Category Archives: Trap

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Bible, Scripture, Freedom, Enemies, Romans, Trap, Psalms

BOOBY TRAPS

ROMANS 11:9

“And David says, ‘MAY THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.’”

In the first Rambo movie, John Rambo is falsely accused by a Sheriff of a crime. If you have seen the movie, you know what happens. One of the things Rambo was good at was setting booby traps for those who were trying to hunt him down. Those traps were, well, kind of tough. They were meant to stop them, and they did. No one wanted to face Rambo in the forest.

Paul is quoting from Psalm 69 in today’s verse. Ellicott’s Commentary says, “In the original of Psalms 69 these verses refer to the fate invoked by the psalmist upon his persecutors; here they are applied by St. Paul to the fiat of the Almighty which had been pronounced against the unbelieving people of Israel.” Paul’s words still apply to us today. If we fail to yield to the Lord, we are really setting our own booby traps against ourselves.

APPLICATION

The verses Paul references seem to come from Psalm 69:23-24. “23 May their table before them become a snare; And when they are at peace, may it become a trap. 24 May their eyes grow dim so that they cannot see, And make their hips shake continually.” He does not quote literally from the Hebrew or the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) but gives us the thought behind these verses very clearly. The enemies of God, those who refuse to follow Him, are going to fall into a trap at some point. They will not see it coming, and there will be no escape.

Tough words! We don’t hear this too much today, but the words are still true. All roads do not lead to heaven. There is only one way – Jesus. Those who do not bow to Him will fall. We may never see the fall ourselves, but it will come. God doesn’t play around with things eternal. He has given a clear message in His Son which is easily followed. But we must abandon our own ways and follow His.

Have you fallen into a trap of your own making? What has enslaved you? Call on the God who is able to set you free from the things “which so easily entangle” you. Stop fighting to set yourself free. You can’t! Only Jesus can. You may be a follower of Christ who has not let go of those old traps in your life. Lay them down. Turn to Him. He will set you free and place you on the victorious path which He has already blazed.

Praise You, Father, for setting me free and opening my eyes to the traps the enemy lays for me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Cross, Isaiah, Offense, Romans, Scripture, Trap

THE ROCK OF OFFENSE

ROMANS 9:33

“just as it is written: ‘BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.’”

Have you ever watched the reality show Alone? Participants are put out into wilderness environments with only limited articles which they are allowed to take with them. Those who are experienced in those kind of settings will usually take things to make snare traps to catch rabbits or other animals. Snares work in a variety of ways, but many rely on a stick or rock which moves to trigger the trap. They are not always successful, but when they are, these participants have much needed food.

Paul uses a Greek word in today’s verse which has that same picture. The word translated as “offense” is skandalon. It “is the native rock rising up through the earth, which trips up the traveler, hence, of Jesus the Messiah, to the Jews who refused him” (Souter); “properly, the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, stumbling-block” (Abbott-Smith); “the stick in the trap that springs and closes the trap when the animal touches it” (HELPS Word-studies) What or who is Paul talking about? As mentioned yesterday in verse 32, Jesus is that stumbling stone or rock of offense.

APPLICATION

Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16 both refer to the same “rock of offense. We read in 8:14, “Then He will become a sanctuary; But to both houses of Israel, He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” You are probably more familiar with 28:16 which reads, “Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a tested stone, A precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed.”

Jesus, plainly put, really stumped the Jewish religious crowd. For one they couldn’t understand why God would extend any kind of salvation and righteousness to the Gentiles. After all, they were not a part of Israel and therefore were not God’s chosen people. Secondly, this salvation through Jesus was just too easy. All it required was faith. They didn’t have to DO anything to gain it.

The cross of Christ still trips people up. It is still the skandalon for many. What can we do about that? Well, we can tell them our story of redemption through that cross. We can tell them how Jesus has changed our life. We can show them how to approach the cross and receive forgiveness. Most traps are meant to be avoided. But the “trap” of the cross is a gentle one. It does not harm. It does not take life. Quite the contrary. It gives life. It embraces you. Share that with those who fear it. Share that with those who seem to walk around it. It will change their life.

O, loving Father, I give You praise that I fell into the “trap” of the cross so many years ago where You have kept me safe.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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