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Morning Thoughts (Deuteronomy 7:3-4)

Morning Thoughts, ,

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Deuteronomy 7:3-4, “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.  For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.”

This morning, certain subjects ramp up the “emotion meter” more than others.  Due to the intrinsic or inherent nature of the subject matter, emotions sometimes run away from reasoning.  Therefore, we hope to handle the subject matter before us as objectively as possible and not allow undue emotion to enter into the writing.  Today, there are opinions a mile wide on every hand about the subject of inter-racial marriages.  Some are for it.  Some are against it.  Some approve a little.  Some approve a lot.  Ask a random selection of people off the street how they feel, and you may get a dozen or so varied statements about it.  However, as disciples of the Lamb, we need only be concerned with the Scriptural pattern to see how we should think and look at the subject.  So, what does our source material state?  How should we think?

When I was growing up, I had the providential blessing of being raised in a supremely good home.  My parents attempted to bring me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  One of dad’s favorite statements in his exhortations to my brother and I was, “Be sure you pick out a God-fearing woman to be your wife.”  He would say oftentimes that many differences of opinion could be worked out if two people were devoted to making it work, but one issue could never be resolved if the woman did not believe in God.  Sometimes, I even think he secretly wanted us to find some woman of another order and help convert her.  But, I digress.  The point of his statement was that any other type of woman will eventually do what God warned the children of Israel about.  The seven nations of Canaan that they were about to dispossess from the Promised Land were idolatrous people.  They were not God-fearing.  Any marriage to them would have resulted in idolatry (and occasions in the future showed this to be true).

The study verses before us are the prohibition that we should look for in opposing certain marriages.  Was Israel prohibited from ever marrying someone of another nation?  Previously we read from the book of Genesis that Joseph had an Egyptian wife that bare him Ephraim and Manasseh.  Moses married an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12), and Aaron and Miriam spoke out against it.  As a result, God’s judgment came upon Miriam in the form of leprosy.  Ruth was a Moabitess, who Boaz eventually married in the book of Ruth, which union was blessed and honored by God to eventually bring forth King David and ultimately King Jesus.  Why were these marriages so prosperous and honored by God while the seven nations of Canaan were prohibited as spouses for the Israelites?

We can only speculate about the Ethiopian woman that Moses married as well as Joseph’s wife, but we can see plainly confirmed on the page that Ruth was a God-fearing woman that was honourable in all things.  This pattern seems consistent with the prohibition of the Canaanites.  They were not God-fearing nor honourable.  God would not recognize those marriages with His blessing and favour.  However, He blessed the other inter-racial unions and cursed those that cursed those unions (like He did with Miriam).  The lesson to this point seems to indicate that the state of the person’s attitude and heart towards God is of greater concern than the particular nationality that they hailed from.

Let us consider some failed inter-racial marriages from the Bible.  In Nehemiah, we read of those that the Israelites had married after returning from the captivity in Babylon.  The nations were so perverse and corrupt that the Israelites’ children were speaking part Hebrew and part language of Ashdod. (Nehemiah 13) The worldliness of their upbringing was stifling and stunting Israel’s spirituality, as seen quite clearly in the lives of their children.  Solomon married a great number of women from various and sundry nations, and his marriages ultimately led to his latter end being worse than his beginning.  Idolatry and wickedness marked his twilight rather than peace and prosperity from the God of heaven.  In both of these cases, idolatry is seen prominently and flagrantly.

So, how should we approach the situation today?  What are our prohibitions today?  Biblically speaking, I believe dad’s faithful and trusty old saying, “Make sure she’s God-fearing” stacks up pretty well with Scripture.  If the prospective spouse hails from a culture and upbringing that is quite idolatrous and shows no indication of desiring anything else, then do not consider such as a good choice for husband/wife.  However, if someone is honourable, God-fearing and truly wants to make things work, then consider such a one a possible choice for a spouse.

To be fair, we cannot discount the fact that there are differences of cultures across different ethnic groups.  Just on a food and clothing level, certain ethnic groups prefer certain types of foods and wear certain styles of clothing.  As a tame example, I would probably would have had a hard time marrying a Scottish lass if she expected me to wear a kilt all the time.  Though our skin tones are the same, there is a cultural difference there that would have taken extra effort to agree upon before entering into marriage.  There are many examples of cultural differences besides food and clothing, but these should suffice to make the point.  If I were asked by an inter-racial couple to perform their ceremony, one thing I would definitely encourage them to consider is that they will have extra hurdles to work through than other couples would.  Every couple is going to have hurdles to work through, but differing cultures adds another layer to the cake to sort out when trying to make a marriage work.  However, if they understood that and were willing, devoted, and committed to making it work anyway, I would have no problem performing their ceremony.

Beyond the cultural aspect, how else should we consider this today?  Should we stand for the idea?  Against it?  Indifferent?  I recall many years ago that I had a discussion with a minister who vehemently opposed the idea of inter-racial marriage – rather he only opposed one type of inter-racial marriage.  At the time, my son was less than a year old and crawling around on the floor.  When I tried to show him the Biblical pattern to observe, he pointed to my son and asked, “You mean to tell me that you would be ok if your son came home one day with a black girl?”  My answer floored him.  “I would rather he come home with a black girl who is respectful, God-fearing, and loves him in a lifelong and committed way, rather than him come home with a trashy, disrespectful, and God-hating white girl.”  Considering marriage and all of its inherent difficulties (two people living as one), why would one consider choosing someone fraught with problems just because the race or skin tone is the same?

Another thing that should be considered is simply this, inter-racial marriage is something that we can only legitimately say is acceptable for all races or unacceptable for all races.  Mixing and mingling the idea that this race is ok and that one is not is the height of hypocrisy.  God’s prohibition of those seven nations was due to their idolatrous ways.  Any other nation that acted similarly was to be treated likewise in the subject realm of the discussion of marriage.  Since the cultural differences exist between various races – even if the skin hue does not – the extra marital hurdles will have to be navigated in all cases.  Therefore, all cases of all different races need to be treated consistently.  The race is of less importance and value as the quality of the character of the individuals looking to wed.

Doubtless, we have all seen failed marriages between like races as well as differing races.  We have seen successful marriages between like races as well as differing races.  As previously shown, the Bible is replete with examples of all.  Similarly we have seen marriages fail when people were of differing faiths (denominations) as well as failed marriages of the same faith (same denominational order).  Rich and poor people have married to varying results.  Young and old have wed to mixed conclusions.  Each scenario, whether race, finances, age, or order, presents its own set of unique pitfalls and landmines to navigate around.  The point is not whether people find someone else with the same exact background.  The point is whether someone is willing to stay committed and devoted to their spouse through thick and thin, no matter what comes, as their vows require that they do.  Therefore, it goes back to character, integrity, and being committed which can only stem from being God-fearing.

As long as time shall remain, there will always be a variance of opinion on this subject.  Some will go to their grave disagreeing with me, while others will perhaps agree with these sentiments.  If I ever hear a compelling, reasoned, and – above all else – Biblical argument to change my views, I hope that I would do so.  However, no matter how high the emotion meter may rise or fall due to a certain subject, we must always strive as Christ’s disciples to seek to know His mind upon the matter rather than follow “my druthers.”  May we diligently devote our lives to seeking His counsel from His pages of Scripture and through prayer for daily guidance.  One thing His word plainly declares is that marriage is unto death.  May our endeavors in life keep this bedrock principle firmly in view and seek to honour the marriage regardless of any natural circumstances, whether race or otherwise.

In Hope,

Bro Philip

Morning Thoughts (Hebrews 9:28)

Morning Thoughts,

Hebrews 9:28, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

This morning, many live in a state of confusion about what is coming with the eventual return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Too many people are anticipating that day fearfully – for a number of misguided reasons.  Others deny its reality.  Still others expect several things to happen before it arrives that the Bible does not support.  Regardless of the confusion, we should never let the counterfeit teachings about Christ's second coming discourage or cloud our joyful anticipation of that glorious event.  While I do not claim to have a lot of insight into certain difficult texts that men sometimes use to prop up their errant teachings (such as Revelation, Daniel, or Ezekiel), one need only observe the clear texts in Scripture to discount the "house of cards" teachings that many hold to.  Our study verse this morning is one of the clearest stated teachings on His second coming in all of Holy Writ, and our desire is to focus upon Paul's thoughts and draw strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

Quite often in Scripture, we find simply stated and succinct texts that give an encapsulation of a grand teaching.  Such is the case of our verse.  Let us notice a few of the phrases that scope out the subject of Christ's second coming.  1.  It is unto them that look for Him.  2.  He appears the second time.  3.  He appears without sin.  4.  He appears unto salvation.  These four plain statements dispel many of the misguided – but popular – thoughts of the day about this event, but more importantly, they give some of the greatest comfort to God's family. 

Many texts in the Bible are taken by Arminians to throw their slant onto it.  Our text is one such verse that is sometimes used to support the idea that only people living right will get to enjoy Christ's eventual coming.  They say, "If you're not looking for Him, then you'll get left out of Paradise."  However, such thinking will not stack up to Scriptural exegesis, as Paul in another place declared that the only thing affecting our eternal state in glory was that Christ died for us.  Whether we are awake (spiritually) or asleep (spiritually), it matters not.  Christ's death for us secures our home in glory. (I Thessalonians 5:9-10) So, what does Paul mean by this statement?  In another place, Paul uses some similar language to teach the same point.  As he was writing his last epistle, he declared his desire to depart and enjoy what God had prepared for Him: a crown of righteousness. (II Timothy 4:8) However, this provision that God prepared was not to be singularly enjoyed by Paul.  Everyone would equally enjoy that state who "love his appearing."  Paul's statement of people loving His appearing and looking for His appearing speak to something that God has already done for His regenerated people.

God has given us – in the new birth – a creature that is wholly righteous. (I John 3:9) This new man longs and yearns for that blessed day of being with Christ with all the family of God. (Romans 8:19) In the heart, new man, new creature, etc. there is a longing to be where He is.  No matter what happens in this world, that nature is there, for it is anchored beyond the veil where Christ sits. (Hebrews 6:20) Regardless of what Satan and all the world throws at us, God has planted something within us that cannot ever be undone or taken away.  Truly, we do not always act obediently to the inclination of this new man and nature as we are still tainted with our old nature in the body of this death. (Romans 7:25) Yet, that new nature is intrinsically yearning and reaching out – longing – for home.  Our course is to manifest outwardly the desire that is already within.  Live with the longing and outward desire that is already worked in by God. (Philippians 2:12-13)

The second phrase "shall appear the second time" is so clear it takes help to misunderstand it.  Here Paul adamantly and clearly slams the door on the idea of multiple future appearings of Christ.  Since He has already appeared once to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Verse 26), there can be nothing since then other than this second appearing that Paul speaks of.  There will be no secret appearings, special raptures, reigning future kingdoms of Christ on earth, etc.  Whenever people go to Revelation to try to prove such concepts, I may not have a definitive answer about what those texts mean, but I can assuredly have the conviction to answer that they do not support such teachings as our verse clearly refutes those ideas.  Another important point to make here is that His appearing the second time shows that there was not a bodily appearing on earth other than these two.  Some have the misguided idea that Christ has been coming in bodily form ever since the days of the Old Testament.  While He certainly existed, He did not assume flesh until His first appearing, and that fleshly – albeit glorified – form will not be seen again until this time that Paul speaks of.

Paul further asserts that this appearing will be without sin.  That is a somewhat curious statement since He appeared the first time without sin as well.  While in a real body, it was only the likeness of sinful flesh. (Romans 8:3) However, Paul's thought here refers to not only the perception of Christ but also the scope of the occasion.  Since His first appearing had the likeness of sinful flesh, there was the perception by some that He was no different or better than anyone else.  Such will not be the case on that last day.  As He appears in the clouds of glory, all will see Him and know who He is.  The brightness of His glory will be really and fully seen.  His majesty will be on full display, and not one person or thing – even His enemies – will be able to do anything other than bow their knee and confess that, "Jesus is Lord." (Philippians 2:9-11)

Also on that occasion, the scope is so grand that sin will be manifestly taken away.  His appearing is not to finally vanquish sin, but rather to show His past conquest of it on our behalf.  All the sins that plague us now will be manifestly gone.  Sinful bodies will be changed and forever made sinless.  Sinful, wicked men will be forever removed from us and cast into the lake of fire.  Evil principalities and the powers of darkness will likewise be taken away.  The only vision and sight that the family of God will have on that day is the clearest most unclouded sight of glory ever to behold.  No longer seen through broken vision, we will behold the King in the fulness of glory and honour.  No longer plagued by weakness on every hand in this low ground of sin and sorrow, we will know and understand for the first time what the term "without sin" really looks and most importantly "feels" like. 

Just as the expression "without sin" does not imply Christ's final conquest but rather a manifestation of conquest over sin, so also the expression "unto salvation" shows that Christ's coming is not to "finally get the job done."  It is to show that His job and mission has already been accomplished.  Some think that His coming is to set the affairs on earth in order as He sets up His kingdom.  Friends, His affairs are already in order.  He has spoiled the grave.  He has victoriously defeated Satan.  Praise be unto God, He has already saved us from our sins.  His coming in the clouds manifests the reality of all these things.  Hebrews 2:8 tells us that all things are put under His feet, but we do not yet see all things put under Him.  We still see death on every hand and the wiles of Satan trying to ensnare us in this world.  On that day, we will realize the fulness of His salvation.  For the first time, we will be able to talk of the story in the rich fulness that it deserves. 

Since we only know and see in part here, we cannot possibly hope to scope out the blessedness of His mercy, compassion, and grace.  On that day, we will know Him even as He knows us.  We will be able for the first time to understand fully and completely His love for us.  We will be able to bask in the blessed Light of His rapturous mercy as the endless ages of eternity roll. 

Putting all of these thoughts together, we can see that regardless of what happens in this old world, nothing is going to keep us from Him.  The next time He appears, all will be over.  We will know and understand the fulness of salvation, void of sin.  The only thing left is to improve our manifestation of that first principle – looking for Him.  Friends looking for Him outwardly should be done in the same vein that occurs inwardly.  Yearning and pining for home.  May our walk here be marked with free and cheerful confession that this world is not our home.  May our thoughts be directed upward with the hope and confidence that He will appear from that place.  Truly, what does this world have to throw at us that compares with that?  What fancies of the world are worth taking our mind and attention away from it?  What troubles of the world are worth depressing us to the point of failing to see or look forward to it as we should?  Friends, an old cliche says, "All's well that ends well."  While that cliche fails in so many human endeavors, it will be abundantly true in the end of all ends here on earth.  All will be well.  All is well right now, but all will eventually be well to our sight and vantage point.

In Hope,

Bro Philip