THE LORD SPOKE (December 09)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Hosea 4-6

But “is it safe?” wonders Susan. Mr. Beaver’s response is, “You mustn’t press him. He’s wild, you know, not like a tame lion.”

“And now,” said Aslan presently, “to business. I feel I am going to roar. You had better put your fingers in your ears. And they did. And Aslan stood up and when he opened his mouth to roar his face became so terrible that they did not dare to look at it. And they saw all the trees in front of him bend before the blast of his roaring as grass bends in a meadow before the wind.

The Lion shook his mane and clapped his paws together (“Terrible paws,” thought Lucy, “if he didn’t know how to velvet them!”).

C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

How much that sounds like Hosea’s cry: “Come let us return to the Lord, He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds” (Hos. 6:1). Our understanding of God must have a proper balance between His mercy and His wrath, between His love and His anger, between His restorative grace and His destructive fury. He’s not a tame Lion. He’s not a slippery judge who can be bought off. He’s not a doting grandfather, willing to overlook “little sins”.

Hosea does tell us more of what God desires from us: For I desire mercy [hesed], not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings (Hos. 6:6). The Hebrew term, hesed, is often translated “grace” and is most often used in the Old Testament as an attribute of God. Actually the semantic range is very great - love, mercy, loving-kindness, forgiveness. Here it’s used as a desired attribute of man and placed in contrast with “sacrifice”. The Hebrew poetic parallelism of the verse helps us here. The second half of the verse refers to “acknowledgment of God”. That’s a common theme in Hosea’s prophecy:

• “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.” (4:1)
• “A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord.” (5:4)
• “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him.” (6:3)
• “For I desire...acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (6:6)
• c.f. 2:8, 20; 4:6

So, how exactly do/should we acknowledge God?

1. You must begin with knowing Him. That, of course, begins with conversion but goes oh so far beyond that. It means to really get to know Him. It means thinking His thoughts.
2. That comes from knowing Scripture. His thoughts have been given to us in written form. We must do more than just consider them. We must read them, meditate on them, internalize them, and make them a constant part of our own thinking.
3. That means we must set aside time on a regular (daily!) basis to do just that. Do you have a habit of reading God’s Word? Is it something that you can’t do without? If you miss it, even one day, do you feel the loss? Is there a hunger in your soul?
4. That makes it necessary to have a plan, to set the alarm just a little earlier, to have a favorite spot where all the necessary accoutrements are handy (Bible, paper, pen, basic Bible study tools, good lighting, comfortable chair, cup of coffee, etc.).

Don’t just think about it. Do it. Do it now!


Proverbs 9

Election day has arrived. After all the campaigning it has become increasingly clear that there is a large gap between the two candidates. The public really does have a clear choice between Wisdom and Folly. Both have had a high degree of visibility throughout the campaign (Prov. 9:3,14).

Folly mounted a campaign based on mud-slinging and lies (Prov. 9:13-18). She’s good at publicity (Prov. 9:14) and knows how to get her message out but it’s very important to read between the lines and examine her platform more carefully. Her campaign slogan was “Sweet and Delicious” (Prov. 9:17) but all the evidence points to “Death and the Grave” (Prov. 9:18). Her most effective appeal is to the unthinking electorate (Prov. 8:16).

Wisdom, on the other hand, has a platform set in stone (Prov. 9:1). She also appeals to the simple folk (Prov. 9:6) but even those with a higher level of education find opportunity for genuine advancement and improvement (Prov. 8:9). Her entire campaign has been based on one primary idea, expressed so well by her theme: “A Knowledge of the Holy One” (Prov. 9:10).

Rarely has an election been so clearly drawn. You know when you mark your ballot that you’re casting a vote for Right or Wrong.

• • • • •

Polling Station Survey: Significant numbers of those who have already voted have indicated that their choice went to Folly. However, there is every reason to believe that Wisdom will emerge victorious. There is evidence of “a great multitude” assembling at Wisdom’s campaign headquarters (Rev. 19:1,6) and we’ve been informed that a vast army of followers is amassing even now for the victory procession (Rev. 19:14f).

Stay tuned for the acceptance speech and inaugural ceremony. We’ve been able to obtain a partial copy of the script of the day:

Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
And his bride has made herself ready. (Rev. 19:6-7)

THE LORD SPOKE (December 08)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Hosea 1-3

The two prophesied at almost the same time. The introductory verses of Isaiah and Hosea both mention the same kings - Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Since both ministered to the southern kingdom of Judah, the main difference was that Hosea hailed from the northern kingdom (Israel) and therefore mentions “Jehoash, king of Israel”. His ministry began shortly after that of Amos who spoke of God’s judgment coming upon the northern kingdom. He represented God to the people for nearly 40 years and probably wrote his book in Judah some time after the fall of Israel.

Of great interest (and worthy of some serious research!) is the similarity of content between the two prophets. Though God used them in very different ways, compare the message of Hosea 2 with Isaiah 61 in terms of the key terms of Old Testament biblical theology.

Hosea 2

PRINCE (Messiah) - use of “I” throughout
PROMISE (Covenant) - “I will make a covenant for them” (vs. 18)
PRESERVATION (Salvation) - “I will betroth you to me forever” (vs. 19-20)
POSSESSION (Land) - “I will plant her for myself in the land” (vs. 23)
PEOPLE (Israel) - “I will say to those called ‘Not my people’, ’You are my people’” (vs. 23)

Isaiah 61

PRINCE (Messiah) - Jesus read from this section (vs. 1-5) in the synagogue of Nazareth (Luke 4:16-21) and said it was written about Himself
PROMISE (Covenant) - “I will...make an everlasting covenant with them” (vs. 4-9)
PEOPLE (Israel) - “all who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed” (vs. 6,9)
POSSESSION (Land) - “they will inherit a double portion in their land” (vs. 7)
PRESERVATION (Salvation) - “he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness” (vs. 10)

The next several chapters of Hosea will be depressing. Judah’s sin is brought forcefully to her attention again and again. Yet, sandwiched in at chapter 3 is one of the most amazing promises of the Old Testament:

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days. (3:4-5)

Proverbs 8

Wisdom is personified in Proverbs 8. The entire chapter is written as if it is her campaign speech just before the elections in chapter 9. She’s running against “Folly” and it’s a close race.

Not that they both have the same to offer. The two are as different as day and night. But the constituency to which they both appeal is leaning towards Folly. The voting public has a tendency toward sin so what Folly has to offer has the advantage of being flashy and catches the public’s fancy rather easily. Folly has many quick fixes and immediate pleasures to promise and she is a sly politician who knows well how to package her presentation for maximum effect.

Wisdom, on the other hand, has the rare distinction of being an honest politician (Prov. 8:4-8). What she has to offer is presented with a long-range vision. No lies about how easy her program is going to be. In fact, she promises it will be costly (Prov. 8:10-11) and take some time to implement. It will require discipline and some significant effort (8:32-36). It is based on thorough research and a wide base of excellent counsel (Prov. 8:14). It has a long history (Prov. 8:22-23) and a good record in the field (Prov. 8:15-16). The dividends are clearly defined, as it is the path to arrive at that goal (Prov. 8:17-21).

Clearly, what Wisdom has to offer is the better program (Prov. 8:35-36). Why would anyone vote for Folly? Her program is self-destructive and guaranteed to fail because of internal defects and inconsistencies.

Vote for Wisdom!

THE LORD SPOKE (December 02)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Daniel 5

“The hand-writing on the wall.” Since this occasion in Daniel 5, it has become a proverbial statement to indicate the inevitable outcome of certain activities if pursued without due consideration. The new king of Babylon had committed himself to a lifestyle and course of action that was headed for certain trouble. If he’d paid attention in history class, he should have known that.

Belshazzar, who’s name means “Bell, protect the king!” was in need of some major protection. Though he was the son of Nebuchadnezzar (vs. 22, the Hebrew term could mean “descendant” in this context), it is apparent that Nebuchadnezzar didn’t pass his own lessons very far down the line. The spiritual lessons of chapter 4 didn’t make it to chapter 5.

There were several people in that banquet hall who did remember. Instead of reveling, they should have been repenting. All the “wise men” owed their very lives to Daniel and to previous lessons like that recorded in chapter 2. Most of the party-goers had seen or at least heard of the events of chapter 3. For sure, the humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4 - their king eating grass like an animal - was fresh in their memory. What part of “pay attention” didn’t they understand?

To make matters worse, Belshazzar thought his wealth and power could buy peace and tranquility. Like Peter with Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:20), Daniel’s response to the offer of money is “keep your filthy lucre” (see Dan. 5:17). He then proceeds to repeat the history class that Belshazzar had disregarded with such impunity (5:18-21). Before the bell rings, Daniel draws the conclusion and drives home the application:

1. You must acknowledge that the Most High God is sovereign (vs. 21; c.f. 4:17,25,32).
2. He will not tolerate pride (vs. 20,22). Did you get that? HE WILL NOT TOLERATE PRIDE.
3. You must humble yourself and honor God “who holds in his hand your life and all your ways” (vs. 23).

Would you like to borrow Belshazzar’s notes from that history class you missed? Or, are you going to pay attention in class yourself?


Proverbs 2

Wisdom (following God’s way) will save you from the ways of wicked men (Prov. 2:12f) and from the ways of adulterous women (Prov. 2:16f). Victory is promised to the one who sets his course by God’s compass. The Lord has given His word that He will be a shield and protection for those who are faithful in walking in His way (Prov. 2:7-8). That’s a mighty promise!

The beginning of Proverbs 2 gives us some descriptive and prescriptive instruction on just how to do this:

vs. 1 - We must accept His words and store up His commands. This indicates teachability and the intent to obey. Without this attitude of openness, instruction is not effective.

vs. 2 - We must turn our ear and apply our heart to His Word. This calls for mental discipline. There must be active effort on our part. We must turn toward and stay focused on His instruction.

vs. 3 - We must call out for it and cry aloud for His truth. This shows how very important is a prayerful dependence upon Him. We need to verbalize our heart-felt confidence in Him alone to keep us in His path.

vs. 4 - We must look for and search for His treasures. It takes diligent perseverance to dig it out. Some are laying on the surface and quite easy to find, but the rich veins go down deep. We need to dig deeper.

It brings rich dividends. God’s way is pleasant and secure and so much better than what the world has to offer. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

For wisdom will enter your heart,
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you,
And understanding will guard you. (Prov. 2:10-11)

THE LORD SPOKE (September 3)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Proverbs 1-3

Proverbs 2:1-5

How do you pursue wisdom such as the Bible describes? How do you obtain it and how do you nurture it? How do you recognize it and how do you go about making it a defining characteristic of your daily experience? To start with, what exactly is wisdom as the Bible describes it?

The book of Proverbs uses the word 41x so this is certainly a good starting point to understand the concept. In a nutshell, it involves “skill in living - following God’s design and thus avoiding moral pitfalls” (NIV Study Bible, p. 946). Or, as Walter Kaiser describes it, “Biblical wisdom is religion gone out into the streets and marketplaces of life with the fear of God as its guide” (The Old Testament Documents: Are they Reliable and Relevant?, p. 150).

Religion?? Isn’t that something that relates to ritualized piety, liturgical robes, and drafty cathedrals? No! It is a biblical concern (e.g. James 1:27) that needs to be our concern. The term “religion” comes from Latin re + ligare, “that which connects again”. Because of our sin, we are separated from God and religion is what re-connects us or brings us back to God. Wisdom is simply the proper application of religion.

Proverbs 2:1-5 tells us what we must do to “understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (vs. 5), i.e. how to obtain wisdom. Regarding God’s instruction, we must...

• accept (vs. 1a) - This involves teachability, openness to what Scripture teaches, never shutting our ears to what God’s Word says.
• store up (vs. 1b) - While memorizing God’s commands is an excellent first step, this involves much more. It means internalizing His commands with the intent to obey.
• turn your ear and apply your heart (vs. 2) - These two active verbs involve mental discipline, a conscious effort to pursue the wisdom and understanding that comes from Scripture.
• call out and cry aloud (vs. 3) - There is a divine/human cooperative at work here. We must do our part but God is ready and waiting to respond to our pleas for His aid. We must be prayerfully dependent to receive insight and understanding.
• look for it and search for it (vs. 4) - It is readily available but it doesn’t just fall off the shelf into our shopping basket. It requires diligent perseverance.

Our religion will never amount to much if it isn’t even strong enough to break the cords of slumber. If it isn’t powerful enough to get us up in the morning - if it isn’t at least as strong as that desire to get a cup of coffee first thing in the morning - how will it ever confront the Devil with success? We are engaged in a cosmic battle. What kind of soldier doesn’t put on his helmet or goes out to battle with his weapons left behind? Let us daily and early seek Him. Let His wisdom and understanding give us the equipment we need to face the daily grind, better yet, to finish strong.


New Testament: Revelation 9

The many similarities between the judgments in this part of the book of Revelation and the plagues in Egypt recorded in the book of Exodus are striking. The waters turned to blood, the darkness over the land, and the plague of locusts would suggest that this passage portrays the final exodus of God’s people from the ugly bondage of a world controlled from the Abyss.

At the end of chapter eight, an angel had flown over announcing a triple “woe” to the inhabitants of the earth. Each woe was to correspond to the last three trumpet judgments in chapters 9 and 10. The first woe (trumpet #5) brought horrid creatures of destruction. Their descriptions in Revelation 9:7-10 sound like some of the worst images of modern science fiction movies. Their vile leader is “the angel of the Abyss”. His name is Apollyon ("Abaddon", in Hebrew), which means “Destroyer”.

Four more messengers (Greek angelos) are released with the sixth trumpet. They had long awaited this very moment (Rev. 9:15) and take apparent delight in their task - to kill one third of the earth’s population. Assisting them are 200,000,000 troopers. The task? At today’s population figures, the task would be to murder over 2.5 billion people.

You’d think that might get the attention of the rest of mankind. But no! They continue on their merry way worshiping demons and idols. They “still did not repent” (Rev. 9:20). They prefer “their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality, [and] their thefts” (Rev. 9:21). [Pardon the continual banging on this drum, but it sounds just like TV again.]

It’s not too hard to imagine all this, is it? We’ve gotten so accustomed to such stories of violence that we can almost accept it. Accept it, as long as it’s on the other side of the earth. As long as it’s in the Middle East and not in my neighborhood. And so we go along on our merry way not giving much attention to the ticking clock.

Meanwhile, the sands of time are sinking. The last grains will soon fall and we will be ushered into the end times. These prophecies, long-awaited, will begin to happen and John tells us that, once they do, they will happen fast. That’s the meaning of Revelation 1:1 when it says they will “happen quickly”. Are you ready?