Here are a couple of “scenes” that occurred while reading through Genesis again. Jacob’s family is filled with interesting characters, so let’s take a peek. (Note: These are imaginary.) We begin with Jacob’s fourth son, Judah. Judah will ultimately be the ancestor of the Messiah so this story is critical in the narrative.
The incident plays out in Genesis 38. Judah’s two sons were pretty squirreley. That means that they skirted the rules, much like Grampa Jacob did. Well, long story short, the first, Er, married and behaved poorly and the Lord took his life. This is not an insignificant event, one would think. So the second, Onan, was recruited to perform “levirate” marriage. That means the surviving brother marries his deceased brother’s wife and raises kids to preserve the brother’s line.
Onan objected, literally, so refused to have children. Strike son number two. Judah had a third son, too young now, but later, when he was of age, Judah decided to avoid “strike three” so he gave the youngest to another wife.
Meanwhile the two-time widow is wondering what will happen to her. So she tricks Judah into sleeping with her and inevitably she becomes pregnant. Judah is incensed and demands that she be put to death for violating the 7th commandment. (Note that he did not commit adultery, in his own mind, because he was a widower. He was following the letter of the law and ignored the intent.)
The penalty for adultery was death, so he hauled her out to be executed. Then she showed the ring, staff, and cords of authority. They belonged to the father, and Judah was “hoist on his own petard” so to speak.
Did you ever notice that those who become most incensed at “deviations” by other people are often those with the “log in their own eye?” Judah had the humility to recognize his hypocrisy. Next story.
Now we move to Genesis 39 and 41. Scene opens with Mrs. Potiphar passing the main course to Mr. Potiphar at dinner. He casually asks, “Honey, do you remember that Hebrew slave that we had a few years ago?”
Shudder, (ed. note: looks like a fake.) “Yes, Dear, I do, why do you ask?”
“Well, Pharaoh just named him Prime Minister of Egypt!"
Cough, choke, cough. (Not faked.) “Poti, dearest, can we move to Canada? You know I have always wanted to live in Canada.” (Fade to black.)
Chapter 42 finds Joseph’s brothers before him in Egypt. He has accused them of being spies and they complain to each other that this is punishment for their treatment of Joseph about 20 years ago. Reuben, the oldest pipes up:
22 Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.”
This may be the first recorded, “I tol’ ya so!” To his credit, Reuben had intended to liberate Joseph and seemingly was not present when Joseph was sold to the Midianite camel jockeys. Judah, by the way was a prime instigator of this indignity. He still seems to favor the aberrant.
Now, with Joseph listening to their bickering, they are beginning to realize that you reap what you sow. Good lesson for all of us.
Is there a unifying theme there? They all are rooted in someone misbehaving, and usually, badly. Does every misdeed get punished? Probably not. But are they ever dismissed? Judah found out pretty quickly that he had not “gotten away with it.”
Mrs. Potiphar had a few years to mull over her deception and hope that it was dead and buried. As our theological guru, Gomer would spout, “Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!”
And the gang of 10 were complacently ignoring their transgression for over 20 years. It is just like posting something on the internet. It will never go away. God’s “servers” are never erased. A wise man lives like his deeds will be exposed in the morning. Jesus said something like that.
Like 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Our last imaginary scene occurs in Joseph’s home. In Genesis 43 he “supped” with them and in Genesis 45, after setting up Benjamin as a thief, he revealed himself to them. (We have previously considered why he did this, so we will look at the aftermath here.)
Background: The 10 should have been somewhat suspicious of this guy. He was obviously no third level bureaucrat in charge distributing provisions to the aliens who made their way to Egypt. His house was pretty grand for that. And the intense interest in the family, particularly their younger brother, Benjamin, should also have been a tell-tale. Why would some random Egyptian care about that?
The previous glimpse into their consciences leads to this scene when Joseph said, “I am Joseph.” Eyeballs the size of half dollars all around. Even Benjamin was probably astounded. Whoda thunk it?
Fear and trepidation comes next. ‘Scuse me. Dismay (verse 3) comes next. That is probably a large combination of fear and trepidation. “Would you like angst with that?” The rest of chapter 45 is Joseph’s explanation and doctrinal exposition of what had happened. He sounds like a Dallas or Gordon-Conwell grad. And not a word from the boys.
That reminds me of another revelation. Check Romans 3:19.
19 ...so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
When the unbelieving world stands before the Great White Throne, no one will protest, “Yabbut....” Their guilt will be as evident as Joseph’s brothers’. The difference is not that Joseph was more magnanimous than Christ. The difference is the nature of the judgment and confrontation. The GWT is the final, ultimate judgment for all eternity. Joseph was merely a picture and a warning of what was to come.
As far as we know, them boys straightened up and flew right. Good choice and example for us. Their repentance was real and demonstrable.
A little song we used to sing in Sunday School went, “Be careful little eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet.... The Father up above is looking down in love.” And we do not want to disappoint Him, or face Him in an unrepentant state.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Memory Verses in Joshua 21 and Psalm 8
One great thing about memorizing Scripture, is that gives us time to savor and meditate on what the verses actually say. Often in reading we are rushed and pressured by other thoughts. When we memorize we are forced to take note of, pay attention to, and finally remember the relationships in the concepts.
This was uniquely reinforced when I read two passages and wanted to memorize both. Their conjunction in meaning emerged as I focused on the words, their meaning, and their application. Start with Joshua 21:
43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. 45 None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.
1. The Lord (Yahweh in the Hebrew) is faithful. He gave them all the land He had promised. But that was not all. They took possession and settled, or lived there. First verse. He gave it–as promised. They took possession–as directed. And “settled,” implying that it was a long term and enjoyable occupation. This deals with their presence.
2. Second verse deals with their security. They had “rest,” meaning no war or terrorism. Note, “on every side.” And more importantly, “according to all he has sworn to their fathers.” Joshua embellishes this by reporting that not one of their enemies was able to stand. In fact, the Lord handed them over to the Israelites.
3. Summary and looking to the future. I love this. Read v. 45 again.
None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.
Now would you say that this implied that the Lord had “paid His debt” and would now abandon them? M`e genito! May it never be! Rather the opposite is implied. The fact that they walked away from this provision and suffered for it does not infer a change of God’s intent. It may cast “aspersions” upon their intellect and integrity, but God’s faithfulness is not compromised.
Now consider my “second” verse of the week (month?). Psalm 8:1
O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
The “majestic” name of God is displayed in all the earth and the heavens. (Aside: Note the plural verb for “Who.”) Tie that in to the previous passage. Whose honor was at stake? Would the rag tag army of pilgrims (John Wayne’s description) be ridiculed for failing to conquer the land occupied by seven established nations? Their loss was expected and anticipated. Then Jericho fell, literally. And the Lord began to display His power and authority.
Majesty implies power and authority. It also reflects ability to produce. And the story in Joshua illustrates that to a “T.” In addition to that, the splendor of God is showcased here and in the heavens above. We have talked about the wonders of just the atmosphere and then the entire universe out there. Parts of “His Splendor” are not even seen yet.
There is a new telescope being prepared for space. It is twice as big as the Hubble scope. I am not sure how that translates to “power” and magnification, but what we have is impressive. It is going to take a giant leap forward. And every time that it does, the discoveries expose even more of the “splendor.” It is curious how the Lord “hid” so much. In fact what we have already “seen” is just a minute fraction of what it “out there.”
It reminds me of some other “hidden” things. Matthew 11;25 and Luke 10:21 quote Jesus saying that His Father had “hidden things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants.” And Paul, in Colossians 2:3 declares that Christ holds all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” And He reveals them.
Sometimes He uses a big telescope. Other times He uses the font of type on a page. And most often He uses that “still, small voice,” that He unleashed on the proud but dejected Elijah. Whatever your emotion at the time, He can penetrate it and reveal something hidden. Something that we need.
I am listening.
This was uniquely reinforced when I read two passages and wanted to memorize both. Their conjunction in meaning emerged as I focused on the words, their meaning, and their application. Start with Joshua 21:
43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. 45 None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.
1. The Lord (Yahweh in the Hebrew) is faithful. He gave them all the land He had promised. But that was not all. They took possession and settled, or lived there. First verse. He gave it–as promised. They took possession–as directed. And “settled,” implying that it was a long term and enjoyable occupation. This deals with their presence.
2. Second verse deals with their security. They had “rest,” meaning no war or terrorism. Note, “on every side.” And more importantly, “according to all he has sworn to their fathers.” Joshua embellishes this by reporting that not one of their enemies was able to stand. In fact, the Lord handed them over to the Israelites.
3. Summary and looking to the future. I love this. Read v. 45 again.
None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.
Now would you say that this implied that the Lord had “paid His debt” and would now abandon them? M`e genito! May it never be! Rather the opposite is implied. The fact that they walked away from this provision and suffered for it does not infer a change of God’s intent. It may cast “aspersions” upon their intellect and integrity, but God’s faithfulness is not compromised.
Now consider my “second” verse of the week (month?). Psalm 8:1
O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
The “majestic” name of God is displayed in all the earth and the heavens. (Aside: Note the plural verb for “Who.”) Tie that in to the previous passage. Whose honor was at stake? Would the rag tag army of pilgrims (John Wayne’s description) be ridiculed for failing to conquer the land occupied by seven established nations? Their loss was expected and anticipated. Then Jericho fell, literally. And the Lord began to display His power and authority.
Majesty implies power and authority. It also reflects ability to produce. And the story in Joshua illustrates that to a “T.” In addition to that, the splendor of God is showcased here and in the heavens above. We have talked about the wonders of just the atmosphere and then the entire universe out there. Parts of “His Splendor” are not even seen yet.
There is a new telescope being prepared for space. It is twice as big as the Hubble scope. I am not sure how that translates to “power” and magnification, but what we have is impressive. It is going to take a giant leap forward. And every time that it does, the discoveries expose even more of the “splendor.” It is curious how the Lord “hid” so much. In fact what we have already “seen” is just a minute fraction of what it “out there.”
It reminds me of some other “hidden” things. Matthew 11;25 and Luke 10:21 quote Jesus saying that His Father had “hidden things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants.” And Paul, in Colossians 2:3 declares that Christ holds all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” And He reveals them.
Sometimes He uses a big telescope. Other times He uses the font of type on a page. And most often He uses that “still, small voice,” that He unleashed on the proud but dejected Elijah. Whatever your emotion at the time, He can penetrate it and reveal something hidden. Something that we need.
I am listening.
Ravi and Philosophy A Perspective
Ravi Zacharias Sat 11/5 Listen to this broadcast. Begin about minute 17 to the end. This is a magnificent description of the devil’s attacks. The whole thing is good, but the end is insightful.
http://rzim.org/let-my-people-think-broadcasts/mind-the-gap-part-1-of-2/
Hint: Horror of the same old thing. From The Screwtape Letters. The delusion (copied from The Truth Project) is that it must be “Christianity PLUS.” The critical comment is that it decreases pleasure while increasing desire. (Gluttony, sexual perversions, self promotion, even “religious experiences,” etc.) Our society is described by nonsense in the intellect reinforcing corruption of the will.
http://rzim.org/let-my-people-think-broadcasts/mind-the-gap-part-1-of-2/
Hint: Horror of the same old thing. From The Screwtape Letters. The delusion (copied from The Truth Project) is that it must be “Christianity PLUS.” The critical comment is that it decreases pleasure while increasing desire. (Gluttony, sexual perversions, self promotion, even “religious experiences,” etc.) Our society is described by nonsense in the intellect reinforcing corruption of the will.
Monday, November 7, 2016
When Did Methuselah Die?
(This is the first of two. The second follows.)
We all know that Methuselah was the oldest man ever to live. He made it to 969 years. Genesis 5 gives the genealogical history of men from Adam on. It is really quite boring, isn’t it? Why is all of that stuff in there?
Methuselah was the son of Enoch, who was an extraordinarily godly man. We do not know all of the details and whys and wherefores, but suffice it to say that God took him home without a natural death. Elijah and Jesus were the only two other men who ever walked the earth to experience that. And Jesus ascended after He had given His life as a sacrifice for us and was resurrected. So Enoch and Elijah are pretty unique among the billions who have ever lived here.
Well the story is a little more interesting. What next? Methuselah then had a son, Lamech. Now the numbers get interesting. Methuselah was 187 when Lamech was born. Lamech had a son, Noah, at the age of 182 and died at 767. Methuselah was 369 years young when Noah was born. Noah started having his sons at the age of 500 or 869 for Methuselah. Lamech was 682.
Now the story becomes fascinating. Noah built an ark, took his family and a few “family pets” into the ark at the age of 600 or 100 years after our last accounting. The flood came. Lamech would have been 782 at the flood, but died at 767. So he missed the shindig by 15 years.
But Methuselah was 869 when Noah began his family and the flood was 100 years later. Methuselah was 969 the year of the flood. Enoch had been translated 669 years before the flood, Lamech was dead, but what happened to Methuselah? Was his death caused by the flood, or was it the trip wire to release the flood?
For help in this let’s look back, or in this instance forward, to Abraham. In Genesis 18:23 Abraham responds to the news that Sodom is about to be destroyed.
Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Then Abraham answers his own question in verse 25.
Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”
And the answer is, “Yes, the Lord is just.” So it seems just and right to infer that the Lord was “waiting” for Methuselah to die before unleashing the judgment. This is interesting to me. There are three scenarios here. One was Lamech and Methuselah, who died natural deaths before the “coming” of the Judgment. Enoch was translated before it occurred. And Noah rode it out in the Ark.
There has to be a picture there. This is a forecast of Jesus’ second coming. Some will, and already have, died. Some, like Noah are given “passage” through the test. And others, like Enoch, are saved from the test. They get an early pass home.
Paul and John give us a pretty detailed description of the last times. Some are saved from the coming test like Enoch. Paul’s description of the rapture is in 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5,and 2 Thessalonians 2. The third group, in my understanding, is the group who are saved after the Rapture by the teaching of the 144,000 (Revelation 7) who, themselves believed immediately after the Rapture.
So the story of Genesis 5 is a prophetic view of the end times. And it is another view of God’s grace and care for mankind. He is waving a flag, warning that the “bridge is out” up ahead. Keep going the way you are at your own peril. Turn around and go the other way.
He has shown us how in His Book, the Bible.
We all know that Methuselah was the oldest man ever to live. He made it to 969 years. Genesis 5 gives the genealogical history of men from Adam on. It is really quite boring, isn’t it? Why is all of that stuff in there?
Methuselah was the son of Enoch, who was an extraordinarily godly man. We do not know all of the details and whys and wherefores, but suffice it to say that God took him home without a natural death. Elijah and Jesus were the only two other men who ever walked the earth to experience that. And Jesus ascended after He had given His life as a sacrifice for us and was resurrected. So Enoch and Elijah are pretty unique among the billions who have ever lived here.
Well the story is a little more interesting. What next? Methuselah then had a son, Lamech. Now the numbers get interesting. Methuselah was 187 when Lamech was born. Lamech had a son, Noah, at the age of 182 and died at 767. Methuselah was 369 years young when Noah was born. Noah started having his sons at the age of 500 or 869 for Methuselah. Lamech was 682.
Now the story becomes fascinating. Noah built an ark, took his family and a few “family pets” into the ark at the age of 600 or 100 years after our last accounting. The flood came. Lamech would have been 782 at the flood, but died at 767. So he missed the shindig by 15 years.
But Methuselah was 869 when Noah began his family and the flood was 100 years later. Methuselah was 969 the year of the flood. Enoch had been translated 669 years before the flood, Lamech was dead, but what happened to Methuselah? Was his death caused by the flood, or was it the trip wire to release the flood?
For help in this let’s look back, or in this instance forward, to Abraham. In Genesis 18:23 Abraham responds to the news that Sodom is about to be destroyed.
Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Then Abraham answers his own question in verse 25.
Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”
And the answer is, “Yes, the Lord is just.” So it seems just and right to infer that the Lord was “waiting” for Methuselah to die before unleashing the judgment. This is interesting to me. There are three scenarios here. One was Lamech and Methuselah, who died natural deaths before the “coming” of the Judgment. Enoch was translated before it occurred. And Noah rode it out in the Ark.
There has to be a picture there. This is a forecast of Jesus’ second coming. Some will, and already have, died. Some, like Noah are given “passage” through the test. And others, like Enoch, are saved from the test. They get an early pass home.
Paul and John give us a pretty detailed description of the last times. Some are saved from the coming test like Enoch. Paul’s description of the rapture is in 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5,and 2 Thessalonians 2. The third group, in my understanding, is the group who are saved after the Rapture by the teaching of the 144,000 (Revelation 7) who, themselves believed immediately after the Rapture.
So the story of Genesis 5 is a prophetic view of the end times. And it is another view of God’s grace and care for mankind. He is waving a flag, warning that the “bridge is out” up ahead. Keep going the way you are at your own peril. Turn around and go the other way.
He has shown us how in His Book, the Bible.
More Methuselah
(This is the second in a series. See above.)
So just exactly when did Methuselah die? We saw last time that there were three “classes” of people in relation to the flood. Aside from those who were judged and perished, three groups were not the target of the judgment and were “delivered.” Lamech and Methuselah died before the actual event. It was as if the Lord were waiting for Methuselah to die and then he opened the flood gates.
The chaplain at LeTourneau College, where I matriculated, liked to walk outdoors and look up. He often commented, “Good, clouds today. The Lord can come.” With a twinkle in his eye he would continue. “It says He 'will come in the clouds.'” (Acts 1:9-11)
Then he would often continue to talk about someone who was witnessing to a friend. “Some day the last person to be saved will accept Jesus. Imagine that your friend has decided to accept Jesus, but has not even said it yet. Wouldn’t it be great to be the one to do that? Just as soon as he (or she) decides, Jesus will exclaim, ‘Grab your trumpet, Gabriel. It is time to go get My bride!’” He continued with, “I can’t wait.” That was also why he kept telling others about Jesus.
Imagine the Lord back then. “Methuselah just died. Let’s go, Noah. Hop in the boat” (They called it that during the construction. It was the Ark after it rained.) “because it’s beginning to rain.” Granted the results are different, judgment and reward, but we again see God’s mercy. He waited to see if anyone else, besides Noah, would “find grace.”
So Methuselah represents those who die before the Lord comes back. He also had a role like the Holy Spirit as defined in 2 Thessalonians 2. The man of sin (anti-Christ) cannot be openly revealed until the Holy Spirit, the “one who restrains” will be removed or “taken out of the way.” When Methuselah was “taken out of the way” by death, the man of judgment was revealed.
Enoch is the second group and represents the people who will be supernaturally removed before the judgment is executed. But what if they have already died? Paul addressed that specifically in the 1 Thessalonians (chapters 4 and 5) passages. They were afraid that those who had died would miss the return. Paul assured them that even death cannot thwart the results that God has decreed.
Finally, we see Noah. He represents those who go “through” and survive the judgment. Even those who are saved after the tribulation judgment has begun, will be saved. The picture here is not the same. Noah could only allow people onto the Ark before the rain started. Jesus is a better ark.
Now if you want to extend that, it gets more complicated, but the picture is beautiful. The Lord is “preparing a place for us” and soon the Bridegroom will return to claim His bride. Methuselah was a prototype that portrays an aspect of the end times. Noah was too. But Enoch had the best “ride.”
When did Methuselah die? “In the fullness of time....” As John put it, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
So just exactly when did Methuselah die? We saw last time that there were three “classes” of people in relation to the flood. Aside from those who were judged and perished, three groups were not the target of the judgment and were “delivered.” Lamech and Methuselah died before the actual event. It was as if the Lord were waiting for Methuselah to die and then he opened the flood gates.
The chaplain at LeTourneau College, where I matriculated, liked to walk outdoors and look up. He often commented, “Good, clouds today. The Lord can come.” With a twinkle in his eye he would continue. “It says He 'will come in the clouds.'” (Acts 1:9-11)
Then he would often continue to talk about someone who was witnessing to a friend. “Some day the last person to be saved will accept Jesus. Imagine that your friend has decided to accept Jesus, but has not even said it yet. Wouldn’t it be great to be the one to do that? Just as soon as he (or she) decides, Jesus will exclaim, ‘Grab your trumpet, Gabriel. It is time to go get My bride!’” He continued with, “I can’t wait.” That was also why he kept telling others about Jesus.
Imagine the Lord back then. “Methuselah just died. Let’s go, Noah. Hop in the boat” (They called it that during the construction. It was the Ark after it rained.) “because it’s beginning to rain.” Granted the results are different, judgment and reward, but we again see God’s mercy. He waited to see if anyone else, besides Noah, would “find grace.”
So Methuselah represents those who die before the Lord comes back. He also had a role like the Holy Spirit as defined in 2 Thessalonians 2. The man of sin (anti-Christ) cannot be openly revealed until the Holy Spirit, the “one who restrains” will be removed or “taken out of the way.” When Methuselah was “taken out of the way” by death, the man of judgment was revealed.
Enoch is the second group and represents the people who will be supernaturally removed before the judgment is executed. But what if they have already died? Paul addressed that specifically in the 1 Thessalonians (chapters 4 and 5) passages. They were afraid that those who had died would miss the return. Paul assured them that even death cannot thwart the results that God has decreed.
Finally, we see Noah. He represents those who go “through” and survive the judgment. Even those who are saved after the tribulation judgment has begun, will be saved. The picture here is not the same. Noah could only allow people onto the Ark before the rain started. Jesus is a better ark.
Now if you want to extend that, it gets more complicated, but the picture is beautiful. The Lord is “preparing a place for us” and soon the Bridegroom will return to claim His bride. Methuselah was a prototype that portrays an aspect of the end times. Noah was too. But Enoch had the best “ride.”
When did Methuselah die? “In the fullness of time....” As John put it, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
Friday, November 4, 2016
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Watching the Cubs lose twice to Corey Kluber was excruciating. Time after time the Cubs swung at balls that were in the dirt. Finally, the first batter in game 7 solved him. (Whether it was a “solve” or just the effects of overwork may be debatable, but the results are unambiguous.)
Let me tell you a story. I coached a fast-pitch church soft ball league back in Peoria, Illinois. (Just a little south of Chi-town for those who care.) We faced a left handed pitcher who blew us away. He started every batter with a fast ball right down the middle. The first time I was up, I let that go. I was a cool, professional batter and wanted to “see what the kid has,” so I took the pitch. Strike one.
This big left hander, (did I mention that he was left handed?) poured the second pitch right down the same track. I bat (or batted) lefty so it looked too good to pass up and I took a powerful swing. Just as the ball got to the plate, it dropped off the table. Well, it looked like it dropped a foot and swerved away from me. This is what a left handed curve ball does. I missed it by a foot or more. Strike two.
The third pitch started about shoulder high and outside. Lefties will curve the ball to the right, so I knew that this was a “waste” pitch to get me to swing at a bad ball. Won’t fool me. I took it all the way. It snapped down and across the plate just as nice as you please. This is backwards for a left handed pitcher (did I mention that he was left handed?) and completely unexpected. Strike three. I did not even wait for the ump to call it. I just walked back to the bench.
All the rest of the game, I urged the guys to swing at the first pitch. That was going to be the only one we had a prayer (church league, remember?) of hitting. They were all “cool” hitters and disdained the easy pitch to get a feel for and a look at his stuff. I do not recall if he struck out every batter, but he did a lot of us. There may have been a lucky break or two, but we did not even score a run.
Back to the Cubs. Kluger started every at-bat with a fast ball down central. Then my boys were left swinging at those low outside or inside offerings that would have been a low strike, except that they went down just as they swung. Two games, well five or six innings each anyway, were about the same. A lucky stroke or two kept things interesting and avoided the no-hitter, but no punch.
Then game seven dawned. The first batter must have learned something. He did not let the first pitch go by. He parked it. (I guess you should say “bleachered” it. It didn’t get out of the park.) And the game was on. Whether it was a lack of efficiency due to fatigue or a wiser batting approach, we may never know. But the results were a W for the good guys.
The only thing different was that Kluger is right handed. His ball seemed to go down and to the left. But finally the Cubbies began to hit it. What a game. Way better than the results of our games. You can just call me Coach League.
You are welcome, Cubs fans.
Let me tell you a story. I coached a fast-pitch church soft ball league back in Peoria, Illinois. (Just a little south of Chi-town for those who care.) We faced a left handed pitcher who blew us away. He started every batter with a fast ball right down the middle. The first time I was up, I let that go. I was a cool, professional batter and wanted to “see what the kid has,” so I took the pitch. Strike one.
This big left hander, (did I mention that he was left handed?) poured the second pitch right down the same track. I bat (or batted) lefty so it looked too good to pass up and I took a powerful swing. Just as the ball got to the plate, it dropped off the table. Well, it looked like it dropped a foot and swerved away from me. This is what a left handed curve ball does. I missed it by a foot or more. Strike two.
The third pitch started about shoulder high and outside. Lefties will curve the ball to the right, so I knew that this was a “waste” pitch to get me to swing at a bad ball. Won’t fool me. I took it all the way. It snapped down and across the plate just as nice as you please. This is backwards for a left handed pitcher (did I mention that he was left handed?) and completely unexpected. Strike three. I did not even wait for the ump to call it. I just walked back to the bench.
All the rest of the game, I urged the guys to swing at the first pitch. That was going to be the only one we had a prayer (church league, remember?) of hitting. They were all “cool” hitters and disdained the easy pitch to get a feel for and a look at his stuff. I do not recall if he struck out every batter, but he did a lot of us. There may have been a lucky break or two, but we did not even score a run.
Back to the Cubs. Kluger started every at-bat with a fast ball down central. Then my boys were left swinging at those low outside or inside offerings that would have been a low strike, except that they went down just as they swung. Two games, well five or six innings each anyway, were about the same. A lucky stroke or two kept things interesting and avoided the no-hitter, but no punch.
Then game seven dawned. The first batter must have learned something. He did not let the first pitch go by. He parked it. (I guess you should say “bleachered” it. It didn’t get out of the park.) And the game was on. Whether it was a lack of efficiency due to fatigue or a wiser batting approach, we may never know. But the results were a W for the good guys.
The only thing different was that Kluger is right handed. His ball seemed to go down and to the left. But finally the Cubbies began to hit it. What a game. Way better than the results of our games. You can just call me Coach League.
You are welcome, Cubs fans.
Two Angels
Have you ever wondered why the Lord sent two angels down to Sodom to announce the destruction? You can read the story in Genesis 19. The Lord and two angels had visited with Abraham in the previous chapter and Abraham pleaded with the Lord to spare the city if ten righteous men could be found there.
The conclusion is in 19:1 as the two angels approach the city. Obviously Sodom failed the ACT test of morals. (Acts Consistent with Truth) After some dialogue they agree to spend the night with Lot and his family. (Aside: the subsequent acts confirm the failing score of the city in moral areas.)
But why did two angels have to go? Was it to keep each other company? Every other instance of personal angelic intervention lists only one angel. There were times when people saw more than one, but that was for the sake of effect. For example Elisha and his servant were threatened by the Arameans in 2 Kings 6, God revealed to the servant just how many “troops” were actually protecting him. The shepherds in Luke 2:9 and 13 had a single angel announce to them then they saw angelic choirs. (For effect.)
Mary, Joseph, Zacharias, Balaam, Hagar, Daniel, and even Saul (New Testament) only saw one angel. But the angels were not lonely. Nor would one suppose that they needed two to “confirm their witness.” (Deuteronomy 19:15) Since no one but Lot believed them the confirmatory witness was not needed. And indeed, this was not a court. The judgment had already been rendered.
Maybe it was for protection. After all the men of Sodom attempted to assault the visitors. No, that does not fly. Lot, himself, pulled them in out of danger. And the angels then blinded the antagonists. No need for help there. History verifies that as one angel “smote” all of the first born of Egypt. And in 2 Kings 19:35 one angel killed 185,000 Assyrians.
One angel is sufficient to handle one army. So why two?
The answer might be back in Genesis 19. After the night of high drama, the angels urged Lot and his family to vacate the premises.
16 But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.
They seized the hand of Lot (one), his wife (two), and the hands of his two daughters (three and four). The Lord sent two angels because He knew that it would take four “hands” to lead Lot and his crew out of harm’s way. And even then, Mrs. Lot (no other name ever given) was so disinclined to leave the hole from which they had escaped that she looked back. Salt city.
God’s mercy and grace went so far as to supply the exact number of hands to remove Lot and his family from danger. One, God is always prepared. And two, He is looking out for our good. What a great God. And maybe three, there are no “unnecessary” details in the story. Trust your Bible.
Lesson for today. Go back to Genesis 13. Verse 12 in King James is telling.
Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. (Emphasis added.)
Alternative versions vary in using the terms close to, or very near, and some even say in Sodom. Regardless, King James’ picture is clear. Lot was leaning towards the fire, literally, and when it came, even he was attracted and cemented to the evil city. The angels had to “compel” him and his family to leave.
What seemed like an innocent and even “smart” decision, ultimately was shown to be extremely lacking in wisdom. Watch how you “lean” your tent.
The conclusion is in 19:1 as the two angels approach the city. Obviously Sodom failed the ACT test of morals. (Acts Consistent with Truth) After some dialogue they agree to spend the night with Lot and his family. (Aside: the subsequent acts confirm the failing score of the city in moral areas.)
But why did two angels have to go? Was it to keep each other company? Every other instance of personal angelic intervention lists only one angel. There were times when people saw more than one, but that was for the sake of effect. For example Elisha and his servant were threatened by the Arameans in 2 Kings 6, God revealed to the servant just how many “troops” were actually protecting him. The shepherds in Luke 2:9 and 13 had a single angel announce to them then they saw angelic choirs. (For effect.)
Mary, Joseph, Zacharias, Balaam, Hagar, Daniel, and even Saul (New Testament) only saw one angel. But the angels were not lonely. Nor would one suppose that they needed two to “confirm their witness.” (Deuteronomy 19:15) Since no one but Lot believed them the confirmatory witness was not needed. And indeed, this was not a court. The judgment had already been rendered.
Maybe it was for protection. After all the men of Sodom attempted to assault the visitors. No, that does not fly. Lot, himself, pulled them in out of danger. And the angels then blinded the antagonists. No need for help there. History verifies that as one angel “smote” all of the first born of Egypt. And in 2 Kings 19:35 one angel killed 185,000 Assyrians.
One angel is sufficient to handle one army. So why two?
The answer might be back in Genesis 19. After the night of high drama, the angels urged Lot and his family to vacate the premises.
16 But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.
They seized the hand of Lot (one), his wife (two), and the hands of his two daughters (three and four). The Lord sent two angels because He knew that it would take four “hands” to lead Lot and his crew out of harm’s way. And even then, Mrs. Lot (no other name ever given) was so disinclined to leave the hole from which they had escaped that she looked back. Salt city.
God’s mercy and grace went so far as to supply the exact number of hands to remove Lot and his family from danger. One, God is always prepared. And two, He is looking out for our good. What a great God. And maybe three, there are no “unnecessary” details in the story. Trust your Bible.
Lesson for today. Go back to Genesis 13. Verse 12 in King James is telling.
Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. (Emphasis added.)
Alternative versions vary in using the terms close to, or very near, and some even say in Sodom. Regardless, King James’ picture is clear. Lot was leaning towards the fire, literally, and when it came, even he was attracted and cemented to the evil city. The angels had to “compel” him and his family to leave.
What seemed like an innocent and even “smart” decision, ultimately was shown to be extremely lacking in wisdom. Watch how you “lean” your tent.
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