With the Almighty, Nothing Succeeds Like Failure: Volume 1

By Shelemiah

My new life in Christ. Finally I am happy to live up to my name Shelemiah, the priest who was made treasurer of the treasures" (Nehemiah 13:13). The name means "friend of God." One business in accounting has sustained me for fifty-one years.

After one of five surgeries, life changed. I felt the presence of hands one the left and on the right, but I couldn't see who they were. They began to escort me from my bed. While leaving, I looked back at my bed and saw my body yet on the bed, while being carried upward toward a light and the darkness felt like link cotton. All of a sudden my escort stopped. Seven sheets of my life came before me. Being rebellious, I remember how I walked away from the call of God.

All of a sudden, my escort dropped me. While falling, I heard crying, wailing, and all sorts of sounds. The longer I fell, the hotter it got; it felt like I was inside a microwave. While in this trance, I touched my left arm to see if it would fall apart. Here I began to plead for my life, "Please don't let me fall any farther." The Scriptures came to me of a man who went to a wedding who did not have his wedding garments on (Matthew 22:11–14). While pleading, I promise the Lord, "I WILL SAY WHAT YOU WANT ME TO SAY. I WILL DO WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO. I WILL PREACH WHAT YOU WANT ME TO PREACH."

I CAN TRULY SAY, WITH THE ALMIGHTY, NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE FAILURE.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098084912

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With the Almighty, Nothing Succeeds Like Failure

Volume 1

Shelemiah

Copyright © 2021 by Shelemiah

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

God the Father’s Dispensation

Meet the Exegete

All Plans Must Stand Up

The Plans for Mankind from the Godhead

Wisdom as Mass Noun

The First Failure Happened in Heaven

Humanity at War

The Future of the World

Everything Designed to Reproduce Forethought of Man

The Classes of Adam

Adam’s Supremacy

God Almighty’s Rest Broken

The Prophetic Christ

Forgiveness for Many through the Righteousness of One

To my father and mother, late wife, and daughter, who are at rest in the Lord

to my present wife and family,

I dedicate this expository commentary to all,

with bright hopes for the future and cherished memories of the past

Preface

Isaiah told Israel,

Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord, (Cephar, saw-far’ 5608-5612) and read: not one of these (Words) shall fail, none shall want her mate for my mouth it hath commanded, and his Spirit it hath gathered them. (Isaiah 34:1, 16)

When I started the works of this expository commentary in 1985, my goal was to motivate people to think and react to their thinking by this thought: WITH THE ALMIGHTY, NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE FAILURE. All the tools in this expository commentary, including notes, verses, the charts, the special chapters on the Scriptures, the overview of theology, and all other assorted helps were designed and culled to further that goal.

The most ancient and primordial of all sacred text is the Scriptures of Truth. There are three basic principles used in this commentary, and they are literal, historical, and grammatical. The literal principle means that in general, the Scriptures speaks in the literal terms, we must let it speak for itself. The historical principle interprets all passages in their historical context. The grammatical requires us to understand the basic grammatical structure of each sentence in the original language.

This work is an abridgment, a brief retelling of events, that will come from the Book of books (Scriptures) with no attempt to be responsible for anything but the events in the order in which they appear in the work of Scripture. These volumes are dedicated to the preaching of the word of God. For it is written, How shall they hear without a Preacher? And how shall they preach accept they be sent? (Romans 10:14–15) The first volume will present God the Father’s (Omnipresence) dispensation. The second volume will present God the Son’s (Omnipotent) dispensation. The third volume will present God the Holy Ghost’s (Omniscient) dispensation.

I have not tried to seek any uniformity, only as the failures and mistakes appear in the Scriptures. These examples in this expository commentary will be, if at all possible, done in the topical form. They are to communicate the meaning of the text in its literary context. I believe the topical form will give the preachers and teachers more consistency with scriptural teaching and will apply scriptural material to its extent.

As the selected examples appear in the Scriptures, they are applied because of the practical problems in the lives of the believer’s then and in the life of the assembled today. When we read it systematically, devotionally, topically, and in assembled places of worship, there are great things that are added to the soul. Albert Einstein said, Our great need is for holy curiosity. Let this curiosity lead us to search for understanding of our past, believe in our present, and prepare for our future.

Since some of these statements have been culled from other public literature, if I use them, it is because I am in agreement with the answers that were given. For it is written, Agree with your adversary quickly, while thou are in the way with him (Matthew 5:25). Illustrations, however, are often heard, read, seen, copied, adapted, reworked, applied, dreamed of, and made out that it’s frequently hard to go to the first source.

It is my desire for pastors, evangelists, teachers, and witnesses to occasionally browse through this Expository Commentary, without fixed plans or purpose. This will bring to light many thoughts that might not be thought of, about, or overlooked and elect new ideas in one’s preparation of preaching and teaching.

Just think about it. Knowing the True God has more potential rewards than any other endeavors—more exciting than any expedition to the most exotic place on earth, more exciting than star gazing or space exploration. To obtain this knowledge is the most worthy pursuit of all. If anything should be able to capture your attention for a while, it should be the study of the Almighty God who made the heavens and the earth.

The Scripture claims for itself to be the Word of God. Read it, and let God tell you what He is like. No extra scriptural examples of God can surpass those He provides for Himself. Let the Scripture have its say now. See if it reveals God to us. If it does, let us believe both it and Him. I hope and pray that this expository commentary will bring harmony and peace to all nonbelievers to become believers.

Paul told Timothy, Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Introduction

YOUR FAILURES ARE ONLY PREREQUISITES TO YOUR SUCCESS. Down through the years, I have been drawn to the values of what take place when you study the Word of God. The studying of the word is spiritual food for the soul. In a day when we are experience-driven, the Word of God speaks to us with clarity. There is nothing else that can speak so clearly to us when we need to hear it the most.

The Word of God has some characteristics about it that no other book has.

It is infallible. David said, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (Psalms 19:7).

It is inerrant. Solomon said, Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar (Proverbs 30:5–6).

It is complete. John the revelator said,

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And If any man shall take away from the words of this book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18–19).

It is authoritative. David the king said, For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in Heaven (Psalms 119:89).

It is sufficient. Paul told Timothy, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16–17). These words of the apostle makes it very clear that the Scripture, besides being the history of beginnings and of redemption, is also our guide to the believer’s walk in life.

THERE ARE MANY MISTAKES AND FAILURES IN THE SCRIPTURES. A mistake is a fault in understanding, perception., interpretation. An error is an idea, an answer, or act that is wrong. Synonyms for errors are fumble, inaccuracy, miscalculation, blunder, confuse, or misunderstanding. From the third chapter of Genesis to the very last of Revelation, throughout the entirety of Scriptures (kathab), you will find many mistakes and failures—which is a GOOD THING.

Are there mistakes in the Scriptures? If by mistakes you mean that Scripture teaches error or is fallible and historically unreliable, the answer is NO. The Scriptures are God the Father’s infallible revelation of His will. The suggestion that the Scriptures contains mistakes can easily be misunderstood to mean that God makes mistakes or that he is responsible for them, but this is not the case. The discrepancies and imperfections in the Scriptures are due to human frailties. None of these discrepancies negatively affect the teaching and historical reliability of Scriptures. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrine, and the trustworthy record of God the Father’s (Omnipresence) acts and thoughts before the world began. For I know the thoughts that I think of you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29: 11).

From the study of these mistakes and failures, we have an opportunity to rethink our position in our walk in life as it was meant to be lived before God Almighty our Creator. For it is written,

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17–19)

Let us take into account who was the writer of the first fives books of Scripture. These five books of the Old Testament are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, called the Pentateuch. My first thoughts were, why would the Lord God choose a man like Moses, who was born in turmoil, grew up in turmoil, ran from turmoil, and was sent back into turmoil to be a deliverer of people that were enslaved in turmoil? One that was slow of speech; whom God chose to be a god over Pharaoh, and his brother Aaron as a prophet (mouthpiece) (Genesis 2:1–25). One that would fail to go to the promise land with the ones he was leading. Within every book of the Scriptures, we will find God using the ordinary people with mistakes and failures. Your mistakes and failures produces experience that leads to the miraculous.

YOUR MISTAKES AND FAILURES TURNED TO MIRACLES. Just as there are mistakes, there are miracles of hope, which is an event or action that apparently contradicts scientific laws and is thought to be due to supernatural (phenomenal) causes. You will find mistakes and failures to be a good thing. Through failure comes hope, through hope comes faith, through faith comes belief, and through belief comes trust. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (believers). And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. (Ephesians 1:18–19)

We live in a world that is full of mistakes and void of unaccepted miracles. The reason we live in such a world is because of the perception of mankind. We focus on the mistakes and fail to see the miracles. Mistakes many times override the miracles in our lives. When our mistakes are brought to God by faith, he has a way of controlling the things that create failure in our way of life, which gives us a new belief. When we find ourselves in such position, the Word of God (Scriptures) has the power to give you the faith to rise, and the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) is able to provide trust and deliverance from the mistakes and failure.

Whenever the Spirit of God (unction from the Holy Spirit) moves in us, it is not just for us to feel him, but it is for him to speak creatively and give direction and purpose in our lives. Just as Paul reminded the believers at Corinth,

For we are laborers (Physical or mental exertion of a practical nature; work), together with God (The Son): ye are God’s husbandry (Careful management of resources), ye are God’s building (The act, process, or occupation of constructing). According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon, but let every man take heed how he build thereon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:9–11)

From the study of these mistakes and failures, we have an opportunity to rethink our position in our walk in life as it was meant to be lived before God Almighty our Creator. For it is written, Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted (1 Corinthians 10:6). Knowing this first, that no prophesy of scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophesy came not in old times by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:20–21).

The Scriptures must be understood literally—that is, straightforward and truly according to its literary content. The Scriptures are more than a book; it is a compilation of books, and books written in different literary forms. Some portions of Scripture gives a historical account; others may seem poetic, and some are prophetic. When the Scriptures speak in a historical narrative, it must be understood as