Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Hello again, dear ones.
I hope this finds you well and resistant to the tidal current of STUPID that rages around us. It seems to be a rip-tide. By using the word “STUPID” so much recently, I’m trying to purge out the ingredient of arrogance…remove any notions of superior intelligence. I just think it’s pretty important to understand the stuff that we’re naturally made of…including myself. And it’s definitely not godly wisdom. The wonderful fact is, however, that we all have the opportunity to head in that highly beneficial direction simply by fearing Him…seeking Him…embracing a HAG (HEART AFTER GOD). Oops! Not sure that makes a good acrostic.
We’ll head into Woodburn soon to host another Gospel Sing at Country Meadows. Then we’ll try to take in a church service. I think Thano will join us as he doesn’t work till about 1:30pm.
Blessings on your day…and beyond.
Love, Dad/Ray.
In other words, anarchy and dog-eat-dog social confusion was the norm during this period. And the general ignorance and/or rejection of divine revelation brought chaos to the realm of faith as well. Illustrating that fact would seem to be the only value I can discern in this 17th chapter—the account of a guy named Micah who exercised his God-given gift of creativity (That’s where creativity comes from, you know.) in the wrong direction—creatively creating more STUPID—setting up his own cult of idolatry. He polished off his cult with “syncretism”—attempting, by hiring a Levite to be his very own private priest, to cover all the bases for ensuring good luck by combining some Biblical truth with his heathenism. “Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest” (17:13). Sorry, Micah, but you don’t really know anything—you’re only presuming. Your source of authority is flimsy and flawed. You have deceived yourself into thinking that what you think is what God thinks.
Is not presumption (personal opinion) at the core of most human belief and behavior? Please beware. Please be introspective on this note. Please do not trust your own opinions. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). You and I desperately need a source of authority that’s bigger than our opinions. If not, we’re just contributors to the fiasco. By seeking first “the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (His authority, His rule, His pleasure) with a HEART AFTER GOD, I am provided that security. Is that just another flimsy opinion?
Is there a sadder state of affairs than the one presented by Samson?—a man chosen to lead Israel, commissioned, and endued with the power of a D-12 Caterpillar, yet internally ruled by his own STUPID thinking. Without a doubt, he chose privilege over responsibility, and hormone-driven sensuality over a HEART AFTER GOD. The same choice is ours as well.