Category Archives: Morning Thoughts

Morning Thoughts (Numbers 24:7)

Morning Thoughts,

Numbers 24:7, “He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.”

This morning, there is much happening in the world that we could be disheartened about. When each passing day is marked by continued decay – physically, culturally, or otherwise – man could easily justify depression or overmuch sorrow. Now, we should feel the pangs of sorrow when spirituality declines in different venues, but the answer is never found by having sorrow consume us to the point of being unprofitable. If the sorrows and depressions of life overwhelm us like a flood, we will find little opportunity to serve God acceptably, for all we can then see is our own pains and heartaches. Therefore, when bad things happen in life, cultures decay, kingdoms fall, and friends go the way of all the earth, what subjects should occupy our minds to keep the sorrow from mounting up to uncontrollable levels? While several subjects should occupy exalted seats of prominence in our mind, let us look at one of them this morning that gives comfort, being based on the bedrock promises of Almighty God.

Our study verse above is found in the third declaration/exclamation of Balaam about the children of Israel. Going back through chapters 22-24, we see that Balaam is sent for by Balak (King of Moab) to curse the children of Israel. Instead, when Balaam comes, he blesses them three times in the name of the Lord, and our verse is in the third blessing. As chapter 24 opens, we see that Balaam has reached a point of not even seeking an answer (he already knows it). (Verses 1-2) God has displayed so vividly that these people are His and His to bless; Balaam now understands that God will not permit him to curse them for anybody or anything. Then, Balaam begins again to speak in the name of the Lord a blessing upon this people to the chagrin of their enemy: Balak.

What interests us most this morning from our verse above is what Balaam says about the prosperity of Jacob (Israel) in the future days ahead: “his seed shall be in many waters.” As we consider this phrase, it behooves us to consider not only what this says but who it applies to. There are many different schools of thought pertaining to the natural house of Jacob or Israel. Some look for a re-establishing of natural Israel from a world power standpoint. Some expect a revival of spirituality among the house of natural Israel. Some look for natural Israel to play a “higher” role in the kingdom during the “last days” as they will hold the Gentile kingdom worshippers in a more subservient role.

However, each of these schools of thought fails to realize the overall point of New Testament writers about natural Israel. Paul emphasizes the point in Ephesians 2:11-22 that natural distinctions between Jews and Gentiles is now irrelevant. He further bolsters the point in Colossians 3:10-13 by describing unity of thought and action in the elect family of God to be of higher value than natural or cultural ties. Therefore, when reading these prophecies of Israel in the Old Testament, what do we make of them today? Who do they apply to today? Again, one of the premier thoughts of the New Testament is the harmony of God’s people regardless of race and culture. Paul speaks of Israel in a spiritual sense by describing spiritual Jews (Romans 2:28-29), and he further describes the promises of Israel – originally given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – to apply to God’s elect family of promise. (Galatians 3:28-29)

Having laid that out and said all of that, prophecies such as these in the Old Testament apply to God’s family today – whether a natural descendant of Abraham or not. Bloodline is less important than a regenerated heart. Worship of the Father in spirit and in truth matters more than being a literal heir of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. So, when investigating prophecies like this one of Balaam, they did point in that day to those people in the wilderness, but in a much greater sense, they point to God’s family as a promise of our gracious God describing His providence to us.

Seeing then that promises of God to Israel apply to us (the elect family of God) today, let us look at the statement “his seed shall be in many waters.” This promise indicates that Jacob/Israel would benefit many nations and people due to his presence among them. The seed of offspring would inhabit many lands (waters), and this presence would directly benefit that land, nation, and culture. (Matthew 5:13) God promised Abraham that his seed would bless all nations. (Genesis 22:16-18) When looking at the heavenly portal, we see from John’s vantage point that the great host of the redeemed family of God in heaven comes from every known bloodline, people, nation, and culture. (Revelation 5:9) Therefore, we see from Scriptural corroboration that this promise of the people of God by the mouth of Balaam indeed points to the family of God being throughout all the earth and among all the different lands.

Knowing then the people this applies to and what the prophecy indicates, how do we respond? What is our course having this knowledge of God and His family? Looking at the world around us today, it is easy to become overly sorrowful and declare, “Are there any left?” Elijah experienced a similar bout of self-pity and depression in I Kings 19 by thinking that all the persecution of God’s enemies had wiped out God’s people and faithful followers save him. Looking at the nation of America today, we see ruin from without, but especially from within. There are many pegs to which we can hang the reason for the crumble and demise, but one peg that should stay noticeably vacant in our minds is the peg, “Are there any children of God left?”

Because his seed is in many waters, there are still God’s elect here. The existentialist believes his perception defines reality, and some might think their own lack of sight in detecting spiritual people defines their non-existence among us. However, whether we see them or not, they are still in many waters. God’s family is diverse from natural indicators. When looking at the empires and kingdoms of man, they all have their boundaries. Perhaps an ocean or sea kept the kingdom from going any further. Perhaps the king could not overcome barbaric people in distant lands. Maybe the emperor could no longer control his subjects and suffered a revolt from inside.

In all of these natural marks and limitations of empires of man, God, His kingdom, and His people shine supreme. No ocean, sea, or other natural impediment can withstand God from regenerating people to be citizens of the heavenly kingdom. No people, however barbaric or distant in mileage, are crusty enough to keep God from His purpose of making them new in His image. No revolt or spiritual apostasy can occur as no one can undo what God has wrought in the hearts of His chosen. Therefore, should the once great land of America fall victim and prey to its own internal turmoil and crumble from within, does that mean that God’s kingdom has failed? No, for America falling with God’s elect within her bounds is no different than Babylon, Greece, Rome, or any other world power falling with God’s elect within.

Where these kingdoms fall, God’s always stands. Whether troubles from without or within, God will not fail in His land the way that men do in theirs. As things progressively worsen in these days, we should neither fall victim to the nihilistic “who cares” mindset or the martyred “there’s no one else like me” way of thinking. Both of these fail to keep in frame the glorious enduring aspect of God’s kingdom and its ultimate conclusion in heaven and immortal glory. Furthermore, God’s kingdom has been manifest in a church sense in many waters as well. While this aspect of comforting promise is not as extensive as our birthright in the kingdom is (i.e. the gospel has not reached as many places to establish churches as the Holy Ghost has reached to quicken the hearts of God’s people), the manifest kingdom of God’s church has been in many waters and continues to exist despite all odds and attacks of her enemies.

God promised that as long as there is time there will be His church. (Matthew 16:18) He has promised that she be the foundation and keeper of truth in this dark world. (I Timothy 3:15) While she has never been as populated or extensive as God’s family at any given time (there are more children of God who are out of the church than in it), she is alive in this world. The comfort to be derived from this is that though kingdoms and earth shall fail, God’s people will not be left without a place of refuge in this world. There is a city to which we can go (not a city made with hands), but a city and land that we have to dwell in and rise up in the mountain of our God. It is in that place that a portion of God’s family is manifest in love and thanksgiving among the brethren. (I John 3:14)

Whatever tomorrow brings or whatever kingdoms rise and fall, may we ever hold fast these promises that God has not left this earth void of His people, nor has He left it without the glorious oasis in the desert for His people to gather as His people in love and appreciation to Him. My prophetic powers are not keen enough to foretell the future. Whether nations like America have 1, 10, or 100 years left, I know not. Should America fall, who will become the next in the historical line of the earth’s most dominant powers, I have no idea. But, no matter what comes or transpires, God’s family and God’s church will be alive as a seed among many waters. Persecution cannot extinguish either group, nor can Satan overturn this glorious promise to us. May we rest in this knowledge today and strengthen ourselves for the future.

In Hope,

Bro Philip

Morning Thoughts (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Morning Thoughts,

Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;”

This morning, the world praises youth and its vitality, beauty, and perceived innocence. While there are quite a few benefits to youth, there are also drawbacks as well. Wisdom generally comes with age, and energy generally comes from youth. On counts such as these, we can see the pros and cons of both groups. However, what the world praises about beauty stands in stark contrast to Solomon’s declaration and command. To understand Solomon’s command, we must also shun the world’s praise. When the youth revel in the world’s praise of them, they will never come to the proper point of doing what Solomon commands. What does the world say? Live life, have fun, do your thing, and enjoy it while it lasts. Seems that today I meet quite a number of adults that try to live vicariously through the youth of their children. While trying to satisfy their own longing for youthful pleasure, they compound the problem by setting their children up for the same heartache of the aged that they now feel.

When reading books like Ecclesiastes, we must keep in mind what glasses we should read it with. For example, I would not attempt to read the book of Jeremiah expecting to find an account of joyful seasons in serving the Lord. Nor would I read the book of Song of Solomon expecting to find declarations of God’s judgment for disobedience. Likewise, we should not read the book of Ecclesiastes expecting a long discourse about life after death. The reason we should not expect such is because Solomon writes this book with the express purpose of showing the mindset of life “under the sun.” (Chapter 1) Indeed, Solomon had joyful seasons as Song of Solomon shows, but this book shows the heartache of life, his experience with vanity, and the ultimate end of such a thought. Keeping this in mind, we should approach this book’s thoughts on death with the understanding that they are intentionally penned with a short-sighted perspective.

Solomon had not failed to believe in life after death – Ecclesiastes 12:7 shows that – but he shows vividly that man’s “naturalness” despises death and oftentimes thinks of it with myopic vision. The expression(s) “all is vanity,” “vanity of vanities,” “vanity and vexation of spirit” occur repeatedly throughout this short (12 chapter) book. If not mistaken, this book has 33 occurrences of expressions with the word “vanity” contained in it. That is quite a hefty percentage of this book considering its size, but that is the ultimate conclusion of the “under the sun” perspective. However, as the 11th chapter winds down and the 12th opens, we see a major uplook in Solomon.

The for the first 11 chapters Solomon repeats a theme that revolves around death. Death comes to all. Whether just or unjust, young or old, rich or poor, or any other contrast we could find, death comes to everyone. Solomon even gets to the point of saying that the strongest do not always win a battle nor do the swift always win a race. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) Death can come prematurely (from a natural perspective) much like fish caught in a net. (Ecclesiastes 9:12) These thoughts build on like thoughts and principles from chapters 5-8. After such a woeful discussion about the certainty of death, the premature nature of it at times, the cutting down of man’s natural might and speed, what is natural man’s answer? If these things are going to come and sometimes come faster than we think, what do we do?

“Under the sun” thinking says, “Well, then do it while you’re young. Enjoy it while you can.” Solomon visits this thought at the close of chapter 11. The last two verses of the chapter describe the vanity of taking pleasure in youth while it is available. Rather, the youth should put away evil, heartache, and sorrow. The worst possible thing a youth can do is enjoy it while it lasts, for his condition when older will be the sad state of many today that bemoan their lack of spirituality when younger in years. Or worse still, they will encourage others to do likewise to enjoy it “through them” by watching them enjoy it.

The answer of life as to what we should do knowing that death is coming, maybe prematurely, and our strength and beauty will fail is to remember God. Solomon commands that He, our Creator, be remembered in the days of our youth. There are many reasons why, but the primary reason is described in detail in the succeeding verses. Verses 2-7 give perhaps one of the most vivid descriptions of the physical sorrows of old age. The keepers of the house shall tremble – nervous system breaks down. Strong men shall bow themselves – hunch over in later years. Grinders shall cease – teeth begin to fall out. Those that look out of the windows shall be darkened – eyesight begins to fail. Doors are shut with the sound of the grinding being low – hearing begins to fail. Rise at the sound of the bird – sleep becomes restless. Be afraid of that which is high with fear being in the way – become nervous and scared of even life’s smallest things. Almond tree shall flourish – hair turns gray. Grasshopper shall be a burden – strength begins to fail. Man goeth to his long sought home and the mourners go about in the street – we die and have a funeral service. Silver cord is loosed, golden bowl broken, pitcher broken at the fountain, and wheel at the cistern – spinal cord weakens, mind fails, loss of bladder and organ control.

While all of that is not a pretty picture or pleasant to consider, what advantage is there of youth? The youth does not have the physical ailments such as these to impede his service to God. By keeping the Creator in mind while young there is a vast well of physical reserve to serve God without impediment. This does not let the aged “off the hook” as it were, but it should certainly be a bold encouragement to the young not to wait on God’s service but actively engage to the best of our abilities and the fulness of talents that He has given.

Another good reason to remember Him while young is that habits in youth follow us when older. Solomon encouraged parents to bring their children up in the right way so that their later years would be marked by this good habit of Godly living. (Proverbs 22:6) It is a wonderful habit to form that church service is not an optional activity. When I was a boy, I never woke up on Sunday morning and said, “I wonder if we’re going to church today.” Many times my Saturdays also included church, but that was never optional, and by habitual practice, my youth was spent in much remembrance of God, which my older years are very thankful for. Nor should our days while not in the house of God wonder if prayer and study are optional. We should not ask, “I wonder if I will pray and study today?” Rather, we should joyfully and diligently make every day a good day for prayer and study.

Another point to youthful remembrance of God besides the physical benefits and foundations of good habits is that remembrance of Him while young can often be the memories that we have the longest. Have you ever talked with an older person that may not even have Alzheimer’s Disease, but had lived long enough that their memory had “holes” in it? They were not senile but had just tacked a lot of mileage on their odometer. What do they remember the most? What recollections have the fondest place in their memories and hearts? They remember the days of their youth, and might forget about last week but can remember 50+ years into the past. If these memories will stay with us the longest, then we should definitely build them with good stones of Godly remembrance. When the evil days of life begin to set upon us when in our twilight years, may we have fond thoughts of God and His mercies to draw from as vivid and fresh benefits for those trying days.

Life “seems” too busy to focus on God and things of him many times. The world can easily shut out the things of God for days by occupying it with the cares and trials of life. May our days dwell upon thoughts of Christ and things Divine – remembering our Creator. One might say, “But I am now old.” Or they might say, “I didn’t do this when I was younger, so what do I think about now?” The wise man Solomon frittered away much time in service to God, and we might even say that “some” of his younger days were spent in idolatry. However, he did not encourage the youth but lay down himself. Quite often, I have seen some older people throw up their hands in defeat saying, “Well, I waited too long. There’s nothing I can do now.”

Notice that Solomon admonished his son later in this chapter to take good heed to what he said. (Verse 12) But, Solomon did not let himself off the hook either. Verse 9 shows that the aged can display wisdom even if they were foolish in their youth. So what happens if our youthful days are spent in the pleasures of life, forsaking the thoughts of our Creator? Do we lay down in defeat or expect our children to follow our same destructive pattern? No, our wisdom comes by setting good proverbs and thoughts in order for those coming after us. May they still fall victim to similar things? Possibly, but we should still not neglect our duty to serve God no matter our age. Youthful abilities have their benefits and aged wisdom is priceless. But whether young or old, we should all fear God and keep His commandments, for that is our whole duty while we live upon this plane under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

In Hope,

Bro Philip