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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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Quietly Fading Away

Posted in Church, Committment, Compassion, Conflict, Explanations, Quotes, Relationships, Seth Godin, tagged on September 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Song of Solomon

[His call] “I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse … Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.” [Her response] “I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?” [but later] I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” — Song of Solomon 5:1-3, 6

Some see the Biblical “Song of Solomon” as nothing more than ancient poetry but within its pages there is an important lesson — no relationship remains static, it either grows or quietly wains.

Whether with Christ or each other, within a church or secular organization, relationships are quietly built or diminished with personal responsiveness or its lack.

Seth Godin, motivational speaker and blogger, puts it this way

“Most partnerships don’t end up in court.

Most friendships don’t end in a fight.

Most customers don’t leave in a huff.

Instead, when one party feels underappreciated, or perhaps taken advantage of, she stops showing up as often. Stops investing. Begins to move on …

Just because there are no firestorms on the porch doesn’t mean you’re doing okay. More likely, there are relationships out there that need more investment, quiet customers who are unhappy but not making a big deal out of it. They’re worth a lot more than the angry ones.” — Read Seth Godin’s complete post here

It takes alertness to the subtle change and a reaching out.

— fritz@langgang.com
See related post: “Jesus Passing By” – May 21, 2011

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“Dress For The Fall, Not The Ride”

Posted in Christ's Body, Church, Conflict, Difficulties, Scooter, tagged on August 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »

At a local scooter club I heard a safety saying, “Dress for the fall, not the ride”. I took it to advise being prepared for difficulties not just the enjoyment. Today my daily Bible reading surfaced a scripture with a similar message but in a larger context.

Two are better than one … if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up … and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. — Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

My culture values independence and, certainly, we all are sometimes forced to stand alone in difficulty but all too often we do so unnecessarily and to our peril.

We dress our lives, so to speak, for the ride and don’t consider the fall. This is why it is essential to pick (and be) a good spouse, one with godly character who will follow through with the vow to love for better and for worse. This is why it is important to actively seek a good church and a good pastor, people who can say the hard things without offending. This is why it is essential to be and actively seek friends with godly character, who can give the right kind of encouragement. All three (spouse, community, friends) together should be sought for strength like a three strand cord, holding should any single strand fail. Going it alone easily ends in disaster!

Anyone can follow Christ when living is easy. Don’t wait for a storm, take the easy times to prepare for when it gets hard — “Dress for the fall not the ride.”

— fritz@langgang.com

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