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Judges 6:1
And the children of Israel
did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of
Midian seven years. 2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the
children of Israel
made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. KJV
The people
described above were God’s “Chosen People”. They still had identity but were no
longer blessed by God due to their disobedience and idol worship. This was a very
low time in the history of Israel.
If we read on through the 40 verses of Chapter 6 a sad and tragic picture comes
into focus. Here are a few of the conditions that existed:
1. Sin
clearly was the cause of Israel’s
horrible predicament. Nothing else!
2. They
were defeated by their enemies – Midianites & Amalekites.
3. The
Israelites lived in constant fear for their lives.
4. They
lived in abject poverty. All their increase or crops when sown were stolen
& devoured.
5. They
cried out to the Lord for help and deliverance.
6. God sent
a prophet who rebuked them and told them to repent of their sins.
7. God sent
an angel to Gideon of a poor family in Manasseh to help deliver them.
The account of Gideon’s early
encounter with God’s angel. Judges 6:11 But one day the Angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the
oak tree at Ophrah, on the farm of Joash the Abiezrite. Joash's son, Gideon,
had been threshing wheat by hand in the bottom of a grape press-a pit where
grapes were pressed to make wine-for he was hiding from the Midianites.12 The
Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Mighty soldier, the Lord is
with you!" 13
"Stranger," Gideon replied, "if the Lord is with us, why has all
this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors have told us
about-such as when God brought them out of Egypt? Now the Lord has thrown us
away and has let the Midianites completely ruin us." 14 Then the Lord
turned to him and said, "I will make you strong! Go and save Israel from the
Midianites! I am sending you!" TLB
1. Gideon
was hiding from the Midianites. He was not fighting or leading a revolt. He was
not even engaging in worshiping Jehovah.
2. The
angel calls Gideon “Mighty man of valor” or “Mighty soldier”. He did not look
mighty and he did not feel like a mighty man either.
3. Gideon
makes it very clear that his family is of the lowest tribes of Israel and that
his own family had a very low opinion of him.
4. Then
Gideon replies and asks, “Where are the miracles the ancestors talked about”?“Why has all
this happened to us”? He also questions if God is really “with” them.
I suggest
that you take time to read Judges Chapters 6-8. He still struggled with faith
and asked for the proverbial “fleece” to prove that what God said was true.
After some difficulty in believing he finally steps out in obedience and is
used by God to deliver Israel
from their enemies with a small band of only 300 men using trumpets, pitchers,
and candles.
Finally the Israelites could emerge
from their dens and caves in the earth.
By the way, what is wrong with
living in a cave?
1. Most are
cold and damp. Caves are not usually healthy or comfortable.
2. You miss
the beautiful and healthy sunshine. (God’s Presence)
3. You
cannot feel the warm breeze of wind on your face. (Holy Spirit)
4. You
cannot experience the refreshing rains sent by God. (Cleansing and anointing of
God)
5. You
cannot fellowship with others. (Koinonia)
6. You
cannot preach the gospel or evangelize others while isolated.
7. Only
mushrooms and mold grow there. You cannot sit at God’s Table while there.
God’s Prophets (leaders) in Caves.
1 Kings 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he
had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto
Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life
as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3 And when he saw
that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth
to Judah,
and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the
wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for
himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my
life; for I am not better than my fathers. 9 And he came thither unto a cave,
and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said
unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? KJV
I hesitate
to write much on this topic. There is a hesitation for fear of being judgmental
of God’s anointed leaders. It however, cannot be escaped. Many men and women of
God once preached, taught and worshiped God with great power and anointing, but
now are hiding some where in cold damp cave. Elijah saw miracles that many
other prophets and preachers could only hope for. In James 5 Elijah is given as
an example of powerful effective prayer. As we read the account in Kings we see
him running, hiding, asking God to kill him and then finally in the cave in 1
Kings 19:9.
In recent
years the news trumpets with glee that another man or woman minister has fallen
into sin and disrepute. Then sadly many churches and web sites turn up the
volume and use this as their next Sunday’s sermon or article on the web site. I
was shocked about a year ago when conducting in internet search on a well known
evangelist. In the search I was led to sites that existed for the express
purpose of exposing the sins, doctrinal errors or the lack of financial
integrity of ministers and ministries. These web sites give the opportunity to
support them by online donations selling DVD’s or CD’s that specialize in
pointing out the sins of other men and women leaders. Nothing on the sites is
directed at preaching the Gospel to the lost. How very sad!
There is Hope!
I am
thankful that the Bible gives us clear insight into the lives of God’s leaders
such as Moses, David, Saul and Peter. They all failed to live for or serve God
at some time in their life, but then turned in repentance and were used by God.
The moral failure of Jimmy Bakker was headline news for quite some time. I have
seen his book, but admit not having read it yet – I Was Wrong. The news
doesn’t carry this part of their stories on the front pages. Many of these
women and men of God have found a place of repentance and are back on their
feet.
A number of
the cave dwelling ministers may not have even fallen into sin. They grew tired
and weary. They got spiritually dry and discouraged. They were attacked by
their own churches and denominational boards. Some did not have a proper prayer
covering for their ministry. God still loves them and has their address. I
recall one minister who had a failed marriage who left the ministry. I heard
that former pastor friends would call him just to let him know that they loved
him and were praying for him. By the grace of God, his marriage was restored
and he returned to many years of successful evangelism and pastoral ministry.
He heard the “still small voice” of God and came out of his cave. Now many have
been saved and blessed because of the ministry of this one former cave dweller.
These women and men of God once visited hundreds of hurting people in their
homes and hospitals. If you know of one of these persons why don’t you call
them, visit them and invite them to come and join you in the sunlight of God’s
Love? Don’t judge them! Just love them!
Japanese Hidden Christians
Kakure
Kirishitan (隠れキリシタン, Kakure
Kirishitan
Japanese for "Hidden Christian") is a
modern term for a member of the Japanese Roman Catholic Church that went underground
after the Shimabara Rebellion in the 1630s. Missionary
activities in Japan began in 1549, exclusively performed by Portuguese-sponsored
Jesuits and Spanish-sponsored mendicant
orders, such as the Franciscans and Dominicans.
Francisco
Xavier.
Christianity
at first spread very rapidly especially in the southwestern part of Japan on Kyushu Island.
Many powerful Daimyo (Lords) became Christians. Because of the nearby seaports
the Daimyo engaged in a lot of trading with foreign nations. This connection
with foreign nations concerned the shogunate in the Edo.
A systematic persecution and execution of Christians began. Estimates vary over
how many died, but undoubtedly it was in the 10’s of thousands. One source
stated that nearly 150,000 Christians went into hiding and became known as the Kakure Kirishitans.
From the early 1600’s through the early 1800’s Christianity was effectively
banned over all of Japan.
Watch this short video which shows that some elements of the Hidden Christian
worship stills exists today. Click here!
Hidden Christians Today
If you read
through the links offered above you know that many of the traditions and
practices of the Hidden Christians are still followed today. Legally and
socially it is no longer necessary to meet in secret to worship Jesus Christ.
The present constitution of Japan
guarantees religious freedom. We could address more on that subject, but will
not follow that line since our object is to write on present day “Hidden
Christians” in Japan.
Suffice it to say, many nations have laws that allow freedom of religion, but
only on the surface. In respect to society there are still many things which go
against Christianity and freedom of worship.
Japan’s population today is over 127
million. There is a very low birth rate and a growing social and political
problem due to the longevity of the Japanese people. Recently we read that
there are presently over 37,000 living in Japan over the age of 100. The
problem is that there are not enough younger people to support the medical and
social welfare support of the elderly after they retire from work. This year a
new law went into effect that began taxing the Japanese who are 75 years old or
more for their health insurance. It is a terrible burden on the elderly who
worked and paid taxes all of their lives.
Number of Christians in Japan?
We have
studied dozens of references with most differing in clearly defining just how
many Christians there are living in Japan. Some estimates range from 1
to 3 million. A recent Gallop Pool left more confusion that clarity on how many
here really believes in Jesus Christ. Other statistics put the average
membership of evangelical churches at 79 members with a Sunday morning
attendance at less than 40 people. The average age of pastors is 60 years of
age with there being more pastors 80 years old up than 30 years old or younger.
The statistics are not encouraging.
Many
Christian leaders in Japan
believe that there is a large number of present day “Hidden Christians” who are
not publicly confessing their faith. Again, I believe we must forego being
judgmental and critical. There is a tremendous unspoken pressure and opposition
against those who receive Jesus Christ and are baptized in water. For the sons
it means that they will no longer be able to keep and maintain the family
Buddhist altar. There are many public ceremonies that should be participated
in. Many of those holiday and ceremonies are tied directly to the Shinto and
Buddhist religions and practices. Companies exert a lot of pressure on workers
to take part in all activities that are conducted. To refuse leaves one open to
a number of negative consequences that have a negative effect on employment or
any future advancement within the company.
Schools
observe many holidays and hold ceremonies that relate, especially to Shinto.
The Christian in Japan
cannot escape the persecution from family, friends and society. Some then have
chosen to pray privately and read their Bible in secret, not telling family or
friends. This also brings about a terrible conflict with the Bible which instructs
us to share our faith with others. What are the Christians in Japan to do?
Hide their faith or share it?
How about Korea?
In a little
over 100 years Korea
has moved from a primarily Buddhist nation to one with a majority of
Christians. This is unprecedented in history. Originally Korea was very
strong in native Shamanism and Buddhism. Almost exactly 100 years ago a great
revival broke out in Pyongyang, the capital of
present day North Korea.
Most are surprised to learn that city was once known as the Jerusalem of the East. The greatest
seminaries used to be located in what is now North Korea.
What made the difference? In my opinion, one major factor was the terrible
persecution that took place under the Japanese occupation during the first 40
years of the 1900’s. It was a modern day example of ethnic cleansing. The
nation was stripped of almost all natural resources and thousands were forced
into slave labor in the coal mines of Japan. We live in a region where
many of those coal mines were located. Today was we go shopping we can see the
sad faces of the descendants of the Koreans forced to toil here nearly a
century ago.
In the
midst of persecution the Koreans began to cry out to God. Banned from open
Christian worship they went into the mountains to pray at 4-5 am before the sun
came up. This practice is said to have given way to the common early morning
prayer meeting that still takes place in almost all evangelical Korean churches
any where in the world. When the believers began to pray and seek God’s Face an
incredible revival broke out across South Korea. Now the nation has
many the world’s largest local churches - one being, Yoido Full Gospel church
which claims a membership of about 1 million people. In Korea persecution caused prayer and
joint prayer resulted in a tremendous national revival.
How About Japan’s Hidden Christians?
I am
satisfied with the statistic that states there are just over 1 million
Christians living in Japan
with about 8,000 churches. My problem in the past, as I looked at
evangelization of Japan
was that I was trying to figure out how we were going to raise up and train
several thousand pastors. Then quietly one day the Lord reminded me of the 1
million believers that are living here.
Exodus 19:6 And you shall be a kingdom of priests to God, a holy nation. TLB
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you
out of darkness into his wonderful light. NIV
Wow! There
was the answer to my prayer for Japan.
The leaders God is going to use as His ministers in Japan are presently sitting on the church
pews. Unfortunately a number of them are sitting at home on Sunday mornings. The
numerical odds are much better now. Just 1 believer to reach 127 other people
and the whole nation is evangelized! Now my daily prayers for Japan focus on
the local churches and the believers. I am praying for revival in each church
regardless of the denominational connection or background. I am asking for God
to call His wonderful Japanese Christians out of their dark caves into His
Wonderful Light. I am praying for God to empower them and anoint them with His
Holy Spirit.
The 1
million can rise up and reach the other 127 million in sharing God’s Love and
presenting the Gospel to their own family, friends, neighbors and nation. As we
stepped into this special time of September 1, 2008 through September 1, 2009,
I was amazed at the changes that began to take place from the very first day.
Prime Minister Fukuda suddenly stepped down as Prime Minister. The new Prime
Minister Aso Taro who happens to be from our small city was selected. Then I
found out that he is Roman Catholic. I began to pray for God to touch his heart
to lead as God directs him in a way to bless and benefit the average citizen of
the nation.
My Simple Prayer for Japan
Daily I
pray for and plead the Blood of Jesus Christ over the nation and the 127
million people. I pray for every region, island, prefecture (state), city,
town, village, neighborhood, every family and each person to be able to hear
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray for the 1 million believers, the churches,
pastors, ministers, and missionaries to be blessed and anointed to go forth to
share God’s Love and the Gospel with all others in the nation.
What can you do?
Please join with us in daily prayer for the nation and people of Japan. Please
pray daily for us as we continue to share God’s Love and the Gospel in Japan. Consider
sowing into this harvest field with prayer and financial
support.
May God
bless you richly!
Dan &
Sharon Corbett
”Reaching One Among Millions”
www.japanprayernetwork.com
www.lastdayswoman.com
www.peaceprayernetwork.com
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