Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: David said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and refuge . . . “ (2 Samuel 22:3a)

There are many scriptural references to horns, in both the Old and New Testaments. Animal horns, the “usually paired bony processes that arise from the head of many ungulates,” especially those of cattle (the ox) and sheep (ram’s horn) were used for musical instruments and as containers.
The shofar, a ram's-horn trumpet, was blown by the ancient Hebrews in battle and high religious observances and used in synagogues before and during Rosh Hashanah and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur.
A horn was used to hold oil for the sacred rite of anointment (see 1 Samuel 16:1-13, where the Lord instructs the prophet to anoint David as king.)
The altar used during the Exodus journey had ‘horns’ on the four corners, overlaid with bronze. (See Exodus 27:1-8) The Book of Ezekiel also mentions an altar with four horns extending upward from the hearth. Blood from the sacrifice was to be placed on the four horns as part of the ceremony. (Ezekiel, 43:15; 20)
The Jewish historian, Josephus, describes the temple of Jesus’ day in The Wars of the Jews, Book V, Chapter V. The altar, which stood in front of the temple, had “corners like horns.”
The criminal, when his crime was accidental, found an asylum by laying hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28).
The phrase ‘horn of my salvation’ is typical of many scriptural references, in both the Old and New Testaments where it is obvious that “horn” had significance beyond trumpets and anointing vessels.
. The Bible uses ‘horn’ as a metaphor for strength; its loss as dishonor.
Moses compares the tribe of Joseph with a firstborn bull, with horns like the horns of a wild ox, (Deut. 33:17) denoting strength.
Lamentations 2:2-3 describes how the Lord, in fierce anger, has cut off the horn of Israel (strength) and brought her kingdom down to the ground in dishonor. Job, also, laments that he has “defiled my horn in the dust.” (Job 16:15, KJV)
Horns are emblems of power, dominion, glory, and fierceness, as they are the chief means of attack and defense with the animals endowed with them. The books of Daniel and Revelation are rich in prophetic imagery of horns, signifying royal dignity and the might of kings, especially military power, (Jer 48:25; Zac 1:18; Dan 8:24). John saw beasts with horns in Rev. chapter 13, vss. 1 and 11.
Zacharias echoes David’s psalm of triumph in Luke 1:69, that the Lord has “raised up a horn of salvation for us,” in the Christ, the Messiah, of John 3:16. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Paul proclaimed that all things - of the world, of life, death, things present or things to come - “all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (1 Cor. 3:21-23)
February 4, 2007

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: David said, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and refuge . . . " (2 Samuel 22:3a)

There are many scriptural references to horns, in both the Old and New Testaments. Animal horns, the "usually paired bony processes that arise from the head of many ungulates," especially those of cattle (the ox) and sheep (ram's horn) were used for musical instruments and as containers.
The shofar, a ram's-horn trumpet, was blown by the ancient Hebrews in battle and high religious observances and used in synagogues before and during Rosh Hashanah and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur.
A horn was used to hold oil for the sacred rite of anointment (see 1 Samuel 16:1-13, where the Lord instructs the prophet to anoint David as king.)
The altar used during the Exodus journey had 'horns' on the four corners, overlaid with bronze. (See Exodus 27:1-8) The Book of Ezekiel also mentions an altar with four horns extending upward from the hearth. Blood from the sacrifice was to be placed on the four horns as part of the ceremony. (Ezekiel, 43:15; 20)
The Jewish historian, Josephus, describes the temple of Jesus' day in The Wars of the Jews, Book V, Chapter V. The altar, which stood in front of the temple, had "corners like horns."
The criminal, when his crime was accidental, found an asylum by laying hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28).
The phrase 'horn of my salvation' is typical of many scriptural references, in both the Old and New Testaments where it is obvious that "horn" had significance beyond trumpets and anointing vessels.
. The Bible uses 'horn' as a metaphor for strength; its loss as dishonor.
Moses compares the tribe of Joseph with a firstborn bull, with horns like the horns of a wild ox, (Deut. 33:17) denoting strength.
Lamentations 2:2-3 describes how the Lord, in fierce anger, has cut off the horn of Israel (strength) and brought her kingdom down to the ground in dishonor. Job, also, laments that he has "defiled my horn in the dust." (Job 16:15, KJV)
Horns are emblems of power, dominion, glory, and fierceness, as they are the chief means of attack and defense with the animals endowed with them. The books of Daniel and Revelation are rich in prophetic imagery of horns, signifying royal dignity and the might of kings, especially military power, (Jer 48:25; Zac 1:18; Dan 8:24). John saw beasts with horns in Rev. chapter 13, vss. 1 and 11.
Zacharias echoes David's psalm of triumph in Luke 1:69, that the Lord has "raised up a horn of salvation for us," in the Christ, the Messiah, of John 3:16. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Paul proclaimed that all things - of the world, of life, death, things present or things to come - "all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's." (1 Cor. 3:21-23)
February 4, 2007

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Scared Speechless
* Scripture: "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the alter of incense."
Luke 1: 11, NKJV

Few things get your attention as much as someone suddenly appearing beside you when you think you are alone. Talk about an adrenaline spike! Blood pressure probably goes out the top, too. The effect is all the more heightened if you are the only person supposed to be there, such as a night watchman in a locked building. Or a priest serving in the temple at Jerusalem.
Most of the activity that we read about involving the temple in The New Testament took place in a large, open courtyard surrounding the sacred enclosure. This area was open to all, and was called the Court of the Gentiles.
The temple was enclosed with walls defining the Women's Court and the Court of Israel, or Men's Court. The great altar and vessels holding water for the rituals of washing and sacrifice were located in the Court of Priests, at the eastern end of the temple.
The temple proper contained two rooms. The first room, the Holy Place, contained a golden alter for burning incense, a table for showbread, and a lampstand.
It was separated from the Holy of Holies by a veil. It was this veil, dividing the two rooms, that was torn on the day of Christ's crucifixion.
The Holy of Holies was entered only by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, and then only after purification rituals. Still, it must have been an awe inspiring moment for any priest to stand just outside that curtain, knowing that you were representing the entire nation of Israel before the Lord.
Imagine for a moment that you are a priest, and you have finally been chosen by lot to burn incense in the Holy Place. It a possibly a once in a lifetime event for any priest. You arrive at the temple complex, ascending the steps leading to the great court. The temple rises above you, gleaming golden and shining white in the sunlight. You make your way through the throng, conspicuous in your white linen garments and cap. You enter the court of Israel through one of the six sanctuary gates, and proceed to the great altar in the Court of the Priests.
The familiar rituals of preparation and cleansing seem extra special today. This is where you have spent much of your life, serving God and the Nation of Israel, praying, praising, accepting offerings, and ministering in the ritual of sacrifice. Today is different, though, for you will walk up those twelve steps, beneath the portico, and through those enormous, golden doors.
The sound of the multitudes praying in the outer courts behind you recedes as you enter the Holy Place. The curtain veiling the Holy of Holies hangs before you, but you can go no farther.
You are alone, in the presence of God.
The smoke from the burning incense rises slowly in the still air, carrying the prayers of priest and people.
People! You have heard no one enter; no one else is permitted to so much as ascend those steps leading to the only door, but a man is standing there by the altar of incense! In the presence of God, in this Holy Place. . .
Scared speechless? Well, fearful and trembling, anyway. Actually, a holy visitor in this holiest of places announces the beginning of a new age, the coming of the Christ, the Messiah, and you, Zacharias, will be the father of one who will make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Elizabeth, your long-barren wife, will bear you a son, John, the Forerunner of Christ. He will be great in the sight of the Lord.
The angel Gabriel not only delivers these glad tidings, but also takes away your power of speech. You will not be able to speak until the day these things take place.
Centuries have passed since God spoke through the prophets. But now:
"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people."
Luke 1:68, NKJV
December 10, 2006

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Soap
* Scripture: John wrote, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7, NKJV

Ablution! Now there’s a word for you. You probably have not used the word recently, but I sincerely hope you have performed the ritual of ablution recently, and I highly recommend that you do it often. Ablution is the washing of one's body or part of it (as in a religious rite) or the act or action of bathing.
My thoughts wandered to one of the essential elements of the ritual as I was engaged in my ablutions one day, and I accorded the discovery of that product as one of the most beneficial events in the history of humankind.
Now people talk about the lever, inclined plane, and the fulcrum, the values of fire and the wheel, but those discoveries (or inventions, if they be such) are inconsequential when one is ensconced in the bath. You may prefer a washcloth, a brush, a sponge, or even a strigil as used by the ancient Greeks, but people the world over proclaim the wondrous power of - soap!
Thus inspired, and curiosity aroused, I turned to my references to learn what I could of this marvelous stuff.
I already knew, and my dictionary confirmed, that soap is made by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids. Mom used to make a homemade soap, using lye as the alkaline ingredient. Another source for the alkali is wood ashes, so the basic ingredients were available to even the frontier settlers as they moved westward in our country.
A soap-like material found in clay cylinders during the excavation of ancient Babylon is evidence that soap making was known as early as 2800 B.C. Soap and lye for cleansing is mentioned in Jeremiah 2:22, but it is noted that iniquity remained, so soap is not effective against pollution from worshiping idols. Fuller’s (launder’s) soap is mentioned in Malachi 3:2, in reference to the Lord’s cleansing in the day of His coming.
Soap got its name, according to an ancient Roman legend, from Mount Sapo, where animals were sacrificed. Rain washed a mixture of melted animal fat, or tallow, and wood ashes down into the clay soil along the Tiber River. Women found that this clay mixture made their wash cleaner with much less effort.
So there is your connection between worship and soap. Perhaps “cleanliness” is truly next to “Godliness” after all! The ingredients were right there at the altar, even in ancient Israel. Animal sacrifices provided the fats, and the wood ashes the alkali.
It was at the altar that the blood of the First Covenant atoned for sin; it was at the cross that the blood of Christ brought sanctification once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin.
June 5, 2005

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. (Luke 1:5, NIV)

Mention the word “nativity” and most people will likely think of the Nativity of Jesus, the Christ Child. Actually, the word ‘nativity’ with a lower case ‘n’ is the occasion of a person’s birth - yours, mine, anyone’s. The first nativity mentioned in the gospel of Luke is that of Jesus’ relative and Forerunner, John, the Baptizer.
John was born into a priestly family, desendents of Aaron, the first priest. Both parents were “upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. “ (Luke 1:6-7)
The scriptural recounting by Luke tells of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah while he was serving in the temple, the subsequent conception by Elizabeth, and the birth of John, one who would bear witness to The Light (The Christ) as the “voice of one crying in the wilderness.” (John 1:23)
It is easy to skip over one little detail mentioned in the scriptural text, that of the role of the priestly division of Abijah. It is one bit of knowledge that can add detail to the story of Zechariah’s service to the Lord.
1 Chronicles chapter 23 recounts a gathering of all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and Levites, at the time King David was turning the kingdom over to his son, Solomon. The Levites were to look after the work of the house of the LORD., as officers, judges, gatekeepers and musicians. They were desendents of Levi, but not of Aaron.
Chapter 24 recounts the divisions of the sons of Aaron. David knew that because there were so many descendents of Aaron by this time, the priests should be divided so they could fairly be assigned the privileged service of the temple. They were divided by lot into twenty-four divisions; Abijah was the eighth priestly division. Like the other divisions, the priests of Abijah served in the temple for one week twice a year.
Duties for the day were assigned by drawing lots, the first two including such duties as cleaning the altar and preparing its fires, offering the sacrifice and cleansing the candlestick and the altar of incense. Many rituals were observed throughout the service, including prayer.
After this a third lot was cast for burning the incense. To be so selected for this service was a great honor; No one might take part in it who had ministered in that office before. The officiating priest entered the Holy Place with assistants, who helped prepare the alter of incense, then left the chief officiating priest alone within the Holy Place, to await the signal of the president before burning the incense. It was probably at this time that the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah.
The people marveled that Zechariah took so long in the temple. If it had been the duty of Zechariah, as incensing priest for the day, to lead in the priestly blessing, we can all the better understand the wonder of the people as 'he beckoned to them, and remained speechless' (Luke 1:21-22) while they waited for his benediction.
The priests themselves lived not only in Jerusalem but also in other settlements in the land of Israel. When it was time for the division to go up to Jerusalem, the priests left their homes, went up to Jerusalem for a week, and afterwards returned to their homes in Judea or Galilee.
Luke notes that Elizabeth was related to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Lk. 1:36). The two nativity stories further intertwine when Mary visits Elizabeth. The babe (John) leaped in Elizabeth’s womb for joy upon hearing Mary’s greeting. (Luke 1:41) Mary spent three months with her at this very special time in their lives.

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http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: John wrote, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7, NKJV

Ablution! Now there’s a word for you. You probably have not used the word recently, but I sincerely hope you have performed the ritual of ablution recently, and I highly recommend that you do it often. Ablution is the washing of one's body or part of it (as in a religious rite) or the act or action of bathing.
My thoughts wandered to one of the essential elements of the ritual as I was engaged in my ablutions one day, and I accorded the discovery of that product as one of the most beneficial events in the history of humankind.
Now people talk about the lever, inclined plane, and the fulcrum, the values of fire and the wheel, but those discoveries (or inventions, if they be such) are inconsequential when one is ensconced in the bath. You may prefer a washcloth, a brush, a sponge, or even a strigil as used by the ancient Greeks, but people the world over proclaim the wondrous power of - soap!
Thus inspired, and curiosity aroused, I turned to my references to learn what I could of this marvelous stuff.
I already knew, and my dictionary confirmed, that soap is made by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids. Mom used to make a homemade soap, using lye as the alkaline ingredient. Another source for the alkali is wood ashes, so the basic ingredients were available to even the frontier settlers as they moved westward in our country.
A soap-like material found in clay cylinders during the excavation of ancient Babylon is evidence that soap making was known as early as 2800 B.C. Soap and lye for cleansing is mentioned in Jeremiah 2:22, but it is noted that iniquity remained, so soap is not effective against pollution from worshiping idols. Fuller’s (launder’s) soap is mentioned in Malachi 3:2, in reference to the Lord’s cleansing in the day of His coming.
Soap got its name, according to an ancient Roman legend, from Mount Sapo, where animals were sacrificed. Rain washed a mixture of melted animal fat, or tallow, and wood ashes down into the clay soil along the Tiber River. Women found that this clay mixture made their wash cleaner with much less effort.
So there is your connection between worship and soap. Perhaps “cleanliness” is truly next to “Godliness” after all! The ingredients were right there at the altar, even in ancient Israel. Animal sacrifices provided the fats, and the wood ashes the alkali.
It was at the altar that the blood of the First Covenant atoned for sin; it was at the cross that the blood of Christ brought sanctification once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin.
June 5, 2005