THE BIBLE AND THE LIVING WATER

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND THE LIVING WATER

 

Devotional Text: John 7:37-39

Introduction:

The feast of tabernacle, in which Jesus drew the attention of the people to Himself, as the Source of Living Water, was a yearly event in Israel, which lasted for eight days. In the feast, according to Adam Clarke, seven days were devoted for sacrifices for the then seventy nations of the earth, but on the eight day, sacrifices were offered for Israel, thus the eight day was highly esteemed than the other days, as this was probably when they went to draw water from the pool of Siloam, and while they poured the water out, at the foot of the alter, the Lord cried out, saying, “if anyone thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believes on Me, as the Scripture says, out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water, pointing to the fact of the Holy Spirit, which they who believe in Him would receive”, (John 7:37-39).

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     Only those who truly believe in Christ can truly be connected to the Living Water, (vs. 37-38)

(2)     The Holy  Spirit is the Living Water which Jesus referred to, (vs. 39)

(3)     The Living Water (Holy Spirit) which Jesus talked about is not natural, but spiritual, (vs. 39)

(4)     The Living Water (Holy Spirit), is the spiritual life giving water that sustains the life of the believer, forever, (vs. 38)     

LIVING WATER IS NOT NATURAL WATER

Living Water is not any sort of natural water that could be obtained from any source of natural water like; stream, rainfall, river, ocean or sea. It is equally not any type of “blest water” consecrated through any religion rite or ceremony, but “Divine Outflow” from the “Spring of Life”, the Holy Spirit. Before the advent of the Holy Spirit, “blest water” or what is mistaken today as “holy water” had  been in use, in some religious quarters, for various religious purposes, but,  at present, the consecration and use of  “blest water” is biblically no longer fashionable, since Jesus has been glorified (Matt. 28:1-7), and the Holy Spirit given, (Acts. 2:1-4). This, Jesus cited when He said, “if anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water. By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For by that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not been glorified”, (John 7:37-39). This brings to light that the Living Water is:

(i)                   Not any form of “blest Water” or what is today mistaken as “holy water”, bottled

 or caned for religious purposes or uses(vs. 39)

(ii)                 The out pouring of the Holy Spirit which the Lord promised in (Joel 2:28-29) which He fulfilled

 in (Acts 2:17-18), for the purposes of His missionary and kingdom works.

(iii)                The “Divine water” and Spirit by which those born again are washed, (John3:5-8; Titus3:5-7)

LIVING WATER AS THE SANCTIFYING WORD

The Scripture which says that…‘Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it: that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word (Eph. 5:25-26) clearly describes the Word of God as water, and this water cannot be any other, but the Living Water, which Jesus uses as cleansing and sanctifying agent, as the word of God is ministered.  The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus pictures as the Living Water (John 7:39) is the author of the Word of God (2 Peter 1: 20-21), and so, every genuine interpretation and preaching of the Word can only come by Him. Thus, when a genuine act of the preaching of the Word of God is in focus, the Holy Spirit liquifies into the Word and flows as Living Water that sanctifies and cleanses the Church, which is the Body of the saints or believers, (Eph. 5:26). This biblically implies that the Holy Spirit:

(i)                   Flows as Living Water when Jesus is in the act of sanctifying and cleansing of the church, (Eph. 5:26)

(ii)                 Turns into “liquid Word” for the washing that sanctifies and cleanses the Church, (vs. 26)

(iii)                Is both the “Living Water” (John 7:39) and the “Living Word” (Eph. 5:26) that comes into operation

 when Jesus is in the acts of sustaining and sanctifying the believers or the Church.

LIVING WATER IS LINKED TO CHRIST

The expression of Jesus at the last day of the feast of tabernacle, saying, “if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believes in me, as the Scripture says, out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water”  John 7:37-38) is a picture of the biblical truth that the Living Water, as personified in the Holy Spirit, is linked to Christ. For, the Scripture equally says that “He spoke of the Spirit which they that believe on Him would receive”… (vs. 3). This implies that, to believe in Christ is to receive the living Water, and to reject Him, is to deny oneself of the “Divine flow”. In furtherance, Christ is , as well described as the ‘Spiritual Rock’ from which the Israelites ate and drank in the desert, (1 Cor. 10:1-4), and this pictures all the supernatural provisions they enjoyed while on the pilgrimage.  Typologically, therefore, Christ is the Rock, on which the Christian Church is built, and the stream from which every believer drinks and refreshes, (vs.4). By this, this lesson establishes that:

(i)                   Christ is the Fountain of the Living Water, (1 Cor. 10:4)

(ii)                 The Holy Spirit is the Living Water that flows from Christ, (John 7:38)

(iii)                 Anyone that heartily believes in Christ, and drinks of the Living Water shall never thirst again, (John 4: 14).

In conclusion, please note once again that Living Water is not any form of natural water that could religiously be consecrated or rebranded “holy” or “blest” water, distributed in bottles or cans, but a “Living Flow” which sanctifies and refreshes those who believe in Christ, who is the “Spiritual Rock”. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!

THE BIBLE AND THE BREAD OF LIFE

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 

THE BIBLE AND THE BREAD OF LIFE

Devotional Text: John 6:35; 48; 51

Introduction:

The Bread of Life simply means the Bread which gives life and preserves from death, and Jesus in absolute sense, is that Bread. In the words of Adam Clarke, the expression, “he that comes to me”… (vs. 35) equally means, “The person who receives His doctrine, and believes in Him, as the Great Atoning Sacrifice, shall be perfectly satisfied, and never again feel misery of mind. All the guilt of his sins shall be blotted out, and his soul shall be purified unto God; and, being enabled to love Him with all his heart, he shall rest fully, supremely and finally happy, in his God. In fact, only Jesus can afford by His doctrine and Spirit, that nourishment by which the soul is saved unto eternal life.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     The Bread of Life is the Bread that gives and sustains life, (John 6:35)

(2)      Jesus is the only Bread that gives and sustains life (vs. 35)

(3)     He who believes in Him, and take in His Doctrine (or Word) shall

 spiritually never hunger and thirst again, (vs. 35)

(4)     One who rejects Him and his Doctrine (or Word) can never find

present or eternal peace in any other (vs. 41; 48; 51)

THE BREAD OF LIFE AND THE MANNA IN THE DESERT

The Words of Jesus, “as the Living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats Me, even he shall live by Me” (John 6:57) shows that He is the giver and sustaining source of eternal life that links everyone who believes in Him to the Father, from whom He came to this  world. The manna in the desert, like every other food, though supernaturally provided, was a natural food that sustained only the natural life of the people, but Jesus is  the Bread, which came from heaven, that those who eat thereof live forever, (vs. 58). Thus, He says, “I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eats of this bread, he shall live forever: and the Bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (vs. 51). Having cited the above, please note that:

(i)                   His expression, “the Bread that I will give is my flesh” means His life

which He gave to save the life of the world(vs. 51)

(ii)                  The manna in the desert was but a natural food that sustained the natural life,

but Jesus is the Bread from Heaven that gives and sustains eternal life, (vs. 58)

(iii)                God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life:

 and the that hath not the Son of God hath not life, (1 John 5:11-12).

THE BREAD OF LIFE AND THE IMPARTATION OF LIFE

In John 6:35, Jesus identifies Himself as the Bread of life. By this, He shows that not only that He possesses the life, but, He is, as well able to impart the Life to others. But, the Bread is not something external or something apart from Himself. One must come to Him, or rather believe in Him, before the impartation of the life. For those who come to Him will never again suffer spiritual hunger, as those who reject the offer will never find satisfaction in any other. In line with this, Jesus says ”verily, verily, I say, unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood, you have no life in you. Whoso eats my flesh and drink My Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day, (vs. 53-54). This, therefore, means that:

(i)                   Only those who genuinely believe in Christ have the impartation  of the life

that result in the satisfaction of spiritual  hunger and thirst (vs. 35)

(ii)                 Unless one identifies with the blessing of the Blood, Passion and Violent

 Death of Jesus Christ, one cannot be saved, (vs. 53)

(iii)                As one requires food and drink in order to be nourished by them: so one requires

 the Grace and Spirit of Christ in order to have His salvation, (vs. 53).

THE BREAD OF LIFE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTION

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he who believe in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47) strongly implies that one who does not believe in Him, will never see life, (John 3:36). Jesus is the only life-giving and life-sustaining Bread, and His absence in one’s life means death. The Scripture, also stresses that one who believes in Him is not condemned, but one who does not believe, is condemned already, because the one has not believed in the Name of the only Begotten Son of God, (John 3:18). From every scriptural indication, rejecting Jesus as the Bread of Life carries devastating consequences, since there is no other way to life, (John 14:6). Therefore, to reject Jesus is to:

(i)       Reject eternal life, (John 6:66-69)

(ii)      Toe the path of condemnation (John 3:18)

(iii)    Cut oneself off the Living Bread that gives life, (John 6:51)

In conclusion, to cut oneself off the living Bread is equally to cut oneself off the Water of Life, (Rev. 22:1), as well as off the Tree of Life, (vs. 2)., which means a hopeless state. But, to believe and embrace Jesus as the Bread of life, is life eternal, (John 6:57-58). BE SURE YOU HAVE HIM TODAY!       

THE BIBLE AND THE CALL OF GOD

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 

THE BIBLE AND THE CALL OF GOD

Devotional Texts: Heb.5:1-5; Acts 13:1-3

Introduction:

Biblically speaking, there are two dimensions of the call of God, namely; the call to repentance (Mark 2:17) and the call to the ministry, (Acts 13:1-3). The call to repentance is also referred to as the general call, in which every believer is called to be saint, (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2), whereas, the call to the ministry is, as well known as the specific call, wherein certain believers or saints are called into specific ministerial offices, and gifted as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, (Eph. 4:11-12). In God’s order of call, the sinner must first be called to repentance before the call to a specific ministry. So, there is nothing like one being called from one’s mother’s womb, as some have wrongly inferred from the call of Jeremiah (Jer. 1:4-5), which only speaks of God’s foreknowledge of Jeremiah, and every other person He called, becoming His prophets before they were  born. And, the biblical expression, “the call of God is without repentance” (Rom. 11:29) only indicates that God does not change His mind when He calls, since He does not make mistakes, and not that He calls the unrepentant sinner into the ministry.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     The sinner, in God’s order of call, must first be called to repentance

(Matt. 9:13), before being called to the ministry, (Acts 13:1-3).

(2)     There is nothing like, “God called me, as a sinner, from my mother’s womb”, which

 is a misinterpretation of the book of Jeremiah (1:4-5)

(3)     Nobody is permitted to take the honour as being called be God, if he is not called (Heb. 5:4)

(4)     Those who are self-called, church-called, community-called or called by certain persons in the ministry are misfits and impostors  in the ministry, who take the honour of God’s call upon themselves, and so, should quit, (vs. 4).

THE CALL OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT RELIGION

The call of God in the Old Testament was direct, verbal and visible. The call of Moses (Ex. 3:4-12), Aaron (Ex. 4:14; 27-31) and Samuel (1 Sam. 3:5-6) are good examples. Also, God called His prophets in the Old Testament era by asking some other prophets to anoint them. In this case, Elisha is cited, (1 Kings 19:16), etc. Scripturally, it is on record that all those called by God in the period under review, had Divine Signature of the approval of their calls, as God confirmed their words and prophecies without fail, which revealed much contrast between the divinely called and the self-called. To this end, the Scripture says, “when a prophet speaks in the Name of the LORD, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken: the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him”, (Deut. 18:22). The citation above depict Specific Calls into specific Old Testament ministries, and so, every other Israelite fitted into the General Call, which was the call into the Abrahamic Religion or Judaism, (Ex. 3:6; 15-16). Therefore, in the Old Testament, there was;

(i)       The General call into the Abrahamic Religion or Judaism, (vs. 15-16).

(ii)     The Specific Call into various Old Testament ministries, (Ex. 3:4-12; 1 Sam. 3:5-6) etc.

(iii)    The self-called, who the people were asked to spot out by presumptuous prophecies (Deut. 18:22)

Also, “the prophet who shall speak a word presumptuously in my Name, which I have not commanded him to speak or in the name of other gods (or familiar spirit), that same prophet shall die” (vs.20).

THE CALL OF GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

The call of God in the New Testament Church was equally direct, verbal and visible. In this connection, Jesus called His disciples, personally, (Luke 6:13-16), as He called the Apostle Paul on his way to Damascus, (Acts 9:4-6).  Also, there was the verbal re-confirmation of the call of the Apostles Paul, by the Holy Spirit, where the call of Barnabas was, as well mentioned, (Acts 13:2). In the New Testament, too, all those called into the ministry had the seal of  Divine Approval, as the Lord worked with them, and confirmed His word with signs and wonders that followed, (Mark 16:20). And, by way of contrast, in the same era,…”false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers were spotted, who secretly brought into focus destructive heresies, denying even the Master, who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). In line with the foregoing, the Apostle John says,…believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world, (1 John 4:1). This, therefore, means that in the New Testament church, also;

(i)                   People were genuinely called by God, (Matt. 10:1-4; Acts 13:2)

(ii)                 False prophets and teachers also showed up, (2 Peter 2:1)

(iii)                People were equally asked to find out who was who, (1 John 4:1)

So, “beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves, (Matt. 7:15).

In conclusion, the Scriptures cited in this lesson have really given evidences of false prophets and apostles in both Old and New Testaments, as it proves that only those called by God can receive His backing in the ministry. This, also demonstrate the biblical truth that certain prophecies by certain individuals which gather no fulfillment show that they are not called by the Lord. For by their fruits, we shall know them, (Matt. 7:20). BE CAREFUL!

THE BIBLE AND THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND THE GIFT OF PROPHECY   

Devotional Text: 1 Cor. 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 5:19-21

Introduction:

The Scripture, “Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19) and do not despise prophecy (vs. 20) seem to indicate that some cautious believers had questioned the use of spiritual gifts in the Church. But, in 1 Corinthians 14:1, believers are urged to seek the gift of prophecy, the Spirit –guided public utterances of deep truths. This gift may have been abused, but abuse does not stop the use. In the words of John Wycliffe, the predictive element in biblical prophecy should neither be overstressed, nor minimized, as the task of one who prophesies is to tell what God Has told him, including things to come.

                                                                          GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     Prophecy should not be stopped in the Church, (1 Thess. 5:20)

(2)     We are to test everything (including prophecy), and accordingly, hold fast that which is good, (vs. 21)

(3)     The Holy Scripture encourages the believer to seek the gift of prophecy, (1 Cor. 14:1)

(4)     The gift of prophecy is for the strengthening, encouragement and comfort of the people (vs. 3).

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY AND FALSEHOOD

Falsehood, according to the Merrian Webster Dictionary is “the absence of truth or accuracy”, or “the practice of lying”, and this is not acceptable in prophecy, since it is believed to emanate from God, who does not lie or falls short of accuracy. To this end, the person with the gift of prophecy should always ensure the reliability of the source of his prophetic utterances, as prophecy could either come from the mind, Satan or God. But, for the purpose of this lesson, falsehood in prophecy is when one who prophesies deliberately gives what is cooked up in the heart to deceive the people, and this, has become a common experience in today’s world. The prophecy that comes from God does not lie, but always fulfils hundred percent, and comes with no iota of confusion. This shows that there are still people who claim they are prophetic, but:

(i)                   Prophesy not the right things, but prophesy deceit, (Isa. 30:10) and falsely (Jer. 5:31)

(ii)                 Prophesy lies in the Name of the Lord (Jer. 14:14), saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed, (Jer. 23: 25-26)

(iii)                God is against those who prophesy false dreams, which do not profit the people, (Jer. 23:32)

GIFT OF PROPHECY AND THE PURPOSE OF THE GIFT

                        Principally, the gift of prophecy is for the strengthening, encouragement and comfort of the people (1 Cor. 14: 3), and not for the Leadership of the people, though, it could be used by God, at times, to give some measure of direction, (Acts 13: 2).  But, on no account should prophecy be depended upon for leadership, both for the individual believer or in the Church, as the Holy Spirit, Himself, is the Leader of God’s people (Rom. 8:14), and the church, (Acts 16:6). Therefore, the purpose of prophecy in the Church is to strengthen the faith of those who may have been weakened by circumstances that try to lure them out of the promises of God, and to encourage or reassure them of the faithfulness of the Lord, as well as bring Divine Comfort that refreshes the heart, pertaining the things they long to get from God. In this connection, this lesson asserts that:

(i)             The Holy Spirit gives direct leadership to God’s people (Rom. 8:14) and the church

 (Acts 16:6) and not by prophecy, (1 Cor. 14:3)

(ii)           God, at times, directs certain works of the ministry to be done, by prophecy (Acts 13:2)

 does not mean He leads the Church by prophecy (see Acts 10:19-20).

(iii)          Prophecy should be allowed to flourish in the Church (1 Thess. 5:19-20), but on no account,

 should it be a premeditated device to deceive the people (Jer. 23:26), which is false vision and

 divination from evil spirits, and not prophecy, (Jer. 14:14).

GIFT OF PROPHECY AND THE JUDGMENT OF GOD

Those who make prophecy their business commodity should get it straight, that God will surely bring them to the brink of judgment, (2 Peter 2:1). And, by way of information, any prophecy aimed at deceiving and making merchandise of the people is worse than armed robbery, and accordingly, must not go unpunished, as the Holy Scripture already says, “woe unto them! (who give false prophecy) for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah”, (Jude 1:11). So, “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves”, (Matt. 7:15), and also observe that:

(i)       Those who prophesy falsely in the Name of the Lord, do so to drive the people

 out of the way, that they may perish with them, (Jer. 27:15)

(ii)     Their end is destruction, and their god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame,

who only think of earthly things, (Phil. 3:18-19)

(iii)     They will finally be pushed outside the gate of Heaven, with all others who practice falsehood, (Rev. 22:15)

In conclusion, please re-establish that the gift of prophecy is of God, and should be allowed to operate in the Church, (1 Thess. 5:19-20). But, we should also be aware that there are those who prophesy falsely (Jer. 5:31) and in deceit (Isa. 30:10), whose end is destruction, (Phil. 3:18-19). Equally, we shall take cognizance of the biblical truth that prophecy is basically for the strengthening, encouragement and comfort of the people (1 Co. 14:3) and not for leadership, as the leadership of the Church and God’s people is the Duty of the Holy Spirit, (Rom. 8:14;Acts 13:6). PLEASE, GIVE PROPHECY THE RIGHT APPROACH!

THE BIBLE AND LANDMARKS

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND LANDMARKS  

Devotional Text: Deut. 19:14; 27:17

Introduction:

“Remove not the ancient landmark” (Prov. 22:28) is a vivid biblical instruction for boundary rules. Adam Clarke amplifies this, as he says, “Do not take the advantage, in ploughing or breaking up a field contiguous to that of your neighbour, to set the dividing stones father into his field, that you may enlarge your own. Take not what is not your own in any case. Let all ancient divisions, and the usages connected with them, be held sacred”. And, according to the book of Deuteronomy 27:17, “cursed be he that removes his neighbours landmark, and all the people shall say, Amen!

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     The Scripture enjoins that we should not remove the old landmark as a way

 of encroaching into the field of the fatherless, (Prov.23:10)

(2)     The Scripture, also tells us not to remove our neighbour’s landmark, which

 they of old time have put in place, (Deut. 19:14)

(3)     The book of Job shows that some wicked people remove landmarks, and violently

take what does not belong to them, (Job 24:2-4)

(4)     The Scripture equally evokes curse on anyone who removes landmark to his own advantage, (Deut. 27:17).

LANDMARK AND THE PLOT OF YOUR NEIGHBOUR

Before the extensive use of fences, landed property was marked out by stones or posts, set up to ascertain the divisions of family estates. For, it was easy to remove one of these landmarks, and set it in a different place; and thus the dishonest person enlarged his own estate by contracting that of his neighbour. In view of this, the Law of Moses came into effect, to checkmate the encroachment of the dishonest persons into estates which are not theirs, and to ensure that every boundary adjustment is officially and legitimately done, considering population growth. Based on the foregoing, this lesson asserts that the ban on the removal of landmarks came into effect to:

(i)                   Check the encroachment of dishonest persons into the estates of their neighbours, (Lev. 19:14)

(ii)                 Ensure the legitimate and official transfer of the ownership of landed property, when the need arises, (vs. 14)

(iii)                Bring to justice those who may violently take estates which are not theirs, (Job 24:2-4).

LANDMARK AND THE PLOT OF THE FATHERLESS

God is the Father of the fatherless, and anything done to hurt them, is a serious offence against Him, (Psalm 68:5). Therefore, to encroach into the field of the fatherless attracts the heaviest curses from the Lord. Thus, the Holy Scripture says, “remove not the old landmarks; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless, (Prov. 23:10). But, today, there are lots of violations of the rights of the fatherless, which the Christian Church and society are not addressing, especially, with regards to landed property. It is on record that most estates of the persons whose fathers died early in life are denied them by certain wicked individuals in society, with piles of litigations instituted to frustrate them perpetually. Also, certain legal practitioners whose duty it is, to see that justice come the way of the fatherless, toe the fraudulent path in favour of those who greedily dispossess them. To this end, this lesson equally opines that:

(i)             Those who remove landmarks in an attempt to dispossess the fatherless of their landed

 property or estates are acting against the Word of God, (vs. 10)

(ii)           Any legal practitioner who plays down on the rights of the fatherless in this direction

 is also guilty of the same offence, (vs. 10)

(iii)          God who is the father of the fatherless will surely plead their case, and will definitely punish those

 who rebel against His Word that protects the rights of the fatherless, (Psalm 68:5-6)

LANDMARKS AND THE JUDGMENT OF GOD

No controversy, any violation of the Word of God definitely attracts Divine Judgment, and the violation of the law banning dishonest removal of landmarks is no exception. At the interim, those who remove the landmarks of the fields of their neighbours, whether fatherless or not, are faced with deadly problems, as evoked in the Law of Moses, which declares, “Cursed is the man who removes his neighbour’s landmark” and the people shall say, Amen! (Deut. 27:17). This explains why meaningful progresses are never attained in any generation by those who are guilty of the offence. Also, at the end of time, those elements found guilty of removing landmarks and encroaching into their neighbour’s estates will be turned into hell, with their counterparts in other fields of criminality, (Psalm 9:17). This, therefore, serves as a clarion call, that:

(i)       Those who are yet in violation of the Boundary Rules of the Lord, as enshrined

 in the Law of Moses, should repent, (Deut. 19:14)

(ii)     God will pardon them if they repent and turn away from such wickedness, (Isa. 55:7)

(iii)    If they fail to repent, they will be among the wicked that would be everlastingly turn into hell, (Psalm 9:17)

In conclusion, this lesson is a recipe put in place to caution those in dishonest boundary adjustments, as well as a pointer to the biblical truth that legitimate boundary adjustment is not a sin before God, as it finally shows that eternal judgment awaits those who would not repent of dishonest and wicked boundary adjustments. PLEASE, SHARE THE MESSAGE!

THE BIBLE AND STANDARD MEASUREMENT

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 THE BIBLE AND STANDARD MEASUREMENT

Devotional Text: Lev. 19:35-37

Introduction:

The Scripture “Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, and honest ephah and an honest hin”… (Lev. 19:35-36) is a citation of justice in weight and measurement, as commanded in the Law of Moses. In his Bible commentary, Matthew Henry opines that God intends that there should be no cheat in them, (vs. 35), and so, they should be very exact, (vs. 36). However, in weighing and measuring, people often pretend a design to give everyone their own, but if the weights and measures are false, it is like a corruption in judgment, and thus, to deceive a man to his damage, is worse than picking his pocket or robbing him on the highway.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     The cited Scripture shows that in measuring of the length, there should be standard, (Lev. 19:35)

(2)     The same Scripture, also shows that in measuring weight or quantity,

there should equally be standard, (vs. 35)

(3)     This implies that one who sells is bound to give the full of the commodity (vs. 36)

(4)     And, one who buys is equally bound to pay the full price agreed upon, (vs. 36)

STANDARD MEASUREMENT AND MEASURING IN LENGTH

                        In this section of the lesson, the focus is on businesses or transactions, which measure their commodities or products in units of length (which mathematically is a distance between the two ends of a line segment), with such instruments like; tape, rule yardstick and more, as well as show units of measured items in inches, feet, yards, meters or cubits. Businesses that produce or sale electric cables, clothing, land, paper and a host of others are hereby cited. According to the Scripture, those involved in such businesses or those who transact privately with clients or customers are tasked to be exact in measuring units of items  for sale or risk offending God, with its devastating consequences, (Lev. 19:35-37). Having stressed the above, please, carefully observe that God says:

(i)             No, to dishonest measurement, (vs. 35)

(ii)           Yes to honest measurement, (vs. 36)

(iii)          We should keep all His decrees and laws and follow them, (vs. 37)

STANDARD MEASUREMENT AND MEASURING IN WEIGHT OR QUANTITY

The attention in this unit of the lesson is on those whose businesses or transactions are exchanged in weight (a system of unit used to express the weight of something) or quantity (the amount or number of something, especially that that can be measured or is fixed, e.g. food, drink, fuel, oil, water, etc. In these types of businesses or transactions instruments like,  scale pan, standard cup, fuel pomp, bag, and more are used, to show units of quantity or weight of items for given prices. And, in these businesses (or transactions), the principles of God’s Word uphold that no one should defraud his brother, for, though it be hidden from man, it will certainly be discovered by God, and accordingly be punished. In this connection, therefore, it becomes imperative to note that:

(i)       Those who have respect for all His commandments are never put to shame, (Psalm 119:6)

(ii)     We must make our hearts and conscience obey God’s commandments as well as not

 work in worldly wisdom (2 Cor. 1:12), which is deceit, (James 3: 13-15).

(iii)    We are uncompromisingly called upon not to use dishonest measurement, (Lev. 19:35)

DISHONEST MEASUREMENT AND NEMESIS

Dishonest measurement in business or in any form of transaction certainly results in nemesis, which is a punishment or defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided, and God frowns at dishonest measurement, and in turn brings ruins on such businesses and their operatives, where they fails to repent and turn a new leaf. In another definition, the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary renders that the nemesis of someone is a person or thing that is very difficult for them to defeat. This readily suggests that God can channel someone or group to retributive justice when they become fraudulent in business, and this explains the reason why, at times, inexplicable happenings bring certain people and organizations down. By this, this lesson cites that:

(i)                   A poor man’s field may produce abundant food, but injustice, like dishonest

 measurement, (Lev. 19:35) sweeps it away, (Prov. 13:23)

(ii)                 Better is a little with righteousness, like honest measurement (vs. 36), than

 much gain with injustice, (Prov. 16:8)

(iii)                Dishonest measurement leads to unpleasant happenings on individuals

and organizations, because God is against it, (Lev. 19:35-37)

In conclusion, let it be noted that dishonest measurement smacks falsehood that leads to nemesis, while honest measurement shows godly sincerity which brings one to the point of greater blessing. PLEASE, DO THE RIGHT THING!