Thought for the Week
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the Lord helped us." (1 Samuel 7:12). A good deal of our lives is made up of landmarks; the first day at school, the time in hospital, the wedding day. We mark such occasions with an entry in the diary.- A ring on the finger. A photograph.
They have never been short of stones in Israel, and a stone was Samuel's choice. It had been a dangerous period for God?s people. The ark of the covenant - the very emblem of God?s presence with them - had been recovered, after being in enemy hands, and the Philistine hordes had been routed.
Ebenezer - "Stone of help" - such monuments or landmarks bring a three-fold reminder to us:
When it was that we received help. "Thus far" pointed the people backwards to past blessings and help received. They could not forget.
Who it was who helped us. "The Lord" is identified as the source of Israel's protection in a time of danger. The credit is always His!
The pledge of help in the future. Thus far (Hitherto KJV) - the implication is that if God helped us in the past, He will do so again.
THOUGHT: Identify your own landmarks of the past twelve months.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Friday, August 20, 2004
LICC - Connecting with Culture - The road less travelled
connecting with culture - the road less travelled
In a local paper last week, one advertisement in particular - for a 4x4 - caught my eye:
'The new model combines legendary off-road performance with distinctive styling. Perfect for style-conscious drivers, it features eye-catching alloy wheels, a CD player, and metallic paint as standard. Drivers will also benefit from the hill descent and electronic traction control technologies when the going gets tough.'
Christians can sometimes sound like grumpy old men, but in this case, it seems fair to ask: What use is off-road technology to anyone (other than a farmer) who drives a car in 2004? The advert encourages an unacceptable and unsustainable myth about motoring - something the Mayor of London believed when he told GMTV, "When you see someone trying to maneuver [a 4x4] round the school gates, you have to think, you are a complete idiot."
On 20th July, the Government unveiled a White Paper called 'The Future of Transport', setting out how it plans to maximise 'the benefits of transport while minimising the negative impact on people and the environment'. Car journeys, it says, have risen in relation to other forms of transport from 79 per cent in 1980 to 85 per cent in 2002. Transport accounts for a quarter of all CO2 emissions in the UK, and cars churn out 80 per cent of that quarter. Meanwhile, the cost of motoring has gone down as GDP has gone up - for all we complain about petrol prices.
Cars threaten our health (through lack of exercise as well as climate change), our town centres (with out-of-town shopping), our countryside, our lives (3,508 people died in road accidents in 2003) and our wild-life (if global warming means that the great-crested newt has to move north, how will it cross the M4, without joining 100,000 squashed foxes?).
However, it's hard for politicians who face regular elections to take any kind of mildly draconian action against a car-loving nation. We need an all-party consensus on uncomfortable but essential policies, especially if
designed to end our love affair with motoring.
If we are to love our neighbours as ourselves, then Christians must change the way we think about our cars, before there is legal compulsion. We should ask basic questions about our priorities not only when we buy them, but every time we use them - as an automatic act of discipleship. But will we take the road less travelled?
Margaret Killingray
In a local paper last week, one advertisement in particular - for a 4x4 - caught my eye:
'The new model combines legendary off-road performance with distinctive styling. Perfect for style-conscious drivers, it features eye-catching alloy wheels, a CD player, and metallic paint as standard. Drivers will also benefit from the hill descent and electronic traction control technologies when the going gets tough.'
Christians can sometimes sound like grumpy old men, but in this case, it seems fair to ask: What use is off-road technology to anyone (other than a farmer) who drives a car in 2004? The advert encourages an unacceptable and unsustainable myth about motoring - something the Mayor of London believed when he told GMTV, "When you see someone trying to maneuver [a 4x4] round the school gates, you have to think, you are a complete idiot."
On 20th July, the Government unveiled a White Paper called 'The Future of Transport', setting out how it plans to maximise 'the benefits of transport while minimising the negative impact on people and the environment'. Car journeys, it says, have risen in relation to other forms of transport from 79 per cent in 1980 to 85 per cent in 2002. Transport accounts for a quarter of all CO2 emissions in the UK, and cars churn out 80 per cent of that quarter. Meanwhile, the cost of motoring has gone down as GDP has gone up - for all we complain about petrol prices.
Cars threaten our health (through lack of exercise as well as climate change), our town centres (with out-of-town shopping), our countryside, our lives (3,508 people died in road accidents in 2003) and our wild-life (if global warming means that the great-crested newt has to move north, how will it cross the M4, without joining 100,000 squashed foxes?).
However, it's hard for politicians who face regular elections to take any kind of mildly draconian action against a car-loving nation. We need an all-party consensus on uncomfortable but essential policies, especially if
designed to end our love affair with motoring.
If we are to love our neighbours as ourselves, then Christians must change the way we think about our cars, before there is legal compulsion. We should ask basic questions about our priorities not only when we buy them, but every time we use them - as an automatic act of discipleship. But will we take the road less travelled?
Margaret Killingray
Monday, August 16, 2004
LICC - Parable of the Sewer
The Parable of the Sewer - Mark Greene reflects on bangers and trash and poikilothermia.
No more Mr Nice Guy.
In my case, it wasn't the straw but the sausage that broke the camel's back.
But first I need to tell you that I've been reading a book about how and why some ideas, some products, some trends catch on in society and others don't. The conclusion is that little things really can make a big difference. The knack is working out which little things. So, for example, if you want to stamp out violent crime in a rough neighbourhood in a city like New York, you fix the broken windows and focus your policing not on the violent crime but on petty crimes like pickpocketing. The surprising logic goes like this: environment makes a subliminal but powerful effect on behaviour. If a potential criminal thinks that this looks like an a neighbourhood that nobody cares about because the windows don't get fixed, then they will conclude that no one is likely to care much if they mug a middle-aged man in broad daylight. Subliminally, the environment sends a signal… you can get away with this. Or alternatively you might not.
The book is called Tipping Point and it's written by Malcolm Gladwell. The term 'tipping point' describes the moment at which some idea, product or behaviour 'tips' from a minority interest into an epidemic. Now obviously, this make interesting reading for people who would like to find a way to make Christianity 'tip' again in Britain. In fact, the book doesn't present an overall theory of social change or Seven Steps to Marketing Success but the case histories provide much grist for the strategic thinker's mill.
Well, in one area Britain has 'tipped'.
And so have I. And, as I mentioned, it took a sausage to do it.
I'm driving along in my car and up there on a billboard is a 48-sheet poster of a couple of Walls sausages and a couple of frying eggs in a pan. The whites of the egg are extending finger-like towards the sausages. The caption reads "Why eggs want to get laid." Well, we've become used to seeing pornographic images to sell perfume but, oh, Lord, now we're using sex to sell simple family food like sausages.
Well, so much for sausages.
But sausages were just the tip of the smut-mountain.
I'm watching the tele and on comes an ad for Alpen. There's a normal looking woman having breakfast in bed extolling the virtues of Alpen. "Does it taste like cat litter? No. Is it worth giving up a Sunday morning roll for? No," she says as her semi-comatose man emerges from under the duvet. "Come here then," she says. The commercial cuts to a pack shot as we hear her say, "Is that it then?"
Was any of this necessary or even helpful? Why does sex have to be introduced into the sale of a breakfast cereal? Why does the direct allusion to a disappointing male sexual performance have to be part of the ad at all? And before the 9 o'clock watershed. Well, you could write to the manufacturer of a well-known snack food and ask them. They, in an attempt to illustrate just how little time it takes to prepare one of their products, compare it directly to the length of time a man takes to make love to his wife/girlfriend/mistress/partner.
But this isn't just about ads.
It's about the whole tone of popular culture.
Far, far too much is sexualised and, as such, the cultural guardians themselves become de-sensitised to the nature of the material they are presenting. So, at the Jubilee Pop Concert Tom Jones chose to sing Sex Bomb at 7.30 at night in front of a mass family audience. My three under elevens were much amused by the constant repetition of the 's' word but what kind of total insensitivity leads to the choice of such explicitly sexual material at such a concert at such an hour of the evening. Later Jones and Blue sang the Full Monty pre-coital song "You can leave your hat on" whilst Ben Elton talked about "farts" and "pubic hair in the bath plughole of a student bedsit" Yah, well that's nice.
And then I'm listening to daytime radio and there's a croony little tune called 'Insatiable' which is clearly, explicitly about endless copulation. Well, now, I do want my 5 year old daughter singing along to that one. Then an ad comes on for Hamlet cigars. Now, Hamlet TV and cinema advertising was once marked by great wit and insight into a whole range of human disappointments and disasters. In this ad, the characters recount memories of their teen years but the gaff before the famous Bach air begins was about 'Remember dressing up in your mother's bra and knickers to discover what it would feel like to be a girl." In a second ad a man is telling his wife/girlfriend/mistress/partner/potential lover that her knickers are wrinkling up and making her look somewhat corrugated. To which the reply comes, "I'm not wearing any knickers." Well, do we really need this in daytime radio?
And, by this time, you might well ask do we really need all this in the pages of Christianity and Renewal?
Well, indeed. The main point is that the obsession with human sexuality has become the default mode for much of popular culture. If you can't think of anything interesting to ask a celebrity in an interview, ask about their private lives; if you can't get a way of getting people to watch your programme, get members of the general public to talk about their sexual experiences; if you can't think of a way of selling a product, add smut.
I know I'm sounding as if I'm one blue rinse away from turning into Mary Whitehouse but there are worse fates and she did turn out to be right about a great many things. The problem about the ubiquity of smut is that pretty soon we don't notice it. We shrug our shoulders and move on. Life is too short. But Tipping Point reveals that one of the ways to clean up the neighbourhood is to go for the little things. So perhaps we shouldn't let companies and broadcasters carry on adding to the smut-mountain because, quite apart from anything else, if we do, things will only get worse. And they have, haven't they?
Still, this is not just about tutting at smut, it's about the wider question of what those in authority permit in public space, on air and in the cinema. It's clear that commercial interests increasingly seem to rule. On what other grounds could The Lord of the Rings have possibly been given a PG 8 Certificate? Indeed, I've yet to meet anyone who has seen that very fine film who thinks it would be suitable for young children on the big screen. And when the British Board of Film Censors do give a film like Spiderman a 12 Certificate, their recommendation is promptly overruled by local authorities. In whose interest was such a decision? Warner Brothers? Odeon Cinemas? Not my kids, for sure. One 20-something friend even called me on the day after the opening to advise me not to take my kids to it. Can we trust those who give films certificates any more? Can we trust daytime radio stations? Can we trust the BBC? Can we trust the Advertising Standards Authority? They are reeds swaying in the prevailing fumes. Britain has tipped. Britain is a tip.
You probably know this.
And you probably also know this: the nervous systems of frogs doesn't register slow increases in temperature very well. This accounts for the fact that you can pop a frog in a pot of cold water , turn on the gas and it will happily sit there not noticing that it's being boiled to death. The condition is called poikilothermia.
We're boiling to death.
Oh, and we don't live in a pond we live in a sewer.
Mark Greene
No more Mr Nice Guy.
In my case, it wasn't the straw but the sausage that broke the camel's back.
But first I need to tell you that I've been reading a book about how and why some ideas, some products, some trends catch on in society and others don't. The conclusion is that little things really can make a big difference. The knack is working out which little things. So, for example, if you want to stamp out violent crime in a rough neighbourhood in a city like New York, you fix the broken windows and focus your policing not on the violent crime but on petty crimes like pickpocketing. The surprising logic goes like this: environment makes a subliminal but powerful effect on behaviour. If a potential criminal thinks that this looks like an a neighbourhood that nobody cares about because the windows don't get fixed, then they will conclude that no one is likely to care much if they mug a middle-aged man in broad daylight. Subliminally, the environment sends a signal… you can get away with this. Or alternatively you might not.
The book is called Tipping Point and it's written by Malcolm Gladwell. The term 'tipping point' describes the moment at which some idea, product or behaviour 'tips' from a minority interest into an epidemic. Now obviously, this make interesting reading for people who would like to find a way to make Christianity 'tip' again in Britain. In fact, the book doesn't present an overall theory of social change or Seven Steps to Marketing Success but the case histories provide much grist for the strategic thinker's mill.
Well, in one area Britain has 'tipped'.
And so have I. And, as I mentioned, it took a sausage to do it.
I'm driving along in my car and up there on a billboard is a 48-sheet poster of a couple of Walls sausages and a couple of frying eggs in a pan. The whites of the egg are extending finger-like towards the sausages. The caption reads "Why eggs want to get laid." Well, we've become used to seeing pornographic images to sell perfume but, oh, Lord, now we're using sex to sell simple family food like sausages.
So I write to the Chairman of Bird's Eye-Walls:
Chairman, Bird's Eye-Walls
Vice-President
Unilever PLC
London
PO Box 68
London EC4P 4BQ
Dear Chairman
Bangers & Trash
Your recent poster campaign for your sausages, "Why eggs want to get laid" is a small-minded, strategically flawed, tawdry little concept which has no coherent role for a company selling 'family' foods and is entirely out of line with your perceived company values. Furthermore, it is one more nasty little addition to the pollution of public space with messages that not only demean sex but increasingly rob children of their innocence. How do you suggest I explain this ad to my 5, 7 and 10 year olds as we drive along in our car?
Of course, you might say that in the grand scheme of things this smutty little pun is not the end of the world. And besides, isn't everyone doing it? Of course they are. Like unrestrained dogs round lampposts. In advertising terms, the sheer commonness of the approach might be deemed reason enough not to pursue it. After all, if there are all kinds of ways to skin a cat there are surely just as many approaches to sell a pig. Your agency hasn't updated your company's image, they've smeared it in pigswill.
As a former Management Supervisor in the New York office of the fourth largest ad agency in the world I am only too familiar with all the rhetorical acrobatics that might have gone into the selling of such a creatively predictable approach to your marketing team: "Contemporary image, repositioning sausages for a new generation, blah, blah, macho creative humbug." And all this followed perhaps by self-congratulatory drinks back at the agency. "Ah," goes the burble, "People will write in about this one. The Grocer will give us some column inches."
Well, maybe you got some PR. Maybe you're selling a few more sausages but truly great companies find socially positive ways to sell their products..
I hope you'll do something about this.
And I'd like to know what you think.
Wishing you all wisdom in all you do.
Yours sincerely
Mark Greene
Executive Director
Well, so much for sausages.
But sausages were just the tip of the smut-mountain.
I'm watching the tele and on comes an ad for Alpen. There's a normal looking woman having breakfast in bed extolling the virtues of Alpen. "Does it taste like cat litter? No. Is it worth giving up a Sunday morning roll for? No," she says as her semi-comatose man emerges from under the duvet. "Come here then," she says. The commercial cuts to a pack shot as we hear her say, "Is that it then?"
Was any of this necessary or even helpful? Why does sex have to be introduced into the sale of a breakfast cereal? Why does the direct allusion to a disappointing male sexual performance have to be part of the ad at all? And before the 9 o'clock watershed. Well, you could write to the manufacturer of a well-known snack food and ask them. They, in an attempt to illustrate just how little time it takes to prepare one of their products, compare it directly to the length of time a man takes to make love to his wife/girlfriend/mistress/partner.
But this isn't just about ads.
It's about the whole tone of popular culture.
Far, far too much is sexualised and, as such, the cultural guardians themselves become de-sensitised to the nature of the material they are presenting. So, at the Jubilee Pop Concert Tom Jones chose to sing Sex Bomb at 7.30 at night in front of a mass family audience. My three under elevens were much amused by the constant repetition of the 's' word but what kind of total insensitivity leads to the choice of such explicitly sexual material at such a concert at such an hour of the evening. Later Jones and Blue sang the Full Monty pre-coital song "You can leave your hat on" whilst Ben Elton talked about "farts" and "pubic hair in the bath plughole of a student bedsit" Yah, well that's nice.
And then I'm listening to daytime radio and there's a croony little tune called 'Insatiable' which is clearly, explicitly about endless copulation. Well, now, I do want my 5 year old daughter singing along to that one. Then an ad comes on for Hamlet cigars. Now, Hamlet TV and cinema advertising was once marked by great wit and insight into a whole range of human disappointments and disasters. In this ad, the characters recount memories of their teen years but the gaff before the famous Bach air begins was about 'Remember dressing up in your mother's bra and knickers to discover what it would feel like to be a girl." In a second ad a man is telling his wife/girlfriend/mistress/partner/potential lover that her knickers are wrinkling up and making her look somewhat corrugated. To which the reply comes, "I'm not wearing any knickers." Well, do we really need this in daytime radio?
And, by this time, you might well ask do we really need all this in the pages of Christianity and Renewal?
Well, indeed. The main point is that the obsession with human sexuality has become the default mode for much of popular culture. If you can't think of anything interesting to ask a celebrity in an interview, ask about their private lives; if you can't get a way of getting people to watch your programme, get members of the general public to talk about their sexual experiences; if you can't think of a way of selling a product, add smut.
I know I'm sounding as if I'm one blue rinse away from turning into Mary Whitehouse but there are worse fates and she did turn out to be right about a great many things. The problem about the ubiquity of smut is that pretty soon we don't notice it. We shrug our shoulders and move on. Life is too short. But Tipping Point reveals that one of the ways to clean up the neighbourhood is to go for the little things. So perhaps we shouldn't let companies and broadcasters carry on adding to the smut-mountain because, quite apart from anything else, if we do, things will only get worse. And they have, haven't they?
Still, this is not just about tutting at smut, it's about the wider question of what those in authority permit in public space, on air and in the cinema. It's clear that commercial interests increasingly seem to rule. On what other grounds could The Lord of the Rings have possibly been given a PG 8 Certificate? Indeed, I've yet to meet anyone who has seen that very fine film who thinks it would be suitable for young children on the big screen. And when the British Board of Film Censors do give a film like Spiderman a 12 Certificate, their recommendation is promptly overruled by local authorities. In whose interest was such a decision? Warner Brothers? Odeon Cinemas? Not my kids, for sure. One 20-something friend even called me on the day after the opening to advise me not to take my kids to it. Can we trust those who give films certificates any more? Can we trust daytime radio stations? Can we trust the BBC? Can we trust the Advertising Standards Authority? They are reeds swaying in the prevailing fumes. Britain has tipped. Britain is a tip.
You probably know this.
And you probably also know this: the nervous systems of frogs doesn't register slow increases in temperature very well. This accounts for the fact that you can pop a frog in a pot of cold water , turn on the gas and it will happily sit there not noticing that it's being boiled to death. The condition is called poikilothermia.
We're boiling to death.
Oh, and we don't live in a pond we live in a sewer.
Mark Greene
LICC - Britney Cheered
Britney Cheered? - Mark Greene considers the rise and fall of the most googled girl in the world
Britney is the most googled girl in the world. In fact, she is the most googled topic in the world - with more hits than anyone or anything else in 2003. And she's in the top 10 not just in Western nations but in a whole host of other countries. It would be easy to assume that what drives this interest is merely 'the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh' but that would be to overlook her enormous appeal - at least until recently to girls of 6 and over - and not incidentally her considerable talent. For Britney is far more than an American Atomic Kitten or Sugababe - she has a strong voice able to cross over a number of styles, outstanding diction, and superior phrasing. Furthermore, it is very hard to think of any artist, apart from Michael Jackson, who comes close to matching her ability to dance or indeed her ability to move on stage. She has also sold some 40 million records.
Britney was after all the Queen of Pop, the precocious teen star of the 90s who was able to communicate not only with those older than herself but to people her own age. A sixteen year-old didn't have to look to a 30 year old Madonna to find a singer to connect with because there was Britney who was sexually alluring but also remained a virgin for quite a lot longer than the average girl … though not as long apparently as her publicity suggested. Nevertheless, little girls could admire the style, big girls could admire the get up and go, boys could dream, and parents could approve, whilst older men apparently leered. Britney's appeal, like beauty, was in the eye of the beholder.
Still, this doesn't fully explain why she's the undisputed queen of cyberhits - there are plenty of other beautiful celebrity girls to ogle. Is it perhaps that she is so quintessentially an American girl and that the interest in her reflects a yearning for the fruits of the American dream? In the early days, much of her material tracked with her own rites of passage - 'not a girl, not yet a woman', as the song went, and if she herself wasn't sitting in a classroom in a uniform, most of her peers were, so the famous school corridor dance video found a connection in her age group's every day reality. Similarly, her much maligned but actually rather convincing film Crossroads traced her growing independence from her father and her decision to lose her virginity to a considerate, somewhat older boy. Alas.
Even then, however, it was clear that the battle for the portrayal of her body would be won by those who wanted to turn her into more than a pretty girl who could dance into a sexual tigress who could cavort. When my kids innocently played the video that accompanied the 'I love Rock 'n Roll' single, they all instinctively knew, at 6, 8 and 10, that this material was not meant for them. Britney lost some fans. Me included.
Now, Britney has grown up, or at least thrown off the remaining shackles of her wholesome growing up girl image. Her music has shifted from pop to a grittier, clipped R & B, her lyrics are all too sexually knowing and explicit and her videos have to be shown after the watershed. Of course, she had to develop a repertoire that reflected her transition into adulthood but there is no particular reason why it had to be so unoriginally prurient. Popular culture critics call this process 're-inventing yourself' - a phrase I first heard in relation to Madonna about whom it reflected an inaccurate understanding of the consistency of her approach to art and life - Madonna was growing and evolving. In Britney's case the 're-invention' looks more like a distinctly unoriginal desperation of soul as well as artistic imagination. Alongside that, her personal life looks a mess. Her quickie Las Vegas marriage and rapid annulment seems to express a lostness that ought to make our hearts break. Britney, the star, it seems to me, is destined to fade. Lets hope Britney the person can find her sparkle.
Mark Greene
Britney is the most googled girl in the world. In fact, she is the most googled topic in the world - with more hits than anyone or anything else in 2003. And she's in the top 10 not just in Western nations but in a whole host of other countries. It would be easy to assume that what drives this interest is merely 'the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh' but that would be to overlook her enormous appeal - at least until recently to girls of 6 and over - and not incidentally her considerable talent. For Britney is far more than an American Atomic Kitten or Sugababe - she has a strong voice able to cross over a number of styles, outstanding diction, and superior phrasing. Furthermore, it is very hard to think of any artist, apart from Michael Jackson, who comes close to matching her ability to dance or indeed her ability to move on stage. She has also sold some 40 million records.
Britney was after all the Queen of Pop, the precocious teen star of the 90s who was able to communicate not only with those older than herself but to people her own age. A sixteen year-old didn't have to look to a 30 year old Madonna to find a singer to connect with because there was Britney who was sexually alluring but also remained a virgin for quite a lot longer than the average girl … though not as long apparently as her publicity suggested. Nevertheless, little girls could admire the style, big girls could admire the get up and go, boys could dream, and parents could approve, whilst older men apparently leered. Britney's appeal, like beauty, was in the eye of the beholder.
Still, this doesn't fully explain why she's the undisputed queen of cyberhits - there are plenty of other beautiful celebrity girls to ogle. Is it perhaps that she is so quintessentially an American girl and that the interest in her reflects a yearning for the fruits of the American dream? In the early days, much of her material tracked with her own rites of passage - 'not a girl, not yet a woman', as the song went, and if she herself wasn't sitting in a classroom in a uniform, most of her peers were, so the famous school corridor dance video found a connection in her age group's every day reality. Similarly, her much maligned but actually rather convincing film Crossroads traced her growing independence from her father and her decision to lose her virginity to a considerate, somewhat older boy. Alas.
Even then, however, it was clear that the battle for the portrayal of her body would be won by those who wanted to turn her into more than a pretty girl who could dance into a sexual tigress who could cavort. When my kids innocently played the video that accompanied the 'I love Rock 'n Roll' single, they all instinctively knew, at 6, 8 and 10, that this material was not meant for them. Britney lost some fans. Me included.
Now, Britney has grown up, or at least thrown off the remaining shackles of her wholesome growing up girl image. Her music has shifted from pop to a grittier, clipped R & B, her lyrics are all too sexually knowing and explicit and her videos have to be shown after the watershed. Of course, she had to develop a repertoire that reflected her transition into adulthood but there is no particular reason why it had to be so unoriginally prurient. Popular culture critics call this process 're-inventing yourself' - a phrase I first heard in relation to Madonna about whom it reflected an inaccurate understanding of the consistency of her approach to art and life - Madonna was growing and evolving. In Britney's case the 're-invention' looks more like a distinctly unoriginal desperation of soul as well as artistic imagination. Alongside that, her personal life looks a mess. Her quickie Las Vegas marriage and rapid annulment seems to express a lostness that ought to make our hearts break. Britney, the star, it seems to me, is destined to fade. Lets hope Britney the person can find her sparkle.
Mark Greene
All Souls, Langham Place - 08/15/2004
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.(1 Corinthians 9:25)
Here is a sentence that fills our minds with images from the Olympics - Eric Liddell, Jesse Owens, Fanny Blankers-Koen, Emil Zatopek or Kip Keino. 'Strict training' the Greek word is agonizomai, from which we get the word agony!
The apostle Paul is evidently encouraging his Christian readers to see themselves as people in training - in an altogether bigger arena and for a lasting crown. But how does the Christian disciple train? Check yourself!
Here is a sentence that fills our minds with images from the Olympics - Eric Liddell, Jesse Owens, Fanny Blankers-Koen, Emil Zatopek or Kip Keino. 'Strict training' the Greek word is agonizomai, from which we get the word agony!
The apostle Paul is evidently encouraging his Christian readers to see themselves as people in training - in an altogether bigger arena and for a lasting crown. But how does the Christian disciple train? Check yourself!
- Are you out on the track early?
- Are you meeting with the team?
- Are you obeying your coach? See Christ as the great goal-setter; in fact see him as the goal for the whole of your life.
Friday, August 13, 2004
LICC - Connecting with Culture - The Village
connecting with culture - the village
The director M Night Shyamalan has a knack for weaving the weird and wonderful into film. He served up the supernatural, superheroes and superstition respectively in The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs - each accompanied by a healthy dose of suspense. The Village is no exception. The story focuses on life in an idyllic rural valley, in late-19th-century America, where villagers live in peace and harmony under the watchful but benevolent gaze of the community elders.
All is not as it seems, however - for here be monsters. In the woods surrounding the valley live dangerous beasts who hold to an uneasy truce with the elders. To maintain the peace, none of the villagers may transgress the boundary between valley and wood. Thanks mainly to the strict observation of rules which help the people maintain a healthy, if fearful, distance from danger, life in the valley is blissfully normal: people marry, raise children and partake in 'Amish' style community feasts.
However, the truce that keeps them safe also keeps them trapped, and the peace is shattered when, after a child dies needlessly from a curable ailment, one headstrong youth decides to head through the woods to the local towns to bring back vital medicines.
The Village is a powerful parody of life today - particularly when it explores our dwindling sense of community in contemporary culture. Shyamalan seeks to uncover what it really is that keeps a community together. Boundaries and rules alone do not provide social cohesion - we all need a bigger picture, into which the rules can fit and make sense. But through this film, Shyamalan, who never ducks the big issues, questions both political and religious authorities who employ fear as a means to secure position.
Do we need to know that we're all answerable to a higher authority in order to find harmony? Or do repetitive reminders that we are under constant threat help us to forge social bonds in uniting us against a 'common' enemy? With the Government issuing pamphlets nationwide on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack, The Village's storyline is prescient. Shyamalan's critique, however, is ambiguous. He offers no easy answers. Life in the village, although fearful, is to be envied for its simplicity and serenity. At the end of viewing this film, then, we are left metaphorically, as well as literally, in the dark. Jason Gardner
The director M Night Shyamalan has a knack for weaving the weird and wonderful into film. He served up the supernatural, superheroes and superstition respectively in The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs - each accompanied by a healthy dose of suspense. The Village is no exception. The story focuses on life in an idyllic rural valley, in late-19th-century America, where villagers live in peace and harmony under the watchful but benevolent gaze of the community elders.
All is not as it seems, however - for here be monsters. In the woods surrounding the valley live dangerous beasts who hold to an uneasy truce with the elders. To maintain the peace, none of the villagers may transgress the boundary between valley and wood. Thanks mainly to the strict observation of rules which help the people maintain a healthy, if fearful, distance from danger, life in the valley is blissfully normal: people marry, raise children and partake in 'Amish' style community feasts.
However, the truce that keeps them safe also keeps them trapped, and the peace is shattered when, after a child dies needlessly from a curable ailment, one headstrong youth decides to head through the woods to the local towns to bring back vital medicines.
The Village is a powerful parody of life today - particularly when it explores our dwindling sense of community in contemporary culture. Shyamalan seeks to uncover what it really is that keeps a community together. Boundaries and rules alone do not provide social cohesion - we all need a bigger picture, into which the rules can fit and make sense. But through this film, Shyamalan, who never ducks the big issues, questions both political and religious authorities who employ fear as a means to secure position.
Do we need to know that we're all answerable to a higher authority in order to find harmony? Or do repetitive reminders that we are under constant threat help us to forge social bonds in uniting us against a 'common' enemy? With the Government issuing pamphlets nationwide on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack, The Village's storyline is prescient. Shyamalan's critique, however, is ambiguous. He offers no easy answers. Life in the village, although fearful, is to be envied for its simplicity and serenity. At the end of viewing this film, then, we are left metaphorically, as well as literally, in the dark. Jason Gardner
Monday, August 09, 2004
LICC- Word for the Week - Loving Neighbours
Love your neighbour as yourself. Lev 19:18, Luke 10:27
Jesus expanded the meaning of the word neighbour, when he defined it by telling the parable of the good Samaritan. Mostly it had meant what we mean in English today – someone who lives down our street, in our community (if we have one). It was linked with the people you knew, your kin, clan or village, with someone whose wife you might be tempted to covet or whose boundary stone you might move in the night. (Although, to be fair, Leviticus 19 also directs the people to love the alien as themselves, when he comes to live with them.)
Jesus’ revolutionary story makes absolutely everyone and anyone a neighbour – anyone you happen to meet, or by extension, hear about, or see on the news. So how do we love anyone and everyone as ourselves? What part should I be playing in encouraging human flourishing in the ways that I want to flourish? What makes me flourish at work? How do I contribute to good working practices so that others flourish too? Can I make a difference to people I will never know?
Those are the kinds of questions that are raised by Jesus’ story and the command that followed – Go and do likewise. We might need to stop and help someone who has been beaten up, using our resources and our time, but there are a lot of other very ordinary ways in which we can make the world we live in a better place for neighbour human beings. If we love our neighbours as ourselves then what do we do? Pay taxes happily to build the social infrastructure of society (paramedics for the man beaten up on the way to Jericho?); buy and use cars in an environmentally friendly way – and keep to speed limits; carry donor cards and give blood; support aid and development agencies; buy fair-traded goods. There is a counter-cultural element in living with the good of others in mind. The bible identifies obedience with joy, for the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. Go on enjoy yourself – be a good neighbour!
Margaret Killingray
Jesus expanded the meaning of the word neighbour, when he defined it by telling the parable of the good Samaritan. Mostly it had meant what we mean in English today – someone who lives down our street, in our community (if we have one). It was linked with the people you knew, your kin, clan or village, with someone whose wife you might be tempted to covet or whose boundary stone you might move in the night. (Although, to be fair, Leviticus 19 also directs the people to love the alien as themselves, when he comes to live with them.)
Jesus’ revolutionary story makes absolutely everyone and anyone a neighbour – anyone you happen to meet, or by extension, hear about, or see on the news. So how do we love anyone and everyone as ourselves? What part should I be playing in encouraging human flourishing in the ways that I want to flourish? What makes me flourish at work? How do I contribute to good working practices so that others flourish too? Can I make a difference to people I will never know?
Those are the kinds of questions that are raised by Jesus’ story and the command that followed – Go and do likewise. We might need to stop and help someone who has been beaten up, using our resources and our time, but there are a lot of other very ordinary ways in which we can make the world we live in a better place for neighbour human beings. If we love our neighbours as ourselves then what do we do? Pay taxes happily to build the social infrastructure of society (paramedics for the man beaten up on the way to Jericho?); buy and use cars in an environmentally friendly way – and keep to speed limits; carry donor cards and give blood; support aid and development agencies; buy fair-traded goods. There is a counter-cultural element in living with the good of others in mind. The bible identifies obedience with joy, for the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. Go on enjoy yourself – be a good neighbour!
Margaret Killingray
Sunday, August 08, 2004
All Souls, Langham Place - 08/08/2004
'What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?????? (Mark 4:41 KJV)'
Twelve men in a boat? and in a raging storm on Lake Galilee too. Hauling down the sail, bailing like fury, they're all hard at it?. Bar one.
Excuse me, who is that man in the stern?
Why is he not helping? Why, it's their leader, Jesus, asleep on a cushion. Is he not aware of our predicament? People have been asking that all down history. Exactly 1,000 years ago the reign of Stephen, king of England, was so terrible that it was said, "God and his angels slept." Is Jesus asleep in heaven as far as events in Iraq, Zimbabwe, North Korea or the Sudan are concerned? Or when that answer to prayer seems a million miles away?
As the terrified men wake the Lord up, and as he stills the storm with just a word, he then asks, "Where is your faith?" Implication: It's all very well to believe when things are calm. But if we're only disciples of Christ for the happy days, then we're going to be let down one day.
Why be a Christian? Answer: Because Christianity is true. Because Jesus is whom He claims to be! And I want to know the truth for the truth's sake.
Which is why everyone needs to sort out the question, "Who is that man in the stern?"
Twelve men in a boat? and in a raging storm on Lake Galilee too. Hauling down the sail, bailing like fury, they're all hard at it?. Bar one.
Excuse me, who is that man in the stern?
Why is he not helping? Why, it's their leader, Jesus, asleep on a cushion. Is he not aware of our predicament? People have been asking that all down history. Exactly 1,000 years ago the reign of Stephen, king of England, was so terrible that it was said, "God and his angels slept." Is Jesus asleep in heaven as far as events in Iraq, Zimbabwe, North Korea or the Sudan are concerned? Or when that answer to prayer seems a million miles away?
As the terrified men wake the Lord up, and as he stills the storm with just a word, he then asks, "Where is your faith?" Implication: It's all very well to believe when things are calm. But if we're only disciples of Christ for the happy days, then we're going to be let down one day.
Why be a Christian? Answer: Because Christianity is true. Because Jesus is whom He claims to be! And I want to know the truth for the truth's sake.
Which is why everyone needs to sort out the question, "Who is that man in the stern?"
LICC- Word for the Week - Making Judgments
Making Judgments
The wicked… are like chaff that the wind blows away…. The wicked will not stand in the judgment…. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:4-6
How do we read verses like these that talk about the righteous and the wicked? Does everyone fall into one of these categories? Most people would say that it is pretty obvious that a few are really wicked, some are very good and most just about good enough. Yet we know that ‘all have sinned and come short of God’s glory’ and we are only made righteous ‘by grace through faith and that not of ourselves’. The righteous, who are rooted like a tree in living waters, are the repentant, not the good. The wicked, who have no substance so that the wind blows them away, are the unrepentant, but not the most wicked.
Surveys reveal that the church is often perceived as both hypocritical and judgmental; that Christians are, almost by definition, telling outsiders that they are wrong or wicked and insisting that Christians are all right. If only we could make others see that we are not talking about merit; that we are all in the ‘wicked’ category and that only grace, not works, makes us righteous in the end, we may begin to change that perception. Weeds and wheat will grow together in the same field until the final harvest judgment. We may be living and working with some ‘weeds’ who may change into ‘wheat’ tomorrow. ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged,’ Jesus said.
So in ordinary every day living we may well have to challenge wickedness and honour righteousness – in Christians as well as non-Christians, and sometimes in the same person. Judging which category people are in we can and should leave to the Lord. But we have to stand by the truth that it is he, and he alone, who watches over our ways and will one day judge us all in love and justice.
Margaret Killingray
The wicked… are like chaff that the wind blows away…. The wicked will not stand in the judgment…. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:4-6
How do we read verses like these that talk about the righteous and the wicked? Does everyone fall into one of these categories? Most people would say that it is pretty obvious that a few are really wicked, some are very good and most just about good enough. Yet we know that ‘all have sinned and come short of God’s glory’ and we are only made righteous ‘by grace through faith and that not of ourselves’. The righteous, who are rooted like a tree in living waters, are the repentant, not the good. The wicked, who have no substance so that the wind blows them away, are the unrepentant, but not the most wicked.
Surveys reveal that the church is often perceived as both hypocritical and judgmental; that Christians are, almost by definition, telling outsiders that they are wrong or wicked and insisting that Christians are all right. If only we could make others see that we are not talking about merit; that we are all in the ‘wicked’ category and that only grace, not works, makes us righteous in the end, we may begin to change that perception. Weeds and wheat will grow together in the same field until the final harvest judgment. We may be living and working with some ‘weeds’ who may change into ‘wheat’ tomorrow. ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged,’ Jesus said.
So in ordinary every day living we may well have to challenge wickedness and honour righteousness – in Christians as well as non-Christians, and sometimes in the same person. Judging which category people are in we can and should leave to the Lord. But we have to stand by the truth that it is he, and he alone, who watches over our ways and will one day judge us all in love and justice.
Margaret Killingray
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
All Souls, Langham Place - 01/08/2004
“Go and cry to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!” Judges 10:14
The Lord God – the only God – works so hard for us, yet with such mixed results. Look how his own chosen people treated him.
The short-term memory
He’d rescued them, led them, fed them and fought for them - only to find them flirting with the gods of the very nations he had protected them from. Only as His protection was withdrawn, did they begin to squeal.
The long-term problem
It’s our problem – both in and outside the church. A nation can kick God and his word out of its national life, and then wonder at its lack of unity and well-being. Don’t complain! was the Lord’s message to his fickle people. “I’m out of here; see if your new gods will help you!”
The all-time lesson
‘Mankind is unteachable’, said Winston Churchill during World War II. It is up to our generation to prove him wrong. Learn from history, for without it we are uneducated. Supremely, learn from the Bible; from the gaffes of the past, from the heroes of faith, and from Christ, the world’s all-time Teacher.
1 Kings 13:1-10
1 And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. 2 Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, "O altar, altar! Thus says the LORD: "Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men's bones shall be burned on you."' 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, "This is the sign which the LORD has spoken: Surely the altar shall split apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured out."
4 So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, "Arrest him!" Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself. 5 The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. 6 Then the king answered and said to the man of God, "Please entreat the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me."
So the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him, and became as before. 7 Then the king said to the man of God, "Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward."
8 But the man of God said to the king, "If you were to give me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. 9 For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came."' 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way he came to Bethel.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Here is, I. A messenger sent to Jeroboam, to signify to him God’s displeasure against his idolatry, v. 1. The army of Judah that aimed to ruin him was countermanded, and might not draw a sword against him (ch. 12:24); but a prophet of Judah is, instead thereof, sent to reclaim him from his evil way, and is sent in time, while he is but dedicating his altar, before his heart is hardened by the deceitfulness of his sin; for God delights not in the death of sinners, but would rather they would burn and live. How bold was the messenger that durst attack the king in his pride and interrupt the solemnity he was proud of! Those that go on God’s errand must not fear the face of man; they know who will bear them out. How kind was he that sent him to warn Jeroboam of the wrath of God revealed from heaven against his ungodliness and unrighteousness! II. The message delivered in God’s name, not whispered, but cried with a loud voice, denoting both the prophet’s courage, that he was neither afraid nor ashamed to own it, and his earnestness, that he desired to be heard and heeded by all that were present, who were not a few, on this great occasion. It was directed, not to Jeroboam nor to the people, but to the altar, the stones of which would sooner hear and yield than those who were mad upon their idols and deaf to divine calls. Yet, in threatening the altar, God threatened the founder and worshippers, to whom it was as dear as their own souls, and who might conclude, "If God’s wrath fasten upon the lifeless guiltless altar, how shall we escape?’’ That which was foretold concerning the altar (v. 2) was that, in process of time, a prince of the house of David, Josiah by name, should pollute this altar by sacrificing the idolatrous priests themselves upon it, and burning the bones of dead men. Let Jeroboam know and be sure, 1. That the altar he now consecrated should be desecrated. Idolatrous worship will not continue, but the word of the Lord will endure for ever. 2. That the priests of the high places he now made should themselves be made sacrifices to the justice of God, and the first and only sacrifices upon this altar that would be pleasing to him. If the offering be such as is an abomination to God, it will follow, of course, that the offerers must themselves fall under his wrath, which will abide upon them, since it is not otherwise transmitted. 3. That this should be done by a branch of the house of David. That family which he and his kingdom had despised and treacherously deserted should recover so much power as to demolish that altar which he thought to establish; so that right and truth should at length prevail, both in civil and sacred matters, notwithstanding the present triumphs of those that were given to change the fear both of God and the king. It was about 356 years ere this prediction was fulfilled, yet it was spoken of as sure and nigh at hand, for a thousand years with God are but as one day. Nothing more contingent and arbitrary than the giving of names to persons, yet Josiah was here named above 300 years before he was born. Nothing future is hidden from God. There are names in the book of the divine prescience (Phil. 4:3), names written in heaven. III. A sign is given for the confirming of the truth of this prediction, that the altar should be shaken to pieces by an invisible power and the ashes of the sacrifice scattered (v. 3), which came to pass immediately, v. 5. This was, 1. A proof that the prophet was sent of God, who confirmed the word with this sign following, Mk. 16:20. 2. A present indication of God’s displeasure against these idolatrous sacrifices. How could the gift be acceptable when the altar that should sanctify it was an abomination? 3. It was a reproach to the people, whose hearts were harder than these stones and rent not under the word of the Lord. 4. It was a specimen of what should be done to it in the accomplishment of this prophecy by Josiah; it was now rent, in token of its being then ruined. IV. Jeroboam’s hand withered, which he stretched out to seize or smite the man of God, v. 4. Instead of trembling at the message, as he might well have done, he assaulted him that brought it, in defiance of the wrath of which he was warned and contempt of that grace which sent him the warning. Rebuke a sinner and he will hate thee, and do thee a mischief if he can; yet God’s prophets must rather expose themselves than betray their trust: he that employs them will protect them, and restrain the wrath of man, as he did Jeroboam’s here by withering his hand, so that he could neither hurt the prophet nor draw it in to help himself. When his hand was stretched out to burn incense to his calves it was not withered; but, when it is stretched out against a prophet, he shall have no use of it till he humble himself. Of all the wickedness of the wicked there is none more provoking to God than their malicious attempts against his prophets, of whom he has said, Touch them not, do them no harm. As this was a punishment of Jeroboam, and answering to the sin, so it was the deliverance of the prophet. God has many ways of disabling the enemies of his church from executing their mischievous purposes. Jeroboam’s inability to pull in his hand made him a spectacle to all about him, that they might see and fear. If God, in justice, harden the hearts of sinners, so that the hand they have stretched out in sin they cannot pull in again by repentance, that is a spiritual judgment, represented by this, and much more dreadful. V. The sudden healing of the hand that was suddenly dried up, upon his submission, v. 6. That word of God which should have touched his conscience humbled him not, but this which touched his bone and his flesh brings down his proud spirit. He looks for help now, 1. Not from his calves, but from God only, from his power and his favour. He wounded, and no hand but his can make whole. 2. Not by his own sacrifice or incense, but by the prayer and intercession of the prophet, whom he had just now threatened and aimed to destroy. The time may come when those that hate the preaching would be glad of the prayers of faithful ministers. "Pray to the Lord thy God,’’ says Jeroboam; "thou hast an interest in him; improve it for me.’’ But observe, He did not desire the prophet to pray that his sin might be pardoned, and his heart changed, only that his hand might be restored; thus Pharaoh would have Moses to pray that God would take away this death only (Ex. 10:17), not this sin. The prophet, as became a man of God, renders good for evil, upbraids not Jeroboam with his impotent malice, nor triumphs in his submission, but immediately addresses himself to God for him. Those only are entitled to the blessing Christ pronounced on the persecuted that learn of him to pray for their persecutors, Mt. 5:10, 44. When the prophet thus honoured God, by showing himself of a forgiving spirit, God put this further honour upon him, that at his word he recalled the judgment and by another miracle healed the withered hand, that by the goodness of God Jeroboam might be led to repentance, and, if he were not broken by the judgment, yet might be melted by the mercy. With both he seemed affected for the present, but the impressions wore off. VI. The prophet’s refusal of Jeroboam’s kind invitation, in which observe, 1. That God forbade his messenger to eat or drink in Beth-el (v. 9), to show his detestation of their execrable idolatry and apostasy from God, and to teach us not to have fellowship with the works of darkness, lest we have infection from them or give encouragement to them. He must not turn back the same way, but deliver his message, as it were, in transitu — as he passes along. He shall not seem to be sent on purpose (they were unworthy such a favour), but as if he only called by the way, his spirit being stirred, like Paul’s at Athens, as he passed and saw their devotions. God would, by this command, try his prophet, as he did Ezekiel, whether he would not be rebellious, like that rebellious house, Eze. 2:8. 2. That Jeroboam was so affected with the cure of his hand that though we read not of his thanksgivings to God for the mercy, or of his sending an offering to the altar at Jerusalem in acknowledgment of it, yet he was willing to express his gratitude to the prophet and pay him for his prayers, v. 7. Favours to the body will make even graceless men seem grateful to good ministers. 3. That the prophet, though hungry and weary, and perhaps poor, in obedience to the divine command refused both the entertainment and the reward proffered him. He might have supposed his acceptance of it would give him an opportunity of discoursing further with the king, in order to his effectual reformation, now that he was convinced; yet he will not think himself wiser than God, but, like a faithful careful messenger, hastens home when he has done his errand. Those have little learned the lessons of self-denial that cannot forbear one forbidden meal.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory
1. there came a man of God out of Judah--Who this prophet was cannot be ascertained, He came by divine authority. It could not be either Iddo or Ahijah, for both were alive after the events here related.
Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense--It was at one of the annual festivals. The king, to give interest to the new ritual, was himself the officiating priest. The altar and its accompaniments would, of course, exhibit all the splendor of a new and gorgeously decorated temple. But the prophet foretold its utter destruction [1 Kings 13:3].
2-9. he cried against the altar--which is put for the whole system of worship organized in Israel.
Behold, a child shall be born . . . Josiah by name--This is one of the most remarkable prophecies recorded in the Scriptures; and, in its clearness, circumstantial minuteness, and exact prediction of an event that took place three hundred sixty years later, it stands in striking contrast to the obscure and ambiguous oracles of the heathen. Being publicly uttered, it must have been well known to the people; and every Jew who lived at the accomplishment of the event must have been convinced of the truth of a religion connected with such a prophecy as this. A present sign was given of the remote event predicted, in a visible fissure being miraculously made on the altar. Incensed at the man's license of speech, Jeroboam stretched out his hand and ordered his attendants to seize the bold intruder. That moment the king's arm became stiff and motionless, and the altar split asunder, so that the fire and ashes fell on the floor. Overawed by the effects of his impiety, Jeroboam besought the prophet's prayer. His request was acceded to, and the hand was restored to its healthy state. Jeroboam was artful, and invited the prophet to the royal table, not to do him honor or show his gratitude for the restoration of his hand, but to win, by his courtesy and liberal hospitality, a person whom he could not crush by his power. But the prophet informed him of a divine injunction expressly prohibiting him from all social intercourse with any in the place, as well as from returning the same way. The prohibition not to eat or drink in Beth-el was because all the people had become apostates from the true religion, and the reason he was not allowed to return the same way was lest he should be recognized by any whom he had seen in going.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
13:1 Man of God - An holy prophet. By the word, &c. - By Divine inspiration and command.
13:2 The altar - And consequently, against all that worship. O altar - He directs his speech to the altar, because the following signs were wrought upon it. Josiah - Which being done above three hundred years after this prophecy, plainly shews the absolute certainty of God's providence; and fore - knowledge even in the most contingent things. For this was in itself uncertain, and wholly depended upon man's will, both as to the having of a child, and as to the giving it this name. Therefore God can certainly and effectually over - rule man's will which way he pleaseth; or else it was possible, that this prediction should have been false; which is blasphemous to imagine. The priests - The bones of the priests, 23:15,16, whereby the altar should be defiled. How bold wasthe man, that durst attack the king in his pride, and interrupt the solemnity he was proud of? Whoever is sent on God's errand, must not fear the faces of men. It was above three hundred and fifty years ere this prophecy was fulfilled. Yet it is spoken of as sure and nigh at hand. For a thousand years are with God as one day.
13:3 Gave a sign - That is, he then wrought a miracle, to assure them of the truth of his prophecy.
13:4 Put forth, &c. - To point out the man whom he would have the people lay hands on. The altar - Where it was employed in offering something upon it. Dried up - Or, withered, the muscles and sinews, the instruments of motion, shrunk up. This God did, to chastise Jeroboam for offering violence to the Lord's prophet: to secure the prophet against farther violence: and, that in this example God might shew, how highly he resents the injuries done to his ministers, for the faithful discharge of their office.
13:6 Thy God - Who hath manifested himself to be thy God and friend, in a singular manner; and therefore will hear thy prayers for me, though he will not regard mine, because I have forsaken him and his worship. Besought - To assure Jeroboam, that what he had said, was not from ill - will to him, and that he heartily desired his reformation, and not his ruin. Restored - Because he repented of that violence, which he intended against that prophet, for which God inflicted it: and that this goodness of God to him, might have led him to repentance; or, if he continued impenitent, leave him without excuse.
13:9 For so, &c. - My refusal of thy favour, is not from any contempt, or hatred of thy person; but in obedience to the just command of my God, who hath forbidden me all father converse or communication with thee. Eat nor drink - In that place, or with that people. Whereby God declares, how detestable they were in God's eyes; because they were vile apostates from the true God, and embraced this idol - worship, against the light of their own consciences, merely to comply with the king's humour and command. Nor turn - That by thy avoiding the way that led thee to Beth-el as execrable, although thou wentest by my special command, thou mightest teach all others, how much they should abhor that way, and all thoughts of going to that place, or to such people, upon any unnecessary occasion.
J1599 Geneva Study Bible
13:1 And, behold, there came a a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto b Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
(a) That is, a prophet.
(b) Not that that was called Luz in Benjamin, but another of that name.
13:3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This [is] the c sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that [are] upon it shall be poured out.
(c) By this sign you will know that the Lord has sent me.
13:4 And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, d Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
(d) The wicked rage against the prophets of God, when they declare God’s judgment to them.
13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, e Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before.
(e) Though the wicked humble themselves for a time when they feel God’s judgment, they return to their old malice and declare that they are but vile hypocrites.
13:9 For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, f Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.
(f) Seeing he had the express word of God, he should not have declined from it, neither for the persuasion of man nor angel.
4 So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, "Arrest him!" Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself. 5 The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. 6 Then the king answered and said to the man of God, "Please entreat the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me."
So the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him, and became as before. 7 Then the king said to the man of God, "Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward."
8 But the man of God said to the king, "If you were to give me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. 9 For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came."' 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way he came to Bethel.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Here is, I. A messenger sent to Jeroboam, to signify to him God’s displeasure against his idolatry, v. 1. The army of Judah that aimed to ruin him was countermanded, and might not draw a sword against him (ch. 12:24); but a prophet of Judah is, instead thereof, sent to reclaim him from his evil way, and is sent in time, while he is but dedicating his altar, before his heart is hardened by the deceitfulness of his sin; for God delights not in the death of sinners, but would rather they would burn and live. How bold was the messenger that durst attack the king in his pride and interrupt the solemnity he was proud of! Those that go on God’s errand must not fear the face of man; they know who will bear them out. How kind was he that sent him to warn Jeroboam of the wrath of God revealed from heaven against his ungodliness and unrighteousness! II. The message delivered in God’s name, not whispered, but cried with a loud voice, denoting both the prophet’s courage, that he was neither afraid nor ashamed to own it, and his earnestness, that he desired to be heard and heeded by all that were present, who were not a few, on this great occasion. It was directed, not to Jeroboam nor to the people, but to the altar, the stones of which would sooner hear and yield than those who were mad upon their idols and deaf to divine calls. Yet, in threatening the altar, God threatened the founder and worshippers, to whom it was as dear as their own souls, and who might conclude, "If God’s wrath fasten upon the lifeless guiltless altar, how shall we escape?’’ That which was foretold concerning the altar (v. 2) was that, in process of time, a prince of the house of David, Josiah by name, should pollute this altar by sacrificing the idolatrous priests themselves upon it, and burning the bones of dead men. Let Jeroboam know and be sure, 1. That the altar he now consecrated should be desecrated. Idolatrous worship will not continue, but the word of the Lord will endure for ever. 2. That the priests of the high places he now made should themselves be made sacrifices to the justice of God, and the first and only sacrifices upon this altar that would be pleasing to him. If the offering be such as is an abomination to God, it will follow, of course, that the offerers must themselves fall under his wrath, which will abide upon them, since it is not otherwise transmitted. 3. That this should be done by a branch of the house of David. That family which he and his kingdom had despised and treacherously deserted should recover so much power as to demolish that altar which he thought to establish; so that right and truth should at length prevail, both in civil and sacred matters, notwithstanding the present triumphs of those that were given to change the fear both of God and the king. It was about 356 years ere this prediction was fulfilled, yet it was spoken of as sure and nigh at hand, for a thousand years with God are but as one day. Nothing more contingent and arbitrary than the giving of names to persons, yet Josiah was here named above 300 years before he was born. Nothing future is hidden from God. There are names in the book of the divine prescience (Phil. 4:3), names written in heaven. III. A sign is given for the confirming of the truth of this prediction, that the altar should be shaken to pieces by an invisible power and the ashes of the sacrifice scattered (v. 3), which came to pass immediately, v. 5. This was, 1. A proof that the prophet was sent of God, who confirmed the word with this sign following, Mk. 16:20. 2. A present indication of God’s displeasure against these idolatrous sacrifices. How could the gift be acceptable when the altar that should sanctify it was an abomination? 3. It was a reproach to the people, whose hearts were harder than these stones and rent not under the word of the Lord. 4. It was a specimen of what should be done to it in the accomplishment of this prophecy by Josiah; it was now rent, in token of its being then ruined. IV. Jeroboam’s hand withered, which he stretched out to seize or smite the man of God, v. 4. Instead of trembling at the message, as he might well have done, he assaulted him that brought it, in defiance of the wrath of which he was warned and contempt of that grace which sent him the warning. Rebuke a sinner and he will hate thee, and do thee a mischief if he can; yet God’s prophets must rather expose themselves than betray their trust: he that employs them will protect them, and restrain the wrath of man, as he did Jeroboam’s here by withering his hand, so that he could neither hurt the prophet nor draw it in to help himself. When his hand was stretched out to burn incense to his calves it was not withered; but, when it is stretched out against a prophet, he shall have no use of it till he humble himself. Of all the wickedness of the wicked there is none more provoking to God than their malicious attempts against his prophets, of whom he has said, Touch them not, do them no harm. As this was a punishment of Jeroboam, and answering to the sin, so it was the deliverance of the prophet. God has many ways of disabling the enemies of his church from executing their mischievous purposes. Jeroboam’s inability to pull in his hand made him a spectacle to all about him, that they might see and fear. If God, in justice, harden the hearts of sinners, so that the hand they have stretched out in sin they cannot pull in again by repentance, that is a spiritual judgment, represented by this, and much more dreadful. V. The sudden healing of the hand that was suddenly dried up, upon his submission, v. 6. That word of God which should have touched his conscience humbled him not, but this which touched his bone and his flesh brings down his proud spirit. He looks for help now, 1. Not from his calves, but from God only, from his power and his favour. He wounded, and no hand but his can make whole. 2. Not by his own sacrifice or incense, but by the prayer and intercession of the prophet, whom he had just now threatened and aimed to destroy. The time may come when those that hate the preaching would be glad of the prayers of faithful ministers. "Pray to the Lord thy God,’’ says Jeroboam; "thou hast an interest in him; improve it for me.’’ But observe, He did not desire the prophet to pray that his sin might be pardoned, and his heart changed, only that his hand might be restored; thus Pharaoh would have Moses to pray that God would take away this death only (Ex. 10:17), not this sin. The prophet, as became a man of God, renders good for evil, upbraids not Jeroboam with his impotent malice, nor triumphs in his submission, but immediately addresses himself to God for him. Those only are entitled to the blessing Christ pronounced on the persecuted that learn of him to pray for their persecutors, Mt. 5:10, 44. When the prophet thus honoured God, by showing himself of a forgiving spirit, God put this further honour upon him, that at his word he recalled the judgment and by another miracle healed the withered hand, that by the goodness of God Jeroboam might be led to repentance, and, if he were not broken by the judgment, yet might be melted by the mercy. With both he seemed affected for the present, but the impressions wore off. VI. The prophet’s refusal of Jeroboam’s kind invitation, in which observe, 1. That God forbade his messenger to eat or drink in Beth-el (v. 9), to show his detestation of their execrable idolatry and apostasy from God, and to teach us not to have fellowship with the works of darkness, lest we have infection from them or give encouragement to them. He must not turn back the same way, but deliver his message, as it were, in transitu — as he passes along. He shall not seem to be sent on purpose (they were unworthy such a favour), but as if he only called by the way, his spirit being stirred, like Paul’s at Athens, as he passed and saw their devotions. God would, by this command, try his prophet, as he did Ezekiel, whether he would not be rebellious, like that rebellious house, Eze. 2:8. 2. That Jeroboam was so affected with the cure of his hand that though we read not of his thanksgivings to God for the mercy, or of his sending an offering to the altar at Jerusalem in acknowledgment of it, yet he was willing to express his gratitude to the prophet and pay him for his prayers, v. 7. Favours to the body will make even graceless men seem grateful to good ministers. 3. That the prophet, though hungry and weary, and perhaps poor, in obedience to the divine command refused both the entertainment and the reward proffered him. He might have supposed his acceptance of it would give him an opportunity of discoursing further with the king, in order to his effectual reformation, now that he was convinced; yet he will not think himself wiser than God, but, like a faithful careful messenger, hastens home when he has done his errand. Those have little learned the lessons of self-denial that cannot forbear one forbidden meal.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory
1. there came a man of God out of Judah--Who this prophet was cannot be ascertained, He came by divine authority. It could not be either Iddo or Ahijah, for both were alive after the events here related.
Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense--It was at one of the annual festivals. The king, to give interest to the new ritual, was himself the officiating priest. The altar and its accompaniments would, of course, exhibit all the splendor of a new and gorgeously decorated temple. But the prophet foretold its utter destruction [1 Kings 13:3].
2-9. he cried against the altar--which is put for the whole system of worship organized in Israel.
Behold, a child shall be born . . . Josiah by name--This is one of the most remarkable prophecies recorded in the Scriptures; and, in its clearness, circumstantial minuteness, and exact prediction of an event that took place three hundred sixty years later, it stands in striking contrast to the obscure and ambiguous oracles of the heathen. Being publicly uttered, it must have been well known to the people; and every Jew who lived at the accomplishment of the event must have been convinced of the truth of a religion connected with such a prophecy as this. A present sign was given of the remote event predicted, in a visible fissure being miraculously made on the altar. Incensed at the man's license of speech, Jeroboam stretched out his hand and ordered his attendants to seize the bold intruder. That moment the king's arm became stiff and motionless, and the altar split asunder, so that the fire and ashes fell on the floor. Overawed by the effects of his impiety, Jeroboam besought the prophet's prayer. His request was acceded to, and the hand was restored to its healthy state. Jeroboam was artful, and invited the prophet to the royal table, not to do him honor or show his gratitude for the restoration of his hand, but to win, by his courtesy and liberal hospitality, a person whom he could not crush by his power. But the prophet informed him of a divine injunction expressly prohibiting him from all social intercourse with any in the place, as well as from returning the same way. The prohibition not to eat or drink in Beth-el was because all the people had become apostates from the true religion, and the reason he was not allowed to return the same way was lest he should be recognized by any whom he had seen in going.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
13:1 Man of God - An holy prophet. By the word, &c. - By Divine inspiration and command.
13:2 The altar - And consequently, against all that worship. O altar - He directs his speech to the altar, because the following signs were wrought upon it. Josiah - Which being done above three hundred years after this prophecy, plainly shews the absolute certainty of God's providence; and fore - knowledge even in the most contingent things. For this was in itself uncertain, and wholly depended upon man's will, both as to the having of a child, and as to the giving it this name. Therefore God can certainly and effectually over - rule man's will which way he pleaseth; or else it was possible, that this prediction should have been false; which is blasphemous to imagine. The priests - The bones of the priests, 23:15,16, whereby the altar should be defiled. How bold wasthe man, that durst attack the king in his pride, and interrupt the solemnity he was proud of? Whoever is sent on God's errand, must not fear the faces of men. It was above three hundred and fifty years ere this prophecy was fulfilled. Yet it is spoken of as sure and nigh at hand. For a thousand years are with God as one day.
13:3 Gave a sign - That is, he then wrought a miracle, to assure them of the truth of his prophecy.
13:4 Put forth, &c. - To point out the man whom he would have the people lay hands on. The altar - Where it was employed in offering something upon it. Dried up - Or, withered, the muscles and sinews, the instruments of motion, shrunk up. This God did, to chastise Jeroboam for offering violence to the Lord's prophet: to secure the prophet against farther violence: and, that in this example God might shew, how highly he resents the injuries done to his ministers, for the faithful discharge of their office.
13:6 Thy God - Who hath manifested himself to be thy God and friend, in a singular manner; and therefore will hear thy prayers for me, though he will not regard mine, because I have forsaken him and his worship. Besought - To assure Jeroboam, that what he had said, was not from ill - will to him, and that he heartily desired his reformation, and not his ruin. Restored - Because he repented of that violence, which he intended against that prophet, for which God inflicted it: and that this goodness of God to him, might have led him to repentance; or, if he continued impenitent, leave him without excuse.
13:9 For so, &c. - My refusal of thy favour, is not from any contempt, or hatred of thy person; but in obedience to the just command of my God, who hath forbidden me all father converse or communication with thee. Eat nor drink - In that place, or with that people. Whereby God declares, how detestable they were in God's eyes; because they were vile apostates from the true God, and embraced this idol - worship, against the light of their own consciences, merely to comply with the king's humour and command. Nor turn - That by thy avoiding the way that led thee to Beth-el as execrable, although thou wentest by my special command, thou mightest teach all others, how much they should abhor that way, and all thoughts of going to that place, or to such people, upon any unnecessary occasion.
J1599 Geneva Study Bible
13:1 And, behold, there came a a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto b Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
(a) That is, a prophet.
(b) Not that that was called Luz in Benjamin, but another of that name.
13:3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This [is] the c sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that [are] upon it shall be poured out.
(c) By this sign you will know that the Lord has sent me.
13:4 And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, d Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
(d) The wicked rage against the prophets of God, when they declare God’s judgment to them.
13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, e Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before.
(e) Though the wicked humble themselves for a time when they feel God’s judgment, they return to their old malice and declare that they are but vile hypocrites.
13:9 For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, f Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.
(f) Seeing he had the express word of God, he should not have declined from it, neither for the persuasion of man nor angel.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
1 Kings 10:1-13
1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."
10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 Also, the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought great quantities of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir. 12 And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day.
13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13: The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to hear his wisdom, thereby to improve her own. Our Saviour mentions her inquiries after God, by Solomon, as showing the stupidity of those who inquire not after God, by our Lord Jesus Christ. By waiting and prayer, by diligently searching the Scriptures, by consulting wise and experienced Christians, and by practising what we have learned, we shall be delivered from difficulties. Solomon's wisdom made more impression upon the queen of Sheba than all his prosperity and grandeur. There is a spiritual excellence in heavenly things, and in consistent Christians, to which no reports can do justice. Here the truth exceeded; and all who, through grace, are brought to commune with God, will say the one half was not told them of the pleasures and the advantages of wisdom's ways. Glorified saints, much more, will say of heaven, that the thousandth part was not told them, (1Co 2:9). She pronounced them happy that constantly attended Solomon. With much more reason may we say of Christ's servants, Blessed are they that dwell in his house; they will be still praising him. She made a noble present to Solomon. What we present to Christ, he needs not, but will have us do so to express our gratitude. The believer who has been with Jesus, will return to his station, discharge his duties with readiness, and from better motives; looking forward to the day when, being absent from the body, he shall be present with the Lord.
JFB Commentary
THE QUEEN OF SHEBA ADMIRES THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON.
v1. the queen of Sheba--Some think her country was the Sabean kingdom of Yemen, of which the capital was Saba, in Arabia-Felix; others, that it was in African Ethiopia, that is, Abyssinia, towards the south of the Red Sea. The opinions preponderate in favor of the former. This view harmonizes with the language of our Lord, as Yemen means "South"; and this country, extending to the shores of the Indian ocean, might in ancient times be considered "the uttermost parts of the earth."
heard of the fame of Solomon--doubtless by the Ophir fleet.
concerning the name of the Lord--meaning either his great knowledge of God, or the extraordinary things which God had done for him.
hard questions--enigmas or riddles. The Orientals delight in this species of intellectual exercise and test wisdom by the power and readiness to solve them.
v2. she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels--A long train of those beasts of burden forms the common way of travelling in Arabia; and the presents specified consist of the native produce of that country. Of course, a royal equipage would be larger and more imposing than an ordinary caravan.
v6. It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom--The proofs she obtained of Solomon's wisdom--not from his conversation only, but also from his works; the splendor of his palace; the economy of his kitchen and table; the order of his court; the gradations and gorgeous costume of his servants; above all, the arched viaduct that led from his palace to the temple (2Ki 16:18), and the remains of which have been recently discovered [ROBINSON]--overwhelmed her with astonishment. [See on 2Ch 9:4.]
v9. Blessed be the Lord thy God--(See on 1Ki 5:7). It is quite possible, as Jewish writers say, that this queen was converted, through Solomon's influence, to the worship of the true God. But there is no record of her making any gift or offering in the temple.
v10. she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold--about $3,500,000.
v11. almug trees--Parenthetically, along with the valuable presents of the queen of Sheba, is mentioned a foreign wood, which was brought in the Ophir ships. It is thought by some to be the sandalwood; by others, to be the deodar--a species of fragrant fir, much used in India for sacred and important works. Solomon used it for stairs in his temple and palace (2Ch 9:11), but chiefly for musical instruments.
v13. King Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside--that is, Solomon not only gave his illustrious guest all the insight and information she wanted; but, according to the Oriental fashion, he gave her ample remuneration for the presents she had brought.
John Wesley's Notes
v1: Sheba - Of that part of Arabia, called Shabaea, which was at great distance from Jerusalem, bordering upon the Southern Sea; for there, much more than in Ethiopia, were the commodities which she brought, ver.(1Ki 10:2,10). Name of the Lord - That is, concerning God; the name of God being often put for God; concerning his deep knowledge in the things of God. For it is very probable she had, as had divers other Heathens, some knowledge of the true God, and an earnest desire to know more concerning him. Questions - Concerning natural, and civil, and especially, Divine things.
v2: All her heart - Of all the doubts and difficulties wherewith her mind was perplexed.
v4: House - Or, the houses, the temple and the king's house, in both which there were evidences of singular wisdom.
v5: Sitting - The order and manner in which his courtiers, or other subjects (who all were his servants in a general sense) sat down at meals, at several tables in his court. Attendance - Upon the king, both at his table, and in his court; and when he went abroad to the temple or other places. Apparel - Both the costliness of it, and especially the agreeableness of it to their several places and offices. Went up - From his own palace. See (2Ki 16:18), but the ancients, and some others, translate the words thus, and the burnt - offerings which he offered up in the house of the Lord; under which, is the chief, all other sacrifices are understood: when she saw the manner of his offering sacrifices to the Lord; which doubtless she would not neglect to see; and in the ordering of which she might discern many characters of excellent wisdom, especially when she had so excellent an interpreter as Solomon was, to inform her of the reasons of all the circumstances of that service. No spirit - She was astonished, and could scarcely determine whether she really saw these things, or whether it was only a pleasant dream.
v8: Happy, &c. - With much more reason may we say this of Christ's servants: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be always praising thee.
1599 Geneva Study Bible Notes
v1 And when the queen of a Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
(a) Josephus says that she was Queen of Ethiopia, and that Sheba was the name of the chief city of Meroe, which is an island of the Nile.
v5 And the b meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
(b) That is, the whole order, and trade of his house.
v8 Happy [are] thy men, happy [are] these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, [and] that hear thy c wisdom.
(c) But much more happy are they, who hear the wisdom of God revealed in his word.
v9 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which d delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do e judgment and justice.
(d) It is a chief sign of God's favour, when godly and wise rulers fit in the throne of justice.
(e) This is the reason kings are appointed.
10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 Also, the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought great quantities of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir. 12 And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day.
13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13: The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to hear his wisdom, thereby to improve her own. Our Saviour mentions her inquiries after God, by Solomon, as showing the stupidity of those who inquire not after God, by our Lord Jesus Christ. By waiting and prayer, by diligently searching the Scriptures, by consulting wise and experienced Christians, and by practising what we have learned, we shall be delivered from difficulties. Solomon's wisdom made more impression upon the queen of Sheba than all his prosperity and grandeur. There is a spiritual excellence in heavenly things, and in consistent Christians, to which no reports can do justice. Here the truth exceeded; and all who, through grace, are brought to commune with God, will say the one half was not told them of the pleasures and the advantages of wisdom's ways. Glorified saints, much more, will say of heaven, that the thousandth part was not told them, (1Co 2:9). She pronounced them happy that constantly attended Solomon. With much more reason may we say of Christ's servants, Blessed are they that dwell in his house; they will be still praising him. She made a noble present to Solomon. What we present to Christ, he needs not, but will have us do so to express our gratitude. The believer who has been with Jesus, will return to his station, discharge his duties with readiness, and from better motives; looking forward to the day when, being absent from the body, he shall be present with the Lord.
JFB Commentary
THE QUEEN OF SHEBA ADMIRES THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON.
v1. the queen of Sheba--Some think her country was the Sabean kingdom of Yemen, of which the capital was Saba, in Arabia-Felix; others, that it was in African Ethiopia, that is, Abyssinia, towards the south of the Red Sea. The opinions preponderate in favor of the former. This view harmonizes with the language of our Lord, as Yemen means "South"; and this country, extending to the shores of the Indian ocean, might in ancient times be considered "the uttermost parts of the earth."
heard of the fame of Solomon--doubtless by the Ophir fleet.
concerning the name of the Lord--meaning either his great knowledge of God, or the extraordinary things which God had done for him.
hard questions--enigmas or riddles. The Orientals delight in this species of intellectual exercise and test wisdom by the power and readiness to solve them.
v2. she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels--A long train of those beasts of burden forms the common way of travelling in Arabia; and the presents specified consist of the native produce of that country. Of course, a royal equipage would be larger and more imposing than an ordinary caravan.
v6. It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom--The proofs she obtained of Solomon's wisdom--not from his conversation only, but also from his works; the splendor of his palace; the economy of his kitchen and table; the order of his court; the gradations and gorgeous costume of his servants; above all, the arched viaduct that led from his palace to the temple (2Ki 16:18), and the remains of which have been recently discovered [ROBINSON]--overwhelmed her with astonishment. [See on 2Ch 9:4.]
v9. Blessed be the Lord thy God--(See on 1Ki 5:7). It is quite possible, as Jewish writers say, that this queen was converted, through Solomon's influence, to the worship of the true God. But there is no record of her making any gift or offering in the temple.
v10. she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold--about $3,500,000.
v11. almug trees--Parenthetically, along with the valuable presents of the queen of Sheba, is mentioned a foreign wood, which was brought in the Ophir ships. It is thought by some to be the sandalwood; by others, to be the deodar--a species of fragrant fir, much used in India for sacred and important works. Solomon used it for stairs in his temple and palace (2Ch 9:11), but chiefly for musical instruments.
v13. King Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside--that is, Solomon not only gave his illustrious guest all the insight and information she wanted; but, according to the Oriental fashion, he gave her ample remuneration for the presents she had brought.
John Wesley's Notes
v1: Sheba - Of that part of Arabia, called Shabaea, which was at great distance from Jerusalem, bordering upon the Southern Sea; for there, much more than in Ethiopia, were the commodities which she brought, ver.(1Ki 10:2,10). Name of the Lord - That is, concerning God; the name of God being often put for God; concerning his deep knowledge in the things of God. For it is very probable she had, as had divers other Heathens, some knowledge of the true God, and an earnest desire to know more concerning him. Questions - Concerning natural, and civil, and especially, Divine things.
v2: All her heart - Of all the doubts and difficulties wherewith her mind was perplexed.
v4: House - Or, the houses, the temple and the king's house, in both which there were evidences of singular wisdom.
v5: Sitting - The order and manner in which his courtiers, or other subjects (who all were his servants in a general sense) sat down at meals, at several tables in his court. Attendance - Upon the king, both at his table, and in his court; and when he went abroad to the temple or other places. Apparel - Both the costliness of it, and especially the agreeableness of it to their several places and offices. Went up - From his own palace. See (2Ki 16:18), but the ancients, and some others, translate the words thus, and the burnt - offerings which he offered up in the house of the Lord; under which, is the chief, all other sacrifices are understood: when she saw the manner of his offering sacrifices to the Lord; which doubtless she would not neglect to see; and in the ordering of which she might discern many characters of excellent wisdom, especially when she had so excellent an interpreter as Solomon was, to inform her of the reasons of all the circumstances of that service. No spirit - She was astonished, and could scarcely determine whether she really saw these things, or whether it was only a pleasant dream.
v8: Happy, &c. - With much more reason may we say this of Christ's servants: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be always praising thee.
1599 Geneva Study Bible Notes
v1 And when the queen of a Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
(a) Josephus says that she was Queen of Ethiopia, and that Sheba was the name of the chief city of Meroe, which is an island of the Nile.
v5 And the b meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
(b) That is, the whole order, and trade of his house.
v8 Happy [are] thy men, happy [are] these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, [and] that hear thy c wisdom.
(c) But much more happy are they, who hear the wisdom of God revealed in his word.
v9 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which d delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do e judgment and justice.
(d) It is a chief sign of God's favour, when godly and wise rulers fit in the throne of justice.
(e) This is the reason kings are appointed.
Monday, August 02, 2004
3 Greek Words
Mark 6:25 - Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
Luke 1:39; - Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah
Romans 12:8-11; - he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
2 Corinthians 7:11-12 - For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
2 Corinthians 8:7-16 - But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack--that there may be equality. As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack." But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
Hebrew 6:11 - And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
2 Peert 1:5 - But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
Jude 1:3 - Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Romans 4:16 - Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
2 Corinthians 1:7 - And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Hebrews 2:2 - For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,
Hebrews 3:6-14 - but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years. therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, "They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, "They shall not enter My rest."' Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
Hebrews 6:19 - This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
Hebrews 9:17 - For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
2 Peter 1:10-19 - Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease. For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
Luke 12:36 - and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.
Acts 12:13-16 - And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel." Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
Matthew 7:7-8 - "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10 - "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 13:25 - When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, "Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, "I do not know you, where you are from,
Revelations 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
Sunday, August 01, 2004
CCWC 01/08/2004
1Sam.16:1-13 - David Anointed
Keith Veen
A new king for Israel
Choosing friends - people like yourself?
The story so far
Tall & handsome rejected - Eliab
Why David? Acts 13:22 - "a man after God's heart"
God's priority is always obedience
Would God say that of you?
1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me."
The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD .' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"
5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD . Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD ."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down [1] until he arrives."
12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Keith Veen
A new king for Israel
Choosing friends - people like yourself?
How do we choose?The inner characteristics can apply to any of the outer but not vice versa.
Outer - sexuakity, age, fat & thin. money, wise, culture, height, disabled or able bodied
lnner - kind, caring, reliable, forgiving, nasty ?, cruel, rude, selfish
The story so far
Saul was pronounced KingHow would we choose a king?
Saul persistently disobeyed God
A new King now required
Samuel now living dangerously as Saul was still alive
Tall & handsome rejected - Eliab
Why David? Acts 13:22 - "a man after God's heart"
God's priority is always obedience
Would God say that of you?
1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me."
The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD .' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"
5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD . Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD ."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down [1] until he arrives."
12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
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