Seeds For Thinking

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

* On the Other Hand
* Scripture: God told Jonah, “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who can not discern between the right hand and their left - and much livestock?” (Jonah 4:11, NKJV)

“Your OTHER left!” Usually uttered as a sarcastic put-down to someone stepping off on the wrong foot while marching. The odds are 50-50 that you will get it right. “All together now: Left-right-left-right.” - If you are out of step you are . . . left?
Actually, the proper word is ‘wrong.’ But note that if something is correct it is ‘right.’ In English, anyway. A little bit of discrimination in favor of right handed people, perhaps.
Those who use the hand on their right side are dexterous, from the Latin ‘dexter’ - on the right side. On the other hand, on the left side, you are ‘sinister,’ unlucky. In France, you would be gauche, lacking social experience or grace; also, not tactful.
In most Arab countries, the left hand is considered “unclean” and is not put forward in social situations. The left hand earned this interesting epithet in the harsh desert, a land of few trees and no paper. It was the custom to eat, shake hands, wave a greeting, all with the right hand while the left hand was reserved for certain “hygienic functions” or blowing the nose.
Many of these same left hand, right hand conventions are found in the Bible. The seat at the right hand is one of honor and power (see Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 62:8) Jesus placed the righteous -the blessed - on the right, and the cursed on the left in the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46.
So what do you make of the comment God made about people who “can not discern between the right hand and their left?” Is He in effect calling the Ninevites “gauche,” “sinister” or ignorant?
Not at all! God is expressing reasons for mercy. In Nineveh, that great city, are many children who are too young to know their right hand from their left hand, to know good from evil. God has a tender regard for little children, also evidenced by Jesus request to “let the little children come to me.” (Mt. 19:13)
Jonah had pity for the gourd, even anger that it had died, but he showed no pity on the innocent children in Nineveh, not to mention the livestock, who were not guilty of sin. Jonah concedes (vs. 4:2) that God is a “gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness.” Yet Jonah is “displeased exceedingly” (vs. 4:1) that God has taken pity upon Nineveh.
We need to Think about our own “Jonah effect” that we may not discriminate collectively against people by group or category.
God, in His great mercy and lovingkindness, considers all people who turn to Him worthy of salvation.
October 9, 2005

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Return to me and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you said, ‘In what way shall we return.’ (Malachi 3:7b, NKJV)

We have a Livestock Guard Dog (LGD) named Joe, who lives with our flock of sheep. Bred for centuries for the guarding trait, and imprinted on sheep as a puppy, the LGD protects against predators, such as coyotes or stray dogs looking to harm the sheep. Occasionally, the dogs will manage to get out of the pen or pasture, but will usually return to their ‘buddies’ the sheep after patrolling the neighborhood.
Joe found a way to get out of the sheep pasture on a Fourth of July evening, possibly inspired by the neighbor’s fireworks. We didn’t miss him until the next morning. We checked the fence rows to see if he was trapped somewhere, and drove the roads around our farm. Nothing.
We called the county dog pound as soon as they were open, hoping that they had found him. They asked if we had checked their web site. We did not know about it, but quickly got on-line. There, in the “Found” listing was a “big, white dog, friendly.” That sounded promising, but the location astonished us! He was found over twelve miles away! Could that be possible?
We called the finder’s telephone number. Her description sure sounded like our dog, Joe. My wife and granddaughter went to check it out.
Sure enough it was Joe, tired, with sore feet, and hair full of burrs. What a joy for the return of the wayward one, for the lost to come home.
We have no idea what adventures he had during his trip. Judging from where he started and where he was found, he possibly followed a waterway, which kept him off the highways, and near water. We suppose that once he left familiar landmarks he just kept moving, trying to find his way home, but all the while getting farther and farther away.
The scriptures are filled with accounts of persons who have wandered away from God, searching, seeking and yet lost. Malachi prophesied to Israel during a time when the nation became indifferent to God’s moral and ceremonial law. Even the priests had become spiritually insensitive and corrupt, cheating on tithes and offerings. Observances of worship were empty ritual. The prevailing attitude was one of spiritual lethargy.
Their lack of blessing was not caused by God’s lack of concern, but by their disregard of the covenant law. And yet they wondered why they were not being blessed by God.
“I have no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.” (Malachi 1:10b)
The people and the priests continued to move away from God. Their perception of God grew dim. Materialism and externalism became accepted social practices.
In spite of all this, God still loved His people, and extended His grace to any who would humbly turn to Him.
The prophet Joel writes of rescue and salvation: “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. . . . Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.” (Joel 2:12-13b)
Yes, there is hope for those who are seeking, searching, yet running away from God.
“Return to me and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. What a joy for the return of the wayward one, for the lost to come home.