What is Your Legacy?

Proverbs 13:22 states, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children…”

Apparently, some believers connect this verse with the prosperity, health and wealth (not-the) Gospel. However, I see this verse as more of a spiritual wealth, a true inheritance, something eternal.

The King David, knew that he was not going to last forever. He decided to start storing up the foundational necessary materials for his son Solomon, to build the Temple. This was a very wise idea. The Bible text tells us:  

“David commanded to gather…great quantities of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing, and cedar timbers without number…For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death” (1 Chronicles 22:2-5 ESV).

I was reflecting upon this passage. What is my legacy? 

Every morning for the past 10 years I have sat with my children around our breakfast table, as we have prayed together and then read a chapter from the Bible and expounded on it. I began to think; during these times I have been providing my children with the nails, bronze, and foundational timbers to build a house on the Rock. (See parable of man who built his house on a firmfoundation).

I realized that I was leaving my children with something they could leave their children; my children’s children, so to speak. I was in fact leaving a Biblical legacy. I don’t want my children to just “know” about Jesus, I want them to KNOW Jesus; to know Him intimately with an abiding relationship. I want them to feel His presence, to trust Him in their deepest and darkest hours. I want to make sure that I am sending my children out into a world, prepared for the task. 

That, I pray, is my legacy. To know Him, and make Him known.

Four Spiritual Lessons Learned from David vs. Goliath

Undoubtedly, the account of David and Goliath is one of the most well-known Biblical narratives (1 Samuel 17 http://www.esvbible.org/search/1+sam+17/ ). It unfolds an encouraging testimony to the rise of the Ephrathite boy named David, and the fall of the giant warrior Goliath, from Gath. The passage gives us the typical antagonist/protagonist good “storyline;” however, David and Goliath is not a mere story, but a true descriptive-historical. Goliath, a nine foot seasoned behemoth-warrior, provokes God’s people, as the Philistines and Israelites prepare for battle across the Valley of Elah (1 Sam. 17:2). It is not my intention to expound on the entire account, so if the reader is not familiar with the passage, feel free to stop now and click here to read/refresh your memory (1 Samuel 17). The face-off between David and Goliath provides great insight into the spiritual aspects of man’s walk with God. With that stated, we’ll focus on four distinct spiritual factors: (1) Man’s view versus God’s view, (2) discerning your current surroundings (3) being yourself, and (4) using the strengths of your adversaries for victory.

Man’s View vs. God’s View

            There is a distinct contrast within the first book of Samuel presented by the writer. After the prideful deterioration and rejection of King Saul, the LORD chooses David to be the next king of Israel. At the time, David is a young and  humble shepherd boy. It is noted that when the prophet Samuel is commended to choose David, the Lord informs the prophet, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature…For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). This is in contrast to David’s oldest brother’s (Eliab) comments. As David appears during the Israeli Philistine stalemate, Eliab states, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”(1 Sam.17:28). In the text, we see an accurate picture of how man views man and how God views man. Eliab is jealous, envious, and insecure; he is likely afraid of Goliath, since he has seen his stature and incredible strength (it should be noted that Goliath’s spear alone, not to mention armor, weighed more than two men combined, approx. 300 pounds), day after day. Eliab cannot help but to think, “Hey look little brother, if I can’t whip him, certainly you can’t either.” Notably, Eliab was present during David’s anointing, assuredly propelling him to sibling envy and jealousy.

            The point: man judges mankind through the lens of presuppositions, false judgments, envy, jealously, pride, and appearance. God views mankind at the very core—his heart. What is your heart saying? When you pray, do you ask the Lord to reveal your heart, so that true repentance can shape the man or woman of God, he intends you to be? These are good reflections.

Discerning Your Current Surroundings

            When David informs Saul that he is going to take down Goliath, David sort of provides the king with a recorded resume. David states, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears…” (17:34-36). In relation to that, you may be facing a “bear or lion,” but God is shaping you for a later battle. Discern what is happening in the “now.” Do not be afraid or your current circumstances—if God has called you, God will equip you. David’s “battle” with the lion and bear, may have seemed insignificant or tedious, or fearsome, at the time, but now he realizes why he faced those beasts. Are you facing your beasts today with courage? We all know it is very difficult  at times to see the greater picture, so take some time alone with God in prayer; ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and God will provide.

Be Yourself

            When David was given the “OK” to fight with Goliath, the king attempted to put his armor on David, but it just didn’t fit. Instead, what did David do? “David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine” (17:39-40). David had not tested the armor, but what was tested, was David’s fortitude, skill, and faith. Do you feel as though your faith is being “tested”? This is a good thing: Peter states, “the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). Be yourself. God has only made one you, be it! The trials and temptations you are going through are for you, and they may even help you assist someone else, later in life.

Using the Strengths of your Adversaries for Victory

            One aspect of the battle account that many people overlook, is where David’s stone hits Goliath. Why did David aim so high? In verse 7, the writer informs us that Goliath had a shield bearer that walked before him. As if Goliath’s height and shear strength are not enough, the battle is two against one. David uses Goliath’s “strength” (his height) to his advantage. Surely, the shield bearer is not nine feet tall as well? David finds a weak link in his adversary. Also, when David strikes the giant down, he utilizes Goliath’s sword to cut his head off, “There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it.” (17:50b-51). I wonder how many of us look to the one factor which frightens us about our adversary, and use it to our advantage. What is Satan’s greatest strength against you? Perhaps he focuses on your finances? Give them to the Lord, “For the battle is the LORD’s” (17:47); maybe its cancer? Job loss? Whatever can be named, the battle is God’s, as you were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20). Be smart and ask the Lord to reveal to you, what is happening. However, with that stated, God’s timing is not our timing (Isaiah 55:6-9); this means that you need to purposefully set aside time for Him and His Word. When facing a battle, do you look at it confidently as David did, “I come to you in the name of the LORD…” (17:45)? Use the enemy’s strengths to your advantage, do not be afraid. For instance, if the adversary strikes you with disease, use your faith to speak with someone in the doctor’s office. If you lose your job, go volunteer when you can, serving the Lord in community. The point: don’t be afraid, face it.

Conclusion

            God is for you and cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:38), and God will never leave you nor forsake you (Joshua 1:8); these are promises in God’s Word. He loves you more than you know, and if you’re facing a battle now, I pray that you spend some quality with Him…draw closer to God and He will draw nearer to you (James 4:8). Therefore, when facing your giant of adversity, (1) know God’s view of you, (2) get the bigger picture of your current situation, (3) be the person God intended you to be, and lastly, (4) know your weaknesses and your enemy’s strengths.

Is the Bible as Reliable as We Once Thought?

            A recent AP News article written by Associated Press writer Matti Friedman, endeavors to douse some new fuel on an old fire, concerning Biblical criticism. The headline, “In Jerusalem, Scholars Trace Bible's Evolution,” is very misleading; alluding that the Bible, which Christians know to be “inspired,” is somehow a disheveled, unsorted, work of erroneous human nature. One of the opening statements boldly proclaims, “The sacred text that people revered in the past was not the same one we study today…An ancient version of one book has an extra phrase. Another appears to have been revised to retroactively insert a prophecy after the events happened.” You can read the full article here . 

I would like to briefly (not exhaustively) address three areas of the article: (1) the “straw-man” (baseless) argument, (2) common knowledge concerning Jeremiah, and (3) “mistakes.”

Straw-Man

            First, Friedman is attempting to build an argument based on “lower,” or textual criticism. This criticism tries to establish variants in the ancient texts (i.e. seeking errors). I will address this minimally here, but all (credible) scholars comprehend that there are no extant original autographs; therefore, inspiration, authenticity, and authority are not connected to the manuscripts, but to the autographs themselves. “Errors” or what is known as “scribal additions,” are minimal considering the amount of extant (existing) manuscripts. This is where Friedman wants to lure the reader into thinking that major “mistakes” have been made. First, there is nothing new which Friedman presents. Second, his own words pull down his straw-man argument; he states, “For Orthodox Jews, the accuracy is considered so inviolable that if a synagogue's Torah scroll is found to have a minute error in a single letter, the entire scroll is unusable.”

            However, as if some major revelation has occurred, the reader of Friedman’s article is supposed to assume that today’s rabbinical scribes are more zealous than they were either, post or pre, Council of Jamnia (95 AD). Ludicrous! The same men who Jesus rebuked, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves” (Mt. 23:15), are somehow supposed to be less zealous at making sure every dot is copied with extreme care; that’s completely absurd. The Gospel writers quote Christ as making mention, to how scrupulous the Pharisees and Scribes were in tithing (Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42) and keeping the law of God (every “jot and tittle,” (Mt. 5:18), which refers to the Hebraic vowel pointing). Are we to seriously believe that the rabbi’s from 1500 to contemporary times are more accurate? Is this Friedman’s persuasion? I say straw-man and I see through it.

Common Knowledge

            As the reader continues to be persuaded that the ancient Hebrew text is shot through with buck-shot, Friedman makes the claim, “The Book of Jeremiah is now one-seventh longer than the one that appears in some of the 2,000-year-old manuscripts known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Some verses, including ones containing a prophecy about the seizure and return of Temple implements by Babylonian soldiers, appear to have been added after the events happened.” First, it is common knowledge to Bible scholars that the Septuagint (the Greek text of the Hebrew Scriptures) and the Bible’s version of Jeremiah are not identical. There are several reasons: (1) Jeremiah was writing back and forth to Babylon, making the elders aware of what was occurring in Jerusalem, during the time of the siege (approx. 605-586 BC). Within the pages of Jeremiah, the Bible reader notes that Jeremiah’s scroll is thrown into the fire by King Jehoiakim (Jer. 36). The Lord informs Jeremiah to re-write “all the former words that were in the first scroll” (Jer. 36:28). (2) Also, it is possible that Jeremiah’s letters/writings were being collected within Babylon by the elders. As well, the elders which did not go into exile to Babylon stayed with Jeremiah and were taken captive into Egypt years later. It is highly plausible that an Egyptian text and Babylonian text of Jeremiah’s writings were copied, collected, and utilized in separate geographical areas. Therefore, any textual criticism of Jeremiah is not some new revelation, but old fodder and common knowledge, at best!

Mistakes

            While I do not profess that this article is propaganda proposed by Friedman, I do admit that he is reporting on what was labeled, “The Bible Project.” The problem with this label is that Orthodox Jews do not consider the TANAKH (Hebrew writings), the Bible. The term Bible is an English one, which refers to the collection of the 39 inspired books of the Old Testament (Hebrew) and the 27 inspired book of the New Testament (Greek). However, Friedman is the one responsible for the article’s contents; this is why I hold him accountable for comprehending the difference between differences in translation and “mistakes.” He writes:

 “A Microsoft Excel chart projected on one wall on a recent Sunday showed variations in a single phrase from the Book of Malachi, a prophet. The verse in question, from the text we know today, makes reference to "those who swear falsely." The scholars have found that in quotes from rabbinic writings around the 5th century A.D., the phrase was longer: "those who swear falsely in my name." In another example, this one from the Book of Deuteronomy, a passage referring to commandments given by God "to you" once read "to us," a significant change in meaning.”

Really…? Are we to believe that Malachi is uninspired now because “in my name” or “you” in the plural was changed to “us,” was revealed? Oh no, say it isn’t so! I need to throw it out now, since this is a “mistake.” Non-sense; Friedman knows quite well that these men (perhaps skeptics) who have spent decades attempting to discredit the meticulous and painstaking tasks of the scribes over the centuries, only accumulates to variations, not mistakes. This “Bible Project” is nothing more a new attempt at an old guise.

            Friends, do not be fooled, as Ecclessiates 1:9 states, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.”

One Addition

            Lastly, Friedman’s use of the word “evolution” is a blazoned attempt at subliminally persuading the reader to think about evolution and the Bible collectively. The word evolution has connotations of Darwin, survival of the fittest, and an ever changing organism. While I will agree with Friedman that the Bible is an organism because it is the “Living Word,” it is simply fraudulent and down-right wicked, to strategically place the word evolution with Bible, for sensationalism. Those are my final words.