THE LORD SPOKE (September 11)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Proverbs 26-28

There’s nothing on earth better than a friend. In heaven, yes, but on earth, no. Proverbs gives many examples of what a true friend is, what a friend says, and what a friend does. Just take a look at what today’s reading has to say about friends:

1. He knows how to laugh and how to get you to laugh but he doesn’t joke around when its not appropriate. 26:19-19 - Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
2. He distinguishes between news, prayer requests, advice, and gossip and he withholds the latter. 26:20 - As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
3. He speaks the truth in love. 26:23 - Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
4. He does not speak falsely to you (not just of you, but to you). 26:28 & 28:33 - A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.... He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.
5. He knows how to hurt you. He doesn’t try to hurt you but he knows just what you need to hear and when you need to hear it. He never hurts you for spite, but he doesn’t withhold it when it is necessary to help you. 27:6 - Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
6. He sees things from a different point of view and is willing to help you with your own blind spots. That’s why they’re called “blind spots” - you don’t see them without help. He’s sincere in offering help. 27:9 - The pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.
7. He doesn’t forsake you. Sometimes, he’s better than family. 27:10 - Do not forsake your friend.... Better a [friend] nearby than a brother far away.
8. He gives you some space. He’s not forever crowding you - crowding your time, crowding your relationships with others, crowding your conversation, crowding you with responsibilities. 27:14 - If a man loudly blesses his [friend] in the morning it will be taken as a curse.
9. He sharpens you. You come away from time together with a sense of wanting to do better. 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Do you have a friend like that? To have friends, a man must show himself friendly. So, if you long for all the above, do it yourself to/for others. You’ll soon find that which you need for yourself.


New Testament: Revelation 17

Although this chapter has more embedded interpretations than most, its subject matter is still enigmatic. Even the identification of the harlot is still open. She’s identified clearly as “Babylon the Great” but is that a reference to the city of Babylon on the Euphrates or is it a symbol for Rome?

The reference to “seven hills on which the woman sits” (Rev. 17:9) seems to be a clear connection to Rome since many early writers used that phrase to describe the capital city of the Empire. However, we’re told here that the seven hills are the same as the seven heads of the scarlet beast but they also represent seven kings (Rev. 17:3,9-10).

And, speaking of beasts, three times here it mentions the beast who “once was, now is not, and will come” (Rev. 17:8 [2x], 11). He is called an eighth king who “belongs to the seven”. Are they seven actual rulers, seven political empires (as in Daniel’s visions), or is “seven” a symbol of the power of Rome as a whole?

It’s not an argument to stop trying to decipher and understand the text, but here’s one great comfort to be had: there is a clear distinction between those “whose names have not been written in the book of life” and those who are the Lamb’s “chosen and faithful followers”. The first group will throw in their lot with the Beast who comes up out of the Abyss (Rev. 17:8). Along with the seven kings they will make war with the Lamb. Sounds like a no-brainer. Overwhelming odds against a weakly foe.

But this lamb is Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev. 17:14) and will overcome them all. Overcome and crush! The Beast, the kings, the harlot, and all the “peoples, multitudes, nations and languages” who have followed this evil empire will be brought to nought. Their combined score will be zero.

Give to our God immortal praise;
Mercy and truth are all His ways:
Wonders of grace to God belong,
Repeat His mercies in your song.

Give to the Lord of lords renown,
The King of kings with glory crown:
His mercies ever shall endure,
When lords and kings are known no more.

He sent His Son with power to save
From guilt, and darkness, and the grave
Wonders of grace to God belong,
Repeat His mercies in your song.

Isaac Watts