of the romance between Solomon and his love interest together for us. He says, at the heart of our religion is a very personal relationship; being a Christian is being in love with the Lord. God always speaks of his relationship with his people in terms of family relationships. Jesus Christ says he is the Bridegroom. Our relationship with the Lord is not erotic, but it is emotional.
Part 37 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson shows the surprising parallel between the chapters of Isaiah and the composition of the entire Bible. Isaiah is the Bible in miniature. But parts of it are not well known. Jesus referred to Isaiah more than any other scripture, as did Paul. David provides insights from the historian Josephus and other Jewish tradition. Isaiah was the greatest prophet in word, as Moses and Elijah were great in deed. From the time of his encounter with God in the temple, Isaiah referred to the Lord as ‘the Holy One of Israel’. He had a difficult task because God had warned him that he was to preach but the people would not heed. His resultant book has been an inspiration to generations. He preached during the reign of 4 kings, and when the king was good, they won their battles as God was with them. Isaiah emphasized both justice and mercy. The first section of 39 chapters is national, looking at Israel and the small nations around her, and God is pictured as fire; part 2 is international, looking at Israel and all the nations of the world, and God is seen as Father. Whereas the first part majors on judgment, the second on comforting with good news.
Part 38 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says Isaiah is a collection of prophecies made over 40 years and is not ordered, so he gives the ‘shape’ of the book to help with our understanding. Chapters 1-10 are a reproof for Judah; 13-23 deal with nations that God used to discipline Israel but who were too harsh - they will now be judged. 24-34 speak of judgment on the northern tribes and Judah. But there are 2 sections sandwiched that are good news. God gives his people a little glimpse of a brighter future. 36-39 are narrative of King Hezekiah’s illness and show how Assyria gave way to Babylon as the main threat. This first part is leading to the people’s exile from their land. Even so, there will be a remnant to return and there will be a King who will bring peace to the nations. The second section shows a wonderful picture of God all the way through. He’s the only God there is, he’s the Almighty Creator, the Holy One of Israel, the Kinsman Redeemer, the Saviour of the nations, and the God of history. Also, to the Jew there is a mysterious figure who has a faultless character, is a Man of sorrows, is killed for the sins of others and is raised from the dead and exalted. Believers recognize that this is a prophecy of Jesus.
Part 39 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson shows that there is sunshine in Jeremiah as well as cloud. David identifies with the author and he shows why this book should be read and studied. We are helped to understand Jeremiah the man because he reveals his heart and his own struggles. David looks at the situation the prophet addressed, he examines the man himself (for instance, he was a lover of nature), looking at his background; and also his method of communication. He didn’t simply speak his messages, but sometimes acted them out. Like other prophets, he had to warn his people that, because of their sins, God was going to bring judgment upon them. He suffered for his message – the Jews call him the weeping prophet. Although the prophet called the people to repentance to save themselves, they refused to heed the message. One vital aspect of this talk is to hear David explain the true meaning of God as the potter and human beings as the clay. Jeremiah sometimes spoke in poetry, bringing out the feelings of God. Despite the doom and gloom, there is promise of a New Covenant with God. David says we need Jeremiah’s messages today.
Part 40 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that when Jeremiah looks further into the future, he has a lovely optimism about the ultimate restoration of his people. David looks at the structure of the book. Though the book is a collection of his messages and not in chronological order, there is a pattern. God says the way to peace for Israel is not by making alliances with other nations; they simply need to trust God to look after them as he does when they walk in his ways. Though Jeremiah has similar messages for the people as other prophets of God, he also has some unique things to say. He emphasizes spiritual living – religious ritual is worse than useless if your heart isn’t in it. David points out that going to church is no substitute for godly living. God had largely dealt with his people corporately, but Jeremiah is introducing the concept of God dealing with individuals once they returned from exile. This is extremely important as each of us will stand alone before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Jeremiah’s political message was seen as treason by the king and Jeremiah suffered as a result. Assassination attempts failed however.
Part 41 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that Lamentations was written by Jeremiah in tears over the state of his people. As a matter of fact, in the Greek translation of the Old Testament it is called “Tears”. David says that if you picture the desolation of Hiroshima during the second World War, that is what Jerusalem looked like to Jeremiah. He had composed a lament for the whole nation to sing when King Josiah was killed in battle as he was a poet and songwriter. The 5 chapters of Lamentations are really 5 laments and 4 of them are written in the form of an acrostic – using a letter of the alphabet to begin each section. David Pawson believes that using the alphabet actually helps an author to put his feelings in order. David sees the 5 themes of these laments as: The Catastrophe, The Cause, The Cure, The Consequences, The Cry. Jeremiah’s problem was that when God’s anger was simmering nobody would take it seriously. Then it boiled over as the consequence. God’s mercy allowed exile, not extinction. David says there are 2 destinies open to us – weeping forever or having our tears wiped away.
Part 42 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson takes time to explain the background to Ezekiel as he says it is probably the most neglected part of the Old Testament and also difficult. Its messages were given over 20 years. Ezekiel reveals a severity in God’s character which is not usually emphasized. Paul in the New Testament referred to the “goodness and severity” of God as well. Because preachers usually concentrate on the goodness of God, listeners tend to have a one-sided view of what God is like. The southern two tribes of Israel should have known that they needed to heed God’s word because they had seen the northern 10 tribes carried off in exile. Yet they ignored prophets Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah and Habakkuk. King Josiah tried to restore the worship of God, but the people didn’t really follow his lead. Various nations attacked the land until only Jerusalem was left to the very poorest people who had not been deported. Ezekiel was taken away in the first deportation, as was Daniel, so was never able to serve as a priest but God called him to be a prophet. He preached and performed miracles.
Part 43 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson begins this talk with the call of Ezekiel. He could not fulfil his priestly role because he was in exile from Israel in Babylon. Now the synagogue replaced the temple. His career as a prophet of God began with a vision which was quite strange, but David gives us an explanation. The 4 creatures of the vision represent all of God’s creation. Above them is the Creator on his throne. The wheels supporting his throne illustrate that God can be anywhere at any time. This was very significant during the Israelis’ exile as, until then, God’s presence had been static in Israel. The eyes of the vision relate that God can see everywhere as well. Although the messages the prophet had to give the people were severe, they were sweet to Ezekiel because they came with the encouragement of the vision he’d received. Ezekiel is an example of apocalyptic prophecy, an unveiling or revelation usually via visions. 27% of Bible verses have a prediction about the future and Ezekiel has a high concentration of them, and to date, over 75% have already come true to the letter. This 3-part series gives a very comprehensive study of this unique book.
Part 44 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In this 3rd talk in the series on Ezekiel, David Pawson deals with the later messages the prophet had for his people in exile in Babylon. God assures them their enemies will be punished. David tells how amazingly some of Ezekiel’s prophecies came true. God says that when his predictions come true, “then they will know that I am the Lord.” After having to tell them earlier that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, now he is able to deliver the good news that they will be going home. Some prophets, priests and kings had been bad shepherds but now God says he will be the Good Shepherd of both Ephraim and Judah. Some of Ezekiel’s predictions are about end times and have not yet been fulfilled. He mentions Gog and Magog and these two names can be found in Revelation as well. David says that some of the prophecies are dated and need to be fitted into the history, whereas others are timeless. One of his later messages assures the exiles about the restoration of the temple and this would have given them hope. David says that God will never allow his people Israel - or his church - to disappear. [David mentions a book he has written titled The Fourth Wave; this has since been renamed Word and Spirit Together.]
Part 45 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
Much of Daniel is well known but David Pawson explains the more difficult passages. Because the Bible is a divine book penned by human beings, the supernatural is involved. Amazingly, though the book spans 75 years of Daniel’s life, it covers 2400 years of history – including events of the distant future. Those who discount miracles can’t believe that Daniel accurately predicted events which took place centuries afterward. Approximately 200 details in chapter 11 came to pass. David points out that there is far less evidence that Julius Caesar invaded England in 55BC than that Jesus was resurrected, yet nobody questions Julius Caesar. There is a built-in reluctance to accept the supernatural dimension of scripture in many people. The first half of Daniel is all miracles and the second, prophecy. The first half is written about him and the second by him about the future. David explains the background of the time. Daniel’s character showed firstly in small issues such as diet, and would be tested in larger things as time went on. David says, Daniel was a man whose quality and integrity everybody recognized, a wonderful model and example for young men.
Part 46 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson unravels the second half of the book of Daniel as it is very difficult to understand. This section is primarily for God’s people, having been mostly written in Hebrew. This moves on from Daniel’s life in the present to extremely detailed predictions of the future, some far removed from his time. Chapters 7-12 are not continuous or consecutive, but are separate visions of the future. They vary in duration and some overlap. Altogether, they cover a vast amount of time. There were to be successive kingdoms of lessening power before the coming of the divine Kingdom heralded by Jesus Christ’s coming, but then this divine Kingdom would exist alongside human kingdoms until Jesus’ second coming. Daniel even revealed the length of time from his prediction about Jesus’ coming until it came to be. 135 major events were predicted in 35 verses. God knows the end from the beginning. No other book of the Bible contains such a concentration of predictions about the future. Daniel is both an encouragement and a warning for the future.
Part 47 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
Hosea was the prophet who gave God’s final appeal to the Jews to repent of their unfaithfulness to him. God’s relationship with Israel was one of covenant love so loyalty was a key part. God was looking for glad, eager obedience that wanted to live the way he wanted her to live. Hosea had to experience what God was suffering by marrying a woman who would be unfaithful. But, like God, he was to remain true to her. The sins of Israel listed are Infidelity – in their marriages as well as to God; going after other gods as Hosea’s wife went after other men; Independence – they had set up their own independent kingdom; Intrigue – lies and deceit, treaties outside the people of God; Idolatry – worshipping a golden calf; Ignorance – when they should have known about God, they didn’t bother; Immorality - drunkenness, promiscuity and violence were rife; Ingratitude - he had redeemed them but they were ungrateful. The Priests, false Prophets, false Princes and the Profiteers were accused by Hosea. He warned of suffering ahead – Barren women, Bloodshed and Banishment from the land.
Part 48 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that, though some of the Minor Prophets occupy just one page in our Bibles, they are very important. “Minor” refers to the size of the book rather than their message. These written prophets seem to all relate to the exile of the people of Israel, either warning of its coming – before the event, (Obadiah then Joel were the first 2 in this category); seeking to comfort them once it happened, or encouraging them to get settled back in their own land when the exile finished. David says a prophet speaks for God which means that he has also heard from God, so he needs both the sensitivity to hear, and the courage to deliver. God usually sends prophets when something is going wrong, and it is part of his goodness that he warns people before bringing punishment. Obadiah actually didn’t speak to God’s people but to one of Israel’s neighbours, Edom. At this time it was a radical thought that the God of Israel was the God of all other nations as well, and judgment would come from him. Edom was the first nation to be warned that they would be judged for what they had done to Israel. There is no trace of the Edomites in the world today.
Part 49 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that Joel agreed with Obadiah that the Day of the Lord would settle accounts, but Joel warned Israel that they would be included. This was a shock to Israel as they had felt safe from God’s judgment. Joel said that a terrible plague of locusts which had left them with famine had been a warning from the Lord. God had visited their enemies with disasters; now they had brought this disaster upon themselves. David says it is similar with believers today when they realize that the Word of God warns against losing their salvation. “Sin in God’s people is just as serious as sin outside God’s people.” Joel called the people to repent and come back to God. David notes that Jezebel’s daughter Athaliah had seized the throne on the death of the king and killed all his male descendants (except one hidden by the High Priest) and nobody had done anything to stop her. After Joel’s words, Queen Athaliah was replaced by the boy who had been saved, Joash. David says that when there is true heart repentance, God can restore the years that the locusts have eaten in our lives. Joel prophesied a time when God’s Spirit would be poured on believers.
Part 50 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson looks at what God was doing in the 8th Century B.C., in particular with prophets Amos and Hosea. God’s great plan was to win the world back to himself through his people, the Jews. But his people did not have the same plan. He had made a covenant with them and planted them in the crossroads of the world, promising to bless them as they were obedient to him. The choice was theirs and to disobey would bring curse instead of blessing. There was a time of peace and prosperity and corruption emerged. Religion was popular but it was not true religion. When goddesses come in, religions become sexual. What was supposed to be a holy nation were becoming just like everybody else. Amos goes through the things by which God disciplined his people: a food shortage; a shortage of fresh drinking water; locusts and mildew to the crops and animals; plagues to the people; they were raided; lightning set houses on fire. Each time Amos mentioned the warnings God had sent, the refrain was the same – “yet you did not return to Me”. The last 2 disasters were an extreme earthquake and then exile from their land. Amos’s prayers affected God’s actions.
Part 51 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
As David Pawson looks at Jonah, he says that God would give a message to a prophet in either words or pictures and it would become like a burden within them until delivered. The message could be of challenge when people were doing wrong, or of comfort when they were on the right track. Sadly, most of the prophets, like Jonah, had to challenge. Jonah came from the same village as Jesus, Nazareth. He was called to go to Assyria’s capital, Nineveh. The Assyrians were a particularly cruel people. Because of the strange story of Jonah being swallowed by a large fish when he tried to run away from his mission, many people take it as a myth or parable. David explains why he believes it is factual. He also says when you’ve answered the question of why Jonah ran away, the whole book will open up to you. There are 8 physical miracles in the story of Jonah, not just one. This book shows us that God is still in control of the world he created. This is an enlightening study.
Part 52 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This is a beautiful verse from Micah. In this study of Micah, David Pawson points out that the Bible is unique in that it is a book of history and geography, not just words and thoughts. God unfolded his revelation at particular times and places, and it is helpful to understand why. As a simple country man, Micah was very aware of social injustice, and the corruption of the city was influencing the country areas. Micah was greatly disturbed by what he saw going on among the people of God – idolatry, immorality and injustice. He also has good news for the distant future. David notes that God is both just and merciful. Justice gives us what we deserve whereas mercy gives us what we don’t deserve. He says that justice and mercy are not contradictory, but travel down the same road, but mercy goes further than justice. The cross demonstrates this supremely. David says Micah is a message for our time as well as his.
Part 53 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In looking at the book of the prophet Nahum, David Pawson says that time had run out for Assyria. Jonah had preached a warning from God 150 years earlier with great success. But now it was time for judgment. David warns that today people think that God will never be angry, because he is slow to anger, offering mercy first. Judgment on Assyria was good news for the Jews who were living under Assyrian occupancy. Chapter 1 of Nahum gives warning to the capital city of Nineveh; chapter 2 gives details of how it will happen. God doesn’t judge a heathen nation for breaking the 10 Commandments, but rather for their inhumanity, and this applied to cruel Assyria. Less than a decade later, the devastation occurred & Nineveh has never been inhabited again. Why study the prophets? Because they reveal God to us. He is presented as the all-powerful God, in total control of nature and history. In our modern scientific age, we must keep hold of the fact that God can cause miracles within nature and movement within history. Also, God is a unique combination of both justice and mercy. He can change his plans for people depending on how they react to him. An important study.
Part 54 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson looks at Habakkuk and finds that the prophet sometimes argued with God because his view of Him wasn’t quite accurate. But he clung to God until he got his answer. At first, he is disturbed by what is happening and calls on God for justice. When God gives his answer, he is further disturbed because He isn’t going to do what Habakkuk expects. David reminds us that we often come to God and want him to fit in with what we think He should be doing. David recommends what Habakkuk did - interrogatory prayer – where we ask God questions. David says when God reveals to us what he is going to do, he does so so we can tell people to get ready. Faith - both in the Hebrew and the Greek languages – is the same as faithfulness. So we demonstrate faith by remaining faithful. Habakkuk named 5 things for which God would punish the Babylonians after they had punished the Jews – Injustice, Imperialism, Inhumanity, Intemperance and Idolatry. When he stopped arguing with God, Habakkuk ‘saw the light’, and was at peace.
Part 55 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that Zephaniah was a descendant of the last good king, but now, after evil kings, there was a boy king on the throne, Josiah. What kind of king would he become? The whole nation was in chaos, having had bad examples on the throne, and God sent Zephaniah as his prophet. His job was to try to pull the nation of Judah back to God before He would have to exile them as He had the northern 10 tribes already. Zephaniah warns the people of Judah and also the lands around them that there is coming a Day of the Lord when accounts must be settled, but there is time to repent and deflect punishment. Interestingly, God had brought the Philistines to Canaan at the same time as he had brought his chosen people - as an instrument of discipline for his people. David says it’s much better to have the discipline of our Father God now than to reap eternal punishment. Zephaniah is letting the people know that the choice between God’s justice and his mercy is theirs. God’s last word was always to choose his mercy. For all Zephaniah’s and good King Josiah’s efforts, the people wouldn’t listen.
Part 56 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
While some prophets had a lifetime of prophesying, David Pawson says that Haggai spoke for only 3 months. He came after the exile, so his job was to encourage Jews who had returned. Not all Jews returned to Israel as they had become established in Babylon. The returnees had problems because the land had not been cultivated for 70 years, the walls had been torn down, there was opposition from the Samaritans and financial support was withdrawn so this was heavy going for them. Haggai spoke to them 18 years after they had returned, and he provoked them to rethink their attitudes. They had stopped building the temple because money was short, but Haggai showed them that money was short because they had stopped putting God first. When they resumed the building, there was still a drought – because they had not put their lives right with God. They responded well and Haggai encouraged them to be strong and not afraid. And eventually financial support came to them from Persia again. Haggai gave them a promise from God that His glory would fill the temple.
Part 57 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that Zechariah overlapped Haggai by one month, and had some similar prophecies but it is not an easy book to understand. It has apocalyptic prophecies. David explains that describing something in the distant future requires pictures and symbols such as Revelation, Ezekiel and Daniel have. How would you describe television to somebody who lived a thousand years ago? Whereas Haggai dealt with the current problems, much of Zechariah’s messages were looking far forward. Zechariah was a priest as well as a prophet and for the next 400 years there would be no direct word from God via prophets so priests would assume more importance. The book divides into 2 halves, the first 8 chapters concerned with the current situation in Israel. He reminds them that ignoring the prophets had caused their forefathers to be deported to Babylon. There were angels involved in messages to Zechariah. He was told that there was a window of world peace, so it was an ideal time for the Jews to get the temple built. Zechariah assures his people that the Lord will deal with the nations who harm them, but also, some Gentiles will join them. David explains symbols in the book. This is an encouraging study.
Part 58 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
Continuing his study on Zechariah, David Pawson looks at the question brought to the priest/prophet by the people regarding fasting and feasting which were part of their religion. They were wondering how long they needed to go on fasting to please God. Zechariah quoted the enlightening words of Isaiah which show that food fasting is not the principal kind that God requires, but rather ‘fasting’ from mistreating others, and to be generous and kind. The exile had been the result of their selfishness and greed. Regarding their feasts, Zechariah pointed out that they needed to be celebrations of God. He seeks to give them a missionary outlook. Much of what he said in the 2nd half of the book regarded the distant future. David points out that Hebrews 1:1 says: God spoke to our fathers in the olden times through the prophets in bits and pieces. And that describes these prophecies. He says that they were like jigsaw pieces and that Revelation is “the picture on the jigsaw box lid”, fitting the pieces together. One of the pictures Zechariah presents is of a King riding on a donkey which obviously was describing Jesus. Eventually all the nations will send representatives to Israel to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
Part 59 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson begins the study on Malachi by discussing Replacement Theology which sees blessings promised to Israel (but not the curses) as now transferred to the Church. David says, ‘this seems to me a bad case of prejudice’. Malachi was a prophet to the returned exiles in Israel. Rebuilding had taken place, but times were hard. The people were blaming God and, though they didn’t return to idolatry, were becoming complacent, their religion a formality. The priests were not passionate either. David Pawson says the more you put into your faith, the more you get out of it. Goodness disappears when God disappears. The book of Malachi is all in prose indicating that God had become drained of feelings for his people – though the Covenant with them was not broken. David says that when God spoke in poetry, it was to convey his feelings. When a nation gives God up, he gives them up. Malachi is unique in 5 features: a high proportion is the direct Word of God; it is anonymous as Malachi was not his name; sharp exchanges between prophet and people; prose not poetry; it was God’s last Word for 400 years. David explains ‘love’ and ‘hate’ in the Bible.
Part 60 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In studying Malachi, David Pawson points out 3 aspects of God we need to understand: He is the Creator from whom we come, the King under whom we live & the Judge to whom we go. David says the loving Father side in the New Testament supplements this, but doesn’t substitute for this. Malachi challenges the priests. Faulty sacrifices were being made; sermons were given for popularity rather than the truths of God; they were man-pleasers instead of God-fearers. David sees a lack of the necessary fear of God in the Church today because he is treated with familiarity but not with reverence. The people were marrying outside the people of God which God had forbidden, as he has today. Divorce was rife, and Malachi told them that God hates divorce. David says, judgment will come, but it doesn’t come by next Friday because of God’s patience. “Return to Me, and I will return to you.” David says there is a dynamic relationship between God and his people; he is responding to them constantly. There is an important word on tithing as well. At the end of the book: Get back to the Maker’s instructions; and the forecast of the coming of one like the great prophet Elijah to prepare the way for the Lord.
Part 61 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David begins by speaking about how God meant us to read the Bible. He says that somebody has damaged our Bibles by adding chapter and verse numbers and we have become ‘text people’. The gospels are not strictly biographies as more than one-third of the text describes the death of Jesus. David says that they are more like extended news bulletins. The writers had witnessed events and they reported on them. Why are there 4 gospels? David compares them. He looks at this book from two angles: who was Matthew hoping to reach and what was his intention. Matthew presents Jesus as the king of the Jews, particularly recording what Jesus said. Jesus was popular in the north of Israel but unpopular in the south where he was eventually killed. Matthew uses Mark as his framework but adds much more, beginning with the conception and birth of Jesus. He has 5 sermons included, collected under 5 themes, interspersed with Jesus’ deeds which illustrated his sermons. Matthew aimed toward Jewish readers, referring often to how Jesus’ life fulfilled Old Testament scriptures, but it is for gentiles as well. David believes this gospel brings Jew and Christian together.
Part 62 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
Two of the 4 gospels were written for sinners (Mark & Luke) and two for Christians. Matthew is a manual of discipleship, the best book of the New Testament to take a new convert through. “You disciple someone by teaching them how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.” The expectations of Jew and Christian regarding the Messiah and the Kingdom differ. We are living in the overlap of the “present evil age” and the establishment of the Kingdom on earth. David says that all 5 sermons of Jesus recorded in Matthew are important, and are all about how to be subjects of the kingdom. The Kingdom needs not only the good Sovereign but also good subjects. The 5 sermons: #1The Sermon on the Mount – the lifestyle of the Kingdom. #2The Mission of the Kingdom: we have a mission to bring others into the kingdom by demonstrating and then declaring the Kingdom. #3What to Expect: Don’t be disappointed that not every seed sown yields a harvest. #4The Community of the Kingdom: Church discipline is included. #5The Future of the Kingdom: 4 clear signs of Jesus’ second coming given. God is both King and Father. Faith, Righteousness and Judgment are themes of Matthew. We must never forget what Jesus has done for us.
Part 63 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that the gospels are essentially news bulletins, better read aloud. Mark was the first gospel written and he is primarily telling us what Jesus did. The 4 gospels together give us a 4-dimensional portrait of Jesus because they had different readers in mind. Mark and Luke wrote for unbelievers. Though Mark was never a leader in the early church he was an assistant and/or interpreter to no fewer than 4 men at various times. His gospel recorded Peter’s preaching and is a book of action. There are more miracles than parables recorded here. There is nothing of Jesus’ birth or boyhood. It is thought that Matthew and Luke used Mark’s framework and expanded on it from their knowledge for their gospel records. The first 9 chapters deal with the first 2-and-a-half years of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee in northern Israel, then he concentrated on his 12 disciples for 6 months (chapter 10) then the last week of Jesus’ life on earth took chapters 11 to 16. David shows what altered the course of Jesus’ ministry. There is a remarkable emphasis on both the human and the divine aspects of Jesus’ death.
Part 64 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that while Luke’s gospel is the best loved because of some of its stories, it is the least well known. He is the only Gentile writer in the Bible and was a doctor. Because of his medical background he provides unique details. David compares Luke’s parables. He wrote for one man, Theophilus, possibly to gain freedom for the Apostle Paul who was at that time released and able to continue his missionary journey. While Luke used material from Mark, he also did a lot of original research. Unique to Luke - #1 The birth stories, all from Mary’s angle. #2 A story of Jesus’ boyhood. #3 Details about Jesus’ baptism in water and Holy Spirit. #4 The ‘Sermon on the Mount’ apparently preached at a different time in a different way. #5 A woe for every blessing given. #6 Various parables. #7 Incidents involving individuals. The groups he had an interest in were Samaritans; Gentiles like himself; outcasts; women; the poor; and ‘sinners’. There’s also a definite supernatural aspect to Luke – angels, the Holy Spirit. Luke is the gospel for everybody presenting Jesus as the Saviour of the world.
Part 65 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson, in looking at the gospel of John, speaks about the variety and yet the unity of scripture which had 40 human authors and one divine Editor. The authors retained their personalities. The book of John has a difference from the other 3 gospels. David says it’s as though John is looking at the ‘inside’ of Jesus – what was he like, what was his real Person. Of the 12 disciples, John was the closest to Jesus. He omits much said in the other gospels – the conception & birth, baptism, temptations, casting out of demons, the transfiguration, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the ascension – because of his purpose in writing. But there are some very important extras – 5 particular miracles which he sees as ‘signs’; Peter and the foot washing; Jesus’ dealing with individuals; 7 claims of Jesus. David irons out seeming contradictions. Rather than concentrating on short parables, John writes about Jesus’ ministry in the south of Israel where he was not popular, his arguments with the Jews and long discourses. David explains the difference between the ancient Greek thinking which the West has adopted and Hebrew thinking – which is important in our understanding of the Bible.
Part 66 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In this 2nd talk on John’s gospel, David Pawson shows that he was correcting misunderstandings which had developed after Jesus’ death. He had to correct ancient Greek thinking. They divided the sacred from the secular so had difficulty in seeing that Jesus was both God and man at the same time. So John emphasizes Jesus’ full humanity and his prayer life as well as his full divinity. John introduces 7 witnesses to Jesus’ divinity, 7 miracles which are the most supernatural, and 7 words of Jesus which were absolutely unique. John’s interest in Jesus was in what he was. He went right back to the beginning to show that Jesus already was there as ‘The Logos’ who spoke creation into existence. Jesus is ‘The Reason’ for everything. John says 4 things about The Logos – In the beginning he was already there (eternal); he was ‘face to face with God’ (personal); he was God; and The Logos became flesh and ‘pitched his tent among us’. As believers in Jesus, John says we will know life which continues, we will not walk in darkness, we will live in freedom, not slavery, we’ll live a life of truth (reality), and we won’t live under God’s wrath. This gospel tells more about the Holy Spirit which enables us.
Part 67 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In looking at the book of Acts, David Pawson says that most of the Bible was written for human reasons but was ‘edited’ for divine reasons. In this first talk, he looks at the human side. The author, Dr. Luke is the only Gentile writer of scripture. Medics were trained to be observant, careful and analytical and this comes out in how Luke wrote his gospel and Acts. In Acts he recorded how the good news of the Gospel went from Jerusalem to Rome – from the Jews to the Gentiles. He had insight because he travelled with the Apostle Paul, possibly to look after his health, on his missionary journeys and he was a skillful writer and at heart, an evangelist. Luke wrote for ‘Most Excellent’ Theophilus and it is possible that he was a judge, or a lawyer who was going to defend Paul at his trial. And from details in the Bible, it would seem that Paul’s lawyer was successful at this particular trial and he was released and able to proceed with his great work. David Pawson says that it was really Christianity that was on trial in Rome, rather than Paul. Luke draws attention to those seemingly small events which resulted in spreading the Gospel.
Part 68 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson shows the book of Acts is a vital part of our Bibles. Having looked at the original intention in the writing of Acts, David now shows how it can be applied to our lives. The early church wasn’t perfect, but had life and power of the Holy Spirit. The growth of the early church is the most astonishing phenomenon and we need to learn from it. David gives wise advice and says that Paul’s conversion and some other experiences should not be expected as a pattern for further events. Acts gives clarity to some of the issues and people mentioned in the gospels and is a link between the gospels and the epistles. Only Acts shows how Paul counselled enquirers. The gospels, written before Jesus died and rose again, were too early to tell us how to become a Christian. The letters and Revelation were written too late because they were written to people who were already Christian. After Pentecost, nobody was born again without #repenting for their sins, #believing in the Lord Jesus, #being baptized in water and #receiving the Holy Spirit. That is the basic teaching of this book. John the Baptist and Jesus – and the letters - actually mention all four, but separately.
Part 69 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that Paul’s letter to the Romans is the longest letter we have from the ancient world, and is very important. Paul is obviously countering arguments. Paul has never met the Roman church so why did he write to them? David believes that chapters 9 to 11, where Paul speaks so much about the Jews, are the key to the whole letter. David asks what the need in Rome was. There were serious social issues there and that is why Paul deals with such subjects as homosexuality, antisocial behaviour, disobedience to parents, uncontrollable violence and crime. Paul seeks to minister to Christians who have to live in the midst of this city of vice and crime. David explains that what had begun as a church of Hebrew believers in Rome had become one of Gentiles as Jews had been expelled by the Emperor Claudius. But then, when the next emperor invited the Jews back for financial reasons, they found that their church had changed in the hands of Gentiles. David says that everything in this letter is to get those two groups back into fellowship. Chapters 9 to 11 counter replacement theology, the thinking that the Church has replaced the Jews.
Part 70 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In Part 1 of Romans, David Pawson showed that the reason for Paul to write to the Roman church was the tension between Jew and Gentile within the fellowship. Because of their different backgrounds, he deals specifically with the issues confronting them – whether to eat food offered to idols, keeping one day special each week. David shows that the keyword in Romans is ‘God’, occurring more than any other. Paul had to discuss the Law for the sake of the Jews and license for the sake of the Gentiles. The main theme is the righteousness of God, and David says their own good deeds are more likely to keep people out of Heaven than anything else. Salvation is a process that must continue to the end. God justifies us before he sanctifies us. David’s brief outline of the book: Chapters 1-4 Faith which looks to the past; chapter 5 Hope which looks to the future; chapters 12-16 Love which is concerned with working out the present. Chapters 9-11 dwell on the Jews. Paul communicated the Gospel by word, deed and sign. David encourages us to examine a book to break it up to find the structure to aid our understanding.
Part 71 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson shows from 1 & 2 Corinthians that the early church, as in every other era, was not perfect. But seeing how their problems were handled is a help for us. Corinth was a port city with its attendant sins which had to be dealt with in the church. Without these letters from Paul we would not have the song of love in chapter 13 or the record of Jesus’ earliest resurrected appearances in 15. David says the biggest two battles in any church are how to keep the church in the world and how to keep the world out of the church. The world was sadly entrenched in the church in Corinth and Paul sent 1 Corinthians in answer to practical issues such as division among the members, immorality, members suing each other, idolatry creeping in, relationships and roles for men and women, remarriage after divorce and getting drunk at the Lord’s Supper - whereas 2 Corinthians deals with personal insults which Paul had suffered at their hands. David untangles some of the misunderstandings about 1 Corinthians. He teaches that we are not so much to slavishly copy the practice, as to find the principle that Paul is employing.
Part 72 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson points out that Corinth was a Greek city & the ancient Greeks separated the spiritual from the physical. The West has taken that & it has infiltrated the Church. Hebrew thinking is quite different, and the Corinthians needed to be helped to understand God’s way of looking at things. Greeks thought of the body 3 ways: they indulged them because they thought it wouldn’t affect their soul, they ignored them and tried to live a life free from physical desires, or idolized them and made statues of the perfect body. Paul had to say: Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? And what you do with your body will affect your soul. What you do with your body is part of your spirituality. David discusses the various forms of love – sexual, social and sacrificial. The cross was too bodily for the Greeks, and when you get away from the cross you start dividing over other things. Second Corinthians is particularly for leaders. There were leaders who were putting Paul down to raise themselves. The acid test of a man’s ministry is not his academic qualifications or his training but the kind of people he produces. Though tender with the people, Paul is tough with those who threaten them.
Part 73 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says of Galatians, that it is the Magna Carta of Christian Liberty. It wrestles with issues caused by the differences between Judaism and Christianity in the early church. It came to a head with the issue of whether a person is saved by faith or by works. The Judaisers were saying that they needed to start with faith and then go on to keep the Law. So Paul asked the Galatians: having started in the Spirit, are you going to continue in the flesh? Paul was fighting for ‘faith alone’ as the means of salvation. He emphasized the need to ‘go on believing’. David says to introduce the Law at any stage is to put believers under a curse because the only pass mark Jesus would accept for the Law is 100%. Galatians explains why God gave the Law. In speaking on the 3 themes of the book, David says that Legalism is an enemy of Liberty but what people don’t always realize is that License is too. It is a delicate edge we walk in the Liberty of the Spirit. It’s so easy to slip either into Legalism or into License. Real freedom is the freedom not to sin.
Part 74 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that many Christians love the letter to the Galatians while others don’t like it. Paul was emotional about its subjects. Galatians ‘strips off all spiritual veneer’. It was this book which triggered Luther’s Reformation. David says that we need to talk together about our differences. In Galatians, Paul tackles ‘fundamental issues without which you lose the Christian Gospel’. Peter and Paul had a disagreement on one of these issues and this had to be put right. Paul, though a Jew, was a Roman citizen and spoke the Greek language so he was equipped for the mission God had for him. David says that later leaders who come in and take over another’s work often lead it astray and this was happening in Paul’s time. Jewish believers had come into the church in Galatia to try to convince the members that they needed to keep the Law as well as believe in Jesus. They were adding to Paul’s message of the Gospel. This would bring them back into slavery to the flesh, and negate the work of Christ, so Paul angrily wrote against this teaching to rescue those he had won to the Lord.
Part 75 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says the best defense against heresy is solid, good teaching and that’s what Paul gave to the Ephesians via this letter, protecting them against false teaching. This teaching is the very foundation of Christian living. Ephesus was a key town in the history of the early church. A port city, it had an enormous temple to the goddess Diana. Silversmiths sold reproductions of a meteorite which had fallen to Ephesus, supposedly symbolizing the goddess and Paul’s preaching had brought hostility from these silversmiths. His letter is in two clear halves, dealing with our relationship with God in Christ and our relationship with others in the Lord. David terms the first half Salvation worked in (doctrine – what we are saved by) and the 2nd, Salvation worked out (duty – what we are saved for). We are not saved by good deeds, but we are saved for good deeds. David says that a Gospel that doesn’t work out in life is not the full Gospel. We need both halves – and in the order presented because we cannot live the Christian life before we’ve been saved. Paul’s teaching is couched in a hymn of praise for God’s power and purpose. Our battles are not with flesh and blood. David beautifully explains predestination.
Part 76 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
‘A colony of heaven’ Paul termed the Philippian church though it was in a Roman- occupied city. David Pawson says that God had his eye on this strategic city and sent Paul there. Thus this became the first church in Europe. Paul was now under house arrest in Rome, hence the need to write a letter of gratitude for a gift he’d received, including an ‘apostle’ to help him. David discusses what it is to be an apostle, and also what healing is for. From this letter we have a glimpse of Paul as a person and the kind of relationship he had with his converts. ‘Fellowship is far more than a cup of tea.’ With real fellowship, what happens to one happens to all. Though facing possible death, Paul’s favourite word in Philippians is joy – plus rejoice and thanksgiving. He lived for Christ and therefore he had nothing to lose. Paul’s true address was ‘in Him’, that’s where he lived.
Part 77 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson tackles Philippians’ “controversial” passage in this study – Scholars debate: How much of God did Jesus empty himself of when he became a man? David declares “The things he gave up were not of his nature but of his privileges.” He says that the passage in question is not about theology but about ethics – it is “about Christ’s attitudes and his choices”. Paul said: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” David also warns that we need to take note of the conditions attached to promises of God. Regarding the letter to Philemon, David says that, though it is very short, it is important. It is private correspondence about a runaway slave. David answers the question: Why was it put in the Bible? He shows that when we are converted, rather than running away from our past, we should put our past right. The story in Philemon is a perfect picture of our salvation.
Part 78 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
This study is a must for every Christian. The problems in the Colossian church are with us today as we find when we examine Paul’s letter to see what he was responding to. Paul had neither founded nor visited this church, but he’d been told of problems there. Colossae was a cosmopolitan town with many religions which presented relational problems. David believes they had brought too much from outside into the church, which is again a problem in our modern age. He says Colossians gives us a wonderful tool to analyse syncretism, the mixture of faiths. Christ loses his preeminence in the church when other beliefs are mixed in. “If there’s one thing Christ does, he saves us from religion. Christianity is not a religion… It is a relationship with Christ.” This letter can be summarised by two themes – Syncretism that makes a religion of Christianity; and the simplicity of centring everything on relationship to Christ. The New Testament does not tell us to observe Sunday as a special day, or Christmas or Easter. Colossians warns against losing our salvation.
Part 79 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that the letters to the Thessalonians were the first part of the New Testament to be written. The early church had only the Old Testament and the Apostles’ teaching. Paul wrote to the same people, yet the 2 letters are different in atmosphere. The first is caring, warm; the second cooler and sharper. Thessalonica was a key town, the port for all the trade routes at the head of the Aegean Sea. Paul had needed to leave this town, but later Silas and Timothy brought good news about how the fledgling church was doing so he wrote. Paul gave them the Gospel in 3 ways – word, deed and sign – the deeds were the human proof, the signs were the divine proof that the words were true. Paul’s evangelism was based on demonstrating the Gospel before declaring it. Thus he fully communicated it. Results were 3 things - faith, hope and love. True Christianity is trinitarian – to repent toward God, to believe in Jesus and to receive the Spirit. 3 dimensions of the Christian life – to turn from idols, to serve the living God and to wait for his Son from heaven. For the sake of his converts, Paul had to defend his character because of false accusations. Among his subjects are women and work – a practical letter.
Part 80 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In continuing his talk on Paul’s 2 letters to the Thessalonians, David Pawson shows why their hope was shaky instead of being certain. Paul gave them understanding of the 2nd coming. Paul shows that if believers are alert, sober and watching, the 2nd Coming will not come as a surprise. We need to watch for the signs we’ve been given of his coming. He has advice for the church members – 3 things they should not be and 5 things they should. There was democracy in Thessalonica, and it had crept into the church whereas the church should be ruled by the Holy Spirit via Spirit filled leaders. In the 2nd letter, he has similar subjects, but he has obviously heard bad news of them now, and has to be harsher than in his first epistle. They are being persecuted so there is encouragement as well.
Part 81 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson begins by explaining why these letters to Timothy & Titus differ from others by Paul. Paul wrote from the condemned cell; he is older and so were the churches. We learn more about Paul from these than any other letters. We see both the pattern and the purpose of Paul’s life. Though trinitarian, Paul has God in priority position. David Pawson objects to these being called the pastoral epistles because they don’t have all the instructions needed for pastors. Rather than dealing with how to run the internal matters of a church, Paul here focuses on the external responsibilities. Paul’s method of follow-up was three-fold – a second visit, or a letter or he sent one of his team back to do the follow-up. David shows that Timothy & Titus were not sent to be pastors but rather troubleshooters. He sees the two as ‘timid Timothy’ and ‘tough Titus’ as Paul spoke differently to them. He also says that there is danger in one-man ministries and apostles need to plant a church, reach the point where it has elders and deacons, and leave it. His work there is done. David discusses the process of salvation, the need to persevere.
Part 82 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says, though these letters were addressed to individuals, they were all about the churches they were trying to help, and these were quite different. Titus, in Crete, had the task of appointing elders and Paul’s concern was about the quality of membership there; whereas in Ephesus, the membership was good but they had the wrong elders and Timothy was given the task of replacing them with the right men. The important thing at the beginning of a fellowship is to have quality leadership and membership before numbers expand. David says that confrontation is an important part of church leadership. If you neglect a problem, it just gets worse. Ultimately, the best safeguard of a church is constant good teaching. With the Spirit and the Word of God, you grow up. With a plurality of leaders, they will contribute more strengths and balance each other out much better, whereas one man will communicate his own strengths and weaknesses to the church he leads because people do follow unconsciously a leader’s manner of living, rather than what he says. Character is of prime importance. This teaching can help us in choosing those to serve our churches.
Part 83 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that Hebrews is a very ‘Jewish’ letter and is appreciated by Jewish readers whereas Gentiles need familiarity with the Old Testament scriptures. It relates our Christian faith to the ritual of the temple in the old days. David says it throws new light on Jesus that no other writer of the New Testament does. A key word is ‘better’ – Jesus is better than… the prophets, the angels, the ancient leaders, the priests. While there is a continuity of faith from the Old Covenant to the New, the substance is better than the shadow. In the Old Testament they had a lot of foreshadowing of Jesus but now they had the real thing. We do not know who the author is, but David thinks it was sent to the Jewish half of the church in Rome at the time of Nero. They were suffering persecution as Christianity was at that time illegal and this drove some believers back to the synagogue where they would have to deny Jesus. David believes this was the catalyst for the letter to encourage them to hold on to their salvation and to go forward. It’s very encouraging while being severe.
Part 84 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says there are problems in the Bible when you don’t understand, and there are problems when you do understand but it doesn’t fit with your previous notions. He examines those passages which trouble some readers. One refers to the possibility of losing the salvation which once we have had. David explains this very clearly, giving evidence from other books of the Bible as well. It is important that we grasp the truth – that we can have assurance that we are on the way of salvation, but it is not a guarantee that we cannot turn away into deliberate sin and lose that salvation. This truth runs right through the New Testament, including on the lips of Jesus. Hebrews tells us the relationship between the Old and New Testaments; it keeps our eyes on Jesus; it is faith building; it warns us of the dangers of backsliding; and it emphasizes being an active member of the church.
Part 85 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that James is concerned with practical Christianity. James is not hugely on doctrine or belief, but on behaviour which is a vital dimension to Christianity. The keyword is ‘do’. David points out that ‘do’ is a keyword to the entire Bible. Though it is well written, James is not a structured book and David describes it as ‘pearls of wisdom that haven’t been strung.’ The author was the half-brother of Jesus. David reveals two nicknames used of James which give us an insight into his character. The letter was written to help Jews understand how to behave toward Gentiles.
Part 86 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that, although written to dispersed Jews, the book of James is very applicable to Christians today. It is a very practical word for our everyday lives. James was not focusing on doctrine or faith but was giving Christian advice to counter poor attitudes. As many of his readers were businesspeople intent on money making, James warns against neglecting God and the poor. He covers greed, envy, selfish ambition, pride, boasting, presumption, impatience, anger, arguments, gossip and litigation. If you’re not careful, money comes in and God goes out. James says we need to be alongside people but not to be infected by worldly attitudes. He encourages joy in the face of testing. He shows that we can get wisdom from above right away by asking for it without double mindedness, without doubting. This is a very helpful book though some find it objectionable that it focusses on human activity, but David points out that James’ reason for writing explains why this is so. “Legalism says we’re saved by our good deeds; license says we’re saved without good deeds; but liberty says we’re saved for good deeds.”
Part 87 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that 1 Peter is relevant wherever Christians are fearful of persecution. Peter tells believers how to endure for Jesus. So we need this letter today. It is warm and encouraging. Peter had known what it was to fear threat, now he knew how to face it without fear. Jesus had reinstated him after his betrayal of Jesus because Peter still loved him. Now he wanted to encourage others. He had gone from timid to bold with the filling of the Holy Spirit. In this letter, suffering is one theme, submission to it is another and salvation is the third theme. (He lived up to his own advice when he was finally crucified himself, asking to be crucified upside down.) Peter urged his readers to be sure of their salvation as it was their firm foundation, but also to stick together to encourage each other in the face of trials. He speaks of their ‘living hope’. Like Paul, he emphasizes faith, hope and love, as well as the priesthood of all believers, and that we believers are a holy nation.
Part 88 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson shows that Peter is teaching what various aspects of true submission are. He also gives advice to wives to win their unbelieving husbands. David sees that Peter is advising his readers on good attitudes which will stand them in good stead when severe persecution comes. David quotes a friend: ‘If you are faithful in the little battles now, he will give you the grace when the big crunch comes.’ Peter reveals what Jesus did while his body was in the tomb. While the first letter is preparing the people for persecution from outside the church, the second letter of Peter emphasizes dangers within the church. When life is easy, people become materialistic but under persecution the church grows. Heresy is a subtle pressure. David says there were four symptoms of disease within the church: A corrupt Creed – their beliefs were being changed. Corrupt Conduct as a result of the first. Corrupt Character so that they became ‘more animal than human’, operating by base instincts – greedy and lustful. Corrupt Conversation – grumbling, rebellion. Peter shows how to grow in character and maturity.
Part 89 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson looks at Paul and how he came to write his letters. Over a third of the New Testament focusses on him. “He’s had greater influence on… Europe than any other man.” He had 3 major influences on his life – his Jewish parentage, the Greek language because he came from Tarsus, and his Roman citizenship which gave him certain privileges. He was a missionary before his conversion – but on the wrong side. He had a personal encounter with Jesus (after his ascension) which began his conversion and was his call to evangelize the Gentiles. It was 13 years of preparation before he set off on that mission and he travelled first with Barnabas as his work partner. Most of Paul’s letters are written to churches around the Aegean Sea. His strategy was to plant a community of the Kingdom in every key city and then move on, leaving the church to evangelize their district. In the course of his travels he suffered much – shipwreck, flogging, jail, stoning, hunger as well as the care of the churches. He revisited churches as well as writing to them to encourage, teach and rebuke. A man of dedication and zeal, prayer, compassion and tears who was overwhelmed by God’s grace. These letters have become the Word of God.
Part 90 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says the letters of John are grandfatherly letters because John was an old man - and the only apostle to die of old age. John sees things as black or white. It’s in contrast to the relativism which has swept across the world in modern times. He seeks to ensure that his readers’ joy may be full, that they may be living blameless lives, that they may be safe from the wiles of the Devil and that they may have assurance. David puts John’s aims this way: To Promote Harmony; to Produce Happiness; to Protect Holiness; to Prevent Heresy – (David says “we have to be on constant guard against it”) - and to Provide Hope. The arrangement of John’s teaching is characteristic of Jewish Rabbis’ manner, not analytical but unstructured wisdom. The heresy of the time came from Greek philosophy which separated physical and spiritual, secular and sacred, temporal and eternal – and gave the impression that anything physical was dirty. They could not see that God could really become man. David says when we come to Christ, only our past sins are forgiven at that time. Future sins must be dealt with as they happen. This is a very important study for all.
Part 91 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
Teaching on the Letters of John, David Pawson discusses the issue of sin in the believer’s life. At first sight, there appear to be contradictory verses, but careful study brings clarity. David proves that it is dangerous to take a verse out of its context. Another subject covered is the difference between males and females because two of John’s letters are addressed separately to a woman and a man about the same subject, and yet saying opposite things. Hospitality was the very important theme, as it is possible to invite heresy into a church by inviting visiting ministries without verifying the truth of their teaching. David says that churches need both local ministry and travelling ministries. John’s third letter addresses the problem of holding a church’s ministry too closely and not showing love to honourable visiting ministries. David emphasizes the need for both truth and love in each life.
Part 92 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says the little neglected letter of Jude is wonderful. He reads his own paraphrase and shows that it divides into 2: a dangerous corruption and how to deal with it. David says that Jude (a brother of Jesus) is like a surgeon ‘wielding a knife to cut out the cancer in the Body of Christ.’ All churches are in danger, either from outside – which pushes Christians together and strengthens them; or from inside – being either legalistic or too liberal which can destroy the Body of Christ. Legalism says: you are not free to sin and we’re going to see that you don’t. License says: you are free to sin and it’s okay now you’re a Christian. True liberty says: in the Spirit, you are free not to sin. David says that we are constantly hearing a sentimental view of God being preached on TV and it’s not a true picture of God. Their other problem was regarding Jesus as only one way to God rather than the way. David says when your creed is corrupted, your conduct will be too; when your conduct is corrupted, your character and conversation will be too. He hopes the little letter of Jude will encourage you to contend for the Gospel in truth and love.
Part 93 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson believes Revelation is one of the greatest books in the Bible. Without it, the Bible would be incomplete. The Church needs to study it to prepare for what lies ahead. God’s opinion of this book is clear; it is the only one that has a blessing for reading it aloud, and a curse for tampering with it, attached. The Bible is a history book and we are the only people who know how our world is going to end. It helps to remember it was written for ordinary people and should not be twisted by the highly educated. We need to read it with common sense. For instance, if the same word is repeated in the same context it has the same meaning. If people had used this logic, we would not have made some of the blunders we have. Revelation was written for a very practical purpose – to prepare for the difficulties ahead for believers so that we will have ‘patient endurance’. ‘Jesus is coming back – that’s the very centre of our hope for the future.’ There are promises of rewards for those who are victorious. David says, ‘Revelation is written for this very simple purpose – to keep Christians’ names in the Book of Life.
Part 94 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says that Revelation is the only book of the Bible that nobody decided to write. John simply wrote down what he saw and heard at the instruction of an angel. Jesus appears to him in a vision, but now his glory is apparent. David says that we need Revelation to fill out our picture of Jesus. Jesus reveals a knowledge of 7 cities and their churches to whom he is giving personal, individual messages. These cities in The Fertile Crescent are a melting pot of culture, politics and religion where roads between Europe and Asia traverse. Also, it was the area where Satan had his headquarters. The number seven is God’s perfect number and appears throughout this book. There are 7 parts to the letters – the Address, an Attribute of Jesus, an Approval of the church, an Accusation, Jesus’ Advice to put things right – sometimes with a warning that they will be closed down if they continue in wrong, an Appeal for them to heed, and finally an Assurance. For two of the churches – the largest ones – he has nothing good to say about them. For those who are suffering persecution, he has no accusation. David gives an outline of the whole book, and though things will get worse, they will ultimately get better and stay that way.
Part 95 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson, looking at Revelation, says that when the Lord writes history he gives us the whole picture including what is happening in heaven and in the future – Apocalyptic History. David says Revelation is full of art, worship and singing. Jews and Christians will be one flock under one Shepherd. David explains the animals, pictures and symbols. God has told us the worst of what is coming so that we will be prepared if it happens in our lifetime. We know that the disasters to come will last only 3-and-a-half years. David explains the bowls, seals and scrolls. There will even be satanic miracles on display. The unholy trinity of Satan, the false prophet and the antichrist will rule, and many believers will be martyred. David informs about the differing ways of interpreting Revelation.
Part 96 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says, there are 3 women in the book of Revelation that are actually representative of either a group of people, a city or something else. He helps with interpretation. Much of the book deals with 2 cities – one labelled ‘Babylon’ – a city of man; and Jerusalem, the city of God – represented by 2 of the women. Throughout the Bible ‘Babylon’ is used for all that is secular and wicked. David says that sin, vice, aggressiveness, lust, greed and crime are more concentrated in cities. There are cities of the world now that could be the final ‘Babylon’ of Revelation. Revelation shows that politicians will bring about the destruction of ‘Babylon’, a city of pleasure, crime and commerce. David says it is pictured as a prostitute because it takes your money and gives you pleasure. The martyrdom of the church will not be total because there will be those who come out as advised. David says that the whole world finance system will collapse. He discusses the concept of Christians being raptured out before the trouble – a very important teaching.
Part 97 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says Christian hope is fixed on the ultimate future – as seen in the book of Revelation. Toward the end, there are 7 visions as well as oral messages to John. David warns about the division of the Word of God into chapters and verses which has caused people to become ‘text people’ where a verse is taken out of context and misunderstood. The visions thus have been split into 3 chapters. For a thousand years the church had no chapter and verse numbers. David says we need to take the visions in their order, and not juggle chapters. We find 4 enemies of the human race: Satan, antichrist, the false prophet and Babylon. Jesus doesn’t ride a donkey – he is on horseback, ready for war against evil. A world battle will take place at Megiddo, at the crossroads of the world, and Jesus will destroy his enemies with a word. Then he will rule the world with Christians sharing that reign for a thousand years - the millennium. It will be a time of world peace. 4 major events in the visions: The Second Coming; The Millennial Rule of Christ on Earth; The Day of Judgment; and the New Heaven and New Earth.
Part 98 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
In this last study on Revelation, David Pawson lists the reasons for his view of the Millennium and resumes looking at John’s visions about our future including the final judgment. Books will be opened that reveal our records. Those who are ‘in Christ’ on that day – their names will be in His book, the Book of Life. The human race finishes in 2 groups only – those who live under the rule of God and those who want to live their own way. David warns against the lack of the fear of God abroad today which says that those who are not faithful to the Lord will be annihilated. Rather, ‘our God is a consuming fire, so let us worship him with awe and reverence.’ The good news for our future is that there is to be a new heaven and a new earth where God and those who have been faithful to him will live together. We can live in this new heaven and earth if we are willing to be ‘recycled’ now. Recycling is making useless things (and people) useful. David reveals evidence for the truth of Revelation in regard to the gems that are mentioned in the New Jerusalem – fascinating. He gives 10 reasons for reading Revelation.