One question, inevitably has stirred the minds of people throughout time; “Why do I exist?”
King David asked it. He went outside and stared up at the night time sky. Nothing to obstruct its brilliance, the sight invoked the inspiration to write:
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”(Psalm 8:3-4 NIV)
Later, we’ll see how God answered David.
…to be a family
God created all of creation to be a kind of automaton, a world that did exactly what it was created to do… before He created man.
Reflect on a project that you conceived in your mind, and then created with your hands. When it was finished, you took a step back and admired it. That’s it. Nothing left to do, and you think, “It will be very useful when I should need it.”
Of course there is a purpose. And God has a purpose in His creation as well.
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, in Our likeness…”(Genesis 1:26 NIV)
When we examine ourselves, we can get some idea of what it means to be created in the image of God.
For example, why do we create? God made us in His image. As He is the creator, we have a need to be creative. That “thing” that “may be useful” at some point in the future gave you a sense of satisfaction during the process and upon completion. But then it is forgotten, and we have new projects with the same end. The “thing” you made doesn’t meet any of your spiritual needs, does it? And this ofcourse would be what we need to focus on more than any'thing' we can make or obtain.
[1]C.S. Lewis said on a radio talk show, which was transcribed into a book entitled “Mere Christianity”, something to the idea of God wanting to “create something of real significance; something of real importance which would act outside the realm of automaton.”
Perhaps this would explain why God created man last. He surveyed all of His creation and found that nothing would interact with Him. Nothing would give beyond what it was created to do. He would have to create something that was free; something that had no internal system of laws that governed it; something that would not merely respond due to instinct. It would think and reason and make decisions completely uninfluenced by any regulations except one harmless command of “do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”. God creates and the thing he creates has purpose. Everything in creation does what it was purposed by God to do (including humanity), but it was without the will to do so. Volition is one of the key ways we are made in God’s image.
When you were a child, you may have been given a puppy. Its actions were spontaneous. You and the puppy were able to interact. You responded to one another. You trained it and played with it. You went on adventures together and the puppy never got lost. When you called to it, it recognized your voice and was obedient to you.
This is the type of relationship we have with God. We respond or we do not. We’re free to choose because our choice to respond is what edifies God. We respond because we want to.
In attempt to explain the animals choices; possibly, the animal is obedient to your call because it understands you are its provider. This explanation lends its’ self to the idea that the animal is really operating in a mode of instinct. He needs to eat, so he stays close to the source of his provisions. There is no instinctive behavior calling us to obedience as in the case of the dog. We have been given the freedom to choose a relationship, rather than be made to understand a dependence, which would (in this case) be an example of instinct.
For Adam and Eve, responding was preserved by one simple command of “do not eat…” Obedience to this command would have represented love and respect.
"but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”(Genesis 2:17)
I remember what one of my puppies learned during a time of long absence. I returned to discover that the puppy became defiant to my call. I did not preserve the relationship.
The choice to remove the preserving element was Adam’s and Eve’s. They ate from the tree, each exercising their will for self to the neglect of relationship. This is what happened with my dog, it was really only concerned with having its needs met. It developed a loyalty, a relationship with someone else, formed on the basis of instinct to have its needs met.
By obedience, Adam and Eve would choose to preserve their relationship with God in not removing the preserving element which was simply a tree.
The rest of this chapter will be committed to providing the evidence of the Bible stating that God created Mankind to be His family.
Underlying Messages
On page one; I had said we would see how God answered David. To do this, I’d like to take a look into some of the Biblical accounts of David’s life, some of the Old Testament prophecy, and the language.
The Hebrew language, (language of the Old Testament in original text) actually says God wanted a family.
“He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”(II Samuel 7:13 KJV)
In Hebrew, the passage clearly says that the Davidic kingdom points to Christ. In the phrase
“…house for My name…”
House is from the Hebrew word Bayith which in the broadest sense may be used as family. Bayith comes from a Hebrew root word, Banah which means “to build”, “begin to build” or “obtain children”. These two words are among five words that define “Eden”.[2] In having the understanding that “bayith” and “banah”, along with the other three words in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, we can see that “Eden” literally is the place, the home of God’s family. It is where God began the entire concept of family. Literally, I believe the phrase, “…house for My name…” says two things; “build my house” and “build my family”.
Logically, building a house of wood and stone would actually take place (Solomon’s Temple). Looking at the entire seventh chapter of II Samuel, David was clearly in awe in II Samuel 7 verses 18 and 19. (Verses 18 and 19 are written out on the next page).
Why? Because, by the command to build a “house” (family) for God’s name, David understood that God had told him that he was in the ancestry of the Messiah; The High Priest and High King. In the tradition of The Levite priest, (only a Levite can be a priest). The office of the Levites points to the family of God under the High Priesthood of The Messiah, (That would be us!). It is for this reason and the fulfillment of a prophecy that David would assume the role of a priest in chapter six. David understood the spiritual “family” significance of the Levites. And though David is not a Levite, David took on the role of the High Priest because that is what David became when God told David to build “a house for [God’s] name”; family of God. David became the head of the family of the redeemed. (Remember this when you arrive at the bottom of page 5).
Now you may be thinking, “Chapter six comes before chapter seven.” Stay with me here. Somehow the events are not recorded chronologically. In order that we may stay on the topic of God wanting a family and that we remain along the lines of communicating cohesively, we will not discuss the arrangement of II Samuel, chapters 6 and 7 here. Instead, let’s examine a key prophecy that confirms God’s royal family. (Again, stay with me. We are interested in understanding David’s actions because his activity would be out of line, except if prophecy had been confirmed in the life of David. And, by this confirmation, David understands who he is and what God is asking David to do.)
“But you will cross the Jordon and settle in the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. Then to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name – there, you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the Lord.”
(Deuteronomy 12:10-11 NIV)
II Samuel 7:1 indicates the fulfilling of part of the prophecy from Deuteronomy 12:10. Here, David is directly referenced in Deuteronomy 12:10 in being “given rest…”.
“After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him.”(II Samuel 7:1 NIV)
The Lord had given David “rest from all his enemies” as the fulfillment of the Deuteronomy prophecy. Now let’s see how God 'chooses' "a dwelling place" for His Name, which is another part of the Deuteronomy prophecy that must be fulfilled. Look at II Samuel 7:2.
“He said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while The Ark of God remains in a tent’.”
(II Samuel 7:2 NIV)
As David sits in his palace in II Samuel 7:2 we can imagine by the text that follows, that David is contemplating bringing The Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and he is not sure of where it should be housed. He doesn’t feel good about it remaining in a tent as a tabernacle while he lives in a cedar palace. II Samuel 7:12 and 13 have God saying that an offspring or descendant of David will build a house for Yahweh. We’ve already discussed the significance of “house” as being “family”. However, I would like to point out that most people think in the physical, here and now. Solomon, David’s son did build the Temple that is known as Solomon’s Temple. But, the son referred to by God is The Messiah. Jesus is a descendant of David, a literal son in the Hebrew tradition. Today, as Christians, we speak of The House of God as being made of the many members of the Church. We also call ourselves, corporately, The Body of Christ. The thought continues in verse 16:
“ Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; Your throne will be established forever.”(NIV)
David is floored with the news and asks:
“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord…? You have also spoken about the future of the house (family) of Your servant. Is this Your usual way of dealing with men, O Sovereign Lord?”(II Samuel 7:18b-19 NIV)
David understood that God was not speaking of the here and now. God was speaking of the family of God. (The family came to be realized the moment His only Son died.).
At this point, David realized his priestly kingship. David, now called by God to build “A House for God’s Name”, assumed the role of a High Priest of The Levite Order. David lead the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. David was told that Jerusalem would be the place where God would choose as a “dwelling for His Name” when David realized the Deuteronomy prophecy referred to David. David may have also received the words from Psalm 110:4
“The Lord has sworn and will not change(Psalm 110:4 NIV)
His mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the
order of Melchizedek’.”
When David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he offered sacrifices as God commanded in Deuteronomy 12:11, thus fulfilling the rest of that prophecy.[3]
“When those who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. David wearing a linen ephod[4], danced before the Lord with all his might.”(II Samuel 6:13-14 NIV)[5]
II Samuel 6:13 -19 discusses the fulfillment of the prophecy from Deuteronomy 12:10-11, and how David performed the sacrifices. Get this! He actually offered a loaf of bread and cakes of raisins and dates in the way that Melchizedek did[6]. This is significant! Melchizedek was the king of Salem which is present day Jerusalem[7].
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High“.(Genesis 14:18 NIV)
David and Melchizedek were “types”[8] of High Priest. Their offices point to the promise of the coming Messiah and the heritage of those whom will be adopted as children of the High King.
In naming David a priest “in the order of Melchizedek”, (Psalm 110:4) God gave David the authority to act as a priest / king over Israel. Because David had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the place God chose as a dwelling for His name, the sacrifices and offerings of the nation would be offered there. Under David’s leadership God’s people would be again unified; a family, just as the twelve sons of Jacob.
Man was created to be God’s family. But through Adam
“…sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men because all sinned-”(Romans 5:12 NIV)
In the same way that death comes to all men through Adam’s sin, restoration will come to all men to be unified as members of God’s family through the righteousness of Jesus Christ:
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.”(Romans 5:15-16 NIV)
Jesus prayed for His disciples and then for the world to be unified.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one:”(John 17:20-22 NIV)
The apostle Paul, being pummeled by the Holy Spirit was told by God through Ananias[9] that he was God’s …
“…chosen instrument to carry (God’s) name before the Gentiles and before their kings and before the people of Israel.”(Acts 9:15)
signifying the unity of mankind through Christ to become God’s family.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians who at one time could only gaze across the boarder at the privileged Jews in their relationship to the one true God:
“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ’the circumcision’ (that done in the body by the hands of men) - Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.
(Ephesians 2:11-16 NIV)
One last thought…should it be?
Now, let us discuss the arrangement of chronological events on page four. Why does the author place the bringing of The Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem before David’s thoughts concerning The Ark being housed in a tent?
“He said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while The Ark of God remains in a tent’.”
(II Samuel 7:2 NIV)
“Remains in a tent” (NIV) is really not an accurate translation since the Ark of the Covenant was actually in the house of Obed-Edom[10]. The word “in” appears as “within” in the King James Version. In Hebrew it is “tavak” which has the idea of a curtain dividing a room. “Tent” is the word “curtain” in the King James Version. In Hebrew it is “Yeriy’ah”, a hanging curtain. So, at the home of Obed-Edom, the Ark was not in a tent. It was in the house, veiled from those who lived there; Veiled even from David. Could it be that the author is challenging the readers of this historical account? Is it possible that the author wants the chronology in II Samuel 6 and 7 to serve as a reminder of where they place God in their lives?
Foot Notes
correspond with numbers in the text above.
[1] Rather than attempt to mold my communication around Mr. Lewis’ quote, I chose to transmit the essence of the quote. The quote taken from “Mere Christianity”: “If God thinks this state of war in the universe a price worth paying for free will – that is, for making a live world in which creatures can do real good or harm and something of real importance can happen, instead of a toy world which only moves when He pulls the strings – then we may take it, it is worth paying.” (Mere Christianity. Copyright © 1952 C.S, Lewis Pte. Ltd. Copyright renewed © 1980, C.S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. See Trebian manual for correct citation format.)
[2] Five words that define Eden are found in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance in the Hebrew dictionary under these reference numbers: 5731, 5730, 5727, 1040, 1004, and 1129.
[3] Underlined on page four.
[4] Exodus 19:6: garment of a priest
[5] II Samuel 6:13-14 would follow II Samuel 7:18b-19 if we were to write it in chronological order.
[6] Genesis 14:18
[7] Note on Genesis 14:18 from NIV Study Bible (Notes) copyright 1985 from the NIV Study Bilble, 10th Anniversary Edition Copyright 1995 by Zondervan.
[8] “Type” is a term that is used in reference to events or persons that come as a foreshadowing of future events or persons. Example: Isaac was a type of Christ as he was to be sacrificed by his father. Jesus is the fulfillment of that type as he was sacrificed by his father.
[9] Acts 9:6,15
[10] II Samuel 6:10 (NIV)
20 comments:
I commend you.. There's a lot of research and effort put into this post. However, I did have a little trouble keeping up with it. You have made excellent use of metaphors, not that this is an English class, I am just saying I could see vivid pictures in my head about what your were discussing.
I know I don't have as much experience with the bible and I don't completely understand it, but I try and I think I understand the main plot well.
I will just begin with the topic it self..."God created us..." I believe this is true... However, I have a better Question"
What is God? Surely someone so powerful cannot be human,not to mention if he were Human, humanity would already have been created, thus the question cannot necessarily be 'Who' is God? See my point?
I think the problem is people have the interpretation that God is Human... I know I had this idea for the longest time. Thus, creates the same question as, "What came first, the chicken or the Egg?"
I have no doubt we were created. I think the real question here is, again, What is God?
Buildings pop up around the world everyday, and not to discredit the Lord almighty, but there is more than one Architect in the world. Some of the possibilities as to how life could have began seem so ridiculous or are so scary that as humans we find it much easier to deny these ideas rather than accept them.
That being said I will never say that the possibility of Gods creation is false. But I do think it should be realized that the Bible could just be a story as well. Though highly unlikely, we can't forget that it is a possibility.
The reason I suggest that it's possibly just a story or an adaptation there of, is that there are so many religions with there own selected readings. If anyone takes the time to look through more than one of these holy scriptures, you will be alarmed at the numerous similarities between stories.
I have not found faith in a specific religion, but I do know the one that recognizes many things and topics that we avoid in todays society, is the Pagan religion, Which may be where most of the scriptures we read now have derived from. The Pagan religion recognizes things like aliens and the unknown; with precision dated events and pin-point accuracy on descriptions on future events that have come and gone, and some which are still to come.
There are a few documentaries on my page with have some information on what I am discussing about the Mayans and the Pagan religion. However the opinion's are bias and they do completely shut down they idea of most other religions' including Christianity; they do have good reason's, and it is worth looking in to. Take notice in how most religions, the 'savior' always resurrects 3 days after death/crucifixion. There are always 12 others, in the Bible, they were Disciples. These are just a couple of the similarities, which are pointed out in the controversial documentaries posted on my page.
Another thing I noticed is how you referred to many things on David. This first chapter really seems to discuss more of the Jewish origin Vs. the Christianity side, though it eventually gets to the Christianity part. I know that Christianity is derived from Judaism, and this is what's discussed in the beginning of the Bible.
You made a wonderful metaphor referring to dog's and instinct. I have to say... I don't get that vibe from my dogs. I have had several pets. I get that vibe from cats ALWAYS!!! They only seem to rub up against you or show you attention when they want something.
Most dogs are much smarter than cats, but how do you explain when you leave the house for a couple of hours and you have left your dog food and water. Why does he/she get upset and manage to tear up the house... My dog knows he shouldn't go down the street or he gets popped on the tail, yet if I don't watch him he will in fact run off down the street. I used to have a dog that would chase cars. Thats not instinct. Overall I feel like a dog is a companion, and in fact a "best friend", and I feel like my dogs view me the same way. That being said I feel like my dog also does see me as a "God". I feed him and care for him and provide everything he needs, so he looks up to me and appreciates the interaction I give him, much like we do when we feel that God has blessed us in some way, shape or form.
This brings me to my final question for now. I seriously want to know why anyone feels I should believe in Jesus Christ over Buddha, Mohammad, or simply focusing my efforts on the stars and looking to the constellations for answers? Why is Jesus Christ (The Anointed One) the one I should hold my faith in over the others? Or is this quest I must venture on my own?
Thanks,
James (http://educatedopinions.blogspot.com)
Wonderful post!
I enjoy your blog so much. Keep up the great work.
I hope you have a blessed week.
Preacherman,
Thank you so much for your encouragement. All I want to do is communicate a clear measure of Biblical understanding.
I don't know all there is to know.
Today, one of my pastors at the church made me proud. He said of himself, "I am going to give you all that I know and some of you who may know more than me may want to say that is not all there is on this".
So, I am giving a "measure" of what I know. My hope is to enlighten at least a hand full of people, for the world is loosing its Christian influence.
Ironic heading considering how rude your comment on Rachel Evan's post was.
Minnowspeaks,
You are refering to Rachel Evans who blasted Dr. James Dobson for being opinionated and accusing him of being rude.
The one thing nominal Christians do not understand is Christians should be entirely bold and courageous for what is absolute and right by God's standard. God said to Joshua, "Be bold and courageous".
Non Christians feel that Christians should not be expected to open their mouths. Many Christians believe this as well.
This Rachel Evans is the same person who is siding with Obama's theology over Dobson's. Dobson is a teacher on behalf of Christ. Why would a Christian side with Obama who says he would have his own grand babies aborted if his daughters made a "mistake"? Then Obama goes on to say that he wants to teach his daughters virtues and morals. What a convoluted mind! And shame on you for being supportive of Evans and Obama.
Did you hear what Obama said to the people in North Carolina just before their primary? He said, his mother did not place her faith in Jesus as his "was". But, he believes that he will see his mother in Heaven.
In response to morals: He said there are many religions that lead to a relationship with God. In fact, he pats himself on the back saying: "I know many Jews who are even more moral than I".
Let me be clear. I love people for the love of God. I want for them what God wants with them - a relationship. However, as Jesus turned over the tables and sacked the make shift market the merchants made in the temple, "God's House" (at that time) I will stand against any corruption of the Body of Christ, The Temple (which are the people) of God.
Yes, I will admit. The tone is harsh. And meant to be.
Rachel Evans is a journalist, of sourts. She claims to be a Christian and says in her profile,
something like: (I am not going to try and track her page down to do an exact quote)- but it was something like this:
"I am a devoted follower of Christ. I, as every other Christian, will spend the rest of my life trying to figure out what that means".
Minnow,
Truthfully, I do not care to hide, or be ashamed for standing up for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The media is doing a great job at that. They have fallent into a frenzy. They will have to learn that the things of this earth, including themselves for compromising the Word of God, will all pass away. But Heaven and Earth will remain.
If I dropped a "bomb" in the room, and it caught some attention, then I am not sorry.
To say the title of my manuscript is ironic because I made theologically correct statements toward her support, and the errancy of Barak Obama, has nothing to do with my love for people.
If you knew me, you would know I am fare and easyily am willing to admit where I am wrong. However, you will have to show me where I erred. This means, show me where I am not permitted, according to the word of God to stand against the opposition the world brings on Christ.
If I attempt to take someone to task for speaking in favor of a man who's theology allows for Gay and Lesbian rights accross the board, or is in favor of aborting a baby up to the second of the childs first breath, I do so out of love.
It is out of love I admonish a nominal Christian. Why? I mean, I sounded so harsh, right? Because God loves her and all of the people she is unknowingly about to mislead. She, for her own good, needs to be corrected concerning her theology. I am certain she felt proud in writing her support for Obama. This is where she is in error. Support God's cause. Draw close to him in everything that is right and He will draw close to you. No more compromise.
I have stated where I attend church and where I live. I have supplied my email address and my name. No anonymity, here. I am not hiding behind anything.
James,
Richard here from rulifechangers.blogspot. I appreciate immensly your passion for God and your desire to see His Word grow in you and in the lives of others.
Thank you for visiting my blog and for posting it here for a time! May the Lord continue to bless you richly!
Hi James,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I wasn't sure I wanted to blog but I think the Lord wants me to tell my stories. I hadn't thought of MORE or turtles as my fleece ...interesting comment. I am just hungry for More of God and maybe I should have added...less of me! God shows me pictures of things in the natural and then the spiritual all the time. If you visit my blog, you will see a pattern there. I will be working on it next week with a friend after my trip. I browsed quickly through your blog. I am pressed for time now. I will read your post later since I need to digest as I read. Are you a teacher? That was my first thought when I glanced at your work/post. Nice dog!
B,His Girl
Hi Barbara,
If you like, we can exchange links. I will post a link to your site from all three of mine. And, you do the same for me on yours. Then, I will be able to check in on your work as you post new items in your blog.
You may have learned in the seminar you have described that having links on other blogger's pages can help increase traffic on your page. So, it is a good idea. Also, leaving comments on other bloggers pages work as links too.
Don't worry about discussing yourself in your stories. If you believe God wants you to tell your stories, than you are part of the activity God is doing with your stories.
Wyatt is my Golden Retriever who just amazes me with his intelligence. Just like this evening; Wyatt wanted me to get something for him to snack on. So, he brought me a bone that we purchased at Petsmart. The bone used to have a filling in it. So, Wyatt identifies with it as a vehicle for carrying treats. I was on the computer. So, I told him to take the bone in the kitchen and mommy (my wife who could hear me telling him this) would give him something. So, he took the bone in the kitchen and I heard it hit the floor. He came back with the bone and some penut butter in the hollow of it.
Jim
GREETINGS.
My name is Jacob Karnas.
You left a comment at my Blogstation that I would like the chance to respond to.
If I could please direct you here to read what I had to say.
I assure you, sir, that I have not responded to the comment in ill-taste and would only like that you read it to see my point of view on the matter.
Thank you.
[That is all]
Thanks for your post James. I read Chapter 1. The translation of tent to curtain was of interest to me. I am working on a blog draft called Looking Behind the Curtain. I am going to look into that more. David and the 'who am I' passage is one that I think about often. Hearing God's voice...what a priviledge He offers all of us! Your research is very good. I can see that you have the ability to help some of your traffic have a greater understanding on the living word. Nice job. I like Wyatt's Daniel Boone hat.
Barbara,
Thanks for stopping by.
The opinions I have are developed out of research and unrest for answers that square with me.
There is a verse in the Bible, Matthew 9:36 that discusses Jesus' "compassion" for a massive crowd of people gathered at the shore of Galilee (detailed below). Jesus' compassion is basically referring to what His Gut feeling was. Or, maybe a deep nauseous feeling of greif.
Anyway, not that I feel nausiated with grief, but unrest. You know, the term 'gut feeling' that people use to say they are confident.
So, I search until I feel that I am somewhere close, if not on target to having an accurate understanding.
I get a lot of opposition to my research. But mainly by lay persons. When I come to a conclussion on many things, I run them by people who are more educated (Master and Doctorit degrees) than I. I am just another lay person, by the way.
Getting people to 'at least' hold debates with me on issues is a step toward maturing in Christ. Myself included. I'm sure other people do not feel this way when they are debating. However, the result is that we have listened to one another.
The Bible says, "As iron sharpens iron, man sharpens man".
I look forward to reading your next post.
Jim
ἐσπλαγχνίσθη (esplankv-is-they)or σπλαγχνίζομαι (splank-id-zo-mai) is the Koine Greek term used which is where we get our word 'splanknology' - a study of the digestive system or visceral parts.
Hello James,
Thank you for your kind words. I am not able to read your manuscript tonight, but i hope to spend some time reading here this week.
Blessings,
Mags
I just wanted to say I LOVE your pictures! They are awesome!
You sure do get alot of comments on your blog. I love to get comments but 4 is the most i have ever gotten. When I search the directory and pick a blog to read i will usually leave a comment. With that said, i think you have a lot good stuff to say when it comes to the Word of God! I will add you as a friend and check back in again when i can. God Bless you!
Hi Jim,
I had a difficult time following your parts on David, because I know that David wanted to build a house for God (he felt bad that he had a house and God just had a tent), and He said, "No, you have been a man of war. You will not build me a house, but your son will." So God did not want David to build him a house. Maybe I'm just not understanding what you are saying. I might read it all again.
Hi Farrah and Greg,
Many times, there are ambiguities in scripture because of the need to understand customs and culture. There may have been something missed in translation (which, I will admit, I am the last person to rely on in making claims about mistranslation. Though, I have found some good evidence to make solid arguments against some translational errors.). This passage is not in error when it is translated. It is plain to David what God is saying to David because David was a man after God's own heart.
"A man after God's own heart, means that David understood what God's desire for man was". This is why I speak in chapter two of the qualities of Abram. Abram had a quality that is central to God's character. Abram had Caced. A deliberate ability to treat people as if he had a presupposed relationship with people. (Have you ever known anyone like that?)
Well, this is also David's understanding. David understood what God wanted to accomplish for man and Himself. So, when God said, build my house (baith) then pulled it back and said, you will not build my house (baith - family) but a descendant of yours will build it for you are a man of war. Or, some translations say "a man of blood".
Solomon built the Temple that would house the Ark of the Covenant. But, you know why some translations chose to say "a man of war" and not "a man of blood"? In my opinion, it is because Solomon was also a man of blood in exacting revenge for his father after his father, David had died. But, Solomon still built the Temple. So, to make it historically line up with prophecy, "man of war" fits because Solomon never waiged war.
But, this does not answer the question of confusion that I have created. So, let's say we translate "house for My Name" to "My house hold". And ask yourself, in the Hebrew tradition of sons being many generations in decent; Who in the house, or lineage of David is not a man of war or blood who can be said to have built the House of God? What does the scripture teach us about where God resides, today? As you pointed out in one of your recent post, the veil to the Temple is torn. Why? Why did God move out of the Temple? And, where did He go? Where is God when two or more gather in His name?
I'm just asking leading questions. I know you know the answer. The Temple was an answer to David's concern. But, God spoke to David and God expressed His desire. God wants to commune with his family. The Temple building served to satisfy David and the Jewish people. God also had some specifics built into the Temple as it is a symbolic representation of Heaven. But, God desired intamacy with His Human family. This is why the Holy Spirit resides in us. Pneuma is the Greek word for spirit. It is active with a driving force. This is why we use the word when reference air powered tools. We call them 'pneumatic' tools because they are powered by air.
Now, in the Old Testament, the Spirit of life was "Ruach". Ambient air or breeze. It rested on the people, not one time do you see the scripture in the old Testament say that so and so was filled with the Spirit of God. But, today, The Holy Spirit takes up residency in His family and empowers us.
Farrah,
My apologies. I have to amend my statement of "not one time do you see the scripture in the Old Testament say that so and so was filled with the Spirit of God".
The fact is, the only time it is applied is in the Building of the Temple and of its items. Still the concept of building God's house is when God indwells the worshiper or believer.
I think I agree with most of that. :-)
I actually find your family and house idea quite appealing, because it fits well with my views on God's role as our Father. I will be thinking of that on my next trip through the OT. Right now I'm in the NT.
Hi Farrah,
Thanks for the comment.
It is difficult to see the concept of 'house' and 'family' in the Old Testament. However, now that I know about it, I find it quite evident in the New Testament.
Thanks for having read Chapter one, God Created Man.
Also, tell Greg I learned something more about the blogger I sent him a link to, yesterday. He is also an engineer. His blog is at this link Nu Tuba
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