I Sing but do I See?

 The Battle Hymn of the Republic stirs the soul  when heard or sung. The story behind it is interesting. However, what the words say seem to have lost their 'punch' to many in America today. 'Mine eyes have see  the glory of the coming of the Lord' is the opening line. It appears to me that there are forces in America and elsewhere   

 

intent on blinding the Nation to the Truths of Scripture woven in that hymn.

The Lord is portrayed as 'meek and mild' by many. They forget the military term 'Lord of Hosts' is His. He is the Commander. His 'sword' is the Word of God with which He judges the nation and individuals. Verse 3 in my hymnal mentions being sifted before His 'judgement seat'. That is our accounting time. How will any of us, and particularly those in Government 'answer Him?' Will it be with 'jubilant feet?' 

In verse 2 is mention 'His righteous sentence'. What would you think that 'righteous sentence' from the Bible might be? There are many from which to chose. From the hymn itself I wonder if it is referring to the singer's relationship of faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour? Read 1 John 3:2-3.

The mention of the death of Christ in verse 4 would seem to me to undergird the whole of the hymn. The cross isn't a piece of jewelry it is what Jesus endured to deliver us from sin, Satan and eternal death. Jesus is our reason, not merely for the season of Christmas, but for holiness, truth and defending the lives of those in the womb. It goes beyond borders to helping the impoverished and seeking justice where there is injustice, to cite a few issues.

Each verse ends with the idea that God and His word are marching. Actually, after His battle on Calvary, Jesus ascended to His Father's presence. He is seated, waiting the appointed time to return. We are the ones called upon to do the marching, the confronting, the living out of His teachings and if need be, to die for His cause.

Christians around the World, and even in America, are facing morally and spiritually difficult and even dangerous days. We need to make sure our vision from our faith is clear. We need to be confident in the person in whom we live and move and have our being, only Jesus. We need to watch out for each other, worship and share the Gospel.

May each and every time we sing 'Mine Eyes have seen the Glory' it thrills the soul.

Copyright Ray Hawkins Dec 2020. 

The Warrior Wife

  

I love discovering the meaning behind words. There are certain cultural shades of meaning which can be overlooked or misunderstood by translators from a different culture and mindset.

 Not understanding Hebrew (and most other languages) I like to listen to those emmeshed in or from a particular culture. Happened a very short time ago. Discussion got around to Biblical matters and Genesis in particular, which is a strong interest of mine.

“Did you know” my guest said, “the word for Eve has a military implication?”

“No! In what way?” I had in mind pictures of the super hero ‘Miss America.’   

“Nothing like that, and yet maybe there are shadows of it.”

 The word translated as ‘help-meet’ (Genesis 2:18) is the Hebrew word ‘ezer kenedgo’ (EZER = Helper. KENEDGO = Suitable) - and has a military meaning. The following verses from the Bible all translate ‘EZER’ as help.

I am poor and needy: make haste unto me O God: you are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying. Psalm 70:5

 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: He is their help and their shield, Psalm 115:11.

 I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where my help come. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth, Psalm 121:1-2.

 There are numerous other passages endorsing the imagery of ‘Helper’ being a military concept. I do like Psalm 121 in this light. I’m a pilgrim in this life and sometimes feel alone. However, the Lord I serve isn’t confined to the hills or valley’s but is responsive to my need, my call. This re-enforced by the title He bears, ‘The Lord of Hosts’ and ‘The Captain of the Lord’s Army.’

 When applied to Eve’s role with Adam the word ‘EZER’ expresses equality of rank, service and responsibility. One aspect of her role is to protect Adam’s back and also assist his advance. Should he fall, she stands guard. Should he advance, she is with him. should they be assailed, they stand together. Should either of them receive honour or recognition, both are included.

 Within the Christian scene this great analogy for a husband and wife can only be distorted by disobeying the Commanding Officer, The Lord Jesus Christ. If that happens, He has promised a ‘court-marshal.’

 ©Ray Hawkins September 23 2020.

The Commander of Israel’s army.

When the newly redeemed Nation of Israel left Egypt, they did so under a new description. We miss this more often due to the images presented by film directors concerning the Exodus. In this second book of the Bible, chapter 12:51 this fledgling nation is likened to an army. They move out in their companies. That is a pre-arranged marching order of tribes, clans and family units. This would have been pre-arranged during the contest between Moses and Pharaoh. When they marched in the daytime, He is a Pillar of cloud and at night, a Pillar of fire at the head of the people. At the same time, He is their rear guard whilst promising to be in their midst.

Pacifists and others may not like this Scriptural reality, God redeems and at the same moment, enlist the believer into His command. This remains true under both testaments. Deuteronomy 20 presents an outline of Israel’s rule for warfare. This is why one of the titles for Jesus is the Commander of the Lord’s Hosts. In Deuteronomy 28-31 we can read an outline of God’s promise and warnings to the Nation. Obedience meant blessings and victory in conflict. Disobedience would result in a gradual but perceptual recognition of God’s disfavour. The ultimate disgrace as mentioned in Scripture was to be a casting out of the promised land.

The entrance into the land of promise was through a military venture. Joshua was guaranteed that wherever his soldiers planted their feet they would be victorious. The inference and implications being, if their ‘feet matched the obedience and faith of their heart’. We know of the victory of Jericho and the strange tactics there. However, the defeat at Ai reveals the error of presuming upon the Lord of Hosts. This attitude of heart seems to have cursed Israel for generations. The classic is in 1 Samuel 4 with the immorality of the leading priests, Hophni and Phinehas and the weak leadership of Eli. Faced with defeat by the Philistines the ark of the covenant was called upon to join the army. They must have imagined Yahweh would not permit it to be captured. They were wrong!

Throughout the Nation’s history men and women of faith called out to Yahweh to return and take command of the army. They realised defeat, enslavement and dispersion was ultimately a covenant breaking matter. Psalm 44 is the cry of a hurting, confused longing man. He remembered past history and the Lord’s deliverances’ and his present day of their despair. “But, you have cast us off, and put us to shame; You do not go with our armies … “ [verse 9]

Israel failed Yahweh in every area of their calling. As an army they we mutinous, or self opiniated, choosing to do things their way, not heeding their Commander’s orders. The result was defeat, being occupied by hostile nations, and exile from the land. That which is easily overlooked is the disciplinary action, indeed the court-martial judgements that must be faced. Such insubordination in other armies is recorded as warranting the death penalty. In the Roman Legion after one retreat one in ten soldiers were executed. Should such a sentence be carried out in Israel the result would be the end of the Nation. However, judgement must fall.

Once again, I am overcome by the implications embraced by Isaiah 53. The Commander of the Army, the Lord, took the place of His rebellious and disreputable troops. That stigma has been paid for in blood and banished. Though sidelined in this present age, Israel will face other conflicts. Ezekiel 38-39 highlight such times. Once again the Lord ‘marches’ with His people. Then the Gentile Nations will behold the glory of Yahweh.  However, it is worth noting the final conflict. The Messiah comes to claim His throne, Kingdom and creation as the Lord of Hosts. Though accompanied by angels, Jesus and He alone, does the fighting. The sword of His mouth, the brightness of His glory overwhelms the forces aligned against Him. Read Matthew 24 and Revelation19.

The more you take the time to read, study, reflect upon Isaiah 53 the more amazing Christ, the cross and Calvary become. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews said it succinctly in chapter 12:1-2. ‘Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.’

copyright Ray Hawkins 11.1.2020.