Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. (Isaiah 58:8)
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (Psalm 37:6)
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. (Psalm 97:11)
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. (Psalm 112:4)
Remember that there are conditions for all this. God promises that our light will break forth as the morning when we readily help those in need with their practical needs and spiritual needs. The same blessing is given to the upright, so I hypothesise that the upright man is a man that does these practical things. It seems that the righteous man is essentially the same as the upright man.
It makes sense why we would want our righteousness to be like the morning light, but why would we want our judgment to be like the noonday? Do we want all our sins and faults to be on display?
No of course not, the sins of the wicked will face them, but not the righteous. Judgment is not a bad thing for the follower of Jesus. One who follows Christ is forgiven and his sins covered. His name will come up in the judgment and his deeds will be seen by the angels but not in his presence. The judgment will not find him "guilty" but rather "not guilty" and it will be shown to everyone that he was righteous. It is a comfort to me that when everyone thinks I have done something wrong when I have not it will be known one day that I was innocent. We do not necessarily need to vindicate ourselves, Jesus will do that. We never need to avenge ourselves, Christ will judge. The judgment is important and comforting and holds no fear to the sincere follower of Jesus.
Thursday 30 January 2014
Wednesday 29 January 2014
The Marriage Gamble
10 Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants 'ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength,
and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:10-31)
I read something in an article yesterday about a new law here that gives a woman the right to call the police to evict her husband from their home and prevent him from seeing their children. In both cases evidence was not required, only an accusation of abuse.
It gave me a twinge of fear like I have never had before about getting married in the future. If I get married to a selfish woman she will have almost complete power to use to manipulate me. There is nothing really different from this law and so many previous laws, but it highlights the complete helplessness of the husband in my society. I have always known it is important to choose a wife carefully, but it seems that the stakes just got a lot higher.
Reading this section from Proverbs 31 just now I see that nothing has changed that much. A husband has always needed to be able to trust his wife. A wife has always been able to destroy her husband. Therefore a trustworthy and selfless wife is the most valuable thing in the world.
You should see beauty in a woman if you are to marry her, but that is not the priority. If you want to find a woman that will not destroy your life she should fear Jehovah, then he will be faithful and learn the many things she will need to be a good mother.
Note to the ladies: if you are wanting to get married don't try to choose between faith or beauty, you must have both. Beauty does not come from makeup, jewellery or expensive clothes, that is what will make other women compliment you, it won't make you beautiful. Health of body, gentleness of character and soundness of mind are beautiful. Be feminine too, you may not mind using the clothes (e.g. trousers), behaviour (e.g. drinking) and conversation (e.g. swearing) of men but it's not at all beautiful for a woman.
for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants 'ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength,
and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:10-31)
I read something in an article yesterday about a new law here that gives a woman the right to call the police to evict her husband from their home and prevent him from seeing their children. In both cases evidence was not required, only an accusation of abuse.
It gave me a twinge of fear like I have never had before about getting married in the future. If I get married to a selfish woman she will have almost complete power to use to manipulate me. There is nothing really different from this law and so many previous laws, but it highlights the complete helplessness of the husband in my society. I have always known it is important to choose a wife carefully, but it seems that the stakes just got a lot higher.
Reading this section from Proverbs 31 just now I see that nothing has changed that much. A husband has always needed to be able to trust his wife. A wife has always been able to destroy her husband. Therefore a trustworthy and selfless wife is the most valuable thing in the world.
You should see beauty in a woman if you are to marry her, but that is not the priority. If you want to find a woman that will not destroy your life she should fear Jehovah, then he will be faithful and learn the many things she will need to be a good mother.
Note to the ladies: if you are wanting to get married don't try to choose between faith or beauty, you must have both. Beauty does not come from makeup, jewellery or expensive clothes, that is what will make other women compliment you, it won't make you beautiful. Health of body, gentleness of character and soundness of mind are beautiful. Be feminine too, you may not mind using the clothes (e.g. trousers), behaviour (e.g. drinking) and conversation (e.g. swearing) of men but it's not at all beautiful for a woman.
Wednesday 22 January 2014
As The Morning Light
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. (Isaiah 58:8)
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:10-11)
And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. (Job 11:17 - Zophar the Naamathite)
The quote from the book of Job may be useful to establish the idea that shining like the morning is a good thing, if we had not already. The person speaking there is one of Job's friends, I believe Job's friends were fundamentally wrong in their description of God and his ways (Job 42:7) so I don't trust anything they say. Therefore any point that rests on a quote from Job's friends is null or worse as far as I am concerned. But we don't need Zophar to imply for us that light is good; it is just worth knowing that this same language is used elsewhere as a description of great peace and security (look at context of Job 11).
So what is all this talk about light and the morning in Isaiah 58 about? I am inclined to think it makes sense as a direct word picture without need for cross referencing, though if you can think of any good references I'd be glad to see them.
Currently I see it in terms of a man who wakes up to do something outside (work or travel) before dawn, which would have been common enough in those days. It's a pity we don't rise before dawn these days, that's something I would like to do more often. The man is walking outside and it is dark enough that he stumbles a little bit. There is light, so he can see most obstacles, big things like trees and rocks. But he blunders against small branches and stones and steps on animal droppings. But gradually without him noticing, the light gets brighter. He would never be able to tell you when it happened, but suddenly it is broad daylight and he realises he has already stopped stumbling because he could see better than he realised. He is walking in the light but thinks he is walking in darkness. The man who walks and sunset has the opposite experience, the light is fading but he thinks he is walking in the light until he stumbles and falls.
The experience of having light rising like the morning is the experience of those at the end of time who will cease to stumble but not realise it until the broad daylight of Jesus' second advent comes. Do the good works that Jesus has given you and repent of your sins that your light may come as the morning.
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:10-11)
And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. (Job 11:17 - Zophar the Naamathite)
The quote from the book of Job may be useful to establish the idea that shining like the morning is a good thing, if we had not already. The person speaking there is one of Job's friends, I believe Job's friends were fundamentally wrong in their description of God and his ways (Job 42:7) so I don't trust anything they say. Therefore any point that rests on a quote from Job's friends is null or worse as far as I am concerned. But we don't need Zophar to imply for us that light is good; it is just worth knowing that this same language is used elsewhere as a description of great peace and security (look at context of Job 11).
So what is all this talk about light and the morning in Isaiah 58 about? I am inclined to think it makes sense as a direct word picture without need for cross referencing, though if you can think of any good references I'd be glad to see them.
Currently I see it in terms of a man who wakes up to do something outside (work or travel) before dawn, which would have been common enough in those days. It's a pity we don't rise before dawn these days, that's something I would like to do more often. The man is walking outside and it is dark enough that he stumbles a little bit. There is light, so he can see most obstacles, big things like trees and rocks. But he blunders against small branches and stones and steps on animal droppings. But gradually without him noticing, the light gets brighter. He would never be able to tell you when it happened, but suddenly it is broad daylight and he realises he has already stopped stumbling because he could see better than he realised. He is walking in the light but thinks he is walking in darkness. The man who walks and sunset has the opposite experience, the light is fading but he thinks he is walking in the light until he stumbles and falls.
The experience of having light rising like the morning is the experience of those at the end of time who will cease to stumble but not realise it until the broad daylight of Jesus' second advent comes. Do the good works that Jesus has given you and repent of your sins that your light may come as the morning.
Tuesday 21 January 2014
Importance of Testimony
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Revelation 6:9-11)
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. (Genesis 4:10)
A brief digression into Revelation.
Blood does not literally cry out but figuratively it demands justice. In the same way the deaths of the saints requires vindication and justice. Vindication means that the martyred saints that are still considered heretics must be shown to be righteous to the world. Justice means that the unrepentant persecutors of the saints who did not suffer for their crimes must be punished.
Martyrs are killed for the word of God or their testimony about him. We must be willing to die for these things, but not over issues that are not to do with God. Start sharing your testimony while you can, start learning the word of God while you can.
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. (Genesis 4:10)
A brief digression into Revelation.
Blood does not literally cry out but figuratively it demands justice. In the same way the deaths of the saints requires vindication and justice. Vindication means that the martyred saints that are still considered heretics must be shown to be righteous to the world. Justice means that the unrepentant persecutors of the saints who did not suffer for their crimes must be punished.
Martyrs are killed for the word of God or their testimony about him. We must be willing to die for these things, but not over issues that are not to do with God. Start sharing your testimony while you can, start learning the word of God while you can.
Monday 20 January 2014
Needy Neighbour
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:25-37)
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 John 3:17)
I feel like so often I am like the Levite. I do good religious things, I teach good religious things, I help people frequently. But when things just look too awkward or messy or difficult I think of a reason why I should not do it.
When I see someone with a need my immediate response must be to meet that need if I am able. Sometimes I am not able. There are people that I love, that I have watched suffer and been unable to help. That is sad, but it is not sin. But other times I have been able to help but do not because I do not love the person in need enough.
Jesus please change my heart so I love my neighbour as myself.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:25-37)
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 John 3:17)
I feel like so often I am like the Levite. I do good religious things, I teach good religious things, I help people frequently. But when things just look too awkward or messy or difficult I think of a reason why I should not do it.
When I see someone with a need my immediate response must be to meet that need if I am able. Sometimes I am not able. There are people that I love, that I have watched suffer and been unable to help. That is sad, but it is not sin. But other times I have been able to help but do not because I do not love the person in need enough.
Jesus please change my heart so I love my neighbour as myself.
Sunday 19 January 2014
Brother Begging
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. (Genesis 19:14)
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh. (Judges 9:2)
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. (Nehemiah 5:5)
The Lord is appealing to his people that they take care of the poor among them. He reminds them that these are people who are their relatives, although perhaps distant, they are their own flesh. When we see someone who is at least ostensibly (seems to be) in need it is so tempting to hide from them as much as we can. We walk on the other side of the road, we avert our eyes. We know that if we do not take these precautions, either we will weaken and give money or feel even worse about not giving.
I believe in cautious giving, giving money where it is really needed. But when I think about it, would it be such a great burden to give a dollar even if it is every day? It would be a small price for the spiritual blessing I would receive from giving.
For me to hide my face from a beggar hurts me both mentally and spiritually. What about in places where there are more beggars than the sands of the sea? Probably better to be giving to or helping in a place that teaches people in those places because eventually you will have to turn someone away. But here in Australia, where there are ten or twenty beggars in the inner city and that is all, I probably ought to give a little even if it is just to save my own soul from a slow and painful death.
What if they were my relatives or close friends, my own flesh? Would I hide myself then?
And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. (Genesis 19:14)
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh. (Judges 9:2)
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. (Nehemiah 5:5)
The Lord is appealing to his people that they take care of the poor among them. He reminds them that these are people who are their relatives, although perhaps distant, they are their own flesh. When we see someone who is at least ostensibly (seems to be) in need it is so tempting to hide from them as much as we can. We walk on the other side of the road, we avert our eyes. We know that if we do not take these precautions, either we will weaken and give money or feel even worse about not giving.
I believe in cautious giving, giving money where it is really needed. But when I think about it, would it be such a great burden to give a dollar even if it is every day? It would be a small price for the spiritual blessing I would receive from giving.
For me to hide my face from a beggar hurts me both mentally and spiritually. What about in places where there are more beggars than the sands of the sea? Probably better to be giving to or helping in a place that teaches people in those places because eventually you will have to turn someone away. But here in Australia, where there are ten or twenty beggars in the inner city and that is all, I probably ought to give a little even if it is just to save my own soul from a slow and painful death.
What if they were my relatives or close friends, my own flesh? Would I hide myself then?
Saturday 18 January 2014
The Way of the Revivalist
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (Luke 3:11)
John the Baptiser, the great revivalist. What kind of revival did he promote?
When people asked John how they could show true repentance he told them to share with those in need. If a man only had two garments he was to give one to a man that had none. Food was also to be shared. This is all consistent with the revival fast proclaimed in Isaiah 58:7 a fast from selfishness, forcing the selfish desires into submission under love.
The message here is very practical and should result in practical outworking, I should be doing it and so should you. If we want revival enough, we will do it.
I recently did a fairly large act of service, and my love for the person I was serving made it feel easy. If we love much then it will not seem a great thing to give much. If we love little… we have a problem.
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (Luke 3:11)
John the Baptiser, the great revivalist. What kind of revival did he promote?
When people asked John how they could show true repentance he told them to share with those in need. If a man only had two garments he was to give one to a man that had none. Food was also to be shared. This is all consistent with the revival fast proclaimed in Isaiah 58:7 a fast from selfishness, forcing the selfish desires into submission under love.
The message here is very practical and should result in practical outworking, I should be doing it and so should you. If we want revival enough, we will do it.
I recently did a fairly large act of service, and my love for the person I was serving made it feel easy. If we love much then it will not seem a great thing to give much. If we love little… we have a problem.
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