Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22, NKJV)

A competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest is often referred to as an underdog, at least in our English vernacular. The saying apparently originated in the late 19th century with reference to the beaten dog in a dogfight.
Still, there is a certain satisfaction in witnessing the overlord getting their comeuppance, or suffering a downfall.
The long shot, dark horse, weaker one, little guy coming out on top. Especially if we identify with the downtrodden, the victim, the loser, the fall guy, the person who has little status in society, we want to see the underdog win.
Yesterday's underdog is today's champion!
Think David against Goliath; The host of Midianites and Amalekites, numerous as locusts, routed by Gideon and three-hundred men; Joshua destroying the city of Jericho with the blast of trumpets - and the walls came tumbling down!
The underdog often has abilities that are not recognized by the multitudes, while the top dog, the champion, is a proven winner. Goliath was such a champion for the Philistines, outclassing other men in stature, strength and weaponry. A boy, a shepherd lad, found a vital spot in Goliath’s armor. Arrayed in armor, going toe to toe with sword and shield, the outcome may have been different, but David had faced down lions armed with only his sling and stones. His skills and equipment were sufficient to the task.
Skilled leadership is often a critical factor in a winning effort. The coach, the trainer, the ‘spotter’ following the action makes the difference in many sporting events. These Biblical examples could be said to have had such leadership, Out Of This World leadership, in fact.
The Lord may or may not be aligned with the typical underdog, but David, Gideon, and Joshua were following the strategies from on High. The fact that each was more than overwhelmed by the opposition gave credence to the power of God.
The Bible doesn’t use our phrase “underdog.” Little good was ever said about dogs in their society. But a cornerstone has important and positive connotations in ancient and modern times. A cornerstone forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls; a stone ceremonially laid usually at the corner of a foundation to mark the occasion of a building being erected; an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based. It may be called the keystone, mainspring, mainstay, linchpin, bedrock, base, backbone, key, centerpiece, core, heart, center, crux.
Essential; important. Hardly an underdog. But the stone that the builders rejected, now that resembles the underdog. The looser, having little status in the pile of building stones.
Jesus, the Christ, has been compared to such a stone, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. The stone which the builders rejected. He is the “chief cornerstone; elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” ( 1 Peter 2:6b, NKJV)
Christ is a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God, and precious. Peter writes, “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient . . . “They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they were also appointed.”
(vs. 7a; 8b)
To become a champion, the Top Dog, the competitor must lay aside all bad habits and actions, and concentrate on that which brings perfection. Note that practice does not make perfect; practice makes permanent! So be certain that what you practice is perfect. As Peter wrote, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 1-2)

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

* The Better Part
* Scripture: Gideon said, “ Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?” Judges 8:2b, NKJV

Anyone who has had to deal with more than one child at mealtime has likely had to mediate the “She got more than me!” battle. Isn’t it amazing how the other piece of pie, the slab of cake, always looks bigger on the other plate. Or, as the farmer said to his cow as she leaned over the fence, “The grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it?”
Sadly, it is not just children and livestock that want their full share, and maybe just a little bit more. Groups, clans, even nations, are subject to this malady. At the least, there is grumbling and ill will; at the worst, envy, jealousy, and anger.
Let’s take a look at just one of many examples found in the Bible.
If you have been around for awhile, you have heard the story of Gideon in the Book of Judges. How God called him to save Israel from the Midianites, the tests that eliminated all but three-hundred men, and the night time raid that sent the Midianite army, “as numerous as locusts” (Judges 7:12), fleeing in disorder. Oh, how we thrill at the hearing of the God-inspired selection of these few men, of how their torches and trumpets terrified the enemy so much that they struck out against even their own brethren with their swords. (7:22)
Most of the sermons that I have heard end there with the enemy fleeing before Gideon’s “army.” But that is not the end of the battle, nor the tie-in that I must make with my lead-in about squabbling over one’s portion.
Follow up by reading Judges 7:24, 25. Gideon sent word to the men of the tribe of Ephraim AFTER the Midianite’s camp was abandoned, instructing them to seize the fleeing Midianites as they tried to cross back over the Jordan River. This they did, and captured two Midianite princes in the process. (Think sacking the quarterback in football!) Were the Ephraimites happy? No way! They likely missed out on looting the Midianite camp - the old “You got something that we didn’t!” complaint. They were angry!
The key to understanding Gideon’s reply lies in the word ‘gleaning.’ God made provision for the welfare of the poor by instructing the landowners to leave the corners of their fields unharvested, and to leave some of the fruit in the orchards and vineyards. The people who gathered those set-aside crops were called “gleaners.”
Gideon’s father was Joash, the Abiezrite. Thus, the Ephraimites ‘gleaned’ a greater honor than did Gideon’s army.
“You’ve got the better part!”
Think about it.
September 18, 2005

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

Scripture: Gideon said, “ Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?” Judges 8:2b, NKJV

Anyone who has had to deal with more than one child at mealtime has likely had to mediate the “She got more than me!” battle. Isn’t it amazing how the other piece of pie, the slab of cake, always looks bigger on the other plate. Or, as the farmer said to his cow as she leaned over the fence, “The grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it?”
Sadly, it is not just children and livestock that want their full share, and maybe just a little bit more. Groups, clans, even nations, are subject to this malady. At the least, there is grumbling and ill will; at the worst, envy, jealousy, and anger.
Let’s take a look at just one of many examples found in the Bible.
If you have been around for awhile, you have heard the story of Gideon in the Book of Judges. How God called him to save Israel from the Midianites, the tests that eliminated all but three-hundred men, and the night time raid that sent the Midianite army, “as numerous as locusts” (Judges 7:12), fleeing in disorder. Oh, how we thrill at the hearing of the God-inspired selection of these few men, of how their torches and trumpets terrified the enemy so much that they struck out against even their own brethren with their swords. (7:22)
Most of the sermons that I have heard end there with the enemy fleeing before Gideon’s “army.” But that is not the end of the battle, nor the tie-in that I must make with my lead-in about squabbling over one’s portion.
Follow up by reading Judges 7:24, 25. Gideon sent word to the men of the tribe of Ephraim AFTER the Midianite’s camp was abandoned, instructing them to seize the fleeing Midianites as they tried to cross back over the Jordan River. This they did, and captured two Midianite princes in the process. (Think sacking the quarterback in football!) Were the Ephraimites happy? No way! They likely missed out on looting the Midianite camp - the old “You got something that we didn’t!” complaint. They were angry!
The key to understanding Gideon’s reply lies in the word ‘gleaning.’ God made provision for the welfare of the poor by instructing the landowners to leave the corners of their fields unharvested, and to leave some of the fruit in the orchards and vineyards. The people who gathered those set-aside crops were called “gleaners.”
Gideon’s father was Joash, the Abiezrite. Thus, the Ephraimites ‘gleaned’ a greater honor than did Gideon’s army.
“You’ve got the better part!”
Think about it.
September 18, 2005