In Proverbs 26:23-28, the writer cautions us to avoid the deceitfulness of our enemies – specifically – those who oppose our faith. How can we identify our enemies who “disguise themselves like a coating of glaze over earthenware” (verses 23-24)? Glaze over earthenware hides the tiny flaws in the clay and potentially enhances the look of the vessel, but how many times in our lives have we heard the old adage that looks can be deceiving? Repeatedly, the writer refers to the “lips, the tongue, the mouth, the charming speech, and the heart of an enemy as deceitful members – malicious, concealed by deception, and flattering – filled with seven abominations” (verses 23-28). The writer is saying that we identify our enemies by recognizing that what they say almost always sounds too good to be true, and more often than not, it is surely a lie and not to be trusted. Lies are deceitful pitfalls, and if we fall for the lies of an enemy, we are like a man who risks the danger of falling into the very pit that he himself has dug – or is struck by a stone that he himself has rolled (verse 27). In other words, by trusting an enemy, we have immaturely duped ourselves.
In Ezekiel 4-6, God requires Ezekiel to demonstrate visibly and symbolically to the Israelites the sinful depths to which their idolatry has led them and its result: the coming siege of Jerusalem. God said that Ezekiel should present four public signs: First, the sign of “the clay tablet” inscribed with the city of Jerusalem (verses 4:1-3); second, the sign of Ezekiel’s uncomfortable posture – “390 days on his left side and 40 days on his right side – bearing the sins of his people” (verses 4-8); third, the sign of the coming famine (verse 9-17); and fourth, the sign of a disgraceful military defeat – shaving Ezekiel’s hair and beard with an instrument of war – a sword – (chapter 5, verses 1-17). God is going to bring disgrace on Jerusalem for its failure to grow up and represent the holy, righteous, and sovereign God properly to the nations. In chapter 6, God promises judgment on the mountains of Israel (i.e., the high places) as adulterous sanctuaries for Israelite idolatry. Ezekiel’s visual drama shows that Israel has become impure and abominable before the Lord, as well as before their own neighbors. Ezekiel’s drama communicates that God will judge them for their sins.
In Hebrews 5:11-6:12, we read that “much is to be said about the priesthood of Melchizedek, but that it is difficult because we are slow to learn” (verse 11). Here, we see the fifth “Let us” statement of Hebrews: [5] “Let us leave the elementary teachings and go on to maturity” (verse 1). We are cautioned to grow proactively in our faith – to lay hold of its advanced teachings. We need to grow up and move past the milk of the Word and get into the meat (i.e., “solid food”) of the Word. How do we do that? The writer gives us his answer: “By constant use [of the Word] and self-discipline [i.e., “training”] to distinguish good from evil” (verse 14). No one can mature in the faith apart from constant study of the Word of God. Hebrews 6 seems to imply that one can lose his or her salvation, but this idea is absolutely inconsistent with both the rest of Scripture and the promises of God. Our salvation depends on God – not on us. The writer admits that such a situation, though conceivable in our minds, is actually “impossible” in reality (verse 4). Our security does not rest upon our abilities to maintain it, but solely upon God’s Word and His promises. We need to grow up!
Note About Today's Artwork: Terri did this sketch as a calendar illustration for February, 1981.
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