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Pastoral Exhortation

Articles on Exposition

Pastoral Exhortation

Introduction to Paul’s Epistle to the Romans

Written by Rev E M Wee

15 April 2012

For more than a year, I have been preaching from Acts of the Apostles, a historical record of the start of the New Testament church after the Lord Jesus’ ascension into Heaven. Two weeks ago, we concluded our study of the Book of Acts which is also a narrative account of the church’s beginning, the early triumphs of Christianity and the spread of the Gospel as instructed by the Lord: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1: 8). It is appropriate, as a follow up of this narrative, to embark on a series of foundational doctrines from Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.

THE NAZARITE VOW (Part III)

Written by Rev E M Wee

25 March 2012

Nazarites in the New Testament

o John the Baptist

A Nazarite from birth, John the Baptist was the son of the priest, Zacharias, and his wife, Elisabeth. Luke 1: 7 tells us that “Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.” When Zacharias was performing his priestly duty, there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord saying : “Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb” (Lk 1: 13-15).

THE NAZARITE VOW (Part II)

Written by Rev E M Wee

18 March 2012

The Nazarite vow was voluntarily made by those who desired to separate themselves unto the LORD for a determined period of time: “All the days of his separation, he is holy unto the LORD (Num. 6: 8). The Nazarite was bound by three restrictions during the term of consecration: 1. He must drink no wine or grape juice or eat anything that came from the vine (v. 4) 2. He must not cut his hair (v. 5) 3. He must not go near a dead body (v. 6).

Completion

When the period of his vow was fulfilled, the Nazarite had to present a series of offerings unto the Lord including “a he lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering, a ewe lamb of the first year for a sin-offering, and a ram for a peace-offering” (Num. 6: 14). He must also completely shave his head and burn his shaven hair as a mark of cleansing. Freed from his vow, he could now resume an ordinary life.

Last Updated: 18 March 2012

THE NAZARITE VOW (Part I)

Written by Rev E M Wee

11 March 2012

A Nazarite or Nazirite refers to one who voluntarily took a vow described in Numbers 6:1–21. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD. ...” (Num. 6: 1-2). The term “nazarite” comes from the Hebrew word, “nazir” meaning “consecrated” or “separated.”

Alfred Edersheim commented: “The law concerning the Nazarite vow (Num. 6: 1) seems to imply, that it had been an institution already existing at the time of Moses, which was only further defined and regulated by him. The name, as well as its special obligations, indicate its higher bearing. For the term Nasir is evidently derived from nazar, to separate, and ‘the vow of a Nazarite’ was to separate himself unto Jehovah (Num. 6: 2).”

ONLY TWO WAYS (Part III)

Written by Rev E M Wee

15 January 2012

1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The psalmist uses a pictorial illustration to demonstrate the radical difference between the godly and the ungodly. The godly is pictured as a green and fruitful tree by the side of a river, and the ungodly as a heap of chaff.

Much has been said about the godly in the first two parts of our article. Let us now consider the state of the ungodly. One writer describes the ungodly man as someone who “is unconcerned about religion; he is neither zealous for his own salvation, nor for that of others: and he counsels and advises those with whom he converses to adopt his plan, and not trouble themselves about praying, reading, repenting, etc. There is no need for such things; just live an honest life, make no fuss about religion, and you will fare well enough at last.” There is no thought of eternal consequences.

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