The Engraver. Reading: Job 19:23-27.

 

When I learnt to write it was on a slate board with chalk. Today people have computers – with spell checks. At least I was one step ahead of those in ancient time who had to write. They 

virtually had to collect the ingredients, clay, then cut into it their words – hieroglyphics – then baked their tablet before posting it.

 It is from that background of the writer being initially an engraver we can appreciate certain facets of God’s word. A lot of our writing technology today is subject to decay at a faster rate than clay baked. Shards with inscriptions are still be found two thousand and more years later.

 It is worthwhile to note that God is the original engraver. The 10 Commandments were chiselled into rock by the finger of God, Exodus 31:18. The originals were placed in the Ark of the Covenant as a testimony to the Nation. The trouble was that the people honoured the writings but were deaf to its message. There were, of course, notable exceptions who stand out in Biblical history. As the Lord wanted His people to know His commands, judgements and statutes He had the people wear them as a sign upon their hands and between their eyes. The New Testament described them as phylacteries. Householders were instructed to have the commandments on their doorposts and gates. In my youth I called upon people whose house had these words printed on their veranda.

The trouble was it was all outward, not inward.

God’s intention is for His people, you and me included, to have them engraved on our hearts. This is another of the implications behind the picture of God as the potter. If we are the clay, and we need to be, guess what He wants to do? Engrave His word into our heart. Hebrews 10:16 quotes Jeremiah who in turn expressed the Lord God’s intention to write His laws into the hearts of His people. The wonder of this is summed up by the Psalmist “Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.’ (119:11) As with clay we too must experience the baking process. For us it comes when what we hear from God’s word is written within the fire of doubt, fear, opposition and self-interest arises. It is the testimony of our faith and conviction that God’s word is true which causes the flames into toughen and preserve God’s word within.

 Psalm 119 is a wonderful psalm about the Word of God and its relevance to everyday life. As it is engraved on our heart so it will influence us consciously and unconsciously as 119:105 ‘ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’ It is worth the time to read the whole psalm for it seems to cover the writer’s journey from youth to Age, from sickness and opposition to praise and wonder.

 Job’s words in chapter 19:23-24 is a cry for people to properly understand his situation and hope in God. His story is unique but his cry is a challenge to us all. We have a unique testimony, simple or complex, everyday stuff or strange which the Lord could use to witness to His power, grace and providence. If for no other reason have a record of His dealings in your life to hand onto your family and friends in the future. In a sense let the Lord’s engraving within you find expression on paper or disc for others to know.

 Notice also the hope, confidence and longing of Job 19:25—29. He knows his Redeemer lives. – How sure are you of your relationship with the risen Christ? Job believes his Redeemer will set up His kingdom on earth. This is our position from the Lord’s Prayer. Job knows he will die yet is convinced he will live beyond death and behold His Redeemer. This is the wonder of our relationship too. We shall see Jesus face to face even though death may stand between us at the moment. Job had a desire which would see him through the tough times ahead. His heart yearns to be with his Redeemer. This is a hallmark of Christ’s followers too. I want to know Him! I want to serve Him! I want others to hear about Him! Most of all I want to see Him!

 Until that day we are to live out what He has engraved within. Until that day we are to us our writing skills so the Lord can become the Potter of another’s life whose heart becomes clay. Then when the ‘Finger of God’ engraves His word onto their heart they will declare “I know my Redeemer lives!”

 Ray H.

 

 

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Israel – The Servant…Isaiah 41:8-10.

Job is the earliest book of the Scriptures. There, in the first eight verses, we read that he was a very prominent, well respected man. Yahweh crowns him in a confrontation with Satan as “my servant”. That title expresses a relationship with the Lord as well as an honoured role. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wear this title (Exodus 32:13}, Moses is also honoured in this way. When Israel was created it too was endowed by being so called [Leviticus 25:42,55]

To be Yahweh’s servant held a great privilege wrapped up in a heavy responsibility. Let us briefly consider areas into which Israel was to live out this relationship. Isaiah 43:21 ‘This people I have formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise.’ Is God on some type of celestial ego trip? Of course not! It’s in praising Him we are expressing His person, His mission and His grace. The Psalmists show us the way. It does the heart good to personally write out your praises for the eternal Lord God’s influence and intervention in your life .

The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had been formed and chosen to be Yahweh’s witness. In the midst of nations their covenanted relation with Yahweh, the distinctive sacrificial system combined with the Law and promised Messiah made them unique. To be a faithful witness required instruction, then implementation. Here began their descent into compromise and dishonour. They knew what to believe and how to live. But they didn’t believe what they knew, so, were unable to live out what was required. Their call to be a ‘light unto the Gentiles’ failed to shine. Reading the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel we cringe at their betrayal. Trouble is, a similar betrayal takes place in the Church.  

Isaiah 43:7 informs the reader of God’s special purpose for Israel, His Servant. They were for His glory. Their condemnation included tarnishing His Name by mixing Him and His covenant with the idols of the world’s religions and their depraved morality. Being scattered amongst the Gentile nations was to be their ‘eye-opener.’ However, the Servant must be chastised for gross neglect and betrayal. The fullness of the law’s justice would destroy them. So it is, we read that the Person of Isaiah 53 stood in their place.  He was stricken, smitten, afflicted and pierced through for their transgressions. What was the witness being given? No one treats the call of the Lord carelessly. He calls all to give an account, even to the chosen ones.

Therefore, it is the realisation of the need for a Redeemer to step in between judgement and the promises of God. The Messiah had not yet come, the Kingdom of God was still a dream and the Servant stood condemned. How could they keep their calling? Only because of Heaven’s ability to see the future. The Anointed saviour had already been crucified in the mind of God. Only for that fact Isaiah 9:6-7, the promised Kingdom and ruler, would have never seen the light of day. The suffering servant of Isaiah 53 is the most critical Person for Israel’s redemption and continuance and also our salvation.

Jesus lays claim to fulfilling the criteria for the beloved Servant. From the moment He began His ministry in Luke 4:18 by quoting Isaiah 61 Jesus testified in word and deed to being ‘the Servant.’ When we consider His crucifixion from the brutality of the soldiers to His final breath each aspect related to fulfilling justice. They weren’t aware of this, but the Judge was. Jesus was wounded [pierced through], bruised [crushed], stripes given [blows that cut into His body] to deal with the peoples’ grief, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, peace [restored relationship] and the offering for sin.

It is only by the sinless life of the suffering Servant that the prophetic record concerning Israel will happen. Praise the Lord for the bodily resurrection of the Christ. Our prayers, in accordance with Christ’s, will be fulfilled when God’s kingdom is operational on earth.  

copyright August 25 Ray Hawkins. 

Next...Israel as 'wife' and Isaiah 53.

 

The Engraver.

When I learnt to write it was on a slate board with chalk. Today people have computers – with spell checks. At least I was one step ahead of those in ancient time who had to write. They virtually had to collect the ingredients, clay, then cut into it their words – hieroglyphics – then baked their tablet before posting it. It is from that background of the writer being initially an engraver we can appreciate certain facets of God’s word. A lot of our writing technology today is subject to decay at a faster rate than clay baked. Shards with inscriptions are still be found two thousand and more years later.

It is worthwhile to note that God is the original engraver. The 10 Commandments were chiselled into rock by the finger of God, Exodus 31:18. The originals were placed in the Ark of the Covenant as a testimony to the Nation. The trouble was that the people honoured the writings but were deaf to its message. There were, of course, notable exceptions who stand out in Biblical history. As the Lord wanted His people to know His commands, judgements and statutes He had the people wear them as a sign upon their hands and between their eyes. The New Testament described them as phylacteries. Householders were instructed to have the commandments on their doorposts and gates. In my youth I called upon people whose house had these words printed on their veranda.

The trouble was it was all outward, not inward.

God’s intention is for His people, you and me included, to have them engraved on our hearts. This is another of the implications behind the picture of God as the potter. If we are the clay, and we need to be, guess what He wants to do? Engrave His word into our heart. Hebrews 10:16 quotes Jeremiah who in turn expressed the Lord God’s intention. That was to write His laws into the hearts of His people. The wonder of this is summed up by the Psalmist “Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.’ (119:11) As with clay we too must experience the baking process. For us the 'furnace' comes when what we hear from God’s word and the flames of doubt, fear, opposition and self-interest flare up and blaze away. It is the testimony of our faith and conviction that God’s word is true which cause the flames to engrave God’s word on our heart and mind.

Job’s words in chapter 19:23-24 is a cry for people to properly understand his situation and hope in God. 'O that with an iron pen and with lead they (my words) were engraved on a rock forever.' The Almighty went better that that. He inscribed them into His Scriptures which endures forever. Job's story is unique but his cry is a challenge to us all. We each have a unique testimony, simple or complex, everyday stuff or strange. The Lord wants to use our testimony to witness to His power, grace and providence.  This is especially important within your family arena. Record, on any one of modern day devices (or like me, on old fashion paper) to tell the Lord's dealings in your life. This information can speak to your family and friends long after you are dead. Let your journey with the Lord’s be engraved deep within your being and yet available to be read by the inquisitive, the enquirers and even the cynics.

Job's hope, confidence and longing are poignantly expressed in  Job 19:25—29.

He knows his Redeemer lives. Job has been doing it tough and doesn't have 'cut and dried' simplistic answers to his sadness. We know not where, where or how this man and the Lord entered into a redeemed relationship, but it happened. His conviction was unshakable. Job also believed his Redeemer will stand upon this earth. That is pointing to two events. The first of course when Jesus entered our history at Bethlehem to become the Redeemer. The second time will be when He returns to establish His kingdom. This is the very kingdom  we pray for when we say the Lord’s Prayer!

Job knows he will die yet is convinced he will live and behold His Redeemer. Such a hope and reality points to belief in a personal resurrection. The very thought of this meeting seems to make him go 'weak at the knees'. This is the wonder of our relationship too. We shall see Jesus face to face even though death may stand between us at the moment. For those who know Jesus as Redeemer the fear of meeting Him is non existent. The same cannot be said for those who reject Him as Lord and Saviour.

Until that day we are to live out what the Spirit of God has engraved within. Then when life throws its cruel, callous and chaotic 'stones' at us we will say, even through tears “I know my Redeemer lives!”

File/Devotional seminar – tahlee.