Fell on their Faces

Monday, October 18, 2010: Genesis 17:1 – 5 (NKJV)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

Does fear characterize Abram (Abraham) when God spoke to him? Yes, a reverential fear mingled with faith. After all, he is 99 years old and God promises him many children!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010: Leviticus 9:22 – 24 (NKJV)

Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Does the word awesome come to mind here? Yes, it does. Just the glory of the Lord was sufficient. When fire consumed the sacrifice the people reacted in awe.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010: Joshua 5:13 – 15 (NKJV)

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Does worship allowed reveal the nature of the Commander? Yes, this was God the Son in a preincarnate appearance and Joshua worshipped with His acceptance.

Thursday, October 21, 2010: Judges 13:17 – 20 (NKJV)

Then Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?” And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”

So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the Lord. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on—it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.

What did Manoah and his wife see that made them fall on their faces? They had seen, in picture, God’s salvation in the sacrifice of His Son and they fell to worship.

Friday, October 22, 2010: Revelation 1:17 – 18 (NKJV)

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Does ‘struck dumb’ a description of what happened to John? Yes, but it was more than that: Before the glorified Lord Jesus he fell and was even afraid to breathe! What should our position be before God?