Speak evil of Dignities

Jude 8

I believe there is the necessity for a gentle, but very pertinent rebuke. I hear many saints "speak railingly against dignities;" and I find myself to be guilty of the same, even though the above Word is often brought to my remembrance. I am left inexcusable.

It is easy to speak unwisely or ill of many of the "powers appointed by God," when the fullest exposure of many of their faults, and failings, many so grievous, are in the "public domain." And so often our discernment is correct and it is galling to see the awful consequences of much that is deceitful, corrupt and violent. But dear believing friends it is not our prerogative to speak aloud of these things. We must look to the Lord for His governmental dealings with those who hold such responsible positions. It may be well if we were to be more separated from the media of this world; ignorance of much of this worlds discourses, opinions and exposures would prove a blessing; why defile ourselves with the detritus of a world sin-benighted? 

To engage in "speaking evil of dignities," we identify ourselves with "these dreamers who defile [the] flesh, and despise lordship, and speak railingly against dignities. Jude 8 (New Translation J.N.D).  

"I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made for all men; for Kings and all that are in dignity, that we (believers) may lead a quite and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity; for this is good and acceptable before our Saviour God."  1Timothy 2:1-3.

 

"What Manner of Man is This?"

The crossing of the Lake, the "sea of Galilee," Tiberius or Chinnereth, or Lake of Gennesaret, as it is variously referred to, is a familiar incident to the readers of the Word; preserved for us  within the pages of the Holy Scriptures, the "Scriptures of truth." Matthew 8:23-27.                                       

The quotation above is of singular moment, and this is the A.V. translation, while  Darby has: "What sort of Man is this?" Almost word for word the same. But I often use the expression, "Who then is This?" unfortunately at the time I failed to recall where I first read this particular rendering, nevertheless I believing it to be a fine translation. Later I discovered it is in Darby's translation of the account recorded in Mark.                     Mark 4:41.

It is not my design to compare the translations, I am poorly equipped for such a task, neither do I not feel the necessity; I included the different renderings merely because brethren and sisters may be more familiar with one than another due to their own habitual musings upon the Word.

My purpose in writing this simple "post" stems from a pursuit of the expression written upon my heart. Thus I turned to W.K.'s commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. But I did not find it there, but something else grabbed my attention, and exposed once more my deficiency in grasping even the simplest things in the Word. It is not that I read too hurriedly, or without due concentration, but perhaps because something seems unimportant, and I overlook it sadly.

I hope I have caused you enough curiosity to be awaiting my explanation, but equally hope to not disappoint you with it.

Now whenever I have meditated on this lovely scene with its precious typical teaching, I have adjudged that the phrase "What manner of Man is This," to be spoken by the disciples. And, next I wondered why they would ask such a question having companied with the Son of Man daily for a number of years; hearing His voice of wisdom. authority, love, and from time to time, rebuke. They had witnessed His miracles, and individually benefitted from some of those acts of divine loving-kindness. They had even seen glimpses of His deity through the veil of His flesh. And if the expression I have made my own is correct, it is even more incongruous that the disciples would ask such a question: "Who then is This?" 

W.K. it seems almost without thought pens in his exposition these words after the Master had stilled the storm: "And there was a great calm," so that even the very shipmen marvelled saying, "What manner of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Indeed in verse 27 of Matthew's eighth chapter we read, "But the men were astonished, saying, "What sort of man is this?"

I conclude that the "ship" was not the possession of one of His disciples, but a ship that perhaps constantly ferried folk across the lake, and may be for hire with its crew. This seems to me to be the answer to my little dilemma. I trust you will excuse the simplicity.

T.W. 

 

 

A  Divine Directive 

Having received a confirmation that a small parcel awaited me at a local pick-up locker, I decided to act on it quickly. Now having frequently looked to the Lord for help in moving at every bidding of the Holy Spirit, I felt a divine directive to take a number of Via Gospel Magazines with me for distribution upon the way. 

The walk was about a half mile each way, and I counted out 15 copies to take with me; Oh me of little faith! I neared my destination with eight copies left, when I saw a plethora of letter boxes on the outer wall of a building. I placed a copy in each of the first eight boxes, and counted, or rather "miscounted" a further 23!

When I had successfully retrieved my package I set of back home to take further copies to the easily-accessed letter boxes. I thought I needed 26; that is, 23 at that site, and a further three boxes I had spotted across the road from it.

I counted out thirty copies of Via, miniscule faith this time! Retracing the steps of my earlier journey I reached the wall of letter boxes. I had miscalculated, there were actually 11 less than I thought. So with 15 copies to hand I looked for alternative opportunities, and readily found them, nearby and accessible. I completed my little task and made my way home, feeling a tiny sense of achievement, but only, I trust as a mere instrument in the hands of the Spirit of God.

I believe I had "cast my bread upon the waters," notice it is "waters" plural, a type of the restless turmoil of this world, the "bread" typical of the Word of God. Ecclesiastes 11:1.

It is my earnest longing that the Gospel truths contained in these magazines will be read, and believed, and will lead many in the goodness of God to repentance, and thus to the salvation of precious souls, for His own glory, and that of the Son of His love.

T.W.