Ah, Culture

Psalm 133:2 (KJV) It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

(Proverbs 13 also read)

Let’s face it, we do not live in ancient Israel.  We do not live in that day and age.  The thought of eating locusts and honey does not send me into ecstasy.  There are many cultural realities of that day that make me recoil.  Here you have a good example.

The idea of pouring oil on my head and rejoicing as it runs down my beard and onto my clothes does not reach me.  I don’t expect that it would thrill you either.  This is where we have to take the context of culture and understand what that would mean to them, and how we can apply it to ourselves.

I’m sure the David thought of this in regard to the anointing that God had given him to be king.  In fact, the word anointing is our word “messiah”.  A messiah is different than The Messiah.  A messiah is simply one who has been anointed.  This applies to the priests and kings.  In modern times, we anoint with oil in ordination services, and we are told to anoint the sick with oil.  It still has a physical meeting.

For us it also has a spiritual meeting.  We would tend to think of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the image of that anointing running down over our face and under our clothes, should remind us that we want to be cleansed totally, wholly, from to end.

So?  Always put on your thinking cap.  When you see something that seems strange or challenges your ability to understand, turn up the dial and think more deeply.  God could have a message for you that transcends cultural limitations. 

Watch Those Traditions

(Psa 133:3 KJV)  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

(Proverbs 21 also read)

Doctrine is important.  It always has been and always will be, but we have the responsibility to make sure that our doctrine is based on the Bible rather than what the Bible calls the “Tradition of the Elders”.  This is one of those places where Jesus ran into trouble.  He believed in the resurrection and one of the dominant Schools of Theology, the Sadducees, did not.  

This verse deals with another area of confusion.  I have read people who claim that the Hebrews of the Old Testament did not believe in eternal life, or as we often conveniently say, “heaven”.  I don’t know how they can say that if they have ever recited the 23rd Psalm (and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever) but this verse would also seem to make things clear.

This is also true of us today.  Many can give you some fine points of doctrine but they have not done the reading that justifies such confidence.

So?  Keep reading and make sure that you are in tune with the Bible.  I don’t see myself arguing with Jesus on Judgement Day but if I did I would not have my pastor there to explain why Jesus was wrong.