Their Sorrows Shall Be Multiplied

Their sorrows shall be multiplied [that] hasten [after] another [god]: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. -- Psalms 16:4

Sorrows were multiplied for the children of Israel during the time of Judges:

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: ...And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. -- Judges 2:11,14

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. -- Judges 3:7,8

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. -- Judges 3:12

And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host [was] Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. -- Judges 4:1,2

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. -- Judges 6:1

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. -- Judges 10:6,7

In ancient times, "gods" were idols -- physical trinkets in various shapes.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. -- Romans 1:22,23

Today, our "gods" are more subtle, but no less godlike in our lives. They may take the form of wealth or material things. They may be an ideal, cause or political party. They may be a religious doctrine or dogma. They may be another person. They are not literal idols, but they are still "before" Him (Exodus 20:3), taking precedence and taking the place of God.

And what is the result of this? Are our sorrows not multiplied? People everywhere, including Christians, struggle with the presence of evil in the world. They cannot account for the trouble and pain they see because they fail to recognize the source of sin as ourselves.

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. -- Romans 6:23

Where is sorrow? Look for "another god" there. Where is misery? Look for "another god" there as well. Where is pain and suffering? Look for "another god". Put away your "gods":

That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and glory. -- 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Pride Before a Fall

Another expression that is supposed to be Biblical is "pride before a fall". The Scripture actually says:

Pride [goes] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. -- Proverbs 16:18

Why is this important? I answer with a question: Why would we think that precision is not important when reading the Word of God? The word pride (H01347) is different than the word haughty (H01363). The Hebrew word for haughty can also mean height or high -- a suitable state from which a fall can occur. The word destruction (H07667) is different from the word fall (H03783). The Hebrew word means "breaking" while fall in the original language can mean "tottering" or "fall". Destruction is final while falling is painful, but temporary.

For a just [man] falls seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. -- Proverbs 24:16

Surely God selects His words for a reason. Contrast this with the numerous references in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes regarding the "mouth" of fools. For example, Proverbs 14:3 says that a "rod of pride" is in the mouth of a fool -- showing that punitive destruction comes upon "the fool" because of his pride:

In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. -- Proverbs 14:3

In Leviticus 26, God declares that he will break the "pride of your power" if the Israelites failed in their duty to His Law. If they:

1. will not hearken unto Me (v14)
2. will not do all these commands (v14)
   
3. despise My statutes (v15)
4. abhor My judgements (v15)
5. will not do My commandments (v15)
6. break My covenant (v15)

And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: -- Leviticus 26:19

This reveals that the reason for their failure is pride and what follows is destruction.

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: -- Isaiah 28:3

Thus says the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, says the Lord GOD. -- Ezekiel 30:6

But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: -- Daniel 5:20

Consider also:

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. -- Proverbs 29:23

The anti-christ will be the epitome of pride:

Who opposeth and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:4

See the book of Revelation 20:10 for his destruction.
Pride also goes before shame and contention:

[When] pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom. -- Proverbs 11:2

Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom. -- Proverbs 13:10

Lowilness, rather than cleanliness, is next to godliness:

Though the LORD [be] high, yet has He respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knows afar off. -- Psalms 138:6

The "fear of the LORD" is to hate pride (among other things):

The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. -- Proverbs 8:13

In the case of Hezekiah, humbleness prevented destruction:

Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, [both] he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. -- 2 Chronicles 32:26

In the New Testament, humbleness is itself exalted and rewarded:

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. -- Matthew 23:12

But He gives more grace. Wherefore He says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. -- James 4:6

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: -- 1 Peter 5:6

Finished First Draft of The Appendixes to the Companion Bible

Update: I've finished the first draft of the compiled Appendixes to the Companion Bible. Now begins the long process of proofing.

All, Without Distinction

Christians today, if they read the Bible at all, fail to rightly divide its truth, filtering it through their traditions rather than studying what it actually says.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -- John 3:16

Their common understanding of this passage is that whoever believes -- as in makes the choice to believe -- is saved. From this and other sundry passages is born the notion that Christ has simply made it possible for people to be saved but the choice is still up to the individual. "Christ has done his part, now you do yours".

Never mind the passages that clearly contradict the doctrine of "free will". Since the passages that show God is sovereign in all things are so numerous, and it is not my purpose in this article to defend what the Bible so clearly teaches, I will move on to the notion of "whosoever" and "all".

The word "world" is kosmos (02889): "probably from the base of 2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world. see GREEK for 2865". It need not mean everyone because the word may be taken in a "wide or narrow sense". This is clearly the use when the Pharisees said the "world is gone after him".

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive you how you prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. -- John 12:19

The word "whosoever" in these passages is pas (G3956): "all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever." So we must also note that "whosoever" need not mean everyone.

Who are these believers? They are established at the very beginning of the New Testament:

And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. -- Matthew 1:21

Throughout Christ's ministry and through most of the Acts period, His "people" were only Jews. But starting with Cornelius in Acts 10, the "mystery" or secret "which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God" (Ephesians 3:9) started to unfold, that the Gentiles would also be included and that all believers would form the Body of Christ:

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church: -- Colossians 1:24 (See also Ephesians 1:23 and 5:30).

Notice the similar sentiment of John 3:16 to Romans 10:11:

For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. -- Romans 10:11 (quoted from Isa. 28:16)

The following verse is:

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. -- Romans 10:12

And in Colossians:

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all. -- Colossians 3:11

It should be clear enough from these passages that "all" and "whosever" means "all, without distinction" as to race, status, etc. To apply this to the whole world of believers and unbelievers alike is a gross error and casts shame on the work of Christ. Because if Christ died for everyone, He has failed in His work because some people die unsaved.

But you may say they are unsaved because they did not believe. But isn't unbelief a sin?

And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because [he eats] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin. -- Romans 14:23

And Christ did not die for sin? He did indeed die for the sins of His people and He keeps all those given to Him.

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. -- John 10:28, 29

Money is Not the Root of All Evil

As shocking as it may sound even to non-Christians, money is not the root of all evil. The actual passage says the love of money is the root of all evil. The full context is:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. -- 1 Timothy 6:7-10.

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare" brings to mind a passage from Proverbs:

Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom. -- Proverbs 23:4

In bad economic times, capitalism is often denigrated as the source of the problem. The age-old adage that money is the root of all evil is no doubt brought to bear, bringing apparently Biblical force to the condemnation of a free market. It should be noted however that

1. Free markets are rarely free.
2. Credit is not capital.
3. Money is not the root of all evil.

The Bible has many things to say about wealth and the wealthy; here are just a few passages:

He that oppresses the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that gives to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want. -- Proverbs 22:16

Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. -- Proverbs 23:5

For riches [are] not for ever: and does the crown [endure] to every generation? -- Proverbs 27:24

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. -- Matthew 13:22 (See also, Mark 4:19)

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; -- 1 Timothy 6:17

But the Bible never says that money is the root of all evil. It says the love of money, that is greed, is the root of all evil. The words translated as love and money are actually the same word in the Greek: It is philarguria (fil-ar-goo-ree'-ah) which means "avarice" (G5365). Additionally, "all evil" should be translated "all the evils", i.e., all the evils discussed in 1 Timothy 6:3-5.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself. -- 1 Timothy 6:3-5

We sometimes act as though wealth or poverty is a source of shame, but that which God gives us is for our enjoyment.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. -- James 1:17

It is our portion "under the sun":

Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this [is] the gift of God. -- Ecclesiastes 5:19

First Occurrence of Hallelujah

Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless you the Lord, O my soul. Praise you THE LORD. -- Psalm 104:35

People both Christian and otherwise have long used the word "Hallelujah" as a casual exclamation of relief, happiness or triumph. However, the first occurrence of this word is in Psalm 104:35 ("praise you THE LORD") and is clearly connected with judgement.

The first occurrence of it's Greek counterpart in the New Testament is in Revelation and is also connected with judgement:

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, "Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God:  For true and righteous [are] His judgments: for He has judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of His servants at her hand." (Revelation 19:1,2).

The Hebrew word is derived from "halal" (H1984) and "Yahh" (H3050).

• halal means "to be clear" or "to shine" and is translated "boast", "celebrate", "commend", "glories", "praise".
• Yahh is a contraction of Yhovah (Jehovah) and means "the Lord, most vehement. (The dictionary defines vehement as "showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, intense".)

Hallelujah is therefore a solemn word and one that should not be used lightly.

Introducing "The Missionary"

I'm starting a screenplay this month called The Missionary. A divorcee returns to the U.S. from a long mission trip in Africa and tries to put his life back together but is astonished at the changes that have occurred in his home town and society in general.

After having written two other screenplays in the not-so-distant past, I've missed this type of creativity. This is an idea I've had for a while, and since it could be made as a low-budget, independent film, I thought I would give it a shot.