by R. Herbert | Jan 1, 2015 | Positive Living
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? …” (Isaiah 43:18-19). Ancient cultures celebrated the beginning of their new year at various points in the annual solar cycle. The ancient Roman year began in March until Julius Caesar, in correcting the calendar in 46 B.C., made January the first month. And some cultures, like ancient Israel, had more than one new year – a sacred year beginning in the spring, and an administrative or civil year beginning in the fall.
The Bible shows certain events in religious history were tied to these two new years. Nisan 1, the beginning of the Hebrew sacred year, was the beginning of the Exodus story (Exodus 12:1-2), and according to Jewish tradition, the tabernacle of God was dedicated on the same first day of the spring cycle New Year; whereas the Temple of Solomon was dedicated at the beginning of the fall cycle New Year (1 Kings 8:1-2). This “civil new year” is also the point from which the years were counted in Israel and, according to Jewish tradition, the day on which the creation of man took place.
So the new years were important in a number of ways in the religion of ancient Israel, as we see in the Old Testament. But whatever date cultures have chosen to begin a new year, it is often a time of celebration as it seems to be deeply human to desire and to celebrate new beginnings. Sometimes, of course, the celebration part of the picture can get a little carried away. As far as our modern (since Julius Caesar) New Year is concerned, it is interesting that the early Christians accepted it, but cautiously as they were strongly opposed to the pagan extravagance and licentiousness which often accompanied it. Not much has changed since those times and, as we all know, for some today New Year’s Eve can often be a time of revelry without restraint. Today’s Christians may still have to beware of that spirit of unrestraint, but we can always rejoice in the concept of renewal.
As Christians we rejoice in the new lives we begin upon conversion – as the apostle Paul wrote: “… if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17); and in his letter to the Ephesians Paul shows that this is an ongoing renewal: “… put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires … be made new in the attitude of your minds; and … put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). That’s a goal that certainly far exceeds any physical “New Year’s resolution,” but in that sense, every day is like the beginning of a new year for the Christian, and Christians should perhaps strive to be masters of the new beginning. It’s part of our calling – we are supposed to “raze the old to raise the new” – on an ongoing basis. So let’s remember the calling we have as this new year begins – not to well-intentioned but short-lived “resolutions,” but to real and lasting renewal.
by R. Herbert | Dec 24, 2014 | Discipleship
The star that appeared to the wise men in the East announcing the birth of Christ and which led them to Him (Matthew 2:1-9) shone brightly till its purpose was fulfilled, then it disappeared from view. In a similar manner, John the Baptist, who was called the “greatest of those born of women” (Matthew 11:11), accomplished a short intense ministry aimed also at announcing and pointing to the Christ, then likewise faded from view.
The star that heralded Jesus’ birth, bright as it appeared, was to be obscured by the One to whom it pointed – the Messiah himself. Here we also see a parallel with John the Baptist. As Christ affirmed, “He was a burning and shining lamp” (John 5:35), but John nevertheless came only as a witness because “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:8-9). Once Jesus’ ministry began, John’s “light”was dimmed by the rising of his successor. As John himself said using this very analogy, “He must wax, but I must wane” (John 3:30). But like the heavenly star that also preceded the Messiah’s birth, John the Baptist’s job was fully accomplished in the short but intense work which God intended for him. Both were powerful witnesses to the coming of the Messiah.
How does this apply to us? Although we may not live in the age which saw a heavenly light or a great prophetic “light” like John the Baptist pointing to Christ, the apostle Peter reminds us that “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). That “morning star” is Christ himself (Revelation 22:16); and the “prophetic message” is not so much all of prophecy as it is the prophetic message regarding the meaning and purpose of the coming of Christ.
The star of the nativity, the “lamp” of John the Baptist, and the “light shining in a dark place” were different announcements made available to different groups of people: the first to only a select few, the second to all who heard John, the third to all who come in contact with the word of God throughout the whole world. The three forms of announcement also increased in the level of understanding they provided those to whom they were given. Bright as the heavenly star may have appeared, and powerful as John’s testimony may have been, we can be thankful that the announcement that has come to us is the fullest, clearest and most profound of all.
by R. Herbert | Dec 21, 2014 | Knowledge & Wisdom
“When [the shepherds] had seen [the infant Jesus], they spread the word concerning what had been told them [by the angels] about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen …” (Luke 2:17-20).
Have you ever contrasted, while reading these verses, the reaction of Mary – compared to that of the shepherds – regarding the birth of Jesus? Luke makes it clear that the shepherds were “sharing their testimony,” as we might call it, with everyone. On the other hand, Mary, even as the mother of Jesus, and as someone who had also been told things by an angel (Luke 1:26-38), and who had earlier shared this experience with her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56), remained silent on what had happened.
So why when the shepherds seem to have gone all out in sharing what they knew of the good news, did Mary stay silent? Some have said that as a woman her testimony would not have been accepted in that ancient culture, but there are plenty of instances in the New Testament of that not being the case (for example, John 20:18). It seems far more likely that given the situation regarding her son’s mysterious conception, it might appear that she was simply telling a story to cover what people humanly presumed had happened. In other words, the situation was different for Mary – the same event, the same knowledge of the truth, but different circumstances. Had Mary shared her testimony under those circumstances, it might well have led to the truth being doubted and defamed.
This story has obvious implications for our lives today. We fully understand that we should never fear to confess our faith or to share the gospel, but Mary’s example shows that this fact should be tempered by wisdom according to the circumstances. This spiritual reality is in harmony with the physical reality stressed numerous times, in different ways, in the Book of Proverbs. For example, “A prudent man conceals knowledge…” (Proverbs 12:23); and we see the principle at its most basic level, of course, in the reminder that there is indeed “… a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).
When we look at the ministry of Jesus himself, we see that sometimes he spoke out regarding the truth, but sometimes he did not (for example, Matthew 21:23-27). He also instructed his followers “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6). This statement was allegorical, of course; but Jesus also instructed his disciples to move on when it was clear that people were antagonistic and had no interest in the truth of God (Matthew 10:11-14). “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves;” he said, “therefore, be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16); “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light” (Luke 16:8).
All these scriptures show a clear pattern of the use of wisdom in situations where the truth of God might be shared. In Mary’s situation, it would clearly have been problematic if she had spoken what she knew and, rather than God being glorified, her audience actually had been less likely to accept the truth. The truth of God is a wonderful gift to share, but it is one that should always be shared at an appropriate time and with wisdom.
by R. Herbert | Dec 15, 2014 | Prayer
The New Testament records that one day a disciple asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus replied: “When you pray, say …” and then he proceeded to give what is called “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9–13, and Luke 11:2–4).
We see that this prayer was probably intended as a model, which could be used as an outline and expanded in our own words, by the fact that the wording is different in the two gospels in which it occurs – so reciting its exact words is clearly not as important as following its points.
Today we have uploaded a guide showing how the points included in the Lord’s Prayer can be expanded in our own words for regular formal prayer which effectively covers all aspects of our relationship with God. This “how-to” article is “Using the Lord’s Prayer as a Guide” on our Tactical Living page. If you would like to see how you can use the Lord’s Prayer for fuller and more meaningful prayer, you can read it here.
by R. Herbert | Dec 14, 2014 | History & the Bible
Fifth in Our Lessons from the Kings Series
Josiah was undoubtedly one of ancient Judah’s best rulers. This king ruled for thirty-one years (c. 640-609 BC), accomplishing great good during his reign. Yet his death is puzzling and provides a sobering lesson to anyone who reads the story.
Perhaps under the influence of Jeremiah, in his eighteenth year Josiah began a great reformation of the faith of Judah. He first repaired the Temple of Solomon and renewed the ancient covenant with God (2 Kings 23). The king then began to cleanse Judah of idolatry. The temple was purged and idolatrous “high places” were destroyed throughout Judah and even beyond. Josiah clearly returned to the one God and humbly led his people to return also. But something went horribly amiss. Josiah did not die in peace, as we might expect, but as a result of a foolish gamble.
To understand Josiah’s sad demise we need to understand the basics of international relations in his day. When Josiah ascended the throne the ancient Near East was in political flux. That world’s established “superpower,” the Assyrian Empire, was disintegrating and the Neo-Babylonian Empire was rising to replace it. Egypt, another key power player under the strong pharaoh Necho II, led an army north to fight the Babylonians.
This is where Josiah enters the picture. Necho requested permission to pass through Judah on the main road to Syria in order to fight the Babylonians, but, ironically – considering Judah’s soon-coming downfall at the hands of the Babylonians – Josiah refused. According to II Chronicles 35:20-21 Necho then sent messengers to Josiah saying, “ … I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war, and God has ordered me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you.” This message is amazing not only in that Necho pleaded with the relatively minor king Josiah not to interfere, but also claimed that God Himself instructed him to do what he was doing.
Was this just a detail of cleverly contrived psychological warfare, or was Necho really marching under the influence of God who raises kingdoms and diminishes them (Daniel 2:21)? The biblical account appears to indicate the latter as Chronicles tells us that “Josiah … would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo” (2 Chronicles 35:22, emphasis added). The results of this battle were disastrous for the Judean king. Archers shot Josiah, and he was taken back to Jerusalem, where he died (vs. 23).
Josiah’s taking a huge chance with his life at Megiddo not only led to his own death, but also to the loss of Judean independence. So what happened to this good king of Judah? Proverbs 26:17 gives the principle of not meddling in a matter that does not concern us, and Josiah may have paid the price for not knowing or heeding that principle. Josiah certainly took a huge chance with his own life – and lost. There is no doubt that God sometimes mercifully protects those who love Him from the results of foolish decisions and actions, but He does not guarantee that He will do this in any or every circumstance, and the principle of not “tempting” God by taking unnecessary risks (Deuteronomy 6:16) certainly applies here. We can jeopardize our success, our happiness, and even our lives through taking foolish chances – despite our relationship with God.
The great lesson we can all learn from Josiah’s demise is don’t run the stop lights of life – physical or spiritual.
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