DUSTY OLD PROPHETS Still to be Heard Out
C. Doug Blair, 2012
He Remembers It All and Loves
Isaiah 43: 1But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the 1
rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. My wife got this scripture with particular force recently. It has always comforted us to see how God remembers the man as "cheat" and as "prevailing prince", for these are the meanings of the two names Jacob and Israel. Could it be that the Lord foresaw the patriarch in both of these dispositions. First as the scheming manipulator who robbed his brother Esau of rights of primogeniture, and robbed his future father-in-law Laban of flocks. Next He saw the vulnerable man wrestling with the angel 'til break of day and refusing to let go until the angel had given his name and visit's purpose and personal blessing. God now speaks of both men, the same man, in endearing terms of love and support. Past shortcomings are not mentioned. It is the future...the future, which matters. The true Israel of God. A new man inherits this future. He takes with him thankfully a remembrance in his limping leg, the leg wounded by the angel in the night of his change. In a fallen world the Lord cannot guarantee an easy ride. There will be, however, a "coming through". Galatians 6: 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
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Though the Vision Tarry
Habakkuk was a prophet who saw, but for a time did not understand. His nation was plagued by the threat of an oppressive people. He identified with the perplexity of his fellow citizens. Could a God of righteousness and might allow this to continue? But as he considered the wickedness of the adversary, he had to recognize that his own people were guilty of much of the same. His "woes" were very telling: Woe to the haughty. Woe to the thief and the usurper. Woe to the one who covets to enlarge his house by unjust gain. Woe to the spiller of blood. Woe to iniquitous leaders. Woe to the winebibber who also causes his neighbour to stumble. Woe to the idolator. The prophet's trust in Almighty God could still have him proclaim, "the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him." The third chapter of this short book in very powerful imagery promises a coming move of judgment and reward. The prophet could only tremble and trust: 16When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. 17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
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I noted two comments by George Adam Smith (the Expositors' Bible series) of particular impact: "Every advance in assurance of God or in appreciation of his character develops new perplexities in face of the facts of experience, and faith becomes her own most cruel troubler." "...arrogance and tyranny cannot from the nature of them last, and that if the righteous be only patient he will survive them."
Down Goes the Gauntlet
Old George wiped away the tears. It was Tuesday and he had just had a visit from the young pastor. Keith had told him of the surprising challenge which he had been burdened to issue. He was smiling in giving the news and animated. But the old church elder of former days, suffering almost total blindness and general atrophy of the limbs could not take it all in. Keith had left a CD copy of the message, knowing in his heart that George would rejoice at the development. And that he would pray. George remembered eight years ago that whole process of selecting a new pastor. He had been drawn to Keith from the start in a field of six possibles. Other men stood taller; had a more compelling timbre in their voice; had papers from more prestigious Bible colleges. George had felt like the old prophet Samuel, passing by more imposing candidates for the runt of the litter, David. But David had had the key to God's heart. So did Keith. During these last two years George had not been able to leave the Rest Home to attend, but he had gotten reports from various sources and he had taken on the burden in heavy prayer for Keith's constancy. George was aware of some of the more imposing personalities and their regrettable sense of territory in church program. He had feared that Keith was buckling. That a low common denominator was taking over. In his forty-five years at the fellowship George could remember a wide 4
variety of characters in the pulpit. Some with a sincere malleable shepherd's heart. Some commandants. Some ear ticklers. Some career boys. But then there was Keith. He could still remember Keith's candidacy sermon taken from that haunting prayer at the end of the prophecy of Habakkuk. He had entitled it "Yes, this is true religion." The one where the prophet had said 'although the trees and crops fail and the livestock go missing, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.' This was a matter of loving God for God's sake, and not for His trinkets. George had loved the young preacher for the purity of his spirit and the loyalty of his message. The selection vote had been close, but it is possible that George's input had won the day. The two had enjoyed a special bond over the years. Each on an occasion had had to correct the other on an issue of serious importance to the church. But brotherhood and mutual respect had never wavered. And now this young man was telling the assembly to 'move on, grow up, wean themselves, take risks for the thrill of new revelation and new opportunity, open up one to the other, and then come together in agreement to take blessing and truth outside the church walls'. George was hugging himself in the wheelchair at the prospect of all of this. His prayers were being answered. For the moment there was nothing as adequate in the way of praise and thanksgiving as "the tongues": "Parabba do manni forrah sic bianti pas kemmi soodah." And then laughter. Rich, full and in the tone of a much younger man (1 Peter 1:8). The one nurse at the station down the hall turned to her colleague and remarked, "Oh there goes old George again in that odd language of his. Wonder what it could all mean? Too bad when they get like this." Note: The story is told of Father Nash who would travel to each crusade town and travail for days for the anointing and fruitfulness of Charles Finney's preaching. The astounding results are history.
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I Will Not Smell, I Will Not Hear
Amos was a farmer, a shepherd and a tender of sycamore fruit in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. His very name meant "Burden" or "Burdenbearer". He was destined by the will of God to deliver a message of warning and rebuke to the idolatrous Northern Kingdom. There was no prophet or priest in his family line; no formal training. But his words were articulate and his message as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel. Many of the warnings ring true in our age: 1. You have assimilated the idolatry and false hopes of your neighbours. 2. You see no coming rod of correction. 3. You delight in the excess of ill-gotten gain snatched from the poor and the vulnerable. 4. You see nothing but clear skies ahead. 5. You can hardly tolerate the pause of the sabbath. 6. Your sacrifices are insincere. I will not smell them. 7. Your praise is irreverent. I will not listen. 8. Your idea of the Day of the Lord is simply more pandering of yourselves. 9. If you were to serve me in truth, there would be much more charity and social justice. 10. You are experiencing a famine for the Word of God in progressive measure. 11. I have laid a plumb-line to that which you have built; found it grievously wanting; intend serious judgment. 12. Many a difficulty, many a disaster have I set before you to cause you to return to me. 13. A remnant shall be saved and brought again to blessing and security. If one looks at the last recorded messages of Jesus in the Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation one sees much of the same "burden". (See Robert Murray M'Cheyne's excellent book on this. Banner of Truth Trust) Today's churches miss this. They emphasize that Jesus is love; Jesus is inclusive; Jesus' mercy rejoices against judgment. Pastors will not issue the necessary rebukes. Sometimes even when they try, the message falls upon deaf ears. (Ezekiel 33: 30-33) Is it too late? Be warned! The "famine" is coming; has already come. 6
Strange Farm Talk
Again a word from the prophet Amos... Chapter 6:12 Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with the oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock. The prophet speaks out against a community given over to vanity, unjust gain, dissipation, excess and licentious spirituality. They are headed for a fall. Their ventures are as destructive and ill-advised as the laming of a horse on rocky surfaces, or the breaking off of a plow. They see evil as good, and good as evil. The just and virtuous things of God seem odious. Elsewhere one hears Paul the Apostle speak out against the vice and distraction of Rome: Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Is our society dallying at the brink of such a pit of folly? Check out the magazine titles at the till of your grocery store. Check out the silly "human interest' items on the TV news.
And the Scripture Was Fulfilled‌
In reading Mark's Gospel, I am stopped with wonder and worship at the 15th chapter portraying the events of the crucifixion. There is a popular book by Max Lucado entitled Six Hours One Friday. I 7
must make the opportunity to read it. The title suggests a number of things. Jesus was affixed to the cross at the "third hour" (being three hours after sunrise or @ 9:00 AM). Great darkness overtook the land at noon. At the ninth hour Jesus gave forth a loud cry and "gave up the ghost". Consider that God the Father created the world in six days; God the Son accomplished redemption in six hours. In our chapter from Mark and near the end of the torment of the Cross, Jesus utters the precise words of the Psalmist, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" One wonders why He did not cry out "Father" at this point, but rather "my God". In His perfect humanity He was here serving as both sacrifice and priest, the Last Adam accomplishing atonement for the failure of the First Adam. How many times must our Lord have meditated upon Psalm 22 as He approached the hour of darkness? The preceding night in the Upper Room he had not allowed this inevitability to cloud his final fellowship and encouragement with the disciples. Such bravery! Such faith! Now consider those things which had been prophesied and then watch them accomplished one by one in the crucifixion: 1. He was judged by the Assembly of the wicked. 2. He was stripped and humiliated in public. 3. He was taunted by the crowds as to why He could not save Himself. 4. He was surrounded by leering "dogs" or Gentiles (Roman soldiers). 5. They pierced His hands and His feet. 6. His bones were pulled out of joint. 7. They distributed his clothing and cast lots for His seamless coat. 8. He suffered extreme thirst. But faithfully Christ would have held on to the promise of vindication uttered by the Psalmist: 23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. 24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. 25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
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26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. 27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. In reviewing the above eight aspects of fulfilment, one cannot recognize the possibility of Christ "positioning Himself" to receive His prophecy. He simply had steeped Himself in God, in prayer, in meditation on the scriptures and in obedience to each day's requirements. Then one day His destiny had arrived. In an earlier post I commented on the idea of "moving into one's destiny" as taught by some in the prophetic movement of today. More than any other instance in the Bible, this harmony of Mark 15 with Psalm 22, convinces me of the unity and cohesiveness of the entire canon of 66 books. It is the unstoppable Word and Will of God working "together for good to them that love God". (Romans 8:28-32)
Wheel A Rollin’
Three blocks from our house the church sign read: "What is the Secret of Being Content?" Don't ask me why but the first thing that popped into my head was an image of a gyroscope. You remember the little child's metal spinning top? It had a symmetrical disk mounted half-way up a spinning rod which was attached by pivots to a metal ring. The ring had affixed to it a head post and foot post. Pull a wind-up string and the unit would spin and maintain a straight-up position. My Dad explained that there was a balance of centripetal and centrifugal forces causing the toy to stand. You could put it on a table, on a tight string, on a drinking glass rim. But when the speed of spinning diminished the unit would start to wobble and eventually fall over. The prophet Ezekiel described a phenomenon which came to him in a vision. 9
Within four wheels there were strange living creatures each having four faces one on each of four sides. Each of these wheels appeared to be in another wheel, much like the gyroscope: Ezekiel 1: 19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. The four faces of each creature were lion, ox, man and eagle. These have been accepted as symbols of the four Gospels: Jesus the King (lion); Jesus the Servant (ox); Jesus the Son of Man (man); Jesus the Son of God (eagle). Then my thoughts went to Paul's admonition repeated in the letter to the Philippians: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." This same Paul, imprisoned for his testimony of Christ, gave an astounding affirmation in chapter four: 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. So keep on spinning in the mystery of real life, in the Gospel which is the glory of God and which will never topple. That the Creator of all marvels of the universe, absolutely holy, has made a way to have perpetual fellowship with minuscule men and women because of the valiant service and sacrifice of Jesus, His beloved Son, the king-servant, man-God. And the sound one hears in the spinning goes something like this: "God is able. God loves me. He gave His Son for me. The blood of Calvary washes away all sin. Jesus understands my journey. He undertakes for my blessing. We will be together. I will not be desolate or cast down. Hallelujah!" 10
Hungry Lions Put on Hold
God had said through the prophet Jeremiah that the Hebrew exiles would be in Babylon for seventy years. Time and again, and through the reign of several monarchs Daniel had proved himself to be a man in whom was found "an excellent spirit" (Daniel 6:3). King Darius the Persian recognized this and was prepared to make Daniel number two in charge. Other governors and satraps in the land, jealous as they were, conspired to alienate the King's favourite. But where and how to entrap Daniel? His record was successful and blameless. They realized that somehow public policy and opinion would have to be turned against Daniel's religion and God. Do we not see this today? Are faithful people in office not usually brought to the difficult decisions where it would be most expedient to "hang their faith out to dry"? Hence the plot was devised, and the King was duped into a program of thirty days' no prayer except to the image of the King. Daniel's thrice-daily practice of prayer to the God of Israel at an open window would not, did not change. The conspirators had him! Reported to the King. Put Darius in the squeeze 11
of remaining consistent to his law (Persian kings could not alter their own laws). Watched the prisoner thrust into the den of hungry lions. How Darius wished that he could have undone his prior act! He had consulted with legal authorities to no avail. He spent the troubled night in fasting. Truly he wanted to believe that such a good man could not be put down. But perhaps he had no idea of the import of God's timetable for the children of Israel. The lions would remain passive. God's angel would be present. The prisoner next morning would be released unharmed. His enemies would be thrust into the den to satisfy the animals' voracious hunger ("and the lions had the mastery of them and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den"). Daniel's victory was two-fold. His God's agenda was right on course. The foreign king was pretty much a believer, and saying the following: 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Right What?
Isaiah shows us the way to God's pleasure. It is the right sort of Sabbath and the right sort of fast described in chapter 58: 6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to 12
undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. 9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 10And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: 11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. The consequent blessings from the Father look an awful lot like revival, both personal and corporate. We evangelicals need to assess our priorities. First we need to be right (2 Corinthians 5). Then we need to act right (James 1: 27). Then we need to speak right (Ephesians 4: 15). But instead we lock into the good confession, the sound doctrine, the Roman Road to eternal life, the pithy points of Paul's exposition, the principles of "successful" Christian living. We talk and we listen, and we talk and we listen, but we hesitate to push away from the table and work toward compassionate help and social justice. Opportunities are glaringly in our face every day. Serving the Lord does not simply mean filling a niche in the programs at the Assembly. Consider Christ's admonitions in Matthew 25 about helping His little ones. Let's get on with fruitful Body Life. Let's open the gate to blessing and revival! 13
The Book Ends
In my estimation Isaiah 61 is one of the most beautiful portions of the Old Testament. It is so strongly prophetic of the earth ministry of Jesus, from beginning to end. It begins with a statement of the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon the messenger of Good News, healing, comfort and liberation. It offers an exchange of joy for sorrow through faith. It closes with a reminder that one must accept freely the offer of the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness. One must come to the wedding. (Revelation 19:6-9) Jesus in an early address in his home town of Nazareth made use of the early verses in describing his mission as Messiah: Luke 4: 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Then at the close of His ministry He is being questioned by the religious leaders as to the authority for His speaking before the people. He refers to a glorious wedding, and the invitation of a Father figure, a King, the many who opted out for shallow reasons, and the beggarly few who quickly responded to the call. The parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22) referred to in the preceding post seems to echo the words of Isaiah: 10.I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
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Jesus is responding to the inquisition of the Pharisees and Sadducees as a lamb being poked and prodded in examination before the holy sacrifice. He highlights the tragic consequences of refusing the wedding invitation upon its exact terms. He sees Jewish religion doing that very thing. His woes in Matthew 23 speak to the hypocrisy of religion by way of form. His prophecy in chapter 24 speaks to the disastrous fall of Jerusalem for not having recognized her day of visitation and invitation.
Zechariah and the Flying Scroll
The other night my wife and I spent an interesting hour of conversation with a semi-retired man who frequents a certain coffee shop. His birthplace is Turkey and his formal discipline is chemical engineering. Apparently he has kept pretty much to himself within the last dozen or so years, attempting to live within his means while observing a society which has gone into debtleveraged frenzy. He sees the sad impact of this frame of mind and impatience upon the university age students all around him in the restaurant. He had an experience of business attempts lasting thirteen years in Malaysia and other "Tiger economies". Meeting with little satisfaction or success, he had concluded that "they were the real pirates". He was relieved to come back to Canada his homeland of choice. But regrettably he has seen the development of the same falsehoods here - in business, speculation, fiscal policy, public policy, resource management, advertising and education. The fast buck with no over-abundance of sweat. The lavish, irresponsible lifestyles. The master business and banking puppeteers. The sound-bite politicians. The unconvincing apologies of "Zorba the Greek" in mid-frolic. All disheartening. I thought of this man again in a reading this morning from Zechariah 5: 1Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. 15
2And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. 3Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. 4I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. Judgment is coming. Our acquaintance at the coffee shop knows this. Quite unsolicited he had brought up the remedy of prayer and input from above. Hilary and I had merely listened. He is saddened that so few have the time for any of this or the independence of thought.
Power in Humility
The Vicar of Christ, the man in the Seat of Peter, the Pope had made special allowances for an audience with Francis of Assisi. He was curious to examine this poor monk and to test his heart. Walking some distance ahead of the retinue, the two passed by an endless succession of statues, fine art, ornaments, glass-works, frescoes and opulent construction. The Pope turned to Francis at one point with a half-smile and said, "So, I guess that it can no longer be said of us that silver and gold have we none." (Acts 3: 1-10) "No, Your Eminence," Francis replied,"neither can you say, in the name of Jesus, rise up and walk." 16
God has established the principle that humility comes before spiritual power or leadership. Consider the passage from Hebrews 5: 8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Consider also Isaiah 57: 15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. The person who has been shown his sin and limitation will waste no more time trusting in self, but will rush to the counsel and strength of the Lord. He has undergone suffering and stretching, and has acquired empathy for the difficulties of others, because he has gone down similar paths. Like David, he can rehearse a personal history of rescues from the lion and bear. His God has proved Himself able. The approaching Goliath will also fall down. The battle is the Lord's. It has cost him to acquire this spiritual currency of holy audacity. Such currency will work to the comfort and salvation of others. 2 Corinthians 1: 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. So my friends, when you come to "the knothole" or the dark tunnel and squeeze through, trusting in your loving Heavenly Father, you may expect enlarged opportunities. Be on the look-out for them. Take what you have to the streets, schools and work-places. Be a servant who knows his place, but who also recognizes the power delegated to him by the Master.
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Are You Far Off?
In Isaiah 57:19 the following is stated: I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. God makes no progress in the one who thinks that peace is at hand in the ways and rewards of the world. Better the one who honestly despairs of the absence of inner, spiritual tranquility. Jesus reminds us that there is blessing to the one who is poor in spirit. His is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3). Oswald Chambers referred to the "door of destitution". I remember reading a book of revival sermons by Brownlow North (18101875) entitled "The Rich Man and Lazarus" (Banner of Truth Publications). He meditated on the comparative situation of the two men who died in Luke 16. It appeared that the rich man left a large estate, a sumptuous table and a notable reputation among men to enter into torments and thirst at death. The pauper Lazarus was carried away to the exact opposite. I am reminded of the warning in Psalm 49: 16, 17: Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased. For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. North suggested that this would probably be the greatest source of torment to the rich man; that he had lived to demonstrate to younger brothers, friends, employees and sharecroppers that life could contain bounty, peace and satisfaction without Christ. The man who claimed that peace was near, had none of it. North had experienced this very truth earlier at age forty-four; a child of privilege, carefree from toil. Taken chronically ill he was convinced that he was going to die without elements of redeeming faith or service to his account. Memories of sport, excess and carousing haunted him, but mostly his failure to speak good words of Christ and to explore honestly the religious impressions of youth. He repented and was raised from his bed an 18
awakened man and eventually an evangelist. Do you perceive that you have a peace apart from Christ? Beware, you will find that you are hanging from a cobweb over torments. While you breathe there is yet time.
There Came a Rich Man
Take him down, And please be gentle: He has suffered much today. Spare those hands From further tearing, As we pull the spikes away. Lift the crown From his cold forehead; Never was a King so slain. Oh, to think Our laws, our people, Could have caused him so much pain! Curse the thought Of twilight justice In that court of hate declared. Oh, that one Had better argued, Better fought, to have him spared. Not a rule Of our procedure, But was broken in the sham. Jesus held By ruthless slayers, Silent, sacrificial lamb! Brother, grief 19
Is now our portion; Counsellors to crime are we. Rue the day Of our proud calling To Sanhedrin’s vanity. Carry him As best we’re able, Not a jostle, nor a jar. He has borne Our griefs and sorrows; Friend, his tomb is not too far. Thanks to God For Pilate’s ruling, For the right to take him there. Hasty work In cloths and spices, Winding death ‘round one so fair. All is done, And none too early, As the sabbath rest draws nigh. Gentle Lord, So long awaited, Was it planned that you should die?
ISAIAH 53: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 20
ISAIAH 53:3-7 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
And Finally, Up
A reading of Isaiah chapters 30 through 33 gives impressions that are both beautiful and confusing. The people of God are under attack. They have not totally cast off their idols. They have foolishly considered aid from the wrong human source (Egyptian horses and chariots). They have received poor counsel at their gates. The ravenous Assyrians with their vile leader "the Assyrian" (foreshadowing the Anti-Christ) have cut a destructive path of colossal proportions. God looks upon the unbelief and chastens His people. But then God arises: Isaiah 31: 3Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together. 4For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the 21
noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. 5As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. 6Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. Throughout these passages speaking prophetically of Zion we see a progression of up, down, up, down..and finally up. The final picture is that of a faithful, resting community which we have not yet seen. It is not just speaking of the Church operating under Christ's ethic. Presently no such peace is enjoyed in the Church, and no amount of "Kingdom Now" enthusiasm will manufacture it. It is speaking of a completed Israel of faith, Gentiles included (Galatians 6:16), at a time when it encounters Jesus, Messiah by sight (Ephesians 5: 27). Isaiah 33: 17Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. 18Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers? 19Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. 20Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. 21But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 22For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. 23Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they 22
could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. 24And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
Jesus, Just in Time I love to consider God's perfect control over the things which He must see accomplished. It was so in the birth of Jesus. A Roman emperor had to declare a census at just the right time. The one in power was perfect for the assignment. He was in love with his own glory and took special delight in collecting numbers on the resources and people within his grasp. When the people of God heard of this command to be numbered in the places of their birth, they made special protest. 'The travel required would throw the whole territory into turmoil and would suspend all commercial endeavour! Why not allow the registration in the places of current residence?' A special delegation of Jews traveled to the centre of the Empire to make protest. Implementation of the census was delayed accordingly, so that the protest might be heard and considered. Meanwhile the child in the womb of little Mary of Nazareth is coming to full term. She is betrothed to Joseph the carpenter, of the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah. A wedding has taken place in spite of the embarrassment of the early pregnancy. God has comforted Joseph in a dream, and Joseph is a Hebrew of such spiritual sensitivity that he discerns the dream correctly. Disappointing news upon the delegation's return. Now the whole society must hit the road; and Joseph and Mary must travel to Bethlehem. Just as prophesied in Micah 5:2. Motion pictures have adequately portrayed to us the painful trek, the panic 23
in the over-crowded City of David, the loneliness and humility of the young couple, the stalwart courage of the teenager in labour and the ultimate relief and faith-boost in the securing of lodging among the gentle beasts. The moment of arrival of the new life in the film "The Nativity Story" is aweinspiring. Consider the control of our Heavenly Father in all of this; with empires and egotists; with diplomacy; with conditions on the road; with a young tradesman and his bride. And a precious babe arrives in the right place at the right time... "Let Earth receive her King."
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