LESSONS ON SILVER AND GOLD

“They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be like refuse; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD; they will not satisfy their souls, nor fill their stomachs, because it became their stumbling block of iniquity” (Ezek. 7:19 NKJV).

This verse gives us some important lessons on silver and gold which go counter to what the world thinks of silver and gold. Four things are said about silver and gold: the devaluation of silver and gold, the disability of silver and gold, the dissatisfaction in silver and gold, and the defilement of silver and gold.

Devaluation of silver and gold – “They will throw their silver in the streets, and their gold will be like refuse.” God’s judgment of Israel came in the form of enemy nations attacking them. As the people are fleeing their enemies, they throw down their silver and gold to lighten their load so as to get away quicker. In this time of stress, the Israelites devalue what they had put so much value in earlier. Silver and gold (wealth) may not be as valuable as we think when we are experiencing times of stress.

Disability of silver and gold – “Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord.” It takes more than riches to save the soul. 1 Peter 1:18-19 reminds us that redemption is not with “corruptible things, like silver or gold,” but “with the precious blood of Christ.” We need put our trust in something besides silver and gold if you expect to be delivered from Divine wrath on sin.

Dissatisfaction in silver and gold – “They will not satisfy their souls.” Wealth does not satisfy. Many folks think that it will, but once they obtain it they learn quickly it does not satisfy.

Defilement of silver and gold – “It became their stumbling block of iniquity.” Wealth corrupts. People become corrupt in seeking wealth and it corrupts them after they have obtained it. Wealth does not enhance holiness. Beware of wealth. It is very difficult to be rich without staining our character.

(Adapted from Butler's Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“A man may go to heaven without health, without riches, without honors, without learning, without friends; but he can never go there without Christ!”

John Dyer (1699 – 1757)

Welsh Poet and Pastor

Word Study

Drunkenness

In Rom. 13:13 we read, “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy” (NKJV).

Drunkenness is the Greek word methē (μέθη =meth'-ay). It is the word most often used to describe intentional and habitual intoxication. In classical Greek methē denotes a strong or potent drink. It was also used to denote the state of drunkenness or chronic intoxication. In the Septuagint methē is used to describe “new wine.” In the New Testament methē is used to describe the state of drunkenness without specifying the cause of the intoxication. In Luke 21:34, the Lord Jesus warned that those who are given to “drunkenness” (methē) will not be prepared to stand before Him at His return.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be Priest and King (Zech. 6:12-13).

New Testament Fulfillment – Heb. 8:1

Did You Know…

In the Bible the Lord Jesus is described as the “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45).

Bible Quiz

According to the Lord Jesus, what type of people enter the sheepfold by some other way other than the door?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: According to 1 Timothy, what word did Paul use to describe those who had rejected faith and a good conscience? “Shipwreck” (1 Tim. 1:19).

Names For God Found in the Bible

“Yahweh Rohi”

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

1. Meaning – Yahweh Rohi means “The Lord my Shepherd.” The Hebrew word “rohi” means to pasture, to tend, to graze and speaks of God’s care, provision, and protection of His people

2. Insights – In context, David is saying that God is his Shepherd who has always taken care of him. Kings in the ancient world were sometimes referred to as shepherds for their people. However, God is presented as the Good Shepherd of His people, and a number of the prophets spoke of the Messiah as a shepherd. When we come to the New Testament, we have the Lord Jesus describing Himself as “the Good Shepherd” who “gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

Did You Know...Christian History

Heinrich Glarean was born June 3, 1488 in Mollis, Switzerland. He was a Swiss music theorist, poet and humanist.

After early training in music, Glarean enrolled in the University of Cologne, where he studied theology, philosophy, and mathematics as well as music. Shortly afterwards, he met Erasmus in Basle and the two became lifelong friends.

Glarean’s first publication on music was in 1516. In it he discusses the basic elements of music. However, his most important work, and one of the most famous and influential works on music theory written during the Renaissance, was the Dodecahedron, (literally 12 stringed instrument) published in Basle in 1547. This massive work includes writings on philosophy and biography in addition to music theory, and includes no less than 120 complete compositions by composers of the preceding generation.

The most significant feature of the Dodecachordon is that there are actually twelve modes, not eight, as had long been assumed (modes, the eight tones in an octave are arranged according to a fixed scheme.) The influence of his work was immense. Many later theorists, including Zarlino, accepted the twelve modes,

The scholar Erasmus, who did more than anyone else to set the Reformation going, made a deep impression on Glarean. On September 5, 1516, Glarean wrote a letter to Erasmus, revealing how the older man had inspired him. In it he said, “You taught me to know Christ and not only to know him but to imitate him, to honor him and to love him.”

Erasmus, on the other hand, had praises for Glarean. In a 1517 letter to a Bishop in Paris, Erasmus noted that Glarean had rejected fruitless theology and was studying Christ from the sources. “He has great knowledge of history, and is remarkably able in music, cosmography, and mathematics, deserving to be called master in these fields. In respect to morals, he has a good and clean character, and is devoted to piety.” Yet when Glarean is remembered today, it is usually because of his study of musical modes.

Glarean was also friends with several of the Reformers, including Ulrich Zwingli. At first he was happy with Luther’s ideas, but as time passed he grew disenchanted with the violent course the Reformation took and in the end, he remained a Catholic. Glarean died March 28, 1563 in Freiburg, Germany.

A Little Humor

Abraham bought himself a fancy new computer. He was showing it to Isaac one day. “Look at all the wonderful programs it has on it. And look at all the neat things it can do.” Isaac was impressed, but a little concerned. “But dad, I don’t think your computer has enough memory.” Abraham said “Don’t worry son; the Lord will provide the RAM.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“If Christ is kept outside, something must be wrong inside!”