THE NAME MALACHI MEANS "MY MESSENGER," 3:1. THE BOOK DEALS WITH ISSUES THAT INDICATE WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN. MALACHI'S LITERARY STRUCTURE IS UNIQUE. IT IS MADE UP OF SIX SECTIONS. EACH SECTION. EACH SECTION BEGINS WITH A STATEMENT AND A QUESTION., AND THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL EXPANDS ON THE THEME. TO ILLUSTRATE, NOTE 2:17-3:4.
"YOU HAVE WEARIED ME WITH YOUR WORDS.
YET YOU SAY, "HOW HAVE WE WEARIED HIM?
BY SAYING, 'EVERYONE WHO DOES EVIL IS GOOD IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE DELIGHTS IN THEM.'
OR BY ASKING, 'WHERE IS THE GOD OF JUSTICE?' "
THE VERSES THAT FOLLOW DECLARE THAT GOD WILL INDEED JUDGE, AND THAT HIS JUDGEMENT WILL BE LIKE A REFINER'S FIRE. NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO ENDURE HIS COMING.
1. 1:-5 THE LORD'S LOVE FOR JACOB IS GREATER THAN HIS LOVE FOR ESAU.
2.1:6-2:9 BOTH THE PRIESTS AND LAITY ARE WITHHOLDING HONOR FROM THE LORD.
3. 2:10-16 JEWISH MEN HAVE BEEN MARRYING FOREIGN WOMEN.
4. 2: 17-3:5 THE PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONED THE LORD'S JUSTICE. HE WILL JUDGE THEM FOR THIS.
5. 3:6-12 THE PEOPLE ARE ROBBING THE LORD BY WITHHOLDING FROM HIM THE TITHES FROM HIM WHICH ARE DUE HIM.
6. 3:13 4:3. MANY IN THE COMMUNITY NEGLECT THEIR DUTY TO WORSHIP HIM, SOME EVEN DESPISE WORSHIP. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SOME WHO ARE FAITHFUL; THEY WILL BE REWARDED.
THE WORSHIP LIFE IN THE TEMPLE WAS AT A LOW EBB; WORSHIPPERS THOUGHT THEY COULD OFFER BLEMISHED ANIMALS IN THEIR SACRIFICES, 1:7,8,13. THE BLAME IS LAID AT THE FEET OF THE LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE PRIESTS ,2:1-3, 8,9, MANY IN THE COMMUNITY FLIPPANTLY DECLARED THAT IT MADE MORE SENSE TO BE IRRELIGIOUS THEN RELIGIOUS; TO BE IRRELIGIOUS PAID A BETTER DIVIDEND. MALACHI DESCRIBED THE PRIESTHOOD AS IGNORANT, INDULGENT, AND GRASPING, HE FELT COMPELLED TO ATTACK THEM. THE REFERENCES TO ABUSES IN THE TEMPLE, DIVORCE AND MIXED MARRIAGES, AND EXPLOITATION OF THE POOR BY THE RICH INDICATE THAT MALACHI WAS WRITTEN BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF NEHEMIAH AND EZRA, POSSIBLY 500-450 B.C.
MALACHI REPEATS OBADIAH'S THREAT OF IMPENDING DISASTER FOR EDOMITES, 1:3-5. SOME INTERPRET HIS REFERENCE TO WIDE-SPREAD, ACCEPTABLE GENTILE WORSHIP QUITE LITERALLY; OTHERS RELATE IT TO THE EXPECTED MESSIANIC AGE WHEN SACRIFICES OF ALL NATIONS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD, 1:11. BOTH MALACHI AND JOEL STRESSED THE NEARNESS OF THE DAY OF THE LORD.. MALACHI SAID THAT WOULD SEND ELIJAH TO PREPARE THE PEOPLE FOR ITS COMING. MALACHI REPEATS OBADIAH'S THREAT OF IMPENDING DISASTER FOR THE EDOMITES, 1:3,5. SOME INTERPRET HIS REFERENCE TO WIDE-SPREAD, ACCEPTABLE GENTILE WORSHIP QUITE LITERALLY; OTHERS RELATE IT TO THE EXPECTED MESSIANIC AGE WHEN SACRIFICES OF ALL NATIONS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD ALSO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE IDEAL PRIEST. (2:5-7). AND THE LIST OF BLESSINGS THE OBEDIENT COULD EXPECT TO RECEIVE 3:10-12, 16,17; 4:2,3; A SEPERATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS FROM THE UNRIGHTEOUS TAKES PLACE ALREADY IN THIS LIFE. THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO FEARED THE LORD WERE BEING RECORDED IN A BOOK, THEY WOULD BE SPARED ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT,3:16. THE BOOK ENDS BY STATING THAT THE LORD WOULD SEND ELIJAH, THE PROPHET PAR EXCELLENCE, TO SUMMON ISRAEL TO REPENTANCE, AND PREPARE THE PEOPLE FOR THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD. 3:1-4; 4:5,6; SEE ALSO MATTHEW 11: 10:14; 11:17:10-13; MARK 1:2; 6:14,15; LUKE 1:17, 76; 7:27.
JOEL: LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT JOEL, THE SON OF PETHUEL, AND WHEN HE DID HIS WORK. HIS BOOK DOES NOT MENTION ANY REIGNING KING. ELDERS AND PRIESTS OCCUPY THE PROMINENT POSITIONS IN THE COMMUNITY, 1:2,13; 2:16-17. JUDAH IS CALLED ISRAEL, INDICATING THAT THE NORTHERN TRIBES NO LONGER EXIST. 2:27.
THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, THE EXILE, AND THE ANNEXATION OF JEWISH TERRITORY ARE BUT MEMORIES, 3:1-3, 17. THE COMMUNITY JOEL ADDRESSED OCCUPIES ONLY A SMALL TRACT OF GROUND; IT IS VIRTUALLY WITHIN EARSHOT OF THE TRUMPET BLAST. THOUGH THE EXILE IS OVER, SOME JEWS ARE SCATTERED AMONG THE NATIONS 3;2. TO ADD TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE POST EXILIC COMMUNITY, THE PHOENICIANS AND THE PHILISTINES HAD SOLD OFF SOME OF ITS MEMBERS AS SLAVES TO THE GREEKS 3:6. JOEL WAS WRITTEN ABOUT THE TIME OF MALACHI, POSSIBLY A LITTLE LATER. OTHERS DATE IT AFTER THE TIME OF NEHEMIAH AND EZRA- A TIME WHEN THE RESTORED REMNANT HAD RALLIED AROUND THE TEMPLE, MADE THE LAW THE FOCAL POINT OF ITS INTERESTS AND SETTLED DOWN TO WAIT FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD. JOEL SPOKE AT THE TIME WHEN THE LAND WAS BEING RAVAGED BY A PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS AND THE PEOPLE WERE TERROR-STRICKEN. JOEL SAID THE PLAGUE WAS MORE THAN A PASSING PHENOMENON OF NATURE; IT HERALDED THE DAY OF THE LORD AND FORESHADOWED THE FINAL ATTACK THE LORD'S ENEMIES WOULD MAKE ON JUDAH AND ITS GOD. THE LOCUSTS ARE DESCRIBED AS A INVADING ARMY. THEIR MARCH ACROSS THE LAND SHOULD AROUSE WITHIN THE PEOPLE THE HOLY FEAR OF THE LORD'S POWER. HE URGED THE PEOPLE TO INTENSE PRAYER. JOEL'S MESSAGE HAD THE DESIRED EFFECT; THE PEOPLE GAVE THEMSELVES OVER TO REPENTANCE AND PRAYER. JOEL DID NOT STOP THERE, JUST AS THE PLAGUE WOULD BE DISPERSED, SO TOO WOULD THE HARASSING NATIONS BE DESTROYED ON THAT DAY WHEN THE LORD WOULD INTERVENE DECISIVELY ON BEHALF OF HIS PEOPLE. JUDAH WOULD THEN FLOURISH AGAIN 2:18-27. JOEL MAKES USE OF APOCALYPTIC IMAGERY; THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, 2:28,29; CATACLYSMIC CHANGES IN THE SUN,MOON, AND THE EARTH, 2"30-32, THE ASSEMBLY OF THE NATIONS IN THE VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT(" THE LORD JUDGES") FOR JUDGMENT, 3:2,12; THE FLOWING OF A HEALING STREAM FROM THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM,3:18 (SEE (EZEK 47:1ff AND ZECH. . 13;1).JOEL IS BEST REMEMBERED FOR THE USE PETER MADE OF HIM IN HIS PENTECOST SERMON, ACTS 2:17-21 (SEE JOEL 2:28; THE REFERENCE IN BOTH CONTEXTS IS TO ALL ISRAEL.";THE GENTILE PENTECOST IS REPORTED IN ACTS 10). RUTH WAS A MOBITEESS WHO GAVE UP HER COUNTRY AND HER "gods" TO BECOME AN EXEMPLARY ADHERENT OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL.
"RUTH": THE NARRATIVE IS SET IN THE PERIOD OF JUDGES (1:1). HENCE ITS LOCATION IN OUR ENGLISH BIBLES. IN THE HEBREW BIBLE, RUTH IS PLACED AMONG THE "WRITINGS" WHERE IT IS THE SECOND OF THE MEGILLIOTH "(FIVE SCROLLS":
SONG OF SOLOMON, RUTH, LAMENTATIONS, ECCLESIASTES AND ESTHER)). AND IS READ AS PART OF THE JEWISH LITURGY FOR PENTECOST, THE FESTIVAL THAT CELEBRATES BOTH HARVEST AND THE GIVING OF THE LAW ON SINAI. THE AUTHOR IS UNKNOWN. THOUGH 1:1 SETS THE STORY IN THE PERIOD OF JUDGES, THE VERSE ITSELF SUGGESTS THAT THE TIME OF JUDGES WAS ALREADY REMOTE WHEN RUTH WAS WRITTEN. SOME BELIEVE IT WAS WRITTEN SOON AFTER THE TIME OF DAVID, 4:17. OTHERS OPT FOR A POST EXILIC DATING, AND POINT TO THE WORDS WHICH
APPEAR ONLY IN LATE OLD TESTAMENT WRITINGS. IN ANCIENT ISRAEL (AS IN OTHER PEOPLES OF THAT TIME). A STRONG SENSE OF FAMILY, SOLIDARITY EXISTED. A MAN HAD SONS AND, THEREBY, A CLAN, FAMILY,. EACH MEMBER OF THE CLAN
WAS CONSIDERED AN EXTENSION OF THE ORIGINAL PATRIARCH. A MAN PERPETUATED HIS NAME AND MEMORY THROUGH SONS AND GRANDSONS. IF HE DIED WITHOUT SONS, AND GRANDSONS HE DIED COMPLETELY AND THE LIFE OF THE CLAN CAME TO AN END. THE MANS BROTHER WAS OBLIGED TO MARRY HIS DECEASED BROTHERS WIDOW. THE FIRST SON OF THE NEW UNION WAS CONSIDERED THE SON OF THE DECEASED, THE HEIR TO HIS PROPERTY, AND THE SUSTAINER OF HIS NAME AND LINE. THE PUNCH LINE OF RUTH OCCURS IN 4: 17: "THEY NAMED HIM OBED: HE WAS THE FATHER OF JESSE, THE FATHER OF DAVID. THE FRUIT OF THE MARRIAGE OF RUTH AND BOAZ WAS OBED, DAVIDS GRANDFATHER. A SHORT GENEALOGY CONTAINING SIMILAR INFORMATION ABOUT DAVID;S FAMILY TREE WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO WARRANT THE BOOKS PRESERVATION. THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH. THE AUTHOR GENTLY STRESSES RUTH'S MOABITE BACKGROUND (1:22; 2:2,6,21). AND HINTS THAT GOD ACCOMPLISHES HIS PURPOSES THROUGH EVENTS IN THE UNSPECTACULAR, EVERY DAY LIVES OF HIS PEOPLE.
OTHER REASONS FOR WRITING
Friday, November 2, 2018
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
HOSEA THE PROPHET
HOSEA'S WORK WAS DONE SOON AFTER THAT OF AMOS. AMOS WAS A CITIZEN OF JUDAH AND CROSSED THE BORDER INTO THE NORTHERN KINGDOM TO DELIVER HIS ORACLES IN THE VICINITY OF THE ROYAL SHRINE AT BETHEL.HOSEA ALSO DIRECTED HIS MESSAGE AGAINST ISRAEL, BUT WAS HIMSELF A CITIZEN OF THAT REALM. HE IS THE ONLY NORTHERN PROPHET WHOSE WRITINGS HAVE COME DOWN TO US. HIS NAME MEANS "SALVATION" OR "DELIVERANCE." THOUGH IT IS A HAZARDOUS TASK TO TRY TO RECONSTRUCT HOSEA'S PERSONALITY THROUGH HIS WRITINGS, ORACLES REVEAL A SENSITIVE EMOTIONAL INDIVIDUAL WHO COULD FEEL AND EXPRESS EVERYTHING FROM BURNING ANGER TO TENDER YEARNING. HIS MESSAGE PIVOTS AROUND HIS MARRIAGE TO GOMER AND THE LORD'S LOVE AFFAIR.WITH ISRAEL.THE PAIN AND GRIEF HIS MARRIAGE CAUSED HIM EQUIPPED HIM BETTER TO UNDERSTAND THE HURT ADULTEROUS ISRAEL WAS INFLICTING ON THE LORD. THE POLITICAL SCENE IN ISRAEL OF HOSEA'S DAY WERE VERY .DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF AMOS' DAY. AMOS SPOKE TO ISRAEL AT A TIME WHEN POLITICAL CONDITIONS WERE STABLE AND PEACE PREVAILED, WHEN ISRAEL WAS ENJOYING PROSPERITY SUCH AS SHE HAD NEVER KNOWN BEFORE--- ROTTING IN THAT PROSPERITY. HOSEA DID HIS WORK WHEN ASSYRIA WAS SINKING HER CLAWS INTO ISRAEL FROM WITHOUT, AND WHEN POLITICAL ANARCHY WAS RAVAGING HER WITHIN. JEROBOAM DIED IN 746 B.C. IN 735 B.C. TIGLATH- PILESER III SEIZED THE ASSYRIAN THRONE. IMMEDIATELY HE SHOOK. A LETHARGIC ASSYRIA AND SET THE NATION'S MILITARY MACHINE ON THE MARCH. TO TRANSLATE INTO REALITY A DREAM ASSYRIAN KINGS HAD LONG CHERISHED: TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE WHOLE FERTILE CRESCENT, THE BREADBASKET OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST THIS MEANT DANGER FOR ISRAEL AND EGYPT. IT CREATED FEAR IN THOSE WHO HEARD ABOUT IT. ASSYRIA'S MODE OF DEALING WITH CONQUERED PEOPLE SHE DESTROYED ANY VESTIGES OF NATIONALISM AND GAVE RISE TO SOCIAL ANARCHY. AMOS LASHED OUT AT SOCIAL INJUSTICES. HOSEA'S CENTRAL THRUST WAS DIFFERENT. HE PROBED THE VERY HEART OF THE CONDITION THAT PLAGUING ISRAEL. SHE WAS SICK UNTO DEATH WITH.UNFAITHFULNESS. EVEN SO, HOSEA SOUNDS A NOT OF HOPE--- NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SEES IN ISRAEL, BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SEES IN GOD'S HEART. GOD'S LOVE FOR UNDESERVING PEOPLE. WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW AND ATTEMPT TO ORGANIZE THE MATERIALS TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROPHETS MESSAGE. WE START OUT WITH HOSEA'S MARRIAGE WITH GOMER AND IT TAKES UP THREE CHAPTERS OF HOSEA TO TELL US ALL WE KNOW ABOUT THE PROPHET'S LIFE. THEY CENTER ON THE PROPHET'S MARRIAGE WHICH SERVES AS A SYMBOL OF GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE. A MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP INVOLVES A UNION OF WILLS, WITH EACH PARTY UNDERTAKING TO SERVE THE OTHER. THOUGH THE LORD REMAINED TRUE TO HIS COVENANT PROMISES TO HIS PEOPLE, ISRAEL WAS CONSISTENTLY GUILTY OF FORGETFULNESS AND GROSS WICKEDNESS. THE INTERPRETATION OF HOSEA 1-3 POSES NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. DO THESE CHAPTERS REPORT A REAL MARRIAGE EVENT, OR ARE THEY ALLEGORICAL FICTION? IF THEY ARE MERELY THE LATTER, WE WOULD EXPECT THE NAME GOMER AND THE SEXES OF THE CHILDREN TO HAVE SPECIAL MEANING, BUT THEY DO NOT. THE INTENSITY
OF HOSEA'S DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE POINTS TO EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN ALLEGORY. ON THE SURFACE, HOSEA 1-3 SPEAKS OF MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN, DIVORCE, AND REMARRIAGE. DOES CH.3 DESCRIBED HOSEA'S MARRIAGE TO GOMER (A PARALLEL TO CH1?), OR DOES IT REFER TO AN ENTIRELY NEW MARRIAGE? THE FORMER SEEMS LIKELY. DOES CHAPTER 2 REFER TO HOSEA DIVORCING GOMER, OR IS IT TALKING ABOUT THE LORD'S RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL? WHY REFER TO GOMER AS A "HARLOT" (1:2) IF THE REAL CONCERN IS HER "ADULTERY?" THOUGH "ADULTERY" CAN REFER TO UNCHASTITY OR UNFAITHFULNESS, IT CAN ALSO BE USED TO DEPICT ISRAEL'S CONDUCT IN RELATION TO GOD; SEE ALSO 3:1. FOR THAT MATTER, GOMER MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED HERSELF IN THE SEXUAL RITES AT THE BAAL SHRINES; SHE MIGHT EVEN HAVE BEEN A SACRED PROSTITUTE IN ONE OF THEM.DID HOSEA KNOW SHE WAS A HARLOT BEFORE HE MARRIED HER, OR DID HE FIND OUT THIS ONLY AFTER MARRIAGE? ARGUMENTS RAGE BACK AND FORTH ABOUT THIS QUESTION. IN SUPPORT OF THE FORMER IS THE NOTION THAT SUCH AN ACTION WOULD HAVE BEEN IN KEEPING WITH THE SHOCKING REALISM OF MANY OF THE PROPHETS' SYMBOLIC ACTIONS ( ISAIAH 20; EZEKIEL 5.) A COMMONLY HELD VIEW IS THE FOLLOWING. HOSEA MARRIED THE PROSTITUTE GOMER. SHE BORE HIM THREE CHILDREN, AT LEAST TWO OF WHOM WERE NOT FATHERED BY HOSEA, AND THEN DESERTED HIM. BUT HOSEA SOUGHT HER OUT AND BROUGHT HER BACK AND RESTORED HER TO HIMSELF. AS HOSEA'S LOVE COULD NOT LET GOMER GO, SO GOD'S LOVE COULD NOT LET ISRAEL GO FROM HIM. HOSEA'S PERSONAL LIFE REFLECTS GOD'S EXPERIENCE AND WAYS WITH HIS OWN PEOPLE. GOMER BORE THREE CHILDREN, THE FIRST OF WHOM GOD NAMED "JEZREEL," 1:4. THE WORD MEANS LITERALLY "GOD SOWS." JEZREEL WAS THE NAME OF THE LOCALITY IN WHICH JEHU ASSASSINATED JEHORAM OF ISRAEL AND AHAZIAH OF JUDAH, 2 KINGS 9. THE NAME WAS A SIGN THAT IN "A LITTLE WHILE" THE LORD WOULD VENT HIS WRATH ON THE HOUSE OF JEHU ( JEROBOAM II WAS THE FOURTH MEMBER OF THE DYNASTY) FOR THE HORRIBLE CRIMES IT HAD PERPETRATED IN ISRAEL.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD WERE NOT HOSEA'S; THE TEXT SAYS, " "BORE A DAUGHTER,SON,"-- NOT BORE HIM A DAUGHTER, SON," 1:6:8,9. THE SECOND CHILD WAS GIVEN THE NAME "NOT" PITIED." TO STATE THAT THE LORD WAS DEVOID OF PITY FOR ISRAEL. (NOTE: THE HEBREW STEM FOR" PITY" CARRIES OVERTONES OF PARENTAL LOVE")-- HENCE, " THE THIRD CHILD, A SON WAS NAMED "NOT MY PEOPLE" TO DECLARE THAT THE LORD'S COVENANT BOND WITH ISRAEL WAS BROKEN. ISRAEL WAS NO LONGER THE PEOPLE OF GOD! THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE
OF THOUGHT RUNS THROUGH HOSEA 1:1-8: ISRAEL'S IDOLATRY (1;2b) AND A SPECIFIC SIN (1:4). HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF GOD'S MERCY (1:6), BROUGHT AN END TO THE COVENANT TO AN END (1:9).
OF HOSEA'S DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE POINTS TO EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN ALLEGORY. ON THE SURFACE, HOSEA 1-3 SPEAKS OF MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN, DIVORCE, AND REMARRIAGE. DOES CH.3 DESCRIBED HOSEA'S MARRIAGE TO GOMER (A PARALLEL TO CH1?), OR DOES IT REFER TO AN ENTIRELY NEW MARRIAGE? THE FORMER SEEMS LIKELY. DOES CHAPTER 2 REFER TO HOSEA DIVORCING GOMER, OR IS IT TALKING ABOUT THE LORD'S RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL? WHY REFER TO GOMER AS A "HARLOT" (1:2) IF THE REAL CONCERN IS HER "ADULTERY?" THOUGH "ADULTERY" CAN REFER TO UNCHASTITY OR UNFAITHFULNESS, IT CAN ALSO BE USED TO DEPICT ISRAEL'S CONDUCT IN RELATION TO GOD; SEE ALSO 3:1. FOR THAT MATTER, GOMER MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED HERSELF IN THE SEXUAL RITES AT THE BAAL SHRINES; SHE MIGHT EVEN HAVE BEEN A SACRED PROSTITUTE IN ONE OF THEM.DID HOSEA KNOW SHE WAS A HARLOT BEFORE HE MARRIED HER, OR DID HE FIND OUT THIS ONLY AFTER MARRIAGE? ARGUMENTS RAGE BACK AND FORTH ABOUT THIS QUESTION. IN SUPPORT OF THE FORMER IS THE NOTION THAT SUCH AN ACTION WOULD HAVE BEEN IN KEEPING WITH THE SHOCKING REALISM OF MANY OF THE PROPHETS' SYMBOLIC ACTIONS ( ISAIAH 20; EZEKIEL 5.) A COMMONLY HELD VIEW IS THE FOLLOWING. HOSEA MARRIED THE PROSTITUTE GOMER. SHE BORE HIM THREE CHILDREN, AT LEAST TWO OF WHOM WERE NOT FATHERED BY HOSEA, AND THEN DESERTED HIM. BUT HOSEA SOUGHT HER OUT AND BROUGHT HER BACK AND RESTORED HER TO HIMSELF. AS HOSEA'S LOVE COULD NOT LET GOMER GO, SO GOD'S LOVE COULD NOT LET ISRAEL GO FROM HIM. HOSEA'S PERSONAL LIFE REFLECTS GOD'S EXPERIENCE AND WAYS WITH HIS OWN PEOPLE. GOMER BORE THREE CHILDREN, THE FIRST OF WHOM GOD NAMED "JEZREEL," 1:4. THE WORD MEANS LITERALLY "GOD SOWS." JEZREEL WAS THE NAME OF THE LOCALITY IN WHICH JEHU ASSASSINATED JEHORAM OF ISRAEL AND AHAZIAH OF JUDAH, 2 KINGS 9. THE NAME WAS A SIGN THAT IN "A LITTLE WHILE" THE LORD WOULD VENT HIS WRATH ON THE HOUSE OF JEHU ( JEROBOAM II WAS THE FOURTH MEMBER OF THE DYNASTY) FOR THE HORRIBLE CRIMES IT HAD PERPETRATED IN ISRAEL.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD WERE NOT HOSEA'S; THE TEXT SAYS, " "BORE A DAUGHTER,SON,"-- NOT BORE HIM A DAUGHTER, SON," 1:6:8,9. THE SECOND CHILD WAS GIVEN THE NAME "NOT" PITIED." TO STATE THAT THE LORD WAS DEVOID OF PITY FOR ISRAEL. (NOTE: THE HEBREW STEM FOR" PITY" CARRIES OVERTONES OF PARENTAL LOVE")-- HENCE, " THE THIRD CHILD, A SON WAS NAMED "NOT MY PEOPLE" TO DECLARE THAT THE LORD'S COVENANT BOND WITH ISRAEL WAS BROKEN. ISRAEL WAS NO LONGER THE PEOPLE OF GOD! THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE
OF THOUGHT RUNS THROUGH HOSEA 1:1-8: ISRAEL'S IDOLATRY (1;2b) AND A SPECIFIC SIN (1:4). HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF GOD'S MERCY (1:6), BROUGHT AN END TO THE COVENANT TO AN END (1:9).
Monday, October 29, 2018
JUGGLING THE JIGSAW
SYLVESTER THE SAINT IS OUR MAIN CHARACTER, IN OUR STORY AND IS A LITTLE PUZZLED AT THE MOMENT, HE'S VERY INTERESTED IN RELIGION, BUT HE'S CONFUSED. HE'S NOT TOO SURE HOW TO FITS TOGETHER ALL THE BITS AND PIECES THE CHURCH HAS TAUGHT HIM OVER THE YEARS. ONE THING HE IS SURE ABOUT IS THAT, IN CHRIST, HE IS A SAINT. HE KNOWS AND BELIEVES THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT CHRIST DID FOR HIM HE HAS BEEN MADE RIGHT WITH GOD. HE HAS BEEN FORGIVEN. HE BELONGS TO THE SAVIORS FAMILY., 1 COR.1:2,3. EVEN SO, AT TIMES SYLVESTER FINDS IT HARD TO FIT THE BIBLICAL PICTURE TOGETHER FOR HIMSELF.
AND TO ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS HIS FRIENDS ASK HIM ABOUT HIS FAITH AND CHURCH LIFE. TO BEGIN WITH, THERE IS THE BIBLE. ALL CHURCHES AGREE IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT BOOK. THEY PREACH FROM IT IT, QUOTE IT, USE SEVERAL TRANSLATIONS OF IT, AND THEY TELL YOU TO READ IT. HOWEVER, IT'S NOT EASY TO READ. WE BEGIN TO READ IT WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS, BUT SOON FIND IT TO BE HEAVY GOING. WE WONDER WHAT MUCH OF IT IS ALL ABOUT, AND HOW IT FITS TOGETHER. JUST HOW DO WE READ IT AND MAKE IT ALL FIT? IT WOULD BE GREAT IF ONE COULD DEVOTE ALL OF LIFE TO SERVING GOD. HOWEVER, DOES THAT MEAN ONE HAS TO BECOMES A PASTOR "REVEREND" MINISTER, PRIEST- OR WHATEVER THEY CALL HIM? WHAT MAKES THESE PEOPLE SO SPECIAL? ARE THEY REALLY DIFFERENT FROM YOU AND ME? WELL, MAYBE IF ONE CAN'T BECOME A FULL--TIME PREACHER, MAYBE ONE CAN SERVE GOD BY SINGING IN THE CHURCH CHOIR. THAT'S AT LEAST SOMETHING! JUST WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG THESE DAYS? HOW MANY COMMANDMENTS ARE THERE? MOST AGREE THERE ARE TEN, BUT THEY NUMBER THEM IN DIFFERENT WAYS. SOME SAY THERE ARE ONLY TWO, AND SOME ONLY ONE. SOME SAY THEY GET THEIR COMMANDMENTS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. SOME SAY THEY GET THEIRS FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT, OR ONLY FROM JESUS. SOME SAY OUR CONSCIENCES SHOULD GUIDE US, AND NOTHING ELSE. HOW CAN A PERSON BE SURE? WHO OR WHAT ARE ANGELS? HOW MANY ARE THERE? DOES EACH ONE OF US HAVE ONE OF HIS OWN. WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF? DOES EACH OF US HAVE ONE OF HIS OWN? WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF? CAN A PERSON SEE THEM?
HOW DO THEY TRAVEL? WHY DOES THE CHURCH TALK SO MUCH ABOUT MONEY?
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE PUT IT IN ENVELOPES WHEN THEY GIVE IT IN CHURCH? WHO GETS IT? THE MINISTER? WHAT HAS MONEY TO DO WITH RELIGION ANYWAY? WHY DO PREACHERS TALK SUCH A LOT ABOUT DYING? DEATH SEEMS SO GLOOMY AND FRIGHTENING! SOME SAY WE CAN BE HAPPY ABOUT DYING. HOW? FUNERALS ARE OFTEN SAD AND DEPRESSING. JUST WHAT IS RELIGION ALL ABOUT? IT OFTEN SEEMS LIKE ONE BIG JIGSAW PUZZLE? SYLVESTER NOT ONLY HAS PROBLEMS FITTING TOGETHER WHAT GOES ON WITHIN THE CHURCH, BUT ALSO WITH RELATING "CHURCH" THINGS TO "OUTSIDE" THINGS. HIS PROBLEM IS TWOFOLD. HOW IMPORTANT IS CHRISTIANITY IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES IN LIFE?
DOES CHRISTIANITY HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT HOW WE THINK AND ACT IN SPHERES OF DAILY ACTIVITY? ACCORDING TO MANY PEOPLE CHRISTIANITY SHOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN "ALL OF LIFE?"
LIFE AS "THE TOTAL PIE." GOVERNMENT ON A LOCAL, INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
EDUCATION. A PERSON NEEDS TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE TO DEVELOP SKILLS TO USE IN MEANINGFUL AND SATISFYING WAY.
MONEY. WE ARE ALL FASCINATED BY MONEY; THEY LIVE AS THOUGH IT IS ALL THAT MATTERS. THOUGH IT IS HARD TO GET BY WITHOUT IT.
LEISURE: WE ALL NEED LEISURE TIME TO 'RE--CREATE OUR BODIES AND MIND.
WORK: SOME LIVE TO WORK. OTHERS WORK TO LIVE. THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE THEIR HEART IN WHAT THEY DO.
RELIGION: SOME THINK "RELIGION " OR "CHRISTIANITY" IS ONLY A PART OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD FROM OTHER THINGS THEY DO.
MOST PEOPLE AGREE THAT A PERSON NEEDS AT LEAST SOME RELIGION....... OTHERS LIVE AS THOUGH ALL THAT MATTERS IS RELIGION--THEY ARE SO HEAVENLY MINDED THEY ARE OF NO EARTHLY USE. HOW DOES IT ALL FIT TOGETHER?
ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND LIFE. HE HAS MET PEOPLE
WHO SEE LIFE IN BITS AND PIECES,
WHO DIVIDE LIFE INTO COMPARTMENTS,
WHO TALK ABOUT THEIR "POLITICAL INTERESTS,"
" LEISURE" INTERESTS"
" BUSINESS INTERESTS"
" CHRISTIAN INTERESTS" AND SO FORTH.
SYLVESTER FEELS MUCH HAPPIER THESE DAYS BECAUSE HE IS LEARNING TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
THE WRONG QUESTION IS: HOW DO I FIT CHRISTIANITY INTO ALL THESE OTHER THINGS?
THE RIGHT QUESTION IS: "HOW DO ALL THESE OTHER THINGS FIT INTO CHRISTIANITY?" SYLVESTER HAS PLACED THE WORD OF GOD AT THE CENTER OF HIS WORLD. TAKE CARE! THE BIBLE IS GOD'S VEHICLE FOR REVEALING HIMSELF.
AT THE CENTER OF THE CHRISTIAN'S LIFE, THEN, IS SECONDARILY A BOOK, BUT PRIMARILY A PERSON, GOD HIMSELF.
AND TO ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS HIS FRIENDS ASK HIM ABOUT HIS FAITH AND CHURCH LIFE. TO BEGIN WITH, THERE IS THE BIBLE. ALL CHURCHES AGREE IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT BOOK. THEY PREACH FROM IT IT, QUOTE IT, USE SEVERAL TRANSLATIONS OF IT, AND THEY TELL YOU TO READ IT. HOWEVER, IT'S NOT EASY TO READ. WE BEGIN TO READ IT WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS, BUT SOON FIND IT TO BE HEAVY GOING. WE WONDER WHAT MUCH OF IT IS ALL ABOUT, AND HOW IT FITS TOGETHER. JUST HOW DO WE READ IT AND MAKE IT ALL FIT? IT WOULD BE GREAT IF ONE COULD DEVOTE ALL OF LIFE TO SERVING GOD. HOWEVER, DOES THAT MEAN ONE HAS TO BECOMES A PASTOR "REVEREND" MINISTER, PRIEST- OR WHATEVER THEY CALL HIM? WHAT MAKES THESE PEOPLE SO SPECIAL? ARE THEY REALLY DIFFERENT FROM YOU AND ME? WELL, MAYBE IF ONE CAN'T BECOME A FULL--TIME PREACHER, MAYBE ONE CAN SERVE GOD BY SINGING IN THE CHURCH CHOIR. THAT'S AT LEAST SOMETHING! JUST WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG THESE DAYS? HOW MANY COMMANDMENTS ARE THERE? MOST AGREE THERE ARE TEN, BUT THEY NUMBER THEM IN DIFFERENT WAYS. SOME SAY THERE ARE ONLY TWO, AND SOME ONLY ONE. SOME SAY THEY GET THEIR COMMANDMENTS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. SOME SAY THEY GET THEIRS FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT, OR ONLY FROM JESUS. SOME SAY OUR CONSCIENCES SHOULD GUIDE US, AND NOTHING ELSE. HOW CAN A PERSON BE SURE? WHO OR WHAT ARE ANGELS? HOW MANY ARE THERE? DOES EACH ONE OF US HAVE ONE OF HIS OWN. WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF? DOES EACH OF US HAVE ONE OF HIS OWN? WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF? CAN A PERSON SEE THEM?
HOW DO THEY TRAVEL? WHY DOES THE CHURCH TALK SO MUCH ABOUT MONEY?
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE PUT IT IN ENVELOPES WHEN THEY GIVE IT IN CHURCH? WHO GETS IT? THE MINISTER? WHAT HAS MONEY TO DO WITH RELIGION ANYWAY? WHY DO PREACHERS TALK SUCH A LOT ABOUT DYING? DEATH SEEMS SO GLOOMY AND FRIGHTENING! SOME SAY WE CAN BE HAPPY ABOUT DYING. HOW? FUNERALS ARE OFTEN SAD AND DEPRESSING. JUST WHAT IS RELIGION ALL ABOUT? IT OFTEN SEEMS LIKE ONE BIG JIGSAW PUZZLE? SYLVESTER NOT ONLY HAS PROBLEMS FITTING TOGETHER WHAT GOES ON WITHIN THE CHURCH, BUT ALSO WITH RELATING "CHURCH" THINGS TO "OUTSIDE" THINGS. HIS PROBLEM IS TWOFOLD. HOW IMPORTANT IS CHRISTIANITY IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES IN LIFE?
DOES CHRISTIANITY HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT HOW WE THINK AND ACT IN SPHERES OF DAILY ACTIVITY? ACCORDING TO MANY PEOPLE CHRISTIANITY SHOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN "ALL OF LIFE?"
LIFE AS "THE TOTAL PIE." GOVERNMENT ON A LOCAL, INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
EDUCATION. A PERSON NEEDS TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE TO DEVELOP SKILLS TO USE IN MEANINGFUL AND SATISFYING WAY.
MONEY. WE ARE ALL FASCINATED BY MONEY; THEY LIVE AS THOUGH IT IS ALL THAT MATTERS. THOUGH IT IS HARD TO GET BY WITHOUT IT.
LEISURE: WE ALL NEED LEISURE TIME TO 'RE--CREATE OUR BODIES AND MIND.
WORK: SOME LIVE TO WORK. OTHERS WORK TO LIVE. THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE THEIR HEART IN WHAT THEY DO.
RELIGION: SOME THINK "RELIGION " OR "CHRISTIANITY" IS ONLY A PART OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD FROM OTHER THINGS THEY DO.
MOST PEOPLE AGREE THAT A PERSON NEEDS AT LEAST SOME RELIGION....... OTHERS LIVE AS THOUGH ALL THAT MATTERS IS RELIGION--THEY ARE SO HEAVENLY MINDED THEY ARE OF NO EARTHLY USE. HOW DOES IT ALL FIT TOGETHER?
ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND LIFE. HE HAS MET PEOPLE
WHO SEE LIFE IN BITS AND PIECES,
WHO DIVIDE LIFE INTO COMPARTMENTS,
WHO TALK ABOUT THEIR "POLITICAL INTERESTS,"
" LEISURE" INTERESTS"
" BUSINESS INTERESTS"
" CHRISTIAN INTERESTS" AND SO FORTH.
SYLVESTER FEELS MUCH HAPPIER THESE DAYS BECAUSE HE IS LEARNING TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
THE WRONG QUESTION IS: HOW DO I FIT CHRISTIANITY INTO ALL THESE OTHER THINGS?
THE RIGHT QUESTION IS: "HOW DO ALL THESE OTHER THINGS FIT INTO CHRISTIANITY?" SYLVESTER HAS PLACED THE WORD OF GOD AT THE CENTER OF HIS WORLD. TAKE CARE! THE BIBLE IS GOD'S VEHICLE FOR REVEALING HIMSELF.
AT THE CENTER OF THE CHRISTIAN'S LIFE, THEN, IS SECONDARILY A BOOK, BUT PRIMARILY A PERSON, GOD HIMSELF.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
PROPHETS.
THE WORD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT COMMONLY USES FOR "PROPHET" DESCRIBES ONE WHO CALLS, SPEAKS, NAMES, AND PROCLAIMS FOR ANOTHER. AN OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET WAS ONE WHO SPOKE FOR GOD AND MADE KNOWN THE DIVINE WILL. TWO PASSAGES WHICH EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF A PROPHET ARE EXODUS 4: 14-16 AND 7:1. ACCORDING TO THESE PASSAGES, MOSES WAS TO BE AS "GOD." TO Aaron, AND Aaron WAS TO BE "MOSES PROPHET." IN OTHER WORDS, MOSES WAS TO TELL Aaron WHAT TO SAY, AND Aaron WAS TO BE MOSES PROPHET AND SPEAK ON MOSES BEHALF. A PROPHET, THEN, WAS ONE THROUGH WHOM GOD SPOKE TO THE PEOPLE. THOUGH THE PEOPLE. THOUGH THE PROPHET SOMETIMES SPOKE OF FUTURE EVENTS, HIS ROLE WAS THAT OF A FORTH-TELLER, RATHER THAN FORE-TELLER.THE OLD TESTAMENT CONTAINS A NUMBER OF WRITINGS REFERRED AS THE PROPHETIC BOOKS THAN DO CHRISTIANS. THEY CLASSIFY JOSHUA, JUDGES,1 AND 2 SAMUEL, AND 1 AND 2 KINGS AS THE FORMER PROPHETS, AND ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, EZEKIEL, AND HOSEA TO MALACHI AS THE "LATTER PROPHETS"
THEY DO NOT CLASSIFY LAMENTATIONS OR DANIEL AS PROPHETIC WRITINGS. SOME ALSO PLACE DANIEL AMONG THE PROPHETS. THE BOOKS CHRISTIANS DEFINE AS PROPHETIC MAKE UP ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WHOLE BIBLE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE WORK AND MESSAGES OF THE PROPHETS, WHICH GIVES SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE SUBJECT. THE PROPHETS REPEATEDLY ATTACHED THE NATION FOR ITS SINFULNESS. THEY SAID IT WAS IGNORING, PERVERTING, AND FORGETTING THE COVENANT GOD HAD MADE WITH THEM AT SINAI. MICAH 6:1-8. THE COVENANT CURSES WERE ABOUT TO COME INTO EFFECT! THE PROPHETS DELIVERED THEIR MESSAGES ABOUT THIS IN FIERY AND VIVID LANGUAGE ( JEREMIAH 4: 5-31) AND SOMETIMES USED HERE "ACTED WORDS."
TO REINFORCE THEIR SPOKEN WORDS, EZEKIEL 4:5). VERY FEW--IF ANY--WITHIN THE NATION LISTENED TO THEM.. THEY LOOKED ON THEM AS LITTLE MORE THAN QUAINT ENTERTAINERS, EZEKIEL 33:0-33. SOME ABUSED AND HARASSED THE PROPHETS, JEREMIAH 20:1-2. SOME PUT THEM TO DEATH, JEREMIAH 26:23. HOW DID THE PROPHETS HOW DID THE PROPHETS SUGGEST GOD WOULD DISCIPLINE HIS PEOPLE? HE WOULD USE THE ARMIES OF SURROUNDING NATIONS AS HIS INSTRUMENTS. GOD HAD ONCE MARCHED AT THE HEAD OF ISRAEL'S ARMIES IN THE CLOUD CALLED THE (SHEKIAH) AND GIVE HER VICTORIES OVER HER FOES, SO HE WOULD LEAD THEM INTO BATTLE AGAINST HIS OWN PEOPLE, ISAIAH (7: 18-20). WAS GOD REALLY BEING HARSH? REMEMBER THE SWEEP OF TIME INVOLVED. GOD MADE HIS COVENANT WITH ISRAEL AT SINAI ABOUT 1250 B.C. HE WAITED FOR ABOUT 525 YEARS BEFORE HE DESTROYED THE NORTHERN KINGDOM, ISRAEL.
HE WAITED ANOTHER (125 YEARS) BEFORE HE LED THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM, JUDAH INTO EXILE. HE HAD BEEN EXTREMELY PATIENT WITH HIS PEOPLE. EVEN SO, HE WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THE COVENANT HE HAD MADE WITH HIS PEOPLE. HE WANTED THEM TO ADOPT A SIMILAR ATTITUDE TOWARDS IT, IF THEY DID NOT, THERE WOULD BE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. HE USED HIS PROPHETS TO MAKE THAT POINT VERY CLEAR TO HIS PEOPLE-- BUT THEY REMAINED INDIFFERENT TO HIM!
HE ATTACK THE NATION BECAUSE BASED ON THE CHARGE THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE BROKEN THE COVENANT. HE INSISTS THAT THOUGH SURROUNDING NATIONS ATTACKED ISRAEL, IT IS REALLY "GOD HIMSELF" WHO IS ATTACKING THEM THROUGH THESE NATIONS.
THEY DO NOT CLASSIFY LAMENTATIONS OR DANIEL AS PROPHETIC WRITINGS. SOME ALSO PLACE DANIEL AMONG THE PROPHETS. THE BOOKS CHRISTIANS DEFINE AS PROPHETIC MAKE UP ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WHOLE BIBLE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE WORK AND MESSAGES OF THE PROPHETS, WHICH GIVES SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE SUBJECT. THE PROPHETS REPEATEDLY ATTACHED THE NATION FOR ITS SINFULNESS. THEY SAID IT WAS IGNORING, PERVERTING, AND FORGETTING THE COVENANT GOD HAD MADE WITH THEM AT SINAI. MICAH 6:1-8. THE COVENANT CURSES WERE ABOUT TO COME INTO EFFECT! THE PROPHETS DELIVERED THEIR MESSAGES ABOUT THIS IN FIERY AND VIVID LANGUAGE ( JEREMIAH 4: 5-31) AND SOMETIMES USED HERE "ACTED WORDS."
TO REINFORCE THEIR SPOKEN WORDS, EZEKIEL 4:5). VERY FEW--IF ANY--WITHIN THE NATION LISTENED TO THEM.. THEY LOOKED ON THEM AS LITTLE MORE THAN QUAINT ENTERTAINERS, EZEKIEL 33:0-33. SOME ABUSED AND HARASSED THE PROPHETS, JEREMIAH 20:1-2. SOME PUT THEM TO DEATH, JEREMIAH 26:23. HOW DID THE PROPHETS HOW DID THE PROPHETS SUGGEST GOD WOULD DISCIPLINE HIS PEOPLE? HE WOULD USE THE ARMIES OF SURROUNDING NATIONS AS HIS INSTRUMENTS. GOD HAD ONCE MARCHED AT THE HEAD OF ISRAEL'S ARMIES IN THE CLOUD CALLED THE (SHEKIAH) AND GIVE HER VICTORIES OVER HER FOES, SO HE WOULD LEAD THEM INTO BATTLE AGAINST HIS OWN PEOPLE, ISAIAH (7: 18-20). WAS GOD REALLY BEING HARSH? REMEMBER THE SWEEP OF TIME INVOLVED. GOD MADE HIS COVENANT WITH ISRAEL AT SINAI ABOUT 1250 B.C. HE WAITED FOR ABOUT 525 YEARS BEFORE HE DESTROYED THE NORTHERN KINGDOM, ISRAEL.
HE WAITED ANOTHER (125 YEARS) BEFORE HE LED THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM, JUDAH INTO EXILE. HE HAD BEEN EXTREMELY PATIENT WITH HIS PEOPLE. EVEN SO, HE WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THE COVENANT HE HAD MADE WITH HIS PEOPLE. HE WANTED THEM TO ADOPT A SIMILAR ATTITUDE TOWARDS IT, IF THEY DID NOT, THERE WOULD BE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. HE USED HIS PROPHETS TO MAKE THAT POINT VERY CLEAR TO HIS PEOPLE-- BUT THEY REMAINED INDIFFERENT TO HIM!
HE ATTACK THE NATION BECAUSE BASED ON THE CHARGE THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE BROKEN THE COVENANT. HE INSISTS THAT THOUGH SURROUNDING NATIONS ATTACKED ISRAEL, IT IS REALLY "GOD HIMSELF" WHO IS ATTACKING THEM THROUGH THESE NATIONS.
Saturday, October 27, 2018
IN THE BEGINNING. (MAKING OUR BEGINNING)
" IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, " GENESIS 1:1. A FAMILIAR SENTENCE! TAKE HOLD OF YOUR BIBLE AND PLACE BETWEEN THE FINGERS OF YOUR LEFT HAND THE PAGES THAT OUTLINE WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE ABRAHAM APPEARED ON THE BIBLICAL STAGE (THAT'S GENESIS 1:1-11:26). NOW HOLD BETWEEN THE FINGERS OF YOUR RIGHT HAND THE PAGES THAT REPORT WHAT HAPPENED BEYOND THAT POINT. THAT'S THE REST OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE NEW TESTAMENT AS WELL. YOU WILL HAVE ABOUT TEN PAGES IN YOUR LEFT HAND, AND ABOUT A THOUSAND IN YOUR RIGHT. WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS LITTLE EXERCISE? ABRAHAM WAS THE FIRST OLD TESTAMENT "CHOSEN PEOPLE."
HE LIVED AROUND 1850-1750 B.C. THE BIBLE DEVOTES ONLY ONE PERCENT OF ITS PAGES TO WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE ABRAHAM'S CALL, SHOWING WHERE ITS MAJOR INTEREST LIES. IT WOULD BE WRONG TO TO CONCLUDE FROM THIS THAT THE BIBLE IS NOT PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD PRIOR TO ABRAHAM. THOUGH THE PRE-ABRAHAM HISTORY IS WRITTEN UP ONLY IN A SKETCHY AND CURSORY WAY, IT IS NEVERTHELESS WRITTEN UP IN A CAREFULLY STRUCTURED WAY. MANY OF BIBLICAL SCHOLARS BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST ELEVEN
CHAPTERS OF GENESIS CONSTITUTE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THEOLOGICAL STATEMENTS IN THE BIBLE. WHY? BECAUSE THEY MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE READER THE PURPOSE GOD HAD IN MIND WHEN HE CALLED ABRAHAM AND BROUGHT THE CHOSEN PEOPLE INTO BEING. THE OLD TESTAMENT TELLS OF GOD MAKING COVENANTS WITH ABRAHAM (GEN 12:1-3), DAVID (2 SAMUEL 7), AND WITH ISRAEL AR SINAI, EXODUS 19-20. THESE COVENANTS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE NARRATIVE. AMONG OTHER THINGS, GENESIS 1-11 STS OUT TO SHOW THAT THE GOD WHO MADE THESE COVENANTS IS THE CREATOR HIMSELF! FURTHERMORE,, IT EXPLAINS WHY GOD INVOLVED HIMSELF IN THE HISTORY OF THE HUMAN RACE.
WHAT LIES BEHIND GENESIS 1:1-2:4a? HOW LONG DID CREATION TAKE PLACE? HOW LONG WAS THE DAYS REFERRED TO IN GENESIS 1 DOES NOT SET OUT TO ANSWER SUCH QUESTIONS, THEY SUGGEST THAT, WE STAY AWAY FROM CLOCKS AND CALENDARS, FOR THE WRITER'S CONCERN WAS THEOLOGY RATHER THAN CHRONOLOGY. THE BASIS CONCERNS STATES CLEARLY AND MAJESTICALLY ISRAEL'S FAITH IN THE ONE TRUE GOD, THEE MODE OF CREATION, AND THE CONTINUING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND HIS CREATION. SECONDLY, IT SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT THE CREATOR HIMSELF MADE COVENANTS WITH ABRAHAM, ISRAEL, AND DAVID. FINALLY, IT STATES ISRAEL'S ATTITUDE TO THE BELIEFS OF NEIGHBOR NATIONS IN HE ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN WORLD
HE LIVED AROUND 1850-1750 B.C. THE BIBLE DEVOTES ONLY ONE PERCENT OF ITS PAGES TO WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE ABRAHAM'S CALL, SHOWING WHERE ITS MAJOR INTEREST LIES. IT WOULD BE WRONG TO TO CONCLUDE FROM THIS THAT THE BIBLE IS NOT PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD PRIOR TO ABRAHAM. THOUGH THE PRE-ABRAHAM HISTORY IS WRITTEN UP ONLY IN A SKETCHY AND CURSORY WAY, IT IS NEVERTHELESS WRITTEN UP IN A CAREFULLY STRUCTURED WAY. MANY OF BIBLICAL SCHOLARS BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST ELEVEN
CHAPTERS OF GENESIS CONSTITUTE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THEOLOGICAL STATEMENTS IN THE BIBLE. WHY? BECAUSE THEY MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE READER THE PURPOSE GOD HAD IN MIND WHEN HE CALLED ABRAHAM AND BROUGHT THE CHOSEN PEOPLE INTO BEING. THE OLD TESTAMENT TELLS OF GOD MAKING COVENANTS WITH ABRAHAM (GEN 12:1-3), DAVID (2 SAMUEL 7), AND WITH ISRAEL AR SINAI, EXODUS 19-20. THESE COVENANTS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE NARRATIVE. AMONG OTHER THINGS, GENESIS 1-11 STS OUT TO SHOW THAT THE GOD WHO MADE THESE COVENANTS IS THE CREATOR HIMSELF! FURTHERMORE,, IT EXPLAINS WHY GOD INVOLVED HIMSELF IN THE HISTORY OF THE HUMAN RACE.
WHAT LIES BEHIND GENESIS 1:1-2:4a? HOW LONG DID CREATION TAKE PLACE? HOW LONG WAS THE DAYS REFERRED TO IN GENESIS 1 DOES NOT SET OUT TO ANSWER SUCH QUESTIONS, THEY SUGGEST THAT, WE STAY AWAY FROM CLOCKS AND CALENDARS, FOR THE WRITER'S CONCERN WAS THEOLOGY RATHER THAN CHRONOLOGY. THE BASIS CONCERNS STATES CLEARLY AND MAJESTICALLY ISRAEL'S FAITH IN THE ONE TRUE GOD, THEE MODE OF CREATION, AND THE CONTINUING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND HIS CREATION. SECONDLY, IT SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT THE CREATOR HIMSELF MADE COVENANTS WITH ABRAHAM, ISRAEL, AND DAVID. FINALLY, IT STATES ISRAEL'S ATTITUDE TO THE BELIEFS OF NEIGHBOR NATIONS IN HE ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN WORLD
Friday, October 26, 2018
BIBLICAL STAGE, (THE FIRST QUESTIONS).
IS THERE God? HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT HIM? WHAT ARE HIS PLANS FOR THE UNIVERSE, THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, AND OUR PERSONAL LIFE? THE BIBLE NEVER DEBATES THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, BUT ACCEPTS IT AS A GIVEN. GENESIS 1:1 ASSERTS WITH MAJESTIC DIGNITY, " IN THE BEGINNING, GOD...", AND ALL THAT FOLLOWS PROCEEDS FROM THAT PREMISE. A SPATE OF QUESTIONS NOW PRESENT THEMSELVES: WHAT IS GOD LIKE? WHERE DOES HE OPERATE? HOW DOES ONE FIND OUT ABOUT HIM, MAKE CONTACT WITH HIM? A LITTLE BIT LATER WE SPEAK OF THESE QUESTIONS. HE WHO SCANS THE HEAVENS WITH A TELESCOPE DOES INDEED SEE EVIDENCE WHICH POINTS TO GOD'S EXISTENCE. WE MIGHT CALL THIS EVIDENCE HIS "FOOT PRINTS IN CREATION", PSALM 19:1. THESE FOOTPRINTS POINT TO HIS POWER, HIS WISDOM, HIS DESIGN AND ORDER, AND HIS KNOWLEDGE. THOUGH THE BIBLE INSISTS THAT GOD CREATED ALL THINGS, ITS GREATER PURPOSE IS TO SET FORTH CREATIONS PURPOSE. GENESIS 1:1 STATES THAT CREATION AND HISTORY HAD A BEGINNING AND THAT GOD WAS RESPONSIBLE
FOR THIS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE BIBLE INSISTS THAT GOD DID NOT SIMPLY CREATE THE WORLD, AND THEN WITHDRAW--LEAVING IT TO STUMBLE ALONG ALONE ON ITS OWN. NO! HE SUSTAINS WHAT HE HAS MADE, AND INVOLVES HIMSELF INTIMATELY IN ITS HISTORY. THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE STATES THAT GOD HAS SEEN FIT TO MAKE PLANET EARTH THE SPECIAL STAGE FOR HIS ACTIVITIES AND HAVE LEFT HIS FOOTPRINTS ALL OVER ITS HISTORY. WE LEARN HOW GOD IS INVOLVED IN OUR HISTORY BY STUDYING WHAT HE SOUGHT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE HISTORY OF THE OLD AND NEW ISRAEL. THE CHALLENGE, THEN IS TO STUDY THE UNFOLDING DRAMA THAT UNFOLDS WITHIN THE SWEEP OF THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE IN THE LIGHT OF IT. THE SETTING FOR OUR DRAMA IS THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST. THOUGH WE WERE NOT THERE TO WATCH THE EVENTS AS THEY ACTUALLY TOOK PLACE, THE SCRIPT (THE BIBLE) RUNS THEM BEFORE OUR EYES. AFTER GOD RESCUED HIS PEOPLE FROM EGYPT, HE LED THEM TO SINAI WHERE HE MADE A COVENANT WITH THEM. THOUGH HE DESCENDED TO THE TOP OF SINAI, HE DID NOT ASCEND AFTER THE EVENT. HE TOOK UP PERMANENT RESIDENCE AMONG HIS PEOPLE IN TABERNACLE/ TENT OF MEETING. THE OLD TESTAMENT NARRATIVE WHICH FOLLOWS THE OUTLINES OF HISTORY OF A PEOPLE LIVING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD HIMSELF. FURTHERMORE, THE LAW CODES GIVEN AT SINAI WERE NOT GIVEN TO ISRAEL TO TEACH HER HOW TO BECOME GOD'S PEOPLE, FOR SHE ALREADY WAS.
THEY WERE TO SERVE AS GUIDELINES TO HELP EACH PERSON WITHIN THE COMMUNITY COPY GOD'S BEHAVIOR. THEY WERE GUIDELINES FOR RESTORING GOD'S ORIGINAL PLAN FOR THE HUMAN RACE.THE NEW TESTAMENT SPEAKS OF THE SAVING EVENT OF JESUS LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION AS AN " exodus." BOTH THE OLD AND NEW EXODUS, SOMETIMES TRANSLATED AS "DEPARTURE" IS THE
CONSISTENT THEME: RESCUE. THE KEY WORD THROUGHOUT IS GRACE, MEANING UNDESERVING MERCY AND FAVOR OF GOD. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHRISTIANS TO REMEMBER THAT THEY LIVE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A PERSON, NOT A BODY OF DOCTRINE: THE LATTER MUST POINT TO, AND ENHANCE THE FORMER. THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO GOD'S SAVING GRACE IN CHRIST IS TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO COPY CHRIST. MATTHEW 11:29; EPHESIANS 5:1; PETER 2:21. IT REMINDS US THAT HISTORY IS NOT JUST ONE FOOL THING AFTER ANOTHER.IT DOES NOT GO AROUND IN MEANINGLESS CIRCLES (CYCLICAL), REPEATING ITSELF ( AS THE BABYLONIAN BELIEVED) EVERY 3,6OO YEARS. HISTORY IS LINEAR IT HAD A BEGINNING, AND HAS A GOAL AND AN END. GOD BEGAN IT, AND INVOLVES HIMSELF IN ALL HISTORY POWERFULLY AND MEANINGFULLY. BY STUDYING HOW GOD ACTED IN THE PAST, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO OLD AND NEW ISRAEL (JESUS), WE LEARN TO UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW AND WHY HE ACTS AS HE DOES AND WHAT HE PURPOSES ARE IN OUR HISTORY. AND LIVES. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT IN GOD "WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING," ACTS 17:28. GOD LIVES IN AN 'ETERNAL NOW"; IN HIM THERE IS NO PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE- ONLY AM, EXODUS 3:14. YET THERE HAVE BEEN PARTICULAR TIMES WHEN HE ACTED OBVIOUSLY AND POWERFULLY, AND THE BIBLE OUTLINES THESE MIGHTY AND GRACIOUS ACTS.
FOR THIS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE BIBLE INSISTS THAT GOD DID NOT SIMPLY CREATE THE WORLD, AND THEN WITHDRAW--LEAVING IT TO STUMBLE ALONG ALONE ON ITS OWN. NO! HE SUSTAINS WHAT HE HAS MADE, AND INVOLVES HIMSELF INTIMATELY IN ITS HISTORY. THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE STATES THAT GOD HAS SEEN FIT TO MAKE PLANET EARTH THE SPECIAL STAGE FOR HIS ACTIVITIES AND HAVE LEFT HIS FOOTPRINTS ALL OVER ITS HISTORY. WE LEARN HOW GOD IS INVOLVED IN OUR HISTORY BY STUDYING WHAT HE SOUGHT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE HISTORY OF THE OLD AND NEW ISRAEL. THE CHALLENGE, THEN IS TO STUDY THE UNFOLDING DRAMA THAT UNFOLDS WITHIN THE SWEEP OF THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE IN THE LIGHT OF IT. THE SETTING FOR OUR DRAMA IS THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST. THOUGH WE WERE NOT THERE TO WATCH THE EVENTS AS THEY ACTUALLY TOOK PLACE, THE SCRIPT (THE BIBLE) RUNS THEM BEFORE OUR EYES. AFTER GOD RESCUED HIS PEOPLE FROM EGYPT, HE LED THEM TO SINAI WHERE HE MADE A COVENANT WITH THEM. THOUGH HE DESCENDED TO THE TOP OF SINAI, HE DID NOT ASCEND AFTER THE EVENT. HE TOOK UP PERMANENT RESIDENCE AMONG HIS PEOPLE IN TABERNACLE/ TENT OF MEETING. THE OLD TESTAMENT NARRATIVE WHICH FOLLOWS THE OUTLINES OF HISTORY OF A PEOPLE LIVING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD HIMSELF. FURTHERMORE, THE LAW CODES GIVEN AT SINAI WERE NOT GIVEN TO ISRAEL TO TEACH HER HOW TO BECOME GOD'S PEOPLE, FOR SHE ALREADY WAS.
THEY WERE TO SERVE AS GUIDELINES TO HELP EACH PERSON WITHIN THE COMMUNITY COPY GOD'S BEHAVIOR. THEY WERE GUIDELINES FOR RESTORING GOD'S ORIGINAL PLAN FOR THE HUMAN RACE.THE NEW TESTAMENT SPEAKS OF THE SAVING EVENT OF JESUS LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION AS AN " exodus." BOTH THE OLD AND NEW EXODUS, SOMETIMES TRANSLATED AS "DEPARTURE" IS THE
CONSISTENT THEME: RESCUE. THE KEY WORD THROUGHOUT IS GRACE, MEANING UNDESERVING MERCY AND FAVOR OF GOD. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHRISTIANS TO REMEMBER THAT THEY LIVE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A PERSON, NOT A BODY OF DOCTRINE: THE LATTER MUST POINT TO, AND ENHANCE THE FORMER. THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO GOD'S SAVING GRACE IN CHRIST IS TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO COPY CHRIST. MATTHEW 11:29; EPHESIANS 5:1; PETER 2:21. IT REMINDS US THAT HISTORY IS NOT JUST ONE FOOL THING AFTER ANOTHER.IT DOES NOT GO AROUND IN MEANINGLESS CIRCLES (CYCLICAL), REPEATING ITSELF ( AS THE BABYLONIAN BELIEVED) EVERY 3,6OO YEARS. HISTORY IS LINEAR IT HAD A BEGINNING, AND HAS A GOAL AND AN END. GOD BEGAN IT, AND INVOLVES HIMSELF IN ALL HISTORY POWERFULLY AND MEANINGFULLY. BY STUDYING HOW GOD ACTED IN THE PAST, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO OLD AND NEW ISRAEL (JESUS), WE LEARN TO UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW AND WHY HE ACTS AS HE DOES AND WHAT HE PURPOSES ARE IN OUR HISTORY. AND LIVES. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT IN GOD "WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING," ACTS 17:28. GOD LIVES IN AN 'ETERNAL NOW"; IN HIM THERE IS NO PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE- ONLY AM, EXODUS 3:14. YET THERE HAVE BEEN PARTICULAR TIMES WHEN HE ACTED OBVIOUSLY AND POWERFULLY, AND THE BIBLE OUTLINES THESE MIGHTY AND GRACIOUS ACTS.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
THE IMAGE AND THE OPTIONS
IN THE PERSON OF HIS INCARNATE SON, JESUS CHRIST, GOD ONCE WORE A CROWN OF THORNS. THE APPROXIMATE SHAPE OF A CROWN OF THORNS IS CIRCULAR. THORNS PROTRUDE FROM IT. IF WE WERE TO CONSTRUCT A SYMBOL FOR GOD. THE SYMBOL WOULD CONSISTS OF A CIRCLE WITH FOUR ARROWS PROTRUDING FROM IT. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH HAS LONGED USED A CIRCLE AS A SYMBOL FOR GOD.
THE CHURCH HAS LONGED USED A CIRCLE AS A SYMBOL FOR GOD. THE CIRCLE EXPRESSES THE TRUTH THAT GOD IS ONE, AND THAT HE HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARROWS GOING OUT FROM HIM IS THAT GOD IS ALWAYS ONE WHO ACTS, AND HIS ACTIONS GO OUT FROM HIMSELF. GOD DOES NOT SIT UP IN HEAVEN STUDYING HIS OWN NAVEL LIKE SOME CONTEMPLATIVE BUDDHA. HE ACTS CONSISTENTLY IN LOVE, KINDNESS AND MERCY., AND THESE ALWAYS FLOW OUT FROM HIMSELF. GOD IS LIKE A GREAT TANK FULL OF THESE QUALITIES- A TANK WHOSE FAWCETT IS ALWAYS TURNED ON. TO ENABLE THE CONTENT TO FLOW OUT. GOD MADE MAN TO BE A CREATURE WHO LOVES. MAN'S LOVE WAS TO FLOW OUT FROM HIMSELF TO GOD AND OTHERS. THE OLD TESTAMENT SPELLS OUT THE FIRST COMMANDMENT IN DEUTERONOMY 6: 4,5 " YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS. IT AND TRUST IN GOD MEANS? WE SHOULD FEAR, LOVE, AND THE SECOND COMMANDMENT IN LEVITICUS 19:18. JESUS WELDS THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS INTO ONE, MARK 12:28-34; MATTHEW 22:34-40; LUKE IO:25-28; JOHN 13:34, " AS I HAVE LOVED YOU"; SEE ALSO EPH. 5:1. THOUGH SOME EXPLANATION OF THE COMMANDMENTS SPEAK OF THEM AS TEN, AND OTHER S AS TWO, JESUS REALLY REDUCES THEM ALL TO A SINGLE COMMAND WITH TWO ARMS- THAT WHICH REACHES UP TO GOD IS CONNECTED TO ANOTHER WHICH REACHES OUT TO NEIGHBOR. SOME JEWS DEBATED WHO ONE'S NEIGHBOR REALLY IS, AND HOW MUCH ONE SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN HELPING HIM JESUS SAYS THE QUESTION IS, "TO WHOM AM I TO BE A NEIGHBOR, AND TO WHAT DEGREE AM I TO PLACE MY LIFE ON THE LINE IN SERVING HIM? ( LUKE 10:29-37). HE DOES AWAY WITH ALL LIMITATIONS (GOOD SAMARITAN). PLACED ON WHO THE NEIGHBOR IS AND THE SERVICE TO BE RENDERED TO HIM. PAUL REDUCES GOD'S WILL FOR HUMANITY TO ONE WORD "LOVE", ROMANS 13:8-10. THE WORD LOVE MEANS "SERVE!"
HUMANITY'S SIN IS THE REFUSAL TO SERVE GOD AND OTHERS. PEOPLE IN THEIR NATURAL STATE OF "FLESH" USE LIFE TO SERVE THEMSELVES, ROMANS 7;5 ( SHOWS OUR SIN). IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR AN ANCIENT KING TO PLACE IMAGES THROUGHOUT HIS REALM, TO REMIND HIS SUBJECTS WHAT HE WAS LIKE. GOD HAS NO NEED FOR IMAGES OF WOOD AND STONE. HE MADE HUMANITY TO BE A WALKING, LIVING IMAGE, LIKENESS AND REFLECTION OF HIS CHARACTER . HAND AND HAND WITH BEING IN GOD'S IMAGE WENT A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY: TO EXERCISE DOMINION OVER THE CREATED ORDER, TO CARE FOR IT FOR GOD, AND USE IT TO GLORIFY GOD BY SERVING PEOPLE. ( NOTE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN "IMAGE" AND "DOMINION" IN GENESIS 1:26, AND ADAM NAMING THE CATTLE, BIRDS AND BEASTS IN GENESIS 2 :20). WHAT'S " LOVE?" WHAT' THE WORD "LOVE IS SOMETIMES CONFUSED WITH THE WORD "LIKE." ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS IS THAT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE HAS ONLY ONE WORD "LIKE." ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS IS THAT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE HAS ONLY ONE WORD, "LOVE" TO EXPRESS A NUMBER OF IDEAS. THE GREEK LANGUAGE USES A NUMBER OF TERMS: HERE ARE 4 OF THEM:
1.) EROS ACTS IN RESPONSE TO AN ATTRACTION IN ANOTHER PERSON; IT USUALLY INVOLVES PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL APPEAL. IT IS AN ACT OF EMOTIONS, AND CANNOT BE COMMANDED.
2). PHILIA HAS TO DO WITH COMPANIONSHIP. WHILE IT SHOULD FIND A PLACE IN A MATURE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP., IT DOES NOT HAVE SEXUAL OVERTONES.
3). AGAPE (AH-GAH-PAY) ACTS IN RESPONSE TO A NEED IN ANOTHER PERSON. IT IS AN ACT OF THE WILL, AND CAN BE COMMANDED. THE WORD IS USED TO DESCRIBE GOD'S LOVE FOR MANKIND, AND THE LOVE OF A FATHER FOR HIS DAUGHTER, OR THE LOVE OF A SON FOR HIS MOTHER. IT DOES NOT INVOLVE SEXUAL FEELINGS.
4). STORGE- (STORE-GAY) REFERS TO THE AFFECTION WITHIN THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE, GIVE AND TAKE, OF FAMILY LIFE. THE GREEKS SPOKE ALSO OF PHILADELPHIA, "LOVE OF BROTHER" , AND PHILANTHROPIA, " LOVE OF HUMANITY."
THE CHURCH HAS LONGED USED A CIRCLE AS A SYMBOL FOR GOD. THE CIRCLE EXPRESSES THE TRUTH THAT GOD IS ONE, AND THAT HE HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARROWS GOING OUT FROM HIM IS THAT GOD IS ALWAYS ONE WHO ACTS, AND HIS ACTIONS GO OUT FROM HIMSELF. GOD DOES NOT SIT UP IN HEAVEN STUDYING HIS OWN NAVEL LIKE SOME CONTEMPLATIVE BUDDHA. HE ACTS CONSISTENTLY IN LOVE, KINDNESS AND MERCY., AND THESE ALWAYS FLOW OUT FROM HIMSELF. GOD IS LIKE A GREAT TANK FULL OF THESE QUALITIES- A TANK WHOSE FAWCETT IS ALWAYS TURNED ON. TO ENABLE THE CONTENT TO FLOW OUT. GOD MADE MAN TO BE A CREATURE WHO LOVES. MAN'S LOVE WAS TO FLOW OUT FROM HIMSELF TO GOD AND OTHERS. THE OLD TESTAMENT SPELLS OUT THE FIRST COMMANDMENT IN DEUTERONOMY 6: 4,5 " YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS. IT AND TRUST IN GOD MEANS? WE SHOULD FEAR, LOVE, AND THE SECOND COMMANDMENT IN LEVITICUS 19:18. JESUS WELDS THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS INTO ONE, MARK 12:28-34; MATTHEW 22:34-40; LUKE IO:25-28; JOHN 13:34, " AS I HAVE LOVED YOU"; SEE ALSO EPH. 5:1. THOUGH SOME EXPLANATION OF THE COMMANDMENTS SPEAK OF THEM AS TEN, AND OTHER S AS TWO, JESUS REALLY REDUCES THEM ALL TO A SINGLE COMMAND WITH TWO ARMS- THAT WHICH REACHES UP TO GOD IS CONNECTED TO ANOTHER WHICH REACHES OUT TO NEIGHBOR. SOME JEWS DEBATED WHO ONE'S NEIGHBOR REALLY IS, AND HOW MUCH ONE SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN HELPING HIM JESUS SAYS THE QUESTION IS, "TO WHOM AM I TO BE A NEIGHBOR, AND TO WHAT DEGREE AM I TO PLACE MY LIFE ON THE LINE IN SERVING HIM? ( LUKE 10:29-37). HE DOES AWAY WITH ALL LIMITATIONS (GOOD SAMARITAN). PLACED ON WHO THE NEIGHBOR IS AND THE SERVICE TO BE RENDERED TO HIM. PAUL REDUCES GOD'S WILL FOR HUMANITY TO ONE WORD "LOVE", ROMANS 13:8-10. THE WORD LOVE MEANS "SERVE!"
HUMANITY'S SIN IS THE REFUSAL TO SERVE GOD AND OTHERS. PEOPLE IN THEIR NATURAL STATE OF "FLESH" USE LIFE TO SERVE THEMSELVES, ROMANS 7;5 ( SHOWS OUR SIN). IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR AN ANCIENT KING TO PLACE IMAGES THROUGHOUT HIS REALM, TO REMIND HIS SUBJECTS WHAT HE WAS LIKE. GOD HAS NO NEED FOR IMAGES OF WOOD AND STONE. HE MADE HUMANITY TO BE A WALKING, LIVING IMAGE, LIKENESS AND REFLECTION OF HIS CHARACTER . HAND AND HAND WITH BEING IN GOD'S IMAGE WENT A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY: TO EXERCISE DOMINION OVER THE CREATED ORDER, TO CARE FOR IT FOR GOD, AND USE IT TO GLORIFY GOD BY SERVING PEOPLE. ( NOTE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN "IMAGE" AND "DOMINION" IN GENESIS 1:26, AND ADAM NAMING THE CATTLE, BIRDS AND BEASTS IN GENESIS 2 :20). WHAT'S " LOVE?" WHAT' THE WORD "LOVE IS SOMETIMES CONFUSED WITH THE WORD "LIKE." ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS IS THAT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE HAS ONLY ONE WORD "LIKE." ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS IS THAT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE HAS ONLY ONE WORD, "LOVE" TO EXPRESS A NUMBER OF IDEAS. THE GREEK LANGUAGE USES A NUMBER OF TERMS: HERE ARE 4 OF THEM:
1.) EROS ACTS IN RESPONSE TO AN ATTRACTION IN ANOTHER PERSON; IT USUALLY INVOLVES PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL APPEAL. IT IS AN ACT OF EMOTIONS, AND CANNOT BE COMMANDED.
2). PHILIA HAS TO DO WITH COMPANIONSHIP. WHILE IT SHOULD FIND A PLACE IN A MATURE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP., IT DOES NOT HAVE SEXUAL OVERTONES.
3). AGAPE (AH-GAH-PAY) ACTS IN RESPONSE TO A NEED IN ANOTHER PERSON. IT IS AN ACT OF THE WILL, AND CAN BE COMMANDED. THE WORD IS USED TO DESCRIBE GOD'S LOVE FOR MANKIND, AND THE LOVE OF A FATHER FOR HIS DAUGHTER, OR THE LOVE OF A SON FOR HIS MOTHER. IT DOES NOT INVOLVE SEXUAL FEELINGS.
4). STORGE- (STORE-GAY) REFERS TO THE AFFECTION WITHIN THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE, GIVE AND TAKE, OF FAMILY LIFE. THE GREEKS SPOKE ALSO OF PHILADELPHIA, "LOVE OF BROTHER" , AND PHILANTHROPIA, " LOVE OF HUMANITY."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)