Route 66:26 Dread, dreams, and destiny

Mighty Jerusalem had fallen sometime after Ezekiel was taken into exile. Of priestly lineage, he was granted visions of behind the scenes on earth and in the heavens.

We see three themes, progressing from doom to destiny, from gore to glory. First there is the judgment upon God's people for their sin. Then there is an assurance that their enemies would be held responsible, being judged according to their part in God's plan.

Finally, though, Ezekiel gives a firsthand account of a vision of future Israel and Judah. The symbolism is heavy, but the message of mercy and grace is clear.

Route 66:25 Crying over Jerusalem

The historical record of the life and times of Jeremiah was not confined to the book holding his name. In fact, the book we call "Lamentations" was from the beginning published along with the "book" of Jeremiah.

In five acrostic poems, Jeremiah pours out his heart for his hometown--the place God had chosen since King David's time to call His own--the city of Jerusalem. As he and others had predicted and warned, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed, and Jeremiah was there while it was happening. This poetry is perhaps the best in the Old Testament, even including metered lines in a form that became known as the Lamentation form.

God had warned that this would happen as far back as his revealed will to the people in the Exodus. Disobedience has consequences, and the people of Judah had found out the hard way. The wrath of God--manifested in the armies of Babylon--served as a vivid illustration of the coming judgment of mankind in general.

However, there was hope in the future. The wrath of God would be poured out upon Jesus the Messiah about 450 years later. In this act of love, the Son of God would take the full punishment due to all his true people, wherever and whenever they may be. When the final days of mankind on this old earth come, the judgment poured out on it will be a magnification of the fall of Jerusalem to an unimaginable level. The only hope any of us have is to be covered by the sacrifice Jesus made.

Route 66:24 When Nobody Listens

Jeremiah had a problem, God wanted him to warn a nation that didn't want to hear him. Nevertheless, when he was told to preach, he obeyed God. Almost all the prophets in the land were telling the king and his court just what they wanted to hear. When Jeremiah pointed this out, he was ostracized and even imprisoned. But with his friend and secretary Baruch, he persisted.

His message was simple, but blunt: "It's too late for repentance, judgment is coming and will last for 70 years." He told the people to not resist the force of the Babylonian army, but rather to go obediently into exile for a multi-generational stay. When he was offered a safe place to stay by the occupying regime, his countrymen kidnapped him and brought him to Egypt.

There was hope in his message, though. God would always have His remnant among national Israel and Judah. This small percentage would be the foundation of a universal, worldwide assembly of those who believe God for Who He says He is. God will always work within the inner person of all those who truly believe Him. This truth was displayed in the New Covenant, which was an extension of the Old to those outside of the commonwealth of national Israel.

Route 66: 23 The Gospel according to Isaiah

The road to New Jerusalem seems to have been paved by the Adversary! I began with the intention of filling my 66th year with reflections on the Bible, one book at a time. With 52 weeks, that was to be less than two a week -- 11 every two months. Easy for me to say back then.

I have done well in reading the Bible, but commenting on it has been sporadic. I am reading in the minor prophets (the Twelve) and the book of the Revelation right now. Anyway, in the "chronicle" of the path, I have only made it through the History of the Old Testament. 

So, I will now do a whirlwind tour of half the Bible in three weeks! First off, Isaiah, the prophet of justice and mercy.

At this time of year, the judgment to come to Judah and Israel takes a back seat to the prophecies of Isaiah and his contemporary Micah. Together, they give a view of the Messiah from a viewpoint far in advance of the events that unfolded sometime between 6 and 1 BC. According to these prophets, speaking about 600 years before Christ, the Messiah would be born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem and move for a time to Egypt before ministering to his people.

However, the coming of the Messiah was not to be a conquering savior, but rather one who interacted with regular folk in a special way. However, he would speak prophetically to them, causing many, or most, of his people to reject Him. This was not a new thing for the prophets. According to the record, and then looking to tradition, Isaiah suffered for his message, even to death under King Manassa. Notably, when the Ethiopian eunuch asked about Isaiah 53, he wondered if Isaiah was talking about himself.

The good news, though, is that Isaiah spoke about Jesus, the Messiah, who would come to suffer and die to save sinners from their sin. In context, that meant living as a suffering servant among a people who would kill him. Better news, though, is that Jesus would rise up from the grave to return at a later time in judgment-- the main theme of all the others.  It would become clearer among the writers of the first century AD that the Messiah had two comings: as Saviour and as Judge. 

Route 66:22 Trial and Triumph

While touring the ancient plain of Shinar, we might as well visit the foremost prophet of the time.

Before the future queen Esther was born, a young man named Daniel was already in the court of a previous king, the great Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The king had thought himself to be supreme, only to be first praised and then warned of his folly. He came around only after being humbled by God.

Unlike his grandfather, Belshazzar never came to his senses. His only recorded meeting with Daniel was right before Persian forces took the city. Before he had been killed, the king had promoted Daniel, who soon was to serve under Persian kings.

As pagan kings looked on, Daniel and his friends stood for God in spite of the rules laid down by the king. Neither fire nor hungry lions could prevail against them.

Their message was clear, God is in control. Dreams and visions made it clear that God knows the future and will not let anyone get in his way to stop His plan.

The lesson we can take away from the recorded history of God's people is that He will honor those who honor him. All others survive due to his good will.

Truth - Part 3

0571 tma  ‘emeth eh’- meth

Firmness, faithfulness, truth.

Contracted from 

0539 Nma  ‘aman aw-man’ 

To support, to confirm, to be faithful
To be established, to make firm
To stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in.

The most personal thoughts of all are the Psalms, the song book of the Bible.  In these 150 songs we find both praise and prayer, with an occasional lament.  The writers range from unknown Levites to King David.  Many were collected by Levites and were perhaps written by them.  They put much value on the truth, though they at times wonder "aloud" what the meaning of it all might be.

The first mention of truth is in Psalm 15.  David asks who is worthy to stand before God in worship, and then answers his own question:

2  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

The essence of a righteous man is what he is "in his heart."  When he is honest with himself, the believer before in God's presense confesses his unworthiness though he has done all the right things outwardly.  The truth is that only God is good, though he has lain down his Law (which is true) as a guideline to those who seek to be near to him. 

In Psalm 19 David extols the evidence of God's truth - both in the world and in the Word.  At verse 5 he begins to describe the Word of God:

7 ¶  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

The Word of God; called the Law, the testimony, the statutes, the judgments and the judgments of Yahweh; reflects His nature.  These verses contain so much, but verses 7 and 9 contain the words of this study "amen" and "emeth."  The Law is said to be perfect, that is to say, wholesome.  This word denotes soundness and integrity.  The evidence is in, supporting the Law as "amen" - totally trustworthy.  Then we see that "reverencial awe" in Yahweh's attribute will be with us forever because what He has decided -- including our eternal destiny -- can be no different.  His judgments are both true and "just right."  Verse 11 praises God that His Word both warns and promises those who believe.

In Psalm 25 David seeks an audience with Yahweh, declaring his confidence ("betach" = trust) that he will be heard and asks that God show him what to do:

2  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3  Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6  Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Yahweh's attributes are worthy of praise, but so are His Words.  David prays that he will not sin, but instead will be shown God's will clearly so that he will be safe in God's presense.  He prays that Yahweh will display His compassion and acts of faithfulness to His Word.  He goes on to acknowledge God's goodness in patiently teaching those who humble themselves.  In the end the paths of God constitute the foundation upon which a believers faith rests: "mercy and truth" -- God's faithfulness to his covenant.

8 ¶  Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10  All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

In Psalm 26, David justifies himself first, but acknowledges that he avoids sinners because his trust is in Yahweh.  He asks Yahweh to test him so he can be know that the path he treads is firmly in God's will.

1 ¶  Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3  For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

The Psalms are rich in extolling the truth found in God and His Word, so one more Davidic Psalm will close this post.  Psalm 31 presents truth up against "lying vanities."  David loves the truth, but can't stand the empty lies of his enemies.

4  Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
6  I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. 

Yahweh El Emeth -- a glorious name of God, indeed!  When compared to rebellious mankind, there can be no other conclusion but to trust the Redeemer.

"Hell" to pay!

For years -- well, actually for decades, mankind has been battling "air pollution." And for good reason. Natural "air" is a combination of nitrogen, oxygen, trace minor gases, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. The last two are what have come to be known as "greenhouse gases." Pollution is the introduction of dangerous gases and particulates that compete with natural air in interaction with plant and animal life on the planet.

The Environmental Protection Agency highlights the six most common pollutants, four of which so compete - and thus poison all life on the earth. These pollutants are: carbon monoxide [CO], Nitrogen dioxide [NO2], Ozone [03], Sulfur dioxide [SO2], particulate matter [dust, dirt], and lead [Pb, the ultimate "heavy metal"]. The first four are gases that co-opt life-sustaining oxygen in a way that cannot be easily released to feed cells in living things. CO2, on the other hand, is used by trillions of plant cells to build sugars to build healthy plants and feed hungry animals! The number one contributer of Carbon dioxide is - hold onto your hats - breathing animals!! Both plants and animals exhale the other leading "greenhouse" gas: water vapor! This is the beautiful cycle of life created by our wise Creator.

But now, as natural cycles seem to be bringing a warming trend to our planet, some people are considering artificially alter the air (at least above the clouds) to cool down the earth - or halt the warming - much the way a major volcano does. That is, by introducing Sulfur into the stratosphere! Ah, yes, salvation is to come from the bowels of the earth! What could be the consequences of a cloud of sulfur above our [water vapor] cloud cover? And how much would be needed to "save the icecaps (and the polar bears)"?

Two pictures come to mind - one ancient and one modern. That place of death now known as the "Dead Sea" once had thriving cities on its shores: Sodom and Gomorrah. The brimstone that covered them was this same sulfur that these environmental zealots seek to spew into the air! And who can forget the world of The Matrix! Humanity tried desperately to remove sunlight as a power source of the up and coming computers, only to become the living batteries to run the Beast!

As it was once said: "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature." How much more so if mankind seeks to "save" the earth unnaturally!