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Bible Study Title: THE SECRET OF THREE RIGHTEOUS MEN God always assists those who seek after him to live pure in heart, mind and spirit. For example, the prophet Ezekiel wrote about the terrible judgments that would come against Israel. He then spoke of three upright men, namely Job, Noah and Daniel. He informed his readers that these three men would be able to escape the coming judgment by their righteousness: “Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.” - Ezekial 14:13-14 The Bible tells us that Job was a “perfect and upright man” (Job 1:1-2). Scripture informs us that Noah was “righteous in his generation” (Genesis 7:1). We know that Daniel was a man in whom there was “no blemish” (Daniel 1:4). Thus the Scripture reveals the flawless moral and spiritual character of all of these men of God. This also reveals that God views men and women from their heart and not by their outward surroundings: “…for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7 What caused these three men to be declared righteous? Noah was obedient to God in preparing a huge floating zoo called an ark, preserving his family and the animal kingdom. He was true to God’s command, despite the criticism he may have received from scoffers and unbelievers. Job lost his wealth, health and family, and never blamed God. The Bible says he never “charged God foolishly,” thus he never “sinned with his mouth” (Job 1:22). He maintained his spiritual integrity in the midst of a burning trial of his faith. Daniel never compromised his personal convictions to please others. While seated among the princes of Babylon, he refused to drink their wine and eat the meat offered to idols (Daniel 1:8). Despite a law passed against daily prayer, Daniel knelt before an open window facing Jerusalem praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10). Daniel never compromised, Job guarded his words and Noah fully obeyed God. This should be the same pattern of the New Testament believer. We should read the instruction manual, the Bible and realize it is the rule book of heaven. Those who believe it will act upon it. It is said of Joshua, “He left nothing undone of what the Lord commanded him to do” (Joshua 11:15). The reason God chose these three men, and will bless believers today, can be summed up in the following: 1. Never compromise our faith “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) - Hebrews 10:23 “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” - Revelation 2:25 To “hold fast” is to seize upon and to keep to memory. It means to get a firm grip on and not let go. Once you have the revelation of faith, you must hide it in your heart as a valuable treasure to be secured and hidden from any thief that would rob you. When you compromise your faith it opens a door to confusion in your mind and spirit. If you believe today then keep believing tomorrow. 2. Always guard our words “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” - Proverbs 18:19 “For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shall be condemned.” - Matthew 12:37 More personal trouble originates from individuals who express their emotions with strong negative words. Marriages fall apart, friendships are broken, children are wounded and churches are split by the words of death, anger, and hate. We must guard our words because our words express what is in our hearts (Luke 6:45). Job refused to blame God for his trial. This caught the attention of God who saw Job’s actions and said he had retained his integrity (Job 2:3). It would be Job’s faithfulness to stand steadfast in faith that eventually led to the divine reversal he received from God (Job 42). 3. Train our children to follow the Lord “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” - Proverbs 20:7 God’s covenant blessings are generational. When the Almighty cut a covenant with Abraham, it was for Abraham and his “seed” (descendants). God sees the future and recognizes the significance of a covenant being passed from father to son, or from generation to generation. I am from four generations of preachers and have seen the favor and blessings of God increase with each generation! It is clear that the spiritual condition inside a person is the first step to God’s blessing beginning to flow in a person’s life. These three righteous men gave us their secrets to having the favor of God and being able to escape the danger that would come in their day. God always assists those who seek after him to live pure in heart, mind and spirit. For example, the prophet Ezekiel wrote about the terrible judgments that would come against Israel. He then spoke of three upright men, namely Job, Noah and Daniel. He informed his readers that these three men would be able to escape the coming judgment by their righteousness: “Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.” - Ezekial 14:13-14 The Bible tells us that Job was a “perfect and upright man” (Job 1:1-2). Scripture informs us that Noah was “righteous in his generation” (Genesis 7:1). We know that Daniel was a man in whom there was “no blemish” (Daniel 1:4). Thus the Scripture reveals the flawless moral and spiritual character of all of these men of God. This also reveals that God views men and women from their heart and not by their outward surroundings: “…for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7 What caused these three men to be declared righteous? Noah was obedient to God in preparing a huge floating zoo called an ark, preserving his family and the animal kingdom. He was true to God’s command, despite the criticism he may have received from scoffers and unbelievers. Job lost his wealth, health and family, and never blamed God. The Bible says he never “charged God foolishly,” thus he never “sinned with his mouth” (Job 1:22). He maintained his spiritual integrity in the midst of a burning trial of his faith. Daniel never compromised his personal convictions to please others. While seated among the princes of Babylon, he refused to drink their wine and eat the meat offered to idols (Daniel 1:8). Despite a law passed against daily prayer, Daniel knelt before an open window facing Jerusalem praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10). Daniel never compromised, Job guarded his words and Noah fully obeyed God. This should be the same pattern of the New Testament believer. We should read the instruction manual, the Bible and realize it is the rule book of heaven. Those who believe it will act upon it. It is said of Joshua, “He left nothing undone of what the Lord commanded him to do” (Joshua 11:15). The reason God chose these three men, and will bless believers today, can be summed up in the following: 1. Never compromise our faith “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) - Hebrews 10:23 “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” - Revelation 2:25 To “hold fast” is to seize upon and to keep to memory. It means to get a firm grip on and not let go. Once you have the revelation of faith, you must hide it in your heart as a valuable treasure to be secured and hidden from any thief that would rob you. When you compromise your faith it opens a door to confusion in your mind and spirit. If you believe today then keep believing tomorrow. 2. Always guard our words “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” - Proverbs 18:19 “For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shall be condemned.” - Matthew 12:37 More personal trouble originates from individuals who express their emotions with strong negative words. Marriages fall apart, friendships are broken, children are wounded and churches are split by the words of death, anger, and hate. We must guard our words because our words express what is in our hearts (Luke 6:45). Job refused to blame God for his trial. This caught the attention of God who saw Job’s actions and said he had retained his integrity (Job 2:3). It would be Job’s faithfulness to stand steadfast in faith that eventually led to the divine reversal he received from God (Job 42). 3. Train our children to follow the Lord “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” - Proverbs 20:7 God’s covenant blessings are generational. When the Almighty cut a covenant with Abraham, it was for Abraham and his “seed” (descendants). God sees the future and recognizes the significance of a covenant being passed from father to son, or from generation to generation. I am from four generations of preachers and have seen the favor and blessings of God increase with each generation! It is clear that the spiritual condition inside a person is the first step to God’s blessing beginning to flow in a person’s life. These three righteous men gave us their secrets to having the favor of God and being able to escape the danger that would come in their day.
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