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Archive for the ‘Bible’ Category

Same Call, Different Voice

Posted in Bible, Wisdom, tagged , on September 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“Wisdom … crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

A foolish woman … sitteth … in the high places of the city, to call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” — Proverbs 9:1-3, 13-18

The Biblical book of Proverbs condenses truth into sound bites and memorable sayings.

Here, wisdom and folly are each personified as an attractive woman calling to passers-by. Both are “upon the high places of the city”, both use almost the same words — “Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither.

What is Proverbs saying in its whimsical way?

So many voices, so many religions, philosophies, and anti-religions, all saying, “Pick me!” Picking the wrong one, however, ends in sorrow!

Life is like that, how can a young man know which is pure and right?!

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. — Psalm 119:9

God has provided his word to guide if we will but read, listen, believe. Man or woman, young or old — we are never too old to learn God’s word.

Decide, right now, to read the Bible at least five (5) minutes before your head hits the pillow each day for one full month, starting today. After the month reevaluate.

Where to start? How about in Proverbs, that’s a good place.

— fritz@langgang.com

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Menorah, Only a Model

Posted in Bible, Christ's Body, Church, Explanations, tagged , on September 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick — Numbers 8:3-5

One symbol for Israel is the Menorah — seven lamps, or candlesticks, for a perpetual light in the Old Testament Tabernacle’s holy place.

But the Bible says it was made from a pattern, or model, shown to Moses when he met God on Mount Sinai — A model represents something bigger, like the model cars I made when I was a child. So what’s the real thing?

We see candlesticks before God’s throne in another place

I saw a gold menorah
with seven branches,
And in the center, the Son of Man,
in a robe and gold breastplate,
hair a blizzard of white,
Eyes pouring fire-blaze,
both feet furnace-fired bronze,
— Revelation 1:12-13 (Message Bible)

Jesus, wanting us to know what this really represents, told John,:

“Now write down everything you see: things that are, things about to be. [T]he seven-branched gold menorah—do you want to know what’s behind them? … the menorah’s seven branches are the seven churches.” – Revelation 1:20 (Message Bible)

Seven represents completeness. Long ago in that Old Testament Tabernacle those seven lamps were standing in for the Church in this world, shining light in a dark sanctuary, letting people see to sacrifice their offerings and burn their incense.

We, the holy Church of God, corporately and individually have a holy calling and a wonderful purpose.

fritz@langgang.com

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Pointing Patterns

Posted in Bible, Christ, Explanations, Jesus, Moses, tagged , , on September 18, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“[M]ake me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, … make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount” – Exodus 25:8-9, 40

God reveals himself throughout history — some even call “History”, “His-Story”. When God revealed himself to Israel he commanded a tabernacle be built from a pattern, or template, which Moses saw when he met with God. The instructions were very detailed.

Why would God do that unless he desires we see the “pattern” and understand the reality it represents? Hebrews, in the Bible, picks up on this, calling them “Shadows” of the reality (Hebrews 8:5) — the tabernacle, the laws, the dishes, the colors, all patterns.

I remember my mother making my clothes and her own dresses when I was little; she had shelves full of patterns — she kept them and re-used them. She would change some of the minor details but following the pattern made sure it fit right. There’s a way God does things and it’s not quite so arbitrary when we let the pattern point to what God reality had in mind. Example: Paul writes about paying teaching elders a living wage saying:

“For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.” — 1st Corinthians 9:8-10

In the bible there is an event where the risen Jesus walked and talked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27), pointing to himself in all the Scriptures from Genesis to Malachi.

Read the Old Testament asking him to “walk” that same walk with you.

fritz@langgang.com
— See Also “2 Birds, 1 Stick, Red Thread, and a Branch” – February 25, 2011

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