Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

Little Nicholas climbed in bed with us in the middle of the night. I told Thano it was like being in bed with a freshly-caught mahi-mahi. So I’m a little sleep-impaired and rose later than normal.

I don’t know if I should apologize, or just accept this as unavoidable. I realize these compositions have become lengthy. Today is another example. I just don’t see how I can treat many lines of inspiration with greater brevity.

Becki just left with Nicholas to return him to his mommy. So I just stepped out to say good-bye…and told him how much I liked being in bed with a mahi-mahi. I don’t think he understood.

May your first day of May be a number one day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

The Bible bears a broad range of commentary regarding the clergy—those formally trained and appointed to minister in the practical, inspirational, and instructional work of God. And to be sure, the work of God is people—in whom He has embedded His image and likeness. And since the entire human race is impaired by original sin (“the fall”), everyone stands in desperate need for being saved (“born again”) and sanctified (made holy, ongoing cleansing). To assist humans, who are regularly referred to in scripture as “sheep” (domestic animals lacking much ability to care for themselves) to seek God and come into saving relationship with Him, God has clearly appointed some to serve full-time in that capacity—shepherding God’s flock “in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

These chapters address the “professional” clergy of Israel under David’s direction. He organized them into groups and divisions for doing everything from handling the sacrifices to singers and players in the choir and orchestra—from gathering firewood to washing the dishes (I presume). It seems that they were not only required to worship as a job description, their performance of worship duties was to be role-modeling and representative for the rest of the people—the laity.

I’m pondering some inherent dangers in this ideology that places an overly big distinction between clergy and laity. Firstly, those of the “professional minister” class can easily fall into attitudes of arrogant superiority, an inflated ego, and the notion that “I’m God’s man of faith and power to lead these people in this critical hour!”—then beat the sheep if they don’t follow the way he thinks they should. Real life points out that ministers don’t always live any higher above sin, self, and Satan than the basest of sheep. Of course, there are wonderful examples of those with HEARTS AFTER GOD who are faithful to promote that quality among the sheep, but once they slack off from that posture—you know—you’ve seen it too—things can really deteriorate.

Secondly, I think it’s possible for those of the regular class (laity) to be negatively influenced by this distinction. For example, one may reason, “Our minister is required (since they are appointed and paid for this) by their job description to be a seeker of God, given to prayer, a faithful reader of the Word, and love people. I’m glad I don’t have to be held to that standard.” Just a minute—be careful now. The first and foremost command is not just directed to ministers—it’s everyone! It’s safest to reason that God does not really make a heart distinction between clergy and laity. There is no substitute for a personal HEART AFTER GOD no matter what one’s official capacity is or isn’t. The bottom line is that the road to heaven is single file—and professionally classless.