Musing – Is the Parable of the Talents in Matthew about Money?

 Hebraic Musing – Is the Parable of the Talents in Matthew about Money?

Or could Jesus be more concerned about our Talents or attributes or characteristics?  In Matthew 25 Jesus provides a parable describing a master who gives “Talents” and instructions to his servants before departing on a long journey and leaving his servants with “Talents”, which are often translated as money.  When the master comes back, what does master expect a servant to have done with the money?  Or are we to be more concerned with what we’ve done with our Talents or our attributes or character or gifts that Jesus has given us? 

Jesus’ parable - “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” Matthew 25:14-15 NKJV  Jesus left us 2,000 years ago, but he didn’t journey that far!  When He comes back, what does Jesus expect to find that we have done with our Talents or attributes or character or gifts?

In the next two verses, Vs.16&17, Jesus describes what the servants did who were faithful.  “Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.  And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.”   Those servants were appreciative, did right, and had good reports.  Then Jesus gets to the point of the parable.  “But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.” v.18     

He continues.  “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.  So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Vs.19-23  

Finally in Vs.24-25 -  “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.” 

How did the Lord respond to “talents” being wasted?  “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.”  Vs.26-28

And Jesus pronounces the penalty for not utilizing our talents or attributes or character or gifts.  “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Vs.29-30

I don’t know how to explain it more clearly.  Jesus expects us to use the gifts he has given us for the work of His Kingdom.  What gifts has Jesus given each of us?  Let’s see, there’s Salvation, and family, and Brothers & Sisters, and wealth, and teachings, and His Word, and ………..

Peter heard this message and understood.  “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 NKJV   
And Paul said - “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Points to Ponder

What are we supposed to be doing with our talents, attributes, gifts (& Xmas bonuses)?

Was some of our money a blessing?  What to do with it?

How would you like to hear Jesus say to you “Well done, good and faithful servant”?

Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                             December 31, 2024    “Happy New Year!!!”
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com

Musing - How Hard are We Trying to Follow After God?

 Hebraic Musing – How Hard are We Trying to Follow After God?

How does Psalm 63:8 apply to us?  “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”  We have been granted prevenient grace which means that before a man can seek God, God must first have sought out the man.  And we know God’s son came to earth “to seek and to save the lost”.  God also put in us the urge to seek a ruler/god and there’s a plethora of world religions attesting to that.

God is drawing man, how does man respond?   “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44 NIV  And “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1

We are all wanting eternal life, or would like to have it.  “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 

God is a person, so a relationship with Him needs to be cultivated personally to help us grow in appreciation of His Glory.  Full knowledge of one person by another cannot be achieved without long and loving conversations, and the process is never complete.  That relationship is very personal, not just something we do as a body of fellow believers.  Since we are made in His image, we possess the capacity to know Him and to interact with Him. 

Meanwhile, the concept of religious conversion has been made mechanical; faith can now be exercised without a real impact on moral life or embarrassment to our Adamic ego!  Christ can be received without creating any special love or respect for Him.  Looking at Holy men and women in the past, we sense and admire their heart and their desire and their calling after God.  Moses sought God and made a daring request.  “Now show me your glory.”  And God answered by showing Moses His backside! 

David is another OT saint who serves as an example of a serious seeker of God. 

How many “Christians” have recognized God and “found” Him, but now that they know of Him, they are no longer seeking?  And they are no longer seeking further revelation(s).  How has this affected or resulted in some smug interpretations of the Bible?  Instead of seeking His Glory, churches are focused on programs, methods, organizations and activities.  Result, they know God imperfectly and the peace of God scarcely at all.  How many “saved” men are not hungry; nor are they thirsting after God?  In fact, they’ve been taught to be satisfied and encouraged and to be content with little, relying on – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11   And “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:8.

Does our prayer life need to be stripped of theology and focus on the “God that made thee”?  And why did He make me?

Concluding prayer –
O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. 
I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace.   I am ashamed of my lack of desire.
O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing;
I thirst to be made more thirsty still.  Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. 
Begin in Mercy a new work of love within me.

Points to ponder

Have we ever asked God to “Show me your Glory”?

Are we seeking God for His Word, or do we let teachers seek for us?

The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One!

Are our prayers really a personal conversation?   Who are we talking to?!?!

Oh God, show me thy glory!     And BTW, have a Merry Christmas

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                           December 24, 2024
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired & excerpted from Ch.1 “Following Hard After God”, A. W. Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God”

Musing – What would life be like without rules?

Hebraic Musing – What would life be like without rules?

I opened a Sunday School class of 10 to 12 year olds with Good News!  “Today we are going to play a really exciting new game.  This new game is called ‘Bokee Ball’ and it is a lot of fun because there are no rules to worry about.”  The questions came – “How do you score?”  “How many points to win?”  “How many players on a side?”   “What’s out of bounds?”  “What kind of ball do we use?”  and on and on the questions came.  The answer I gave to each question was the same – “Whatever you want; there are no rules.”  Needless to say, the game never started.

The moral of the lesson became obvious.  The Bible, both OT and NT, has rules we are expected to live by; and without those rules, life would be a mess.  I asked someone at lunch today “How do you like it when other people do not obey the rules?” or worse yet, “How would you like it if all the other people in the world decided to not obey the rules?”  How does this apply to the messages about rules that are taught in the Bible, especially in the Torah?  Here are a few perspectives:

• The “Ten Commandments” start in Exodus 20:1 And God spoke all these words:  "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me...”  NIV    Again in Deuteronomy 5:5   …And He said:  "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me….”   In both cases “words” and “said” are translated from the Hebrew d’bar which means “a word.”  So what we have been calling “commandments” are really “words” from Father God.   BTW – Whatever a loving parent tells his/her child to do is always for the child’s own good.  Always!
• The Hebrew word for the first five books of the OT is Torah, and it appears numerous times in both the Hebrew OT and NT.  Unfortunately, the word Torah in Hebrew is translated as “Law” in our English versions.  We all know that he word “Law” has a must do connotation with enforcement and punitive consequences; thus, it stirs up in some of us a desire to “kick against the goads” or see how close we can get to the edge.  The Torah with its lessons, history, character studies and “Words” from God teaches us rules for living healthy, safe and full lives with respect for authority.  I’d prefer to translate the Hebrew word Torah as “Lessons” or “Guidelines” or “God’s advice to His children” than to call it “Law”.    That’s just my preference.
• Mitzvot is a Hebrew word literally meaning “Good Deeds”.  In Genesis 26:4-5 we learn “all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws.”  The word “commands” is translated from the Hebrew Mitzvot which literally means “good deeds.”  So, our blessings come from obediently doing good deeds.

Does this explain why my life has changed for the better since I put Mezuzahs* on the door posts of our house?  As I enter or leave the house I kiss it and say “Thank you, Lord, for your commandments?”

Tradition says that the OT has 613 Mitzvot (some call them “commandments”), whereas the NT has over 1,050 Mitzvot. I am amazed at the Amazing Grace granted in the OT to the people and patriarchs.  So, between the OT and NT, which is about Grace, and which is about Law?    “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Heb. 13:8

Points to ponder

How can we thank the Lord for giving us His rules for living?

Does the world want to play “Bokee Ball”?

Thank you, Lord, for your advice to us, your children.             

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd               December 17, 2024    (Reprint of June 17, 2014 Musing)         
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

* Mezuzah is a piece of parchment in a decorative case inscribed with specific verses from Deuteronomy 6:6-9 “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. … Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” 

2024 Xmas

 

^To      Family  &  Friends   

^From    Joe Brusherd                December 2024

The year 2024 was definitely a change of pace!  Last year’s Christmas letter was all about Irene & I and events in OUR lives.  But the letter went out on December 7^th and a week later Irene surprised me by deciding to go home on December 16^th to be with Jesus.  I’ve had the challenging time adjusting to life without my sweet childhood sweetheart.  But I’m recognizing the positives; Peggy or Irene would have had a serious challenge if I had left them.  So I’m the one left, and very thankful that God has blessed me over my years with two wonderful wives, each truly perfect for the two seasons in my life.

This year has been exciting the way God is growing my “Family Tree”! 

Irene’s GreatGrandSon, Darrell, and his brother, Byron, were adopted by Julie’s sister-in-law, Sarah Motta, and they moved from Tucson to Little Rock, AR, only three hours away!  I visited them last summer and there’s more visits ahead!

Susan can be found visiting nieces & nephews or spreading her cheer and Good News at church gatherings all over NW Arkansas.

Jon is working from home &/or commuting to the Casinos in Oklahoma, while Diane has been ministering to her parents.  Kristen is diligently caring for her health issues, while Scott is finishing his engineering degree and has many ideas for the auto industry.

Joseph & Jeanna’s home in Bella Vista is always busy with their five kids and their growing families.  -- Jonathan & Courtney are in Panama City, FL, while his time as Medical Dive Trainer winds down.  Asana and her brother, Judah, are growing; but I don’t get to see them often enough. Sniff Sniff. 
- John & Joy’s family keeps growing.  His paramedic role comes in handy raising what is now squad of five – Adeline, Arabelle, Ayo & Avalyn plus the addition of Anya Humble born 11/11/24; and they all generously give hugs & kisses when I come around! 
- Josiah moved from San Diego to join the family in Bella Vista for now; there are things about California he misses, but he also enjoys family.  (Now I have one less reason to travel to CA, but still have dear Brothers & Sisters at Calvary Lighthouse Church in Escondido that I miss!) 
- Jesse & Aubrie also gave us yet another GREAT Grand child this year.  They now have Tobias (oldest GGChild to carry on the Brusherd name), Ariella, and the newest, Isabella Moriah born 11/7/24.
- Jewelayna is living at home, working and driving so is no longer the baby of the family!

Jim & Annie had a harrowing year.  The tornados that came through 5 towns in NWA messed up their neighbors.  Fortunately their home and vehicles received relatively minor damage.  Jim is still painting & ministering, and Annie’s voice is still found on the Rogers PD’s 911 number. 

Joel & Liz love their Richmond, VA, home but have to travel to see their progeny.  Caitlyn is enjoying her teaching job in Guatemala and enjoys being tour guide for visiting family.  Andrew & Stephanie are Sailors bouncing between Seattle and Japan, last I heard.  Jackson is applying for a role as fireman in a nearby community.  That family has inherited a worldview!

Beth & Kirk are only 90 minutes away in Nixa, MO, so I get to see them periodically.  Kirk is dabbling in real estate after retiring from 15 years as a Cop protecting the citizens of Springfield, MO; while Beth is homeschooling Charity (working and driving) and Faith enjoys hunting with father Kirk.

What do I do?  My favorite ministry is publishing weekly Hebraic Musings going to over 400 of my “closest” friends every Tuesday AM.  That continues as long as the Holy Spirit provides inspiration.

My lead role in the “Men’s Ministry” at Immanuel Baptist for 9 years is in process of handing off roles to a squad of “Fellow Warriors” who are growing and doing great. 

I’m also marketing Irene’s late son Mark’s 150 acre ranch in Oracle, AZ to settle Irene’s estate. 

Meanwhile, I’m dealing with Medical issues, but looking forward to “Bucket List” travel next year!

And the family God gave me keeps growing!

With their spouses  &  Grand children  &  GREATGrand children,
  The family God gave me keeps growing and now totals 52 with still more to come!
That’s 13 Children & Spouses  +  23 GrandChildren  +  16 GREAT GrandChildren.

Christmas has become a season of gifting and …

“The greatest Gift I have received from Our Lord is
a family of this size with ALL of them knowing, loving and serving the Lord.
(I can’t type this without shedding a tear!)

Joe  Brusherd
Joe Brusherd      710 Summit Loop, Rogers, AR 72756            479-644-5262    Brusherd@cox.net   

P.S. When I go to my refrigerator umpteen times a day, I’m reminded of my many blessings.

                 

Musing - How Important are the Trials in Our Lives?

 Hebraic Musing - How Important are the Trials in Our Lives?

Why would James say something this radical?  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:2 NIV   Maybe we need to continue reading verses 3 & 4!  “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:3-4

While we all strive to live in “risk avoidance” mode, trials do happen; and number of trials you deal with increases as you age.  Someone once said “While all things are quiet and comfortable, we live by sense rather than faith.  But the worth of a soldier is never known in times of peace.”  Key point – Our faith needs trials in order to be truly tested and grow.

Trials in life come in various forms – physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, financial, etc.  And our natural tendency is to seek instant relief and immediate escape out of fear of suffering.   When all things are quiet and comfortable, we live by sense rather than faith.  But the worth of a soldier is never known in times of peace.

So, if trials can serve a very, very helpful purpose.  What do trials do?

·         They test the strength of our faith.

·         They humble us lest we think more confidently of our spiritual strength than we should. 

·         They wean us off worldly things, and they call us to heavenly things. 

·         They reveal what we really love and value.

·         They teach us to value the blessings of God. 

·         Reason teaches us to value the world. 

·         Senses or feelings tell us to value pleasure. 

Peter advised us – “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

Why is this song so popular?  ♫ Onward, Christian soldiers!  Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus, Going on before. ♫   Q – What’s the key role of a soldier?  A – to do battle with an enemy!

Summary - Faith tells us to value God’s Word.  Trials test the strength of our faith that we might know where our strength is or isn’t.

Points to ponder

What have we learned from the past trials in our lives?

Are we soldiers in battle?   Are we at peace with the world?

♫  Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere? 
    We should never be discouraged.   Take it to the Lord in prayer. 
    Can we find a friend so faithful?    Who will all our sorrows share?
    Jesus knows our every weakness.    Take it to the Lord in prayer.  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd               December 3, 2024    
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”