9/20/10 (in lieu of 9/6/10 and 9/13/10)
I apologize for being two weeks late. We were with my wife’s mother for Labor Day weekend and with our son’s family the following week, and the ensuing weeks in both cases left little time for research or blogging. I do feel like this blog is something I need to do, so I will plunge on as best I am able.
So, combining notes and comments for the missing two weeks:
First, it seemed to me that sowing (before reaping, obviously) must sometimes hurt. Psalm 126:5-6 (KJV) 5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Why is reaping tied to crying here? Some research is called for, obviously.
It turns out this Psalm was written when part of Israel was out of Babylonian captivity but some remained in captivity. The last three verses of the Psalm are directed to those still in captivity. Hence, they weep while they sow because of their circumstances. It is not the sowing that causes the weeping, rather, sowing when circumstances cause one to weep is a picture of doing what must be done, what is right, even when circumstances make one weep. Additionally, the assurance is given that weeping (and circumstances) will not last forever, because the harvest is joyful.
I think there is an application here, however, as the principle that weeping when sowing will return joy in harvest seems fairly universal, not restricted to when weeping arises from circumstances. When times are really tough, one might not want to part with that seed. Seed, after all, is itself edible, but then, eating the seed is a final act. Hence, here is a sacrifice of eating as much now, in the hope (assurance, in this case) that planting the seed and enduring that sacrifice (and likely weeping about it) will cause the joy of a harvest of plenty. I have no idea why that question never occurred to me in all the years I’ve heard that preached, but it didn’t. Just goes to show there is always something new from every single place in the Bible, no matter how familiar it is to anyone.
Next, Colossians 1:17 but I’m going to start with v9. 9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Now folks, if that ain’t one LONG sentence, I don’t know what is. Here you go in the New American Standard, for comparison, and some clarity due to being translated into a more recent language: 9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Verse 17 has intrigued me for a long time. …by Him all things consist. “Hold together” is a good modern phrase to illustrate “consist.” “Have their being” is another way to put it. The greek word used here is synistēmi [ 1) to place together, to set in the same place, to bring or band together; 2) to set one with another]. It’s a pretty interesting statement to say that Christ holds everything ever created together. It’s not surprising, when you think about it. It means He actually controls things from the atomic level, all the way to the macro level. It means, speaking for myself, I think I know why the positive particles in a nucleus do not repel each other there, as they would anywhere else, for instance. It means I feel like I have a window into why water is the only substance that is less dense as a solid than it is as a liquid (if not, ice would sink, and all the life in a frozen over lake would die). Think about how that affects the resurrection… all those old bodies, disintegrated into dust, perhaps cremated, perhaps buried at sea, and He will assemble each of them, because He knows where all those atoms got off to because He is still holding them together!.
OK, that’s the catch up part. Tomorrow, back to Romans.
Best,
Al
