Scriptural Exposition – Page 2

Ecclesiastes 1:3 | Word Study

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? Eccl. 1:3 (KJV)

‘What’ is derived from mâ מָה; it is an interrogative pronoun. (H4100)[1] ‘Labour’ is derived from ʿāmāl עָמָל. A range of translation follows this word: labour, mischief, misery, perverse, wickedness, et cetera. (H5999)[2] Labour here could mean, ‘a miserable toil.’ The supposition being, every labour has a result – a gain. But the kind of labour Qôheleth seems to suggest here only results in misery. The word ‘under’ is taken from taḥaṯ תַּחַת. And it has an interesting meaning. As a conjunction it means ‘instead’ or ‘in lieu of.’ (H8478)[3] The imagery on can paint here is of a farmer labouring on the field, but instead of relying on the natural processes of sun, rain, wind, et cetera, he uses all artificial means. As a consequent, his labour always results in more trouble, and misery. Metaphorically, all human labour that replaces the sun (the Son of God) as its source of substance, the result will always be troublesome.

Comments:

As human beings, labour is probably the most honest thing allotted to our lot. We are sustained by an honest day of work. We sleep in the comfort of a hard day’s labour. We built our lives, we share love, and help others through labour and pain. But then there is labour which is a fool’s toil. Quite similarly, there was labour in Eden, and then there was labour cursed to our very being after the fall. Qôheleth doesn’t seem to be speaking of labour as something negative. But he seems to be pointing us towards the reality of labour. And that, all of our labour neatly fits the second category when its motivation is not born out of the Holy Spirit, Christ, and the Father.

Image: George Frederic Watts, Jonah (1894)

[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h4100/kjv/wlc/0-1/

[2] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5999/kjv/wlc/0-1/

[3] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8478/kjv/wlc/0-1/

John 4:24 / worship… in spirit and in truth

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24 (KJV)

Upon bothered with trifling mandates of the carnally informed mind on worshiping God, came this response, wherein Jesus says, “God is a Spirit”. The discourse beforehand with the Samaritan woman, was not of spiritual matters, but what one assumed, what pleases God.¹ Herein lies the essence of Jesus’ seemingly odd reply: He is not pleased with your carnal means of adoration, that idolizes self – the affect of one’s cerebral speculations, made sensed with tradition and culture. Therefore, by saying God is a Spirit, He is saying, what pleases God is not the carnally informed mandates of worshiping God, but the submission of the inner-man – the soul, the spirit of a being.

The scripture then further tells us that Jesus Christ, puts these words into action when He searches the depth of the woman’s heart, way passed the facade of her religious ardor, and convicts her of her sins. This conviction opens up her eyes to the reality of Christ; she is made new, and she departs with joy, evangelizing her testimony. We can very well imagine, and infer, that perhaps, from that day onwards, that Samaritan woman might have no longer bothered about place or time to worship her God. Rather, her worship would have been simultaneous to her breathing – a way of life.

In these words, for anyone who inquires the true nature of worship, lies its finitude. How blessed we are of the Samaritan woman to have meddled with the notion of worship, but more so, how blessed we are that Christ went out on a limb, to deliver this message.

We shall now here begin by dwelling briefly on what not is worship

John Calvin aptly answers: everything of the flesh. And I quote: “Since men are flesh, we ought not to wonder, if they take delight in those things which correspond to their own disposition. Hence it arises, that they contrive many things in the worship of God which are full of display, but have no solidity. But they ought first of all to consider that they have to do with God, who can no more agree with the flesh than fire with water“ⁱ.

We see instances of carnally informed notions of worship being responded with great disapproval; or even with a punishment in the Bible. We see such instances in the account of Cain, Nadab and Abihu, and Ananias and Sapphira. Because, as Calvin further writes, “God is so far from being like us, that those things which please us most are the objects of his loathing and abhorrence“ⁱⁱ. In other words, the scriptures are very strict on how one ought to worship God; and delivers quite a stern warning to not meddle with it. James B. Coffman dwelling on this writes, “God has revealed the manner in which he should be worshiped, and those who hope to have their worship accepted should heed the restrictions. The verse (John 4:24) before us is a powerful prohibition. Also, Jesus said, ‘In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men’ (Mark 7:7). An apostle declared that ‘God … dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything’ (Acts 17:24,25). The author of this gospel wrote, ‘Testify unto every man that heareth the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book’ (Revelation 22:18). And also, ‘Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God’ (2 John 1:1:9). Jesus said of the Pharisees, ‘Ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition’ (Matthew 15:6). Paul warned the Corinthians, ‘Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure, transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written’ (1 Corinthians 4:6). From these specific prohibitions, as well as from the spirit and tenor of the entire Bible, it is clearly impossible for man to approach his Creator in worship, except as God has directed. This was true in the days of Cain and Abel, of Nadab and Abihu, of David and Uzzah, and of the Lord Jesus Christ and ever afterward. It is true now and always.”ⁱⁱⁱ

So what not is worship? It is not the act of displaying imitations of what divinity might be. It is not the act of gathering in a scheduled church service once a week. It is not about where you meet. It is not about singing in unison, or even melodiously. It is not about how you bow down, to the east or west. Everything that is of the flesh is not worship. Everything that is carnally informed, is not worship. For the things of the carnal world has no unity with the spiritual world.

The only acceptable form of worship: Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth

True worship has to be foremost in the spirit, or more appropriately, true worship is initiated by the Spirit of God, in the regenerated hearts of men. A person who is still dead in sin, a person who is dead spiritually, a person who is yet to receive salvation cannot give an acceptable form of worship. Because, he has no spirit in him that would long to worship the Spirit of God. He does not know God, he is not known to God as His own. Note how the Samaritan woman was bothered about carnal means of worshiping, for she was spiritually dead, and knew nothing about what pleases God.

Secondly, once the correct channel of worshiping is formed, comes the subject of worship, i.e. Truth. What is the Truth? Or more appropriate to the scriptures, who is the Truth? Jesus Christ answers this directly when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). One might here, further inquire, how one might worship in Truth? What does it mean on practical terms? The answer to which lies in how Jesus Christ has been referred in the scriptures: i.e. the WORD.

The Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God (John 1:1)… The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). And also, in Revelation, he writes, “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the word of God (Revelation 19:13).” So, the answer to the question, how should we worship God in Truth lies in studying the Word of God. For Hebrews (4:12) says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart“. Also, the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).” In other words, the once regenerated heart that longs to adore and submit to the one who regenerated it, needs to be informed, the truth of the subject of its adoration and submission. Hence, the only reasonable follow-up to worshiping God in Spirit, eventually is worshiping God in Truth. We should also not forget, that there are many instances, when one might on a sentimental whim cry out the name of the Lord, and believe in himself that he worships the one true living God. But to keep safe, one needs to be confronted by the Word to rectify one’s erroneous believes. Also, for the regenerated souls, the rationale of worshiping in Truth lies in keeping such saints to persevere through the work of redemption. Truly, Christ says, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).

A Conclusive description of Worship

Finally, as a way of concluding let us measure these words, one last time against the scriptures. And what more appropriate on the subject of worship than the account of God revealing His majestic Holiness to Isaiah (in Isaiah 6:1-9). These nine verses, when analyzed, gives us the true nature of worship. Coffman puts it in the following four points:

an awareness of the presence of God, (Isaiah 6:1-4)
a consciousness of sin and unworthiness on the part of the worshipper, (Isaiah 6:5)
a sense of cleansing and forgiveness, (Isaiah 6:6-7) and
a response of the soul with reference to doing God’s will: “Here am I, send me!”. (Isaiah 6:8-9)

Consider the similarities with the account of the Samaritan woman. Jesus makes Himself known to her (John 4:14), she is convicted of her sins (John 4:18), and made known, the hope of redemption (4:25). She then finally departs to speak of Him (John 4:28-29). This my fellow brethren, and dear readers, is what conclusively means, to worship God in Spirit and Truth. It is not the songs we sing. It is also not the Church services we attend. Although, both of these be part of it. But in all honest measures, worshiping God is a never ceasing phenomenon, for it is a way of life. It is the humble submission of the inner-man, the soul, the spirit, to the Sovereign Will and authority of the one who saved us, and gave us this heart of worship. It is a response, an involuntary response² of the spirit upon the anointing of the Holy Spirit, when one receives the Salvation of one’s soul that God freely gives in His Grace. It is the imitation on one’s part to persevere in the Truth, in the Word of God, to continue in reverence of His divinity, (upon the reception of the Holy Spirit). This is what it means to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. But unfortunately, this also means, one who is not yet regenerated, one who is yet to be saved, one who is yet to receive salvation, knows nothing of this. For that person is still dead in his sins. A non-regenerated soul will only think of the carnal means to worship Him; for only carnal things appeal to him, for he knows not of the spirit to know what the spirit desires. And since, so is the case, there is no union between such personhood and Christ, and all means of such worship only remains a meaningless clamor, an object of loathing to God, completely unacceptable.

But dear reader, if you so find yourself, roughen-up by these words, do not despair. For although, our God is just, He is also merciful. And if your soul is roughen-up enough to thirst for Him, don’t be frail, for He makes it accessible His throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16) to all His chosen ones, to come and ask Him (Matthew 7:7) of the Spirit, the heart of repentance, the salvation of your soul, and your body.

1 The Samaritan woman, in greater part of her conversation with Christ was more concerned in the legality of the religion of her time. Her concerns were not spiritual, but worldly, more driven by social maxims and traditions of her time. She was more occupied with what mere mortal men speculated about what pleases God.

2 The phrase “involuntary response” implies, the nature of the regenerated heart that seeks godliness. The word spirit (with lowercase “s”) implies the regenerated individual, that now seeks the supplication of the Holy Spirit.

i https://www.studylight.org/commentary/john/4-24.html#cal

ii Ibid.

iii Ibid.

Ephesians 5:16 / Redeeming the time

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:16 (KJV)

“… the devil appears to have obtained tyrannical sway;” wrote John Calvin, “so that ‘time’ cannot be dedicated to God without it being in some way redeemed“.¹ The word redeeming or redeemed can be further understood from how it has been used in Galatians 3:13, and I quote “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (KJV). Accordingly, Albert Barnes explains, “ The word rendered here as “redeeming,” means “to purchase; to buy up” from the possession or power of anyone; and then to redeem, to set free – as from service or bondage“.² The second part of the verse says, because the days are evil. How does this part, relate to the first? And what is the scripture really intend to teach? We shall learn this, when we learn what redeemed time means.

The devil appears to have obtained tyrannical sway:

The Apostle Paul explains, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world” (Romans 5:12, NLT). Sin not only reigns in natural man, but in the natural world, where the natural man inhabits. We further find the reason for this in Genesis 3:17, where YHWH spoke, “cursed is the ground for thy sake” (KJV). Therefore, the time that governs such cursed-fallen world, is evil. And so, in the Apostle Peter’s exhortation, we find these words: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8, KJV). The devil therefore, reigns his tyrannical sway over the natural world, and the natural man, by enticing him to pursue, one desire after the other. And through such tyrannical sway, the natural man is kept in a constant loop of pain and suffering, ad infinitum. Because the natural man only cares for carnal desires, that only leads to death (James 1:14-15).

Similar to Peter’s exhortation, the Apostle Paul’s own exhortation follows; and I quote: “Walk in wisdom… redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5, KJV). Or in other words, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15, ESV). Note that this instruction comes just before the verse on “redeeming the time“. To paraphrase Paul, for a better understanding, this would mean – redeem your time from the unwise and their ways. Why? Because the unwise live under the tyrannical sway of evil days.

Time cannot be dedicated to God without being in some way redeemed:

The unwise, in complete disobedience, ignore the nature of evil days. They live under the impression of being free – and free to choose what is right or wrong. They live in complete insubordination of God’s sovereignty. The reason is because, these evil days are under the tyrannical sway of the devil. These evil days are filled with effortless allurements and temptations to revel from one desire to another, until finally, it leads to death. Therefore Paul wrote, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh … For to be carnally minded is death” (Romans 8:5-6, KJV). And so, this is the dire condition from which Jesus redeemed us. The scripture says, we were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). Further, Paul in his epistle to the Colossians wrote: “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamebale and unreproveable in his sight” (Colosians 1:20-22, KJV).

In simpler words, what this means is that, you are redeemed from the tyrannical sway of the devil. Jesus has brought you to life, from the death. He has redeemed you. You have been bought. And so, the remainder of the time you were meant to spent in these evil days, has been redeemed as well. You are no longer slaved to the tyrannical sway of fleshly desires that leads to eternal condemnation. You have been saved, so that the remainder of your time here on earth could be spent on your sanctification. Hence, the redeemed time, by definition is this: your time on earth that was destined to be spent on the cycle of death destined desires, has now been redeemed for your sanctification.

The reason why we went through a great deal to understand the concept of redeemed time is because, nobody can please God in the flesh. Romans 8:8 clearly states, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (KJV).

In order to please God, one needs to be born of the spirit; and that is something that happens only by the spirit. John 3:6 states, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit” (KJV). Because, God does not listen to sinners (John 9:31), because it is only the prayer of the righteous that He hears (Proverbs 15:29). Righteous, on the otherhand, is one who has been reconciled by Jesus Christ, to whom, the righteousness of Christ is imputed in exchange of his sins (Philippians 1:11). Being that the reason, one cannot redeemed time for pious reasons, until and unless, it has been redeemed for him. Because YHWH is sovereign. He owns time, along with everything on earth or in heaven. Remember, there is even an account of God stopping time (Joshua 10:13). Therefore, a person who is dead in sin, and under the tyrannical sway of the devil, cannot thought to be in a position to redeem time for godly purposes. Simply because, he is dead. There is no time to be redeemed.

Therefore, this verse, i.e. Ephesians 5:16, cannot be taken as a literal commandment to the unsaved. This verse is a reminder, to the brethren, stating, see – your time has been redeemed, and saved from the evil days. So focus, reorient yourselves, least you forget, to use your redeemed time for godly purposes. Because He owns it. And He redeemed it according to the pleasure of His will, and for the glory of His name. This is an exhortation, to remind oneself, the death we have been saved from. So that we may not live like the unwise who know not their slavery to sin. And so, we see in the following verse, Paul says, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (v.17, KJV); to live as the children of light (v.8), by being filled with the Spirit (v.18), encouraging one another in the Word of God (v.19), being grateful for the work of salvation (v.20), and finally, submitting to the fear of God (v.21).

Christlikeness in redeeming time:

When the disciples raised a concern for persecution upon the idea of returning to Judea, Christ replied “Are there not twelve hours in a day?” (John 11:9, KJV). Jesus in such reponse showed an immaculate display of God’s soverignty over time. He knew when His time was (to be cruficied), and that day wasn’t it. Jesus made every hour of His earthly sojourn accountable to the doing of the Will of the Father. Note, at this time, Lazarus whom He loved was also reported sick and on the verge of dying. And even that didn’t sway Jesus from the Will of the Father.

Therefore, lastly, when we use our time knowing that it has been redeemed, we redeem it from our sinful impulses, into doing the Will of the Father. And in doing so, we mirror at best, the likeness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Barnes, hence, beautifully wrote, “He that has a soul to be saved from eternal death, need not have one idle moment. He that has a heaven to win, has enough to do to occupy all his time. Man has just enough given him to accomplish all the purposes which God designs, and God has not given him more than enough.“³ Such is the mind, one born of the Spirit has; for they that are born of the Spirit, has in mind, the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5).

Redeemed time, is a sacred gift, given freely only to the chosen few, to seek Him, and to serve Him; to be more like Him, so that, when the time comes, one may inherit the Kingdom of God, both as His child, and co-heir. We ought to understand, our time has been redeemed, and given to us, freely as a sacred gift. It is not because of who we are, but because, He chose to have compassion on us. We ought to understand, this time is holy, and every hour, minute, and second of it will be held accounted for. This is His time, given to us, for His glory alone. Such understanding should wisen us, seeking deeper into His divine Will, for the employment of such holy time. Such understanding should fill us with a holy fear, knowing, the remainder of our time on earth is not ours but of a God who is thrice Holy. And finally, such understanding should fill us with gratitude (and humility), that as undeserving as we are, a vile sinner, we’ve been given the opportunity to please Him.

1 https://www.studylight.org/commentary/ephesians/5-16.html

2Ibid.

3Ibid.