Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

Our fair time went fair. With no naps in the afternoon, we could tell. We had to cope with diminishing levels of cooperation from the little boys.

I’m hoping I can get some sawmill work the day’s mix. I also face more sign design work. Another guy called this morning to say a big rig truck is ready for graphics. Wish I had some time to go fishing. Maybe someday….

May you have a good time today…as you remember who you are, who you belong to, and why you’re here.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Thank you, Isaiah, for that prayerful expression of anguish and struggle as you behold all the conflict, inequity, and abuse among humans—those who have chosen arrogant rebellion against God over submission. I have many times launched a similar cry to Sovereign God.

I’m feeling a strange parable coming on. Stretch with me you imagination and try to picture this scene: You happen to walk by a playground and notice a big kid of about 17 bullying and abusing a little kid of about 10. The big kid is brutal. At one point the little guy breaks away and pauses near the fence where you’re standing. That gives you opportunity to ask, “Where’s your dad?” He quickly points and gasps, “Over there.” Then he sprints away, only to be caught again by the big kid who knocks him down again.” You notice the man over there on a bench who is also looking on. He looks to be about 7 feet tall and about 500 pounds. This is crazy! You approach the guy. “Is that your son out there?” you ask. “Yes,” is the reply. “How can you watch your son being beat up like this and not intervene?” He responds, “They’re both my sons.” Oh my—now what do you say? He continues, “They know I’m here. I’ll help out when either one comes to me and wants my help.” But now the scene gets crazier still. This father adds another comment that you could never have anticipated. “See that fellow over there?” You spot him—he’s wearing a tight-fitting red suit and carrying a pitchfork—just kidding—he actually looks very normal. You say, “Yes, I see him.” You’re shocked again when he says, “Right now, he’s more their father than I am.” Wow! This is wild!

My parable is not a perfect one. It is certainly not a story that would fit very well in the physical world where fatherhood is determined by biological processes (—although human parents have the freedom to choose with whom they will do their biology). But in the realm of spiritual reality, this parable may not be far off. There is Biblical evidence that spiritual fatherhood is determined by choice and submission—or the submission of choice—or which kingdom’s rule is chosen—or where the positive kingdom must be chosen and, if not, the negative one is in effect by default. This is clearly supported by Jesus’ retort to his antagonists in John 8. Listen again to what He says: “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies’” (John 8:42-45).

Time and space have run out. Perhaps all we really need to nurture and know is that a HEART AFTER GOD yields incredibly wonderful benefits, while a heart after anything less has incredibly ugly consequences. Please don’t argue.

Notice too that the same One Who describes His vengeance in Isaiah 63 is the One Who also precedes that description by saying, “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save” (63:1). So, salvation or vengeance?—that is the question.