Musing – How Do You Approach Your Time at Church?

Hebraic Musing – How Do You Approach Your Time at Church?

How do you approach your time at church?  Worst case scenario – It is an obligatory attendance; a time to be endured; a necessary time each week to acknowledge the Lord?  Do we truly and fully understand how important it is to give praise and honor to Our Lord?  And who is helping us?  Who should we thank?

Psalm 134 is the last of the “Psalms of Ascents”.  On one of our tours of the Holy Land, our busload read and sang the “Psalms of Ascent” (Psalms 120 – 134) as we wound our way up through the hills approaching Jerusalem.  I still cry as I recall how we experienced the anticipation of approaching that Holy City, the City of God.

What was the last Ascent Psalm, 134, about?   “Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.   Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” NIV 

Here’s a way to explain the significance of Psalm 134 – “This Psalm is the departing song of the pilgrims who prayed for protection; justice; and God’s blessings on their journeys to Jerusalem to celebrate the three annual feasts.  These pilgrims are on their way home and yet they look back on the watchmen who have the honor of serving in night service to the Lord as they provide watch over His temple.  They shout to the watchmen to stay vigilant, to protect the seat of the Lord while the pilgrims are far away and unable to do so.  The pilgrims relished the celebration of the feast and they reveled in the all-encompassing love of the Lord; they thrilled to each new presentation; they sang loudly the praises of Jehovah and they thoroughly enjoyed the close fellowship of their brethren; but it is now time to return home.  As they pass through the great walls of the beautiful city they are anxious to be heading home but they also want the watchmen to know how important their nightly service is to the Lord.  This would be a perfect case of ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’.” *  

What would our ‘routine weekly experience’ be like if someone in the car read the “Psalms of Ascent” on the way to and from church?

As we go to and come from our fellowship of choice, do we recognize how important it is to praise and honor Our Lord as we approach and depart the premises?  And do we recognize the support we receive from all those behind the scenes paid staff and volunteers who toil in service to Him so we can focus our praise on Our Lord?  They are the night watchmen working to provide the experiences we enjoy – “a staff that fans the flames of Christian spirit to sustain the very life of the church protecting the Name of God and promoting His goodness at all times.  Know them and praise them for their mighty deeds until you come again.” *

 Points to ponder

Let’s pray that our night watchmen guard the church and all its treasure with diligence
and pray that they keep the true nature of Christian Spirit alive in our absence.

Let’s praise and honor them with a kind word for the diligent watchmen they are for our Lord
(and pray that they be divinely appointed to their tasks *)

To God be the glory!

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                            February 27, 2018

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Inspired by and excerpted from Bob Seigle’s FBCMI Prayer Team message, January 2018
The “Psalms of Ascent” are also called Pilgrim Songs.  Jews traveling to Jerusalem would sing these songs as they “ascended” the uphill road to the city; and priests sang them as they climbed the steps to the temple.

Ps. 120: God’s presence during distress

Ps. 121: Joyful praise to the Lord

Ps. 122: Prayer for Jerusalem

Ps. 123: Patience for God’s mercy

Ps. 124: Help comes from the Lord

Ps. 125: Prayer for God’s blessing upon His people

Ps. 126: The Lord has done great things

Ps. 127: God’s blessing on man’s efforts

Ps. 128: Joy for those who follow God’s ways

Ps. 129: A cry for help to the Lord

Ps. 130: A prayer of repentance

Ps. 131: Surrender as a child to the Lord

Ps. 132: God’s sovereign plan for His people

Ps. 133: Praise of brotherly fellowship and unity

Ps. 134: Praise to God in His temple

Musing – Does Greek-think Affect How Women Are Viewed?

Hebraic Musing – Does Greek-think Affect How Women Are Viewed?

How much advertising money and personal income is spent on “looking good” according to a Hollywood’s standard?  How much fuss do women make over their appearance?  How much of a woman’s perceived self-worth dependent on how she looks?  Are we having a daily Beauty Contest?  Men, this applies to you too!

Last week we discussed what has been lost in the Greek translation of a Hebrew Bible?  To quote a relevant paragraph – “Greeks admire the holiness of beauty; Hebrew-think seeks the beauty of holiness.”  Scripturally we are to “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2  KJV & NKJV

How does the Greek-think attitude of “Beauty” contrast with Peter’s advice to wives in 1 Peter 3:1-4?  “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves  to your own husbands  so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over  without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.  Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” NIV **

Why would we want to improve what Our Creator has already made perfect, according to His plan?  When did that happen?  “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NIV    And David, the Psalmist, realized that.   “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  Psalms 139:13-16 NIV

Proverbs ends with the famous “Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character” and a woman’s beauty is put into perspective with this recap – “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:25-30

“You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” SofS 4:7     So “Whenever you feel unloved, unimportant, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.” Eph. 2:19-22 paraphrased.

On the other hand…a Bible college professor of mine dealt with the “Holiness” movement’s ban on adornment by saying “If the barn needs painting, paint it!”

 Points to ponder

Will there be any beauty contests in Heaven?

Are we the perfect creation of Almighty God, or of Revlon?

Are men also guilty of trying to enhance their worldly appearance?

Solomon, the wisest man, recognized that
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

How many husbands have come to Christ because of the inner beauty of their wives?**

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                            February 20, 2018

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

** This was an integral step in my personal testimony!

Musing –What might be lost in the Greek translation of a Hebrew Bible?

Hebraic Musing –What might be lost in the Greek translation of a Hebrew Bible?

Today’s culture in our Western world is Greek oriented; in contrast to the Hebrew culture of the Israelites.  How might that affect our understanding of the original Hebrew Scripture, the foundation of our Christian faith?  What are some contrasting differences between Greek-think and Hebrew-think? *

Greeks admire the holiness of beauty; Hebrew-think seeks the beauty of holiness. “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Psalms 29:2  KJV & NKJV

Greek culture is known for great thinkers who try on their own to determine the meaning of life, trusting their own discernment!   Our Hebrew-based Bible reminds us to look to the God of the Bible for the meaning of life. 

Greek language is peaceful, harmonious and static; Hebrew is a vigorous, passionate, explosive and energetic language.  In Hebrew sentence structure the verb comes first and the noun at the end of the sentence. 

Greek life was controlled by fate, something that will inevitably happen in the future.  They worshipped fictional gods and added gods by proclaiming persons to be gods (like Hollywood stars?).  Our Hebrew Bible provides a way to change outcomes in our lives by repenting and turning to Our Lord.  There is hope for a believer.

Pleasure was the supreme goal in life, as the Greeks indulged in physical pleasure.  The body was free to indulge in sexual pleasure with no consequences.  Do we see that now in our Western culture!   But Romans 12:1 tells us to “…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Greek life focused on competitive contests like athletic, poetry, drama, male beauty contests, singing, riddle-solving and drinking.  Life’s meaning focused on defeat of another.  Victors were elevated to the status of god.  Hebrew and Greek cultures collided in 171 BC when Greece began to rule Israel.  Athletic competition was totally foreign to the Israelites; athletic competition appeals to a man's competitive nature.**   By contrast -- “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

Hebrew reasoning is full of paradox and opposites.  The Hebrew mind accepts truths on both sides of a paradox.  To the Greek, there is always tension; either you are right or wrong, good or bad, winner or loser, etc.  Could this be why many Greek-trained theologians have assumed that Paul used linear reasoning which means either Torah or grace, not both?  The Old Covenant had to be eliminated to allow for the New Covenant.  How can Greek-think possibly deal with puzzling passages like – Mark 10:31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”; Matthew 10:39 “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”;  and 2 Corinthians 12:10, weak and strong?***

Science evolved from the Greek focus on man’s understanding of the visual, seeing and observing, leading to reasoning, judgment and understanding resulting in scientific conclusions.  “Looking” in the Bible usually leads away from God and into trouble.  “Hearing” draws people closer to God and listening is the primary sense used in Hebrew to develop interactional relationships with God and with others.

Greek culture built on the idea of leader-follower or teacher-student.  This model predominates in our churches today in the role of the pastor-congregation where many clergy wear pompous garbs which promote worship of “clergy” over the “laymen” (two words not found in the Bible).  

Biblical Hebrew people are urged to care for others, especially neighbors, orphans, widows and strangers.  Israelites did not discuss the needs of under-privileged; they took action to help others.  Farmers provided gleaning opportunities; grain is left behind for the poor to harvest. 

Interesting perspective – Quote from Johanna Hocker who ministers in China – “I am amazed at the faith of the Chinese people who have not been influenced by Greek culture.  The Chinese recognize and accept the words of the Bible as truth and are willing to go to prison or die for their faith.  In contrast, people in the US who have attended church since childhood are still asking basic Bible questions.  They believe, but are not sure what they believe, after being fed a diet of Greek-based theology.”  

 Point to ponder

What think you?  Is our Western-think more Greek-based or more Hebrew-based?

How does Greek-think contrast with what we hear the Lord calling us to do and to be?

“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified…” 1 Corinthians 1:22

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                  February 13, 2018

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*    Inspired and excerpted from Johanna Hocker’s “Culture Clash for Bible Believers”  January.29, 2018

** Organized sports began as a form of worship; athletic contests were religious festivals honoring Zeus.  Our Super Bowl is a classic Greek event; fans admire competitors’ athletic talent, strength, brutality and endurance. 

*** How can linear Greek-think deal with John 1:29 where Jesus is the “Lamb of God”, but in Rev. 5:5 He called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.”?  He is both; He died as the Lamb of God and will judge as the lion of Judah

Musing – Where, When and How should we Praise God?

Hebraic Musing – Where, When and How should we Praise God?

Psalms 96 and 98 both start with “Sing to the Lord a new song;…”,  but is the message the same?  At first glance, Psalm 98 sounds just like Psalm 96.  Both psalms summon the nations of the world to join together in joyful praise of God and both call for “a new song” to be sung to the Creator.  How are the two psalms different?  What did the psalmist want to add to Psalm 98 that that we should note? 

The setting for Psalm 96 is in the Holy Temple; “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  … 8 …bring an offering and come into his courts.”  Verse 8 encourages us to “bring an offering and come into his courts”. We are told to praise God by bringing Him special offerings to the OT Temple. 

On the other hand, Psalm 98 speaks to us wherever we may be, acknowledging us as the Temple!  It is a call to spontaneous praise wherever and whenever …  Psalm 98:1&4-5  “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; … 4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord …  shout for joy before the Lord, the King.”   Psalm 98 is offered to us as an encouraging message.  You don’t need to be in the Holy Temple, you can offer praise to God and serve Him anywhere, anytime.  You can make music to God with whatever instrument you have in your hands.

Let’s “Sing to the Lord a new song” wherever and whenever.  Here are lyrics to one of my favorite songs:

♫  Sing to the Lord, sing to the Lord a new song…  God made the world in seven days.
Adam sinned and then all men fell away.   Jesus came to redeem my soul.
He died upon the cross, and He made me whole!     Sing to the Lord, sing to the Lord a new song.
♫ God said to Moses, “Go and set My people free.  I will be your guide, just always follow Me.”
Moses led the people through the parted Red Sea,   Then they sang, and they danced,
and they had a jubilee!      Sing to the Lord, sing to the Lord a new song.
♫ Jesus said to Peter, “Come on, I’m calling you.   I know the way is hard, 
But I’ll always see you through.”     Peter said, “My Lord, I’m a sinful man.”
Then he threw down his net,  And to the Lord he ran! Sing to the Lord, sing to the Lord a new song.
♫  Come on, my brother, won’t you turn to Jesus now?  He knows that you’re a sinner,
But He loves you anyhow.   Jesus paid the price for your salvation.  Just call upon His name.
And you’re a new creation!     Sing to the Lord, sing to the Lord a new song. ♫

  Point to ponder

How often is wherever and whenever?

What will people around you think if you’re always “Singing to the Lord”?

♫ Sing to the Lord, sing to the Lord a new song ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                            February 6, 2018

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired and excerpted from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein’s “Let's Make Music” December 18, 2016

Psalm 96:1-9 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.  NIV

Psalm 98:1-9   Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.   The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.   He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.   Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;   make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,   with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn —  shout for joy before the Lord, the King.    Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.   Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;   let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.