No Justice, No Peace, once again we hear the Battle Cry of those who would use an injustice to others to further their evil actions. This is the cry of the looters and arsonists and those sometimes referred to as Social Justice Warriors. This week the Pew enters into an area we try to avoid but the state of the union and the lack of Godly behavior beckons us to this weeks blog topic. Now we are going to get into a web of conflicting opinions but in this day and time that is the new norm. What is Justice? How is justice distributed and applied in a fair way?   It is reasonable to expect that Justice and the laws that define it should be fair, equal and balanced for everyone. Let’s look at some varying degrees of justice. Sometime there are decisions made that elicit a response of the cliche, “ It’s all about the principles involved here.” There is always the expectation of consideration of the morals involved in a fair and just dealing between two competing claims. Are they linked to fairness, entitlement and equality? Many view justice as an exercise of three main principles. Are they allocated in such a manner that they fairly allow an equality that meet the needs of those involved? If you are still with me you may have noticed that there is a great deal of repetition and more questions than answers and clarity of thought. Justice is important to almost everyone but it is a fact that it means different things to different groups. The best way I can explain this is that those who strive for social justice are looking to make sure all people have equal economic, political, and social opportunities regardless of race, gender, or religion. The other side of justice is the legal application of the law to a situation. Justice is never black and white and justice applied without moral principles, compassion, and in support of those weaker than others is usually agenda driven and does not build the confidence of people. Justice is not an easy thing to define and even harder to apply fairly.

I will conclude this weeks blog by asserting that the only real and true justice is God’s Justice and for most all of us it is even harder to understand. From a Christian concept justice is to each what is due. The Christian view of justice encompasses all moral, political, and philosophical concepts which can be supported by a belief in and a profession of faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We find Biblical references to the word justice to be simply “make it right”. The God we serve is a just and loving God and we are called to be just and loving in our judgements of others.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” (Psalm 89:14). 

“`Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. “`Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “`Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:15)

There is no justice in this world without God. This is difficult to understand but I do believe that George Floyd did not receive justice in this world. I do believe that what is being done in his name does him even more injustice.

May you rest in peace George Floyd, in God you will have your justice.

Life is Good

jk

I was reading through some scripture from Luke 2 and I found myself lingering for a moment, even going back a second time to read these certain verses again. Luke2: 29-32 

29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

These few short verses brought about the Song of Simeon or the Canticle of Simeon. The Canticle of Simeon, is a canticle taken from the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, verses 29 through 32. There is a rich tradition herein but I will not drag you through that right now. You can google it, it makes a good read.( a hymn or chant, typically with a biblical text, forming a regular part of a church service.)

Simeon was a righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem and was at the Temple when the parents of Jesus brought him there as was Jewish law for every newborn male. Simeon was looking forward to the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit rested on him. The Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Simeon was able to hold the baby Jesus, looking upon him he raised his eyes and voice to praise God, uttering the verses above. Here is one of the wonders of the faith….all things happen in God’s time. There was of course the journey made necessary by the decree of  Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken. Because he belonged to the house and the line of David, he and Mary who was betrothed to him, she with child, had to also make this journey. So Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judaea, to David’s town, which is called Bethlehem, from Nazareth to Bethlehem was eighty miles. Here in time Jesus was born, All in God’s time. In Luke 2:21-24 in the Temple, Jesus undergoes three ancient ceremonies every Jewish  boy must undergo.

(I) Circumcision.

(2) The Redemption of the First-born.

(3) The Purification after Childbirth.

It is here that the dream is realized and Simeon sees God’s instrument of salvation. (vv. 25-35)

There is a back story here we need to know so that all this fits into place. Simeon is present and sees God’s revelation to the world. In the last few verses of this passage lies the back story.

‘His father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Look you, this child is appointed to be the cause whereby many in Israel will fall and many rise and for a sign which will meet with much opposition. As for you – a sword will pierce your soul – and all this will happen that the inner thoughts of many hearts may be revealed to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (NRSV)

While the Jewish people regraded their nation as that of the chosen people, they still were able to recognize that they could never rise in the world to the greatness which they believed to be their destiny on their own. They believed that because the Jews were the chosen people they were bound someday to become masters of the world and lords of all the nations. There were some who believed there would be another like King David or someone of celestial origin would come down and the glories of earlier days would reappear again. Then there were those that waited quietly and patiently upon God. They did so in prayer, in worship and with humble and faithful expectation. They waited upon the Lord for the day he would comfort his people, enter Simeon. God had promised Simeon through the Holy Spirit that before he died he would see God’s anointed king. His earlier words in vv. 29-32 would later become one of the great hymns of the Church. We then find in 34 a summery of the work and fate of Jesus.

(1) He will be the cause whereby many will fall. 

(2) He will be the cause whereby many people rise. 

(3) He will meet with much opposition. 

What about that Godly Gift? We find it in verse 32…..

32 

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

 and for glory to your people Israel.”

So long ago, so meaningful today all in ‘God’s Time.’

Be patient and wait upon the Lord in faith, better days are ahead.

Life is Good

jk

We are going to explore some biblical writings that are not considered to be Canonical, those books which are declared by the canons of the church to be of divine inspiration; – called collectively the canon. The Roman Catholic Church holds as canonical several books which Protestants reject as apocryphal. Believers consider these books to be inspired by God or an accurate history of the relationship between God and his people. Here is the best explanation of Apocrypha, the other book on the shelf in today’s blog.

“Apocrypha” was also applied to writings that were hidden not because of their divinity but because of their questionable value to the church. Many in Protestant traditions cite Revelation 22:18–19 as a potential curse for those who attach any canonical authority to extra-biblical writings such as the Apocrypha. (wikipedia)

This week we expand our View From The Pew, leave the familiar and travel on new ground for many of us. This week we go to some writings that are of a biblical nature but not accepted by bible scholars. Apocrypha are works, that were written having at least two points of contention, that of unknown authorship or of doubtful origin. Biblical apocrypha are a set of texts included in the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate but not in the Hebrew Bible. The Septuagint is a Greek version of the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament), including the Apocrypha, made for Greek-speaking Jews in Egypt in the 3rd and 2nd centuries bc and adopted by the early Christian Churches. The Old Testament Apocrypha, was simply known as “the Apocrypha,” a collection of Jewish books that were included in the Old Testament canons of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians, but not of Protestants. There is much more here to be learned but to keep it simple at this time, they are a collection of books composed in Hebrew and  never were accepted by the Jews as part of the Hebrew canon. They were bounced around and used by Christians as early as the first century a.d. They made it into Christian copies of the Greek Old Testament and, later, the Latin Vulgate. Protestant Reformers viewed these books as having a unique authority within the Hebrew canon and agreed they were useful reading, however after a period of time they fell into disuse among Protestants. Psalm 151 is a short psalm found in most copies of the Septuagint but not in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible. The title given to this psalm in the Septuagint indicates that it is supernumerary, and no number is affixed to it: “This Psalm is ascribed to David and is outside the number.” (Wikipedia) The word  supernumerary refers to a normal or requisite numbering not wanted or needed. The traditional Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible contain only 150 psalms.

We should take a moment to read this Psalm 151…….

Psalm 151 [Greek]

This additional psalm is said to have been written by David when he fought Goliath in single combat.

1 

I was small among my brothers,
and the youngest of my father’s sons.
I was shepherd of my father’s sheep.

2 

My hands made a musical instrument;
my fingers strung a lap harp.

3 

Who will tell my Lord?
The Lord himself, the Lord hears me.

4 

The Lord himself sent his messenger,
and took me away
from my father’s sheep.
He put special oil on my forehead
to anoint me.

5 

My brothers were good-looking and tall,
but the Lord didn’t take
special pleasure in them.

6 

I went out to meet the Philistine,
who cursed me by his idols.

7 

But I took his own sword out of its sheath
and cut off his head.
So I removed the shame
from the Israelites.

I love the simplicity of the words, imagine sitting on a hill overlooking the gentle rolling pastures dotted by sheep and David telling you what had happen that day. It happened quite naturally, this look at the Psalm 151 led me to the books of the Apocrypha. One of the comments in reference to the books was that they were a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. There are 14 books of the Apocrypha and each adds to our knowledge around the history and culture of God’s people. They are often referred to as “the hidden or secret books of the Bible. I encourage you to explore these hidden books that are so rich in complementing the bible as we know it. You can google Apocrypha and start your journey there. One good book about this subject can be found at this URL listed below. Funny how one road can take you to another but all roads lead to God…He is ever present…yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Life is Good

jk

Book URL

https://www.ebay.com/i/352942742704?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=352942742704&targetid=882887725827&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1026044&poi=&campaignid=6469750705&mkgroupid=89041169916&rlsatarget=pla-882887725827&abcId=1141176&merchantid=7867094&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnv71BRCOARIsAIkxW9EdNjJcSqfkVrnJBEbQbywrdOe_Zsz9d9nMF9nJ-9n1hePI6zwIalEaAi4yEALw_wcB

We find ourselves in a time of turmoil and uncertainty in these days and the days ahead are of concern for all of us. The writer of this psalm finds himself in a time of severity. This psalm begins (v. 1a) and ends (vv. 19-24) with expressions of trust in God throughout. There is the frequency of alternation between petition and trust which in some ways mirrors our own uncertainty amid this virus pandemic. Some credit David as being the author of this psalm but others point out the possibility that it was Jeremiah who proclaimed in his book that much of his faithful proclaiming of God’s word has disrupted his life. The writer asks God for deliverance and guidance. (vv. 1-5) Declares himself to be against idolatry, and confides in God, who has given him liberty, security and stability. (vv. 6-8) The anguish of his soul, aggravated by opposition from his enemies, is matched by his physical ailments. (vv.9-13) He affirms his trust in God and in God’s timing. He asks God to deliver him from shame. (vv. 14-18) In vv. 19-22, he reminds himself of who God is and how good He is. He reflects on what He has done for him before in answer to his prayer. In the final verses, 19-24 he arrives at a place of personal confidence in God and encourages other saints of God to love the Lord. He is encouraged and knows that God will give him strength.

We find many things in this psalm that we as Christians can take comfort in. We can go to God and ask his help and guidance whatever our situation might be. Praising God and giving Him credit, remembering all he has done for us gives us confidence in our ability to be secure and stable in an uncertain world. We are free to express our anguish at the troubles of this life trusting in God to deliver us. We can give thanks for the assurance of the goodness of God in our life, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Lastly there is the joy of sharing these things with others of the faith. God will prevail, His will be done. We can repeat the last two verses of this psalm with conviction of faith and trust:

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints.The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.

Consider this….The psalmist knew that the real meaning of the gospel is in constant conflict with most of the customs and attitudes of his day. For those of the faith today it is no different. Part of the excitement of living a Christian life is that there is an adventure and challenge in every day because we never know what, when and how our faith will be challenged. As an added note God’s faithfulness and steadfast love enables us to be strong, have courage, which enables those around us to keep the faith and wait for the Lord.

God Bless, Happy Mother’s Day

Life is Good

jk

Resource Materials:  The Bible Panorama / New Interpreter’s Bible Volume IV

Interesting play on words, trial here means trouble or misfortune , which in this case means tribulation. It actually became a cliche in the nineteenth century. In today’s world it is used more lightly than in the past. What is the difference between trials and tribulations from a faith based assessment?  “A tribulation is defined as a distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution.  … A trial is a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something. In the sense of faith, God tests as individuals.”( www.quora.com )

On the other hand test means a critical examination, observation, or evaluation, which could then be described as a trial , of which this definition is given from a faith view; it then becomes a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation. Here where I live we have been under quarantine for forty days and forty nights. This weeks blog is very simple. In times of trials and tribulations we of the faith turn to God. There are many ways to do that in this digital world we live in but for me “The Word” is the best in times such as these. I also think that it could be a thing of comfort even for the non-believers. That is right, scripture contains words of comfort, direction and hope, simple things anyone is looking for in these times of uncertainty. To the unbeliever I encourage you to read the Bible. You are not required to believe to read. The God I serve loves you and in turn I do too.  So here are a few words from God’s book.

Psalm 27 1The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

What God says about overcoming obstacles?

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Deuteronomy 31:6,8 Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.

What God says about never giving up?

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

What’s a good scripture for comfort?

Psalm 27:13-14 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. 

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

I hope you find comfort in these words and explore other scriptures as you seek some respite from the pressures of this life. I want to mention that I am very aware of the number of visitors to “The Pew” from other countries around the world. I want you to know how grateful I am for your visits to the Pew. Each day I pray for the community of faith all over the world, for the peace and understanding of God’s grace and the salvation of our souls through the blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you for being here in faith.

Life is Good

jk

Resources:

 The Free Dictionary 

Bible Money Matters 

Merriam Webster