Star-gazer
and I have observed all that God brings to pass. Indeed, man cannot guess the events that occur under the sun, For man tries strenuously, but fails to guess them; and even if a sage should think to discover them he would not be able to guess them. Ecclesiastes 8:17 JPS
To guess – Michael said to me, “If things work out that way, then I’m wasting my time doing this now. I should change things while I can.” I said to him, “Today when we read Oswald Chambers you told me that you were doing exactly what God wants you to do right now. That’s all you need to do. You have no idea what will happen later. Don’t project what you can’t know.” But, of course, we all want to know what will happen tomorrow. “The failure of wisdom to penetrate the world’s paradoxes is just another of life’s inequities.”[1]
“Inquiring minds want to know” is the mantra of the tabloids, but when it comes to Hebrew thought, the phrase most appropriate is “I have learned to be content.” Contentment is not a natural reaction. It must be learned. What is natural is the desire to know ahead of time how things will work out. But if I knew God’s plan as God knows my plan, then I would no longer need to be content with trusting Him. I could just follow the plan. I could work for the Adjustment Bureau.
Consider how difficult it is for us to actually trust that God is in charge. We experience a failure. Tragedy occurs. “Accidents” happen. Life takes a sudden turn. What is our immediate response? “Father, I am so grateful for these new circumstances because in them You have adjusted my life to fit Your plans. Thank You for giving me another opportunity to practice contentment and demonstrate my faithfulness to You.” Is that what we say? No, I don’t think so. Just like Paul, we ask God to take away all these things that don’t fit our plan – the plan we have worked out even though we can’t see one inch over the horizon. Qohelet understood this problem, although he did not embrace Paul’s solution. Qohelet simply notes the reality that I cannot know. Life is designed to force me to trust until I am able to say, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.”[2] But it doesn’t come easy, even after years of opportunities. This is the process that took Abraham 100 years to learn. I am not sure Qohelet ever learned it. I hope that I will. God certainly provides enough practice runs.
Perhaps you are a star-gazer, one of those usual human beings who wants to know the plan. Good luck with that. Wouldn’t it be easier, and more rational, to agree with Qohelet. You just can’t know. And then listen to Paul – “But it’s OK. God knows.” Maybe that’s why this Hebrew word, masa’, really means “to find, to come upon, to reach for.” It’s not guesswork after all, is it? It’s trust or frustration.
Topical Index: guess, masa’, find, plan, Ecclesiastes 8:17
I learned some time ago, that there is truth in this movie quote: “You are on a need-to-know basis, and you dont need to know”
God knows everything. We dont need to. All we need to do is: Trust And Obey
Whenever in our life, we need to know something, God will show us at the right time. Yes it is frustrating sometimes, because we dont know the timeframe of things. And we like to make plans, dont we?
For the last 5 years, my life has been collapsing in slow motion. Still, I have peace. I leave it to him to look after me, even though my expectations has been different from what actually happened in my life. I always expected the last crisis to be the bottom, that he would fix things, and that everything would get better from here on out. but they didnt. Nothing I can do about that, but trust and obey…
…..what I needed to hear………… [don’t always like/want to]………. but what I needed to hear today.
Thanks.
Thank you Skip, I also needed this word today.
i have just about come to the conclusion (Thank YOU Holy Spirit) that sages = sorcerers. Well, not ALL of them. There are a few (shaking my head) good ish (shaking my head again). You know, the FEW, the PROUD (uh oh), the CHOSEN.
One day soon i’m going to tell you all a joke about two sister whales. Not even going to read the TW. Well, i might skim it. In the mean time (what’s time got to do with it?), don’t get lost in the semantics! 🙂
Walking in the Sonshine,
little ole me
I’m sorry, but I find your comment “…sages = sorcerers…” disrespectful, rude and very naive. Would care to elaborate and substantiate your deduction, or is it just “a feeling”.
I’m sorry if I come across angry or rude, but comments like these are not only fallacious, they hurt Jewish – Christian – Hebraic Roots relationships tremendously.
Before they were called ‘Prophets’ they were called ‘Seers’
We are many and God is One. God has a method of communication unique with each and every individual on this Planet who have God enshrined in their hearts. God knows who they are. We don’t. Each one ‘Sees’ God from a perspective only God and that one knows.
It is written, Let brotherly love continue.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have ENTERTAINED ANGELS UNAWARES.
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Hebrews 13
Reading those printed words by the Spirit tells me;
1. Angels take on the human form.
2. The Angels in human form know they are Angels or may not know they are Angels.
3. If they are Angels, they don’t tell anybody they’re Angels, but just do the works God has given them to do.
This idea here is the same idea in the separation of the sheep from the goats at the end of it all for ALL NATIONS. Neither the sheep nor the goats recognized the Spirit of Christ in those human bodies.
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.
Then said he unto me, See you do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: WORSHIP GOD.
And he said to me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
[13] I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22
Both Believer and Atheist knows the Healing of the Nations is long overdue. Who has access to the leaves of the Tree that are for the Healing of The Nation in this world Today?
Sages, Sorcerers, Magicians. It could be just splitting hairs?
But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
O Belteshazzar, a.k.a. Daniel, “MASTER OF THE MAGICIANS,” because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
Daniel 4
I imagine Daniel must have been some real smart, sooth talking guy, full of Grace and Truth and exuding Confidence in God. He is also known for dissolving doubts, and the more people that learn how to do that these Days, the better it will be for us all.
smooth talking guy
I just discovered it was a ‘Freudian slip’ not a typo error. Soothsayers is another related variation of sages………….I checked the Dictionary after correcting what I thought of only as a typo.
Definition of SOOTH
1
archaic : true
2
archaic : soft, sweet
The meaning of the word is determined by the culture in which it is spoken. Our cultural imagery of magicians is determined by the religious environment of the Middle Ages. Not so in ancient Babylon, or in Israel, for that matter.
It was interesting when you expressed the thought it is possible The Holy Book of God was altered by the early Church Fathers to suit an agenda as you mentioned in an earlier article.
Now you write, “The meaning of the word is determined by the culture in which it is spoken.” So as we read the Scriptures Today, at best, is is only a guess of the real sense in which it was originally used?
For the LORD has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has he covered.
And the vision of all is become to you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I cannot; for it is sealed:
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I am not learned.
Wherefore the Lord said, For as much as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? and who knows us?
Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
Isaiah 29
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
Let all those that seek You Rejoice and be Glad in You: let such as Love Your Salvation say continually, The LORD be Magnified.
Psalm 40
What is the meaning of the word “gay”? Depends on the time and culture, doesn’t it? Do you really think that this isn’t true for “atonement,” “faith,” justification,” “righteousness”? This does not mean that we cannot understand the words written in another time and another culture. Of course we can. But we can’t take the same word at its face value simply assuming that it means what WE THINK it means today. So, we have to dig out the cultural background and meaning in order to understand the text. Then we see how it applies to us.
I am sure you agree.
My concern is the naive view that somehow these words, spoken and written centuries ago, still mean the same thing today. That leads to ridiculous proclamations that God made all food clean when Noah got off the ark. What does the word “food” mean in that story? I can assure you it doesn’t mean shrimp.
I will echo Jaco’s comment on this. Sometimes your comments strike me as either flippant or naive. This is one of them. I don’t know your past experience that would lead you to conclude that sages are sorcerers, but here we try to understand the text of Scripture, and it makes it very clear that there is a considerable difference. While humor is important, it must be tempered with intelligence. This web site blog is not simply for sounding off.
Skip, please review my comment posted below.
Have a blessed day!
Skip,
Try this on for size: NOBLES of Israel rather than Sages (sorcerers). There are a couple of good ole sages though. Hey! wait a minute!!! Isn’t sage good for something? Betcha your ezer knows.
Intelligent enough for ya? I got a joke i can’t wait to share. Will make you laugh that intelligence right out!
🙂
My experience since I unexpectedly came alive to God February 1, 1975 illustrates the point Skip is making here.
According to the stats, 7 people followed the link to ‘The Imperial Pope’ in yesterday’s article, ‘Hidden in Plain Sight.’ That report is my factual, personal Witness and Testimony of what my Faith in God moved me to do. It is not exaggerated or embellished in any way.
When the Spirit moved me to speak those words to Prime Minister Trudeau face to face, I had no fore knowledge Popes would die. The RCMP records the incidents in their Official reports. I was totally surprised as the world was.
In 1976, as Americans were celebrating their Revolution, The Kansas City Times, in 2 reports, records “signs and wonders” of specific events that came out of my actions moved by my ‘blind’ Faith in Almighty God who is above all Nations. I had no fore knowledge subsequent world events would confirm what was written years earlier in The Kansas City Times.
From the Revolutionary Spirit of ’76 to the Revolutionary Spirit of ’11
February 23, 2011
http://ray032.com/2011/02/23/from-the-revolutionary-spirit-of-76-to-the-revolutionary-spirit-of-11/
I made no place for God in my life since I was a child, leaving the Catholic Church at 12. I never thought about God and the only contact I had with Believers was with were Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons knocking on my door. No one led me to the LORD.
Totally surprising and unexpected, this one Day happened in my Life. I knew that Day there is a power that can affect TIME and CIRCUMSTANCE.
I still struggle in the Faith, not being to deny the Truth of God in me. Even though my experience has been different than the norm and in many ways feel set apart from other Believers, I have no illusions about that. Set apart is not higher, better or superior to any other. I have my singular role to play in the Body of Christ as does Skip and all others. God is no respecter of persons.
But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living,
Daniel 2:30
DAY OF AWAKENING – DAVID vs GOLIATH vs ARMAGEDDON
December 25, 2011
http://ray032.com/2011/12/25/day-of-awakening-david-vs-goliath-vs-armageddon/
If you enjoyed John Nuttall’s praise music in the previous post, there is another beautiful song by John Nuttall embedded in this article that I listen to often.
Blessed is that man that makes the LORD his Trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order to You: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering You do not desire; my ears You have opened: You have not required burnt offering and sin offering .
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
I delight to do Your will, O my God: yea, Your Law is within my heart.
Psalm 40 of David the King
Since I started a FREE Blog on WordPress, I have become a Statistician. I never would have imagined that. There is so much information to analyze.
Since the comment above, the stats tell me as of this moment, 41 people from here clicked on a link above. Most looked at ‘The Imperial Pope,’ with a much smaller number looking at ‘From the Revolutionary Spirit of ’76 to the Revolutionary Spirit of ’11.’
In the same period, 31 people came to those articles from The Washington Post. An additional 13 people came from The Jerusalem Post and The National Post.
Only 2 people looked at ‘DAY OF AWAKENING – DAVID vs GOLIATH vs ARMAGEDDON’ which I posted in my Blog Christmas Day, 2011, reporting on the details of that awesome Day I was born again by the Spirit suddenly and unexpectedly. This is the only site where I posted the link. That’s disappointing and I’m trying to analyze that stat?
It`s tough to trust our Creator but rewarding knowing He is in control.
About a year ago as I was beginning to have, what turned out to be a paralysing stroke when I woke up in the middle of the night; I stopped to pray to the Father (1:00 AM); `you know my situation; whatever is in store I accept`. I didn`t ask for an ambulance; one was called. I thought as I went to zero mobility on my right side; how is this going to turn out. I was at peace. Content. It was surreal. I trusted the Father. He began the healing process. I had to learned to eat, talk, write and walk. In sixteen days I left the hospital in a wheel chair and in six weeks I was back to work, almost back to normal. It was an amazing time as I learned to trust because I had no control. Only our Father knows what we can endure; what`s good for our spiritual growth. I am so blessed to know him and that he knows my real needs. Hallelujah!!
I apologize if I offended anyone. Please forgive me. Sometimes I just get straight to the point. Just the facts. Sometimes I loop, spin and weave. Thank you Holy Spirit for Ray Joseph Cormier. Thank you Ray Joseph Cormier. Brother Carl usually helps a sister out.
I love everybody. Read something recently about what anti-semitism really means. Most intriguing.
His Handmaiden,
jeanette
I received the following as an email message on 4/25/2006 (thank God for date “stamps”) and sent it to my mother. She made sure it found its way back to me a couple of weeks ago. I share it with you in its entirety:
Malachi 3:3 says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”
He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy – – when I see my image in it.”
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over him or her. And whatever they’re going through, they’ll be a better person in the end.
“Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.”
“If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.”
Hi Jeanette,
I like that metaphor a lot and tend to think in psychological terms of our “angels and demons”
As a water sign (a Scorpio), I prefer submersion in the deep blue sea to the “heat of the fire”
The angels take me where I want to go, but the demons bring me pain
Both come from the same God who is good and deserving of all my love
IMO 🙂
Note: The original Hebrew term, satan, is a noun from a verb meaning primarily to “obstruct, oppose,” as it is found in Numbers 22:22
Selah. This is why one must be vigilant and alert. Course tho, Our Father didn’t seem to have problems with the fruit of the vine. Seems like i remember he liked some placed somewhere in that temple…..unless one takes that Nazirite vow. Have to be careful with that too tho. Check the facts for yourself Mikie. I don’t have the scriptures right at hand at this moment.
What is the difference between a Temple and a Tabernacle? Oh, well. Still praying about that one. Did you notice how the plans for the two differentiated?
Live long and prosper!
What is the difference between a Temple and a Tabernacle?
Hi Jeanette
Temple
The central place of worship in ancient Jerusalem, where sacrifices were offered, destroyed in 70 C.E. 2) The term commonly used for houses of worship within the Reform movement.
Tabernacles
A festival commemorating the wandering in the desert and the final harvest, known to Jews as Sukkot.
Jeanette,
I just checked out your Gravatar/Avatar and I like the image of the Lion lying down with the Lamb.
Will the people ever realize Christ showed the Way 2000 years ago for the people to beat their swords into plow shares and their spear into pruning hooks so the Nations would no longer learn War any more?
NOW is the TIME because for the 1st TIME in human History, the world is a Global Village. WE know what happens in far off places on the other side of the world as it happens. This is the 1st TIME Man has arrived at this point since the Garden.
It there is any respect for Truth, the People need to do it and not just talk about it now more than ever before. We have a form of religion but deny the Power of it. God IS Great!
I have several indoor/outdoor cats in downtown Ottawa-Hull. I have the best Cat house in Hull, Quebec.
All my cats eat from the same plate peaceably. But outsiders, other cats who observe how my cats get to my 2nd level apartment, try to gain admission to my cat family and there is fur flying often.
I have accepted one strange cat that really wanted a loving home. All my cats are of the one family line that has continued generation to generation for the last 12 years.
Mostly now, my cats, including the one who worked himself in, just sit peaceably in silence.
I love the Mother to them all. She is a Natural Born Mother. If Human Mothers devoted themselves to their young like cats do, the world would be a better place.
Anyway, I was hoping to see more information in your Profile 🙂
My Biography was once in Wikipedia for 2 years before I knew it was there until a small cabal of Editors were so offended by my Faith, they nominated it for deletion 3 times. The 3rd Time was the charm for them. While I was disappointed, I left all that in God’s hands and moved on.
You can imagine my surprise and wonder when months later, after the original Wikipedia Biography the Cabal of Editors edited to make it appear as bad and non-notable as possible and then nominated it for deletion for being non-notable, re-appeared online with Worldlingo.com.
It was even new and improved and could be read in all the chief languages of this world including 2 dialects in Chinese. That remained online for about a year until Worldlingo deleted all the Wikipedia Biographies they translated in a cost cutting measure. Mine was just one among many Worldlingo chose to show to the world.
The original is here: http://ray032.com/about/
Hi Ray! Your name makes me think of the song “This little light of mine…i’m gonna let it shine..”
Sorry Ray, i don’t do profiles, certificates, etc., but i do love words and especially The Word.
I used to have cats. Had one that thought it was a monkey! or something. Thanks for sharing about Worldlingo. i see word all in that. i still like wikipedia though. it will take you to the next level. just gotta be ___________ and disregard the semantics.
I’ll check out that profile. 🙂
Love, peace and hairgrease!
me
Oh! Then what is the difference between the original instructions for building the Temple and the instructions for the Tabernacle that Solomon built?
Thanks Mikie!
Hi jeanette,
This link might describe what you are looking for:
http://biblequestions.wyopub.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tabernacle-temple-and-synagogue/
Mikie, (i hope you don’t mind if i call you that) Why do YOU think that if this country was founded (smh) on biblical principles, the 10 Commandments are not part of the framing stuff? Oh, i read about some amendment back in the 90’s that added the Noahchide (did i spell that right?) laws. why dosen’t everyone know that, you think?
i’ll check out the site, but that Sweet and Holy Spirit has already shown me a thing or two. Here’s a site for you. nice song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bExdoZhluGo
Happyfeet,
me
As we have heard for years, -but finally get around to “doing,” ~ Trust and Obey. The Old T&O Railroad. And Yes, “contentment” is (assuredly) a learned behavior. We might as well- go ahead and ask ourselves the hidden question, lurking within: “Does God really know what He is doing?” I’ll follow this one up with another..- “Can we trust Him?” And (furthermore) Is He worthy of our trust? -and this question is a biggie: Has He ever, at any time, failed to “deliver”- (yes, to save) those whose trust is in Him? Very interesting thought just ping-ponged through my mind- Our founding fathers of this (once) great nation made (it seems to me) a very wise choice in placing conspicuously on our currency: “In God We Trust”- Oh how long did I not pay attention to this very simple and yet very “life-giving” command, even now hearing His words in my mind ~ “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him ~ (Jeremiah 17.7). Would Abraham be an example of “this man?” Or Daniel? Or David? Hebrew heroes.. all. And all “by faith!” (listed in the Hebrew hall of fame- chapter 11).
Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered Him, “My LORD and my God!” (I don’t know why He would use the personal pronoun “my”) Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24-29 ESV)
Even with all of our “education” and “learning”- etc. we have yet to find a cure for the common cold, or know why a brown cow can eat green grass and give white milk, which makes yellow butter, or what goes on inside one square inch of soil. No, there’s ‘mystery’ enuf’ still to go around, and our instructions remain, even to this day, to “walk by faith and NOT by sight.”