Ethan was one of King David's Levites; perhaps his family was too. He had been trained by David and learned his trade well, for the Lord also made him a prophet. It's good to see those who are converted under our ministry being instruments of the Lord in a glorious way. This is our fulfillment in Christ: knowing that we are trained by Him to pass on the anointing to those who will succeed us, preparing them to serve the Father. The ministry must continue!

       God's work is like a wedding, and we are the bride. This symbolism is one of the greatest lessons to be learned. We are responsible for those who are born from us, in His Kingdom, in order to make them servants and faithful stewards of the blessings of the Gospel. But unfortunately, many who could bear fruit for the Lord act contrary to what they have been instructed. Take care not to fall prey to the devil's deception (Genesis 3)!

       Ethan served in David's ministry faithfully and therefore worked on behalf of the divine work as a prophet. From Psalm 89, we see that the Holy Spirit was using him in a great way, and the verse in question takes us back a thousand years, as it speaks of the Lord who would die on the cross, suffering in our place. Jesus took upon Himself our sins, our pains and infirmities and, in the end, when everything was upon Him, He also suffered our mockery (Isaiah 53:4-9).

       In the spirit of prophecy, Ethan made the request contained in the verse under study to the Master. Today, none of us should consider ourselves sick, defeated or sinful. We were with Christ on the cross, just as we were with Him in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:5). Now, the Master saw that there was nothing left to pay, even the price of mockery. The Savior cried out: “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit (John 19:30b). Thus, our sorrows are over!

       Jeremiah was the prophet who wept in the streets of Jerusalem, asking the people to return to the Lord, because they would spend 70 years in Babylon, learning with hardship what they had refused to learn for free. He saw the future and prophesied: “The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; He will no longer send you to captivity” (Lamentations 4.22a). Our learning problem has been solved; now we just have to understand the Bible and practice it!

      Jesus bore the disdain of powerful sinners in His bosom in order to give them salvation, not punishment. Therefore, whoever repents of their transgressions and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior has the right to be saved and transformed into a son who will not lie, but will prove that he believes the Word. Why did Christ pay such a high price? To redeem us from the Fall and its consequences for the Kingdom of Heaven. However, there are those who say that today God no longer heals the sick. Watch out!

      It's time for the Church to forget about religious doctrines that have arisen in the minds of men, even if some have good intentions. They don't come from the heart of God and are therefore worthless. Those enlightened by the Word give thanks for the forgiveness of sins and the healing brought by Christ. The Lord has commanded us to teach all the things He has shown us (Matthew 28:18-20). Will we obey?

      In Christ, with love,

      R. R. Soares