5 Preppers In the Bible

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2 5 Preppers In the Bible Copyright 2014 by Steve Coombes All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other - except for brief quotations in printed reviews without the prior written permission of the author. All scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV). First Edition: June 2014 The Author may be reached through his website, preparedcopy.com Cover and Layout by Denise Coombes Printed in the United States of America

3 Table of Contents Introduction... 4 Noah... 5 Joseph... 9 The Ants The Farmer The Wise Virgins Faith of a Christian Prepper... 17

4 INTRODUCTION You won t find the term prepper in the Bible. Depending who you ask, you may get widely varying definitions of who or what a prepper actually is. For the sake of this book, we ll define a prepper as someone who takes a realistic view of the fact that circumstances tend to change - often outside of our personal control - and takes action accordingly. Some might say, if God wanted us to be preppers, He would have told us so in the Bible. I agree. Throughout the Bible, God gives us clear principles and direct commands on how we should conduct our lives. God also uses true-life accounts of Godly and ungodly men and women as well as parables to instruct us. In 5 Preppers in the Bible, we ll take a look at five of these to learn some valuable principles to live by. 4

5 NOAH Noah was directed by God to prepare for a great flood. Before the first raindrop ever fell to earth, Noah spent over a century getting ready for the calamity to come. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Genesis 6:3) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8) During this time of preparation, Noah and his family built a massive three story ark as wide as a football field and half again longer than one (a cubit was a measurement about a foot and a half in length). Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. (Genesis 6:14-16) Noah built the ark and loaded it with two of every kind (seven of clean beasts per Genesis 7:2, allowing some for sacrifice to God after the flood in Genesis 8:20). 5

6 Noah also carried the responsibility of gathering enough food to feed his extended family and all those animals. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. (Genesis 6:18-21) We re familiar with the story of how the rains came down and the floods came up for forty days and forty nights. But Noah and his crew had to survive more than an entire year on the ark without resupply while waiting for the waters to recede and the ground to dry. In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. (Genesis 7:11) And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried. (Genesis 8:13-14) I ve heard some interesting complaints about Noah which mirror some I ve heard about preppers. Primarily, some believe Noah and his family were unfair to sail away and escape the flood without helping the less fortunate. This ignores several key facts: 6

7 1) Noah escaped because he found grace in the eyes of the LORD. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:7-8) God grew so sick of mankind s sin He wished He never created us. While Noah wasn t a perfect man, perhaps it was his desire to please and obey God that caught God s attention, allowing him to find grace. 2) Noah escaped because he not only believed God, he acted in obedience in accordance with his faith. And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. (Genesis 7:5) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7) Would Noah have survived the flood if he failed to obey the instructions given for preparing the ark? Likely no. Our actions should match our faith (James 2:18). 3) God sealed the ark, not Noah. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in. (Genesis 7:15-16) Imagine the horror of hearing the multitudes who doubtless ran to the ark, clawing, scratching and begging for entrance once the waters started to rise. But time had run out for those who rejected the righteousness of 7

8 God. We have a limited time to get ready before it s too late. 4) Noah was a preacher of righteousness. And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2 Peter 2:5) Noah wasn t a closet prepper - he warned others of the need to repent and change their ways. He tried to reach others but no one outside his family heeded God s warning. But wasn t he just doing what God told him to do? Yes. And I agree, being supernaturally directed is a bit different than simply recognizing hard times are coming and preparing accordingly. Which is why we ll now take a look at 8

9 JOSEPH You ve probably heard the story of Joseph and the coat of many colors his father gave him as a favored son. Jacob s favoritism caused serious division in the family. The dreams God gave Joseph indicating his family would bow down to him certainly didn t endear him to them, either. His brothers grew to hate Joseph so much they faked his death and sold him into slavery. (Genesis 37) Later, Joseph would be falsely accused of rape and forgotten in prison. Yet throughout all these trials Joseph maintained his integrity and was blessed of God with wisdom. (Genesis 39-40) Which brings us to Genesis 41, when Pharaoh was troubled by a dream that none could interpret. Then Joseph s former prison cellmate, Pharaoh s chief butler, recalled how Joseph had correctly interpreted dreams before. Again, as before to the chief butler and chief baker in prison, Joseph properly ascribed credit to God for interpreting dreams. Then he interpreted Pharaoh s dream: God had sent the dream to show Pharaoh how there were to be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of grievous famine. Here s what I want to point out. God sent the dream to Pharaoh and provided the interpretation through Joseph. But God instructed neither Pharaoh nor Joseph what to do with the information. 9

10 Instead, Joseph told Pharaoh the supernatural interpretation then used the wisdom God had already given him to give Pharaoh sound advice: Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. (Genesis 41:33-36) Pharaoh not only accepted Joseph s advice, he set him as second-incommand of the entire kingdom of Egypt. In that position, Joseph took charge of gathering (some might call it hoarding ) supplies which were used during the famine to feed both the Egyptians and surrounding nations. Many would call this common sense. Yet even Pharaoh, likely an unsaved man at this point, had enough sense to recognize the wisdom God had granted Joseph. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. (Genesis 41:38-40) If you knew you had limited time to prepare for a dramatic change in circumstance like this, would you have enough wisdom to prepare for it? God wants to give you the same kind of wisdom Joseph exhibited. If you have not, it s likely because you have asked not - or ignored the gift. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5) 10

11 THE ANTS Some may think Christians are a crazy lot if we go around looking at ants for guidance and principles for living. Yet God regularly sees fit to confound the wise of this world with things they consider of little significance in order to teach us great truths. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:27-29) God uses the example of hardworking ants to admonish the lazy and encourage diligent preparation to secure the future. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6-11) Let s examine a few lessons we can pull out of this short section of scripture: 11

12 1) God counsels us to consider the ways of an ant to get wisdom. God counsels the sluggard to go to the ant for wisdom. Which is the same as calling the sluggard foolish (the opposite of wise). Lazy or not, we can all go to the ant for the same wisdom. 2) Wisdom naturally dictates preparation. No guide, overseer or ruler is necessary to force the ant to get busy and prepare for the future. Knowing seasons change - we can correlate this with understanding how circumstances change - causes the ant to act. The ant doesn t wait for someone else to do the work or tell her to go. She takes personal responsibility for her role and gets busy right away. 3) Time is limited to prepare for the future. Don t make excuses and waste it. Notice how the sluggard wants only a little sleep, a little slumber and a little folding of the hands to sleep. Instead of following the ants example of making wise use of available time, the sluggard procrastinates. The sluggard s excuse of only a little delay appears harmless, but God asks How long wilt thou sleep? then warns a pattern of failing to prepare has consequences. 4) Failure to prepare results in unnecessary poverty and want. Failure to take advantage of the time God has given us to prepare leads to poverty and want. God describes the onset of poverty as the sudden arrival of a traveler. Our want, or deep poverty, is described as an armed man - indicating failure to prepare ahead leaves us powerless against this circumstance. 12

13 THE FARMER Another individual found throughout the Bible is the farmer. You may not think of a farmer as a prepper but he certainly is when you consider our definition. The farmer understands how circumstances outside of his control may affect his family. Seasons of change bring rain and drought. Heat and cold. Hungry animals and insects. The farmer responds by preparing his field and planting in the spring. He fences the fields, erects scarecrows to drive off hungry birds and irrigates during the heat of summer. Finally, after the growing season comes harvest time in the fall. Foods harvested are stored to last the winter. Ask any new gardener and you ll quickly discover farming is a skill many no longer possess. It takes good advice, training and / or experience to be successful at growing enough food to feed your family much less have an abundance to sell. In the scriptures we re reminded there s a time for everything, including a time to plant and a time to harvest and prepare the field again: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) 13

14 As we saw while looking at God s example of the ants, making excuses won t get the job done. If the farmer refuses to prepare his field and plant when he should because of inconvenience, there won t be anything to eat come winter. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. (Proverbs 20:4) God s uses the farmer to show preparing for a more secure future requires diligent early effort. This principle applies to both farming and life in general. 14

15 THE WISE VIRGINS In the Bible, parables are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. Jesus used this one to warn us to be ready before His return. Found in the New Testament, we see God continues to instruct us of the need to prepare ahead even in the church age. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.and the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1-13) 15

16 Oil in the Bible is frequently used as a picture of the Holy Spirit. The wise virgins had accepted Christ and received the Holy Spirit (oil in their lamps) before the return of the bridegroom (Christ) and were ready for him to appear. That s the spiritual meaning. But let s not ignore the plain meaning for earthly living found here. Dark times will come so we better make sure we have enough oil (those things we need) to last the night (the time of need). If we don t, let s not expect someone else who took care to provide for their own needs to support us on their dime (notice the foolish said Give us of your oil in verse 8, not sell us of your oil ). When the foolish virgins finally woke up to their need, it was too late but the wise virgins were ready. 16

If you ve ever been troubled by questions like: Should we rely strictly on God for our daily provisions? Is it wrong to hoard food or other supplies?

17 Faith of a Christian Prepper There s no shortage of books, websites and even television series detailing how to become a prepper. However, the real question for many modern day Christians is whether you should become a prepper. More importantly Does prepping show a lack of faith in God? If you ve ever been troubled by questions like: Should we rely strictly on God for our daily provisions? Is it wrong to hoard food or other supplies? Is it ever ok to use force in defense of myself, loved ones or innocents? Do we have an obligation to prepare? Inside Faith of a Christian Prepper you ll discover what the Bible really has to say about each of these important questions and more. Look for it on Amazon.com or in a bookstore near you. 17

C&C: It s Going to Rain! Get in the Ark!

C&C: It s Going to Rain! Get in the Ark! Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this