Si Propeta Elias at ang Babaeng Balo sa Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)

 

Namulot ng mga piraso ng kahoy ang babae bilang panggatong. Akala niya, minsan na lang siyang magluluto at kakain sa huling pagkakataon pagkatapos ay mamamatay na sa gutom.

Nasa abroad si mister; nasa Pilipinas si misis. Habang nag-uusap sila sa pamamagitan ng Skype isa-isang binabanggit ni misis ang mga dapat gastusan ng kanilang pamilya. Ang sagot ni mister: “Alam mo darling, minsan lang sa isang buwan ang suweldo dito.” Maliban sa iilan na labis ang kinikita, ito ang suliranin ng karamihang pamilyang Pilipino. Mahirap pagkasyahin ang budget sa dami ng gastusin: pagkain, kuryente, upa sa bahay, matrikula at baon ng mga bata, gamot ng mga maysakit, at kung anu-ano pa. Ang kahirapan sa buhay ay yumayanig sa ating pananampalataya at kung hindi mababantayan, baka tayo ay tuluyang manghina.

Ang bahagi ng kasulatan na tatalakayin sa paskil na ito hango sa buhay si Elias, isang propeta ng Diyos. Siya ay naglingkod bilang propeta sa panahong ang bansa ay nasa ilalim ng isang haring ubod ng sama, si Haring Ahab. At hindi pa siya nakuntento sa kanyang kasamaan, kumuha pa siya ng first lady na masama-- isang dayuhan na nagngangalang Jezebel. Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng mag-asawa ay hinatak nila ang buong bansa sa kasamaan tulad ng pagsamba kina Baal at Asherah. Ito ay mailalarawan bilang conjugal reign of wickedness.

Bilang propeta ng Diyos, si Elias ang humarap sa kanya at idineklara niya ang mahabang tagtuyot: walang ulan ni hamog. Nagalit ang hari; nanganib ang buhay ni Elias. Siya ay inutusang magtago at manatili sa tabi ng isang batis. Dito pa lang ay makikita na natin ang pagtutustos ng Panginoon sa kanyang mga pangangailangan. Umaga at hapon, ang mga uwak ay inutusang maghatid ng pagkain kay Elias. Kung saan sila kumuha ng supply ay nananatiling misteryo hanggang ngayon. Doon na rin sa batis umiinom ng tubig si Elias.

Pero dahil wala ngang ulan ni hamog, natuyuan rin ang batis. Panahon na upang lumipat ng kuta. Si Elias ay ipinadala ng Panginoon sa tahanan ng isang babaeng balo at isang munting bata. Wika ni Hesus, maraming babaeng balo sa Israel sa panahon na iyon, ngunit hindi ipinadala si Elias sa kanila. Sinadya ng Diyos na pumili ng isang Hentil sa lupain ng Sidon. It was by God's sovereign choice! Puwede naman siyang pakainin ang kanyang propeta sa ibang kaparaanan. Ngunit ipininadala si Elias sa tahanan ng babaeng ito dahil may gagawin ang Diyos sa buhay ng mag-ina.

Inabutan niya ang babae na namumulot ng panggatong. Humingi ng maiinom si Elias. Pupunta na ang babaeng balo upang kumuha ng maiinom, subalit may pahabol na kahilingan ang propeta: isang piraso ng tipanay. Sagot ng niya, "Saksi si Yahweh, ang inyong buhay na Diyos na wala na kaming tinapay. Mayroon pa kaming kaunting harina at ilang patak na langis. Namumulot nga ako ng panggatong upang lutuin iyon at makakain man lamang kami ng anak ko bago kami mamatay." (v.12)

Kung kayo ay gutom at ipapadala kayo ng Panginoon sa isang pamilya, aasahan ninyo siguro na sa marangyang pamilya kayo idadako. Lumalabas dito na ang gutom na si Elias ay ipinadala ng Panginoon sa isang mag-inang dukha. Ang inaasahan ng babae, magluluto na lang siya ng minsan at huling hapunan na iyon.

Subalit nagpakita pa rin ng pananampalataya ang babae:

1. Kinilala niya na ang Diyos ni Elias , ang Diyos ng Israel bilang siyang tunay na Diyos. Wika niya: "Saksi si Yahweh, ang inyong buhay na Diyos" (v.2). Siya ay hindi naman Israelita. Iba ang kinalakihan niyang kultura at relihiyon, ngunit kumbinsido siya na ang Diyos ng Israel ay ang siyang tunay.

2. Sumunod siya sa bilin ni Elias at kinilala niya ito bilang propeta ng Diyos. " Ngunit ipagluto mo muna ako ng isang maliit na tinapay, at pagkatapos magluto ka ng para sa inyo. " (v.13). Isipin mo ang kalagayan ng babae. Kakarampot na harina na lamang ang hawak mo at biglang may susulpot na dayuhan na makikihati pa sa anong meron ka. Mahirap magbigay sa ganitong kalagayan.

Ngunit dahil kinilala na niya ang Diyos ng Israel bilang tunay na Diyos, kasunod noon ay ang pagtanggap sa propeta ni Yahweh. Ang gawaing ito ay kasiya-siya sa paningin ng Diyos (Mateo 10:41). Ipinagluto niya si Elias, dahil pinanghawakan niya ang pangako ng Panginoon sa v. 14: "Hindi ninyo mauubos ang harina sa lalagyan, at hindi rin matutuyo ang langis sa tapayan hanggang hindi sumasapit ang takdang araw na papatakin na ni Yahweh ang ulan."

Tinupad ba ng Panginoon ang kanyang pangako? Heto ang pagpapatuloy ng salaysay:

vv. 15-16 "Ginawa nga ng babae ang utos ni Elias at hindi naubos ang pagkain ni Elias at ng mag-ina sa loob ng maraming araw. Hindi nga naubos ang harina sa lalagyan, at hindi rin natuyo ang langis sa sisidlan, tulad ng sinabi ni Yahweh sa pamamagitan ni Elias."

Huwag ninyong iisipin na sa araw mismo na iyon ay biglang nagkaloon ng santambak na dami ng harina sa bahay ng babae. Huwag ninyong iisipin na bigla na lang nagkaroon ng balde-baldeng dami ng langis sa kusina. Yung dating sisidlan pa rin ng harina ang gamit nila at kung titignan mo araw-araw ay kakapiranggot lang ang laman. Yung dating sisidlan pa rin ng langis ang gamit nila at kung titignan mo araw-araw ay iilang patak lang ang laman. Maaaring ito ang araw-araw na tanong ng babae, “Meron ba kaya bukas?”. Araw-araw, napapatibay rin ang pananampalataya ng babae at ng bata.

Sa ating kalagayan, huwag nating iisipin na kailangang magbigay ng milyon-milyong pera ang Diyos para masabing pinagpala tayo. Huwag natin iisipin na kailangang puno lagi ang refrigerator bago tayo maniwalang “the Lord provides!”. Ang araw-araw na pagtutustos niya sa ating mga pangangailangan at napagkakasya natin ito ng hindi inaasahan ay sapat ng dahilan upang mamangha tayo sa kagandahang-loob niya. Ito ay kanyang paraan upang turuan ang puso natin na magtiwala.

At kung babalikan natin ang sinabi ng Panginoon, maraming babaeng balo sa Israel pero ang pinili ng Diyos padalhan ng grasya ng kaligtasan ay isang babaeng Hentil (Lucas 4:25-26). Isipin rin ninyo ang ginawa ng Panginoon sa buhay ninyo: hindi ba doon sa baranggay ninyo, maraming mga tahanan? Hindi ba marami kayong mga kapitbahay? Sa dinami-dami ng mga tao doon, iilan lang ang bilang ng mga mananampalataya.

If he has sent to your home the blessing of salvation, which is the greatest blessing of all, will you not trust him to give you the lesser blessings like food, shelter and clothing?

Romans 8:32-- “ He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

Nebuchadnezzar: the King Who Learned the Hard Way

The warning signs are like flares in the night

Still I proceed my greed is in spite of the fire

I know that's bound to burn

Why is it that I always gotta learn the hardway

~ DC TALK

Maaari namang matuto nang hindi na nasasaktan pa, subalit sadyang matitigas ang ulo ng marami sa atin. Taon-taon ang babala ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan: “Huwag magpaputok!”, pero bakit may mga tao na kailangan munang mabawasan ang daliri bago matuto? Si Haring Nebuchadnezzar ay isang halimbawa ng taong may katigasan ng ulo; kung hindi pa siya papaluin ng Panginoon, hindi siya matututo.

Hindi niya kilala ang tunay na Diyos na nagpakilala sa bayan ng Israel. Iba ang kanyang relihiyon; iba ang kanyang mga diyos. Subalit siya ay isang makapangyarihang hari. Malawak ang kanyang imperyo.

Bagamat wala siyang pagkakilala sa Diyos, kumikilos ang Diyos upang magpakilala sa kanya. Bagamat hinayaan niyang malupig ang kanyang bayan, masisilip na natin na may ginagawa ang Diyos. Nang pumili ang Babilonia ng mga kabataang Israelita na kanilang aalagaan, isiningit ng Panginoon sina Daniel, Hananias, Mishael at Azarias (Belteshasar, Shadrach, Meshac, Abednego) upang kanyang gamitin sa pagpapakilala ng kanyang kaluwalhatian.

The first chance of  Nebuchadnezzar for painless learning is when Daniel gave the interpretation to his dream demonstrating that the God of Daniel is the true God. The king even made a great confession about YHWH-- (Dan.2:47). Akala mo natuto na, pero hindi pa pala.

Next, he made a giant image-- 90 feet high, 9 feet wide. He ordered that everybody must bow down before the image and whoever refuses will be thrown into the furnace. He was furious when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn't comply. The flames were made seven times hotter so even the soldiers who pushed the three to the furnace did not survive. Yet  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were unharmed, and a mysterious fourth man accompanied them. Only the ropes that were used to bind the three were consumed by the flames.

For what Nebuchadnezzar witnessed, he issued another great confession about Israel's God (Dan.3:29). Akala mo natuto na, pero hindi pa pala

The king wasted the opportunities for painless learning. So he must learn the hard way.

Sa kalagitnaan ng kapayapaan at kasaganaan, nagkaroon siya ng isang nakababagabag na panaginip. At dahil hindi pa nga siya natuto, muli siyang sumangguni sa mga salamangkero, manghuhula at engkantador ng bayan-- bumalik siya sa mga taong hindi naman nakatulong sa kanya noon. Ipinag-utos pa nga niyang patayin sila noon, pero ngayon ay muli siyang umaasa sa kanila (Dan.2:12). Gaya ng dati, wala nanamang naitulong sa kanya ang mga salamangkero, manghuhula at mga engkantador. Sa puntong ito, ipinatawag niyang muli si Daniel.

The dream severely affected Daniel emotionally that for a while he was unable to speak. Perhaps his facial expression and body language is so unusual so the king urged him to speak out; and he did. Though he won't compromise his faith, Daniel's loyalty to and compassion for the King is unquestionable. After bringing the bad news, he earnestly urged the King to turn from his wicked ways (4:27), but it fell on deaf ears.

Lumipas ang 12 buwan. Gaya ng mayabong, malaki at luntiang puno sa panaginip, ang hari rin naman ay payapang nagpapahinga; masagana ang buhay; walang suliranin; pa- relaks-relaks lang. Ibinuka niya ang bibig ng pagmamataas:

"Talagang dakila na ang Babilonia. Ako ang nagtatag nito upang maging pangunahing lunsod at maging sagisag ng aking karangalan at kapangyarihan." (4:30 Bagong MBB)

Kasunod niyan ay isang tinig mula sa langit:

"Haring Nebucadnezar, pakinggan mo ito: Aalisin na sa iyo ang kaharian. Ipagtatabuyan ka sa parang at doon maninirahan kasama ng mga hayop. Kakain ka ng damo tulad ng baka. Pitong taon kang mananatili sa gayong kalagayan hanggang sa kilalanin mong nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasang Diyos ang kaharian ng mga tao, at maaari niyang ibigay ito kaninuman niyang naisin." (4:31-32)

At ang mga ito ay natupad nga. Nawala sa katinuan ang pag-iisip ng hari; nawala rin ang kanyang trono at kapangyarihan. Naging asal hayop siya at ang hanap niyang pagkain ay mga damo sa parang. Hindi na rin niya naalagaan ang kanyang sarili kaya lubha siyang pumangit. Hinayaan niyang humaba at kumapal ang kanyang mga buhok at mga kuko. 'Yan ang nangyari sa taong kinikilalang pinakamakapangyarihan sa kanyang kapanahunan.

Lumipas ang mahabang panahon-- pitong oras upang maging eksakto. Bigla na lang bumalik ang katinuan ng pag-iisip ni Nebuchadnezzar. Kinilala niya ang Diyos ng Israel bilang siyang tunay at walang kapantay sa kapangyarihan. Nakapagtataka pa na tila walang naghangad sa trono niya sa loob ng pitong taon gayong ang tao'y likas na sakim sa kapangyarihan. Nakapagtataka rin na hindi kumupas ang katapatan ng kanyang mga tagasunod sa paglipas ng pitong taon. Ito'y pagpapakita lamang na pinamahalaan ng Diyos ang mga pangyayari maging ang puso ng mga tao sa loob at labas ng palasyo. Siya ay iniluklok muli sa kanyang dating mataas na kinalalagyan.

I don't wanna learn the hard way. May Nebuchadnezzar's story be enough to teach me about the sovereignty and loftiness of God, and the proper place for me, a mere creature.

Proper Attitudes Before the Sovereign and Lofty God

1. We must have an attitude of worship. We owe him our love, devotion and service. We must acknowledge him for who he is.

2. We must have an attitude of humility. This is really a barrier to worship. How can we worship him when we are too amazed with who we are and what we have?

3. In promotion, we must faithful. In demotion, we must trust his wisdom.

Ang Diyos at ang Pako sa Sapatos ng Kabayo

Photo Credit: Absolute Astronomy

Hindi maayos ang pagkakapako sa sapatos ng isang kabayo. Iyan ang nagdulot ng pagkasawi ng pinakamahusay na mandirigma. At dahil nasawi ang kanilang pinakamahusay na mandirigma, natalo sa digmaan ang isang bansa.

Ayon sa isang dayuhang kasabihan: "Para sa isang taong nakasuot ng salamin na kulay luntian, ang lahat ng bagay ay kulay luntian". Para sa isang taong nakasuot ng salamin na kulay ateismo (atheism), ang lahat ng kanyang makikita ay kulay ateismo. Babasahin niya ang mga aklat kasaysayan (history books) at ganito ang kanyang makikita: NAGKATAON lang na hindi maayos ang pagkakapako sa sapatos ng kabayo. NAGKATAON lang na ang kabayong iyon ay pag-aari ng pinakamahusay na mandirigma. NAGKATAON lang na nadisgrasya siya dahil sa isang maliit na pako. NAGKATAON lang na natalo ang isang bansa sa digmaan. NAGKATAON lang.

Ang suot kong salamin ay kulay bibliya; dahil dito lahat ng aking natatanaw ay sinisikap kong ilagay sa balangkas ng Teolohiyang Kristiyano. Sa tuwing nagbabasa ako ng diyaryo o mga aklat kasaysayan, nakikita ko ang kamay ng Diyos. Ayon sa Efeso 1:11, ang Diyos ang nagsasagawa ng lahat ng bagay ayon sa kanyang pasya at kalooban. Ang Diyos ang kumikilos upang maganap ang maliliit na bagay tulad ng pagkatangay ng alikabok sa hangin hanggang sa pagdapo nito sa likod ng kalabaw. Ang Diyos rin ang kumikilos upang maganap ang malalaking bagay tulad ng pagbagsak ng isang hari mula sa kanyang trono.

Mula sa isang biblikal na pananaw, ang Diyos ang sanhi kung bakit hindi maayos ang pagkakapako sa sapatos ng kabayo. Siya rin ang sanhi kung bakit naaksidente ang pinakamahusay sa mandirigma. Siya ang sanhi kung bakit nasawi sa digmaan ang isang bansa.

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5th Halo-halo Huwebes

Newswatch

"... we should likewise see in those affairs reported in our daily paper the sovereign hand of God just as much as we see it in the Bible. Of course, we don't have the advantage of the divinely revealed explanation of today's events, as we do of those recorded in the Bible, but that does not make God's sovereign rule today any less certain. God recorded in His Word specific instances of his sovereign rule over history in order that we might trust Him in the affairs of history as they unfold before us today. we should remember that, for those experiencing the events recorded in the biblical narratives, God's hand was no more apparent to them in those events than His hand is apparent to us today in ours."

- Jerry Bridges

Trusting God, p.80

The Peter Syndrome

"The Peter Syndrome is a deadly disease rampant amongst modern Roman Catholic apologists. And it is a disease that makes you see every reference to Peter anywhere in an early father as somehow relevant to the bishop in Rome even if that father never makes that connection himself, never shows that he believes the bishop of Rome is the vicar of Christ on earth, never says that Peter's successor sit only on the sit in Rome, it doesn't matter as long as an early father says something nice about Peter, therefore he is in support of the bishop of Rome."

- James R. White

Grace Changes Our Vocabulary

"Filthiness, foolish talk, and crude joking are 'out of place'-- they're forbidden not because they're on some arbitrary "banned words" list, but because they reflect the heart and attitude of those who disregard God and his Word. Living in a way that's distinct from the world means speaking in a way that's distinct from the world. Grace changes us from the inside out, and a changed heart will lead to a changed vocabulary.."

- Craig Cabaniss

God, My Heart, and Media
chapter 5 in "Worldliness"
C.J. Mahaney, editor 

What is "Sixpence None the Richer"?

Leigh Nash: A little boy asks his father is he can get a Sixpence which is a very small amount of English currency for the boy to go and get a gift for his father and then the father gladly accepts the gift; he's really happy with it but he also realizes that he is not any richer for the transaction because he gave his son the money in the first place.

David Letterman: He bought his own gift

Leigh Nash: ... C.S. Lewis was comparing that to his belief that God has given him the gift and us the gifts that we posses and to serve him the way we should. We should do it with humble hearts realizing how we get the gifts in the first place.

God's Sovereignty Over the Wills and Desires of People Around Us

Photo Credit: Jonathan Farrington's blog: http://www.thejfblogit.co.uk/2009/08/04/successful-networking-means-taking-an-interest-in-anybody-everybody/

Much of what we are today were shaped by the wills and desires of people around us; and much of what we will be in the future is contingent upon other people's future courses of action.

If God is not in control over  man's “free will”, then I will suffer from non-stop anxiety over what other people might do. One action from a neighbor could ruin my life. But thank God I don't have to worry about that because the Bible reveals that God is Sovereign even in the wills and desires of people around me. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”. “All things” in that verse certainly includes men's decisions or else the word “all” would lose its meaning.

Proverbs 21:1 says “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes."

That is demonstrated when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken in the entire Roman world. He thought he was in control; he thought he was calling the shots. He doesn't know however that his heart is in the the hands of the Sovereign God. Because of that census, Joseph and Mary were compelled to travel from Nazareth to Joseph's hometown to comply with the king's order. Thus, the prophecy that the Messiah will be born in the little town of Betlehem was fulfilled (Micah 5:2).

Another demonstration of God's sovereignty over the wills and desires of the people around us is that when the Egyptians who were by nature  harsh in their treatment of the Israelite slaves suddenly became very generous towards their subjects. They were economically depleted because of the nine recent plagues that fell on them but when the Israelites asked for articles of gold, silver and clothing, they gave abundantly that by this means, the Israelites plundered the Egyptians. How could that be? It was because “The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people” (Exodus 12:36)

This is astonishing! There were more than 50 million registered voters for this year's national elections and God is sovereign over the wills and desires of every one of them-- even for those who have chosen to abstain!

This also means that for every Administrative Order that will be issued by Malacanang and for every bill that shall be passed or rejected by both houses of Congress for the next six years, God is in control. He is working for your welfare not just through good laws and policies but through the bad ones as well.

If you are a job seeker, you don't have to worry about the number of applicants falling in line or by the toughness of the competition. When the boss says “You're in”, God is at work; When the boss says “You're out”, God is also at work. In both cases, God causes all things to work together for your good.

When you are a businessman, you should thank God for every customer or client that approches you. The only reason why he did not go to the other store or dined at the other restaurant is because God is Sovereign over his wills and desires.

If you're dreaming to study in a prestigious university in Metro Manila or somewhere else and you're parents shouted “NO, study in Dagupan!”, you are not missing anything. You are studying in Dagupan according to God's purpose and it is good for you.

God was Sovereign when your father courted your mother. When your mother said “Yes” to your father, God was at work. Thank God then for you were born because of God's Sovereignty over the wills and desires of your parents.

If you are a young man, and you have pounded the doors of heaven until your hands are swollen; yet your dream girl rejects you in favor of another guy, rejoice in the Lord! God caused the rejection to happen for your good.

If you are a young woman and you have spent half a decade on your knees asking God for that handsome gentleman; yet he fell for your best friend, rejoice in the Lord! By his wisdom and goodness, God withheld what you are asking for in exchange of something (or someone???) better.

And how were you saved? Someone shared you the gospel in obedience to the Lord's Great Commission. God worked in the heart of that person both to will and to act according to God's good purpose (Philippians 2:13). If God did not work in his heart, he will not even have the desire to obey the Great Commission.

The people around us, including the really irritating ones are God's servants for your good. Praise the Lord!

Restrained or Unrestrained, Evil-minded Men Can Only Work for our Welfare.

Like many in his time, Guido de Bres suffered the pains of persecution because of his belief in Reformation theology. On May 31, 1567 he was hanged to death after being tried before the Spanish Inquisition. But before he died, he penned this words:

"We believe that this good God, after he created all things, did not abandon them to chance or fortune but leads and governs them according to his holy will, in such a way that nothing happens in this world without his orderly arrangement.

Yet God is not the author of, nor can he be charged with, the sin that occurs. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible that he arranges and does his work very well and justly even when the devils and wicked men act unjustly." (The Belgic Confession, Article 13)

We have seen in the previous post that God is sovereign even over the wills and desires of evil-minded men. Why then does he not restrain ALL wickedness?

Why did he not subdue the wills and desires of Joseph's brothers when they were planning to sell him to merchants. Why did he not subdue the evil plans of Potiphar's wife when she was falsely accusing Joseph of attempted rape?

Genesis 50:20
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (NIV)

It is because God is infinitely rich in wisdom that he could use even the evil intentions of men for the fulfillment of his perfect purposes.

The greatest crime in world history is that when men crucified God's Son. God has all the power to subdue the wills and desires of the religious and civil leaders of that time but he did not. He could even send multitudes of angels to execute judgment upon these men while they were arresting Jesus at Gethsemane, but he did not.

For it was his will to give his Son for the redemption of souls-- a purpose that he has foreordained even before the foundation of the world.
  
Acts 2:47-48
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. (NIV)

Restrained or unrestrained,

evil-minded men can only work for our welfare.

The Sovereignty of God Over the Wills and Desires of Criminal Minds

 Exodus 34:23-24

“Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel.  I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the LORD your God.”

One way to measure a king's majesty is by the size of his empire. And it was an era when kings enlarge their territories by conquering weaker kingdoms

Look at the situation: God commanded the men of Israel to go up to Jerusalem three times a year:
1.Feast of the Unleavened Bread
2.Feast of Harvest
3.Feast of the Ingathering

All the men of Israel including their best warriors are in Jerusalem three times a year. What's left in the other towns and cities are the women and children. It will be natural for a greedy king nearby to take advantage during these times when Israel's defense amounts to ZERO.

But look at God's promise in verse 24: “no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the LORD your God.”

God promises that no one will even desire to take their lands.This shows the sovereignty of God even in subduing the desires of brutal men. Isn't this the same message of Proverbs 21:1

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."

It took faith for the men of Israel to leave their families and go up to Jerusalem while cruel enemies may be lurking around. I take it as an application that we should trust the Lord in obedience for whatever he requires of us. If we do, we don't have to worry about the criminal minds surrounding us for he is able to restrain them.

But what about those times when criminal acts against God's people are not restrained? That question will be tackled in a separate post.

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Photo Credit: Thanks to Simon Howden who has kindly offered the image I used above at freedigitalphotos.net. Howden's portfolio is found here

Maaari bang matalo ang Diyos sa halalan?

Buwan ng Mayo, taong 1998, sa kabila ng ipinapatupad na political ad ban, bumili ng ilang oras na air time ang ilang prominenteng evangelical leaders sa PTV-4 upang ipalabas ang programang "Jesus' Declaration of Victory"-- (JDV-- mga initials ni Jose De Venecia). Doon ay inihayag ng mga evangelical leaders na ito na si De Venecia raw ang God's anointed bilang susunod na pangulo ng bansa.

Lumipas ang araw ng halalan at nagkabilangan. Ang resulta: landslide victory pabor kay Joseph Estrada, ang kandidatong pinanigan ng mga grupong Iglesia ni Cristo at El Shaddai. Nabigo ang "anointed" raw ng Panginoon.

Maaari nga bang matalo ang Diyos sa halalan? Maaari bang mabigo ang Panginoon na ilagay sa puwesto ang kanyang mga napili? Tignan natin ang patotoo ng bibliya:

Paano nagkaroon ng kapangyarihan ang Pharoah ng Ehipto?

Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." (NIV)

Paano nagkaroon ng kapangyarihan si Pontious Pilate?

John 19:10-11 ""Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above..."

Paano nagkaroon ng kapangyarihan ang mga emperador ng Roma tulad nina Nero at Domitian?

Romans 13:1 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Ayon sa Romans 13:1, lahat ng pamamahala at awtoridad ay galing sa Panginoon-- kahit nga sa mga lugar kung saan bawal ang pangangaral ng ebanghelyo.

 Demokrasya man o sosyalista; diktadorya, military junta, parliamentary, monarkiya-- LAHAT nito ay galing sa Panginoon.

Psalm 75:6-7 "No one from the east or the west
    or from the desert can exalt a man.
But it is God who judges:
    He brings one down, he exalts another.

Daniel 2:21 "He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them."

Daniel 4:25 "... the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."

Ibinibigay niya ang kapangyarihan sa sinumang kanyang nais. Maaari niya itong ibigay sa isang pastol tulad ni David o sa isang housewife tulad ni Cory o sa isang racist tulad ni Hitler. Maaari rin niya itong bawiin anumang oras kaya siya rin ang dahilan kung bakit inatake sa puso si Manuel Roxas noong 1948 at kung bakit bumagsak ang eroplano ni Ramon Magsaysay noong 1957. Hindi rin tatamaan ng bala si John F. Kennedy kung wala siyang pahintulot. Maaari siyang gumamit ng People Power tulad ng EDSA 1 at EDSA 2. Maaari rin niyang biguin ang People Power tulad ng EDSA 3. Maaari rin niya itong ipagkait sa iyo kahit kasinsikat ka ni FPJ o kasinyaman ni Manny Villar o kahit mag-kudeta ka ng maraming beses tulad ni Gringo Honasan.

Kahit pa may flying voters, kahit pa may vote buying, kahit pa may dagdag-bawas, kahit pa pumalya ang PCOS machines (na hindi naman)-- ang Diyos na aking sinasamba ay hindi natatalo sa halalan.

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Sometimes, My Opinion Doesn't Matter

JOB 40:4-5 "I am unworthy--how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer-- twice, but I will say no more" (NIV)

I cannot forget that poster posted inside a tricycle of which I was a frequent passenger:
     The image: a bunch of penguins
     The text: I don't remember the exact words but it's point is that these penguins would like to talk to God for the purpose of suggesting a few improvements.

Perhaps they would complain about the way they walk (hindi kaya ayaw nila ng pakendng-kendeng?) or perhaps they  want wings that would make them soar like eagles. Or maybe they just want a colorful appearance.

It's simply ridiculous how a penguin could ever think that there is something lacking in the wisdom of God. Yet that poster wasn't penguin-made; it's man-made. Thus it represents the arrogance of man.

We think we have brilliant opinions and God must hear them so he could fulfill his role as Deity better. We even grumble about the manna and say in our hearts that if God is good and wise, he would have given us meat.

Our Text: Job 40:3-5
We know the background behind our text:
~A righteous man named Job lost his possessions
~a righteous man lost his children
~a righteous man lost his health. A skin disease covered him from the soles of his feet to the crown of his had

Then everybody pontificates about the tragic event: his wife, his friends and even Job himself.

God begins to speak in chapter 38 of that long book. He did not explain why Job is under such circumstances. He just appealed to his wisdom and power:

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand." (Job 38:4)

God's first speech consists of chapters 38 & 39; there is more to come but God's first speech was enough for Job's submission

He realized how small he was-- "I am of small account" (ESV). Compared to God, he is reduced to insignificance. After seeing his self compared to God, Job apprehended that his opinions are insignificant too compared to the perfect wisdom of God. He decides that the best thing he could do is to cover his mouth and shut up in humble submission to God.

Job 42:3 ""Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know."

Isa. 55:9- "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

The thoughts and deeds of the Lord are beyond human comprehension. What he has revealed unto us, we must fully accept. And for the things he has hidden in mystery, we must trust his goodness and wisdom (Deut.29:29)

Thanks be to God for the gifted teachers in the church. We can always go to them whenever we have biblical/theological questions. Yet there are times when those who are most biblically and theologically perceptive among us should say "I'm sorry! I can't answer your question. I really don't know. It's beyond human comprehension. But these I know:
     God is always right
     God is always good
     and we should submit ourselves to his wisdom."
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Photo credit:  http://www.thelifeaquatic.org

The Temple Tax and the Coin in the Fish's Mouth (Matthew 17:24-27)

 Matthew 17:24-27: After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

"Yes, he does," he replied.
    When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?"

"From others," Peter answered.
    "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." (NIV)

Unlike the taxes levied by the Roman Empire, the temple tax is not burdensome for a devout Jew. The collection shall not go to the treasury of any foreign power, rather it would be used for the maintenance of  the temple services. It is for their religion. It is for their worship. It is for the house of God.

It is due. It must be paid immediately. Yet Jesus has not paid it yet. So the tax collectors approached the leading disciple of Jesus. They asked him, ""Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" Embedded in this question is the message that if Jesus doesn't pay the temple tax, then he is not devout in the faith. In other words, the reputation of Jesus is at stake. Every faithful Jew must pay the temple tax.

Eager to defend his teacher's honor, Peter quickly replied, "Yes, he does". Yet he was not so sure after all. When he arrived at the house where Jesus is staying, he wants to ask his Master about it. But Jesus, displaying his omniscience knew what is in Peter's heart so he spoke even before Peter could say something.

 "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?" It is implied here that ancient kings collected tolls and taxes from their subjects and not from their sons. Peter replied correctly, "From others". Jesus then concluded "Then the sons are exempt".

The temple as God's house must be supported. God Almighty has levied this annual tax upon his subjects and they must comply. Yet Jesus as God's son is tax-exempt. He is the heir of all things and he is creator himself (Heb. 1:2). In Rev. 17:14, he is called King of kings. He is not subject to any tax because he is the owner of the earth and everything in it. (Psalm 24:1)

Yet during his humbled state on this earth, he laid this privilege aside. He continues, "But so that we may not offend them... " He avoided unnecessary offense that will make it difficult for people to hear his message. This same principle was followed by the Apostle Paul-- to the point of giving up some rights that would "hinder the gospel of Christ" (1 Cor.9:12).

The way he provided for the payment of the temple tax is an exciting one: "...go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

He is not only the Creator and owner of all things, he also controls them all. He summoned a fish to swallow a coin at the bottom of the lake and summoned it again to submit itself to Peter's hook. The coin inside the fish's mouth was enough to pay not just Jesus' tax but Peter's also. Elsewhere, he summoned a large school of fish to submit themselves to Peter's net in broad daylight- an unlikely time for fishing. The catch was so great that the net began to break. (Luke 5:1-6)

He could do that because he is in control over all the marine creatures. He is in control on how this earth's resources are disposed: all the pearls; all the gold; all the silver; all the oil. If you are a jeepney driver, he summons passengers for you. If you are a businessman, he summons customers and clients for you. If you are a farmer, he summons rain for your crops. Everything and everyone in the universe is under his control. "he holds all creation together" (Col. 1:17 NLT)

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Works Consulted:

Carson, D.A.,  Matthew, Vol.1 (Ch. 1-12), The Expositor's Bible Commentary 
Keener, Craig, Matthew (IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

Kistemaker, Simon, The Miracles: Exploring the Mystery of Jesus's Divine Works 

Photo Credit: Christian Clipart

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