Our Purpose

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

Why are we here?  What is our purpose?

Some view life as a meaningless series of routines.  “We go to bed late, we get up early, we go to work, we drive home, eat and go to bed, to get up early, to go to work, to come home, ad nausea.  And, as if that were not enough, we are plagued with making ends meet financially, fighting off the latest virus, hoping to avoid some dreaded disease, mistreated at home, and then we die.  Every aspect of life seems vain.  It is like striving after the wind” (Steven Lloyd, Coping: A Biblical Approach, p. 2).

Some live their life with purpose, but the wrong purpose.  There are those who make their chief aim in life amassing wealth and acquiring possessions.  The Bible says: “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7 cf. Luke 12:20).  There are those who make it their chief aim to enjoy life.  The Bible says: “Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26).  There are those who make their chief aim in life physical fitness.  The Bible says: “Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Man was created with purpose.  God told the Israelites, “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7).  Jesus instructed, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Christians are taught, “You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20);  “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).  The church is to bring glory to God (Ephesians 3:21).  

The word “glorify” means “to praise, extol, magnify… to honor, do honor to, hold in honor… to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged” (Thayer).

Sometimes even Christians fail to understand, or stay focused on, their purpose.  Our ultimate purpose is not: (1) Numbers.  We should be interested in gaining souls for Christ.  However, numbers can be gained by things other than the truth.  (2) Unity.  We should be interested in maintaining Christian unity.  However, some ignore truth to maintain church unity.  (3) Knowledge.  Tim Nichols, “Gaining knowledge is not the goal.  It is an essential step on the greater path to the greater goal, but not the goal any more than putting on one’s shoes is the goal of one who begins a long journey (Ephesians 6:15).  Many things could be the motivation for gaining knowledge (even of the Scriptures), which could make it an unworthy goal… Those who seek knowledge in order to gain the admiration of men, to merely enjoy wining arguments and wielding intellectual power of others, or even because they love the academic challenge of working with ideas and making the pieces fit – have not yet properly aimed their knowledge quest” (Nichols, Article – The Goal: Glorifying God).

Our purpose is to glorify God.  T. Pierce Brown has written, “The Christian life is not merely the sum of isolated acts of work and service where one offers part of his life and abilities to God, spending the rest on himself and his own interests.  All you are and have and do is God’s and should reflect honor and glory on Him… Many of us who have been intensely involved in personal evangelism have often taught, or at least implied, that the only way you can glorify God is by winning souls to Christ.  That is not so.  There is no question in my mind that it is one of the best, most important and rewarding way to glorify God, but I take the position that you can eat, drink or play golf to the glory of God.  Does not the housewife need to know that the monotonous rounds of trivial deeds that are boringly repeated day after day do not need to be mere trivial deeds, but can be to the glory of God?  Do you know that if a woman cleans her house to impress her neighbor with the fact that she is a good housekeeper, it may be for her glory rather that God’s?  But if she does it to prepare the house more suitably to function for (1) fellowship of Christian brothers and sisters that they may be better strengthened for love and service to God and man or, (2) to provide a more fitting place to have a friend or neighbor in for Bible study, free from the distractions of a cluttered world, she thus glorifies God… The results of this awareness and purpose in one’s life are staggering!  … Life is no longer a boring monotonous round of duties, but rather a joyous, purposeful, meaningful course of action.  Now there is a cohesive, unifying force which gives purpose, meaning and value to all that you do.  That force is to strive to consciously do whatever you do for the glory of God!” (Brown, Article – What Are You Doing Here?).

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Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage (Jesus: Tested, Part 2)

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

Jesus made clear that God’s ideal for marriage did not include divorce.  His plan was for husband and wife to become one flesh: “Two individuals they are, two personalities; but they are one in love, in aim, in purpose” (Roy Deaver, A Study of Matthew 19:9, p. 5).

What about divorce?  Let’s continue –

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality (fornication KJV), and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).

The language sounds universal (cf. “whoever” John 3:16).  Remember that God’s ideal for marriage goes back to creation.  It predates the Law of Moses.  It predates the distinction between Jew and Gentile. 

General Rule

“Whoever divorces his wife… and marries another, commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).

I have removed the exception clause.  This allows us to clearly see the general rule.  The general rule is that divorce plus remarriage results in adultery (cf. “and” Mark 16:16).  It is not divorce alone which results in adultery (Though, we should be cautious even with this cf. Matthew 5:32).

The general rule works both ways.  Mark 10:11-12 reads “whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.  And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 

What is adultery?  Thayer: “To have unlawful intercourse with another’s wife.”  Associate Professor William L. Peterson (Religious Studies Program; Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies), Pennsylvania State University: “Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his/her spouse” (Personal letter to me, 1995).  Professor Ed. L. Miller (Philosophy/Religious Studies; Director Theology Forum), University of Colorado at Boulder: “That the verb mokeuo, ‘to commit adultery,’ and the noun moikeia, ‘adultery,’ involves sexual activity is apparent from too many passages (both Biblical and non-Biblical alike) to list” (personal letter to me, 1995).  Even when the word “adultery” is being used figuratively, it is still based upon the literal meaning.  Consider: “Thou… hast opened thy feet to everyone that passed by… as a wife that committed adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband” (Ezekiel 16:25, 32 KJV). 

Brother Tyler Young has suggested that the word “adultery” in Matthew 19:9 is being used as a synecdoche.  He has written, “When Christ spoke of divorce and remarriage resulting in a state of adultery, he did so because the sex act is a natural consequence of the marriage union… But simply because he focused on the sinfulness of that aspect of a marriage does not mean the only problem with divorcing and remarrying is unlawful sexual relations.  In this writer’s view, Jesus was using a figure of speech known as a synecdoche, in which a part of something is used to stand for the whole… Jesus chooses one aspect of the marriage relationship, one that is supposed to be peculiar to it – sexual intimacy – to condemn the entire relationship.  There is more to marriage than sex, and two people who do not have a right to be married to each other do not have a right to any aspect of the marriage relationship” (Young, Article: Living in Sin).  This is similar to how the Bible “Child bearing” is used of the role of women (1 Timothy 2:15).

The tense of the words seem significant.  The words “divorces” and “marries” are aorist tense; while “commits adultery” is present tense.  Professor Ed. L. Miller (Philosophy/Religious Studies), University of Colorado at Boulder: “The verb in question, moichatai, ‘commits adultery,’ is a present-tense verb and indicates an ongoing action.  It may in fact be contrasted with two previous verb-forms in the verse which are aorist – or simple past-tense and indicate a past one time action: apoluse, ‘divorce’ and gamese, ‘marry.’  I would say that the rendering ‘keeps on committing adultery, ‘preserves the force of the original” (personal letter to me, 1995).  Professor Craig Kallendorf (Department of International Studies), Texas A&M University: “Your letter of 4 October eventually made its way to me, since I am now teaching the New Testament Greek course.  I am trained as a Greek language specialist and not a theologian… the present tense here does not indicate a one-time action, but a continuous state of affairs (Personal letter to me, 1995). 

However, the present-tense in the indicative mood may be used for linear and punctiliar action (A.T. Roberson; Dana and Mantley).  Roy Deaver has written, “Though we recognize that there are certain instances of the ‘Aoristic present’ (pointed action in present time) the fact remains that the general, regular, normal, force of the present tense is continuous action in the present tie.  This cannot be successfully denied.  Therefore, if and when a person decides that a present tense verb is pointed action he will have to have good and sufficient and compelling reason or reasons for this conclusion… However, let me hasten to emphasize that my case does not depend upon whether or not moichatai in Matthew 19:9 indicates continuous action, that it does, in fact, have this meaning I have not the slightest doubt.  But, the point we make is this: repentance (among other things) demand one getting out of sinful situations!  All persons who sin by entering into a sinful relationship continue to sin by staying in that relationship.  For example, all persons who sin by entering the Baptist church continue to sin by staying in it” (Deaver, Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage, pp. 6-7).

The Exception

“…except it be for sexual immorality (fornication KJV)…” (Matthew 19:9).

The exception phrase appears in Matthew (5:32; 19:9), but not in Mark (10:11-12), and not in Luke (16:18).  This has led some to deny that the exception phrase is genuine, and thus – to deny divorce and remarriage for any reason including, fornication.  However, the textual evidence does not support this denial.  Mark and Luke are simply setting forth the general rule without the exception being stated.  Consider: Genesis 9:6, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed…”  This is the general rule.  However, clearly there are exceptions.  This very verse authorizes capital punishment.  Consider: “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).  This is the general rule.  Yet, “whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death…” (Numbers 35:30).  The words, “put to death” is from the same original term.

One exception is stated, fornication.  What is fornication?  Vine’s: “illicit sexual intercourse.”  Thayer: “illicit sexual intercourse in general.”  Arndt-Gingrich: “of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse.”  Earl Edwards (Lecturer in Bible), Freed-Hardeman University: “It includes sexual intercourse with any person (of either sex) other than one’s spouse as well as intercourse with beasts (Ed. Jim Laws, Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage – Spiritual Sword Lectureship book, p. 345).  All adultery is fornication (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6), but not all fornication is adultery (Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; Galatians 5:19).  The N.A.S.B. falls short in translating the word porneia, “immorality.” 

Second Whoever

“…and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).

Earl Edwards commented, “These words appear at the end of verse nine in the King James Version but many ancient manuscripts do not contain them… At any rate, approximately the same words do appear in Matthew 5:32, and in that passage the authenticity is recognized by everyone” (Ed. Jim Laws, Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage, p. 351).

The exception phrase does not appear in the clause.  Kerry Duke has written, “Matthew 19:9 is made up of two clauses, each which stands by itself as a sentence.  The first clause has the exceptive phrase.  The second clause does not.  Injecting the propositional phrase of Matthew 19:9a into Matthew 19:9b is a grammatically unwarranted procedure” (Duke, The Remarriage of A Divorced Couple, p. 35).  Again, “Epi porneia (on or for fornication – B.H.) cannot justifiably be injected into Matthew 19:9b any more than me epi porneia (not on or for fornication – B.H.).” (ibid, p. 40).

Further, James O. Baird remarked, “Since the definite article is omitted in the Geek, no specific woman is referred to, so the meaning must be any put away woman” (Baird, And I Say Unto You…, p.38)

Some seem to think that marriage is always right, if the two love each other. This passage does not agree.

This is Difficult

The disciples of Jesus thought this to be a very difficult teaching.  They said, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry” (Matthew 19:10).  This may have been said later in private (Mark 10:10).

Jesus pointed out that not all men could accept what they had said (Matthew 19:11-12).  Some men were born eunuchs (without such passion for the opposite sex).  Some men were made eunuchs by men.  Some lived as eunuchs for the Kingdom’s sake [This would include those who chose not to be burdened with a family (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:32-34).  This includes those who do not remarry, but live single (1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 39-40)]. The norm is to marry.

Let us teach our children, and those not yet married that marriage is for life.

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In The News: Hezekiah’s Seal

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

“On Wednesday (December 2, 2015), archaeologists in Jerusalem announced the discovery of a rare biblical-era seal… According to Hebrew University, the inscription reads: ‘Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz King of Judah… the back side of the clay imprint of the seal had markings of thin cords that were used to tie a papyrus document (theatlantic.com).  “The bulla was found during excavations in 2009 but its significance was initially overlooked… only this year did Hebrew University archaeologist Reut Ben Arieh decipher the inscription on the seal impression and determine its significance” (timesofisrael.com).  This is not the first seal of Hezekiah to be found.  Dr. Eilat Mazer, the leader of the excavation said, “Although seal impressions bearing King Hezekiah’s name have already been known for the antiquities market since the middle 1990’s… this is the first time that a seal impression of an Israelite or Judean King has ever come to light in a scientific archaeological excavation” (inquisitr.com).

Sennacherib, King of Assyria, also mentioned Hezekiah.  British Colonel R. Taylor discovered Sennacherib’s annals (the Taylor Prism) in Nineveh in 1830.  It reads, “As for Hezekiah, the Judean who did not who did not submit to my yoke, I surrounded and conquered forty-six of his strong-walled towns and innumerable small settlements…” (Price, The Stones Cry Out, p. 272). 

This is not the only King of Judah or Israel that has been discovered in Archaeology.  On August 6, 1993, it was announced, “An Israeli archeologist has discovered a fragment of a stone monument with inscriptions bearing the first known reference outside of the Bible to King David, and the ruling dynasty he founded, the House of David” (nytimes.com).  “The Tel Dan inscription, or ‘House of David’ inscription, was discovered in 1993 at the site of Tel Dan in northern Israel in an excavation directed by Israeli archaeologist Avraham Biran.  The broken and fragmented inscription commemorates the victory of an Aramean King over his two southern neighbors: The ‘King of Israel’ and the ‘King of the House of David’” (biblicalarchaeology.org).  “A ruler of the Arameans probably Hazael is victorious over Israel and Judah.  The Stele was erected to celebrate the defeat of the two kings.  In 1994 two more pieces were found with inscriptions which refer to Jehoram, the Son of Ahab, Ruler over Israel, and Ahaziah, who was ruler over the ‘House of David’ or Judah.  These names and facts correspond to the account given in chapters eight and nine of 2 Kings” (bible.org). 

Jehu, King of Israel, has been found by archaeology. Archaeologist Henry Layard discovered a large black stone (The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III), in the ancient Assyrian city of Calah, in 1945.  “The store was a four-sided polished black (obelisk) of black limestone 6 ½ feet high.  On each side panel of the obelisk were carved five registers of relief sculptures depicting various scenes of tribute brought to the Assyrian court… the big surprise came when the lines above one register showing a figure kneeling before the Assyrian King was translated: Tribute of Jehu, Son of Omri…” (Price, p. 77). 

Jehoiachin, King of Judah, has also been found in archaeology.  “Shortly before World War II Ernst Weidner worked in a Berlin Museum on many uninspiring and unpretentious cuneiform records of a storehouse of grain and oil found with the palace compound of Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon (The Babylonian Rations Tablet, B.H.)… To Weidner’s surprise he found the name of King Jehoiachin of Judah, together with his five sons and their Jewish tutor, as the recipient of grain and oil on several of these documents in the year 592 B.C., five years after Jehoiachin’s exile had begun” (Jackson, Biblical Studies in the Light of Archaeology, p. 20). 

These Kings were historical characters.  We’ve looked only at some of Israel and Judah’s Kings.  However, many of the people and places of the Bible have been confirmed by archaeology. 

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Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage (Jesus: Tested, Part 1)

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

“Jesus… came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.  And great multitudes followed Him… The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?’” (Matthew 19:1-3).

How was this a test?  It was a test in at least three ways.  (1) It was a test of courage.  Herod Antipas governed this territory beyond the Jordan (Perea).  Herod Antipas arrested, and beheaded John because of what he taught on marriage, divorce and remarriage.  Would Jesus speak on this subject? If He did, would His words agree with John’s?  (2) It was a test of consistency.  Jesus had previously taught on this subject (Matthew 5:31-32).  John’s death came.  Would Jesus change His teaching?  (3) It was a test of character.  Multitudes were now following Jesus.  This subject was highly controversial.  Many agreed with Rabbi Hillel (d. 10 A.D.), who taught that one could divorce for small reasons, such as burning a meal.  Others agreed with Rabbi Shammai (d. 30 A.D.), who taught that one could divorce only for serious offenses, such as sexually immoral or indecent behavior.  Any answer had the potential of offending some in the multitude of Jesus’ followers.  Would He water down His answer to please the masses?

The Pharisees were trying to damage Jesus’ influence.  If He was inconsistent with John, they would expose this.  If He said anything that might anger Herod Antipas, they could report this to Herod.  If He was inconsistent with His earlier teaching, this could be exposed.  Moreover, the Pharisees knew that any answer Jesus gave had the potential of not pleasing some in the multitude.

Jesus was unlike many (cf. John 12:42).  He never compromised truth for the sake of popularity (cf. John 6:66-68).

“And He answered and said to them ‘What did Moses command you?’  They said, ‘Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.’” (Mark 10:3-4).

They were correct.  The Law of Moses did allow divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4).

However, what else did Moses write?  Had they considered God’s design for marriage?

“And he answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh’?  So then, they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore, what God has joined together let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6).

Jesus returned to creation.  He quoted Genesis 1:27 in Matthew 19:4 and Genesis 2:24 in Matthew 19:5.  He said in effect, “This is God’s ideal for marriage: one man and one woman joined together for life.”  They were focused on divorce.  Jesus wanted them to focus on God’s ideal for marriage.

Two words are interesting.  The word in verse 5 which is translated “joined” (NKJV), “cleave” (KJV), and “hold fast” (ESV) means “’to join fast together, to glue, cement,’ is primarily said of metals and other materials” (Vine’s).  God’s design was for a lasting bond to exist.  The word in verse 6 translated, “joined” means “to yoke together” (Vine’s).  God’s ideal is for the two to walk together as one unit.

“They said to Him, ‘Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and put her away?’  He said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so” (Matthew 19:7-8).

The Pharisees returned to the subject of divorce, and pressed Jesus for an answer on Deuteronomy 24.  They said, “Moses commanded.”  However, Moses had never commanded such.  He permitted it.  Oliver Green commented, “The law did not command a man to put away (even – B.H.) an unfaithful wife, but it did command that he give her a ‘writing of divorcement’ if he did put her away.” (Green, The Gospel According to Matthew, Vol. 4, p. 222).

Jesus replied that Moses (the Law of Moses) allowed divorce.  He allowed divorce because of the hardness of your hearts. This was not a compliment.  Ancil Jenkins commented, “If divorce had not been allowed, two greater evils would have prevailed.  Some people would not have married, thus promoting immorality.  Others, not having an opportunity for divorce, would have killed their unwanted wives” (Jenkins, A Commentary on Mark, p. 101).  Such is possible.

However, “from the beginning it was not so.”  That is: Divorce was never God’s ideal for marriage.  The words, “it was not so” are from gegonen, which is in the perfect tense.  Roy Deaver provides a literal rendering – “but from the beginning it stands in the position of not having become thus” (Deaver, A Study of Matthew 19:9, p. 7).  God’s ideal for marriage has never been found in divorce.

“But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’  ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so they are no more two but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together let not man separate” (Mark 10:6-9).

God’s ideal for marriage is found in creation.  He created one man and one woman.  He planned for the two to be joined together in a lasting union, an enduring partnership.

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Thrift Stores, Ringing Bells and Red Kettles

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

The Salvation Army operates thrift stores.  These stores resell donated items such as clothing, furniture, household items, and toys.  They even have trucks which will pick up donated items from  your house.  The revenue is used to fund their Adult Rehabilitation Centers, known as ARCs.  Many kind, generous people give to these stores.

The Salvation Army is most visible during the Christmas shopping season.  Volunteers and paid workers stand in front of stores ringing their bells, soliciting donations into their red kettles.  Across the nation, there are about 25,000 bell ringers.  Many kind and generous people volunteer to ring the bells.  Many kind and generous people give to these red kettles.  Almost $145 million was raised in 2014.  The revenue is used for Salvation Army charity work and disaster relief in the local community from which the donations came.

However, many who volunteer to ring bells, and many who give to The Salvation Army do so, not realizing that they are contributing to the work of a religious organization.  The Salvation Army is not simply a community charity (as Goodwill now is. Though, Goodwill used to be a work of the Methodist Church).

The history of the organization starts in England.  William Booth was a Methodist minister.  “He came to the conclusion that the masses of the non-church goers could not be reached through methods of the churches, so he resigned his pastorate, he began the Salvation Army.”  (The New Standard Encyclopedia).  He formed the East London Christian Mission in 1865.  The name was changed to The Salvation Army in 1878.

The Salvation Army is a religious group (Mead, Handbook of Denominations).  It is organized on military lines.  It operates in 127 countries with a worldwide membership of 1.5 million (Wikipedia).

What is its purpose?  Wayne Jackson has written, “According to its charter issued in New York State in 1899, the Salvation Army is an organization… whose paramount purpose ‘is to lead men and women into a proper relationship with God'” (Jackson, An Analysis of the “Salvation Army,” christiancourier.com).  Booth wanted to provide “soup, soap, and salvation” (salvationarmy.org).

What do they believe?  They have an organization structure which is foreign to the New Testament (soldiers, corp officers, including – envoys, cadets,  lieutenants, captains, majors, lieutenants colonels, colonels, commanders, commissioners, chief of staff, and a general).  They have a method of fund-raising which is foreign to the Bible (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).  They accept women preachers (cf. 1 Timothy 2; 1 Corinthians 14).  They worship with mechanical instruments of music (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).  They believe in Hereditary Total Depravity (cf Ezekiel 18:20).  They believe in a direct operation of the Holy Spirit in conversion (cf. Luke 8:11-15; Acts 2:2:36-38; 8:12-16; 19:1-6).  They do not baptize.  They do not think baptism is necessary for salvation (cf. Acts 2:38).  Salvation is by faith only ( cf. Mark 16:15-16; James 2:24). They do not observe the Lord’s supper (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  They believe that external rituals are unnecessary and dangerous.

My advice?  We can be benevolent on an individual basis (e.g. Luke 10:25-37).  We can be benevolent through the church (e.g. Acts 4:34-37; 6:1-7; 11:27-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:13).  We can be benevolent through others (e.g. Philippians 4:18).  However, may we never help empower false teachers, or an organization of false teachers (cf. Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 6:3, 5a; 2 John 9-11).  Let us not contribute to the Temple of Diana even if they do some deeds of kindness.  Let us do nothing which glorifies such organization that are in competition with the church.

Moreover, let us think beyond the physical.  Benevolence can help satisfy physical needs.  It can also open up opportunities to speak of spiritual needs (e.g. John 5:8, 14; Acts 3:6-7, 11-ff).  When we show kindness, it is an opportunity to tell others about why we do such.   It is an opportunity to tell others about Jesus.  It is an opportunity to tell others about Jesus.  It is an opportunity to address the fact that man has greater needs, spiritual needs.

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Let Us Give Thanks

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

The book of Psalms is filled with expressions of thanks to God.  The words “thanks” and “thanksgiving” appear 30 times in the book of Psalms.  Nave’s topical Bible classifies 37 Psalms as Psalms which offer thanksgiving to God (9, 18, 21, 23, 30, 34, 36, 40, 46, 65, 66, 68, 75, 76, 81, 85,91, 98, 100, 103, 105, 107, 108, 116, 117, 118, 121, 124, 126, 129, 135, 136, 138, 144, 145, 146, 149,).  It subdivides this as follows: (1) Thanksgiving for goodness to (the nation of) Israel (21, 46, 65, 66, 68, 76, 81, 85, 98, 105, 124, 126, 129, 135, 149).  (2) Thanksgiving for the goodness to mankind (23, 34, 36, 91, 100, 103, 107, 117, 121, 145, 146).  (3) Thanksgiving for (specific) goodness to individuals (9, 18, 30, 34, 40, 75, 103, 108, 116, 118, 138, 144).  You will notice that some of the Psalms are placed into more than one subdivision.

Let’s consider these three points –

1.  National Thanksgiving. Israel was to be thankful because God chose them (Psalm 135:1-4).  He delivered them from Egypt (Psalm 66:6; 81:10; 105; 135:8-12; 136).  He protected them (Psalm 46; 124).  He brought them back from captivity (Psalm 85:1-2; 126).  He provided them with daily benefits (Psalm 68:19).  He provided them with food and water (Psalm 65:9-13; 136:25).

America is not God’s chosen nation.  We do not have the same relationship with God that Israel had.  Due to the nature of providence (cf. Esther 4:14; Philemon 15), we cannot with certainty know the role God played in founding this country; though, we do believe that He is providentially in control (cf. Acts 17:26).  There are many things we do not know.  However, we are told that it is He who “makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).  He gives us, “rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17).  It is “in Him we live we move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).  It is “in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).  We should be a thankful people.

2.  Individual Thanksgiving. Individual Israelites, as well as Gentiles (cf. Psalm 117), were to be thankful.  God made man (Psalm 100:1-3).  He led His followers to good (Psalm 23).  He cared for them.  He was forgiving and merciful (Psalm 103:2-3; 117; 145:8-9).  “Bless the LORD, O My soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities…” (Psalm 103:2-3a).  He was slow to anger (Psalm 103:8).  “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10).  He was fulfilling.  “He satisfies the longing soul with gladness” (Psalm 107:9).

All of these points are still true for man today.  He is responsible for our existence.  He wants to lead us to heaven.  He is longsuffering toward us (2 Peter 3:9).  His desire is for “all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

3.  Specific Thanksgiving. Consider the following: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness… I will give thanks to You forever” (Psalm 30:11-12).  “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).  “I called on the LORD in distress, The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place” (Psalm 118:5).  “In the day when I cried out, You answered me and made me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:3).

God does not always give us what we request (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).  Moreover, when He does give us what we request, it may take time (Romans 1:9-10 cf. 15:22-24).  He always knows best.

He does answer prayer.  Do we thank Him for the good that we see Him working on our lives?  “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, See what God hath done!  Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done’ (Song: Count Your Blessings by Johnson Oatman Jr.).

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Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage (Jesus: Sermon on the Mount)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

“It has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’  But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality (fornication, B.H.) causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 5:31-32).

The context should be considered: (1) Jesus in this same sermon said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).  The Law would one day be abolished (Ephesians 2:15), that is – render inactive (Vine’s).  However, Jesus’ aim in this sermon was not to contrast Old Testament teaching and New Testament teaching.  (2) The context concerns the Scribes and Pharisees.  Jesus taught, “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).  This was primarily a contrast between what God wanted, and how the Scribes and Pharisees had perverted His message.  (3) Jesus taught some things which went beyond Old Testament teaching.  He taught that they should turn the other cheek, be willing to give up cloak, go the second mile, love their enemies, and practice The Golden Rule.

When a man divorced his wife, he was to do so with a certificate of divorce (Matthew 5:31 cf. Deuteronomy 24:1-4).  The Scribes and Pharisees were correct on this point.

They were great on legal procedure, but was this all that mattered?  Had they considered what divorce did to women?  Had they actively tried to discourage divorce?  Many then, as now, did not think past civil legality.

Consider a wife  living in the first century.  Her husband decided to divorce her; even though, she had not been unfaithful to him.  What happens to this woman?  The man  “causes her to commit adultery” (NKJV, KJV), “maketh her an adulteress” (ASV), “makes her commit adultery (NASB, ESV).  A suggested literal rendering is: He causes her “to be adulterized.”  How does he do this?  Here are two suggestions:  (1) Some have suggested that the meaning is that she was by the divorce “stigmatized as an adulteress” (Lenski, The Interpretation of Matthew’s Gospel, p. 232).  The difficulty with this view is that Israelites divorced for reasons other than adultery.  Why should she automatically be thought of as an adulteress? (2) A better suggestion may be found in her likely eventual remarriage.  Remember that it was very difficult for a woman, at that time, to support herself.  Donald Carson has written, “A woman so divorced found herself many times in practical necessity of remarriage to find support for herself…  She was under pressure to enter into a union which was illegitimate because she was not eligible to marry” (ed. Jim Laws, Spiritual Lectureship book: Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage, p. 362).  Wayne Jackson has commented, “Now the presumption is this: if a man just whimsically and capriciously throws his wife out – he divorces her – what will she likely do?  Go find another man!” (Jackson & Scott, Divorce and Remarriage, p. 34).

Moreover, what about the man who married this woman? Had these leaders thought about him. He was committing adultery by marrying this woman.  The present tense could be rendered “is committing adultery” or “keeps on committing adultery” (Jackson, p.35).

May we develop a concern for others.  May we consider how our action might affect others.  May our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

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Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage (John v. Herod)

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch, who ruled over Galilee and Perea, stayed with his half-brother Philip, on a visit to Rome.  While there, he coveted his brother’s wife, Herodias, who was also the brothers’ niece. She also coveted him.  She agreed to divorce her husband. He agreed to divorce his wife, Phasaelis, the daughter of Aretas IV, the king of Nabatea.  The two were married (Mark 6:17-18).

John, the baptizer, spoke against this.  John told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (Mark 6:18).  This tells us that it is possible to have a civil marriage, and it not be lawful in God’s law.  What was unlawful about it?  (1) It is possible that their divorces were not for reasons of “some uncleanness” (cf. Deuteronomy 24).  (2) This was an incestuous relationship.  It was unlawful under the Law of Moses for a man to have: (a) His father’s wife; (b) His sister, even a half-sister; (c) His grand-daughter; (d) His aunt, on either side; (e) His daughter-in-law; (f) His brother’s wife, unless he is dead and has had no sons according to Levirate Law (Herod was guilty of this); (g) A woman and her daughter; (h) A woman and her sister, while the first is alive (see: Leviticus 18; Leviticus 20; Deuteronomy 27).

John’s words demanded that the relationship cease.  He did not say, “It is not lawful for you to have taken her,” but “it is not lawful for you to have her” (Matthew 14:5 cf. Mark 6:18).  The Greek present tense could be rendered, “It is not lawful for you to continue having her.”

Herod had John arrested and imprisoned for the sake of his wife (Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19-20).  He did not kill him because he feared the people (Matthew 14:5).  Herod also feared John, and considered him a just and holy man (Mark 6:19-20).  He had opportunity to hear him, and he heard him gladly (Mark 6:20).  Herodias eventually found a way to get Herod to have John beheaded (Matthew 14:6-12; Mark 6:21-29).  What a prideful and spineless man! He thought John just and holy … yet his lust, his rash words, his desired reputation before men, and his unwillingness to say no to his wife and her daughter cost John his life. His conscience seems to have bothered him for killing John (Matthew 14:1-2; Mark 6:14-16).

Josephus informs us of what happened after this.  “Herod himself now quarreled with Aretas, King of Petra, whose daughter he had married.  But Herod had since fallen in love with Herodias, wife of his half-brother… and he promised to marry her and dismiss Aretas’ daughter… This and a boundary dispute led Aretas to attack Herod, whose whole army was destroyed.  Herod wrote about this to Tiberius, who was furious, and ordered Vitellius, governor of Syria, to declare war on Aretas.  But to some of the Jews, Herod’s disaster seemed to be divine vengeance for his treatment of John, surnamed the Baptist.  Although John was a good man exhorted the Jews to lead righteous lives and practice justice toward their colleagues and piety to God, Herod had put him to death… Although John was brought in chains to Machaerus and put to death in that stronghold, the Jews decided that the destruction of Herod’s army was God’s vindication of John” (Josephus: The Essential Writings, pp. 266-267, from Antiquities 18).

John was a man of courage.  He did not hold back even from one in authority. He boldly proclaimed the truth, and rebuked.  Such men are rare. Such men are needed today.

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What Did You Say? C’mon Man! (Part 2)

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Bryan Hodge

“C’mon man” (come on man) is a phrase used on Monday Night Football in response to shockingly bad decisions, inappropriate decisions, poor execution, and bloopers.

I have heard, through the years, brethren say things which completely shocked me.  Things that make me want to say “C’mon man!” or “C’mon brother!”  Let us add to our previous list.

1.    “I would, if you were to run as a (political party).”

A faithful Christian was considering running for a political office.  He spoke with one of the elders of the church where he attended.  He asked the elder, “Would you vote for me, if I decided to enter the race.”  The reply was the above words.  Another member of the church overhearing this chimed in, “He would vote for Satan, if he ran as a (political party).”  The elder replied, “Yes, I would.  He would have to be better than who was in the other party.”  I do not believe that he was joking.

It is time that character and issues matter more than party.  Some are more loyal to their party than they are to God.  “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).  “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).

2.  “Let’s slow down on the baptisms.  We are baptizing too many.”

It was a productive year.  Hundreds of home Bible studies had occurred.  Dozens had been baptized into Christ.  Almost every week  another was baptized.  The church was experiencing some growth pains.  One man suggested that we show down on personal work and give new converts an opportunity to assimilate before adding more.

It is true that much work need to be done to help these new converts mature, but slow down on personal work when there is an open door?  C’mon man!  The early church grew rapidly.  “The Lord added to the church daily…” (Acts 2:47).  Let us get on with the work.  “Souls that are precious, Souls that are dying.  While we rejoice our sins are forgiv’n; Did He not also die for these lost ones?  Then let us point the way unto heav’n” (Song: Swiftly We’re Turning by Ruth Carruth).

3.  “What’s the benefit for us?”

I was preparing for a mission trip to a foreign country.  A man in a local church asked during a men’s business meeting how my trip would benefit the local church.  Now understand that the local church had not been neglected.  It was actually growing.  I was shocked.  After all, the church had agreed that I could make such trips.

How does one respond?  I wonder if the church at Jerusalem had this attitude when Peter and John went to Samaria (Acts 8:14)?  I wonder if the church at Antioch had this attitude when it sent Barnabas and Saul to Judea for famine relief (Acts 11:27-30)?  Or, when they sent Barnabas and Saul on a missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3)?  Richard Mansel remarked, “It is the height of irony that so many American Christians found it an abomination that the gospel was taken to African nations and India, when those countries will (possibly – B.H.) send missionaries back to the United States one day” (Mansel, How Dare We Take the Gospel to Those People!, forthright.net).

4.  “Can’t you just drive another way to work?”

A Christian sister (we’ll call her Mary) taught and converted a young lady (we’ll call her Beth).  Beth seemed to be doing fine for several months.  However, Mary started noticing something which concerned her.  Mary drove to work very early some mornings, and she came home very late on other days. Her drive took her past Beth’s house.  She noticed that a local man’s car was at Beth’s house at odd  times.  She talked to Beth about this, but flimsy excuses were made.  Mary talked with the elders about the situation.  They did not want to get involved.  They did not want to even make a visit.  One elder’s wife told Mary, “Why don’t you just drive to work a different way, so you won’t have to see the situation.”  It took a year for the elders to finally make a visit.  It did not go well. The couple was living together, and had been so living for a long time. The elders comforted themselves by saying that it would not have mattered if they had made an earlier visit; but, who really knows what an earlier visit may have done.

“C’mon man!”  Do we care about souls or not?  God said, “My sheep wandered through the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, my flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them” (Ezekiel 34:6).

5.  “She is no longer a member here.”

A young Christian has very publicly sinned, even bragging about her sin on social media.  I remarked, to a member of that local church, that the church there had some work to do.  The reply was that the person was no longer a member, she had not attended regularly in some time. Whether she was still a member there, or not, I do not know.

However, Too many congregations wash their hands of their responsibility by saying, “He is no longer on our rolls.  We removed him when he stopped attending regularly.” When you start asking questions, many times you find that no real effort was made to visit or study with the person.

What about concern for the lost?  “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).  “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his ways will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).  Think of the words of the song seeking the lost – “Going afar upon the mountain, bringing the wanderer back again, into the fold of my Redeemer Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain” (Song: Seeking the Lord by W.A. Ogden).

6.  “Jesus Christ is King of the Jews, and the rest of it is garbage.”

It was one of these heated men’s meetings.  A controversy was simmering in the church over what the Bible taught on marriage, divorce and remarriage.  One man spoke the above words.  What he meant was let’s just teach Jesus is King and leave the rest alone.

However, if Jesus is King, then there is something implied.  His words have authority.  The rest of it does matter.  He taught on the subject of marriage, divorce and remarriage (Matthew 5; 19).  It is up to us to study and discern the meaning, and application for man today.  His words matter (Matthew 7:24-27; John 12:48).

We all have made mistakes and have said and done things we shouldn’t. May God forgive us. May we seek to do better. “C’mon brethren,” let us take our Christian duties seriously, and give our very best. Eternity is coming! As the song says “(C’mon) Get right church and let’s go home.”

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