In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. (Ezekiel 40:2)
I've been skimming through Ezekiel 40-43 this morning. I've never noticed it before, strangely enough. It is not a description of ancient Jerusalem as I thought, but definitely seems to be a description of the New Jerusalem that will come down from heaven. I'm sure I could give a lot of study to it, maybe I should.
Thursday 31 July 2014
Wednesday 30 July 2014
Romans 4:17-22 // Saving Faith
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (Romans 4:17-22)
Verse 16 describes how the promise to Abraham was not about his physical descendants only but about those who shared his faith. It goes on to say that Abraham is the father of us all (every Christian I take it). Verse 17 offers evidence for the universality of the promise to Abraham from Genesis 17:5: ...a father of many nations have I made thee.
So perhaps I stopped last time a little bit early. Because I cut off in the middle of a sentence. In my defence, Paul writes incredibly long sentences.
Anyway, verse 17 carries on the idea of verse 16: We all receive the benefits of the promise made to Abraham if we have his faith, because he is the father of all of us because the God he believed in is beyond our human limitations. God can restore life to the man who has died and turned to dust or ashes, if he can do that he can make me to be a son of Abraham. God can speak in a vacuum and stars and planets come into existence, if he can do that he can make me to be a son of Abraham.
So because of his belief in God's infinite power and reliability, Abraham hoped that he would have a son with Sarah, even though perhaps he sometimes thought he was crazy. God had specifically promised him physical descendants, and he took God at his word and although he and his wife were very old he did the necessary thing to make it come true, the part that was possible for him to act. This is the faith of Abraham, a belief that leads to action, and an action that requires belief. He gave glory to God in this, which must surely mean that well before there was any evidence of it, he told people that Jehovah was going to give him a child with Sarah. People would have laughed at him, and perhaps at God, but when the thing came true, people would give God the glory rather than Abraham.
The art of giving God the glory is an important and difficult one. But when you have a promise from God (a real promise that applies to you) then speak and act as if you are certain it is true, even if you have doubts. When it comes true, God will be glorified.
Verse 16 describes how the promise to Abraham was not about his physical descendants only but about those who shared his faith. It goes on to say that Abraham is the father of us all (every Christian I take it). Verse 17 offers evidence for the universality of the promise to Abraham from Genesis 17:5: ...a father of many nations have I made thee.
So perhaps I stopped last time a little bit early. Because I cut off in the middle of a sentence. In my defence, Paul writes incredibly long sentences.
Anyway, verse 17 carries on the idea of verse 16: We all receive the benefits of the promise made to Abraham if we have his faith, because he is the father of all of us because the God he believed in is beyond our human limitations. God can restore life to the man who has died and turned to dust or ashes, if he can do that he can make me to be a son of Abraham. God can speak in a vacuum and stars and planets come into existence, if he can do that he can make me to be a son of Abraham.
So because of his belief in God's infinite power and reliability, Abraham hoped that he would have a son with Sarah, even though perhaps he sometimes thought he was crazy. God had specifically promised him physical descendants, and he took God at his word and although he and his wife were very old he did the necessary thing to make it come true, the part that was possible for him to act. This is the faith of Abraham, a belief that leads to action, and an action that requires belief. He gave glory to God in this, which must surely mean that well before there was any evidence of it, he told people that Jehovah was going to give him a child with Sarah. People would have laughed at him, and perhaps at God, but when the thing came true, people would give God the glory rather than Abraham.
The art of giving God the glory is an important and difficult one. But when you have a promise from God (a real promise that applies to you) then speak and act as if you are certain it is true, even if you have doubts. When it comes true, God will be glorified.
Tuesday 29 July 2014
Romans 4:16 // Father Abraham
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all (Romans 4:16)
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (Genesis 18:19)
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Luke 3:8)
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. (John 8:39)
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7)
We used to sing a light-hearted song in Sunday School: "Father Abraham has many sons… I am one of them and so are you…" I remember distinctly liking this song because the actions we were supposed to do were like a workout for a little boy. I'd be waving my arms and hopping from foot to foot and nodding my head and spinning around all at once and it felt good because I knew it was difficult and I could do it. Sometimes I think the church loses boys because it refuses to challenge them.
I always wondered though, how are we all children of Abraham? I was pretty sure I did not have any Jewish or Arab ancestry, and I didn't know anyone else in the whole Sunday School that did. So why did the song make this false claim? It troubled me a bit.
But when we look at what the scriptures say about Abraham, we learn that those who are children of Abraham are those who have faith like Abraham (Gal 3:7) and therefore do the right thing like Abraham (Jn 8:39). That is why Jesus claimed that God could create new children of Abraham from rocks. Abraham would not, could not, literally be their ancestor, but they could be like him in these two qualities. Regarding these two qualities: the faith of Abraham (as Paul says) is the essential quality. Everyone who has the faith of Abraham is therefore a child of Abraham, but faith is invisible. The actions of Abraham on the other hand are the result of the faith, and all the children of Abraham will therefore do good things like Abraham. So the first of these traits is the cause and the latter trait is the effect.
Why does God use this metaphor of fathers and children? In Genesis 18:19 Jehovah gives the one reason that I know of why Abraham was chosen and not someone else (like Job for example?). Abraham was a man that God knew would teach his children his faith in such a way that they would teach their children and so on. The children of Abraham are those who have learned faith from Abraham, and we do so by reading about him in the Scriptures.
What are my words and actions teaching other people about faith?
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (Genesis 18:19)
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Luke 3:8)
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. (John 8:39)
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7)
We used to sing a light-hearted song in Sunday School: "Father Abraham has many sons… I am one of them and so are you…" I remember distinctly liking this song because the actions we were supposed to do were like a workout for a little boy. I'd be waving my arms and hopping from foot to foot and nodding my head and spinning around all at once and it felt good because I knew it was difficult and I could do it. Sometimes I think the church loses boys because it refuses to challenge them.
I always wondered though, how are we all children of Abraham? I was pretty sure I did not have any Jewish or Arab ancestry, and I didn't know anyone else in the whole Sunday School that did. So why did the song make this false claim? It troubled me a bit.
But when we look at what the scriptures say about Abraham, we learn that those who are children of Abraham are those who have faith like Abraham (Gal 3:7) and therefore do the right thing like Abraham (Jn 8:39). That is why Jesus claimed that God could create new children of Abraham from rocks. Abraham would not, could not, literally be their ancestor, but they could be like him in these two qualities. Regarding these two qualities: the faith of Abraham (as Paul says) is the essential quality. Everyone who has the faith of Abraham is therefore a child of Abraham, but faith is invisible. The actions of Abraham on the other hand are the result of the faith, and all the children of Abraham will therefore do good things like Abraham. So the first of these traits is the cause and the latter trait is the effect.
Why does God use this metaphor of fathers and children? In Genesis 18:19 Jehovah gives the one reason that I know of why Abraham was chosen and not someone else (like Job for example?). Abraham was a man that God knew would teach his children his faith in such a way that they would teach their children and so on. The children of Abraham are those who have learned faith from Abraham, and we do so by reading about him in the Scriptures.
What are my words and actions teaching other people about faith?
Sunday 27 July 2014
Grace and Circumcision in Romans 4:6-15
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (Romans 4:6-15)
I have been astounded to hear certain Christians say with certainty, yea, with conviction, that those who died before the cross were lost or saved on the grounds of their keeping of the law and those after the cross can only be saved by grace and ought to disregard the law. I think there are probably many Christians who love Jesus that share this belief, though they may not be so sure of it. Nobody could come to this conclusion by reading the Bible with a desire to learn. Somebody must have made this belief up and found some Bible texts to support it and then taught others likewise. If you are one of these false teachers, Jesus has a special message just for you: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven... (Matthew 5:19) I suggest you rethink your doctrine.
So is Paul contradicting the rest of the Bible in this section of Romans? ...and the scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35) No he cannot be, unless he is a false prophet, so either the rest of the Bible is right and Paul is wrong or they are both right and they do not contradict each other.
Paul has been speaking of how Abraham was declared a good man by God, not because he was especially good, but because he loved and trusted God enough to be willing to learn from him and obey him. He continues:
King David taught the idea of salvation by grace as well, for example saying: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:1-2) This holiness is a blessing from God, not hard earnings. So was this blessing available to circumcised men only or also to uncircumcised men? [Note: It seems that women are not the subject of discussion here, since Paul is addressing a specific issue in the early church that was only relevant to men.] Well, as we saw earlier, Abraham received this blessing of salvation by faith and not by his own deeds, and when did he receive it? It was at a time when he had not yet been circumcised, and he received the sign of circumcision afterwards as a symbol of his justifying faith (faith in God that freed him from guilt). The fact that God declared Abraham righteous before he was circumcised makes him the spiritual father of all who have faith in the true God, whether circumcised or uncircumcised.
After all, the promise that Abraham would bring blessing to all nations (Genesis 22:18) can't be fulfilled by him personally, or by only those who are genetically descended from him, but by everyone that inherits his faith. If God made a rule that all Abraham's legal descendants must be saved then they could say anything, do anything, think anything; they could be totally evil and still be guaranteed heaven. That doesn't make any sense at all, especially since such an unrestrained posterity would be unlikely to bless the world. That is, a group of people who could do anything and still be guaranteed blissful eternal life would be very dangerous to have living next door. The moral law is there to show the difference between right and wrong, and if someone does wrong and never repents he will be punished.
Those of us who are of faith are here to fulfil the promise to Abraham which can be fulfilled in us through Jesus. Let's be a blessing to the world today, giving other people priority and speaking the truth even when it costs us something.
I could apply this matter of preferring others to my driving. Let others get to their destination before you.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (Romans 4:6-15)
I have been astounded to hear certain Christians say with certainty, yea, with conviction, that those who died before the cross were lost or saved on the grounds of their keeping of the law and those after the cross can only be saved by grace and ought to disregard the law. I think there are probably many Christians who love Jesus that share this belief, though they may not be so sure of it. Nobody could come to this conclusion by reading the Bible with a desire to learn. Somebody must have made this belief up and found some Bible texts to support it and then taught others likewise. If you are one of these false teachers, Jesus has a special message just for you: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven... (Matthew 5:19) I suggest you rethink your doctrine.
So is Paul contradicting the rest of the Bible in this section of Romans? ...and the scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35) No he cannot be, unless he is a false prophet, so either the rest of the Bible is right and Paul is wrong or they are both right and they do not contradict each other.
Paul has been speaking of how Abraham was declared a good man by God, not because he was especially good, but because he loved and trusted God enough to be willing to learn from him and obey him. He continues:
King David taught the idea of salvation by grace as well, for example saying: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:1-2) This holiness is a blessing from God, not hard earnings. So was this blessing available to circumcised men only or also to uncircumcised men? [Note: It seems that women are not the subject of discussion here, since Paul is addressing a specific issue in the early church that was only relevant to men.] Well, as we saw earlier, Abraham received this blessing of salvation by faith and not by his own deeds, and when did he receive it? It was at a time when he had not yet been circumcised, and he received the sign of circumcision afterwards as a symbol of his justifying faith (faith in God that freed him from guilt). The fact that God declared Abraham righteous before he was circumcised makes him the spiritual father of all who have faith in the true God, whether circumcised or uncircumcised.
After all, the promise that Abraham would bring blessing to all nations (Genesis 22:18) can't be fulfilled by him personally, or by only those who are genetically descended from him, but by everyone that inherits his faith. If God made a rule that all Abraham's legal descendants must be saved then they could say anything, do anything, think anything; they could be totally evil and still be guaranteed heaven. That doesn't make any sense at all, especially since such an unrestrained posterity would be unlikely to bless the world. That is, a group of people who could do anything and still be guaranteed blissful eternal life would be very dangerous to have living next door. The moral law is there to show the difference between right and wrong, and if someone does wrong and never repents he will be punished.
Those of us who are of faith are here to fulfil the promise to Abraham which can be fulfilled in us through Jesus. Let's be a blessing to the world today, giving other people priority and speaking the truth even when it costs us something.
I could apply this matter of preferring others to my driving. Let others get to their destination before you.
Saturday 26 July 2014
Romans 4:1-5 // Romans Continued: Salvation of Abraham.
So a few days ago I finished my series on Isaiah 58, I was able to reflect on so many practical aspects of Christianity how how to have direction from God and how to treat those in need. But I think it was early last year that I interrupted a series on Romans for a series on the Psalms and I never got back to it. I just looked through my posts and I think I found the last one on Romans.
It was called "Faith Establishes the Law" and was based on Romans 3:27-31
I would like to resume it. Although it was very theological in nature and therefore may seem unsuitable for a devotion, I found that by having to engage my mind to understand the basic meaning of these passages, I was more easily able to apply this basic meaning to my life.
There were a couple of differences in the style I used in Romans compared to Isaiah. In Isaiah I used The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge Online Concordance to refer to an "exhaustive" (?) list of cross-references for each verse. In Romans I did a few verses at a time and focussed on nutting out the wording by using various translations and referring to the Greek if necessary. This is kind of necessary because the book of Romans is much longer than a single chapter of Isaiah. But I will still refer to other passages if I need them.
This is where we left off:
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (Romans 3:27-31)
From earlier: "Does the fact that faith is the source of our law-keeping make the law itself useless? That is a ridiculous proposition; the law tells us right and wrong but does not empower us to do it. Knowing right and wrong is not enough; we must do right and reject wrong. Only by faith will we be able to keep the law; faith establishes the law in our souls. That does not change the law itself; but our way of striving to keep it."
We now continue.
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:1-5)
What was the experience of Abraham, our ancestor? What were his actions like? After all, everyone would need to give credit to Abraham if his actions had all been right and just. But although some people might think Abraham was good enough for heaven, God knows better.
As the Bible says: And he (Abram) believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) If Abraham did enough good things to get into heaven. If his good deeds outweighed his bad deeds or if he attainted to some benchmark of holiness for heaven. Then God would have owed him eternal life, it would not have been a gift. But Abraham did not deserve eternal life by what he did, the reason he was saved was that he had a trusting relationship with Jehovah, who offers mercy to the man who has been wicked.
This trusting relationship with Jehovah was the reason that God said "Abraham is righteous" not the mediocre deeds that Abraham actually did.
The same applies to you and me: even if, like the thief on the cross, I am not able to do (hardly) any good thing after my conversion, if I acknowledge my wickedness and throw myself on the mercy of Jesus he will save me. It took faith for the thief on the cross to ask salvation from a man being crucified next to him. It takes faith to trust Jesus for my salvation, there are so many different things that can lead me away from that belief.
But it is true, there is plenty of evidence for those who are willing to find it.
It was called "Faith Establishes the Law" and was based on Romans 3:27-31
I would like to resume it. Although it was very theological in nature and therefore may seem unsuitable for a devotion, I found that by having to engage my mind to understand the basic meaning of these passages, I was more easily able to apply this basic meaning to my life.
There were a couple of differences in the style I used in Romans compared to Isaiah. In Isaiah I used The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge Online Concordance to refer to an "exhaustive" (?) list of cross-references for each verse. In Romans I did a few verses at a time and focussed on nutting out the wording by using various translations and referring to the Greek if necessary. This is kind of necessary because the book of Romans is much longer than a single chapter of Isaiah. But I will still refer to other passages if I need them.
This is where we left off:
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (Romans 3:27-31)
From earlier: "Does the fact that faith is the source of our law-keeping make the law itself useless? That is a ridiculous proposition; the law tells us right and wrong but does not empower us to do it. Knowing right and wrong is not enough; we must do right and reject wrong. Only by faith will we be able to keep the law; faith establishes the law in our souls. That does not change the law itself; but our way of striving to keep it."
We now continue.
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:1-5)
What was the experience of Abraham, our ancestor? What were his actions like? After all, everyone would need to give credit to Abraham if his actions had all been right and just. But although some people might think Abraham was good enough for heaven, God knows better.
As the Bible says: And he (Abram) believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) If Abraham did enough good things to get into heaven. If his good deeds outweighed his bad deeds or if he attainted to some benchmark of holiness for heaven. Then God would have owed him eternal life, it would not have been a gift. But Abraham did not deserve eternal life by what he did, the reason he was saved was that he had a trusting relationship with Jehovah, who offers mercy to the man who has been wicked.
This trusting relationship with Jehovah was the reason that God said "Abraham is righteous" not the mediocre deeds that Abraham actually did.
The same applies to you and me: even if, like the thief on the cross, I am not able to do (hardly) any good thing after my conversion, if I acknowledge my wickedness and throw myself on the mercy of Jesus he will save me. It took faith for the thief on the cross to ask salvation from a man being crucified next to him. It takes faith to trust Jesus for my salvation, there are so many different things that can lead me away from that belief.
But it is true, there is plenty of evidence for those who are willing to find it.
Friday 25 July 2014
The Successful Christian
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)
These are relevant passages to my Sabbath School lesson this morning, the first one is our memory verse.
The context of the first passage is Paul's situation and how God can provide for him, there's a famous verse not long after that means that although learning to enjoy miserable conditions seems impossible, Paul (we also) can do it because of the power of Jesus Christ.
The context of the second passage is more general, it is speaking of the importance of contentment. This is the theme of my Numbers 12 Sabbath School lesson. But I want to draw attention to the previous verse:
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6:5)
"Supposing that gain is godliness" this phrase troubled me for years. I don't mean it convicted me. The problem was I couldn't understand how anyone could think such an absurd thing. What makes it worse is that condemnation of people who make a similar equation between gain and godliness is found in other places in the New Testament. Is Paul boxing shadows or jousting windmills? I couldn't think of anyone that would seriously suggest that rich people were all good, here is Australia we tend to condemn the rich until they prove themselves generous, and we don't make it easy for them to prove it.
These were my thoughts, and I wondered if this small part of the Bible had to be simply relegated to insignificance. But I did not want to conclude this, and I did not. We need to believe the scriptures in 2 Timothy 3:16 where we are told that all Scripture is useful for something.
Then as I grew older and began to see more of the world and began to think more critically and began to be on the receiving end of more meaningful prejudice than simply getting teased for this or that; I realised that this false doctrine of prosperity is so alive and so widespread that I had not been able to see it. I had held this false belief, so of course I could not see it for what it was.
In ancient times, the rich were also the most powerful. Governments as we understand them did not exist until perhaps Rome or at a pinch the Delian League (Athens). Society was built on simple principles of buying power and brute force. Maybe I'm being a bit unfair on ancient society, the ancients had many virtues as well, but I am so glad to be living in the twenty-first century. So military success and financial success were the two avenues of power in the ancient world. For Christians in the first century, military success was completely out of the question. Jews and Christians shared the Sabbath, and what good is a soldier that won't do anything one day in seven? Also, unlike the Jews, the early Christians are thought by some scholars to have been conscientious objectors in general. That is, they were not pacifists in the modern sense of refusing to be involved in war even indirectly (such as manufacturing steel), but they felt it was against their purpose and values to do violence to any man. Idolatry was also an integral part of the Roman Army.
So for a first century Christian, the only avenue for prestige and power in the world (success) was through money. So many Christians must have worked very hard to gain a lot of money. Interestingly, Paul seems to be criticising a teaching that the ability to gain a lot of money is not merely evidence of godliness but that it is (in and of itself) godliness. So the rich church members in the early church would be liked, and elected to the church board (if they had one, they may have had something similar) because clearly this is a good man or woman that God has blessed to become so successful. Well, Paul said it was a trait of the false teachers he was condemning to make this argument, and Paul said the virtuous thing was to be happy to stay poor but be hospitable and do things for people and so on.
But what am I going on about? How is this relevant? Unfortunately, I think it is all too relevant. I think we have an almost identical problem in the church today.
But today the world has moved on, and we have followed it. The world today, instead of fawning over those who have a lot of money, is a bit more divided, but most people assume that rich people got that way by luck or dishonesty. It is the old reverse snobbery, where those of us who are not from wealthy families think we're better than the rest and that the rich are oppressing us. For the record, my parents grew up working class and I grew up middle class.
What is success today? Being a medical doctor is success, at least to the middle classes. I have been counselling my little sister who's a brilliant student on her career choices and although I keep telling her the disadvantages of being a doctor I can't help saying she should still apply for medicine. Why? Mostly because there is a glory in being a doctor. You get instant respect. We all admire doctors, all of them, even the average ones. It is the pinnacle of virtue. They help people, they are smart and knowledgable, they are scientists of sorts, they experience drama and excitement, they hold our lives in their hands. Medical doctors sum up the ideals of our society and anyone involved in medicine has a similar aura of righteousness. Except maybe cosmetic surgeons and dentists!
I almost wrote this just now: "Doctors are wonderful people" but if I had stated that as fact I would have been making the exact mistake I am talking about. Some doctors are wonderful, some are not, as any nurse could tell you no doubt. Just because someone is a doctor or any other profession that our society has labelled "aspirational" does not make him a good person. But there is that respect for doctors in the church, they are given positions of authority that have no relevance to medicine over others who are equally spiritual and are able and willing to give it a lot more of their time. We need more handymen in the leadership of the local church, more construction workers and cleaners. Not because they have these roles, but because spirituality is not confined to those who are successful in the world.
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (James 2:5-6)
Those men who are humble in the world's eyes can go and study theology and become a pastor, and that elevates them a bit. But why should they need to do this? Every role in the church should be given to the one who has the aptitude, the spiritual stability and the time to do it well.
One of my sisters is in a leadership role in a Christian denomination that pays none of its pastors. The pastors work as cleaners and so on, to make a living while they minister. I don't think this is a good idea, but the point is this: Why can that church be led by cleaners and gardeners and in our churches these people are so often only seen as fit to take up the offering at best?
Many of us in the church today worship what we call "success". We think that any man who is successful in the world's eyes is the best candidate for leadership in our church. This is a dangerous delusion.
I don't think I ought to complain about this to church leaders, partly because the problem is probably not as widespread as I think. But I need to remind myself of this a lot, because I am as bad as anyone when it comes to thinking this way.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)
These are relevant passages to my Sabbath School lesson this morning, the first one is our memory verse.
The context of the first passage is Paul's situation and how God can provide for him, there's a famous verse not long after that means that although learning to enjoy miserable conditions seems impossible, Paul (we also) can do it because of the power of Jesus Christ.
The context of the second passage is more general, it is speaking of the importance of contentment. This is the theme of my Numbers 12 Sabbath School lesson. But I want to draw attention to the previous verse:
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6:5)
"Supposing that gain is godliness" this phrase troubled me for years. I don't mean it convicted me. The problem was I couldn't understand how anyone could think such an absurd thing. What makes it worse is that condemnation of people who make a similar equation between gain and godliness is found in other places in the New Testament. Is Paul boxing shadows or jousting windmills? I couldn't think of anyone that would seriously suggest that rich people were all good, here is Australia we tend to condemn the rich until they prove themselves generous, and we don't make it easy for them to prove it.
These were my thoughts, and I wondered if this small part of the Bible had to be simply relegated to insignificance. But I did not want to conclude this, and I did not. We need to believe the scriptures in 2 Timothy 3:16 where we are told that all Scripture is useful for something.
Then as I grew older and began to see more of the world and began to think more critically and began to be on the receiving end of more meaningful prejudice than simply getting teased for this or that; I realised that this false doctrine of prosperity is so alive and so widespread that I had not been able to see it. I had held this false belief, so of course I could not see it for what it was.
In ancient times, the rich were also the most powerful. Governments as we understand them did not exist until perhaps Rome or at a pinch the Delian League (Athens). Society was built on simple principles of buying power and brute force. Maybe I'm being a bit unfair on ancient society, the ancients had many virtues as well, but I am so glad to be living in the twenty-first century. So military success and financial success were the two avenues of power in the ancient world. For Christians in the first century, military success was completely out of the question. Jews and Christians shared the Sabbath, and what good is a soldier that won't do anything one day in seven? Also, unlike the Jews, the early Christians are thought by some scholars to have been conscientious objectors in general. That is, they were not pacifists in the modern sense of refusing to be involved in war even indirectly (such as manufacturing steel), but they felt it was against their purpose and values to do violence to any man. Idolatry was also an integral part of the Roman Army.
So for a first century Christian, the only avenue for prestige and power in the world (success) was through money. So many Christians must have worked very hard to gain a lot of money. Interestingly, Paul seems to be criticising a teaching that the ability to gain a lot of money is not merely evidence of godliness but that it is (in and of itself) godliness. So the rich church members in the early church would be liked, and elected to the church board (if they had one, they may have had something similar) because clearly this is a good man or woman that God has blessed to become so successful. Well, Paul said it was a trait of the false teachers he was condemning to make this argument, and Paul said the virtuous thing was to be happy to stay poor but be hospitable and do things for people and so on.
But what am I going on about? How is this relevant? Unfortunately, I think it is all too relevant. I think we have an almost identical problem in the church today.
But today the world has moved on, and we have followed it. The world today, instead of fawning over those who have a lot of money, is a bit more divided, but most people assume that rich people got that way by luck or dishonesty. It is the old reverse snobbery, where those of us who are not from wealthy families think we're better than the rest and that the rich are oppressing us. For the record, my parents grew up working class and I grew up middle class.
What is success today? Being a medical doctor is success, at least to the middle classes. I have been counselling my little sister who's a brilliant student on her career choices and although I keep telling her the disadvantages of being a doctor I can't help saying she should still apply for medicine. Why? Mostly because there is a glory in being a doctor. You get instant respect. We all admire doctors, all of them, even the average ones. It is the pinnacle of virtue. They help people, they are smart and knowledgable, they are scientists of sorts, they experience drama and excitement, they hold our lives in their hands. Medical doctors sum up the ideals of our society and anyone involved in medicine has a similar aura of righteousness. Except maybe cosmetic surgeons and dentists!
I almost wrote this just now: "Doctors are wonderful people" but if I had stated that as fact I would have been making the exact mistake I am talking about. Some doctors are wonderful, some are not, as any nurse could tell you no doubt. Just because someone is a doctor or any other profession that our society has labelled "aspirational" does not make him a good person. But there is that respect for doctors in the church, they are given positions of authority that have no relevance to medicine over others who are equally spiritual and are able and willing to give it a lot more of their time. We need more handymen in the leadership of the local church, more construction workers and cleaners. Not because they have these roles, but because spirituality is not confined to those who are successful in the world.
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (James 2:5-6)
Those men who are humble in the world's eyes can go and study theology and become a pastor, and that elevates them a bit. But why should they need to do this? Every role in the church should be given to the one who has the aptitude, the spiritual stability and the time to do it well.
One of my sisters is in a leadership role in a Christian denomination that pays none of its pastors. The pastors work as cleaners and so on, to make a living while they minister. I don't think this is a good idea, but the point is this: Why can that church be led by cleaners and gardeners and in our churches these people are so often only seen as fit to take up the offering at best?
Many of us in the church today worship what we call "success". We think that any man who is successful in the world's eyes is the best candidate for leadership in our church. This is a dangerous delusion.
I don't think I ought to complain about this to church leaders, partly because the problem is probably not as widespread as I think. But I need to remind myself of this a lot, because I am as bad as anyone when it comes to thinking this way.
Thursday 24 July 2014
Making Choices
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psalm 25:9)
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. (Deuteronomy 1:17)
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:24)
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. (Proverbs 11:3)
We know basically what a meek person is, one who is willing to be taught by God and willing to be overruled when appropriate.
But what does it mean for God to guide someone in judgment? I want God to guide me, I want to make the best decisions and God has access to all the information to make the very best decisions. I want God's help, but how would he help me?
First, what is judgment? God says in Psalm 25 that he will guide the meek in judgment. What is that? Deuteronomy 1:17 is one of many examples where the word "judgment" (Hebrew: Mishpat) is used elsewhere in Scripture. Essentially, the word is similar to the concept of "deciding", sometimes between a right and a wrong, sometimes between two options, but often in very complex situations. We could call it "situational wisdom" the ability to apply wisdom in a specific situation, where true wisdom is sharing God's paradigm (world view) to build other knowledge onto and to back up decisions. So judgment is the mental ability to make decisions. Should I call this person? When should I call this person? How should I speak to this person? All these decisions are made by the judgment of the mind, so how does God influence the judgment of the mind? Does he want me to pray "God, please open a door/ close a door/ give me a sign/ give me an impression/ give me a 6 on the dice/ appear to me in a vision." We shall see. What does "guide" mean?
Psalm 73:24 teaches us that God will guide us using his counsel. What is counsel? Counsel is advice. That is probably why God guides the meek, because they are the ones who are willing to take advice. If you follow Buddha's counsel you will probably have a reasonably happy life, you just won't live forever. If you follow Joe Blow's counsel you will probably be miserable and relieved when death comes, because the chances of him being wise are slim (this is a generic name for the average person). If you follow God's counsel he will use this to inform your decision-making process. The Bible is full of God's advice, not all of the Bible is full of requirements, a lot of it is counsel from Christ. Correct counsel is what your brain needs to make the best decisions.
Also, Proverbs 11:3 instructs us that good people are guided in decision-making by their integrity. What is integrity? It is not so much always doing right, but it is refusing to do wrong even when you would really like to. So God teaches us that when making a decision, we can always know that a choice that goes against his holy moral law is always going to be a bad choice. So if I am deciding what to say to someone I should choose to say things that are not likely to hurt them in the long term. I may need to say things that hurt now, to prevent greater hurt later. But sometimes saying something they really want to hear now could result in harm in the future, this is where wisdom is needed.
God guides my decision making process. He does it for anyone who is willing to be taught and ruled by him. He does it by giving me the Bible to read and absorb both his requirements and his advice.
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. (Proverbs 23:19)
I am required to guide my own heart, God will not guide it. My heart is the deepest part of me, however you define it. But the Bible does not say: "The meek will guide themselves in judgment" It says "The meek will he guide in judgment" Ultimately, God takes responsibility to guide me if I am reading and following. The rational decisions that you make based on your best knowledge of his word and prayerful willingness to go with his agenda will be the right decisions, they will be exactly what God wanted you to do.
This is how you can know God's will for your life, and what God wants you to do today.
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. (Deuteronomy 1:17)
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:24)
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. (Proverbs 11:3)
We know basically what a meek person is, one who is willing to be taught by God and willing to be overruled when appropriate.
But what does it mean for God to guide someone in judgment? I want God to guide me, I want to make the best decisions and God has access to all the information to make the very best decisions. I want God's help, but how would he help me?
First, what is judgment? God says in Psalm 25 that he will guide the meek in judgment. What is that? Deuteronomy 1:17 is one of many examples where the word "judgment" (Hebrew: Mishpat) is used elsewhere in Scripture. Essentially, the word is similar to the concept of "deciding", sometimes between a right and a wrong, sometimes between two options, but often in very complex situations. We could call it "situational wisdom" the ability to apply wisdom in a specific situation, where true wisdom is sharing God's paradigm (world view) to build other knowledge onto and to back up decisions. So judgment is the mental ability to make decisions. Should I call this person? When should I call this person? How should I speak to this person? All these decisions are made by the judgment of the mind, so how does God influence the judgment of the mind? Does he want me to pray "God, please open a door/ close a door/ give me a sign/ give me an impression/ give me a 6 on the dice/ appear to me in a vision." We shall see. What does "guide" mean?
Psalm 73:24 teaches us that God will guide us using his counsel. What is counsel? Counsel is advice. That is probably why God guides the meek, because they are the ones who are willing to take advice. If you follow Buddha's counsel you will probably have a reasonably happy life, you just won't live forever. If you follow Joe Blow's counsel you will probably be miserable and relieved when death comes, because the chances of him being wise are slim (this is a generic name for the average person). If you follow God's counsel he will use this to inform your decision-making process. The Bible is full of God's advice, not all of the Bible is full of requirements, a lot of it is counsel from Christ. Correct counsel is what your brain needs to make the best decisions.
Also, Proverbs 11:3 instructs us that good people are guided in decision-making by their integrity. What is integrity? It is not so much always doing right, but it is refusing to do wrong even when you would really like to. So God teaches us that when making a decision, we can always know that a choice that goes against his holy moral law is always going to be a bad choice. So if I am deciding what to say to someone I should choose to say things that are not likely to hurt them in the long term. I may need to say things that hurt now, to prevent greater hurt later. But sometimes saying something they really want to hear now could result in harm in the future, this is where wisdom is needed.
God guides my decision making process. He does it for anyone who is willing to be taught and ruled by him. He does it by giving me the Bible to read and absorb both his requirements and his advice.
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. (Proverbs 23:19)
I am required to guide my own heart, God will not guide it. My heart is the deepest part of me, however you define it. But the Bible does not say: "The meek will guide themselves in judgment" It says "The meek will he guide in judgment" Ultimately, God takes responsibility to guide me if I am reading and following. The rational decisions that you make based on your best knowledge of his word and prayerful willingness to go with his agenda will be the right decisions, they will be exactly what God wanted you to do.
This is how you can know God's will for your life, and what God wants you to do today.
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Destroyed and Renewed
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. (Micah 4:4)
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35)
The ultimate reward for obedience to God is eternal life in a restored world, without this hope everything else would be pointless. This hope makes every soul of infinite value, because God can give it the power to live forever and do an infinite number of things. I don't need to understand this to believe it, just like I don't need to understand quantum physics to believe it.
Jehovah promises that our eternal life will not be lived in the clouds playing harps, though we probably could do this if we wanted. It will be lived here on earth, with all the world restored; all the waste cleaned up. Not only will the earth be destroyed and renewed, heaven will also be destroyed and renewed, but the words of Jesus will never be destroyed and renewed because they are untainted.
We can trust that the Bible in our hands is true because Jehovah has preserved it over the centuries.
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. (Micah 4:4)
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35)
The ultimate reward for obedience to God is eternal life in a restored world, without this hope everything else would be pointless. This hope makes every soul of infinite value, because God can give it the power to live forever and do an infinite number of things. I don't need to understand this to believe it, just like I don't need to understand quantum physics to believe it.
Jehovah promises that our eternal life will not be lived in the clouds playing harps, though we probably could do this if we wanted. It will be lived here on earth, with all the world restored; all the waste cleaned up. Not only will the earth be destroyed and renewed, heaven will also be destroyed and renewed, but the words of Jesus will never be destroyed and renewed because they are untainted.
We can trust that the Bible in our hands is true because Jehovah has preserved it over the centuries.
Monday 21 July 2014
Messiah and Isaiah
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 1:20)
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:5)
I can't help commenting that this last passage is in Handel's Messiah. When I was memorising Isaiah 58 and got to this last line I sometimes couldn't stop myself singing it: "for the mouth of the Lord, the mouth of the Lord, [Dramatic pause] hath spoken it!"If you've listened to Handel's Messiah a lot you'll know what I mean. It is quoted in Handel's Messiah because of the first part of the verse: "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" which predicts the nature of the Messiah as the example to all men, and that in our bodies (not merely in the spirit) men would see God's glory lived out.
The book of Isaiah has the phrase "for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." throughout the book. This is evidence against the dogma that it was written by two different people.
When you read the Bible you may as well consider it God speaking to you. It is true that the Bible was written by historic prophets to historic people at a time in history, but the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The Bible is still relevant to you and me today.
The glory of the Lord was revealed in Jesus, he was a man without fault and our example. God wishes to reveal his glory in you and me as well. Those who refuse to abandon sin and become givers of love will eventually need to be destroyed, because sin is a deadly virus to the universe.
Take the Sabbath seriously, take love seriously and you will love God and be in tune with the universe.
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 1:20)
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:5)
I can't help commenting that this last passage is in Handel's Messiah. When I was memorising Isaiah 58 and got to this last line I sometimes couldn't stop myself singing it: "for the mouth of the Lord, the mouth of the Lord, [Dramatic pause] hath spoken it!"If you've listened to Handel's Messiah a lot you'll know what I mean. It is quoted in Handel's Messiah because of the first part of the verse: "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" which predicts the nature of the Messiah as the example to all men, and that in our bodies (not merely in the spirit) men would see God's glory lived out.
The book of Isaiah has the phrase "for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." throughout the book. This is evidence against the dogma that it was written by two different people.
When you read the Bible you may as well consider it God speaking to you. It is true that the Bible was written by historic prophets to historic people at a time in history, but the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The Bible is still relevant to you and me today.
The glory of the Lord was revealed in Jesus, he was a man without fault and our example. God wishes to reveal his glory in you and me as well. Those who refuse to abandon sin and become givers of love will eventually need to be destroyed, because sin is a deadly virus to the universe.
Take the Sabbath seriously, take love seriously and you will love God and be in tune with the universe.
Sunday 20 July 2014
Conquering Paradise
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people. (Psalm 135:12)
And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: (Psalm 136:21)
But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me. (Jeremiah 3:19)
The fact that God gave the land of the Canaanites to Israel was an important thing to them, that must be why it is repeated almost word for word. We are living in strange and unusual times as David Asscherick would say: people question that God is worth worshipping because he told the Israelites to wipe out the Canaanites. But at the time the worth of a god was determined by his or her ability to provide a service, especially victory in battle and ultimate conquest. The greater the conquest, the greater the god. It is just interesting to me because I suppose that nobody in ancient times ever criticised God as too violent, they would have criticised him for being too soft.
Jehovah presents himself as a father to his people. He wants to care for us and bring us into a beautiful land that will be perfect for us. But it is still only a promised land, we have not received the promise yet. After Satan is finally destroyed we will have this promised paradise, and not before.
And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people. (Psalm 135:12)
And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: (Psalm 136:21)
But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me. (Jeremiah 3:19)
The fact that God gave the land of the Canaanites to Israel was an important thing to them, that must be why it is repeated almost word for word. We are living in strange and unusual times as David Asscherick would say: people question that God is worth worshipping because he told the Israelites to wipe out the Canaanites. But at the time the worth of a god was determined by his or her ability to provide a service, especially victory in battle and ultimate conquest. The greater the conquest, the greater the god. It is just interesting to me because I suppose that nobody in ancient times ever criticised God as too violent, they would have criticised him for being too soft.
Jehovah presents himself as a father to his people. He wants to care for us and bring us into a beautiful land that will be perfect for us. But it is still only a promised land, we have not received the promise yet. After Satan is finally destroyed we will have this promised paradise, and not before.
Thursday 17 July 2014
Living Off The Land
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (Isaiah 1:19)
Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: (Psalm 105:9-11)
Food is essential for survival, and an abundance of food is necessary for the survival of a civilisation. God wanted the Israelites to have a reliable source of abundant food, so he promised them the land of Canaan. Looking forward to this abundance kept the Israelites going when things were tough. God promises every one of us a place in the New Earth, a paradise better than a new Canaan, if we will only be willing and obedient to his commands. God has commanded us many things in the Bible, varying from which day to rest on all the way to how to use our money. But ultimately God has commanded us to believe in Jesus, because when we really do this we will become loving enough to want to keep his other commands.
Read about and think about the real Jesus of the Bible. Follow him in his ways, and you will find yourself wanting to live according to every word of God.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (Isaiah 1:19)
Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: (Psalm 105:9-11)
Food is essential for survival, and an abundance of food is necessary for the survival of a civilisation. God wanted the Israelites to have a reliable source of abundant food, so he promised them the land of Canaan. Looking forward to this abundance kept the Israelites going when things were tough. God promises every one of us a place in the New Earth, a paradise better than a new Canaan, if we will only be willing and obedient to his commands. God has commanded us many things in the Bible, varying from which day to rest on all the way to how to use our money. But ultimately God has commanded us to believe in Jesus, because when we really do this we will become loving enough to want to keep his other commands.
Read about and think about the real Jesus of the Bible. Follow him in his ways, and you will find yourself wanting to live according to every word of God.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)
Wednesday 16 July 2014
Mountaintop Experience
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29)
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. (Habakuk 3:19)
Once again, there are even more variations on high places. In Deuteronomy the Israelites are promised they will desecrate the shrines of the heathen which were on the tops of hills and called high places. We can claim this promise that we also will overcome the power of the idols of this world, though they are so strong we often do not even think of fighting them. It is this usage that is most common in the Bible, there are dozens of references in Kings and Chronicles to high places as pagan temples. Kings who were most faithful to God destroyed these places, those who were not so faithful looked the other way, perhaps to keep their popularity.
On the other hand Habakuk uses the term in a more literal figurative sense. He seems to be referring to the thrill of a mountaineer climbing a mountain and standing on the summit. It is quite a typical modern sermon illustration, but a bit more unusual for its day.
Either way, both passages can encourage us to overcome the obstacles that oppose God which look too great to fight. To do this by the power of fervent prayer. Do you wish you prayed more? Attempt more and you would have the motivation to pray.
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29)
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. (Habakuk 3:19)
Once again, there are even more variations on high places. In Deuteronomy the Israelites are promised they will desecrate the shrines of the heathen which were on the tops of hills and called high places. We can claim this promise that we also will overcome the power of the idols of this world, though they are so strong we often do not even think of fighting them. It is this usage that is most common in the Bible, there are dozens of references in Kings and Chronicles to high places as pagan temples. Kings who were most faithful to God destroyed these places, those who were not so faithful looked the other way, perhaps to keep their popularity.
On the other hand Habakuk uses the term in a more literal figurative sense. He seems to be referring to the thrill of a mountaineer climbing a mountain and standing on the summit. It is quite a typical modern sermon illustration, but a bit more unusual for its day.
Either way, both passages can encourage us to overcome the obstacles that oppose God which look too great to fight. To do this by the power of fervent prayer. Do you wish you prayed more? Attempt more and you would have the motivation to pray.
Tuesday 15 July 2014
The High Places of the Earth
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16)
He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; (Deuteronomy 32:13)
When Isaiah 58 speaks of the high places of the earth, I suppose the most logical explanation would parallel Isaiah 33 where a high place is described in reference to how safe and secure it is from enemies. This could well be the fundamental significance of the high places of the earth.
But in Deuteronomy 32 we see a long passage, describing Jacob which Isaiah 58 refers to, where the exact same phrase is used: ride on/upon the high places of the earth. The context describes Jacob's great earthly success given to him by God. Yes, Jacob worked hard for his success, yes, Jacob had his troubles. But God blessed him. I'm not about to preach some prosperity gospel. But to say the phrase ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father has nothing to do with visible earthly success would be unkind to the clear word of God.
When we fulfil the conditions set earlier in Isaiah 58, we will experience the success we really want: that is the gospel going to the whole world and Jesus' return in our lifetime.
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16)
He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; (Deuteronomy 32:13)
When Isaiah 58 speaks of the high places of the earth, I suppose the most logical explanation would parallel Isaiah 33 where a high place is described in reference to how safe and secure it is from enemies. This could well be the fundamental significance of the high places of the earth.
But in Deuteronomy 32 we see a long passage, describing Jacob which Isaiah 58 refers to, where the exact same phrase is used: ride on/upon the high places of the earth. The context describes Jacob's great earthly success given to him by God. Yes, Jacob worked hard for his success, yes, Jacob had his troubles. But God blessed him. I'm not about to preach some prosperity gospel. But to say the phrase ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father has nothing to do with visible earthly success would be unkind to the clear word of God.
When we fulfil the conditions set earlier in Isaiah 58, we will experience the success we really want: that is the gospel going to the whole world and Jesus' return in our lifetime.
Thursday 10 July 2014
Joy Overcomes Betrayal
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8)
To get your happiness from friends is easy until one betrays you. I've just been stabbed in the back by a friend, and it hurts.
But I can rejoice in the things that the Lord guarantees. I can rejoice that I will be comforted. I can rejoice that the Spirit will give me wisdom to respond well. I can rejoice that the Spirit has transformed my character such that I am able to be more concerned for my friend's salvation than my own hurt. I rejoice in the fact that I know this will help me to heal more quickly than if I tried to get revenge. Faith in the true God brings the joy of peace and greatness of character.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8)
To get your happiness from friends is easy until one betrays you. I've just been stabbed in the back by a friend, and it hurts.
But I can rejoice in the things that the Lord guarantees. I can rejoice that I will be comforted. I can rejoice that the Spirit will give me wisdom to respond well. I can rejoice that the Spirit has transformed my character such that I am able to be more concerned for my friend's salvation than my own hurt. I rejoice in the fact that I know this will help me to heal more quickly than if I tried to get revenge. Faith in the true God brings the joy of peace and greatness of character.
Wednesday 9 July 2014
Blessed are the Meek
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:11)
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:18)
The meek shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (see Matthew 5). Jesus was preaching from the scriptures when he preached the sermon on the mount. I like that. It is my aim to preach from the scriptures not my own ideas where I can. If anyone was able to preach truth without using scripture it was Jesus, but he still used the scriptures.
He used scriptures that not everyone recognised as scripture. The Sadducees did not recognise any scripture except the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy). But when specifically speaking to the Sadducees he taught them from the Torah (see Matthew 22). I aim to vary my preaching to meet my audience where they are at, like Jesus did.
Not only will the meek inherit the renewed earth, God will delight them with peace. Truly God brings joy, I don't fully understand how, but he has brought great joy to my life where there was little before. God refines the character and provides complete security, and these thing definitely produce joy.
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:11)
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:18)
The meek shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (see Matthew 5). Jesus was preaching from the scriptures when he preached the sermon on the mount. I like that. It is my aim to preach from the scriptures not my own ideas where I can. If anyone was able to preach truth without using scripture it was Jesus, but he still used the scriptures.
He used scriptures that not everyone recognised as scripture. The Sadducees did not recognise any scripture except the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy). But when specifically speaking to the Sadducees he taught them from the Torah (see Matthew 22). I aim to vary my preaching to meet my audience where they are at, like Jesus did.
Not only will the meek inherit the renewed earth, God will delight them with peace. Truly God brings joy, I don't fully understand how, but he has brought great joy to my life where there was little before. God refines the character and provides complete security, and these thing definitely produce joy.
Tuesday 8 July 2014
Kill-kill-joy
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:14)
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. (Psalm 36:8)
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm 37:4)
Of these two passages from the Psalms I would automatically say that the first applies to the New Earth and the second applies to the present life. But I wonder if I know that or am simply speculating. Here is the next verse after the first one: For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (Psalm 36:9) Then compare And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal… And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: (Revelation 22:1a, 5a) So what Revelation describes in the New Jerusalem is essentially the same, water of life and light from God. But Jesus is the light of the world, and he offers the water of life to us now (John 1:4; 4:14). So these things described here can be attributed to this world and the next.
Jesus gives us what we really want. I have often wanted things so badly, and when I received them found no pleasure in them. On the other hand I have gained great joy from things I never wanted. Jesus knows me better than I know myself, he is more qualified to decide what I want than I am. I submit to Jesus' wishes for my life and he wishes to make me happier than I can make myself, and he does.
Christians sometimes suffer, and we must prepare ourselves for this possibility by enduring the small discomforts in order to save others. But even in suffering, the Christian has more peace about the present, hope for the future and joy about the past than the successful sinner.
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. (Psalm 36:8)
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm 37:4)
Of these two passages from the Psalms I would automatically say that the first applies to the New Earth and the second applies to the present life. But I wonder if I know that or am simply speculating. Here is the next verse after the first one: For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (Psalm 36:9) Then compare And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal… And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: (Revelation 22:1a, 5a) So what Revelation describes in the New Jerusalem is essentially the same, water of life and light from God. But Jesus is the light of the world, and he offers the water of life to us now (John 1:4; 4:14). So these things described here can be attributed to this world and the next.
Jesus gives us what we really want. I have often wanted things so badly, and when I received them found no pleasure in them. On the other hand I have gained great joy from things I never wanted. Jesus knows me better than I know myself, he is more qualified to decide what I want than I am. I submit to Jesus' wishes for my life and he wishes to make me happier than I can make myself, and he does.
Christians sometimes suffer, and we must prepare ourselves for this possibility by enduring the small discomforts in order to save others. But even in suffering, the Christian has more peace about the present, hope for the future and joy about the past than the successful sinner.
Monday 7 July 2014
Job
Looked at Job 27 today in the context of Isaiah 58:14. Job is probably the earliest book of the Bible and establishes many fundamentals of wisdom that are expanded on in the other wisdom books.
Sunday 6 July 2014
Holiday With Jesus
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: (Isaiah 58:13)
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. (Psalm 122:1)
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet (Revelation 1:10)
Do you call the Sabbath the holy day of the Lord? Do you recognise the Sabbath as the Lord's day and go with Jesus' people into his house on that day? Honour the Sabbath day because it is the only day of the week God has ever set aside to be holy.
Honour the Sabbath by choosing to do things Jesus likes you to do rather than that you like to do on that day. Honour the Sabbath by doing righteous things you can enjoy, like helping those in need as we learned previously from Isaiah 58. Don't even say the things you want to say, say the things that Jesus wants you to say. Speak positive words of faith, and encouragement, ask questions to really find out how you can help and support others.
When a friend invites you over to his house as a child, you play with his toys and join with his games. In the same way Jesus has invited you to join him in the Sabbath, wherever you are, to do the things he loves together with him. You can work hard during the week, but set the Sabbath aside for Jesus.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. (Psalm 122:1)
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet (Revelation 1:10)
Do you call the Sabbath the holy day of the Lord? Do you recognise the Sabbath as the Lord's day and go with Jesus' people into his house on that day? Honour the Sabbath day because it is the only day of the week God has ever set aside to be holy.
Honour the Sabbath by choosing to do things Jesus likes you to do rather than that you like to do on that day. Honour the Sabbath by doing righteous things you can enjoy, like helping those in need as we learned previously from Isaiah 58. Don't even say the things you want to say, say the things that Jesus wants you to say. Speak positive words of faith, and encouragement, ask questions to really find out how you can help and support others.
When a friend invites you over to his house as a child, you play with his toys and join with his games. In the same way Jesus has invited you to join him in the Sabbath, wherever you are, to do the things he loves together with him. You can work hard during the week, but set the Sabbath aside for Jesus.
Saturday 5 July 2014
Singing On Sabbath
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: (Isaiah 58:13)
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God… For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Isaiah 84:2,10)
Psalm 92 A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. 1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night (Psalm 92:1-2)
The way we keep the Sabbath should make it the day we look forward to all week. That's not to say we should find our own pleasure on God's holy day, but we should spend the day in the kind of tranquil communion with God that we will long for much more than mere pleasure. The Sabbath is a day to praise God, to rejoice in the things he has done, as Psalm 92 shows. But this psalm also shows that we should be praising God daily.
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God… For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Isaiah 84:2,10)
Psalm 92 A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. 1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night (Psalm 92:1-2)
The way we keep the Sabbath should make it the day we look forward to all week. That's not to say we should find our own pleasure on God's holy day, but we should spend the day in the kind of tranquil communion with God that we will long for much more than mere pleasure. The Sabbath is a day to praise God, to rejoice in the things he has done, as Psalm 92 shows. But this psalm also shows that we should be praising God daily.
Tuesday 1 July 2014
Joy In Christ
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: (Isaiah 58:13)
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holiday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:4-5)
Have you ever been in church and just not felt happy? Have you ever been unhappy and someone had the audacity to tell you sadness is a sin and you should just get over it? This is wrong, but in some Jewish holidays, happiness was compulsory. This was because they were looking forward to the joy of Jesus coming to rule the Earth and make it new. No matter what makes you sad, Jesus will comfort you on that day. Something to look forward to for those who live for Christ.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holiday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:4-5)
Have you ever been in church and just not felt happy? Have you ever been unhappy and someone had the audacity to tell you sadness is a sin and you should just get over it? This is wrong, but in some Jewish holidays, happiness was compulsory. This was because they were looking forward to the joy of Jesus coming to rule the Earth and make it new. No matter what makes you sad, Jesus will comfort you on that day. Something to look forward to for those who live for Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)