Epitome

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Nothing Compares to You, Wisdom (Proverbs 8)

What’s the most valuable thing to you? What is it that keeps you awake at night, worried? What determines your priorities? I bet the answer to these questions is not ‘seeking wisdom.’ Yet it’s what Proverbs says is the most important task of life; the gaining of real biblically spiritual, moral wisdom.

Chapter 8 of Proverbs features the second of Lady Wisdom’s three main speeches in Proverbs 1–9; the last one is in chapter 9. She cries out for all to listen to her, not just the simple, the mocker, the fool; although there is--in reality--a simpleton, mocker and fool within all of us, situationally at least.
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There are four parts to Wisdom’s Proverbs 8 speech:

1. An introductory section (verses 4-11)

Nothing compares to Wisdom. In 1990, Sinead O’Connor had a major hit with the song Nothing Compares to You. The lyric, “I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard, but I’m willing to give it another try,” fits with our yearning for wisdom. It’s a rocky journey.

Wisdom, in truth, is entirely dependable and faithful. She will never not return more than we invest. It may be a rocky journey, the life toward wisdom, but we’ll reap a harvest of good if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

2. An informative section on the character of Wisdom (verses 12-21)

How do we know if we truly want Wisdom if we don’t ever get to know her and what she’s about? She, like God, loves certain things and hates other things. For instance, she says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me.” (Verse 17 Amplified)

We discover early on that those who have their priorities set in the right order seek Wisdom first and foremost. It is the process of investing in our own blessing; a blessing that propagates onto others--“streams of living water will flow from within” that person out into their world and onto those around them (John 7:38). These will begin to live from the eternal context.

3. An autobiographical history lesson on the origins of Wisdom (verses 22-31)

It is in this section we learn where Wisdom is from. She’s from God, from the very origin of his being. If God is love (and he most certainly is i.e. 1 John 4:8) and Spirit (John 4:24), he must also be truth, and wisdom. The character of Wisdom and God are inseparable. Wisdom has been from everlasting. The creation of the world is based in Wisdom.

4. Wisdom concludes with her authoritative, stern warning to ‘embrace her ways.’ (Verses 32-36)
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“Those who embrace these my ways are most blessed. Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don’t squander your precious life.” (Verse 32-33, The Message) We must be awake and alert to Wisdom each morning and throughout... when we find her we “find life, real life, to say nothing of God’s good pleasure.” (Verse 35, The Message)

But, those who reject Wisdom (God) injure themselves and flirt with death (Verse 36, The Message).

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Deceived in a Second: The Power of Sex

A 49 year old man catches glances of an 18 year old store assistant three times a week as he completes his shopping after work. Having only ever attracted her father’s negative attention she takes notice. They’re only ‘glances’ but somehow she likes the visual attention of this man well old enough to be her father; this is not lost on the man--at times, as he leaves the store, he can’t get her out of his head.

Pretty innocent situation? Hardly. For every one of these situations that might end in a lust-fuelled affair, there are thousands that go absolutely nowhere but the mind, and insidiously toward the corruption of the heart. And I’m sure almost no person is exempt.
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Perhaps men are more motivated by the physical, whilst women are more captivated by the care and attention a man might show them. Either way, there’s a way into the heart of any person, whether it’s right or wrong. The power of sex does not discriminate.

If the man profiled above doesn’t watch himself he could end up fabricating something in his mind and heart that not only transgresses the girl, but undermines his own level of self-control; a moral spiralling effect is then set in motion.

This is the danger in even soft porn. I’m not just talking about Playboy magazines. Some of the ‘everyday’ magazines like People have just as much erotic material in them; and then there’s the internet. It’s just so available these days.

So, what to do? The key is to not look i.e. to never act on the impulse to look, and to train ourselves into this behaviour as a default, using the powerful will of the mind. Also, we can only gain power over these situations if they’re acknowledged and confessed and discussed. This is why an accountability partner is crucial; this person does not need to play a formal role. They’re just someone detached and trustworthy; someone we can be brutally transparent with.

The Message paraphrase of the Bible has Jesus saying, “Don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices--they also corrupt.” (Matthew 5:27-28, italics in original.)

Further along, Jesus tells us how important it is to not act on the temptation to leer. Using the power of the will we decide to stop and go in the opposite direction, no matter how much we feel we’re missing out; no matter how good it seems to feel.

Not one of us is beyond sexual temptation. And this is the best defence; awareness of the fact. Try converting your noticed attraction of the opposite sex by seeing them as your sister or brother or daughter or son--someone who needs your platonic friendship and that’s all. Try to see them as a unique being, yet no more special than the next person. They’re someone you’re allowed to like as a friend.

And this is the real power of God manifest in us; when we can gain victory over our fleshiest desire and make our behaviour right and virtuous, we gain freedom--the truth sets us free (John 8:32). We can at last truly admire every single person--as a child of God--regardless of gender or attraction.

The paradox is the victory over self is conditional and only temporary. We must be ever vigilant. When we draw close to God he will draw close to us (James 4:8).

Proverbs 7 – “Love Wisdom like a Sister”

No other chapter of Proverbs harps on about the ‘loose woman’ and not falling for her flattery and deceit like Proverbs 7 does. Only the opening four verses (of 27) and verse 24 do not discuss her; they instead dose the son up with an urgent call to Wisdom.

A threefold hinge structure appears:

1. Fervent Warning to “Love Wisdom like a Sister” (Proverbs 7:4a NLT)

The imagery couldn’t be more vivid. As in previous chapters, we’re to ‘guard our parents’ instructions as the apple (pupil) of our eye.’ (Verse 2) We’re to ‘bind the commands we receive on our fingers and write them (deeply) as a tablet on our hearts.’ (Verse 3)

As in previous chapters on adultery, in the contemporary setting, we’re to consider the subject in a gender inclusive way. The character and risk of the opposite seduction (of a young woman) at the hand of an immoral older man is only slightly different and no less real.

2. Images of an Ox going to the Slaughter (the Young Man’s Deception)

The deceiver (woman or man) is veiled as salubrious. They observe for a naive young man or woman ‘void of good sense.’ They paint a dreamy picture of something almost too good to be true--everything, it seems, has been prepared for a dream-filled interlude.

She’s dressed gorgeously, the husband’s gone away for a long time, the bed is perfumed and adorned, and she is ready, having supposedly fulfilled some vows. And, she has apparently ‘handpicked’ the target of her advances! (Verses 14-20)

Even with such silken words she struggles to entice the younger man, but she’s not done yet; she pulls out all stops to trap him with her flattery and engaging sensual looks. Suddenly, without warning, he capitulates, and is led ignorantly like an ox off to slaughter. (Verses 21-22)

Just as suddenly as the capitulation comes a dart--an arrow--into his heart, his vitals. The dart of passion slays him. Like a bird flown straight into a fowler’s snare, his life as he knew it is over. (Verse 23)

3. Final Warning to Embrace Wisdom

The only valid defence against this ‘brash, rebellious type’ of woman is to embrace Wisdom. We’re told not to even make the first move down her alleyway. “Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.” (Verse 27)

The only thing that saves us in these circumstances is the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10) and to turn hard, fast and quickly in the opposite direction. It (the fear of the LORD) is the most basic and effective premise for sustaining spiritual life.

Monday, July 6, 2009

The Pharisaical Christian’s Stumbling Block

Christianity gets a bad rap for many reasons, but one particular reason plays right into Satan’s hands. He loves it when a Christian discredits Christ (which we’re all prone to do). This can be done in one of at least two ways (though I’m sure there are more) but the main focus here is on the latter failing.

Way number one: the passive way to discredit Christ is to live as a worldly person where being ‘a Christian’ makes no difference in our life. There’s no Christian fruit of the Spirit that’s remarkable. There’s no radical love.

Way number two: the active way to discredit Christ is to be legalistic, harsh and argumentative on standards, nitpicking on theological grains of sand. Many Christians who do this cannot see their lack of love and compassion for other people, made also in the image of God, or begin to understand the context of their circumstances.

They fight over truth but forget grace--the keystone meaning of the gospel message. The gospel doesn’t work without grace. How can we argue persuasively for truth and forget we’re supposed to be underpinned by love?

These latter people often prove totally ineffective in evangelism, but not only that, they blaspheme the name of Christ for they are actually witnesses of something other than true Christianity. Perhaps they more rightly represent a pharisaic (one person) sect calling Christ leader, though Christ is rendered ineffective--the Spirit vanished long ago.

So where do we go?

It’s always a good thing to go back to Jesus’ example of radical compassionate love, especially to those in his midst who had the worst problems.

I hardly think it was a coincidence that Jesus’ radical compassion is linked with his comment that the (Christian) workers are few:

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’” –Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV).

We should pray that there might be capable and compassionate evangelists and (effective) witnesses to the kingdom’s glory. There seems to be so few true shepherds and so many blind guides, at least in ordinary life.

I’m sure some people just don’t get it. A Christian is not supposed to not love. Playing that out consistently--day in, day out--I’m sure, is the hardest thing we’ll ever try. But with God it’s made quite easy as we learn to continually surrender our heart and will. And that is faith.

It is nothing we bring to the party but our willingness to totally cooperate with God. And most people (including many, many ‘Christians’) don’t like that.

Don’t like it? Complain to God. On second thoughts, it would be easier to get used to the fact that our peace and happiness is dependent on our relationship of surrender to God. We cannot espouse the Bible without accepting this basic truth.

The workers are few. The key is, are we one of them? Compassion, patience and understanding are required in relationships, not self-righteousness or truth at any cost.

Proverbs Dishes Up More on Smut (Chapter 6)

Apart from timely reminders on acting quickly to get ourselves out of trouble and more warnings against folly (laziness, greed, deceit etc), Proverbs 6 returns to vivid images of adultery, teaching the young man (or woman) the dangers to avoid.

So what are the lessons in brief?

We’re to watch out for the smooth tongue of the wayward immoral, easy woman. We’re not either to lust after her, or allow her to seduce us. If we did, we’d easily be reduced like Esau to a loaf of bread--how tragic to lose a life path for a meal or a sneaky interlude? After all, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” (Proverbs 6:27 NIV)

(NOTE: There is no reason why we should not read these passages in a gender inclusive way. They do not just refer to men, but women too.)

Even though a thief feeding his family must pay sevenfold when caught (verse 31) his reputation is not utterly destroyed like the adulterer’s. And he doesn’t run for his life from the husband’s inherent fury like the man caught with his wife (verse 34).

“A man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.” (Proverbs 6:32-33 NIV)
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We see Proverbs 1–9 continually hunt this point. There are levels of folly. Laziness and pride and lack of understanding are one thing, but adultery, like murder, is sin gone too far. Certainly folly contributes to the causes of grade 1 sin i.e. the worst kind.

And if our friends, parents or other family have made (or been cut by) these very mistakes we discuss, we learn firsthand not to go there ourselves. There are two ways to learn: the easy way of observation or the hard way of bitter experience.

We must keep our father’s commands and not forsake our mother’s teaching. There is good reason to respect our parents’ leading. These are a constant guide and companion, when we walk life’s journey, when we rest, when we awaken (Verses 20-22).

Sunday, July 5, 2009

The Leadership Moment

Martin Luther King had it and so did Winston Churchill and William Wilberforce. President Barack Obama has it currently. That golden time when the clash of divinely-matched circumstances brings our fledgling inner conviction to outer courage--a fusion toward strong, pungent patience of faith; when we take up mighty and faith-held arms of justice, and strike fearlessly, faith unswerving--the moment of truth beckons. With poise the moment is taken captive.

And these moments occur to all of us, whether our worlds are large or small. There comes a time when we must take a stand and show leadership, from leadership over self to leadership over a team, a business or an entire nation.

The leadership moment is when push comes to shove. It’s when the situational leader in each of us discerns both the opportunity and the threat and our sense of fight overtakes our sense of flight. We’re suddenly larger than ourselves, bigger people than normal. The time is ours.

And this is what it’s like for the persecuted Christian, as much as any other story of courage that makes the motion pictures. Urged not to give up, the writer of Hebrews exhorts the receiver…:

“Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised… we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved” –Hebrews 10:35-36, 39 (TNIV).

The leadership moment is a time when ‘planets align,’ when God is with us strongly in what we need to do. We do not shrink back. We wax and do not wane. We are alert, still of spirit, flexible but strong of mind, loose in the body.

We think, we plan, we pray. And when the finite moment comes we’re ready, and we do one hundred percent what needs doing… to our death if necessary.

Sex Talk – Keeping Your “Waters” to Yourself (Proverbs 5)

Sex is such an enduring subject on all sides of the moral and ethical agenda. Whether people are making a squillion from selling it or people are spending money and effort addressing the social issues that propagate from it, to everything in between, sex simply is big business and of interest to basically everyone. And it features highly in the early going in Proverbs--it is no taboo matter, biblically.

Proverbs 5 uses the metaphor of water to produce in us an understanding of how we’re to conduct ourselves sexually:

“Drink water from your own cistern,

running water from your own well.

“Should your springs overflow in the streets,

your streams of water in the public squares?

“Let them be yours alone,

never to be shared with strangers.

“May your fountain be blessed,

and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth” –Proverbs 5:15-18 (TNIV).

I love the rich imagery. We picture a cistern, a well, a spring, a stream, a fountain. We’re to keep our waters (our sexual purity/fidelity) to ourselves and our life partner. No one else should ever share in this; and this is not simply a physical matter--our minds and hearts too should remain pure.

When we look lustfully or fantasise about another person (who’s not our partner) we’re potentially both abusing them and worshipping them; we also commit adultery at the heart/mind level (Matthew 5:28). This is abhorrent behaviour, though we’re all tempted to do it. When we understand the preciousness of the other person, and how dangerous a look can be, we don’t do it anymore.

Affairs occur all the time and for all sorts of reasons. But it is sure to be our biggest mistake. It can be hardest when we might fall for someone we think we love or we have allowed ourselves to fall in love, and/or vice versa. At various levels compromising decisions have been made--these are never good.

Biblically and practically, the consequences for falling for the harlot are catastrophic. The language used throughout is stark and it does not understate the gravity of the situation. Sexual infidelity is about as serious a matter as there can be, because it is so relationally confronting and shocking. It strikes at the moral heart of every human being.

The most blessed can rejoice in their mate of their youth. The most cursed can say, almost certainly, to go the harlot’s path was their ruination. The ripple effect is lasting!

POST SCRIPT: If we’ve fallen into adultery and we still suffer the guilt and shame of that, we can call upon Jesus in our distress--he saves everyone who is genuinely sorry and wishes to follow him, no exceptions. We can be cleansed of our sin and have our burdens lifted from us unto new life--a life of thrilling restitution in the name of God’s grace and love.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Be Bold, Be Prepared to Leap to Your Success

Jesus said, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor” –Matthew 13:57 (NIV). And it’s something that holds true. Humans--friends, neighbours, relatives--love to hold each other back. This is not just a ‘Jesus truth.’

It’s a simple fact that we face much opposition at home. It doesn’t make sense in some respects, but where there is most resistance to us growing successful in life, it’s at home--not simply the ‘family home’ but around the people we know.

There are, of course, exceptions, but our contemporaries are least likely to support us toward an out-of-this-world end. Perhaps they know us all too well and underestimate our potential. They will almost always doubt us where we might have more self-belief.

The theological story of Abraham is poignant:

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation

and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

“I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you” –Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV).

Abraham (as he was re-named) had to completely leap out of his present context to re-invent himself based on his vision of God’s call for him. The father of all nations would have been called a fool otherwise; Noah was in the same boat (pardon the pun).

There are countless examples of people in all walks of life who’ve made incredibly risky leaps because they were called to greater things. Not always do the leaps come off, but they also say, ‘You have to be in it to win it.’

Self-belief aligned with the unmistakable call of God are the only ingredients required in making the ‘leap cake.’ Sprinkle a little wisdom over the cake in the planning and the recipe could be a great success.

The Heart of the Human Problem is the...

... problem of the human heart” -J. John.

For the man who is widely acclaimed to be the wisest ever (save Jesus), certainly in Biblical tradition, King Solomon certainly proved the above saying correct. The Bible tells us that though he sought wisdom initially, Solomon turned from God towards the idols that his 700 wives and 300 concubines had brought before him (1 Kings 11:3-4) and so God became angry with Solomon as his heart had turned away (11:9).

How is that someone who started out so well, having been gifted a wish from God in a dream--and having chosen to ask for “a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong,” which revealed a true fear of the LORD--would turn aside to the superficial and transitory? (See 1 Kings 3:1-15.) The affair with Bathsheba and the sin that followed was another example (2 Samuel 11).

The trappings of life on earth and our own desires; that’s what deceives us. Imagine having 1,000 women... mmm, blessing or curse? Sure would make life terribly complicated. Solomon, it’s said, had more riches than anyone had ever had before. This too would have made his life more complicated and would have given him over to more temptation.

When we look to the Bible to guide us on these things, we find Proverbs. One of the more literal translations of Proverbs 4:23[1] goes like this:

“More than all else you guard, watch your heart, for out of it, [come] the surges of life.”

Moreover, “from it (the heart) [are] the goings of life.”[2] The heart is our life source. Whatever is present in our speech and behaviour, and in the representation of our body language, and use of our eyes, ears, mouths, and lips etc, all stems from our hearts.

The general message of Proverbs 4 is to “get wisdom” and to seek it with all one’s heart--as if nothing else were more valuable--to protect and preserve one’s spiritual life. We’re to have ‘tunnel’ vision in this way, not swerving to the right or left on our way.

I am Christian like so many others. And yet I know my heart--apart from God--is rotten through. Paul said in Romans 7:15-16 he cannot help himself, at times, in doing the wrong things, whilst striving earnestly to do what is right.

We are not saved from sinning but we’re made right in our dependence upon God, to gain practical wisdom and discernment, through relationship with the Saviour, Jesus--the author and perfector of our faith. It is with him and only with him that we can think and act with pure hearts.

People who are captive to sin (and cannot surrender to God) betray their own hearts and defeat themselves. And this is an absolute fact for all of us. Salvation is a continual process.

We must always continue to grow in our journey with God, by daily surrendering our hearts to him, or we delude ourselves. Fortunately, surrender is a process learned and mastered better the more we do it.

ENDNOTES:
[1] Roland E. Murphy, Proverbs - Word Biblical Commentary (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998), p. 26.
[2] Ibid, p. 28.
[3] Ibid, p. 28.

Youth Speak Out at Rock Eisteddfod 2009 – “Everything is Okay,” Really?

What do war, social climbing, the world financial crisis, depression, Fascist oppression, choices in life, and genetically modified foods all have in common? They are the collective concerns of the most current generation of youth; not so much drugs, sex, or Swine Flu.

All themes selected at the Schools Rock Eisteddfod Challenge & J Rock 2009 had strong moral overtones together with subtle ethical nuances filtering through--the issue underpinning triple-bottom-line[1] outcomes. I found this encouraging as we’re so quick to think the world is in rapid moral ‘sinkhole’ decline.

Judging on this event, our world is in healthy hands venturing into the next generation; but our youth still look to us for hope, security and direction, without being inordinately hampered and constrained (by us) so they’re able to contribute openly, freely, vivaciously.

And let us not be lulled into thinking kids today don’t care for history; two of the eight acts were set in the 1940’s World War II genre.

Other Themes

Judges Too Are Judged

It wasn’t only the performers themselves who felt the strain of the acid-test, but the judges too showed marks of nervousness, as they creatively tiptoed through their synopses. Pressure in the moment of the spotlight reveals our character more than any other ordinary thing.

Perhaps with eyes to judge like they do in Dancing with the Stars each judge showed the discerning just how human they really are. That was both refreshing and uninspiring, depending on the viewpoint. All who perform feel the heat; it’s the ultimate test of competence.

Not Everyone Can Be Called ‘Winner’

It’s a cruel trick of life to compete, allowing fanciful thoughts of crowning glory, only to end up an also-ran. It’s not until we compete (in anything in life) that we realise how very big the pack actually is--it’s a big world.

It’s a reality every one of us has tasted and will taste again. There’s nothing more typical and ordinary than a polished placegetter without the winner’s trophy. And such little separates each of them, but this ‘little’ is supremely significant.

“No Happy Endings” i.e. end result, Depression
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My wife spotted this obvious-in-hindsight overall premise; there weren’t many happy endings. Our youth are so concerned with adult-world issues that it is easy to see them living with little real hope. Perhaps they can’t see hope ahead for all the dire poisoned issues mentioned earlier.

In this way we forget how burdened our youth really are--and these are the ones with a voice, for many are invisible. One banner facetiously insisted that “Everything is Okay.” That’s a sad, numbed and ignorant state of being that the youth actually detest. They fervently seek truth, as youth always have. As my pastor tells me, young people can smell insincerity and lies a mile off.

Real world issues continue to frighten youth. They’re faced with prospect of taking up the toxic chalice. All youth are affected by the devastating themes presented, and more. There’s little wonder that 1 in 5 youth are depressed.

The Adult World Response – Faith

This event was a unique, unembellished window into the youth psyche.

The more things change, the more things stay the same.

We must somehow identify with the sense of daunting reality represented by our youth, getting them used to life skill and resilience techniques which only faith can truly help with.

It is said (and seen here) the youth strongly identify with the moral world; it is our task, in the adult world, to position faith as an attractive option empowering the possessor toward life, and that abundant--making faith a relevant response to moralistic issues, which it is.

It’s the only effective counter-argument to the depressed reality of living life in this world.

[1] The ‘Triple Bottom Line’ is commonly concern for issues related to the social, environmental and economic, or ‘people, planet, profit’--all three are strongly dependent on moral and ethical consideration and action. The world cannot function properly without strong moral/ethical recourse.

Psalm 67 – Pentecostal “Praise” Psalm for Everyone

It is a distant promise of the Bible--the consummation of all things in the holy name of God. This day when God brings all things truly under him in every sense, the realisation of the actuality of heaven, is what all genuine Christians seek. And this is part of the promise I find in Psalm 67--the all-inclusive missionary’s psalm.

This psalm is striking for its inclusive nature. Even though it contains the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, the psalmist substitutes the name Yahweh (the very personal name of God, meaningful for the Jews) for Elohim (“the name used when one must express the Lord’s relationship to all people, nations, and creation.”)[1]

It is a petition psalm, but not in the way we’d expect. When we read the five verses starting with the word “may,” we are to read them “as a humble request,”[2] and not as some extraverted demand. Culturally, it is therefore to be read quite differently in comparison to how we Westerners would read it.

So, if it’s a petition psalm how can it be a praise psalm? It is also possibly a psalm of communal thanksgiving, and one commentator even classifies it oddly as a communal lament. Oh, to theorise the origins of biblical prose. The alternation of indirect and direct address of God seems the most poignant description of genre.[3]

The psalm combines two enduring theological messages in the Old Testament; both the redemption of all nations, and that of Israel.[4] It is no surprise then that the psalm was sung at the Feast of Pentecost, remembering that at Pentecost (Acts 2) the Spirit was poured out on all flesh (the microcosm there) as prophesied in Joel 2:28-31.[5]

The Holy Spirit broke through (into our own non-Israelite spirits), soon after Christ ascended, as the Counsellor (NIV) and Advocate (TNIV, NRSV) to the world; the Spirit of a fundamentally inclusive God. And he dwells with us now unto eternity.[6]

This psalm is a prayer for all people, and a song of hope, a hope that all will heed the call to God. It beckons us to the dramatic, miraculous vision of the end--that all might know and acknowledge God (‘the land yielding its harvest,’ viz Psalm 67:6), and call him their very own, personal Saviour.

ENDNOTES:
[1] Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2000), p. 30.
[2] Craig C. Broyles, Psalms – New International Biblical Commentary (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1999), p. 277.
[3] James L. Mays, Psalms – Interpretation (Louisville, Kentucky: John Knox Press, 1994), p. 224.
[4] Mays, Ibid, p. 224. Mays agrees with Kaiser regarding the relevance of Abraham’s call in Genesis 12 to this passage. See also Isaiah 40-55 (the ‘book of comfort’) for rationale on the redemption of Israel.
[5] Kaiser, Op cit, p. 31.

[6] The Amplified version calls the Holy Spirit the “Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby).”

Friday, July 3, 2009

Further Benefits of Wisdom

The NIV title of Proverbs 3 is a little unimaginative, but it proves the point. The moral, spiritual and practical paybacks of securing wisdom are endless. It is simply the best way. And we don’t look far for reason. Most of these chapter 3 verses state reason enough.

The continued subject of the father’s speech is, of course, the son--the object is his upbringing. These proverbs, chapters 1–9, are really about the parental duty of a sound moral upbringing to the biblical standard. (Much of which seems altogether too difficult for us with our own children in this age--but is that simply an excuse?)

When we read the imperative language we get insight that compels us; no, we don’t have a choice if we love our children and we also abide in truth. The wise, godly parent will therefore hold fast to Proverbs.

Well known almost more than any other couplet of verses, and very much underpinning, is the passage:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”

–Proverbs 3:5-6 (NRSV).

An entire life could be rightly based on those two verses alone, though in reality we need to know more about God to know how to trust him and follow him. But faith is a relatively simple concept.

But, this chapter introduces other important theological concepts, like discipline.

If only we were able to hear and heed the following consistently in our lives:

“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in”

–Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV).

The LORD’s discipline can be any setback in life as God allows all things that happen to happen. Our pain is not the point--it’s merely a signal that something is wrong; our disciplined responses are the point. Pain is good in this way. It’s an activator. We have the opportunity to respond the right way.

The following three verses place importance on the son gaining understanding, presumably as a result of the LORD’s discipline--for that is how understanding is truly gained--in the midst of battle. Understanding is more precious than anything, a truly eternal possession.

And these verses simply lead to the crowning verse in the Jewel of Proverbs 1–9, in my view.

“Long life is in [Wisdom’s] right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor”

–Proverbs 3:16 (NIV).

For these three reasons we’re supremely blessed. A long life is a fulfilled life, content with its lot, however it has turned out. Riches are spiritual riches primarily, but almost certainly (though not always) meaningful (i.e. spiritually meaningful) material riches of tangible variety are in abundance also. Honour comes in the form of a right and just reputation of a person of integrity--no cheap possession.

Wisdom is the ‘tree of life’ to all those who embrace her (3:18), casting the net back to Genesis and forward to Revelation. The tree of life analogy is intrinsically a biblical metaphor; reward for right relationship with God.

The rest of the chapter consists the origins of Wisdom, which came before Creation, an urging to cling fast to Wisdom (verse 21–26) and some notable warnings to follow the path of wisdom. It concludes with five ‘do not’ proverbs which lead to outcome statements: two negative and one positive.

If there is a hinge in Proverbs 1–9 it is chapter 3 with its richness and range.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Wisdom Saves Us from the Wicked and the Adulteress

Seesawing chapter two of Proverbs continues the mood of stern warning initiated in Proverbs 1. Cogent reasons continue to be presented on both negative and positive sides to direct our paths toward Wisdom.

Presenting a compelling opening, eleven of the first twelve verses hinge on the outcome verse: “... then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5 TNIV). It hearkens the son (in its literal context) to heed the warnings and the fourfold conditions (verses 1–4) so he might reap what blessing is promised in verses 6–12, 16, 20–21. In these terms, chapter two is still introductory in disposition. It’s still not taking it for granted the reader is on the same page.

There are many concepts linking chapter 2 with the previous, in causing a complex and repetitive refrain to appear, giving Proverbs--early on--the purpose of instruction. And this is probably why we like them. At any point in life, and not simply in childhood, we can seek instruction. At times, we want to know the way i.e. we want to be told.

The key theme out of Proverbs 2 is negatively based warning to avoid the wicked and the adulteress by investing with Wisdom. Wisdom has already been personified in chapter 1; recall she spoke. The son has been introduced to Wisdom and he is go her way; she alone will save him. And it’s no less true for us today.

We are, on the other hand, so apt to think ‘it will never happen to me,’ rejecting out of hand the possibility that we might be deceived to “walk in dark ways” (verse 13) or that we could be seduced by the oily words of the “wayward woman” (verse 16).

The nature of life is when we think we’re beyond temptation, that is when we’re most exposed, for we fall blind to the fact of our ignorance; our arrogance shields us from the protection we could easily call upon (think back to Proverbs 1 and the failure to heed the warnings).

Wisdom is the answer. It always has been and it will always be.

Going to Wisdom is a search. It is a devoted quest practiced daily for months, even years--unto a lifetime. Fresh perspective envelopes us each time. And it is a safe place to return to, in any condition.

Unlike Proverbs 1, this chapter finishes in the drastic negative, “but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it” (verse 22). It finishes with a promise for both the wicked and the unfaithful. Recall too how critically important the land was, particularly in the context of the generations. Imagine losing the land and the consequences for those in your family to come. Not good! That is how dire these decisions to stray are. They have lasting consequences.

Juxtaposing both 1:33 and 2:22 makes a pretty powerful case to go after wisdom; to ‘get it,’ and this is where we’re heading the day after next i.e. chapter 4.

But chapter 3 of Proverbs is the jewel in the crown of Wisdom; that is next on the radar.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Do You Like a Good Conflict?

It’s a strange notion isn’t it? To ask if you like a good conflict, that is. I found only recently, upon reflection, from a moment preparing for conflict, that there are certain conflicts I relish. I wonder if you’re the same.

This particular conflict was one I’d predicted and then when it came I just let it play out--me an integral part of it. It has to be said that on this occasion I was at least partially in the wrong (or on the wrong side) in this conflict. And the other party wasn’t backward in coming forward--and I relished it, because it cleared the air.

You know when you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach that a fight has just started. It’s not often good. But, it’s rather nice to have this feeling, and then with it, a sense of courage to do what needs to be done. I find that from a Christian’s viewpoint this is neither fight nor flight.

On the contrary, it is a pleasure to be wrong and to be able to admit it--or to have a flat sort of conviction regarding the road ahead. It’s liberating. The trouble is the other person doesn’t always get the same effect. I admitted I was wrong, apologised, and remained entirely respectful, yet they continued to fume--it doesn’t make sense.

But that, I suspect, is all about forgiveness. When we can live with our own failures and find the grace of God for ourselves, we attend to and reap God’s biblical ‘rest.’ We see here that in Hebrews 4 the writer outlines the important biblical concept. We cannot achieve the rest of God without the “faith of those who obeyed,” (verse 2) or if we harden our hearts when prompted by the Spirit. To enter the rest, being at peace with God and ourselves, we must be obedient to the Spirit of God, for God is Spirit.

So, in this sense, we can enter certain conflicts almost completely free of anxiety, for God goes before us (Isaiah 52:12) and gives us courage to either contend assertively or capitulate honourably--and all variations between.

The True Start to Life: Don’t “Live” and Miss It

What is the very essence of life? What is the purpose and meaning of our existence? Why do we find ourselves in these bodies, in these circumstances, and in this place we find ourselves in... and why this family? And, why humanity? Why God?

I'm unsure if there’s a salient response to these questions and we could muse about it and completely miss life, yet it does beckon some amazement as to ‘the why’ and ‘the how’ of life.

One thing I’ve found--and this, relatively late in life--is ‘the why and how’ of life really starts with biblical Proverbs 1-9. It’s a true, plumbline start. It’s the sort of start you wished you’d given your children. It’s the start you wished you had.

Chapter one commences in typical grand style, opening the subject of wisdom as if it were the rapid blooming of a vivacious flower. The first part of this chapter tells us the secret to this life: the fear (appropriately awed respect) of God.

And then it turns dark with asunder. It reveals life as a treacherous reef with scoundrels lurking and evil all about. ‘Don’t go with them,’ it says. Be of good courage, prudence and discernment, and heed the instruction of your father and mother--qualities developed further throughout the book.

The message of Proverbs 1 is without doubt safety (verse 33). This is both in the negative and positive sense; less harm comes and peace is the usual by-product of a life lived wisely.

So, the warnings in chapter 1 hold a key to us. If we don’t overtly heed the warnings we’ll be tempted to go the way of the simple, the mockers, and the foolish--this is not a good outcome for anyone. We only go there once. We should not make that mistake twice.

The message of Proverbs is life. Move over John 3:16; Proverbs 3:16 exhorts us to Wisdom for a long life, life riches (not material) and honour. Don’t miss it.

Post Script: Did you know there is biblical alignment in Proverbs 1 to the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:2-17. But that’s a subject of a future post.