**Judges 3:12-31**
The people of Israel begin again to fall back in to sin, God hands them over into enemy hands.
Its important to note that having any form of government does not prevent sin. You cannot use legislation to control a person's heart. So the question will always arise which is the better mechanics, no human ruler(s) and freedom or human ruler(s) and coercion. Economics will show the former to be true however I believe even as we read on through judges and I present my summary at the end of the book we will see when it comes to looking at the numbers the less coercive based society show the healthier stats. If we need further proof, economics can be called on too.
So Ehud! is raised up (by God I'll add). Ehud can mean "undivided" ....all though the word is much more richer than that! and i encourage readers to look into this unique name/word "Ehud", it appears to have very little links with other Semitic languages and so is very unique in its "Hebrewness", here is a great resource on the word:
http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Ehud.html#.VWdCA0bZhaY
Ehud, a soul undivided for the Lord. He goes and meets the current King, Eglon who has subjugated them, with the intention of assassinating him. I'd like to point out that I believe had the Israelites acted out of love towards their enemies as Jesus often did i believe the end result would've been far far greater, though the martyrs may have been many.
On a funny note, Eglon means "calf-like" which may point to this King's large size. He was a very fat man.
Ehud brings a tribute to the King as a way to get an audience with him then we hit vs 19.
"But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal,"
this long sentence is actually only a few words:
shub pesi yl gilgal
shub is to turn away from
pesi yl is difficult to translate, but has the sense a quarry, to cut, hew into a shape, as well as image, idol, graven image.
gilgal is the name of a certain place we have heard before. This is where Samuel reluctantly made Saul king (a disobedience of the people, i.e. rejected God as king) and became a place used for illicit worship
It is unusual for the passage to mention this as a way of talking about Ehud's direction and geographical location. However mention it, it does.
Ehud first turning away from idols, and from the place that would later symbolise other illicit worship and the place of God's rejection and man's subjugation to human rulers; this turning away is the beginning of Israels liberation. Ehud turns and carries on the plan. Eglon sends his people out as he believes Ehud has some great secret to share and Ehud kills him ending Eglon's reign over Israel.
Ehud escapes and sounds a trumpet calling any to come join with him and push back their oppressors. It is voluntary it seems and the people join the cause. Their is no draft. Just a call to freedom. And the land had rest for 80 years.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
Othoniel Returns
**Judges 3: 7 - 11**
Othoniel!
You may remember Othoniel from a few posts back. (sometimes spelt Othniel in different translations). He was the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother (most likely the Caleb who was the non-doubter, a man full of faith, when the people first came to Canaan and got all worried about the giants there).
Well Othoniel becomes the very first God ordained judge of Israel! The "Lion of God" as his name means, the Jesus type the first wise judge in the promised land. How fitting."The Spirit of the Lord came upon him" and he delivers Israel out of the hands of Aram king.
The land then has peace for 40 years until Othoniel dies.
I like to point out that Othoniel had the Spirit of the Lord upon him. The very first of many. He is no ordinary judge. People could follow or not follow a judge, it was not coerced, but when someone has the Spirit of the Lord on them there is something that draws you to that person. Jesus as the first of a new kind of person, his Spirit draws us to him. He brings peace.
Othoniel however as the real person could not live forever, peace only reigned for 40 years. But Jesus, He lives forever! As long as I live under His wing I experience peace and constant perfect-present deliverance.
Whenever we read old testament i think its important to note that Jesus said the lowest in the kingdom of God is greater than all these past people (up to John the Baptist being the greatest, Matthew 11:11) (it would seem pointing at those under the old covenant). What we see in the OT is a shadow of what we have in Christ! Why why why would we go back to EVEN WORSE covenants of kings, tyrants, governmental democratic majority subjugation, the OT displays a shadow of what could be, now as Children of God ALL filled with and free access to the Holy Spirit! How can we endorse to going back to living under such a regime.
Level 1 (the worst): State rule
Level 2 (the shadow): Judge system, theocracy
Level 3 (the best): Spirit ruled, individual access to and complete trust in, God not state.
Othoniel!
You may remember Othoniel from a few posts back. (sometimes spelt Othniel in different translations). He was the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother (most likely the Caleb who was the non-doubter, a man full of faith, when the people first came to Canaan and got all worried about the giants there).
Well Othoniel becomes the very first God ordained judge of Israel! The "Lion of God" as his name means, the Jesus type the first wise judge in the promised land. How fitting."The Spirit of the Lord came upon him" and he delivers Israel out of the hands of Aram king.
The land then has peace for 40 years until Othoniel dies.
I like to point out that Othoniel had the Spirit of the Lord upon him. The very first of many. He is no ordinary judge. People could follow or not follow a judge, it was not coerced, but when someone has the Spirit of the Lord on them there is something that draws you to that person. Jesus as the first of a new kind of person, his Spirit draws us to him. He brings peace.
Othoniel however as the real person could not live forever, peace only reigned for 40 years. But Jesus, He lives forever! As long as I live under His wing I experience peace and constant perfect-present deliverance.
Whenever we read old testament i think its important to note that Jesus said the lowest in the kingdom of God is greater than all these past people (up to John the Baptist being the greatest, Matthew 11:11) (it would seem pointing at those under the old covenant). What we see in the OT is a shadow of what we have in Christ! Why why why would we go back to EVEN WORSE covenants of kings, tyrants, governmental democratic majority subjugation, the OT displays a shadow of what could be, now as Children of God ALL filled with and free access to the Holy Spirit! How can we endorse to going back to living under such a regime.
Level 1 (the worst): State rule
Level 2 (the shadow): Judge system, theocracy
Level 3 (the best): Spirit ruled, individual access to and complete trust in, God not state.
A pattern emerges
**Judges 2: 6 - 3:6**
After Israel's disobedience to God in entering into a covenant with the people of Canaan, one where the people where subdued to forced labor the Israelites began a cycle which continues throughout the book of judges for 400 years.
1. That is Israel turns from God and idol worships
2. God gives them over to their enemies
3. Israel turns back to God
4. God raises up a judge who delivers them from their enemies, Israel has peace for a time..
5. Return to 1.
There are some other small things that pop out in this passage however that i would like to highlight.
A generation (ch 2 vs 10)
It seems that it took a whole generation to pass followed by a new generation who neither knew the Lord or what he had done before bad stuff happens. There is a clear turning from the Lord as a result of generations losing their previous generations knowledge. A lesson to take from in regards to our own lives and our children's lives. Passing on knowledge not purely scientific but ethical and moral knowledge, knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and what he has done. This is where longevitiy of a healthy society comes from.
On a political note, people forget how bad state can be settle in with democracy and other forms of 'soft' government and so forget the danger, violence and coercion state inevitably brings about.
The Judges
God's response is to raise up judges who deliver them from their issues. It's important to note that the judge is raised up by God! Not by man. There is no voting here. The judge would have also provided much needed wisdom for addressing many contractual and community conflicts. The people of Israel had to trust God for their safety. It was God who raised the judges.
Whenever the judges died it seems the people turned back to idol worship. Because God was angry at their idol worship he then says something very interesting,
"Because this nation has violated the covenant that i laid down for their forefathers and has not listened to me, i will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their forefathers did."
God leaves the remaining nations as a litmus test for the people of Israel. To see if they will turn to the idol worship and wrong ways of those nations and thereby disobey God. As seen in 1 Samuel 8, to see whether they will call out to be like those nations in having a king! something God disapproved of. Essentially also a form of idol worship. Looking to the king for safety vs looking to God.
After Israel's disobedience to God in entering into a covenant with the people of Canaan, one where the people where subdued to forced labor the Israelites began a cycle which continues throughout the book of judges for 400 years.
1. That is Israel turns from God and idol worships
2. God gives them over to their enemies
3. Israel turns back to God
4. God raises up a judge who delivers them from their enemies, Israel has peace for a time..
5. Return to 1.
There are some other small things that pop out in this passage however that i would like to highlight.
A generation (ch 2 vs 10)
It seems that it took a whole generation to pass followed by a new generation who neither knew the Lord or what he had done before bad stuff happens. There is a clear turning from the Lord as a result of generations losing their previous generations knowledge. A lesson to take from in regards to our own lives and our children's lives. Passing on knowledge not purely scientific but ethical and moral knowledge, knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and what he has done. This is where longevitiy of a healthy society comes from.
On a political note, people forget how bad state can be settle in with democracy and other forms of 'soft' government and so forget the danger, violence and coercion state inevitably brings about.
The Judges
God's response is to raise up judges who deliver them from their issues. It's important to note that the judge is raised up by God! Not by man. There is no voting here. The judge would have also provided much needed wisdom for addressing many contractual and community conflicts. The people of Israel had to trust God for their safety. It was God who raised the judges.
Whenever the judges died it seems the people turned back to idol worship. Because God was angry at their idol worship he then says something very interesting,
"Because this nation has violated the covenant that i laid down for their forefathers and has not listened to me, i will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their forefathers did."
God leaves the remaining nations as a litmus test for the people of Israel. To see if they will turn to the idol worship and wrong ways of those nations and thereby disobey God. As seen in 1 Samuel 8, to see whether they will call out to be like those nations in having a king! something God disapproved of. Essentially also a form of idol worship. Looking to the king for safety vs looking to God.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Forced Labour and Covenants
**Judges 1:19 - 2:5**
Fresh start and promise
From other readings in the Bible it appears that God requested that the Israelites perform quite a difficult task. That is to drive out the nations of Canaan. God had promised the land to the Israelis. This was a fresh start to be a nation with no king but Yahweh. A non human. The creator of the universe. It appears that the nations of Canaan were heavily steeped in idolatry and submission to kings with dozens and dozens of kings. Any child born into such a society would immediately be subjugated to such practices of the time some even to sacrifice as a form of worship.
Forced Labour (1:28 - 35)
But for all the various reasons, it is clear that the Israelites did not follow through and drive them out completely. Rather they kept many many towns around and began to subject the inhabitants to forced labour. Rather than start a new free society subject to the One, Yahweh, they began to subjugate people to themselves. At first it appears that it is purely a strength based thing, and all though it is, "When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labour but they never drove them out completely" on closer inspection we begin to realise there's more to it...
Covenants (2: 1 - 5)
In response to this disobedience, the Angel of the Lord speaks to the people, "I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.' Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you."
So it appears the Israelites rather than drive out and start afresh, they instead made covenants with the Canaanites which somehow left the Canaanites in forced labour. A pact, a deal, perhaps under threat? Do this or else. Covenants of this sort are always happening among 'authorities' and the people. Pay up or else. Join the army or else and so on.
The Israelites went there to break their altars, change this way of authoritarian life but instead in disobedience began to absorb that life. Long term slaves rather than one time enemies. The Canaan gods became the Israelite gods...and a snare.
This snare is echoed in 1 Samuel 8:19-20 when after being warned about the dangers of having a king the people respond, 'no! we want a king, then we can be like the other nations.'
They want gods, little gods, this acceptance of the little god, human kings queens is a rejection of the one and only true king. Yahweh. Jesus Christ.
An interesting phenomenon about the staying power of setting up such gods. Judges 2: 4 -5 show the people weeping as they realise their disobedience. This is echoed in 1 Samuel 12:19 where the people respond as they see their disobedience in asking for a king and their rejection of God as one and only King. Why is it that they don't just reverse the decision/situation? Break the covenant with the Canaanites, stop the covenant with the king?
As we observe in all governmental and authoritarian states, once instigated, legislated and covenanted, reversing such things is difficult.
This may also reflect our modern day blase approach to covenants (on a side note, like marriage!). We don't truly understand the seriousness of swearing by things. Is it any wonder then that Jesus in the sermon of the mount says, do not swear by heaven, the city or the king. Just let your yes be yes and no be no.
Fresh start and promise
From other readings in the Bible it appears that God requested that the Israelites perform quite a difficult task. That is to drive out the nations of Canaan. God had promised the land to the Israelis. This was a fresh start to be a nation with no king but Yahweh. A non human. The creator of the universe. It appears that the nations of Canaan were heavily steeped in idolatry and submission to kings with dozens and dozens of kings. Any child born into such a society would immediately be subjugated to such practices of the time some even to sacrifice as a form of worship.
Forced Labour (1:28 - 35)
But for all the various reasons, it is clear that the Israelites did not follow through and drive them out completely. Rather they kept many many towns around and began to subject the inhabitants to forced labour. Rather than start a new free society subject to the One, Yahweh, they began to subjugate people to themselves. At first it appears that it is purely a strength based thing, and all though it is, "When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labour but they never drove them out completely" on closer inspection we begin to realise there's more to it...
Covenants (2: 1 - 5)
In response to this disobedience, the Angel of the Lord speaks to the people, "I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.' Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you."
So it appears the Israelites rather than drive out and start afresh, they instead made covenants with the Canaanites which somehow left the Canaanites in forced labour. A pact, a deal, perhaps under threat? Do this or else. Covenants of this sort are always happening among 'authorities' and the people. Pay up or else. Join the army or else and so on.
The Israelites went there to break their altars, change this way of authoritarian life but instead in disobedience began to absorb that life. Long term slaves rather than one time enemies. The Canaan gods became the Israelite gods...and a snare.
This snare is echoed in 1 Samuel 8:19-20 when after being warned about the dangers of having a king the people respond, 'no! we want a king, then we can be like the other nations.'
They want gods, little gods, this acceptance of the little god, human kings queens is a rejection of the one and only true king. Yahweh. Jesus Christ.
An interesting phenomenon about the staying power of setting up such gods. Judges 2: 4 -5 show the people weeping as they realise their disobedience. This is echoed in 1 Samuel 12:19 where the people respond as they see their disobedience in asking for a king and their rejection of God as one and only King. Why is it that they don't just reverse the decision/situation? Break the covenant with the Canaanites, stop the covenant with the king?
As we observe in all governmental and authoritarian states, once instigated, legislated and covenanted, reversing such things is difficult.
This may also reflect our modern day blase approach to covenants (on a side note, like marriage!). We don't truly understand the seriousness of swearing by things. Is it any wonder then that Jesus in the sermon of the mount says, do not swear by heaven, the city or the king. Just let your yes be yes and no be no.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Taking down the city of the book!
**Judges 1: 12 - 15
During this interesting episode, Caleb who's name means 'Pagan' or 'dog' (essentially not a very nice name) says he will give his daughter to marry whoever takes Kiriathsepher ('the city of the book'!).
His daughter, Achsah ('anklet', or anklet chain', appears to be associated with 'the prize' or sometimes capture, as in 'fetters') is given to Othoniel.
Othoniel who by the way...means, 'Lion of God'! takes down the city of the book! and wins the prize.
The thoughts that come to mind from this for me are:
1. Othoniel, the Lion of God, a Jesus type trumps the way of the law, the city of the book
2. He wins us! the church, yep dirty dog people who's background is from the pagan world, the gentiles, the dirty dogs! :P We are his prize.
3. The lion of God takes a stand against the city of the book, those who want to control via the law. Should Christians then be in support of such cities of the book? The state?
During this interesting episode, Caleb who's name means 'Pagan' or 'dog' (essentially not a very nice name) says he will give his daughter to marry whoever takes Kiriathsepher ('the city of the book'!).
His daughter, Achsah ('anklet', or anklet chain', appears to be associated with 'the prize' or sometimes capture, as in 'fetters') is given to Othoniel.
Othoniel who by the way...means, 'Lion of God'! takes down the city of the book! and wins the prize.
The thoughts that come to mind from this for me are:
1. Othoniel, the Lion of God, a Jesus type trumps the way of the law, the city of the book
2. He wins us! the church, yep dirty dog people who's background is from the pagan world, the gentiles, the dirty dogs! :P We are his prize.
3. The lion of God takes a stand against the city of the book, those who want to control via the law. Should Christians then be in support of such cities of the book? The state?
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Judges 1, Adoni-bezek and Toes & Thumbs
Judges 1:1-10
Adoni-bezek, 70 kings and toes and thumbs
The interesting event with Adoni-Bezek a cruel king being repaid for his actions he took out against 70 neighboring kings, where he had cut off their big toes and thumbs and made to pick up scraps under his table.
It is interesting to note that though actively humans repay him he himself says, "Now God has paid me back for what I did to them(the seventy)". He attributes his loss to God's revenge.
But now to the nitty gritty.
The hands are only useful for work with thumbs. Without thumbs it is difficult to be productive.
Likewise without toes it is difficult to balance and walk around. Essentially one becomes crippled and highly dependent upon others and upon welfare.
This king, like many governing bodies before and since, had reduced others to a state of dependency. He had forced 70 other kings to scrounge for scraps under his table. His table which could've been a symbol of abundance and food is now the ceiling under which those dependents barely survive.
There is more to this as well, here comes Christ!
In Leviticus 8 and 14 the thumb and toe (and ear) were symbols to be consecrated to God. The high priest would place a bit of the ram's blood on each of those places.
In our own lives we need to ask that Christ cover our hearing, the work of our hands and wherever we go/walk in life.
The contrast shown here is huge, the difference between:
-one 'lord' and king who cuts off the means to productivity
vs
-the true Lord and King of Kings! who sacrifices his life for us so that we can draw near to God and be blessed in the work of our hands and wherever we go!
What about the name?
Adoni-Bezek means "my lord is Bezek" or "my lord is lightning". It is possible that there is idolatry here? and in keeping with the culture of Canaan i don't doubt it. But there is also more to this. Bezek is the town where Adoni-bezek resides. Is this nationalism of sorts? Upholding the town, the city, the place as the lord? Standard nationalist behaviour.
Interestingly, many years later it is at Bezek that Israel's first king Saul (though God strongly recommended against having a king....) coerces all the people of Israel to war. He literally says if you don't come and join i will make you like this cut up piece of oxen...(1 Samuel 11). How fitting that the symbol and place of a potentially idolatrous and tyrannical king becomes the place where yet again standard tyrannical behaviour is displayed.
As a Christian Anarchist I have only one Lord and he isnt really all human... That is Jesus Christ. He doesnt force me to follow him, he asks and as always i can leave if i want. But people generally don't try and leave those who love them, they run from tyrants not from friends and definitely not from real 'down-to-earth' saviours, scuse the pun :P
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Other points to note from start of chapter 1:
The Israelites continue to follow God's command of conquest. This is always hard for us to read and i agree it is difficult to read. Here are some quick thoughts on the matter:
-God had asked them to DRIVE them out.
-I have heard it was the standard practice to give the enemy the chance to leave before turning to war.
-from a Divine Command Theory perspective God has every right to issue such a command.
-if taking into account all knowledge and God's sovereignty. One could imagine a far worse world with far greater suffering had the conquest of Canaan not happened. As painful as it could be this could perhaps have been the best possible outcome given man's freewill.
However i didn't start this topic to defend the conquest of Canaan! And that is a side issue only set up at the beginning.
One thing to take note of are the numbers (of dead). As nearing the end of Judges i will provide a summary to compare the dead in Judges vs the dead of the kings both 400 years each.
It does not seem that the Israelites were commanded to repay this king with such treatment. Perhaps they were moved (and i disagree with their movement) as a result of his barbarity. This only shows the inhumanity of man to his fellow man.
It is interesting to note that decisions to act were between tribes, Judah talks to Simeon, they make a deal a contract as it were and follow through. They do not force each other into it (though one may assume that the people within the tribe may have been forced, but this is not explained). I still disagree with the concept of war as initiated by man.
Adoni-bezek, 70 kings and toes and thumbs
The interesting event with Adoni-Bezek a cruel king being repaid for his actions he took out against 70 neighboring kings, where he had cut off their big toes and thumbs and made to pick up scraps under his table.
It is interesting to note that though actively humans repay him he himself says, "Now God has paid me back for what I did to them(the seventy)". He attributes his loss to God's revenge.
But now to the nitty gritty.
The hands are only useful for work with thumbs. Without thumbs it is difficult to be productive.
Likewise without toes it is difficult to balance and walk around. Essentially one becomes crippled and highly dependent upon others and upon welfare.
This king, like many governing bodies before and since, had reduced others to a state of dependency. He had forced 70 other kings to scrounge for scraps under his table. His table which could've been a symbol of abundance and food is now the ceiling under which those dependents barely survive.
There is more to this as well, here comes Christ!
In Leviticus 8 and 14 the thumb and toe (and ear) were symbols to be consecrated to God. The high priest would place a bit of the ram's blood on each of those places.
In our own lives we need to ask that Christ cover our hearing, the work of our hands and wherever we go/walk in life.
The contrast shown here is huge, the difference between:
-one 'lord' and king who cuts off the means to productivity
vs
-the true Lord and King of Kings! who sacrifices his life for us so that we can draw near to God and be blessed in the work of our hands and wherever we go!
What about the name?
Adoni-Bezek means "my lord is Bezek" or "my lord is lightning". It is possible that there is idolatry here? and in keeping with the culture of Canaan i don't doubt it. But there is also more to this. Bezek is the town where Adoni-bezek resides. Is this nationalism of sorts? Upholding the town, the city, the place as the lord? Standard nationalist behaviour.
Interestingly, many years later it is at Bezek that Israel's first king Saul (though God strongly recommended against having a king....) coerces all the people of Israel to war. He literally says if you don't come and join i will make you like this cut up piece of oxen...(1 Samuel 11). How fitting that the symbol and place of a potentially idolatrous and tyrannical king becomes the place where yet again standard tyrannical behaviour is displayed.
As a Christian Anarchist I have only one Lord and he isnt really all human... That is Jesus Christ. He doesnt force me to follow him, he asks and as always i can leave if i want. But people generally don't try and leave those who love them, they run from tyrants not from friends and definitely not from real 'down-to-earth' saviours, scuse the pun :P
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Other points to note from start of chapter 1:
The Israelites continue to follow God's command of conquest. This is always hard for us to read and i agree it is difficult to read. Here are some quick thoughts on the matter:
-God had asked them to DRIVE them out.
-I have heard it was the standard practice to give the enemy the chance to leave before turning to war.
-from a Divine Command Theory perspective God has every right to issue such a command.
-if taking into account all knowledge and God's sovereignty. One could imagine a far worse world with far greater suffering had the conquest of Canaan not happened. As painful as it could be this could perhaps have been the best possible outcome given man's freewill.
However i didn't start this topic to defend the conquest of Canaan! And that is a side issue only set up at the beginning.
One thing to take note of are the numbers (of dead). As nearing the end of Judges i will provide a summary to compare the dead in Judges vs the dead of the kings both 400 years each.
It does not seem that the Israelites were commanded to repay this king with such treatment. Perhaps they were moved (and i disagree with their movement) as a result of his barbarity. This only shows the inhumanity of man to his fellow man.
It is interesting to note that decisions to act were between tribes, Judah talks to Simeon, they make a deal a contract as it were and follow through. They do not force each other into it (though one may assume that the people within the tribe may have been forced, but this is not explained). I still disagree with the concept of war as initiated by man.
Friday, March 27, 2015
The book of Judges, Anarchism and Christianity
Studying Judges, the free-market and anarchism
I have gone through judges many many times in the past. Lately as i have been more convinced that anarchism is a natural outcome and one of the ultimate ends of Christianity and following Christ AND as i see anarchism as the most ethical approach a Christian can take in regards to politics AND that the economics makes sense, I decided to read through Judges again.This time seeing some remarkable thoughts being portrayed that i hadn't seen other times.
After reading straight through as a first overall pass, i decided to read over again this time more thoroughly and carefully :)
Let's see what we find, no doubt Jesus will be scattered throughout the book :) and i have a feeling..without any spoilers..anarchism as a positive thing will be making some cameos.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A New Song
I waited patiently for the Lord...
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit...
He set my feet on a rock
He put a new song in my mouth...
A hymn of praise to our God.
Psalm 40. I have read it many times but something hit me this time. The words that are coming out of the mouth have changed. Who knows what they used to sing in the past. Does it matter? Do i need to recall it anyway? Regardless, the words that ring out are NEW and awesome, full of awe for a hearing, saving God who heard me and saved me. He didn't just stop me from sliding backwards down some dirty pit but completely took me out and onto a different ground, one that doesn't slide or pull me down but becomes the perfect platform from which i can stand and stretch and touch the face of God.
But this new song? What hit me is i am reminded of Jesus' words,
"from out of the heart the mouth speaks". - Luke 6:45
In putting a new song in my mouth he has not only changed the way i sing but the way my heart sings.
The transformation happened internally FIRST, where in stinking sinking i cried out and waited patiently and God heard me, reached down, pulled me up and set me on the strongest rock possible.
I remember in primary school having a mouth that spouted such nonsense and dirt that in hindsight i can barely imagine it was me. And i remember one very significant day when through the un-knowing words of a friend my heart was transformed and the pollution stopped. In complementing me on my most excellent, polluted vocabulary, my friend said with a smile, "you swear too much :)". In an instance God showed me myself, almost like a birds eye view of this shocked primary kid. "I do swear an awful lot! =S"
Sick to the stomach, not because i was terrified of an awesome God, nor because i thought i had to be good enough, but because my heart was hurting the heart of my best friend (Jesus), my heart was transformed and from that point on, somehow (it doesn't always happen like this) any words of that sort refused to be uttered or even thought.
Sick to the stomach, not because i was terrified of an awesome God, nor because i thought i had to be good enough, but because my heart was hurting the heart of my best friend (Jesus), my heart was transformed and from that point on, somehow (it doesn't always happen like this) any words of that sort refused to be uttered or even thought.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Some thoughts on Language
Was thinking about language the other day, programing language in particular. Often a programer would define a "simple name",string/object/proced
I began thinking about human language and how similar it is, words like love,hate,stop,go aren't random utterances of sound like an elvis presley "uh", but carry much meaning! They have prior definitions that allow purposeful,meaningful actions to be carried out, whether they are physical expressions "that tree is green" or abstract "i love you!".
Some words have properties or attributes, like past tense and singular or plural. As do procedures and functions in a computer language.
As if that was not enough, "structure" of langue has definition.
You dont just mix all the defined words in any random order there is a defined pattern in which you have to mix them to make any sense!! All though someone who understands the specific structure would be able to debug your language and decipher what you mean based on context (another layer of definition in itself!)
In all this I wonder. First of all.....leet programmers are amazing. C,C+, Python etc are indeed great languages
And Secondly, who programmed my/our language??!!
I can see some ways in which such complex definition and pattern could POSSIBLY come about through other natural coincidental means. But it seems much more plausible..that matter does not beget meaning, rather meaning begets meaning, or mind brings forth mind. Matter birthing mind seems meaningless.
As Steve Kumar likes to say, "whats the matter with matter?! Dont mind, doesnt matter!"
I began thinking about human language and how similar it is, words like love,hate,stop,go aren't random utterances of sound like an elvis presley "uh", but carry much meaning! They have prior definitions that allow purposeful,meaningful actions to be carried out, whether they are physical expressions "that tree is green" or abstract "i love you!".
Some words have properties or attributes, like past tense and singular or plural. As do procedures and functions in a computer language.
As if that was not enough, "structure" of langue has definition.
You dont just mix all the defined words in any random order there is a defined pattern in which you have to mix them to make any sense!! All though someone who understands the specific structure would be able to debug your language and decipher what you mean based on context (another layer of definition in itself!)
In all this I wonder. First of all.....leet programmers are amazing. C,C+, Python etc are indeed great languages
And Secondly, who programmed my/our language??!!
I can see some ways in which such complex definition and pattern could POSSIBLY come about through other natural coincidental means. But it seems much more plausible..that matter does not beget meaning, rather meaning begets meaning, or mind brings forth mind. Matter birthing mind seems meaningless.
As Steve Kumar likes to say, "whats the matter with matter?! Dont mind, doesnt matter!"
Friday, February 18, 2011
Museli musings from work
Wow, it is really early. I got to work at 7:45 this morning, left at 6:50 ish. Probably the earliest its been for a while =P. Usually i start work around 8:30am so its nice to be able to get my work done sooner!
Well once again im eating some more museli and cocoa pops next to my computer. Also i have some yummy red fruit tea!! (which i think is actually berry tea). But whatever it is its nice as i forgot to bring a jumper and the air con is kinda cold!
Just another musing from something me and Brit read last night. Its from a book in the Bible called Philemon! which to me sounds like a dinosaur. Kinda like a librarian dinosaur as he likes to.... "phile" things away....hahahahahaha..
Verse 6 of this one chapter book says:
"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."
or
"I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ"
What i found interesting in this passage was as we share the faith we too deepen in understanding of Christ and every good thing we have in Him. Interestingly its a slightly tricky verse as it also carries a few other meanings.
"As you share your faith with others, I pray that they may come to know all the blessings Christ has given us."
"..that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."
"[And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory]."
So also the sharing of our faith and our identification with Jesus brings an awareness of the good things (salvation among them and also a new life on earth and the age to come) to the people being shared to.
So when we share we can let people know what God has done for us and what He has done for the world if they would accept His gift of life. And its a win win because even ourselves benefit from as we edify to ourselves of all the wonderful things we we have in our Saviour.
Peace!
Love from
Jono
Some musings at work
Hey all!!
Just thought id email from work. Im by my computer eating cocoa pops and muesli and drinking straight milky hot chocolate! =)
Hey in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 it says among many things "For we are to God the aroma of Christ, among those who are saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death and the other the fragrance of life. (v15)"
Something really interesting i read a while ago, was that in acient Hebrew culture when a someone was pronounced king he would be annointed with perfume and good smells, yeah boi. And Solomon even had it poured over his clothes i think it mentions somewhere in the Bible or hints at it in proverbs??. so even days after the procession a king would still have his fragrance drifting about him. A few days before Jesus was crucified this lady came and poured perfume on him if you remember, so when he went up to Jerusalem on his donkey not only would he be pronounced the Son of King David by the people but he smelt the part too!!! =D and then he got brutally beaten and carried a cross up to golgotha! So he truly wouldve smelt of death and of some sweet perfume. A strange mix.
If you read vs 14 you see that it says something like "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." So though that proccesion to the cross was a gruesome thing in one sense it was a massive victory and triumph beacuse it made a way to a new life, both here and now and in the future into eternity. And to those who accept Him, He really is a wonderful fragrance of life and we too can spread that fragrance every where. Read the rest to 17. Its cool =)
Ok actually ive finished my eating now, took like 2 hrs to write this lol
Peace!
Love
Jono
Just thought id email from work. Im by my computer eating cocoa pops and muesli and drinking straight milky hot chocolate! =)
Hey in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 it says among many things "For we are to God the aroma of Christ, among those who are saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death and the other the fragrance of life. (v15)"
Something really interesting i read a while ago, was that in acient Hebrew culture when a someone was pronounced king he would be annointed with perfume and good smells, yeah boi. And Solomon even had it poured over his clothes i think it mentions somewhere in the Bible or hints at it in proverbs??. so even days after the procession a king would still have his fragrance drifting about him. A few days before Jesus was crucified this lady came and poured perfume on him if you remember, so when he went up to Jerusalem on his donkey not only would he be pronounced the Son of King David by the people but he smelt the part too!!! =D and then he got brutally beaten and carried a cross up to golgotha! So he truly wouldve smelt of death and of some sweet perfume. A strange mix.
If you read vs 14 you see that it says something like "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." So though that proccesion to the cross was a gruesome thing in one sense it was a massive victory and triumph beacuse it made a way to a new life, both here and now and in the future into eternity. And to those who accept Him, He really is a wonderful fragrance of life and we too can spread that fragrance every where. Read the rest to 17. Its cool =)
Ok actually ive finished my eating now, took like 2 hrs to write this lol
Peace!
Love
Jono
Museli Musings
***
Hey lately, ive been emailing out some thoughts on verses in the Bible that are either encouraging or challenging or a bit of both! It so happens that at the same time i'm usually eating a bowl of museli and cocoa pops (yum) cos at work milk is free so thought might as well make the most of it. Also means i can be earlier to work (beat traffic at and all that) cos i dont have to have breakfast at home =D anyway, thought i might just put them up here on my Deepening blog. Maybe people can reflect on it etc.
Peace!
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