Psalm 92:12. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Then it was Friday… And all the working people joyfully declared: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! Can’t wait for the weekend to celebrate the freedom from work!’ In truth though Friends, many of us are more tired than ever, despite the fact that we only worked a four day week, because we partied too heartily on the long Labour Day weekend. (smile)
But whatever our physical state, let’s chant our Friday Chant, with as much oomph as we can muster, for it’s designed to show us the right way to handle the weekend. So as one loud and melodious chanteuse then, (smile) let’s chant.
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my people, that’s the right and proper way to use those couple days off from work! And here’s the crucial difference; we should be using the weekend as an energizer, rebuilding our spiritual fervour, so that we can begin the week fresh and enthusiastic, and therefore have the necessary strength, energy and enthusiasm to take the week in stride.
But instead, most of us live up the weekend, so that we’re of not much use to ourselves, our employers or Jesus during the week. That’s why Mondays are anathema to so many people. Just remember Friends, that Sunday is the first day of the week, and we should be using it to reinvigorate ourselves, so that we can go out fresh and bouncy, full of beans, on Monday, and all week to Jesus’ job. For when you get right down to the nitty gritty, it’s really Jesus we’re working for here on planet earth, not our fellow man.
And when we look at life that way, and try to live it as such, then we’re constantly energized and wonderful things happen, as our Bit so truly tells us. ‘The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.’
Now isn’t that a true encouragement and confidence building scripture Friends? Of course it is! The palm trees are constantly fruitful and the cedars grow tall, straight and true! And that’s how those who sincerely live for and serve Christ will also grow and blossom.
And this is no recent development my brethren, for way back in time, when the Israelites were prospering, Balaak, the Moabite king hired Balaam, a false prophet to put curses on Israel and entice them away from Yahweh. (Numbers chaps. 22-23) But even Balaam saw the light, recognized that he was absolutely no match for the omnipotent God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and instead he ended up foretelling the happiness of Israel.
Listen to him. ‘And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open (opened) hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
How godly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as the cedar trees beside the waters. 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.
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.’ (Num.24:2-9)
Ah mih people, Balaam’s vision of promise and blessing still holds true today for all who put their faith and trust in the Most High God Jehovah! Now let’s look at some explanations from the scholars.
’24:2. And the spirit of God came upon him: Previously God had put a word in Balaam’s mouth (23:5, 16). This phase in verse 2 is not just a stylistic variation, but suggests that this time Balaam fell into a trance as verses 3 and 4 indicate.
24:3. This parable is actually an “oracle.” With a different division of the Hebrew letters translated here as open, the translation “whose eye is perfect” (i.e., true) may be read.
24:4. The falling indicates a supernaturally induced state with his “eyes uncovered.” The Spirit was mentioned in verse 2, indicating the source of his revelation. The first two oracles were theological statements about God’s relationship to Israel and what He has done for them already, but now the subsequent oracles include visionary predictions of Israel’s future settlement in Canaan, the rise of the monarchy, and victories over specific foes.
24:5-9. Their future settlement is compared to that of trees, even cedar trees, which do not grow by rivers. Water is symbolic of fruitfulness, either fertility of the land from rain, or the growing population as the result of an accelerated birth rate. They will multiply further (Gen.17:5-6). The theme of a king is introduced (Gen.17:6, 16; 35:11). Agag was a king of the Amalekites (cf. Ex.17:14-16; 1 Sam. 15:8)
Oh Friends, we’ve covered a lot of ground today, so we’ll stop there. But I thought it necessary that you hear what the scholars have to say since it’s a somewhat confusing scripture, especially to those who are not accustomed to the Old Testament words. And as always, I invite you to read the references provided by the scholars, because they will give you invaluable insight into God’s Word.
Now let’s ponder seriously on it all, consider what it means and how we’re shaping up to the reality of the situation; whether we’re growing fruitful like the palm trees or strong and tall like the cedars of Lebanon. For if we’re not, then how can we expect God’s work to proceed successfully down here on earth eh? Think on that my Friends. Much LOVE!
…if God’s promised to flourish the righteous…and the supposed righteous are not flourishing…then something must be wrong with the supposed righteous…for God’s promises are ALWAYS fulfilled…
SCRIP-BITS 