That Is Us

Psalm 102:18 (KJV) This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

I have a friend who claims that Jesus only came for the Jews, and only died for the Jews.  He would probably say that the church was never found in the Old Testament.  I’m willing to guess that he either never read this verse, or he read it with blinders on.

This is a promise found back in the days of ancient Israel.  God is saying that He is going to create a new people.  That would be the church, the body of Christ, the believers of today.

So?  Are you part of that new nation?  Are you a part of those which are going to be made and which have already been made?  If not, you are welcome to become apart.

Being a Know It All

Proverbs 30:18 (KJV) There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

If you look at the things listed in the next verse, we in modern times can explain at least the first two.  We know about Bernoulli’s principal and how an airplane flies, let alone a bird.  If you’ve seen scientific videos, you’ve watched the underside of a snake as it slither across the surface.  Knowledge is a wonderful thing to have.  We can assume that as time goes on that more knowledge will be available.  Will all the knowledge be worth investing the time in to learn?  I doubt it.  I really don’t need a catalog of all the different shapes of snowflakes that have fallen in the history of the world.

The point here. though. is that it is better to have wisdom than just knowledge.  Another point that you could infer from this is that it is better to be an ancient without certain knowledge and know the principles of God then to be a modern scientist living in arrogance, or for that matter a theologian.

So?  Research the things of God.  Know His principles.  Know Him.  You will be better off than Solomon, even though Solomon did not write this Proverb. 

Dating Scripture

Psalms 74:7 (KJV) They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.

(Proverbs 29 also read)

Today you get to play scholar.  As you read this verse, what period in the history of Israel fits what you are reading?  Put aside your pre-conceived ideas.  Suspend your assumption that all Psalms are written by David.  When was God’s sanctuary burned to the ground?

It would seem to be speaking of the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians.  That would mean that the book of Psalms had additions at least that late in Israel’s history.

So?  Take the Bible as it presents itself, not as others interpret it for you.  Be your own scholar. 

Traditional Mistakes

(Pro 28:24 KJV)  Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

One of my theories is that the Jewish teachers of Jesus’ day had largely abandoned the written law of Moses and were running on full tanks of tradition and man-made wisdom.  This would tell me that it was also that way in the days of Solomon.  Remember one of the discussions Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees. 

(Mat 15:3 KJV)  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
(Mat 15:4 KJV)  For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Be careful that what you believe is actually in the Bible.  We have a lot of traditions that are harmless.  We have some that are silly.  Some might have taken the place of doctrine.

So?  It cannot be said too much.  Keep seeking the truth the Bible offers.  Keep your eyes open and your mind in gear.  

Stop Braying

Proverbs 27:22 (KJV) Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

First a word for you King James enthusiasts.  Do you know what it means to bray?  I have to guess that most people under age would have no idea.  Those who are a little bit older might think of the noise a donkey makes.  Neither one of those is satisfactory here.  You need to find a modern translation and do a little research.  Modern translations come up with “pound”.

What caught my attention this morning was this idea of trying to convince a fool of truth.  Since I’m reluctant to call people fools in the biblical sense, in my mind I insert something less damning.  I just think of someone who’s naïve or possibly uninformed.  It does apply though to a certain mentality that refuses to listen or to seek deeper truth.

This seems to imply that there are some people who are just not open to the truth.  Not only do they not listen but even if you get them to repeat your words, one at a time they don’t get beyond the wax in their ears.  I think the idea here is to stop beating the dead horse.

So?  I hope this type of fool never applies to me.  What it does tell me is that I need to find more positive and different ways to try and get around the obstruction in other people’s minds and hearts.  May God guide me and make me sensitive to where other people are.  

Don’t Play Their Game

Proverbs 26:4 (KJV) Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

As I read this morning, a dialogue came to mind that I am having with a friend.  Since I would not call him a fool I had to change that word to perhaps “naïve”.  The message that came through to me was that I need to be careful in responding to people in the same spirit that they are addressing me.  My attitude should be one of seeking truth, not winning an argument.

I think that’s a worthwhile thought.

So often we get into these arguments and try to win.  What I decided to do with the scripture that he was pounding me over the head with was not to pound back, but to simply focus on the written word of God and allow it to speak to my heart.  I find that leaves my heart in much better condition than absorbing someone’s anger.

As a result, I’ve had a great morning of worship as I meditated on keywords in the versus he he thrown at me.  I’m not sure he will be happy because it wasn’t the intention he had, but we will both be better off.

So?  Focus on the word.  Go into the presence of God with Thanksgiving.  Do things His way instead of in the way of a fool.  

The Perspective of Eternity

Psalms 73:13 (KJV) Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

One of the things I appreciate about the teachings in the Bible is the balance that makes pie in the sky a false accusation.  We have multiplied promises that God gives us.  We know them to be true.  At the same time we have clear statements about how things will look on the surface.

If you look through this chapter in Psalms, there is a long list of what are considered benefits of the selfish, powerful, and greedy.  The Bible does not deny that there are people like this, and that they are often successful.  But that success is in the terms of the world and of what we can see.  This verse even acknowledges the feeling that his righteousness and faithfulness has been in “vain”.

But keep reading.  You always need to get to the end of the story to find out how the plot works out.  The author is vindicated.  God is trustworthy.

So?  Hang in there.  God will balance the scale.  In fact, He won’t just balance it, He will put His finger on the side of righteousness.  Make sure you are on that side.